FFA Members Attend Ag On The Hill
March 24, 2015
Students from Northview High School attended the annual “Ag On The Hill” event last week in Tallahassee. The local FFA members were able to visit with state leaders, including Sen. Greg Evers and Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam, at the Florida Capital.
Ag on the Hill is presented annually by the Florida Association of Agricultural Educators, The University of Florida and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Pictured top: With Sen. Greg Evers are Northview FFA members Haylee Waver, Mitchell Singleton, Courtney Weekly, Kaitlyn Kleinatland and Tiffany Cruce. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge. Pictured inset; Mitchell listens to Evers. Pictured below: The Northview FFA students “on the hill”. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Roll Out The Unwelcome Mat To Formosan Termites
March 24, 2015
Rep. Doug Broxson (R-Gulf Breeze) is hosting several free public workshops for area residents to learn necessary steps to protect their greatest investment from costly Formosan termite damage.
Annually, Formosan termites cause $1 billion in damage in the United States, and our surrounding areas of Escambia, of Santa Rosa and Okaloosa countis are known hot spots for these aggressive pests. Florida’s temperate climate provides a perfect environment for termites, and immediate signs of structural damage to a home may go undetected for long periods of time. Springtime serves as the breeding season for most species of termites, and Formosan termites will be swarming in May, so it is important for residents to understand what they can do in advance to protect their homes.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is collaborating with the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Science’s Extension Offices in the Panhandle to educate homeowners about Formosan termites. Homeowners can learn methods for controlling this structural pest and protecting their homes by attending one of four educational meetings being held in the month of April. Homeowners are also encouraged to bring their pest control contract to one of these workshops for review.
Specific topics include:
- Formosan termite biology including simple ways to identify them
- Available Formosan termite pest control protection for your home
- Florida law and building code pertaining to termites
- What you can do to recognize and fix the weaknesses in and around your home
- Bring your pest control contract for review by FDACS experts
Registration is encourage, but not required, for meetings that will be held as follows:
Escambia County Meeting
Tuesday, April 7, 6 – 8 p.m. at Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment. Contact Beth Bolles to register: bbolles@ufl.edu or (850) 475-5230.
South Santa Rosa County Meeting
Thursday, April 9, 6- 8 p.m. at Tiger Point Community Center, 1370 Tiger Park Lane, Gulf Breeze, Contact Johanna Welch to register: Johanna.Welch@FreshFromFlorida.com or (850) 363-5845.
North Santa Rosa County Meeting
Tuesday, April 14, 2015, 6- 8 p.m. at Santa Rosa County Extension, 6263 Dogwood Drive, Milton. Contact Johanna Welch to register: Johanna.Welch@FreshFromFlorida.com or (850) 363-5845.
Photo courtesy UF/IFAS for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Learn About $106K Nonprofit Grants At IMPACT 100 Workshops
March 24, 2015
IMPACT 100 will hold its annual workshop for all nonprofits in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties at 8:00 on April 16 at the First Baptist Church, 500 North Palafox in downtown Pensacola.
The workshop will focus on the IMPACT 100 grant application process for 2015 with a review of all of the required forms and instructions for digital grant submissions. Additionally, board members, focus area chairs and co-chairs will be available after the workshop for one-on-one questions. This year, IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay area will award 10en grants of $106,000 each to nonprofit agencies in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
This year’s workshop will include a special guest speaker, Keisha Rivers Shorty, with the KARS Institute.. She is a professional speaker, educator and consultant can help write a better grant proposal. She will offer a three hour strategy session and presentation that provides tips; do’s and don’ts; practical applications; strategies; successful examples and interactive brainstorming sessions to equip attendees with the information needed to create compelling, effective and passionate grant proposals.
The full schedule for the workshop is as follows: 8:00 – 8:30 check-in; 8:30 – 11:30 presentation and interactive strategy session; 11:30 – 12:30 IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area process overview Light refreshments will be provided.
The workshop is free, but registration is required and can be completed online at www.impact100pensacola.org.
Central Water Works Moving Toward Planned System Improvements
March 24, 2015
Improvements are ahead for customers of Central Water Works.
The utility held a a public meeting Monday evening to give the public a chance to preview planned improvements that include upgrading the water main on Byrneville Road and upgrades for all of the lines that serve customers just across the state line in Alabama.
The proposed upgrades include the installation of about 13,000 linear feet of new six-inch water main along Byrneville Road, from Crary road to West Highway 4. CWW provides service to approximately 836 households and the Byrneville Elementary School. This upgrade will provide improved fire protection for the residents as well as improving the reliability of the water service by replacing aging water mains with larger mains.
Central Water Works intends to submit an application to for federal USDA funding The Escambia County Commission voted to formally express support for the project funding and certify that the project does not conflict with any land development regulations or Escambia County’s Comprehensive Plan
JV Win For Tate; JV Loss For NHS; Catholic Over NHS In Nine
March 24, 2015
West Florida 4, Northview 3 (JV)
The West Florida Jaguars defeated the Northview Chiefs in junior varsity action Monday afternoon. The Chiefs will travel to Holmes County on Tuesday; the junior varsity plays at 4:00, followed by the varsity at 6:30.
Tate 11, Sheffield 1 (JV)
Tate 12, Sheffield 1 (JV)
The Tate Aggies junior varsity took both games of a double header against Sheffield Monday night. Tate’s 9th grade team hosts Navarre tonight at 6:00.
SOFTBALL
Catholic 12, Northview 11 (9 innings)
Catholic got past Northview Monday in Pensacola 12-11 in nine innings. Hitters for Northview included Hannah Ging who was 3-3 and Penny Banda who was 3-4. The Chiefs will host Jay on Thursday; junior varsity at 4:00, varsity at 6:00.
Pictured: Northview’s junior varsity at West Florida. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Neighborhood Watch Tip Leads To Drug Arrest
March 24, 2015
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said a recent drug arrest was the result of a neighborhood watch tip.
The anonymous tipster said they wanted to help because of positive interaction with deputies, the ECSO said.
Acting on the tip, deputies stopped Chrishon Nobles and found a stash of drugs. When he was s topped, he had a total 35.36 grams of cocaine, 9.9 grams of heroin and numerous prescription medications in his possession.
Nobles was charged with charged with possession of cocaine, trafficking heroin, trafficking cocaine, four counts of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and driving while license revoked.
Authorities said he has an extensive history of arrests dating back to 2001. Nobles remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $130,000.
Failing Pavement Replaced At Escambia Fire Stations
March 23, 2015
Several Escambia County fire stations experienced pavement failure and have been upgraded with stronger pavement sections to accommodate heavier loads associated with heavy loads created by tanker trucks and fire equipment. The project included pavement upgrades at the Cantonment, Brent, Osceola and Pleasant Grove fire stations.
Pictured: Before (below) and after photos of pavement replacement at the Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Makes Land Deal To Settle Wetlands Problem
March 23, 2015
The Town of Century has made a land deal to settle a wetlands issue with Army Corps of Engineering to allow a drainage project to be completed.
The “North Century Drainage Project” included drainage improvements along Highway 29 from south of Jackson Street to north of Cottage Street. Large box culverts were previously installed under the highway, and the project called for a drainage pond on 2.7 acres in the area to the west of Highway 29.
But before project construction could begin on the 2.7 acres — designated as wetlands, the town was forced to find and maintain suitable wetlands property in exchange.
The town is purchasing 30 acres of wooded wetlands located behind their sewage treatment plant on Jefferson Avenue to offset the acreage on Highway 29. Mayor Freddie McCall said Escambia County will cover the purchase price, because of the importance of keeping Highway 29 from flooding during a hurricane evacuation.
Pictured: Large culverts were installed under a flood-prone area of Highway 29 in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Florida House Pitches $76.2 Billion Budget
March 23, 2015
The Florida House has released an initial $76.2 billion budget proposal for the fiscal year starting July 1 — a proposal that is about $800 million smaller than a spending plan released in January by Gov. Rick Scott.
While the House and Scott differ on varying elements of the budget, a key difference is that the governor’s proposal includes money for an extension of the Low Income Pool program, which sends additional funds to hospitals and other health-care providers that serve large numbers of poor and uninsured patients. The nearly $2.2 billion program is scheduled to expire June 30, and state and federal officials are negotiating about whether it will continue with changes.
House leaders said they would not count on the so-called LIP funding in their initial budget plan. The House also differs on the LIP issue from the Senate, which is expected to release its initial budget plan Friday.
The House and Senate each will pass budget proposals before holding formal talks next month on a final spending plan.
by The News Service of Florida
50 Tonight, Morning Fog Possible
March 23, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight
Patchy fog after 3am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday
Patchy fog before 7am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 75. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night
Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 55. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday
A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 79. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers after 4am. Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 58. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Thursday
A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly between 7am and 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight.
Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. North wind around 10 mph.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 58.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 38.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 66.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 48.
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 75.