Age For Florida Correctional Officers Reduced To 18
June 19, 2019
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday signed a law that allows 18-year old corrections officers in Florida.
The minimum age for a corrections officer in Florida is currently 19. The 18-year old minimum goes into effect July 1 not only to the state prison system, but in county jails in an effort to solve staffing issues.
In addition, the bill bans the use of drones near and over near county, state and private correctional facilities and juvenile detention centers to help decrease the amount of contrand introduced into the facilities.
Pictured: Inside a prisoner dorm at Century Correctional Institution. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Century Receives Another Offer For Vacant Industrial Property
June 18, 2019
The Town of Century has received another offer from a company looking to occupy the town-owned former Helicopter Technology building.
A “letter of intent” was emailed last Friday to Mayor Henry Hawkins on behalf of Noble Trucking Solutions, LLC, of Sheridan, Wyoming. The letter says the company specializes in oilfield water and sand hauling and wishes to expand to Century.
The building will serve as “multi-use facility that will house and serve as the Century Florida Annex for our Trucking, Logistics and CDL Trucking School with a CDL Certification Program”, according to the letter.
“Our presence in Century will allow us to bring a variety of services resulting in the creation of employment resources and enhanced skilled trades options, all under one roof to be nurtured and developed into a sustainable business,” stated the email from Felecia L Knight, a consulting agent for ACTS Entertainment Management on behalf of Noble CEO Devin Harper.
In 2017, the building was appraised for $550,000 with a fair market rent of $80,000 per year ($6,667 per month).
Nobles offered rent of about $3,500 per month for a minimum term of 3-5 years with a negotiated “moderate” annual rental increase. The company also asked for deferred payments for 90 days to “accommodate the necessary construction build-out, repairs and equipment implementation”.
According to Wyoming Secretary of State, Noble Trucking Solutions, LLC was organized April 11, 2019, and uses and address and registered agent address of a Sheridan, Wyoming, law firm. No company officers are listed.
The lack of immediately available information about the company led town council members to express concern at their Monday night meeting.
Council President Ann Brooks and councilman Ben Boutwell both told Hawkins they want to know more about the company before considering their officer. Hawkins said he would attempt to get more information from company principals soon.
Three weeks ago, the council rejected a $240,000 deal for the building.
West Florida Gin Manager Robert Earl Godwin and businessman Larry Baxley, who are in the process of setting up North Escambia Warehouse and Storage, LLC, made a preliminary lease-to-own offer on the town-owned building at $4,000 per month for five years, for a total of $240,000. The company would have made an $8,000 deposit, paid the first month’s rent in advance, and paid for any upgrades to the building. At the end of the lease term, they would have had the option to buy the building for $100, a proposed lease agreement prepared by the town’s attorney stated.
The cotton storage would likely not create any jobs, which was one major concern for some council members.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Firefighters Receive Decontamination Kits To Fight Cancer Risk
June 18, 2019
Escambia County Fire Rescue has received 42 post fire on-scene decontamination kits to help mitigate firefighters’ exposure to cancer-causing products of combustion. The decontamination kits will be distributed to county fire departments to be housed on apparatus with pumping capability beginning today.
The kits were provided as part of a $1 million statewide firefighter cancer mitigation grant program.
New construction and furniture often contain synthetic materials like polyurethane and hydrocarbons. The result is not only material that ignites faster, but produces carcinogens, which can increase existing cancer risks posed by a fire’s gases. A 2016 study by the National Institute for Occupation Health and Safety said U.S. firefighters are at a higher risk for cancer and they are 14% more likely to die of cancer than the general public.
Each kit includes the tools needed for firefighters to effectively clean gear after a fire:
- Flash drive, including educational videos and training outline
- Laminated field operation guide
- Standard operating guideline
- 5-gallon bucket and leak-proof lid
- 5-gallon 6 mil clear bags
- Duct tape
- Dish soap
- Short handle scrub brush
- All-purpose spray bottle
- Dermal wipes
- 2- 50-foot 5/8” hose lines
- 2- garden hose nozzles
- 2- adapters, 2 feet 5 inches female X 3/4 inch male garden hose thread
- Collapsible traffic cone
The kits are in addition to a department initiative to issue all certified firefighters two sets of personal protective gear, which further reduces firefighter exposure. A set of clean, dry gear would be available for use at the station while the first set can be initially cleaned on scene with the donated kit. The overall goal is to reduce expose time, not only while on scene, but when returning to the station and responding to other calls.
The state of Florida partnered with Ten-8, the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Florida Firefighters Safety and Health Collaborative, and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network to provide more than 4,200 kits to 405 Florida fire departments as part of the state effort.
Century For Independent Living Disability To Hold Public Session In Molino
June 18, 2019
The Center for Independent Living Disability Resource Center is hosting a public strategic planning session Thursday in Molino and Pensacola. The CIL is looking for input from people with disabilities, their families, caregivers, and other community members.
The Center for Independent Living Disability Resource Center is a consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, nonresidential private non-profit agency that is designed and operated within a local community by individuals with disabilities and provides an array of independent living services. Clients are not charged for core services.
Thursday’s meetings will be held:
- 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. at Studer Community Institute, 202 W. Garden St., Pensacola
- 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Molino Community Center, 6450 Hwy 95A Molino
ECFR Responds To Reported House Fire Off 10 Mile Road
June 18, 2019
Escambia Fire Rescue responded to a reported structure fire just after 7:30 p.m. Monday on Mercer Lane, just south of 10 Mile Road.
No injuries were reported, and damage to the home did not appear to be severe from the roadway.
No further details were available.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tri-County Softball All-Stars Claim District Championship, Headed To State
June 18, 2019
The Tri-County Little League Minor Softball All-Star team claimed the District 1 Championship this past week. This win also clinched the Sectional Championship, advancing them straight to the state tournament beginning July 5 near Ft. Myers.
The team is looking for sponsors to help defray costs. Tax deductible donations can be made to Jay Recreation Association, PO Box 241 Jay, FL 32565. In the check memo field, notate Softball All-Stars. For more information, contact Jay Rec/Tri-County President, Tony deGraaf at (850) 698-0735.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay High Names Mike Roberts As New Head Baseball Coach
June 18, 2019
Jay High School has named Mike Roberts as the new head baseball coach for the Royals.
Roberts brings several years of head coaching experience to Jay, including six playoff appearances at Central High School and a trip to the FHSAA Final Four in 2016.
Photo courtesy Jay High School for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
DeSantis Redistributes Election Security Funding
June 18, 2019
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced that the Florida Department of State (DOS) and Florida’s 67 county supervisors of elections will engage in a cooperative cybersecurity initiative ahead of the 2020 election.
DeSantis is also supporting the redistribution of $2.3 million in unexpended funds to supervisors of eections to support their continued efforts to enhance election security. This is in addition to the $2.8 million appropriated by the Florida Legislature for the upcoming fiscal year.
The announcement follow DeSantis’ May 22nd directive to initiate a review of elections systems security and cybersecurity throughout the state in order to ensure Florida’s elections infrastructure at the state and local level is protected.
“I am pleased to announce that the Secretary of State and all 67 supervisors of elections will engage in a cooperative, joint cybersecurity initiative ahead of the 2020 elections that will identify and address any vulnerabilities in our elections infrastructure,” said DeSantis. “Additionally, the Department of State will redistribute $2.3 million in funding to supervisors of elections so they can continue to make any necessary election security upgrades, in addition to the $2.8 million already appropriated for the fiscal year. In total, the state is giving $5.1 million for elections cybersecurity as we head into 2020.”
DOS and the supervisors of eElections will conduct a thorough elections-specific assessment and evaluate weaknesses in Florida’s elections systems as well as identify the potential for human vulnerabilities. Any weaknesses or vulnerabilities that are identified at the state or county level will be addressed or mitigated prior to the 2020 Presidential Preference Primary in March 2020.
DOS will establish regular monitoring of supervisors of elections’ networks in order to look for potential vulnerabilities on an on-going basis. DOS Cyber Navigators will provide cybersecurity trainings for DOS, supervisors of elections and staff as well as work with the DOS Information Technology team to provide IT support to small counties with limited resources.
Fire Damages Molino Mobile Home
June 17, 2019
Fire heavily damaged a Molino mobile home late Monday afternoon.
Heavy smoke was showing when firefighters arrived on scene. The fire on Dave Floyd Road off of Highway 95A was reported just before 6 p.m.
There were no injuries reported. The fire marshal is investigating the cause of the blaze.
The Molino, McDavid, Walnut Hill, and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded.
Northescambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour. Click to enlarge.
Fire Destroys Truck On Highway 95A
June 17, 2019
Firefighters responded to a vehicle fire in the 3000 block of Highway 95A adjacent to Highway 29 shortly after 2 p.m. Monday. A truck was destroyed by fire.
There were no injuries reported and no immediate word on the cause.. The Ensley Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded.
Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
