Three Indicted In Escambia Murder
January 27, 2016
Three people have been indicted in an Escambia County murder case.
An Escambia County grand jury indicted Bryan Simmons, David Calland, and Jezzamay Atherton for first degree felony murder in the death of Darel Mims.
Mims was found shot to death on January 11, 2016, in his apartment at the Beauclere Apartments located off East Burgess Road.
All three will be in court Friday for an arraignment hearing.
Byrneville Elementary Students Prepare For Groovy Reading Night
January 27, 2016
Byrneville Elementary School will hold a Groovy Reading Night this Thursday from 6-7 p.m. at the school. In anticipation of the event, students created VW buses with the students inside.
The event is for all grades. The students will enjoy a movie, popcorn and face painting, while the parents will attend breakout sessions. Families will also be able to visit the school’s Book Fair.
All Byrneville Elementary School parents and students are urged to attend.
Submitted images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Amtrak Confirms VIP Train Will Roll As Officials Study Rail Service Return To Gulf Coast
January 26, 2016
Amtrak and the Southern Rail Commission have confirmed in a press release what NorthEscambia.com was first to publish about two weeks ago — a special “inspection train” will ride the rails from New Orleans to Jacksonville next month in advance preparation for the possible return of passenger rail service to cities like Pensacola and Atmore.
The inspection train, hosted by Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman, will carry elected officials, industry representatives, community leaders and federal stakeholders. The goal of the invitation-only trip is to examine the existing CSX railroad infrastructure and to better understand rail’s economic, cultural and mobility opportunities. It it designed to provide an unparalleled perspective on reintroducing intercity passenger rail along the Gulf Coast.
The SRC recently released a study by Amtrak detailing the range of feasible service options accompanied by an analysis of ridership levels, projected revenues, and associated costs for passenger trains between New Orleans and Orlando. The models in this new study present the range of service options that will support regional economic resilience and projected population growth.
Better connections and financial performance has been projected in these models – with higher ridership and lower costs – than Amtrak services previously considered or operated in the region.
“We want to work with community leaders and CSX.” said Boardman. “Additional regional economic development can come from shared infrastructure investments on a timeline to better connect the region to the rest of the country and more than 500 other Amtrak destinations.”
Connecting the cities and towns along the Gulf Coast with passenger rail is one of the top priority projects for the Southern Rail Commission.
“The Southern Rail Commission is committed to working with local and federal partners, and Amtrak to make this service a reality in the near future,” said SRC Chairman Greg White. “We are continuing to align the necessary support for the project.”
The train is expected to arrive in Atmore about 2:41 p.m. on February 18. Passengers will board buses to spend the night at the Wind Creek Hotel in Atmore, while the empty train will continue toward Pensacola. On the morning of February 19, the passengers will be bused to Pensacola to re-board the train at 8 a.m. and continue on to stops in Crestview, Chipley, Tallahassee and Jacksonville.
Atmore officials are planning to make a huge impression on the VIP passengers when the arrive in the city for their overnight stay on February 19. The plan to meet the train with huge fanfare — high school bands, color guards, school groups and thousands of local residents.
The city is also asking residents to clean up their homes and businesses prior to February 19, according to Mayor Jim Staff. The city will use plywood to re-deck the aging train platform at the Atmore train station, which also services as Alabama’s Official Rail Welcome Station. The town will install new flower boxes, flag decorations and more in their beautification efforts.
For a previous NorthEscambia.com story, click here.
Pictured top: Jerry Gehman, Atmore’s representative to the Southern Rail Commission, announced two weeks ago that a special VIP inspection train will roll into the Atmore train station with invited passengers to spend the night of February 18 in Atmore. Pictured top inset: Gehman discusses a Southern Rain Commission report during a January 13 press conference at the Atmore City Hall. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Highway 29 Morning Drivers Greeted By Giant Equipment
January 26, 2016
Tuesday morning drivers on Highway 29 through North Escambia were greeted by a couple of giant equipment pieces under escort by the Florida Highway Patrol. In these photos, the items are passing the Highway 29 and Highway 95A intersection in Cantonment. Details of the transport were not released in advance. Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Continues To Explore Community Redevelopment Area
January 26, 2016
The The Town of Century held a second special workshop Monday with county officials to learn more about the possibility of forming a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).
Upon declaration of an area as blighted, the CRA works to improve conditions. As property tax values rise, most of the increase is funneled back into the redevelopment area for further improvements.
An estimate provide by Escambia County showed Century might, in a best case scenario, receive about $5,300 in tax funds for the first year of a CRA that included a full maximum 80 percent of the town. When asked what could be done by the CRA during its first year with $5,300, Escambia County CRA Division Manger Clara Long replied, “absolutely nothing”.
“Like Cantonment just don’t have the funding,” she said. “We just can’t do major improvements in that area yet, but it’s growing.”
CRA funds can accumulate up to 40 years before disbursement. Essentially, CRAs use redevelopment funds within a deteriorating area to transform it into one that again contributes to the overall health of a community. 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.
Century council members did not make any decision on forming a CRA at Monday’s meeting.
There are currently nine other redevelopment districts in Escambia County — Atwood, Barrancas, Brownsville, Cantonment, Englewood, Ensley, Oakfield, Palafox and Warrington — and three within the City of Pensacola.
Pictured top: Century council members (L-R) Gary Riley, Ben Boutwell and Sandra McMurray Jackson attended a CRA worshop Monday evening. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
NAS Visitors Must Use Gate On Blue Angel Parkway
January 26, 2016
Beginning next Monday, February 1, all unescorted visitors to the National Naval Aviation Museum, Fort Barrancas and Pensacola Lighthouse who do not possess a DoD identification card, will be required to enter the base using the West Gate on Blue Angel Parkway.
“The safety and security of everyone who works, lives or visits NAS Pensacola is my priority. This change will bring the installation in alignment with security directives issued by the Secretary of the Navy and are not in response to any specific threat,” said Naval Air Station (NAS) Commanding Officer, Captain Keith Hoskins.
NAS Pensacola’s main gate on Navy Boulevard will be open to all employees, military and DoD cardholders, as well as previously vetted personnel who possess a valid visitor’s pass. Visitors to Barrancas National Cemetery will be vetted upon arrival at the Visitors Information Center, Building 777 at the Main Gate.
Numerous Rail Crossings To Close
January 26, 2016
Due to upcoming maintenance repairs by CSX, traffic will experience a short-term crossing closure at Hecker Road in Escambia County beginning at 7 a.m. on Tuesday with the road expected to reopen at 5 p.m. on Wednesday. The closure is part of repairs that will be made to the railroad crossing before work begins on State Road 4.
CSX will be conducting work throughout northern Escambia County as part of its network-wide crossing maintenance program. Operations will begin Tuesday, Feb. 9, with work expected to be completed within one week.
CSX engineering crews will be laying new rail ties, resurfacing crossings and repaving them with asphalt. CSX has worked closely with local officials to coordinate the crossing closures to minimize disruption to the community and is communicating directly with residents where there are dead-end roads or no-outlet situations.
Traffic will experience temporary closures to the following road crossings during the operations period:
- Cottage Street
- McCurdy Road
- State Road 4
- Hecker Road
- Front Street
- East Pond Street
- Jefferson Avenue
- Salters Lake Road
- Bluff Springs Road
- Courtney Road
- Mystic Springs Road
- E. Bogia Road
- Cotton Lake Road
The roads lsited above will be temporarily closed at different times throughout the week depending on maintenance schedule, according to CSX.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Motorists are reminded to travel with care through the work zone and to watch for construction equipment and workers entering and exiting the roadway.
United Way Offering Free Tax Prep And Filing
January 26, 2016
United Way of Escambia County offers free online or in-person tax filing options for those with a household income of $62,000 or less in Escambia or Santa Rosa counties. Last year, the impact of United Way’s tax programs exceeded $5.1 million.
Taxpayers can tax advantage of the free service:
Online - File taxes anywhere, anytime at www.myfreetaxes.com. If questions arise, call the MyFreeTaxes Helpline at 1-855-698-9435.
In-person – Go to a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site and have an IRS-certified volunteer prepare taxes one-on-one. Dial 2-1-1 or visit www.unitedwayescambia.org/taxhelp for locations and hours of operation.
Make sure to have the following when filing taxes: state or federal photo identification; Social Security cards for all members of the household; all W2s, 1095s, 1098s, 1099s, investment statements and other tax forms; bank account information for direct deposit and last year’s tax return if available.
All VITA sites will open during the week of February 1 through the end of the tax season. For the first time, a temporary VITA site will be available in Century from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on January 29 and February 6. This site is by appointment only. Taxpayers should call 2-1-1 to reserve a spot and to learn about other one-time events held in Escambia County during tax season.
Vet Students Donate Pet Oxygen Masks To Escambia Fire Rescue
January 26, 2016
The Pensacola State College’s Veterinary Technology Program presented Escambia County Fire Rescue with five sets of pet oxygen masks Monday.
The masks were donated by students in the class.
Veterinary Technology Program Director Sarah Meyer-Paterson made the presentation to Escambia Fire Rescue Captain Craig Ammons at the PSC Warrington Campus.
“We have been very fortunate to have used these several times in the past with great success,” Ammons said. “This will replace where our people have been very creative and used water bottles and oxygen tubing. So this will help out tremendously.”
Pictured top: Pensacola State Veterinary Technology Program students demonstrate the use of a per oxygen mask. Pictured inset: Escambia Fire Rescue Captain Craig Ammons accepts the donation. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge. Pictured below: An Escambia County (FL) EMS crew uses a water bottle as a makeshift oxygen mask to revive a kitten found during a fire in Flomaton last month. The kitten made a complete recovery. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Lawmakers On Board With Alcohol At Florida Train Stations
January 26, 2016
If passenger rail service returns to the Gulf Coast, passengers would be able to buy alcoholic drinks at train stations in Florida under a measure proposed Monday by a Senate panel.
The proposal is part of a wider-ranging bill (SB 698), sponsored by Senate Regulated Industries Chairman Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, and would permit the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco to issue alcoholic beverage licenses to the owners of railroad transit stations, existing and planned.
The division could also issue alcohol licenses to the operators of restaurants or shops tied to rail stations.
The Southern Rail Commission has recently announced it is in talks with Amtrak about providing daily service from Orlando to New Orleans/ A study has tentatively affixed stops in Pensacola, Crestview, Chipley and Tallahassee — all of which would be permitted to make alcohol available at their stations under the bill.
The division could also issue alcohol licenses to the operators of restaurants or shops tied to rail stations.
Bradley said before the meeting of the Senate General Government Appropriations Subcommittee that the bill doesn’t specify any existing or proposed passenger rail service.
However, a staff analysis of the proposal specifically highlights — without commenting — that All Aboard Florida, an offshoot of Florida East Coast Industries, is building stations in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando for its Brightline passenger rail service that is expected to begin running next year.
The legislative proposal could also result in alcohol being sold at the Tri Rail stops from Mangonia Park to Hialeah or the more than 20 stations along the Metrorail in Miami-Dade County.
The measure specifies that a “railroad transit station” handle passenger trains running regular, fixed schedules between two or more cities.
Also, under Bradley’s proposal, a permit wouldn’t count against any quota license restrictions that limit the number of such permits that may be issued per county.
Municipalities or counties also wouldn’t be able to impose additional licenses or taxes to sell alcohol at stations. And the “railroad transit station” license could not be transferred beyond the stations.
A House proposal (HB 645) by Rep. Kathleen Peters, R-Treasure Island, has a somewhat similar proposal regarding train stations and alcohol sales. Her bill goes before the Business and Professions Subcommittee on Tuesday.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida, with contributions by NorthEscambia.com