Job Fair Planned
August 30, 2010
The Expand Your Opportunities Job Fair 2010 will be held in September at Victory Assembly of God in Molino.
The community job fair will provide participants the opportunity to meet with area employers who are actively looking for talented individuals to fill their current openings. There will also be free critique classes to find out how your resume and job applications skills compare.
The job fair will take place Thursday, September 23 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Victory Assembly of God on Highway 29. Admission is free, and the event is open to the public. Click here for more information for job seekers.
Employers interesting in attending the event should click here for a registration form.
ECUA’s New Green Machine Hits The Streets
August 30, 2010
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authorities is introducing green technology with a new big green machine hitting the streets. It is a Peterbilt Model 320 HLA (Hydraulic Launch Assist) Hybrid garbage truck.
The Model 320 HLA is considerably quieter in its daily stop, pick-up, and go operations. ECUA sanitation and recycling vehicles stop and go an average of 1,200 times during a normal daily refuse route. The new vehicle delivers a significant 30 percent reduction in emissions and a 30 percent improvement in fuel consumption.
The HLA hybrid reduces brake-related maintenance costs by 50 percent, doubling the brake life expectancy while using biodegradable hydraulic oil — which is friendlier to the environment.
“The HLA technology works by recovering up to 75% of energy lost by the vehicle’s brakes in the form of pressurized hydraulic fluid. The fuel is stored until the driver next accelerates the vehicle, which reduces fuel consumption and wear on the engine. This is an ideal environmental option for refuse pick-up applications,” ECUA Director of Sanitation Randy Rudd said.
During the first year, ECUA will operate a single vehicle while gathering performance and maintenance data. The Authority will then use this data to compare the hydraulic hybrid system against other hybrid alternatives, and compressed natural gas powered vehicles. This will then allow the Authority to evaluate the costs and operational issues before additional units are procured.
The vehicle will be on the highways in North Escambia on regular Tuesday routes and will be rotated on all other routes across the county.
The hybrid truck, which was a demo model with 4,600 miles, cost $174,500. The cost of a new model is $228,000, plus an additional $30,000 for the hydraulic hybrid conversion kit.
The plain green side of the vehicle won’t be solid green very long — ECUA is currently planning a contest to allow the residents of Escambia County a chance to create a design for the side of the truck.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lawsuit Challenges Adequacy Of Education In Florida
August 30, 2010
A circuit court judge has ruled that a parents group can continue with a court challenge of the state’s education system, rejecting a request by the Legislature to throw the suit out.
The lawsuit, filed by a coalition of groups called “Fund Education Now” that includes parents of school children, argues that the government is violating the state constitution by failing to adequately pay for “high quality” public schools.
The Legislature asked Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford to dismiss the challenge to the law, saying that lawmakers have the absolute discretion to implement the details of the education system within constitutional parameters and the courts don’t have any role in interpreting how it is doing that. A big issue in whether the education system is adequate is how much money goes into it, and legislators argued they have sole budgeting authority.
The Legislature cited a 1996 case in which the court found that “blanket assertions” against the education system can’t be ruled on by the courts – essentially saying that it was impossible to argue in court whether something is “adequate,” which would be in the eye of the beholder. They also argued that the matter basically involves a political question.
But Fulford denied the motion to dismiss, and a challenge to the plaintiffs’ standing, saying that the groups weren’t merely making blanket assertions, but providing a series of specific allegations about the weakness of the state’s education system and how it is funded.
She also said that since 1996 – when a court rejected a similar lawsuit alleging schools were inadequate, saying the wording was vague – voters have added Article 9 to the state constitution, which was put into the constitution exactly to provide standards to measure the education system.
The plaintiffs argued that the system has all kinds of deficiencies that directly violate the new article.
“Defendants argue that these deficiencies cannot be reviewed by any court,” Fulford wrote. “Ultimately, their position is that the judiciary has no role in interpreting Article 9 and that the Legislature has absolute discretion to implement any system, checked only by the ballot box. This conclusion renders the citizens’ vote to create a new education article as meaningless and this provision as a nullity.”
On the issue of whether the parents and others in the group have standing to challenge the law, Fulford said they do.
“The directors and members of the two (groups) are Florida citizens and taxpayers and are parents of children attending Florida public schools,” Fulford wrote. “They would have standing as individuals; thus, they have standing as an association.”
A spokeswoman for the House said leaders there wouldn’t have any comment because the lawsuit is still in the courts.
Fulford hasn’t set a trial date in the case and gave the Legislature 20 days to file a response to the plaintiffs’ complaint.
Alabama Paving Route Across Perdido River; Florida Side To Stay Dirt
August 29, 2010
The Alabama side of one of the few Perdido River crossings is being paved, but the Escambia County side will remain dirt — because it is not a public road.
Baldwin County Alabama is currently working to pave the 2.8 miles of the dirt Duck Place Road from the Perdido River to Highway 112. The Florida side stretches from the river to the intersection of South Highway 99 and Highway 196 in the Barrineau Park community.
It is the only east-west route across the Perdido River between Muscogee Road in Cantonment and Highway 31 in Escambia County, Ala. The road is often used by farmers and ranchers as they transport goods to market from North Escambia to Robertsdale, Ala. The dirt road on the Alabama side is often too muddy and rutted for passenger cars, but it is also a shortcut route for many families to activities and shopping in Baldwin County.
Escambia County owns the bridge across the Perdido River, according to District 5 Commissioner Kevin White. But the county-maintained dirt road on the Florida side is privately owned by the Barrineau Estate. It is only about four-tenths of a mile long.
“We don’t have the right of way to pave it,” White said. “I wish we could.”
As one of the few river crossings, White said the road could also serve as an emergency evacuation route if it were paved.
Baldwin County plans to complete their paving in three or four months, according to Paula Tillman, the county’s public information coordinator. She said Baldwin County voted to pave the road to eliminate erosion problems and improve transportation within the county.
Last summer, the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Department threatened to close their side of the bridge due to drugs, alcohol and fights as large groups would gather at the river.
Pictured top: Baldwin County works to pave Duck Place Road, just across the Perdido River from Escambia County. Pictured inset: The dirt road leading to Escambia County’s bridge across the river is privately owned. Pictured below: This map shows the location of Duck Place Road.
VW Beetle Being Towed Overturns; Occupants Not Injured
August 29, 2010
Two occupants in a 1967 Volkswagen Beetle that was being towed were not injured when a wheel broke off the vehicle and it overturned Sunday afternoon.
The accident happened on West Highway 4 near Sandy Hollow Road about 2:30 p.m. Both occupants refused medical treatment. Neither person was wearing a seat belt — there are no seat belts in a 1967 Beetle.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Atmore Ambulance and the Florida Highway Patrol responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Saturday Highway 97 Crash (With Photos)
August 29, 2010
There were no injuries reported in a two vehicle accident Saturday afternoon on Highway 97. The accident happened about 1:15 p.m. near Gibson Road when the driver of a car apparently rear ended a pickup truck. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the call. The accident was investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details were not available. NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Escambia Schools To Host Open Houses (With Schedule)
August 29, 2010
Open houses have been scheduled for Escambia County Schools.
Open house for all Escambia County high schools will be held on Tuesday, September 14, at 6 p.m.
Open house for middle schools will be held on Thursday, September 16, at 6 p.m. Exceptions in the start time only include Bailey Middle School, which will begin at 5:30 p.m., and Warrington Middle School will begin at 5 p.m.
Elementary Open House will be held as follows:
- Bratt: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 23.
- Jim Allen: 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 9.
- Molino Park: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 23.
- Bellview: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9.
- Beulah: Grades 3-5, 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. Sept. 9; grades K-2, 7 to 8 p.m. Sept. 9.
- Spencer Bibbs: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 23.
- Blue Angels: Grades K-2, 5 to 5:45 p.m. Sept. 23; grades 3-5, 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. Sept. 23.
- Brentwood: 5:15 to 7:15 p.m. Sept. 9.
- Hellen Caro: 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. Sept. 23.
- N.B. Cook: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9.
- Cordova Park: Grades K-2, 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Sept. 23; grades 3-5, 6 to 6:45 p.m. Sept. 23.
- Ensley: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9.
- Ferry Pass: Grades K-2, 6 p.m. Sept. 23; grades 3-5, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 23.
- Hallmark: 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 23.
- Holm: 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 9.
- Lincoln Park: 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 9.
- Lipscomb: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23.
- Longleaf: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9.
- McArthur: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9.
- McMillian: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9.
- Montclair: 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 23.
- Myrtle Grove: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 23.
- Navy Point: 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 9.
- Oakcrest: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 9.
- Pleasant Grove: Grades K-2, 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Sept. 9; grades 3-5, 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.
- Scenic Heights: Grades K-2, 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Sept. 23; grades 3-5, 6:15 to 7 p.m. Sept. 23.
- O.J. Semmes: 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 23.
- Sherwood: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23.
- Suter: 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 9.
- Warrington: 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 23.
- Weis: 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 9.
- West Pensacola: 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 9.
- Westgate: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21.
- Allie Yniestra: 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 23.
Joel C. Burg Graduates From Basic Training
August 29, 2010
Air Force Airman Joel C. Burg has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
He is the son of Paul and Deborah Burg of Cantonment. Burg is a 2009 graduate of Tate High School, Cantonment.
Good News At The Pump
August 29, 2010
Gas prices nationwide have dropped to an 11-month low on news from the Energy Department that U.S. stockpiles are higher than forecast. That has translated to lower prices at the pumps in the North Escambia area.
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas in the Pensacola market is at $2.55, down from $2.65 one month ago.
AAA is forecasting the lower price at the pump will bring about a four percent increase in Labor Day travel in Florida next weekend.
Pictured: The price was a gallon of regular unleaded was $2.48 at this station at the corner of West Roberts Road and Highway 29 earlier this week. But Saturday, the price had dropped another penny. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Featured Recipe: Alfredo Sauce Spinach Pizza
August 29, 2010
This weekend’s featured recipe from Janet Tharpe is an Alfredo Sauce Spinach Pizza that the whole family with love. It’s a homemade version of a restaurant favorite with a special blend of spinach, Alfredo sauce and cheese.
To print today’s “Just a Pinch” recipe column, you can click the image below to load a printable pdf with a recipe card.
