Escambia Considers Dropping Newspaper Ads In Favor Of Online Property Auctions
June 15, 2009
The Escambia County Commission will consider an ordinance this week that will move the process of auctioning surplus county property online and out of the printed newspaper.
Currently, the commission auctions surplus items and real property via a bid process that begins with a paid legal notice in the Pensacola News Journal. Under the ordinance to be considered by the commission this week, those surplus property auctions will move to the Internet.
The resolution states that the county will operate its own auction site, or use an existing auction site that will allow the county exclusive control of the term and conditions of the auctions, the qualifications of bidders, the ability to post bid specifications and contracts.
The surplus property auctions will be advertised on the auction site for at least six days and will not be advertised in the newspaper. The county will not require sealed bids; rather, the auction will work much like an auction on a site like Ebay — interested parties will simply make online bids for the property.
The county will then notify the highest bidder by email.
If the county does not run the auctions on its own web site, the auction web site to be used will be determined by the county’s normal competitive process in accordance with current purchasing policies and procedures.
The Escambia Commission will consider the proposal at a Tuesday Committee of the Whole meeting and vote on it at their Thursday afternoon regular meeting.
Farm Service Agency Candidation Nominations Begin Today
June 15, 2009
Farmer and rancher candidate nominations begin today for local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees and continue through August 3.
“I encourage all producers to participate in the county committee election process by nominating candidates by the August 3rd deadline,” said Suzette D. Cooper, executive director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Escambia County. “We are counting on as much participation as possible, because county committees are an important link between the farm community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. We have seen a trend in recent years of increased nominations of minority and women producers and we hope that will continue.”
To be eligible to serve on an FSA county committee, a person must participate or cooperate in a program administered by FSA, be eligible to vote in a county committee election and reside in the local administrative area in which the person is a candidate.
Producers may also nominate themselves, and organizations representing minority and women may also nominate candidates. To become a nominee, eligible individuals must sign form FSA-669A. The form and other valuable information about FSA county committee elections are available at the FSA Office and are also available online here.
Nomination forms for the 2009 election must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by close of business on August 3.
FSA county committee members make decisions on disaster and conservation programs, emergency programs, commodity price support loan programs and other important agricultural issues. Members serve three-year terms. Nationwide, there are more than 7,800 farmers and ranchers serving on FSA county committees. Committees consist of three to five members who are elected by eligible local producers.
FSA will mail ballots to producers beginning November 6. The voted ballots are due back to the local county office either via mail or in person by December 7.
Newly elected committee members and alternates take office Jan. 1, 2010.
All-Star Tourney Begins In Walnut Hill; Tri-County Falls To Niceville
June 14, 2009
The Tri-County All-Stars team was dealt a loss Saturday as the first three games in the Florida District 1 Little League 8-9 Year Old All Stars tournament were held in Walnut Hill
The Tri-County All-Stars were beat 10-0 in five and half innings Saturday night by Niceville-National. The Tri-County team is made up of players from Century, Jay, Fidelis and Chumuckla. Tri-County will play Shalimar Tuesday at 5:30 at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill.
Shalimar lost to Niceville-American Saturday afternoon 8-4 in six, and Destin beat Defuniak Springs 11-1.
Niceville-National will advance to round two on Monday night at 7:30 against Niceville-American.
The host NWE All-Stars will play their first game in the tournament Monday afternoon at 5:30 against Destin.
All games are hosted by Northwest Escambia Little League at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill.
For a photo gallery from Niceville-American versus Shalimar game, click here.
For a photo gallery from Niceville-National versus Tri-County game, click here.
Pictured above and below: Action from Tri-County versus Niceville-National Saturday night at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Transportation Bill Could Fast Track Escambia Projects
June 14, 2009
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist recently signed a bill into law effective July 1 that could put Escambia County transportation projects on a fast track to reality.
The bill that governor signed authorizes the study of the feasibility of advance-funding transportation. Escambia County District 2 Commissioner Gene Valentino has been the driving force behind the development of a Regional Transportation Finance Authority adopted to help generate financing for transportation priorities.
“This bill, and the Regional Transportation Finance Authority, will help us improve roads and our economy,” said Valentino. “Every dollar spent on transportation infrastructure gives us a $5.60 return – not only for Escambia County but our partners in Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton as well.”
The bill authorizes the Northwest Florida Regional Transportation Planning Organization to study the feasibility of advance funding the cost of capacity projects in its member counties and to make recommendations to the Legislature by February 1, 2010.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is permitted to assist the organization with the study. The bill provides that the results of the study be provided to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, FDOT, any metropolitan planning organization in any county served by the organization, and the counties served by the organization.
5K Race For The Blueberries Winners
June 14, 2009
About 160 runners and walkers entered the first annual 5K Race for the Blueberries Saturday during the Blueberry Jamboree in Barrineau Park.
Winners are listed below by category:
10 & Under Male
Nick Venabale, first; Kristian Sapien, second; C. Mayo, third
10 & Under Female
Ellen Barbank, first; Caitlyn Jennings, second
11 – 17 Year Old Male
Campbell Arnold, first; Luke Baldwin, second; Austin Wilkins, third
11 – 17 Year Old Female
Aryn Bradley, first; Lakelynn Parker, second; Emily Austraw, third
18 – 30 Year Old Male
Neil McDonash, first; Scotty Skaggs, second; Vinh Dinh, third
18 – 30 Year Old Female
Erin Fergus, first; Brooke Rowell, second; Cinda Skaggs, third
31 – 54 Year Old Male
Adam Beasley, first; Steve Ortiz, second; Doug Ortiz, third
31 – 54 Year Old Female
Maureen McBride, first; Eva Tucker, second; Ramona “Christine” Holmes, third
55 and over Male
Doug Kirby, first; Ron Bowman, second; Dennis W. Martin, third
55 and over Female
Beverly McElwee, first
First Place Walkers
10 and Under: Dillon Conh
11 – 17 Year Old: Elise Griffin
18 – 30 Year Old: Hannah Fowler
31 – 54 Year Old: Connie Curtis
55 and Over: Jim Beavers
The race went from the Barrineau Park Community Center on Barrineau Park School Road to the Touchable Blueberry Farm on Molino Road. This event was hosted by Escambia County Neighborhoods & Community Services Bureau and UF/IFAS Extension.
Over 5,000 Attend First Blueberry Jamboree (With Photo Gallery)
June 14, 2009
Over 5,000 people attended the first annual Escambia County Blueberry Jamboree Saturday at the Barrineau Park Community Center. The Blueberry Jamboree was a nostalgic throwback to the old fashioned festivals of years past with old fashioned music, food and about 60 vendors on hand with arts and crafts — and, of course, lots of blueberries.
For a complete photo gallery from the Blueberry Jamboree, click here.
For results from the 5K Race for the Blueberries, click here, and for results from the Blueberry Bake-Off, click here.
The event is sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com, Farm Bureau Insurance, Wind Creek Casino, Casa Heating and Cooling, Navy Federal Credit Union, Scott’s Pharmacy, United Bank, DeLuna Lanes Bowling Center, Escambia Grain Corporation, Faith Chapel Funeral Homes, Greenhut Construction Company, Jus Because of Atmore, Janice Kilgore, The Silver Screen Theatre, Southern Dental Associates, A & N Blueberries, Adventures Unlimited, Cantonment Building Materials, Escambia River Electric Cooperative, Sam’s Fun City, the Escambia County Neighborhoods & Community Services, and UF/IFAS Extension.
Pictured above: Several bluegrass groups performed at the Blueberry Jamboree Saturday in Barrineau Park. Pictured below: About 60 vendors participated in the first annual event. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Benefit Held For Flomaton Baby That Needs Kidney Transplant
June 14, 2009
A benefit was held Saturday for a 11-month old Flomaton girl with no kidneys that needs a kidney transplant.
Hadyn Allyssa Brake was born with congenital nephrotic syndrome, a chronic kidney disease. In February, doctors were forced to remove both of her kidneys, and now she needs a kidney transplant by her first birthday on July 28.
Her mom and dad, Amanda and Brandon Brake, need $20,000 for Hadyn’s kidney transplant. For now, she is on dialysis 12 hours a day every day.
On Saturday, Davita Dialysis in Atmore held “Hadyn Brake Day” to help the little girl and her family.
Donations can abe made to the “Hadyn Kidney Fund” at the Bank Trust in Brewton, Ala, or call Sonya Higdon at the Atmore Dialysis Center at (251) 368-5593 for information.
Pictured above: Hayden Allyssa Brake of Flomaton at a benefit Saturday in Atmore to help her family afford her kidney transplant. Pictured below: An auction was held with items donated by area businesses. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Care Residents Enjoy Summer Music Recital
June 14, 2009
A talented group from Mrs. Long’s Music Studio from Brewton, Alabama, performed for the residents of Century Care Center Saturday.
For more photos from the event, click here.
Pictured above and below: A summer recital Saturday at Century Care Center. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mmmm…First Annual Blueberry Bake-Off Winners Named
June 14, 2009
It was a blueberry lover’s dream Saturday at the first annual Blueberry Jamboree Bake-Off at the Barrineau Park Community Center.
Dozens of cooks entered their tasty pies, cobblers, cakes and other blueberry goodies in hopes of winning cash prizes in the contest sponsored by the Escambia County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee. There was one basic rule — the homemade dessert must have included blueberries as an ingredient.
After the tempting treats were judged and the winners were announced, the public had the opportunity to sample the entries.
The winners of the first annual Blueberry Jamboree Bake-Off were:
Pies and Cobblers
First place: Blueberry Crunch Cobbler from Thelma Hickey. Second place: Blueberry Dream Pie (pictured above) from Marti Penland Koemmerer. Third place: Cream Cheese Blueberry Pie from Melissa Collie.
Cakes
First place: Groovy Blueberry Gooey Cake from Klyn Wilson. Second place: Blueberry Pineapple Crunch from Dorothy Cunningham. Third place: Just Blueberry Cheesecake from Cindy Criswell.
Other Desserts
First Place: Blueberry Delight from Cathy Vanderpol. Second place: Blueberry Muffin from, Laura Kerby. Third place: Blueberry Muffin from Nancy Fillingim.
Pictured above: The second place winner in the “Pies and Cobbler” division was Blueberry Dream Pie from Marti Penland Koemmerer. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Couple Convicted Of Drug Trafficking
June 13, 2009
A Walnut Hill couple has been convicted of felony drug trafficking following a 2008 uncover operation.
It took an Escambia County jury just 50 minutes to convict Stephen Eugene Freeman, 43, and his wife Monica Lassitter Freeman, 36, of the trafficking charges involving 14 to 28 grams of illegal drugs.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department said the Freemans were originally arrested by Escambia County Sheriff’s Deputies on June 4, 2008. Spokesperson Ted Roy says ECSO arrested the pair following an undercover operation where deputies discovered prescription Lortab and other pills in the couple’s home on Garrett Road in Walnut Hill.
Stephen and Monica Freeman are both being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond. They could face 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine each when they are sentenced on July 9.