Escambia County Program Will Provide Bus Or Plane Tickets To Get Homeless Out
February 12, 2024
Escambia County has launched a new program to offer free transportation assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness who are seeking to reunite with their family, friends, or other support networks.
“Real Change Project Reconnect” is a completely voluntary program that aims to reduce homelessness in Escambia County, while offering resources to those wanting to travel to locations where they have a better support system to help them get back on their feet.
Through the program, eligible individuals and families will be provided with a bus or plane ticket to their chosen destination, provided they can demonstrate that family, a job, or support network is in place for them.
The Real Change Project Reconnect program is already seeing early success, helping two brothers who were experiencing homelessness and living on the streets of downtown Pensacola for several months. The Pensacola Police Department’s Community Outreach Division was able to connect the brothers with Project Reconnect, which gave them free bus tickets to be reunited with their father in Alabama, where they had housing, family support, and potential job opportunities waiting for them. Although the brothers had previously been offered assistance, they did not express an interest in accepting help until they heard about Real Change Project Reconnect and the opportunity it provided them to reconnect with family support.
he following individuals and families may be eligible for Real Change Project Reconnect:
- Individuals and families seeking family reunification and housing with their family or other support system.
- Individuals and families who have identified employment and need only short-term social service support to facilitate their transition to the arrival community.
- Individuals and families who have affordable permanent housing or other shelter options awaiting them in a community where they have family or social supports.
- Escambia County is working with community partners to facilitate the program, which includes an application and screening process to help ensure the travel assistance is provided to individuals who will benefit the most from the program. During the application process, travel options will be evaluated and coordinated with applicants to determine whether bus or plane tickets are the most economical option for their destination.
This program is just one part of Escambia County’s ongoing efforts to reduce homelessness in the community, and the county is continuing to work with community partners to strategize additional solutions for those experiencing homelessness.
In order to help assess the level of interest in the program, a new question was added to the annual Point in Time Count and Survey in Escambia County, which took place in January 2024. The new survey question asked participants whether they would be interested in transportation assistance for family reunification and/or support.
Of the participants who answered the relocation question, approximately 30% indicated that they are interested in transportation assistance. Data from the surveys will help Escambia County connect with those individuals who have expressed an interest in participating in the program.
For more information about Project Reconnect and other Escambia County Real Change programs and resources, visit MyEscambia.com/realchange or email homelessness@myescambia.com.
Limited funding available. Program participation is subject to funding availability and eligibility requirements. Completing an application does not guarantee transportation assistance.
Motorcylist Killed In Crash Near Atmore
February 12, 2024
A motorcyclist from Texas was killed in a crash Sunday afternoon on I-65 near Atmore.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said 54-year-old Marvin Haynes of San Antonio was fatally injured when the 2022 Harley-Davidson motorcycle he was operating left I-65and struck a tree about 12:22 p.m. Sunday at the 49 mile marker, about five miles south of the Jack Springs Road exit.
He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division is continuing.
Ernest Ward Middle FFA Horse Judging Team Places Eighth In The State
February 12, 2024
The Ernest Ward Middle School FFA horse Judging Team placed eighth in the state this past weekend in Tampa.
The program encourages FFA members to explore the equine industry, through evaluating horses at halter and horsemanship through equitation, plus learning about breeds, coloring, markings and tack used in the industry.
Photos for NorthEscambaia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Rent And Utility Assistance Applications Closed
February 12, 2024
The Escambia County Community Block Development Grant-Coronavirus – Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance Program is no longer accepting applications. Due to the high volume of applications submitted, the county Neighborhood and Human Services department has committed all available grant funding.
Residents who have already submitted applications and are waiting for a response will have their requests reviewed for eligibility, however, there is no guarantee that applications can be funded due to limited remaining funds.
Anyone in need of rent or utility assistance may call United Way of West Florida at 2-1-1 for referrals to other agencies.
Reminder: District 5 Town Hall Today In Cantonment
February 12, 2024
Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry will host a town hall meeting on Monday, February 12 at 5 p.m. at the Langley Bell 4-H Center.
This is an open forum event and residents of District 5 are invited and encouraged to attend. County staff will be in attendance to address any additional questions or concerns from residents.
The Langley Bell 4-H Center is located at 3730 Stefani Road in Cantonment.
Pictured: Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry held a town hall meeting in April 2023 at the Langley Bell 4-H Center in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
New Traffic Signal Set To Be Activated Today At Mobile Highway, Klondike Road
February 12, 2024
The Florida Department of Transportation plans to activate a new traffic signal at the intersection of Mobile Highway and Klondike Road Monday.
The new signal was placed into flash mode on Monday, February 5.
The activation is weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Pictured: A new traffic signal at the intersection of Mobile Highway and Klondike Road shortly after installation. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Continue Decline
February 12, 2024
Florida gas prices declined nine cents on avarege last week. The state average fell from $3.23 per gallon a week ago to $3.14 per gallon.
Florida’s average gas price is now on a 10-day streak of declines, falling a total of 13 cents per gallon since February 1.
The Pensacola area had one of the lowest metro averages in the state at $3.04 with a metro low of $2.95 on Nine Mile Road. In North Escambia, a low of $2.99 was available Sunday night at multiple stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
“Florida gas prices have recently followed a cycle where they decline for about two weeks, then shoot back up again,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “That trend, plus a recent uptick in futures prices, will likely lead to a jump at the pump, possibly as early as Monday afternoon.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Two Cantonment Churches Propose To Build New Worship Facilities
February 11, 2024
Two Cantonment churches are proposing to construct new worship facilities, according to recent plans filed with the Escambia County Development Review Committee.
Allen Memorial Methodist Church
Allen Memorial Methodist Church proposes o construct a new 56,000 square foot worship facility on Highway 29 near Neal Road (the site of the church’s annual pumpkin patch).
The project is planned in four phases:
- Phase 1: 21,600 sq. ft. multi-purpose building with gymnasium with 250-400 seats
- Phase 2: 22,000 sq. ft. 500- seat sanctuary building
- Phase 3: 20,000 sq. ft. (2 story -10,000 sq. ft. each level) educational building
- Phase 4: 2400 sq. ft. chapel building
The facility is proposed on about 13.7 acres.
The master plan also indicates future tennis courts, badminton courts, picnic area, and a pavilion.
Allen Memorial Methodist Church is currently located on Pace Parkway in Cantonment.
The proposal is currently in the pre– application status with the Escambia County Development Review Committee and is set for a public hearing at 1:20 p.m. Wednesday, February 14 at the Escambia County Central Complex Building at 3363 West Park Place.
First Baptist Church of Cantonment
The First Baptist Church of Cantonment proposes to construct a 19,440 square foot worship facility on about eight acres directly west of the current church on Morris Avenue at Monroe Avenue. The entire block is currently open athletic fields. Plans show the worship facility and 131 parking spaces on the southern half of the block, with a current baseball field remaining on the north half of the lot.
The proposal is currently in the initial application status with the Escambia County Development Review Committee and is not yet set for a public meeting.
NorthEscambia.com graphics.
From Hello To Help, 211 Marks 20 Years Providing Local Assistance
February 11, 2024
February 11 marks 211 Day, and this year, 2024, marks 211 Northwest Florida’s 20th anniversary.
Since 2004, 211 Northwest Florida, formerly First Call for Help, has helped Northwest Florida residents connect to essential resources in their communities by dialing 211, texting their zip code to 898211, or visiting 211nwfl.org. From calls and texts, 211 Northwest Florida specialists have been able to connect individuals across Northwest Florida, including Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Last year, 211 Northwest Florida answered 37,138 calls and connected 65,622 individuals to local resources. The top four requests for resources were food, rent, utility, and healthcare. The agency received 14,146 requests for food assistance, 28,280 for rent assistance, 23,978 for utility assistance, and 10,429 for healthcare resources.
“211 is the heartbeat of our community, connecting individuals with vital resources and services, fostering a stronger, more resilient society for all”, remarked VP of Impact Services, Mary Zaledonis. “As we embark on our 20th-year milestone, 211 continues to stand as a beacon of hope, evolving with perseverance to empower our community, making a lasting impact for two decades and counting.
Northview FFA Horse Judging Team Advances To State Finals
February 11, 2024
The Northview High School Horse Judging team placed 11th this weekend in the 2024 Florida FFA High School Horse Judging CDE Qualifier in Tampa. The team will move forward with the top 15 teams to compete at the state finals in April.
The program encourages FFA members to explore the equine industry, through evaluating horses at halter and horsemanship through equitation, plus learning about breeds, coloring, markings and tack used in the industry.
Photo for NorthEscambaia.com, click to enlarge.