Concrete Crushing Strength Team To Appear In Molino
October 16, 2012
With feats like ripping a phone book in half, crushing walls of concrete with a blow from an arm or head, breaking handcuffs and running through 2×4 boards, the Strength Team will bring their inspirational message to a Molino church Wednesday night.
The Strength Team will perform their amazing feats of strength Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Highland Baptist Church. Admission is free; an offering will be received.
The leader and founder of The Strength Team, Mike Hagen, has dedicated over 20 years of his life to this kind of work. He has spoken to hundreds of thousands of people and performed at thousands of school and church assemblies. He has been featured on CNN, ESPN, and the popular television show “Walker Texas Ranger” with Chuck Norris.
Escambia Man Gets 30 Years For 2010 Shooting
October 16, 2012
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to 30 years in state prison for a 2010 shooting that left the victim permanently disabled.
Thadius Edward Watson was convicted of aggravated battery with great harm with a firearm and aggravated assault by an Escambia County jury. Judge J. Scott Duncan immediately sentenced Watson to 30 years in prison with a 25 year minimum mandatory.
Prosecutors said Watson was with several other people inside a residence in the 1000 block of Armenia Drive when became upset at one of the occupants who was waiting for a ride home. Watson pulled a .45 handgun and demanded that man get out of a living room chair. A short time later, the victim’s brother arrived to give him a ride home. He was shot in the leg by Watson, resulting in a permanent disability.
Century Approves First Variance To Two Week Old Fence Law
October 16, 2012
Less than two weeks after approving a new ordinance that regulates the height of fences in the town, the Century Town Council has granted one resident a variance — exempting his current fences from the law.
The new law, approved October 1, adopted Escambia County’s current standards that limit the height of a solid fence in front of a single family residence to three feet and a chain link or other transparent fence to a four foot height. The fence height for a corner lot is limited to two feet as to not obstruct the view of traffic. Fences in the side, or rear yard of a home may not exceed eight feet, which was no change from Century’s previous restrictions.
The town council voted 3-0 Monday night to approve a variance for Paul Thompson at 30 Hobbs Road. Thompson’s property is mostly surrounded by a wood privacy fence, but the area directly in front of the home is chain link fenced.
“It (the house) is visible when you pull up,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall said. “You can see his whole house.”
Pictured: A fence law variance was granted for this property on Hobbs Road. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gulf Seafood Testing Program To End Next Year
October 16, 2012
The Department of Agriculture will ask lawmakers to approve the use of the final $1.5 million from BP to continue a seafood testing program through October of next year.
The 2010 agreement – which expires in October of 2013 – provided a total of $10 million for the program to test seafood for ill effects of the 2010 BP oil spill. Just over $3.3 million has been spent, and another $5.1 million is budgeted for the current year.
State agencies had until Monday to submit proposed budgets for the coming year, and the Agriculture agency included the spending authority for the final installment of the BP money in its proposal. In particular, the agency’s testing program checks seafood for hydrocarbons, dispersants and heavy metals, and anticipates taking 80 samples of shellfish and finfish per month.
“Failure to adequately fund this work will result in decreased consumer confidence in purchasing and eating Florida gulf seafood, lack of scientific evidence that can be shared with the public and other entities to confirm that Florida gulf seafood is safe to consume, and potentially place the consumer at risk for the consumption of Florida gulf seafood that has not been consistently tested,” the agency said.
JV Football: Escambia Academy Downs Northview
October 16, 2012
The junior varsity Northview Chiefs wrapped up their season Monday night with a loss to Escambia Academy. The EA Cougars defeated Northview 22-14 in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Molino Rollover Wreck
October 15, 2012
One person was injured in a single vehicle rollover accident this afternoon in Molino.
The accident happened just before 4 pm. in the 1100 block of Barth Road, about a mile east of Highway 29. The female driver of the vehicle reportedly suffered non-life threatening injuries.
Further details have not been released by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Escambia County Unveils Redesigned Website
October 15, 2012
Escambia County has launched a new version of the MyEscambia.com website.
The website is divided into four main areas: Community, Business, Visitors and Government with each area categorized into topics.
The Community area contains information targeted to all citizens who work and live in Escambia County. The Business section provides economic development information for businesses looking to relocate or expand, as well as information on how to do business with the county. The Visitors section contains information on the amenities offered to anyone looking to enjoy our beautiful area. The Government section provides information on the Board of County Commissioners, its departments and other governmental topics.
To visit the new MyEscambia.com, click here.
Dept. Of Corrections Announces Century, Santa Rosa Promotions, Transfer
October 15, 2012
The Florida Department of Corrections has announced promotions and lateral transfers at correctional institutions statewide, including Century Correctional Institute and Santa Rosa Correctional Institute.
The promotions and transfers included:
- James (Scott) White was promoted from major at Century CI to colonel at Santa Rosa CI.
- James Peters was promoted from colonel at Santa Rosa City to assistant warden at Gulf CI.
- Major Ronnie Segars was transferred from Gulf Annex to Century CI.
A total of 37 people were moved as part of the DOC’s leadership succession plan.
2012-2013 Florida Hunting Seasons Begin
October 15, 2012
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission has announced 2012-2013 hunting season dates.
The statewide hunting season for gray squirrel on private lands has been extended. From now on, it will open the second Saturday in October and close the first Sunday in March. This season, the dates will be October 13 – March 3.
The chart below shows 2012-2013 hunting season dates for “Zone D”, which includes all of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, except for wildlife management areas. For complete information, including bag limits, see the FWC website.
Impact 100 Names Seven $104,000 Grant Winners
October 15, 2012
Seven community organizations were awarded $104,000 grants each Sunday by Pensacola Bay Impact 100.
The winners were chosen by vote of the 728 members of Impact 100. The group is comprised of women who contribute $1,000 each per year for membership. All of the membership fees are awarded in the form of grants each year to community groups. Since 2003, the group has contributed over $4.3 million.
Grant winners announced Sunday were:
Arts and Culture
- Friends of the Saenger, Inc. – Project: The Great Saenger Pipe Organ – Restoring the Heartbeat of Lady Saenger
Education
- Milk and Honey Outreach Ministries, Inc. – Project: “Going Places” Transportation Initiative
Environment, Recreation and Preservation
- Pensacola Lighthouse Association, Inc. – Project: Restoration of the Pensacola Lighthouse
Family
- Autism Pensacola, Inc. – Project: Parent Empowerment Pensacola (PEP)
- Manna Food Bank, Inc., dba Manna Food Pantries – Project: A Chilling Impact on Food Security
Health and Wellness
- Appetite for Life, Inc., dba Appetite 4 Life – Project: Equipped 4 Success
- Escambia Search and Rescue, Inc. – Project: The Advancement for Search, Rescue and Recovery for Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties
Pictured: Manna Food Bank Executive Director DeDe Flounlacker (center) receives a $104,000 check from Impact 100 Sunday. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.