Walnut Hill VFD Honors Firemen During Annual Fish Fry
November 8, 2015
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department honored members of the community and the department during a record-setting 46th annual fish fry Saturday.
Dee Guy was named Firefighter of the Year, an award chosen by her fellow firefighters. Kevin Mininger as name Officer of the Year and recognized for his years of service to the department. Escambia River Electric Cooperative received the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department’s Community Service Award for outstanding and dedicated service to the community.
Hundreds of people enjoyed fried catfish or grilled chicken plates during the event, with proceeds to be used to provide assistance to displaced fire victims in the area. OneBlood’s Big Red Bus was also on hand for a blood drive.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
More Rain, Then Temperatures Moderate
November 8, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 57. Northeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of rain before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Patchy fog after 3am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 51. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Veterans Day: Sunny, with a high near 81. South wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest after midnight.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 70. West wind around 5 mph becoming north in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 67.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.
Arts, Crafts And Car Show Held In Molino (With Gallery)
November 8, 2015
The Fourth Annual Open Car Show and Arts/Craft Show was held Saturday at Highland Baptist Church in Molino. The top and best in class vehicles were awarded, numerous vendors were one hand and there free activities for children.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power’s Storm And Training Center Captures Awards
November 8, 2015
After Hurricane Ivan hit Pensacola as a Category 3 storm in 2004, Gulf Power employees knew that in the future they would need a true storm center from where they could lead customer restoration efforts.
Jump ahead to 2015 — Gulf Power’s storm center, designed to withstand a Category 5 hurricane and winds up to 200 mph, has received one of the top awards for its design and durability.
“The awards are significant, but the bottom line is this center is a modern hub that will help us restore power to our customers more quickly and safely after a major storm,” said Rick DelaHaya, Gulf Power spokesperson. “And the majority of the year, our employees train there for their day-to-day duties.”
Referred to as “rugged, reliable, beautiful and sustainable” by Precast Concrete Institute, Gulf Power’s “Douglas L. McCrary Storm & Training Center” was recently awarded first place in the Category of Sustainable Design for their 2015 Design Awards. The Precast Concrete Institute is the technical organization for the pre-cast and pre-stressed concrete industry. PCI conducts research and development, publishes technical manuals and provides technical resources for the precast concrete industry.
Opened in 2014, the 30,300-square-foot building was built with pre-cast concrete walls, roof and framework to sustain 200-mph winds of a Category 5 hurricane.
Primarily designed as a training center with state-of-the-art classrooms and meeting rooms, the building can quickly transform into a central emergency operations center to coordinate customer restoration efforts after a hurricane or other natural disaster.
Jim Fletcher, Gulf Power’s vice president of external affairs and corporate services, said the employees involved in the project, as well as the design firm, Townes + Architects, P.A., and the builder, The Morette Company, had one goal in mind: build a sustainable center where crews and employees could be coordinated to get customers power back on quickly after a major storm.
“When we look at restoring customers’ power after a tropical storm or hurricane, we want to be able to do it in the most efficient way possible,” Fletcher said. “All the teams worked well together keeping this in mind and this facility serves our customers using sustainable design and construction.”
The facility also received LEED Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED — Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is an internationally recognized green building certification system, which recognizes buildings designed and constructed in an environmentally sustainable manner, providing energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality and stewardship of natural resources.
Among the features that helped the building achieve LEED certification is a geothermal HVAC system, four charging stations for electric vehicles and LED lighting that illuminates the parking lot.
According to Ben Townes, principal architect for the project, the pre-cast concrete design also helped the building achieve LEED certification, since it included both recycled material and is fully recyclable, contributing to the overall sustainability of the project by providing durability and reducing maintenance.
“We had to be very innovative to achieve the LEED points to become certified,” said Townes. “It was truly a team effort, — that’s what made the project so successful.”
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Third Time No Charm For Lawmakers
November 8, 2015
There is no joy in Mudville — mighty Casey has struck out.
Florida lawmakers quit the Capitol this week without completing their assignment, proving that the third time isn’t the charm, at least as far as Sunshine State politics is concerned.
Unlike the poetic protagonist’s denouement, the failure of the two chambers to agree on a new Senate map came as no surprise to anyone who’s been paying the slightest attention to the goings-on in Tallahassee this year.
But, shortly before the Senate killed the leadership-backed plan with a vote that wasn’t even close, two longtime foes delivered some astonishing news that, for many, overshadowed the yawn-inducing end to another failed special session.
After three brutal years, Republican Sen. Jack Latvala finally gave up the ghost Thursday, ceding the future gavel to his onetime nemesis, Joe Negron. Latvala will take over as the chamber’s budget chief after the 2016 elections, while Negron will stand at the podium as president.
What the rapprochement will bring to a fractured Senate — perhaps even more sharply at odds with its House counterpart — remains to be seen.
SAME AS IT EVER WAS
For the third time this year, the clock ran out on a legislative session without lawmakers sealing the deal.
But, unlike the previous sessions where the House and Senate couldn’t strike an accord about the budget and a congressional map, leaders in the two chambers were united in pointing the finger at someone else for their failure to pass a Senate redistricting plan.
Instead of blaming each other, GOP leaders blamed a pair of voter-approved constitutional amendments that ban political gerrymandering in legislative and congressional redistricting. Lawmakers argued that the “Fair Districts” amendments had become an almost unworkable maze of sometimes contradictory standards that ignored the need to draw together communities with common interests.
On a 23-16 vote late Thursday afternoon, the Senate killed the House version of a proposed Senate the map (SJR 2-C) and, with it, any hope that the Legislature would decide the lines. Nine Senate Republicans bucked their party’s leadership and joined all 14 Democrats in opposing the plan.
“Having been living intimately in this world, I have concluded that the amendments to our Constitution pulled the soul out of map drawing, pulled the soul out of districts,” said Senate Reapportionment Chairman Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton.
In brief remarks to his colleagues at the close of the session, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli also suggested that the authors of the amendments had used a noble goal to create gridlock.
“This has certainly been a difficult time, and I truly believe there are those who have set out to do everything they can to produce chaos and confusion and truly make this impossible to succeed and make us have a hard time succeeding in this effort,” Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, said.
But David King, an attorney for the League of Women Voters of Florida and Common Cause, which have led redistricting legal battles against the Legislature, had a different take.
“The Legislature has fought the Fair Districts Amendments from the moment they were introduced,” King said. “By blaming the amendments, rather than themselves, they are simply perpetuating their opposition to the will of the people and engaging in the very conduct that Florida voters clearly wanted to eliminate from our state.”
The redistricting issue will go to Leon County Circuit Judge George Reynolds, who likely will consider proposed maps from the Legislature and the voting-rights organizations, with Reynolds ultimately recommending a plan to the Florida Supreme Court.
LATVALA, NEGRON BURY THE HATCHET
The bitter intra-party battle over who will take over the chamber after Senate President Andy Gardiner’s term ends next November quietly drew to a close Thursday when Latvala ceded the race to Negron.
The struggle has shaded the Senate’s politics — and policies — for more than three years, affecting previous GOP leaders’ priorities and resulting in bad blood between Republicans who control the chamber. As recently as last week, it played a part in a verbal throw-down between the sharp-tongued Latvala and the equally acerbic Sen. Don Gaetz, a former Senate president and close Negron ally.
In exchange for Latvala giving up his quest to become president after the 2016 elections, Negron agreed to let the more-moderate Latvala serve as the powerful chairman of the Senate’s budget committee.
Standing beside Negron after a tense floor debate Thursday over the failed Senate redistricting plan, Latvala told reporters he withdrew after realizing that the rancor over the race had reached “a boiling point” characterized by some of his colleagues as a “low point” for the chamber as an institution.
“As someone who has made a lot of my life here, that really disturbed me greatly,” Latvala, a veteran political consultant from Clearwater, said. “…It just dawned on me that I, for one, have not been paying as much attention to policy issues here in the Senate as I should have been. I’ve been totally consumed in the political side of being in the Senate but not in the policy side. That’s what people sent us here to do. It just occurred to me that we needed to start focusing on what the people sent us here to do, trying to solve some of the problems.”
Negron, who held a narrow lead in the race, praised Latvala for “bringing this to a conclusion in a way that’s honorable.”
Negron said he is “optimistic” that Latvala’s concession would help Republicans unite.
“I think it’s important that as a caucus and as a Senate that we’re able to come together to work on common initiatives that we all support,” Negron, a lawyer from Stuart, said. “There will be differences from time to time on policy items, but our goal always was that the caucus family would come together.”
STORY OF THE WEEK: Florida’s GOP-dominated Legislature failed to approve a new Senate redistricting plan, leaving a preliminary decision about the map to a Tallahassee judge.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “It’s like a load is lifted off my shoulders.” Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, after his decision to withdraw from the race against Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, to become Senate president late next year.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Ernest Ward Honors Veterans (With Gallery)
November 7, 2015
Ernest Ward Middle School paused to honor veterans from the across the area Friday morning.
During an emotional display. the students prepared a small, white table with a place setting for one in front of an empty black chair. The ceremony represented the never-ending hope for the return of MIA soldiers. The program also included patriotic music, an armed forces salute and the presentation of colors from the Northview High School NJROTC.
Students also presented “Moments in Time” — reading the personal stories submitted by local veterans.
The families of veterans Joel Day and Elmer Neal were presented patriotic wreaths in their memories.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle Students Hold Mock Election
November 7, 2015
Seventh grade students at Ransom Middle school had a real-world lesson on voting Friday, using real-world voting equipment, and voted on their choice for the next president.
Ransom Civics teacher Lauren Samoszenko teamed up with David Stafford and the staff of the Supervisor of Elections Office to create a real election experience for her students. They voted using real ballots and voting machines.
For simplicity, four candidates were listed on the ballot — the top two polling Republicans top two Democrats at the time the ballots were printed. Students voted for Ben Carson for president almost two to one over the other three candidates. Results were as follows:
- Ben Carson 186
- Donald Trump 94
- Hillary Clinton 59
- Bernie Sanders 41
- Write-in 2
Students also voted on a proposed constitutional amendment regarding voter registration. If passed, the amendment would restore the voting rights of Floridians with felony convictions after they complete all terms of their sentence, including parole or probation. Those convicted of murder or severe offenses would not have their voting rights restore. Ransom students voted to approve the amendment, 244-140.
In a local “school question”, 362 students indicated that they have internet access at home while 22 indicated that they do not.
“We chose this question because we are moving toward becoming a one-to-one technology district,” explained Samoszenko. “Here at Ransom Middle, we aren’t one-to-one yet, but we want to know what we’re getting into when we finally get there.”
David Stafford, Escambia County’s Supervisor of Elections, was on site and worked with the students. “The process is very similar to what their parents and teachers will experience next year when they go to the polls to vote for the presidential election. They’re checking in, they’re getting a paper ballot, they’re taking it to a voting booth and getting it tabulated on literally the same voting equipment that will be used during the next presidential election.”
“We’ve found that the earlier we get students involved and get them used to the process, the more likely they are to participate when they reach voting age, added Stafford.
Photos by Kim Stefansson and Brandy Ziglar for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rain Today, Tonight
November 7, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 60. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 66. Northeast wind around 10 mph.
Sunday Night: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 55. Northeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 66. Northeast wind around 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. East wind around 5 mph.
Veterans Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 71.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 69.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.
Escambia Man Charged With First Degree Murder Of Infant
November 7, 2015
An Escambia County man is behind bars charged with the death of a four-month-old.
Christopher Demitchie Harris is charged with first degree murder not premeditated in the death of Jehmier Booker. Booker was pronounced deceased after paramedics were called to a home located in the 300 block of Teakwood Circle on May 22, 2015.
Booker and his three-year-old sibling had been left in the care of Harris for approximately 11 hours while their mother was away.
The cause of death was ruled as blunt force trauma.
Escambia County Weekly Traffic Alerts
November 7, 2015
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
- U.S. 98 Resurfacing, Santa Rosa County – U.S. 98 between Live Oaks Village shopping center and the Gulf Breeze Zoo in Santa Rosa County. Alternating lane closures from 9 p.m. Friday, to 7 a.m. Saturday and between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. Saturday through Nov. 12. Crews will be placing the final layer of asphalt on the roadway and completing work list items.
- U.S. 98 (Garden Street) and Bruce Street Intersection, Escambia County- Lane closure at the intersection from 8 p.m. Sunday to 2 a.m. Monday as crews perform routine maintenance work.
- State Road (S.R.) 196 (Bayfront Parkway), S.R. 10A (Cervantes/Scenic Highway), S.R. 752 (Texar Drive), S.R. 95 (Palafox Street), U.S. 98 (Garden Street), S.R. 292 (Pace Boulevard), Escambia County – The Pensacola Marathon will be held from 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. along the following state routes in Escambia County. Drivers are encouraged to seek an alternate route:
- Bayfront Pkwy heading east from Ninth Avenue to 17th Avenue.
- Cervantes/Scenic Highway heading East/North from 17th Avenue to Summit Boulevard.
- Texar Drive heading West from Ninth Avenue to Palafox Street.
- Palafox Street heading south from Texar Drive to Garden Street.
- Garden Street heading west to Pace Boulevard.
- Pace Boulevard heading south to Barrancas Street.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Six Lane, Escambia County – I-10 between Davis Highway (Exit 13) and Scenic Highway (Exit 17) traffic in Escambia County, will encounter alternating lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. the week of Monday, November 9. The closures will allow crews to shift traffic to the outside to begin widening work in the median.
- I-10 Six Lane, Santa Rosa County – I-10 east and westbound between the Escambia Bay Bridge and S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) in Santa Rosa County. Alternating lane closures Sunday through Thursday through the end of 2015. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews perform construction activities.
- U.S. 98 (Garden Street) in Escambia County- Lane closures will take place on Garden Street as crews clean and video sanitary sewer lines on the following:
- Monday from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Garden Street eastbound outside lane closure at Baylen Street.
- Garden Street westbound inside lane closure at Baylen Street.
- Tuesday from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m.
- Garden Street outside lane closure at Baylen Street.
- Monday from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- S.R. 87, Santa Rosa County – The city of Milton will hold their Veterans Day parade Wednesday. S.R. 87 between Raymond Hobb Street and Berryhill Street will be closed to traffic between 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Drivers may seek an alternate route.
- I-10 Escambia Bay Bridge, Escambia County- Alternating east and westbound outside and inside lanes restrictions Tuesday through Friday. Lane closures will be in effect 8 p.m. to midnight as crews repair highway lighting.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Escambia/Santa Rosa County- Alternating outside lanes restrictions Tuesday through Friday. Lane closures will be in effect 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews repair highway lighting.
- I-110 at Fairfield Drive and Maxwell Street Exit ramps, Escambia County. Lane shift Wednesday on the Fairfield Drive off ramp (Exit 4) and Thursday Maxwell Drive off ramp (Exit 3) as crews refurbish reflective pavement markings.
- Nine Mile Road from west of I-10 to Heritage Oaks Drive, Escambia County – Eastbound and westbound lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. beginning Thursday through Nov. 22 as crews perform paving operations.
- I-110 Bridge Painting – Drivers may encounter intermittent daytime restrictions on city streets under I-110 between Maxwell and Garden Streets as crews clean the bridges. The $2.6 million rehabilitation project is anticipated to be complete summer 2016.
Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone. All planned construction activities are weather dependent and may be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.