Northview High Honors Faculty Members On Military Appreciation Day
February 26, 2016
Northview High School celebrated a Military Appreciation Day on Thursday, honoring faculty and staff members that have served. Pictured are: (L-R) Joseph Chastain, Navy; Sid Wheatley, Air Force; David Crumm, Navy; Captain Charlie Code, Navy; (front) James Mortez, Navy; James Riggs, Navy; Heather Crumm, Army; Gerry Pippins, National Guard; Jason Stabler, Air Force; and Ernest Slaybaugh, Navy. Not pictured are Rachel Pleasant, Navy and Chief Jeffrey Simpkins, Navy. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Firefighter’s Home Heavily Damaged By Fire
February 26, 2016
Fire heavily damaged the home of a Flomaton fireman late Thursday morning.
The mobile home fire in the 1700 block of Jordan Road just outside Flomaton possibly originated with a clothes dryer, according to Flomaton Fire Chief Steve Stanton.
No one was home at the time of the fire, and there were no injuries.
The Flomaton, Friendship and Pineview fire departments from Alabama and the Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue were all dispatched to the blaze.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Farm Auction Is Saturday
February 26, 2016
The 42st Annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club Farm Equipment Auction will be held this Saturday, February 27 beginning at 9:30 a.m.
The auction includes not only farm equipment, but also household items like tools and small equipment, lawn and garden items, antiques and more. Items can be received on Friday.
Settlement must be made the day of the sale; unknown buyers must have cash, cashier’s check, major credit card, or a letter of credit from their bank. Items must be removed within 24 hours.
Concessions will be available all day from the Ruritan Club.
The sale will be located at the Walnut Hill Community Center on Highway 97 just north of Ernest Ward Middle School.
For more information or consignments, call (850) 384-5761 or (850) 327-4292.
Pictured: Hundreds attended a previous Walnut Hill Ruritan Club farm equipment auction in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Fracking Bill Stalls In Senate Committee But Could Return
February 26, 2016
A controversial bill about the regulation of “fracking” in Florida stalled Thursday in a key Senate committee but could return next week.
The Senate Appropriations Committee voted 10-9 against the measure (SB 318), filed by Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples. Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R- Fort Myers, then moved to reconsider the bill, a procedural move that kept it alive.
Committee Chairman Tom Lee, a Bandon Republican who voted for the measure, said he is inclined to put it on the agenda for a meeting Tuesday. A House version (HB 191), filed by Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, was approved in a 73-45 vote last month
“It probably would be my tendency to re-agenda the bill, unless Senator Richter does not want to do that,” Lee said after the meeting. “But we would only hear the bill if there was some kind of compromise worked out that would change the outcome.”
The bill would set up a state permitting process for fracking, a method of drilling that involves injecting water, sand and chemicals underground to create fractures in rock formations, allowing natural gas and oil to be released.
Among other things, the bill would require companies to inform the state Department of Environmental Protection of chemicals they inject into the ground, although with some restrictions. Also, the bill would set aside $1 million for a study on the impact of fracking, with a temporary moratorium until the study is completed and the Legislature can act.
“A study removes the emotion and permits science to drive the issue,” Richter said. “I want science driving the issue.”
The bill is backed by the Florida Petroleum Council, Associated Industries of Florida and the Florida Chamber of Commerce. It is opposed by environmental groups and dozens of local governments that have approved fracking bans. Among the bill’s most-controversial provisions is that it would only allow the state to impose a ban.
“The citizens and local governments recognize … the bill’s intent is to pave the way for fracking in Florida in the future,” the group Floridians Against Fracking said in a statement after the vote.
Thursday’s discussion, which lasted more than two hours, included testimony from officials including Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Jon Steverson and Deputy Secretary Paula Cobb, who oversees regulatory programs. That part of the meeting centered on whether the state already has the authority to regulate fracking without passing the bill.
For instance, Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, asked Cobb if the department had ever denied a permit to drill a well, and under what circumstances. Fracking is widespread in other parts of the country, with critics alleging that it has effects such as contaminating water.
“Now, I can’t imagine anything worse than what I’ve heard about fracking,” Montford said. “So if we can deny it for (another) reason, why can’t we deny that same permit for information and data and scientific research that’s already been done on fracking?”
Cobb said the department would have to base any denial on specific criteria in the law.
“We as an agency can’t just deny a permit because we feel like it,” she said. “We have to follow the law.” And specifically in the oil and gas statutes, she said, “There is a requirement in that law that says we have to have valid reasons, based on permitting criteria, to deny those permits. And so how I would distinguish that framework from what we have with hydraulic fracturing is I don’t have anything specific in law today which would provide me with criteria to deny a permit.”
Montford noted that other states have had difficulties with fracking. “Can’t we rely on that information, that scientific data … to make a decision in Florida that we can deny this well permit?” he asked. “You don’t have that legal authority to do that today?”
“We don’t currently have in the statute … the ability to require a separate permit for this activity,” Cobb replied.
In debate, Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, said the department was “tap-dancing” on the question.
Lee said he had similar questions but would give Richter the benefit of the doubt.
“Everybody who spoke against this bill asked for a ban,” Richter said. “A ‘no’ vote does not get you a ban.”
After the meeting, Sen. Darren Soto, an Orlando Democrat who has sought to pass a fracking ban, said opponents will try to prevent the bill from getting out of the Appropriations Committee.
“There’s a small chance this could come back, but it’s all but dead,” Sierra Club Florida lobbyist Dave Cullen said. “I don’t think the legislators have the stomach for this bill. Voters will remember fracking at the polls.”
Free Food Distribution Saturday For Pensacola Tornado Victims
February 26, 2016
Farm Share is partnering with Sen. Greg Evers, Rep. Doug Broxson, Rep. Mike Hill, and Rep. Clay Ingram for a disaster relief food distribution on Saturday.
Families in need in the Pensacola area after the devastation of the tornado last week will be provided Farm Share food and supply bags free of charge. Each household will receive a variety of fresh produce, canned & dried food, water, juice, paper products, and other needed essentials. This is a first come, first served distribution.
The distribution will take place at Hillcrest Baptist Spanish Trail, 3960 Spanish Trail Rd. Pensacola on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Pictured: A Farm Share food distribution for tornado victims last Saturday in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Wins For Tate, Northview
February 26, 2016
Thursday scores:
Tate 8, Crestview 0
The Tate Aggies beat Crestview Thursday night in Cantonment, 8-0. All eight of Tate’s points came in the second inning.
Jake Davis pitched five innings for Tate, allowing no runs and just three hits and striking out four.
Tate hitters were: josh Kea 1-2, 3 RBI, 2 R; Logan Blackmon 1-2, RBI, R; Hunter NeSmith 1-2, 2 RBI, R; Brandon Fryman 1-4; Mason Land 2-2, RBI, R.
The Tate Aggies will host Milton on Friday at 6 p.m.
Northview 5, Baker 3
Northview 10, Baker 3 (JV)
The Northview Chiefs took two from Baker Thursday, with the varsity winning 5-3 and the JV topping the Gators 10-3.
SOFTBALL
Northview 6, Catholic 1
The Northview Chiefs beat Catholic 6-1 Thursday night. Northview’s Tori Herrington struck out 14 Crusaders for the Northview win. Herrington pitched seven, allowing one hit, no walks and no earned runs. At bat, she was 1-4 with a triple and a run.
Daphne Young went 3-3 with a run. Aubree Love was 1-4 with 2 RBI’s. Laurie Purdy was 1-4 with an RBI. Kendall Enfinger went 1-4 and Lydia Smith was 1-3.
Northview will host Freeport Friday night with the JV playing at 4:00 and varsity at 6:00.
Pictured: Northview beats Baker Thursday night in Baker. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Free Storm Recovery Legal Assistance Today In Century
February 26, 2016
-Legal Services of North Florida will be at the Century Business Center providing free property related legal assistance today from noon – 4:00 p.m. Additional days TBD.
Not able to meet with them in person ? Call (850) 432-8222. Titles/deeds, homestead exemptions and back taxes must in be order before applying for any available damage aid.
Gov. Rick Scott Tours Tornado Damage In Century, Pensacola (With Photo Gallery)
February 25, 2016
After touring Tuesday night’s tornado damage in Pensacola, Gov. Rick Scott headed north to see the recovery efforts from last week’s EF-3 tornado in Century.
The governor walked through the hardest hit areas, stopping to talk with residents and recovery workers. He was accompanied by an entourage of officials, including Mayor Freddie McCall, Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward, Sheriff David Morgan, County Administrator Jack Brown, Commissioner Steven Barry, Century Council President Ben Boutwell and others.
“We have declared a state of emergency, and we are providing some emergency funds from the state. I know the county is doing their part….everybody is doing their part,” Scott told NorthEscambia.com. The amount of damage from the Century area tornado does not meet the threshold for FEMA funding, but state housing dollars may become available.
Scott spent about 45 minutes walking several streets in Century. Several residents met Scott outside their damaged homes. Some seemed surprised to see the governor and welcomed him, while others questioned why it took over a week, and a second disaster in Pensacola, for him to visit. Along the way, he asked residents about their well-being, and if they had the basics like food, power and water.
He asked about the age of the houses, particularly on Front Street, where he was told the homes date back about a hundred years when they were built by the Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company. He stopped by the Century Pharmacy and met with Pharmacist Julie Booth, and made his away inside the Methodist church knocked off of its foundation by the tornado.
“You just feel sorry for each of these individuals, and we are blessed that nobody died. We want to do what we can to help them get their lives back in order. But you just feel so sorry for them, Scott said.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured above: Century Mayor Freddie McCall, Gov. Rick Scott and Escambia County Administrator Jack Brown look at tornado recovery efforts on Front Street in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Cool, Dry Weather Continues
February 25, 2016
Here is your official NorthEscambia area forecast:
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 61. West wind 5 to 15 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 36. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 56. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 34. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 61. North wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 38. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 67. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49. South wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 70.
Pensacola Tornado Was EF-3 (With Photo Gallery)
February 25, 2016
The tornado that struck Pensacola Tuesday night has been rated as an EF-3 with maximum winds of 155 mph over an eight mile path that was up 300 yards wide, according to the National Weather Service in Mobile. It was the second EF-3 tornado in Escambia County in eight days, with a similar tornado hitting the Century area on February 15.
Only three other F-3 tornadoes have ever been recorded in Escambia County. Rated on the old F scale rather than EF, the F-3 tornadoes hit in 1956, 1967 and 1971.
For more photos, including aerial photos, click here.
For a photo gallery from the aftermath of Tuesday’s Pensacola EF-3 tornado, click here.
Photo courtesy: Escambia County, Escambia County Fire Rescue, City of Pensacola and Kristi Price for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
