Womanless Beauty Pageant Thursday To Help With Lung Transplant
May 21, 2014
A Womanless Beauty Pageant will be held Thursday, 7 p.m. at Northview High School. All proceeds will benefit Cheryl Stacey.
Stacey is critically ill in a Birmingham hospital awaiting a double lung transplant. She is the mother of two current Northview students and a Northview graduate. She was extremely active in the band and football programs at Northview for several years.
The Womansless Beauty Pageant was organized by several band and musical theater students to benefit Stacey. The program begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Northview Theatre. Admission is $5, with all proceeds going towards Stacey’s medical expenses.
Additional donations are welcomed, and $15 t-shirts will be sold. Checks should be made out directly to Allen Stacey or to the NHS Band Boosters.
School Board Conveys Property To Century For Existing Ball Fields
May 21, 2014
The Escambia County School Board has conveyed a 5.59 acre parcel to the Town of Century for $1 for existing ball fields. The move came after the town discovered it does not actually own the property that contains all or a portion of four ball fields at a town park.
The ball fields at Century’s Showalter Park are on a parcel owned by the Escambia County School District. The Town of Century will pick up the $1429.75 tab to Fabre Engineering for the required boundary survey.
Pictured top: The highlighted area shoes all or part of four ball fields at Century’s Showalter Park that were constructed on property owned by the Escambia County School District. NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.
Record Florida Budget Lands On Scott’s Desk
May 21, 2014
Florida’s record $77.1 billion, election-year budget went to the governor Tuesday along with 21 other bills, including a proposal to increase highway speeds that is expected to be vetoed.
Gov. Rick Scott and his staff have 15 days to scrutinize every line in the 431-page budget document, weighing legislators’ earmarks against the need to score political points in allowing individual items to remain or be vetoed.
And for the most part, Scott and his staff haven’t offered clues on what will stay or what will go.
The spending plan (HB 5001), the largest in state history, spreads around a hefty surplus, adding new money to public schools, state colleges and universities, environmental projects and child welfare while leaving room for about $500 million in tax and fee cuts that are already being used as a centerpiece for Scott’s re-election campaign.
Among the more-unique individual items in the budget are $2 million for public transportation improvements so people can get to the planned 1,000-foot SkyRise Miami tower, $123,000 for a dog park in Jacksonville and $350,000 for restoration of an Addison Mizner-designed fountain in Palm Beach.
Scott has line-item veto power. Last year, he cut $368 million from what had been a $74.5 billion budget.
He cut $142.7 million from the spending plan in 2012, after nixing $615 million his first year in office.
The Florida Democratic Party wasted little time in calling for Scott to veto unspecified “pork” in the budget and direct the Republican-dominated Legislature to instead shift more money to education.
“With over a billion dollars in new revenue this year, there’s no excuse for public schools not to be fully funded,” Democratic Party Chairwoman Allison Tant said in a prepared statement.
The budget provides the highest education funding in Florida history in terms of its total amount. However, on a per-student basis, education funding is still almost $190 below where it stood before the 2008 financial collapse.
Senate Appropriations Chairman Joe Negron, R-Stuart, expects the governor will have a difficult time finding “pork” in the budget.
“The burden of proof rests with an individual legislator on any budget item, but I’ve had good conversations with Gov. Scott and with his budget staff,” Negron said. “I strongly disagree with the assertion about pork in the budget. Under our constitution the Legislature is the appropriating body. The budget should contain items that individual, elected legislators think are important to their community.”
Negron noted that the spending plan includes $7.1 million for a new 4th District Court of Appeal courthouse on state-owned land in West Palm Beach. Negron said the item, which he backed, will be far different from the $48.8 million 1st District Court of Appeal building in Tallahassee that has been dubbed the Taj Mahal.
“The (4th District) building will be smaller, it will be more efficient, it will be appropriate for what is transpiring in the building,” Negron said. “We’re going to show how a public building can be done in a very efficient and effective way.”
The replacement of the 44-year courthouse in West Palm Beach comes as the current building has mold in the courtrooms and was in line for $3 million in renovations to comply with security and Americans with Disabilities Act needs.
The delivery of the budget will also soon spur Florida TaxWatch’s annual list of “turkeys,” which are projects the Tallahassee-based group says the governor should consider vetoing.
TaxWatch spokeswoman Morgan McCord said Tuesday that no date for the release of the turkey list has been set.
Among the 21 other bills sent to the governor on Tuesday is a measure (SB 392) that would allow the state Department of Transportation to increase speeds from a maximum of 70 mph to 75 mph on certain highways.
Scott announced last week he would “stand with law enforcement,” which has opposed the possibility of higher speed limits, and veto the bill.
Sen. Jeff Brandes, a St. Petersburg Republican who was one of the sponsors of the measure, intends to bring the proposal back next year.
Another bill (SB 2514) now before Scott gives him a second chance to decide on the future of the Coast to Coast Connector.
The bicycle and pedestrian path — backed by incoming Senate President Andy Gardiner — is up for $15 million to link an existing patchwork of trails across Central Florida.
The bicycle path proposal was vetoed last year when it was listed as a $50 million line item spread over five years.
Gardiner, an Orlando Republican who views the project as an economic driver, has been working to change Scott’s opinion of the trail between Titusville and St. Petersburg.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Molino Park Melodic Minors Present A ‘Make A Difference” Musical Message
May 21, 2014
The Melodic Minors Chorus of Molino Park Elementary School presented “Make A Difference” Tuesday evening at the school. The concert featuring songs about how even the little things can help make the world a better place. Photo by Crystal Jackson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High Concert Bands Present Spring Concert
May 21, 2014
The Tate High School Concert Bands presented their Spring Concert on Tuesday evening at Hillcrest Baptist Church. The concert included a tribute to Erin Benson as the Wind Ensemble performed a piece based on the hymn “It Is Well With My Soul” conducted by Joe Hooten featuring Leslie Ann Godwin with vocals. Reader submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
EWMS Spring Concert On The Lawn
May 21, 2014
The Ernest Ward Middle School Chorus and Band held their Spring Concert Tuesday evening on the front lawn of the school. A large crowd brought their lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the event, which also included an available fund raising BBQ sandwich plate. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Health Department Resumes Clinical Services
May 21, 2014
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (DOH-Escambia) and the Florida Department of Health’s Children’s Medical Services Pensacola regional office (CMS-Pensacola) are partnering to enable DOH-Escambia to recommence clinic services in Escambia County. DOH-Escambia’s need for alternate clinic facilities was prompted by the temporary closure of its Fairfield Drive location due to the April 2014 flood event.
“This partnership highlights the integrated nature of the Florida Department of Health,” said DOH-Escambia Director, Dr. John Lanza. “We appreciate the hospitality afforded by CMS-Pensacola Director Dr. Rex Northup and his staff, which enables us to resume providing clinic services to the public.”
CMS-Pensacola will permit DOH-Escambia to use the clinic space located in the regional CMS-Pensacola facility located at 5192 Bayou Boulevard in Pensacola. DOH-Escambia will be providing clinic services, by appointment, at this location, on the days that CMS-Pensacola does not have clinic services operating in the facility. The CMS-Pensacola staff will continue to serve their clients on their regular schedule, and DOH-Escambia will serve their clients the remaining days and times.
Starting immediately, DOH-Escambia will again be able to provide healthcare services to individuals seeking family planning services, and to established Medipass clients. DOH-Escambia healthcare professionals will also be providing evaluation and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. Pregnant women seeking presumptive Medical eligibility will now be served at the CMS-Pensacola location, rather than the Northside facility. Individuals seeking any of these services may call 850-484-5040×1125 for an appointment. Due to limited capacity, services will be provided on an appointment basis only. Individuals needing these types of services who wish to receive them elsewhere may refer to the healthcare access resource list at www.escambiahealth.com, or may call 2-1-1.
Longleaf Pine Landowner Incentive Program Now Accepting Applications In Escambia, Santa Rosa
May 21, 2014
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Florida Forest Service is now accepting applications for the Longleaf Pine Landowner Incentive Program. The sign-up period will run until June 27 and is available for non-industrial private forest landowners, including those in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Longleaf pine forests are highly valued for their resistance to damage by insects, disease, wildfire and storms. They are also favored for their yield of high-quality wood products, biological diversity and scenic beauty. The goal of this program is to increase the acreage of healthy Longleaf pine ecosystems in Florida by helping non-industrial private forest landowners make the long-term investment required to establish and maintain this valuable ecosystem.
The Longleaf Pine Landowner Incentive Program is offered for private lands in Florida counties located west of the Apalachicola River and counties adjacent to the Ocala or Osceola National Forests (map attached).
The program provides incentive payments for the following:
- Improving timber stand
- Controlling invasive species
- Conducting prescribed burning operations
- Planting Longleaf pine
- Establishing native plant understory
- Conducting mechanical underbrush treatments
To obtain an application form, contact a local Florida Forest Service office or visit www.FloridaForestService.com. All qualifying applications will be evaluated and ranked for funding approval. This program is supported through a grant from the National Fish and Wildland Foundation with funding from the Southern Company, the U.S. Forest Service, The Nature Conservancy, the Natural Resource Conservation Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
For more information in Escambia County, call (850) 587-5123. In Santa Rosa County, call (850) 983-5310.
Escaped Prisoner Captured Inside Church (With Exclusive Photos)
May 20, 2014
An escaped prisoner was taken into custody late Monday night, about 10 hours after he first fled from a work site and sparked a large manhunt near Barrineau Park.
Nolan Ray McDaniel, 25, reportedly made a phone call just after 11 p.m. Monday from a phone inside the Lathram Chapel Methodist Church on Jacks Branch Road.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Deputies and officers from the Escambia County Road Prison surrounded the church. McDaniel did not immediately surrender to authorities; they were forced to search for him. Officers entered and searched the main sanctuary with no success. Officers then entered an adjacent education and fellowship building, emerging a few moments later at about 11:30 p.m. with McDaniel in custody.
McDaniel was an inmate at the Escambia County Road Prison. He had been on the run since about 1:30 Monday afternoon after he was discovered missing from a work site near the area of Jacks Branch Road and Schifko Road — just a short distance from where he was taken into custody.
McDaniel, according to jail records, was arrested April 18 on charges of methamphetamine production, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a listed chemical. His jury trial was set to begin on July 14. He was released in late 2012 from Century Correctional Institution after service a sentence related to a 2009 a domestic violence strangulation case from Santa Rosa County.
McDaniel was charged with escape Monday night, and he was also charged with burglary and criminal mischief for breaking into the church.
Members of Lathram Chapel Methodist Church were quick to praise the actions of the Road Camp officers and Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies. A Bible study was scheduled for early Tuesday morning at the church. “Imagine what would have happened if we’d walked in on him,” one church member said.
Editor’s note: The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said late Monday morning that Nolan did not call authorities from inside the church, but that he called “an acquaintance”.
Pictured: Escaped Escambia County Road Prison inmate Nolan Ray McDaniel was taken into custody without incident late Monday night inside a building at the Lathram Chapel Methodist Church on Jacks Branch Road. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Pleads In Child Porn Case
May 20, 2014
A Cantonment man has pleaded no contest to 10 child pornography charges filed against him after investigators after determined he had downloaded sexually explicit pictures and movies of children from the internet onto his home computer.
Jason Scott Bergen, 42, of 806 Chesapeake Trail was charged with a total of 25 counts of possession of obscene material/child pornography. Fifteen of those child pornography charges were dropped when Bergen entered his plea. He will be sentenced on the remaining charges late this month in Escambia County Circuit Court, following the completion of a presentencing investigation.
Bergen remains free on bond.
Agents with the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force initiated a search warrant at Bergen’s residence in late September 20113 after he was identified via the internet as downloading child pornography.
Task force members from the Office of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Walton County Sheriff’s Department assisted the Pensacola Police Department with the investigation.
Pictured top and bottom: Law enforcement executes a search warrant in Cantonment Tuesday. The suspect’s address, 806 Chesapeake Trail, is the house to the far right (foreground) of the bottom picture. Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
