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.
Former NBA Star, College Group Team Up To Clean Up Cantonment Park
March 22, 2015
A former NBA star and a student ministry from Kansas teamed up recently to perform community service projects in Cantonment.
Wayne Simien, who was on the Miami Heat’s 2006 NBA championship team, joined the Kansas University student Ministry group Called to Greatness, Pensacola Habitat’s Neighborhood Revitalization team, the Cantonment Improvement Committee and numerous area residents on a variety of projects.
Nearly 50 volunteers worked to paint the pavilion and picnic tables at Carver Park, create a community garden, plant trees and more. The projects centered around a planned Community Resource Center, which will be located in a renovated modular building that Escambia County donated to the Cantonment Improvement Committee. The building, once is fully operation in a few months, will serve as headquarters for the CIC from its location in Carver Park. Modifications and alterations for accessibility are currently underway, and the resource center should be fully operational in the coming months.
“Called to Greatness’ presence here quickened efforts to give this deserving community a stronger chance of recognizing their dream of an operational Community Resource Center in the immediate future,” said Jon Potrzeba, Habitat’s community outreach coordinator. “To have such a passionate group of college students volunteer with the neighborhood revitalization energizes everyone involved.”
The Neighborhood Revitalization team works to fulfill the mission of Pensacola Habitat through clean-ups, revitalization construction, community development and other efforts. For more information contact Pensacola Habitat for Humanity at (850) 434-5456.
New Walmart Store Taking Applications For 95 Jobs
March 22, 2015
Looking for a job? Walmart will hire up to 95 people for their new store this morning.
The new Walmart Neighborhood Market is currently under construction at 9201 Pine Forest Road. At about 44,000 square feet, it’s much smaller than the 200,000 square feet of a Walmart Supercenter.
Walmart is accepting applications from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday-Friday at a temporary hiring center at 2115 West Nine Mile Road, Suite 12. Applications can also be submitted online at careers.walmart.com.
Many of the new employees will be hired in April to begin work stocking the store in May.
Play Ball! Opening Day For Molino Ballpark (With Photo Gallery)
March 22, 2015
Saturday was Opening Day for Molino Recreation Association and the Molino Ballpark.
For more photos from select games, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
