Holland Name County Employee Of The Month
April 3, 2008
Allen Holland was named Escambia County’s Employee of the Month for March at the county commission’s meeting Thursday night.
Holland, who lives in the Byrneville community, works for the county’s Fleet Maintenance Division as a Heavy Equipment Mechanic.
According the proclamation approved by the commission, Holland was instrumental in success of the road-widening project along North Highway 99 from Walnut Hill to Bratt. He worked to repair county equipment on-site, eliminating downtime of the paving equipment.
He was also instrumental in organizing the construction of the Tribal Beat Band’s concession stand at Northview High School, and worked to repair several farm tractors used in right of way maintenance, according to the proclamation.
Holland was a man of few words after receiving his proclamation, simply telling commissioners “thanks”. He went to work for the county in May of 1987.
Good Spring Break Weather Today
April 3, 2008
A beautiful Spring day is on tap for North Escambia today after some morning fog clears. Mostly sunny skies and an afternoon high of 84 are expected. There is a slight 20 percent chance of rain by late afternoon, but most people in the area will not see rain.
The Friday rain chance jumps to 40 percent. There is a 60 percent chance of rain for Friday night, and 50 percent on Saturday. The rain is expected to be gone by Sunday, with a sunny Sunday high of 82.
Pictured above: A North Escambia area wisteria bush in bloom.
Camp Fire Opening New Childcare Facility In Century
April 3, 2008
A new childcare facility with room for about 70 children will open its doors this weekend in Century.
Camp Fire USA and the Town of Century will show off the new child development center on Industrial Boulevard Saturday, and it will open for business on Monday.
An open house will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Saturday at the new facility. The public is invited to attend.
IP’s Cantonment Mill Issued Draft Discharge Permit
April 3, 2008
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has released the most recent draft for the Cantonement International Paper Mill’s discharge permit
The project includes a $70 million upgrade to the mill’s wastewater treatment system, removal of the mill’s discharge to Eleven Mile Creek, some restoration of a 1,400 wetlands tract, and conservation of several hundred adjoining acres.
To educate the public on this complex issue, the Pensacola Mill has launched a Web site – www.protectourecosystem.com – explaining the project with maps, diagrams and photos, and outlining information about the mill’s product lines and local economic impact.
“We’re pleased to have reached this milestone,” said Chris Read, Pensacola mill manager. “We’re looking forward to fulfilling the commitment we made nearly a decade ago to improve the water quality of the Perdido Bay system and provide for the restoration of a wetlands habitat.”
For more information about the permit itself, visit the www.dep.state.fl.us/northwest and click on “International Paper Company” on the right-hand side of the page.
Need Something To Do With Your Little Spring Breakers In Molino Today?
April 2, 2008
If you need something to do to occupy your kids on this Spring Break Wednesday and you are in the Molino area, a good book from the Bookmobile might just be your answer.
The West Florida Public Library Bookmobile will make the following stops today in the Molino area:
- Escambia County Sheriff’s Molino Substation: 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
- Victory Assembly of God: 1:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m.
- Family Dollar Store: Highway 29, Cantonment: 3:00 until 4:30 p.m.
This Thursday is Bookmobile maintenance day; the Thursday stops will be next week in Davisville, McDavid and Barrineau Park.
Two District 5 Candidates File Finance Reports
April 2, 2008
Two District 5 candidates, Kevin White and Tom Harrell, had filed their first quarter 2008 financial reports by April 1. The reports are due by April 10 and cover the period from January 1 to March 31 of 2008.
Incumbent Escambia County Commission candidate Kevin White reported $2,560 in contributions from January 1 until March 31. He reported $4,768.93 in expenditures during the same period, with most of that money ($4,696.65) going for campaign signs. Other funds were spent by the Republican candidate on bank charges and campaign literature.
Since his campaign began, White has received $36,715 in contributions. He had spent $5,200.63 as of March 31.
Tom Harrell, candidate for the District 5 Escambia County School Board seat held by Pete Gindl, had filed his campaign finance report on April 1.
Harrell reported $2,005.38 in contributions and in-kind services, including a $1,085 in funds and in-kind services that he gave to his own campaign. During the same first quarter of 2008, Harrell spent $2,277.80, mostly on signs. Other funds were spent postage and office supplies.
Since his campaign began, Harrell reports that he has received $3,191.71 in cash and in-kind contributions. He has spent $2,327.80.
As other candidates file their finance reports between now and April 10, NorthEscambia.com will bring you the information. Once the filing period ends, we will bring you complete financial tally on all of the District 5 candidates. We will also publish their campaign finance reports so you can see exactly who contributed how much, and how the candidates have spent their campaign war chests.
John McCain In Escambia County Wednesday
April 2, 2008
Republican presidential candidate John McCain will be in Escambia County this afternoon. He will be speaking in the gym at Pensacola Junior College at 3:45 this afternoon. The event is open to the public, with the doors opening at 3:00.
The stop is part of McCain’s five day “Service to America” tour. He began that tour Monday in Meridan, Mississippi, at McCain Field, named after his Navy admiral grandfather. Yesterday he was in Arlington, Virginia, were he attended hight school. Wednesday brings to Pensacola where he prepared for his military service and Arlington, Virginia, home of the U.S. Naval Academy.
This visit to Escambia County is McCain’s second of the campaign; he was in Pensacola back on January 22.
Ever Eat Out In Alabama? You Need To Read This
April 1, 2008
Many people from the North Escambia area eat out at restaurants that are located across the state line in Alabama. If you do and you have ever wondered just how safe that restaurant is, now there is a way to easily find out online.
The Alabama Department of Public Health has unveiled a new web site that list scores for more than 23,000 restaurants and food service establishments in the state.
Searching the site will reassure you that every restaurant in Atmore and Flomaton scored in the 90’s on their last health inspections. Some in Atmore, including Chen’s Chinese Buffet, B & T Bar-b-que, Chilly’s, and the Winn Dixie deli, scored near perfect 99’s.
To search Alabama restuarant health ratings, click here.
Softball Clinic Saturday In Molino
April 1, 2008
A softball clinic will be held Saturday in Molino from 10:00 until 1:00. The clinic will include both hitting and defensive drills.
At 2:00, there will be pitching drills.
The cost is $10 for the pitching drills and $20 for the hitting and defensive drills.
For more information, contact Donnie Nicholson at 587-5539 or 207-0663.