Gas Pipeline To Be Constructed From Century To Nine Mile Road
April 17, 2017
An underground natural gas pipeline through North Escambia from Century to Nine Mile Road is the works.
If all goes as planned, the Florida Public Utilities gas pipeline could be under construction as early as June 1 with an estimated completion date of early 2018, according to Barry Kennedy of FPU.
The pipeline will interconnect to an existing pipeline and begin on Fannie Road just northeast of Century on the Alabama/Florida state line. The pipeline will follow Fannie Road to Old Flomaton Road to State Road 4 to North Century Boulevard.
The 12-inch gas pipeline will continue south along the right-of-way of Highway 29 from Century to Old Chemstrand Road. From there, an eight-inch line will follow Old Chemstrand road to Ascend, while another eight-inch line will continue south on Highway 29 to Highway 95A in Cantonment to West Roberts Road to Pine Forest Road to West Nine Mile Road where the project will connect to an existing gas system.
The pipeline will be constructed on existing right of way, mostly in ditches, along Highway 29 and other roadways.
A public hearing to discuss the pipeline will be held at 6:30 p.m. today at the Century Town Hall. No other public meetings are planned.
Supreme Court Sides With State In Satellite TV Fight
April 17, 2017
The Florida Supreme Court upheld a law that set different tax rates for cable and satellite television services — overturning a lower-court ruling that could have had major financial ramifications for the state.
The 16-page unanimous decision rejected arguments by satellite companies DirecTV and Dish Network that the differing tax rates are discriminatory and violate the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution. That reversed a 2015 ruling by the 1st District Court of Appeal that raised the prospect of the state having to pay refunds to the satellite companies.
A key part of the case focused on arguments by the satellite companies that the different tax rates benefited cable companies that are “in-state interests” at the expense of “out-of-state” satellite operators. The satellite industry contended that violated what is known as the “dormant” Commerce Clause of the Constitution.
But the Supreme Court decision, written by Justice Peggy Quince, rejected such a distinction between the two types of television providers. Quince pointed, in part, to the fact that Florida’s largest cable providers are headquartered out of state, as are the satellite companies.
“The cable and satellite companies have employees and property both inside and outside of Florida to facilitate their operations and earn income,” Quince wrote. “They both employ Florida residents to sell, maintain, or repair their service to Florida customers. They also own and lease a significant amount of property in Florida.”
The opinion added, “Cable is not a local, in-state interest any more than satellite. While it may be true that cable employs more Florida residents and uses more local infrastructure to provide its services, the Supreme Court has never found a company to be an in-state interest because it had a greater presence in a state.”
Chief Justice Jorge Labarga and justices Barbara Pariente, R. Fred Lewis, Peggy Quince and Charles Canady joined the opinion. Justice Ricky Polston concurred with the opinion but did not fully sign onto it. Justice Alan Lawson, who joined the court at the end of December, did not take part in the case.
The ruling was in favor of the Florida Department of Revenue and the Florida Cable Telecommunications Association. (Disclosure: The News Service of Florida and the Florida Cable Telecommunications Association have a partnership for the Capital Dateline Online news show.)
The case deals with the state’s communications services tax, which was enacted in 2001. Under state law, cable services are taxed at 4.92 percent, while satellite services are taxed at 9.07 percent, according to the Supreme Court ruling.
In a brief filed at the Supreme Court, the satellite companies described the difference in tax rates as “a 21st Century version of classic economic protectionism.”‘
But the majority opinion said justices did not find that the law was “enacted with a discriminatory purpose.”
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
Tornado Housing Recovery Funds Available In Century
April 17, 2017
The Town of Century is now accepting applications for housing rehabilitation assistance for houses that were damaged as a result of the February 15, 2016, tornado.
Only residents whose housing units were damaged by the tornado are eligible to apply. To qualify for assistance, the home that was damaged must be located inside the city limits of the Town of Century and must have a total household income at or below the following criteria:
Applicants whose total gross household income exceeds the income limits for their size household will not be considered for rehabilitation grant assistance.
Persons interested in being considered for inclusion in this program must call Samella Myles at the Century Town Hall at (850) 256-3208 between the hours of 8:00 am and 3:30 pm and ask that their name be placed on the housing assistance waiting list. Only those who call in to Century Town Hall will be placed on the waiting list. The deadline to be placed on the interested applicant list is Monday, May 1, 2017.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Escambia Government Meetings This Week
April 17, 2017
The following Escambia County government meetings are scheduled for this week:
Wednesday, April 19
Escambia Soil & Water Conservation District, 151 Highway 97, 8 a.m.
Board of Adjustment, 3363 West Park Place, 8:30 a.m. (Agenda)
Sick Leave Pool Committee, Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, 11 a.m.
Development Review Committee, 3363 West Park Place, 1 p.m.
Escambia County Disability Awareness Committee, Room 104, 3363 West Park Place, 3 p.m.
Thursday, April 20
Community Redevelopment Agency, Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, 9 a.m.
Board of County Commissioners Agenda Review, Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, 9 a.m.
Board of County Commissioners Public Forum, Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, 4:30 p.m.
Board of County Commissioners Public Hearings & Reports, Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, 5:30 p.m.
Board of Electrical Examiners Meeting, 3363 West Park Place, 3 p.m.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
April 17, 2017
Drivers will encounter traffic variations on the following state roads in Escambia County and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
· Interstate 10 (I-10)/ U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I – Alternating lane closures on I-10 near U.S. 29 (Exits 10A and 10B) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, April 16 through Thursday, April 20 as crews perform barrier wall work. In addition, intermittent lane closures on the I-10 westbound to U.S. 29 north ramp (Exit 10B) during this time. Traffic will be detoured to Exit 10A for access U.S. 29.
· Nine Mile Road (from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road) Widening – Traffic will be reduced to one lane on the West Woods Apartments driveway Monday, April 17 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. as crews relocate utilities in preparation for roadway widening. Traffic flaggers will be on site to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
· Fairfield Drive (State Road 295) between Davis Highway and 12th Avenue Routine Maintenance- Eastbound outside lane closure from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, April 17 through Friday, April 21 as crews clean and video ECUA sewer line.
· Nine Mile Road Turn Lane Construction south of Scenic Hills Drive – East and westbound lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, April 17 through Thursday, April 20 as crews construct two eastbound, right turn lanes on the south side of Nine Mile Road, just east of Westside Drive and add a westbound, left turn lane across from Scenic Hills Drive.
· Perdido Key Drive (State Road (S.R.) 292) Resurfacing from the Alabama State line to the ICWW (Theo Baars Bridge) – Drivers can expect intermittent, isolated daytime lane restrictions Monday, April 17 as crews complete miscellaneous construction activities on the project. Drivers can expect minor delays.
· I-10 Widening from Davis Highway to the Escambia Bay Bridge – Alternating lane closures on I-10 westbound, between Davis Highway (State Road (S.R.) 291/Exit 13) and Scenic Highway (U.S. 90/Exit 17), from 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. the week of Monday, April 17 as crews perform paving work.
· U.S. 29 (S.R. 95) Widening from I-10 to Nine Mile Road- Alternating lane closures continue from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road and on Nine Mile Road near the U.S. 29/ Nine Mile Road overpass as crews perform drainage and bridge operations.
· Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) Widening from Pine Forest Road to U.S. 29- Alternating lane closures continue on Untreiner Avenue as crews perform jack and bore operations.
Santa Rosa County:
· S.R. 87 Widening from Eglin Air Force Base Boundary to 2 miles South of Yellow River Bridge – Intermittent lane closures near Choctaw Field Road from 6 p.m. Monday, April 17 to 6 a.m. Tuesday, April 18 as crew perform paving operations.
Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through the construction zone, and to pay attention for workers and equipment entering and exiting the work area. All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Escambia Man Gets 86 Months Federal Prison On Firearms Charges
April 17, 2017
An Escambia County man is headed to federal prison on firearms charges.
Awald Edward Pokrant Jr., 50, was sentenced to 86 months in prison after pleading guilty to unlawfully possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and possessing an unregistered firearm.
In October 2016, law enforcement officers who responded to an armed disturbance observed Pokrant fleeing the scene. After a high-speed chase, the officers pulled Pokrant over and transported him back to the location of the incident. At the scene, an injured and bleeding victim told officers that Pokrant had struck her with a hammer. Law enforcement officers observed blood splatter in several locations in the house and recovered a hammer.
A search of the house revealed firearms and ammunition. The victim later told officers that Pokrant might have moved additional firearms to a friend’s house. Law enforcement officers recovered eight firearms and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition from this other location.
The case resulted from investigations by the ATF Gun Crime Response Team, which includes the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Pensacola Police Department.
Florida House Ready To Take Up Workers’ Comp; Ridesharing
April 17, 2017
In an issue closely watched by business, legal and labor groups, the House on Tuesday is scheduled to take up a bill that would revamp workers’ compensation insurance laws.
The bill (HB 7085), filed by Insurance & Banking Chairman Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, is one of numerous high-profile issues the House and Senate are expected to consider next week during floor sessions. Lawmakers are grappling with the workers’ compensation system after regulators approved a 14.5 percent insurance rate increase that started taking effect Dec. 1.
House and Senate bills about revamping the system differ on key issues, including the heavily lobbied issue of limits on fees for injured workers’ attorneys. While the House could approve its version during the coming week, the Senate bill (SB 1582), sponsored by Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, needs to clear the Rules Committee before it can go to the full Senate.
Among the other high-profile issues next week, the Senate is expected Tuesday to take up a measure (SB 340) that would create statewide regulations on app-based ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft.
The industry has backed such a statewide approach, rather than being faced with varying local regulations. The Senate has balked at similar bills in the past, but this year’s version, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, has easily moved through committees. The House has already approved its version of the bill (HB 221). The annual legislative session is scheduled to end May 5.
by The News Service of Florida
Jim Allen Elementary School Names Students Of The Month
April 17, 2017
Jim Allen Elementary School has named Students of the Month for March. They are Maverick Cole (left) and Emily George. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two-Run Homer Leads Wahoos To Win Over Biloxi
April 17, 2017
Pensacola Blue Wahoos catcher Joe Hudson smashed his first home run this season in the third inning to give his team a 2-0 lead and the win over the Biloxi Shuckers Sunday afternoon at MGM Park.
Pensacola took four of the five games from Biloxi and shut the Shuckers out twice.
With Cincinnati Reds 2014 All-Star catcher Devin Mesoraco doing his rehabilitation in Pensacola, the Blue Wahoos have three catchers. It’s meant less playing time for Hudson, who was playing in only his second game this season.
However, Hudson got all of the pitch thrown by Taylor Jungmann. His blast to center field also scored third baseman Taylor Sparks, who singled on a soft grounder back to the pitcher.
Meanwhile, Pensacola righty Austin Ross threw eight scoreless innings, allowing just four hits, two walks and struck out three. He picked up his first win for the Blue Wahoos and is now 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA.
Jimmy Herget saved his fifth game in five appearances, striking out two. He’s only allowed one hit and one walk in six scoreless innings on the year and struck out 13.
Pensacola’s pitching staff has been dominant this season. It leads the Southern League with a 2.18 ERA, has the second most strikeouts with 90 and has allowed the second least amount of hits at 59.
After the first two series of the 2017 season, the Blue Wahoos are in first place in the South Division at 7-3.
At Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, last year’s Blue Wahoos starter Sal Romano made his big leg debut Sunday. Romano got the loss, allowing a two-run homer to Ryan Braun and a solo homer to Travis Shaw in the third inning. Romano pitched three innings, allowed three runs, two earned, gave up three hits, walked four and struck out two. Relieving Romano was former Blue Wahoos pitcher Tim Adleman, who in his first game this season with Cincinnati pitched four innings, allowing two hits, including a home run and struck out five.
Driver Flips Vehicle Off East Kingsfield Road Bridge
April 16, 2017
A driver was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital after running off a bridge Saturday in Cantonment.
In was the third time in less than a year that a driver ran off the East Kingfield Road bridge over Eleven Mile Creek. It appeared the driver lost control of her vehicle, hit a concrete curb and traveled over the bridge guardrail. The vehicle came to rest upside down below the bridge, but not in the creek.
The driver was flown by LifeFlight helicopter to an area hospital.
The accident happened about 6:30 p.m. Multiple stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded, including a special operations rescue team.
The wreck remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details, including the name and condition of the driver, has not been released.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
