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.
Northview Boys Weightlifting Opens With Win
February 1, 2018
The Northview Chiefs boys weightlifting teams started their season with a victory over Rocky Bayou Christian in a dual-meet Wednesday afternoon.
Overall, the Chiefs defeated the Knights 68-16.
Individually, the following Chief lifters placed:
119-lb. class:
Logan Bryan (FR) – 1st
Jaylon North (FR) – 2nd
129-lb. class:
Trent Kite (SO) – 1st
Tyler Ray (FR) – 2nd
139-lb. class:
Dalton Hadley (SR) – 1st
Justin Lambeth (FR) – 2nd
154-lb. class:
Colten Dockens (SO) – 1st
Jarius Moorer (JR) – 2nd
169-lb. class:
Aunterio Minor (SO) – 1st
Tim Bush (SR) – 2nd
183-lb. class:
Gabe Henderson (SO) – 1st
Will Beach (SO) – 2nd
199-lb. class:
Lance McLaughlin (JR) – 3rd
219-lb. class:
Jacob Hawkins (SO) – 1st
Tyler Kite (SO) – 2nd
238-lb. class:
Jojo Parker (SO) – 1st
Matt Glover (SR) – 2nd
Heavyweight class:
Matt Caine (JR) – 2nd
The Chiefs return to action next Wednesday at home vs. Pensacola Catholic at 3:30.
Northview, Jay FFA Students Attend ‘Ag On The Hill’ In Tallahassee
February 1, 2018
Northview and Jay High School FFA students attended the annual Ag on the Hill week this week in Tallahassee. Students were welcomed to the event by the Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam, several members of the Florida Legislature, and Florida Department of Career and Technical Education personal. Nothview and Jay FFA students visited with Rep. Jayer Williamson (pictured below) and Sen.Doug Broxson (pictured above). The annual event is hosted by the Florida FFA Association and Florida Association of Agriculture Educators.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Serious Injuries In Highway 95A, Tate School Road Crash
January 31, 2018
There were no serious injuries in a two-vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon at Highway 95A and Tate School Road. Three people involved in the crash refused transport to the hospital. The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Northwest Florida Senators Oppose Plan To Move Area To The Eastern Time Zone
January 31, 2018
Senators from Northwest Florida are speaking out against a proposal that would move the Florida Panhandle into the Eastern time zone.
The Senate Affairs Committee has voted in favor of a proposal by Sen. Greg Steube, a Sarasota Republican, to put Panhandle counties in the same time Eastern time zone as the rest of the state and for Florida to observe daylight-saving time all year.
Senator Doug Broxson (R-Pensacola), Senator George Gainer (R-Panama City), and Senator Bill Montford (D-Tallahassee) expressed serious concerns to the proposed legislation
“Senator Gainer, Senator Montford, and myself represent people who live and work in the Central time zone and we adamantly oppose any move to change to Eastern time zone. We have heard our constituents loud and clear that they want to us to maintain our historical place in the Central time zone,” Broxson said.
“This is a much bigger issue than the convenience for my constituents. Parents, understandably, do not want their children waiting for the bus in the dark, just as one example. It becomes a safety issue for our school districts,” said Senator Montford. “We need to look at this issue from a more comprehensive standpoint, because there will much more far-reaching implications than I think people realize. I have constituents in both time zones and if we look closely at this issue, we might see that it could cause more problems than remembering to reset your watch when you come across the river.”
Under the bill, dubbed the “Sunshine Protection Act,” the U.S. transportation secretary would have to initiate rulemaking to redesignate the portions of Florida that currently lie within the Central time zone to the Eastern time zone. Congress would have to approve legislation to allow the state to remain under year-round daylight-saving time.
“We do not need the state legislation to tell us what time it is. Anything of this magnitude that affects our daily lives should be put to a vote by the people,” said Senator Gainer.