Moving Into A Much Drier, Slightly Cooler Weather Period
September 17, 2014
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the morning.
- Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Friday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
- Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
- Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
- Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Sunday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
- Sunday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.
- Monday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88.
- Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.
- Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 87.
Florida DOE Drops Young Elementary Reading Test
September 17, 2014
A test given to young elementary school students will not be used this year, according to the Florida Department of Education. The agency said the Florida Assessments for Instruction in Reading, or FAIR, assessment will not be administered to students in kindergarten through second grade because of a technical issue.
“With the implementation of new technology this year related to FAIR in grades K-2, some districts have experienced challenges. … Because of this technological glitch and based on the input of superintendents, Commissioner Stewart took action on this matter,” Joe Follick, a spokesman for the department, said in a statement.
The department also emphasized that the “diagnostic” test is used by teachers to help decide how to teach students; it doesn’t determine, for example, whether a student passes or fails.
by The News Service of Florida
Nine Mile Road To Be Four-Laned From Highway 29 To Beulah Road
September 17, 2014
A long awaited project has been funded that will widen Nine Mile Road to four lanes from Beulah Road all the way back to Highway 29.
The Florida Department of Transportation’s Five-Year Work Plan includes $42 million for the project that, coupled with funds from Escambia County, will complete the entire project, including a a previously unfunded section of the roadway between Pine Forest Road and Highway 29.
The inclusion of the new phase for the widening project is the result of a partnership between Escambia County and the FDOT, with the county funding $1.2 million for project development and environmental studies, as well as a design update using Local Option Sales Tax Funds.
Over the next year, the FDOT plans to spend $1.2 million to acquire rights of way to widen the road and to complete environmental work.
Last summer, the FDOT held a public meeting to discuss the widening of Nine Mile Road from two to four lanes along the section of road between at U.S. 90/Mobile Highway and Pine Forest Road – a length of about 5.8 miles – including access management, changes or the design and construction of medians and median openings and storm water treatment ponds. The continuation of the project to Highway 29 will effectively ease congestion and improve traffic flow along the crowded commercial corridor.
Increasing traffic counts and congestion as the area continues to develop caused the reclassification of the road from “rural” to “suburban” and necessitated the redesign of a project originally slated for construction almost a decade ago.
Construction could begin as early as 2015 and, once complete, will support the continued growth of Navy Federal Credit Union, proposed development at the site currently known as Outlying Landing Field 8 and ease access for Nature’s Trail and other residential neighborhoods.
Appliance Sales Tax Holiday Coming This Weekend
September 17, 2014
Another sales tax holiday is on the way this weekend…this time on certain energy saving appliances and fixtures.
Florida shoppers will be able to avoid sale taxes on the first $1,500 the price of new Energy Star and WaterSense products from September 19-21.
The exemption is limited to a single purchase for each specific type of qualifying item having a sales price of $500 or more. There are no quantity limits on qualifying items with a sales price of less than $500.
Items that will be tax free include:
Qualifying Energy Star Products
- Air purifier
- Ceiling fan
- Clothes washer
- Dehumidifier
- Dishwasher
- Freezer
- Light bulbs (packages)
- Refrigerator
- Room air conditioner
- Swimming pool pump
- Water heater
An Energy Star item must be designated bythe United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Department of Energy as meeting or exceeding the requirements under the Energy Star Program. An Energy Star label must be affixed to the product.
Qualifying WaterSense Products
- Bathroom sink faucet
- Faucet accessory
- High-efficiency toilet or urinal
- Showerhead
- Weather or sensor-based irrigation controller
A WaterSense item must be recognized as water efficient by the WaterSense Program sponsored by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. A WaterSense label must be affixed to the product.
This sales tax holiday does not apply to the rental or repair of any of these items.
NWE Takes 3 of 4 From W.S. Neal, Set To Face Jay Saturday
September 17, 2014
Northwest Escambia Youth Football and Cheer hosted the W.S. Neal Eagles this past Saturday at Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium on the campus of Northview High School.
- Freshman won 13-0
- Sophomores lost 38-19
- Juniors won 13-7 in OT
- Seniors won 32-6
Northwest Escambia Youth Football and Cheer Welcomes the Jay Royals to Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
Game times are as follows.
- Freshman – 3:00 pm
- Sophomores – 4:15 pm
- Juniors – 5:45 pm
- Seniors – 7:15 pm
Admissions is $3 per person, 12 and under is free. Proceeds help pay for officiating crew.
Emily Olene Robinson
September 17, 2014
Emily Olene Robinson, 96, of Molino, passed away on Sunday, September 14, 2014.
Olene was born in Elba, Alabama on August 4, 1918, to the late Thomas and Lillie Barlow.
She was a long standing member of Clear Springs United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack; parents; son, Ricky Robinson; one great-granddaughter, Shana Sanders; nine siblings; and son-in-law, James Pugh.
Olene is survived by her two daughters, Jackie (DL) Townsley of Pensacola and Anita Pugh of Molino; one sister, Mary McKinsey of Elba, Ala; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and eighth great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, September 18, 2014, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Rev. Fred Stallworth, officiating.
Burial will follow in Oliver Pugh Cemetery.
Family will receive friends at 1 p.m. one hour prior to services.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is etrusted with arrangements.
Ernest Ward Middle Names September Students Of The Month
September 17, 2014
Ernest Ward Middle School has named September Students of the Month. They are Libby Pugh (pictured left), sixth grade; Bailey Van Pelt (pictured right), seventh grade; and Aurora McCann (not pictured), eighth. Photo for Northscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Marvel Comics Creates New ‘Captain Citrus’ For Struggling Industry
September 17, 2014
Florida’s homegrown superhero, Captain Citrus, has undergone a $1 million head-to-toe makeover with the help of comic-book giant Marvel Entertainment.
The muscled-up Captain Citrus, powered by the sun and intended to help boost Florida citrus sales while fighting evil, was unveiled Tuesday by the Department of Citrus at a comic-book store in Tampa.
“Raising awareness of the amazing nutritional benefits of Florida citrus, especially among families, is a priority,” department Executive Director Doug Ackerman said in a prepared statement.
Through the work of Marvel, Captain Citrus is no longer a rotund creature — basically an animated orange — from the Planet Orange as first designed by the state agency to be an educational tool to help the struggling citrus industry in 2011.
Now he’s John Polk, empowered by mysterious solar pods found growing in his family’s Central Florida citrus grove. In a debut issue of a digital comic, Polk joins members of the Avengers — Captain America, Thor, Iron Man and Black Widow — to battle a “gamma enhanced evil genius” known as the Leader whose minions have attacked Orlando.
Oh, and clad in a muscle-skimming citrus-hued suit Captain Citrus is still spreading the message of the nutritional value of orange juice.
In the inaugural issue, just before Polk answers the call to help the Avengers, he advises his sister on the need to drink her orange juice as she is soon off to a cheerleading tryout.
The state agency is also providing a teacher’s guide to offers lesson plans that highlight making smarter nutritional choices.
“Captain Citrus will show readers that while they may not be able to fly or shoot solar blasts, they can make healthy choices in their everyday lives and unleash the hero within,” Bill Rosemann, who oversaw the development of Captain Citrus as Marvel Entertainment’s creative director and editor, said in a statement.
Two additional digital chapters are planned. All will be available at CaptainCitrus.com.
The new face of orange juice comes as sales have declined due to increased costs and a shift in the eating habits of Americans.
Numbers published by the state department found that during a four week period in June and July, 36.11 million gallons of orange juice were purchased. The total represented an 8.3 percent decline in sales from the same period a year earlier.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that Florida, which is the top source of U.S. orange juice, earlier this year completed its smallest harvest in 29 years, with the industry suffering from the spread of an incurable plant disease called citrus greening.
The forecast for the coming year, which isn’t expected to show any turnaround, is due in October.
The state agency finalized the contract with the Disney-owned Marvel this summer, using marketing dollars that were freed up as the department halted longer, high-volume TV time for ads, a move expected to free up about $13 million for branding and marketing programs.
The department’s funding mostly comes from a tax on the sale of oranges and other citrus.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Century Council Approves $5.1 Million Budget At Public Forum…With No Public
September 16, 2014
The Town of Century Monday night gave final approval to a budget for the next fiscal year that’s up about 16 percent over this year and $2.2 million greater than the previous budget year.
The approval came after a public forum…with no member of the public present. There was no one but our NorthEscambia.com staff in the audience for the budget meeting and entire regular council meeting that followed. It’s extremely rare for no members of the public to attend a regular council meeting in Century.
Seats were also empty at the council table without two of five members. Council members Jackson McMurray Jackson and Annie Savage did not attend the meeting.
The town council approved a $5,107,641.34 budget for 2014-2015 that is up $722,850 over the current fiscal year. The increase is due to grant income and expenditures included in the budget of $2,280,296. To view a summary of the budget in pdf format, click here.
There will be no increase in ad valorem taxes this year to meet the budget for fiscal year 2014-2015, which begins October 1. The millage rate set was .8707, which is equal to and does not exceed the rolled-back rate.
Pictured top: The Century Town Council chambers were empty Monday night for a budget public hearing and regular council meeting. Pictured: The Century Council meets Monday night to approve a $5.1 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Envision Escambia 2028: County Releases First Round Of Survey Results
September 16, 2014
Just after Labor Day, Escambia County launched an online survey to gauge the opinions of residents about a variety of topics of importance to the future of Escambia County.
Called “Envision Escambia 2028: Tell Us What’s Important to You,” it was the first in a series of articles, videos, public meetings and surveys developed to facilitate an ongoing dialog about issues of concern to the community.
A second survey entitled “Envision Escambia: Traffic Safety” is currently available online. Future surveys will ask questions about storm water drainage, public safety, parks and recreation, job growth and natural resources.
“Envision Escambia 2028: Tell Us What You Think” Results
Question 1: In which area of Escambia County do you currently live?
Residents who live in the area south of State Road 98, west of Navy Boulevard and out to Innerarity Point were most represented in the survey results, followed closely by people living between north of Cantonment, between Cantonment and Nine Mile Road and residents on the West Side, as well as residents in the area bounded by I-10, Pine Forest Road and Saulfley Field Road. No one on Pensacola Beach responded.
Question #2: What do you like most about your neighborhood?
More than 44 percent of respondents said their neighborhood was a good place to raise a family, 42 percent touted the safety of their neighborhood and 40 percent like their neighbors. Almost 32 percent felt their neighborhood was attractive and 30 percent cited its location near amenities and entertainment.
Among the comments received:
“I can safely walk and bicycle to my daily needs without having to get into a car.”
“Live Oak trees and awesome parks”
“It’s rural so far so the houses are not as close together as they are in other parts. The future land use maps seem to be changing that and I am disappointed with the increased density”
Question #3: Use of revenue generated from the Local Option Sales Tax is restricted to specific project categories. Rank which of the following categories you think exemplifies the best expenditure of Local Option Sales Tax funds, with #1 being your highest priority and #10 being your lowest priority.
Storm water drainage system improvement projects were the number one priority of the survey’s respondents with close to 73 percent ranking it in their top three. Transportation improvements – including bridges and dirt road paving – came in at number two with almost 60 percent. Ranked third with almost 32 percent of the vote was public safety improvements, including the purchase of fire trucks and ambulances, as well as enhancements to fire stations and training facilities.
Here’s the list of answers to Question #3 ranked in order of priority according to the survey respondents:
- Storm Water Drainage improvements
- Transportation improvements
- Public Safety improvements
- Sidewalk construction
- Initiatives to support and facilitate job growth
- Protection of natural resources (beach restoration and water quality)
- Development and improvement of parks and community centers
- Enhancements to public libraries
- Americans with Disabilities Act enhancements to public facilities and properties
- Improvements to correctional facilities
Question #4: This fall County staff would like to meet with community members to gather ideas from neighborhoods across Escambia County with the goal of understanding residents’ priorities for funding potential future Local Option Sales Tax projects. With that in mind, what kind of event or activity are you most likely to participate in?
Almost 72 percent of the people who answered the online survey would answer another online survey. Other popular results included attending community meetings, either near their home or at a central location that could be streamed onto Escambia County Television (ECTV).
Question #5; Do you have any comments, questions or suggestions for us?
Here are some of the answers we received:
“New fire station in the Beulah area would be very much needed”
“Emphasis on Economic Development and Public Safety”
“Remember the working class neighborhoods, families and concerns.”
“The west side needs more attention”.
“Keep Pensacola clean, welcoming, and mindful of our prized resources”
“The elected officials need to listen to their community. You are our voice in government, use it the right way.”