Central Water Works Moving Toward Planned System Improvements
March 24, 2015
Improvements are ahead for customers of Central Water Works.
The utility held a a public meeting Monday evening to give the public a chance to preview planned improvements that include upgrading the water main on Byrneville Road and upgrades for all of the lines that serve customers just across the state line in Alabama.
The proposed upgrades include the installation of about 13,000 linear feet of new six-inch water main along Byrneville Road, from Crary road to West Highway 4. CWW provides service to approximately 836 households and the Byrneville Elementary School. This upgrade will provide improved fire protection for the residents as well as improving the reliability of the water service by replacing aging water mains with larger mains.
Central Water Works intends to submit an application to for federal USDA funding The Escambia County Commission voted to formally express support for the project funding and certify that the project does not conflict with any land development regulations or Escambia County’s Comprehensive Plan
JV Win For Tate; JV Loss For NHS; Catholic Over NHS In Nine
March 24, 2015
West Florida 4, Northview 3 (JV)
The West Florida Jaguars defeated the Northview Chiefs in junior varsity action Monday afternoon. The Chiefs will travel to Holmes County on Tuesday; the junior varsity plays at 4:00, followed by the varsity at 6:30.
Tate 11, Sheffield 1 (JV)
Tate 12, Sheffield 1 (JV)
The Tate Aggies junior varsity took both games of a double header against Sheffield Monday night. Tate’s 9th grade team hosts Navarre tonight at 6:00.
SOFTBALL
Catholic 12, Northview 11 (9 innings)
Catholic got past Northview Monday in Pensacola 12-11 in nine innings. Hitters for Northview included Hannah Ging who was 3-3 and Penny Banda who was 3-4. The Chiefs will host Jay on Thursday; junior varsity at 4:00, varsity at 6:00.
Pictured: Northview’s junior varsity at West Florida. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Neighborhood Watch Tip Leads To Drug Arrest
March 24, 2015
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said a recent drug arrest was the result of a neighborhood watch tip.
The anonymous tipster said they wanted to help because of positive interaction with deputies, the ECSO said.
Acting on the tip, deputies stopped Chrishon Nobles and found a stash of drugs. When he was s topped, he had a total 35.36 grams of cocaine, 9.9 grams of heroin and numerous prescription medications in his possession.
Nobles was charged with charged with possession of cocaine, trafficking heroin, trafficking cocaine, four counts of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and driving while license revoked.
Authorities said he has an extensive history of arrests dating back to 2001. Nobles remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $130,000.
Century Makes Land Deal To Settle Wetlands Problem
March 23, 2015
The Town of Century has made a land deal to settle a wetlands issue with Army Corps of Engineering to allow a drainage project to be completed.
The “North Century Drainage Project” included drainage improvements along Highway 29 from south of Jackson Street to north of Cottage Street. Large box culverts were previously installed under the highway, and the project called for a drainage pond on 2.7 acres in the area to the west of Highway 29.
But before project construction could begin on the 2.7 acres — designated as wetlands, the town was forced to find and maintain suitable wetlands property in exchange.
The town is purchasing 30 acres of wooded wetlands located behind their sewage treatment plant on Jefferson Avenue to offset the acreage on Highway 29. Mayor Freddie McCall said Escambia County will cover the purchase price, because of the importance of keeping Highway 29 from flooding during a hurricane evacuation.
Pictured: Large culverts were installed under a flood-prone area of Highway 29 in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Florida House Pitches $76.2 Billion Budget
March 23, 2015
The Florida House has released an initial $76.2 billion budget proposal for the fiscal year starting July 1 — a proposal that is about $800 million smaller than a spending plan released in January by Gov. Rick Scott.
While the House and Scott differ on varying elements of the budget, a key difference is that the governor’s proposal includes money for an extension of the Low Income Pool program, which sends additional funds to hospitals and other health-care providers that serve large numbers of poor and uninsured patients. The nearly $2.2 billion program is scheduled to expire June 30, and state and federal officials are negotiating about whether it will continue with changes.
House leaders said they would not count on the so-called LIP funding in their initial budget plan. The House also differs on the LIP issue from the Senate, which is expected to release its initial budget plan Friday.
The House and Senate each will pass budget proposals before holding formal talks next month on a final spending plan.
by The News Service of Florida
BBB Looking For Exceptional, Ethical Businesses For Torch Awards
March 23, 2015
The Better Business Bureau Foundation serving Northwest Florida is looking for businesses and charities to participate in its 10th annual Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics program. Businesses may self-nominate or be nominated by others.
The Torch Award publicly recognizes businesses and charities that maintain a solid commitment to conducting their business practices in an ethical manner.
BBB Accreditation is not required to enter; however, applicants must be physically located within the 14 county service area of BBB|Northwest Florida. Charities must have participated in BBB|Northwest Florida’s Charity Review Program within the last two years.
All nominees will be contacted by BBB for an on-site visit. This provides an opportunity for entrants to showcase the ways they incorporate ethics and integrity into their business practices.
Along with the Torch Award, BBB Foundation will award the Customer Service Excellence Award to individuals who go above and beyond in their customer service activities, as well as the Student Ethics Scholarship provided to high school students who demonstrate leadership, community service and overall personal integrity.
The application deadline for all awards is March 27. For more information, or to make a nomination for the Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics, visit nwfl.bbb.org/TorchAward.
Panhandle Equine Rescue Awarded $4,200 Grant
March 23, 2015
Panhandle Equine Rescue in Cantonment has received a $4,200 grant to use towards a barn for additional hay storage.
The grant was awarded by 400 Paws, a group with a missing to raise funds for qualified non-profit animal organizations; to educate the community regarding animal welfare; and to emphasize the need for financial assistance within local animal shelters and rescue groups.
The only horse rescue in Escambia County, Panhandle Equine Rescue was founded by a small group of concerned citizens with a mission to rescue, rehabilitate and provide adoption services for abused, neglected and abandoned equines.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Park Math A Thon Raises Money For St. Jude Children’s Hospital
March 23, 2015
Almost 40 students from Molino Park Elementary School recently participated in the St. Jude Math-A-Thon for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Sponsors donated money to student who completed math projects, allowing the students to gain valuable math experience while helping others. Molino Park raised a total of $880 for St. Judes. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hours Changing At Escambia Animal Shelter
March 23, 2015
The Escambia County Animal Shelter at1 200 West Fairfield Drive will change its hours of operation, effective April 6.
Currently the Shelter is open from noon to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. After the change, the shelter will be open Tuesdays-Fridays to 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays to 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and opening Mondays (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) for intake of stray animals only.
The proposed changes will increase the hours available to the public for turning in stray animals, alleviate staffing issues and improve customer service by increasing the number of employees available during the hours the shelter is open to the public.
The change to Saturday’s hours is in response to the trend of significant traffic reduction after 3 p.m. Opening earlier will encourage the public to visit the shelter on Saturdays knowing they still have time to do other things in the afternoon.
For more information, please contact the Escambia County Animal Shelter directly at (850) 595-3075.
All Abuzz About Bees
March 22, 2015
A “Bee Field Day” was held Saturday, part of a beekeeping short course being offered this month by the UF/IFAS Extension Panhandle Agriculture Team. Participants were able to learn personal protection, how to start a smoker, proper handling techniques, queen identification and honey extraction during the hands-on experience. Class participants will lean about pests and diseases next week. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
