Florida Arbor Day Trees Gone In Minutes During Century Tree Giveaway
January 21, 2023
The Florida Forest Service and the Town of Century distributed 125 trees in just a few minutes during a Florida Arbor Day tree giveaway Friday morning.
“We had a big turnout,” Century Mayor Ben Boutwell said. A line had formed by start time, and most of the trees were gone, two per person, in about 10 minutes.
Live oak, red maple, mayhaw, red cedar and dahoon holly were available in Century. The red maple trees were the most popular.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ashton Brosnaham Park To Get $2.7 Million Locker, Multipurpose Building
January 20, 2023
The county will construct a new $2.7 million multiuse locker room facility at Ashton Brosnaham Park.
At a Thursday meeting, the Escambia County Commission approved a $2,714,510 contracted with AAA Affordable Structures for the two-story building (plans below) to meet the growing needs at the park off East 10 Mile Road.
Ashton Brosnaham has become a popular venue, hosting everything from the nationally televised SEC Women’s Soccer Tournament and other sporting events to birthday parties, family reunions and group meetings.
The open area within the new building will be suited for additional team lockers for those larger sporting events, and also compatible with the other activities.
The SEC Women’s Soccer Tournament will return to the park this fall. Last year’s event set attendance records. According to the SEC, there were 3,025 in attendance — the largest crowd for a game in the 37 years of SEC women’s soccer. The overall tournament also set a SEC record with 10,450 total fans. Escambia County will host the SEC Soccer Tournament through 2024.
And there’s another benefit from the tournament, the parks director said. Now that the tournament is packed up and gone for a year, upgrades to the facilities at Ashton Brosnaham remain to benefit local residents. There’s new turf on the stadium field, enhancements on the practice field, new fencing around the perimeter of the field along with other improvements.
“We made a lot of enhancements to brighten the facility. The SEC is here one week out of the year, but for 365 days a year our job is to serve the residents and the soccer community, Escambia County Parks and Recreation Director Michael Rhodes said after the tournament. “We know they (local players) are going to be proud, and they’ll always be able to say that they’re playing at the venue that the SEC Soccer Tournament was held at.”
The modular-type building is expected to be completed in August.
RELATED:
- SEC Soccer Tournament Sets Attendance Records, Provides Local Economic Boost
- South Carolina Upsets No. 1 Seed Alabama For SEC Tournament Title (With Photo Gallery)
- Ole Miss Shuts Out LSU; Mississippi State Tops Texas A&M. And Escambia County Wins In SEC Tourney Day One
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Escambia Fire Captain Joel Richardson Named Florida’s Instructor of the Year
January 20, 2023
Escambia County Fire Rescue Captain Joel Richardson has been named the 2022 Instructor of the Year by the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association. The Florida Rapid Intervention Training Operations Group, a training organization instructing the FFCA since 2012, was also recognized for the award alongside Richardson.
Richardson joined ECFR in October 2009. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2012 and to captain in September 2022. Since then, he has served as the training/safety captain for ECFR. He has been a member of the Florida Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) Operations Group since its inception in 2012 and has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to training and mentoring firefighters in Escambia County and the state of Florida.
“The recognition of Captain Richardson at this level is an attestation of the hard work on and off duty that the men and women of ECFR put in every day to serve the citizens and visitors of Escambia County,” said Fire Chief Jason Catrambone. “Congratulations to Captain Richardson and the Florida RIT Operations Group.”
Each year, the Florida RIT Operations Group holds a competition throughout the state to reemphasize the basic Rapid Intervention Team elements of saving firefighters when in trouble or trapped. These skills include search and rescue, victim removal, radio communications, command and control, and aspects of firefighter survival. ECFR members are part of Florida RIT Operations Group and participate in the annual Fire Rescue EAST Conference in Daytona Beach.
“Escambia County Fire Rescue is fortunate to have such a great team as part of the organization and having three of our officer staff receiving awards is a testament to the great leaders we have,” said Deputy Fire Chief Paul Williams. “The entire organization is made up of men and women dedicated to the fire service and top-notch professionals.”
Richardson and the Florida RIT Operations Group were formally recognized during a ceremony at Fire-Rescue EAST in Daytona Beach on Wednesday.
Richardson’s and the Florida RIT Operations Group’s recognition continues a streak of honors for ECFR. Last month, ECFR’s Lt. Nick Gradia was recognized as the 2022 Professional Firefighter of the Year by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office. And ECFR’s Assistant District Chief Yoshimi Core was named the 2022 Volunteer Fire Officer of the Year by the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association.
Driver Airlifted After Highway 97 Rollover Wreck Near Walnut Hill
January 20, 2023
One person was seriously injured in a rollover crash Thursday night on Highway 97 south of Walnut Hill.
The driver of a pickup truck was reportedly southbound about 5:30 p.m. when he sideswiped another vehicle, ran off the roadway, and overturned in a ditch and culvert about a half mile north of Mason Road.
The adult male was airlifted to the hospital by Medstar Air Care 2 helicopter from Atmore. His injuries were not considered to be life threatening.
The Walnut Hill, McDavid and Molino stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded.
The Florida HIghway Patrol is investigating the wreck.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Christin Love Is Molino Park Elementary’s Teacher Of The Year
January 20, 2023
Christin Love was named the Molino Park Elementary School Teacher of the Year.
NorthEscambia.com is continuing to spotlight Teachers of the Year from the North Escambia area during January.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Central Takes Two From Northview (With Photo Gallery)
January 20, 2023
The Central Jaguars took two in varsity action Thursday night against the Northview Chiefs.
Central 54, Northview 38 (Boys)
The Central Jaguars defeated the Northview Chiefs 61-21 Thursday night in Bratt.
The first period ended in a 4-4 tie, and the momentum continued with the Chiefs on top 15-12 by the half. Central battled back to a 21-21 tie before pulling ahead in the third period.
The varsity boys Chiefs (0-10) will host Flomaton (4-9) Friday night at 6:30.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Central 61, Northview 21 (Girls)
Central took a 16-1 lead in the first period on their way to a 61-21 win over Northview Thursday night in Bratt.
Northview varsity girls (1-10) will host Flomaton (1-5) Friday at 5 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Reminder: Bellview Library Closed For Maintenance
January 20, 2023
The Bellview Library, which just opened last September, is closed this week for maintenance.
The library will be closed through Saturday, January 21 for the work.
All events and programs for the week have been canceled, except an Arbor Day tree giveaway planned to 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 21 will take place.
During the closure, library return materials may be dropped off in the drop box outside the Bellview Library or returned to any other West Florida Public Libraries location. The Bellview Library will reopen on Monday, January 23.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Foreign Manufacturing Company Agrees To Lease Century Industrial Park Building
January 19, 2023
A 50-year old foreign company is ready to lease a Century building in a town-owned industrial park, according to the FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance.
The company will set up their first domestic manufacturing and warehouse distribution facility serving the oil and gas industry in what is commonly known as the Helicopter Technology Building.
Company officials were in Century last week to meet individually with each town council member and look at any potential upgrades to the 40,000 square foot building.
A lease was prepared for approval this week, but due to an apparent clerical mistake it was not provided to council members in advance. They will vote on accepting the lease terms at an upcoming meeting.
The company has agreed to pay the appraised value of the building — $7.833.33 a month, totaling $188,000 the first two years. The lease will continue for five years with a 3% annual increase beginning in the third year. The company will accept the building “as-is” and pay all utilities, maintenance, insurance and taxes.
The town re-acquired the industrial building at public auction for less than $1 out of pocket back in August 2009, following the town’s foreclosure judgment against the now defunct Helicopter Technology company. The building has sat empty since then.
According to FloridaWest, the company plans to hire five people initially, with a goal of 10 employees by the end of the year with an average salary of $46,570 — the average wage in the Pensacola area. The company hopes to begin warehouse operations by the end of February with a forthcoming expansion into manufacturing.
The FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance is the economic development organization for Escambia County. Most details about the new company and their plans remain confidential during discussions, as is allowed and is standard in economic development in Florida.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Ribbon Is Cut To Reopen The Newly Rebuilt Ascend Community Park
January 19, 2023
After a brief rain delay, the ribbon was cut Wednesday morning to reopen the renovated Ascend Community Park.
Ascend Performance Materials CEO Phil McDivitt was on hand to offer remarks and congratulate the teams from Ascend and Turner Industries who led the effort to restore the park after extensive damage from Hurricane Sally.
“Parks are about family,” said McDivitt. “For 70 years, our Pensacola site has employed fathers and mothers, their children and now grandchildren in this community, so Ascend is also about family. We’re happy to be able to welcome the community and their families to the park once again.”
The park, located at 3098 Old Chemstrand Road in Cantonment, is now open from sunrise to sunset daily.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Pictured top: Ascend employee Chuck Langham, who managed much of the renovation work, cuts the ribbon to reopen the Ascend Neighborhood Park. Pictured first below: The first visitor to the park Wednesday enjoys the slide. Picture second below: Ascend Performance Materials CEO Phil McDivitt makes remarks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Pictured bottom: Employees from Ascend Performance Materials and Turner Industries celebrate the reopening of the Ascend Neighborhood Park. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Arbor Day Tree Giveaways Friday In Century, Saturday In Molino, Pensacola
January 19, 2023
Florida Arbor Day tree giveaways will be held Friday in Century and Saturday in Molino and Pensacola.
Century – Friday
The Florida Forest Service and the Town of Century will hold a tree giveaway for Florida residents beginning at 10 a.m. Friday at the community center on West Highway 4 at Industrial Boulevard. Trees available will include live oak, red maple, mayhaw, red cedar or dahoon holly. There is a limit of two trees per person while supplies last.
Molino, Pensacola – Saturday
Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon, there will be a tree giveaway at the Molino, Bellview and Tryon branches of the West Florida Regional Libraries. Species available include live oak, dahoon holly, mayhaw, and Walter’s viburnum. There is a limit of two trees per household while supplies last.