Volunteers Needed For FloridaWest Board of Directors
February 19, 2017
Volunteers are needed for the FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance Board of Directors.
The FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance was created in October 2014 when economic development was separated and moved out from under the present day Greater Pensacola Chamber. FloridaWest EDA operates as a publicly/privately-funded organization, observing all local, state and federal laws that apply to nonprofit organizations as defined in section 501(c )(6) of the Internal Revenue Code and Florida’s Government-in-the Sunshine Law, sections 286 and 288.075 of the Florida statutes.
The mission of FloridaWest EDA is to promote industry and commerce, enhance the business climate and stimulate economic prosperity, support workforce development, promote community development and encourage political action. FloridaWest EDA strives to accomplish the greatest good for the greatest number of people in Pensacola, Escambia County and Northwest Florida.
The membership of the FloridaWest EDA Board of Directors consists of not less than seven and not more than 21 members made up of members from the private sector and two members each who are appointed by the city and the county. Appointees serve as long as the appointing authority wants them to serve.
The FloridaWest EDA Board of Directors meets at the Greater Pensacola Chamber, 117 W. Garden St., the last Tuesday of every other month from 2-3:30 p.m.
Residents interested in serving on the board are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve by close of business Wednesday, February 22. Resumes should be submitted to Judy Witterstaeter, Program Coordinator, Board of County Commissioners, P.O. Box 1591, Pensacola, FL 32502, or emailed to jhwitter@myescambia.com.
Resumes submitted to a BCC agenda for consideration will become part of the official minutes and are subject to public records requests.
Benefit Raises Over $15K For Local Family With Double Cancer Loss
February 18, 2017
A benefit for the Barrow family Friday night in Bratt raised over $15,790 for the family, according to organizers. The Breakfast for the Barrows fundraiser included pancake supper at the First Baptist Church of Bratt and sales of t-shirts and bracelets.
The Barrows recently experienced the loss two family members to cancer — mother Joanna Barrow died on January 30 and son Zachary Barrow passed away on February 8. (NorthEscambia.com recently featured the emotional story of Zach and his fiancee Lauren, click here.)
The Zach Barrow Memorial Scholarship funded by Dr. Sheldon Harigel was also announced. The $1,000 scholarship will be awarded annually on December 3, Zach’s birthday, to a deserving athlete at Northview High School, where Zach graduated and later returned as an assistant baseball coach.
The Blue Wahoo’s Kazoo was scheduled to attend the pancake supper but was absent due to illness. It was announced that the Blue Wahoos will honor the Barrows at an upcoming game, present them a portion of game night proceeds and allow a family member to toss the game’s first pitch.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Friends Flip Beulah Home On DIY’s ‘First Time Flippers’
February 18, 2017
A couple of Cantonment best friends appeared on the DIY Network’s “First Time Flippers” Saturday night.
In the show, Ginger Solliday and Kim Hedgepeth purchased a house in Beulah (the show refers to it as Pensacola), made needed repairs and improvements and flippod — resold — it, for a financial windfall. Things don’t immediately go so well, as it was the first flip for the friends. When Solliday becomes concerned about their lack of experience, she and Hedgepath clash over whether they should hire a professional or finish the the rest of the renovations on their own.
“It’s pretty funny and the house turned out great,” Hedgepath told NorthEscambia.com.”We look dumb on the show, but it was so much fun.”
The friends decided they could completely renovate a house for profit while watching DIY TV shows, Hedgepath said. She “retired” a couple of years ago after working as a paralegal for 21 years, and Solliday is a part-time hair stylist. The needed some extra cash for vacations, and decided the house flip might be a good idea.
Their husbands also helped out along the way, but that’s not shown on the program, she said.
We won’t spoil the show and tell you how much, if anything, the duo made on the flip, but we do know they started on their second flip about two weeks ago.
And Hedgepath offers some advice for anyone considering a flip: “Go for it, as long as you are willing to put in some hard work. It was really fun. One more piece of advice…it really is OK to wear flip flops!”
The episode “Flip Flop Flippn’”, which was filmed last summer, airs again on the DIY Network on Sunday, 8:30 p.m on Saturday March 18, and 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 19.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Kayla Crocker Community Benefit Is Today
February 18, 2017
A community benefit will be held today for the children of 28-year old Kayla Maylee Crocker, the Beulah mother of two that was shot by William Boyette during a home invasion.
The Beulah community has planned a memorial and fundraising event Saturday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Beulah Park at 7820 Mobile Highway. All first responders with identification will be able to eat for free.
A BBQ combo with a sandwich, drink and a bag of chips will be $6. A cake walk will be held during the event for several donated cakes, and there will be entertainment.
There will also be a raffle for prizes that includes: a year’s worth of cleaning services by Melissa’s Custom Clean ($1,000 value), Spray Tan sessions, home décor, jewelry and gift cards/certificates donated by several local restaurants and retail shops with many more items being donated daily.
All money collected will be place into an account in the childrens’ names at Navy Federal Credit Union.
A Very Special Mardi Gras Parade (With Photo Gallery)
February 18, 2017
A very special Mardi Gras parade was held Friday morning for the special needs students of Escambia Westgate School.
With plenty of beads, Moon Pies, stuffed animals and smiles, the parade rolled through the school parking lot for students that might not otherwise be able to attend a regular Mardi Gras parade.
Courtesy Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Late Rally Costs Lady Chiefs Against Escambia Gators
February 18, 2017
The Northview Lady Chiefs dropped a heartbreaker 6-3 in eight innings to the Escambia Gators Friday night in Bratt.
Northview was in control of the game for the first six innings only giving up one run until the Gators mounted a comeback with a two-run seventh inning to tie the game at three each. The Gators went on to score three more in the eighth with the Chiefs unable to answer.
Tori Herrington took the loss allowing six runs on eight hits with eight strikeouts and two walks.
Batting for the Lady Chiefs:
Jamia Newton 2-4, run, 2 singles
Tori Herrington 1-3, triple, RBI, walk
Peighton Dortch 1-3, run, triple, walk
Valen Shelly 0-4, RBI
Aubree Love 0-3, run, walk
Kendall Enfinger 0-4
Teriana Redmond 0-4
Lydia Smith 0-3
Alana Brown 0-3
Northview’s varsity will host Catholic Tuesday, February 21 at 5 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Health Advisory Issued, Fire Continues At Rolling Hills Landfill
February 18, 2017
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County(FDOH-Escambia) is issuing an air quality health advisory in response to associated smoke from fire at Rolling Hills Construction and Demolition Landfill.
Air quality monitoring has been performed by the Escambia County Natural Resources Management Department near the facility at 6990 Rolling Hills Road, Pensacola, FL. The monitoring has revealed elevated levels of small particulate matter in the air likely associated with smoke from the fire.Nearby residents are advised to protect against smoke exposure.
Smoke is a respiratory irritant that can cause scratchy throat or irritated eyes and nose.
According to the CDC, breathing in smoke can have immediate health effects, including coughing, difficulty breathing, scratchy throat, irritated eyes and nose, shortness of breath, and rapid heartbeat. Persons experiencing respiratory symptoms, including those with severe or chronic respiratory conditions like asthma or chronic lung disease, should consult their doctor for treatment and stay inside their homes. While inside, residents should close windows, run their cooling or heating system, and change the system’s air filter as needed. If symptoms persist while inside an air conditioned home, residents may choose to leave the area until their symptoms are tolerable.
Escambia County has mobilized work crews from Waste Services, Public Safety and the Road Department to address the ongoing fire at the Rolling Hills Landfill, located at 6990 Rolling Hills Road. The county successfully worked through issues with the property owner, South Palafox Properties, and at approximately 12:30 Friday afternoon entered the landfill. South Palafox Properties agreed that it was unable to provide the necessary resources to extinguish the fire and will be invoiced for the mobilization of county resources.
Three firefighting brush trucks along with bulldozers and dump trucks are working to first bring down the smoke and then use dirt to smother the fire. Crews will be on scene daily until sunset until the fire is extinguished.
The fire is in a large mound of land clearing debris located in the southeast area of the property designated for land clearing debris disposal. The fire is not in the C&D area of the landfill currently being remediated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Since revoking Rolling Hills Landfill’s permit in 2014, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection was able to get court approval to close the landfill. Working with state contractors, surveyors and landfill closure experts, FDEP developed a comprehensive closure design based on current site conditions, and the contractor began work in the fall of 2016. A vast majority of the onsite work has been completed. However, weather has caused some delays, and the project is expected to be completed at the end of this month.
Dense Fog Advisory For Tonight
February 18, 2017
There is a dense fog advisory for tonight. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Patchy dense fog after 9pm. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 52. Calm wind.
Sunday: Areas of dense fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.
Washington’s Birthday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 73. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 58. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. East wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 76.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 68.
Vehicle Struck By Train In Atmore
February 17, 2017
Two people reportedly ran for their lives just before a train struck their vehicle early Friday morning in Atmore.
The crash happened about 1:45 a.m. at the Trammell Street crossing just off Nashville Avenue. Reports indicated the driver had turned off the roadway and attempted to drive down the railroad tracks where his vehicle became stuck before being hit by the westbound CSX freight train The vehicle apparently became airborne and became lodged against a crossing arm signal pole.
Both the driver and his passenger escaped the vehicle before the crash. There were no injuries.
The driver was seen being placed into the back of an Atmore Police Department vehicle. It was not immediately known what charges, if any, he might face in connection with the crash.
Further details have not yet been released as the accident investigation continues. The Atmore Fire Department also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Embattled Doctor Wins Auction For Former Century Hospital Building
February 17, 2017
The Century doctor that battled the state to operate out of the town’s former hospital has now purchased the building at auction.
Dr. Christian Bachman’s Mayo Street Medical, Inc. was the sole bidder on the facility Thursday, according to Jason Mahon, public information specialist for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, owners of the former hospital. Bachman bid $21,000 for the 1.69 acre property and 24,000 square foot building at 7600 Mayo Street, well above the $13,500 minimum bid.
The DEP served Mayo Street Medical a cease and desist order keeping the public out of the building and effectively closing the medical office in February 2016. Since that time, Bachman has continued to make house calls to see his patients.
“I believe this ordeal finally has a happy ending,” Bachman told NorthEscambia.com Thursday evening as he was driving between house calls. He expects to repair code violations and make tornado repairs to the building quickly, with hopes that his medical practice will be open again within about six months. He also expects to re-open his research laboratory, which was heavily damaged a year ago in Century’s EF-3 tornado.
Now that he will own the building, Bachman also said he’s considered making space available in the facility for other businesses, hopefully creating additional jobs.
Bachman’s 50 Year Lease
In a letter dated August 26, 2015, Century Health Care Access (CHCA) and Dr. Bachman, president of CHCA and physician for Mayo Street Medical, were ordered to vacate the facility by September 30, 2015, by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The eviction date passed, with Bachman and his medical practice receiving much media attention that began with a NorthEscambia.com story. As a result, Bachman said, DEP shifted their position, which at first seemed like a positive breakthrough. But with time, he said he realized it appeared the DEP simply changed their strategy to making “impossible demands”.
The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office also demanded changes that the doctor said were impracticable to impossible. Demands included repairs to large areas of ceilings that were patched by DEP or their contractors in the 1990’s to install a new fire sprinkler system. He said it was not possible to obtain the permits for the work in a short time period, much less make the costly repairs.
Bachman refused to budge, continuing to operate his medical practice, seeing patients regardless of their ability to pay and even making house calls.
On Friday afternoon, February 12, 2016, law enforcement officers served Bachman a cease and desist order that demanded that no member of the public be allowed inside the building due to fire code violations.
A Stormy End
Bachman said the cease and desist order from the State Fire Marshal’s Office was served on him about 3:45 to 4:00 on that Friday afternoon, with a 72-hour provision to comply. Almost exactly to the minute 72 hours later, the most powerful tornado to hit Escambia County in 45 years roared through Century with winds over 150 mph, and wiped out numerous homes in Century around Bachman’s office. The hospital building suffered damage, but the structure survived intact.
Bachman told NorthEscambia.com at the time that he found great irony in the fact that the building was deemed unsafe, but it was the very place many Century residents ran to for shelter during and after the EF-3 tornado.
When Gov. Rick Scott toured the tornado damage in Century in late Feburary 2016, it presented Bachman with a sudden and unexpected opportunity to discuss his battles with state government face to face with the state’s top elected official.
As Scott walked along Mayo and Church streets, toward the old Century Hospital, he had been briefed on the facility and Bachman’s plight. As Scott and his entourage continued to walk down Church Street, just outside the boarded-up windows of Bachman’s research lab, Bachman grabbed the chance to plead his case and hand over a support petition.
At the time Bachman was served the cease and desist order by DEP, he was the only doctor in Century. A pediatrician has since located in Century.
Pictured above and below: The former Century Hospital on Mayo Street as seen Wednesday, January 25. Pictured above inset: Dr. Christian Bachman pleads his case with Gov. Rick Scott on the street outside the former Century Hospital.
