$650K Grant Awarded To Rehabilitate Substandard Housing
April 14, 2011
A $650,000 grant will rehabilitate several substandard houses in one North Escambia community.
A Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) awarded to the Town of Century will rehabilitate or replace about nine homes that are currently occupied by persons of low or moderate income.
In order to be eligible for the rehabilitation grant assistance, applicants must reside within the corporate limits of Century and meet low income requirements. Applications with the lowest incomes will receive priority in the program.
Persons interested in the grant program must apply by April 28 by stopping by the Century Town Hall between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. For more information, call Debbie Nickles at (850) 256-3208.
For complete program information and income requirements, click here.
Escambia Code Officers Could Get Guns
April 14, 2011
Escambia County’s Environmental Code Enforcement officers could soon be carrying guns on job under a plan tentatively approved by county commissioners.
Commissioner Gene Valentino said that code officers could be deputized and carry a weapon, but that idea was not agreeable to his fellow commissioners and Sheriff David Morgan.
But commissioners voted unanimously to allow code enforcement officers to get a concealed weapons permit in order to care a firearm. The policy will be drafted by the county attorney and set for final approval at future commission meeting.
The 14 code officers in the county have already been issued bulletproof vests, but the current county policy prohibits firearms on county property or in a county vehicle, except for Sheriff’s deputies.
Escambia County Environmental Code officers enforce and investigate codes, ordinances, state statutes, and administrative code violations committed in Escambia County. They also operate within Century under a joint agreement with the town.
Pictured: Escambia County Code Enforcement Director Sandra Slay addresses the Century Town Council about a problem property in February. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Crabtree Church Road Bridge Reopens
April 14, 2011
The bridge over Alligator Creek on Crabtree Church Road in Molino has reopened.
The bridge was closed on March 24 when advanced decay was found in one of the pilings during a routine inspection. DKE Marine made the repairs under an emergency work order.
The bridge on Crabtree Church Road is about halfway between Sunshine Hill Road and Highway 99.
Drug Test For Government Benefits Bills Advance
April 14, 2011
Recipients of temporary financial assistance from the government would have to test negative on drug tests, which they would have to pay for, before collecting their checks under a measure that passed two legislative committees on Wednesday.
Both measures would cost recipients from $10 to $70 per test when they apply for temporary assistance checks of up to $300 a month.
The House version, sponsored by Rep. Jimmie Smith, R-Inverness, was approved Wednesday by the Health and Human Services Committee on a party line vote following brief debate. The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services approved that chamber’s version on a 5-2 vote.
Backers say the proposal would help ensure tax dollars are not being spent to sustain a drug or alcohol addiction while sending a “tough love” message to abusers to get help.
“At the end of the day, I want to help people who want to help themselves,” said Sen. Rene Garcia, R-Hialeah. “It’s only fair to me and my family, who are investing in this state, to make sure this goes to people who really need it. ”
Citing studies showing the degree of drug use among welfare recipients is not significantly higher than that of the general population, critics say the proposal sets unnecessary barriers to getting help for low income families who can least afford it.
“We don’t support illicit behaviors,” said Michael Sheedy, associate director for health at the Florida Catholic Conference. “But to apply this policy without offering a safety net … is not what we need to be doing at this time.”
Both bills would require recipients of benefits under the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program, to undergo a drug test for controlled substances before being allowed to collect money.
Recipients who test positive for drugs would be ineligible for TANF payments for a year. A second failed test would result in a three years suspension of benefits.
Recipients who complete drug treatment could receive assistance after a six month period. Children would be allowed to continue receiving benefits, with assistance checks being sent to guardians who likewise test negative.
“To be giving these people $300 a month when they have a $25 a day crack habit, the money is not going to get to the family,” said Rep. Paige Kreegel, R-Punta Gorda. “We’re doing nothing but pouring gasoline on an already existing fire.”
Opponents pointed to a study by Florida State University that found such testing programs weren’t cost effective, in part because so few people tested positive.
Further, the loss of temporary assistance to families already under stress will do little to help, said Rep. Mark Pafford, D-West Palm Beach.
“The unintended consequences are going to rip families apart,” Pafford said.
By Michael Peltier
The New Service of Florida
Northview High Names 2011-2012 Cheerleaders
April 14, 2011
Northview High School has named varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders for 2011-2012. They are as follows:
Varsity
Charleigh McPherson
Lauren McCall
Autumn Slay
Taylor Rigby
Brittany Thompson
Ashley Cunningham
Ashley Mooney
Ariel Holland
Katelynne Calloway
Anna Fischer
Abby Odom
Taylor Byrd
Alissa Fiellin
Shaquanna Jones
Ali Martin
Madison Arrington
Junior Varsity
Rebekah Sepulveda
Lauryn Walker
Tamara Green
Mariah Albritton
Samantha Barrow
Chloe Leonard
Mallory Wiggins
Courtney Weaver
Lana Clayton
Kendal Cobb
Morgan Ward
Hannah Gibson
Kamryn Brock
Kristen Byrd
Flomaton Advance Auto Parts Building Sells For About $1 Million
April 14, 2011
The Advance Auto Parts building in Flomaton has been sold for nearly a million dollars.
Unnamed out-of-state investors purchased the Advance Auto parts building in Flomaton for $976,500 and one in Freeport, Fla., for $1.75 million, according to broker Marcus & Millichap in Nashville, Tenn. The deal was closed by Surety Land Title.
According to the real estate listing , the Advance Auto Parts chain has a 12 year lease remaining on the 7,000 square foot building, which was constructed in August 2007. An average of 10,590 vehicles per day pass the building on Sidney Manning Boulevard.
Escambia, Santa Rosa Extension Offers Small Farms Outreach Program
April 14, 2011
The Escambia and Santa Rosa County Extension Service office are hosting televised workshops designed to help small farm producers address obstacles to production.
Each two hour sessions begin at 6 p.m. at the Escambia Extension Office, 3740 Stefani Road in Cantonment.
Session 1: April 19 — Your Soil: How to get the most from it
- Soil testing
- Soil Ph
- Nutrient analysis
- Maximizing yields
Session 2: May 3 — Fertilizer: Getting the most yield for the least input
- Commercial fertilizers
- Compost
- Green manures
- Application methods
Session 3: May 17 — Problems and Their Solutions
- Crop diseases
- Molds
- Causes and controls
Session 4: June 7 — Bugs and Water
- Water needs
- Water quality
- Insect pests and their control
The programs are open to the public and cost $20 each. Early registration is recommended for participants. The availability of program notebooks and materials will be based on pre-registration numbers.
For more information on the Florida Small Farms Outreach training sessions contact Libbie Johnson, Escambia Extension, at 475-5230 or email her at libbiej@ufl.edu for details on registration. You may also contact Dan Mullins, Santa Rosa Extension, at 623-3868 or via email at danm@santarosa.fl.gov.
Two Convicted In Escambia Of Child Sex Crimes
April 14, 2011
Two men were convicted in Escambia County Circuit Court this week on child sex charges, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins.
Stephen Lewis Furney, II was convicted Tuesday of lewd or lascivious molestation, lewd or lascivious conduct and promoting a sexual performance by a child.
At the time of the offenses, Furney was already a designated sexual offender on probation after serving a state prison sentence for numerous other sexual crimes committed in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties in 1994.
Escambia County Circuit Court Judge Linda Nobles sentenced Furney to a total of 40 years in prison on the new charges and the violation of probation. On Wednesday, Santa Rosa County Circuit Court Judge Gary Bergosh sentenced Furney to 107.25 months prison for the probation violation in Santa Rosa County.
Chad Rager was convicted by an Escambia County Jury of sexual battery by a person in familial authority, lewd/lascivious battery, lewd or lascivious conduct, and improper sexual activity with certain minors.
The defendant was convicted of sexual activity with his adopted daughter while she was between 14 and 17 years old.
Judge Joel Boles scheduled sentencing for May 19. Rager faces a maximum of 75 years state prison. He will also qualify for sexual offender status.
Remember When? Ash Dept Store, Worley’s Food Store
April 14, 2011
One of Century’s oldest buildings was demolished this week. The building at 9510 North Century Boulevard was once, according to the signage recently uncovered on its facade, the home of Ash Dept. Store and Worley’s Food Store. Ash Dept. Store offered “Shoes, Clothing, Notions” while Worley’s offered “Meats, Groceries, Feeds”.
According to the Escambia County Property Appraiser, the building was constructed in 1935. During the last decade, the building fell into great disrepair, housing a second hand store. It was also cited by Escambia County Code Enforcement for unsafe conditions in 2010.
Do you have any memories of Ash Dept. Store or Worley’s Food Store? Share them in our comments section below.
Pictured top: Partial demolition of this building on North Century Boulevard near the Alabama State Line revealed signage for the former Ash Dept. Store and Worley’s Food Store. Pictured below: The building in 2003 and 2010. Pictured bottom: More images of the building just before demolition. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Free Fishing Clinic For Kids
April 14, 2011
There will be a free kids fishing clinic Saturday in Pensacola.
Sponsored by the Pensacola Recreational Fishermen, the free clinic will be held at Plaza de Luna in downtown Pensacola (at the foot of Palafox Street) from 8 a.m. until noon. The clinic is for children ages 4 to 14. All participants must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Children will receive t-shirts, fishing rods, tackle boxes and more. They will learn how to tie knots, cast, proper fish handling, enjoy touch tanks and more. Older kids will learn about fly fishing and cast net throwing.