County Seeking Applications For Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
June 28, 2018
The Board of County Commissioners is soliciting applications for representatives to the Escambia-Pensacola Affordable Housing Advisory Committee. The committee was established per F.S. 420.9076 for the purpose of reviewing affordable housing incentives available within the county and to make recommendations concerning those incentives to the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and Pensacola City Council. The committee will also help in the development of the Local Housing Assistance Plan for the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program.
The board is seeking to fill six slots from the following specializations, as outlined per Florida Statute:
- One citizen who is actively engaged in the residential home building industry in connection with affordable housing;
- One citizen who is actively engaged in the banking or mortgage banking industry in connection with affordable housing;
- One citizen who is a representative of those areas of labor actively engaged in home building in connection with affordable housing;
- One citizen who is actively engaged as an advocate for low-income persons in connection with affordable housing;
- One citizen who is actively engaged as a for-profit provider of affordable housing;
- One citizen who is actively engaged as a real estate professional in connection with affordable housing;
- One citizen who is actively engaged as a not-for-profit provider of affordable housing;
- One citizen who resides within the jurisdiction of the local governing body making the appointments;
- One citizen who represents employers within the jurisdiction;
- One citizen who actively serves on the local planning agency;
- One citizen who represents essential services personnel, as defined in the local housing assistance plan
The committee will meet monthly during review and development of the affordable housing incentives and the new LHAP and at least quarterly thereafter. Members will serve a three-year term. Positions will be recommended to the board for approval in July and approved through resolution in September.
Citizens interested in serving should download an application online or request one via email at NED@myescambia.com. Completed applications should be forwarded to Neighborhood Enterprise Division/AHAC, 221 Palafox Place, Suite 200, Pensacola, FL 32502. All applications must be received no later than Friday, June 29 for consideration.
Kids Show Off Their Artistic Skills During Library Summer Reading Program
June 28, 2018
Summer Reading Club program participants had a chance to show off their artistic skills Wednesday at the Century Branch Library.
Mike Artell, author of “Petite Rouge The Cajun Red Riding Hood”, visited the library to share his unique talents including cartooning and music.
Artell also appeared Thursday morning at the Molino Branch Library.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Inmate Escapes In Escambia County
June 27, 2018
Authorities are searching for an escaped inmate in Escambia County.
Tuesday, Michael Reed, an inmate, walked out of the Department of Corrections on West Fairfield Drive, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday afternoon. He may be driving a red 1994 Jeep Cherokee with Florida tag number H53TSH.
It is believed he could be traveling to New Orleans. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Driver Injured In Jacks Branch Road Rollover Crash
June 27, 2018
One person was injured in a single vehicle crash early Wednesday afternoon on Jack Branch Road near Annie Bell Drive.
The driver lost control about 12:30 p.m., left the roadway and struck a culvert. The vehicle then overturned end over end. The driver was transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
The crash remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Alabama Work Release Inmate Recaptured
June 27, 2018
[Update] An escaped Alabama inmate has been recaptured.
Inmate James Douglas Hubbard was recaptured Thursday morning by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.
Previous story:
The Alabama Department of Corrections said James Douglas Hubbard, 29, fled from a work release work location near Bay Minette about 11:20 a.m. Wednesday. He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt with an orange reflective vest, blue jeans, work boots and a green baseball cap. He is about 5-foot 10-inches, 150 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.
Hubbard was serving an 84 month sentence for theft of property from Talladega County.
Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or ADOC at (800) 831-8825.
Three Charged In Murder Of 19-Year Old
June 27, 2018
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has made three arrests in connection with a June 20 Mayfair murder.
Shauntareeya L. Jones has been charged with second degree murder, and Shalen Cierra Yeldon and Deon L. Nettles have been charged with accessory after the fact for the murder of 19-year old Jaquan Berry.
The suspects met Berry near Trenton Drive and Edison Drive to buy $60 worth of marijuana. During that drug transaction a struggle ensued and the victim was shot by Jones, according to investigators. Berry was found dead on the side of the road.
Jones is being held with bond set at $700,000. Nettles and Yeldon are being held in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $300,000.
Fire Destroys Multiple Apartments In Escambia County
June 27, 2018
Fire destroyed multiple apartments in a complex on Tumbleweed Trail off Fowler Avenue early Wednesday morning.
Firefighters arrived to find flames coming from the roof about 2:30 a.m. There was no immediate report of any injuries.
Six people — four adults and two children — were displaced by the fire and are a being assisted by the American Red Cross.
The cause of the blaze is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Arrested In Nine Mile Road Shooting Death
June 27, 2018
A Nine Mile Road murder suspect was arrested after a police pursuit earlier today.
Deon Keith Harris of Cantonment was arrested for the January 6, 2017, homicide of Allen Ray Elliott. Elliott died from a gunshot wound to the head after what the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office described as a drug deal gone bad he was found face down in the parking lot of an apartment complex behind Vannoy’s Tires.
Authorities say the suspect and his girlfriend made up a story about being carjacked in order to create an alibi for the crime.
Shaquille Kushun Jordan was also arrested in late January 2017 for the murder. The case against him is pending.
Deputies located Harris’ vehicle Tuesday afternoon and attempted a traffic stop, but Harris accelerated away. During the pursuit, he struck another vehicle, injuring the driver, before the pursuit ended near Davis Highway and I-10.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
CRA Plan To Improve ‘Blighted’ Area Of Century Moves Forward
June 27, 2018
Final plans for a Century CRA — Community Redevelopment Agency — are complete and are moving forward toward final approval.
The Century Town Council, sitting as as the Community Redevelopment Agency, will submit the plan Monday at 7:05 p.m. at town hall to the Local Planning Agency.
Once the CRA is in place and operating, it will work to improve conditions within the area. As property tax values rise, most of the increase is funneled back into the redevelopment area for further improvements.
The CRA area is 510 acres, bounded by Jefferson Avenue to the south, Jefferson Avenue to the east, East High 4 to the north and the center line of North Century Boulevard to the west. It also extends north on the east side of North Century Boulevard to include commercial properties up to, and including, the former Burger King. Click here for a detailed map (pdf).
Community Redevelopment Objectives
- Enhance quality of life by partnering with public or private, profit or non-profit organizations to develop and implement facilities, programs and services that are based on and support inclusivity, tolerance, and safety in the Century CRA.
- Promote self-sufficiency and resiliency through partnerships with stakeholders that facilitate instructional opportunities for residents and business owners/entrepreneurs in the Century CRA.
- Initiate economic development opportunities that are customized to the distinctive attributes and possibilities unique to the Century CRA.
- Capitalize on the Century CRA’s historic and natural resources to support the area’s unique identity as well as promote a greater sense of neighborhood pride.
Strategies for CRA
- Invest in public facilities and infrastructure
- Sewer, stormwater management
- Transportation;
- Streetscape and pedestrian features; and
- Public and community areas.
- Expand economic development opportunities
- Improve housing conditions with repair and affordable home ownership opportunities;
- Highlight historic and natural amenities; and
- Identify targeted development sites.
Short Term Implementation Plan
- 2-Year Action Plan (2018-2020)
- Activities and tasks that are smaller, incremental and set the foundation for encouraging long-term private investment in the CRA
- Funding Resources: primarily Town, County, regional agencies, and non-profit organizations
Long-Term Implementation Plan
- •10-year Action Plan (2018-2028)
- Builds upon activities and tasks from the short-term action plan and begins to implement the more costly capital improvements and services that require utilization of revenues to leverage TIF funds
- Funding Resources: primarily regional and state agencies, and large grant organizations
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Retired Escambia County Sheriff’s K-9 Edo Passes Away
June 27, 2018
Retired Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Edo passed away Tuesday. Edo was the dedicated partner of Deputy Jason Land. Before his retirement in May 2017 , Edo not only captured numerous suspects, but was also a member of national championship four-man team at the United States Police Canine Association Police Dog Trials. NorthEscambia.com and file photos, click to enlarge.
