Cantonment Improvement Committee Continues Weekly Food Giveaways
November 3, 2021
When the pandemic forced schools to close last year, it left many families in need of help to feed their children who had relied on school breakfast and lunch.
The Cantonment Improvement Committee (CIC) stepped up with a weekly food giveaway.
CIC is continuing to hold weekly food giveaways with the help of community partners, like Manna, Ascend and many others.
The CIC food distributions begin at 3:30 p.m. every Tuesday at Carver Park and continue while supplies last for anyone in need of food. Participants are asked to line up on Webb Street facing north, and the food is loaded into vehicles. The giveaway takes place rain or shine.
Pictured: Volunteers from Ascend Performance Materials helped with a Cantonment Improvement Committee food giveaway Tuesday at Carver Park. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Operation Christmas Child Collections Begin November 15 At First Baptist Bratt
November 3, 2021
Volunteers will be busy soon at the First Baptist Church of Bratt during “National Collection Week” for Operation Christmas Child (OCC). For the 28th year, the simple, gift-filled shoe boxes will bring Christmas joy and evangelistic materials to children in over 150 countries across the world.
National Collection Week for OCC is November 17-25. The First Baptist Church of Bratt is the official drop-off location/OCC Relay Center for North Escambia.
Pastor Tim Hawsey, location coordinator, said the shoe boxes are distributed by trained local pastors and volunteers around the world…right where the children live. The children that receive the box are invited to participate in a 12-step bible study called The Greatest Journey translated into their native language and taught by local people the children know.
Collection hours at the First Baptist Church of Bratt will be:
- Mon, Nov. 15: 9 a.m. – noon
- Tue, Nov. 16: 9 a.m. – noon
- Wed, Nov. 17: 9 a.m. – noon, 5-8 p.m.
- Thu, Nov. 18: 3-6 p.m.
- Fri, Nov. 19: 9 a.m. – noon
- Sat, Nov. 20: 9 a.m. – noon
- Sun, Nov. 21: 4-7 p.m.
- Mon, Nov. 22: 8-10 a.m.
“This is about being a blessing and bringing God’s love and hope to children in poverty around the world that would not receive it otherwise. We have gone through the intense process of been approved as a church to be a drop off locaton to collect the boxes from individuals, families, and churches of our area, document and pack them into special cartons and take them to the next level for Samaritan’s Purse, and we have been blessed to do it for years now,” Hawsey said.
Operation Christmas Child boxes should be packed in a specific manner. For more information, call Hawsey at the First Baptist Church of Bratt at (850) 327-6529, visit www.samaritanspurse.org/occ, or call (800) 353-5949. Resources are available for churches that wish to participate.
“If you are not able to pack a box but would like to make a contribution toward a box let me know,” Hawsey said.
Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational non-profit organization that has missions opportunities all over the world.
The First Baptist Church of Bratt is located at 4570 West Highway 4, near the Travis. M. Nelson Park.
Century Honors Kristina Wood For 20 Years Of Dedicated Service
November 3, 2021
The Town of Century honored longtime employee Kristina Wood Monday night with a service award.
She was honored “for 20 years of dedicated service”. She first went to work for Century in August 2001 and is currently chief deputy clerk of finance.
Pictured: Century Mayor Ben Boutwell (left) presents a service award to Kristina Wood honoring her for 20 years of employment with the town. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Woman Airlifted After Jacks Branch Rollover Crash; Child In Car Seat Not Injured
November 2, 2021
One person was injured in a rollover crash Tuesday morning in Cantonment, while a child in a car seat was uninjured.
The crash happened about 9:25 a.m. in a sharp curve on Jacks Branch Road just off Muscogee Road. An adult female was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital by LifeFlight. Authorities said a properly restrained young child in a car seat escaped injury
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released further details.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Century Council Votes To Raise Garbage Rates
November 2, 2021
The Century Town Council voted Monday night to raise garbage rates, something that has become a yearly tradition.
The town contracts with Republic Services to collect garbage within the town limits. Republic has a provision in their contract that allows them to increase the rates they charge the town each December to match the Consumer Price Index.
The increase will amount to 3.73%, or 91 cents, per customer with one can. The town traditionally passes the rate increase directly along to residents each year.
Century renewed a five year no-bid contract with Republic Services in July 2020.
Residential sanitation customers in Century will see their rate increase from $24.43 to $25.34 . That’s broken down to $18.68 per residential container picked up by Republic and $6.66 for bimonthly yard waste pickup by the town. Century does not offer recycling services. Republic charges the town $15.49 a month for each residential container, so the town retains $3.19 each. With 533 containers, Century makes $1,700.27 per month that pays the town for providing customer service and billing.
Commercial customers will see a similar 3.73% increase from Republic, but they are not billed by the town.
File photo.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program Still Available For Escambia County Residents
November 2, 2021
Escambia County residents struggling to pay rent and utilities due to COVID-19 can still apply for help from the Escambia County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).
The application portal is now open and available clicking or tapping here. Call (850) 403-6044 to make an appointment for in-person assistance, or see a list of libraries below.
Emergency rental assistance may be provided to eligible low-income Escambia County residents and families who:
- Have been financially impacted by COVID-19;
- Have total household income at or below 80% Area Median Income;
- Are at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and
- Have not received any other rental assistance for the requested months
Both the renter and the landlord must submit an application through the portal. Reimbursement will be paid directly to the landlord or utility provider. View eligibility requirements and see if you qualify here.
The program can cover up to 12 months of overdue or late rent and utility bills for households in Escambia County. Additional details for rental assistance for landlords and renters can be found at MyEscambia.com/erap.
Escambia County has received the following allocations:
- $9,611,771 from the Consolidated Appropriations Act
- $7,605,344 from the American Rescue Plan
Escambia County ERAP Policies and Procedures are in alignment with the U.S Treasury Department’s guidelines (full policies and procedures).
Email ERAP@myescambia.zendesk.com or call (850) 403-6044 with any questions.
Citizens may use the computers at the following public libraries to complete their application:
- Century Branch Library – 7991 N. Century Blvd., Century
- Molino Branch Library – 6450-A Hwy. 95A, Molino
- Tryon Branch Library – 1200 Langley Ave., Pensacola
- Genealogy Branch Library – 5740 N. Ninth Ave., Pensacola
- Pensacola Library – 239 N. Spring St., Pensacola
- Southwest Branch Library – 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
- Westside Branch Library – 1301 W. Gregory St., Pensacola
Escambia County To Stop Reporting COVID-19 Data
November 2, 2021
Escambia County will no longer report daily COVID-19 data as of the end of this week due to a decline in hospitalization rates.
The number of hospitalizations is the only data on the dashboard that is locally sourced ;the vaccination and death numbers currently on the county’s dashboard are from the CDC.
“We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation with our healthcare partners,” said Escambia County Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore. “As long as the hospitalizations remain under 50, we are going to discontinue the COVID-19 dashboard after Friday, Nov. 5.”
As of Monday, there were 36 COVID-19 hospitalizations reported in Escambia County, with one of those people under age 18. The Florida Department of Health releases a weekly report each Friday that includes county data for number of case, positivity rate and vaccination rate. The CDC continues to track per county death data.
Wednesday Is An Escambia Schools Early Release Day. Don’t Forget About The New Times.
November 2, 2021
Parents of Escambia County School District students take note….Wednesday is an early release day and dismissal times have changed since last school year.
Early release days offer teachers and staff the opportunity for professional development, according to the district.
On all early release dates, schools will serve lunch and regular transportation will be provided.
There was previously an early release day on September 22, and there will also be an early release day on January 26. Early release times for each school are below.
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Tate Graduate Serves As Member Of Navy’s Submarine Program
November 2, 2021
A Tate graduate is currently stationed at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, homeport to all East Coast ballistic-missile and guided-missile submarines.
Seaman Paul Ashton, a 2018 Tate High School graduate, joined the Navy almost a year ago.
“Growing up in a big Navy area and hearing my friends, parents and siblings talk about the Navy made me think it would be a great fit for me,” said Ashton.
Today, Ashton serves as a missile technician, whose responsibilities include maintaining and guarding nuclear missiles.
According to Ashton, the values required to succeed in the military are similar to those found in Pensacola.
“I was a Pensacola Beach lifeguard,” said Ashton. “From that, I learned teamwork. Boy Scouts taught me leadership.”
Known as America’s “Silent Service,” the Navy’s submarine force operates a large fleet of technically advanced vessels. These submarines are capable of conducting rapid defensive and offensive operations around the world, in furtherance of U.S. national security.
There are three basic types of submarines: fast-attack submarines (SSN), ballistic-missile submarines (SSBN) and guided-missile submarines (SSGN).
Fast-attack submarines are designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions; and engage in mine warfare.
The Navy’s ballistic-missile submarines, often referred to as “boomers,” serve as a strategic deterrent by providing an undetectable platform for submarine-launched ballistic missiles. SSBNs are designed specifically for stealth, extended patrols and the precise delivery of missiles.
Guided-missile submarines provide the Navy with unprecedented strike and special operation mission capabilities from a stealthy, clandestine platform. Each SSGN is capable of carrying 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles, plus a complement of heavyweight torpedoes to be fired through four torpedo tubes.
As a member of the submarine force, Ashton is part of a rich 121-year history of the U.S. Navy’s most versatile weapons platform, capable of taking the fight to the enemy in the defense of America and its allies.
Serving in the Navy means Ashton is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy contributes to national security by ensuring trade routes are open,” said Ashton. “We also keep people at home protected by ensuring other countries don’t come into ours.”
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through underwater fiber optic, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.
A major component of that maritime security is homeported at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.
“We do two big things here in King’s Bay: we send SSBNs on strategic deterrence patrols and we forward deploy our guided missile submarines overseas,” said Rear Adm. John Spencer, Commander, Submarine Group Ten. “This work is essential to uphold the number one mission of the Navy: strategic deterrence. And this is the only home port for both of these types of submarines on the East Coast.”
Strategic deterrence is the Nation’s ultimate insurance program, and for decades, Kings Bay has been home to Ohio Class SSBN ballistic-missile submarines. Beginning in 2028, the new Columbia Class ballistic-missile submarines will arrive and provide continuous sea-based strategic deterrence into the 2080s.
As Ashton and other sailors continue to train and perform the missions they are tasked with, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy means protecting the people back from home from stuff that they don’t even realize,” added Ashton.
By Megan Brown, Navy Office of Community Outreach. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Amanda Rae Moreno for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Donate Now: Annual Peanut Butter Challenge Is Underway
November 2, 2021
The annual Peanut Butter Challenge is still underway in Escambia County help families in need, and along the way promote peanuts.
The Peanut Butter Challenge, UF/IFAS Extension’s annual jar collection for local food pantries, first launched in the Florida Panhandle in 2012. It has since launched statewide, giving counties the chance to compete for most jars of peanut butter donated. The challenge serves a way to feed hungry families ahead of the holidays and also promotes peanuts grown in Florida.
Unopened jars of peanut butter can be donated at the following locations through November 24:
- Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Escambia County Farm Bureau, 153 Highway 97, Molino
- Escambia County Public Safety, 6575 North W Street
- Holy Cross Episcopal Church, 7979 North Ninth Avenue
- Gilmore Services, 31 East Fairfield Drive
- Escambia County Administration, 221 Palafox Place, 4th Floor
- Pensacola City Hall, 222 West Main Street,
- Holy Spirit Catholic, 10650 Gulf Beach Highway
- Perdido Bay United Methodist Church, 13360 Innerarity Point Road,
- Pensacola Beach Visitors Information, 7 Casino Beach Boardwalk, Pensacola Beach
“We are always impressed and touched by the communities’ grassroots support for this program,” said Libbie Johnson, agricultural agent for UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County and co-organizer of the challenge since its inception. “The peanut industry is a great contributor to our state, but this event also shows how the nutritious food it produces can help our fellow community members who may be struggling.”
In addition to the community donations, the Florida Peanut Producers Association (FPPA) and Florida Peanut Federation (FPF) have partnered with the project for years. These organizations are based in the northwest and northeast peanut-producing regions of the state and will again contribute to the totals distributed to food pantries in those regions.
In the 2020 Peanut Butter Challenge, the first year the event was conducted statewide, participating UF/IFAS Extension county offices received over 27,000 total pounds of peanut butter.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.