Century, County And Habitat Celebrate New Home For Tornado Victim
May 10, 2017
Life changed in an instant for Eddie Hammond on February 15, 2016, as an EF-3 tornado ripped through Century — and ripped through his home, leaving it in ruins.
Hammond, who was losing his eyesight, would retire a month later from his job of 33 years with the Town of Century. He did not know what his future would hold. Until he became involved with the SHIP, State Housing Initiatives Partnership, Program through Escambia County and Habitat For Humanity.
“Fifteen months ago, I didn’t know where I was going. There way no way…I can’t afford to get anything. I just thank God for what they have done,” Hammond said Tuesday at a ribbon cutting for his new home, the first in the town of Century completed under the SHIP Program.
“I’ll sure be glad to get into it. I’ve been gone from home for 15 months. It’s time to be back in my own house,” Hammond said. Without the program, Hammond said he would still be living with his parents.
“I’d be living in that house right yonder with my parents. It’s the only place I’d have to go,” he said.
“I’m certainly very happy for Mr. Hammond and his family, but I’m also excited for the residents of Century. I have promised our partners in Century, including Mayor Hawkins, and the Town Council that Escambia County will continue to work with them to help in every way possible,” Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said. “Also, I want to personally thank Habitat for Humanity, BRACE, and Legal Services of North Florida for their tireless support, not only in this project, but over the entire 15 months since the devastating storms last spring.”
“If you are going to talk a game, you’ve got to walk your talk,” Century Mayor Henry Hawkins said the county’s cooperation on the project. “And Escambia County has been walking the walk with us, and we are thankful for that.”
Escambia County has completed three replacement houses under SHIP with Habitat/Northwest Florida Community Housing Development Corporation Inc., with seven more in progress. Additionally, four more homes are being completed through funding provided through the Escambia County Housing Finance Authority. Habitat was able to leverage SHIP dollars with Community Contribution Tax Credit Funding and volunteer labor to complete the housing units.
After the tornado, the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners entered into an agreement with Northwest Florida Community Housing Development Corporation Inc. to provide up to $50,000 in SHIP disaster funding per property to help fund replacement housing for eligible homeowners.
Additionally, NFCHDC partnered with the Escambia County Housing Finance Authority to provide replacement housing for tornado survivors who could not qualify under the SHIP program.
This project is a significant collaboration between Escambia County, the town of Century, Legal Services of North Florida, the Escambia County Housing Finance Authority, the Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies, NFCHDC, World Renew, United Way, Pensacola Habitat for Humanity and many other volunteer organizations. These agencies have collectively provided financing, facilitated applicant intake, served as the case managers, worked on legal issues to help owners gain a clear title and provide construction oversight and labor.
Pictured top: Eddie Hammond receives the keys to his new home. Pictured bottom inset: Mayor Henry Hawkins. Pictured below: Hammond cuts the ribbon his new home, the first in the town of Century completed under the SHIP Program through Escambia County and Habitat for Humanity. Pictured bottom: Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry addresses a crowd at the ribbon cutting. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Facing Charges For Drugs And Stolen Gun
May 10, 2017
A Cantonment man is facing multiple charges after deputies allegedly caught him in a vehicle with a stolen firearm and drugs.
Shane Thomas Black, 23,was charged with carrying a concealed weapon without a permit, grand theft of a firearm, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also cited for driving with a suspended license.
Escambia County deputies reported stopping Black on Dolphin Road, just off Tate Road, in the Cantonment area. According to an arrest report, Black had a .45 caliber pistol readily accessible and in his immediate control on the passenger seat of his vehicle while he was in he driver’s seat. He reportedly admitted to deputies that he stole the weapon.
Deputies also reported Black had less than 20 grams of marijuana in his possession and a glass smoking pipe and metal spoon with a white, powdery residue.
Thomas remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday with bond set at $13,000.
Critics Call For Veto Of Massive Education Bill
May 10, 2017
After lawmakers ignored their calls to vote down a sprawling education bill, opponents of the wide-ranging measure have turned to Gov. Rick Scott as their last hope to stop the proposal from becoming law.
It is not clear when the bill (HB 7069), which covers everything from charter schools and teacher bonuses to school uniforms and sunscreen, will hit Scott’s desk. It could be weeks before the Legislature decides to forward the budget-related bill to the governor.
But within hours of its passage Monday night through the Senate by the narrowest possible margin, 20-18, opponents were already beginning to urge Scott to use his veto pen on the measure.
In addition to complaints about individual policy issues in the bill, critics have seized on the fact that the measure — which includes pieces of roughly a dozen separate bills considered during the legislative session — emerged from budget negotiations Friday afternoon.
“Where’s the government transparency that the leadership promised this session?” Florida Education Association President Joanne McCall asked in a statement issued by the union demanding a veto. “Floridians expect a fair process, not backroom deal-making.”
In a sign that the bill has taken on added political significance, former Democratic Congresswoman Gwen Graham — who’s running for governor — also issued a statement calling on Scott to nix the bill, along with the state budget approved before lawmakers ended the session Monday.
“As governor, I will veto any budget or policy that shortchanges our schools in favor of the education industry,” Graham said. “I’ll cancel the Legislature’s summer vacation and demand they start over from scratch. We no longer have time for rhetoric or games.”
Many of the social media accounts that railed against the bill as it moved through the Legislature on Monday pushed for a veto. Some organizations were slower to state the next step.
Sen. Bill Montford, a Tallahassee Democrat who also serves as CEO of the Florida Association of District School Superintendents, said Monday night it was too early to say what position his group would take.
“I know the superintendents throughout Florida are very concerned tonight about the budget that we just passed, and rightfully so,” Montford said.
But around the same time, some school superintendents — including Duval County’s Nikolai Vitti — were calling for a veto.
“Why will Governor Scott veto..because he understands that politically beating up K-12 education does not work for FL,” Vitti tweeted.
In some ways, the bill could prove to be an inviting target for Scott. It was pushed by House Speaker Richard Corcoran, a Land O’ Lakes Republican who sparred with the governor throughout the session over economic-development incentives and tourism marketing.
But there are also politically popular parts of the bill that could make it difficult for Scott to veto, particularly as he weighs a bid for the U.S. Senate in 2018.
The most notable parts of the legislation were a proposal known as “schools of hope,” which would encourage charter schools to locate near academically struggling public schools, and an expansion of the “Best and Brightest” teacher bonus program.
It also moves to limit standardized testing of students in an attempt to answer widespread complaints about the practice and would allow districts to ignore a convoluted and controversial state formula based on those tests when doing teacher evaluations.
Even some lawmakers who reluctantly pushed for the education bill to be approved as a way to appease Corcoran and end the legislative session suggested, not necessarily unfavorably, that a veto from Scott was a real possibility.
“In this case, in my opinion, and my personal choice, is going to be to let him do that — that we’ll do what we agreed to do and pass a conference package of all the bills that we have in conference, and then we’ll pass it down and let him do his job,” said Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater.
Corcoran, perhaps unsurprisingly, said Scott should accept all of the budget-related bills that passed the Legislature.
“If I were governor, I wouldn’t veto any of them, no,” said Corcoran, considering a run for Scott’s office in 2018. “They’re not good policy, they’re great policy.”
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Escambia County Introduces Youth Employment Program
May 10, 2017
Monday is the deadline to apply for the new Escambia County Youth Employment Program, which will provide opportunities for youth to get paid work experience in various county departments.
Qualified youth who are accepted into ECYEP will be able to work up to 20 hours a week at $8.10 per hour, and will also receive job readiness training prior to job placement.
Limited positions are available. Requirements for the program are as follows:
- Must be age 16-20
- Must live in Escambia County, FL
- Family household income must meet income criteria (200 percent or below 2017 Poverty Level Guidelines)
Applications can be downloaded here or picked up during normal business hours at 221 S. Palafox Place, 4th floor reception desk. Applications must be submitted by 3 p.m. Monday, May 22 at the same location. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
For more information, please call 850-595-0457 or visit the Youth Employment Program page.
Man That Claimed Woman Was Killed In Deer Hunting Accident Charged With Murder
May 10, 2017
A Flomaton man who told authorities he was trying to shoot a deer when he shot and killed a woman last December has been indicted for murder by a grand jury.
Shannon Bell, age 31 of Upper Creek Road, was taken into custody following the indictment by the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office for the death of 36-year old Donna L. Martin.
About 6:30 Friday night, authorities received a call about a gunshot victim near the Pollard Boat Landing. The caller was experiencing problems with his phone connection, but was eventually able to relay that he wanted medical units to meet him at the intersection of Foshee Road and Highway 31. First responders arrived to find Martin suffering from a gunshot wound to her side. She was transported to D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton where she was later pronounced deceased.
Bell claimed that he was trying to shoot a deer at night and a struggle ensued over the gun. The gun went off killing Martin.
The Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Alabama Game & Fish Division. At the time, Bell was arrested for manslaughter and a night hunting violation. But after further investigation, the charge was upgrade to murder. Bell remains in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center with bond set at $150,000.
Mira Awards Honor Escambia’s Most Creative High School Seniors
May 10, 2017
Almost 70 of Escambia County’s most creative high school seniors were honored recently during the 2017 Mira Creative Arts Awards Banquet at New World Landing.
Mira Creative Arts Awards recipients were nominated for the award by their high school teachers and received commemorative engraved medallions.
Recipients of the 2016 Mira Creative Arts Award were:
Honorees are listed below under a photo from each school, scroll down, click to enlarge.
NORTHVIEW HIGH
Natalie Barrow, Visual Arts
Alyssa Bell, Creative Writing
Zachary Sheldon, Photography
Mitchell Singleton, Public Speaking
Brianna M. Smith, Visual Performing Arts
David Weber, Instrumental Music
Hadley M. Woodfin, Graphic Arts
TATE HIGH
Haleigh Allen, Orchestra
Alexis Farsolas, Visual Arts
Riley Figueroa, Visual Arts
Taylor Sue Hagle, Debate
Brennan Infinger, Instrumental Music
Carmen McCrackin, Yearbook
Mallory Drew Nelson, Theatre
Evon’ Parsons, Theatre & TV Production
Madison Philley, Instrumental Music
Morgan Pope, Chorus
WEST FLORIDA HIGH
Ian Riley Abercrombie, Journalism – Graphic Design
Savanna Louise Calhoun, Multimedia- Graphic Design & Photo
Lauryn Marie Crisson, Visual Arts
Alexandria Noel Eddins, Theatre – Acting
Devan Maddax, Orchestra – Excellence in Violin
Hannah Elizabeth Matthews, Multimedia – Directing & Producing
Nakiya McConnico, Band
Erinn Kinsey Sherlock, Visual Arts
Destini Spears, Band
David Adam Williams, Jounalistic Writing
ESCAMBIA HIGH
Athena Bruner, Visual Arts – Drawing
Brittany Comer, Band
Arianne Foster, Visual Arts – Drawing
Faith Lanuzo, Orchestra
Karly Lowes, Drama
Hailey Orbik, Band
Athina Pressley, Dance
Isaac Richardson, Media Production
Briana Webb, Orchestra
Na’im Wright, Colorguard
PENSACOLA HIGH
Dennis Davis, Drama
TaDarius Hall, Drama
Noah Jeffery, Band – Instrumental Music
Audrey Mahon, Visual Arts
Madison Michles, Drama
My Phan, Visual Arts
Justin Polk, Drama
Hiba Sukhera, Journalism
LaVencia Walker, Band - Percussion
Justin Zhang, Instrumental Music
PINE FOREST HIGH
Kaitlin Broadnax, Business Trades
Troy Davis, 2D Studio Art
Allan Fink, Band
Emily Hobbs, Yearbook
My’asia Holmes, Design Services
Taylor Irwin, Band
Janus Johnson, Culinary Arts
Kevin Le, Construction Trades
Adaryll LeGrant, Chorus
Jalen Williams, TV Production
WASHINGTON HIGH
Tyler Bonner, Band
Victoria Caton, Visual Arts
Afton Fagan, Vocal Music
Natalie Imperial, Vocal Music
Maximilian Levesque, Orchestra
Samaria McRae, Band
Katelyn Smith, Theatre & Vocal Music
Emily Spears, Theatre
Amanda Teed, Vocal Music
Jordan Weddington, Visual Arts & Vocal Music
In 1987, a group of teachers at J. M. Tate High School created the Mira Awards to recognize talented and creative students in the arts and sciences. The following year, the committee approached the Foundation to bring the awards under its umbrella and to initiate county-wide student participation each year in the areas of writing, performing and visual arts, and other creative disciplines. The term “Mira” is Latin for the name of the brightest star in the constellation Cetus.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge
Scott: Florida Out Of Economic Development Game
May 10, 2017
Gov. Rick Scott said Tuesday that Florida won’t be in the “game for economic development” after lawmakers rejected his proposals for spending on business incentives and tourism marketing.
But he gave little indication about how he will handle an $82.4 billion state budget approved by the Legislature late Monday.
Scott, speaking after an event to mark GKN Aerospace’s decision to open a facility near the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, said his staff is just starting to review the spending plan for the 2017-18 fiscal year that was “done in secret.”
“We’re learning what is in there,” Scott said. “But here’s what we do know: We do know that they turned their back on economic development. So we’re not going to be in the game for economic development.”
Scott added that the tourism industry, which is tied to one in every six Florida jobs, could also be on shaky ground.
“If you have a job in tourism, your job is at risk,” Scott said.
“You’re going to see job loss,” he added a few moments later.
Scott noted he has the option to veto the entire budget or take out individual budget lines. But both legislative chambers approved the fiscal plan with veto-proof majorities: 98-14 in the House and 34-4 in the Senate.
Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, told reporters late Monday that there is enough in the budget for Scott to approve the overall package, including numerous educational components that the governor has supported.
“I think it’s our job, over the next couple of weeks, for us to make our case,” Negron said.
Scott dismissed any notion that the Legislature’s rejection of his priorities — the budget also doesn’t include his requests for money to speed repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dike around Lake Okeechobee or to help residents convert from septic systems to sewers — is a personal slight.
“My priorities are simply the priorities of the people,” Scott replied.
The spending plan, if signed by Scott, includes $16 million to maintain general operations at the business-recruitment agency Enterprise Florida, down from $23.5 million in the current year.
The plan, for the second consecutive year, does not include money for business incentives that Scott has relied on to help lure businesses to expand or relocate in Florida.
Scott asked for $250 million a year ago for incentives, and this year his request was for $85 million to fund the Quick Action Closing Fund, which was used potentially for the last time to draw British-based GKN Aerospace to a vacant field north of Panama City.
“I hope everybody remembers that this is the day that for sure we start not being competitive,” Scott said. “It really started last July 1.”
House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land `O Lakes, has repeatedly called business incentives “corporate welfare.”
The state can still offer tax rebates to businesses through programs such as the Qualified Target Industries, which typically requires a local government match.
Meanwhile, the tourism-marketing agency Visit Florida is budgeted to receive $25 million for the fiscal year that starts July 1, far short of Scott’s request for $100 million. Lawmakers also issued a new set of Visit Florida operational guidelines about travel and marketing contracts.
Scott, who initially asked for $76 million for Visit Florida, equates the state’s increased spending on tourism marketing with Florida’s growth in annual tourists.
The state`s tourist numbers have increased from 87.3 million in 2011, when Visit Florida received $35 million from the state, to nearly 113 million last year.
Corcoran contends people are driven to travel more by their personal finances.
The tourism agency received $78 million for the current year, but has been under media and legislative scrutiny over its $11.6 million sponsorship of a cooking show hosted by celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse, a $1 million contract with rapper Pitbull, and ongoing sponsorship deals with London-based Fulham Football Club and an IMSA racing team.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Pictured: Gov. Rick Scott stumped for Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida last week in Escambia County. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Softball Out, Tate Baseball Advances In Regionals
May 10, 2017
SOFTBALL
The Tate Lady Aggies fell to Niceville 4-3 in the 1-7A region semifinals Tuesday night in Niceville.
Hannah Brown took the loss for Tate Aggies. p three runs, five hits, and striking out eight. Hannah Brown took the loss for Tate Aggies Varsity. She pitched six and a third innings, allowing four runs, five hits, and striking out four.
Belle Woldfenden was 2-3 with 3 RBI; Hannah Brown 1-3, R; Hayden Lindsay 1-3, 2R; Shelby McClean 1-3.
The Lady Aggies finished the season at 20-8.
BASEBALL
Tate 5, Niceville 3
The Tate High School Aggies beat Niceville 5-3 in the 1-7A region quarterfinals Tuesday night.
Castro pitched a complete game for the Aggies, allowing seven hits and three runs while striking out five.
For Tate — Land 2-3, 2B, 3B, 2R; NeSmith 1-3, 2 RBI; Helton 1-1, 2 RBI.
The Aggies (23-4) will be at Milton on Tuesday in the regional semifinals. Milton (15-12) is coming off a 8-1 win Monday over Pine Forest.
Barons Even Series With Win Over Blue Wahoos
May 10, 2017
The night after the Pensacola Blue Wahoos lineup broke out of its season-long hitting woes with six runs and 11 hits, they faced Birmingham Barons ace Michael Kopech.
Pensacola managed two hits off Kopech in six innings Tuesday and lost, 4-1, in front of 3,302 at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The five-game series is now tied, 1-1.
Blue Wahoos reliever Domingo Tapia made his first start Tapia since 2014 with the St. Lucie Mets. He was being groomed as a starter but then had Tommy John surgery in 2015.
He kept pace with Barons’ right-hander Kopech, considered the No. 32-ranked prospect in all of minor league baseball. Tapia allowed just one run through the first four innings, giving up a solo blast to Birmingham center fielder Hunter Jones in the third inning.
Tapia was relieved in the fifth inning after giving up a lead-off solo shot to Birmingham third baseman Trey Michalczewski, his second homer of the season, and then walking Barons left fielder Courtney Hawkins.
“I thought he looked good,” Kelly said. “We tried to stretch him one more inning. He’s shown he’s capable of doing it. That’s what he did before hurting his arm, so he probably likes it.”
Tapia, who signed with Cincinnati Reds as a minor league free agent in November, ended up working four innings, allowing three hits, giving up three runs, walking one and striking out five. He is now 1-2 on the season with a 3.79 ERA.
Pensacola reliever Alex Powers came in for Tapia and gave up a double to Barons shortstop Eddy Alvarez that scored Hawkins. Jones then crossed the plate on second baseman Jake Peter’s high-arcing sacrifice fly to center field to put the Barons ahead, 4-0.
Kopech pitched masterfully for the Barons. The former first rounder had a one-hitter through five innings, retiring 14 of the first 16 batters he faced. Pensacola right fielder Gabriel Guerrero broke up the no-hitter in the fourth inning with a line drive single to center field.
Pensacola catcher Adrian Nieto launched a deep homer to right field to lead off the sixth inning against Kopech and put the Blue Wahoos on the board, 4-1.
But the 21-year-old Kopech, ranked the fifth top prospect in the Chicago White Sox organization, then walked Pensacola center fielder Brian O’Grady. But he got Blue Wahoos left fielder Tyler Goeddel to ground into a double play, and then retired Pensacola shortstop Blake Trahan on a swinging bunt fielded by the catcher.
Nieto’s first homer of the season was preceded Monday by catcher Joe Hudson leading the Blue Wahoos at the plate with two clutch two-out singles that drove in three runs.
“They had a tough stretch with(Devin) Mesoraco here,” said Kelly about the Cincinnati Reds catcher who spent the first 20 games in Pensacola doing his rehab for hip and shoulder injuries. “They were not getting a lot of playing time. Now, they are starting to swing their bats.”
Kelly said Kopech kept the Blue Wahoos lineup off balance with his two-seam fastball.
“That’s a power arm,” Kelly said. “He threw a two-seam fastball with some movement that we hadn’t seen in the past. It was very effective. We just ran into a good pitcher.”
This season, the 21-year-old righty has held opponents to a .155 batting average and held Pensacola to 2-18 or .111. Kopech’s only flaw has been his control. He allowed only two Tuesday, but has the second most walks in the Southern League with 18 total. Kopech improved to 2-2 with a 2.70 ERA this season.
Pensacola dropped to 16-16 and fell out of first place in the South Division for the first time this season. The Mississippi Braves won and now lead the division with a 17-15 record.
Century To Consider Reserve Funds To Repair Failing Water, Wastewater Systems
May 9, 2017
The Town of Century needs at least $430,000 to fix “critical” problems with their water and wastewater facilities, according to numbers presented to the town council by Alicia Jernigan, Century’s certified wastewater operator.
She is asking to town to free funds from financial reserves to address critical issues.
Many of the problems involved equipment that was put into place with the wastewater plant in 1991 that is failing due to age. While the system continues to operate within the parameters of its state permit, major components such as a clarifier needs a $35,000 fix, a $10,000 pump that has failed, there is a $10,000 electrical problem with an effluent station pump, a $10,000 side stream lift pump has failed and there is an obsolete gas chemical feed system that puts the town “at risk for the release of hazardous chemicals into the environment”. Personal protection equipment for operators has not been tested in years, and air masks are dry rotted. The equipment is required “at all times to avoid injury or death in the event of a chemical leak”, according to Jernigan’s report.
Those critical wastewater plant fixes are $80,000, while the wastewater collection system needs $150,000 in critical repairs and wells need another $200,000 in critical repairs.
The Century Town Council has scheduled a special meeting for 6 p.m. Wednesday to discuss the transfer of an undetermined amount of funds from the water reserve account to begin making needed repairs. The meeting is open to the public.
Earlier this month, the Century Council approved a water and wastewater rate increase that will cost the average family just over $200 per year. The rate increase is aimed at stopping ordinary financial losses by the system.
Pictured: The Century wastewater treatment plant. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.