By The Numbers: Flooding Damages Or Destroys 150 Homes In Area
April 12, 2009
The flooding and winds late last month in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties damaged or destroyed nearly 150 single family homes, and Florida’s governor has requested a federal disaster declaration.
Up to 15 inches of rain the last weekend of March created severe flooding across north and central Escambia and Santa Rosa counties and caused eventual downstream flooding on area rivers. Additional homes were damaged by strong winds or possible tornadoes.
In Escambia County, the Florida Division of Emergency Management says 25 homes suffered minor damage, three had major damage and four were destroyed.
In Santa Rosa County, there were 100 homes with minor damage, 10 with major damage and five destroyed.
Governor Charlie Crist sent a letter Friday to President Obama, through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), requesting that 11 Florida counties receive a major disaster declaration as a result of the severe storms and flood events occurring from March 26, 2009 and continuing today in portions of the state.
Santa Rosa is included in the 11 county federal disaster request; Escambia County is not.
Pictured above: A flooded home on Molino Road near Highway 29. Pictured below: The home of Bratt Elementary School librarian Martha Jeter near Chumuckla was among the five destroyed in Santa Rosa County. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Learn About Internet Safety At The Library
April 12, 2009
Parents can learn more about Internet safety during a special program.
The Santa Rosa County Library System will host “The NetSmartz Workshop: Internet Safety for Parents & Guardians,” a safety course for parents, guardians, and other interested adults who want to understand more about the Internet and the possible risks children face online.
The 60-minute presentation created by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America utilizes the latest statistics, online resources, videos, and expert tips to educate, engage, and empower adults to help teach children and teens to be safer when using the Internet.
The program will take place at 7 p.m. Monday at the Jay Library.
Time To Register For Voluntary Pre-K
April 12, 2009
The Early Learning Coalition (ELC) of Escambia County has announced that registration for their Fall Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) is now open.
VPK is available at more than 90 child care facilities in the greater Pensacola area, including the Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center.
VPK is free to all children in Escambia County who will be four years old as of September 1, 2009, particularly those who are not already enrolled in a School Readiness program.
“Fall VPK is a great way to introduce your child to the school environment without the day-long commitment,” said ELC director Diane Hutcherson. “VPK focuses on socialization through hands-on academic activities and has been shown to better prepare children for the rigors of the modern kindergarten classroom.”
VPK was created for the state of Florida in 2005 by then Governor Jeb Bush in order to ensure all children in the state are prepared to enter kindergarten. Where School Readiness programs have income restrictions, VPK does not and is designed to serve mid to upper level income families.
“Because I make more than the maximum allowable income, my daughter does not qualify for School Readiness,” said Pensacola mother, Shanna Bradford. “But I’m confident that she will be both socially and academically prepared for her first day of kindergarten because of VPK.”
VPK is currently offered at more than 90 child care facilities in the greater Pensacola area.
For more information or to enroll you child in VPK, contact Kitty McKenzie at 595-5439 or visit www.elcescambia.org.
Do Your Part To Help, Chip In $10
April 12, 2009
The J.H. Baroco Foundation has awarded United Way of Escambia County a $150,000 grant to help families and nonprofit agencies cope with the current economic crisis.
United Way is challenging community members to Chip in $10 so that the impact of Baroco Foundation grant may be doubled, helping even more Escambia County residents who have experienced a dramatic, negative change in their financial condition as a result of the worsening economy. United Way’s Chip in $10 Challenge to Escambia County is a way for local residents to help their neighbors through tough times.
All about Chip in $10
Why? The Chip in $10 Challenge addresses the serious effect of the economic downturn by providing immediate assistance to local residents whose financial situation has significantly deteriorated as a result, and by helping nonprofit agencies provide financial literacy education and system change efforts to address the root causes of family financial problems.
Who will be helped? The Chip in $10 Challenge and Baroco Grant funds will help Escambia County residents who have lost or are at risk of losing their residence, health care coverage, transportation, utilities, or other basic needs as a result of the worsening economy since December 2007. Recipients of direct financial assistance will be required to attend six (6) hours of financial literacy workshops prior to receiving assistance. The majority of available funds will be expended by August 2009 through grants to local nonprofit agencies. Agencies chosen to receive a grant will select recipients, administer assistance according to eligibility requirements, follow up with recipients, and provide a post-report to United Way.
How can I help? Chip in $10! Or more if you have the means. Give online and learn more at www.Chipin10.com or send your contribution to United Way, 1301 W. Government Street, Pensacola, FL 32502. Because we want to thank everyone who chips in $10, all donors will be listed on the Web site unless you let us know you wish to remain anonymous.
How will we know it really helped people? Nonprofit agencies receiving funds through the Baroco grant/Chip in $10 Challenge are required to use the United Way/First Call For Help secure community database to register and monitor each individual recipient. This ensures that assistance is not duplicated and allows follow-up with each recipient to learn how they are doing a few months after receiving help. I’m a 501(c)3 nonprofit.
How can I be part of Chip in $10? Details will be announced soon on how 501(c)3 organizations with case management capabilities can apply for funding from the J.H. Baroco Foundation grant and “Chip in $10” challenge.
What if I need help? If you are in need of help, contact First Call For Help at 595-5905 or www.fcfh.info.
No One Injured When Car Hits Power Pole, Pulling Pole Out Of the Ground
April 11, 2009
No one was injured in a single vehicle accident on Highway 97 early Saturday evening that literally pulled a power pole out of the ground.
The accident happened on Highway 97 about a half mile south of Tungoil Road about 7:15 p.m.. The driver of a car apparently lost control and struck a power pole, breaking it into pieces and pulling it from the ground. Power lines were also downed in the incident that left the car in a wheat field.
The wreck caused a power failure for a small number of Escambia River Electric Cooperative customers.
The Walnut Hill station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Florida Highway Patrol responded to the crash.
The accident is still under investigation
Pictured: No one was injured in this single vehicle accident on Highway 97 south of Walnut Hill Saturday evening. The car struck a power pole, pulling it out of the ground and breaking it into pieces. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
New School Times Next Year; North Escambia Schools Changing Too?
April 11, 2009
The Escambia County School District is considering changing school start and dismissal times again this year, and once again some North Escambia schools will follow a schedule different than the rest of the county.
At the elementary level, Bratt and Molino Park will begin the school day at 7:45 and dismiss at 2:00.
At the middle school level, Ernest Ward will begin the school day at 9:05 and dismiss at 3:45. The earliest students can be dropped off at school will be 8:55. This represents a start and dismissal time 35 minutes later than the current year.
At the high school level, Northview High School will begin at 8:45 and dismiss at 3:20, a big change from this year’s 7:40 start and 2:45 dismissal.
North Escambia school times are different because of the long transport distances in the rural area and a two-tier system where middle and high school students will ride the bus together.
The North Escambia elementary schools will be following the same 7:45 a.m. to 2:00 schedule as the rest of the county’s elementary schools.
Middle Schools in the rest of Escambia County will have a 9:20 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. day, a change from their current 9:30 to 4:30 day.
Other high schools in Escambia County will be is session from 8:30 to 3:05, instead of this year’s 8:30 to 3:35 day.
The school times were changed this year, most drastically outside of North Escambia, to save money. By taking over two dozen buses off the road, the school district saved an estimated $1.2 million this year.
The new start and dismissal times recommended by a task force must now be approved by the school board before becoming final.
Young And Old: Daycare And Care Center Residents Hunt Eggs
April 11, 2009
The children from Camp Fire USA and other friends and family visited Century Care Center for an Easter egg hunt Friday. There were also live bunnies for the children and residents to enjoy. For more photos, click here. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Late Night Fire Destroys Two Story Molino House Under Construction
April 11, 2009
Fire completely destroyed a two story house under construction in Molino late Friday night
The fire in the 7000 block of Nicholson Drive was reported just before 11:00 p.m. The first firefighters on scene said that the structure was completely involved upon their arrival. The wood house, which was believed to be completely framed in with some walls and a roof, quickly collapsed onto its foundation.
Firefighters tell us that a house at the same location burned in a similar fashion in December 2005.
The house reportedly did not have electrical service, so an electrical fire was ruled out as a possible cause. The State Fire Marshal was called to the scene to investigate the cause of the fire.
The Molino, McDavid, Century, Cantonment and Walnut Hill stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the blaze, along with Escambia County EMS.
There were no injuries reported.
Click here for more photos from the scene.
Pictured above: Firefighters work to extinguish a house fire on Nicholson Drive in Molino late Friday night. Pictured below: The smoldering remains of the two story house that was under construction. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Celebrating: Good Friday Easter Egg Hunt In Molino
April 11, 2009
Aldersgate United Methodist Church held a Children’s Easter Egg Hunt Friday morning. The Good Friday egg hunt was followed by an Easter story, refreshments and lots of fun. There was also a best decorated Easter egg contest.
For a complete photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured: Enjoying the refreshments after the Easter egg hunt Friday morning at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Mayors Discuss The State Of Their Cities In Regional Meeting
April 11, 2009
In the first meeting of its kind, all of the mayors in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties gathered Friday morning in a regional “State of the Cities” address.
Century Mayor Freddie McCall, Jay Mayor Kurvin Qualls, Pensacola Mayor Mike Wiggins, Milton Mayor Guy Thompson and Gulf Breeze Mayor Lane Gilchrist discussed the current economic client in their respective cites. Each outlined ideas for improving not only the current economic climate, but also the future of life in their respective cities.
The Pensacola event was sponsored by the Pensacola Bay Area Women’s Council of Realtors.