Escambia To Consider Permit For Molino Land Clearing Debris Disposal Facility

January 6, 2013

The Escambia County Commission has set a public hearing later this month to consider a permit for a land clearing debris disposal facility near Molino.

Sand & Dirt, Inc., doing business as the Brickton Borrow Pit, is located on a 33.04 acre site at 8800 North Highway 29, in a wooded area just northeast of Morgan Cemetery Road. The sand and dirt borrow pit has existed at the location for numerous years. The new permit would allow the facility to use land clearing debris fill-in around the perimeter of the pit while excavation continues in the middle.

The disposal facility would be allowed to operate from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday-Friday and 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturdays. Cover material will be added on working faces at least  bi-weekly to deprive the debris of oxygen, minimize the risk of fire and prevent the emission of objectionable odors.

The permit public hearing is set for 5:35 p.m. on January 17 before the Escambia County Commission.

Near Freezing Tonight

January 6, 2013

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

  • Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. North wind around 5 mph.
  • Monday: Sunny, with a high near 60. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
  • Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
  • Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
  • Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
  • Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. East wind around 10 mph.
  • Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. East wind around 5 mph.
  • Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph.
  • Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58.
  • Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73.
  • Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.
  • Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 71.

Attorney General: Nine Hate Crimes In Escambia, Santa Rosa Counties

January 6, 2013

Nine hate crimes were reported in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties during 2011, according to a report released last week by Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.

In Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, the following hate crimes were reported, along with the alleged motivation behind the offenses:

  • Escambia Sheriff’s Office: Two aggravated assaults due to ethnicity or national origin
  • Pensacola Police Department: One simple assault due to race or color; one simple assault due to sexual orientation
  • Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office: One case of intimidation due to race or color; three cases of intimidation due to ethnicity or national origin
  • Milton Police Department: One aggravated assault due to ethnicity or national origin

The numbers represent an increase for Escambia County and Pensacola over 2010. Escambia County reported three hate crimes in 2010, while the City of Pensacola reported zero.

During 2011, there were 139 reported hate crimes in Florida. Hate crimes motivated by the victim’s race represented 43.2 percent of all reported hate crimes, followed by religion at 20.9 percent; sexual orientation at 20.1 percent; ethnicity/national origin at 15.1 percent; and mental disability at 0.7 percent. No hate crimes were reported under the categories of physical disability or advanced age.

A hate crime is an act committed or attempted by one person or group against another – or that person’s property – that in any way constitutes an expression of hatred toward the victim based on his or her personal characteristics. It is a crime in which the perpetrator intentionally selects the victim based on one of the following characteristics: race, color, religion, ethnicity, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, advanced age or mental/physical disability.

New District 5 Member Appointed To County Mass Transit Advisory Committee

January 6, 2013

The Escambia County Commission has confirmed District 5 commissioner Steven Barry’s appointment of Jonathan Michael Pytynia as the District 5 representative to the Escambia County Mass Transit Advisory Committee.

The appointment will run concurrent with Barry’s term as a commissioner.

Pytynia, a resident of Cantonment, is currently employed in business development at Pensacola Data Storage Center and has experience with property management and reality companies.

The previous District 5 representative, Jeffery S. Overhalser, resigned his appointment.

The Escambia County Mass Transit Advisory Committee advises the commission on mass transit issues in the county. The next meeting is Wednesday, January 9 at 3 p.m. at the Central Office Complex at 3363 West Park Place.

Escambia Legislative Delegation Meets On Thursday

January 6, 2013

The Escambia County Legislative Delegation will hold a public hearing on Thursday, January 10.

The delegation — consisting of Sen. Greg Evers, Rep. Clay Ingram and Rep. Clay Ford –  will hear public comments on local proposals for the 2013 regular Legislative session.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for the 6-8 p.m. meeting on Thursday, January 10 at the Jean and Paul Amos Performance Studio on the Pensacola State College campus at 1000 College Boulevard.

For 10th Year, Weight Watchers To Meet At Aldersgate UMC

January 6, 2013

Now in its 10th year, the Molino Weight Watchers class will meet again this year at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino. Weight Watchers is a program which provides a healthy method to loose and maintain your goal weight.

The first class is Monday, January 7. Classes are held on Mondays, with weigh-in from 6 until 6:30 p.m. and the class is from 6:30 until 7 p.m.

For more information, contact class leader Sandra Greenwell at (850) 587-2489.

Tate Baseball Booster Club To Meet

January 6, 2013

The Tate High School Aggie Baseball Booster Club will meet this week.

The meeting will be held Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in Fryman Gym on campus. Everyone interested in Aggie baseball is welcome to attend.

Featured Recipe: The Ultimate Game Day Chili Warm Up

January 6, 2013

Bold, flavorful chili is the ultimate game day grub, offering hearty portions to feed a hungry crowd and personalized toppings to suit every palate. For a delicious twist to your go-to, wow guests with a hearty, versatile pork-based chili with layers of savory flavor.

Smoky ingredients are all the rage, with fire-roasted tomatoes, bacon and chipotle peppers on the rise in restaurant menus across the country. Give this delicious trend the home-cooked treatment with Smoky Pork, Bacon and White Bean Chili, a simple recipe that takes only 20 minutes to prepare and can be conveniently made in the slow cooker.

With this versatile recipe, it’s easy to add a personal touch. Make your hearty chili even more smolderingly smoky by adding finely chopped chipotle chiles (from a can of chipotles in adobo sauce) along with the onion. Or, to amp up the heat, add a dash of cayenne pepper powder along with the chili powder.

To round out the meal on game day – or any day – serve with warm corn tortillas or corn bread and a refreshing side salad with radishes and cilantro. Prepare a topping bar with sour cream, roasted tomato salsa, sliced avocadoes, scallions and shredded Jack cheese.

Smoky Pork, Bacon and White Bean Chili

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Makes: 6 servings

8     ounces bacon, thick-cut, (5 or 6 slices), cut crosswise into 1/4-inch strips
1     large onion, cut into 1/2-inch dice
1 1/2     pounds pork loin roast, cut into 3/4-inch dice
2     tablespoons chili powder
1     tablespoon smoked paprika
2     14 1/2-ounce cans diced fire-roasted tomatoes
1 1/2     cups water
2     15-ounce cans cannellini beans, (white kidney) or other white beans, drained
Salt
1/2     cup sour cream, (optional)
2     scallions, thinly sliced (optional)

In large saucepan or small stockpot over medium heat, cook bacon, stirring occasionally, until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside.

Add onion to bacon fat and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high, add pork, and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are crisp-tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in chili powder and paprika. Stir in tomatoes (with juices) and water. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, until pork is tender, 35 to 45 minutes.

Stir in beans and about 2/3 of bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through, about 10 minutes. Add salt to taste.

Showers Possible Tonight

January 5, 2013

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

  • Tonight: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 40. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
  • Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. North wind around 5 mph.
  • Monday: Sunny, with a high near 59. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
  • Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight.
  • Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. East wind around 5 mph.
  • Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a low around 59. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
  • Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
  • Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a low around 63. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
  • Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a high near 70. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
  • Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53.
  • Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.
  • Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53.
  • Saturday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.

Free Trees: Seedlings To Be Given Away In Walnut Hill

January 5, 2013

In celebration of Florida’s Arbor Day, Escambia County, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Science (UF/IFAS) Extension and the Florida Forestry Service (FFS) will be giving away 4,000 seedling trees at two locations, including Walnut Hill.

Species include crabapple, mayhaw, cherrybark Oak, river birch, wax myrtle and bald cypress. Participants will receive two tree seedlings of their choice.

The first event will be held on Monday, January 14, at the Walnut Hill Community Center (Ruritan Building) at 7850 Highway 97 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The second event will be held on Friday, January 18, in conjunction with the grand opening of the Southwest Greenway at the Jones Swamp Preserve Trail entrance at 198 Patton Drive, near the intersection of Brigadier and Patton Drive, in Warrington, also from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Extension agents and master gardeners will be available at both locations to advise participants on tree types and tree placement in the landscape.

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