Cat Country 98.7 Nominated For ACM Station And Morning Show Of Year
February 2, 2016
Pensacola’s locally-owned country radio station, CatCountry 98.7, has been nominated as Radio Station of the Year in their market size by the Academy of Country Music (ACM). This is the station’s eighth nomination in the last 12 years for an award they won in 2006, 2009 and 2011.
Local radio personalities Brent & Candy have also been nominated for Radio Personalities of the Year for The CatPak Morning Show. Brent previously won the ACM Personality of the Year in
2009. Brent & Candy’s CatPak Morning Show is “Live & Local” from 5-10 a.m. weekdays both on the air and online at www.CatCountry987.com.
The 51st annual ACM Awards Show is set for Sunday April 3 in Las Vegas and will be shown live on CBS (locally on WKRG TV 5) beginning at 7 p.m.. It will be hosted live by Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley.
Dave Hoxeng, owner of Cat Country 98.7 and NewsRadio1620, said “I’m so proud of our whole team of 26 people here in Pensacola. They are passionate about our community and about country music. This is a great honor.”
Pictured Cat Country 98.7 received their third Academy of Country Music Radio Station of the Year award in 2011. Accepting the trophies from Sony recording star Sara Evans in Las Vegas were Mary and Dave Hoxeng, owners of Cat Country 98.7. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Scott, Seminoles Try To Sell Gambling Deal
February 2, 2016
Gov. Rick Scott used a joint press conference Monday with the Seminole Tribe to pitch the economic impact of a proposed $3 billion gambling agreement now in the hands of the Legislature.
For Scott, the deal is all about jobs.
During an hour-long presentation by the Seminoles about expansion plans, the tribe’s representatives said that more than 3,600 workers would lose their jobs if lawmakers don’t sign off on the proposed gambling deal, known as a “compact.”
Scott and the Seminoles struck the new deal after a 2010 agreement giving the tribe exclusive rights to operate banked card games, such as blackjack, expired last summer.
Under the agreement inked by Scott and tribal leader James Billie in December, the tribe would be able to keep the banked card games and add craps and roulette at its seven casinos. In exchange, the Seminoles agreed to pay Florida $3 billion over seven years in what would be the most lucrative tribal revenue-sharing agreement for any state in the nation. The tribe also pledged to spend $1.8 billion in capital costs to expand its current operations.
Seminole Gaming CEO Jim Allen told Scott on Monday that the new compact would create about 4,500 direct and indirect permanent jobs. In contrast, nearly 3,700 employees would be out of jobs if the Legislature fails to approve the deal, Allen said.
Allen said the tribe is working with legislative leaders, but warned that the success of the deal hinges on Scott, echoing remarks of Senate Regulated Industries Chairman Rob Bradley after a preliminary vetting of the compact two weeks ago.
“We are navigating, but we need your support with the House and the Senate,” Allen said. “We need the support of the governor if we’re going to move this.”
Scott, who in the past has been criticized for failing to lobby the Legislature on his priorities, pointedly appealed to lawmakers during Monday’s hour-long presentation during which the governor heard from several workers — including a line cook who recently took over care of her deceased sister’s five children — fearful about losing their jobs.
Sounding as if he were on the campaign trail, Scott — the self-proclaimed “jobs governor” who, in his run for office in 2010, pledged to create 700,000 new jobs in seven years — spoke of growing up in a “family that didn’t have work,” a common theme in both of his gubernatorial bids.
“It’s a tough time. I don’t ever want to go back to that time for anybody in our state,” Scott said.
Scott thanked the employees for sharing their stories and used guilt to appeal to lawmakers.
“That’s what people want to hear. They want to hear how it impacts a person. That’s what’s great about our state. People in our state care about people. I think it’s very important to tell people the impact of their decisions. Today it gave me more information, and hopefully we’ll be able to share that with the Legislature,” Scott said.
During the presentation, Scott repeatedly asked what would happen if the compact goes away.
“I ran on a jobs platform. So let’s say the compact is not expanded or we don’t have a new compact and 3,700 jobs are lost. How would that affect your business?” Scott asked one vendor.
The responses from tribal members, vendors and representatives of the tribe’s 11,000 workers were the same: They’d be hurt.
“It would affect me immensely. Immensely,” a tearful Patricia Rodriguez, a pit manager who said she’s a single mother of three, told the governor.
Ron LaFalce, president of Maple Direct, told Scott his direct mail business is planning a $500,000 expansion, thanks largely to its work for the Seminoles.
“So if (the compact) wasn’t approved, then you would have made a bad investment and you would have lost employees,” Scott said, adding that approval of the deal “would help me get to more jobs.”
Monday’s press conference in Broward County included details of the Seminoles’ planned expansion of their Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood. The expansion includes a giant guitar-shaped hotel, submerged tiki huts and 5,000-square-foot villas with butler service and private pools.
The tribe is “trying to create something that’s iconic,” Allen said.
“Our business model is not just to prey on the local person who wants to go to a casino and has $20 or $30 in their pocket,” he said.
Monday’s press conference came as the Seminoles — who’ve contributed nearly $3 million to political campaigns in Florida over the past three years, including $500,000 to Let’s Get to Work, a political committee backing Scott — step up their public-relations campaign regarding the compact.
The Seminoles recently released three statewide television ads promoting their casinos as “family-friendly” job creators.
Allen told the governor that the Seminoles are working to educate the House and Senate and public about the potential “ripple effect” of a new compact, or, conversely, the negative impact of doing away with the old one.
“We’re trying to get that communication out there,” Allen said. “It isn’t just the excess of $248 million that the state will have in this year’s budget. But it’s also the ripple effect of all of those businesses that won’t be spending. We would certainly hope we can forego that.”
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Pictured: The Seminoles’ planned expansion of their Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, including a giant guitar-shaped hotel, submerged tiki huts and 5,000-square-foot villas with butler service and private pools. Courtesy Seminole Tribe of Florida for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rain, Possible Storms, Moving In By Late Tonight
February 2, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Some of the storms could be severe. Low around 64. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Wednesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 9am, then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 55. North wind around 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 33. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 55. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53.
FWC Hunter Safety Internet Completion Course In Jay
February 2, 2016
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering free hunter safety Internet-completion courses in Jay this month.
Students who have taken the online course and wish to complete the classroom portion must bring the online-completion report with them.
All firearms, ammunition and materials are provided free of charge. Students should bring a pen or pencil and paper. An adult must accompany children younger than 16 at all times.
Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course and have a hunting license to hunt alone (unsupervised). The FWC course satisfies hunter-safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.
The course will be be offered February 10 from 6-10 p.m. and February 20 from 7-10 a.m. at the Jay Community Center at 5259 Booker Lane.
Those interested in attending a course can register online and obtain information about future hunter safety classes at MyFWC.com/HunterSafety or by calling the FWC’s regional office in Lake City at (850) 758-0525.
Completion courses will be offered in March in Escambia County, visit MyFWC.com/HunterSafety for more information.
No Injuries In Cantonment Wreck
February 1, 2016
There were no serious injuries in a single vehicle accident on Highway 29 just north of Woodland Street in Cantonment about 7:30 Monday morning. The driver of a pickup truck ran off the roadway, struck a sign post, a concrete ditch and a culvert. The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Website Matches Commuters To Carpools, Park And Ride Lots
February 1, 2016
The “rideOn” service has launched a new website that provides easy access to the ride-matching registration and other information, such as location of park and ride lots throughout northwest Florida.
There are three park and ride lots in Escambia County — one at the courthouse annex in Century, one at the Pensacola Bay Center in downtown Pensacola and one on Scenic Highway next to Dairy Queen. The lots are used as central meeting points for commuters engaged in carpool and vanpool activities.
rideOn’s new website at www.rideoncarpoolconnection.com provides easy information on the park and ride lots and can also match commuters who can share a carpool. Participants simply visit the website, enter their contact information, schedule and work address (a home address is needed for matching, but the home address is kept confidential). A free list of matches is generated, show the names and contact information of those with a similar commute. There is no obligation to participants; it is entirely up to them to make any ride sharing arrangements.
rideON also participates in the Emergency Ride Home Program which provides a voucher for a free emergency ride home from work for commuters who use alternative forms of transportation (like vanpools, carpools, public transportation, bicycling, or walking) to get to work at least three days per week.
The rideOn programs are available to anyone working or living in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Gulf, Holmes, Washington, Jackson, or Calhoun counties. It is a partnership of the West Florida Regional Planning Council and the Florida Department of Transportation.
Pictured: The Park and Ride lot in Century, located at the Century Courthouse. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
House Slated To Take Up Gun Bills Tuesday
February 1, 2016
The Florida House on Tuesday is scheduled to take up controversial bills about carrying guns on college campuses and openly carrying firearms, according to information posted on the House website.
The bills have drawn heavy debate during the legislative session and are backed by Second Amendment advocates such as the National Rifle Association.
One of the bills (HB 163), sponsored by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to openly carry firearms in Florida.
The other bill (HB 4001), sponsored by Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, and Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee, would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to carry guns on college and university campuses.
Many university-system leaders have opposed the campus-carry bill. Also, Senate Judiciary Chairman Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, R-Miami, has said his committee likely will not take up the campus-carry issue, which would block the bill in the Senate.
by The News Service of Florida
PSC Presents Energy Efficiency Award To Escambia’s 4-H Center
February 1, 2016
Recognizing energy efficiency accomplishments, the Florida Public Service Commission presented its first 2016 Triple E Award—for Energy Efficiency Effort—to Escambia County’s Langley Bell 4-H Center in Cantonment for applying best energy practices in their new building.
“We commend Escambia County 4-H Center administrators for incorporating a variety of energy efficiency measures in its new building,” PSC Chairman Julie Brown said. “With the money saved on monthly energy costs, the 4-H Center now can do more for the youth and community it serves.”
“Working in concert with Escambia County and Gulf Power Company, we implemented energy efficiency recommendations, using floors optimized for natural daylight, low-e windows with roof overhang, and well insulated walls and ceilings,” said Pamela H. Allen, UF/IFAS Escambia County Extension director. “Because of our center’s innovative building design, we also achieved a ‘Three Green Globes Certificate,’ being recognized for best practices in energy, water, and environmental efficiency.”
“Gulf Power always encourages businesses and organizations to start with us to learn about their organizations’ energy use and the best ways to save money on energy costs,” said Rick DelaHaya, Gulf Power spokesperson. “We worked closely with Escambia County’s Facilities Management before and during the 4-H Center’s new construction and helped them incorporate energy efficiency enhancements in many high-use energy areas, such as the center’s HVAC and outside air ventilation systems, as well as their lighting and roofing designs.”
The PSC encourages cost-effective conservation and renewable energy to reduce the use of fossil fuels and defer the need for new generating capacity. Through the Florida Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, the PSC approves conservation programs for the state’s five investor-owned utilities, JEA, and the Orlando Utilities Commission.
Covering the state’s five major geographic areas, each month the PSC gives its Triple E Award to a local business that has accomplished superior energy efficiency.
.Pictured: The Langley Bell 4-H Center on Stefani Road. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Appointee Sought For Escambia County Disability Awareness Committee
February 1, 2016
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking county residents interested in volunteering for an “At-Large” appointment to the Escambia County Disability Awareness Committee, which was established by the Board during its regular meeting on Oct. 17, 2013.
The purpose of the committee is to make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners regarding issues relating to the disabled community and any other issues requested by the Board. The committee is composed of seven voting members, and all members of the committee must be electors of Escambia County. Each commissioner on the Board of County Commissioners appoints one member to the committee, and each member serves concurrently with his or her appointing commissioner’s term. The Board collectively appoints two at-large members, who each serve a four-year term.
There are four meetings scheduled each year on the third Wednesday of the month. Meetings begin at 3 p.m. and typically last until 5 p.m. Special meetings may be scheduled if needed. There is no travel required.
Residents interested in serving on the committee are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve by the close of business on Thursday, Feb. 11. Letters and resumes should be submitted to Judy Witterstaeter, Program Coordinator, Board of County Commissioners, P.O. Box 1591, Pensacola, Florida 32502.
Northview Holding Open Gym Sessions For Potential Volleyball Players
February 1, 2016
Northview High School will host four open gyms this semester for any girl that is interested in playing volleyball next season.
Any girl that will be in grades 9-12 year is welcome, including home school students. The open gym sessions will be held February 3 and 17, and March 2 and 16. All sessions will be from 3:30 until 5:45 p.m. A current physical must be on file.