Employee Airlifted To Burn Center After Accident At Ascend Performance Materials
July 1, 2020
One person was airlifted to a burn center following an accident Tuesday at Ascend Performance Materials on Old Chemstrand Road, according to Escambia County.
The injured employe was transported to the University of South Alabama Burn Center in Mobile by LifeFlight helicopter.
A spokesperson for Ascend confirmed that one employee was transported to the hospital, but did not offer specific details about the nature of the accident.
“I can confirm there was no chemical release outside of our plant. Our community members were not in danger,” Ascend Vice President of Global Communications and External Affairs told NorthEscambia.com in an email.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Cofounder Of Pensacola Christian College, Camp O’ The Pines, Passes Away
July 1, 2020
Beka Horton, the cofounder of Pensacola Christian College, has passed away at age 90.
“She was known for her dedication to Christian education and ministry, her significant role in PCC’s history, and her deep love for God and His truth,” the college said in announcing her death.
When the Hortons came to Pensacola in 1952 to start a small Christian school, they never dreamed how greatly their outreach would be enlarged. Throughout 60 years of ministry in Pensacola, Dr. Horton worked alongside her husband Dr. Arlin Horton in vital support and complement to his leadership.
In 1954, the Hortons founded what is now known as Pensacola Christian Academy (PCA).
“Rebekah Horton took a lead role in the curriculum development and instructional design used at PCA and became a vital contributor to the education and spiritual encouragement of countless area residents,” the college said.
Other Christian schools used the materials printed through the textbook publishing company that bears her name: Abeka Book.
The popular local summer camp, Camp o’the Pines in McDavid, was established under the Hortons’ leadership, where Rebekah Horton was once a cabin leader and program director.
In 1974, Pensacola Christian College was founded where Beka Horton served as Senior Vice President. She and her husband retired in 2012.
The funeral service were held in PCC’s Crowne Centre on Wednesday, July 1.
Century Considers New Franchise Fees And Agreements With Gulf Power and EREC
July 1, 2020
The Town of Century is considering new franchise fee agreements with Gulf Power and Escambia River Electric Cooperative.
In 1994, the franchise fees for both utilities were increased from 3% to 5%, and now in 2020 the council can legally raise the fee to as much as 6%.
While the franchise fee is technically charged to the utility, both Gulf Power and EREC tell NorthEscambia.com that they pass the full cost of the fee on to their customers.
The town council held a workshop this week on the franchise fees. The council will be required to approve the franchise agreements at a future meeting.
No Wahoos Ball This Year; Minor League Baseball Season Officially Canceled.
July 1, 2020
The Minor League Baseball season has been canceled for 2020.
“These are unprecedented times for our country and our organization as this is the first time in our history that we’ve had a summer without Minor League Baseball played,” said Minor League Baseball President & CEO Pat O’Conner. “While this is a sad day for many, this announcement removes the uncertainty surrounding the 2020 season and allows our teams to begin planning for an exciting 2021 season of affordable family entertainment.”
“It’s unfortunate and saddening that there will not be Blue Wahoos baseball at Blue Wahoos Stadium this season. However, the health and safety of our community is our number one priority, and we fully support the efforts by Major and Minor League Baseball to keep fans, players, and staff safe in communities throughout America,” the Pensacola Blue Wahoos said in a statement. “We will continue to be creative and innovative to create affordable, family-friendly stadium events to allow our fans to continue to enjoy unforgettable ballpark moments safely at Blue Wahoos Stadium until Blue Wahoos baseball is able to return.”
The Blue Wahoos will respond to questions about tickets, sponsorships and group outings at the Blue Wahoos Stadium on a case-by-base basis. For more information, email tickets@BlueWahoos.com or call (850) 934-8444.
Highland Baptist Produce Distribution Planned For Wednesday Has Been Canceled
June 30, 2020
A produce distribution that was planned for Wednesday at Highland Baptist Church in Molino has been canceled.
The giveaway was canceled due to unforeseen circumstances with the produce vendor. Church officials said they hope to be back with a free produce distribution next week.
If your church or other non-profit organization is holding a free food distribution in the North Escambia area, let us know in advance at news@northescambia.com.
Rural Mail Carrier Flips Vehicle While Delivering Mail On Dirt Road
June 30, 2020
A rural mail carrier flipped her vehicle while delivering mail on a dirt road midday Tuesday in the Walnut Hill area.
She lost control of her Jeep Grand Cherokee while southbound on South Pineville Road just over a mile south of Arthur Brown Road. The vehicle flipped, coming to rest upside down on the roadway. She was not injured.
Arrangements were made for the remainder of the mail in the vehicle to be delivered.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click toe enlarge.
Walnut Hill Man Charged For Alleged Sexual Relationship With Juvenile Girl
June 30, 2020
A Walnut Hill man is facing felony charges for an alleged sexual relationship with a juvenile female.
Joshua Edward Vihnanek, age 24 of Rockaway Creek Road, was charged with two felony counts of lewd or lascivious battery on a victim age 12-16 and one felony count of cruelty toward a child for transmission of harmful materials to a minor.
The victim told investigators that she was involved in a sexual relationship with Vihnanek between February 1 and April 25 of this year, with multiple incidents of sexual contact at locations that included his residence and car, according to an arrest report.
She said Vihnanek sent her an inappropriate photo of himself on Snapchat and asked for nude photos of her, but she did not comply, the report continues.
A search of his phone found several photographs and videos depicting the girl and “Vihnanek kissing or laying in what appeared to be a bed”,” according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
Vihnanek’s statements to investigators were redacted from the arrest report.
He remained in the Escambia County Jail Tuesday afternoon. His bond was increased to $250,000.
U.S. Treasury Approves RESTORE Plan For Beulah Master Plan, Century Wastewater Plant, Eleven Mile Creek Restoration And Other Projects
June 30, 2020
The U.S. Treasury Department has approved Escambia County’s plan for 11 RESTORE funding projects totaling $15.8 million.
Escambia County staff will begin submitting the individual project grant applications to the U.S. Treasury Department for final approval and release of funds.
Projects include:
Beulah Master Plan
$300,000 to develop a master plan for the Beulah area
Escambia County will procure the services of an urban/land-use planning firm to develop a master plan for approximately 30,000 acres in the Beulah community of Escambia County. The master plan will be based on the University of West Florida HAAS Center Citizen Survey, an existing conditions analysis, technical analysis, and on stakeholder engagement and community participation.
The Beulah Master Plan will establish a vision for allowing for the continued growth in the area while preserving the quality of life and sense of place enjoyed by the current residents. The final deliverable will be a master plan and/or zoning overlay district and implementation plan, dependent on the technical guidance provided by the procured consultant and concurrence provided by Escambia County Developmental Services staff.
The Beulah community has experienced extensive growth resulting from improved economic conditions and the expansion of Navy Federal Credit Union’s Beulah campus, which is expected to employ over 10,000 people by 2022. Subdivision development orders in Beulah have increased exponentially, with 7,000 residences permitted for development since 2010. Beulah does not currently have a master plan nor zoning overlay district to effectively plan or manage growth. Development of the Beulah Master Plan will balance the highest and best land uses of the subject area with the needs of the County, region, and the Beulah community in creating a plan for sustaining growth while preserving the character of the community.
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Town of Century Wastewater Improvements
$500,000 to design and permit repairs to Century’s failing wastewater treatment facility
The wastewater treatment and collection system has fallen into disrepair as the town has struggled financially for the last decade to keep pace with maintenance and replacement activities.
Direct Component funds will be utilized to fund planning, design, and permitting associated with wastewater treatment and collection system improvements, including lift station, treatment plant, and piping repairs and replacements.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has strict requirements for the proper operation and maintenance of the utility system, and Century is responsible for meeting these requirements. Funding design and permitting of wastewater treatment and collection system improvements will allow the town to work with FDEP to secure funding to implement the improvements from the State’s Revolving Loan Fund as a rural, disadvantaged community.
Eleven Mile Creek Restoration
$1,268,800 to for improvements along the creek
The Eleven Mile Creek Stream Restoration project will provide expansion of the creek’s buffers, restore natural habitat, and improve water quality in Eleven Mile Creek and Perdido Bay. Additionally, it will mitigate coastal flooding, protect valuable public infrastructure, and repair existing nonfunctional stormwater infrastructure.
Restoration and expansion of the floodplain, restoration of wetlands, reduction in invasive species, and reestablishment of riparian buffers will increase wildlife habitats as well as provide flood protection for Bristol Park, Bristol Creek, and Ashbury Hills neighborhoods and surrounding areas. With a 40 acre floodplain expansion, an estimated 160 homes will be protected from flooding.
OTHER PROJECTS:
- Pensacola International Airport Campus Extension — $1.524 million, replaces OLF8 Master Plan on funding request
- Perdido Bay Boat Ramp — $2.5 million for the construction of a boat ramp
- Brownsville Community Center Renovation — $300,000 to renovate the interior and exterior, add incubator retail space
- CRA Community Center – $500,000 for a community center in a yet to be determined CRA but likely in the Palafox CRA
- CRA Economic Development Program -- $1.5 million to institute the complete streets program in CRAs
- Little Sabine Bay Restoration Program – $2 million for a multi-tiered restoration effort
- SOAR with Restore – $900,000 for an Escambia County workforce development program that will provide training in underserved communities.
- Perdido Key Multi-Use Path — $4.5 million to fund the construction of about one mile of the east segment of path.
Pictured top: The Century Wastewater Treatment Facility, NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge. Pictured below: The Navy Federal campus in Beulah.
Pensacola Man Charged In Shots Fired Burglary In Walnut Hill
June 30, 2020
A Pensacola man was arrested following a shots fired burglary in Walnut Hill on Sunday.
Edward DeWayne Broxson, 56, was charged with burglary of a residence and criminal mischief. He was later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $3,000 bond.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shots fired disturbance in the 8100 block of Highway 97, near Wiggins Lake Road, and received a report that the suspect wearing black shorts was walking south.
Deputies arrived in the area to find Broxson on a Highway 97 bridge, wearing black shorts. He told deputies that he had just been pistol-whipped at a nearby residence. Broxon wa detained and transported back to the residence.
The victim told deputies he saw an unidentified vehicle at his residence, next to a vacant residence that was the former home of his grandmother. The victim said when he arrived, he fired a warning shot, at which time Broxson came out of the house begging him not to shoot. The two got into a physical altercation, and Broxson was able to escape when his shirt was pulled off, an arrest report states.
“That man was in my house and had no business being there,” the victim told deputies, according to the report. Deputies found that a window on the back of the residence had been knocked out.
Broxson’s statements to law enforcement were redacted from his arrest report.
There were no injuries.
DeSantis Vetoes Millions For Escambia, Santa Rosa Projects – Including The Bluffs In Cantonment, Jay Park Plan
June 30, 2020
When Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Florida’s $92.2 billion budget Monday, over $1 billion was vetoed as the state prepares to deal with budget shortfalls due to COVID-19.
Millions that had been included in the budget by the Legislature for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties were slashed, including projects in Cantonment and Jay.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY BUDGET CUTS
The Bluffs In Cantonment
One of the cuts by DeSantis was a $750,000 transportation project for The Bluffs in Cantonment.
Announced in late 2015, The Bluffs was envisioned as the home of up to 60 new industrial and manufacturing companies and more than 15,000 jobs. The 6,000 acre master-planned development area includes about 1,700 acres of land that can be developed in an area east of Highway 29 bordered by the Escambia River to the east, Becks Lake Road near International Paper to the north, and the University of West Florida to the south.
The $750,000 would have funded an entrance for The Bluffs at the intersection of New Chemstrand Road, Old Chemstrand Road, Emerald Coast Utilities Authority’s entrance drive, and the Ascend Performance Materials entrance.
Other Escambia County cuts were:
- University of West Florida Office of Economic Development and Engagement ($1.3 million)
- Pensacola State College – Trucking Workforce Development ($500,000)
- Southern Youth Sports Association – Pensacola Community Center Building ($300,000)
- UWF Specialized Degrees for Firefighters ($158,000)
- Brain Bag Early Literacy Program ($50,000)
SANTA ROSA COUNTY BUDGET CUTS
In Santa Rosa County cuts included a master plan for the park in Jay.
Town of Jay – Bray Hendricks Park Master Plan
DeSantis cut $300,000 for the Bray Hendricks Park Master Plan in the Town of Jay.
The 39-year old park is in critical need of updated sports surfaces and support capabilities to place the park in compliance with ADA requirements. The master plan includes one competition softball field, four regulation baseball fields, three tee-ball fields, four tennis courts, a basketball court, a combination soccer/football field, a children’s splash pad, a playground, an accessory concession building, and ADA compliant bathrooms.
Other Santa Rosa County projects that were cut from the budget were:
- Pea Ridge Connector ($750,000)
- Milton North Santa Rosa Regional Water Reclamation Facility ($500,000)
- Navarre Beach Pierce Saber Fire Pumper ($500,000)
- Holley-Navarre Fire District ($500,000)
- Santa Rosa County Santa Monica Street Paving ($100,000)