Winner Claims $66K Prize For Davisville Lottery Ticket
September 27, 2016
The owner of a winning ticket sold last week at a Highway 97 lottery store has claimed his prize.
The Florida Lottery says the September 21 Fantasy 5 ticket worth $66,188.82 was sold to Phillip Hicks of Bay Minette, AL. He purchased the ticket at the State Line Gift Shop, 11208 Highway 97. It was one of three winning tickets; the other tickets matching all five numbers were sold in Crystal River and Poinciana.
The 298 tickets matching four numbers won $107 each. Another 8,958 tickets matching three numbers are worth $10 each, and 87,885 tickets holders won a Quick Pick ticket for picking two numbers.
The September 21 winning numbers were 05-11-18-28-36.
Deputies Seek Info On Couple Caught Using Stolen Checks
September 27, 2016
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in identifying two people caught on camera using stolen checks. According to investigators, a vehicle was burglarized and the victim’s purse and checks were stolen. The stolen checks were used by the pictured man and woman at Navy Federal Credit Union. Anyone that recognizes either suspect or the white vehicle in these photographs is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Election Set For State Prison Workers Union
September 27, 2016
Secret ballots are poised to go out in a union battle over representation for workers in Florida’s corrections system.
The ballots will start going out October 10 to the state’s prison and probation workers, who will have until November 14 to return their votes to the Public Employees Relations Commission. The commission will count the ballots on November 15, according to a press release issued Monday by the Florida Police Benevolent Association.
The Florida PBA — which served as the collective-bargaining representative for corrections and probations officers for three decades — is attempting a comeback after being ousted by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters in 2011.
Teamsters Local 2011 had sought a delay in the election after choosing a new leader, Kimberly Schultz, on August 31. Because of the transition to new leadership, Schultz and her lawyers argued that the Florida Teamsters needed more time to mount a campaign against the PBA.
But the Public Employees Relations Commission refused to postpone the distribution of the ballots, saying that to do so “would entangle the commission in an internal union dispute it does not have the authority to resolve.”
Delaying the election would also “give the appearance that the commission is violating its duty to remain neutral in matters related to the election campaign,” commission Chairwoman Donna Maggert Poole wrote in a unanimous decision joined by Commissioners James Bax and Curt Kiser.
Wednesday: See You At The Pole
September 27, 2016
The annual See You at the Pole rally will be held Wednesday morning at several North Escambia area schools.
Students will gather as school begins to pray in the non-denominational event. See You at the Pole is a student-initiated, student organized, and student-led event. Students typically pray for their school, friends teachers, government and the nation — often meeting at their school’s flagpole.
Local See You at the Pole events include:
- Northview High School: 8:15 a.m.
- Ernest Ward Middle School 8:30 a.m.
- Molino Park Elementary School 7 a.m.
- Ransom Middle School 8:40 a.m.
- Tate High School 7:45 a.m.
- West Florida High School 7:45 a.m.
For more information, contact an individual school.
Submit See At The Pole photos from area schools to news@northescambia.com.
Pictured: See At the Pole events from last year. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Cooler Overnights Coming
September 27, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. West wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 61. West wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 85. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 57. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 80. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 57. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 83. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 84.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 86.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 87.
Manufacturers Council Partners With UWF
September 27, 2016
The Northwest Florida Manufacturers Council (NWFMC) has announced a stronger partnership with the University of West Florida..
The partnership with UWF will provide NWFMC manufacturing members no-cost access to in-depth manufacturing skills training. Examples of the types of training that will be available are Lean Six Sigma, Project Management Professional, and Process Mapping, to name a few. The council is currently working to finalize the course offerings that will provide maximum benefit to members.
The partnership will also provide additional administration and marketing support to the council, allowing the council access to the highly experienced and well respected resources available at UWF. This additional support will allow the Council to reach out more broadly in this region, as well as expand existing and establish new skills training programs for both new and incumbent employees.
The education, training, and administrative alliance with UWF has been created to complement the quality student development programs already established in the regions’ college network and in the manufacturing academy programs recently launched across Northwest Florida.
The Council worked closely with its members and the National Manufacturing Skills Standard Council to implement a formal certification program within our local school system, providing students access to a curriculum specifically designed for achieving success in a manufacturing field. Through funding provided by the State of Florida, managed in partnership with UWF, the Council launched Manufacturing Academies in each of the Council’s 10 school districts. In year one, more than 1,000 middle and high school students in Northwest Florida were enrolled.
“As the manufacturers’ council developed plans to strengthen the future of manufacturing in our region, we set the bar high,” said Ed Phelan, VP Operations for Maritech Machine and NWFMC chairman. “The retirement rate of our current manufacturing workforce is frightening. We recognized how critically important a world-class skilled workforce development program is to our future. Manufacturing today is very different from manufacturing a generation ago. It will take a concerted effort from both manufacturers and educators to show students, parents, and the many communities in our region that manufacturing provides high- paying careers for those willing to gain the skills required for a high-tech profession.”
Kim Wilmes, President & CEO of Florida’s Great Northwest said, “Manufacturing is a cornerstone of Northwest Florida’s economy with more than 850 manufacturing companies currently in place.”
She added, “Given the region’s infrastructure – physical and human – along with its geographic location, Northwest Florida is positioned for growth in advanced manufacturing. To continue this economic driver in Northwest Florida, we must ensure we have the skilled workforce needed to sustain and grow the industry sector. With this in mind, we are pleased to see the new partnership between NWFMC and UWF. Regional partnerships like this one make Northwest Florida a stronger and more attractive place to do business.”
Northview Football Names Players Of The Week
September 27, 2016
Northview High School has named the following as Players of Week following the team’s win last Friday night at Vancleave, MS.
Offensive Player of the Week: Entire offensive line for dominating the line of scrimmage and setting a physical tone for 4 quarters (Jared Aliff, Justin Helton, Dustin Bethea, Alston Wiggins, Dillon Clary, Hunter Cofield, Jason Fischer, Keegun Johnston)
Defensive Player of the Week: Hunter Edwards: 8 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 interception and led the defense to only giving up 53 total yards to Vancleave
Special Teams Player of the Week: Neikel Robinson: 2 punt returns, 66 yards
Dominator: MJ Jones: Hit on #2 on punt return; Devin Stabler: 3rd down tackle on Vancleave sideline.
strong>NorthEscambia.com photo by Gary Amerson, click to enlarge
Century Chamber Seeks To Hire Economic Development Coordinator
September 26, 2016
The Century Area Chamber of Commerce is currently seeking to a hire an economic development coordinator.
The $40,000 per year position is funding by a yearly donation to the chamber from the Escambia County Commission.
The successful candidate will develop short and long term economic development with objectives to meet the economic development goals of the chamber, market the Century Industrial Park, Century Business Center, advocate for the town and chamber, act as a liaison with local businesses, update the chamber’s website and more.
The chamber is seeking an applicant that has a bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, marketing or related area and three year of advanced level economic development experience, preferably at the local level.
Complete job description and application information are available on the Employ Florida Marketplace. Click here, and search “economic development” in the 32535 zip code. For more information, call Century Deputy Clerk Kim Godwin at (850) 256-3208.
Airport Boulevard To Be Closed At Railroad Crossing
September 26, 2016
Work was scheduled to begin today on Airport Boulevard at the railroad crossing, but now officials say that work will be postponed until next month, likely October 10. An update will be posted when CSX confirms that date with county officials.
Airport Boulevard will be closed to both east and westbound traffic at the railroad crossing while CSX crews rehabilitate the track. The closure is expected to take three days, weather permitting.
Closures due to railroad crossing repairs will also take place on Monday, Oct. 10 and Tuesday, Oct. 11. At 9 a.m. on Oct. 10 Hancock Lane will be closed to east and westbound traffic, followed by St. John Street at 10 a.m. At 6 a.m. on Oct. 11 East Cross Street will be closed to east and westbound traffic. All three closures are expected to take three days, weather permitting.
FWC Offering Hunter Safety Internet Completion Class In Molino
September 26, 2016
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is offering a free hunter safety internet-completion course this week in Molino.
Students who have taken the online course and wish to complete the classroom portion must bring the online-completion report with them.
All firearms, ammunition and materials are provided free of charge. Students should bring a pen or pencil and paper. An adult must accompany children younger than 16 at all times.
Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course and have a hunting license to hunt alone (unsupervised). The FWC course satisfies hunter-safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.
The class will be offered September 27 from 6-10 p.m. and October 1 from 7-10 a.m. at the Molino Community Center, 6450 U.S. Highway 95A North.
Those interested in attending a course can register online and obtain information about future hunter safety classes at MyFWC.com/HunterSafety or by calling the FWC’s regional office in Panama City at (850)265-3676.