Want To Operate A Successful Cottage Food Business?
November 4, 2014
Santa Rosa County Extension will host a “Operating a Successful Cottage Food Business” program for those that wish to sell food made in their homes.
The program will cover pricing, taxes and marketing. It will also include a time for questions and answers with the Extension Service Small Farms and FCS Staff. Farms or individuals interested or currently marketing processed foods are encouraged to attend.
Cottage foods by definition are foods made in the home for resale that do not require refrigeration. These include but are not limited to jams, jellies, preserves, honey, cakes and pies.
Two identical programs will be held — November 7 from 10 a.m. until noon and November 20 from 6-8 p.m. at the Santa Rosa County Extension Service at 6263 Dogwood Drive in Milton. The cost is $10.
For more information or to register, call Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Agent Ginny Hinton at (850) 623-3868 or email ginnyh@santarosa.fl.gov.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Landing Gear Incident Closes Pensacola Airport
November 3, 2014
A small single-engine aircraft had an issue with its landing gear today at the Pensacola International Airport. The aircraft experienced collapsed landing gear and came to a stop at the intersection of the runways. There were no injuries, and no fire or threat of fire.
Since the aircraft was at the intersection of the runways, the airport was closed for operations until aircraft was moved. Operations have now returned to normal.
Poll: Scott, Crist In Virtual Tie
November 3, 2014
On the eve of the election, the battle between Gov. Rick Scott and former Gov. Charlie Crist remains a toss-up.
A Quinnipiac University poll released this morning shows Crist, the Democratic candidate, receiving support from 42 percent of likely voters, while Scott, the Republican incumbent, receives 41 percent. Libertarian Adrian Wyllie is at 7 percent.
“After an incredibly expensive, extremely nasty campaign, the Florida governor’s race is too close to call,” Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac Poll, said in a prepared statement. “The winner will be the candidate best able to get his voters to the polls. Turnout, turnout, turnout.”
The poll of likely voters was conducted from Tuesday to Sunday. It has a margin of error of 3.4 percentage points.
The Connecticut-based Quinnipiac, which frequently conducts surveys in Florida and other states, released a poll last week that showed Crist ahead by a margin of 43 percent to 40 percent, with Wyllie at 8 percent. That poll’s margin of error also was 3.4 percentage points.
The new poll shows Crist continuing to enjoy a large lead among women voters, while Scott holds a significant edge among men. It also shows Crist leading by a margin of 39 percent to 32 percent among independents — a gap that is substantially smaller than in last week’s Quinnipiac poll, which showed Crist with an 18-point edge among independents.
Both campaigns focused heavily during the past two weeks on getting supporters to turn out for early voting. But now, the attention is focused on spurring voters to go to the polls Tuesday.
Scott will make a series of campaign stops Monday in Central Florida and will be joined by Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and Texas Gov. Rick Perry, both possible 2016 Republican presidential candidates. Meanwhile, Crist, a former Republican governor running this year as a Democrat, will be joined by former President Bill Clinton at a Monday night rally in Orlando.
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
Inmate Death Confirmed At Escambia County Jail
November 3, 2014
A Sunday night death has been confirmed at the Escambia County Jail.
The death occurred at about 10:45 p.m. in the Main Jail, according to a statement from Escambia County. The deceased has been confirmed as a 48-year-old white male inmate. His identity has not yet been released.
“Initial indications are that the death was a suicide, however, (the) exact cause of death will not be definitive pending the Medical Examiner’s autopsy report,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
New Retention Pond To Address Carver Park Area Drainage Concerns
November 3, 2014
Escambia County plans to build a new stormwater retention pond near International Paper in Cantonment in order to address significant drainage and stormwater concerns in the Carver Park neighborhood of Cantonment.
The county will pay $500 for a 2.4 acre easement on IP property to construct the stormwater retention pond. The property is bounded by railroad tracks to the north and east, even with Booker Street to the south and bounded on the west by privately owned parcels of property that are east of Ransom Street in the Harvester’s Home Subdivision.
The project will be funded by Local Options Sales Tax (LOST) funds.
Main Escambia Health Dept Building To Reopen Monday After Flood Repairs
November 3, 2014
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County will reopen its main facility on West Fairfield Drive on Monday.
The facility has been closed since April 30 when heavy rains flooded the building, causing extensive damage and forcing health department services to be relocated to other facilityes in the county.
Services that will resume on Fairfield Drive Monday include the family planning clinic, child health clinic, sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinic, and immunizations clinic. Escambia Community Clinics’ will return their dental clinic operations to the FDOH-Escambia facility on Fairfield Drive on Monday, and bbirth and death certificates will also be available again.
WIC program services will not return to the Fairfield Drive location until November 12.
While limited services will be available at the Fairfield Drive facility during the first few weeks of reopening, all services will continue to be offered in Escambia County, Florida at various FDOH-Escambia locations. Details regarding where the public can receive FDOH-Escambia services can be found at www.escambiahealth.com, or by calling 850-595-6500.
Veterans Programs Planned For Ransom, Ernest Ward, Bratt, Northview And Century
November 3, 2014
Several programs are planned over the next week to honor veterans in advance of Veterans Day on November 11. Veterans and the public are invited to the following events:
Ransom Middle School will host a Patriotic Program honoring active military and veterans on Wednesday, November 5 with assemblies at 2:25 and 3:15 p.m. Music will be provided by the Ransom band, orchestra and chorus. Students from the Ransom History Club and Student Leadership Team will announce and help lead the program. The Tate High School JROTC Honor Guard will give the Presentation of the Colors. Speakers include a MIA presentation, a veteran story and acknowledgement of veterans. The programs are open to the public. Veterans are encouraged to attend.
Ernest Ward Middle School will hold their annual Veterans Day Program on Thursday, November 6 at 2 p.m. in the school gym. The program will include patriotic music performed by the school’s band and chorus, a special student presentation and special performances. The guest speaker will be retired Navy Capt. Frank Smith. All veterans are welcome to attend. Veterans unable to walk long distance should park in front of the gym. All other guests should park behind the gym or football field due to construction.
The Town of Century will hold a Veterans Day Program on Friday, November 7 at 10 a.m. at the Veterans Wall at Nadine McCaw Park (the former Roadside Park) at the corner of North Century Boulevard and Hecker Road. Everyone, including all veterans, is invited to attend. Guest speaker will be Rep. Clay Ingram.
Bratt Elementary School will host a Veterans Day Event on Monday, November 10 at 9:00 a.m. The school’s fourth grade students will present “We Honor the Brave”. For more information, call (850) 327-6137.
Northview High School will host a Veterans Day Program on Monday, November 10 at 9:35 and 10:30 a.m. The guest speaker will be Major Michael Ray, United States Air Force, retired. Major Ray served 21 years before retiring in May 2014. During his 21 years of service he flew the T-1, T-34, T-39, T-38, B-1 and F-15 aircraft. He served his final tour on active duty at NAS Pensacola as the Assistant Director of Operations for the Air Forces 451st Flying Training Squadron. All veterans, their families and community members are invited to attend.
Pictured top: Members of the Ransom Middle School Band practices for their Veterans Day program on Wednesday, November 5. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
And The Survey Says: Down At The Library
November 3, 2014
Escambia County recently asked residents to complete an online survey to gauge residents’ thoughts and ideas about West Florida Public Library System facilities.
Results, as provided by Escambia County, were as follows:
Envision Escambia 2028: The West Florida Public Library System
Question #1: In which area of Escambia County do you currently live?
Nearly 51 percent of respondents to our West Florida Public Library System survey live north of Nine Mile Road. Another 3 percent came from the extreme southern portion of the County on Pensacola Beach. More than 6 percent of respondents were from Perdido Key, 8 percent represented the neighborhoods in the area East of Palafox, South of Brent Lane/Bayou Boulevard to the Escambia Bay on the East and Pensacola Bay on the South and another 3 percent lives West of Palafox, East of New Warrington Road, South of Fairfield Drive, North of Pensacola Bay. No area of Escambia County was unrepresented in this survey.
Question #2: Do you have a library card?
- Yes: 86 percent
- No: 14 percent
Question #3: How often do you visit the library?
- Daily: 6 percent
- Weekly: 28 percent
- Monthly: 28 percent
- Rarely: 23 percent
- Never: 14 percent
Question #4: Why do you visit Escambia County libraries?
- To check out materials (books, DVDs, music, etc.) for home use: 82 percent
- For research or reference assistance: 8 percent
- For computer access: 4 percent
- For classes or programs: 6 percent
Comments included:
“Classes and programs for my kids.”
“Buy used books from Friends of Library.”
“Read periodicals.”
“Meetings.”
Question #5: Please choose any/all reasons you may have for not visiting the library. Choose as many as are applicable.
- Hours of operation are not convenient: 29 percent
- Location of facilities is not close to my home: 71 percent
- Security is insufficient: 0 percent
- Facilities are not well maintained: 5 percent
- I don’t know where facilities are located: 10 percent
- We are too busy or not interested: 33 percent
Comments included:
“Too many computers, not a wide enough selection of books.”
“Been years since I’ve been in a library and wouldn’t know what to do.”
“No reason. The internet has more and is convenient to all.”
“Haven’t had the need to go to the library lately. However, I am glad we have one in the north end of the county.
“My grandson has used the facility a couple of times.”
Question #6: More than $6.7 million of Local Option Sales Tax III funds has been used to build, upgrade and restore libraries throughout Escambia County. Please tell us how strongly you agree or disagree with the following statements. Well maintained libraries:
Are versatile community centers, offering access to reading materials, classes and computer access:
- 73 percent strongly agree
- 19 percent agree
- 5 percent neither disagree nor agree
- 0 percent disagree
- 3 percent strongly disagree
Offers residents improved economic prospects and an enhanced quality of life:
- 57 percent strongly agree
- 25 percent agree
- 10 percent neither disagree nor agree
- 5 percent disagree
- 3 percent strongly disagree
Contribute to safe, thriving neighborhoods:
- 51 percent strongly agree
- 32 percent agree
- 9 percent neither disagree nor agree
- 6 percent disagree
- 3 percent strongly disagree
Foster learning and skills improvement:
- 70 percent strongly agree
- 22 percent agree
- 6 percent neither disagree nor agree
- 3 percent disagree
- 0 percent strongly disagree
Question #7: How would you rate each of the following library services?
- Customer service:
- Excellent: 45 percent
- Good: 29 percent
- Fair: 7 percent
- Poor: 4 percent
- Don’t know or not applicable: 15 percent
- Collection (books, DVDs, music, newspapers, etc.):
- Excellent: 20 percent
- Good: 39 percent
- Fair: 23 percent
- Poor: 4 percent
- Don’t know or not applicable: 15 percent
- Children’s programs and classes:
- Excellent: 19 percent
- Good: 23 percent
- Fair: 12 percent
- Poor: 1 percent
- Don’t know or not applicable: 45 percent
- Adult programs and classes:
- Excellent: 9 percent
- Good: 29 percent
- Fair: 13 percent
- Poor: 3 percent
- Don’t know or not applicable: 45 percent
- Computers and printers:
- Excellent: 19 percent
- Good: 35 percent
- Fair: 9 percent
- Poor: 3 percent
- Don’t know or not applicable: 35 percent
- Internet access:
- Excellent: 22 percent
- Good: 30 percent
- Fair: 10 percent
- Poor: 3 percent
- Don’t know or not applicable: 36 percent
- Facilities:
- Excellent: 39 percent
- Good: 37 percent
- Fair: 8 percent
- Poor: 1 percent
- Don’t know or not applicable: 15 percent
- Hours of operation:
- Excellent: 19 percent
- Good: 34 percent
- Fair: 28 percent
- Poor: 7 percent
- Don’t know or not applicable: 12 percent
Question #8: How important are each of the following library services to you?
- Borrowing materials (books, DVDs, music, etc.):
- 73 percent said very important
- 16 percent said important
- 3 percent said somewhat important
- 7 percent said not important
- 3 percent don’t know or not applicable
- Reference assistance:
- 30 percent said very important
- 36 percent said important
- 14 percent said somewhat important
- 14 percent said not important
- 5 percent don’t know or not applicable
- Children’s programs (classes, storytimes, etc.):
- 28 percent said very important
- 18 percent said important
- 19 percent said somewhat important
- 14 percent said not important
- 22 percent don’t know or not applicable
- Adult programs (classes, training, book clubs, etc.:
- 32 percent said very important
- 22 percent said important
- 16 percent said somewhat important
- 17 percent said not important
- 13 percent don’t know or not applicable
- Computers, printers and internet access:
- 33 percent said very important
- 22 percent said important
- 17 percent said somewhat important
- 17 percent said not important
- 10 percent don’t know or not applicable
- Bookmobile:
- 19 percent said very important
- 22 percent said important
- 14 percent said somewhat important
- 28 percent said not important
- 18 percent don’t know or not applicable
- Genealogy research:
- 17 percent said very important
- 26 percent said important
- 23 percent said somewhat important
- 27 percent said not important
- 8 percent don’t know or not applicable
- Overall, how important is the library to you and your family?:
- 57 percent said very important
- 21 percent said important
- 11 percent said somewhat important
- 11 percent said not important
- 1 percent don’t know or not applicable
Question #9: Do you have any suggestions regarding programming or services you would like to see at one or any of our branch libraries?
Comments included:
“More weekend hours, especially in the summer.”
“Don’t close at 4 p.m. on Friday’s.”
“Employment assistance.”
“Mobile library at the beach.”
“Online newspaper.”
Question #10: What is your overall opinion of the West Florida Public Library System branches? Answer as many as applicable.
- Century Branch:
- Excellent: 10 percent
- Fair: 5 percent
- Good: 6 percent
- Poor: 3 percent
- No opinion: 76 percent
- Main Library:
- Excellent: 33 percent
- Fair: 18 percent
- Good: 21 percent
- Poor: 3 percent
- No opinion: 24 percent
- Molino Branch:
- Excellent: 22 percent
- Fair: 9 percent
- Good: 7 percent
- Poor: 0 percent
- No opinion: 61 percent
- Southwest Branch:
- Excellent: 21 percent
- Fair: 8 percent
- Good: 17 percent
- Poor: 2 percent
- No opinion: 53 percent
- Tryon Branch:
- Excellent: 21 percent
- Fair: 14 percent
- Good: 23 percent
- Poor: 0 percent
- No opinion: 42 percent
- Westside Branch:
- Excellent: 5 percent
- Fair: 8 percent
- Good: 8 percent
- Poor: 3 percent
- No opinion: 75 percent
- Bookmobile:
- Excellent: 5 percent
- Fair: 15 percent
- Good: 5 percent
- Poor: 6 percent
- No opinion: 69 percent
Question #11: Do you have any additional questions, comments or concerns?
Comments included:
“Please build one in Cantonment!”
“Best part of my tax dollars.”
“Looking for bus service to and from the library.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Learn How To Do Business With ECUA
November 3, 2014
The Florida Procurement Technical Assistance Center will offer a free workshop on how to do business with the ECUA. The event will be held Thursday, November 6 at the Escambia County Central Office Complex at 3363 West Park Place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The informational meeting will educate attendees about the potential of doing business with the ECUA, while increasing participation in obtaining future ECUA contracts. Participants will learn about the bidding process, qualification requirements, future business opportunities, and how the ECUA hiring process is conducted.
ECUA speakers will include Stephen P. Holcomb, director of wastewater infrastructure, Peter Wilkinson, purchasing and store manager, and Frances Webb, HR generalist.
The workshop is free; however, pre-registration is recommended. For additional information contact Laura Subel, PTAC procurement specialist, lsubel@uwf.edu, (850) 474-2549 or register online at clientsfloridasbdc.org/center.
Bonus Gallery: Northview’s Zombie Band; Cheerleaders Show Support With Pink
November 3, 2014
The Northview High School cheerleaders and the Tribal Beat band showed their support for breast cancer awareness by going pink for their home game against Walton. And the band transformed into the Tribal Beat Zombie Band last Friday night at Baker for Halloween.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
