Progress Continues On Molino Library, Tax Collector And Appraiser Offices
January 11, 2012
It’s been about two months since a groundbreaking was held at the old Molino school, and progress is evident on the $4 million project.
The project includes the conversion of the old Molino School into a 15,600 square foot library, community center and museum under a $2.95 million construction contract awarded by Escambia County to Birkshire Johnstone, LLC.
In addition to converting the 72-year old school building, a new 7,000 square foot building is being constructed adjacent to the old building for the tax collector and property appraiser. The current Escambia County Tax Collector office in the former Winn Dixie shopping center in Cantonment and the property appraiser office on Highway 97 in Molino will both be closed. The facility will also house a polling station for early voting and elections.
Final completion for both buildings is scheduled for November 2012.
Pictured top: A new 7,000 square foot building that will house the county tax collector and property appraiser offices. Pictured inset: Work on the old Molino School. Pictured below: The new building is located to the right of the 72-year old building. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Larry Walker Seeks Sixth Term On ECUA Board
January 11, 2012
Incumbent Larry Walker prefiled Tuesday for his sixth term as the District 5 representative on the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority.
Walker, a Republican, was first elected to the ECUA board in 1988 and served until he ran unsuccessfully for the Escambia County Commission in 2000. He has was re-elected to the ECUA board in 2004 and 2008.
One other candidate has prefiled to date for the ECUA District 5 seat; Charlou Williams of Cantonment prefiled in December.
Legislative Session Begins: Wait And See On Escambia Wish List
January 11, 2012
The wait and see game began Tuesday for Escambia County as the 2012 Florida Legislative Session got underway. The county has submitted a 20 items wish list to the local legislative delegation – a wish list that includes a half million dollars from the state for the new Molino Library and a policy stance on mandatory septic tank inspections.
Topping Escambia County’s Top 20 requests is support for a Congressional bill to funnel oil spill recovery funds to Escambia and other impacted counties for economic development, environmental damages and lost tourism revenues.
Number two on Escambia’s wish list is a half million dollar state grant for books and furnishings for the new Molino Branch Library (conceptual drawing above). Escambia County has applied for the grant for several years and has been ranked in to top three for the cash before, but for the last several years the Florida Legislature has not appropriated any funding for the state library construction grants. [Related: Work Continues On Library.]
“It is subject to funding by the Legislature. The resubmission was encouraged by State Division of Libraries who believes the legislature may provide some funding this year,” Escambia County Administrator Randy Oliver said recently. “This is a great opportunity to make a valuable resource better.”
The Legislative Requests list also includes opposition to regular mandatory septic tank inspections. A requirement that septic tanks be inspected every five years at the owner’s expense technically became state law in July after being approved in the last legislative session. But language was inserted into a budget bill that prohibits the Department of Health from spending a dime on the inspections without the approval of the Legislative Budget Commission — essentially putting the program on hold.
Escambia County’s complete 2012 Legislative Requests list, subject to approval by the county commission, is as follows:
1. Congressional SB 1400 – Support – Oil Spill impacted counties receiving funds to mitigate for Economic Development, Environmental Damages, and Tourism Lost Revenues.
2. Support – Library request for $500,000 allocation for Molino Library.
3. Support – DEP Administrative Hearing Process for Cease-and-desist Orders.
4. Support – Senator Gaetz’s bill, from last year, that allocated $30 Million ($10 per year) to area Economic Development.
5. Support – Amending the law for the Northwest Florida Corridor Authority to include all funding strategies.
6. FS 1013.30 – Oppose – Repealing existing State Statute requiring Universities to fund any and all off-campus infrastructure concurrency improvements (sidewalks, turning lanes, traffic signal, etc.).
7. SB; HB – Oppose – Legislation limiting the discretion of the first appearance judge, requiring written reports and certification of defendants for release and eliminating the presumption of release on on-monetary conditions.
8. Oppose – Any proposal to reallocate Transportation Trust Fund dollars; doing so will reduce Local Roadway and Transit Projects within the FDOT Five (5) Year Work Plan.
9. Support – 2012 Local Projects submittals for the
Transportation Reauthorization Bill (SAFETEA-LU):
• Project: I-10 Beulah Interchange/Beltway PD&E Study
• Project: Construction Funds – Nine Mile Road (US 90 Alt) 2-Lane to 4-Lane Project
• Project: Construction Funds – Creighton/Burgess Road Extension (SR 742) Four Lane Project
10. FS 343.80 – 343-89 – Support – Amending existing State Statute to include clear language to support the Regional Transportation Finance Authority (RTFA) concept providing optional funding strategies beside primarily toll facilities. This approach will reduce the gap between Transportation Funding needs and the existing Funding Revenues. Positive Impact is increasing the number annual roadway capacity projects, stimulating local economies with labor and professional jobs.
11. HB; SB – Support any Legislation offering roadway project priority incentives to any local agency offering a financial partnership with FDOT to improve capacity on state facilities. Positive Impact will encourage local agencies to adopt local tax or other measure to get more roadways funded.
12. HB; SB – Oppose any attempt that requires regular, mandatory inspections of septic tanks and/or the septic tank evaluation program.
13. HB; SB – Support efforts that allow governmental entities to use their public website for legally required advertisements and public notices in lieu of newspaper advertisements.
15. HB; SB – Support legislation which reduces medical expenditures to county detention facilities to 110 percent of the Medicare rate for all inmate medical care.
16. HB; SB – Oppose legislation that would weaken or dismantle Pre-Trial Service Programs resulting in significant jail population increases.
17. Support – Legislation to implement local funding incentives for partnerships on State Roadway Capacity Projects.
18. Support – Requesting that the Dedicated Affordable Housing Funds remain in the State Housing Trust Fund to assure continued funding for the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Affordable Housing Programs.
19. SB;HB – Oppose non-homestead associated cap.
20. SB.HB – Oppose Legislative or constitutional restriction on County authority to determine local tax burdens or financial commitments.
Shelby Ann Seals
January 11, 2012
Ms. Shelby Ann Seals, 65, passed away on Tuesday, January 10, 2012, at a Pensacola hospital.
Ms. Seals was a native of Monroeville, a former resident of Atmore, a resident of Walnut Hill for a number of years and attended the Protestant church. .
Survivors include her friend, A.E “Gene” Cassady of Davisville; four brothers, Kenny Jordan of Atmore, Tommy Jordan of Nokomis, AL, Howard Jordan of Atmore, and Donald Jordan of Little River, AL; a half-brother, Calvin Jordan of Molino; and her sister, Nancy Jernigan of Barnett Crossroads, AL.
Funeral services will be Friday, January 13, 2012, at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Ronald Hall officiating.
Burial will follow at the Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be Thursday, January 12, 2012, from 6-8 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Casey Jordan, Scotty Jordan, Cole Jordan, Matt Jernigan, Shannon Peebles and Brandon Peebles.
Colder Weather On The Way
January 11, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s. Southwest winds around 5 mph.
- Thursday: Breezy. Mostly sunny in the morning becoming mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 60s. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph becoming west 15 to 25 mph in the afternoon.
- Thursday Night: Colder. Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 20s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph becoming 5 to 10 mph after midnight.
- Friday: Cooler…sunny. Highs in the lower 50s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 20s. Northwest winds around 5 mph.
- Saturday: Sunny. Highs in the upper 50s.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear. Lows 26 to 31.
- Sunday:Sunny. Highs in the mid 60s.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34.
- M.L.King Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66.
Escambia, Santa Rosa Receiving Nearly $1 Million To Help Homeless
January 11, 2012
Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are receiving nearly a million dollars to help the homeless.
The $948,202 grant from the Department of Children and Families will help keep the doors open at local homeless shelters, find housing for those living on the streets and provide programs to help those who are homeless.
The grants, funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will renew funding for 331 local homeless housing projects across Florida for this year.
“These grants play an important role in providing job training, health care, substance abuse treatment and child care,” said Department Secretary David Wilkins. “This funding is critical to helping people find housing and is a crucial part of our state’s plan to be a national leader in battling homelessness.”
The money will support programs that provide transitional and permanent housing dedicated to helping those who are homeless.
Work Continues On East Pond Street In Century
January 11, 2012
Work will continue this week on East Pond Street in Century, but one lane of traffic will remain open.
The road was scheduled to be closed last week, but a lane of traffic remained open as the town worked on a drainage improvement project between Jefferson Avenue west to Ramar Street near Highway 29.
Century Mayor Freddie McCall said it will be over a week before the equipment is in place to do the work that will completely close East Pond Street.
Wilma Mixon
January 11, 2012
Wilma Mixon, age 92 0f Jay, passed away with her family by her side on January 11, 2012, at Jay Hospital. She was a lifelong resident of Jay, born on September 26, 1919. Wilma was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. She was a member of Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Her parents, George and Emma McArthur; husband, bob Mixon; daughter, Kay Mixon Ware; and her brother, Cal McArthur, preceded her in death.
She is survived by her grandchildren, Deana (John) Pittman and Anthony Ware of Jay; great-grandchildren Haley, Riley and Nicholas Pittman of Jay; brother, Burton McArthur;
sister, Midge (Don) Adams of Missouri; numerous nieces and nephews; and her adopted daughter, Mary Lou Colling.
Pallbearers will be Roy Brown, Mickey Brown, Ron Golden, Don Lewis, Hugh Campbell and Jason Campbell. Honorary Pallbearers will be Ben West, Don West, Hayward Prescott, Bill Canon, Mark McNamara, Jeremy Roberts and Jeffrey Roberts.
Visitation will be held Friday January 13, 2012, from 6-8 p.m.. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2012, at 2 p.m. with Sam Dyer III, Seventy and Bruce Terry, Seventy officiating. . Both services will be held at Jay Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Berrydale Community of Christ Church Cemetery.
A special thank you to Dr. Clyde Pence, Dr. Bascom Rainey, Dr. Michael Smith, Nancy, Davita, Emerald Coast Hospice, Gwen with Senior Home Health Care and the caring staff of Jay Hospital.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Photos: Northview NJROTC Holds Military Ball
January 11, 2012
Northview High School recently held their annual Military Ball at the Naval Aviation Museum aboard Pensacola Naval Air Station, a joint event with Washington High School.
About 170 cadets attended the ball, which included an opening ceremony, presentation of colors, the national anthem, a POW ceremony, presentation of the king and queen from each school and an evening of dancing.
Northview recognized:
- King – Cadet Jody Day
- Queen – Cadet Kiani Okahashi
- Jr Prince – Cadet Jonathan Moretz
- Jr Princess – Cadet Ashley Simpkins
- Soph. Prince – Cadet Willie Owens
- Soph. Princess – Cadet Victoria Wright
- Freshman Prince – Cadet Sean Allister
- Freshman Princess – Cadet Lakelynn Parker
A Navy tradition was also celebrated with the cutting of a cake with the first slice being presented to the oldest and youngest in attendance – Northview Cadet Lane Carnley, and Washington’s LCOL Peter Peters, SNSI.
Pictured top: (L-R) King – Cadet Jody Day, Queen – Cadet Kiani Okahashi, Junior Prince – Cadet Jonathan Moretz, and Junior Princess – Cadet Ashley Simpkins. Pictured below: (L-R) Sophomore Prince – Cadet Willie Owens, Sophomore Princess – Cadet Victoria Wright, Freshman Princess – Cadet Lakelynn Parker, and Freshman Prince – Cadet Sean Allister. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Buys 7 New John Deeres For Tate, NHS, WFHS For Just $18K
January 11, 2012
The Escambia County School District will purchase seven brand new John Deere tractors and loaders for area schools for just $18,388.13 out of pocket.
The district will purchase two John Deere tractors and one loader for the agricultural program at Northview High, two tractors and one loader for Tate High, two tractors and one loader for West Florida High.
The total purchase price will be $126,188.13 minus a trade-in credit of $107,800 for a net purchase price of $18,388.13. The district will trade in five tractors and one loader currently in use at Northview, Tate and West Florida.