Evers’ Farm Land Agritourism Bill Gets Committee Nod
January 24, 2012
Despite objections from cities and counties, the Senate Agriculture Committee on Monday approved a bill that would prevent local regulation of “agritourism” on farm land.
The Senate Agriculture Committee voted 6-1 to approve the measure sponsored by Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker. Agritourism can involve a variety of activities, such as farms offering tours and educational activities.
But Stephen James, a lobbyist for the Florida Association of Counties, said his group is concerned that the bill is overly broad. For example, he said some farm land is close to densely populated areas and that problems could arise if owners wanted to hold festivals that could affect such things as parking.
Pictured: An bill sponsored by Sen. Greg Evers would prevent local regulation of agritourism on farm land, such as the Jay Peanut Festival. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Authorities Looking For DCF Impersonator
January 24, 2012
Authorities are looking for a man they say is pretending to be a Department of Children and Families employee.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said a white male identifying himself as DCF employee Craig Johnson entered a home, claiming to be conducting an investigation of child neglect. DCF said the agency does not have an employee of that name, nor are they conducting an investigation of the family in question.
The white male was described as being approximately 5’10” tall, 170 pounds, dirty blond hair, full goatee, wearing khaki pants and white dress shirt. He was described as being approximately 30-35 years of age and was driving a white 2011 model Chevy Malibu.
Investigators encourage anyone who has information to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or CrimeStoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured: An sketch artist rendering of a DCF impersonator. Courtesy Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
It’s Celebrate Literacy Week At Jim Allen, Bratt, Byrneville, Molino Park
January 23, 2012
It’s “Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida!”, and North Escambia elementary schools will celebrate will a variety of activities this week.
The goal of the week is to promote literacy by raising awareness of programs and projects offered by the Florida Department of Education and partner groups, and to promote the enjoyment of reading for adults and children of all ages.
The following events are planned at North Escambia elementary schools this week:
Jim Allen Elementary
- All students will read for an additional 20 minutes each day as part of the Million Minute Marathon.
Bratt Elementary
- All students will read as part of the Million Minute Marathon.
- Students will create story character puppets from the Jan Brett books The Mitten and The Hat.
- On Wednesday, it’s Buddy Reading as students from the upper level grades read to students in the lower grades.
- Thursday is book character dress up day.
- During the week, book report posters will be presented by fourth grade students. Mrs. Cassady’s fifth grade students will present shoe box reports.
- Daily announcements will include information about Sunshine State readers each day.
Byrneville Elementary
- Students will read as part of the Million Minute Marathon.
- On Tuesday, upper grade students will read to younger students.
- Wednesday is Teacher Swap Day — teachers will read to a different class than the one they teach.
- Thursday is Parent Literacy Day with programs at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
- Guest readers will read to students on Friday.
Molino Park Elementary
- “Reading, Writing and Rover” presentation on Monday.
- Additional activities and reading throughout the week.
Town Of Century Honors Northview Chiefs Football Team
January 23, 2012
During their regular meeting Monday night, the Century Town Council officially recognized the Northview High School football team with the reading of a proclamation.
Mayor Freddie McCall issued the proclamation honoring the regional championship team. The proclamation was presented to Chiefs Head Coach Sid Wheatley during the team’s annual banquet last week.
To read the full proclamation, click the image.
Jeff Miller: We Need The Jobs, It’s That Simple
January 23, 2012
In his latest newsletter, U.S. Rep Jeff Miller discusses the jobs and the Keystone XL Pipeline.
The following was submitted by Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Chumuckla for NorthEscambia.com:
Last week, President Obama took the extraordinary action of denying the application for construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline. In a move that would cost thousands of jobs by any measure, this Administration’s decision to block the pipeline shows they are out of touch with the message Americans have been delivering for more than a year – where are the jobs?
The Keystone XL project is a proposed 1,700 mile extension of an existing energy pipeline. It would provide a critical link from abundant petroleum supplies in Canada to U.S. refineries. When finished, Keystone is estimated to carry 1.4 million barrels of petroleum every day, significantly expanding the refining capacity of North American energy companies.
However, Keystone XL is more than an energy issue. It is a jobs issue. The Keystone XL Pipeline project is estimated to inject $20 billion of private sector investment into our economy. It would create 20,000 direct jobs and 118,000 more jobs from increased economic activity. These are not Republican talking points – these numbers were provided by 22 members of the President’s own party in an October 19, 2011 letter to the President asking him to approve the pipeline. It is undisputed the Keystone XL Pipeline would create jobs. For a President who mentions the importance of American jobs in almost every speech he gives, I am astounded that his words are not followed by action.
The President was clear about his reasons for denying the Keystone XL permit. He tried to put the blame on Republicans for rushing his decision. However, the Keystone XL project has already undergone an extensive, three-year review led by the State Department. A multi-agency process, the review studied the pipeline’s environmental, economic, and energy impacts. More than 25 meetings were held with interested parties on both sides of the issue. The State Department’s own Environmental Impact Statement found that Keystone XL would have no significant impact on the environment. So why would the President push his decision on the pipeline until 2013 and after the November 2012 election?
The Administration should not play politics with job creation and economic recovery. So, as part of the end of the year discussion on the payroll tax holiday, House Republicans were successful in passing legislation that required the President to make a decision on Keystone XL within 60 days. Three years is too long to wait for this important project, and pushing the decision off for more than a year is unacceptable. On Wednesday, the President made his decision. Unfortunately, it was the wrong decision.
The Administration had an opportunity to create jobs – not through trillion-dollar government stimulus, but through private sector investment. They had an opportunity to increase American energy independence. They had an opportunity to show they were willing to put economic recovery above politics. But they rejected it. The Administration is no longer just failing to act on job creation, it is actively preventing it. Incredibly, the President said during debate over Keystone XL that extending unemployment benefits would create more jobs than the pipeline project. Jobless benefits creating jobs? I don’t think so.
The President would be wise to listen to the advice given by the citizens who would be affected by construction of Keystone XL, advice highlighted in Democrats’ October letter: “We need the jobs, it’s that simple.”
Book Fair This Week At EWMS; Parents Shop Tuesday Night
January 23, 2012
A Book Fair will be held this week at Ernest Ward Middle School.
Students will visit the event during pre-scheduled times during the week. Students will also have the opportunity to shop before school and during lunch.
Parents and students can shop the Book Fair from 6-8 p.m on Tuesday. In compliance with school policy, only cash will be accepted.
Escambia Home Sales Up, Average Price Down
January 22, 2012
Home sales in the Escambia County area were up in 2011, but the average price fell.
There were 3,916 single family home sales in the Pensacola market — including all of Escambia County. That was up 12 percent over the 3,497 homes sold by the end of 2010. The average home price fell from $141,000 in 2010 to $134,600 in 2011, a decrease of 5 percent.
Condo sales increased by 40 percent, from 494 in 2010 to 691 in 2011. The average condo price was up, from $171,900 to $188,800.
Across Florida, home sales increased by 8 percent in 2011 from the year before, the third time in as many years that sales have grown as Florida continues to rebound from the housing crash that ground the state’s economy to a halt, according to statistics compiled by Florida Realtors.
“Our expectation is that recovery will continue through 2012,” said Florida Realtors’ chief economist John Tucillo. “The major obstacle in the market is the inadequate accessibility to financing. Prices are moderating, but we don’t expect too much movement owing to the continuing significance of distressed properties.”
The most expensive home currently listed for sale in the North Escambia area is a 5,500 square foot home on an 8.5 acre island in Century. The home, with a $2.5 million list price, is in the middle of a 63 acre private lake on Campbell Road. The detached 7,000 square foot garage has enough space for 13 parked cars and has a mother-in-law apartment above it.
Pictured: This home in Century is currently listed at $2.5 million. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Injured In State Line Road Wreck
January 22, 2012
One person was injured in a single vehicle accident Saturday morning in Century.
The accident happened about 10:25 a.m. on State Line Road near Highway 29. The driver of a 1992 Chevrolet truck failed to negotiate a curve on State Line Road, struck a power pole guy wire and traveled up a steep embankment toward Highway 29.
A passenger in the pickup, 42-year old Cynthis Taylor of Atmore, was transported by ambulance to Jay Hospital with minor injuries. Another person in the pickup, John Taylor, age 54 of Flomaton, was not injured.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the driver of the vehicle was unknown due to no witnesses to the crash.
The Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the accident.
Pictured top: John Taylor and his sister Cynthis Taylor were involved in this single vehicle accident Saturday morning in Century. Pictured inset: John Taylor waits by the vehicle for the Florida Highway Patrol to arrive. Troopers were unable to determine who was driving the truck. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
10 Volunteer Firefighters Complete Certification Training
January 22, 2012
Ten Escambia County volunteer firefighters completed their Firefighter I training on Saturday.
The newly certified volunteers firefighters, and their station of service, are:
- Cody Brown – Beulah
- Jeremy Chabot – West Pensacola
- Travis Darr – Ensley
- Ian Forrester – Bellview
- Brian Gossett – Ensley
- Ryan Kaderly – Molino
- Nick McCullough -Molino
- C.J. Parker – Molino
- Johnathon Stack – Warrington
- Kevin Winingar – Ferry Pass
Cantonment Trumpet Player One Of Nation’s Best
January 22, 2012
A trumpet player from Cantonment has been selected as one of the best high school players in the nation.
Chris Snyder has been selected as a semifinalist in the National Trumpet Competition held in Washington, DC. Each year, candidates from across the nation submit a video audition of themselves performing a difficult classical composition. He is one of 30 high school students selected out of hundreds of applicants who audition for the opportunity.
As a semifinalist, Snyder will be able to attend Master Classes led by artists the likes of Doc Severinsen, longtime band leader for the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, and various other trumpet professional players from top symphonies across the United States.
Snyder, the son of Mark and Sonya Snyder, is a member of the Celebration Orchestra at Olive Baptist Church. For the past six years, he has studied trumpet privately from Darryl Evans and Tom Savage, both faculty members at Olive’s School of Performing Arts.
The OBC School of Performing Arts offers a variety of vocal and instrumental music lessons for all ages. For more information on the school, call (850) 475-1932 or visit www.olivebaptist.org.
Pictured: Chris Snyder practices at the Olive Baptist Church School of the Performing Arts. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.