Drilling Foes And Supporters Say Florida Still In Play
February 9, 2018
Supporters and opponents of oil drilling closer to Florida’s shoreline refused Thursday to accept U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s declaration that the state wouldn’t be part of a White House plan to expand exploration.
The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management held the only Florida open house on a proposed five-year program to open more waters to oil and gas exploration. But participants in competing press conferences doors away at a Tallahassee hotel agreed on one thing: Zinke’s stance on a Florida exemption isn’t final.
“Why are the environmentalists here? Why are they raising hell about this issue if no means no? It’s because, you know what, no is never no,” said Barney Bishop, a Tallahassee consultant and offshore drilling proponent. “You all don’t know about the discussions that are being held in private. No, publicly, can mean a whole lot of things in private.”
Zinke flew to Tallahassee International Airport on Jan. 9 and, after a brief meeting with Gov. Rick Scott, announced that Florida waters were removed from plans to open previously protected parts of the Atlantic Ocean and the eastern Gulf of Mexico to offshore oil and gas drilling.
The announcement, hailed by Scott and environmentalists, has drawn questions about whether the quick decision was made to further Scott’s political career. Meanwhile, governors in some other coastal state have made their own inquiries about getting exemptions from the White House plan.
Opponents of the plan on Thursday held a “people’s hearing” to gather public comments they will submit to the federal bureau.
Ian MacDonald, a Florida State University professor of oceanography, argued that a potential future spill — similar to the deadly 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster — would impact the physical well-being of Floridians.
“We received countless calls from state agencies and the federal government … asking for information which in many cases we didn’t have,” MacDonald said. “How many fish are there? How will they be impacted? How will coral be affected by this? These were all questions we didn’t know the answer to. Well, we still don’t have enough answers. And we still don’t have enough regulations.”
And Jerry DiFabrizio, a tile distributor from Tampa, said the threat of oil rigs appearing on the horizon could impact the quality of life in Florida by hindering property values.
“Whenever it’s announced that there is drilling off the coast, revenue for the state that helps the state provide good things is reduced,” DiFabrizio said. “We don’t want to just put condos wall to wall. We need the beaches to be preserved. We need the beaches to be maintained, conserved and restored.”
While Thursday’s event at the Four Points by Sheraton Tallahassee Downtown hotel allowed people to see videos and papers and interact with bureau officials, before leaving comments, the “people’s hearing” provided a chance for people to vent their concerns with an audience.
A short-time earlier, proponents of oil exploration called for Florida’s waters to remain in the program.
Kevin Doyle, executive director of the Consumer Energy Alliance, which advocates “in support of affordable, reliable energy,” said exploration would enable the United States to be energy-dominant with the rest of the world.
“I think the original plan that was proposed is something that is a good starting point in this process,” Doyle said. “To import energy from areas that don’t like us as much, like Venezuela and other places such as that, if we can do that here in the United States, it’s a great thing for small businesses, for families and for consumers.”
The hearing, one of 22 being held through March 8 across the country, is the only one in Florida. Most are being held in state capitals.
A draft report is expected by the end of the year, which will be followed with another round of public hearings.
Renee Orr, the bureau’s chief of strategic resources, said the open house format allows more interaction than lining people up at a podium.
“We’re going to look at the comments we receive as a result of all of these public hearings and all of the information that is submitted,” Orr said. “We are going to look at all of the eight factors and provide that information to the secretary. Ultimately, he will make that balancing decision.”
Prior to the hearing, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection submitted its opposition to the proposal.
Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Noah Valenstein said in a letter that Florida’s coastal areas have “high environmental, economic and military value not only for Florida, but also for the nation.”
Valenstein also noted the comment by Zinke to Scott that Florida was off the table.
“As we have seen in the past, oil spills can have a devastating impact to Florida’s economy and our diverse natural resources,” Valenstein wrote.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
ECSO: Man Hits Deputy After Highway 29 Traffic Stop
February 8, 2018
An Escambia County man allegedly fought with and struck a deputy after a traffic stop on Highway 29 in Ensley.
Deputies conducted the traffic stop on Highway 29 near Detroit Boulevard late Thursday morning. The suspect, identified as 29-year old Joshua Matthew Russaw of Pensacola, fought with a deputy, striking him at last once, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The deputy was not injured.
Russaw was booked into the Escambia County Jail on on felony charges of battery, resisting an officer with violence and obstruction.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour and reader submitted photos, click to enlarge.
Century Moves Forward With CRA, Schedules Public Meeting
February 8, 2018
The Town of Century is moving forward through the process of creating a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)
The town previously declared a portion of Century as “blighted” as part of the process to form the CRA.
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, State Road 4 to the north and the centerline 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).
Essentially, CRAs use redevelopment funds within a deteriorating area to transform it into one that again contributes to the overall health of a community. The money can roll over year to year, up to a 40-year life for a CRA.
“It’s not going to take some years before you build that money up,” town consultant Debbie Nickles said. “It’s not going to be overnight.”
CRA funds can be used for a variety of public purposes, including items specified in the agency’s redevelopment plan, planning and surveys, acquisition of real property, affordable housing development and community policing innovations.
In establishing the CRA, the Century council found that the area is blighted, with a predominance of deteriorated or dilapidated housing in the area. Nearly half of the homes in the area were scored as dilapidated and in need of rehabilitation or reconstruction.
The median value of an owner-occupied home in Century is $40,000, compared to the Escambia County median housing value of $81,700. The average median household income in the Century area is $24,583, compared to the Escambia County’s median household income of $46,001.
The first of three CRA public meetings will be held on Tuesday, February 20 from 4-6 p.m. at the Century Business Center, with a formal presentation at 4:00. Refreshments will be served.
Rotary Essay Contest Winners Named
February 8, 2018
Subwest Rotary Four-Way Essay Test Contest winners were recently announced.
First place was Josh Vandal, Washington High, $400; second place Walker Parra, Washington High, $200; and third place Jazmyn Quarells, Tate High, $100.
The Four-Way Test Essay Contest is open to all Escambia County high school students, with each participant writing a short essay on the topic “Why is the Rotary Four-Way Test relevant today?”. The Four-Way Test is used by Rotarians to encourage value-driven, ethical behavior at work, at home and in the community.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FHP Seeks SUV HIt And Run Driver
February 8, 2018
The Florida Highway Patrol is seeking information on a hit and run driver that stuck a pedestrian Wednesday on Van Pelt Lane near W Street.
Shaquita Salter, 30, was transported to Baptist Hospital after being hit about 1:12 p.m. The vehicle was described as a red and black SUV with a white male driver. He was last seen heading north on W Street.
Anyone with information on the crash ask asked to call Trooper Timothy Brown at (850) 484-5000.
Jim Allen Elementary School Names Students Of The Month
February 8, 2018
Jim Allen Elementary School has named Students of the Month for January. They are Joshua List (left) and Kinzy Cutler. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Trying Again To Find Website Designer, Host
February 8, 2018
The Town of Century is trying again to find a website design and hosting company after a previous attempt came up short.
In early January, the town published a request for legal notice proposal for website redesign, hosting and support in the Tri-City Ledger and the Pensacola News Journal. The proposals were due by 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. By 10:35 a.m., no proposals had been received. Two proposal were received after the deadline and were not opened.
The town council vote to advertise again, this time skipping the Pensacola News Journal due to cost, instead opting to run a cheaper ad Tri-City Ledger and a free ad on NorthEscambia.com. (NorthEscambia.com regularly publishes public notices for the Town of Century at no cost.)
The town has allocated a budget of up to $7,500 for the new website.
Full disclosure: NorthEscambia.com was hired by vote of the full Century Town Council to review the technical aspects of the website RFP. We disclosed at that time that we would not submit a bid on the proposal. Our total bill for services rendered is estimated to be $275.
Pictured: The Town of Century’s current website, which has had no apparent updates since February 2015. NorthEscambia.com image.
National Signing Day Roundup
February 8, 2018
Here’s a roundup of National Signing Day commitments:
- Justin Helton, Northview — Dodge City Community College (Kansas)
- Alex Young, Tate — Mississippi
- Tyler Dorsett, Tate — Valdosta State
- Shermari Jones, Tate — Independence Community College
- Juanito Gonzlez, Tate — Mount Union
- Keyshawn Helton, West Florida High — Florida State
- Devin Abrams, West Florida High — Furman
- Dillon Bredesen, West Florida High — South Carolina State
- Adarius McWilliams, West Florida High — Alabama-Birmingham
- Taylor Williams , West Florida High — Valdosta State
- Jacob Copeland, Escambia — Florida
- Daishon Folsom, Escambia — Hutchinson Community College (Kansas)
- Chris McCray, Escambia — Glenville State University
- Dominic Miller, Escambia — Pensacola State (baseball)
- Ladarius Harris, Pensacola High — Southeastern University
- Tyrese Albritton, Pensacola High — Southeastern University
- Marquis Coleman, Pensacola High — Southeastern University
- Deandre Thurman, Pensacola High — Webber International
- Tyrese CunninghamPensacola High — Webber International
- Kenneth Wesley, Pensacola High — Bluefield Community College
- Deaaron Finklea, Pensacola High — Bluefield Community College
- Mystikal McGhee, Washington — Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
- Ray Samuel, Escambia – Hutchinson Community College (Kansas)
- Tony Gerencser, Pace — Millsaps College
- Walter Yates III, Gulf Breeze — Savannah State University
- Rainey Niles, Gulf Breeze — Louisiana-Lafayette (soccer)
- Margeaux Hunt, Gulf Breeze — West Alabama (soccer)
- Jaylan Brown, Escambia County (Atmore) — Birmingham Prep School
- Louie Turner, Escambia Academy – Alcorn State
Pictured: Northview High School’s Justin Helton signed with Dodge City Community College (Kansas). NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
UWF Announces 2018 Football Signing Class
February 8, 2018
University of West Florida football coach Pete Shinnick announced a class of 15 high school standouts on Wednesday, marking the fourth full class of recruits after he was hired in 2014.
Shinnick’s first group since advancing to the national championship game includes eight offensive players, six on defense and one kicker. The mid-year transfer group includes eight players who enrolled at UWF in January and four that sat out the fall semester as redshirts.
“When we put the numbers together four years ago we figured we’d sign between eight and 12 (in this class),” said Shinnick, who was named the AFCA and D2Football.com Division II National Coach of the Year. “Our coaches did a fantastic job identifying some really good guys and when they became available, and we had the opportunity to get them, we took advantage of it.”
“I feel great about getting the 15 (high school signees) that we did get. Two areas where we don’t have a lot of young guys on our current roster are the offensive line and defensive back.”
The incoming group of prep signees and college transfers combine to include six offensive linemen and two tight ends. UWF also picked up eight defensive backs.
The class features 19 players from Florida, three from Alabama and one each from Georgia, New York, North Carolina and Texas.
The 26 total players will add to a roster that has more than 90 returnees, including 17 starters from last year’s team that went 11-4 overall, 5-3 in Gulf South Conference play and gained national attention with its run to the Division II National Championship Game in it’s second year of competition.
UWF’s spring practice will begin on March 24 and end with the Blue-White Spring Game on Saturday, April 21.
Bratt Elementary Releases Latest Honor Roll
February 8, 2018
The following students were named to the second nine weeks honor roll at Bratt Elementary School:
Kindergarten Honor Roll
Waylon Bell
Rex Brown
Bailey Campbell
Jonah Carter
Sarah Jane Classen
David Daniel
Zoey Davidson
Ella Grace Diller
Amanuel Dubose
Linley Dunn
Brooklynne Fountain
Audrey Franklin
Cameron Gipson
Tucker Hare
Braylie Harrison
Riverly Heathcock
Kalli Ikner
Zoe Jantz
Rylan Johnson
Jonathan Kaul
Ivyonna Knight
Trevor Knighten
Brantley Laborde
Landon Lee
Jadon Long
Bentley Lowery
Madalynn Lowery
Makyla Mason
Freddie McCall
Brylynn McGhee
Shaleria Mitchell
McKenzie Norton
Dalton Perdue
Brylee Peters
Kailah Pompa
Bentley Rice
Aric Rolin
Chayton Rolin
Anniston Salter
Sawyer Sandoval
Samuel Sandoval
Calee Satterwhite
Houston Smith
Emma Southard
Makiah Spates
Bella Walker
Angel Whisenton
First Grade A Honor Roll
Alexis Amerson
Alexa Beasley
Jaxon Byrd
Addison Carpenter
Harmony Cruz
Carson Eady
Aubrey Flowers
Pryce Flowers
Josyah Fontenot
Olivia Garrett
Nathan Gilmore
Kyndal Hadley
Mason Helton
Sophia Ikner
Maybree Johnson
Jeremy Lisenby
Noah Luker
Keylashia Randle
Caden Sanspree
James Thompson
Javan Thompson
Kinley White
First Grade A-B Honor Roll
Eric Anthony
Sadie Baker
Nola Barber
Jerrilynn Barlow
Abigail Brown
Payton Coon
Kintley Flowers
Christian Fountain
Jepp Godwin
Alexa Hardy
Autumn Heist
Denis Lambeth
Parker Marsh
Mya McCants
Briley Moore
Demeatree Moorer
Jonathan Patrick
Layla Pettway
Jade Presley
Madison Rice
Jamileon Syria
Brooklyn Turk
Mi’Kavion White
Dillon Wiggins
Second Grade A Honor Roll
Govan Alexander
Landon Allcock
Jack Carpenter
Logan Diller
Sawyer Gilmore
Brody Hall
Camden Jacobson
John McAnally
Hunter Parker
Kain Pompa
Christian Roberts
Makinzi Roley
Lani Steadham
Kaylee Wilson
Second Grade A-B Honor Roll
Tyler Amerson
Eli Anthony
Kasei Barlow
Gabrielle Boatwright
Jamarreai Davison
Braxton Dinc
Jacob Dove
O’Neshia DuBose
Brayden Faircloth
Zachary Flowers
Parker Ganey
Emmalee Grimes
Anthony Johnson
Evelyn Jones
M’kenzie Mcghee
Mya Pettway
Madalynn Pittman
Brooklyn Reynolds
Jackson Sellers
Breah Shelly
Adalynn Southard
Noah Spence
Wyatt Spence
Cassandra Stilwell
Kameryn Thompson
Third Grade A Honor Roll
Montgomery Baker
Amara Campbell
Christian Caraway
Jacobi Dougall
Annberly Dunn
Jad’Quie Evans
Hayden Gipson
Cathryn Greenwood
Laila Hadley
Presley Johnson
Kylee Langham
Kaylee Long
Savannah Lowry
Mikayla McAnally
Dakota Richardson
Avery Stuckey
Third Grade A-B Honor Roll
William Classen
Caley Daharsh
Crimson Davis
Carlie Davis
Kylar Davis
Thomas Davis
Nolan Eady
Lori Hall
Jackson Helton
Dallas Kelson
Khloe Mason
Logan Morris
Makayla Plato
Anna Claire Sanspree
Miles Smith
Jake Taylor
Raleigh Warr
Jason Wiggins
Cobie Wiggins
Melissa Wilson
Fourth Grade A Honor Roll
Desiray Bagwell
Jackson Bridges
Addison Classen
Tristan Crumm
Samantha Minchew
Jackson Simmons
Fourth Grade A-B Honor Roll
Lauren Abbott
Ellie Adkins
Claire Amerson
Wade Bailey
Bailey Blackwell
Karissa Boatwright
Nevaeh Bush
Luke Chavers
Aakira Davis
Jordan Dawson
John Glenn
Talise Gregson
Joseph Hardenbrook
William Heard
Tristan Johnson
LanDon Johnson
Jessica Jowers
Keeli Knighten
Carley Moore
Christopher Odom
Braylan Shelly
Brayden Smith
Maggie Stewart
Mya Wilson
Fifth Grade A Honor Roll
Ashton Covan
Colton Criswell
JaCee Dortch
Jaylin Evans
Jamison Gilman
Mary Catherine Hughes
Laura Laborde
Colby Pugh
Ally Richardson
Maggie Scott
Zakyla Smith
Fifth Grade A-B Honor Roll
Ayden Atallah
Kinslee Coker
Beau Daw
Noah Faulkner
Aliyah Fountain
Landon Hawthorne
Ja’Marrion Hooks
Taliyah Johnson
Kamryn Langham
Kaitlin Lloyd
Michael McGhee
Anthony Miller
Adannaya Mondaca
Breanna Sanspree
Daygen Slate
Bryce Stabler
Brayson White
Jayden White