Free Hunter Safety Class Offered In Escambia County
March 5, 2014
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering a free hunter safety course in Escambia County.
The class will be held at Booker T. Washington High School, 6000 College Parkway, Pensacola. Instruction is from 6-9 p.m. March 11, 13, 25 and 27. The range portion of the class is March 29 from 7 to 10 a.m.
An adult must accompany children under the age of 16 at all times. Students should bring a pencil and paper with them to take notes.
Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course and have a hunting license to hunt alone (unsupervised). The FWC course satisfies hunter-safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.
People interested in attending this course can register online and obtain information about future hunter safety classes at MyFWC.com/HunterSafety or by calling Hunter Safety Coordinator George Warthen at the FWC’s regional office in Panama City at (850) 265-3676.
Possible Attempted Kidnapping At Bus Stop Under Investigation
March 5, 2014
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday afternoon that they are investigating a possible attempted kidnapping at a bus stop that occurred last Thursday. The incident occurred on Champion Oaks Drive in the Bellview area.
The 10-year old female victim told investigators that she had gotten off of her school bus and started walking towards her home when she noticed a gray car drive past her. She said the car stopped ahead of her, and a white male got out and started walking towards the rear of his car. The victim said she stopped and started walking backwards away from him. She said the man began running towards her and she turned and ran to her friend’s house for help.
The suspect has been described as a man in his 50’s with a thin build and short, and salt and pepper colored hair. At the time of the incident, the suspect was wearing a white t-shirt, light-colored blue jeans and black boots or high-top tennis shoes. He had no visible tattoos or distinguishing facial features.
The vehicle was a 1980’s LTD Crown Victoria in very good condition, medium to dark gray in color, four-doors, bearing a regular Florida tag. The mirrors on both doors and the antenna were missing. The passenger-side headlight was broken. Additionally, the vehicle had very dark, tinted windows and regular-sized, silver rims.
Anyone with information on the man or the vehicle should contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9426 or (850) 436-9620.
Four Arrested In Home Invasion Near 10 Mile Road
March 4, 2014
Four people were arrested in a home invasion robbery just off 10 Mile Road Monday night.
About 5 p.m., deputies responded to the 1000 block of Senegal Drive where the victims reported several males kicked in their front door and pointed guns at them. One victim was hit with a stick. The suspects fled the scene prior to the arrival of deputies.
Deputies observed several individuals running north on nearby railroad tracks. One was taken into custody by a deputy. His backpack contained a large quantity of marijuana, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. A stolen firearm was found in a trash can along the path the suspect took during their escape. The other three were soon captured by deputies.
Century Gets Preview Of Haas Center Economic Development Plan
March 4, 2014
The Haas Center is well on the way to completing an Economic Development Strategic Plan for the Town of Century.
Monday night, Brice Harris from the Haas Center, the research and consulting arm of the University of West Florida, updated on the town council on their work over the past five months.
In addition to research, the Haas Center has solicited input from area businesses, residents and other economic development agencies in the region in developing the plan, funded by a $25,000 a Community Planning Technical Assistance Grant from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
Under the grant requirements, the Haas Center is developing an economic and demographic profile report, local and regional market area analysis, accepted input from local and regional stakeholders and soliciting input from a steering committee.
During March, the Haas Center will work to identify challenges and opportunities for economic development that exist in the local and regional market area. That report will be presented to the town by March 30.
The center will continue to work closely with the steering committee during March and April to develop strategies aimed at achieving their goals and and objectives. An additional meeting will be scheduled with area residents to solicit input on the plan’s vision, mission, strategic goals and objectives as identified by the steering committee.
The final draft of the strategic plan is due to the town by April 30, with an implementation plan and funding matrix to be submitted by May 30.
The proposed plan includes the following:
Vision: The Town of Century will be the model for rural economic redevelopment, excelling in cultivating its workforce, facilitating the growth of regional industry, and enhancing the quality of life for its residents and the surrounding communities.
Mission: The Town of Century will act as a regional hub for interstate commerce that is sustained and cultivated through collaboration with its surrounding communities to become a transformative force for regional economic development
Goals:
- Lead the region in rural economic competitiveness.
- Lead the region in rural community revitalization.
- Lead the region in the development and delivery of innovative and relevant workforce training programs.
Objectives:
- Cultivate and support sustainable employment opportunities for the residents of Century.
- Create an environment that is conducive for business/industry recruitment, retention, and expansion.
- Increase Century’s attractiveness to workers, residents, and visitors.
- Foster and support an entrepreneurial environment.
- Restore Century’s sense of civic pride.
- Promote Century’s cultural, historical, and recreational assets.
Pictured top: Brice Harris of the Haas Center updates the Century Town Council Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Police Search For Bank Robber
March 4, 2014
Authorities are searching for an Escambia County bank robber.
A white male entered the BB&T on North 12th Avenue just before 11 a.m. and handed a note demanding money to the teller. No weapon was shown, and the man did not claim to have one.
He was described as being about six feet tall, in his mid 40’s wearing a long-sleeved shirt and blue fabric over his mouth. The man fled the band in an unknown direction with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to call the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1900.
Cottage Hill Forest No Longer For Sale
March 4, 2014
The Cottage Hill State Forest is no longer for sale.
State environmental officials have changed focus and won’t sell dozens of pieces of conservation land across the state to help raise money for the Florida Forever program because the idea fell short of a $50 million goal set by lawmakers,
The state agency announced the shift in policy late Friday after six months whittling a list of parcels — from among the state’s inventory of more than 3 million acres of publicly owned conservation land — to determine which could be sold without impacting overall environmentally sensitive sites.
In Escambia County, the state was looking to sell the Cottage Hill State Forest and 3.4 acres of the Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park. In Santa Rosa County, 4.8 acres of the Blackwater Heritage State Trail and a 20 acre track on Gillis Road were set for market.
“I’m thankful for the efforts of our staff, who conducted many public meetings and sought public comment to make this a transparent process,” Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Herschel Vinyard said in a release. “We will continue to assess our land, determine what should be sold and we are excited about the possibility of selling non-conservation land to fund conservation land purchases to protect our springs, water resources and buffer military bases.”
Manley Fuller, president of the Florida Wildlife Federation, praised the decision that he noted “ended up where it should have been all along.”
“One positive thing that has come out of this is that Floridians care deeply about our conservation lands, and this process has demonstrated clearly is that Florida’s public-conservation lands should remain in public hands for conservation and sustainable nature-based recreation,” Fuller responded in an email.
Department of Environmental Protection spokesman Patrick Gillespie said the new focus will be on selling unused prison, hospital and state buildings.
The first example of the new emphasis is A.G. Holley, a tuberculosis hospital closed by lawmakers in 2012 after six decades in operation.
Southeast Legacy Investments, a land development and construction company, has offered $15.6 million for 80 acres at the hospital site, according to the Cabinet meeting agenda. The sale has been recommended for approval by state staff.
Casinos Missing From Florida House Gambling Bill
March 4, 2014
A Florida House gambling proposal released late Monday would do away with nearly a dozen inactive pari-mutuel permits and create a gambling oversight board but is most notable perhaps for what it lacks.
The 411-page House plan, sponsored by House Select Committee on Gaming Chairman Rob Schenck, R-Spring Hill, does not contain any mention of destination resort casinos at the heart of a Senate gambling proposal released last week.
The House is expected Tuesday to release a proposed constitutional amendment that would require voter approval of any expansion of gambling, including any plans approved during this spring’s legislative session. The Senate released a proposal that would only require voter approval of future expansions.
Under the House gambling bill (HB 1383), the governor would appoint a five-member “Gaming Control Commission.” A legislative nominating committee would give the governor a list of names to choose from. The House bill also puts restrictions on the panel by barring behind-the-scenes communications between commissioners and “interested parties,” something intended to keep regulators and industry lobbyists or representatives from getting too cozy.
The commission would have broad authority to approve permits and licenses for pari-mutuel wagering, cardrooms and slot machines and also sign off on relocations or conversions of permits. The commission would oversee the Department of Gaming Enforcement, which would have the ability to use the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
The Legislature, which paid $400,000 for a gambling study, is considering changes to the gambling laws as a deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida is slated to sunset next year. Gov. Rick Scott, who is in control of negotiations with the tribe, has not said whether he will wrap up a new deal in time for lawmakers to sign off on it before the session wraps up on May 2.
“We create a strong gaming commission, clean up significant and glaring loopholes in current law, and respect the governor’s role in negotiating a compact,” Schenck said in a prepared statement. “The House also has a proposed constitutional amendment that will provide Floridians with the authority to decide future gaming expansion.”
The House plan would also do away with pari-mutuel permits that have not been used for the past two years, eliminating 10 dormant permits, according to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation website.
Both the House and Senate plans would reorganize current gambling laws, but the Senate proposal (SB 7052) would allow for two casinos — one each in Broward and Miami-Dade counties — as long as local voters approve. The casinos could offer slots and blackjack along with roulette and craps. Casino operators would pay $125 million to apply for the licenses, with the money refunded to losing bidders. The casinos would pay annual $5 million license fees, and games would be taxed at 35 percent, the same rate that “racinos” in Miami-Dade and Broward currently pay on slot machines.
House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, insists his chamber will not pass any gambling measures unless Scott renegotiates a deal with the Seminole Tribe. Weatherford also wants any changes approved this year to be subject to a statewide referendum and require 60 percent approval for passage.
Hours before the House released its plan, the Senate Gaming Committee reviewed its far more ambitious measure. Committee Chairman Garrett Richter said the panel would take up the three-bill gambling package along with amendments to the bills in two weeks.
“It’s kind of like a balloon,” Richter, R-Naples, said. “We’ll put it up in the air and the wind will blow it one direction or another.”
by Dara Kim, The News Service of Florida
Northview JV Baseball Beats Neal; NHS Softball Schedule Change For Tuesday
March 4, 2014
The junior varsity Northview Chiefs beat W.S. Neal Monday night 10-7 in East Brewton.
Northview is scheduled to host Jay, weather permitting this afternoon with the JV playing at 4:00 and the varsity at 6:00.
In girls action, the junior varsity Northview versus Jay game has been canceled, with the varsity Chiefs and Royals now scheduled for 4:00, weather permitting.
Pictured: Northview’s JV beat W.S. Neal Monday in East Brewton. Photos by Ramona Preston for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Read Across America Day At Jim Allen Elementary
March 4, 2014
Brighthouse Network employees read to students at Jim Allen Elementary School Monday to celebrate Read Across America Day. Brighthouse Networks provided Dr. Seuss bookmarks for all the books, and donated a book to a classroom library. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Highway 97A Boggy Creek Bridge Reopens
March 4, 2014
Traffic on Highway 97A over Boggy Creek near Enon has been shifted from a temporary bridge to a newly constructed bridge. The old bridge was demolished and a new structure and approaches constructed since last August. The total price tag for the project was about $1.5 million.
Lower speed limits are still in effect and motorists may encounter some delays as the temporary bridge and approaches are removed. Drivers are advised to use caution while traveling through the area and to be aware that speeding violations will be doubled when workers are present. Construction work could be delayed or rescheduled due to inclement weather.
Pictured: A new $1.5 million bridge over Boggy Creek in Enon opened late last week. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
