New Senate Districts Will Keep Rural Voice For Panhandle
October 6, 2011
Senate mapmakers will draw legislative districts that run east to west as they carve new political boundaries for the Panhandle, members of the Senate Reapportionment Committee agreed Wednesday.
The bipartisan consensus answers the tricky question of how to divide Northwest Florida, where rural residents from the northern part of the region feared having their votes diluted by more urbanized coastal areas. Some residents at public meetings had pushed for districts that run north to south, only to encounter pushback from rural interests.
The current districts are already horizontal, an arrangement the Senate panel decided to continue with.
“I think it’s our responsibility to do everything we can to respond to the wishes of these people, and draw the district lines horizontally,” said Sen. Alan Hays, R-Umatilla.
But the free-flowing, lengthy discussion about the nature of the compactness required by the new Fair Districts amendments and what it meant for often-sprawling districts in sparsely-populated areas in the Panhandle also showed how tricky it could be for lawmakers to agree on even the least contentious issues.
“There are different definitions of community,” said Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee. “But to me, that’s what’s most important.”
By The News Service of Florida
Update: Lambert Bridge Repairs Expected To Be Complete By Oct. 28
October 6, 2011
Repairs are expected to be completed by the end of the month on the bridge on Lambert Bridge Road.
The bridge was closed September 14 after an inspection revealed decay in support pilings on the 43-year old bridge. Repairs, which began September 28, are now expected to be completed by October 28 at a cost of $34,300, Sonya Daniel, Escambia County public information officer, said Wednesday.
Lambert Bridge Road remains closed from Velor Road to North Pine Barren Road.
Pictured top: The bridge on Lambert Bridge Road is closed for repairs until the last week of October. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Camp Fire Kids Visit Fire Station
October 6, 2011
Students from the Camp Fire USA Century Youth Learning Center visited the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue Wednesday to learn about fire safety and firefighting.
Pictured: Campfire USA students visited the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue on Wednesday. Submitted photos byMarion Miller for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECAT Set To Strike Again
October 6, 2011
ECAT employees have voted to strike again, but so far there’s no date set for them to walk off the job.
Amalgamated Transit Union members voted for a strike after the union and Veolia Transportation, the company that operates Escambia County Area Transit for the county, were unable to reach an agreement.
ECAT held a one-day strike back on September 21, abruptly leaving about 8,000 bus riders without transportation.
Community Public Safety Day Set For Saturday
October 6, 2011
The fourth annual Community Public Safety Day will be held to give residents a chance to learn about safety issues and see how tax dollars are being spent.
The free event is a combined effort of the City of Pensacola Fire Department, Escambia County Fire Rescue and several other state and county organizations.
It will take place on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Pensacola State College, at the corner of Airport Boulevard and Ninth Avenue.
Activities include demonstrations such as live firefighting, vehicle extrication, patient care and canine searches Residents are encourages to bring their cameras to capture these moments and the special guests in attendance, including Smokey Bear, Sparky the Fire Dog and McGruff the Crime Dog. Hands-on activities will also take place throughout the day.
For more information on any of the Community Public Safety Day activities, contact Daniel Akerman, Escambia County Fire Rescue at (850) 475-5530 or David Allen, City of Pensacola Fire Department at (850) 436-5200.
Local Man Gets Prison Time On Drug Charges
October 6, 2011
A Century man has been sentenced to state prison on drug charges.
Michael Sylvester Brown, age 48 of Elm Street, was found guilty on charges of cocaine possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was sentenced by Escambia County Judge Joel Boles to 13.2 months in state prison for the cocaine possession charged and a concurrent 11 months, 15 days on the drug paraphernalia charge. He was given credit for the 81 days he has served since his arrest in March 2011.
His driver’s license was also suspended for two years.
High School FCAT Retake Tests Scheduled
October 6, 2011
FCAT Retake Test will be administered on the following dates:
- October 10-11 — Reading
- October 12 — Math
This test is mainly for students in the 11th or 12th grade and post high school graduates who have not passed the required 10th grade Reading and Math FCAT. Students must be at the school no later than 8:45 a.m. to take the required test. No student will be allowed to enter the testing area late.
Post high school graduates should contact Ms. Crumm at (850) 327-6681 ext. 233 at Northview to register, or email hcrumm@escambia.k12.fl.us.
Molino, Barrineau Park Lose Power
October 5, 2011
Over 500 Gulf Power customers in the Molino and Barrineau Park areas were without power for a couple of hours Wednesday afternoon.
Gulf Power spokesman Jeff Rogers says a tree limb fell onto a pole on Molino Road just east of Barrineau Park School Road about noon, cutting power to 517 customers. Gulf Power crews restored power shortly after 2 p.m.
Morning Manhunt Turns Up Empty For Bratt Burglary Suspect
October 5, 2011
There were no arrests during a morning manhunt in Bratt for a burglary suspect.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a vehicle burglary on North Highway 99 near O’Farrell Road about 6:30 Wednesday morning. They were able to locate a suspect track, and a K-9 unit from Century Correctional Institution responded to aid in the search. K-9 officers were able to track the suspect’s trail from the home back to North Highway 99 where it appears the suspect got into a vehicle. The manhunt was called off about 8 a.m.
No one saw the suspect, so there was no physical description available. The investigation into the incident is continuing.
Pictured above and below: Escambia County deputies and a K-9 unit from Century Correctional Institution searched for a vehicle burglary suspect Tuesday morning in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pac-Man And Pie: Deputies Investigate Water Tower Graffiti
October 5, 2011
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the vandalism of a North Escambia water tower.
Overnight Monday, someone spray-painted graffiti that included a slice of pie and apparent Pac-Man characters on the 120-foot tall Bratt-Davisville Water System water tower on North Highway 99 at Water Tank Road in Bratt.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident and pursuing leads.
Anyone with information on the crime is asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured: Graffiti painted on a Bratt water tower. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.