Still Hope For Railroad Tie Facility, Jobs For Century
August 2, 2010
Century’s mayor still has high hopes that a new industrial plant will locate in the town’s former Alger-Sullivan Lumberyard, eventually bringing a couple of hundred of jobs to the area.
Plans for the railroad crosstie treatment facility were first announced back in March, when Mayor Freddie McCall told the Century Town Council that there was “something on the horizon” for the old lumber mill, and that he had already expected an announcement. In April, he said the company had experienced “a couple of snags in their paperwork,” but that he was confident that everything was on track for an announcement. In June, McCall reiterated his hopes for a ribbon cutting.
And now — almost five months later — McCall said he is still hold out hope that the plant and the badly needed jobs will become a reality. McCall said recently that the company would initially create 25 jobs, with 200 expected to be employed within a few years.
Representatives of Century Lumber and Land, LLC, a Florida limited liability corporation founded in December, 2008, have said they intend to purchase and rehabilitate the facility, but they have declined to provide further details.
The 38 acre property was last sold in early 2006 to DMT Holdings, LLC in Navarre, according to the Escambia County Property Appraiser’s online records. The facility includes five buildings totaling just over 300,000 square feet, according to the property appraiser. The buildings on the property range in age from 11 to 54 years,with the largest 160,150 square foot building constructed in 1972.
Power Companies Profit Half Billion In Three Months
August 2, 2010
Thanks to an unusually hot spring, the parent company of Gulf Power and Alabama Power recorded over a half billion dollars in profit in the second quarter of 2010.
Southern Company recorded three-month earnings of of $510.2 million, or 62 cents a share, compared with $478.6 million, or 61 cents a share, in the second quarter of 2009. For the six months ended June 30, Southern Company’s earnings were $1.0 billion, or $1.22 a share, compared with $604.3 million, or 77 cents a share, for the same period a year ago.
Weather was a primary factor driving earnings, as the Southeast experienced one of the warmest second quarters in more than a century. The economic recovery contributed positively to earnings. Industrial sales, which were up 13 percent for the second quarter compared to the same period in 2009, reflect improvement in industrial activity in the Southeast.
“We continue to see positive economic trends, particularly among our industrial and manufacturing customers,” said Chairman, President and CEO David M. Ratcliffe. “Our businesses continued to perform well overall in the second quarter, giving us solid results and keeping the company on track to deliver on our financial and operational goals for the year.”
Overall residential power usage increased 6.4 percent during the second quarter of 2010, while commercial use jumped 1.7 percent. Industrial usage was up 17 percent for the period ending June 30.
IRS Extends Deadline: Local Groups Could Lose Nonproft Status
August 2, 2010
The IRS has extended a paperwork deadline for dozens of North Escambia charities in danger of losing their tax exemption status, and the Better Business Bureau is offering some helpful advice for the nonprofits.
The local groups — like two local chambers, fire departments, community centers and social organizations — were among 325,000 named by the Internal Revenue Service that failed to comply with paperwork requirements, risking their nonprofit status. The IRS has extended the filing deadline for the groups to October 15.
To see a list of North Escambia area organizations on the IRS list, click here.
The IRS will automatically revoke the tax-exempt status of charities that do not file a return by October 15 and will publish a list of those organizations in early 2011. Donors who make a donation to those revoked organizations after the list is published may not deduct those contributions on their tax returns, according to information released by the Northwest Florida chapter of the Better Business Bureau.
“I suspect that many of the charities on this list are those that were not required to file a return prior to a change in the law in 2007,” said Norman Wright, president and CEO of the BBB serving Northwest Florida. “However, the IRS has been sending multiple notices to these organizations because this is such a big threat to the smallest charities in our service area.”
In conducting its Charity Review Program, BBB verifies charities are indeed tax-exempt as well as registered to solicit in the state of Florida. The Better Business Bureau offers helpful information for charities at bbb.org/charity.
In addition, groups that do not meet the October 15 deadline will be required to pay taxes like another business, according to the IRS.
Gov. To BP: Where’s The Cash?
August 2, 2010
As Northwest Florida businesses continue to struggle with fears of oil along the Panhandle keep travelers away, Gov. Charlie Crist announced that BP will make a $7 million initial payment on money it promised to help advertise that the beaches are OK.
Crist announced the money would go to the Northwest Florida Travel Council, even as he pressed the company for the rest of the $50 million he requested in June.
“While we are grateful the well has been capped – and pray that a complete seal of the well is achieved as soon as possible – there still remains a very real and constant threat to Florida’s $60-billion-a-year tourism industry,” Crist wrote to BP COO Doug Shuttles. “Unfortunately, images of damage from spill continue to appear in the media, thereby perpetuating the perception that Florida’s pristine beaches are contaminated by oil. For that reason, I must continue to urge BP to recognize that the impact of the oil spill extends far beyond the coastal counties of Northwest Florida. While the $7 million you have committed to the Northwest Florida Travel Council is certainly appreciated, we continue to believe, these funds fall drastically short of the need throughout the Sunshine State.”
By The News Service Florida
Twirlers Place At Nationals
August 2, 2010
Three members of the Santa Rosa and Escambia Twirlers won national honors at the National Baton Twirling Competition in South Bend, Ind.
Winning national honors were Leslie Miller, 14; Hali Horne, 14; and Whitney William, 12.
Miller, a five year member of the group, won third place in the three baton solo division and was ranked in the Top 10 nationally.
Horne, who is the junior fire instructor for the Santa Rosa and Escambia Twirlers, won eighth in the dance division, fifth in the two baton solo division and placed in the Top 10 nationally.
William, a two year twirler for the group, won the national title for one baton solo, seventh in two baton solo and was ranked nationally in the Top 10.
The Santa Rosa and Escambia Twirlers have won 12 state titles, six regional titles and three world titles. The group also won several medals in junior twirling Olympics. The group is led by Melissa Majors, who has twirled for 38 years. Classes are conducted in Century, Pace and Pensacola.
Evers Leads Hill By Over Quarter Million Dollars In Contributions
August 1, 2010
In the race for Florida Senate District 2, Greg Evers has received over a quarter million dollars more in campaign contributions than fellow Republican Mike Hill.
Ever’s campaign war chest now boasts $340,310.92 in contributions, while Mike Hill has received $57,100 in contributions. Write-in candidate Margaret M. Smith reported no contributions, while Tea Party candidate Christopher S. Crawford received $1,781.82 .
Dave Murzin, who dropped out of the race to run for the District 2 Escambia County Commission seat currently held by Gene Valentino, reported contributions of $108,551 total for his campaign. Murzin spent $31,918.59 on his campaign. Under state law, he was allowed to transfer the balance of his campaign contributions to his commission campaign; however, contributors to his Senate campaign also have the right to ask for their money back. In all, Murzin transferred about $46,000 into his commission campaign.
Evers has spent $133,530.83 on his campaign. His largest expenditures were for consultants, a campaign manager, a web site and advertising. His single largest expense was $28,836.88 to Marketing Matrics & Media in Pensacola for campaign signs.
Hill’s single largest expenditure has been $3,038 to campaign manager Jim Harris. His other large expenditures have been on advertising and campaign consultants.
Tea Party candidate Crawford spent all of his $1,781.82 on filing fees to run for the office.
Click the candidate’s name below to see their complete first quarter campaign finance report:
Evers is a House member hoping to move up to the Senate chambers to fill the seat being vacated by Rep. Durell Peaden. With 10 years in the Senate, Peaden is not running again due to term limits. Walter “Mike” Hill is a Pensacola insurance agent.
NorthEscambia.com graphics, click to enlarge.
Wilbur Hendrix Of Molino Passes Away
August 1, 2010
Community leader Wilbur Earl Hendrix of Molino passed away Saturday. He was 76.
Hendrix was one of five Molino residents that organized and founded the Molino Volunteer Fire Department, and he served as Molino’s first fire chief.
In 1968, Wilbur Hendrix and his wife Carolyn founded Hendrix Lawn and Cycle and Hendrix Service Center. Together, they owned and operated the successful, community-minded business for over 38 years.
“A man of God and family, Wilbur will be remembered by those who knew him best as someone who worked with his hands his entire life. Wilbur was creative and inventive, able to find ingenious solutions, and could always be looked to when something needed repairing, even after his fingers and wrist had to be repaired. He was always willing to help anyone in need of finding a problem with automobiles, lawn mowers and equipment, even traveling strangers who needed help. He never turned his back on anyone who needed his help,” according to his obituary.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, August 2, at Highland Baptist Church with Rev. Brian Calhoun officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at Faith Chapel North Funeral Home in Cantonment from 4:30 until 7 p.m. on Sunday.
For the complete obituary, click here.
Florida Highway Patrol Announces Checkpoints For August
August 1, 2010
The Florida Highway Patrol has announced locations for driver’s license and vehicle checkpoints during the month of August in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
In Escambia County, FHP checkpoints will be held during August at the following locations:
- Avery Street west of “W” Street
- Johnson Avenue east of Davis Highway
- Patricia Drive north of Fairfield Drive
- Kingsfield Road west of 297A
In Santa Rosa County, checkpoints will be held:
- State Road 399 west of State Road 87
- Ward Basin Road at the Fire Department
- Anderson Lane south of Willard Norris Road
- Gardenview east of CR197
Featured Recipe: Wavy Rancheroos
August 1, 2010
This weekend’s featured recipe from Janet Tharpe is Wavy Rancheroos pie. Colorful and flavorful, this pie is a fun take on the classic huevos rancheros Mexican breakfast, but it’s great or lunch or dinner too.
To print today’s “Just a Pinch” recipe column, you can click the image below to load a printable pdf with a recipe card.
Birth: Forester David Bryan
August 1, 2010
Heath and Shelby Bryan are proud to announce the birth of their son, Forester David Bryan, born July 2, 2010 at Thomas Medical Center.
Forest weighed eight pounds and was 21 inches long. Grandparents are Ricky and Cheryl Golson, and Terry and Sheila Bryan of Bratt. Great-grandparents are Marlene Forester and the late Curtis Forester, the late Walter Lee Golson and Doris Oline Hopkins, Pansy Bryan and the late Preston Bryan, Dillard and Rochelle Bankston, and the late Billy Macks.