Hundreds Receive Free Schools Supplies In Century, Atmore
July 30, 2017
Free back to school supplies were distributed in Atmore and Century on Saturday.
In Century, free school supplies were given to residents, along with free food, face painting and more. The event was sponsored in part by Century Mayor Henry Hawkins.
Grace Fellowship in Atmore hosted their annual Unity In The Community event with a kid’s carnival, food and entertainment. School supplies and school uniforms were given to students in need.
Coming up next weekend, Victory Assembly of God will host their annual Day of Hope back to school drive on Saturday, August 5 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Free backpacks, school supplies, grocery items and free professional haircuts will be available. For more information visit victorycan.org or call (850) 587-2295. The church is located on Highway 29 just south of Barrineau Park Rd. Children must be present to receive supplies.
Pictured above and immediately below: School supply giveaway in Century. Bottom two photos: United in the Community in Atmore. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com click to enlarge.
Registration Event Scheduled For Danceworks Classes
July 30, 2017
Registration is underway for Heather Leonard’s Danceworks, and a registration event will be held Monday.
The registration will be from 5 until 7 p.m. on Monday at the Byrneville Community Center.
Ballet, tap, pointe, hip hop and jazz classes will be taught by Heather Leonard beginning the week of August 14 for girls ages 3 and up. Classes for ages 3-8 will be based on age, while classes for dancers age 9 and over will be based upon level. Leonard has taught dance to hundreds of girls from North Escambia and surrounding areas.
For the class schedule, click here. For a registration form, click here. For further information or questions email hldanceworks@gmail.com.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Cold Front: Sunny And Dry (But Not Cold) For Sunday
July 30, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 91. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 70. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 89. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 70. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88.
Tax Collector Employees Graduate From Public Manager Program
July 30, 2017
The Escambia County Tax Collector’s Office has announced the graduation of four employees from Florida’s Certified Public Manager program. The graduates are among hundreds of individuals statewide who completed the program.
The four CPM graduates are:
Scott Lunsford, Escambia County Tax Collector
Richard Stone, Chief Operations Officer
Brenda Chestnutt, Chief Financial Officer
Kimson Nobles, Senior Manager
The CPM program is a nationally-recognized leadership development program currently offered in 38 states and by the federal government. Its purpose is to develop more effective public managers, thereby improving services to taxpayers. Graduates complete a rigorous two-year program, consisting of 32 days of classroom instruction, supplemented by comprehensive homework assignments and exams.
Florida has one of the largest CPM programs in the country, with approximately 5,900 graduates from more than 100 agencies – including city, county, state and constitutional offices. The Florida Cabinet has recognized the program as a “preferred management development program.” The CPM program is administered by the Florida Center for Public Management at Florida State University, which is part of the Reubin O’Donovan Askew School of Public Administration and Policy.
In honor of the new graduates, Florida Governor Rick Scott designated the week of July 24-30 as “Certified Public Manager Recognition Week.”
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Running Early
July 30, 2017
Everyone seems to be running early in Florida politics nowadays.
Thanks to a chain reaction of resignations, a pair of Miami-Dade legislative races that wouldn’t have taken place until at least next year were part of a slate of special elections. Some of the outcomes were relatively predictable, but another indicated that the establishment isn’t quite what it used to be in the new American politics.
Meanwhile, Gov. Rick Scott revealed a portion of his budget for the coming fiscal year, which begins July 1. Even though the current spending plan just took effect earlier this month, an early legislative session next year has accelerated the timeline for his piece-by-piece rollout.
Only one thing seemed a little late: Pete Antonacci, who had already been named the head of Enterprise Florida, officially got the nod to take over at the economic development agency.
THE RESULTS ARE IN
For once, election results from Miami-Dade County rolled in pretty quickly, and in the case of a special vote in Senate District 40, the results played out pretty much as expected.
On the Republican side, outgoing Rep. Jose Felix Diaz beat former Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla and lawyer Lorenzo Palomares to advance to the general election. Diaz will face off with Annette Taddeo, who was the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor in 2014. Taddeo, who was chosen for the ticket three years ago by party-changing former Gov. Charlie Crist, beat another former Republican, Ana Rivas Logan, in the Senate primary.
The conclusion of the fierce primary contests set the stage for what could be an even more brutal general election on Sept. 26 — especially given the rough-and-tumble politics of South Florida.
“Thank you to all my friends, family, and constituents for their support. Congrats to @AlexDLP40 and @palolaw2 on a hard fought race #SD40,” Diaz tweeted about 45 minutes after the polls closed at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
In a statement following her victory, Taddeo zeroed in on what could be a weakness for Diaz, an early supporter of President Donald Trump who appeared on Trump’s television show, “The Apprentice.”
“Our campaign is ready to take our people powered message to every voter in our district so we can bring change to Tallahassee. It’s time our community rejects the special interests and their lobbyist, Jose Felix Diaz, and elect a champion who will fight for our public schools, take on traffic gridlock and enhance our health care system,” Taddeo said. “With tonight’s decisive victory, we can, and will, send a loud message in September that the politics of division coming from President Trump and Washington, D.C. will not be tolerated in South Florida. Together, we will make history by electing the first Hispanic Democratic woman to the Florida Senate and a champion for our families.”
Republicans are seeking to hold on to a seat vacated by former Sen. Frank Artiles, who stepped down after a racially charged and expletive-tinged rant at a private club near the Capitol midway through the legislative session.
To run for the Senate, Diaz had to resign from his House seat, which in turn prompted a special election in House District 116.
Jose Mallea, who managed U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio’s first campaign, had rounded up much of the establishment support typically needed for an offseason House race. Former Gov. Jeb Bush, former House Speaker Will Weatherford and some business groups backed Mallea.
But he lost by nearly ten points anyway, to political newcomer Daniel Perez.
Perez will face Gabriela Mayaudon, a Democrat and former Venezuelan legislator, in the general election.
“Congrats Daniel Perez on your hard fought victory tonight,” tweeted Rep. Chris Sprowls, a Palm Harbor Republican slated to become House speaker after the 2020 elections. “FL House Republicans stand ready to see you across the finish line. On to victory.”
Democrats said they will fight for the House seat. Rep. Kionne McGhee, a Miami Democrat in line to become the party’s House leader after the 2018 elections, issued a statement Tuesday backing Mayaudon, who was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
“We stand with our candidate in House District 116 as we work every day towards progress for working families in the Florida House,” McGhee said. “The path to taking back the House runs through Miami-Dade County. We also stand firmly with Gabriela and Venezuelan-Americans all across Florida against the cruel deprivation of the people of Venezuela and the erosion of democratic rights there.”
A RAISE IN PAY (AND PROSPECTS?)
There are several advantages to running for another office from the governor’s mansion. One of them is getting to go around the state and unveil popular budget proposals that can help out your cause.
So when Scott on Wednesday announced he wanted to once again spend $30 million to provide a pay raise for state law enforcement officers, it was something that could set the stage for both the looming 2018 session and his run for the U.S. Senate.
The initiative would provide the boost in the budget year that begins in July 2018. It would come on top of a 5 percent increase for law enforcement officers in the current budget year.
Speaking at a Florida Highway Patrol office in Jacksonville, the governor said that many law enforcement officers were grateful for the latest salary bump.
“But we cannot stop there,” Scott said. “The brave men and women who serve Florida as members of our state law-enforcement community work every day to keep Florida communities safe. And while I was proud of this important achievement, it’s clear that we must continue to build on this year’s pay raise.”
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Rick Swearingen said the increases could help him hire the more experienced personnel that his agency seeks.
“It’s getting more and more difficult to recruit those seasoned investigators when local agencies are paying more than the state investigative agency,” Swearingen said.
Scott’s office said the state’s law-enforcement agencies would work out the details of how the $30 million would be distributed. And the Legislature would still have to approve Scott’s plan in its annual session, which begins in January.
The governor’s proposed pay hike is likely to have some politically powerful allies. Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, whose agency employs law-enforcement officers and who is running to succeed Scott in 2018, applauded the plan.
“Our state law-enforcement officers deserve all the support we can give them, as they’ve achieved a 46-year crime low and face unprecedented challenges, such as the current opioid crisis,” Putnam said. “Our 240 law enforcement officers with the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement and their peers at other state law enforcement agencies deserve a raise.”
THE NEW BOSS
There was no real surprise in Pete Antonacci’s appointment as the president of Enterprise Florida, which recruits businesses to the state, but it became official Monday.
The public-private agency’s board of directors, chaired by Scott, unanimously accepted the recommendation of its executive committee to give the president and CEO job to Antonacci, a water-management district leader and ally to the governor.
Scott, during a teleconference meeting Monday, called Antonacci “unbelievably helpful” as his general counsel.
“In this role, he will be somebody that will work with all of us,” Scott said. “He will clearly help get deals done.”
Antonacci will be paid $165,000 a year, the amount he received when he started at the water management district in 2015. The water management district will have to quickly find a replacement, as Antonacci’s first day on the new job is slated for Aug. 2.
Enterprise Florida has been working under interim director Mike Grissom since March, following the abrupt departure of Chris Hart from the top position. Grissom is expected to remain with Enterprise Florida.
Hart, the former leader of CareerSource Florida, was hired in November as president and CEO of Enterprise Florida but left the post in March.
Hart pointed to a difference of opinions with Scott on the future of the agency at a time when House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, was pushing to eliminate Enterprise Florida.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Voters in Miami-Dade County went to the polls in a special election, putting outgoing Rep. Jose Felix Diaz and former lieutenant governor candidate Annette Taddeo on the ballot for a September election in the state Senate. Daniel Perez won the GOP primary for Diaz’s seat and will face Democrat Gabriela Mayaudon.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Legislators across the country should learn from Florida’s example that if you side with the corporate gun lobby instead of your constituents, you endanger the safety of children and families, impinge upon First Amendment rights of doctors, and force taxpayers to pay millions to unsuccessfully defend unconstitutional laws.” — Jonathan Lowy, director of the Brady Center’s Legal Action Project, following a legal-fees agreement five months after a federal appeals court struck down a 2011 law that sought to prevent doctors from asking patients about guns. The state will pay $1.1 million in fees.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Increase In Child ‘Baker Act’ Cases Draws Attention
July 30, 2017
With a dramatic increase in the number of children being taken in for involuntary psychiatric examinations, a state panel began looking to address the “Baker Act” issue. More than 32,000 children were subject to examinations under Florida’s Baker Act during the 2015-16 fiscal year, an increase of nearly 50 percent statewide over five years. Six counties saw increases of more than 100 percent over the same period. Under the Baker Act, people can be held against their will for up to 72 hours, until doctors determine whether they will likely hurt themselves or others. Legislation passed this year required minors to be seen within 12 hours of arriving at facilities. It also created the Task Force on Involuntary Examination of Minors within the Department of Children and Families to address the issue. That group held its first meeting in Tallahassee. April Lott, CEO of Directions For Living, a community mental-health agency in Pinellas County, said many people don’t know how to help children and see the Baker Act as their only option. She said mental-health services, behavioral-health services and intensive family services often aren’t accessible. “It’s not available to everybody,” Lott said. “Then they get at their wits end, and teachers, parents, and other caregivers don’t know what to do other than to use the Baker Act system.” John Bryant, assistant secretary for mental health and substance abuse at the Department of Children and Families, said he thinks more resources are needed to help address issues before they get out of control. “One of the recommendations might be that we supplement the activities and the level of professional staff that are available to address these problems within the public school system,” Bryant said.
by The News Service of Florida
Wahoos Fall 2-1 To Biloxi’s Shuckers In 10 Innings
July 30, 2017
Pensacola reliever Carlos Gonzalez entered the game in the 10th inning and struck out the first batter he faced. However, Gonzalez then walked the bases loaded, including throwing 10 straight balls.
Pensacola reliever Geoff Broussard replaced Gonzalez and catcher Jacob Nottingham hit a deep fly ball to center field that allowed Shuckers second baseman Blake Allemand to tag up and score the winning run, 2-1, in front of 5,038 at Blue Wahoos Stadium. It was the 14th sellout of the season.
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly said the game winning run was “very strange.”
“He’s been so good,” Kelly said of Gonzalez, who has three saves in 15 games for the Blue Wahoos. “He got into a rut, threw 10 straight balls. It’s something you don’t expect from him. Three walks and a sacrifice fly. You don’t envision it ending like that.”
However, former High-A Daytona Tortuga call ups, third baseman Nick Senzel and first baseman Gavin LaValley smacked back-to-back singles in the bottom of the ninth inning with one out.
In the first inning, Senzel smacked a double and LaValley followed with a single to drive him in to tie the score with the Biloxi Shuckers, 1-1.
The rally ended when Josh VanMeter, hitting .283 with 38 of his 41 RBIs with runners in scoring position, flew out to left field. Right fielder Aristides Aquino then bounced to third base into an inning-ending double play.
Kelly said he struggled with whether to have VanMeter bunt and give Aquino or second baseman Shed Long the chance to drive in the game-winning run in the ninth.
“The Tortugas are doing well,” Kelly said. “They get on in the ninth inning and you think you’re going to win it. We got Long, another Tortuga, maybe he could have won the game.”
Instead, Biloxi won in the 10th. The Shuckers scored in the opening inning of the game when speedy center fielder Johnny Davis got an infield single and stole his 30th base. He was driven in on a hard-hit single by shortstop Angel Ortega.
It looked like Biloxi would score more. However, with men on first and second and no outs, Pensacola spot starter Domingo Tapia struck out three Biloxi hitters in a row.
Biloxi had plenty of opportunities to score late in the game. Pensacola reliever Robert Stock replaced Tapia, the starter, to start the sixth inning and loaded the bases with one out, but worked out of the scoring threat with a strikeout and groundout. Again, in the seventh inning, Biloxi had a runner on second base with one out and failed to score. In the ninth inning, Biloxi blew another scoring opportunity with runners on first and second with two outs.
Tapia, making his seventh spot start this season, lasted five innings, gave up one run on six hits and a walk and struck out a season-high seven. He didn’t factor in the decision but is 1-3 with a 4.22 ERA in 32 innings. In 19 relief appearances, Tapia has a 3.77 ERA.
In the New York Mets organization, the hard throwing 6-foot-3, 250-pound Tapia made 87 starts in seven seasons before converting to a reliever after Tommy John surgery in May 2015.
“Those big guys you got to get them early before they settle in,” Kelly said.
Biloxi got another strong start from its right-handed ace Aaron Wilkerson, who was seeking his 10th win. He threw well enough to get it but left with a no decision. Wilkerson, chosen as a Southern League All-Star, worked six innings, gave up one run on three hits and a walk and struck out seven, including the side in his final inning.
In his last three starts, the 28-year-old is 2-0 with a 1.35 ERA, allowing three runs in 20 innings pitched, giving up seven hits and striking out 19.
The Blue Wahoos fell to 1-4 in extra-inning games this year. Two of those losses have come at the hands of Biloxi and Pensacola’s only extra inning win came against the Shuckers in 11 innings on April 15.
Photos courtesy Barrett McClean Photography/Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
July 30, 2017
Drivers will encounter traffic variations on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County
.
· Interstate 10 (I-10)/U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I- Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts on I-10 near the U.S. 29 interchange (Exits 10A and 10B) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, July 30 through Thursday, Aug. 3.
· Alternating lane closures on I-10 and on U.S. 29.
· Intermittent closure of the U.S. 29 south to I-10 eastbound ramp and the U.S. 29 north to I-10 eastbound ramp. Traffic will be detoured on U.S. 29 to access I-10 eastbound.
· Intermittent closure of the I-10 westbound to U.S. 29 south ramp (Exit 10A) and the I-10 westbound to U.S 29 north ramp (Exit 10B). Traffic will be detoured to the open ramp to access U.S. 29.
· I-10 Widening from Davis Highway to the Escambia Bay Bridge- Alternating lane closures between Davis Highway (Exit 13) and Scenic Highway (Exit 17) from 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. Sunday, July 30 through Thursday, Aug. 3 as crews widen the roadway. In addition, the outside lane of Scenic Highway north and southbound on the Scenic Highway overpass will be closed during this time as crews install new railing.
· State Road (S.R.) 95 (U.S. 29) Widening from I-10 to Nine Mile Road- East and westbound 9 Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass will be reduced to one lane from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. beginning Sunday, July 30. Eastbound traffic will be shifted to the westbound, inside travel lane nightly as crews prepare the area for construction of the support column for the new center bridge deck. Traffic control officers will be on site to help direct traffic. Drainage work continues on U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road. Drivers can expect alternating lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m…
· S.R. 30 (U.S. 98) Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Alternating east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 between 17th Avenue and the bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, July 31 through Saturday, Aug. 5. Tuesday, Aug. 8 lane closures will be from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be clearing and grubbing in the state owned right-of-way, removing existing curb, setting barrier wall, and placing temporary pavement.
· Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road- Bell Ridge Drive near Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one lane from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1 as crews relocate utilities. Traffic flaggers will be on site to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
· Creighton Road (S.R. 742) Construction Improvement Project from east of Davis Highway to Scenic Highway– Intermittent and alternating lane closures between Davis Highway and Scenic Highway from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. continue as crews perform sidewalk repairs and Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades.
· Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) Widening from Pine Forest Road to U.S. 29- Jack and bore operations continue on Untreiner Avenue. Drivers can expect alternating lane closures.
Santa Rosa County
· U.S. 98 (S.R. 30) Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Alternating east and westbound lane closures on the Gulf Breeze approaches to the bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, July 31 through Saturday, Aug. 5. Tuesday, Aug. 8 lane restrictions will be from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be clearing and grubbing in the state owned right-of-way, removing existing curb, placing temporary pavement and setting barrier wall.
· I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (Exit 22) –Drivers reminded east and westbound I-10 traffic is now shifted to the new inside travel lanes and overpass near Avalon Boulevard (Exit 22). There will be alternating lane closures from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22), and on Avalon Boulevard near the interchange from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, July 30 through Thursday, Aug. 3 as crews work to widen the interstate. Lane closures on Avalon Boulevard will be in effect from 4 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, July 30.
· S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB Boundary to Hickory Hammock Road – Traffic between County Road 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) and the Eglin AFB boundary is restricted to loads under 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place through the completion of the project.
· U.S. 98 (Navarre Parkway) Underground Utility Work at Celle De Cantabria-Westbound, right turn lane to Calle De Cantabria will be closed from 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 14 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15 as crews replace a valve under the roadway.
Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through the construction zone, and to pay attention for workers and equipment entering and exiting the work area. All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Karen Denise Shepley
July 30, 2017
Karen Denise Shepley, age 55 of Cantonment, FL, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 27, 2017.
Born December 15, 1961, in Pensacola, FL to the late Carolyn Walker.
Karen was a beloved Mother, Grandmother, Daughter, Sister, and friend. Her greatest passion in life was her family, whom she loved fiercely and effortlessly. Karen was an amazing, loving, and passionate woman. You could always find her cracking jokes and opening her heart. She loved hard and lived life selflessly, a beautiful soul both inside and out who’s legacy will live on in on in all she loved .
She is survived by her daughters, Lindsey Shepley and Fallon Ward (Christy); her grandsons, Caleb Shepley and Jayden Shepley; her sisters, Pam Atiabi (Bob) of Somis, CA., Brenda Garrett, Fran Simpson (Carl), Larren Truitt (Mike), and Lesley Shepley (Mike); her father, Ted Walker and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North-Cantonment from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 1, 2017. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 2nd, 2017, with Bro. Don Neese officiating. Burial will follow at Cottage Hill Community Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Richard Blocker Josh Simpson, Derek Simpson, Scotti Garrett, Brad Mills, and Cody Chavers.
Florida Hazmat Teams Set Up Emergency Air Quality Monitoring
July 29, 2017
An Escambia County (FL) Hazmat team set up air quality monitoring on the Florida side of the state line Saturday morning due to a chemical plant fire in Atmore.
The fire at Sunbelt Chemicals (click here for the latest update) sent a potentially toxic smoke plume into the air, prompting the evacuation of nearby Alto Products Corp. A shelter in place and stay indoor order was issued for Atmore residents in an unspecified area around the plant.
There were no reports of any hazardous readings on the Florida air quality monitors.
Pictured: Escambia County (FL) Hazmat sets up an air quality monitoring at the Piggly Wiggly in Davisville due to a chemical plant fire in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
