Tornado Damage Assistance Application Deadline Approaching
November 15, 2016
Time is running out to apply for funding from the State Housing Initiatives Partnership, or SHIP, program to assist homeowners needing repair or replacement housing assistance as a result of the February tornadoes in Escambia County. Applications must be approved prior to December 31, 2016, so applicants are encouraged to contact the appropriate agency as soon as possible.
Potential applicants residing in unincorporated Escambia County, including the town of Century, should contact the Escambia County Neighborhood Enterprise Division at 850-595-3011, and those residing in the city of Pensacola limits should contact the City of Pensacola Housing Division at 850-858-0306.
Income limits apply, and the property must have been owner occupied at the time of the storm and current on property taxes to receive assistance.
Pictured: Tornado damage in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Florida Democrats Looks For Answers And A Leader
November 15, 2016
After losing the state’s presidential and U.S. Senate races and failing to make major gains in the Legislature, Florida Democrats are groping for a way forward as the 2018 elections loom with battles for governor and all three state Cabinet seats.
The immediate issue is who will lead the Florida Democratic Party and its 4.87 million voters, with the announcement Friday that Allison Tant, who has chaired the party since 2013, is stepping down in January.
Tant, a former Tallahassee lobbyist who was known for her ability to raise money for Democrats, led the party through two difficult election cycles as Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton lost last week in the state and gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist lost in 2014 to Republican incumbent Rick Scott.
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, who could face a challenge from Scott in 2018, defended Tant’s leadership Monday.
Nelson, who is the only Democrat holding a statewide office in Florida, called her “a strong and dedicated leader.”
“I hope the energy she brought to our party will stay with us for years to come,” Nelson said in a statement.
With the stinging election defeat less than week old, several names have emerged as potential Tant successors including former state Sen. Dan Gelber of Miami Beach; Alan Clendenin, a state party vice chair and Hillsborough County state committeeman; Annette Taddeo, a former Miami-Dade County chair and a 2014 candidate for lieutenant governor; Dwight Bullard, who lost a re-election bid last week for his Miami-Dade Senate seat; and Susannah Randolph, a former aide to U.S. Rep Alan Grayson and a longtime Orange County party activist.
“I think we will hear more names. I don’t think you’ve heard all the names you’re going to hear,” said former state Sen. Steve Geller, who was just elected to the Broward County Commission.
As for the election outcome, Geller said: “When you’re on the losing side, the question is always the same.”
“Did you lose because you didn’t go enough to the center under the theory that the majority of voters are in the center or did you lose because you didn’t go enough to the extreme (and energize the base)?” he said.
In Clinton’s case, Geller said the Democrats relied too heavily on the Obama “coalition,” which was weaker without the incumbent president on the ticket, and the Democrats were hurt by outside factors, including the FBI reopening an investigation of Clinton-related emails shortly before the election.
Geller said it was too early to speculate on how this year’s defeats, including U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy’s loss in the U.S. Senate race, will impact the 2018 elections, including the race for governor, a post the Democrats have not won since 1994.
“This week, people are still in shock,” Geller said.
The Florida Democrats will regroup in county-level elections next month, where the 67 party organizations will select county chairs, vice chairs and state committeewomen and committeemen.
Out of that group of local Democratic leaders, the state party will meet sometime in January to select Tant’s replacement, who would serve as the state chair for the next four years, including the 2018 elections as well as the 2020 presidential race.
Clendenin, who was narrowly defeated by Tant in the last party leadership election in 2013, said he is seriously considering running for the party chair again, but has not made a final decision.
“It’s a long road we’re facing,” said Clendenin, who lost a bid for a seat on the Hillsborough County School Board this fall. “And I think everybody in this party is doing some soul searching right now.”
If he runs, Clendenin said he would emphasize the theme he used in his previous leadership bids that the Democrats have to refocus their organization on a “grassroots” approach rather than “top-down driven” effort.
He said that was one of the lessons of this year’s elections, where the Democrats managed to turn out large numbers of voters in major urban areas but were overwhelmed in other areas of the state.
“You can’t possibly get enough votes out of our heavily Democratic areas if we completely ignore two-thirds of the state,” Clendenin said.
Although he was longtime Clinton supporter, Clendenin said he favored the shared approach of Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump who both had “a bottom-driven movement that percolated up from social media and then was implemented into a grassroots movement that was real and in the field.”
With many names circulating as possible party chairs, Clendenin questioned whether some of the candidates will be eligible since they must first be elected as a county precinct committeeman or committeewoman to be eligible for a county leadership post and then the state chair.
Clendenin said it was possible for some of those candidates to maneuver their way into eligibility, but it would likely draw more controversy after the clash between the Sanders campaign and the national Democratic Party in this year’s presidential primary.
“I don’t think they’re going to be able to withstand that type of scrutiny this time around,” he said.
Bullard, who was defeated in his re-election bid last week by state Rep. Frank Artiles, R-Miami, said he is interested in the party leadership position.
Bullard said he would emphasize “a recommitment to our grassroots political ideology, putting everyday working families before special interests.”
“People want to know there is a party out there working for them and that it represents their voices,” Bullard said, pointing to issues like protecting Social Security, raising the minimum wage and protecting individual rights “regardless of sexual orientation.”
Bullard said Trump was more successful with voters based on a campaign strategy of “fear.”
“I would say the antithesis of that would be an atmosphere of positivity,” Bullard said, saying the party needs a message that appeals across the racial and economic spectrums.
“They all want better health care, a better education…a positive economic outlook,” he said.
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida
CrossFaith Church Motorcycle Ride Benefits Alzheimer’s Services
November 15, 2016
CrossFaith Church in Molino held their annual “Ride to Remember” last Saturday to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and raise funds for The Retreat, the Council on Aging’s adult day health care center. Riders also made stops by Homestead Village of Pensacola and the Summer Vista Assisted Living Community. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lady Chiefs Drop Season Opener To Escambia Academy
November 15, 2016
The Northview Lady Chiefs lost their season opener at home Monday night to the Cougars of Escambia Academy 44-26.
The Catholic Lady Crusaders are up next for the Chiefs at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Pensacola, followed by a road trip to Freeport on Thursday.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Neighborhood Watch, Fire Safety Info Offered
November 15, 2016
The Beulah Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office attended Monday night’s meeting of the Bell Ridge Forest Homeowners Association. The Sheriff’s Office discussed the benefits of a neighborhood watch program, while the fire department presented information on home fire safety.
For more information on Escambia Fire Rescue fire safety programs, call Lt. David Coulter at (850) 471-6525. For more information on the neighborhood watch program from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, call David Craig at (850) 436-9281.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ever’man Grocery, Cafe Coming To Nine Mile Road
November 15, 2016
A new grocery story and cafe are coming to Nine Mile Road.
Ever’man Cooperative Grocery & Cafe has closed on property located at 1000 East Nine Mile Road for a new grocery store, cafe and educational center.
“Our members have been asking for another location on the north side of town for a number of years. We believe in the power of community, the collective energy of individuals coming together to be more environmentally conscious and to live healthier lives. Ever’man is proud to be an honorable cooperative citizen and strong community partner,” said Ever’man board president Dave DeBlander.
Ever’man current operate a location on West Garden Street in downtown Pensacola. Ever’man has been a local staple for more than 40 years, gradually expanding its offerings to include a wealth of wholesome options, including artisanal breads, sustainable meat, dairy and seafood, organic wines and craft beers, and a full line of vitamins, herbal remedies and personal care products.
“Everyone at Ever’man is excited to expand our cooperative and our mission into a part of our community that is experiencing amazing growth,” said General Manager William Rolfs. “We are excited and committed to become a closer part of that community, not only as a trusted source for organic, sustainable foods at a reasonable price, but also as a gathering place for people who want to share ideas and experience healthy living in fun, engaging ways.”
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fire Destroys Abandoned Home In Cantonment
November 14, 2016
Fire ripped though an abandoned home in Cantonment Monday evening.
The home in the 1400 block of Highway 297A was fully involved when the first firefighters arrived. The fire was declared under control 13 minutes later. Neighbors said the log and stone home had been abandoned for about a year; it was being demolished to make way for a new subdivision.
There were no injuries reported.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
For additional photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Molino Rollover Crash
November 14, 2016
There were no injuries in a single vehicle crash Sunday night near Molino.
The accident was reported just before 9 p.m. near the intersection of Highway 95A and Barrineau Park Road. A 25-year old female driver lost control, left the roadway and flipped her car over into several trees. She denied serious injury at the scene.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Cool Nights, Nice Afternoons
November 14, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. North wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 49. Calm wind.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Patchy fog after 5am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 46. Calm wind.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 78. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Patchy fog after 3am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 53. South wind around 5 mph becoming southeast after midnight.
Friday: Patchy fog before 7am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 78. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. South wind around 5 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 62.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 36.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 63.
Update: Driver Stuck On Railroad Tracks Charged With DUI
November 14, 2016
(This is an update to a previous story published November 4.)
A driver that became stuck on railroad tracks in Cantonment earlier this month has been charged DUI.
According to a recently released report from the Florida Highway Patrol, Jeffery Thomas McKamey, age 58 of Cantonment, had a breath alcohol level of .23, nearly three times the legal limit.
On November 3, McKamey missed turn and became stuck on the tracks near Woodbury Circle. He told the responding state trooper that he had six or seven beers prior to the accident. The trooper was unable to complete a field sobriety test because he was unable to stand without nearly falling over.
McKamey was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $1,000 bond. He’s due back in court in early December.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
