Tate High Student Nominated By Nobel Prize Winner For Science, Tech Congress
February 2, 2018
Tate High School sophomore Sophia Swenson has been nominated for the Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders in Lowell, MA, this summer.
T
he Congress is an honors-only program for high school students who arc passionate about science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM). The purpose of this event is to honor. inspire. motivate and direct the top students in the country who aspire to be scientists and technologists to stay true to their dream and, after the event, to prov ide a path, plan and resources to help them reach their goal.
Swenson was nominated by Dr. John C. Mather, winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics and Science Director of the National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists to represent Florida based on her academic achievement. leadership potential and passion for science and technology.
During the three-day Congress, Swenson will join students from across the country and hear Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science recipients talk about leading scientific research, be given advice from deans of the world’s top tech universities, be inspired by fellow teen science prodigies: and learn about cutting-edge advances and the future of science and technology.
Pictured: Tate Counselor Christy Mill (left) and Sophia Swenson. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Chipley Tops Northview (With Photo Gallery)
February 2, 2018
Chipley defeated the Northview Chiefs 76-52 Thursday night in Bratt.
The varsity Chiefs will host Escambia Charter Monday at 6 p.m. before wrapping up their regular season next Friday at Pensacola Christian Academy. The district tournament begins February 12 in Baker.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Phone Line Problems At Central Works
February 1, 2018
Update: Phone service has been restored.
Central Water Works is having phone problems.
“Our office lines will not be repaired until Monday, February 5. AT&T was able to forward our phone calls from our office line to a cell phone. So, our customers can still call our office number 850-256-3849 and they should be automatically forwarded,” the company said.
ECUA Puts Brakes On Cantonment Eminent Domain Request For Sewage Lift Station
February 1, 2018
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) is temporarily putting the brakes on a request to exercise its power of eminent domain to acquire property on Well Line Road in Cantonment for a sewage lift station.
ECUA is asking the Escambia County Commission to delay action on their request, according to Nathalie Bowers, ECUA public information officer. She said ECUA is “getting closer” to an agreement with the property owner and is also looking at alternative property options.
In December, ECUA said it has been unable to reach an agreement with Robert Ross, the owner of 1.2 acres of unimproved land at 400 Well Line Road. The utility said the property is needed to replace and upgrade ECUA’s “Lift Station 143″. In order to take the property under eminent domain, ECUA must first obtain the approval of the Escambia County Commission.
In January, the commission delayed action on the request to consider at a later meeting. Commissioners instead expressed grave concerns about the use of eminent domain while expressing the desire to find an alternative solution.
Ross told the commission he received a letter on four separate occasions wanting the property, beginning with a half acre and finally the entire 1.2 acres with an offer of $2,000. He said he just “threw a number out there” of $40-50,000 in response.
Under eminent domain, Florida law allows a governmental entity such as ECUA to seize property for the public good and provide full compensation to the owner. ECUA is a public utility, established as a government agency by an act of the Florida legislature.
New Home For LifeFlight Proposed In Cantonment
February 1, 2018
A request is before an Escambia County board to approved a new home north in Cantonment for the LifeFlight medical helicopter currently stationed at Baptist Hospital.
The Escambia County Board of Adjustment will consider a Land Development Code conditional use request for a medical heliport, including a hangar, to be located in the Central Commerce Park off Highway 29 at 1671 Success Lane.
“Baptist Hospital’s LifeFlight is no longer able to operate from the hospital location and is seeking an alternative location in Escambia County,” according to company’s Board of Adjustment application.
If it is approved through the entire developmental process, the medical helipad could be built on a 2.35 acres. Within 1,000 feet of the property, there are only three other developed industrial parcels.
The application states the operation will not generate unreasonable noise or nuisances. Minimal on-site parking will be required and will connect to Success Drive. Emergency vehicle access will be provided on both sides of the proposed 3,000 square foot hangar and 4,000 square foot landing pad. The project also will include a 1,400 square foot office. The entire area will be behind a 5-foot chain link fence, except for the parking area.
NorthEscambia.com graphics and photo, click to enlarge.
Century’s Search For A Web Design Company Comes Up Empty
February 1, 2018
The Town of Century wants a new website, but there were no responses to advertisements seeking proposals.
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. Town officials said they intend to re-advertise in attempt to find a web design company within their $7,500 budget.
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.
Underhill: Cut ECAT Routes To Fund Bridge Repair, Possibly Lower Gas Tax
February 1, 2018
Escambia County Commissioner Doug Underhill intends to present an idea to his fellow commissioners to cut ECAT routes to fund repairs on failing bridges and possibly cut a gas tax.
Underhill told NorthEscambia.com that eliminating the eight lower performing ECAT public transportation routes would save about $4 million dollars. He will propose using that $4 million for bridge repair, or using $2 million for bridges and rolling back the 4-cent mass transit gas tax to 2-cents.
Each of eight lower performing ECAT routes cost between $300,000 to $700,000 to operate, Underhill said.
According to information provided by the commissioner, the eight lowest performing routes, listed with the number of riders per hour, are:
Route — 41 East Pensacola Heights 1
Route 57 — NATTC/Corry/Downtown 6
Route 8 – Downtown/VA Clinic/Blue Angel 7
Route 59x– NAS/Cordova 8
Route 60 — Century 5 (also stops in Molino and Cantonment)
Route 63 — Michigan/Airport 8
Route 64 — Beach Jumper 4
Route 59A — NAS/Airport 1
The 4-cent gas tax for mass transit went into effect on January 1, 2014.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Dies In Classic Car Crash Near Atmore
February 1, 2018
An Alabama man died when he crashed his classic car near Atmore midday Wednesday.
Alabama State Troopers said 62-year-old Rudolph Reginald Nettles was traveling 18th Avenue just east of Atmore about noon. His 1955 Chevrolet left the roadway and struck a culvert. Nettles was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced deceased on the scene.
The accident remains under investigation by state troopers.
Molino Park Elementary Names Students, Citizens Of The Month
February 1, 2018
Molino Park Elementary School has named students and good citizens of the month for January. They are (L-R) Students of the Month Raedon Barcinas and Lilly Dekker; and Good Citizens of the Month Haleigh Mishoe and Eli Davis. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Search Begins For New Escambia Fire Chief With Job Posting
February 1, 2018
Just two days after relieving Escambia County Fire Chief Pat Grace of his duties, Escambia County has started the search for a replacement.
The job was posted online and publicly announced on Twitter.
The salary range for the position is listed as $81,036 to $133,536 with an application deadline of March 4.
Escambia County Administrator Jack Brown said there will be nationwide search for the next fire chief.
Grace was relieved of his duties as of Monday, and his last official day on the county payroll will be April 29. His departure came as Brown said the department needed a new direction and culture as a harassment investigation came to light. Grace was not the focus of the investigation.
Deputy Chief Paul Williams has been designated as interim chief.