County Commissioners Seek Solution To Trains Blocking Entire Neighborhoods
March 9, 2016
Local lawmakers are looking for solutions after a stalled CSX train blocked crossings from Becks Lake Road in Cantonment north to McKenzie Road in Cottage Hill Tuesday morning, leaving numerous residents unable to enter or exit their neighborhoods for hours. It was the second time in two months that the crossings were blocked for hours by a train.
Tuesday, Escambia County Commission Steven Barry called for the county and CSX to find a way around completely blocking residents from exiting their neighborhoods and from blocking emergency vehicles that might need to respond.
“The first time we have an ambulance that can’t get to a home and we have someone die from cardiac arrest,” Barry said, “I can’t imagine. It would be terrible,” Barry said. He said that he also hopes CSX will participate in the funding of any possible solution.
Tuesday’s train blockage kept many Cantonment and Cottage Hill residents at home, while others opted to risk climbing through — or even passing their children through — the stopped rail cars.
Commissioner Grover Robinson said during a Tuesday morning commissioner’s meeting that CSX needs to split trains and and open roads. “There’s got to be a way to make that happen,” he said, for public safety.
And Commissioner Wilson Robertson said he thought there was a law on the books in Escambia County to prevent trains from blocking crossings for extended periods of time. But County Attorney Alison Rogers said any such law would not likely be enforceable, if it exists, due to the wide reaching rights of railroad companies.
“The CSX folks are almost like a country unto themselves,” Rogers said. “They have unbelievable federal powers. The best solution for these is outreach and connections. It’s very difficult to enforce things against the railroad.”
Commissioners agree to have County Administrator Jack Brown reach out to CSX for any possible compromise.
Pictured top: An aerial view of the train blocking crossings in Cantonment. Image courtesy Eric McCowan for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge. Pictured below: The train blocks Becks Lake Road in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
United Way Expanding Free ‘Store’ To Century For Tornado Victims
March 9, 2016
United Way’s free “store” remains open for tornado victims, and the agency has announced that items will also be available in Century this week.
The store opened Monday and will be open daily from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m at 1301 West Government Street in Pensacola. While a number of Century residents did visit the store, United Way Director Andrea Krieger said the agency has worked with local partners to distribute supplies from in-kind goods taken from the “store” in Century.
- United Ministries will use funding provided by United Way to assist family and will also distribute supplies from the “store” to as many impacted by the February 15 Century tornado as possible on Thursday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Pilgrim Lodge Baptist Church at 7000 Jefferson Avenue.
- Healthy Start will use minimal funding from United Way to help extend hours and distribute supplies from the “store” at the Healthy Start Century office at 511 Church Street, Monday-Thursday of each week from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. while supplies last.
The free United Way “store”, and the remote locations in Century, will offer items including:
- toiletries-soap, shampoo, toothpaste, mouthwash, toothbrushes, shaving gel, razors, floss, etc.
- paper and plastic goods-paper towels, toilet paper, plastic flatware, paper plates, plastic cups, napkins, etc.
- cleaning supplies- bleach, laundry detergent, disinfecting wipes, gloves, rags, towels, trash bags, etc.
- baby items- diapers, baby wash, lotion, shampoo, pacifiers, bibs, burp cloths, starter kits, formula, bottles, etc.
- drinks- packs of water, soda, juice, Gatorade, Powerade, etc.
- other- pillows, towels, sheets, blankets, etc.
- vouchers for clothing to be selected at one of four Goodwill thrift stores locally ($2,000 in total of supplies donated)
- vouchers for nonperishable food and cases of water available for pickup at Manna (over $18,000 in total of supplies donated)
- 100 Restaurant gift cards in $25 denominations donated by Jackson Hewitt
- 15 Whataburger gift cards in $100 increments – donated by Whataburger
- towing vouchers for those with damaged vehicles
- 21 varying gift cards (grocery, retail outlets, home repair box stores) with values from $10 to $50
The items are available for free with those with assessed damage from the February 15 Century tornado, or the February 23 Pensacola tornado.
OTHER RESOURCES FOR TORNADO VICTIMS
BRACE
(Call 211 for information on how to access the electrical box reconnections being provided through a generous gift from Gulf Power)
Brace continues to coordinate with voluntary organizations active in disaster to begin plans for long-term recovery.
- Constant communication and coordination with Escambia County and Pensacola/Century City Governments, Volunteer Florida, FEMA VALs and local/national volunteer organizations responding to the tornadoes.
Catholic Charities
(Call 211 for information on how to access case management services with Catholic Charities. They are prioritizing their case work to help tornado victims first. Slots for appointments are going quickly and due to the high demand, you may not be able to see someone immediately. List of available help below):
- Food vouchers
- Life sustaining medications
- Hotel stays
- First month’s rent and deposit for new rental property
- Utilities and Utility deposits
- Clothing/household vouchers
Escambia County Healthy Start Coalition
(Call 211 for additional information on their services).
(Families in need may stop by the Healthy Start Office at 511 Church Street, Monday through Thursday from 9am to 2pm. Items available below:).
· Manna Food pantries donated baby food and cereal – Healthy Start is providing these to mothers until supplies last first come/first served.
· Goodwill and Abundant Life Outreach donated diapers and baby wipes- Healthy Start is providing these to mothers until supplies last first come/first served.
St. Vincent de Paul
(Call 211 for additional information on their services).
- Clothing vouchers for disaster victims to shop in their thrift stores
Ministry Village at Olive
(Call 211 or 850-473-4466 if you live in Escambia or Santa Rosa County)
- Assistance in the form of deposits or transfer fees for Gulf Power service not to exceed $400.00.
- Proof of being a storm victim is required and funding is limited.
United Ministries
(Call 211 or 850-433-2333)
- Assistance to those who enter into a case work relationship with them- so they can help clients manage their recovery.
- Proof of being a storm victim is required and funding is limited- they are setting aside $20,000 of their budget and applying to United Way for funding.
Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast
(Call 211 for locations of the stores close to you- vouchers are provided through 211).
- New and Used Clothing and shoes – shop in thrift store for in-kind goods donated for tornado victims
United Way – 211 Northwest Florida
(Call 211 with your needs related to the items listed below).
2-1-1 will be managing the information on the disbursement of in-kind goods collected through community drives and on where resources are available.
United Way of Escambia County encourages survivors to call 2-1-1 for resources related to their disaster needs.
Shop for donated (new) in-kind items below from 9am to 4pm at United Way of Escambia County (1301 West Government Street)
When survivors call 2-1-1, they will be offered food resources as well as clothing, toiletries and household goods from the community drives.
- New and Used Clothing and shoes (vouchers issued for victims to shop in Goodwill Easter Seals stores in Escambia County- available starting Monday the 7th)
- Non-perishable food boxes with 7 days of food (pet food) and a case of water (Manna will be disbursing these items for United Way so that the food can be stored appropriately in accordance with USDA standards).
- Tree service for those with tree removal needs
- Debris removal service
Pictured top: Volunteers from Ascend Performance Materials in Cantonment volunteer at the United Way free “store” for tornado victims in Pensacola. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
SWAT Arrests Man After Three Hour Standoff
March 9, 2016
An Escambia County man is in custody after holding deputies at bay for hours Tuesday afternoon.
Shortly before 1 p.m. Tuesday, Escambia County deputies tried to serve an aggravated assault warrant on Blue Star Drive in Ferry Pass. The suspect, Robert Schauer, barricaded himself inside his home.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team responded and tried unsuccessfully to communicate with Schauer for three hours before teargas was deployed inside the home.
When members of the SWAT team made entry into the home, they discovered Schauer’s 93 year old mother was inside. Deputies removed her from the house and she was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Schauer was found in the hallway of the home holding a handgun and he was taken into custody by force. Additional charges are pending at this time.
The Way We Worked: Molino To Host Smithsonian Exhibition
March 9, 2016
West Florida Public Libraries and the Molino Mid-County Historical Society will host “The Way We Worked,” a Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition from Saturday, March 19 to Saturday, April 30. This exhibition, which celebrates the history of American workers, will be on display at the Lillian F. King Museum located in the Molino Community Complex, 6450 Highway 95A North in Molino. Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In addition to the traveling exhibition, the Library and the Molino Mid-County, Alger-Sullivan, and Barrineau Park historical societies, have partnered to create six weeks of interesting related events showcasing the unique work history of North Escambia. Join us for a look back in time to the way we worked in North Escambia.
“The Way We Worked” has been made possible in Molino by the Florida Humanities Council. “The Way We Worked”, an exhibition created by the National Archives, is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and State Humanities Councils nationwide. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress.
Schedule of Events
Discover The Way We Worked in North Escambia: A Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibit
“The Way We Worked” in North Escambia, the Exhibit
- March 19 – April 30, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Molino Community Complex
The Smithsonian Institution is here. Come see this interactive exhibit designed to engage all ages which spotlights the role of work in our communities. Visit the exhibit and join us for six weeks of events and activities which celebrate the way we worked in North Escambia.
“The Way We Worked” traces America’s rich work history. With their hands and minds hard at work and sweats on their brows, American workers perform a diverse array of jobs to power our society. Whether we work for our own professional satisfaction & personal growth or to ensure the well-being of ourselves and our families, work is a part of nearly every American’s life.”
“The Way We Worked”: Kick-Off Event
- Saturday, March 19, 10 a.m. to 3 p. m. – Molino Community Complex, Molino Branch Library
Join us for a look back in time to the way we worked in North Escambia. Explore the Smithsonian exhibit, enjoy live entertainment, watch a potter, a flintknapper and more. Take a look at the line-up below.
- 10 a.m. – Opening Ceremony
Ribbon cutting performed by Commissioner Barry
- 10:15 a.m. – Smithsonian Exhibit Opens
Take a stroll through the museum to learn how work impacts our lives and communities.
- 10:30 a.m. – Southern Revival Band
Hear the “Molino Florida Song” performed by local musicians, Caleb Dennis and the Southern Revival Band.
- 11:30 a.m – Mission San Joseph de Escambe
Dr. John E. Worth, U.W.F. Anthropology professor, will speak about his archaeological work at this 250-year-old site on private land in Molino.
- 12:45 p.m. – Dogwood Dulcimers
Enjoy the down-home sounds of this stringed folk band.
- 1:45 p.m. – Panhandle Cloggers
Tap your toes along with the Panhandle Cloggers’ percussive folk dances.
- 2:30 p.m – The Change Gang .
Listen to traditional work songs performed by teens from the Pensacola Branch NAACP Youth Council and Allen Chapel AME Church Young People’s Department.
“The Way We Worked”: Molino History
- Thursday, March 31, 6 p.m. – Molino Branch Library, Auditorium
Enjoy video-graphic stories of long-time residents who recount memories of growing up in rural Escambia. Several of the interviewees will be present for a question and answer session.
“The Way We Worked”: Agriculture in North Escambia
- Saturday, April 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Barrineau Park Community Center
Join Barrineau Park Historical Society for a day of farming fun featuring a presentation from Extension Services at 1 p.m. Come learn how farming fed us all.
“The Way We Worked”: Farm Fabric – Feed Sacks
- Thursday, April 7, 6 p.m. – Molino Branch Library, Auditorium
Coletta Stejskal Bailey, Textile Coordinator at the Baldwin County Heritage Museum, will discuss the cotton bag’s origin from the late 1840s to its impact during the Depression and World War II.
“The Way We Worked”: A New Beginning for Old Industry: History and Archaeology of Molino Mills
- Thursday, April 14, 6 p.m. – Molino Branch Library, Auditorium
Join UWF graduate student, Melissa Maynard for insights into Molino Mills, a lumber mill which operated from 1865-1884 that helped develop a community and an industry.
“The Way We Worked”: From Can’t See to Can’t See
- Saturday, April 16, 1 p.m. – Pensacola Library, Meeting Room A
- Thursday, April 28, 6 p.m. – Molino Branch Library, Auditorium
Up before dawn and home after dark describes Teniadé Broughton’s talk on African American work experiences in rural Escambia County. The event also features the “Change Gang” performing historical work songs.
“The Way We Worked”: Escambia County Railroads, 1830s – 1950s
- Saturday, April 23, 1 p.m. – Alger-Sullivan Historical Society, Century
All aboard, at the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society Museum with Jerry Fischer and Russell Brown. Come learn about the county’s early railroads. Climb aboard Old 100, a sawmill transport steam engine, and tour the museum.
“The Way We Worked”: Colonial Work Story Times
- Saturday, April 9, 1 p.m. – Molino Branch Library, Auditorium
- Thursday, April 14, 6 p.m. – Pensacola Library
- Saturday, April 16, 1 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
- Thursday, April 21, 6 p.m. – Century Branch Library
Join Sandra Pettis, retired Ferry Pass Elementary Librarian and a costumed member of the UWF Historic Trust for a story, demonstrations and hands-on activities about the way we worked in Colonial times.
“The Way We Worked”: Displays in Escambia County
- March and April – Tryon Branch Library
View a fascinating collection of antiques from the area belonging to Mr. Charlie Booher of Pensacola.
- March and April – Southwest Branch Library
This library features a collection of work-related items from the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society located in Century.
- March and April – Molino Branch Library
In addition to housing the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition, The Way We Worked, this facility also spotlights artifacts belonging to UWF Collections from Mission Escambe and the Molino Mills archaeological dig sites in Molino.
- March and April – Century Branch Library
This display houses a small collection of memorabilia from the Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company once located in Century.
New Highway 97 Bridge Opens In Walnut Hill
March 9, 2016
Traffic was shifted Tuesday to a new Highway 97 bridge over Little Pine Barren Creek in Walnut Hill. The $2.5 million project is, however, only partially done as crews will work to remove a temporary bridge and add a final layer of asphalt to the bridge approach. The original bridge that was replaced was 75 years old. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
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Running A Stop Sign Ends With Drug Charges For Escambia Man
March 9, 2016
Running a stop sign led to the arrest of an Escambia County man on multiple drug charges.
Dillon McDouglas Barr Jr., 49, was stopped by Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies after running a stop sign at Bobe Street and Hollywood Avenue.
A check of Barr’s driver’s licenses revealed he had an active warrant in Escambia County, and he was placed under arrest. The deputy searched Barr and reported finding drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine inside his pockets. DA K-9 united searched Barr’s truck and found three large bricks of marijuana weighing 1,395 grams and more than $6,800 in cash, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Barr was charged with possession of marijuana over 20 grams, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
Fire Damages Cottage Hill Home
March 9, 2016
A Tuesday night kitchen fire and small attic fire damaged a Cottage Hill home. The 7:15 p.m. fire on Cottage Park Drive was quickly extinguished by Escambia Fire Rescue. There were no injuries reported. NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Warm Today, Thursday; Rain Moves Into Forecast
March 9, 2016
Here is your official NorthEscambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Breezy, with a southeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 64. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 74. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a low around 61. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a high near 72. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 76.
Today Is Deadline To Request Absentee Ballot By Mail
March 9, 2016
Today is the final day to request that absentee ballots be mailed.
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David H. Stafford is reminding voters who wish to be mailed an absentee ballot for the March 15 Presidential Preference Primary to request their ballot no later than today. Voters can make their request by using the online form at EscambiaVotes.com or by contacting the Supervisor of Elections by mail, phone (850) 595-3900, fax (850) 595-3914, or e-mail (absentee@escambiavotes.com). Requests must include the voter’s date of birth and address.
Absentee voters may track the status of their ballot by clicking Track My Ballot at EscambiaVotes.com. lections offices were notified by the United States Post Office that their standard for local delivery of First-Class Mail would change from 1.8 days to 2.1 days. Although this change may seem minimal, it could affect voters who cast their ballot by mail. Voted absentee ballots must be received in the Elections Office (not at a polling location) no later than 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, March 15.
After Wednesday, a voter may still pick up an absentee ballot in person from the Elections Office through Monday, March 14.
For further information on absentee ballots, early voting, or precincts and polling locations, please contact us at (850) 595-3900, soe@escambiavotes.com or visit EscambiaVotes.com.
NHS Defeats Tate 7-6
March 9, 2016
The Northview JV baseball team rallied from a 4-0 deficit to defeat the Tate Aggies freshmen by a score of 7-6.
The Aggies scored 2 runs in the 1st and 2 runs in the 3rd to go ahead 4-0. The Chiefs cut the score to 4-3 heading into the 7th inning. Tate scored two runs in the top of the 7th to go ahead 6-3, but the Chiefs answered with 4 runs in the bottom of the 7th to secure the victory.
Leading the Chiefs at the plate were Sam Stott (3-4, 2 RBI, 1 SB, 1 run), Jackson Moore (2-3, 1 RBI, game-winning run), MJ Jones (2-4, 1 run), John Chivington (1-3, 2B, 1 RBI, 1 run), Wesley Hardin (1-1, 1 RBI), Cade Allen (1-4, 1 run), Andrew Sharpless (1-3, 1 RBI) and Heath Sheldt (1-3, 1 run). Trevor Singleton drew the game winning walk in the bottom of the 7th inning with the bases loaded. Alex McMinn also scored a run for the Chiefs.
MJ Jones was the winning pitcher, throwing 2 innings, giving up 4 hits and striking out 4. Jason Fischer threw 5 innings, giving up 8 hits while striking out 3 batters.
The JV Chiefs improved to 7-1 on the season and host West Florida on Thursday at 5:00 at Northview.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
