Underhill: Cut ECAT Routes To Fund Bridge Repair, Possibly Lower Gas Tax
February 1, 2018
Escambia County Commissioner Doug Underhill intends to present an idea to his fellow commissioners to cut ECAT routes to fund repairs on failing bridges and possibly cut a gas tax.
Underhill told NorthEscambia.com that eliminating the eight lower performing ECAT public transportation routes would save about $4 million dollars. He will propose using that $4 million for bridge repair, or using $2 million for bridges and rolling back the 4-cent mass transit gas tax to 2-cents.
Each of eight lower performing ECAT routes cost between $300,000 to $700,000 to operate, Underhill said.
According to information provided by the commissioner, the eight lowest performing routes, listed with the number of riders per hour, are:
Route — 41 East Pensacola Heights 1
Route 57 — NATTC/Corry/Downtown 6
Route 8 – Downtown/VA Clinic/Blue Angel 7
Route 59x– NAS/Cordova 8
Route 60 — Century 5 (also stops in Molino and Cantonment)
Route 63 — Michigan/Airport 8
Route 64 — Beach Jumper 4
Route 59A — NAS/Airport 1
The 4-cent gas tax for mass transit went into effect on January 1, 2014.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Dies In Classic Car Crash Near Atmore
February 1, 2018
An Alabama man died when he crashed his classic car near Atmore midday Wednesday.
Alabama State Troopers said 62-year-old Rudolph Reginald Nettles was traveling 18th Avenue just east of Atmore about noon. His 1955 Chevrolet left the roadway and struck a culvert. Nettles was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced deceased on the scene.
The accident remains under investigation by state troopers.
Molino Park Elementary Names Students, Citizens Of The Month
February 1, 2018
Molino Park Elementary School has named students and good citizens of the month for January. They are (L-R) Students of the Month Raedon Barcinas and Lilly Dekker; and Good Citizens of the Month Haleigh Mishoe and Eli Davis. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Search Begins For New Escambia Fire Chief With Job Posting
February 1, 2018
Just two days after relieving Escambia County Fire Chief Pat Grace of his duties, Escambia County has started the search for a replacement.
The job was posted online and publicly announced on Twitter.
The salary range for the position is listed as $81,036 to $133,536 with an application deadline of March 4.
Escambia County Administrator Jack Brown said there will be nationwide search for the next fire chief.
Grace was relieved of his duties as of Monday, and his last official day on the county payroll will be April 29. His departure came as Brown said the department needed a new direction and culture as a harassment investigation came to light. Grace was not the focus of the investigation.
Deputy Chief Paul Williams has been designated as interim chief.
Northview Boys Weightlifting Opens With Win
February 1, 2018
The Northview Chiefs boys weightlifting teams started their season with a victory over Rocky Bayou Christian in a dual-meet Wednesday afternoon.
Overall, the Chiefs defeated the Knights 68-16.
Individually, the following Chief lifters placed:
119-lb. class:
Logan Bryan (FR) – 1st
Jaylon North (FR) – 2nd
129-lb. class:
Trent Kite (SO) – 1st
Tyler Ray (FR) – 2nd
139-lb. class:
Dalton Hadley (SR) – 1st
Justin Lambeth (FR) – 2nd
154-lb. class:
Colten Dockens (SO) – 1st
Jarius Moorer (JR) – 2nd
169-lb. class:
Aunterio Minor (SO) – 1st
Tim Bush (SR) – 2nd
183-lb. class:
Gabe Henderson (SO) – 1st
Will Beach (SO) – 2nd
199-lb. class:
Lance McLaughlin (JR) – 3rd
219-lb. class:
Jacob Hawkins (SO) – 1st
Tyler Kite (SO) – 2nd
238-lb. class:
Jojo Parker (SO) – 1st
Matt Glover (SR) – 2nd
Heavyweight class:
Matt Caine (JR) – 2nd
The Chiefs return to action next Wednesday at home vs. Pensacola Catholic at 3:30.
Northview, Jay FFA Students Attend ‘Ag On The Hill’ In Tallahassee
February 1, 2018
Northview and Jay High School FFA students attended the annual Ag on the Hill week this week in Tallahassee. Students were welcomed to the event by the Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam, several members of the Florida Legislature, and Florida Department of Career and Technical Education personal. Nothview and Jay FFA students visited with Rep. Jayer Williamson (pictured below) and Sen.Doug Broxson (pictured above). The annual event is hosted by the Florida FFA Association and Florida Association of Agriculture Educators.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Serious Injuries In Highway 95A, Tate School Road Crash
January 31, 2018
There were no serious injuries in a two-vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon at Highway 95A and Tate School Road. Three people involved in the crash refused transport to the hospital. The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Northwest Florida Senators Oppose Plan To Move Area To The Eastern Time Zone
January 31, 2018
Senators from Northwest Florida are speaking out against a proposal that would move the Florida Panhandle into the Eastern time zone.
The Senate Affairs Committee has voted in favor of a proposal by Sen. Greg Steube, a Sarasota Republican, to put Panhandle counties in the same time Eastern time zone as the rest of the state and for Florida to observe daylight-saving time all year.
Senator Doug Broxson (R-Pensacola), Senator George Gainer (R-Panama City), and Senator Bill Montford (D-Tallahassee) expressed serious concerns to the proposed legislation
“Senator Gainer, Senator Montford, and myself represent people who live and work in the Central time zone and we adamantly oppose any move to change to Eastern time zone. We have heard our constituents loud and clear that they want to us to maintain our historical place in the Central time zone,” Broxson said.
“This is a much bigger issue than the convenience for my constituents. Parents, understandably, do not want their children waiting for the bus in the dark, just as one example. It becomes a safety issue for our school districts,” said Senator Montford. “We need to look at this issue from a more comprehensive standpoint, because there will much more far-reaching implications than I think people realize. I have constituents in both time zones and if we look closely at this issue, we might see that it could cause more problems than remembering to reset your watch when you come across the river.”
Under the bill, dubbed the “Sunshine Protection Act,” the U.S. transportation secretary would have to initiate rulemaking to redesignate the portions of Florida that currently lie within the Central time zone to the Eastern time zone. Congress would have to approve legislation to allow the state to remain under year-round daylight-saving time.
“We do not need the state legislation to tell us what time it is. Anything of this magnitude that affects our daily lives should be put to a vote by the people,” said Senator Gainer.
Locals React To State Of The Union Address
January 31, 2018
Local residents had a favorable response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address Monday night.
Here are some reader comments to an informal NorthEscambia.com Facebook question “What did you think of the State of the Union Address?”
- Lisa Franklin, Walnut Hill — He did a fantastic job! Proud of him!
- Pamela Cohron, Milton — Proud to be an American under a strong enthusiastic president that really believes in the people of this country. America the Great!!
- Jessica Ingram, Walnut Hill -Fantastic, Trump is bringing jobs back and cutting taxes. Keeping his word to the American people. Now if the Democrats and Republicans can get on board with what the people need.
- Michele Dixon , Century — He is an excellent leader. Our president of the United States makes me proud to be an American!
- Lindsay Cameron, Pensacola — Didn’t watch it, don’t care, that’s what I thought about it.
- Willene Bryan, Century — I think it was a great speech. He spoke of everything that has taken place sense he got in office which is great and the plans of what he wants to do for our country. I pray that he gets all the backing he needs to do everything he wants to make America Great Again. He was awesome.
- Randy Bell — Something for both sides to applaud.
- Sandy Campbell, Pensacola — Fake News. There were so many lies in it I almost turned it off. I didn’t because I wanted to see how far he would go. He was campaigning not being a president. I am proud of the Democrats that did not attend and the ones who did who quickly left after the farce.
- Micheal Lenhart — It was better than anything Bernie or Hillary would have had to say, particularly with respect to the economy. Before anyone throws a partisan insult, I voted for Gary, so there’s that.
- Laura Cauley – I thought he was amazing! The democrats on the other hand, the rude ones, should be ashamed of themselves. And all those sour faces Nancy Pelosi was making, I hope she’s embarrassed!
- Scott Gilley, Cantonment — The SOTU was a personal and inspirational series of stories woven with principles and plans of triumph for Americans and the Nation’s of the world.
- Donna Burkemo, Pace — Loved every word of his speech. He doing what the American voter wanted him to do.
- Debbie Ballard — Outstanding! Very seldom did you hear “I” it was always “we, us, and the people” also pretty comical watching the liberal democrats pout and Nancy chew her cud!
- Cucka Stamoulis, Pensacola — Love our president making America first …great job in spite of sour grape democrats lack of reaction
- Sarah Alfred – Love our president making America first …great job in spite of sour grape democrats lack of reaction.
- James Virgin — Very inspirational. Much respect to our president. I hope our country goes in the direction he says it will. It will span across our future.
- Robert Boothe, Pensacola — What a GREAT speech. I’m proud of how far our President has brought our country in a year. Shame on the disrespectful democrats. They stand for nothing but obstruct.
- Stephanie Carlisle — I think it was an awesome speech and that everyone should respect him and feel privileged to live in this great country.
- Sheila Harrison –Great Speech!! He touched on a lot of very important issues, he honored his guests an the things they’ve battled over the past year, and recognized even the smallest of individuals, a young boy who showed compassion for this country by making sure flags were placed in a cemetery filled with veterans, Mr. President, you did an outstanding job..Keep America greater than the day before.
- Tommy Hagren — I liked that he kept the tone both solemn and still inspirational. He didnt put democrats on the spot to look bad, he didnt put republicans on too high of a pedestal. The president didnt toot his own horn alot and kept to the message he wanted to convey. America is coming back, bigger, stronger, greater than ever and the rest of the world is on notice…Gitmo is open for business.
Pictured top: Northwest Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz takes a selfie with President Donald Trump following Monday’s night’s State of the Union address.
Lions Club Eyeglass Donations Accepted at Tax Collector Offices
January 31, 2018
The Escambia County Tax Collector’s office is partnering with the Lions Club to change lives, one pair of glasses at a time.
Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford announced that all four Escambia County Tax Collector offices are drop off locations for prescription and reading glasses, sunglasses and plastic and metal frames.
In just about any home, a person can find a pair of glasses no longer being used. That same pair of glasses may change someone else’s life.
“It can be a catch 22,” Lunsford said. “Someone needs a driver license to be able to get a job but does not have a pair of glasses to be able to pass the vision test. By donating your unused glasses, you can help a person find gainful employment. Your donation of unused glasses can help provide our community with more opportunities to grow and thrive.”
Citizens can drop off their glasses through the drive thru or night drop boxes, in the drop box located in the lobby of each office or give the glasses to any tax collector employee. Offices are located downtown, Marcus Pointe, Molino and Warrington.