Century Receives $400,000 EPA Environmental Grant
May 23, 2016
The Town of Century has received a $400,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund and Cleanup (ARC) grant for new investments are designed to provide communities with funding necessary to clean and redevelop contaminated properties, promote economic redevelopment and create jobs while protecting human health.
EPA’s Brownfields Program strives to expand the ability of communities to recycle vacant and abandoned properties for new, productive reuses. The investment in Century will provide the funding necessary to assess, clean up and redevelop contaminated properties, boost local economies and leverage jobs while protecting public health and the environment. Brownfields ARC grants provide resources early on, which is critical for the success of communities’ abilities to leverage additional partnerships and resources. Partnerships between neighborhoods, local developers and governments are essential for impacted communities to acquire the resources needed to meet their revitalization goals.
“This project will actually in partnership with Flomaton,” Town of Century planner Debbie Nickles said. “The money will be used in both towns to test and clean up properties that might be contaminated, such as abandoned gas stations or where there are still old fuel tanks in the ground.”
One of half of of the $400,000 will be used to target potentially contaminated petroleum properties in Flomaton and Century, Nickles said. The other $200,000 will be used to target other types of hazardous waste contamination.
A specific list of properties to be targeted with the grant money has not yet been established.
Northview Class Of 2016 Holds Baccalaureate Service (With Gallery)
May 23, 2016
The Northview High School Class of 2016 held their Baccalaureate service Sunday afternoon at the First Baptist Church of Bratt.
“Make an intentional effort to include God in all your plans,” guest speaker Rev. Glenn Weber said during the student-led program. “I believe God has planted a dream or a vision or a plan in each of your hearts.”
You have to learn to go through the growing process o get where you want to be in life,” Weber said.
The program also included scripture, prayer and music provide by the Northview Senior Class Ensemble.
Graduation for the Northview High School Class of 2016 will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 28 at the school.
Pictured: The Northview High School Class of 2016 Baccalaureate service Sunday afternoon at the First Baptist Church of Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Learn To Complete Online Job Applications At The Molino Library
May 23, 2016
Many businesses now only accept online applications for employment, and the Molino Branch Library will offer interested patrons a chance ot learn how to successfully complete and submit online applications.
Online job application classes will be held Tuesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. until noon. Participants should have basic computer skills to take part in these classes.
For more information, call the Molino Branch Library at (850) 435-1760. The library is located at 6450-A Highway 95A in the Molino Community Complex.
Chandler Awarded Gandy Memorial Scholarship
May 23, 2016
Kelsi Rae Chandler has been named the winner of this year’s Gandy Memorial Scholarship.
With a grade point average of 3.71 at Flomaton High School, Chandler has played varsity softball, including summer travel softball, volleyball and basketball since middle school. She also participates in weightlifting.
She has been a member of the Future Business Leaders of America, FFA, Students Against Drunk Drivers, Beta Club, Student Council Association, and Academic All-stars. In her extra time, she is a member of the youth group at Little Escambia Baptist Church and is an active member of the Alger Sullivan Historical Society and the Keith Cabin Foundation Museum.
Chandler has participated in the Coastal Cleanup for Escambia Creek, activities with the Panhandle Historic Preservation alliance, and was recently named Miss Flomaton High School for 2015. She wrote that her grandfather, Don Sales, has been instrumental in fostering her love for both sports and nature, and he is the one who taught her that “If you want to be good, there is no such thing as an off-season”.
The Solon Lee Gandy Memorial Scholarship was established in 2008 in memory of Solon Gandy, a 1990 Flomaton High School graduate. Solon was a member of the 1988 Flomaton High School State Baseball Championship team and was a four-year member of the high school Hurricane football team. This scholarship was established to help foster the love of nature and sports in a deserving Flomaton and /or a Jay senior. The scholarship was started by Solon’s father, Coach Bill Gandy, who passed away of cancer in 2015.
Pictured: Solon Gandy’s mother and retired Flomaton High School English teacher, Ms. Brenda Godwin and Kelsi Chandler. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge
Danceworks Holds Recital (With Photo Gallery)
May 23, 2016
Hundreds attended Heather Leonard’s Danceworks annual recital Saturday night at Northview High School.
For hundreds of photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Drop Series To Jacksonville
May 23, 2016
The Jacksonville Suns won, 6-5, over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos by scoring two runs in the sixth inning thanks to a sacrifice fly and a Blue Wahoos error Sunday at The Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
Jacksonville tied the game, 5-5, when third baseman Avery Romero hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the sixth inning to score right fielder Moises Sierra. Suns catcher Francisco Arcia then put Jacksonville ahead, 6-5, when he scored on a throwing error by Pensacola third baseman Eric Jagielo.
The Blue Wahoos are 25-19 on the season in the Southern League South Division, while Jacksonville improved to 20-23 and jumped to third place behind Pensacola.
Pensacola overcame a four run deficit to take the lead, 5-4, in the top of the fifth inning when first baseman Kyle Parker hit a two-run home run to center field. Parker’s blast also scored center fielder Phillip Ervin.
The Blue Wahoos got three runs back in the top of the fourth inning to pull within one against Jacksonville when right fielder Brandon Dixon scored on a grounder by shortstop Calten Daal. Pensacola left fielder Tony Renda then singled to left field that scored both Daal and catcher Joe Hudson, pulling Pensacola within, 4-3.
Jacksonville’s Sierra smashed a two-out, three-run homer in bottom of first inning. His homer to left center brought home second baseman J.T. Riddle, who tripled and first baseman Brady Shoemaker, who walked.
Suns Pitcher Jarlin Garcia singled on a ground ball to Blue Wahoos starter Nick Travieso that scored Jermias Pineda, putting Jacksonville up, 4-0, after two innings.
Travieso gave up all four runs to the Suns in the five innings he pitched. He allowed four hits and walked three, while striking out seven. He got a no-decision, however, and remains 3-2 with 41 strikeouts in 37.2 innings pitched.
Jacksonville used five pitchers, giving up five runs, two earned and striking out seven.
Leading Pensacola at the plate was second baseman Alex Blandino, who went 2-5 with a double. He’s batting .286 with one homer and four RBIs in his last eight games. Pensacola left fielder Tony Renda got a hit in his fourth straight game against Jacksonville and is now 4-17 in the series and batting .282 on the season.
Sunday Morning Garage Fire Damages Cantonment Home
May 22, 2016
A Sunday morning fire caused smoke damage to a Cantonment home.
The fire was reported just before 9 a.m. in the 100 block of Millet Circle of West Roberts Road. Firefighters arrived to find a couch on fire in the home’s attached garage. They were able to quickly extinguish the blaze, which was contained to the couch.
There were no injuries reported.
Responding units included the Cantonment, Ensley, Bellview and Beulah stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, and Escambia County EMS.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Three People Homeless After Sunday Morning House Fire
May 22, 2016
Three people, including two children, were left without a home after a fire Sunday morning near Walnut Hill.
The back corner of the small wood frame house in the 2500 block of Green Village Road, just north of Highway 164, was reported to be fully involved just before 8 a.m. The fire extended into the attic of the home.
There were no injuries reported.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The family was assisted by the American Red Cross.
The Walnut Hill, McDavid, Century and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Atmore Fire Department and Atmore Ambulance responded to the blaze.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Reimagine Century Breathes New Life Into A Community In Need
May 22, 2016
Reimagine Century’s goal was to breathe new life into Century, where the faithful reached out to touch the hearts and lives of area residents in need.
The event included a wide variety of activities, including a 15,000 pound food giveaway, health screenings, youth and teen activities, free haircuts, baby diaper giveaway, live music, free lunch, manicures, hearing tests, motorcycle rides and much more. There were also children’s activities including inflatables, face painting, popcorn and games. All items, activities and events were free.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Reimagine Century was sponsored in part by numerous organizations, including NorthEscambia.com.
Pictured: Saturday morning at Reimagine Century. NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
May 22, 2016
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Highway 97- Intermittent daytime lane closures over Little Pine Barron Creek Tuesday, May 24 as crews lay the final layer of asphalt.
- Highway 29 – Intermittent and alternating lane closures within the town of Century and from Champion Drive north continue.
- I-10/U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements – The right lane of I-10 eastbound near U.S. 29 (Exits 10A and 10B) will be closed Sunday, May 22 through Thursday, May 26 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. In addition, the U.S. 29 north to I-10 eastbound ramp will be closed during this time as crews perform resurfacing work. Traffic will be detoured north to Broad Street. Drivers will take a U-turn to access I-10 eastbound.
- Nine Mile Road – East and westbound traffic on Nine Mile Road west of Interstate 10 near Heritage Oaks Drive in Escambia County will encounter intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Monday, May 23 as crews perform construction activities.
- I-10 Widening – Intermittent and alternating lane closures on I-10, near U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway/Exit 17), from 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. the week of May 23 as crews perform bridge work.
- Basden Road and Dupont Road- Baisden Road between Bayou Boulevard (State Road 296) and Gonnell Drive will remain closed to traffic through Wednesday, May 25. DuPont Road between Bayou Boulevard and Gonnell Drive will be closed to traffic Wednesday, May 25 through Wednesday, June 1. The temporary road closures will allow crews to make drainage improvements. Detour signs and variable message boards are in place to direct traffic. The drainage work is part of the Bayou Boulevard resurfacing project from Baisden Road to U.S. 90.
Santa Rosa County:
- I-10 Widening – Alternating lane closures on I-10, between the Escambia Bay Bridge and S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22), from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, May 22 through Thursday, May 26 as work continues to widen this section of the interstate. In addition, alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard near the I-10 interchange as crews perform bridge work.
- I-10 Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Rest Area – Crews will resurface entry/exit ramps of rest areas on Interstate 10 in Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties beginning Monday, May 23 continuing through Monday, June 6. Lane closures will occur from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Only one rest area in each county will be closed during paving operations. Variable message boards and the I-10 Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) will be used to alert drivers of the temporary closure.
- U.S. 90 Milton – Lane restrictions between Kim Drive and Paddlewheel Drive Tuesday, May 24 and Wednesday, May 25. Eastbound lane closure from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. as crews perform maintenance activities.
- U.S. 98 – Crews will perform striping operations and install raised pavement markers (RPMs) from the Pensacola Bay Bridge to Central Parkway (approximately nine miles) Sunday through Thursday night beginning Wednesday, May 25 and continuing through Thursday, June 30. Motorists may encounter minor traffic delays from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. No work will take place during the Memorial Day holiday period.
- S.R. 399 over U.S. 98 – Overnight repairs to the S.R. 399 southbound overpass over U.S. 98 will be in place from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. throughout the project. U.S. 98 will be reduced to one lane in each direction from Shoreline Drive to just east of S.R. 399 to allow westbound U.S. 98 traffic to be diverted to eastbound U.S. 98. Westbound U.S. 98 access to S.R. 399 will be closed. An on-site detour will direct traffic to turn left on Daniel Street, left on Shoreline Drive and then right on eastbound U.S. 98 to access S.R. 399 via the at grade on ramp.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling in a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.