United Way Announces $850K In Community Grants
June 20, 2018
United Way of Escambia County announced $850,000 in grants Tuesday for 42 local nonprofit programs through their community investment process. These programs provide critical services to individuals and families throughout the area.
Over the past year, 266 companies and nearly 7,000 individual donors contributed to United Way for health, education and financial stability programs.
TOP 5 WORKPLACE CAMPAIGNS
1. Gulf Power Company
2. Publix Super Markets, Inc.
3. Ascend Performance Materials
4. Navy Federal Credit Union
5. Regions Bank
Health Awards:
2018-19 Health Awards: $116,264
1. Access to Care2 – Health and Hope Clinic
2. Child Abuse Prevention Education – Gulf Coast Kid’s House
3. Epilepsy Services and Resource Center – Epilepsy Foundation of Florida
4. Healthy Seniors Food Program – Manna Food Pantries, Inc.
5. Kids for Camp Summer Learning Lab – Autism Pensacola
6. Lakeview Center Victim Services – Lakeview Center
7. Mobile Outreach Program – OASIS Florida
8. The Salvation Army Emergency Shelter, Sally’s House – The Salvation Army
9. VIP Children’s Program – Independence for the Blind
2-3 Year Committed Health Awards: $260,962
1. Essential Life Skills – Capstone Adaptive Learning and Therapy Centers, Inc.
2. Family Advocacy – Gulf Coast Kid’s House
3. Healthy Lifestyles – Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast
4. Nutrition Program – Council on Aging of West Florida
5. Older Blind Program – Independence for the Blind
6. Pearl Nelson Child Development Center/Pediatric Therapy – The Arc Gateway, Inc.
7. Senior Companion Program – Council on Aging of West Florida
8. Sexual/Physical Abuse Treatment Program – Lutheran Services of Florida
9. Youth Development – YMCA of Northwest Florida
Education Awards:
2018-19 Education Awards: $129,682
1. Big Brothers Big Sisters Community Based Program – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida
2. Every Adult Achieves Self-Sufficiency – Pathways for Change
3. GED Program – AMIkids Pensacola
4. Girls Earning Diplomas (GED) Program – PACE Center for Girls
5. Milk & Honey Afterschool Program – Milk & Honey Outreach Ministry
6. ReadingPals – Every Child A Reader Escambia (ECARE)
7. School to Work – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida
8. Service Learning and Leadership Development – Chain Reaction
9. Workforce Development: Providing a Path to Self-Sufficiency – Waterfront Rescue Mission, Inc.
2-3 Year Committed Education Awards: $258,093
1. Academic Success – Boys and Girls Club of the Emerald Coast
2. Capstone Academy – Capstone Adaptive Learning and Therapy Centers, Inc.
3. Heritage Oaks Affordable Housing – Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies (BRACE)
4. Independence for Dependent and Homeless Youth – Legal Services of
North Florida
5. Pearl Nelson Child Development Center/Early Intervention Services – The Arc Gateway, Inc.
6. School Readiness Program – Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County
7. Teenspace – Children’s Home Society of Florida
8. Transition Program – Independence for the Blind
9. Veterans Legal Assistance – Legal Services of North Florida
Financial Stability Awards:
2018-19 Financial Stability Awards: $67,500
1. Child Care – YMCA of Northwest Florida
2. Emergency Assistance – Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida
3. Moving Escambia County from Hunger to Hope – Manna Food Pantries, Inc.
4. Social Services – Basic Needs – The Salvation Army
5. The Mobile Pantry Program – Feeding the Gulf Coast
2-3 Year Committed Financial Stability Awards: $17,500
1. Domestic Violence Shelter – FavorHouse of Northwest Florida, Inc.
Jay Honors Former Town Clerk By Renaming Community Center
June 20, 2018
Tuesday evening, the Jay Community Center was renamed the Linda Carden Community Center in honor of longtime town clerk Linda Carden.
Carden retired after serving the community for 40 years. She started working for the Town of Jay in 1976 as the assistant to Town Clerk Theda Bray. She worked under three mayors – J.D. Bray, Jackie Ard and Kurvin Qualls.
While serving as town clerk, Carden earned the Master Municipal Clerk designation from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. She retired in October 2016.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
George Stone Has A New Name – George Stone Technical College
June 20, 2018
George Stone Area Vocational–Technical Center has been renamed George Stone Technical College.
Officials hope the new name will better identify its mission so that more parents of high school graduates will realize the opportunities the institution provides for career preparation after high school.
“These technical colleges saw a five to fifteen percent enrollment increase in the first year after changing their names,” said TJ Rollins, GSTC principal.
Vandals Strike Century’s Parks; Mayor Pushes For Security Cameras
June 20, 2018
Vandals are causing damage to Century’s parks, and Mayor Henry Hawkins wants to send the message that there are consequences for actions.
Hawkins said every park in town has been vandalized recently. A few days ago, someone busted locks at Anthony Pleasant Park and broke bathroom fixtures and a water fountain.
Now Hawkins is pushing for town council approval for security cameras.
“We need to move quickly on cameras, because we are going to go broke with nickel and dime repairs,” Hawkins said. He said he wants the vandals arrested and an example made of them to send the message that “if you are caught, you will pay the price.”
About a month ago, Hawkins told the council that he wants to install security cameras at several town properties.
Hawkins presented the town council with a proposal from Security Center USA in Jacksonville for about $700 per month under a 36 month lease purchase with a $1 buyout.
The proposal included eight HD cameras at town hall and the Nadine McCaw Park, seven HD cameras at maintenance shop on Alger Road and Showalter Park, and three HD cameras at the water treatment plant. Installation, video recorders, streaming, accessories and monitoring were included.
The council took no action on the proposal. Hawkins said this week he plans to obtain an additional proposal.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
O.C. Phillips Road Bridge Reopens
June 20, 2018
A bridge over Brushy Creek Bridge on O.C. Phillips Road has reopened. The bridge was closed by the Florida Department of Transportation last November due to a failed inspection, leading to a lengthy detour for some residents. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Voters May Decide Between Elected Or Appointed School Superintendent
June 20, 2018
Should the Escambia County school superintendent be elected or appointed?
That’s a question that voters may see on this year’s general election ballot.
The Escambia County County Commission will hold a public hearing at 5:31 p.m. on June 21 to consider an ordinance authorizing a countywide referendum to be held on the November 6 ballot concerning the appointment of the school superintendent in Escambia County. The superintendent would be appointed by the school board.
The county is considering the referendum at the request of Superintendent Malcolm Thomas. The Escambia County School Board approved a resolution in support of the request on April 17.
FHP Looking For Hit And Run Honda Involved In Nine Mile, Hwy 29 Crash
June 19, 2018
The Florida Highway Patrol is looking for a driver involved in a hit and run crash Tuesday afternoon on the entrance ramp from Nine Mile Road to southbound Highway 29.
The FHP said a gold-colored Honda with a Texas license plate made an improper lane change and struck a Chevrolet pickup truck and several construction barrels. The Honda then left the scene.
There were no injuries to any of the five people in the pickup.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call the Trooper J. Vennell at (850) 484-5000 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Driver Seriously Injured, Airlifted After Early Morning Wreck On Highway 97
June 19, 2018
One person was seriously injured and airlifted to the hospital after an early morning wreck on Highway 97 south of Walnut Hill.
The driver of a passenger car was northbound on Highway 97 just north of Tungoil Road about 1 a.m. when the vehicle left the roadway, hit a culvert and went airborne before coming to rest near the woodline.
The adult male driver was transported by Escambia County EMS to the Molino Fire Station and then airlifted to a Pensacola hospital. His injuries were not considered life threatening.
The accident is being investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Molino, Walnut Hill and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Northview FFA Chapter, Members Receive Top State Honors
June 19, 2018
The Northview High School FFA’s “Fresh From Florida Advocacy Program” was named the first place program in the state during the FFA state convention Wednesday in Orlando, one of many honors received by the chapter and its members.
The Northview High School FFA chapter was also name a Premier FFA Chapter, and a Florida’s Finest FFA Chapter. Raeleigh Woodfin was elected as FFA District 1 president, and State FFA Degrees were awarded to Cole Hassebrock and Cody Kite. America FFA Degrees were bestowed upon Tabithia Chavers, Brandon Korinchak and Mitchell Singleton.
Singleton also retired as retired as Area 1 state FFA vice president [earlier story...].
Formerly known the Food for America program, the Fresh from Florida Advocacy Program is designed to encourage FFA members to participate in agricultural literacy and awareness projects on the local level. The annual program, conducted by the Northview FFA in March, gave hundreds of students a chance to learn about agriculture firsthand as they got up close and personal with farm animals, farm equipment and more. The students even had the opportunity to make their own butter and enjoy it on crackers.
In addition to this year’s first place award. the Northview High School FFA “Fresh From Florida” program was awarded first place in Florida in 2017 and three consecutive years from 2012-2014. The program received second place in 2015 and 2016.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bydlak Endorsed By Florida Chamber In Florida House Race
June 19, 2018
The Florida Chamber of Commerce Monday announced their endorsement of Rebekah Bydlak for Florida House District 1.
“Rebekah Bydlak is a candidate who is focused on serving the public and will ensure that free-enterprise principles and long-term solutions are put ahead of short term political fixes,” Marian Johnson, senior vice president of Political Strategy at the Florida Chamber of Commerce, said. “The Florida Chamber is proud to endorse Rebekah Bydlak to serve in the Florida House.”
Bydlak was endorsed for her pro-jobs commitment and support of continuing to move Florida in the right direction, according to the Florida Chamber.
“As the daughter of a small business owner and as a nonprofit executive, I’m honored to receive the endorsement from the Florida Chamber of Commerce,” said Rebekah Bydlak. “Few organizations have done as much to defend job creators in my home state, and I look forward to fighting for free enterprise, economic growth, and job creation in the legislature.”