Scott, Cabinet Honor Orlando Shooting Victims
June 25, 2016
At the state Capitol on Friday, Governor Rick Scott, his wife, Ann, and the three members of Florida’s Cabinet honored the victims of the June 12 attack on the Pulse nightclub in Orlando — the worst mass shooting in the nation’s history.
Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater put yellow roses in front of 49 Florida flags — one for each of the club-goers who died after being shot by gunman Omar Mateen, who was later killed by police — lining the front lawn of the Capitol.
The flags were accompanied by photographs of each person who was killed in the attack at the gay nightclub.
“The memory of this horrific tragedy will never be forgotten, as well as the legacies of each of the 49 victims,” Scott said in a press release accompanied by photos of the memorial site. “While we can never completely heal from the pain of such loss, we continue to be reminded of each life taken in Orlando and their individual impact on so many. We mourn with the families and loved ones as they grieve, and ask all Floridians to continue praying for those affected by the terror attack in the coming days. This memorial will be a place to remember and honor their lives.”
The flags will remain up for 49 days.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
by The News Service of Florida
Tornado Damaged Historic Century Methodist Church Coming Down
June 24, 2016
The tornado damaged 114-year old Century United Methodist Church is coming down, board by board, piece by piece..
“It’s being dismantled, not demolished,” Rev. Janet Lee said Thursday. “The hope is that there is enough wood there that is good enough to use in some way when we rebuild.”
The simple, but beautiful wooden church stood strong on Church Street since just after the turn of the Century. It was left precariously leaning after a February EF-3 tornado lifted it off it’s foundation and shifted the entire building about two feet away. The building was deemed a total loss and in danger of collapse by a structural engineer.
In the days after the tornado, church members and volunteers worked, despite the danger, to remove stained glass windows, pews and other furniture, and chandeliers from the building. Members have former members have stopped by, some posing for pictures on the porch, and reminiscing about the weddings and funerals and special services — the important moments in their lives and the in the lives of their families — that took place in the little wooden church.
“We tried to remove the things that had spiritual or historical importance,” Lee said.
Plans are already taking shape to rebuild the church.
“We will rebuild on that spot,” Lee said, “but there is no time frame right now.”
For now, church members meet across the street in a house owned by the church.
Pictured top and inset: The slow process of dismantling the tornado damaged Century United Methodist Church is underway. Pictured below: A look inside the historic structure about a week after the February 15 tornado. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Election Watch: Additional Candidates Officially Qualify Thursday
June 24, 2016
This is qualifying week for candidates seeking local office.
Friday at noon is the deadline to qualify for local offices. Those that qualified Thursday for local offices are listed below:
Superintendent of Schools:
- Claudia Williams, DEM
- Gerald Washington, Write In
County Commissioner, District 3:
- Lumon May, DEM
ECUA, District 5:
- William Fink, Write In
Pensacola City Council, District 1:
- C. J. Lewis, NPA
Candidates that qualified through Wednesday were:
Tax Collector:
- Buck Lee, Republican
- Deb Moore, Democrat
- Scott Lunsford, Republican
Sheriff:
- Rex Blackburn, NPA
- Douglas DeWayne Baldwin, Sr., Republican
- John Johnson, Republican
- Ron McNesby, Republican
- David Morgan, Republican
Supervisor of Elections:
- David Stafford, Republican
Property Appraiser:
- Chris Jones, Democrat
Clerk of the Circuit Court:
- Pam Childers, Republican
Superintendent of Schools:
- Malcolm Thomas, Republican
County Commissioner, District 1:
- Jeff Bergosh, Republican
- Audra Carter, Democrat
- Jesse Casey, Republican
- Karen Sindel , Republican
County Commissioner, District 3:
- Mirza Aftab Ahmad, NPA
- Delarian Wiggins – NPA
County Commissioner, District 5:
- Steven Barry - REP
- Daniel Smillie – REP
School Board, District 1: (Nonpartisan office)
- Kevin Adams
- Willie Kirkland, Jr.
School Board, District 4: (Nonpartisan office)
- Patty Hightower
School Board, District 5: (Nonpartisan office)
- William Slayton Jr.
ECUA, District 1:
- Vicki Campbell, Republican
- James Faxlanger, Republican
- Dawnmarie Kakatitieoy Kachachos-Ingwell – Write In
ECUA, District 3:
- Clorissti Mitchell, Democrat
- Elvin McCorvey, Democrat
- John R. Johnson, NPA
- Kennie Lyons, Democrat
- Derrick Gainer, NPA
- Charles Thornton – DEM
- Tiffany Washington – NPA
ECUA, District 5:
- James Hunt – NPA
- Jim Taylor, Republican
- Larry Walker, Republican
City Council, District 1: (Nonpartisan office)
- P.C. Wu
City Council, District 3: (Nonpartisan office)
- Andy Terhaar
City Council, District 5: (Nonpartisan office)
- Gerald Wingate
City Council, District 7: (Nonpartisan office)
- Anny Shepard
- Jewel Cannada-Wynn
Escambia County Soil & Water Conservation, District 1: (Nonpartisan office)
- Betty Ann Wilson
Escambia County Soil & Water Conservation, District 3: (Nonpartisan office)
- Anne Bennett
SRIA: (Nonpartisan office)
- Thomas A. Campanella
Century Mayor
- Benjamin Boutwell
- Felic Fussner
- Freddie McCall
The following individuals pre-filed for office:
Century Town Council, Seat 2:
- Annie Savage – Nonpartisan Office
Construction Begins On New Paved Walking Trail In Walnut Hill
June 24, 2016
Construction is now underway on a new paved public walking trail in Walnut Hill.
As we reported in late 2015, the Escambia County Commission and the Escambia County School Board reached a 25-year agreement to allow the construction of the path near the Walnut Hill Community Center (also known as the Ruritan Building) on Highway 97, just north of Ernest Ward Middle School.
The asphalt walking path will be exactly one-quarter mile in length and will be eight feet wide. The path will be fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Benches and picnic tables will also be installed along walking path.
The property belongs to the Escambia County School Board, while the community walking path will be constructed by Escambia County Parks and Recreation under the agreement.
NorthEscambia.com photos/graphic, click to enlarge.
Scott Allocates Millions For Zika Fight
June 24, 2016
Gov. Rick Scott issued an executive order Thursday that pumps $26.2 million into the fight against the mosquito-borne Zika virus, as it appears Congress will wait until after its Fourth of July holiday recess before completing any deal addressing the disease.
Scott directed state Surgeon General Celeste Philip to oversee the spread of the money to county health departments, local mosquito districts and laboratories for training, mosquito surveillance, and the purchase of Zika Prevention Kits from federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“We are in the middle of hot, rainy weather which is when mosquitoes are most prevalent,” Scott said in a press release. “It is clear that allocating this funding is necessary if we are going to stay ahead of the spread of this virus.”
The virus — which commonly results in a fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes — can, if caught during pregnancy, cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly and other fetal brain defects, according to the CDC. Scott added in the release that more than 40 entities have asked for more than $19 million to prepare for the virus.
Scott asked President Barack Obama on June 1 to unilaterally release federal funds to fight Zika. Obama had requested Congress provide $1.9 billion in funding to fight Zika.
The House, which had initially offered $622 million, approved a measure Thursday matching the Senate’s funding proposal of $1.1 billion for the Zika fight. However, some of the House provisions tied to the deal, but unrelated to fighting Zika, did not appear to be acceptable to Democrats and the White House.
One travel-related Zika case has been reported in Escambia County.
by The News Service of Florida
Lowes Community Heroes Spruce Up Century Healthy Start
June 24, 2016
Volunteers from the Lowes on Airport Boulevard in Pensacola worked Thursday to spruce up the landscaping around the Century Healthy Start.
Lowes selected Healthy Start as their Community Hero Project. Lowe’s Heroes is a company-wide volunteer initiative that offers employees the opportunity to work on a project in their own neighborhood, helping to make their communities better places to live, work and play.
The volunteers painted a handrail, installed landscaping, planted a tree and installed a bird feeder.
The Century Healthy Start building at 511 Church Street has been closed since being damaged in a February EF-3 tornado. Healthy Start is expected to reopen in the building in late July.3
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Donations Accepted For Local Firefighter Injured In Motorcycle Crash
June 24, 2016
Local residents are coming to the aid of a Molino firefighter seriously injured when the driver of a pickup truck pulled into the path of his motorcycle Wednesday afternoon.
Feliciano Santana, known to friends as “Zapp”, is alive today because of his helmet and first responders who are also dear friends, according to family members. For 11 years, Santana has served area as a volunteer firefighter, currently as captain of the Molino Volunteer Fire Department.
He has a shattered knee and a broken neck and is facing many surgeries. In addition to the hardship created by medical bills, he is also expected to be out of work for many months to come as he recovers.
Family members are asking for prayers and financial donations. Donations of any amount can be made by clicking here.
For an earlier story about the accident, click here.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Volunteers Sought For County Planning Board
June 24, 2016
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an at-large appointment to the Escambia County Planning Board.
At-large members serve a two-year term of office and attend one meeting per month (generally the first Tuesday of the month). Meetings are generally from 8:30 a.m. to no later than 12 p.m.; however, occasionally may go beyond 12 p.m. depending upon the agenda. No travel is involved unless the Planning Board members decide to view a particular property for informational purposes. Financial disclosure is required.
Escambia County residents interested in being considered for a possible appointment to the Escambia County Planning Board to begin serving in August 2016 are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve by close of business on Tuesday, July 5, 2016. Letters and resumes should be submitted to Kayla Meador; 3363 West Park Place; Pensacola, Florida 32505; or emailed to krmeador@myescambia.com.
Wahoos Win Second Half Opener
June 24, 2016
Three Reds youngsters made their Double-A debuts for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos Thursday night at Smokies Stadium. Reds No. 10 prospect Tyler Mahle made his debut by starting tonight’s game against the Tennessee Smokies.
The hard-throwing right hander made batters look silly, striking out eight Smokies hitters in the 6-4 Pensacola victory. Mahle (5.0, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 8 SO, HR) picked up his ninth win of the season.
His former Daytona Beach teammate Taylor Sparks (2-4, 2 R, HR, 4 RBI) also debuted at the Double-A level Thursday. On the first pitch of his debut, Sparks launched a two-run homer in the second inning with one on and nobody out to give the Wahoos a 4-1 lead. He joins former Wahoo and current Pensacola resident Travis Mattair on the list of Wahoos to hit homers on the first pitch of his first Double-A at-bat.
Zach Vincej, who has been on fire the month of June hitting .357, gave the Blue Wahoos an early 2-0 lead in the first inning with a homerun to left center, his first of the year.
In the sixth, Sparks came to the plate again. With one on and two down, the third baseman drilled his second homerun of the game, extending Pensacola’s lead to 6-3. Other Wahoos to homer in their first Double-A game include Donald Lutz (2012) and Alex Blandino (2015).
The Blue Wahoos only managed five hits in the ballgame tonight. Like we’ve seen all season: they found a way to win. It’s the “Wahoo Way,” as manager Pat Kelly’s players like to call it.
With nobody on and two away in the bottom of the seventh, Smokies centerfielder Jake Hanneman hit his second homer of the game off Jake Ehret, the third Wahoo to make his AA debut tonight. That cut the deficit to 6-4, and it was as close as Tennessee would get. Ehret (2 IP, 2 H, R, 3 SO) buckled down and finished off the inning.
Southern League All-Star Alejandro Chacin came in to close the deal in the ninth, picking up his 12th save of the season.
With the win tonight, Pensacola rides a four game win streak, tied for the longest of the season.
FDOT Engineer Plots Action Plan To Remedy Hwy 29 Truck Rollovers
June 23, 2016
Twice in just over a week, semi-trucks have rolled over on North Century Boulevard at Jackson Street in a curve town officials believed was ill-designed. And Wednesday, the Florida Department of Transportation agreed something needs to be done.
Century Mayor Freddie McCall met with Michael Lewis, FDOT traffic safety program engineer at the site of the accident. McCall said the slope and design of the roadway in the curve is such that trucks in the outer lane have a difficult time navigating the curve at the posted speed limit. The amount of lean on an 18-wheeler in the outer lane is demonstrated in the photo above and at the page bottom.
Lewis agreed, laying out a course of action.
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“In the near term, we are going to look at sign improvements that we can do right away. It’s going to warn trucks that there is a tipping hazard,” Lewis said. The sign with a flashing beacon will alert truck drivers to a lower speed limit, or perhaps to use the inside lane. The speed limit won’t be changed for all drivers, but there will be a new advisory speed for trucks.
“In the longer term, we are going to look at what we call super elevation. That’s a feature like…at the raceway, they bank their curves. We will bank the curve to help the truck resist the centrifugal force that’s trying to push them off the curve,” Lewis said. “That’s a longer process, and we are certainly going to look at what the funding options are to make sure we can do that as soon as possible.”
The new signs should up within a few months, and a funding source for banking the curve should also be identified, the engineer said.
McCall said he was pleased that FDOT was taking a serious look at what he considers a serious – and potentially life-threatening – situation.
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Tuesday morning’s overturned truck (pictured above) was hauling bales of cotton. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 30-year old Aref Alday of Miami traveled off the roadway, causing his 2000 Freightliner semi-truck to overturn. He was cited for careless driving. Aref Alday was not injured; his passenger, 53-year old Amnerys Alday was transported to Jay Hospital with minor injuries.
Eight days prior, the truck that overturned in the curve was hauling logs, a previous accident involved a truckload of peanuts.
McCall and Lewis agreed that the potential exists for a much more serious rollover accident, perhaps involving a fuel truck or a chemical tanker. And the city has spent somewhere near a quarter million dollars to make repairs to a sewage lift station located in the curve to repair damage from overturned trucks.
Pictured: Century Mayor Freddie McCall (blue shirt) meet with Florida Department of Transportation Traffic Safety Engineer Michael Lewis (yellow vest) and FDOT Traffic Safety Specialist Matt King about a dangerous curve on North Century Boulevard. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
