Time Is Running Out To Save Before Driver’s License, Tag Fees Double
August 30, 2009
Time is running out to renew your tag or driver’s license before the fees more than double next week.. The fees for vehicle registrations, renewals, titles and driver licenses are all going up, some more than double, on Tuesday.
So many people tried to avoid the fee increase on Friday that Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles computer systems crashed. Tax Collector Janet Holley’s office issued rain checks to those unable to renew due to the computer problems, and they will do the same on Monday. The rain checks are good for the current lower fees until September 10.
The initial registration fee – the fee paid for a vehicle registration on an additional vehicle not replacing a current vehicle — will jump from $100 to $225.
Tag and registration fees will go up as much as 66 percent; the exact amount depends on the weight of the vehicle. Transfer fees for titles will more than double from $29.75 to $75.75. Motorcycle registrations will also increase, from $24.60 to $41.65.
Reinstating a suspended driver license will increase, late payment fees on driver license renewals go up 15-fold, from $1 to $15, and the cost of the original driver license will go from $32.25 to $54.25. Renewing a driver license goes from $25.25 to $54.25.
But there’s a chance to avoid some of the fee increases for some Florida residents.
If a registrant’s birthday falls between August through November, they can renew by Monday at the current rates. Persons with December birthdays will not have the opportunity to renew early and save.
“There’s that chance for some people to renew now and save,” Escambia County Tax Collector Janet Holley said. “It is like a two-for-one deal if you can renew now and you do.”
Holley stressed that the increases were mandated by the state legislature for all Florida residents; the increases are not specific to Escambia County.
There is also a chance to save on the driver license renewal fees. A valid Florida driver license can be renewed up to 18 months in advance.
For more information, contact Holley’s office at (850) 438-6500 ext. 252.
NWE Football Takes On Pace (With Photo Galleries)
August 30, 2009
The 2009 regular season for Northwest Escambia Football got underway Saturday with two wins and a loss for NWE against the Pace Patriots.
The NWE Mites shutout Pace Blue. Luke Ward rushed for a touchdown, and Jarrod Aliff hit the end zone for the point after for the NWE Eagles.
The Northwest Escambia Midgets beat Pace Blue 18-12, and the NWE Mini-mites fell to pace 26-18.
Northwest Escambia will be off on Saturday, September 5 and back in action on September 12 at Myrtle Grove.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from NWE Mites game, click here.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the NWE Midgets game, click here.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery of the NWE cheerleaders, click here.
Pictured above and below: Action from the NWE Mites game against Pace Saturday at Ernest Ward Middle School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Residents Check Out The Pels’ Big Win
August 30, 2009
A caravan of fans from a Molino church were at Pelicans Park Friday night as the Pels won the 2009 Second Half South Division Championship with an 8-3 win over the Shreveport Captains. The fans from Aldersgate United Methodist Church were among nearly 2,300 fans to see the Pensacola Pelicans clinch a playoff spot, the first for the Pels since 2005.
Pictured top: Pensacola Pelicans fans from Molino at a Friday night Pels game. Pictured bottom: Aldersgate United Methodist Church youth Zach Glenn and Julian Satterwhite got many signatures from the champs. Submitted photos by Sandra Greenwell for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Another Area Chicken Tests Positive For West Nile
August 30, 2009
Another sentinel chicken in Escambia County, Ala., has tested positive for West Nile Virus — this time in the Atmore area.
The Escambia County (Ala.) Health Department announced that a sentinel chicken from the Atmore area has tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). Previously this summer the virus was detected in the Riverview, Pollard and Brewton areas. Ongoing public health surveillance has detected no mosquito-borne virus activity in humans in Escambia County (Ala.) this year.
“With summer in full swing and many people enjoying outdoor activities, it is important that residents make efforts to reduce their exposure to mosquitoes,” said Escambia County (Ala.) Health Department Environmentalist Josh Coleman. “Keep your mosquito repellent wit h you at all times when you are working or participating in recreational activities outdoors.”
West Nile virus, EEE and other mosquito-borne viruses are transmitted from bird to mosquito to bird. Occasionally, the same mosquitoes will take blood from mammals, including humans and horses. Humans and horses can sometimes become ill from the infection. The likelihood of transmission to humans and horses can be decreased by personal mosquito avoidance and the use of WNV and EEE vaccine in horses. There is no vaccine available for humans, health officials said.
Larvicide briquettes are available free to Escambia County (Ala.) residents for application in low-lying areas that retain water and ornamental ponds. These briquettes are available at the county health department in Brewton at 1115 Azalea Place and in Atmore at 8600 Highway 31 N.
Photos: Flomaton Beats Calhoun
August 30, 2009
Calhoun was no match at all for the Flomaton Hurricane in their season opener Friday night. The Canes blew past Calhoun 48-0 in Flomaton. Flomaton kept the scorekeeper busy in the first, taking an 27-0 lead heading into the second.
Click here for more photos submitted by Mike Newton Photography.
The Canes were led by Niko Robinson with two TD’s, including a 17-yarder on the game’s second play. Robinson had 94 yards on only five carries. He also had a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Ryheem Bixon had 83 yards on the night on a half dozen carries — including a five-yard touchdown run.
The Hurricanes will be under the lights at Hurricane Field next Friday night against Red Level.
Click here for more photos from Mike Newton Photography.
Pictured above: Action as Flomaton beat Calhoun Friday night. Submitted photo by Mike Newton Photography for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Several Churches Plan Singings, Joint Meetings And Fun Today
August 30, 2009
There are several special events at North Escambia area churches today, ranging from fifth Sunday night singings, to joint gatherings with ice cream to a family fun day.
Several churches from North Escambia will gather at Cottage Hill United Methodist Church on Williams Ditch Road at 6:30 Sunday, August 30 for a time of fellowship, singing and ice cream. Churches that will be participating are Cottage Hill, McDavid ,Byrneville, Lathram Chapel, Farm Hill, Allen Memorial, Aldersgate and New Hope United Methodist. All are welcome to come and enjoy the fellowship.
The Walnut Hill Church of God in Christ invites everyone to be a part of a Family and Friends Day to begin at 3:00 Sunday afternoon. The church is located at 52 North Cypress Street in Walnut Hill.
A Fifth Sunday Night Singing will take place at Highland Baptist Church in Molino with the Strings of Praise violin ensemble. The singing begins at 4:30 and a covered dish supper will follow.
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church will hold a Fifth Sunday Night Singing at 5 p.m. The featured singers will be the Hendersons and the Chastang Family. Refreshments will follow in the church fellowship hall.
Benefit Lunch Today In Davisville For Leukemia Patient
August 29, 2009
A benefit lunch will be held today for a local man that is battling leukemia.
Dry Springs Community Church will hold a hamburger and hotdog cookout for Buddy Crews today at the Davisville Community Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch plates will be $5.
For more information, contact Kim at (850) 712-6588 or Melinda at (850) 327-6271. Mr. Crews in UAB Hospital undergoing treatment for leukemia.
Felon Busted Saturday Morning; Friday Walnut Hill Manhunt Turns Up Empty
August 29, 2009
Early Saturday morning, deputies arrested the wanted felon they were unable to find when a manhunt in Walnut Hill turned up empty Friday afternoon.
Michael Lydell Syria, 41, of Juniper Street, Walnut Hill, is now behind bars on felony burglary, criminal mischief and petty theft charges related to a recent burglary on Arthur Brown Road. He is being held on $11,500 bond.
When an Escambia County deputy spotted Syria outside a home on Juniper Street Friday early Friday afternoon, Syria headed for the woods.
About a half dozen deputies set up a perimeter while tracking dogs from Century Correctional Institution and the Escambia County Road Prison were brought in to search for Syria. They followed his scent in and around Juniper Street and nearby Cypress Street and Arthur Brown Road, but they were unable to locate the suspect.
Pictured above: Tracking dogs were brought in Friday afternoon in Walnut Hill to look for a wanted felon. Pictured below: Deputies set up a perimeter to look for Syria. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Wanted Cantonment Man Behind Bars
August 29, 2009
The Cantonment man wanted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in connection with several violent crimes is behind bars.
Michael Harris, 52, was booked into the Escambia County Jail early Saturday morning on charges in connection with a July 2009 home invasion. He is facing charges of kidnapping a child under 13, sexual battery and home invasion robbery with a deadly weapon. Harris allegedly used knife in the home invasion.
Harris is being held on $75,000 bond.
On Tuesday, the sheriff’s office turned to the public and asked for help in find Harris, who was considered to be armed and dangerous.
Northview Grad Won’t Face Charges Over Accident That Killed Two Pedestrians
August 29, 2009
A Northview graduate will not face criminal charges in connection with a February 26 crash in Cantonment that killed three pedistrians, but he is facing a civil suit filed by a family member of one of the deceased.
The Florida Highway Patrol says a vehicle driven by Matthew Thomas Zisa, 18, of McDavid, was traveling northbound on County Road 95A near Countri Lane and was passing northbound traffic when he failed to notice six pedestrians walking northbound in the southbound lane of the road. Zisa’s 2003 Chevrolet struck three of the pedestrians, killing two of them.
The FHP said that Zisa has been cleared of any criminal wrongdoing in the case and will not face any charges.
The driver being passed by Zisa, John Middleton, told WEAR-TV in an interview, “I was going about the speed limit. They tried to pass me, so I sped up a little bit. They fell back behind me. Then they come around me one more time, and that’s when the accident happened.” Middleton also told the TV station that he went home after the crash and returned about 30 minutes later.
The FHP says Rachel L. Welford, 16 and Jeremy Lee Shipley, 24, sustained fatal injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene. Johnathan M. Kane, 20, was seriously injured and was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital by LifeFlight. He has since been released from the hospital.
Welford; Shipley; Kane; Jeremy Davidson, 19; Rachel’s sister Jennifer Welford, 15; and Micah Orr, 18, were walking from a home on El Camino Drive to the nearby Tom Thumb that sits between Highway 95A and Highway 29 when they were struck from behind.
Susan Welford filed an auto negligence lawsuit against Zisa in Escambia County Circuit Court recently seeking unspecified damages for the death of her daughter, Rachel Welford. The suit also names Middleton, the man being passed by Zisa at the time of the crash.
Members of the group said Friday that they never saw Zisa’s headlights, never heard a horn, and never heard tires squealing. They said they were just walking toward the store, and, the next thing they knew, three members of the group were hit by Zisa’s Chevrolet Blazer.
Zisa is a 2008 graduate of Northview High School.
Pictured top: Matthew Zisa’s Chevrolet Blazer is seen is this photo courtesy WEAR for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.