Ernest Ward Cheerleaders Need Your Help To Get To National Finals
January 26, 2009
The Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleaders are headed to Orlando next month to compete for a national title, and they could use a little help from you.
The EWMS cheerleaders took first place in the Universal Cheerleaders Association West Florida Regional in November at Tate High School. That qualifies the girls to head to Orlando for the national championships February 5-9.
Ashley Salter, EWMS cheerleading sponsor, says that the girls still need about $1,500 to make the trip. The girls have completed several fund raisers, including a pecan pie sale and a volleyball tournament, raising about $5,000 so far.
If you would like to help the Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleaders make their trip to the national finals, you can drop your donations off at the Ernest Ward office.
For a “sneak peek” at the EWMS cheerleaders’ national finals routine, click here for a photo gallery from a recent practice.
Pictured above: (front row, L-R) Hannah Gibson, Katelynne Calloway, Madison Arrington, Reagan Bell, Paeton Hadley, Morgan Ward, Mariah Albritton, (back row) Lana Clayton, Raven Weaver, Ariel Holland, Ali Martin, Cheyenne Godwin, Angel Mitchell and Ashley Mooney. Pictured left: The EWMS cheerleaders at a recent pratice. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Nearly 140 Tons Collected So Far In ECUA Recycling Program
January 26, 2009
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority’s new recycling program has kept nearly 140 tons of residential waste out of the county’s landfill during the program’s first three weeks of operation.
During the first week of the program, 36.71 tons of recyclables were collected in the curbside program. In the second week, that number grew to 46.19 tons, and last week it increased to 55.37 tons.
The increasing numbers indicate to Larry Walker, ECUA District 5 member, that more customers are continuing to sign up for the recycling service and that ECUA is delivering recycling containers
Walker invites customers that may have experienced a missed pick up to contact him at larry@larrywalker.com or by phone at 723-6094.
For complete information on the recycling program and ECUA service, including how to sign up for service, click here (pdf).
This Week Your Last Chance For Property Tax Discount
January 26, 2009
This week is your last chance to save 2 percent on your property tax bill.
According to Janet Holley, Escambia County tax collector, the 2 percent discount to pay your real estate and tangible personal property taxes ends Saturday, January 31. Since the deadline falls during the weekend when the offices are closed, the Downtown, Marcus Pointe, Warrington, and Cantonment offices will honor the 2 percent discount Monday, February 2 for in-person payments only. The Century office is closed on Mondays and Fridays.
In addition, payments will receive the 2 percent discount if:
- mailed with a postmark of January 31
- left in a 24-hour drop box available at all offices by midnight January 31
- made on our web site by midnight January 31
- made on our after-hours automated telephone (800) 601-1055 by midnight January 31
Drive-thru service is available at all locations except Century.
You may check the status of your taxes and pay online at www.escambiataxcollector.com. You also may get automated information on TAX TALK at 438-3299. If you have any questions, please call the tax collector’s office at 438-6500, ext. 252. (TTY users for the hearing impaired call 850-472-0031.)
Rep. Evers Issues Statement On Jay Oil Field Shutdown
January 25, 2009
State Rep. Greg Evers has issued a statement following the announcement that Denver-based Quantum Resources, Inc. was shutting down production at the Jay Oil Field due to the economic downturn and a sharp decline in oil prices.
(Click here to read a Friday morning NorthEscambia.com story about the shutdown.)
Representative Greg Evers issued the following statement in response to Quantum’s announcements of this week:
I am deeply troubled and saddened by this week’s announcements of further downsizing and layoffs in Northwest Florida. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Quantum employees and their families whose lives have been adversely impacted by Quantum’s decision to stop production in Jay.
Hoping to get these employees back to work, create new jobs and reinvigorate future investment by Quantum and other such companies here in Northwest Florida, I filed House Bill 515 this week that, if passed, would provide economic incentives, including temporary oil and gas production tax relief, for small field producers such as Quantum.
I recognize that start-up production companies and those with smaller production capacities are the type of oil and gas companies that will be attracted to the fields of Northwest Florida. Such companies cannot be expected to compete with foreign and multi-national production giants in these economic times without some targeted incentives and tax relief. It is my hope that this small energy production investment incentive and tax relief package will help in creating and saving much-needed local Northwest Florida investment and jobs during these very challenging and difficult economic times.
Amber Holland Crowned Miss Northview High
January 25, 2009
Miss Amber Holland, a senior, was named Miss Northview High School Saturday night. First Runner Up was Sarah Killam, a sophomore. Second Runner Up was Katie Mann, also a sophomore.
With 32 contestants, the pageant came down to a top eight rather than the traditional top five. Top eight members were: Amber Holland, Sarah Killam, Katie Mann, Felicia Settle, Kayla Hall, Samantha Macks, Amanda Sellars, and Magen Weekly.
Other awards included: Miss Congeniality Courtney Merritt, Miss Hospitality Charleigh McPherson, Miss Physical Fitness Amber Holland, and Miss Poise and Appearance Sarah Killam.
The pageant was sponsored by teachers Anna Barry and Megan Carroll.
Miss Amber Holland was crowned Miss Northview High School tonight. First Runner Up was Sarah Killam, and Second Runner Up was Katie Mann. Pictured below: The girls of the Top 8 and other award winners. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
North Escambia Resident Honored As She Turns 102 Years Old
January 25, 2009
North Escambia resident Elmira Gandy Crapps turned 102 Sunday. Sunday was official designated as Elmira Gandy Crapps Day in the Town of Century.
She was born in Butler County, Alabama, near Georgiana in 1907. Theodore Roosevelt was president. A loaf of bread cost four cents. A gallon of milk was 29 cents. A new Ford? That would set you back 600 bucks.
She moved to a farm with her family in the Gandyville community in 1925, and still lives just down the road from that home.
As of last year, she was still driving, mostly to three places: the Piggly Wiggly for groceries, her church and her hairdresser. She’s still an active member of Poplar Dell Baptist Church, and very quick to give the Lord all the credit for her age and her health.
When asked her secret for a long life, she quickly replied that there was no secret. “It’s good living and a love of God. I’ve been blessed by the Lord and walk with Him,” she said. “The Lord always takes care of me.”
When asked about the biggest change in her lifetime, she said “the way people wear, or don’t wear clothes”.
She never had children, but has “a ton” of nieces and nephews. Her father, John Oxford Gandy lived to the age of 108. In 1973, the Florida Legislature named Gandyville after him. He, by the way, had a first cousin that also lived to be 108.
Saturday afternoon, friends and relatives gathered at Popular Dell Baptist to honor Mrs. Crapps. Century Mayor Freddy McCall presented her with an official proclamation in honor of her birthday, and the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society presented her with a certificate and a copies of a few documents in their collection related to her family.
The only person at Saturday’s celebration that did not seem to think that birthday number 102 was such a big deal was Mrs. Crapps herself.
“Everybody has birthdays,” she said.
Pictured above: 102-year old Elmira Gandy Crapps receives a proclamation in her honor from Century Mayor Freddie McCall Saturday afternoon at Poplar Dell Baptist Church. Pictured inset: North Escambia resident Elmira Gandy Crapps turned 102 Sunday. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
University Of Alabama Chimes Play In Honor Of Area Woman’s Birthday
January 25, 2009
The famous Denny Chimes at the University of Alabama were played Friday in honor of an Atmore woman on her birthday. Her father was among the men that crafted the chimes in 1929.
The Tuscaloosa News reports that Irma Helton, 94, of Atmore paid a visit to the University of Alabama on Friday and was surprised by the honorary playing of the chimes. Her son-in-law, Steve Shirley, had told her only that they were going to Tuscaloosa to meet a niece and nephew for the first time.
For the complete story and a photo, click here.
Deputies Investigating Shooting
January 24, 2009
Escambia County deputies are investing a shooting north of Byrneville Friday afternoon.
The incident occurred at a mobile home near the 8200 block of Grimes Road and Rockin J Farm Road. Deputies were first called to meet a relative of the victim in the parking lot of B&J Meats on Morgan Road about 3:40 Friday afternoon. The female relative then led deputies to the trailer on Grimes Road. The victim was reportedly suffering from a gunshot wound in his upper leg.
Further details were not immediately available.
Legislative Delegation Approves Consolidated Government Bill
January 24, 2009
The local legislative delegation has given their approval to a bill that would create a 25-member commission to draft a consolidated government proposal. The consolidation would roll Escambia County, Century and Pensacola governments into one.
Friday night, the delegation consisting of Rep. Greg Evers, Rep. Dave Murzin, Sen. Durell Peaden, Sen. Don Gaetz and Rep. Clay Ford gave their approval for the bill supported by the pro-consolidation group Escambia All for One. The bill will now head to the state legislature for a spring vote.
If approved at the state level, the commission would be formed to draft the proposal which would then be sent to Century, Pensacola and Escambia County for approval. The plan would be due back to the legislative delegation by January 15, 2010. Ultimately, the plan would up for a county-wide vote, most likely in November 2010.
Escambia County, the City of Pensacola and the Town of Century all passed resolutions in favor of the consolidation back in December. But the Town of Century later backed out and rescinded their support, with town officials saying that they were misled by All For One.
Background
There would be up to 25 members appointed to the commission by July 1. They would be appointed as follows:
- One by each Escambia County Commissioner from their district (5 total)
- One Century resident appointed by the Town of Century
- Two Pensacola residents appointed by the City of Pensacola
- One from the Escambia County NAACP
- One from the Escambia Taxpayer’s Association
- One from the League of Women Voters
- One from the Pensacola Young Professionals
- One from the Pensacola Ministerial Alliance
- One from the Escambia County Farm Bureau
- One from the Home Builders Association of West Florida
- One with “expertise on local government” from the faculty of UWF
- One each appointed by the sheriff, tax collector, property appraiser, clerk of court, and supervisor of elections
- Two Florida Bar members appointed by the Chief Judge of the First Judicial Circuit
- One appointed by the Escambia County School Board
- One from the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority
In addition, a Special Advisory Committee on Public Safety will be formed to provide advise and counsel to the commission. That committee would include the sheriff, Pensacola police chief, the Escambia County Community Corrections Bureau, the Escambia County Public Safety Bureau chief, the Pensacola fire chief, the Escambia County fire chief, the Escambia County medical director, and the chairman of the Escambia County Fire Services Advisory Board. Additional members will be appointed by the City of Pensacola Police Benevolent Association, the Escambia County Police Benevolent Association, the City of Pensacola Chapter of the International Association of Firefighters.
A Special Advisory Committee on Economic Development will advise the commission as well. Those members would include appointees from: Pensacola Junior College, Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Improvement Board, the Gulf Coast African American Chamber of Commerce, the local chapter of the Florida Black Chamber of Commerce, Florida’s Great Northwest, and the Century Chamber of Commerce.
Baptist Health Care, Sacred Heart Health System, West Florida Hospital, the Escambia County Health Department and the Escambia Medical Society will appoint a Committee on Health Care to advise the main committee.
The committee would meet once per month from July of this year to January 2010. A status report would be due by November 30, and the full consolidation plan would be due by January 15, 2010, to the local legislative delegation.
The commission will accept private contributions up to $3,000, but no state or local government entity will be required to provide funding. However, the Town of Century, City of Pensacola and Escambia County will be required to provide “reasonable technical, legal and clerical assistance”.
The consolidation plan would be voted on in a general election, presumably in November 2010. At that time, any property owned by the commission would become the property of Escambia County.
Highway 97 Driver Tries To Avoid Deer; Hits The Woods Instead
January 24, 2009
Two people escaped injury in a single vehicle accident near Walnut Hill early Saturday morning.
The driver of a passing truck discovered a car in the woods along Highway 97 just north of Highway 164 about 4:45 Saturday morning. Both the driver and passenger were out of the vehicle and uninjured when firemen arrived on the scene.
The driver of the car says he ran off the road trying to avoid a deer.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Atmore Ambulance responded to the call.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Pictured above: The driver of this car says he was trying to avoid a deer when he ran off the road early Saturday morning. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.