Escambia County To Hold Job Opportunity Fairs
February 20, 2015
The Escambia County Human Resource Department will host a series of Job Opportunity Fairs for a total of 28 positions. These positions include Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) workers, maintenance workers and maintenance technicians, both for summer employment and temporary positions.
Below is a listing of the dates and times for the Job Opportunity Fairs:
Tuesday, February 24, from 9 to 11 a.m., Woodlands Heights, 111 Berkley Drive, Pensacola
Tuesday, February 24, from 1 to 3 p.m., Lexington Terrace, 700 South Old Corry Field Road, Pensacola
Wednesday, February 25, from 9 to 11 a.m., Ebonwood Comm. Center, 3511 West Scott Street, Pensacola
Thursday, February 26, from 9 to 11 a.m., Molino Community Center , 6450 Highway 95-A, North, Molino
Thursday, February 26, from 1 to 3 p.m., Beulah Sr. Citizen Center, 7425 Woodside Drive, Pensacola
Governor Appoints Cantonment Man To Early Learning Coalition
February 20, 2015
Thursday, Gov. Rick Scott announced the appointment of Drew Hardgrave of Cantonment to the Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County.
Hardgrave, 31, is an insurance agent with Hiles McLeod Insurance. He fills a vacant seat and is appointed for a term beginning February 19, 2015, and ending April 30, 2016.
The Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County works to identify and meet the needs of children and families to lay the foundation for lifetime success by maximizing each child’s potential, preparing children to enter school ready to learn, and helping families achieve economic self-sufficiency.
Tate Aggies To Open 2015 Football Season In Biloxi
February 20, 2015
The Tate High School Aggies first football game of 2015 will be on the road at Biloxi High School.
In making the announcement, the Tate Quarterback club said the Showband of the South with join the team on the road trip. The date, times, student buses and a contract rate hotel are expected to be announced soon.
International Paper Again Named One Of ‘America’s Most Admired Companies’
February 20, 2015
International Paper has been named by FORTUNE magazine once again as one of “America’s Most Admired Companies” for the 12th time in the past 13 years.
“This is a tremendous accomplishment for our more than 430 dedicated employees here at the Pensacola Mill, who come to work every day looking to make a difference”, said Brett De Jong, Pensacola mill manager. “Congratulations to all of our employees for achieving this recognition once again and making a difference for all of us here in Northwest Florida.”
Out of the nine key attributes on which companies are judged, International Paper took the top spot in four of those categories within its industry. Those categories included, people management, use of corporate assets, financial soundness and global competitiveness.
Poarch Creek Indians Receive $1.55 Million Housing Grant
February 20, 2015
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians in Atmore have received a $1.55 million federal housing grant.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Thursday announced the $1,555,886 Indian Housing Block Grant for the Poarch Creeks. The award was part of $651 million in grants awarded nationwide to 586 Native American tribes in 34 states.
IHBG allocations are distributed each year to eligible Indian tribes or their tribally designated housing entities for a range of affordable housing activities. The funds primarily benefit low-income families living on Indian reservations or in other American Indian and Alaska Native communities. The amount of each grant is based on a formula that considers local needs and housing units under management by the tribe or designated entity.
Eligible activities for the funds include housing development, assistance to housing developed under the Indian Housing Program of the 1937 Housing Act, housing services to eligible families and individuals, housing management services, crime prevention and safety, and model activities that provide creative approaches to solving affordable housing problems.
East Beats West In All-Star Soccer
February 20, 2015
The East beat the West in both boys and girls all-star soccer Thursday night at Brosnaham Park..
In girls’ action, the East topped the West 6-4, and the East Boys beat the West 6-1. Teams were made up of the best high school senior players from the West — Escambia County, and the East — Santa Rosa and Okaloosa County.
Pictured top are Tate High School members of the West Girls team: Emily McAfee, Molly Pearce, Jennifer Clyde and Alexa Harmon.
Team members were as follows:
WEST GIRLS
Catholic — Gretchen Cagle, Midfield/GK
Catholic — Taylor Kukes, Forward
Escambia — Alexandria Krempin-Dykes, Midfield
Escambia — Moira Leonard, Goalkeeper
Pensacola — Lauren Pederson, Defender
Pensacola — Alex Allen, Wing/Striker
Pine Forest — Anna Legassey, Forward/Midfield
Pine Forest — Mandy Jackson, Midfield
Tate — Hannah Hargett, F/M
Tate — Alexa Harmon, Defender
Tate — Jennifer Clyde, D/M
Tate — Emily McAfee, Defender
Tate — Molly Pearce, Defender
Washington — Mallory Lurate, Goalkeeper
Washington — Natalie Williams, Midfield
Washington — Madison King, Defender
Washington — Mariah Bush, Midfield
West Florida — Brianna Schubeck, Forward/Midfield
West Florida — Morgan Duckworth, Goalkeeper
West Florida — Morgan Herpel, Defender
West Florida — Jordan Sortino, Defense
West Florida — Sommer Johnson, Midfield
WEST BOYS
Catholic — Harrison Carroll, Center Half/Utility
Catholic — Chandler Dixon, Midfield
Catholic — Taylor Evans, R/L Back, R/L Mid
Escambia — Patrick Mackovic, Def. mid-central
Escambia — Zach Slavin, Outside defender
Escambia — Paul Worshop, Wing/Midfield
Pensacola — Warren Curtiss Thies, Goalkeeper
Pensacola — Abdullah Alsaqr, Forward
Pensacola — Logan Patterson, Wing/Midfield
Pine Forest — Hunter Reavis, Right Wing
Tate — Kyle Capehart, Back
Tate — Keller Blaichard, Midfield
Washington — Chris Searcy, Forward
Washington — Evan Sheltry, Mid/defender
Washington — Jake Brown, Forward
Washington — Ben Stevens, Right Back
Washington — Bennett Gaston, Midfield
Washington — Keimon Johnson, Center Back
West Florida — Austin Boswell, Center Back
West Florida — Kai Estrada, Midfield
West Florida — Daniel Bowers, Goalkeeper
West Florida — Luan Nguyen, Forward
EAST GIRLS
Choctaw — Dani Weyer, Striker/center mid
Choctaw — Sydney Oliver, Center Back
Choctaw — Kayla Douglas, Forward, Outside Mid
Choctaw — Kelsey Douglas, Outside Mid
Fort Walton — Kierstin Creese, Center Defender
Fort Walton — Torie Greene, Center Forward
Fort Walton — Shelby Campbell, Midfield
Gulf Breeze — Veronica Williamson, Outside Mid/Forward
Gulf Breeze — Jessie Droogsma, Goal Keeper
Milton — Jenna Wade, Forward/Midfielder
Milton — Skylar Elsperman, Outside Midfield
Milton — Mariah Holt, Defender
Navarre — Rylie Slaybaugh, Center Mid
Navarre — Jessica Cook, Center Back
Niceville — Cassie Willis, Defender
Niceville — Jessica Chavis, Outside Mid/Forward
Niceville — Mandi Balcuinas, Forward
Niceville — Eli Craft, Honorary Captain
Pace — Hannah Abrams, Forward
Pace — Claire Taylor, Forward/Midfielder
Pace — Serena Colvin, Wide Back/Wide Mid
Pace — Kiersten Richardson, Center Back
Rocky Bayou — Shanon Barkman, Forward
EAST BOYS
Choctaw — Sean Hoffstatter, Forward
Choctaw — Shane Nicholson, Forward
Choctaw — Kahlee Wilson, Def. Mid
Choctaw — Luke Hambleton, Center Back
Choctaw — Brandon Castelin, Center Back
Crestview — Trent Simmons, Def/Mid
Crestview — Bryce Webb, Def/Mid
Fort Walton — Santiago Alvarado, Center Mid/CFWD
Fort Walton — Juan Pablo Rodriguez, FWD/LB
Gulf Breeze — Kyle Overlade, Defender/Ctr. Mid
Gulf Breeze — Matthew Cutler, Off. Mid/ Forward
Milton — Patrick Greene, Forward
Milton — Jonathan Pool, Defender
Navarre — Mason Goodnough, Goalkeeper
Navarre — Amuia Alford, GK/Forward
Navarre — Kameron Bethell, Midfield
Navarre — Robert Madril, Midfield/Forward
Navarre — Brandon Capenia, Midfield
Navarre — Malcolm Valdes, Midfield
Niceville — Michael Nalovic, Defender
Pace — Alex Brock, CB
Rocky Bayou — Cameron Esses, Midfield/Striker
Molino Park Names Volunteers, Partner Of The Year
February 20, 2015
Volunteers were honored during a luncheon Thursday at Molino Park Elementary School.
Volunteers of the year were announced, including Rachel Bradley, adult volunteer; Carolyn Cropper, senior adult volunteer; and Alianna Davis, youth volunteer. Jimmy’s Grill was named Molino Park’s Partner of the Year.
“There is no possible way that we can accomplish all that needs to be accomplished to grow God’s most precious gift, our children, without the helping hands and loving hearts of our volunteers,” Molino Park Principal Alice Woodward said. “We are very thankful for all of our volunteers.”
Another Pot Hearing Sought To Clear Up Proposed Rule
February 20, 2015
The Florida Department of Health will hold another hearing to clear up confusion about a proposed medical marijuana rule published after a marathon meeting earlier this month.
The department’s Office of Compassionate Use released the latest proposal after a hand-picked panel spent 25 hours over two days hashing out the plan during a rare “negotiated rule” workshop on Feb. 4 and 5. Health officials ordered the workshop after an administrative law judge tossed their previous attempt at a rule, finding fault with the agency’s plan to use a lottery to select five licensees to get the state’s new medical-marijuana industry off the ground.
On Wednesday, John Dial asked the department to hold a rule workshop on the new proposal. Dial, who was not on the 12-member panel picked by Office of Compassionate Use Director Patricia Nelson and did not attend the meetings, said he requested the workshop — which would be the fifth public meeting on the issue — to address what he called ambiguities in the proposed regulations.
Dial said he is part of a team called “Florida Organic Products,” made up of investors, a nursery that would be eligible for a license, doctors and other health care professionals, accountants and plant-tissue experts.
“There was just some ambiguous language in there that I think should be clarified before we start throwing cash at something that you don’t even know what the return on investment is,” Dial, a Stuart yacht broker, said.
The Legislature and Gov. Rick Scott last year approved a law that allowed limited types of medical marijuana and required the Department of Health to come up with the regulations. The law passed after heavy lobbying by parents who said certain strains of medical marijuana could help children suffering from severe forms of epilepsy.
Under the law, health officials will select five nurseries that have been in business for at least 30 continuous years in Florida and cultivate at least 400,000 plants to grow, process and distribute cannabis that is low in euphoria-inducing tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, and high in cannabadiol, or CBD, for patients who suffer from severe spasms or cancer.
The law ordered health officials to select five “vertically-integrated” entities by Jan. 1in the hope that the low-THC product, usually delivered in paste or oil form, would be on the market by early spring. But because of the earlier legal challenges, patients likely won’t be able to get the pot until this fall at the earliest.
Dial said that one of the major changes in the latest proposal floated by health officials has prompted him to put plans — a $3 million investment — on hold, at least for now.
That sticking point involves where the applicants will be able to grow, process and distribute their products. Under the original plan, all of the operations would have been required to take place at the same locale where a nursery is registered with the Department of Agriculture to grow the 400,000 plants that would make it eligible for a marijuana license.
But under the latest proposal, “dispensing organizations” could cultivate the cannabis at one location, process it at another and sell the final product at one or more retail locations.
And the pot would not have to be grown at the same place where the nursery is currently doing business, meaning that growers could apply in any of the state’s five regions, although nurseries could only be awarded a single marijuana-growing license.
The guidelines in the proposed rule instruct applicants to include details about the location of all properties they propose to use to cultivate, process and dispense low-THC cannabis and the derivative product, “including ownership information for the properties and any lease terms if applicable.”
For leased properties, applicants must also include documentation that the owner of the property is aware that marijuana will be grown, cultivated or dispensed there.
“They’re talking about leasing properties. Does that mean if we’re in the central division but I’ve got four warehouses that I can lease in the southeast division because it’s more cost effective to do so? That’s a question that I certainly would like to have clarified. The way I read that, it’s very ambiguous. Does that mean we grow it on our nursery ground but we can lease a processing room someplace else because you don’t have a clean room there?” Dial said in an interview with The News Service of Florida.
Dial said he and his group expected to invest at least $3 million in the project.
“I’ve called a halt and put everything on hold because I don’t want to be one of the first five,” Dial said. “Unless I get some better answers on this, I just can’t roll the dice like that.”
Allowing nurseries to apply outside of the regions in which they currently operate creates uncertainty for smaller or mid-size growers, said Ron Watson, a lobbyist who represents the Florida Medical Cannabis Association and other entities interested in the nascent pot industry.
“It’s going to drastically change who’s competing against whom in any region. We all have a main list (of eligible nurseries) but what none of us know is where their other properties are. And if I apply in all regions, it’s going to cost me $300,000,” Watson said. The proposed rule sets the application fee at $60,063.
Watson is working on a “glitch” bill in the Legislature to address some of the issues causing concern among potential applicants. The law allows dispensing organizations and patients, but not testing labs, to possess the plants or the final product.
Under the proposed rule, applicants will be graded on whether they have a relationship with an independent lab “with cannabis testing and protocols.” That relationship is one of myriad items, such as financial documents proving that applicants can stay in business for at least two years, evaluators will use to determine who gets one of the five licenses.
“I don’t know how you’re going to get around the lab issue. Each nursery has to prove they have some relationship with a lab. But the labs are not allowed to be in legal possession. And if I have to hire them as an employee, can I fire them if I don’t like the test results?” Watson said.
Watson said he wasn’t surprised by the request for a hearing, also anticipated by Nelson. When she published the rule on Feb. 6 in the Florida Administrative Register, Nelson set the date for a hearing, if requested, for March 2 at the Department of Health in Tallahassee.
“To me what’s more intriguing is not hearing everybody get up and complain again, it’s seeing what the department decides to do afterward,” Watson said. “Do they make a change? Do they republish this as a final rule and then does anybody choose to challenge that?”
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Barth Road, Brickyard Road Railroad Crossing Closed
February 20, 2015
The Florida Highway Patrol is reporting the railroad crossing at Barth Road and Brickyard Road near Molino is closed due to maintenance. Drivers should use an alternative route.
No time frame for the project and closure has been announced.
Hit And Run Driver Plows Through House
February 19, 2015
The Florida Highway Patrol is looking for a hit and run driver that crashed into a house early this morning in Escambia County.
The driver of a 2004 Honda Accord was eastbound on Burgess Road near Confederate Drive when they left the roadway and struck a house in the 6300 block of Confederate Drive. The Accord hit a garage door, traveled east through the structure and exited through a west wall. The driver then fled the scene.
Anyone with information on the 3 a.m. crash should contact Trooper Joshua Tucker at joshuatucker@flhsmv.gov.