Free Thanksgiving Lunch Planned For Area Seniors
November 15, 2010
The annual Community Thanksgiving Luncheon for senior citizens will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at Beulah Chapel Assembly of God at 2311 Highway 4A in Byrneville.
There will be lots of good food, fun and fellowship. Door prizes will be awarded. All senior citizens in the Byrneville Community are invited to attend.
Team Depot Volunteers For Century Care Center
November 15, 2010
Home Depot’s Team Depot recently donated their time and money to build an outdoor potting bench for the residents at Century Care Center. The bench is custom built for use by Century Care residents in wheelchairs. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Alice Joyce Rolin
November 14, 2010
Alice Joyce Rolin, 76 of Atmore died Saturday November 13, 2010 in Pensacola. She was retired from Winn Dixie as a cashier, born in Mobile on May 17, 1934, to the late Olivette and Leona Grissett Taylor.
She was a member of the Red Hat Club of Atmore.
She is preceded in death by a stepson Randy Rolin and a brother Buddy Taylor.
Survivors are her husband, Wilbert Rolin; one son Michael Wayne Blackburn and wife Kathy of Atmore; three daughters, Paula Faye Hall and husband Terry, Linda McCall and husband Thomas of Atmore, Patricia Jo Burr and husband Allen of Frisco City; two stepdaughters, JoAnn Hiebert and Patricia Ann Rolin both of Atmore; three brothers, Sonny Taylor of Ill., Tommy Ray Taylor of Atmore, Lavon Taylor; two sisters, Euince Morgan of Brewton, Elizabeth Beasley of Milton; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Services will be Monday November 15, 2010, at 1 p.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Earl Harrison officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. Active Pallbearers are Derrick King, Lance Hodges, David Respress, Leroy Steele Scottie Steele, Jeffrey McCall, and Camron McCall.
Family will receive friends, Sunday evening November 14, 2010, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 6 until 8 p.m..
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Video: Northview Beats West Florida
November 14, 2010
Here are video highlights by Keith Garrison from Northview’s win Friday night over West Florida.
For game details, click here for the NorthEscambia.com story. For a photo gallery, click here.
(If you don’t see the video, it is because a setting at your home, work or school firewall or computer is blocking YouTube videos.)
Battle Over Required Septic Tank Inspections Rages On
November 14, 2010
The push to weaken septic tank legislation approved last spring by lawmakers is dividing the usually united Florida Senate, with a former lawmaker bristling at a rising Senate leader who has accused him of misleading the chamber about the measure.
Former Sen. Lee Constantine, R-Altamonte Springs, term-limited after 18 years in the Legislature, fired off a letter to lawmakers this week saying he was insulted by their plans to rewrite a measure he saw as the capstone of his legislative career.
When Constantine said farewell to the Florida Senate last April, fellow lawmakers framed the bill (SB 550) and presented it to him. Now Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, is leading the drive to send Constantine’s crowning legislation to the scrap heap.
“When I entered into public office, I committed to do all that I could to treat people fairly and tell them the truth,” Constantine wrote in a letter to all senators this week. “In the last month of my service, there has been an unfortunate attempt to tarnish this record regarding the passage of SB 550.
“As my final action before I leave, I feel compelled to set the record straight. Whether you agree with the policy or not, it is important to understand the history on this important piece of legislation,” he continued. “The septic tank inspection program as part of SB 550 arose over the course of many months. The language was discussed at length with many interested parties and individual senators.”
But Gaetz, who along with other lawmakers in the Panhandle, have been under fire from voters concerned about the potential costs of a strict state inspection program, disputed Constantine’s account.
Gaetz on Friday called Constantine’s push back “a wonderful piece of science fiction.”
“I think Sen. Constantine failed to include in his letter conversations he had with senators, including me, in which he did not completely or thoroughly explain the impact of this amendment that he added,” said Gaetz, in line to succeed incoming Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island. “He is entitled to his opinion. He’s a former senator. God bless him, I wish him well.”
The legislation is set to take effect in January. But Gaetz wants lawmakers in next week’s special session to delay the program’s start until July, to effectively buy more time. Gaetz and Rep. Marti Coley, R-Marianna, who is sponsoring the delay push in the House, want lawmakers to repeal the inspection program completely in next spring’s regular session.
“Our plan is we would stop the implementation now and be able to do in regular session what sadly we were unable to do last year: have a full discussion in the open on the effects of this mandate,” Gaetz said.
The wide-ranging bill is designed to protect Florida’s natural springs and waterways which are often threatened by septic tank overflow. Beginning in January, the legislation would require inspections of the state’s 2.6 million septic tanks once every five years. Opponents say the measure could cost residents $500 or more per-inspection, and they claim the new standards was quietly tucked into the springs protection bill before it went before lawmakers this spring.
Constantine vehemently denied any secrecy in the letter he sent to lawmakers.
“So to set the record straight: 1) There was no strike-all amendment. 2) Not only did I explain the septic tank inspection program on the floor, I answered questions about the program from three different senators on two separate days. 3) Never… NEVER, was there any intent to hide or cover up this program in the bill,” he wrote.
The septic tank rewrite is expected to be part of next week’s special session, slated to begin on the heels of Tuesday’s organizational session. Lawmakers have lined up for override nine bills vetoed by Gov. Charlie Crist, and a budget provision he struck down.
But incoming House Rules Chairman Rep. Gary Aubuchon, R-Cape Coral, told newly elected lawmakers this week that not all measures identified by legislative leaders would come up during the special session. That gives leaders some wiggle room if – as they earlier said – want to address only measures unlikely to draw opposition.
Still, Gaetz said he had no reason to believe the septic tank inspection delay would not come up for a vote. He would not, however, speculate on how that vote would fair. At least one other incoming senator from the Panhandle, Greg Evers, R-Baker, has also called for a delay.
“I’m never confident that the votes are there on anything,” Gaetz said. “I wouldn’t predict the outcome of a resolution on Mother’s Day.” However, he quickly added, “we’re certainly hopeful.”
Featured Recipe: Cream Cheese and Chocolate Tunnel Cake
November 14, 2010
This weekend’s featured recipe from Janet Tharpe is a Cream Cheese and Chocolate Tunnel Cake with the creaminess of cheesecake and the rich, traditional flavor of chocolate cake.
To print today’s “Just a Pinch” recipe column, you can click the image below to load a printable pdf with a recipe card.
Photos: EWMS Honors Veterans
November 14, 2010
Veterans from all branches of service were honored Friday at Ernest Ward Middle School.
The program included several video interviews with local veterans. The interviews will be preserved in the school’s library for future generations.
A tribute to the U.S. Coast Guard included a fly-in by Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin helicopter from New Orleans.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Galen Goetter Graduates From Basic Training
November 14, 2010
Air Force Airman Galen M. Goetter has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
He is the son of Glen and Abby Goetter of North Pine Barren Road, McDavid.
Ernest Ward Cheerleaders Take 1st At Regionals
November 14, 2010
The Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleaders placed first in the Junior Non Tumbling Division Saturday morning at the West Florida Regional competition held at Tate High School.
Pictured top: Members of the Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleaders are (front, L-R) Brittney Ward, Reagan Bell, Morgan Ward, Hannah Gibson, Mallory Ryan, Jadlyn Agerton, (back, L-R) Krysten Byrd, Kamryn Brock, Danielle Robertson, Kendal Cobb, Jessica McCullough, Dariane Guy and Katelyn Abbott. Pictured below: The EWMS cheerleaders perform Saturday morning at Tate High School. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Barbara Ann Rolin Kimmons
November 13, 2010
Barbara Ann Rolin Kimmons, 57,of Walnut Hill died Friday November 12, 2010, in Pensacola. She was a Homemaker, born in Atmore on April 22, 1953 to the late Judge and Irene Tatum Rolin.
She is preceded in death by one brother, Glen Rolin and one sister, Mary Ruth Rolin.
Survivors are her husband, Ramond Kimmons of Walnut Hill; two brothers, Issac Rolin and wife Edna Mae of Atmore, and Jerry Rolin and wife, Nadine of Brewton; three sisters, Lorene Rolin, Alice Rolin, and Linda Rolin all of Atmore; and numerous, nephews, neces and friends.
Graveside service will be Monday, November 15, 2010. at 11 a.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery. Family will receive friends Sunday evening, November 14, 2010, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in Atmoree from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Johnson-Quimby funeral Home, Inc in charge of all arrangements.