Amtrak Rolls Into Pensacola On Day Two Of Gulf Coast Tour (With Gallery)
February 20, 2016
Day two of Amtrak’s inspection train across the Gulf Coast got underway Friday morning in Pensacola for a trip across the Panhandle and on to Jacksonville. The train was packed with Amtrak officials, local officials and VIPs and the media to gauge the reaction to the possible return of rail service to the Gulf Coast.
Amtrak’s Sunset Limited passenger train, which included service from New Orleans through Pensacola to Jacksonville, came to an end along the Gulf Coast due to damage from Hurricane Katrina.
The train is a test of sorts, testing the potential route and testing the willingness of state leaders from Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana to provide millions in funding for the daily train service
For a photo gallery, click here.
For an earlier story and photos from Amtrak’s arrival in Atmore on Thursday, click here.
Pictured: Amtrak’s arrival Friday morning in Pensacola. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Park Elementary After School Students Learn Fire Safety
February 20, 2016
Volunteers from the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue visited Molino Park Elementary School’s after-school program Friday afternoon to teach the students about fire safety. Photos by Kayla Bedell for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Reimagine Flomaton Today: Food, Clothing And Much More For Anyone In Need
February 20, 2016
Reimagine Flomaton is going on today from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Hurricane Park in Flomaton from 10 am to 3 pm. There will be a 15,000 pound food distribution, as well as other free activities and giveaways including clothing, diapers, pillows and laundry detergent. All guests and volunteers will also receive a free lunch.
There will be free children’s activities including face painting, bounce house and a coloring contest in which three children will a new bicycle. There will also be live Christian music, dance and more.
All area residents from the Flomaton and Century areas are invited to attend. (This event was planned for the entire community months ago, and is not just for tornado victims.)
Pictured: Last May’s Reimagine Century event. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Safety Tips, Laws Apply For Burning Yard Debris From Recent Storms
February 20, 2016
In the wake of recent storms and tornadoes, officials with the Florida Forest Service are encouraging people to practice safe burning if and when they began burning yard debris and blown down limbs and trees.
The Forest Service regulates burning and there are several rules, regulations and tips that residents need to follow in order to stay safe, stay legal, and avoid undesirable impacts from smoke. These rules also apply within the town limits of Century.
Click the graphic to enlarge and see setback requirements for burning.
Some tips and requirements to keep in mind before you burn yard waste include:
- Legal burning hours are between 8 a.m. and one hour before sunset.
- It is illegal to burn household garbage (including paper products), treated lumber, plastics, rubber materials, tires, pesticide, paint and aerosol containers.
- Piles greater than 8 feet in diameter will require an authorization from the Division of Forestry.
- Clear down to bare, mineral soil around your pile to prevent the fire from spreading.
- Don’t burn on windy days.
- Never leave a fire unattended – even for a moment. One gust of wind can cause a fire to escape.
- Grass fires can spread quickly. Be prepared. Keep handy a water hose, shovel or other means to put out the fire.
- Make sure the fire is completely out before leaving it – no smoke and no heat.
- If your fire escapes, call for help quickly. Several minutes may pass before a fire department or the Division of Forestry can arrive on scene.
- If your fire escapes, you might be held liable for the cost of suppression and damages to the property of others.
Minimum required setbacks to legally burn yard waste:
- 25 feet from any forested area (grasslands, brush or other wildlands).
- 25 feet from your home or other combustible structure.
- 50 feet from any paved or public roadway.
- 150 from any occupied dwelling other than your own home.
Sunny Weekend, Rain By Monday
February 20, 2016
Here is your official NorthEscambia area forecast:
Tonight: Areas of fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. South wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1pm. Areas of fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: A slight chance of showers before 7pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 57. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 7am. High near 67. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 55. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tuesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 7am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 7am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 1pm, then a chance of rain after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of rain before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 58.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 59.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 62.
Cantonment Residents Have ‘Coffee With A Cop’
February 20, 2016
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office held a “Coffee With a Cop” this week at the Greater First Baptist Church of Cantonment.
The Coffee with a Cop event provided an opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about what the ESCO is doing in their neighborhood.
Coffee with a Cop is a national initiative supported by the United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Similar events are being held across the county, as local police departments, sheriff’s offices, and state police forces strive to make lasting connections with the communities they serve. The program aims to advance the practice of community policing through improving relationships between law enforcement and community members one cup of coffee at a time.
Pictured: Coffee With a Cop at the Greater First Baptist Church of Cantonment. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Search Warrant Uncovers Drugs, Guns; Three Arrested
February 20, 2016
Three people were arrested Friday after the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office served search warrants on two homes near Warrington Middle School.
As a result of the search, Darryl L. Penn, James Melton and Dominic Robinson were arrested on multiple charges including drug possession and intent to sell. During the searches, deputies seized firearms, cocaine, marijana and prescription drugs from both homes.
Deputies said the search warrants and ultimately the arrests were the result of concern citizen and Crime Stoppers reports.
Walnut Hill 911 Service Restored
February 19, 2016
Repairs to Frontier Communications’ 9-1-1 service in Walnut Hill are complete and residents can once again dial 9-1-1 directly for emergency services. Service was interrupted earlier Friday due to a downed trunk system.
Escambia Commission Declares Emergency; Asks For State Recovery Help
February 19, 2016
The Escambia County Commission voted Thursday night to declare a state of local emergency and ask the governor to take action following Monday’s tornado.
In a letter from Chairman Grover Robinson, the commission is asking Gov. Rick Scott to issue and executive order also declaring a state of emergency in Escambia County due to the tornado and other severe weather. The letter points out that dozens of homes and structures are destroyed or have suffered significant damage in a “severely depressed socioeconomic area and most of these structures are not insured”. The order would allow the county to access as much aid as possible, including SHIP (State Housing Initiatives Partnership program).
The Escambia Commission also voted unanimously to approve a building inspection staff person to serve at the Century Town Hall from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. this Saturday and for a two week period beginning Monday, February 22 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Century Business Center.
The county also voted to waive any fees for building permits needed for storm recovery, and allow the land use certification issued by the Town of Century to serve as the documentation needed to pull the building permits.
The Escambia Commission also approved debris pickup throughout the effected area including both the unincorporated areas of the county and inside the incorporated limits of Century.
For additional tornado recovery information, click here and here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tornado Relief: Free Food And Services, Donation Information
February 19, 2016
- The Salvation Army will be at the Century Community Center on Friday, Feb. 19th during lunch time to serve meals. They will also drive through neighborhoods to serve those that cannot come to the Center.
New Life Christian Center, Friday:
- The New Life Christian Center at 5416 North Century Boulevard will provide hot meals and will give away free clothes and toiletries to tornado victims on Friday, February 19 from 9 a.m. until noon.
Farm Share, Saturday:
- Farm Share is partnering with Senator Greg Evers and Representatives Doug Broxson, Mike Hill, and Clay Ingram to sponsor a disaster relief food distribution on Saturday, February 20, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Century Business Center on Pond Street (new location!). Families in need after the devastation of the tornado earlier this week will be given food and supply bags free of charge from Farm Share. Each household will receive a variety of fresh produce, canned & dried food, water, juice, paper products, and other needed essentials.
- Supplies are very limited and will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis to tornado victims.
Century Little League, Saturday
- Century Little League will provide hot dogs and hamburgers Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. for tornado victims and cleanup workers at Showalter Park.
- Additional Resources available at Abundant Life Assembly of God Church. They are providing food, water and clothing for anyone in need. Donations accepted
- The church cannot accommodate additional clothing donations at this time. The Town is working to identify another organization that might be able to receive and distribute donations.
Florida Baptist Convention Disaster Relief
- Donations can be made to the Florida Baptist Convention and designated for “Century Tornado” for direct use to assist Century area residents. Contact any Southern Baptist Church for more information.
Small Business Development Center:
- The Florida Small Business Development Center will be in Century Friday, Feb. 19th with their Mobile Assistance Center (MAC) unit to assist any local small businesses. They will be located outside the Century Chamber as well as making site visits.
- LSNWFL will be at the Century Business Center on Pond Street Friday, Feb. 19th from noon – 4:00 p.m. assisting residents with property related legal issues.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.