Title I Florida Standards Meeting Thursday
September 3, 2014
Students, parents, teachers and community leaders can learn more about the new Florida Standards during a Title I workshop Thursday in Pensacola.
The interactive workshop is designed to inspire attendees to get excited about, and involved with, the new Florida Standards. The workshop will teach families age-appropriate activities to support learning at home.
Parents and students of all ages, and their teachers, are encouraged to attend. For more information, contact Leigh Ann South, Title 1, TSA – Parent and Community Involvement, at (850) 595-6915.
Century To Hold Final Budget Workshop Thursday Afternoon
September 3, 2014
The Century Town Council will hold one final budget workshop on Thursday afternoon at 3:00. The budget is set for a first reading at a regular council meeting at 7 p.m. on September 8 before the new budget fiscal year begins on October 1.
The Town of Century’s budget for the current fiscal year is $4.38 million.
Pictured: The Century Town Council and accountant Robert Hudson (purple shirt) discuss the town’s budget at budget session last month. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Northview To Host Mini-Majorette Clinic
September 3, 2014
The Northview High School Majorettes will host a Mini-Majorette Clinic this Saturday, September 6th from 8-11 a.m. and September 11th from 4-5 p.m.
The clinic will teach students baton tricks, skills, and a baton routine that they will perform at pregame during the Northview vs Chipley game on September 12th. The clinic is open to any student from 5 years of age to 8th grade. Students must bring their own baton due to limited extras. The cost will be $25 per child and includes the clinic, a t-shirt, admission to the home game and a performance before kick-off.
If interested, registration is on September 6th between 7:30-8 a.m.in the Northview band room, just before the Saturday practice. Registration fees are due on September 6 to ensure that t-shirts are available on time. Call (850) 380-2531 for more information.
Snacks and drinks will be provided on the Saturday practice, but students are encouraged to bring something of their own.
Pictured top: Northview High School majorettes Julie Hester, Brianna Smith and Hanna Mascaro. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Juvenile Warrant Sweep Leads To 64 Arrests
September 3, 2014
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 64 people on 71 outstanding warrants during a juvenile warrant sweep.
The 64 arrested included both juveniles and legal guardians who were taken into custody on warrants that included charges from violation of probation to grand theft to burglary. Prior to the warrant sweep, the individuals were contacted by mail and given an opportunity to turn themselves in.
The Department of Juvenile Justice closed at the end of April due to flooding and just re-opened in mid-August. That led to the Sheriff’s Office concentrating on the juvenile warrants, the department said.
Volleyball: Baldwin County Tops Northview
September 3, 2014
Baldwin County High School of Bay Minette, AL, defeated the Northview Lady Chiefs in JV and varsity action Tuesday in Bratt.
Junior Varsity
20-25, 12-25 – Baldwin County wins
Varsity
23-25, 20-25, 25-22, 20-25 – Baldwin County wins
On Thursday, the Northview Chiefs will be on the road at Freeport. The JV plays at 4:00, varsity at 5:00.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Flood Survivor Cantonment Interviews Begin
September 3, 2014
Volunteer interviewers will meet with flood survivors beginning today in Cantonment to help individuals connect with resources and gain a clear picture of what it will take to recover.
BRACE and the Escambia County Long-Term Recovery Group have requested the services of a national disaster recovery group to determine who in the community will not be able to rebuild and recover without assistance.
A team of World Renew volunteers will conduct one-on-one interviews with flood survivors at Allen Memorial United Methodist Church at 200 Pace Parkway in Cantonment from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m on Friday, September 5; Monday, September 8; Wednesday, September 10; and Friday, September 12. An appointment is not necessary.
The process will help to prioritize individual and family needs and connect survivors with organizations offering long-term support. Several voluntary organizations have committed to sending volunteer reconstruction teams to the community to assist survivors in their recovery once the needs can be defined and prioritized. Those volunteer organizations will be assisting survivors with unmet disaster caused needs with reconstruction.
Interview questions are straightforward and should not require residents to supply any paperwork, although if flood survivors do have a FEMA number, they are asked to bring that with them to the center.
For more information contact the Escambia County Long-Term Recovery Group, at (850) 292-8024 or email brace@bereadyalliance.org.
Eric “Henry” Amos
September 3, 2014
Dr. Eric “Henry” Amos, age 72, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 1, 2014, at his home in Molino.
Henry was born on “a day of infamy”, December 7, 1941. He was raised in Baton Rouge, LA where he attended Catholic High School. He went to college at LSU and finished medical school at LSU in New Orleans. He completed a residency in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at Baptist Hospital in Memphis, TN. He then completed a residency in Radiation Oncology at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL, where he became Chief Resident and was honored with the “Superior Accomplishment Award” and the “Best Resident’s Paper Award”.
After completing his training in 1971, he accepted a position with the Medical Center Clinic in Pensacola, FL, where he practiced for more than 30 years and treated almost 15,000 patients. While in private practice, Henry published several papers in prestigious medical journals on various topics including new radiation techniques for head and neck cancer, pioneering breast conservation therapy, and the use of radiation for colon cancer. He was awarded the Honor of “Fellow” of the American College of Radiology, which is awarded to less than 20% of all Radiation Oncologists. He was a long-standing member of the American College of Radiation Oncology, the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology, the Florida Radiological Society, the American Medical Association, and the Florida Medical Association. He was selected as one of “The Best Doctors in America” by each: American Health, Woodward White Publishers, and Good Housekeeping Magazine.
During his medical practice, he designed and developed five radiation facilities in the region. He also personally purchased one of the first linear accelerators, a machine used to deliver high-energy radiation for treating patients, in private practice in the United States.
Henry attempted to retire multiple times, but an intense love of medicine and care for his patients brought him back to active clinical practice a total of five times. He returned to practice with 21st Century Oncology in Okaloosa County, the Cancer Center of Southern Alabama, Urology Partners of Lakewood Ranch, FL, Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, as well as joining the staff at the University of Florida Radiation Oncology Department where he headed the Radiation Pediatric Oncology Section.
His personal interests included sculpting, drawing, and writing poetry and books. His most recent publications include: “A Few Poems Along the Way”, “My Mother’s Soul”, “My First 30 Years”, and “An Outline of the History of Western Philosophy”. He enjoyed pecan farming (cultivating over 2000 trees), breeding Limousine Cattle, upland bird hunting, the Colorado mountains, and especially the waters of the Gulf Coast where he spent countless hours exploring, boating and fishing. In his younger years he had his private pilot’s license and participated in several triathlons.
He is survived by his wife, Glenda Jo (Adams) Amos of Molino; children, Warren Richard Amos of Destin, Frances Corrine Amos of New York, NY, and Stacey Leigh Mason of Pensacola; five grandchildren including Haleigh Jo Mason (21), Eric Berton Amos (21), Mack Selser Amos (17), Ella Elizabeth Amos (12), and Savannah Leigh Amos (18 mo). He is also survived by his brothers, Wayne Amos of Baton Rouge, LA and Augusta Martin Smith; two sisters, Hilda McBride of Alexandria, LA and Louise Enochs of Lexington, KY; daughter-in-law, Shannon Leach Amos of Destin; brother-in-law, Mike Adams of Pensacola; brother- and sister-in-law, Mark and Karen Adams of Pensacola; and numerous nephews, nieces, friends, and colleagues.
He was predeceased by his mother, Corrine “Macu” Voorhies Smith of Baton Rouge; his stepfather, Warren “Pops” Smith of Baton Rouge; and his father, Ralph Wayne Amos of Houston, TX.
A memorial visitation will be held Saturday, September 6, 2014, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Faith Chapel North Funeral Home in Cantonment.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice of Northwest Florida and the American Cancer Society are appreciated.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Animal Shelter Cat Adoptions Resume
September 2, 2014
The Escambia County Animal Shelter has resumed cat adoptions. Adoption were suspended last Friday as a result of widespread upper respiratory infections in the shelter’s feline population.
Over the past several days, cats with upper respiratory infections have been treated and tested by the shelter’s medical staff.
Anyone looking to provide a forever home for a cat is encouraged to visit the Escambia County Animal Shelter during regular business hours, Tuesday through Saturday from noon until 6 p.m.
Also, anyone who has a lost an animal can visit the shelter to see if their cat or dog has been taken to the shelter.
For more information, please contact the Escambia County Animal Shelter at (850) 595 – 3075.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Brownfields Program Turns Polluted Sites Into Economic Potential
September 2, 2014
The Florida Brownfields Program facilitates redevelopment and job creation by empowering communities, local governments and other stakeholders to work together to assess, clean up and reuse sites that may have been previously impacted by pollutants. Brownfields are properties where expansion, redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of environmental pollution.
Established in 1997, the Florida Brownfields Redevelopment Program utilizes economic and regulatory incentives to encourage the use of private revenue to restore and redevelop sites, create new jobs and boost the local economy. Partners in the Florida Brownfields Redevelopment Program include local governments, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Economic Opportunity and Enterprise Florida, Inc.
In Escambia County, one of the largest Brownfields areas is the entire town limits of Century.
The former Alger-Sullivan Company lumber mill site on Front Street was first listed as an individual Brownfields site, and the designation was later expanded to the entire town.
From about 1900 until the late 1960’s, Alger Sullivan operated their lumber mill on the site. Various companies, including Wayne Dalton Corporation, manufactured wooded doors at the facility from about 1971 until 1992. As part of the manufacturing process, the wooden doors were dipped in pentachlorophenol wood preservative; the contamination of the property was associated with a release from the dipping tank.
Cleanup of groundwater and soils was conducted and a conditional closure was issued by DEP in 2009, indicating no further remediation of the property was necessary as long as the registered engineering and land use controls were maintained.
Other companies have expressed interest in the property after cleanup, but none have opened in the facility. A recent state report says a sale is under negotiation on the property, but the realtor that represents the property owner said the there are no offers pending on the property.
In late 2005, the Century Town Council took advantage of a state provision allowing them to expand the Brownfields designation to the entire town as an economic development tool. The designation provides bonuses for job creation, loan guarantees, sales tax credits and other incentives for qualified businesses to locate in the town.
“Florida’s Brownfields Program continues to facilitate the successful redevelopment of underutilized areas throughout the state,” said Jorge Caspary, director of the Division of Waste Management. “This program not only makes it possible to mitigate contaminated sites, but also creates jobs and stimulates the economy in the process.”
Since inception of the program, 75 contaminated sites have been cleaned up, more than 65,000 confirmed and projected direct and indirect jobs have been created and $2.5 billion in capital investment has been made in designated brownfield areas, according to data released recently by the state. To make the program’s incentives available to a community, a local government must designate a brownfields area by resolution. Local governments have designated 362 current brownfield areas statewide.
Century is also an Enterprise Zone, providing qualifying businesses with various tax credits and incentives.
Pictured top: The former Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company Brownsfield site in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Commissioners Revise Meeting Schedule
September 2, 2014
The Board of County Commissioners’ (BCC) Agenda Review regularly scheduled for Thursday, September 4, has been cancelled.
The revised schedule for Thursday, September 4, is:
- 9 a.m. – Public Forum
- 9:30 a.m. – Regular BCC Meeting
Additional Board meetings held in September are as follows:
Tuesday, September 9:
- 5:01 p.m. – First BCC Public Hearing on the Proposed 2014/2015 Fiscal Year Budget
- 5:02 p.m. – Meeting to adopt the special assessments for MSBUs
- 5:03 p.m. – Special BCC Meeting
Thursday, September 11
- 9 a.m. – Committee of the Whole
Tuesday, September 23
- 5:01 p.m. – Second BCC Public Hearing on the Proposed 2014/2015 Fiscal Year Budget
- 5:02 p.m. – Special BCC Meeting
Thursday, September 25
- 9 a.m. – Agenda Review
- 4:30 p.m. – Public Forum
- 5:30 p.m. – Regular BCC Meeting
All BCC meetings will take place in the Board Chambers, first floor, 221 Palafox Place, Pensacola.