Third Red Bulb Placed On Fire Safety Wreath
December 9, 2016
A third red bulb was placed on the “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety wreath to represent a residential structure fire in the 4500 block of Versailles Drive on Thursday, Dec. 8.
Escambia County Emergency Communications received a call at 9 a.m. reporting the fire, which was called under control at 9:21 a.m. One adult male and one adult female were transported by Escambia County EMS to Baptist Hospital. Escambia Fire Rescue Engines 3, 6, 17, 16, Ladder 12, Navy Ladder 34 and EMS responded. The Florida State Fire Marshal is investigating, and the American Red Cross is assisting three adults who were displaced. While the home had a smoke detector, it did not have a battery and was not operational.
The “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign is a collaborative initiative with the city of Pensacola to promote fire safety during the month of December. During the month-long campaign, five-foot wreaths are on display at 18 county fire stations and five city fire stations, with wreaths also placed outside Escambia County’s Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building downtown, the Escambia County Public Safety Building, Pensacola City Hall and Cordova Mall near the food court entrance. Each time firefighters respond to a residential fire with damage, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in residential home.
Photo Gallery: Flomaton Christmas Parade
December 9, 2016
The annual Flomaton Lighted Christmas Parade wound through the street of Flomaton Thursday night. The parade featured the Flomaton High School Band, Northview High School NJROTC, multiple floats, fire trucks and Santa Claus.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Winner Claims $55K Prize For North Escambia Lottery Ticket
December 9, 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 December 2 Fantasy 5 ticket worth $55,345.54 was sold to Alphonso Wilson of Grove Hill, AL. He purchased the ticket at the State Line Gift Shop, 11208 Highway 97. It was one of four winning tickets; the other tickets matching all five numbers were sold in Palm Bay, Beverly Hills and Delray Beach.
The ticket was the third winning Fantasy Five ticket sold this year at the State Line Gift Shop.
The 307 tickets matching four numbers won $115 each. Another 8,873 tickets matching three numbers are worth $11 each, and 88,646 ticket holders won a Quick Pick ticket for picking two numbers.
The December 2 winning numbers were 16-20-23-28-33.
UWF Names Bense President Emeritus
December 9, 2016
Thursday, the University of West Florida Board of Trustees named Dr. Judith Bense President Emeritus, effective January 1, 2017. Bense will retire as president on December 31, 2016.
President Emeritus is an honorary designation reserved for university presidents who have made exceptional contributions to the institution. The board voted unanimously to adopt a resolution.
“Judy has been an outstanding president for this University and this designation is well deserved,” said Lewis Bear Jr., chair of the UWF Board of Trustees. “Even though she will no longer be president, her fingerprints are on everything. She will continue to be great support for our new President Martha Saunders, and we will always think of her as President Bense.”
Since taking office in 2008, Bense has focused on putting UWF on a trajectory of growth in both size and scope while also increasing partnerships in the community and developing connections throughout Northwest Florida.
“Long before being named the fifth president of UWF, Judith Bense was a vital force in the growth and progress of the University,” the resolution adopted by the Board stated.
Bense’s academic legacy spans across the university and the state of Florida. Prior to her role as president, she served as a UWF faculty member where she founded the UWF Division of Anthropology and Archaeology, which recently identified the archaeological site of the Luna settlement, and the Florida Public Archaeology Network, a statewide organization that brings archaeology to the general public in the United States.
“After 36 years at UWF and eight as president, this is an extraordinary honor,” said Bense. “I will always be proud of this title. When I got this job in 2008, it was the greatest gift possible. It has been a privilege. It’s been the biggest, most complicated thing I have ever done. I will always think of my years as president in that way.”
With the honor, Bense becomes the second president in UWF’s 50-year history to be named President Emeritus. Dr. Morris Marx, UWF President from 1988 to 2002, was the first to earn the designation.
William Harrell
December 9, 2016
Billy was born a rebel in the early spring of 1963, and passed on December 3, 2016. He was ornery, unkempt and kind. He was passionate about a few things: family, fishing, beer, Chihuahuas and beautiful women, not necessarily in that order. He always had to have just one more fish, one more beer, and heaven knows he couldn’t resist taking in just one more dog. He treated everyone like family and his passion for beautiful women left him unable to choose just one so he never had any children of his own but he was the best “Uncle Billy” around.
He was preceded in death by his mother, MaryParker Harrell and his father, Clayton Harrell.
He leaves behind three sisters, one brother, and more nieces and nephews than one could count. He also leaves behind many friends and a herd of barking Chihuahuas. May your beer never be empty and your cast nets always be full.
Funeral services were held Friday, December 9, 2016, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Interment was at Jordan Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with the arrangements.
Winter Weather Is Here
December 9, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 26. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 55. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 66. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 70.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.
Century Man Steals Volunteer Firefighter’s Truck From Accident Scene
December 8, 2016
A Century man has been charged with stealing a volunteer firefighter’s pickup truck from an accident scene that was surrounded by deputies.
Kilo Lowe, 19, was charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle, criminal mischief and driving without a valid license.
The incident happened shortly after a two vehicle accident at North Century Boulevard and West Highway 4 Tuesday night in Century. The volunteer firefighter arrived at the crash scene in his personal pickup truck and went to work rendering aid to the injured. The crash scene was blocked from vehicular traffic by deputies to the north and south, additional deputies were on scene and a Florida Highway Patrol trooper was also present.
The volunteer firefighter noticed his pickup was missing from the crash scene and notified deputies. As the firefighter was providing his information, he spotted the truck just outside the accident scene, turning from East Pond Street to North Century Boulevard. Deputies conducted a felony traffic stop on the vehicle as it turned on to Hudson Hill Road. Lowe was ordered from the vehicle at gunpoint and taken into custody without incident.
Lowe told deputies that he is schizophrenic but was taking his prescribed medication. Lowe has never been issued a driver’s license, according to his arrest report.
The pickup truck sustained a 12-inch long scratch on the tailgate during the time it was missing.
Lowe remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $10,500.
Flood Plan:Escambia County Looks To Purchase, Demolish Bristol Park Homes
December 8, 2016
Escambia County is considering the purchase of dozens of homes in the Bristol Park and Ashbury Hills neighborhoods. The homes would then be demolished to widen and improve waterflow in a creek to alleviate flooding.
The homes were mostly under water during the historic April 2014 floods.
Grant money would be used to purchase the homes on the bank of Eleven Mile Creek for stream restoration and flood plain expansion of Eleven Mile Creek.
The overall project goal is to effectively reduce the flood stage in Eleven Mile Creek to improve flood protection of homes and properties within the area of Bristol Park and Ashbury Hills subdivisions.
In order to comply with the FEMA regulations concerning acquisition, staff will be sending certified offer letters to residents which will be based off the appraised value of the property. Additionally, there are time restraints associated with the acquisition portion of this grant. Demolition of structures on properties acquired by the county must happen within 90 days from closing.
The properties eligible for the program, along with their parcel numbers, are:
031S314100000023 — 810 Tara Cir
031S311500015003 — 9950 Bristol Park Rd
031S311500015002 — 2705 Woodbreeze Dr
031S311500028002 — 2703 Silhouette Dr
031S311500013002 — 2701 Woodbreeze Dr
031S311500027002 — 2701 Silhouette Dr
031S311500014002 — 2703 Woodbreeze Dr
031S311500026002 — 2700 Silhouette Dr
031S311800000059/60 — 2703 Ashbury Ln (2 parcels)
031S311500016002 — 2707 Woodbreeze Dr
031S3118000000080 — Ashbury Ln
031S311500000100 — Bristol Pk Rd
031S311500034002 — 10108 Bristol Park
031S311500000200 –Pipe Line
031S313101002001 — Off Tara Cir
031S311800000058 — 2705 Ashbury Ln
031S311800000056 — 2709 Ashbury Ln
031S311800000029 — 3022 Ashbury Ln
031S311800000055 — 2711 Ashbury Ln
031S311500033002 — 10110 Bristol Park
031S311500032002 — 10112 Bristol Park
031S311500007003 — 10040 Bristol Park
031S311500008003 — 10030 Bristol Park
031S311500001003 — 10100 Bristol Park
031S311500002003 — 10090 Bristol Park
031S311500003003 — 10080 Bristol Park
031S311500004003 — 10070 Bristol Park
031S311500006003 — 10050 Bristol Park
031S311500005003 — 10060 Bristol Park
031S311500009003 — 10020 Bristol Park
031S311500010003 — 10010 Bristol Park
031S311500011003 — 10000 Bristol Park
031S311500012003 — 9990 Bristol Park
031S311500014003 — 9970 Bristol Park
031S311500013003 — 9980 Bristol Park
031S311800000034 — 3012 Ashbury Lane
031S314100000022 — 815 Tara Cir
031S311800000032 — 3016 Ashbury Lane
031S311800000057 — 2707 Ashbury Lane
031S31410000016 — 3925 Bentwood Lane
031S31180000052 — 2717 Ashbury Lane
031S31180000030 — 3020 Ashbury Lane
031S31180000054 — 2713 Ashbury Lane
031S31180000026 — 2752 Ashbury Lane
31S31180000035 — 3010 Ashbury Lane
031S31180000031 — 3018 Ashbury Lane
031S31180000028 — 3024 Ashbury Lane
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Windy And Colder
December 8, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 55. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. Wind chill values between 25 and 30. North wind around 10 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 48. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. North wind 5 to 15 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 25. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 54. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 64. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming southwest after midnight.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming north in the afternoon.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 61.
Tornado Damage Assistance Application Deadline Moved To Dec. 19
December 8, 2016
A new assistance application deadline is now in place for those impacted by the February tornadoes in Century or Ferry Pass.
The new deadline to apply for funding commitments for tornado assistance from the State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIP) in Escambia County is Monday, December 19. The deadline was December 31, but it was moved to December 19 in order to comply with state requirements.
Many Century and Ferry Pass homes were severely damaged or totally destroyed in the tornadoes. To provide relief to tornado survivors, the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners entered into an agreement with Northwest Florida Community Housing Development Corporation Inc. to provide up to $50,000 in SHIP disaster funding per property to help fund replacement housing for eligible homeowners.
NFCHDC has recently broken ground on the first of several replacement homes for low income survivors of the Feb. 15 tornado that hit Century. So far nine clients from that storm have been approved by the county under the SHIP program to work with NFCHDC. Three of the SHIP sites have been cleared and are ready for construction.
Additionally, NFCHDC has partnered with the Escambia County Housing Finance Authority to provide replacement housing for tornado survivors who could not qualify under the SHIP program. Two clients have been approved for housing to date.
This project is a significant collaboration between Escambia County, the town of Century, Legal Services of North Florida, the Escambia County Housing Finance Authority, the Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies, NFCHDC, World Renew, United Way, Pensacola Habitat for Humanity and many other volunteer organizations. These agencies have collectively provided financing, facilitated applicant intake, served as the case managers, worked on legal issues to help owners gain a clear title and now are providing construction oversight and labor.
To apply for SHIP funding you must:
- Be the owner occupant of the property
- Meet income eligibility guidelines
- Have property that was impacted by the February 2016 tornadoes
For more information or to apply for the program, please contact the Escambia County Neighborhood Enterprise Division at (850) 595-3011.