Justices To Hear Open-Carry Gun Case In June
March 23, 2016
The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments June 8 in a challenge to a state law that bars people from openly carrying firearms.
Justices issued an order Monday scheduling the arguments in the challenge filed by Dale Norman, who was arrested in 2012 in Fort Pierce while openly carrying a gun in a holster. After a jury found Norman guilty of a misdemeanor charge, the 4th District Court of Appeal upheld the state law, ruling it does not violate constitutional rights to bear arms.
Norman then appealed to the Supreme Court, which said in October that it would take up the case.
During the legislative session that ended this month, lawmakers considered proposals that would have allowed people with concealed-weapons licenses to openly carry guns. But the measures did not pass.
Escambia County To Pave Hicks Street In Cantonment
March 23, 2016
Escambia County is set to pave Hicks Street in Cantonment.
The project consists of the design and paving of Hicks Street from Muscogee Road to the west end of Hicks. The project will also address drainage upgrades necessary to prevent roadway flooding, plus restoration of disturbed areas with sodding.
Contractor for the Local Option Sales Tax funded project is Panhandle Grading & Paving.
Pictured: Hicks Street in Cantonment. Photo courtesy Escambia County for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Native Watson Named USA South Athlete Of Week
March 23, 2016
Huntingdon College’s Zack Watson was named an USA South Athlete of the Week on Monday.
The Century native earned Baseball Pitcher of the Week honors for his performance in Game 1 against No. 14 ranked Piedmont College.
Watson threw a complete-game three-hitter in Friday’s 14-1 win over the Lions. Watson improved to 4-2 on the season with the win and struck out seven, walked four and allowed one run in nine innings. After giving up two singles, two walks and a run in the first inning, Watson held Piedmont hitless in seven of the final eight innings.
A senior at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Watson lettered in baseball for Flomaton High School. He is the son of Billy and Dianne Watson and is majoring biochemistry.
Roundup: Tate, Northview
March 23, 2016
BASEBALL
Tate 1, Ocoee (FL) 0
The Tate Aggies beat Ocoee, FL, 1-0 in the second round of the Ocoee Knights Spring Break Invitational. Brandon Fryman had a one-out double and scored the run for Tate in the seventh on an RBI single from Jake Davis
Davis allowed just seven its in just over five innings on the mound. Michael Sherrill rounded out the Aggie pitching, allowing one hit and striking out one.
Tate hitters – Branden Fryman 2-4, R; Jake Davis 1-3, RBI; Josh Kea 1-2.
Monroe (AL) Academy 6, Northview 4
The Northview Chiefs lost 6-4 to Monroe Academy of Monroeville Tuesday in Bratt., 6-4.
Northivew hitters – Quentin Sampson 1-3, RBI; Seth Killam 1-4; Josh Neese 2-3, R.
Thomas Moore pitched 6.2 striking out seven, and allowing six runs and six hits. Zach Payne tossed three pitches for a strikeout.
SOFTBALL
Milton 2, Tate 0
The Milton Panthers defeated the Tate Aggies Tuesday 2-0 at Milton
Savannah Ulrich was 1-3 at the plate for the Aggies, while Hannah Brown took the loos on the mound for the Aggies with four strikeouts .
Century Faces Short Term Problem With Long Term Tornado Recovery
March 22, 2016
Nonprofit groups are preparing to help Century with long term tornado recovery efforts, but before those groups can work to repair housing in Century, the short term volunteers need a place to stay.
Greg Strader, director of BRACE (Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies), updated the Century Town Council on long term recovery efforts during their Monday night meeting.
“Recovery is a very competitive business, Strader told the council. “These volunteer groups are wanted across the county.”
Several regional and national groups, most affiliated with major religions, have expressed interest in helping rebuild houses in Century…where an estimated three-quarters of residents did not have insurance when an EF-3 tornado damaged or destroyed over 100 homes on February 15.
Those groups need a place for volunteers to spend the night, eat and shower, Strader said, with specific requirements varying by group.
Strader said the National Relief Network plans to send a team of college students from Eastern Kentucky University to help with recovery efforts in Century May 15-20. The team specializes in demolishing damaged homes while reclaiming as many building materials as practical. They can also assist with roof repairs, hanging drywall and other tasks.
The students will need a place to stay, and Mayor Freddie McCall said a dormitory style setup will be available to them at the Century Business Center. But they will also need a shower trailer, which has so far not been located by the town or BRACE.
Other volunteer groups have different housing requirements. Once, the mayor said, would consider space at the Bluff Springs Campgrounds, but that would cost $26 per person per day, or over $1,000 per day to house the volunteer church group.
McCall said the town and BRACE would continue to exploring temporary housing for rehab volunteers.
Pictured: Greg Strader, director of BRACE, addresses the Century Town Council Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
State Provides $2 Million Toward ‘The Bluffs’ Industrial Site In Cantonment
March 22, 2016
The Florida legislature has provided $2 million in funding for the The Bluffs in Cantonment — a site that could be home to as many as 60 new industrial and manufacturing companies and more than 15,000 jobs with wages of nearly $3.9 billion.
The 6,000 acre master-planned development area includes about 1,700 acres of land that can be developed in an area east of Highway 29 bordered by the Escambia River to the east, Becks Lake Road near International Paper to the north, and the University of West Florida to the south. Although located along the Escambia River, most of the property to be developed is at a high elevation, about 100 feet above sea level, and not in a flood plain.
Minimally, the project is expected to recruit approximately 10 companies that would occupy more than 3.9 million square feet of building space on 295 acres of land which will be significant to Escambia County and the regional economy.
Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry said, “The manufacturing and industrial jobs created through the Bluffs project afford our residents the opportunity to better their lives today as well as create their own prosperous future.”
“The Florida Legislature recognized the Bluffs project as one of the most significant properties within the state. With most utilities already in place, water transportation readily accessible, and mainline rail only hundreds of feet away, it is the ideal location for advanced manufacturing and industrial development. This one project will be the game changer for Northwest Florida,” said Lewis Bear, chairman of the Pensacola – Escambia Promotion and Development Commission (PEDC).
The project site plan includes four primary development areas. The area known as “Live Oak Bluff” is likely to see the first development, he said. It is about 415 acres with 13 lots in an area that is currently accessible from Becks Lake Road. A Muscogee Road freight corridor is already in the works, expanding access from Becks Lake Road and Highway 29 to an upcoming I-10 exit in Beulah.
Engineering studies have been completed on the property, identifying potential sites and accounting for wetlands, stormwater runoff, parking and roads. A marketing plan has also been developed to begin reaching out to potential companies.
The plans also include making the campus an “environmental showcase” ensuring that the natural beauty of The Bluffs is preserved by building natural trails and encouraging green features for new tenants.
The effort includes partners already located in the corridor – Ascend, ECUA, Gulf Power and the University of West Florida – along with the PEDC,the Florida West Economic Alliance and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
Pictured top and below: Aerial concept maps show The Bluffs, click to enlarge to read map labels. Pictured bottom inset: The Bluffs will be designed to be an environmental showcase. Pictured bottom: Conceptual drawing of Live Oak Bluff, the likely first area to be developed off Becks Lake Road. Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two Killed In Unrelated Escambia County Traffic Crashes
March 22, 2016
Two unrelated traffic crashes in Escambia County Sunday claimed two lives.
An Escambia County man was killed when his vehicle was hit nearly head-on by another vehicle. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 21-year old William J. Shoffner of Fort Smith, AR, was northbound on Perdido Key Drive early Sunday morning when his 2015 Honda Civic crossed into the path of a 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier driven by 61-year old James F. Forst of Pensacola. Forst was killed in the collision. Shoffner and his passenger, 21-year old Matthew A. Thames of Fort Smith, AR, were transported to Baptist Hospital with serious injuries. Any charges are pending the outcome of a traffic homicide investigation.
About 8:30 Sunday night, 34-year old Justin Fagan of Pensacola was on his 200 Harley Davidson motorcycle when he rear-ended a semi on Blue Angel Parkway near Muldoon Road. Fagan was pronounced deceased on the scene. The driver of the semi, 56-year old Earl Jordan of Pensacola was not injured. Any charges are pending the outcome of a traffic homicide investigation.
Blue Angels Return Home For 70th Season
March 22, 2016
The Blue Angels returned to Pensacola Monday afternoon for their 70th anniversary season.
The 2016 team roared back into town with a special flyover over downtown Pensacola before a welcome back event at NAS Pensacola.
Pictured: The 2016 Blue Angels in a special flyover above downtown Pensacola on Monday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ditto Gorme, click to enlarge.
Residents Discuss Parks, Dirt Roads During Davisville Town Hall Meeting
March 22, 2016
Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry held a town hall meeting Monday afternoon at the Davisville Community.
A small crowd of local residents expressed their concerns and asked question about the status of numerous county projects. Most were concerned about paving dirt roads and various park improvements.
On the subject of local parks, residents learned that water fountains are being installed in the next week or so at the Travis Nelson Park in Bratt. Construction will begin by June on a paved walking track at the Walnut Hill Community Center, then crews will move south to pave a walking track behind the Molino Community Complex on Highway 95A.
Pictured top: District 5 resident Angus Brewton speaks during a town hall meeting Monday afternoon as his wife, Gayle Brewton, listens. Pictured inset: Commissioner Steven Barry listens to a speaker during the town hall meeting at the Davisville Community Center. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Strike Out Cancer Game Earns $12K; Wins For Tate; Loss For Northview
March 22, 2016
SOFTBALL
Monday night’s Strike Out Cancer game raised an estimated $12,000 as the Tate Aggies defeated West Florida 7-1.
WP – Savannah Rowell (7 IP, 1 R (0 ER), 2 H, 12 K, 2 BB).
LP – Farrah Nicholas (4 IP, 5 R (4 ER), 7 H, 3 K, 3 BB).
Tate hitters – Kristin Quina 2-4 2B, 3 RBIs, R; Ashley Barnett 1-2 3 RBIs; Morgan Bolen 1-2 2B, RBI, 2 BB.
West Florida hitters – Haile Bell 1-3; Keyana Norman 1-2 BB, SB.
BASEBALL
Tate 10, East Ridge 0
The Tate Aggies beat East Ridge of Clermont in round one of the Ocoee Knights Spring Break Invitational, 10-0..
WP – Madison Lockman (5 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 1 K, 2 BB) .
Tate hitters – Branden Fryman 2-4, 2 RBIs, 2 runs; Hunter NeSmith 1-3, RBI; Logan Blackmon 1-2, run; Reid Halfacre 1-3, 2 runs; Mason Land 1-1, 3 runs; Cole Halfacre 2-4, 2 RBIs; Trevor Hoffman 1-1, RBI, run; Hunter McLean 1-2, RBI; Josh Kea 1-4.
Chipley 5, Northview 2
The Northview Chiefs fell to Chipley Monday night in Chipley, 5-2.
Northview hitters – Quentin Sampson 1-4, R; Seth Killiam 1-3, RBI; Jared Aliff 1-3, Josh Neese 1-3; Roman Manning 1-2, R; Jacob Dunsford 1-3
Chipley 3, Northview 2 (JV)