Escambia Outlines RESTORE Advisory Committee Selection Committee
December 18, 2012
On October 18, 2012, the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners established the RESTORE Act Advisory Committee. The purpose of the Committee is to develop a plan, take public input and set the final goals for the community’s use of RESTORE funds. The Committee will review projects and submit recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration. The Committee will consist of nine members who are residents of Escambia County, with committee members individually representing the financial industry, the business community, transportation, government, the City of Pensacola, local environmental advocacy organizations, citizens-at-large, and two unrestricted at-large positions to be determined by Board approval.
The environmental committee representative will be selected by consensus of the local advocacy organizations who have been asked to nominate one person to represent the environmental segment. The Escambia County Community and Environment Department is hosting a meeting January 7, 2013, at the County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place, to facilitate the selection process.
Early nominations can be made by submitting the person’s name and a short bio to Keith Wilkins at the address below before January 2, 2013. Nominations may also be made from the floor at the selection meeting January 7, 2013. If a single selection cannot be determined by consensus, the final individuals will be asked to submit resumes to the Community and Environment Department by 5 p.m. on January 11, 2013 with the names submitted to the Board of County Commissioners for final selection. The final selection of all candidates will be presented to the Board of County Commissioners at their regularly scheduled meeting January 17, 2013. For further information or to make a nomination, please contact Pat Chunn or Keith Wilkins at 595-4988, kwilkins@myescambia.com or 221 Palafox Place, Pensacola, Florida, 32502.
IP Cantonment Mill Gives Back To Neighbors In Need
December 18, 2012
The International Paper Pensacola Mill is once again spreading a little holiday help to its neighbors that live next to the Cantonment facility. Joe Mack, who works in the mill’s woodyard, spends every late December delivering frozen turkeys and gift certificates to members of the surrounding community who could use a little bit of help paying for Christmas dinner.
This year, Mack was armed with $750 in gift certificates and more than a twenty-five turkeys as he drove out of the mill’s Gate 5. Some of the donations are dropped off at the Council on Aging’s Cantonment location, which is about a mile from the mill, but Mack also delivers the gifts to homes of longtime residents he knows could use a little help. Turkeys and gift certificates are also distributed to approximately a dozen Cantonment families through the Health and Hope Clinic.
“The Pensacola Mill is a standing feature in Cantonment starting as the Florida Pulp and Paper Company in 1941,” said Janice Holmes, communications manager. “Cantonment has had to weather the changes in the economy just like every other community. We are humbled to be able to give back in this small way to those neighbors who have shown so much loyalty to the mill — many with generations of family members who have worked here.”
Each year, IP provides more than $10 million to support thousands of charitable organizations in the communities where their employees live and work. Company contributions and Foundation grants are a significant part of our giving strategy, as IP strives to be the best socially responsible corporate neighbor in the communities where employees live and work.
International Paper (IP) Pensacola Mill will award $50,000 in Foundation Grants in 2013. The application deadline is January 11, 2013. Grants are awarded by the IP Foundation in Memphis, Tenn., which focuses on environmental education, literacy, employee involvement and critical community needs. Applicants must be a registered 501c3 non-profit organization, school, or qualifying government entity to apply. For more information about the Foundation, visit www.ipgiving.com.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Body Found In Wooded Area Near High School
December 17, 2012
An investigation is underway after a body was found in a wooded area this morning near Pensacola Catholic High School.
The body of 28-year old Alfred L. Waslton was located about 8:50 a.m. near Wentworth Street and Maxwell Street. A person told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that they were walking through the woods where they located the body and then contacted law enforcement.
More details have not been released as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information about the body is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
McDavid Man Airlifted After Water Moccasin Bite
December 17, 2012
A McDavid man was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital Sunday after reportedly being bitten by a poisonous water moccasin.
First responders were on the scene within minutes in the 1400 block of North Century Boulevard where the 64-year old man had been bitten on the thigh. He was transported by ambulance to the McDavid Fire Department and airlifted to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola by LifeFlight helicopter.
There was no update available on the man’s condition, and his identity has not been released.
The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded to the call.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Police Shoot Armed Robbery Suspect
December 17, 2012
Two Pensacola Police officers are on paid administrative leave after they shot an armed robbery suspect who pointed a gun at them about 2:30 Sunday morning.
Melvin Coley, 30, of Pensacola was in his vehicle in the parking lot of the Travel Inn at 1801 West Cervantes Street after visiting a friend when he was approached by a man later identified as Timothy Lowe, 28, of Pensacola.
The two men began arguing over drugs, Lowe produced a handgun, and shot multiple times into the car at Coley, hitting him in the leg.
PPD officers Matt Coverdale and Jeremy Pillow, who were on patrol nearby, heard the gunshots and responded to the area. When the officers arrived at the parking lot, they saw Lowe holding a handgun. When Lowe saw the officers, he turned the gun toward them.
Both officers fired and Lowe was hit in the leg. Lowe dropped the gun and ran but was captured by Coverdale after a foot pursuit. Pillow stayed with Coley while Coverdale chased the suspect. Lowe and Coley were taken to a local hospital where they were treated and released.
Lowe was charged with aggravated battery, assault on a law enforcement officer, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, armed robbery, and resisting an officer with violence.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will conduct an investigation into the shooting, which is standard procedure.
One Injury In Highway 297A Crash
December 17, 2012
Three Cantonment residents were involved in a two vehicle crash Sunday night.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 22-year old Courtney S. Brown of Cantonment was northbound on Highway 297A at Sandicrest Lane in a 2006 Nissan Sentra when she ran off the road, over corrected and crossed into the southbound lane. She collided with a southbound Subaru Forester driven by 38-year old Jeremy Holcombe of Cantonment in the 5:31 p.m. crash.
Brown received minor injuries in the wreck and was transported to West Florida Hospital. Holcombe and his passenger, 11-year old Benjamin Holcombe, were not injured.
Brown was cited for failure to drive in a single lane by the FHP.
Portion Of Molino Park Elementary To Get New Roof
December 17, 2012
A portion of Molino Park Elementary School is slated to be re-roofed.
The Escambia County School Board is scheduled to approve a $374,075 contract with Edwards Roofing of Pensacola for the project, with funding from the half cents sales tax. The new roof will include a standard 15-year warranty.
Longtime Dogwood Park Pastor Passes Away
December 17, 2012
Glenn Eddie Milstead, a longtime Baptist minister, has passed away. He was 62.
Milstead was instrumental in establishing the Dogwood Park Baptist Church where he served as pastor for over 25 years. He held a bachelors degree in theology from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He also served three years in the US Army as a salvage diver.
He is survived by his parents, Blue and June Milstead, his wife of 44 years, Sharon, and numerous children and grandchildren.
Funeral services for Glenn Eddie Milstead will be held Tuesday, December 18 at Dogwood Park Baptist Church. Visitation will be held Monday, December 17 a t 5 p.m. at Faith Chapel North.
For the complete obituary, click here.
Fifth Red Bulb Lit In Wreath Fire Safety Campaign
December 17, 2012
Another green bulb has been replaced with red representing a residential fire in the “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign.
The fire was reported in the 4500 block of Mobile Highway just before 11 p.m. Saturday. Firefighters arrived to find a fully involved travel trailer, which was being used as a permanent residence. The trailer was a total loss.
The cause of the fire was determined to be an unattended candle.
The American Red Cross was called to assist the resident. The Osceola, Myrtle Grove, Brent and Warrington stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the blaze.
During this, the ninth year of the campaign, there are five-foot wreaths on display at 27 different fire stations and other locations throughout the county.
Southern Pine Collects 3,074 Boxes For Operation Christmas Child
December 17, 2012
Southern Pine Electric Cooperative, which serves the rural portions of Escambia County, Ala., collected 3,074 boxes for Operation Christmas Child.
Operation Christmas Child collects shoe boxes filled with small toys, hard candies, hygienic items, socks and more for needy children in third-world countries across the globe. Each shoe box also contains a small children’s book about the birth of Christ and the first Christmas. This year, OCC plans to collect its 100 millionth shoe box to hand deliver to a needy child.
Southern Pine became a collection point for the OCC ministry in 2002. The co-op has collected more than 2,000 boxes each year due to the compassion and concern of members and friends in areas of the five counties it serves in Alabama. Despite the depressed economy, this year’s collection was the largest that Southern Pine has been able to deliver to the ministry to date.
“The co-op would like to thank everyone who helped in this effort since it began working with OCC. Because of you, many children will receive their first-ever Christmas gift in the coming months. Most importantly, they will also learn about Christ. Thank you for making this possible,” Southern Pine said in a news release.