No Injuries In Nine Mile At Highway 29 Rollover Crash
January 12, 2019
There were no injuries reported in a two vehicle rollover crash Friday afternoon about 4:15 p.m. on Nine Mile Road at the southbound ramp from Highway 29. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
High School Hoops Scores
January 12, 2019
Friday night high school basketball scores:
BOYS
Baker 54 Northview 46
– For a photo gallery, click here.
Tate 67, Niceville 36
– Caleb Young and J. Qualls led Tate with 18 points. Love Bettis was also in the double digits with 13.
Pine Forest 77, Escambia 73
Washington 69, Pensacola High 41
Escambia County (AL) 69, Baldwin County 54
Baker 32 Northview 27 JV
GIRLS
Northview 44 Baker 40
Escambia County (AL) 40, Baldwin County 32
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fracking Ban Proposed In Florida House
January 12, 2019
With the idea getting support from Gov. Ron DeSantis, a House Republican has filed a proposal to ban the oil- and gas-drilling process known as “fracking” in Florida. Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen, R-Fort Myers, filed the bill on Thursday, the same day DeSantis released a series of environmental proposals that included opposition to fracking.
Sen. Linda Stewart, D-Orlando, filed a similar proposal (SB 146) last month to try to ban fracking.
The bills are filed for consideration during the legislative session that starts March 5. Environmental groups and some lawmakers have long wanted to block potential fracking in Florida, but legislation has not passed.
During the 2018 session, a Senate version was approved by two committees, while a House version was never heard.
Fracking, in part, involves injecting water, sand and chemicals underground to create fractures in rock formations, allowing natural gas and oil to be released. While supporters say fracking increases production and holds down energy costs, opponents argue it threatens water supplies and can cause environmental damage.
Escambia Planning Board Approves New General Retail Store Fronting Muscogee Road
January 11, 2019
The Escambia County Planning Board has approved rezoning for a new general retail store for Cantonment.
The rezoning proposal will now go before the Escambia County Commission on February 7. It must be approved before any permits are issued.
Terramore Development, as agent for owners Steven and Carrin Buttrick, are seeking to rezone a portion of the property at 149 Highway 97 South from low density residential to a commercial district. The parcel is at the intersection of Highway 97 and Muscogee Road, with most of the frontage on Muscogee Road.
Cantonment resident Josh Womack told the Planning Board that he does not want the business to be another “big box” store like the Dollar General on Highway 29 at Neal Road in Cantonment. Instead, he said, he wants something more attractive as the surrounding community seeks to recover from its blighted status.
“I want it to be a beautiful area, because Cantonment is my home,” Womack said. “I want it attractive, and a really would like to make sure that we have it on the record that somebody is concerned about the look of this area.”
The rezoning application does not reveal what business might be opened at the location. But according to their website, Terramore Development of Thomasville, GA, is “a preferred developer for Dollar General along with developing for other national tenants such as Publix Supermarkets, Vitamin Shoppe, Dunkin Donuts, Chipotle and AT&T” in the southeastern United States.
Pictured top: Looking from Muscogee Road toward the property. Pictured below: The red outline indicates an area developer wants rezoned for a new retail development. Pictured below: The development was approved by the Escambia County Planning Board.
Escambia Firefighter’s Union President Says Department Needs More Funding
January 11, 2019
Thursday, the president of the Escambia County Professional Firefighters union told the Escambia County Commission that there are Escambia County Fire Rescue funding issues that need to be addressed.
“What are we going to do about the financial problems of the fire department? How are we going to maintain funding and stop eating ourselves from within and continue to grow? We are we going to do to empower the fire chief that we brought in from outside the area to fix this place, so to speak, and help us grow and become the department of the 21st century that we’ve all boasted that we want it to be,” Nick Gradia asked commissioners during a public forum meeting.
“It seems like until it is an emergency, it’s a crisis, until four kids die in a house fire….then we will decide to fix a problem. We are sick and tired of it. Sick and tire of it. So I’d like an answer.”
Gradia said he sent letter to each commissioner about two week ago outlining the problems, but he says the commission has not responded.
He said there is a definite problem with firefighter recruitment and retention due to pay constraints.
Due to ongoing collective bargaining talks between the firefighters and the county, commissioners were limited in the responses they could provide to Gradia in reference to salaries. Commissioners held an executive session Thursday morning to discuss firefighter pay.
Alison Rogers, county attorney, reminded commissioners during Thursday’s public forum meeting that were not allowed to negotiate in any manner outside the bargaining process.
“Speaking for myself, we are very concerned about all of our public safety employees, and so those issues will be addressed,” BOCC Chairman Lumon May said.
“I brought 30 guys here today,” Gradia said. “These folks are worried about their jobs. They are worried about their futures.
Pictured: Escambia County Professional Firefighters President Nick Gradia addresses the Escambia County Commission during a public forum Thursday with about 30 firefighters in the audience. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Cancels Personnel Policy Workshop
January 11, 2019
The Town of Century canceled a personnel policy workshop that had been planned for Thursday afternoon. No reason for he cancellation was provided in an email sent Thursday afternoon to council members and the media. There was no date provided for a rescheduled meeting.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Council On Aging Needs Heaters For Elder Adults
January 11, 2019
As temperatures drop, elder adults without dependable sources of adequate heating are vulnerable to extreme discomfort and health complications. Each year, Council on Aging of West Florida provides brand-new space heaters to these individuals to keep them warm during the colder Florida months of December, January and February. This year, Council on Aging has distributed more space heaters than ever before, but the agency still receives several calls a day desperate for relief from the cold.
“We don’t often think of Florida being bitterly cold during the winter, but temperatures can often drop below freezing,” said John Clark, president/CEO of Council on Aging of West Florida. “It is not unusual for homes with poor insulation to reach 50 degrees at night. This can constrict blood supply, impede cognitive function and slow metabolism, not to mention how uncomfortable it is. Our seniors deserve better.”
Those interested in helping these senior adults should purchase new space heaters of any size from area stores or donate online at http://www.coawfla.org/donate-to-council-on-aging/. The Council on Aging cannot accept donations of used heaters, because the agency cannot verify the safety of used appliances. Safety information is distributed with each space heater.
Individuals age 60 and over that are suffering in the cold should call (850) 432-1475 to request a space heater and verify heaters in stock before picking one up from 875 Royce Street in Pensacola. They are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and based on need.
Hill Files ‘Fetal Heartbeat’ Abortion Bill In Florida House
January 11, 2019
Rep. Mike Hill, R-Pensacola filed a proposal Thursday that would block physicians from performing abortions if fetal heartbeats have been detected.
Hill filed the measure for consideration during the legislative session that starts March 5.
The proposal would lead to third-degree felony charges for any “person who knowingly or purposefully performs or induces an abortion on a pregnant woman with the specific intent of causing or abetting the termination of the life of the unborn human being whose fetal heartbeat has been detected,” though it would include limited exceptions in situations such as when a woman’s life is in danger.
So-called “fetal heartbeat” legislation has drawn heavy debate in other states and, in some cases, has led to legal battles about whether it violates abortion rights. For example, Iowa lawmakers last spring passed a fetal-heartbeat bill, and a judge heard arguments in December about its constitutionality, according to numerous news reports.
No Injuries In Crash That Shut Down Highway 97 Thursday Afternoon
January 10, 2019
There were no injuries in a two vehicle crash about 4:15 p.m. Thursday afternoon on Highway 97 at Howell Road in Walnut Hill. The wreck did shut down Highway 97 for a brief period of time.
Troopers are investigating.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century’s Mayor Says Escambia Commissioner Is ‘A Lie’
January 10, 2019
Century’s mayor called Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry “a lie” over the purchase of airline tickets for about $1,600 that Hawkins claimed was to be reimbursed using county economic development funds.
Mayor Henry Hawkins said the tickets were purchased for “economic development” and to bring “some folks” to Century to discuss a potential business in the town.
Hawkins said he received permission from Commissioner Steven Barry to buy the airline tickets for reimbursement by the county. Escambia County committed $105,000 for economic development in the Century area this fiscal year. Proposals for the money are presented to Barry who in turn seeks approval of the entire commission at a regular meeting. So far, the commission has approved only $24,500 to the University of West Florida Haas Center for a market analysis.
“I spoke with Mr. Barry, and he told me it was good,” the mayor said of the ticket purchase at the most recent town council meeting.
Last month, NorthEscambia.com published a story in which Barry said he never even spoke to the mayor about the purchase of airline tickets.
“Unfortunately, I have not had any conversation with anyone related to the use of the Escambia County dollars allocated for economic development in the Town of Century, other than the formal request the town submitted and the county approved for the implementation of the first phase of the Haas Center study,” Barry said in a statement to NorthEscambia.com. “Based on my commitment to our board, I need to bring any additional expenditures of those dollars to one of our board meetings for approval.”
This week, Barry said he was sticking by his statement.
“I read what he said,” Hawkins said of the NorthEscambia.com article, and he provided an affirmative “yes” to a question from Brooks asking again if Barry gave prior approval for the expenditures. “That’s why I did it.”
She replied, “So you are saying that Mr. Barry is not telling the truth?”
“Just like he called me a lie, I’ll call him a lie,” Hawkins responded.
Brooks said that since the mayor’s spending authority is limited to $200 under the town charter, the council should have approved the expenditures.
“We are the ones that are supposed to approve the spending, not Mr. Barry,” she said.
NorthEscambia.com will continue to follow this story.
Pictured: Century Mayor Henry Hawkins listens to Century Council President Ann Brooks. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.