‘That Country Way Of Life’ — Residents Unite In Battle Against Big Molino Development
July 14, 2023
“Dirt bikes. Chickens crowing. Fireworks going off. Baby shower, big booms. I can hear it now…What they’re going to do is they are going to try to change our way of life, the way we live up there because now they’re city folk. We making a city out of Molino.”
That’s what Molino resident Kelly Rogers (pictured above) said would be the complaints if thousands of people moved to a planned massive development in Molino.
“They don’t have the right to come change the way I live,” she told the Escambia County Planning Board Thursday afternoon. “Because my chickens are going to crow. My kids are going to ride dirt bikes. We’re going to ride horses down the road. We’re going to do that country way of life, and they aren’t going to change it.”
The board denied Exit 3 Investment’s Escambia County Sector Plan opt-out applications, while the investment company withdrew all rezoning requests.
The Woodland Park development, once completed, would have had thousands of homes and nearly 100 acres of commercial development in a 1,500 acre area to the south and west of Highway 196 and Highway 29.
Residents from Molino, Cantonment and beyond packed a standing room only meeting room Thursday united against the growth. Only one person submitted a form indicating that they were in favor of the development.
One after another, they told the board how they opposed Woodland Park and how it was simply just incompatible with the rural, agricultural area.
The owner of the Homestead Lounge and Package on Highway 97 joined them with concerns that a proposed school would legally be too close to his bar, while speakers from the local gun range said nearby residents would create a safety hazard and residents would complain about noise.
Vernon Prather, president of Molino Utilities for the last two decades, said the development would require perhaps two new water wells and a large elevated storage tank. The cost for the utility, which normally adds just 20 to 30 homes per year, would reach an estimated $9 million.
“I want to thank so many people for being engaged and attending the meeting today, especially regarding the sector plan issue,” District 5 Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry said Thursday night. ” Also, I want to thank each one who has sent an email or called the office. It may have taken a few days, but I believe I’ve responded to each person. I only ask that my concerned friends and neighbors wait to pass judgment on what is going to happen until our board hears the requests on August 3rd.”
On August 3, the Escambia County Commission will receive the section plan opt-out denial recommendation from the planning board and make a final ruling.
After over six hours in Thursday’s meeting, Planning Board Chairman Walker Wilson thanked the applicant and the public for participating.
“This is truly incredible to see this effort by community. Whether you were for it or against it,” he said. “It was great to see your involvement and this and to stick with it all day long. I’d like to thank the applicant for going through this process as well…this is a great showing of this community. And I would just like to thank you all for being here and being a part of this process.”
NorthEscambia.com images, click to enlarge.
BBQ Lunch Saturday At Aldersgate Church Will Benefit Needy Molino Kids At Christmas
July 14, 2023
Aldersgate Methodist Church in Molino will hold a pulled pork lunch fundraiser Saturday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The cost is $8.50 per plate and includes a large pulled pork sandwich, coleslaw, potato chips and a brownie. Plates are available Dine in, carryout or drive through. There will be live bluegrass music and complimentary ice tea for those who dine in, and ice cold bottled water will also be available for $1.
Proceeds will be used to sponsor needy children in the Molino area at Christmas.
The church is located at 6915 North Highway 29 (just south of Highway 97). Enter using the south driveway and exit on the north (follow the signs).
Cantonment Company Honored For Employing Veterans
July 14, 2023
The Florida Department of the American Legion has presented their annual Employer of Veterans award to ESA South (ESA), a service-disabled veteran-owned small business headquartered in Cantonment.
The award recognizes companies that have shown a demonstrated commitment to employ veterans.
According to ESA, nearly one-third of their employees are veterans, and nearly 40% of their hires this year have served in the armed forces.
“This company is maintaining its growth momentum by actively hiring and retaining a cadre of military veterans and in doing so maintains its cutting-edge competitiveness.” said retired Navy commander Brian K. Harris, PE, ESA’s director of contract compliance,. “In addition to the company’s active employment of veterans and its VA project support, ESA enjoys giving back to the community by generously supporting charitable organizations such the Gulf Coast Kid’s House, Health and Hope Clinic, Children’s Home Society of Florida, Pace Center for Girls, Habitat for Humanity, Wreaths Across America, The American Legion, and the Society of American Military Engineers.”
Founded in 1999, ESA has a nationwide workforce and offices in California, Washington, Missouri, Texas, and Florida. Primarily focused on vertical construction, disaster response and recovery, and demolition and abatement of hazardous materials-ESA has worked extensively throughout the country completing numerous with a contract value up to $50 million dollars for various federal agencies and private sector clients.
ESA is located on Success Drive in the Central Commerce Park.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
“It’s The Little Details” – Century Amends Council Meeting Notices
July 14, 2023
Update: The Town of Century amended their amended council meeting notice following the publication of this story to include a large “2023″ above the list.
It’s the little details — the Town of Century on Thursday emailed an updated public notice for this year’s town council meetings, eight days after a meeting has halted due to an improper public notice.
NorthEscambia.com questioned the meeting public notice or the July 5 meeting posted by the town because it lacked a meeting time. We had documented that meeting times had not been noticed for six months. Florida’s attorney general says every meeting, each and every one, must be noticed with date, time and place.
The meeting schedule public notice email Thursday by Town Clerk Leslie Howington noted the meeting month and day and added times. One detail, the year, was removed from the new notice.
A quote below Howington’s email signature from UCLA basketball Coach John Wooden stated, “It’s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.”
Pictured: A public notice outside the Century Town Hall. NorthEscambiac.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Free Dog And Cat Adoptions At The Escambia Animal Shelter
July 14, 2023
The Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare is participating in the Bissell Pet Foundation “Empty the Shelters” event through July 31.
Adoptions for all cats and dogs 1 year or older will be free. Puppies will be available for $50 and kittens will be available for $25. An $11 licensing fee will be applied to all adoptions for Escambia County residents.
“We are proud to participate with Bissell for the first time for their ‘Empty the Shelters’ event,” said John Robinson, Director for the Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare. “This will provide opportunities for all of our great dogs and cats to find their new families this summer. Adopting a pet not only gives our homeless animals a second chance, but also creates space that will allow our organization to help many other animals in need of temporary housing. We have a large number of animals available for adoption that will make a great addition to your family.”
The Escambia County Animal Welfare and Adoption Center is located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 12-5 p.m., and Saturdays from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m
Northview Chiefs Hosting Youth Football Camp Next Week
July 14, 2023
The Northview Chiefs will hold a Youth Football camp July 20-21 at Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium in Bratt.
Attendees will learn proper techniques, formations and plays, blocking and safe tackling techniques and more from Northview players and coaching staff. The camp is for children ages 6-14 and will take place from 5-7 p.m.
Pre-registration is $50 using the NHS Quarterback Club Venmo (put “youth camp” as the reason when paying). Day of registration is $60 day with cash or check payable to Northview High School. Registration includes a t-shirt.
For more information, email head coach Wes Summerford at wsummerford@ecsdfl.us.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Planning Board Denies Sector Opt-Outs, Rezoning Requests Withdrawn For Huge Molino Development
July 13, 2023
The developer of a huge planned mixed-use community in Molino withdrew all of their rezoning requests Thursday after the Escambia County Planning Board denied all of their sector plan opt-out requests.
The Woodland Park development, once completed, would have had thousands of homes and nearly 100 acres of commercial development in a 1,500 acre area to the south and west of Highway 196 and Highway 29.
Dozens of residents packed the six-plus hour meeting to speak out against the development and their belief that was absolutely incompatible with the surrounding rural community as it would have tripled the Molino area’s population.
The planning board’s denial of Escambia County Sector Plan opt-outs is not final; it’s just a recommendation that will go to the Escambia County Commission at an upcoming meeting.
Since the rezoning requests were withdrawn from the planning board, the county commission will not consider them.
Exit 3 Investments, LLC will be able to return to the planning board, if they so choose, with future rezoning requests on the parcels.
NorthEscambia.com will have continuing coverage in additional upcoming stories.
Pictured: A packed Escambia County Planning Board meeting Thursday morning. NorthEscambia.com image.
Father And Son Both Charged With Multiple Child Porn Counts
July 13, 2023
A father and son have been arrested in Escambia County on child porn charges.
Christopher Curtis Luckie, 56, and Ethan Christopher Luckie, 23, were each charged with 30 counts of possession of child pornography.
The Pensacola Police Department said a search warrant was executed Wednesday at 6450 Guilford Drive following a tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
A USB thumb located in Christopher Luckie’s room and a laptop belonging to Ethan Christopher Luckie were seized and each contained 30 videos or images of child porn, according to a police report. Authorities said the files depicted child porn, sexual battery involving a child, sadomasochistic abuse of a child, and victims under the age of five.
Both were booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $450,000 each.
The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force assisted Pensacola Police with the investigation.
Century Awarded $12.8 Million In Grants For Shelter And Multi-Purpose Building, Bridges Repair
July 13, 2023
Just over $12.8 million in grants were awarded to Century on Wednesday for a shelter and to repair three bridges through the Florida Department of Commerce’s Rebuild Florida program for Hurricane Sally impacts.
The $12,877,137 in grant funds will be used to demolish the old Century High School gym on Hecker Road and build a shelter that can also be used as a multi-purpose facility and to make drainage and road improvements at Jefferson Avenue, Freedom Road Bridge and Alger Road Bridge, which were damaged during Hurricane Sally.
There is no timetable yet as to when work will begin.
Gym/Hurricane Shelter
A $10 million grant to turn the old Century High School gym property into a multipurpose facility that could also serve as a hurricane or other disaster shelter. The town does not own the old gym, which was constructed in 1960; it belongs to Pensacola State College.
Town consultant Robin Phillips, who is managing the grant submissions, said the gym is laden with asbestos and lead. It has been essentially abandoned for years, and is in poor condition. For those reasons, Phillips said an architect recommended that the building be demolished and rebuilt.
The town plans to accept the state funds only if PSC will transfer ownership to the town.
Bridge Repairs
A separate $2,862,137 grant to replace a failed bridge on Freedom Road that has been closed for three years, and make drainage improvements to bridges on Jefferson Avenue and Alger Road that suffered embankment erosion during Hurricane Sally.
The state budget recently signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis already included an additional $1.257 million for the Freedom Road bridge.
The bridge and drainage grant will not be impacted if the town does not move forward with the gym project.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Atmore Man Charged With Multiple Thefts From Nine Mile Lowe’s
July 13, 2023
An Atmore man is facing felony charges after allegedly being caught on video stealing from the Lowe’s on Nine Mile Road in Pensacola.
Jared Thomas Dean, 32, was charged with two felony counts of grand theft and one misdemeanor count of petit theft.
The alleged thefts occurred on three occasions in May and June with merchandise valued at $5,525.20 reported stolen.
An organized retail crime investigator for Lowe’s contacted the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and alleged Dean was responsible for a “large number” for retailed thefts from several stores, with three of the thefts in Escambia County, Florida, a report states.
Lowe’s alleged that an individual, later identified by authorities as Dean, would simply walk out of stores with merchandise including power tools, batteries, pipe and other items, the ECSO said. Lowes provided photographs and video to ECSO investigators.
A local Lowe’s loss prevention officer selected Dean a from a photo lineup, deputies said.
Dean remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday with bond set at $9,000.