Greg Evers Files For Congress
April 18, 2016
State Sen. Greg Ever has filed to run for Congress, according to the Federal Elections Commission.
Evers will officially “announce intentions” at a press conference Tuesday morning in Milton, he told NorthEscambia.com Monday morning. He would not confirm that his announcement would be a Congressional run.
With a run for Congress, Evers would join what is expected to be a highly contested Republican primary to replace U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, who recently announced he will not seek re-election to the District 1 seat he has held for 15 years.
“If I do run, it’s because I believe it’s where I can be the most effective service to my constituents, and not because I’m in a rush to enter the political fray in order to gain some sort of purely political, strategic advantage,” Evers, R-Baker, told The News Service of Florida last month. “I really believe these are serious times, extremely serious times. I intend to conduct myself accordingly. That requires that I do lots of prayer and research. That’s the reason I’m in Washington. And it was very humbling. Our country is in a serious state of affairs right now. We have to have a leader that’s going to stand up for the Panhandle. I’ve done that at the state level, but I want to be sure that I’m the right person to do that in Washington.”
The Northwest Florida district — one of the state’s most conservative — borders the Alabama border and spans Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties and includes most of Holmes County.
Evers has filed a “Statement of Candidacy” for the House seat with the Federal Elections Commission.
Pictured: Helen Mincy of Century explains damage to Sen. Greg Evers following the EF-3 tornado that ravaged part of the town in February. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
County Set To Settle With Ambulance Wreck Victims
April 18, 2016
Escambia County is set to make final settlement payment for injuries resulting from a 2012 ambulance wreck in Century.
The accident happened about 8:15 a.m. on October 22, 2012, when an Escambia County EMS unit in the parking lot of the Whataburger on North Century Boulevard received an emergency call to Century Care Center.
The county ambulance driver activated the emergency lights and sirens on the ambulance and stopped at the stop sign while exiting the parking lot onto Highway 29, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Traffic in the northbound lanes stopped to allow the ambulance to proceed. The driver did not see a 2004 Chevrolet SUV and begin to cross over the northbound lanes to turn south, with the front of the ambulance colliding with the side of the SUV.
The driver of the SUV, then 80-year old Barney Cash of Century, was transported by ambulance to Jay Hospital with minor injuries. His passenger, Clifton Underwood, Jr. of Century, was airlifted by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital in serious condition.
Underwood was severely and permanently injured and his case was previously settled for the total sum of $195,000.
Cash claimed injury to his back, but has extensive pre-existing conditions involving his low back and both knees which limited his mobility. A jury would have taken these pre-existing conditions into account in determining whether Mr. Cash suffered a permanent injury from the collision, according to county documents.
The county attorney’s office and the Escambia County Commission met in an attorney/client session on June 2, 2015 and was given maximum settlement authority of $30,000. Deputy County Attorney Charles V. Peppler conducted negotiations with the attorney representing Barney Cash and his wife Irene who proposed to settle the case for an additional $1,500.
If approved by a vote of the county commission on Thursday, the county will settle the Cash’s claim for a total of $31,500.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Charged With DUI Manslaughter In Bay County
April 18, 2016
An Escambia County man has been charged in Bay County after running over and killing a man on a scooter.
Kenneth Lee Manhard, 53, was charged with DUI manslaughter, leaving the scene of a crash involving death, and driving with a suspended license while causing a death.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Manhard was crossing the Hathaway Bridge on Highway 98 in a 2008 Hyundai Accent when he hit a 2015 Scooter driven by 30-year old Jerry Malachi Jones of Lynn Haven, FL Manhard continued eastbound, leaving the scene of the accident. Witnesses said that two other unknown vehicles may have collided with Jones after the initial impact.
WJHG television reported that Manhard went to a bar in Panama City after the accident. He left the bar because it was closed, but a server called the FHP and followed him.
Anyone with information on the accident is asked to call the Corporal W.A. Mathers at (850) 873-7020 ext. 83656.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
April 18, 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:
- U.S. 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 speed limit on I-10 eastbound near U.S. 29 (Exits 10A and 10B) has been reduced to 50 mph.
- U.S. 90 over Escambia River- Intermittent lane restrictions from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 19 and Wednesday, April 20 as crews perform a routine bridge inspection.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Widening – Intermittent and alternating lane closures, between State Road (S.R.) 291 (Davis Highway/Exit 13) and U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway/Exit 17), from 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. the week of Monday, April 18 as crews perform construction activities.
- S.R. 292 (Theo Barrs Bridge) – Intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. Monday, April 18 to 2 a.m. Tuesday, April 19 as crews perform striping operations.
- U.S. 98 (East Gregory Street) – Westbound outside lane closed between 10th Avenue and 11th Avenue from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, April 18 and Tuesday, April 19 as crews perform underground utility work.
- U.S. 98 (Garden Street) – Westbound inside lane closed between Tarragona and Palafox streets from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, April 19 and Wednesday, April 20 as crews perform underground utility work.
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, April 17 through Thursday, April 21 as crews place barrier wall. In addition, alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard near the I-10 interchange during this time as crews perform bridge work.
- S.R. 87 Multilane-– Drivers are reminded of the temporary speed limit reduction from 55 mph to 45 mph from the Eglin Air Force Base boundary to Choctaw Field Road and from one mile south of the Yellow River to the southern end of the Yellow River bridge. The reduced speed limit is needed for roadway reconstruction efforts that will require shoulder closures along S.R. 87.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled 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.
Pictured: Work on widening I-10 near Scenic Highway in Escambia County. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Manna Food Pantries Purchases New Home
April 18, 2016
MANNA Food Pantries has purchased its new future home, the Pensacola Mill Supply Building on North “E” Street.
The 23,000 square foot building is located less than two miles from MANNA’s current home near two bus routes and the bus terminal. The building is large enough to house both client services and warehouse operations under one roof for the first time in decades — greatly improving service quality to the hungry.
“As we approach the anniversary of the 2014 flood that severely impacted MANNA, we are grateful and excited to have found a new home that best serves the needs of our community and of MANNA,” said DeDe Flounlacker, MANNA Executive Director. “The location provides important access from downtown and other nearby areas where many people who need our help live.”
The non-profit hopes to have renovations completed and to be moved into the building by early 2017.
“We will be reaching out to our supporters throughout the community as MANNA embarks on a capital campaign to raise approximately $1 million to pay for the new building, renovations and move,” said Flounlacker. “After the flood, the community was so generous and helped us get back on our feet to resume feeding the hungry. And now we’ll be able to take services to a new level in serving the hungry. We’re excited about the impact we’ll be able to make from this building and location.”
Not a soup kitchen, MANNA Food Pantries is a local, grassroots non-profit organization dedicated to fighting hunger in Escambia & Santa Rosa counties. Our mission is to offer emergency food assistance, service the food–related needs of vulnerable populations, and engage the entire community in the fight against hunger. We are nonsectarian, community focused and volunteer supported. We believe every person has a right to live free of hunger and to be treated with respect and dignity.
Jim Allen Third Graders Take On Multiplication Challenge
April 18, 2016
Adult visitors need to be ready if they visit a third grade classroom at Jim Allen Elementary School. They will find themselves in a battle as they try to complete the “Multiplication Challenge”, as did recent visitor Malcolm Thomas, Escambia superintendent of schools. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Scott Signs Treatment, Military Voting Bills
April 18, 2016
Gov. Rick Scott has signed two bills that are expected to help people get mental-health or substance-abuse treatment and make it easier for military personnel from Florida to vote.
With those moves, Scott finished acting on all 272 bills — including the state budget — approved by the Legislature this year. He signed all but three. The treatment measure includes what is known as a “no wrong door” policy, which would allow people who need mental-health or substance-abuse treatment to get it no matter how they enter the systems — whether through criminal offenses or personal crises. To do that, the bill would create central receiving facilities to function as single points of access to emergency care and intervention services. Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Chairman Rene Garcia, R-Hialeah, sponsored the bill, with House Children, Families and Seniors Chairwoman Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, and Rep. Kathleen Peters, R-Treasure Island, spearheading the issue in the House.
The military-related measure creates a task force to review the development of an online voting system for overseas military voters as a way to return completed absentee ballots. The new law, sponsored by Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, and Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, also requires landlords to act within seven days on lease applications submitted by service members. The bill also makes clear that former members of the Florida National Guard are eligible for the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame.
by The News Service of Florida
Wahoos Top Biloxi
April 18, 2016
For the second time in six days, Pensacola Blue Wahoos Beau Amaral started the game with a lead-off home run. It’s also the only two times the speedy center fielder has done that in his professional career.
Between Amaral’s first inning home run and starter Daniel Wright and relievers Nick Routt, El’Hajj Muhammad, Alejandro Chacin combining on a two-hit shutout, Pensacola defeated the Biloxi Shuckers, 5-0, Sunday at MGM Stadium. It was Pensacola’s pitching staff’s second shutout in a row, after beating the Jacksonville Suns, 3-0, at home Saturday.
The win improves the Blue Wahoos record to 9-2 – it’s best start in team history – and puts them in first place in the Southern League South Division. Biloxi falls to 7-3 on the season.
On a 1-1 count against Biloxi starter Jorge Ortega, Amaral jacked the next pitch over the right center field wall to put Pensacola ahead, 1-0. That would be all the runs Pensacola needed Sunday.
Amaral worked in the offseason on his hitting with his dad, Rich, who played 10 years in the big leagues. He was 2-5 in the Biloxi game and now leads the Blue Wahoos with two home runs and six RBIs and is batting .282.
However, after Amaral’s solo blast a pitching duel ensued. Wright, who was starting in place of Nick Travieso who went on the disabled list with a pulled groin, threw five scoreless innings of one-hit ball, walked one and struck out six batters.
Biloxi’s Ortega allowed six hits in 5.2 innings of work, struck out three and gave up Amaral’s blast.
Pensacola’s bullpen then continued to shut down the Biloxi lineup, giving up one hit and striking out three. The Blue Wahoos’ pitchers have also thrown four one-run games this year.
The Blue Wahoos added four runs in the top of the ninth for some wiggle room, lighting up Biloxi’s fourth pitcher of the game Hobbs Johnson.
Third baseman Eric Jagielo started the inning with a walk, left fielder Phillip Ervin singled, Tony Renda grounded out to Biloxi third baseman Nate Orf to force out Jagielo at third. Right fielder Pin-Chieh Chen then hit an infield single to Orf who threw the ball away trying to get Chen out at first, allowing Ervin, who was 4-4 on the day, to score from second for a 2-0 Blue Wahoos lead.
Hobbs walked Pensacola catcher Joe Hudson to load the bases and then threw a wild pitch that allowed the speedy Renda to score from third putting Pensacola ahead, 3-0. Orf then committed his second error of the game on a ground ball by first baseman Ray Chang that let Chen score, 4-0.
The scoring ended when shortstop Zach Vincej singled to left field to score Hudson for a commanding, 5-0, lead for the Blue Wahoos.
Chacin capped the shutout and win by setting Biloxi down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the ninth with two strike outs.
Update: Missing Escambia County Woman Found
April 17, 2016
Update 6 p.m.: This missing senior silver alert has been canceled after Jean Rodriguez Yenzer was located as is safe.
A Florida Silver Alert has been issued for Jean Rodriguez Yenzer.
The 85-year old was last seen in on Mohawk Trail in Pensacola wearing a pink, black and white striped sweater and black leggins. She may be traveling in a 2005 black Ford Focus with Florida tag number DKII73. She is possibly accompanied by a small black and white dog.
Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact their local law enforcement agency, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or 911.
Disaster Loan Outreach Centers Open Until Thursday
April 17, 2016
Disaster Loan Outreach Centers will open through Thursday in Century and Pensacola to assist tornado victims.
The loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration will be available to business, non-profits, churches an individuals that suffered physical or economic losses as result of the EF-3 tornado on February 15 in the Century area or the February 23 EF-3 tornado in the Pensacola area.
The Century Disaster Loan Outreach Center will be at the Century Business Center at 140 East Pond Street will be open 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and until final closing at 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 21.
The Pensacola location will be open at the West Florida Regional Planning Council office at 4081 East Olive Road, Suite A. The office will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and until final closing at 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 21.
Both locations will be closed on Sunday.
The types of loans available include:
- Business Physical Disaster Loans – Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.
- Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) – Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.
- Home Disaster Loans – Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles.
Applicants must have a credit history acceptable to the SBA and the ability to repay all loans. Collateral is required for physical loss or economic injury disaster loans over $25,000. Loan terms range up to 30 years with interest rates from 1.813 to 6.25 percent.
Only uninsured or otherwise uncompensated disaster losses are eligible.
The deadline to apply for physical damage assistance if June 6; the deadline for economic injury assistance applications is January 9, 2017.
The loans are also available in the contiguous Florida county of Santa Rosa and the contiguous Alabama counties of Escambia and Baldwin.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.