Escambia Planning Board Rejects Change To Loosen Regulation On Rural Growth
October 2, 2018
The Escambia County Planning Board voted unanimously Monday against recommending a change to the county’s comprehensive plan that would loosen regulation on rural growth.
The change would remove protections for agricultural and silvicultural (forestry) lands from new rural communities.
The portion of the comprehensive plan under review for removal states,”To protect silviculture, agriculture, and agriculture-related activities Escambia County will not support the establishment of new rural communities.”
“Removing this provision in the comprehensive plan to protect agriculture and silviculture lands in Escambia County, and increase density of previous farm land, may contribute to a cascading loss of available land to farm, less wildlife corridors, and recreational opportunities for the citizens, along with an increased cost of building and maintaining infrastructure far away from existing population density and county facilities,” Escambia County resident Jacqueline Rogers said. She addressed the Escambia County Planning Board Monday.
The planning board’s recommended denial will go the the Board of County Commissioners for final action. If the BOCC does not concur with the planning board and approves the change, it would still be subject to state scrutiny.
Silviculture is the art and science of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, health, and quality of forests and woodlands to meet the diverse needs and values of landowners and society such as wildlife habitat, timber, water resources, restoration, and recreation on a sustainable basis, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
Pictured: North Escambia farmland. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Ashland Avenue To Close At Nine Mile Road
October 2, 2018
The intersection of Ashland Avenue between Nine Mile Road and Bush Street will experience a closure beginning Tuesday, Oct. 2 at 7 a.m. Traffic heading south will be detoured along Bowman Avenue to Bush Street, then west to Ashland Avenue. Traffic heading north along Ashland Avenue will be detoured east down Bush Street to Bowman Avenue, then north to Nine Mile Road.
The road closure is expected to remain in effect for approximately 11 days and every effort will be made to expedite construction to reopen the road before Saturday, Oct. 13.
Construction will consist of upgrading the existing storm drainage system.
If other lane or roadway closures are necessary beyond the anticipated time periods, another notice will be issued.
Click the graphic for a larger map.
Kids Are Learning To Code Each Week At Carver Park In Cantonment
October 2, 2018
Children are learning to code during a program from the West Florida Library each week at Carver Park in Cantonment.
Monday, the children used Coding Jam with characters and physical blocks to help them learn block-based coding through music and play. They were able to get to know coding’s creative side while developing an ear for rhythm, melody and harmony.
The small blocks with the coding kits are put together by the kids. The blocks and code are read by an iPad and the characters on the screen come to life.
They previously used Coding with Awbie, which teaching logic skills and problem solving. They control Awbie, a playful character that loves strawberries. Each coding command opens a strawberry munching adventure for Awbie.
The coding program is offered Monday afternoons from 4:00 until 5:30 at Carver Park, 208 Webb Street. They won’t be there next week due to the Columbus Day holiday but will return on October 15.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Friends Of The Library Big Fall Book Sale Was A Big Success
October 2, 2018
The annual Friends of West Florida Public Library’s Big Fall Book Sale was a big success. Organizers said the annual event raised almost $14,000 for the Friends, a non-profit support organization of the West Florida Public Library. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Not Too Late To Enter The Northview Homecoming Parade
October 2, 2018
There are already about 45 entries in Friday’s Northview High School Homecoming Parade, and organizers said it is not too late to sign up to take part.
The parade will line up at 12:30 p.m. and travel from Bratt Elementary School to Northview High. Entries are being accepted now; there is no cost to enter. For a printable entry form, click here.
A homecoming meal to support the Tommy Weaver Memorial Scholarship Fund will be sold for $7. Meals will be served after 10 a.m. on October 5 and will include a barbecue sandwich, chips, dessert and a drink.
Contact Perry Byars at (850) 327-6681 ext. 248 or email pbyars@escambia.k12.fl.us for more information or to reserve homecoming meals.
The Northview Chief’s homecoming game will kickoff at 7 p.m. on October 5 against the Jay Royals.
Pictured: The 2017 Northview High Homecoming Parade in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Workers To Help With Hurricane Florence Recovery
October 2, 2018
The Town of Century is sending two workers to the Carolinas in the near future to help with Hurricane Florence recovery.
The town council voted Monday night to send the two employees and two trucks to either North or South Carolina for a week. They will be paid for a straight 40-hour week.
Mayor Henry Hawkins said he wanted the town to help because Century has been on the receiving end of assistance in the past following natural disasters.
Robert Bender Wins Escambia Commission Seat After His Opposition Withdraws
October 2, 2018
Robert Bender has been elected to the Escambia County Commission from District 4.
“Write-in candidate Leigh Anne Bell has withdrawn as a candidate for the office of Board of County Commissioners, District 4, resulting in an unopposed candidate race. Although it is too late to remove the contest from the November 6 General Election ballot itself due to the lateness of the withdrawal, a vote cast in the race will not change the outcome as the remaining candidate is deemed by law to be elected. Any votes cast in this contest will not be reported or published,” the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections office said Monday.
Blue Wahoos Announce New Affiliation Partnership With Minnesota Twins
October 2, 2018
The Minnesota Twins it is. Going right up to the deadline the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and the Minnesota Twins signed a player development contract (PDC) for the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
The final Double-A affiliation agreements came down to the San Diego Padres and Minnesota Twins Organizations and the cities of Pensacola, Fla. and Amarillo, Texas.
“This is a rare time when there are no losers. The Padres and Twins are first class organizations,” said Blue Wahoos president Jonathan Griffith. “One would end up playing in the picturesque downtown Pensacola’s Blue Wahoo Stadium and the other in a brand new 44 million ball park in Amarillo, Texas. Both are great venues in great cities.”
“This was our first time going through this process it was beyond expectations,” added Griffith. “The Padres and Twins were both great. We learned so much during the process on what we can do better based on how they both operate. In an operational area such as speeding up food delivery the Padres still offered to share their processes with us even after learning the decision to sign with the Twins. The Twins, like the Padres, are committed to a partnership that will help the Wahoos continue to get better.”
“We are thrilled to sign a two-year player development contract with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos,” said Director, Minor League Operations Jeremy Zoll. “Their owners and leadership team have a clear commitment to positively impacting the community in Pensacola, and we believe that the values of the Twins and Blue Wahoos could not be better aligned. We are looking forward to being true partners to Pensacola in both business and baseball operations and are excited for our AA players to have the opportunity to call the Pensacola community their home.”
“Both teams’ owners, Ron Fowler of the Padres and Jim Pohlad of the Twins, were very active in the process, which we appreciated,” said Blue Wahoos owner Quint Studer. “Both organizations are in a rebuilding process. With the leadership that these owners provide, it is no surprise why they have minor league systems rated in the top five. They both are deeply committed to their respective communities beyond baseball.”
The team will open the new year with exciting news about stadium upgrades. The Blue Wahoos will also announce more details about the community impact of the partnership between the Wahoos and the Twins.
New Budget Year With Property Tax Increase Begins Today For Escambia County, Century
October 1, 2018
Monday marked the first day of the new 2018-2019 budget years for both Escambia County and Century, and a relative increase in property tax rates for residents of both.
Century’s budget is $3.43 million, about $1.17 million lower than the town’s previous budget year. The property tax rate is 7.3 percent higher than the rolled-back rate.
Read: Did Century’s Property Tax Increase Violate The Town Charter.
Escambia County’s budget is $475 million, up from $456 million last fiscal year. Property taxes are 3.17 percent higher than the rolled-back rate.
Read: Citizen’s Guide To Escambia County’s Budget
The roll-back rate is the tax rate that would generate the same amount of property tax revenue as approved for the prior year. A millage rate higher than the roll-back rate is defined by the state as a tax increase.
Charges Dropped Against Molino Man Accused Of Drug Trafficking
October 1, 2018
Charges have been dropped against a Molino man arrested for drug trafficking after a traffic stop.
There was insufficient evidence against John Homer Docherty to try him on charges of trafficking methamphetamine and two counts of possession a controlled substance without a prescription, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with a passenger brake light out on W Street in Pensacola. Docherty was a passenger in the car, and a K-9 alerted on the vehicle. Deputies recovered a total of 27.1 grams of meth from under the passenger seat and glove box, according to an arrest report. Deputies also reported finding 1.5 tables of Xanax and two Oxycodone tablets.
The driver was issued a citation for no seat belt.