4-H Offers A “Growing Pizza” Program For Kids 8-12
June 14, 2012
Escambia County 4-H invites kids to participate in a “Growing a Pizza” program on Tuesday, June 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Escambia County Extension office, at3740 Stefani Road. This program is open to kids ages eight to 12.
Participants will learn about how pizza is “grown,” tour the Extension pizza garden, play some pizza games, learn about the nutrients in pizza, make their own healthy pizza for lunch and take home their own “pizza” plant.
The cost of this program is $5 which can be paid the day of the event or prior to the program. Participating youth will need to bring clothes that are appropriate for both indoor and outdoor activities. Participants must be registered by Friday, June 15.
For more information or to pre-register, contact Angela Hinkle, at ahinkle@ufl.edu or by telephone at the Extension office at (850) 475-5230.
Free 151st Army Band Concert On June 18
June 14, 2012
The 151st Army Band will perform a free concert next Monday, June 18 at Pensacola’s Community Maritime Park. The performance will begin at 6:00 p.m. at the park’s Hunter Amphitheater.
The amphitheater overlooks Pensacola Bay and can accommodate nearly 5,000 visitors. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome, but coolers and glass containers are prohibited. Food and drink vendors will be available during the concert.
The 151st Army Band is based in Montgomery. A unit of the Alabama Army National Guard, the band consists of “citizen soldiers” who meet two days a month for rehearsals and performances. The band performs throughout the United States for military and civilian functions, and has traveled to Costa Rica and Columbia performing on United States Embassy Goodwill tours.
The concert marks the first performance at the park, after the weekend’s inclement weather rained out the planned Grand Opening celebration. The canceled performance by the Charlie Daniels Band will be rescheduled.
Pictured: The 151ast Army Band. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
VIDEO: Pensacola Blue Wahoos Kidnap Mobile Baybears’ Mascot
June 14, 2012
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos have released a video of the kidnapping of Baby Bear, the Mobile BayBears’ mascot, in anticipation of the Bay to Bay Series in Pensacola that continues through Sunday.
Courtesy Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
(If you do not see the video above, it is because your work or home firewall is blocking external videos.)
PSC Staff Against Rate Increase For Gulf Power Nuke Site Costs
June 13, 2012
The Florida Public Service Commission should reject Gulf Power Company’s request to charge customers for costs related to a potential nuclear-power plant site in North Escambia, according to a recommendation from PSC staff members.
The commission is scheduled to take up the $2 million issue next Tuesday, which stems from Gulf Power buying about 2,700 acres of land near McDavid that could eventually be used for a nuclear plant. The increase would equate to about 20 cents per month for the average customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month. The 20 cents would be more than offset by about a $10 per month savings from the rate decrease announced in late May.
Regulators earlier this year approved a base-rate increase for Gulf but refused to allow the company to collect money related to the land purchase. Gulf Power has asked for the commission to reverse the decision, but PSC staff has recommended that regulators again deny the request.
The Public Service Commission, however, appears likely next Tuesday to approve another request by Gulf Power to reduce customers’ electric bills because of lower-than-expected fuel prices. If the change is approved, a residential customer who uses 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a month would pay $116.61 — down from the current $126.53.
Gulf Power has not said what type of power plant it wants to construct in North Escambia, but PSC filings indicate that it could be natural gas, coal or nuclear. However, nuclear was repeatedly cited in recent PSC filings.
“This small price is extraordinarily reasonable when compared to the potential benefits of nuclear power if it is pursued, or the lost opportunity if the nuclear option is foreclosed by the action taken by this commission in this case,” documents state.
Pictured top: One of many houses that now sit abandoned near McDavid where Gulf Power has purchased thousands of acres for a possible nuclear power plant. One of many Gulf Power “Posted” signs that line the roads in the area of the potential plant. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this NorthEscambia.com report.
Floods: Panhandle Delegation Asks For Disaster Declaration
June 13, 2012
Following a weekend of rain that deluged Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties, panhandle lawmakers on Tuesday urged Gov. Rick Scott to declare the two counties disaster areas so they can apply for relief.
Parts of the panhandle region were hit with nearly two feet of rain, a torrent that caused widespread flooding and caused a “significant amount of damage” to the Escambia County Jail, which was flooded by up to five feet of water.
“It is with great urgency that we request your assistance by declaring Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties and the areas affected by the rain and flooding as a natural disaster,” stated the letter to Scott from Sen. Don Gaetz, Sen. Greg Evers, Rep. Clay Ford, Rep. Matt Gaetz, and Rep. Clay Ingram.
Pictured top: Flooding Saturday morning at the Escambia County Jail. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
50 Escambia School District Pickups And Vans Burglarized
June 13, 2012
At least 50 pickup trucks and vans inside an Escambia County School District fenced compound were burglarized.
Pensacola Police Officer Garland McKenzie said the burglaries were discovered around 6 a.m. Tuesday when employees arrived for work at the J.E. Hall Center on East Texar Drive.
Just two of the vehicles were unlocked; access to the remaining vehicles was made by smashing windows or breaking locks on vehicles,” McKenzie said.
At least three cell phones and eight laptop computers among other items were taken, and a 2003 white Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck was stolen from the compound.
The vehicles were kept in the district’s maintenance compound and were used in custodial, air conditioning, plumbing and other repairs for the school district. Access to the
compound was gained through a locked gate on Texar Driver where the chain and lock had been cut and removed from the scene, McKenzie said.
The fence surrounding the compound is about six feet tall and is topped with barbed wire.
Anyone having information on the incident is asked to contact Pensacola Police Department Detective James Gore at (850) 435-1979 or the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1900.
Manna Food Pantry Floods, Needs Your Help To Recover
June 13, 2012
Manna Food Pantry suffered significant damage Saturday during flooding that occurred in downtown Pensacola. The food pantry’s entire lower warehouse, including all offices and client service areas, was flooded.
Due to concerns for the health and safety of Manna staff, volunteers, and clients, the Manna offices will be relocated to the larger warehouse until the debris is removed and the area is cleaned and sanitized. Until further notice, Manna will offer services Monday through Friday from 2:00 until 4:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church’s “The Perry Home” located at the corner of Palafox and Wright Streets in downtown Pensacola.
Manna is currently in need of cash donations to support their flood recovery efforts. The initial estimated cost of damage is $50,000.
Donations can be made on the Manna website at www.mannafoodpantries.org.
Pictured top: The Manna Food Pantries warehouse was flooded. Pictured inset: Offices and client services areas were also flooded. Pictured below: All of Manna’s vehicles suffered water damage. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flood Warning For Perdido River; Flooding At Bridge
June 13, 2012
There are reports today of flooding at the Barrineau Park bridge over the Perdido River, and there is a flood warning in effect for the river.
Motorists reported of water across the road Wednesday morning on the Florida side of the Barrineau Park bridge over the Perdido River — that’s where Highway 196/Barrineau Park Road crosses from Florida to Duck Place Road in Baldwin County.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for the Perdido River near Barrineau Park as a result of recent heavy rain.
The flood warning is in effect until Wednesday evening. At 9 p.m. Tuesday, the river was at 13.1 feet, with minor flooding occurring. The flood stage is 13.0 feet. The Perdido River at Barrineau Park is forecast to continue rising to 13.6 feet.
At 13 feet, the river begins to leave its banks at the parking lot of Adventures Unlimited and threatens several permanently parked travel trailers.
Flood Closes Workforce Escarosa In Pensacola; Century, Milton Remain Open
June 13, 2012
The Workforce Escarosa One-Stop Center on “L” Street in Pensacola is closed due to flood damage.
A mobile unit in the parking lot will only provide assistance in filing of unemployment claims; applying for cash assistance, food stamps or Medicaid; applying for potential training activities and welfare transition services. All job search related activities are suspended until further notice.
The Century One-Stop Center at 8120 North Century Boulevard and the Milton One-Stop Center at 5725 Highway 90 are operating as usual.
State Attorney: Deputy Justified In Shooting Woman With BB Gun
June 13, 2012
An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy was justified when he shot a woman back in April, according to a report released Tuesday by the State Attorney’s Office.
Deputy Brett Heubach responded to an armed disturbance at the Fairfield Villa Apartments on April 20th. That’s where he found 24-year old Shanterika Thomas pointing a gun. He ordered her multiple times to put down the weapon but she did not. Thomas pointed the gun at Heubach so he opened fire, striking her three times.
Thomas was treated at a local hospital.
The weapon turned out to be a BB gun, but it was indistinguishable from a real gun, according to the State Attorney’s Office report. “It’s appearance was such that any person would reasonably believe it was a real firearm. The actions of Ms. Thomas placed Deputy Heubach in fear of death or great bodily harm and accordingly his use of force is justified,” the report states.