800 Acres Off Jacks Branch Road Rezoned For Commercial, Other Development
October 4, 2013
The Escambia County Commission voted Thursday night to rezone just over 800 acres off Jacks Branch Road from residential to a variety of zoning districts including residential and retail commercial.
“This is part of the Sector Plan and what we’ve generally thought would be the right direction to be put thing things forward in the future for our community,” said Commissioner Grover Robinson after making a motion to approve the rezoning. “I am excited to see something move forward from this.”
Robinson’s motion passed unanimously.
The property is located at 900 Jacks Branch Road and lies east of Jacks Branch and north of Well Line Road, all to the west of Highway 29. The rezoning was proposed by the DDJ Land Company, LLC, managed by Jerry and Donald Long of Pensacola.
An area of 444 acres, 275 of which are not wetlands, will be rezoned to C-1 (commercial). The area will serve the surrounding area with larger and small scale retail, office and residential use. The center will be designed around pedestrian and utilized plazas and other public space “to create an attractive environment”, according to the application.
A 74 acre area, 60 acres of which are not wetlands, will be rezoned R-4 to allow for neighborhoods comprised primarily of attached single and multifamily residential dwellings. The roads will be designed in a gridded system, with public spaces for civic, community and recreational areas.
A 156 acre area, 65 acres not wetlands, will be zoned V-5. The area would be located in the “rural” area of the development with subdivision that would be clustered single family homes focusing on efficient use of land and infrastructure, conventional large lot development and accessible open space.
A 107 acre parcel, 85 which are not wetlands, will be zoned R-3 with a range of housing types on a gridded block road system.
An R-4 zoned area of 25 acres will provide a housing area of a variety of attached and detached residential homes. Parks, conservation and public spaces are to focal point for the neighborhoods, once developed.
Pictured top: A location map for about 800 acres that was rezoned by a vote of the Escambia County Commission Thursday night. Pictured east: Looking north into the parcel from Well Line Road. Pictured below: Looking east into the parcel from Jacks Branch Road. Courtesy images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Park Elementary Students Learn Fire Safety (With Photo Gallery)
October 4, 2013
Molino Park Elementary School students learned about fire safety Thursday from members of the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue. The students learned how to get out of their home in the event of a fire and also learned about some of the tools used by firefighters.
Pictured: Molino Park Elementary students learn all about fire safety Thursday morning. Pictured top and inset: The firemen’s helmets were a student favorite. Pictured below: Students use a camera to look for hot spots. Pictured bottom: Students had an opportunity to ask questions. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Get District Win Over The Chipley Tigers
October 4, 2013
The Northview Lady Chiefs earned a district win over Chipley Thursday afternoon at home in Bratt.
Northview beat the Chipley Tigers 21-25, 24-26, 25-23, 25-17, 16-14.
Danielle Steadham had one ace, 13 kills, three blocks and 16 digs for the Chiefs, while Kyndall Hall had five aces, three kills, seven assists and eight digs.
The Chiefs are scheduled to host PCC on Tuesday, October 8 for Senior Night. The JV plays at 4:30, following the varsity at 5:30. It is the last regular season game scheduled at home for the remainder of the NHS season.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Scott: FEMA Promises Resources Will Be Available For Karen Despite Gov’t Shutdown
October 4, 2013
Following a briefing with Bryan Koon, the Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Governor Rick Scott called FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate Thursday to request that all needed federal resources would be available for Tropical Storm Karen. The storm poses a threat to the Florida Panhandle and could strengthen into a Category 1 Hurricane. A hurricane watch has already been issued for Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, Bay, and Gulf Counties.
“Our number one priority is the safety of our citizens. We will not let the government shutdown in Washington in any way hurt our emergency response efforts in Florida. I spoke to FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate this evening and got his personal assurance that no federal resource would be denied in response to Tropical Storm Karen, despite the ongoing federal shutdown,” Scott said.
“I have directed the Department of Emergency Management to continuously assess whether federal resources are being withheld because of the shutdown, and the state stands ready to step in to provide any emergency support needed.
“The National Guard has activated 20 guardsmen who will be directing the pre-positioning of equipment and personnel in order to respond to the storm. As we prepare for the potential impact of Tropical Storm Karen, it is imperative that all Florida residents and visitors be prepared. Those in the path of the storm should follow instructions from local officials to ensure safety,” Scott concluded.
The State Emergency Operations Center upgraded to a Level Two activation Thursday as Scott declared a state of emergency in 18 counties, including Escambia and Santa Rosa.
Wednesday Night Shooting Under Investigation
October 3, 2013
The investigation is continuing into a Wednesday night shooting outside a home in the 3000 block of East Lakeview Avenue.
The incident occurred around 9:15 p.m. as a 58-year-old man was returning home from work. Before the man could get inside, he was shot in the leg by a male who fled the scene on
foot. The victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
A motive for the incident remains under investigation.
Anyone having information on the incident is asked to contact Detective Candace Miller (850) 435-1976 or the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1900.
Man Gets 15 Years For DUI Manslaughter Of Century Resident
October 3, 2013
A Milton man has been sentenced to prison for the death of a Century man in a traffic crash last January.
William Samuel Stapleton, Jr., 48, was sentenced to 15 years in state prison on charges of DUI manslaughter, and driving while license suspended causing death.
Charles Terry Griffis, 50, was pronounced deceased at the scene of the 9:20 p.m. crash January 9 on Highway 87 about seven miles north of Milton. Griffis was a passenger in a car driven by Stapleton.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Stapleton was northbound on Highway 87 when he lost control and struck a tree. Stapleton was charged in April after the Florida Highway Patrol completed their traffic homicide investigation.
Griffis was a 1980 graduate of Century High School and was formerly employed as welder.
Miller: House Continues Its Work To End The Government Shutdown
October 3, 2013
submitted by U.S. Congressman Jeff Miller of Florida’s 1st District
Monday evening, the House passed a third Continuing Resolution that would keep the government open, protect the American people from Obamacare, and ensure that Members of Congress and the President do not get special treatment by overturning the President’s decision to extend healthcare subsidies for Congress.
Despite the fact that this bill passed with bipartisan support, Senate Democrats immediately rejected it. The House stayed in session past midnight, however, passing an additional measure to form a conference committee between the House and Senate to resolve our differences and keep the government running. A conference committee is intended to allow the House and Senate to sit down, roll up our sleeves and resolve our differences. But, once again, Senate Democrats rejected this proposal. House Republicans have given the Senate three viable alternatives to prevent and now end a shutdown. Yet the Senate refuses to join us at the table to work to reopen our government.
With Senate Democrats unwilling to negotiate, the House has continued to work and pass smaller targeted bills to reopen portions of the government. We passed the first of these bills over the weekend with H.R. 3210, the Pay Our Military Act, which was designed to ensure that all military members, including reserve components, and Department of Defense (DoD) civilian personnel are paid on time. Thanks to the House-led effort the Senate also passed this bill and it was signed into law by the President. Unfortunately, despite the fact that the clear intent of Congress was to keep the Department of Defense completely open, with all employees still on the job, the Administration decided to interpret the law to furlough civilians and cause unnecessary pain to hard-working Americans. I don’t think this is an acceptable decision and that is why I led a letter signed by 67 of my colleagues that was sent to Secretary of Defense Hagel, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Beers, and Office of Management and Budget Director Burwell calling on them to return all furloughed DoD employees back to work without delay.
The House continued its efforts to reopen the government yesterday with three bills. The first of these bills, the Honoring our Promise to America’s Veterans Act, makes sure that all commitments made by VA to our Nation’s veterans are fulfilled. Our veterans have earned these benefits and they should in no way be in jeopardy. While there has been no current lapse in veterans’ benefits, VA has informed Congress that they will be unable to make any payments starting in November. We cannot allow this to happen, and that is why the House acted and passed a clean bill, the Honoring our Promise to America’s Veterans Act.
The House also voted on the Open Our National Parks and Museums Act to ensure that Americans have access to national parks and museums. As we saw on Monday, the Park Service decided to barricade national parks across the country. This included the World War II Memorial here in Washington. But these barricades could not stop a group of World War II veterans from Mississippi who had taken an Honor Flight to come to Washington and rightly removed the barricades to see their memorial.
Finally, the House voted on the Local Funding for DC Act, which would allow the government of the District of Columbia to use local funds, but no federal dollars, to pay for their local government operations.
In order to expedite the passage of these important bills, the House brought them up under a suspension of the rules, which requires a two-thirds majority for passage. Despite the fact Republicans overwhelmingly supported these measures, we were not joined by a sufficient number of Democrats to gain a two-thirds majority, and they did not pass. These bills will be brought up again, this time requiring a simple majority for passage.
As these measures demonstrate, House Republicans will continue our efforts to get the government running again and make sure that Members of Congress are forced to abide by the same rules as the rest of the American people. The failure of the Senate to act on any of these measures proves that Harry Reid and Senate Democrats are more than happy to slam the door on our federal government and lock it by refusing to meet with the House.
The House remained in session today to pass more measures to reopen parts of our government. Unfortunately, the President issued a veto threat against the House-passed targeted funding bills, calling into question whether or not the President wants to help solve the problem or simply make it worse. I will continue to offer updates from Washington as the situation develops, and I can assure you that I remain committed to finding a solution to reopen the government as soon as possible, while also protecting Americans from Obamacare.
Government Shutdown Slow To Affect State Agencies
October 3, 2013
For now, Florida’s state agencies appear to be avoiding the worst of the partial shutdown that has caused a good deal of the federal government to grind to a halt.
Of course, the state budget passed months ago by lawmakers won’t change because of the disagreement between congressional Republicans, who want to tie continuing funding for the federal government to changes in the national health-care law, and President Barack Obama, who rejects that connection.
But that state spending plan draws more than 35 percent of its funding from federal sources, some of which could be imperiled if the shutdown drags on. For now, though, state agencies appear to be situated to ride out a short closing.
A spokeswoman for Gov. Rick Scott didn’t directly respond to a question about whether his office has a list of state programs that could be affected by a shutdown, but said the state is keeping an eye on the situation.
“We are working closely with our agencies to monitor any potential state impact,” spokeswoman Jackie Schutz wrote in an email.
Some state services aren’t affected at all. Secretary of State Ken Detzner used reports that federal historic sites and parks were closing to point out that Florida’s remain open.
“While politicians in Washington, D.C., sort out the budget crisis, the Florida Department of State employees continue to offer quality customer care to the public at our facilities,” he said in a statement issued by his office.
Other agencies are having to watch Washington.
For example, the Department of Children and Families has been told by federal authorities that nutrition programs, like food stamps, will be funded until the end of the month, department spokeswoman Alexis Lambert said. And Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, which helps provide cash for low-income Floridians, won’t be affected.
“If funding lapses, we are committed to doing all we can to work with the states, the District of Columbia (DC), territories, and tribes to ensure that vulnerable families and children have access to needed benefits and services during this period,” wrote former Florida official George Sheldon, an acting assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in a letter to state officials.
Other programs also largely appear safe, according to a report from Federal Funds Information for States, a Washington, D.C.-based group. Medicaid, some transportation spending and some education programs will keep money flowing to the state.
But some transportation projects could lack the needed checks for environmental or legal impacts, and state or local governments won’t get reimbursed for work on some projects, the report says. Some Head Start programs will likely be forced to shutter themselves until a deal is struck.
And the effects could grow worse as time passes. The U.S. Department of Education warned in its contingency plan for a shutdown, dated Sept. 27, that funding could become more scarce if the showdown in Washington continues.
“A protracted delay in department obligations and payments beyond one week would severely curtail the cash flow to school districts, colleges and universities, and vocational rehabilitation agencies that depend on the department’s funds to support their services,” the plan said.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Carters Named Escambia County Outstanding Farm Family
October 3, 2013
The Matt Carter Family has been named the 2013 Escambia County Outstanding Farm Family.
Matt has been married for eight years to Dawn, and they have two girls — six-year old Emily and almost-two Jayden. They work together on their farm on Byrneville Road to being the freshest, highest quality vegetables direct to local consumers at their Matt’s Produce stand and weekly at the Palafox Market in Pensacola.
Matt grew up working alongside his father, Lance Carter at Crary Dairy. As a youth, he was a member of the Northview FFA chapter and was chapter president. He is still very active in supporting agriculture as a member of the EscaRosa Young Farmers and Ranchers.
For a number of years, he worked off the farm at the West Frazier Sawmill. But when it closed in 2008, he saw the opportunity to open his own farming operation. He saw the interest for local produce steadily increasing and knew that he wanted to be a part helping to supply homegrown vegetables to Escambia County resident. His business started small with tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, and zucchini which he sold at the farmstand on Byrneville Road, but quickly joined the Palafox Market to sell his product.
Over the past five years, the Carters have expanded their operation both in acreage and product variety. Throughout the year, Matt and Dawn produce peppers, tomatoes, squash, potatoes, onions, zucchini, turnips, mustards, collards, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, peas, and butter beans. Future plans included a certified kitchen at the product stand so they can sell value added items straight to the consumer.
Sgt. Shedrick Johnson Awarded Purple Heart
October 3, 2013
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Shedrick Johnson was awarded the department’s Police Purple Heart .
“Sergeant Johnson’s actions exemplify his courage, bravery, personal sacrifice and high standards which are the expectations placed on all officers of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and reflect law enforcement’s uncommon personal commitment,” Sheriff David Morgan said.
In March, Johnson responded to a house in the 8800 block of Burning Tree Road in the Scenic Hills area off Nine Mile Road in an attempt to locate a robbery suspect, later identified as Jonathan Brett Chappell, 24.
Chappell had robbed an individual at gunpoint at the Tom Thumb on Pensacola Boulevard near W Street earlier in the evening and retreated to the Scenic Hills home where his acquaintance, Finkelstein, awaited.
According to both the victim and the suspect, the robbery occurred after the two had met to make a drug deal. As deputies approached the house Finkelstein came out of the garage.Johnson identified himself as law enforcement and instructed him to show his hands. At that time Finkelstein raised a handgun and shots were fired. In the exchange of gunfire, Johnson was wounded in the leg and retreated across the street.
Finkelstein was located a short distance away and arrested by Pensacola Police officer. Shortly afterwards, Chappell exited the garage and was arrested. He was charged with armed robbery with a firearm, grand theft of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance.