Impact 100 Announces 10 $106,000 Community Grants
October 19, 2015
IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area, a local women’s philanthropy group, awarded 10 grants Sunday worth $106,000 each to community groups.
Grant winners announced Sunday were:
ARTS & CULTURE
Ballet Pensacola, Inc.
Project: Elevate – 21st Century Productions for Ballet Pensacola
Pensacola Museum of Art, Inc.
Project: Expanding and Protecting the Vaults for PMA’s Fine Art Collections
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EDUCATION
AMIkids Pensacola, Inc.
Project: AMIkids Careers
Learn to Read of Northwest Florida, Inc.
Project: Public Awareness Campaign – The Most Powerful Organization That Nobody’s Heard Of
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ENVIRONMENT, RECREATION & PRESERVATION
Coast Watch Alliance, Inc.
Project: “Research to Restaurant”, Affecting a Sustainable Seafood Resource by Taming Lionfish
Veterans Memorial Park Foundation of Pensacola, Inc.
Project: VMP Venue Enhancements and Infrastructure Improvements
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FAMILY
Children’s Home Society of Florida, Inc. collaborating with Escambia Community Clinics, Inc.
Project: Weis Community School Family Playground
Lutheran Services Florida, Inc.
Project: Transportation to Healing, Hope and Help
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Bay Area Food Bank
Project: Northwest Florida Healthy Food Distribution and Milton Warehouse Expansion Project
Re-Entry Alliance Pensacola, Inc.
Project: REAP’s Second Chance Re-Entry Program
“At the end of today, more than $7,236,000 has been distributed to non profits in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in the form of significant grants that make a lasting impact,” said Cyndi Warren, President of IMPACT 100.
IMPACT 100 hopes to keep the momentum going into next year by increasing membership to more women in our 13th year of working with nonprofits in the community.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
RESTORE Advisory Council Begins Project Review Process Tuesday
October 19, 2015
The Escambia County RESTORE Advisory Committee will meet Tuesday at 4 p.m. in the County Commission Chambers at 221 Palafox Place to discuss submitted projects and the next step in the process. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.
The County’s RESTORE project submission portal website launched on July 1 and closed on October 2, 2015. More than 120 projects were submitted for entry, with initiatives ranging from bayou restoration to coastal sediment management, a native path boardwalk, workforce development, stormwater projects, habitat restoration, community centers and more.
For more information or general questions about the RESTORE process, upcoming meetings or related topics, visit myescambia.com/restore
Woman Dies In Sunday Night Escambia Traffic Crash
October 19, 2015
An Escambia County woman died in a traffic crash Sunday night.
About 8:26 p.m., 29-year old Jessica Williams was traveling east on Bellview Avenue in a 2005 Scion when she failed to stop at a stop sign at Blue Angel Parkway, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Her vehicle traveled into the path of a 1996 Honda Passport driven b y 47-year old Gina Gianino.
Williams, who was not wearing a seat belt, was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital where she was pronounced deceased. Gianino, who was wearing a seat belt, received minor injuries.
File photo.
News FCSS President From Escambia District; Local Rep From Tate High
October 19, 2015
The Florida Council for the Social Studies Conference was held recently in Kssimmee where Cherie Arnette, Social Studies Curriculum Specialist K-12 for the Escambia County School District, was installed as state president.
Tate High School teacher Robin Blalock was honored with the J. R. Skretting Outstanding Leadership Award for her work on the conference committee and installed as District 1 Representative for FCSS.
Blalock and Ransom Middle School teacher Lauren Samoszenkeo presented a session entitled, “Couriers of Memory: Teaching the Holocaust Using Survivor Testimony.”
In addition, Christopher Harris of Washington High School, and Cyprienne Gryskiewicz, formerly of Woodham and current SS Instructional Coach for ECSD, were recognized as Escambia county’s Social Studies Teachers of the Year.
Arnette, along with colleagues Peggy Renihan of PAEC and Maureen Carter of Palm Beach County, presented a session entitled, “Upstanders and Bystanders: Investigating Modern Social Responsibility Using History” examining strategies and tools for teachers and students to make positive choices when faced with injustice.
Pictured: (L-R) Lauren Samoszenko, Chris Harris, Cherie Arnette, Robin Blalock and Cyprienne Gryskiewcz. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Let The Music Play: Jay, Northview Band Photo Gallery
October 19, 2015
For a photo gallery featuring the Northview and Jay bands from Friday night, click here.
For a football action story and photo gallery from the Northview at Jay game, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Florida Sending Crews To Battle Wildfire In Texas
October 19, 2015
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced recently that the Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, is sending 16 wildland firefighters to assist wildfire suppression efforts on the Hidden Pines Fire in Bastrop County, Texas. The fire has burned more than 4,300 acres, destroying nine homes and threatening hundreds more.
“Florida Forest Service wildland firefighters are an elite group of selfless public servants committed to the protection of life, property and natural resources. This commitment extends beyond Florida’s borders as we work to provide support to our partners across the country,” said Putnam.
So far this year, the Florida Forest Service has sent nearly 550 firefighters and personnel to assist wildfire suppression and management efforts in 11 other states.
“Thanks to sustained low to moderate wildfire danger levels in Florida, we have been able to continue to assist our partners in other states,” said Jim Karels, Florida State Forester. “In doing so, our wildland firefighters build upon their skills and expertise in preparation for when Florida’s wildfire activity hits its peak in the spring.”
Photo courtesy Florida Forest Service for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Home Heavily Damaged By Fire
October 18, 2015
Fire heavily damaged a home on Deedra Avenue just north of East 10 Mile Road Sunday afternoon. About half of the house was destroyed by the blaze. There were no injuries reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Photos courtesy NewsRadio 1620 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Have ‘Coffee With A Cop’ This Week In Century
October 18, 2015
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office will host a Coffee With a Cop event this Thursday morning at the Southern Panhandle restaurant in Century.
The Coffee with a Cop event provides an opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about what the ESCO is doing in their neighborhood.
“We hope that community members will feel comfortable to ask questions, bring concerns, or simply get to know our deputies,” said Sheriff David Morgan. “These interactions are the foundation of community partnerships.”
Coffee with a Cop is a national initiative supported by the United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Similar events are being held across the county, as local police departments, sheriff’s offices, and state police forces strive to make lasting connections with the communities they serve. The program aims to advance the practice of community policing through improving relationships between law enforcement and community members one cup of coffee at a time.
Coffee with a Cop will be held Thursday, October 22 at 7 a.m. at the Southern Panhandle restaurant at 8420 North Century Boulevard.
Pictured: A previous Coffee with a Cop event in the Pine Forest Road area.
Unemployment Rate Slips Downward
October 18, 2015
Governor Rick Scott has announced the Escambia County area again experienced positive annual job growth over the year in September 2015 with 3,600 new jobs. The metro area’s unemployment rate declined by 0.8 percentage point over the year, from 5.8 percent in September 2014 to 5.0 percent in September 2015. Florida businesses have added 941,000 private-sector jobs since December 2010.
Governor Scott said, “Pensacola created more than 3,600 new jobs over the year and the unemployment rate is down to 5 percent, which is great news. Creating a competitive business environment where job creators can succeed is helping Florida stand out from the rest of the nation in job wins.”
The industries with the largest job gains in the Escambia metro area over the year were trade, transportation, and utilities with 800 new jobs; professional and business services with 700 new jobs; education and health services with 700 new jobs, and leisure and hospitality with 700 new jobs. The Pensacola metro area had 5,289 job openings in September 2015 and 1,148 openings for high-wage, high-skill science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) occupations.
Florida created 8,700 private-sector jobs in September 2015, and a total of 941,000 private-sector jobs since December 2010. Florida’s statewide unemployment rate for September 2015 was 5.2 percent. In September, more than 40,000 Floridians were placed in jobs by CareerSource Escarosa and the state’s other 23 regional workforce boards.
Tuesday: Ransom Middle School To Hold Literacy Night
October 18, 2015
Ransom Middle School will hold a Family Literacy Night from 5-7 p.m on Tuesday.
Students and their families are invited for a fun night of literacy activities, along with an induction ceremony for the Honor Society.
A “Mons-tober Book Fair” will be going on all and will be open Tuesday evening for the event. All proceeds benefit the Innovation Center and the Bengal 100 Book Club.