International Paper To Hold $85K Grant Application Info Meeting
April 19, 2018
International Paper’s Pensacola Mill will award $85,000 in grants in 2018. International Paper is hosting a one-hour meeting Wednesday, May 9 at 10:30 a.m. to review the application process with interested non-profit organizations, schools and state and local government entities. The meeting will take place at the mill’s Employee Development Center, located at 375 Muscogee Rd. in Cantonment and will focus on eligibility, criteria and restrictions. Grant committee members will be available for questions.
The deadline for all 2018 grant applications is Sunday, July 1, 2018. International Paper’s Pensacola Mill gives out grants through the IP Foundation, which makes sustainable investments to address critical needs in the communities where International Paper employees live and work. Grants support projects or programs focused on signature causes.
Signature Causes are:
Education – Priority given to literacy programs from birth through 3rd grade.
Hunger – Community programs that provide access to food for those in need or provide solutions to alleviate hunger.
Health & Wellness – Programs that promote basic health and human needs.
Disaster Relief – Programs that reduce suffering or saves lives as a result of a natural disaster.
For more information about the IP Foundation, visit ipgiving.com. To reserve your seat at the workshop, contact Whitney Fike, communications manager, by email at whitney.fike@ipaper.com or call 850-968-3076. Reservations to attend the meeting are required as space is limited. However, attendance is not mandatory to apply.
Braves Sink Wahoos
April 19, 2018
The Blue Wahoos and M-Braves were tied with one out in the eighth inning until Mississippi scored five runs to take Wednesday’s contest 9-4.
With runners at first and third, Cleuluis Rondon bunted a safety squeeze back to the pitcher, Brennan Bernardino, who couldn’t field it cleanly allowing Austin Riley to score. With the Braves leading 5-4, Bernardino did well to strike out Connor Lien but then allowed a double to Luis Valenzuela and a home run to Tyler Marlette to make it 9-4.
The loss doesn’t tarnish what was a fine outing for Vladimir Gutierrez, who pitched six innings and allowed only three runs. After a bumpy first inning where Gutierrez allowed a couple of runs, the Wahoos starter looked comfortable allowing just three baserunners over the rest of his outing.
Austin Riley dealt more punishment to the Wahoos this series going 3-for-4 on Wednesday, with two triples. In this series, Riley is now hitting .583 (7-for-12) with four RBI.
Pensacola used the long ball to power the offense for most of the afternoon. Taylor Sparks tied the game at 2-2 when he belted his first home run of the season off M-Braves starter Touki Toussaint. It appeared the Wahoos would pull away in the fifth when Nick Longhi’s two-run shot put Pensacola ahead 4-2. However, Riley’s second triple of the game in the bottom of the fifth pulled one back for Mississippi and in the seventh Luis Valenzuela’s pinch-hit home run tied it up at 4-4.
Aristides Aquino made it back-to-back games with an RBI with his first inning groundout that gave the Wahoos a 1-0 lead. Luiz Gonzalez also had another fine performance since joining the Wahoos from Daytona going 2-for-3 with a double. Shed Long also extended his on-base streak to 11 games with his first-inning single (also has a concurrent six-game hitting streak).
Abandoned Nine Mile Road Restaurant Burns
April 18, 2018
An abandoned restaurant in the 600 block of on East Nine Mile Road burned Wednesday afternoon. There was no immediate word on the cause of the fire. There were no injuries reported. Photos for NorthEscambia.com by Sarah Roy and other readers, click to enlarge.
Couple Arrested With Gun Outside Escambia County Ultrasound School
April 18, 2018
A man and woman with a gun were apprehended outside an Escambia County ultrasound school Tuesday.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Florida Institute of Ultrasound on University Parkway after receiving information that a male and female were on their way to the institute with a gun.
Deputies arrived on scene and were able to apprehend Mark and Mary Kinney before they entered the building.
During a search, a gun was found in Mark’s waistband and plastic baggie with white residue in his shirt pocket, which tested positive for methamphetamine, according to Amber Southard, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the report, the Kinneys wanted a technician to do a scan of Mark’s right ear because he thought something was moving in it, a witness told deputies. A gun and a plastic baggie with methamphetamine in it was found in Mark’s waistband during a search.
Mark Kinney, 52, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a concealed firearm and possession of drug paraphernalia. Mary Kinney, 41, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a concealed firearm and introduction of contraband into a county detention facility. They remain in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $21,000 for Mark Kinney and $25,000 for Mary Kinney.
Century Natural Gas Exclusive Franchise Approved; Pensacola Energy Disputes
April 18, 2018
The Escambia County Commission voted Tuesday night to renew an expiring exclusive natural gas franchise for the Town Of Century, over numerous objections from the City of Pensacola and Pensacola Energy as they claimed most of the franchise territory as their own.
In 1968, the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners granted the Town of Century (then known as the Town of South Flomaton) a franchise to provide natural gas services to citizens in the Century area. The present franchise expires this year.
The commission adopted a new franchise ordinance that provides the Town with the same rights and responsibilities as other county franchises, including payment of a five percent franchise fee. This new franchise will not extend beyond the franchise area previously designated in the 1968 franchise agreement. The renewed franchise will expire in 2047.
But an attorney for the City of Pensacola spoke out against the exclusive franchise, making a claim that Pensacola Energy already has an exclusive natural gas franchise in North Escambia.
“Since 1993, the City of Pensacola has been providing natural gas service to customers within some of the areas that are in the proposed ordinance that will become an exclusive franchise area for the Town of Century,” attorney Charlie Guyton said. He said Pensacola Energy serves 46 customers within the Century franchise area, adding that service to these customers began after Pensacola in 1992 purchased gas facilities that belonged to the Escambia County Utilities Authorities (now known and the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority) for $1.1 million.
Guyton said ECUA issued an exclusive franchise to the City of Pensacola in “all of Escambia County, Florida, north of 10 Mile Road… other than in the Town of Century and for the benefit of the State of Florida prison system. The City of Pensacola has an exclusive franchise to serve the areas where it has been serving.”
Guyton claimed the Town of Century currently only has a license or a permit, but not a franchise to provide natural gas service.. “It does not have a franchise. If you look at the document, there is no mention of a franchise. It does refer to a permit or license. But more importantly, the rights granted under that document are non-exclusive,” he said.
Pensacola’s attorney also pointed out that Pensacola has paid, and Escambia County has accepted, an estimated $150,000 in franchise fees from the disputed area.
“In 1968, well before ECUA even existed…you (Escambia County) had granted an exclusive franchise to the Town of Century for this territory,” Century attorney Matt Dannheisser said. “But somehow in 1993, without notice to us, without asking our permission, they started taking our customers.”
He said Century does have a franchise, which is the same as a permit or license.
“Pensacola shows up today with one of the largest, most expensive law firms….to try…to confuse you, because it is a tactic that we lawyers take when we don’t really have the facts in favor of us. Try to confuse somebody so that won’t make a decision, so that they will delay. I hope that you don’t fall into that trap. You know all the facts; you know what is the right decision to make,” Dannheisser told the commissioners. “They want different rules to apply to the City of Pensacola that to everyone else.”
“They want us to pay them over a half million dollars to buy back the customers that we should already have,” Danneheisser said, customers he contends are paying Pensacola Energy 35 t0 40 percent more than the rate charged by the Town of Century’s gas department.
Guyton said that approval of the exclusive franchise would lead to a territorial dispute that would likely go to the Florida Public Service Commission.
“And it won’t be just an issue of the franchise, but of who has the better ability to serve. And I think that comparison is going to work in favor of the City of Pensacola,” he said.
Escambia County Commissioner Douglas Underhill cautioned Guyton against taking his client before the PSC. He said Pensacola Energy promised natural gas service to areas of Perdido Key for four years, but was unable to deliver. He said the PSC would learn of several negative issues involving Pensacola Energy.
Commissioner Steven Barry made the motion Tuesday night to approve the exclusive Century natural gas franchise, subject to approval by the Century Town Council within 120 days.
Commissioner Grover Robinson voted against the ordinance, saying he wanted to see more time to for Century and Pensacola to come to terms.
Barry said they’ve had three or four years, and “I don’t perceive that we are any closure to an agreement…there does not appear there has been a lot of progress between the two entities.”
Century will continue to hold franchise rights from Escambia County to provide natural gas service from the Escambia River westward to almost the Perdido River and from the Alabama state line southward to near Bogia. The franchise area includes Century, Bogia, Byrneville, Bratt, Oak Grove, Walnut Hill and McDavid. Century currently provides gas service only in a portion of their franchise area — near the town limits, south along Highway 29 to and including a portion of Highway 164, west into Byrneville and an area of Bratt.
Pictured top: A “natural gas gate station” that serves the Town of Century, located just off Highway 168 on Poplar Dell Road. Picture top inset: Attorney Charlie Guyton for the City of Pensacola. Pictured middle inset: Century attorney Matt Dannheisser. Pictured bottom inset: A Pensacola natural gas valve station in Bratt. Pictured below: A map of Century’s natural gas franchise area. NorthEscambia.com photos and courtesy images, click to enlarge.
Retired Escambia County Sheriff’s K-9 Miso Passes Away
April 18, 2018
Retired Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Miso passed away Tuesday. Miso was the dedicated partner of Special Master Deputy Wayne Gulsby. Miso retired last year. Pictured: Retired Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Miso. Special Master Deputy Wayne Gulsby is pictured with Miso at a field trial event (inset) and during a drug search at Northview High School (bottom) Courtesy and NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Wins District In Singles, Doubles; Two Headed To State
April 18, 2018
Two Tate High School tennis players are district champions are will head to state. Luke Racine is the District 1-3A singles champion, and the Aggies doubles team of Racine and Aaron Harberson also won a district championship. They will advance to the state tournament in Altamonte Spring April 30-May 4.
Pictured top: Aaron Harberson and Luke Racine. Pictured below: Racine and Harberson in action. Pictured bottom: The Tate High School tennis teams. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Citizens Preview CRA Draft Plan To Improve ‘Blighted’ Area Of Century
April 18, 2018
The Town of Century will hold a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting Tuesday to “Envision Century”, with resident getting a first look at the draft plan.
Highlights of the CRA draft presented Tuesday night are as follows:
Community Redevelopment Objectives
- Preserve/improve residential quality of life
- Recognize, protect and utilize natural assets
- Identify and install desired community facilities, services and amenities
- Capitalize on Historic District and natural resource-based opportunities.
Strategies for CRA
- Invest in public facilities and infrastructure
- Sewer, stormwater management, transportation;
- Streetscape and pedestrian features; and
- Public and community areas.
- Expand development opportunities
- Aggregate or assemble parcels where feasible;
- Develop master stormwater plan; and
- Identify targeted development sites.
CRA Implementation Plan
- 2-year Action Plan (2018-2020)
- Activities and tasks that are smaller, incremental and set the foundation for encouraging long-term private investment in the CRA
- Funding Resources: primarily town, county, regional agencies, and non-profit organizations
- 10-year Action Plan (2018-2028)
- Builds upon activities and tasks from the 2-year action plan and begins to implement the more costly capital improvements and services that require utilization of revenues to leverage TIF funds
- Funding Resources: primarily regional and state agencies, and large grant organizations
Local Funding Sources
- CRA Tax Increment Fund (TIF);
- Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP); and
- Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
Concept Plan
- Identifies potential sites/areas for:
- Parks or expansion of parks;
- Community center or public open areas;
- Sidewalk & bicycle facilities;
- Gateway beautification;
- Redevelopment opportunities, etc.
The town previously declared a portion of Century as “blighted” as part of the process to form the CRA.
Once the CRA is in place and operating, it will work to improve conditions within the area. As property tax values rise, most of the increase is funneled back into the redevelopment area for further improvements.
The CRA area is 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. Click here for a detailed map (pdf).
The final plan will be presented during a community meeting on Thursday, May 24.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Northview Tribal Beat Band Shows Off New Uniforms
April 18, 2018
The Northview High School Tribal Beat band has new uniforms. Each school in the district receives new uniforms every seven years. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Get 5-0 Senior Night Win Over PHS
April 18, 2018
The Northview Chiefs shut out the Pensacola High School Tigers 5-0 Tuesday night in Bratt.
Trevor Singleton, Jackson Mooore and Seth Killam teamed up on the mound, allowing three hits and striking out five.
For Northview: Moore 1-1, 2R; Singleton 1-2, R: John Chivington 1-2, R, RBI; Logan English 1-3, R.
Northview has two remaining games, both on the road. The Chiefs will be at Chipley on Friday and Washington on Monday.
Tuesday night was senior night for the Chiefs as they honored seniors John Chivington, Braxton Edwards, Jason Fischer and Trevor Singleton before their last home game.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured below: Northview seniors (L-R) Trevor Singleton, Braxton Edwards, Jason Fischer and John Chivington. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
