Do You Have Money Waiting For You? States Hold Billions In Unclaimed Property
August 3, 2009
You may have money waiting for you and not even know it. Hundreds of North Escambia residents do, as do any area governmental entities.
The Florida Department of Financial Services holds unclaimed accounts valued at more than $1 billion, mostly from dormant accounts in financial institutions, insurance and utility companies, securities and trust holdings. Unclaimed Property also includes tangible property such as jewelry, coins, currency, stamps, historical items and other miscellaneous articles from safe deposit boxes. But most of the time, it is good old American cash (well, really checks).
In spending just a few minutes searching Florida’s unclaimed property site, it is easy to see that hundreds of North Escambia residents are owed money. Money that they can claim simply by asking for it and doing a little simple paperwork.
For some random examples, there are about 40 people in the Century zip code with a last name beginning with “S’ that have money for the asking. Names like Scott, Smith, Stewart, and Stallworth. There are about 15 people with last names that being with “C” in the Molino zip code with unclaimed money…people with last names like Childress, Criswell and Chastang. In the McDavid zip code, almost 30 people with last names that start with “B” have unclaimed funds. There are last names like Bradley, Brown and Burgess on the list.
How do you find out if you have unclaimed money waiting for you in Florida? It’s a free and simple process. Visit www.fltreasurehunt.org and search for your name. Then you fill out a few simple forms to claim your money. The whole process is free; there are no fees involved.
If you are an Alabama resident, or believe you might have unclaimed property in Alabama, you can visit the Alabama State Treasurer’s website.
NorthEscambia.com also discovered that many local governments and entities have funds owed to them that they have not claimed. The Town of Century, Escambia County, the Walnut Hill and Century volunteer fire departments, Molino Utilities and even the Byrneville Community Center all have unclaimed property.
Trial Delayed For Accused Bratt Child Molester
August 3, 2009
Trial has been delayed for a Bratt man charged with allegedly abusing two girls — one just five years old.
Jody Posey, 71, of 7100 North Pine Road, was arrested in early March by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department and charged with three felony child sexual abuse charges. He was scheduled to be tried in front of a jury last week in Escambia County Circuit Court, but that trial has been reset for the last week of September.
Posey was not present in court April 16 as his attorney entered the not guilty plea on Posey’s behalf on all charges. The case has been set for trial July 27.
He was originally held without bond, but Circuit Judge Michael Allen approved a bond reduction request in the case. Posey remains free on $200,000 bond.
A five-year old girl told investigators that Posey had been “massaging her privates”. The molestation allegedly occurred on multiple occasions over some period of time, according to authorities. The most recent molestation reported by the five-year old was January 9. The girl told officials that Posey told her she would go to jail if she told anyone about the incidents.
Posey was also charged for inappropriately touching a now 16-year girl several times over the last few years. Court records show that the ongoing abuse of the now 16-year old occurred from 2002 to 2006 — when the girl was as young as nine years old.
If convicted, Posey faces up to life in prison.
Follow NorthEscambia.com On Twitter
August 3, 2009
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School Board Considers Millage Rate Hike
August 3, 2009
The Escambia County School Board is looking at a millage rate increase that would be the second highest in Florida.
The school board is looking at a millage rate of 7.86, an increase of 0.14. That means a 14 cent increase per $1,000 taxable value — $14 on a $100,000 home.
The millage rate increase will generate an extra $2.1 million toward a $595,778,138.30 budget for fiscal year 2009-2010 for the county’s school system. The board has until September 15 to finalize the budget and can make adjustments until that time.
The board has acknowledged that with declining property values, most people will actually see a decrease in their school taxes even if the millage rate were increased. But those that have seen increase in their property values will face a higher tax burden.
Update: How To Build A Florida Igloo, And Other VBS Stuff
August 3, 2009
Last week, we ran a story about an igloo constructed by a Molino church using over 700 plastic jugs.
We received several comments and lots of email about the igloo, so we thought we’d share photos of the construction process that were emailed to us by Aldersgate United Methodist Church.
As for how the igloo was constructed, church members tell us it is nothing but the plastic gallon milk-type jugs and a lot of hot glue.
The igloo was constructed to be used in the “Polar Bear Snack Express” at Aldersgate’s Campe E.D.G.E. Vacation Bible School that is going on from 5:30 until 8:30 each evening this week at the church, which is located just south of the Highway 29 and Highway 97 intersection in Molino.
“It’s an action-packed, adrenaline-filled expedition that teaches kids how to live on the E.D.G.E. in their faith. Daily adventures with the Bible will introduce kids to characters that have experienced and discovered God in many ways,” Camp E.D.G.E. director Sandra Greenwell said. “We also will have our Camp Sites, Waterfalls, Caves, Butterfly Gardens, Science Labs…and much more.”
Camp E.D.G.E. is free and open to all children from three years to sixth grade.
To see a photo gallery of the igloo construction and other VBS preparations, click here.
Pelicans Flirt With First
August 3, 2009
The Pelicans cruised to a 6-1 victory over the Fort Worth Cats on Sunday, momentarily tying them for first place in the division with Shreveport-Bossier. Randy Beam was fantastic through eight innings, and Ron Hill struck out two in a perfect ninth inning. Dallas Christison had two RBI-singles, two runs scored, and a stolen base as the Pelicans earned a 2-1 series win over the Cats.
The Pelicans prowess began in the bottom of the third with an Adam Darby double. After a ground out, Dallas Christison drove Darby in to score. Christison scored as well on a groundball to the shortstop by Francisco Leandro to give Pensacola a 2-0 advantage.
The Cats cut into the Pelicans’ lead with an Isa Garcia homer to start the fifth. That run would be the only one of the game for the Cats, as Randy Beam handled the Cats for eight innings, yielding just four hits, a walk, and striking out four in his seventh victory of the year.
Pensacola supported their starter the whole game, adding two more runs in the bottom of the fifth frame. Adam Darby led off with a walk and moved to second on an Adam Deleo sacrifice bunt. Dallas Christison hit his second RBI-single of the evening to drive in Darby, and then stole second base. Leandro drove in Dallas to put the Pels up 4-1 after five.
The Pelicans added another pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth when Leandro hit his second single of the night. He scored when Chase Burch followed with a double, and Burch scored on an Antoin Gray base hit to give the Pelicans their sixth and final run.
Ron Hill pitched the ninth and struck out John Allen, induced Michael Bell to fly out to centerfield, and struck out Ryan Patterson to seal the victory.
With the Captains losing the first game in a double-header against Lincoln, Pensacola was tied with the Captains for the division lead at the time of this publication.
Pensacola travels overnight to Grand Prairie to take on the Air Hogs for four games before returning to Pensacola. Fans can follow all the action tomorrow at 6:50 p.m. by tuning to NewsRadio 1620 or going online at SportsJuice.com.
It’s A Wrap: Beauty And The Beast
August 3, 2009
The Greater Escambia County Council for the Arts presented “Beauty and the Beast” this past weekend in Atmore.
The production featured over 70 cast members, several of them from North Escambia — making the show one of the largest the group has ever produced.
The role of Belle was played by Ellen Johnson, the Beast by Allen Rigby, Gaston by John Matthieu, Lefou by Emily Moore, Maurice by Norman Boyd, Lumiere by Perry Jones, Cogsworth by Stephen Billy, Babbette by Miranda Andrews, the Wardrobe by Kris Wood, and D’Arque by Leo Hursh.
More information about the Greater Escambia County Council for the Arts is at www.gecarts.com.Pictured top: A montage of photos from Beauty and the Beast. Pictured below: The show’s cast. Photos by Leonard Hursh, Hursh Photography for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ball Tourney Raises $2,176 For Cancer Patient
August 2, 2009
Organizers are calling a coed softball tournament held Saturday in Walnut Hill a complete success, with $2,176.75 raised for cancer patient Marty Green.
There were seven teams that participated in the tournament at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill.
The tournament winner was All Mixed Up, and Buck Wild. Other teams participating were Sold Out (the Christian Home Freewill Baptist Youth Group), Christian Home Freewill Baptist, Young Guns, High Voltage and Flora-Bama.
Tournament organizers, Northwest Escambia Little League and Northwest Escambia Football, expressed a heartfelt “thanks” to those that participated and volunteered to make the tournament a success.
To read a NorthEscambia.com story about Marty Green from Thursday morning, click here.
Pelicans Rally But Can’t Catch Cats
August 2, 2009
The Pensacola Pelicans couldn’t come back against Fort Worth, losing 7-6 on Saturday night. Though the Pelicans tied the game at six after initially trailing by four runs, the Cats prevailed in the end, scoring the pivotal run in the top of the eighth to end a three-game losing streak.
The Cats scored first in the top of the second inning when Michael Bell doubled to start the frame, and scored on a Ryan Patterson single. The Cats added three more runs in the third inning before the Pelicans could get on the board.
Pensacola broke up the shutout in the bottom of the third inning when Dallas Christison hit a solo bomb for his first home run of the year. Antoin Gray imitated him with a solo homer in the bottom of the fourth (his eleventh) to cut the Cats’ lead to 4-2.
Fort Worth lengthened their lead again in the fifth inning with a John Allen round-tripper. Isa Garcia hit a sacrifice fly to plate Michael Bell and the Cats went back up by four.
The Pelicans rallied for three runs in the sixth. Back to back walks with one out put Gray at second and Rodriguez at first. Lester Contreras drove in Gray with a single, and Adam Darby roped a base hit that scored both Rodriguez and Contreras.
Pensacola actually tied the game when Francisco Leandro came in on a RBI groundout by Rodriguez. However, the Cats’ scored the game winner in the top of the eighth when Brian Fryer tripled and scored on a Patrick O’Sullivan base knock.
The Cats’ 7-6 victory went in the books attributed to Ryan Riddle, with Scott Vander Weg earning the save. Adam Brandenburg took the loss for the Pelicans.
Pensacola and Fort Worth play the rubber-match of the series tomorrow, with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 p.m. The Kids Day warrants free admission to all Kids Club members sporting their Kids Club t-shirts. Randy Beam will throw for Pensacola, and Nat Harris for Fort Worth. All fans who wear their tie-dyed Pelicans t-shirts to the game will receive a free fountain drink. Also, all attendees of a Pelicans’ Camp this year can gain free admission by wearing their camp t-shirts to Sunday’s game.
Time To Think About Fall Tomatoes
August 2, 2009
The tomato is one of the most popular vegetables grown in home gardens. Gulf Coast gardeners revel in the planting of tomato plants in the spring. But unless you have grown hot-set tomatoes or the small fruited cherry and grape varieties, your tomato plants may have stopped setting fruit by mid-summer.
Most tomatoes are sensitive to night temperature. They set fruit best when it is near 70 degrees F. When tomato plants experience night temperatures lower than 55 degrees F or above 75 degrees F, interference with the growth of pollen tubes prevents normal fertilization. The pollen may even become sterile, thus causing the blossoms to drop.
High daytime temperatures, rain, or prolonged humid conditions also hamper good fruit set. If the humidity is too low, the pollen will be too dry and will not adhere to the stigma. If the humidity is too high, the pollen will not shed readily. Pollen grains may then stick together, resulting in poor or nonexistent pollination.
But living along the Gulf Coast does have its advantages. Since our first frosts generally don’t arrive until late November or early December, gardeners can enjoy a fall crop of tomatoes.
Unless spring tomato plants were protected with routine fungicide applications they are probably infested with diseases by now. If the foliage is yellowed and spotted and if production has ceased, it’s best to start over.
Visit area nurseries to find out what transplants are available. For the adventuresome, try some unusual varieties by starting them from seed, which can be ordered from specialty tomato seed companies.
Move to a new spot in the garden for your fall planting. You are asking for trouble if you plant tomatoes in the same spot more than once. If you know that your have nematodes or soil-borne diseases, try growing your tomatoes in a container with fresh potting media.
Of course, it’s important to prepare beds properly before planting this next crop of tomatoes. To do that, clear the site of all weeds or finished vegetable plants. Spread a 2-inch to 4-inch layer of organic matter (leaves, grass clippings, aged manure or compost can be used) over the soil. Turn the soil with a shovel, fork or tiller to a depth of at least 8 inches. This helps to maintain a high level of organic matter in the soil, which encourages a strong, healthy root system, improves drainage, retains moisture, provides nutrients and promotes vigorous plant growth. Be sure to wait a couple of weeks prior to planting if organic matter has been added.
By this time of year, insects and diseases have had all summer to build up their populations, and insects such as whiteflies, stink bugs, aphids and caterpillars are commonly seen. Since insect and disease pressure often is greater in the late summer/early fall than in the spring, watch plants carefully for problems and use appropriate control measures promptly when needed.
The key to heavy fall production is timing. The idea is to have healthy plants that are flowering as our night temperatures begin to gradually drop. If fall conditions are agreeable, it is possible to have fresh vine ripened tomatoes in December.
Fall vegetable gardening is not limited to tomatoes. Both sweet and hot pepper plants produce well if set out at about the same time. Other warm season vegetables can be started from seed in August. These include snap beans, lima beans, cucumbers, southern peas and summer squash.