It’s Still Very Much Winter – For A Few Days
February 10, 2011
You’ll need the extra blankets on the bed the next couple of nights, with overnight lows forecast to bottom out near 21-23.
If you don’t like the winter weather, hold on for Sunday into next week with highs in the 60’s to eventually near 70.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly cloudy early in the evening becoming partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 20s. North winds around 5 mph.
- Friday: Sunny. Highs in the lower 50s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 20s. Northwest winds around 5 mph.
- Saturday: Sunny. Highs in the upper 50s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: Clear. Lows in the upper 20s. West winds around 5 mph in the evening becoming light.
- Sunday: Sunny. Highs in the mid 60s.
- Sunday Night: Clear. Lows in the mid 30s.
- Monday:Sunny. Highs in the upper 60s.
- Monday Night: Clear. Lows in the upper 30s.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 68.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 70.
Century Ready To Resurface Five Streets
February 10, 2011
The bottom line estimate is in for resurfacing five of Century’s worst streets.
The town will resurface Freedom Road, the portion of Old Flomaton Road in the city limits, Hecker Road, Elm Street and Hilltop Road. The streets were the top five on the town’s priority list.
The resurfacing part of the project will cost the town just over $181,000 by piggybacking on an Escambia County contract with Roads, Inc. Of Northwest Florida. With the addition of pavement striping on Freedom, Old Flomaton and Hecker, the total cost will be an estimated $195,000. Striping — those lines down the middle and on the side of the roadway — will not be added Elm or Hilltop because they are low-traffic.
There will be about a dozen roads remaining to be paved on the town’s priority list. Five of them — West Cottage Street, Academy Street, Pleasant Hill Road, Ramar Street and Lake Street — are all short or dead end streets. The remaining are dirt roads that will require extensive drainage work prior to surfacing.
The start date for the resurfacing project is still to be determined.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Valentine’s Party Today At Century Library
February 10, 2011
The Century Branch Library is throwing a Valentine’s Day Party for all ages this afternoon.
During the program, children will make crafts, enjoy yummy treats and listen to a special guest explain ways to keep their hearts pumping.
The party will take place at 4 p.m. at the Century Branch Library, 7991 North Century Boulevard. For more information, call (850) 256-6217.
Town Hall Meeting Tuesday To Discuss Old Molino School Project
February 10, 2011
The public will have an opportunity next week to learn more and offer input about the renovation of the old Molino School into a community center, library and museum.
Escambia County Commissioner Kevin White will hold a town hall meeting on Tuesday, February 15, at 6 p.m. at Molino Park Elementary School at 899 Highway 97. The meeting is being held to discuss the old Molino School project.
The project architects, DAG, have completed the design documents, and the project could be bid as early as the end of February.
In May, 2009, commissioners approved the $400,000 purchase of the building from the Escambia County School District. Commissioners have since approved a budget of $2,089,156 from Local Option Sales Tax monies for the renovation project. DAG Architects is being paid $214,580 to design the renovations.
The project includes one section of the 15,600 square foot main building that will be converted into a library with both a children’s and adult area, computers and thousands of linear feet of book shelving. The old auditorium will remain a community auditorium with available seating for 242 people. The rest of the building will include a museum, classrooms and meeting rooms.
First opened in 1939, the Molino School closed in 2003 when the new Molino Park Elementary School consolidated Molino Elementary and Barrineau Park Elementary.
Pictured: A front hallway of the old Molino School. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Scott’s Budget Claims Fade Before Senate Panel
February 10, 2011
Some of Gov. Rick Scott’s most vaunted spending claims faded Wednesday, as the Republican chief executive’s budget director endured three hours of withering questioning from the Senate Budget Committee.
Jerry McDaniel acknowledged Scott’s touted $4.6 billion in budget cuts was actually closer to $3 billion, with the governor removing both state university tuition and spending by the state’s clerks of courts from his budget calculus.
McDaniel also may have dampened Scott’s defense of his plan to cut $3.3 billion in education spending, which includes at least a $298 average cut in per-pupil spending.
“Unfortunately, I think there will be some teachers without jobs, thanks to this policy decision,” McDaniel told senators.
A day after three House committees generally gave poor-to-middling grades to Scott’s $65.9 billion spending blueprint, it was the Senate’s turn Wednesday to challenge key portions of the plan. Scott wants to cut 8,681 jobs across state agencies, overhaul Medicaid, and pull in $1.3 billion by making 655,000 government employees contribute 5 percent of their pay to pension plans, and hand-out $1.7 billion in tax cuts.
Scott also would pull $8.5 billion from 124 state trust funds, spreading the cash across other government services.
Lawmakers aired a wide range of questions about details of Scott’s spending plan. But they also sought to gauge the governor’s willingness to compromise on budget provisions – especially after Scott advisor Mary Ann Carter warned budget chairman J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, Senate Reapportionment Chairman Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, and others at a Governor’s Mansion dinner this week that “the nation is watching” the Legislature’s treatment of the spending plan.
Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, who campaigned for Scott last fall as Florida Republican Party chairman, asked McDaniel directly: “How flexible is the governor on this?”
McDaniel offered some assurance that his boss might be willing to deal with lawmakers, saying Scott, “is not suffering under the idea that everything we proposed here is going to pass.”
Scott and lawmakers are struggling to close a budget shortfall of at least $3.6 billion, as Florida endures a fourth straight year of drum-tight finances stemming from the recession. House and Senate leaders have said budget cuts are certain – especially with federal stimulus dollars now gone. But lawmakers from both parties are questioning Scott’s approach – and his math.
While Scott eliminates traditional state funding for private colleges and universities, he managed to earmark $1.8 million for one such school – the historically black Edward Waters College near the legislative district formerly represented by his lieutenant governor, Jennifer Carroll.
Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, said it wasn’t fair to help one school – while struggling schools such as Bethune-Cookman University and Florida Memorial College were zeroed out of Scott’s spending plan.
Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, challenged Scott’s plan to cut the Corrections Department by $82.4 million, eliminating 1,690 jobs and closing two prisons, part of an effort to offset an 8,000-bed surplus throughout Florida’s prison system.
Fasano, though, said he didn’t think savings from closing prisons was worthwhile. “You’re doing away with 619 jobs to save $2.8 million-a-year,” he said. “Are we benefiting from that?”
Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich of Weston raised similar questions about Scott’s plan to save close to $1 billion by limiting the state’s Medically Needy program mostly to children and pregnant women, barring thousands of transplant patients and those with catastrophic illnesses from getting costly prescription drug coverage.
“I just don’t see how people will survive,” Rich said.
Jane Johnson, another Scott budget official, tried to soften legislators’ take on the change, saying the Medically Needy proposal would not be enacted until 2012-13. Like the governor’s support for a sweeping plan to steer 2.7 million Medicaid patients into managed care, saving an anticipated $1.2 billion next year, the Medically Needy change also would need federal government approval.
Scott’s proposal to require 5 percent employee contributions to the Florida Retirement System also drew pushback from Republican Sen. David Simmons of Altamonte Springs, who warned that with budget cuts already threatening layoffs, the payroll standard could also cost teachers $2,000-a-year.
Instead, Simmons said the governor should consider supporting his proposal to reduce by half the state’s 10 percent payroll contribution to new employees in the FRS, while also revising his property-tax cut. Simmons said an across-the-board rollback will not spur the economy – since many homeowners are already paying low property taxes under the state’s Save Our Homes cap. Cuts, though, could be targeted toward new home-buyers, Simmons said.
“I ask you to look at that as a solution so we are not reducing the take-home pay of our teachers,” Simmons said.
Alexander, the Senate’s budget chief, was cautious in his initial review of Scott’s spending plan. He conceded that lawmakers opposed many elements in the new governor’s approach – but that the Legislature would clearly be forced to enact deep reductions of its own this spring.
“I can tell you that there isn’t any part of our budget that is sacrosanct,” Alexander said.
By John Kennedy
The News Service Florida
Pictured: Senate President Haridopolos discusses ways to improve Florida’s economy to members of the Florida Chamber on Wednesday. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Camp Fire Kids Sharing Valentine’s Love With Local Vets
February 10, 2011
February is the month of love, and for the kids of Camp Fire USA Century Youth Learning Center, that love is being extended to local veterans.
Every year since around 1978, Camp Fire USA children and youth have made Valentine Cards for local Veteran’s expressing their honor and appreciation. This tradition started as a call to citizens to volunteer at their local Veteran’s Administration hospitals or clinics. This call to action has become the National Salute to Veterans, observed during the week of Valentine’s Day.
Camp Fire USA is one of the nation’s leading not-for-profit youth development organizations, currently serving nearly 750,000 participants annually. For more information on Camp Fire USA Gulf Wind Council and the Century Youth Learning Center visit www.campfirekids.com. The Century location can be reached at (850) 256-0953.
Pictured: Camp Fire USA children across the area are making Valentine’s Cards for local veterans. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Traffic Watch: Downed Power Lines On Jacks Branch Road
February 9, 2011
A single vehicle accident about 3:30 this afternoon send power lines down across Jacks Branch Road just south of River Annex Road. Drivers are being asked to avoid the area.
The driver was not injured when his vehicle reportedly clipped a pole. It was not know how many Gulf Power customers, if any, lost power as a result.
As of 4:30, Gulf Power crews were still working to replace the utility pole and power lines.
Rain Tonight, Maybe A Morning Snowflake
February 9, 2011
We will have rain and slight chance of sleet or a few snowflakes overnight. Readers further to the north have the greater chance of seeing a morning snowflake, while the chances greatly decrease from Molino south. No accumulation is expected until you get well north of the area.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight…Slight chance of rain early in the evening…then rain in the late evening and early morning. Slight chance of rain… Snow and light sleet late in the night. No snow and sleet accumulation. Lows in the lower 30s. North winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation 90 percent.
- Thursday…Mostly cloudy in the morning becoming mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 40s. North winds 5 to 10 mph.
- Thursday Night…Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 20s. North winds 5 to 10 mph becoming around 5 mph after midnight.
- Friday…Sunny. Highs in the lower 50s. North winds around 5 mph.
- Friday Night…Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 20s. North winds around 5 mph.
- Saturday…Sunny. Highs around 60.
- Saturday Night…Mostly clear. Lows around 30.
- Sunday…Sunny. Highs in the upper 60s.
- Sunday Night…Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 30s.
- Monday…Sunny. Highs in the upper 60s.
- Monday Night…Partly cloudy. Lows around 40.
- Tuesday…Sunny. Highs in the upper 60s.
- Tuesday Night…Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 30s.
- Wednesday…Sunny. Highs in the mid 60s.
Pictured top: This National Weather Service graphic shows the overnight sleet, snow and rain potential.
Boil Water Notice Issued For West Kingsfield, Including Ransom Middle
February 9, 2011
Effective immediately, a precautionary boil water notice has been issued for ECUA customers residing on West Kingsfield Road, from Highway 297A to Ransom Middle School at Fox Quarry Road, including the Bentley Oaks subdivision.
This notice is being issued following a water main break. Residents are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use 6 drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water for water to be used for drinking of cooking purposes. Bacteriological sampling is underway and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible.
ECUA crews have repaired the main, and are flushing out the lines. Residents are advised that there is a possibility of discolored water as a result of the break and flushing, and to flush their home’s plumbing by running their taps for a few minutes. If problems persist, customers are asked to contact ECUA Customer Service at 850-476-0480 for assistance, or see precautionary boil water notice guidelines on the ECUA website at www.ecua.org
Suspect Arrested; Kidnapped Toddler Found In Alabama
February 9, 2011
A man wanted for kidnapping a 17-month-old toddler Tuesday night was arrested this morning, about an hour after the child was dropped off unharmed at the East Brewton Police Department.
Keith Square Sr., aka Keith Squaire Sr., 36, address unavailable, was taken into custody around 10 a.m. today by Pensacola Police Sgt. Stephen Davis and Detective James Gore and officers from the East Brewton Police Department.
He has been charged with kidnapping and was also wanted on a warrant from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for violation of probation.
Davis and Gore were interviewing one of the suspect’s relatives on Crenshaw Street in Brewton when the suspect walked up to them while they were outside, put his hands behind his back and turned himself in, said Capt. Paul Kelly.
Kelly said Square will be extradited to Pensacola as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, the child’s mother – Monique Slater, 29, of Pensacola – was on her way to Brewton to be reunited with her son.
The suspect vowed that he and the child “would not be taken alive”, prompting a nationwide Amber Alert for the 17-month old boy, Keith Square, Jr. Prior to being found in East Brewton Wednesday morning, the toddler was last seen in the company of his mother’s ex-boyfriend Keith Square Sr. after 9 p.m. Tuesday in the area of the Century Woods Apartments at 20 West Highway 4, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
While Square’s current address is unknown, Escambia County Circuit Court records indicate he is a former resident of Blackmon Street in Century.
Pensacola Police Department Sgt. Stephen Davis said the mother and her son were visiting friends in the 1200 block of Cervantes Street in Pensacola Tuesday when the suspect showed up and asked to take the baby to see some friends.
Davis said the mother agreed. A short time later, the suspect Square called Slater and told her she would never see the baby again. Pensacola Police said Square called Slater several times threatening to harm the baby and also said that he and the baby “would not be taken alive.”
The vehicle believed to have been used in the kidnapping was later located in Brewton Tuesday night, where the driver told Brewton Police that the suspect and baby were dropped off at a residence near Century Woods.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department unsuccessfully checked several possible suspect locations including homes on Blackmon Street and West Highway 4 Tuesday night in an effort to the find the child.
Police said Square is not the biological father of the child, and the mother has sole legal custody. Square has an extensive criminal history including arrests for aggravated battery, robbery, vehicle theft, and battery.
(Editor’s note: The story corrects the last name of the mother to Slater, not Salter as originally reported by the Pensacola Police Department.)
Pictured: Kidnapping suspect Keith Square.