Escambia Schools Seek Public Input On School Calendar
February 6, 2019
The Escambia County School district is asking for public input to help develop the 2023-2024 academic year calendar.
“I encourage you to participate in this process by reviewing the draft proposals and taking a brief survey regarding each proposal. Survey results will be analyzed and shared with the District Calendar Committee, comprised of representatives from all stakeholder groups,” Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said in a recorded message to parents.
The final recommendation for the 2023-2024 calendar will go before the Escambia County School Board for consideration at their March 26 meeting.
For the calendar proposals and surveys, click here.
Creek Indian Enterprises Purchases Fairfield Inn In Atmore
February 6, 2019
Creek Indian Enterprises Development Authority (CIEDA) has purchased the Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott on Highway 21 at I-65 in atmore.
The hotel is located in the Rivercane development, near the Wind Creek Casino and adjacent to the Holiday Inn Express which was recently purchased by CIDEA. It is their eighth hotel investment property.
“The addition of this hotel property in Atmore allows us to expand our hotel offerings to a wider variety of travelers. We are pleased to be able to invest in Atmore and its tourism industry,” said CIEDA President/CEO Cody Williams.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Redevelopment Area Seeks Attorney, Executive Director
February 6, 2019
The Century Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) met this week and moved forward toward having an executive director and attorney in place.
The board voted to pursue an interlocal agreement with Escambia County to provide an executive director and to seek letters of intent for an attorney. The Century CRA boad will also entertain an interlocal agreement and memorandum of understanding with the Town of Century for staff services.
In October, the council approved a Tax Increment Financing plan for their redevelopment area, allowed the CRA to receive property tax revenues each year in excess of an established base rate. The appraised value of the property within the designated district was “frozen”this year, with that amount of tax revenue generated still designated for the town’s general fund, the county and other taxing authorities.
The redevelopment area will receive 95 percent of the property tax generated in excess of the frozen base value as property values rise. It is estimated that will amount to about $10,000 the first year for the beginning in 2020.
The CRA funds will be used to improve conditions in the 510 acres, bounded by Jefferson Avenue to the south, Jefferson Avenue to the east, East High 4 to the north and the center line of North Century Boulevard to the west. It also extends north on the east side of North Century Boulevard to include commercial properties up to, and including, the former Burger King.
The CRA received no funding during the October 1, 2017, to September 30, 2018, fiscal year because the base year for tax increment financing was established in 2018. The CRA will see its first redevelopment trust fund money next fiscal year.
Tax Increment Financing is a unique tool available to cities and counties for redevelopment activities. It is used to leverage public funds to promote private sector activities in the targeted redevelopment area. Property owners in the CRA will pay the same tax rate as those in the remainder of the town.
TIF revenue can be used on a “pay as you go” basis, where the annual stream of revenue is used to fund small projects, or used to pay debt service costs over the life of a project lasting 10 or more years. Historically in Florida, TIF has been effective at generating large amounts of funding for capital investments for roadway improvements, flood control programs, water and sewer and drainage infrastructure improvements, parking lots and garages, neighborhood parks, sidewalks, street and sidewalk tree plantings, signs and building construction.
After a February 2016 tornado damaged or destroyed 40 homes and businesses, the town looked to address the long-term effects on the community of a downturn in economic development. That led to the redevelopment area.
The CRA plan sets a roadmap for future development and spending to eliminate existing conditions of blight and to encourage continued private investment. The plan also provides a framework for coordinating and facilitating public and private redevelopment within the area.
Review the Century CRA plan by clicking here.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Molino Bar Seeks Noise Ordinance Waiver For Mardi Gras Party
February 6, 2019
A Molino bar is seeking a noise ordinance waiver for a Mardi Gras party with a live band.
Louie’s Tavern in the 200 block of Molino Road wants to hold the party on Saturday, February 16 from 6 p.m. until midnight.
The Escambia County Commission will consider the noise ordinance waiver at their Thursday meeting. If approved, the Building Inspections Division will issue a Special Event permit for the exemption, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office will be notified that the waiver was issued.
Northview Chiefs Football Player Dariontae Richardson Passes Away
February 5, 2019
The Northview Chiefs are mourning the loss of Dariontae Richardson.
Richardson suffered a heart attack hours after the Chiefs’ first round playoff win over Graceville November 9. The Chiefs’ #10 passed away on Monday.
He made several key plays for Northview in their win against Graceville but was not injured in the game.
The morning after the game, the 16-year old was found at home not breathing. His mother performed CPR until an ambulance arrived. He was transported to Atmore Community Hospital and airlifted to a Mobile hospital.
As the Chiefs advanced to route two of the playoffs against Baker, they dedicated the game to Richardson.
Grief counseling was available Tuesday at the school for students and staff.
Pictured: Dariontae Richardson (#10) during the Northview Chiefs first round playoff win over Graceville November 9, 2018. He suffered a heart attack a few hours later. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century’s Mayor, Council At Impasse Over Billing Clerk Choice
February 5, 2019
Century’s town council and mayor are still at an impasse over the hiring of new billing clerk.
Last week, three council members voted 2-1 against Mayor Henry Hawkin’s recommendation to promote Netanya Simmons from within. Monday night, Hawkins recommended that she be promoted to the position and receive an hourly increase from $9.81 to $12. The council did approve a vote to interview four applicants for the position. [Previous story ...]
Monday night, Hawkins recommended that she be promoted to the position and receive an hourly increase from $9.81 to $12. But Monday night the council deadlocked 2-2 on a motion not to approve the promotion, and later voted 2-2 on a motion for the promotion. In each case, council members Luis Gomez and Sandra McMurray Jackson cast votes in favor of the promotion, and council members Ben Boutwell and Ann Brooks were against. Council member James Smith was absent from both meetings.
Monday night Brooks cited an emailed opinion from Matt Danheisser, town attorney, stating that the council essentially has veto power to disapprove of the mayor’ choice, but the council cannot direct the hiring of a person not recommended by the mayor.
“It does not benefit the citizens of Century when you have someone that can be doing the job,” Gomez said of Simmons. “The lawyer states we can hire within and promote up.”
“We have to wait for the mayor,” Brooks said, before anyone else could be hired for the billing clerk position.
“We are getting nothing done because what we are doing is sitting at this table lollygagging,” said Gomez.
“The issue is whether or no we have a qualified person,” added Brooks.
Boutwell agreed. “The are better qualified people,” he said.
The council voted 4-0 to interview Simmons at their next meeting, and 4-0 to have Chief Deputy Clerk of Finance Kristina Wood create this month’s utility bills.
Speed Limits Reduced On Stefani, Cricket Ridge, Cricket Circle
February 5, 2019
The Escambia County Commission recently approved speed limit reductions on Stefani Road, Cricket Ridge Drive and Cricket Circle in Cantonment.
The speed limit was reduced on Stefani Road from West 10 Mile Road to West Roberts Road from 45 mph to 40 mph, and on Stefani Road from West 9½ Mile Road to West 10 Mile Road from 40 mph to 35 mph.
The speed limit on Cricket Ridge Drive from East Kingsfield Road to East Kingsfield Road was reduced from 30 mph to 25 mph, and on Cricket Circle from Cricket Ridge Drive to the south end of the roadway from 30 mph to 25 mph.
Molino Park Holds Literacy Week Book Character Teacher Parade
February 5, 2019
The teachers, faculty and staff at Molino Park Elementary School dressed as book characters for a Literacy Week Book Character Teacher Parade.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FWC Hunter Safety Courses Offered In Molino, Cantonment, Jay, Milton
February 5, 2019
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering free hunter safety courses in Molino, Cantonment, Jay and Milton.
Escambia County
Feb. 6 (6 to 10 p.m. ) & March 2 (7 to 10 a.m. )
Molino Community Center
6450 Highway 95A in Molino
Feb. 27 (6 to 10 p.m. ) & March 2 (7 to 10 a.m. )
Langley Bell 4-H Center
3730 Stefani Road in Cantonment
Santa Rosa County
Feb. 13 (6 to 10 p.m. ) & March 2 (7 to 10 a.m. )
Jay Community Center
5259 Booker Lane in Jay
Feb. 20 (6 to 10 p.m. ) & March 2 (7 to 10 a.m. )
Santa Rosa County Extension Services
6263 Dogwood Drive in Milton
Feb. 28 (6 to 10 p.m. ) & March 2 (7 to 10 a.m. )
Avalon Middle School
5445 King Arthur’s Way in Milton
Students who have taken the online course and wish to complete the classroom portion must bring the online-completion report with them.All firearms, ammunition and materials are provided free of charge. Students should bring a pen or pencil and paper. An adult must accompany children younger than 16 at all times.
Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course and have a hunting license to hunt alone (unsupervised). The FWC course satisfies hunter-safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.
Those interested in attending a course can register online and obtain information about future hunter safety classes at MyFWC.com/HunterSafety or by calling the FWC’s regional office in Panama City at (850) 265-3676.
Walnut Hill Man Charged With Felony Aggravated Battery
February 5, 2019
A Walnut Hill man was charged after allegedly choking a man.
Terrance Travon Redmond, 41, was charged with felony aggravated battery by strangulation.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home on Highway 97A near Dan Hall Road for a battery complaint. The victim had a torn shirt, red marks all over his neck, a laceration to the top of his head and an abrasion and bruises on his face.
The victim told deputies he was at his mom’s house with permission to wash some clothes. Redmond told him to leave the residence and tried to throw his clothes out the backdoor of the home. Redmond grabbed him by the neck, started choking him and shoved him against a wall before hitting him on the head with a trash can, according to an arrest report. The victim also told deputies that Redmond threatened to kill him.
Redmond later told deputies that the victims started the altercation, punched him and pushed him into a metal door.
Redmond was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $100,000 bond.