Florida Senate Panels Approve Child Seats Until Age 7; Left Lane Bill
February 7, 2011
Monday, Florida Senate panels approved a bill that would restrict driving in the left lane of a mult-lane highway to passing only, and approved a bill that would require children up to age seven to be in an approved ca set
Left Lane Bill
With the type of speed its backers would like to see drivers in the far left lanes of Florida highways move, the Senate Transportation Committee approved a so-called “road rage” bill Monday on a 5-0 vote.
The bill (SB 244), sponsored by Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, would limit the left lane to a passing lane, making it a moving violation to fail to move to the right if traffic is behind you. Bennett and House Sponsor Rep. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth, have argued that the measure would reduce road rage and traffic congestion.
Similar bills have been adopted in Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine and Massachusetts. The Florida legislation has still has a long road to go, however, with hearings scheduled next in the Senate Health Regulation and Budget committees.
Car Seat Bill
A measure requiring a child car restraint for children up to age seven or until they’re four-feet nine-inches, cleared a Senate committee on Monday. Currently, child seats are only required through age three, and after that a seat belt may be used.
The bill (SB 238), sponsored by Sen. Thad Altman, R-Viera, was approved with a 4-1 vote Monday in the Senate Transportation Committee. It still needs approval from the Senate Criminal Justice and the full Budget Committee. A House version of the measure (HB 11) has four committee stops and is yet to get a hearing.
By The News Service Florida
New Target For Copper Thieves? Farm Irrigation Systems
February 7, 2011
Copper thieves have apparently found a new target in North Escambia — farm irrigation systems.
A local farmer reported last week that 600 feet of electrical control cable was stolen from his Reinke irrigation system at Highway 97 and Meadows Road in Davisville. According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect stopped two sections of irrigation pipe short of stealing the entire cable because one end was very close to Meadows Road. The total damage to the irrigation system was estimated at $5,000.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, another irrigation system in the area of Greenland and Dortch Roads was found to be missing an 800 foot section of electrical cable. Several other irrigation systems in the area were not tampered with.
According to the farmer, two other irrigation systems he owns in Alabama had also been the target of vandals and thieves.
The suspect in the case will face felony grand theft and felony criminal mischief charges once arrested.
Anyone with information on the crime can contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured above and below: An operating irrigation system in Walnut Hill creates a rainbow in this NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Cold Forecast Tonight
February 7, 2011
The winds of winter are howling tonight, bringing colder weather for several days.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 27. North wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 50. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 28. North wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of rain after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast.
- Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north.
- Thursday: A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. North wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 53. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 27. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 61.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 67.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.
Code Enforcement On Century Council Agenda Tonight
February 7, 2011
Century’s Town Council will hold a regular meeting tonight at 7:00 at Town Hall.
Here is the tentative agenda for the meeting:
- Open Meeting with Prayer
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Approval of Minutes
- January 19, 2011 Special Workshop Council Meeting Minutes
- January 24, 2011 Council Meeting Minutes
- Approval of Bill List
- Sandra Slay – Code Enforcement
- Mayor’s Report
- Council Comments
- Public Forum
The meeting is open to the public.
Lady Chiefs Announce Softball Schedule
February 7, 2011
The 2011 Northview Lady Chiefs softball schedule has been announced for both the junior varsity and varsity programs. The Lady Chiefs will open the season on the road against Pine Forest on February 15. The first home game will be February 18 against Pensacola Catholic.
Northview’s varsity team is the defending district champions, with pitcher Misty Doran returning to the mound as a sophomore. She led the area in strikeouts last year with 141 batters sent back to the box.
Capt. Charlie Code Named NHS Teacher Of The Year
February 7, 2011
Captain Charlie C. Code, Jr. has been named the 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year at Northview Hgh School. The Senior Naval Science Instructor will be honored along with Escambia County’s other Teachers of the Year during the Golden Apple Awards in Pensacola on February 24.
Code retired after 29 years of service in the Navy and immediately went to work with Northview’s NJROTC program.
He was born in Macon, GA and attended Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL graduating in June, 1977. He completed Aviation Officer Candidate School at Naval Aviation Schools Command at Naval Air Station in Pensacola, and was commissioned in August 1978. He was designated an Aviation Maintenance Duty Officer (AMDO) in July 1979.
Code’s operational assignments while on active duty included Fighter Squadron 142, NAS Oceana and deployed on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), Norfolk, VA; HS-12, Atsugi, Japan and deployed on USS Midway (CV-41); USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3) Sasebo, Japan; and the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), Norfolk, VA.
His shore assignments included Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD), NAS Key West FL.; AIMD, NAS Lemoore, CA; AMDO assignment officer (detailer), NAF Millington TN; Aviation Training System Assistant Program Manager, Washington, DC; Program Manager, PMA-225, Patuxent River, MD, and his final tour was Executive Director and Commanding Officer, Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Center at NAS Pensacola.
His personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (with two gold stars), and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with two gold stars).
He is married to the former Miriam A. Richardson of Baltimore, Md., and they have one daughter, Arnita.
Homer Lee Hanks
February 7, 2011
Mr. Homer Lee Hanks, 74, passed away on Sunday, February 6, 2011, at a local hospital.
Mr. Hanks was a native of Bratt, a lifelong resident of Century, and attended the Baptist church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Oliver and Effie Mobley Hanks, a brother, Oliver Marshall Hanks, and two ssters, Olease McKendrea and Adell Hodson.
He is survived by his wife, Saundra Lynn Milstead-Hanks of Century; two daughters, Michelle Kerns of Pensacola, and Dianna Wiggins of Atmore; six grandchildren, Nychole Pearson, Jesse Kerns, David Kerns, Bethany DiPaulo, Brandon Blackburn, and Iva Wiggins; two great-grandchildren, Skylar Kerns, and James Kerns; and three sisters, Melvine Lang of Pensacola, Ruth Morgan of Cantonment, and Claudia Kumnart of CA.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 9, 2011, at 2 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. John Mathis officiating. Burial will follow at Pine Barren Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 8, 2011, from 6-9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home in Atmore.
Gov. To Unveil $5 Billion In Budget Cuts This Week
February 7, 2011
Gov. Rick Scott unveils this week how he plans to cut more than $5 billion from the state’s current $70 billion budget, making room for tax cuts, while closing a constitutionally prohibited deficit. He’s been pretty quiet on exactly what he plans to cut out, but at a tea party event Monday in central Florida Scott will roll out his proposal.
Scott’s budget proposal is expected to include a five percent reduction in the state workforce and changes in pay and benefits.
“My budget will cut $5 billion in state spending, while also cutting taxes,” Scott said. “It will be one of the most fiscally responsible budgets in the nation.”
Scott’s budget rollout Monday is shaping up as a major Tea Party event – with the governor’s presentation of his first spending blueprint shoe-horned into a number of activities drawing 60 grassroots groups.
Organizers said Friday that Scott will hold a private luncheon with tea party leaders at the Eustis Community Center before taking an outdoor stage to unveil his plan to cut $5 billion from the state’s current $70 billion budget.
“In the days ahead, the special interests and those who support big government solutions will attack my budget. They don’t recognize, as you and I do, these times require a bold new path,” Scott concluded.
Of course it’s up to lawmakers to write the budget, and they can completely ignore Scott if they want. Most leaders have expressed some skepticism, but also have intense interest in ideas for cutting the budget – and cutting taxes.
Still, Scott said during the campaign he’ll propose a two-year budget and the Legislature works on a one year proposal, so it’s not clear how those two things will mesh.
While Scott’s budget will garner much of the attention this week – his aides will be in several legislative committees explaining the proposal all week – most of the major issues that the Legislature will deal with this year, from teacher pay, to Medicaid changes, to water pollution, will also be before lawmakers in committees.
Other major issues that will be at least discussed in legislative committees this week include the unemployment compensation system – a House committee is proposing to cut back on how long the unemployed are eligible to collect benefits.
Other closely watched issues that lawmakers will be talking about this week include sinkhole insurance claims and immigration.
The News Service Florida contributed to this report.
Forum To Address Stronger, Healthier Communities
February 7, 2011
The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) and Volunteer Florida is hosting a community forum in Jay Tuesday night to get answers from residents and businesses to the following questions:
- What are the most important factors in creating strong, healthy communities in Santa Rosa County?
- What are the most pressing needs in Santa Rosa County that have to be addressed in order to strengthen families and communities?
- How can residents, businesses, public agencies and non-profit organizations address these needs with focused action and resources?
The results from the forum will be used by ACES (AmeriCorps Escambia-Santa Rosa), a collaborative of service organizations, to prepare a grant that will be submitted in April to request funding for AmeriCorps volunteers who can provide services to residents in both counties. The results will also be shared with Santa Rosa County, Jay, Milton and Gulf Breeze government officials so they can work with applicable staff to also address community needs identified in the forum.
Everyone in Santa Rosa County is encouraged to participate so they can make a positive impact towards stronger, healthier communities. The forum will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Jay Community Center, 5929 Booker Street. Space is limited; RSVP to Taye Warfield at tayewarfield@bellsouth.net.
Judy Cartwright Macks
February 7, 2011
Judy Cartwright Macks, 62 of Century, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 6, 2011. Mrs. Macks was a member of New Covenant Holiness Church at Bluff Springs.
Judy was preceded in death by her father, Milton W. Cartwright and brother, Robert LaVaughn Cartwright.
She is survived by her loving husband of 38 years, Reverend Joe E. Macks; daughter and son-in-law, Kim and Randall Musgrove; two sons and daughters-in-law, Donnie and Deanna Macks and Daniel and Susie Macks; daughter-in-law, Wendy Macks; eleven grandchildren, her mother, Cora Lee Cartwright; special children, Dustin Smith and Tiffany Wiggins; four sisters, Wyvonne Pantermuehl, Eloise Rushing, Mavis Johnson and Helen Morris; three brothers, Eugene Cartwright, Jerry Cartwright and Rufus Cartwright; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends; and a special friend, Elaine.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 8, 2011, at Beulah Chapel Assembly of God Church with Reverend Ray Hudson officiating. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the funeral service.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home, 100 Beverly Parkway, is in charge of arrangements.