Panhandle Equine Rescue Seeks Volunteers
June 29, 2019
Panhandle Equine Rescue in Cantonment is looking for volunteers.
The horse rescue needs help with daily barn chores like cleaning stalls, paddocks and pastures, and watering horses at the facility. Grooming is encouraged, and those at an intermediate or advance level may ride at times.
Children under 8 will not be permitted in the horse area. Children 8-13 will require the presence of an adult for barn duties.
For more information, email rlowery@panhandle.rr.com.
Florida Forest Service Accepting Applications For Longleaf Pine Private Incentive Program
June 29, 2019
The Florida Forest Service announced that applications are now being accepted for the Longleaf Pine Private Landowner Incentive Program. Applications will be accepted through Friday, Aug. 2.
The primary objective of the Longleaf Pine Private Landowner Incentive Program is to increase the acreage of healthy longleaf pine forests in Florida by assisting eligible, non-industrial private forest landowners with the long-term investment necessary to establish and maintain the valuable longleaf pine ecosystem.
“We are excited to expand the program this year to include all counties within the historical range of longleaf pine, providing assistance to more landowners across the state,” said Jim Karels, State Forester and Director of the Florida Forest Service.
Longleaf pine forests are native to the southeastern United States and are among the most diverse ecosystems in North America. Longleaf pines provide high-quality wood products and are valued for their resistance to damage by insects, disease, wildfire and storms. Due to urbanization and conversion to other land uses, longleaf pine forests have been dramatically reduced and now cover less than four percent of their historical range. Florida is home to more than 2 million acres of longleaf pine ecosystems, which represents more than half of all current longleaf pine forests.
The Longleaf Pine Incentive Program offers incentive payments for the completion of timber stand improvement, invasive species control, prescribed burning, planting longleaf pine, establishing native plant understory and mechanical underbrush treatments. Private lands in the 58 Florida counties north of Lake Okeechobee are eligible. To learn more and access an application, visit FloridaForestService.com or contact your local Florida Forest Service county forester. In Escambia County, call Cathy Hardin at (850) 587-5237 or email.
U.S. Supreme Court Sends Pensacola Bayview Cross Case Back To Lower Court
June 29, 2019
The U.S. Supreme Court Friday ordered a lower court to rethink its earlier ruling against a historic World War II-era cross in Pensacola.
In Kondrat’yev v. City of Pensacola, a federal appeals court had ruled that the 78-year-old cross must come down, with two of the three judges saying that the outcome was “wrong” but that their “hands were tied” because of the notorious Lemon test. In Friday’s order, the Supreme Court instructed the lower court to reconsider its ruling in light of the Supreme Court’s recent decision upholding another cross monument in Bladensburg, Maryland.
In American Legion v. American Humanist Association, decided last week, the Supreme Court rejected an atheist group’s attempt to tear down a nearly 100-year-old World War I memorial in Bladensburg, Maryland, known as the “Peace Cross.” In its 7–2 decision, the Court refused to apply the Lemon test, instead adopting a “strong presumption of constitutionality” for longstanding monuments. The ruling recognized that a “government that roams the land, tearing down” religious symbols “will strike many as aggressively hostile to religion,” which the Constitution does not require. The Court today told the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit to apply these same principles to the cross in Pensacola.
“The Supreme Court’s order is an encouraging sign that the Bayview cross can stay in Pensacola just like the Peace Cross can stay in Maryland,” said Luke Goodrich, vice president and senior counsel at Becket. “We fully expect the lower court to follow the Supreme Court’s lead.”
A wooden cross was first placed in Pensacola’s Bayview Park in 1941 by the Jaycees, a local community service group, as the U.S. prepared to enter World War II. The cross has been a popular gathering place for over 75 years and is one of over 170 displays in Pensacola’s parks commemorating the city’s history and culture. In 2016, an atheist organization sued the city, claiming that the cross is “offensive” and establishes a government religion.
Becket is representing the City of Pensacola free of charge together with Stanford Law Professor and former Tenth Circuit Judge Michael W. McConnell. The city is also represented by J. Nixon Daniel, III, and Terrie L. Didier of Beggs & Lane.
Boil Water Notice Issued In Cottage Hill
June 28, 2019
Cottage Hill Water Works has issued a precautionary boil water notice following a water line break Thursday.
The boil water notice is in effect for the residents of Cottage Hill in the area bounded by Virecent Road, to 496 Williams Ditch Road, and parts of Crowndale and Cottage Hill roads that experienced water loss.
The utility advises that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative, bottled water may be used.
The precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows the water is safe to drink.
For more information, call Cottage Hill Water Works at (850) 968-5485.
Pictured: Water main repairs Thursday afternoon on Williams Ditch Road near the Baptist and United Methodist churches. NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Woman Seriously Injured In Highway 297A Crash
June 28, 2019
A Cantonment woman was seriously injured in a crash Thursday night on Highway 297A at South Highway 97.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 21-year old Summer Hills of Cantonment was northbound on Highway 297A in a Nissan Rogue when she attempted to turn onto County Road 97 and traveled into the path of a Ford F250 driven by William Rollo, 21, of Daphne, Alabama.
Hills was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital in serious condition. Rollo was not injured, but his passenger, 23-year old Donald Johnson of Cantonment, suffered minor injuries and was taken to West Florida Hospital.
Hills was cited for failing to yield right of way to an approaching vehicle while making a left turn.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Summer Reading Program Continues At Your Local Library
June 28, 2019
Library patrons enjoyed juggling, magic, plate spinning and more fun during this week’s Summer Reading Program at the West Florida Library.
The series will take a break next week due to the Fourth of July holiday and will return the following week with Animal Tales — up close and personal with animals in a fun learning experience. The schedule is as follows:
– Tuesday, July 9, 11 a.m. – Southwest Branch (held at Big Lagoon Park)
– Tuesday, July 9, 3 p.m. Tryon Branch Library
– Wednesday, July 10, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
– Wednesday, July 10, 3 p.m. – Pensacola Library
– Thursday, July 11, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
– Friday, July 12, 11 a.m. – Tryon Branch Library
Pictured: Maksat “Maks” Annaev performed this week at the Century Branch Library. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Students Head To Washington For Youth Tour
June 28, 2019
Three local students took part in the Washington Youth Tour.
Keaton Brown of Northview High School, Hannah Morris of Jay High School and Kylie Schwarz of Central High School joined more than 1,800 youth leaders representing electric cooperatives from across the country for a weeklong tour of the nation’s capital.
Highlights of the tour for delegates included the World War II, Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean, Martin Luther King, Jr. and FDR memorials; Arlington National Cemetery; Holocaust Museum; and visiting many other places of interest in Washington
Youth Tour delegates also met with Congressman Matt Gaetz and visited the U.S. Capitol, where they learned more about how government works. During the Rural Electric Youth Program, they were able to gain a better understanding of rural electric cooperatives’ history and their importance in the communities they serve.
Man Gets 15 Years For DUI Manslaughter
June 28, 2019
An Escambia County man was sentenced Thursday to 15 years in state prison for DUI manslaughter.
On August 4, 2018, Blake Jordan Shull was driving his 2002 Saturn L200 at a high rate of speed westbound on Michigan Avenue in Pensacola at approximately 2 a.m. The defendant struck the deceased victim’s vehicle from behind, near the intersection with Memphis Avenue. The collision caused the victim’s vehicle to strike the curb, overturn and impact a traffic signal pole on the corner of the intersection. The victim passed away at the scene.
The Florida Highway Patrol’s investigation revealed Shull was traveling over 80 miles per hour at the time of impact. A blood test determined Shull to have a .12 blood alcohol content. He also had cannabis and cocaine in his system.
he court also ordered he pay a $10,000 fine. There is no parole in Florida and so Shull will be required to serve at least 85% of the 15 year sentence.
Century Releases Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
June 28, 2019
The Town of Century has released their 2018 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report.
The town did not report an contaminants in excess of allowed standards.
Town of Century water customers will receive a copy of the report in their water bill. To download a copy, click here.
Arch Placed On Pensacola Bay Bridge
June 28, 2019
A 800,000-pound steel arch was placed atop the new eastbound Pensacola Bay Bridge Thursday.
Barge-mounted construction cranes lifted the 375-foot long by 83-foot tall arch into place above the navigational channel of the new bridge. Installed, the top of the arch stands approximately 150-feet above the waters of Pensacola Bay. The arch is a signature architectural element for the new bridge that will also provide structural support for the multiuse path included on the bridge.
Completion of the eventual eastbound bridge is currently estimated for later this summer. At that time, two lanes of east and two lanes of westbound traffic will be moved to the new bridge while the existing structure is demolished and the new westbound bridge is constructed.
The new Pensacola Bay Bridge will consist of two, parallel structures, each equipped with three travel lanes, adjacent inside and outside shoulders, and 10-foot multiuse paths for pedestrians and bicyclists. Final completion of the new bridge, and the adjacent 17th Avenue interchange in Pensacola, is currently estimated for mid-2021.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
