SBA Opens a Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Jay
August 25, 2024
A disaster loan outreach center is now open in Jay.
The U.S. Small Business Administration opened the center to help businesses and residents affected by the severe storms and tornadoes back in May.
The disaster declaration covers Santa Rosa County, but does not include Escambia County in Florida or Alabama.
“Our Disaster Loan Outreach Centers are one of the most powerful resources at SBA’s disposal to support business owners,” said Francisco Sánchez, Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration. “Residents and business owners can meet in-person with our specialists to apply for SBA disaster loans and get information on the full breadth of our programs designed to help them navigate their recovery.”
Walk-ins are accepted, but appointment can be scheduled in advance.
The center is in the Jay Town Hall on Hwy. 4. It’s open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to2 p.m. The Center will be closed for Labor Day on Monday, September. 2, and cease operations on Friday, September 6, at 4 p.m.
Businesses and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.
Loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for loans up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.
Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase of up to 20 percent of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements may include a safe room or storm shelter, sump pump, French drain or retaining wall to help protect property and occupants from future damage.
Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses, 3.25% for nonprofit organizations, and 2.688% for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and monthly payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the initial disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
For more information and to apply online visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is October 7, 2024. The deadline to return economic injury applications is May 6, 2025.
These Are The Road Construction Spots To Watch This Week
August 25, 2024
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Interstate Circle Bridge Over Eight Mile Creek – Interstate Circle is closed at the Eight Mile Creek Bridge through mid-2025 while crews replace the bridge. Signage is in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Pine Forest Road, Longleaf Drive and Wymart Road.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) – I-10, between U.S. 29 and I-110, is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction. Beginning Sunday, Aug. 25 and continuing through Thursday, Aug. 29, drivers will also encounter intermittent lane closures on I-10 near U.S. 29 between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is also closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound. These closures allow crews to perform shoulder and bridge work to widen the interstate.
- I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) – Drivers will encounter inside lane closures on I-10 near Exit 5, Sunday, Aug. 25 through Thursday, Aug. 29, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. These closures are required as crews construct a temporary detour.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Traffic on U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) is shifted to the southbound travel lanes, between Rudolph Street and Green Street. One travel lane in each direction remains open as crews reconstruct the adjacent northbound lanes. The traffic shift is expected to remain in place through fall 2024. Signage is in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- County Road (C.R.) 4 over Canoe Creek Bridge – C.R. 4, between Byrneville and Bratt, is now expected to be reopened to traffic by Sept. 1, as crews are making final preparations to open the recently reconstructed Canoe Creek bridge.
- State Road (S.R.) 95 Routine Underground Maintenance at Muscogee Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Aug. 26 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for routine underground maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- S.R. 89 Resurfacing, from north of S.R. 87 to C.R. 178 – Drivers will encounter intermittent daytime lane closures, between S.R .87 and C.R. 178, Monday, Aug. 26 through Friday, Aug. 30 as crews install signage and place thermoplastic striping.
- U.S. 90 Resurfacing from west of Avalon Boulevard to east of Stewart Street – Drivers may encounter intermittent U.S. 90 lane closures, between Avalon Boulevard and Stewart Street, Sunday, Aug. 25 through Thursday, Aug. 29, from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for paving operations.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive Sunday, Aug. 25, through Friday, Aug. 30, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- Motorists will encounter a road closure at Redfish Point Road from Thursday, Aug. 29, at 6 a.m. to Friday, Aug. 30, at 10 p.m. and should use Breezy Wind Drive and Southwind Drive as an alternate route.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
All West Florida Library Book Drops Reopened
August 25, 2024
All West Florida Libraries book drops have reopened now that the primary election is over.
The outdoor book drops were closed to prevent voters from mistakenly returning vote-by-mail ballots in the drops. Several libraries served at early voting locations.
Pictured: The book drop outside the Molino Branch Library. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Another Late Smokies Homer Condemns Wahoos to 5-4 Defeat
August 25, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
For the second straight game, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos endured a game-breaking Tennessee Smokies homer in the eighth inning on Saturday night in a 5-4 loss.
Just minutes after Blue Wahoos catcher Joe Mack had tied the game 4-4 in the top of the eighth with his 21st home run of the season, Pablo Aliendo put Tennessee ahead for good with a solo home run of his own.
The Blue Wahoos have tied a season high with five losses in a row, and now trail the Biloxi Shuckers in the fight for a playoff spot by 3.5 games with 20 to play pending the results of Biloxi’s game in Birmingham.
The Blue Wahoos jumped ahead 2-0 in the second on a two-run homer from Nathan Martorella, his third of the series and ninth of the season. Tennessee starter Matthew Thompson allowed another run in the fourth on a bases-loaded RBI single from Jacob Berry, though another run was cut down at the plate as Graham Pauley was thrown out trying to score by a strong throw from right fielder Felix Stevens.
Pensacola starter Robby Snelling was perfect through 3.2 innings, but allowed three consecutive hits with two outs in the fourth as Luis Verdugo lined a two-run single to draw the Smokies to within a run.
Snelling, afforded an opportunity to pitch into the sixth for the first time since joining the team, was unable to protect Pensascola’s 3-2 lead. A leadoff walk to Brett Bateman was followed by a two-run homer to Jonathon Long, just out of the reach of Berry in right field.
The Wahoos got the clutch hit they were looking for in the eighth, as Mack turned around a Blake Whitney (W, 8-0) offering and sent his team-leading 21st homer of the season off the glove of the leaping Stevens in right field to tie the game 4-4.
After a scoreless seventh, Matt Pushard (L, 3-4) was sent out for the eighth to try and keep the game tied for the Blue Wahoos. Aliendo gave the Smokies their second go-ahead eighth-inning homer in as many days, following a dramatic Stevens homer on Friday with a solo blast of his own to put Tennessee ahead 5-4.
Martorella led off the ninth inning with a single, but pinch-runner Shane Sasaki was thrown out stealing second by Aliendo in a strikeout-double play to end the game and hand Cayne Ueckert (S, 2) the save.
The Blue Wahoos have now dropped 10 of their past 12 games, including three games in Tennessee’s final at bat this series.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series and look to avoid being swept by the Smokies on Sunday. First pitch from Smokies Stadium is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m. CT.
Florida’s Second Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday Begins Today
August 24, 2024
Florida’s second two-week Disaster Sales Tax Holiday begins today and continues through September 6.
This year, Floridians are expected to save millions on vital disaster preparedness supplies such as pet supplies, tarps, batteries, generators and flashlights, which are all included in the list of items eligible to be purchased tax-free.
Below is a list of all qualifying items:
Selling for $10 or less
- Wet dog or cat food if sold individually or the equivalent if sold in a box or case
Selling for $15 or less
- Manual can openers
- Collapsible or travel-sized food or water bowls for pets
- Cat litter pans
- Pet waste disposal bags
- Hamster or rabbit substrate
Selling for $20 or less
- Reusable ice packs
- Leashes, collars, and muzzles for pets
- Pet pads
Selling for $25 or less
- Cat litter weighing 25 or fewer pounds
Selling for $40 or less
- Candles
- Flashlights
- Lanterns
- Pet beds
Selling for $50 or less
- Portable self-powered radios, two-way radios, or weather-band radios
- Gas or diesel fuel tanks
- Batteries, including rechargeable batteries, listed sizes only – a AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, 9-volt
Selling for $60 or less
- Nonelectric food storage coolers
- Portable power banks
Selling for $70 or less
- Smoke detectors or smoke alarms
- Fire extinguishers
- Carbon monoxide detectors
Selling for $100 or less
- Tarpaulins or other flexible waterproof sheeting
- Ground anchor systems
- Portable pet kennels and carriers
- Ratchet straps
- Tie-down kits
- Dry dog or cat food weighing less than 50 pounds
Selling for $3,000 or less
- Portable generators used to provide light or communications or to preserve food in a power outage
A previous two-week isaster Sales Tax Holiday was held June 1-14.
Sunny Skies, Near 90 For Saturday
August 24, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 89. East wind around 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 70. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 92. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Monday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind.
Tuesday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 95.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 74.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 95.
Firefighters Learn Water Supply Tactics, Even Without A Hydrant Nearby
August 24, 2024
Escambia County Fire Rescue (ECFR) crews from Molino, Beulah, and Myrtle Grove recently participated in a joint training exercise focused on water supply and drafting operations.
Drafting operations are essential when firefighters need to source water from static sources like lakes, streams, or dry hydrants. These techniques are crucial, especially in rural areas where fire hydrants may be limited or nonexistent.
During the training, firefighters utilized trucks and a large “drop tank” to transport and supply water to the scene of a fire. This capability is essential for ensuring a continuous water supply, even in challenging conditions, ECFR said.
ECFR said the training is critical, especially when responding to fires where a fire hydrant is unavailable. These operations are common in rural areas but may occasionally occur in urban areas of the county.
The training exercise was held at the Escambia County Equestrian Center in Beulah.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
King Scores Three TDs As The Northview Chiefs Dominate Destin, 26-7 (With Gallery)
August 24, 2024
Dane King led the Northview Chiefs to a decisive 26-7 opening night victory over the Destin Sharks on Friday night at Tommy Weaver Stadium.
The junior had three touchdowns for the Chiefs — short runs from 3 and 1 yard in the first quarter and another 1-yarder in the third. Moses Delarosa added a 1-yard touchdown run to seal the win on what a was really comfortable football Friday night by August standards.
For a photo gallery, click here.
(Look for another photo gallery with cheerleaders, fans, the band and more in the next few days)
Despite the win, Northview head coach Wes Summerford saw areas for improvement.
“There are some things that we need to clean up,” he said. “Every time we had a chance to hit a stride, whether it’s a penalty, or we turned it over or something like that. The defense had a couple of missed assignments. Stuff we can clean up. I think the kids know that and that’s good. I’m glad that we’ve got that confidence.”
The Chiefs capitalized on several turnovers by the Sharks. Sam Reid intercepted a pass late in the first quarter, while Colby Pugh and Nate Duffy added interceptions in the second and third quarters, respectively. Northview also recovered a fumble in the third quarter.
With the win, the Chiefs stand at 1-0 on the young season. They will travel to Opp, Alabama, next week to face the Bobcats, who also opened their season with a victory, 31-29 over Bonifay.
Summerford acknowledged the challenge ahead.
“It’s a new team on our schedule,” the Northview coach said. “It will be a tough task for us; it’s a good program.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Friday Night Football Scoreboard
August 24, 2024
Here are Friday night high school football scores (and a few Thursday night scores) from around the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
- Tate 24, Fort Walton Beach 0 [Story...]
- Northview 26, Destin 7 [Story, Photo Gallery...]
- Jay 34, Vernon 0
- Escambia 45, West Florida 12
- Pensacola at Pine Forest
- Williamson (Ala.) 52, Washington 0
- Navarre at Pensacola Catholic
- Crestview 42, MIlton 7
- Pace 17, Mary Montgomery 14
- South Walton at Gulf Breeze (Saturday)
ALABAMA
- Flomaton 23, Clarke County 15 (Thur)
- T.R. Miller 28, Reeltown 7 (Thur)
- Alabama Christian 30, Escambia County (Atmore) 26
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs beat the Destin Sharks 26-7 Friday night in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Deadline Extended For Applicants For Escambia Children’s Trust
August 24, 2024
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners has extended the deadline for applications from county residents willing to serve on the Escambia Children’s Trust.
To be considered, applicants must submit the completed Escambia Children’s Trust application and questionnaire for gubernatorial appointments with an optional resume by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 4.
Resumes and both applications should be submitted via email to boardapply@myescambia.com or mailed to:
Jose Gochez, Program Manager
Escambia County Board of County Commissioners
221 Palafox Place, Suite 420
Pensacola, FL 32502
The Board of County Commissioners will nominate three applicants per vacancy to be submitted to the governor for review and potential appointment. Following the board’s selection, the county administrator will notify the Governor’s Appointments Office of the selected applicants and additional steps from the nominees may be required.
To be considered for the Escambia Children’s Trust, Florida Statute criteria include the requirement that nominees have been residents of Escambia County for the previous 24 months and are willing to submit an annual Statement of Financial Interests Form. Florida Statutes also require that gubernatorial appointments are representative of the demographic diversity of the County’s population.
Per Section 125.901, Florida Statutes, the Escambia Children’s Trust shall consist of 10 members, including:
The superintendent of schools;
A school board member as appointed by the school board;
The Department of Children and Families district administrator, or his or her designee;
A judge assigned to juvenile cases as appointed by the chief judge;
A c0ounty commissioner as appointed by the Board of County Commissioners; and
Five members appointed by the governor from candidates nominated by the Board of County Commissioners to serve a four-year term.
In November 2020, 61% of participating voters in Escambia County supported the creation of the Children’s Trust to be funded by an increase in ad valorem taxes of up to a maximum of 0.5 mil. The Children’s Trust will provide early childhood education, safety, developmental, preventative, health, and well-being services, including after school and summer enrichment programs.
The ECT is responsible for assessing the needs of the children in the county and developing a strategic plan for addressing unmet needs, which must then be submitted to the Board. The ECT, like the county, must also go through the process of adopting a millage rate and budget in accordance with Florida’s Truth In Millage (TRIM) Act, and the CSC must submit an annual report to the Board as required by Florida law.