Deadline For Businesses To Apply For SBA Disaster Loans Is Jan. 30
January 28, 2012
There is still time to apply for U.S. Small Business Administration working capital loans for small businesses in the North Escambia area that were impacted by severe storms, tornadoes, high winds and flooding that occurred from April 15 to May 31, 2011.
“Businesses that suffered economic losses as a result of the disaster and want to apply for low-interest loans from the SBA are urged to do so before the Jan. 30 deadline,” said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA Field Operations Center East.
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) up to $2 million are available at 4 percent for small businesses and 3 percent for private nonprofit organizations of all sizes, with terms up to 30 years. The loans are intended to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other expenses that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. To be considered for this assistance, disaster victims need to apply by the deadline.
Among the qualified counties for the loans are Santa Rosa and Escambia counties in Florida, and Escambia County, Alabama.
To obtain disaster loan information and application forms, call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for deaf and hard-of hearing) or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Loan application forms can also be downloaded from www.sba.gov .
Those affected by the disaster may also apply for disaster loans electronically from the SBA’s website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/ .
The deadline for economic injury applications is January 30, 2012.
Florida House Releases $69.2 Billion Budget Proposal
January 28, 2012
House budget builders on Friday released their $69.2 billion spending blueprint that includes more than $1 billion in additional funding for K-12 education and more than $2.5 billion in reserves.
The proposal will become grist for talks both in the House and with negotiators across the hall in the Senate as lawmakers enter the fourth week of the session.
The Senate spending plan, however, may not be finalized for a couple weeks as budget leaders review spending allocations — particularly in the health and human services sectors — for potential cuts as they attempt to fill a budget gap that could reach $2 billion.
“As Florida’s economy begins to stabilize, it is incumbent upon state government to continue controlling costs without increasing the tax burden placed on Floridians,” Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, said in a statement. “Passing a balanced budget on time and without raising taxes will send a positive message to Florida’s businesses community and help to instill the confidence in our economy that will lead to further increases in private sector job creation.”
The House plan includes general revenue funds totaling $24.3 billion, state trust funds totaling $20.4 billion and federal funds totaling $24.5 billion. The budget increases PreK-12 education funding by over $1 billion and includes more than $2.46 billion in reserves.
In education, the proposed budget calls for Pre-K-12 funding of $12.7 billion, a $1.1 billion, or 9.5 percent increase from the current fiscal year. The budget translates into a per student funding increase of 2.27 percent to $6,366 per student.
Higher education fares worse. The House proposal calls for cutting the $5.9 billion higher education budget by $246.1 million, a drop of 6 percent.
The House health and human services budget, released earlier in the week, would cut hospital Medicaid rates by $291 million next year and trim a series of benefits for low-income Floridians.
But the $29.8 billion proposal also would take steps such as increasing funding for child-protection investigators, stabilizing the finances of the deficit-plagued Agency for Persons with Disabilities and shielding from cuts the Medically Needy program for people with debilitating illnesses.
A key issue in the negotiations likely will be hospital Medicaid rates, which were cut by $510 million to help balance the current fiscal year’s budget. The House proposal rejects a plan by Gov. Rick Scott to overhaul — and more deeply slash — hospital funding, but it still calls for a 7 percent rate reduction.
The Senate has yet to release its spending proposal, but Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, chairman of the health and human services budget subcommittee, has said he doesn’t want to cut hospital rates as he tries to trim hundreds of millions in HHS funding.
“I have heard concerns expressed over hospital rate reductions in the House budget and look forward to seeing how the Senate will reduce $850 million in health care without adversely affecting the delivery of hospital services,” House budget chairwoman Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, said earlier this week..
Among a handful of other highlights, the House also proposed to boost funding for economic development initiatives. The proposal calls for $205.2 million, a 4.2 percent increase over last year.
For the courts, there is a $584.6 million, or 12.25 percent, reduction in total spending compared to 2011-12.
By The News Service of Florida
Missing Autistic Cantonment Teen Found Safe
January 27, 2012
A missing autistic teen from Cantonment was located safe and in good condition Friday afternoon.
Calvin James Burkhart, 16, was located at the Pensacola airport. Authorities are not sure how he got from his Cantonment home to the airport or why he was there.
The Sheriff’s Office along with Escambia Search and Rescue began their search after Burkhart was last seen Thursday morning.
Deputies were called out to the 700 block of Mohegan Circle near International Paper Thursday when Burkhart failed to return home from school. Burkhart’s parents also received a call from the school Thursday advising them that Burkhart was absent from school.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigators, the ECSO Air Unit, Escambia Search and Rescue, and Brad Dennis from Klaas Kids all searched for Burkhart.
Sheriff’s investigators also contacted A Child Is Missing Program which called every home in a five mile radius to notify them to be on the lookout for Burkhart.
Investigators also issued fliers and passed them out as they combed the area for Burkhart.
Florida State Attorney’s Office, FDLE Investigating Flomaton Police Dept.
January 27, 2012
The Flomaton Police Department is under investigation for an incident that allegedly occurred in Escambia County, Florida.
“I can confirm that an investigation is being conducted into issues involving the Flomaton Police Department,” Assistant (Florida) State Attorney Greg Marcille said Thursday. “It is an ongoing investigation at this time.”
That investigation, Marcille said, is being conducted by the State Attorney’s Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The investigation is expected to be complete in the next few weeks, he said.
Marcille decline to elaborate further on the nature of the investigation.
NorthEscambia.com has confirmed through multiple independent sources outside the State Attorney’s Office that at least a portion of the investigation reportedly centers around a suspect that claims he was wrongfully detained or arrested in Century by a member or members of the Flomaton Police Department without following proper arrest and extradition procedures.
“I do not have any comment at this time due to this being an ongoing investigation,” Flomaton Police Chief Geoff McGraw (pictured) said late Thursday night. The State Attorney’s Office has not specifically stated if McGraw is a subject of the investigation.
Further details will be posted as they become available and after the State Attorney’s Office releases their findings.
Escambia Names Equestrian Center Manager
January 27, 2012
A new manager has been hired for the Escambia County Equestrian Center.
Pamela Mauldwin of Milton was selected from the top three finalists chosen from 60 applicants for the job. She begins her job on February 28 for $51,000 per year plus benefits.
Mauldwin is currently employed by the United Way of Escambia County, where she serves as the Volunteer and Social Media Coordinator. She is also presently the editor of Hoofer Publications, a monthly magazine focusing on the equestrian community. Her professional history includes a background in marketing, public relations and management. In 2003, Mauldwin earned her Bachelor’s Degree from University of West Florida in Communications.
“We are excited about the future for the Equestrian Center and look forward to the multi-use facility being taken to a new level. There are untapped event markets and sponsorship opportunities that Mrs. Mauldwin will be tasked with bringing to the equestrian center. I welcome Mrs. Mauldwin to the county and look forward to the growth of this great facility,” said Parks and Recreation Director Michael Rhodes.
The other two top finalists were Burma Davis of Cantonment, president of the Northwest Florida Quarter Horse Association, and Forrest Gibbs of Roberstdale. Gibbs has hired then fired for the position late last year and has a lawsuit pending against three commissioners
Forrest Gibbs held the job for about two weeks in October until being fired by County Administrator Randy Oliver following a complaint that Commissioner Wilson Robertson influenced his hiring and landed Gibbs a $63,000 salary, which was higher than was advertised. The commission, including Robertson, called for a state investigation into the process. The State Attorney found no wrongdoing.
Gibbs filed suit in Escambia County Circuit Court against Commissioners Kevin White, Marie Young and Grover Robinson claiming that he was qualified and they improperly removed him from his new job. The suit does not name Escambia County as a defendant. Gene Valentino, who was not at a county meeting in which the board considered the matter, is also not being sued.
Gibbs is seeking unnamed damages in excess of $15,000 plus legal and court costs from White, Young and Robinson.
Century, Jay Town Clerks Attend Regional Meeting
January 27, 2012
Several area municipal clerks had the opportunity more about how to better serve their towns and cities at a recent meeting in Mobile.
Town of Century Clerk Leslie Gonzalez and Jay Clerk Linda Carden joined clerks from Florida, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina at the International Institute of Municipal Clerks meeting.
Pictured above: Municipal clerks attended a regional meeting in Mobile recently, including Jay Clerk Linda Carden (2nd from left, back row) and Century Clerk Leslie Gonzalez (4th from left, back row). Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Public Meeting To Address Planned Closure Of Molino USDA Office
January 27, 2012
A public meeting will be held next week to discuss the federal government’s plan to close the USDA’s Escambia County Farm Services Agency office in Molino.
The public meeting will offer an opportunity for Escambia County farmers and ranchers to speak on the proposed closure. The USDA Florida Farm Service Agency management team will be on hand for the meeting, including State Executive Director Tim Manning, Administrative Office Mark Cottrell and Executive Officer Debby Folsom
The meeting will take place on Wednesday, February 1 at 10 a.m. at Highland Baptist Church at 6240 North Highway 95A in Molino.
On January 9, the USDA announced the proposed closure of their Molino office, the only Farm Service Agency Office in the North Escambia area to be shut down. The Santa Rosa County office in Milton and the Escambia County (Ala.) Office in Brewton will remain open.
The USDA has proposed to streamline operations and decrease costs under a plan that includes the consolidation of 131 county FSA offices in 32 states, including six in Florida.
The Molino FSA Office administers farm commodities, crop insurance, credit, environmental conservation and emergency assistance for farmers and ranchers in Escambia County.
Flomaton 2nd, Northview 3rd In Invitational Math Tournament
January 27, 2012
The Northview High School Math Team placed third while Flomaton placed second overall during the 27th Annual JDCC Invitational Math Tournament Thursday at Jefferson Davis Community College in Brewton.
Individually, Cody Chance of Flomaton placed sixth, and Bryan Ross from Northview placed seventh.
T.R. Miller High School placed first overall. , Atmore Christian School, Escambia Academy, Escambia County High School of Atmore, W.S. Neal High School and Sparta Academy from Evergreen also took part in the tournament.
Overall winners were:
- Katie Baggett, T.R. Miller
- Ashley Daughterty, T.R. Miller
- John West, T.R. Miller
- Wes Maddox, T.R. Miller
- Malik Leach, T.R. Miller
- Cody Chance, Flomaton
- Bryan Ross, Northview
- Tyler Smith, Flomaton
- Ryan Garmeson, T.R. Miller
- Matt Pendergrass, T.R. Miller
Members Needed For Escambia Library Task Force
January 27, 2012
The Escambia County Commission is seeking five residents to serve on a Blue Ribbon Task Force to develop the blueprint for library operations for 2013 until 2018. The plan will include the goals and objectives that will guide library services for the West Florida Library System.
The committee will envision, evaluate and assess community needs with distinctive programs and services for library operations. The committee will have the potential to revamp and streamline the processes to enable libraries to respond quickly to rapidly changing environments providing library services.
The final document produced as a result of this committee will provide a future plan for the West Florida Library System. The committee is expected to meet for about six months.
One member will be selected from each of five commission districts for the task force.
Interested candidates should contact Marilyn Wesley, community affairs department director, at (850) 595-3130. Resumes can be emailed to mdwesley@myescambia.com, or mailed to 221 Palafox Place, Pensacola, FL 32502. Resumes are due by February 6 and should include the candidate’s commission district.
the road to the crown: Meet The Girls (Part Three)
January 27, 2012
Today, it’s part four of our multi-part series “the road to the crown” as we follow 24 young ladies at Northview High School in their quest for the crown and the title of “Miss Northview High School” for 2012.
Today we introduce you to the third of three sets of contestants. Their biographies, as submitted by the girls, are below along with their photos. You can click any photo below to enlarge.
Our series “the road to the crown” will continue tomorrow with behind the scene practice photos and a sneak peak at some of the pageant dresses. The pageant is Saturday night at 7:00, and NorthEscambia.com will have the new Miss Northview High School and all the photos here Sunday morning.
Miss Erica Megan Wiggins
Erica is the 15-year old daughter of Eric and Danette Wiggins. As an eighth grader, she was in band for one year and played the trumpet.
Erica was also a member of 4-H for one year.
Her hobbies include listening to music, reading, watching scary movies, shopping with her mom, and spending time with loved ones. Erica also enjoys acting out scenes from movies.
Her future plans are to join the Air Force so that she can serve her country and help others. After her time with the Air Force, she would like to pursue a career as an actress.
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Miss Misty Suzanne Doran
Misty is the 16-year old daughter of Jerry and Suzanne Doran. She has been a member of the weightlifting team for two years, a member of the cross country team for one year, and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for two years. She has been a member of the Future Business Leaders of America for two years and a member of the Spanish Club for two years. Misty has been a varsity softball player at Northview for three years and a member of the varsity volleyball team for three years. She was awarded the “Highest Batting Average” award for softball and was awarded “Best offensive and defensive” player for volleyball. Misty has been a member of the All-Star team and the Diamond girls for two years, an All-Area player for two years, and won the 2006 and 2011 Panama City World Series. In her community, she attends Potential Church and is a member of the “Rush” youth group.
Her hobbies include reading, drawing, listening to music, learning how to play guitar, taking dance, and spending time with her family and friends.
Her future plans are to achieve a sports scholarship, along with an academic scholarship, to attend college. She wants to major in sports medicine and become an athletic trainer.
Miss Alexandria Nicole Martin
Ali is the 16-year old daughter of Dusty Martin and Hayley Dortch. At Northview, she has been on the junior varsity softball team for one year and on the junior varsity volleyball team for one year. She was the recipient of the 2010 “Best Attitude Award” for volleyball. This year, Ali is on the varsity cheerleading team. In her community, she is an active member of Walnut Hill Baptist Church.
Her hobbies include staying active in sports and spending time with her family and friends.
Her future plans are to attend a major university and pursue a degree in the medical field.
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Miss Morgan Maxine Ward
Morgan is the 14-year old daughter of Carl and Melissa Ward. As an eighth grader, she was second runner up in the Miss EWMS pageant and was a member of the cheerleading team. She won first place in the 2010 EWMS talent show and was a member of the National Junior Honor Society. At Northview, Morgan is a junior varsity cheerleader and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In her community, she is an active member of Atmore First Assembly of God Church and participates on the drama and sign language team. For the past three years, Morgan has volunteered her time as an assistant cheerleading coach for the Northwest Escambia mini-mites. She has also participated in various Relay for Life events.
Her hobbies include cheerleading and spending time with family and friends.
Her future plans are to attend Faulkner State to earn her associate’s degree and then transfer to Troy University to obtain a bachelor’s in education. She hopes to one day become a teacher.
Miss Rebekah Mary Sepulveda
Rebekah is the 15-year old daughter of Scott and Becky Sepulveda. She has been a junior varsity cheerleader for two years and currently holds the joint title of captain. In her community, she is an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and is involved with the S.M.Y.L.E. youth group.
Rebekah also does volunteer work with her father at the Optimist Club, as well as volunteer work at Byrneville Elementary School.
Her hobbies include cheerleading, dancing, traveling, and baking.
Her future plans are to attend college and pursue a degree to become a dental hygienist.
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Miss Logan Kiersten Wainwright
Logan is the 16-year old daughter of Richard and Melissa Comerford. She has been a member of the FCCLA, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the Future Business Leaders of America for one year. She is currently a member of the Spanish Club and a member of the Future Farmers of America where she holds the office of parlimentarian. For both the Future Business Leaders of America and the Future Farmers of America, Logan has competed at the State Conference in Parliamentary procedure, as well as, an essay contest.
Her hobbies include baking and decorating cakes, crafting, fishing, shopping, and spending time with family and friends.
Her future plans are to graduate high school with honors and earn an academic scholarship. She wants to attend college and pursue a Bachelor’s of Science in nursing and continue on to receive certification as an advanced registered nurse practitioner.
Miss Jessica Ashlynn McCall
Ashlynn is the 14-year old daughter of Robert and Danielle McCall and Kristi Crawford. In her community, she volunteers her time at a local mission to help families in need. She has also played softball for seven years. She is an active member of Golan Assembly of God Church and works with the children’s church program there. In school, Ashlynn has maintained A-B honor roll status since fifth grade.
Her hobbies include reading, mud riding with her Dad, and spending time with family and friends.
Her future plans are to attend Florida State University and major in psychology. She hopes to one day become a teen counselor. Ashlynn’s main goal in life is to help people.
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Miss Kimberly Cheyanne Garnett
Cheyanne is the 18-year old daughter of Todd and Miranda Garnett. She has been a member of the junior varsity volleyball team for one year, the track team for two years, and the weightlifting team for one year. In track, she was the recipient of the “Take one for the team” award. She has been a member of the Spanish Club and served one term as president. She has been a member of the Interact club for one year, the debate team for one year, and a member of S.W.A.N.S for one year.
Cheyanne was one of the founders of the NHS Book Club and is also a member of the Science Expedition club. This year, she will be playing the role of “Ivy Dripp” in the NHS theater department’s spring musical, “The Dastardly Dr. Devereaux.” In her community, she works at CVS pharmacy and attends church at The First Baptist Church of Bratt, where she is a member of “Team David” and the “Random Acts of Kindess” team.
Her hobbies include reading books, watching movies, writing, playing sports, and spending time with family and friends.
Her future plans are to attend Auburn University and graduate with a Doctorate degree in Aerospace Engineering.