Workshop Set On Future Of I-10/Hwy 29, Nine Mile Road
April 3, 2014
The Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization will hold a public workshop on Tuesday, April 15, at the West Florida Regional Planning Council, 4081 East Olive Road, Suite A, Pensacola, 4 to 6 p.m.
The meeting is concerning amendments to the Long Range Transportation Needs Plan and Cost Feasible Plan for the following projects:
- I-10/US 29 Interchange
- I-10 from Pine Forest Road to US 29
- Nine Mile Road from Mobile Highway to Pine Forest Road
- Nine Mile Road from Beulah Road to I-10
Public participation is welcomed.
ECUA Sees No Immediate Changes After West Florida Recycling Bankruptcy
April 3, 2014
When you toss out your recyclables for ECUA to pick up each week, your plastic bottles, papers and other items make their way to West Florida Recycling on North Palafox Street.
But earlier this week, West Florida Recycling filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. For now, officials at ECUA say they plan to continue to utilize the company to process recyclables, as long as they can continue to provide services in accordance with ECUA’s contract.
“We’ve worked to establish an alternate solution, should that be necessary,because we are committed to maintaining our recycling program in place.” ECUA spokesperson Nathalie Bowers said Wednesday. “Having already converted our fleet of collection vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) from diesel has given us options that we might not have had one or two years ago. The reduced fuel costs give us the option of considering recycling processors who are further away, at the same cost, and certainly at a lower cost than landfilling these recyclables locally.”
Regardless of ECUA’s next move, if any, Bowers said she does not foresee any rate increases or changes in the level of recycling service at this time.
ECUA customers currently recycle about 215 ton per week, or about 15 percent of the total residential waste stream. About two-thirds of ECUA’s 73,000 residential customers participate in the recycling program.
“Our recyclables are considered to be of very high quality, with little contamination, largely due to the voluntary aspect of our program,” Bowers added.
ECUA does not pay West Florida Recycling; rather the company makes money by selling the processed recyclables.
Pictured top: An ECUA CNG-powered truck. File photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Deputy Cited After Motorcycle Crash
April 3, 2014
An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy was cited Wednesday night at colliding with motorcyclist.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Denise Ives, 42, was traveling east on on Gulf Beach Highway in a marked Escambia County Sheriff’s Office 2009 Ford Crown Victoria. She failed to see a 2001 Honda Goldwing driven by 57-year old Steven Larkin of Pensacola and turned into the path of the westbound motorcycle.
Larkin was transported to Baptist Hospital in serious condition, while Ives suffered only minor injuries.
Ives was cited with making an improper left turn by the FHPn
Man Pleads Guilty To Murder Of Escambia Teen
April 3, 2014
An Escambia County teen pleaded straight up Wednesday in the fatal shooting of another teen last year.
Robert Lee Boyd, 18, entered the plea on a second degree murder charge before Circuit Judge Jan Shackelford, who revoked his bond and set sentencing for June 5. He faces a sentence of 12 years to life.
Boyd was charged with the shooting death of 17-year old Ledarrious Ramon Washington during a drug deal robbery at the Pines Apartments in Warrrington on July 30, 2013.
Two other defendants, Nkosi Chamberlain and Javontai Yavin Lamario Thames, are awaiting trial on murder charges in the case.
Scott Signs Off On Vehicle Fee Cuts To ‘Right The Wrong’
April 3, 2014
During a politically charged bill-signing ceremony, Gov. Rick Scott gave final approval Wednesday to rolling back vehicle-registration fees that were increased in 2009 amid state budget woes.
Scott repeatedly noted that the unpopular fee increases were enacted under former Gov. Charlie Crist, who is seeking to unseat Scott during this November’s election.
“We’re going to right the wrong of this 2009 tax increase that Charlie Crist enacted,” Scott said.
The bill (SB 156) signed by Scott, one of his “critical” priorities for this spring’s legislative session, is expected to save Floridians between $20 and $25 per vehicle registration, with the total depending on the size of the vehicle.
Kevin Cate, a spokesman for Crist’s campaign, responded to Scott’s announcement by saying the “ridiculous press conference” exposed the current governor’s “political desperation.”
“Everyone knows that Charlie Crist signed one of the largest tax cuts (a property tax cut) in the history of Florida and was also forced to make tough decisions to prevent devastating blows to teachers, students, first responders, and our most vulnerable Floridians,” Cate said in an email.
The fee cuts will take effect Sept. 1, two months into the state’s new fiscal year. Scott said he wants motorists whose vehicle registration renewals are up before September to only pay for one year, rather than two, so that they can realize the savings in 2015.
The rollback is part of Scott’s election-year request for $500 million in cuts and fees, with the vehicle-fee reductions expected to trim state revenue by $309.1 million during the upcoming 2014-15 fiscal year and $394.6 million in later years, when the cuts will be in effect for a full 12 months.
Indian River County Tax Collector Carole Jean Jordan said her office is contacting people whose vehicle registrations are up before Sept. 1 to only pay for one year and has already removed the box on forms for people to mark two-year payments.
“If someone sends us a check for a two -year renewal, we’re not a small county, but we’re able to call people, we look up their phone numbers, so we get hold of them, we tell them they really shouldn’t renew for the second year,” said Jordan, a former chairwoman of the Republican Party of Florida.
The bill signing, however, was surrounded by the politics of an election year.
Some Democratic House members, who supported the bill, noted they were not invited to attend the signing ceremony in the Cabinet meeting room. The Florida Democratic Party called the event “shameless grandstanding” by Scott.
“These auto tag fees were always a temporary measure that Rick Scott should have cut as soon as possible, and Democrats have consistently supported repeal,” Democratic Party spokesman Joshua Karp said in the release. “Instead, Rick Scott waited until his election year to conduct a phony victory lap.”
The Republican-dominated Legislature approved the fee increases in 2009 as the state grappled with a budget shortfall that stemmed from the economic recession. Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, and Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, who was in the House in 2009, told reporters after the bill-signing that Crist’s office gave lawmakers little choice but to approve the increases to help ward off the shortfall.
“We were given a stark choice of closing hospitals, closing schools, and placing, we talk of vulnerable Floridians, in even more jeopardy,” Gaetz said.
Other increases in 2009 included a hike in late-payment fees on driver’s license renewals, from $1 to $15. Also, the cost of an original driver’s license went from $27 to $48, first-time registrations of cars went from $100 to $225, and cigarette taxes were increased by $1 a pack.
Asked why only one of the 2009 increases was targeted for repeal, Scott responded that “there was a lot of opportunities, this was the most important one this year.”
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Northview Takes Double Header From Westview High Of Tennessee
April 3, 2014
The Northview Chiefs defeated Westview High of Tennessee in a double header Wednesday.
In the first game, the Chiefs won 10-0.
For Northview: Aaron McDonald 3-4, RBI; Chasen Freeman 2-3, R; Brannon Freeman 2-4, 2R, 2RBI; RJ Pritchett 2-4, R, RBI; Thomas Moore 4-4, R, RBI, 2B; Jody Bonner 1-3, RBI; Daulton Tullis 1-3, R; and Kevin Barrow 1-3; R. Brannon Freeman pitched five for the Chiefs, allowing just one hit and striking out seven.
In their second game, Northview beat Westview 3-0
For Northview: Aaaron McDonald 1-1, R; Thomas Moore RBI; RJ Pritchett R; Chasen Freeman 1R. Aaron McDonald pitched seven for the Chiefs, allow four hits, one base on balls and striking out three.
The JV Chiefs will be in action Escambia at Escambia Academy at noon. The varsity Chiefs won’t play again until April 8 when they host the Baker Gators.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Studers Enter Partnership With BLAB TV
April 3, 2014
Wednesday, BLAB TV and Studer Community Development announced a partnership which will build on the 30-year history and impact of BLAB TV and local programming.
“Brenda and I could not be more pleased,” said Fred Vigodsky, president of BLAB TV, whose wife Brenda also works at the station. “We love this area and have been looking for the right group to continue and build on what we have put our lives and souls into for the last 30 years. We are grateful to the many businesses and organizations that have utilized BLAB over the years to grow their companies, their cause and this area. We strongly believe this partnership with Quint and Rishy Studer is the perfect avenue to keep the momentum going.”
Quint Studer said he and his wife Rishy were excited that the partnership would ensure that BLAB remained locally owned and locally focused.
“Rishy and I are thrilled to be working with the talented team Fred and Brenda have built,” said Quint Studer. “We believe that BLAB offers a great opportunity for us to work with other business, media and civic organizations to promote the Pensacola area. Our goal is to work with as many groups as possible to improve the quality of life in our community. We are grateful for what the Vigodskys have built and look forward to their partnership and counsel moving forward. BLAB TV has had a tremendous positive impact in this area and we are committed to building on this legacy.”
Quint Studer said viewers would not notice any changes in BLAB’s programming for the next several months.
“Eventually people will see some changes in the programming,” said Quint Studer. “The staff at BLAB is already coming up with new shows and we want to expand on that. We are committed to working with the many talented businesses, organizations and other media outlets to make this area the very best place for people to work, live, learn and enjoy.”
Fred Vigodsky will continue to oversee operations at the station during a search for a new general manager, which will begin immediately.
“I want Fred and Brenda to remain at BLAB for as long as they want,” said Quint Studer. “Rishy and I also are going to establish a broadcast scholarship in Fred and Brenda’s name at the University of West Florida. They have put so much work into BLAB and this community over the past 30 years, and we’re establishing the scholarship as a way to honor that legacy.”
BLAB TV is available to cable subscribers, on WFBD TV 48 and on DirecTV channel 48.
Century Man Gets Prison Time For Whataburger Attack, Drugs, Fleeing From Deputies
April 2, 2014
A Century man has been sentenced to state prison on a long list of charges stemming from an attack on an individual a the Century Whataburger, fleeing from deputies and drug possession.
Travis Montes Mitchell, 28, was sentenced by Circuit Judge Ross Goodman to 67 months in prison with a three year minimum mandatory after being convicted of: aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without the intent to kill, felony battery without great bodily harm, possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana not more than 20 grams, trafficking in opium or derivative, possession of drug paraphernalia, two counts of fleeing with disregard for the safety of persons or property, three counts of driving while license suspended, resisting arrest without violence, and fleeing or eluding law enforcement in a patrol vehicle with lights and siren activated.
Mitchell attacked and injured an adult male on February 2, 2013, in the parking lot of the Century Whataburger. The victim told deputies that Mitchell then pulled a handgun and threatened to kill him. Mitchell fled the parking lot as law enforcement arrive on scene.
On February 19, deputies spotted Mitchell in his white Mustang on 57th Avenue near Jackson Street. They attempted a traffic stop due to outstanding felony warrants, but Mitchell fled at a high rate of speed, leading deputies on a chase along Lillian Highway to Border Street where he fled on foot.
Deputies surrounded the area and caught up with Mitchell after observing him jumping fences and running through residential yards. After deputies arrested Mitchell, they reported finding marijuana roaches in his pockets and bags of marijuana in his vehicle.
Mitchell was also charged with multiple drug counts after a traffic stop in Century in March 2013. He was the passenger in a vehicle stopped for speeding by Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies on Jefferson Avenue in Century. Deputies reporting finding crack cocaine in his pants pocket.
In a backpack and other items belonging to Mitchell, deputies reported finding more crack cocaine, powdered cocaine, pills containing hydrocodone , methamphetamines, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Low Income Energy Assistance Program To Accept Applications
April 2, 2014
The Community Action Program Committee will offer Florida residents the opportunity to request assistance with their gas or electric bills later this month in Century.
The CAPC will hold a Pre-Screening on Wednesday April 16 at 8 a.m. and Certification for Services on Thursday April 17 at 9 a.m.at the Century Ag Building on West Highway 4. Applicants are required to attend the per-screening meeting on April 16 before application packets are received on April 17.
Anyone requesting assistance must be on time to receive services. For additional questions contact the CAPC office at (850) 438-4021.
Tate Tennis Team Takes Runner-up In District, Headed To Regionals
April 2, 2014
The Tate Aggies finished as runner-ups in District 1-3A Tuesday, giving them a chance to move on to the regional tournament on Tuesday April 8 against either Niceville or Leon. It will be the first time in 20 years that a Tate tennis team has advanced to regionals. Pictured: (L-R) Sandy Bonucchi, Carlie Del Gallo, Coach David Bonucchi, Cami Kennedy and Sarah Colburn. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.