County Accepts Tornado Housing Applications; Not Yet For Century
March 24, 2016
Escambia County staffers were in Century Wednesday taking applications for housing assistance. But meanwhile, it’s still wait and see for residents of the Town of Century on any housing funds that might be available.
The Escambia County Neighborhood Enterprise Division took applications for housing rehabilitation programs for citizens in the unincorporated areas, or outside the town limits, affected by the February 15 Century tornado.
The Florida Housing Finance Corporation notified Escambia County of $2,058,028 in State Housing Initiatives Partnership, or SHIP, disaster funds for the two tornadoes that struck Escambia County in February. Funds will be appropriated to assist with owner occupied housing rehabilitation, replacement, and disaster mitigation as outlined in the county’s Local Housing Assistance Plan.
Century won’t be able to to take applicants for housing assistance until April — the funds will first be dispersed to Escambia County and an interlocal agreement between the county and the town must be amended to cover the new funding.
The Century Town Council will sign off at a future meeting on an applications process. The applications, Mayor Freddie McCall said, will likely be accepted on a first come, first served basis.
Once available, funding may only be utilized for households directly impacted by one of the two storms and income restrictions will apply, see chart below. Household members seeking repair assistance will be required to provide proof of homestead exemption, income, assets, mortgage (if present), and insurance (if present) to certify eligibility.
For more information on disaster-related owner occupant housing repair or home replacement assistance:
- Unincorporated areas of Escambia County – County Neighborhood Enterprise Division at (850) 595-0022.
- City of Pensacola – City Housing Office at (850) 858-0350
- Town of Century – SHIP applications are expected to be accepted in April, for more information call (850) 256-3208
Pictured: Housing assistance applications were taken Wendesday at the Century Town Hall. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
More Rain Possible Tonight, Sunny On Friday
March 24, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10pm. Some of the storms could be severe. Low around 55. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 72. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 73. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west after midnight.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. North wind around 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 72.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71.
Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a low around 61. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a high near 74. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Rabid Racoon Found In Flomaton
March 24, 2016
Officials in Escambia County, AL, are urging local residents to take precautions against rabies. The warning comes after a recent positive confirmation of rabies in a racoon found in a residential neighborhood in Flomaton.
The following precautions should be taken to avoid possible exposure to rabies:
- Do not allow pets to run loose; confine them within a fenced-in area or with a leash.
- Do not leave out uneaten pet food or scraps around your house.
- Do not illegally feed or keep wildlife as pets.
- Don’t go near domestic animals that are acting in a strange or unusual manner.
- Instruct children not to go near any non-domesticated animal regardless of its behavior.
- Advise children to tell an adult if they are bitten or scratched by an animal.
A person who is bitten or scratched by an animal should wash wounds immediately with mild soap and water, apply first aid, and seek medical attention or contact the county health department as soon as possible. Rabies is preventable in humans exposed to a positive animal if special medical treatment is provided in a timely manner.
Avoiding direct contact with wildlife is the primary protection from rabies. In addition, vaccinating domesticated animals also reduces the risk of exposure to rabies. Rabies vaccination not only protects the animals from rabies, it helps protect the owners, family members, and other pets as well. Alabama state law requires that all dogs, cats and ferrets must be kept current with rabies vaccination. Rabies vaccines are also available for horses and other livestock if recommended by a veterinarian.
Scott Signs Bills For Rape Kits Testing, Adoption Law
March 24, 2016
Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday signed nine bills, including a high-profile measure requiring local law-enforcement agencies to submit “rape kits” to be tested and another giving judges guidelines concerning adoption.
Scott praised SB 636, which would establish time limits for sexual-assault evidence — known as rape kits — to be submitted to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for testing. He said in a statement the move would “provide thousands of women with a renewed sense of safety and closure as they heal from the horrific crime of rape.”
Demand for the bill followed revelations that thousands of rape kits had been collected but not tested statewide. In September, Attorney General Pam Bondi called on lawmakers to increase funding for crime labs to address the backlog. In early January, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement reported that the state had more than 13,000 untested rape kits.
No one disputed that testing the DNA evidence could help prevent future rapes, but until Wednesday, Florida had not required law-enforcement agencies to submit rape kits for testing.
Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R- Fort Myers, and Rep. Janet Adkins, R-Fernandina Beach, sponsored bills setting time limits for testing such evidence, with the Senate version ultimately passing both chambers unanimously.
“It certainly changes the conversation,” Adkins said. “I think for too long, these offenders, these predators, have been able to get away with it. … It’s time we sent a clear message that in Florida, we will not tolerate sexual-assault crimes — and we’re coming after you.”
The proposal would require local law-enforcement agencies to submit the rape kits within 30 days of the beginning of their investigations or after being notified by victims or victims’ representatives that they wish the evidence to be tested.
Also, the new state budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1 includes $10.7 million to help eliminate the backlog of untested rape kits. Florida Department of Law Enforcement officials told lawmakers that fiscal constraints had led to the backlog.
Other bills Scott signed Wednesday included an adoption bill (SB 590), sponsored by Adkins and Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, that allows judges to make adoption decisions based on “the best interest of the child.”
The impetus for the measure was a conflict between two laws governing adoption. One has required judges to rule based on the best interests of children, while the other allows private adoption agencies to intervene in open adoption cases where parents’ rights have not yet been terminated. In such cases, adoption agencies typically name the people that biological parents prefer to adopt children — even if the children have thrived in other placements.
The new law allows judges to give greater weight to the children’s bonds with foster families or other caregivers. In cases where children are old enough to express a preference, that may be considered as well.
United Way Tornado Relief Supplies Still Available In Century
March 24, 2016
Tornado victims can still receive free in-kind goods donated by the community from the United Way in Century.
Items available include baby food, diapers, baby formula, $25 restaurant gift cards, shampoo, lotion, deodorant, toothpaste, drinking water and more from Healthy Start in Century. Their office at 511 Church Street is open Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. or while supplies last.
The items are available for free with those with verified damage from the February 15 Century tornado, or the February 23 Pensacola tornado.
ECAT Announces New Routes Beginning Next Week
March 24, 2016
Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) has announced new routes beginning April 1. Effecting Routes 41 and 42, updates include improvements like increased frequency, new service areas and more buses. Changes are as follows:
• Route 41 will be split into 2 Routes, and will become 31 and 41.
o Route 31: bi-directional service between Downtown and Pensacola State College along 12th Avenue and Bayou Blvd, with added service to Target, Winn-Dixie and Sacred Heart Hospital.
o Route 41: service to Summit Blvd, and a portion of Scenic Highway.
• Route 42 will be split into 2 Routes, and will become 32 and 52.
o Route 32: bi-directional service between Downtown and ECAT Rosa Parks Transit Center on Fairfield Drive.
o Route 52: service to Cordova Mall via Pensacola State College along 9th Avenue, with increased frequency during peak hours.
“We are excited to introduce these new and improved routes to the community,” said Tonya Ellis, Director of Marketing and Community Relations for ECAT. “By listening to rider feedback, recommendations from recent transportation plans, and continually striving to make strategic improvements, our team is always working to meet customer needs and improve public transportation for the people of Escambia County.”
Bush Tosses Support To Cruz in GOP Race
March 24, 2016
After repeatedly clashing with Republican front-runner Donald Trump during the campaign, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush on Wednesday endorsed Ted Cruz in the battle for the GOP presidential nomination.
Bush made the announcement a little more than a month after dropping his bid for the presidency and about a week after Trump won 66 of the 67 counties in Florida’s Republican primary. The support for Cruz, a Texas senator, came as party leaders frantically try to head off the billionaire Trump, whose controversial outsider campaign has drawn support across the country among GOP voters.
In a prepared statement, Bush described Cruz as “a consistent, principled conservative who has demonstrated the ability to appeal to voters and win primary contests.”
But Bush also pointedly raised the concern of many party leaders that Trump would turn off general-election voters and keep a Democrat in the White House.
“For the sake of our party and country, we must move to overcome the divisiveness and vulgarity Donald Trump has brought into the political arena, or we will certainly lose our chance to defeat the Democratic nominee and reverse President Obama’s failed policies,” Bush said. “To win, Republicans need to make this election about proposing solutions to the many challenges we face, and I believe that we should vote for Ted as he will do just that.”
Bush was widely seen as the establishment favorite for the nomination, piling up endorsements and contributions. But he fared poorly in early states and dropped out of the race Feb. 20.
The two-term Florida governor was the frequent target of Trump’s attacks. Perhaps most notably, Trump described Bush as “low energy,” a description that got widespread attention and dogged Bush, who appeared more comfortable discussing policy issues than getting dragged into the noisy back-and-forth arguments that have played a major role in the GOP campaign.
Wednesday’s announcement came the morning after Trump won the Arizona primary and Cruz won the Utah caucus. As another example of how Republican leaders have lined up against Trump, 2012 presidential nominee Mitt Romney announced last week that he would vote for Cruz in the Utah caucus. Also, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, who dropped out of this year’s presidential race and then supported Bush, said he would back Cruz.
Ohio Gov. John Kasich also remains in the Republican race but is far behind Trump and Cruz in delegates. Bush’s statement did not mention Kasich.
Cruz said he was “truly honored” to have Bush’s backing.
“His endorsement today is further evidence that Republicans are continuing to unite behind our campaign to nominate a proven conservative to defeat Hillary Clinton in November, take back the White House, and ensure a freer and more prosperous America for future generations,” Cruz said in a prepared statement.
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
Free Storm Recovery Legal Assistance Offered
March 24, 2016
Representatives of Legal Service of Northwest Florida were at the Century Town Hall Wednesday providing free property related legal assistance for tornado victims.
Tornado victims must ensure that property titles and deeds, homestead exemptions and back taxes are in order before applying for any damage aid that may become available.
For more information or assistance, call Legal Services of North Florida at (850) 432-8222.
Raymond Verle Schneider
March 24, 2016
Raymond Verle Schneider, 92, of Walnut Hill, passed away Tuesday, March 22, 2016, in Pensacola.
He was born in Ithaca, MI, to the late Edward and Ada (Bates) Schneider. He moved to Walnut Hill in 1946 to farm. He was a member of the Walnut Hill Mennonite Church.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Margaret, and son Kale Schneider, and four brothers and three sisters.
Survivors are his son Royce (Marilyn) Schneider of Walnut Hill; four daughters, Sally (Robert) Toews, of Kingsville, Ontario, Polly (Lyle) Wiebe, of Kirkton, Ontario, Rose (Carlos) Koehn, and Susan Schneider, both of Walnut Hill; daughter-in-law Donna Schneider of Bratt; and one brother Edward (Gerry) Schneider and sister Nadine Unruh, both of Stapleton, GA; 22 grandchildren; and 54 great-grandchildren.
Services will be held Saturday. March 26, at 10:30 a.m. at the Walnut Hill Mennonite Church, with Rev. Mike Koehn officiating. Interment will follow in Walnut Hill Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends Friday, March 25 at the Walnut Hill Mennonite Church from 6:30p.m. until 8:30p.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Missing 83-Year Old Found Safe
March 23, 2016
UPDATE: A missing 83-year old man from Atmore was located Wednesday night at the Pace Assembly of God by a Santa Rosa County deputy. The man was in good physical condition. and family member were called to take him home.
EARLIER STORY:
Authorities are asking for the public’s help in finding a missing elderly man with dementia that may have been traveling from Atmore to Pensacola.
George Haley is an 83-year old black male with brown eyes and gray hair. He was last seen at his residence on Freemanville Drive north of Atmore about 5:00 a.m. Wednesday. He may be traveling in a 2002 white Dodge Dakota with Al8785AH6 . If anyone has any information regarding the whereabouts of George Haley, contact the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Department at (251) 867-0304 or call 911.
