Escambia (AL) Sheriff Candidate Heath Jackson Endorsed By Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio
October 21, 2014
Heath Jackson, Republican candidate for sheriff of Escambia County, AL, announced Monday that he has been endorsed by “America’s Toughest Sheriff,” Maricopa County, Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
“I’m honored to have the endorsement from Sheriff Joe Arpaio,” Jackson said. “Sheriff Arpaio has a reputation throughout the country as one of toughest, hardest working members in law enforcement and I am proud to have his support.”
Arpaio’s endorsement was as follows:
“I know the importance of conviction, dedication, professionalism, and the strength it takes to serve in law enforcement. That is why I am happy to endorse Heath Jackson in his run for Sheriff in Escambia County. Heath has worked tirelessly in Alabama and Florida to take drugs off the streets and put drug dealers behind bars. He has worked aggressively as a narcotics investigator and spearheaded countless high-profile investigations that resulted in the successful arrests and prosecutions of criminals involved in drug trafficking, organized crime, prostitution, and violation of gun and explosive laws. I hope the good people of Escambia County will join me in supporting Heath Jackson for Sheriff.”
Arpaio is tae six-time elected sheriff . Known throughout the country as one of America’s toughest sheriff’s, Arpaio has been featured and profiled thousands of times by worldwide news media. Arpaio is a leading voice in the debate against illegal immigration and is known for unapologetically punishing those who break the law in his county. He is famous for building “Tent City,” an extension of the Maricopa County Jail that houses prisoners in un-air conditioned, outdoor military tents, despite Phoenix’s extreme heat and for requiring inmates to wear pink underwear and undershirts.
Florida DEP Open House For Home Buyers, Real Estate Agents, Developers
October 21, 2014
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Northwest District invites real estate agents, developers and potential home buyers to an open house on Wednesday, October 29 in Pensacola.
The open house is designed to answer questions about state-permitting requirements, property restrictions and cost-saving measures in order to help buyers make informed purchasing decisions.
The department has a wealth of information about wetlands, waterfront property, docks and marinas, lift stations, asbestos, site contamination and more. DEP experts will be available to answer questions and demonstrate online resources. In addition, several presentations are scheduled throughout the day to provide an in-depth overview of some of the most common topics.
The event will be held from 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 29 at DEP’s Northwest District Office at 160 West Government Street, Suite 502 in Pensacola
For agenda and registration details, click here.
Owe Santa Rosa County Money? There Are New Payment Options
October 21, 2014
Customers owing money to Santa Rosa County can now establish payment plans using automated withdrawals from their checking account or credit card.
“We want to make it as easy as possible for the customer to meet their court obligations. By signing up for this program the customer no longer has to come to the Courthouse to make their payment, pay postage to mail in their payment, or worry about missing their payment. It is a good program for our customers,” said Clerk of Court Don Spencer.
Both methods allow the customer to set up their withdrawal plan without worrying about missing payments. The customer’s authorized pre-agreed upon amounts will be deducted on the same day of each month from their checking accounts or charged to their credit cards. It is easy to establish, resolves the late payment fees issue and the customer does not need to remember the payment due date. On a monthly basis, the participant will receive a recorded phone message from the Clerk’s office reminding them of their automatic bank draft or credit card charge.
When the customer’s account is paid in full withdrawals are stopped and the customer’s file is closed.
If a customer wants the automated process to stop they should send their written request to the Santa Rosa County Courthouse. The request should be mailed by the customer so that it arrives at least five days prior to the next withdrawal date. Questions can be directed to the Courthouse Information Desk at (850) 981-5554.
Northview FFA Receives National Grant For Poultry Project
October 20, 2014
The Northview High School FFA has received a Local Program Support Grant sponsored by the National FFA Alumni Association.
The $1,000 grant will enable to group to complete a “Backyard Poultry” project.
The grant will be presented during the awards session of the National FFA Alumni Convention on Thursday, October 30 in Louisville, KY.
Century: New Showalter Park Playground On The Way, Plans For Splash Pad
October 20, 2014
Century -Heart and Soul: This is the first is a two-week series on NorthEscambia.com featuring Century.
The Town of Century is set to order a new playground for Showalter Park using a $50,000 state grant, and the town will apply for another grant to add a splash pad.
Century received the $50,000 from the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program. Tonight, the town council is expected to approve the playground purchase from bidder J.A. Dawson & Co., as recommended by the Century Recreation Committee.
The labor to demolish the existing playground and install the new equipment will be provided by the town, saving grant dollars and allowing for the purchase of more equipment.
The town is also applying for a Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program grant to install a splash pad at Showalter Park.
FRDAP is a competitive program which provides grants to local governments for outdoor recreational projects. The grants are administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Pictured top: An artist’s rendering of new Showalter Park Playground. Pictured inset and below: Some of the current wooden playground equipment at Showalter Park. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Missing Three-Year Old Autistic Boy Found Safe Near Perdido River
October 20, 2014
A three-year old autistic boy missing not far from the Perdido River was found safe Sunday afternoon.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and Escambia Search and Rescue were called to a wooded area near Muscogee Road and River Annex Road about 4:40 p.m. to look for the missing child.
He was found in the woods after being missing for over an hour.
Further details have not been released.
Impact 100 Awards Over $1 Million In Grants To Non-Profits
October 20, 2014
IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area, a local women’s philanthropy group, awarded 10 grants Sunday worth $102,500 each to community groups.
With this year’s grants, the group has given $6,176,000 to non-profit organization projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Grant winners announced Sunday were:
ARTS & CULTURE
- First City Arts Alliance dba First City Art Center — Increasing Capacity, Building Community
- The Santa Rosa County Creek Indian Tribe — Infrastructure Development of Tribal Grounds
EDUCATION
- East Hill Academy — The IMPACT 100 Autism Learning Center: “Use Your WORDS”
- The Pensacola MESS Hall — The MESS Hall Express
ENVIRONMENT, RECREATION & PRESERVATION
- Miracle League of Northeast Pensacola — Field of Dreams: Finishing the Work
- Rotary Club of Pensacola Foundation — Rotary Centennial Playground
FAMILY
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida — 100 Men in 100 Days
- Society of St. Vincent De Paul Alfred Washburn Center — Living on the Edge
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
- Alzheimer’s Family Services — Project Lifesaver
- Our Lady of Angels St. Joseph Medical Clinic — Improving and Expanding Patient Services
Pictured: Two of the Impart 100 grant winners were the Miracle League of Pensacola (top) and Alzheimer’s Family Services (bottom). Photos by WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Work Continues On $1.8 Million Fannie Road Bridge Replacement
October 19, 2014
Work is continuing on the Fannie Road Bridge just outside Century.
According to the Florida Department of Transportation, the bridge construction is near complete, and crews are currently working to prepare and pave the approaches on each side of the bridge. The project is expected to be complete sometime in November, according to FDOT spokesperson Tanya Branton.
The $1.8 million bridge over Dead Lake includes a new concrete structure consisting of two 12-foot wide travel lanes and eight foot shoulders. The project is located on a county road, but funding by the Florida Department of Transportation.
Fannie Road has been closed, with traffic detoured through Century and Flomaton, since March of this year.
Pictured: Crews continue to work on the Fannie Road Bridge over Dead Lake. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century: One Of The Poorest Places In America (A Series Begins)
October 19, 2014
Monday, NorthEscambia.com will begin a multi-part series about Century that will continue (almost) daily for about two weeks.
Numbers don’t lie. Century is, by those numbers, one of the poorest incorporated towns or cities in the entire nation. According to the American Community Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau, Century is the 41st poorest place in America and the poorest place in the state of Florida. The median household income is just $17,188 — nearly half of all Century’s 1,698 residents live in poverty.
During our series, we’ll also look at a different side of Century that many people, especially “outsiders” and Highway 29 passerbys, never see.
“Sometimes, its not about the numbers. It’s about the heart and soul of a community.”
That was an unsolicited comment from Century Town Clerk Leslie Gonzalez as we discussed our upcoming series. It speaks volumes about Century, and it is the theme for our look at Century. We’ll look at the bad, but we’ll focus on the good.
We take a look at the literal poor condition that Century is in, by the numbers. But we’ll step out of the box and look the progress being made to improve Century and several exciting things on the horizon.
And we’ll take a look at the heart and soul of one of America’s poorest towns, and we’ll discover the riches that exist in Century.
Molino Fire Responds To CSX Locomotive Fuel Leak
October 19, 2014
The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to a fuel leak from a train late Saturday morning.
CSX reported a diesel leak, originally estimated at over 50 gallons, from one of their locomotives in the area of Fairground Road, near Brickyard Road. Officials said the spill did not threaten and waterways.
A CSX response team was also dispatched to assist with the cleanup. There was no word Saturday as to what caused the leak.