Enon Country Manor Assisted Living Facility Closes
January 10, 2020
An assisted living facility in North Escambia has closed.
Enon Country Manor on Enon School Road closed in December, according to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration The facility, located in a remote area about eight miles southwest of Walnut Hill, was licensed for about 25 residents.
Attempts to reach the owners of the facility for more information were unsuccessful.
File photo.
New Florida Hemp Rules Now In Effect On Food, Dairy And Animal Feed Products
January 10, 2020
New food safety and animal feed rules for the new state hemp program are now in effect in Florida.
Under the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), regulations on hemp extract used in food and dairy products and animal feed have been incorporated into existing FDACS programs, hemp food establishment permits are available, and the Department’s Food Safety Inspectors are ready to conduct inspections.
“We’re proud to roll out these final rules for CBD in food and dairy products, open applications for hemp food establishment permits, and ensure our inspectors are ready to enforce the rules and uphold public safety,” said Commissioner Nikki Fried. “These actions bring us one step closer to getting the state hemp program up and running to provide a new alternative crop for farmers, allow Floridians to access safe, quality CBD products, and help our state reach its potential as the nation’s gold standard for hemp.”
As the state regulator for animal feed, food establishments, and the safety of dairy and other food products, FDACS has incorporated the regulation of hemp extract products into the existing regulatory framework to ensure the safety of these new products. Permits are not limited in any part of the process. The state hemp program is horizontally integrated — created with intention to allow any interested parties to participate in any aspects of the process.
“The Florida Hemp Council is very pleased to see the hard work of Commissioner Fried’s team,” stated Jeff Greene, director of New Business with The Florida Hemp Council. “Without their dedication and hard work, Florida would still be waiting and with the final steps only weeks away we are confident the industry will pick up the ball and run with it.”
Food Safety Rules
Hemp Food Safety
To protect the state’s food supply, FDACS’ Division of Food Safety oversees the permitting and inspection of food establishments, inspection and evaluation of food and dairy products, and specialized laboratory testing on a variety of products sold and/or produced in Florida. Effective January 1, 2020, hemp extract (CBD intended for ingestion) has been incorporated into existing Division of Food Safety programs.
Hemp Food Establishment Permit
FDACS’ Division of Food Safety issues food permits for the manufacturing, processing, packing, holding, preparing or selling food. Effective January 1, 2020, hemp food establishment permits are available for processing, manufacturing, distributing, and retailing facilities dealing with products consisting of or containing hemp extract and CBD.
Hemp Food Establishment Inspections
To minimize the risk of foodborne illness, FDACS’ Division of Food Safety conducts routine inspections of food establishments including supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, food processing plants, food warehouses, and more. Effective January 1, 2020, FDACS Food Safety Inspectors are ready to conduct food establishment inspections, enforce rules and pull samples for testing for the hemp program.
Animal Feed Rules
FDACS’ Division of Agricultural Environmental Services regulates the state’s commercial feed supply. Commercial feed distributors must be licensed annually submit a copy of the label for each brand of feed to be distributed. Samples of distributed feed must be periodically tested by a certified laboratory to determine compliance with state standards.
Effective January 1, 2020, hemp extract in animal feed has been incorporated into existing Division of Agricultural Environmental Services programs. Permitting, testing, and enforcement for processing, manufacturing, distributing and retailing hemp extract in animal feed is available January 2, 2020.
Final Stages of Hemp Rules
The seed and cultivation rules are being finalized before being filed for adoption — both are expected to be filed for adoption in early 2020. Once these rules have been adopted, submitted to and approved by the USDA, all aspects of the state hemp program’s regulations will be complete.
The cultivation rule is slightly delayed due to a need to align the Florida Cultivation Rule with the USDA’s final interim rules which were released on October 31, 2019. FDACS still expects cultivation to happen in the first quarter of 2020.
State Attorney Bill Eddins Won’t Seek Another Term, Endorses Greg Marcille
January 10, 2020
State Attorney Bill Eddins won’t be running for a fifth term, and he is endorsing the man he believes should be his replacement.
Eddins has announced that he is supporting Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille in the upcoming election. Marcille has been Eddins’ assistant since he took office 15 years ago.
Marcille is the only candidate so far for the position in Florida’s First Judicial Circuit., which covers Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties.
Eddins will remain in office through the completion of his term at the end of the year.
Escambia County High School Graduation Rate Increases
January 10, 2020
The high school graduation rate in Escambia County has increased, according to data just released by the Florida Department of Education.
For 11 consecutive years, the Escambia County School District has achieved an increase in their high school graduation rate. For the 2018-2019 school year the overall rate has climbed four points to 84.8%. In 2008, the on-time graduation rate was only 55%.
The school with the highest graduation rate in Escambia County was West Florida High at 99.4%, and the lowest was Northview High School at 83.3%.
“”Every high school in the Escambia County School District has a graduation rate above 83%. This means every school is above last year’s district average of 80.7%. This is the first year that every high school has a graduation rate above 80%. The progress over the last decade has been fantastic,” said Superintendent Malcolm Thomas.
The per school graduates rates were:
- Escambia High School 84
- Pensacola High School 91.2
- Tate High School 87.2
- Pine Forest High School 84.8
- Washington High School 84.7
- Northview High School 83.3
- West Florida High School 99.4
“Credit for this accomplishment goes to a long list of people beginning with our parents, every teacher the student has encountered, school administrators, subject area specialists, academy teachers, coaches, guidance counselors, graduation coaches, and finally, the students themselves who have worked so hard to fulfill all of the requirements for this major milestone,” Thomas said.
The state’s overall graduation rate increased this year from 86.1% to 86.9%.
In nearby Santa Rosa County, the graduation rate moved upward from 88.7% to 88.9%.
Pictured top: Graduation for the Class of 2019 at Northview High School. Pictured below: Superintendent Malcolm Thomas with several top members of the Tate High School Class of 2019.
Littleton Street At Nine Mile Road Closure Extended
January 10, 2020
Highway 97 Driver Hits Two Culverts, Six Mailboxes, Trash Can, Sign And A Toy Dump Truck
January 9, 2020
A driver ran off Highway 97 and struck two culverts, six mailboxes, a speed limit sign, a trash can and a toy dump truck Wednesday night in Davisville.
The man first left the roadway near Highway 97 and Highway 4 where he hit the first culvert and continued south on the shoulder for several hundred yards, hitting things along the way.
The man, reportedly in his 70s, refused medical transport to the hospital.
The Florida Highway Patrol has not released further details, and there’s no word yet on what charges the driver might face.
Escambia County EMS, the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Woman Charged With Attacking Her Boyfriend With A Hatchet
January 9, 2020
A Cantonment woman has been charged with cutting her live-in boyfriend multiple times with a hatchet.
Jennifer Nicole Franko, 36, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on a charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon with bond set at $3,000.
At a residence in the 1400 block of Tate School Road, deputies found the victim suffering from several cuts to his torso area and arms. Deputies said he appeared calm and did not appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. He said he had become involved in a verbal altercation because she refused to leave the residence.
During the altercation, Franko allegedly grabbed a hatchet and began cutting the victim before he was able to get the weapon from her, according to an arrest report. The victim also began to record the incident using his cell phone. Franko then grabbed his air mattress and was going to throw it outside because he could not find her cell phone charger. The victim said once at the door, another altercation started before she fell down the stairs.
Franko stated under oath that she became engaged in a verbal altercation because she refused to leave the residence. She told deputies that her boyfriend pulled her off the couch by the legs and shoved her out the front door, causing her to fall down the stairs.
A neighbor told deputies that it appeared Franko simply lost her balance and was she was not shoved hard enough to cause her to fall.
On the way to the jail, Franko made statements that she wanted to hurt other people and needed to be locked up in a psych ward, according to her arrest report.
The victim suffered injuries consistent with his statements, the report states. He was evaluated on scene by Escambia County EMS but was not transported to the hospital.
ECSO: Century Man Goes On Rampage With Baseball Bat In A House With Seven Kids
January 9, 2020
A Century man allegedly went on a rampage, threatening to use a baseball bat to kill everyone in a house occupied by seven children while assaulting an adult female.
Brian O’Neil Madison, 32, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on charges of felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and battery.
Madison had lived with the female victim for 11 months, according to arrest report, and walked into the bedroom screaming about the location of his possessions. He grabbed the victim, snatched her out of the house causing her to fall on the steps and continued screaming at her incoherently. Someone in the house gathered the children and locked them in a bedroom.
Madison reentered the house armed with a baseball bat as the victim tried to hide in a bathroom. He struck the door with the bat, grabbed her by the throat and began to threaten to hit her with the bad. Instead, he smashed the bathroom sink, the report states.
Responding deputies found several broken tables, a smashed bathroom sink and overturned bed in the house.
The report notes none of the children observed any of they violence but could hear yelling and screaming as Madison broke items in the house.
Madison was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $7,500 bond.
Century Library Children’s Area Expansion, Other Improvements Planned At Century And Molino Libraries
January 9, 2020
Escambia County is set to make various modifications and improvements at the Century and Molino branch libraries at a cost of $190,000.
The improvements are planned as follows:
Molino Library
- Modification of existing ramp at the north side of the building to be ADA compliant.
- Installation of ADA power door openers at north and south end of building.
- Create two ADA compliant parking spaces in exist parking lot adjacent to the north ramp. Include all ADA signage, stripping and warning pads as required. .
- Modification of staff circulation desk casework for ADA access.
- Sound dampening panels to improve acoustics.
Century Library
- Expansion of the children’s area by by reducing onsite storage
- Addition of outside amenities (benches, bike rack, tables, etc.)
- Improvements to the public service desk for increased accessibility
- Emergency exit with ramp from the staff workspace.
- New carpet and paint throughout the facility.
The Escambia County Commission approved a contract for the improvements with contractor A.E. Ner, Jr. Inc. during a Tuesday meeting.
Pictured top: The current children’s area at the Century Branch Library. Pictured below: The children’s area is to be expanded into half of this storage room. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Drafts 10 For Citizens Advisory Task Force
January 9, 2020
The Town of Century has appointed a Citizens Advisory Task Force (CATF) to increase the odds of landing a grant.
By appointing the CATF, the town will receive 10 extra points when applying for a Community Development Block Grant. The council voted to appoint up to 10 members of the current Charter Review Committee to the CATF without notifying or asking any of the individuals in advance.
Mayor Henry Hawkins said the 10 were chosen because they could quickly meet as a task force because they have already taken part in Sunshine Law and ethics training.
The council did not specify any tasks for the CATF to accomplish or set a meeting date.
The 10 members of the Charter Review Committee — and the CATF if they accept their nomination — are : Shelisa McCall Abraham, Mary H. Bourgeois, Cheryl Boutwell, Michelle Cunningham, Evelyn Hammond, Janice M. Jennings, Dynette Lewis, Eunice McKinney, Delores Wright Miley and Jennifer Read.
NorthEscambia.com photo.