Century Faces Short Term Problem With Long Term Tornado Recovery
March 22, 2016
Nonprofit groups are preparing to help Century with long term tornado recovery efforts, but before those groups can work to repair housing in Century, the short term volunteers need a place to stay.
Greg Strader, director of BRACE (Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies), updated the Century Town Council on long term recovery efforts during their Monday night meeting.
“Recovery is a very competitive business, Strader told the council. “These volunteer groups are wanted across the county.”
Several regional and national groups, most affiliated with major religions, have expressed interest in helping rebuild houses in Century…where an estimated three-quarters of residents did not have insurance when an EF-3 tornado damaged or destroyed over 100 homes on February 15.
Those groups need a place for volunteers to spend the night, eat and shower, Strader said, with specific requirements varying by group.
Strader said the National Relief Network plans to send a team of college students from Eastern Kentucky University to help with recovery efforts in Century May 15-20. The team specializes in demolishing damaged homes while reclaiming as many building materials as practical. They can also assist with roof repairs, hanging drywall and other tasks.
The students will need a place to stay, and Mayor Freddie McCall said a dormitory style setup will be available to them at the Century Business Center. But they will also need a shower trailer, which has so far not been located by the town or BRACE.
Other volunteer groups have different housing requirements. Once, the mayor said, would consider space at the Bluff Springs Campgrounds, but that would cost $26 per person per day, or over $1,000 per day to house the volunteer church group.
McCall said the town and BRACE would continue to exploring temporary housing for rehab volunteers.
Pictured: Greg Strader, director of BRACE, addresses the Century Town Council Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
State Provides $2 Million Toward ‘The Bluffs’ Industrial Site In Cantonment
March 22, 2016
The Florida legislature has provided $2 million in funding for the The Bluffs in Cantonment — a site that could be home to as many as 60 new industrial and manufacturing companies and more than 15,000 jobs with wages of nearly $3.9 billion.
The 6,000 acre master-planned development area includes about 1,700 acres of land that can be developed in an area east of Highway 29 bordered by the Escambia River to the east, Becks Lake Road near International Paper to the north, and the University of West Florida to the south. Although located along the Escambia River, most of the property to be developed is at a high elevation, about 100 feet above sea level, and not in a flood plain.
Minimally, the project is expected to recruit approximately 10 companies that would occupy more than 3.9 million square feet of building space on 295 acres of land which will be significant to Escambia County and the regional economy.
Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry said, “The manufacturing and industrial jobs created through the Bluffs project afford our residents the opportunity to better their lives today as well as create their own prosperous future.”
“The Florida Legislature recognized the Bluffs project as one of the most significant properties within the state. With most utilities already in place, water transportation readily accessible, and mainline rail only hundreds of feet away, it is the ideal location for advanced manufacturing and industrial development. This one project will be the game changer for Northwest Florida,” said Lewis Bear, chairman of the Pensacola – Escambia Promotion and Development Commission (PEDC).
The project site plan includes four primary development areas. The area known as “Live Oak Bluff” is likely to see the first development, he said. It is about 415 acres with 13 lots in an area that is currently accessible from Becks Lake Road. A Muscogee Road freight corridor is already in the works, expanding access from Becks Lake Road and Highway 29 to an upcoming I-10 exit in Beulah.
Engineering studies have been completed on the property, identifying potential sites and accounting for wetlands, stormwater runoff, parking and roads. A marketing plan has also been developed to begin reaching out to potential companies.
The plans also include making the campus an “environmental showcase” ensuring that the natural beauty of The Bluffs is preserved by building natural trails and encouraging green features for new tenants.
The effort includes partners already located in the corridor – Ascend, ECUA, Gulf Power and the University of West Florida – along with the PEDC,the Florida West Economic Alliance and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
Pictured top and below: Aerial concept maps show The Bluffs, click to enlarge to read map labels. Pictured bottom inset: The Bluffs will be designed to be an environmental showcase. Pictured bottom: Conceptual drawing of Live Oak Bluff, the likely first area to be developed off Becks Lake Road. Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two Killed In Unrelated Escambia County Traffic Crashes
March 22, 2016
Two unrelated traffic crashes in Escambia County Sunday claimed two lives.
An Escambia County man was killed when his vehicle was hit nearly head-on by another vehicle. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 21-year old William J. Shoffner of Fort Smith, AR, was northbound on Perdido Key Drive early Sunday morning when his 2015 Honda Civic crossed into the path of a 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier driven by 61-year old James F. Forst of Pensacola. Forst was killed in the collision. Shoffner and his passenger, 21-year old Matthew A. Thames of Fort Smith, AR, were transported to Baptist Hospital with serious injuries. Any charges are pending the outcome of a traffic homicide investigation.
About 8:30 Sunday night, 34-year old Justin Fagan of Pensacola was on his 200 Harley Davidson motorcycle when he rear-ended a semi on Blue Angel Parkway near Muldoon Road. Fagan was pronounced deceased on the scene. The driver of the semi, 56-year old Earl Jordan of Pensacola was not injured. Any charges are pending the outcome of a traffic homicide investigation.
Blue Angels Return Home For 70th Season
March 22, 2016
The Blue Angels returned to Pensacola Monday afternoon for their 70th anniversary season.
The 2016 team roared back into town with a special flyover over downtown Pensacola before a welcome back event at NAS Pensacola.
Pictured: The 2016 Blue Angels in a special flyover above downtown Pensacola on Monday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ditto Gorme, click to enlarge.
Residents Discuss Parks, Dirt Roads During Davisville Town Hall Meeting
March 22, 2016
Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry held a town hall meeting Monday afternoon at the Davisville Community.
A small crowd of local residents expressed their concerns and asked question about the status of numerous county projects. Most were concerned about paving dirt roads and various park improvements.
On the subject of local parks, residents learned that water fountains are being installed in the next week or so at the Travis Nelson Park in Bratt. Construction will begin by June on a paved walking track at the Walnut Hill Community Center, then crews will move south to pave a walking track behind the Molino Community Complex on Highway 95A.
Pictured top: District 5 resident Angus Brewton speaks during a town hall meeting Monday afternoon as his wife, Gayle Brewton, listens. Pictured inset: Commissioner Steven Barry listens to a speaker during the town hall meeting at the Davisville Community Center. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Strike Out Cancer Game Earns $12K; Wins For Tate; Loss For Northview
March 22, 2016
SOFTBALL
Monday night’s Strike Out Cancer game raised an estimated $12,000 as the Tate Aggies defeated West Florida 7-1.
WP – Savannah Rowell (7 IP, 1 R (0 ER), 2 H, 12 K, 2 BB).
LP – Farrah Nicholas (4 IP, 5 R (4 ER), 7 H, 3 K, 3 BB).
Tate hitters – Kristin Quina 2-4 2B, 3 RBIs, R; Ashley Barnett 1-2 3 RBIs; Morgan Bolen 1-2 2B, RBI, 2 BB.
West Florida hitters – Haile Bell 1-3; Keyana Norman 1-2 BB, SB.
BASEBALL
Tate 10, East Ridge 0
The Tate Aggies beat East Ridge of Clermont in round one of the Ocoee Knights Spring Break Invitational, 10-0..
WP – Madison Lockman (5 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 1 K, 2 BB) .
Tate hitters – Branden Fryman 2-4, 2 RBIs, 2 runs; Hunter NeSmith 1-3, RBI; Logan Blackmon 1-2, run; Reid Halfacre 1-3, 2 runs; Mason Land 1-1, 3 runs; Cole Halfacre 2-4, 2 RBIs; Trevor Hoffman 1-1, RBI, run; Hunter McLean 1-2, RBI; Josh Kea 1-4.
Chipley 5, Northview 2
The Northview Chiefs fell to Chipley Monday night in Chipley, 5-2.
Northview hitters – Quentin Sampson 1-4, R; Seth Killiam 1-3, RBI; Jared Aliff 1-3, Josh Neese 1-3; Roman Manning 1-2, R; Jacob Dunsford 1-3
Chipley 3, Northview 2 (JV)
UWF Going Tobacco Free Across Campus
March 22, 2016
The University of West Florida will join the extensive list of U.S. colleges and universities to adopt a Tobacco-Free Campus Policy, effective Aug. 1, 2016.
The Tobacco-Free Campus Policy prohibits the use of any tobacco product or derivative by employees, students and visitors on all university-owned property.
“As an institution, we pride ourselves on being proactive in the reduction of the many risks associate with tobacco use,” said UWF President Judith Bense. “The adoption of this policy will align with our continued mission to create a healthy campus community.”
This decision was made following an extensive process. UWF will join more than 20 Florida campuses that are tobacco-free or smoke-free. By addressing the concerns associated with second hand smoke, this policy allows UWF to continue making strides toward creating a safe, clean and healthy learning and working environment.
The University has developed an accessible smoking cessation program to assist those who choose to break tobacco addictions. Initiatives within Wellness Services, Student Health Services and Counseling and Psychological Services are readily available for students, faculty and staff.
Corrections, Private Company Battling Over Florida Prison Health Contract
March 22, 2016
A prison health-care company is asking a judge to allow it to pursue a challenge to the Florida Department of Corrections’ decision in January to award a contract to another firm to provide health services at the majority of the state’s prisons.
Wexford Health Sources, Inc., filed a document in the state Division of Administrative Hearings arguing that it should be able to continue a formal protest against the department’s award of a $268 million contract to Centurion of Florida, LLC.
The department signed the contract with Centurion in January, after another firm, Corizon Health, decided to end its contract to provide services to about three-fourths of the state’s inmates. Wexford, which serves inmates in other parts of the state, filed a protest against the department’s decision to award the contract to Centurion.
But the department filed a motion March 2 arguing, in part, that the “contract with Centurion was authorized by statute,” and that Administrative Law Judge R. Bruce McKibben should “relinquish jurisdiction” in Wexford’s protest, a move that effectively would end it.
Wexford, however, fired back by arguing that it has grounds to protest the contract award and that the case ultimately should move forward.
“The subject of this proceeding is whether the DOC acted properly and legally when it entered into a no-bid contract for the provision of health services in certain regions of the state prison system for inmates in the custody of the DOC,” the Wexford document said.
Pictured: The medical facility inside the Century Correctional Institution. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Matt Gaetz Running For Congress; Stafford On The Sidelines; Not Yet For Evers
March 22, 2016
State Rep. Matt Gaetz announced his candidacy Monday for an open Panhandle congressional seat with an announcement blasting illegal immigrants, Muslim terrorists and the national debt.
Gaetz, a Fort Walton Beach Republican elected to the state House in 2010, had been in a heated contest for a state Senate seat held by his father, Don, a former Senate president forced out of office this fall due to term limits.
“Washington’s failures have left the American people with trillions in debt, illegal immigrants sucking us dry, and attacks from Muslim terrorists rising. While I planned to continue serving in the Florida Legislature, the fights we must win to save this country are in Washington. Our Constitution is being ignored, our veterans have been abandoned, and our 2nd Amendment rights are under attack,” the younger Gaetz said in a statement Monday announcing his candidacy.
Gaetz’s entrance into the race makes him the first out of the gate in what could be a bare-knuckle Republican primary contest to replace U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, who recently announced he will not seek re-election to the District 1 seat he has held for 15 years. Other possible contenders included state Sen. Greg Evers, Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford and Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward.
But Monday, Stafford issued a statement saying he intends to stay on the sidelines, at least for now.
“After considerable thought and prayer, I’ve decided to forgo the race at this time. I have tremendous confidence in the voters in Escambia County and Northwest Florida and have faith they will choose our next member of Congress wisely. As supervisor of elections, I look forward to continuing to do my part to ensure all voters have the opportunity to make their voices heard,” said Stafford, who previously served as chief of staff to Joe Scarborough during the MSNBC talk show host’s stint in Congress.
Evers said he intends to make an announcement regarding the race early next week.
“If I do run, it’s because I believe it’s where I can be the most effective service to my constituents, and not because I’m in a rush to enter the political fray in order to gain some sort of purely political, strategic advantage,” Evers, R-Baker, said in a telephone interview during his first visit to the nation’s capital on Monday.
“I really believe these are serious times, extremely serious times. I intend to conduct myself accordingly. That requires that I do lots of prayer and research. That’s the reason I’m in Washington. And it was very humbling,” he said. “Our country is in a serious state of affairs right now. We have to have a leader that’s going to stand up for the Panhandle. I’ve done that at the state level, but I want to be sure that I’m the right person to do that in Washington.”
The Northwest Florida district — one of the state’s most conservative — abuts the Alabama border and spans Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties and includes most of Holmes County.
The winner of the GOP primary is almost certain to go to Washington, and a match-up between Gaetz and Evers could result in the type of political slugfest that the Panhandle is known for.
“There’s a certain grit to the politicians that we produce. That’s almost out of a necessity. Those conservative values of hard work and play hard and leave everything on the field shows up in our politics,” said Steve Southerland, a former congressman from neighboring District 2, who served two terms in office before being ousted by Democrat Gwen Graham in 2014.
During his tenure in the state House, Gaetz, a sharp-tongued lawyer, earned a reputation for his oratory skills and for being willing, if not eager, to take on high-profile, often controversial issues, including medical marijuana and gun rights. He was also renowned for his blistering attacks on ideological — and political — opponents.
“I’ve never won any awards in Tallahassee for political correctness, but I tell the truth,” Gaetz said in a telephone interview Monday. “I have a six-year record. I am who I am. In Tallahassee, people have told me that my style is sharp and that I ought to be more politically correct with my rhetoric. But I only know one way to serve and one way to talk, and that is to tell the truth.”
The 33-year-old’s campaign announcement Monday was accompanied by a video posted from his Twitter account — with more than 7,000 followers, Gaetz is one of Florida’s more popular state legislators on the site — featuring the hashtags #FightWashington and #RestoreAmerica.
Gaetz’s announcement touted his conservative creds, while also referencing Trump, the billionaire real-estate and entertainment-industry magnate who handily won every county in the congressional district in Florida’s presidential primary election last week.
“When Donald Trump is president, Northwest Florida’s voice in Congress must ring loud and clear for bold, conservative reform. Mine will. Whether it was banning Obamacare-funded abortions, blocking attempts to repeal Stand Your Ground, cutting taxes by over $1 Billion, or supporting military families, I’ve been an effective leader in the Florida House. I’m ready to fight and win for Northwest Florida in Congress,” he said in the statement.
But Gaetz’s alignment with Trump cost him the support of at least one Republican — operative and lobbyist J.M. “Mac” Stipanovich, who lives in the district. Stipanovich said that he and his lobbying firm have always backed Gaetz in his previous political endeavors, including the state Senate race. But Gaetz’s endorsement of the presidential frontrunner is a deal breaker for Stipanovich.
“Based on the returns in the Alabama, Georgia and Florida primaries, it’s quite probable that you cannot win a Republican primary without being a Trump supporter. But that doesn’t make you right. That just makes you ambitious,” Stipanovich said. “I recognize the nature of politics. I recognize the nature of political expediency. But there are limits to everything. We’re talking about the fundamental structure of the United States, and expediency does not cross that line. This (Trump) is a bad man. He is a racist. He’s a xenophobe. He’s a misogynist. He’s a nativist. He’s a hyper-nationalist. He’s an authoritarian. He’s a liberal. He’s not a conservative. And it is not OK to be for Donald Trump.”
Gaetz’s exit from the Senate race leaves Bay County Commissioner George Gainer, who dumped $500,000 of his own money into his campaign and could now become a virtual shoe-in for the post. As of Monday, no other candidates had registered for the seat, according to the state Division of Elections website.
“George is one of us. George’s family is one of us. Our family has lived in the district for 200 years, and the Gainer family has been there longer than our family. So when you’re talking about founding families of our area, the Gainer family is one of those,” said Southerland, a lobbyist with Capital Hill Consulting who is backing Gainer in the Senate race. “He’s a good man and he’s honest. He will be a breath of fresh air.”
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Spears Running For Escambia School Superintendent
March 22, 2016
Former Escambia High School football coach Willie Spears prefiled Monday to run for Escambia County Superintendent of Schools as an independent nonparty affiliation candidate.
Spears is currently the head football coach and athletic director at Vernon High School in Washington County. On a 3-2 vote, he was fired for insubordination by the Escambia County School board about a year and a half ago. His firing was recommended by incumbent Superintendent Malcolm Thomas for playing ineligible players in an Escambia football game after allegations of football recruiting from other schools.
He was later found to not be in violation, and Thomas subsequently provided a letter to Spears indicating that he was not at fault in any capacity, according to a press release from Spears.
“I’m running for this position because I love Pensacola. This is the city where my wife and I desire to lay down roots and as such, we want to make it a better place for our children…for all children,” Spears said.