Many Alabama Fireworks Are Illegal In Florida
July 2, 2009
North Escambia residents often head across the state line into Alabama to purchase fireworks, but Florida Division of the State Fire Marshal says that many of the fireworks available in Alabama are actually illegal in Florida.
The only fireworks products that are legal in Florida should bear the words “emits a fountain or shower of sparks”, according to the Fire Marshal’s office. Aerial devices — those that fly — are all illegal, as are fireworks that explode. The State Fire Marshal’s approved sparkler list can be found by clicking here.
The following fireworks safety tips are from Escambia County Fire Rescue:
• Observe local laws.
• The best way to enjoy fireworks is to visit public fireworks displays put on by professionals who know how to safely handle fireworks.
• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• Parents should pay special attention to older children using sparklers and remember that sparklers can easily ignite clothing. Children should not touch the lit portion of sparklers, throw them or play games with them. Sparklers can be dangerous, if used improperly.
• Read and follow all warnings and instructions.
• Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks. Never shoot a firework at or near another person.
• Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves, and flammable materials.
• Never try to relight fireworks that have not fully functioned. Douse and soak them for at least 15 minutes with water and throw them away.
• Keep a bucket of water handy in case of a malfunction or fire.
• Never ignite fireworks in a container, especially a glass or metal container.
• Keep unused fireworks away from firing areas.
• Store fireworks in a dry, cool place. Check instructions for special storage directions.
• Never have any portion of your body directly over a firework while lighting.
• Don’t experiment with homemade fireworks.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, in 2005, fireworks caused an estimated 1,800 structure fires and 700 vehicle fires. In 2006, an estimated 9,200 people were treated for firework related injuries, with 49 percent of the injuries were to the extremities and 46 percent to the head.
Pictured above: Many people in North Escambia purchase fireworks at stands in Alabama, like this one in Flomaton. Many of the fireworks available at fireworks retailers in Alabama are actually illegal in Florida. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Follow EREC On Facebook
July 2, 2009
Escambia River Electric Cooperative is turning to Facebook as another way to stay connected to EREC members and the community.
“In an effort to keep members and friends of EREC informed of the latest events, industry news and energy efficiency practices affecting EREC and its members, EREC has joined Facebook,” said Sabrina Owens, EREC’s marketing director. “As your energy provider, EREC will use Facebook as an avenue to stay connected with its members.”
Facebook is a social utility that connects people with friends and others who work, study and live around them. People use Facebook to keep up with friends, upload an unlimited number of photos, post links and videos, and learn more about the people they meet.
To join EREC on Facebook, click here.
Five Nominated For County Judge Job
July 2, 2009
A list of five nominees has been presented to Gov. Charlie Crist to fill a vacant county court judge position in Escambia County.
The names Tom Dannheisser, Michelle A. Inere, Fred T. Ratchford, Jr., David Rimmer and John Simon have been submitted by the Judicial Nominating Commission for the First Judicial Circuit for the open seat on the bench created by the retirement of Judge G.J. Roark, III.
Gov. Crist has 60 days from the time he receives the names to name his appointment.
Sheriff Unveils Plan To Ticket Escambia Kids
July 1, 2009
Tuesday, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department announced their plan to ticket kids — for making the right choices and helping others in need.
Beginning next week, deputies will issue “citations of right-doing” to children when they are caught in the act of doing good deeds. The citations can be redeemed for a free kid’s meal at Chili’s restaurant and for a free Orange Crush at any local Tom Thumb.
Pictured above and below: A program to ticket children in Escambia County for doing good deeds was announced Tuesday by Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan.
Local Residents Arrested After Drug Task Force Raid
July 1, 2009
Two people have been arrested on narcotics charges following the execution of a drug task force search warrant in Canoe, Alabama, just a short distance across the state line from North Escambia.
Scottie Ladon Smith, 39, and Marilyn Natasha Satterwhite, 34, were arrested by the 21st Judicial Drug Task Force at a residence in Canoe. During the execution of the search warrant, task force agents said they recovered methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Both Smith and Satterwhite were booked into the Escambia County (Ala.) Detention Center on charges of unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
The search warrant was executed by the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Department, the Atmore Police Department, and agents from the Baldwin County Narcotics Unit. Task force agents said that the arrests were part of an ongoing investigation.
Smith is currently awaiting trial in Escambia County, Florida, for the October 2008 shooting of Jedd Jackson Grimes near Bratt. Grimes was discovered shot in car outside the EMS substation in Century the night of October 20. Smith was arrested later that night for the shooting that at Smith’s residence on Highway 168 in Bratt. He was charged with aggravated battery and shooting into the vehicle.
Convicted Sex Offender Arrested Near Flomaton Preschool
July 1, 2009
A convicted sexual offender has been arrested in Flomaton for allegedly being too close to a daycare.
Dwight Anthony Dixon, 39, of Flomaton was arrested on felony sex offender charge Monday by Flomaton Police.
Flomaton Police Chief Tim R. Hardage said that a local resident recognized Dixon from a photograph and reported to police that Dixon was employed at a local store.
A subsequent investigation revealed that Dixon was in fact employed at the Sidney Manning Blvd. convenience store, and that the store was located 778 feet of a preschool facility, the police chief said. Records revealed Dixon had been employed at the local business from March until the present, Hardage said.
“Under Alabama Law , Title 15-20-26, a registered sex offender is not allowed to live or be employed in certain area. Those areas include within 2,000 feet of a school or preschool and violation of this law is a felony,” according to Hardage.
Dixon was convicted in 2003 for solicitation sexual battery of minor. According to records from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Escambia (Fla.) County Circuit Court, the incident occurred in Escambia, County Florida, and the victim was a 15 year old male.
Hardage says that there are currently ten registered sex offenders living in Flomaton, and names of those convicted for sexual related offenses, details of the crime and a picture of each offender is available at community.dps.alabama.gov.
Lots Of New Laws In Florida
July 1, 2009
A total of 160 new laws went into effect Wednesday in Florida, including a laws that deal with cigarette taxes, pharmacies and a property insurance increase.
Here are dozen of the new laws that started July 1 in Florida:
- Cigarette Tax Increase. A $1 per pack increase in the tax on a pack of cigarettes. It will provide an estimated $900 million for cancer research and Medicaid expenses. Cigars are exempt, but all other tobacco products like cigarettes, and pipe and smokeless tobacco are included.
- Pill Database. A law covering a database of addictive prescription drugs goes into effect. The Department of Health actually has until October 2010 to issue guidelines on how to use the database to doctors and clinic.s
- Property Insurance Rate Increase. Citizens Property Insurance can now raise rates 10 percent beginning January 1, 2010, and another 10 percent each year for at least the next five years. Private insurers will also find it easier to implement rate increase up to 10 percent under the new law.
- KidCare. The waiting period to enroll children under 18 into the state subsidized Florida Kidcare program has been reduced from six months to two. There are more than 1.5 million children in the program. A family of four with income less than $44,000 would qualify for the program. Copayments are just $10 to $20per month.
- Property Tax Appeals. It is now easier to challenge the county’s assessed value on your property. Instead of you proving the government wrong, now the government has to prove that they are right. More taxpayers are expected to have an easier time winning their appeals.
- Bright Futures. A major cut in the Bright Futures scholarship program begins today. Instead of paying all of the tutition expenses for deserving Florida students, the program will now pay just $95 to $125 per semester hour. The end result: Most Bright Futures scholarship students will now be paying thousands of dollars more for college.
- No Crash Tax. A new law prohibits counties from charging fees for police or other emergency response to crash scenes.
- Phone Rates. Phone companies can now raise their rates up to 10 percent per year, no questions asked. The Public Service Commissions says that competition will keep phone rates from skyrocketing.
- School Textbooks. Lose an old school textbook? You will now have to pay full price for the book, regardless of how old or damaged it might have been.
- Burial At School? Florida universities can now opt to create a location on campus to store the ashes of deceased alumni.
- Zero Tolerance At School. Schools no longer have to report “petty” misdemeanors to law enforecement. Stealing lunch money and rolling campus with toilet paper will no longer mean a police record.
- Tougher Sex Registry Rules. New rules say that sex offenders and predators must provide home and cell phone numbers when the register for the state’s database.
Tri-County All-Stars Win 10-11 Year Softball Championship
July 1, 2009
The Tri-County All-Stars picked up the 10-11 year old tournament crown in Defuniak Springs Tuesday with a strong win.
Tri-County won the 10-11 Year Old Florida District 1 Softball Championship with a 16-0 shutout over Defuniak Springs. Tri-County was led by Michaela Stewart on the mound. Samantha Steadham had an in-park home run, and a triple from Dana Blackmon helped seal the strong win.
Tri-County will advance to the sectional tournament on July 18 at Defuniak Springs.
Pictured above and below: Thee 10-11 Year Old Tri-County All-Stars won the District 1 Championship Tuesday night in Defuniak Springs. Photos by Ricky Tagert for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NWE Wins In 11-12 Softball, Tri-County Falls To Niceville
July 1, 2009
(Updated With More Photos) In Tuesday night All-Star games, NWE beat Niceville in 11-12 year old play in Destin; and Tri-County lost in Jay.
NWE Advances In 11-12 Softball Tournament
Northwest Escambia shutout Niceville 7-0 Tuesday night in the 11-12 Year Old All-Star District 1 Tournament in Destin to advance to the next round Thursday night.
Mallory Ryan pitched six innings for NWE with seven strikeouts and no walks. Scoring for NWE were Ryan, Kendall Cobb, Kyndall Hall (2), Madison Arrington, Danielle Steadham and Reagan Bell.
Tri-County Falls in 11-12 Baseball Tournament
In the 11-12 year old All-Star Tournament in Jay Tuesday night, Niceville-National downed Tri-County 13-0 and RL Turner beat Defuniak Springs 16-10.
Pictured above: The Northwest Escambia 11-12 Year Old All-Stars Tuesday night in Destin. Submitted photo by Kim Ryan for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Special thanks to Kim Ryan and Tony deGraaf for their assistance with this story.
Church Signs Stolen For A Second Time
June 30, 2009
For the second time, someone has stolen signs belonging to a Molino church advertising their Vacation Bible School.
Thursday night, Highland Baptist Church members placed 10 signs, valued at a total of $250, at locations from Highway 97 to Barrineau Park Road — including signs in private yards and at the church. Friday night, someone stole all of the signs.
A church member had 10 signs reprinted Monday, and they were once again placed around Molino. Tuesday morning. church member discovered that they had been stolen again.
Highland had set a goal of 200 enrolled in VBS. For their first night Monday, 225 enrolled in the week-long program. Church members attributed the high number partially to coverage and advertisements on NorthEscambia.com and a discussion of the NorthEscambia.com story on WXBM 102.7 radio’s morning show.
Anyone with information on this crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at 436-9620.
To read our original story from Sunday about the first set of stolen signs, click here.