FWC’s Operation Dry Water Targets Boating Under The Influence This Weekend
July 2, 2022
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Division of Law Enforcement will be promoting awareness and conducting heightened enforcement targeting boating under the influence as part of the national Operation Dry Water campaign this weekend.
FWC officers will be enforcing Florida’s boating under the influence laws and educating boaters about safe boating practices, which includes boating sober.
The Fourth of July holiday is one of the busiest boating holidays all over the U.S., including here in Florida. In 2021, the month of July had two fatalities and 53 people injured due to BUI related boating accidents.
Operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal on all bodies of water and can lead to serious injuries and consequences. In Florida, it is illegal to operate a vessel with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or higher — the same as it is to operate a vehicle.
“Boating while impaired endangers not only yourself, but your family, friends and other boaters on the water,” said Maj. Rob Beaton, FWC’s Boating and Waterways Section leader. “FWC officers will be actively patrolling statewide looking for impaired boaters. Our mission is to ensure the safety of all those enjoying the state’s vast and diverse waterways. That is why the FWC is joining other states and agencies across the country to do our part in keeping boaters safe and preventing accidents related to boating under the influence.”
Alcohol is a leading contributing factor in recreational boating deaths, and a major contributor to accidents. Last year in Florida, 20% of fatal accidents were related to alcohol or drug use.
If a person decides to have alcohol on their vessel, FWC said it is important to designate an operator who isn’t drinking alcohol and will remain sober to ensure everyone gets home safely. The FWC encourages boaters to enjoy the boating season to its full extent by boating sober, wearing a life jacket and taking a boating education course.
A Batman Backpack, Gun And 752 Grams Of Meth: ECSO Says Man Facing Multiple Charges
July 2, 2022
An Escambia County man is facing multiple felonies after allegedly threatening a woman and fleeing with a Batman backpack with a stolen gun and drugs.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said 35-year old Courtney Jamal Johnson became involved in an altercation with a woman at home on Kyle Drive, pulled out a handgun and threatened to hit her. He told her that if he actually had bullets in the gun, he would shoot her, deputies said. The woman fled to a neighbor’s house and called for help.
Johnson fled the scene with two backpacks, discarding them along the way. Deputies recovered both, one of which was a Batman backpack that contained a stolen firearm. Deputies also reported recovering 752 grams of methamphetamine, cocaine, scales, plastic bags, and four Mason jars “full” of marijuana.
Johnson was charged with aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a stolen firearm, use of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Saturday morning with bond set at $91,000.
AAA: Florida Fourth Of July Weekend Road Trips Expected To Be At Record Levels
July 2, 2022
AAA is predicting AAA predicts 2.6 million Floridians will travel 50 miles or more during the Independence Day holiday weekend (June 30 – July 4). That’s 4% more than last year’s holiday, and just shy of 2019’s numbers.
AAA forecasts 2.3 million Flordians will take a holiday road trip – the most on record, dating back to 2001.
“The volume of travelers expected over Independence Day is a definite sign that summer travel is kicking into high gear,” said Debbie Haas, vice president of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Earlier this year, we started seeing the demand for travel increase and it’s not tapering off. People are ready for a break and despite things costing more, they are finding ways to still take that much needed vacation.”
Blue Wahoos Blanked By Biscuits
July 2, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos suffered just their fourth shutout loss of the season, and first since April, in a 8-0 defeat to the Montgomery Biscuits on Friday night.
Taj Bradley (W, 3-1) lowered his league-leading ERA to 1.65 with 6.0 scoreless innings of three-hit ball while striking out five in a combined four-hit shutout for the Montgomery staff.
The Biscuits scored the first run of the game against Zach McCambley (L, 3-5) in the second inning on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly from Roberto Alvarez. The game remained 1-0 until the sixth, when Montgomery broke the game open.
Greg Jones led off the top of the sixth with a double, and scored on a bloop double off the bat of Kameron Misner. Two walks followed before a check-swing, two-run single from Erik Ostberg bounced McCambley from the ballgame.
Anthony Maldonado and Jefry Yan contributed 3.0 scoreless innings of relief, but the Biscuits added three more against Andrew McInvale in the ninth on a two-run single from Misner and a bases-loaded fielding error on catcher Paul McIntosh.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Montgomery Biscuits with a doubleheader on Saturday
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Developer Proposes 400 Single Family Homes In ‘Mathison Subdivision’ Near Molino
July 1, 2022
Development applications have been filed that could mean 400 single family homes in a new subdivision off Mathison Road near Molino.
The “Mathison Subdivision” is proposed just southwest of the current end of Mathison Road and to the north of the road.
As a three-phase project, a total of 400 single family homes would be constructed on two parcels totaling 133.7 acres. A portion of the project is partially wooded and has been cleared by a previous developer, according to the application.
The property is owned by Fred Hemmer and Exit 3 Investments of St. Petersburg.
The project is in the staff internal review process before the Escambia Development Review Committee and has not been set for a public meeting. Multiple additional steps in the review and permitting process would be required before any construction could begin, and the developer could choose to never build the project.
NorthEscambia.com graphic. May not be to exact scale. Click to enlarge.
IP Awards Thousands In Grants To Local Nonprofits; Here’s How To Apply For The Next Round
July 1, 2022
The International Paper Pensacola Mill awarded thousands of dollars in foundation grants to local organizations last year, and a workshop is coming up for nonprofits and local government entities to learn how to apply for the next round in which $63,000 will be awarded.
A list of the 2021 grant recipients is below.
The workshop is scheduled for Thursday, July 14 at 10 a.m. and will focus on eligibility, criteria, and restrictions. Reservations to attend the workshop are required as a link for the virtual meeting will be distributed; however, attendance is not mandatory for eligibility.
The International Paper Foundation makes sustainable investments to address critical needs in the communities where its employees live and work.
“International Paper grants are an impactful way we continue to be a force of good in the community,” said Whitney Fike, communications manager. “These grants help organizations fund new projects and programs that support their critical mission and impact those in need.”
Signature Causes include:
- Education – Programs focused on helping children succeed via a comprehensive approach to education. Priority is given to literacy programs from birth through 3rd grade.
- Hunger – Programs dedicated to improving food security throughout our communities.
- Health & Wellness – Programs that promote healthy living habits.
- Disaster Relief – Programs that help communities prepare for and recover from natural disasters.
Funding also is available to address environmental initiatives (forests, water and air), employee involvement grants and other critical community needs.
Applicants must be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or qualifying federal entity to apply for a grant. To be considered, organizations must have a program that addresses critical community needs and have measurable objectives to demonstrate impact. Applications will be accepted at www.ipgiving.com until August 7, 2022.
2021 International Paper Grant Recipients:
- Autism Pensacola – Kids for Camp Summer Learning Lab – $5,000
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida – Feeding our Little Family – $2,000
- Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast – Junior Novelist – $1,295
- Bright Bridge Ministries – Hot, Healthy Meals – $5,000
- Camp Fire Gulf Wind, Inc
- Children’s Home Society – After School and Summer Education – $2,000
- Council on Aging of West Florida – Clean Water Kids – $2,000
- Creative Learning Academy – Expanding Minds with the Power of Literacy – $1,000
- Every Child a Reader dba ReadyKids! – Project Ready Book Distribution – $3,000
- Feeding the Gulf Coast – Backpack Program: Weekend Meals for Children – $5,000
- FoodRaising Friends – Replacing School Meals – $3,000
- Gulf Coast Kids House – Reducing Abusive Head Trauma through Education – $2,000
- Health and Hope Clinic – Access to Care – $5,000
- Institute for Human and Machine Cognition – Free hands-on STEM: Science Saturdays – $1,500
- Jim Allen Elementary School – Ready to Read! – $2,500
- Junior League of Pensacola – Child Wellness Program – $1,500
- Kingsfield Elementary – Ready to Read! – $3,000
- Manna Food Bank – Healthy Kids Initiative – $4,000
- Pace Center for Girls – Ready through Remediation – $1,495
- Pensacola Children’s Chorus – Preparatory Choir – $1,000
- Pensacola Little Theatre – Dramatically Healthy Kids – $1,750
- Pensacola MESS Hall – Science in the Libraries – $1,300
- Ronald McDonald House of Northwest Florida – Hope for Hurting Families – $5,000
- The Global Corner – Let’s Visit Israel Activity Book – $2,600
- The Salvation Army – Food for a Senior – $1,250
- United Methodist Children’s Home – Milton Girls Group Home Meals – $1,000
- University of West Florida Foundation – Community Garden Orchard Project – $5,000
- Valerie’s House – Family Grief Support – $3,000
- West Florida Historic Preservation – Land and Sea Wonders on the Gulf Coast – $5,000
Pictured top: Kingsfield Elementary received a reading grant from International Paper. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDC Closing Pensacola Release Center, A Satellite Facility Of Century Prison
July 1, 2022
The Florida Department of Corrections is closing the Pensacola Community Release Center (CRC), a satellite facility of the Century Correctional Institution.
The Pensacola CRC on North L Street, commonly known as a work release center, will close in the coming weeks because Escambia County, which owns the building, is not renewing the state’s lease when it expires on July 25.
A letter from CCI Warden Kelly Watkins is being delivered to area employers that use work release inmates. It says the Department of Corrections will begin the process of relocating offenders between July 12 and July 14.
“I would like to extend my sincerest appreciation and gratitude to your direct contribution to our Agency’s Mission of ‘Inspiring success by transforming one life at a time’ by offering valued employment services to assist in a successful transition into society,” Watkins wrote.
The letter stated there are currently no plans to open another work release center in the area at this time.
“I understand that this will put a significant strain on your businesses, and it would have been avoided if possible,” said Watkins.
Escambia County is not renewing the lease because the county will use the building to house inmates while repairs are made on the old county jail.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Win 5-1 Behind Solid Pérez Performance
July 1, 2022
Eury Pérez struck out eight batters over 5.0 one-run innings as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos defeated the Montgomery Biscuits 5-1 on Thursday night.
Originally scheduled to play a doubleheader on Thursday, wet grounds prevent a second game from being played. That contest will instead be made up as part of a single-admission doubleheader on Saturday, with game one beginning at 4:05 p.m. CT.
Pérez (W, 3-1) was staked to an early lead as Pensacola scored a pair of first-inning runs against Montgomery starter Caleb Sampen (L, 1-3). José Devers led off the inning with a double and scored on a Paul McIntosh single before Griffin Conine blasted an RBI double to put the Blue Wahoos up 2-0.
Montgomery’s lone run came in the fourth on an RBI double from Erik Ostberg. Pérez left five men in scoring position and needed a career-high 87 pitches, but completed 5.0 innings to qualify for the win.
A Ray-Patrick Didder solo homer in the sixth and two-run Norel González single in the seventh stretched the Pensacola lead to 5-1. Josh Simpson, Eli Villalobos and Colton Hock struck out six batters over 4.0 hitless innings of relief to lock down the win.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Montgomery Biscuits on Friday.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Century CRA Has Collected $58K To Improved ‘Blighted’ Area
June 30, 2022
The Century Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) now has just over $58,000 in the bank and will soon begin to consider potential projects to improve blighted areas of the town.
The five members of the Century Town Council currently sit as the CRA board. At the council’s next meeting, they are expected to appoint two citizens as additional members of the CRA board.
In October 2018, the council approved a Tax Increment Financing plan for their redevelopment area, allowing the CRA to receive property tax revenues each year in excess of an established base rate. The appraised value of the property within the designated district was “frozen” in 2018, with that amount of tax revenue generated still designated for the town’s general fund, the county and other taxing authorities.
The redevelopment area receives 95 percent of the property tax generated in excess of the frozen base value as property values rise. Along with small interest earnings, CRA had a balance of $58,010.10 on May 31, 2022.
The CRA funds will be used to improve conditions in the 510 acres bounded by Jefferson Avenue to the south, Jefferson Avenue to the east, East High 4 to the north and the center line of North Century Boulevard to the west. It also extends north on the east side of North Century Boulevard to include commercial properties up to, and including, the former Burger King (see map below).
Tax Increment Financing is a unique tool available to cities and counties for redevelopment activities. It is used to leverage public funds to promote private sector activities in the targeted redevelopment area. Property owners in the CRA pay the same tax rate as those in the remainder of the town.
TIF revenue can be used on a “pay as you go” basis, where the annual stream of revenue is used to fund small projects, or used to pay debt service costs over the life of a project lasting 10 or more years. Historically in Florida, TIF has been effective at generating large amounts of funding for capital investments for roadway improvements, flood control programs, water and sewer and drainage infrastructure improvements, parking lots and garages, neighborhood parks, sidewalks, street and sidewalk tree plantings, signs and building construction.
After a February 2016 tornado damaged or destroyed 40 homes and businesses, the town looked to address the long-term effects on the community of a downturn in economic development. That led to the redevelopment area.
The CRA plan sets a roadmap for future development and spending to eliminate existing conditions of blight and to encourage continued private investment. The plan also provides a framework for coordinating and facilitating public and private redevelopment within the area.
Pictured: The Century CRA held a workshop meeting this week. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge. Pictured below: The Century CRA boundary map, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Cheerleaders And Football Program Hold Annual Summer Camps
June 30, 2022
This was a big week on the Tate High School campus for kids taking part in two different summer camps.
The Tate High Aggies football program held their annual kids football camp directed by the Tate coaching staff and assisted by Aggies football players. Participants had an opportunity to work on fundamentals, practice agility, run through drills and learn about being part of a team.
The Tate High School Cheerleaders held their annual Lil Aggies Summer Camp. The Tate Aggies cheerleaders taught young athletes the proper stretch techniques, sideline cheers and chants, proper jump techniques and motion placement, as well as stunting and tumbling skill building. The cheerleaders will hold another camp in the fall.
For more photos from both camps, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
