Consolidation Commission Bill Passes Senate, Headed To Governor
April 28, 2009
The Florida legislature has given final approval to a bill to form a commission to study local government consolidation that would combine Century, Pensacola and Escambia County into one.
The Florida Senate passed the bill sponsored by Rep. Greg Evers 38-0 Monday afternoon, sending the bill to Gov. Charlie Crist for a signature to set into motion the creation of the consolidation study commission by July 1.
Once a consolidation plan is created by the study commission, it is to be submitted to the Escambia County Commission, the City of Pensacola and the Town of Century for action before submission to the Escambia County legislative delegation by January 15, 2010. Once approved by the legislature, the plan would presented to Escambia County voters.
Century, Pensacola and Escambia County will not be required to pay for the commission, under the house bill, but they will be required to provide clerical, technical and legal assistance to the commission.
The commission will include up to 25 members from various groups in the county.
The commission will include:
- Five members appointed by the Escambia County Commission, with one member being appointed from each district
- One member appointed by the Century Town Council, with that member being a resident of Century
- Two members appointed by the Pensacola City Council, both of them being residents of Pensacola
One member will be appointed by each of the following groups:
- NAACP
- Escambia County Taxpayer’s Association
- League of Women Voters of Pensacola Bay Area
- Pensacola Young Professionals
- Pensacola Ministerial Alliance
- Escambia County Farm Bureau
- Home Builders Association of West Florida
The president of the University of West Florida will appoint one member with expertise in local government matters. The sheriff, tax collector, property appraiser, clerk of court and supervisor of elections will each appoint one member.
The chief judge of the First Judicial Circuit will appoint two Florida Bar members with legal expertise in local government matters.
One member will be appointed by the Escambia County School Board, and the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority will appoint a member.
A special advisory committee on public safety will be appointed under the house bill, consisting of the following or their designee:
- Escambia County Sheriff
- Pensacola Police chief
- Escambia County Community Corrections Bureau
- Escambia County Public Safety Bureau Chief
- Pensacola fire chief
- Escambia County Medical Director
- chairperson of the Escambia County Fire Services Advisory Board
- Police Benevolent Association of the City of Pensacola
- Police Benevolent Association of Escambia County
- Chapter of of the International Association of Firefighters of the City of Pensacola
A special advisory committee on economic development will be appointed, including members appointed by the following groups:
- Pensacola Junior College
- Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce
- Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce
- Pensacola Downtown Improvement Board
- Gulf Coast African American Chamber of Commerce
- local chapter of the Florida Black Chamber of Commerce
- Florida’s Great Northwest
- Town of Century Chamber of Commerce
- Walnut Hill Ruritan Club
- Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce
An advisory committee on health care will be appointed by:
- Baptist Health Care
- Sacred Heart Health System
- West Florida Hospital
- Escambia County Health Department
- Escambia County Medical Society
Click here to read the entire bill (pdf format).
Deputies Seek Clues In Death Of Boars; Head Found On Property
April 28, 2009
Authorities are trying to determine who apparently killed four boars valued at about $1,200 near Walnut Hill, leaving the head of one animal behind.
Bill Majszak said he was able to find only two of four purebred European broodstock boars when he visited their pen on Kansas Road near Walnut Hill Sunday afternoon. When he returned Monday morning, he could not located any of the animals, but he did find the cleanly severed head of one animal.
“I think someone shot them,” Majszak told NorthEscambia.com. “I don’t know why, but I would hope it was for the meat.”
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the incident.
Majszak had just sold the four animals for $1,200 total and was getting ready to transport them to their new owner when he discovered them missing. The person or persons responsible were believed to have climbed over a four foot fence topped by barbed wire to reach the boars.
The animals were about 14 months old and weighed about 300 pounds each. Majszak said there were no holes in the fence surrounding his property, so he knows that the animals did not escape their pen.
Majszak is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the death of the boars. Anyone with information is asked to call Majszak at (850) 261-4527 or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department at 436-9620.
Molino Man Arrested For Exposing Himself Out Of Jail Without Posting Bond
April 28, 2009
The man busted last Wednesday by Escambia deputies for exposing himself to a local woman and her underage daughter is out of jail on his on recognizance.
Circuit Court Judge John Kuder allowed Shawn Bovain Blackshear, 33, to walk out of jail without posting a cash bond after a Monday hearing.
Blackshear (pictured), of the 5900 block of Highway 95A, was charged with two counts indecent exposure after deputies received a complaint from a female resident on Highway 95A near Marge Lane that a black male was exposing his private organs and giving a “free show” late last Wednesday afternoon, according to Lt. Tony Jordon with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department.
Roark ordered Blackshear to have no contact with the victim and to “refrain from type of behavior listed in report”.
The victim of last week’s incident decided, Jordan said, to provide deputies with evidence of the crime. She hid in a nearby barn and took several “really good” pictures of the incident, and she provided deputies with the photos. Deputies identified Blackshear from the photos, and an arrest was made. The victim that took the photographs was able to positively identify Blackshear, Jordan said. Her underage daughter, who also witnessed the exposure incident, was not able to make a positive identification. If the underage victim had been able to identify the suspect, he could have faced felony charges.
“He (Blackshear) told us that he was urinating,” Jordan said, “but that is not what the victim told us he was doing.”
Deputies say Blackshear may have exposed himself 20 or more times since June of last year, based upon complaints from the area. Most of the time, the suspect has been wearing a hood or other covering over his head at the time of the incident. In a recent incident, someone matching his description exposed themselves to a postal worker delivering mail in the area.
Blackshear had been held in the the Escambia County Jail on $20,000 bond prior to his release Monday.
FHSAA Board Cuts Number Of High School Games Allowed
April 28, 2009
Most varsity sports in Florida will see a 20 percent reduction in games next year, and junior varsity games will be cut by 40 percent.
Varsity football was the one sport spared by cuts announced Monday by the Florida Highs School Athletic Association, with the schedule the next two years remaining at 10 games per year.
Baseball, basketball, softball and volley ball will be cut from 25 games to 20 allowed per year. At the JV level, those sports will be cut from 25 maximum games per year to just 15. Junior varsity football teams will be allowed to play six games rather than eight, while varsity football teams will remain at 10 games per year.
The maximum number of games in other sports, such as track and field, golf and cross country, were also cut.
The FHSAA says the reductions will be in effect for two years, and the organization intends to restore full athletic schedules after that period.
The Policy was designed to help reduce costs of operating high school athletic departments in these strained economic times. One of the goals was to reduce the number of contests in all sports so that districts would not be faced with total elimination of some sports all together, according to a FHSAA press release.
“We recognize that we have nothing to compare this to. These are unprecedented times. People are losing their jobs as schools are cutting millions and millions of dollars from their budgets. Our job is to look out for all the schools,” said FHSAA Board President Greg Zornes.
The changes were approved by the FHSAA Board by a 9-6 vote. The only representative from the Panhandle on the FHSAA Board, Gulf County School Superintedent Tim Wilder, voted in favor of the reduction.
The chart below shows the changes per sport.
Sheriff To Hold Town Hall Meeting Tonight In Molino
April 28, 2009
Morgan will hold a town hall meeting at Fran’s Diner in Molino at 6:00 tonight.
A second town hall meeting in Century at the Panhandle Restaurant at 6 p.m on Thursday, May 7.
The public is invited to attend either meeting. Morgan will discuss law enforcement issues across the count as well as local issues impacting North Escambia. The sheriff will also accept questions.
Carver/Century Parent Night At Ernest Ward Tonight
April 28, 2009
Ernest Ward Middle School will host a Parent’s Night tonight for parents and guardians of incoming students from Carver/Century K-8 School.
The event, hosted by the EWMS PTSA and School Advisory Council, will allow the parents and guardians of students being transferred from the closing Carver/Century a chance to tour Ernest Ward and meet the faculty and staff. The event for the parents of incoming sixth, seventh or eighth grade students that currently attend Carver/Century will be at 6:00 tonight.
An orientation for all incoming sixth grade students will be held at 6:00 on May 7.
Relay Organizer Offers Thanks
April 28, 2009
The event chair for the Century Relay for Life is offering her thanks to the communities of North Escambia for their participation in the event which has raised almost $21,000 for the American Cancer Society.
Submitted by Paula Jernigan, Event Chair, Century Relay for Life.
“Relay for Life is about a community coming together to take up the fight!” What an amazing community we live in!
From Molino to Flomaton and Brewton, from Milton and Jay to Atmore — we are all one community of survivors, caregivers, and supporters in the fight against cancer. To everyone who participated in Century’s Relay for Life I send my heartfelt thanks.
Steering Committee, I would be lost without your hard work and moral support. Team Captains, without you there would be no Relay. Team members, you are the backbone of the event; the workers who are faithful and strong. So many businesses supported our efforts, donating food and gifts and making monetary contributions. I thank you.
Those members of the community who bought donuts you didn’t need, got cars washed that were already clean, put change in collection cans at stores, bought other people’s “treasures” at yard sales…you are the lifeblood of Relay for Life. Your dollars provide funding for research, services and education in the fight against cancer.
Entertainers, you braved the heat and traveled from afar to keep us going and bring us joy. Thank you. Softball teams braved the heat to “Get in the Game to Defeat Cancer” at Showalter Park during our event and raised $1401.00! HOORAH!
William, your coverage of our event is amazing. Your photos capture the spirit of Relay for Life; the joyous and the poignant. Thank you.
Survivors and caregivers, YOU are our “reason to relay.” You are the reason we were able to raise $20,638.30 to date, with more money still coming in! What a wonderful community we live in!
Paula Jernigan
Event Chair
For complete coverage of this past weekend’s Century Relay for Life, including 150 photographs, click here.
Pictured above: The Survivor’s Brunch at Saturday’s Relay for Life in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Northview NJROTC Cadets Receive Awards
April 28, 2009
Cadets from the Northview High School NJROTC were recognized recently for their outstanding performance.
Fourteen organizations support the event each year to congratulate the cadets on their exceptional community service, academic achievement and leadership. The cadets are given a certificate, a medal and ribbon, and several organizations give a savings bond to the cadets for their accomplishments.
The event was held at the Pine Forest High School. The event is held annually with Northview, Pine Forest and Washington high school NJROTC units and is hosted by a different school each year.
Click here for a photo gallery from the event.
Shown below are the cadets and the awards they received:
Women of the Sea Services NW FL # 52
c/MCPO Jessica Bloodsworth
AMVETS
c/CPO John Waters
Daughters of the American Revolution
c/ENS Miranda Scott
Military Order of World Wars
c/ENS Clinton Davis
Military Reserve Officers Assoc. ROTC Award
c/PO3 Zachory Byers
Military Order of the Purple Heart
c/MCPO Jessica Bloodsworth
MOAA ROTC Medal
c/PO3 Tyler Garrett
National Sojourners ROTC Award
c/PO3 Tyler Garrett
Navy League Award
1st: c/CPO John Waters
2nd: c/PO3 Ryan Busbee
3rd: c/SA Melissa Moretz
Order of Daedalians JROTC Award
c/LCDR Amanda Sellars
Stephen Decatur Award
Fresh/Soph: c/CPO Katelyn Mann
Junior: c/ENS Clinton Davis
Capt. James Haughton Award
c/LCDR Amanda Sellars
Scottish Rite Award
c/LT Dalton Cummings
Sons of the American Revolution
c/CPO Thomas Walston
Pictured above: Northview NJROTC Cadets at an awards ceremony at Pine Forest High School. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Tax Deadline Is Thursday
April 28, 2009
The deadline to pay 2008 real estate and tangible personal property taxes is Thursday afternoon, and the county’s tax collector says that $26 million is still outstanding.
All 2008 unpaid real estate and tangible personal property taxes must be paid and a receipt issued by 5:00 p.m. Thursday, April 30 to avoid being advertised as delinquent with additional advertising costs, according to Janet Holley, Escambia County tax collector. Online or automated phone payments (800‑601‑1055) also must be made by 5:00 p.m. April 30 to prevent advertising.
The delinquent ad will be published in The Pensacola News Journal May 7, 14, and 21. This list will be posted on the tax collector’s web site May 7.
The status of your taxes can be checked and online payments can be made at www.escambiataxcollector.com. Automated information is also available from TAX TALK at 438-3299. For more information call the tax collector’s office at 438-6500, Ext. 252. (TTY users for the hearing impaired call 472‑0031.)
Elementary Shining Stars Honored By WSRE, Receive Congressional Recognition
April 27, 2009
One student from each local elementary school was named as a “Shining Star’ during a ceremony Sunday afternoon as WSRE in Pensacola, and each received Congressional recognition.
WSRE, PBS for the Gulf Coast and the Greater Escambia Community Foundation honored the fourth and fifth grade students for their outstanding citizenship and leadership qualities.
Honored from North Escambia elementary schools were:
- Bethany Reynolds, Bratt Elementary
- Jessica Stacey, Byrneville Elementary
- Audriene Odom, Carver/Century K-8 School
- Courtney Weekly, Molino Park Elementary
- Michael Sherrill, Jim Allen Elementary School
Each student received a certificate honoring them as “one of the most exemplary students in our community” presented by Pensacola Mayor Mike Wiggins and Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas.
Each Shining Star was also presented with a brand new bicycle and helmet, and a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Congressman Jeff Miller.
The Shining Stars will be featured in a 30 second public service announcement that will air on WSRE Channel 23. A total of 45 students, one from each elementary school in the county, received the accolades.
Pictured above: Shining Star award winner Bethany Reynolds from Bratt Elementary. Pictured below, top to bottom: Shining Stars Jessica Stacey, Byrneville Elementary; Audriene Odom, Carver/Century K-8 School; Courtney Weekly, Molino Park Elementary and Michael Sherrill, Jim Allen Elementary School. Presenting the awards in the photographs are Pensacola Mayor Mike Wiggins (left) and Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
