Featured Recipe: Irish Nachos
January 9, 2011
This weekend’s featured recipe from Janet Tharpe is “Irish Nachos”, a satisfying take on traditional nachos that will fill up even the hungriest sports fan. Control the heat by adding or adjusting the jalapenos.
To print today’s “Just a Pinch” recipe column, you can click the image below to load a printable pdf with a recipe card.
Dorothy “Dot” Coln Cunningham
January 9, 2011
Dorothy “Dot” Coln Cunningham passed away Friday, January 7, 2011.
Dot graduated from Erskine College, Due West. SC, and she received a Masters Degree from Florida State. She moved to Pensacola in 1966 after accepting a position with the University of Florida Extension Service. Dot began working with Escambia County School System in 1980 where she taught at Ransom Middle School for 20 years.
She was an active member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church for many years. She was currently serving as president of Escambia County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee. She was also a proud member of the Red Hats.
Dot was preceded in death by her parents, James Odell Coln and Blanche McDowell Coln.
Dot is survived by her husband of 44 years, Jimmy Cunningham; a son, Scott Cunningham and his wife, Tiffany; a stepson, Lewe “Chip” Cunningham and his wife, Beth; grandchildren Amanda, Jessie, Donald, Tyler; great grandchild, Jace; sister, Nancy Coln Jones, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 11, 2011, at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino with Rev. Alan Gantzhorn officiating. Interment will follow at Aldersgate Cemetery.
Pall bearers will be Greg Cunningham, Andy Cunningham, Michael Floyd and Matthew Floyd. Honorary Pallbearers are Jayne Gindl, Linda Gindl, Norma Ramsey and Nancy Ward.
Flowers will be gladly accepted or memorial contributions may be made to Aldersgate United Methodist Church.
The family will receive friends at 5-8 p.m. Monday, January 9, 2011, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home in Cantonment.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home, 1000 Hwy 29 South, Cantonment is in charge of arrangements.
Photo Gallery: Firefighters Battle Quintette Brush Fire
January 8, 2011
Firefighters battled a brush fire Saturday afternoon on Quintette Lane near Quintette Park. The fire did not threaten any structures, and it was contained after two tractors from the Florida Division of Forestry plowed a fire line around the area. The cause of the fire was not immediately known. The Cantonment, Molino, Ensley and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue also battled the afternoon fire.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Weather: Sleet? Freezing Rain? South Ala. Ice Storm?
January 8, 2011
The weather forecast gets very interesting by Sunday as a potential ice storm treks across Southern Alabama.
Two different forecasts are posted below — one for our Florida readers and one for our Alabama readers.
ESCAMBIA & SANTA ROSA, FL
- Tonight…Mostly clear until early morning becoming mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 30s. North winds 5 to 10 mph becoming northeast 10 to 15 mph after midnight.
- Sunday…Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 40s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph becoming east 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Chance of rain 40 percent.
- Sunday Night…Rain. Near steady temperature in the upper 30s. East winds 15 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80 percent.
- Monday…Mostly cloudy in the morning becoming mostly sunny. Slight chance of rain in the morning. Highs in the lower 40s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph becoming north 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of rain 20 percent.
- Monday Night…Partly cloudy. Slight chance of rain showers in the evening. Lows in the lower 30s. North winds 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of showers 20 percent.
ESCAMBIA, AL
- Tonight…Partly cloudy. Lows around 30. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday…Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 40s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40 percent.
- Sunday Night…Rain and chance of freezing rain. Lows in the mid 30s. East winds 15 to 20 mph becoming northeast 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation 90 percent.
- Monday…Mostly cloudy in the morning becoming mostly sunny. Slight chance of rain and chance of light freezing rain in the morning. Highs in the lower 40s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph becoming 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.
- Monday Night…Partly cloudy. Slight chance of rain showers in the evening. Lows in the lower 30s. North winds 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of showers 20 percent.
Escambia County Be Forced To Refund $3.1 Million In Condo Taxes
January 8, 2011
Escambia County taxpayers may be forced to refund $3.1 million to property owners in the Portofino Towers on Pensacola Beach.
A recent ruling by Judge Frank Bell found that property appraisals were too high during the five year period from 2004 to 2009, and, as a result, some Portofino unit owners overpaid.
Escambia County and the Escambia County School District could owe refunds of about $1.5 million each, according to Escambia County Tax Collector Janet Holley.
Holley and Escambia County Property Appraiser Chris Jones have appealed Bell’s ruling. If Bell rules in favor of the appeal and should the property appraiser’s assessments be upheld, an additional $9.2 million would be owed to the tax authorities, according to Holley.
Cold Weather Means Big Power Bills; Help Available
January 8, 2011
Cold weather in December and January is putting high power bills into the hands of North Escambia area residents. And for many households, those high power bills mean financial difficulties.
Gulf Power customers are enjoying a 2.8 decrease on their bills, while EREC customers have seen the “purchased power cost adjustment” decrease $36 on an average bill of 1,000 kilowatt hours.
For those that need more help, both companies participate in several programs to help customers save money on their energy bills, make their homes more energy efficient or help them get direct assistance.
Levelized/Budget Billing
- Gulf Power offers a bill payment option called Budget Billing. Budget Billing can “levelize” monthly payments so customers can know approximately how much their bill will be each month and avoid high cost fluctuations caused by increased energy purchases during very cold or hot periods. To find out more about payment assistance, call our Customer Care Center at 1-800-225-5797 anytime, day or night.
- EREC offers levelized billing to help minimize variances in electric bills each month. A member’s account over the past 12 months is averaged and they are billed that amount. Each new month, the oldest month is dropped and the latest month is added which is averaged for the current bill. Members can contact EREC at (850) 675-4521 if they would like to participate in this program.
Project Share/Share One With Your Neighbor
- Gulf Power participates with the Salvation Army in Project Share, a program that provides emergency assistance to those who need help with energy bills. Project Share and other non-profit programs assist the elderly, the disabled, the sick, and others experiencing financial hardship. Eligible customers can apply for Project SHARE assistance at The Salvation Army office in their county. Eligibility requirements for Project SHARE recipients are set by The Salvation Army. Gulf Power customers can donate to the program by indicating so on their power bill.
- Share One With Your Neighbor is an EREC program designed to help your neighbors who, due to temporary hardship or misfortune, may need financial assistance with their electric bills. Through this program, EREC members can choose to SHARE ONE dollar each month if they wish. EREC will then add one dollar, or the amount specified, to their electric bill each month. These contributions are placed in a special account which allows funds to be available in voucher form for those most needy. The Salvation Army will screen and recommend needy recipients, after which time the recipients will present the voucher receipts to ESCAMBIA RIVER ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. and the amounts will be applied to their current bills. Members should contact the Salvation Army directly to request assistance through this program at (850) 432-1501.
Direct Assistance
Direct assistance is available to the most needy through several programs in Escambia County:
- Community Action (850) 438-4021
- Tri-County (850) 981-0036
- Salvation Army (850) 432-1501
- Catholic Charities (850) 436-6425
- United Ministries (850) 433-2333
- First Call For Help (850) 595-5905
- NW FL Area Agency on Aging (60 or older) (850) 494-7100
Florida Low Income Energy Assistance Programs
The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP & WAP-LIHEAP) annually provides grant funds to community action agencies, local governments, Indian tribes and non-profit agencies to provide specific program services for low-income families of Florida. The assistance includes: repair or replace inefficient heating and cooling units, air-infiltration/weather stripping, caulking, thresholds, minor wall, ceiling and floor repairs, window and door replacement, attic insulation, repair or replace water heaters, install solar screens, apply solar reflective coating to manufactured homes, and attic ventilation.
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides grants to local governments and non-profit agencies to assist eligible low-income households in meeting the costs of home heating and cooling. Assistance includes utility bill payment, crisis and emergency assistance (bill payment, utility deposits, fees for restoring power, fans, repair or replacement of heating or cooling equipment, blankets and other items as needed, other items specific to the emergency).
These programs receive funding from the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. The extent of services to be provided depends on available funding. The LIHEAP program also is funded each year by the federal Department of Energy.
Inmate Charged With Jail Death
January 8, 2011
Investigators with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office have charged an Escambia County Jail inmate with manslaughter in connection with the death of another prisoner last month.
A warrant for manslaughter and battery-by person detained in jail was served Friday afternoon against Brandon Ryan Switzer, 32, in the December 17 death of inmate Jon Gipson.
Investigators say that Switzer (pictured) took food from Gipson and punched him in the face causing him to fall backwards onto the floor. Gipson subsequently died from his injuries suffered during the altercation.
An autopsy performed by the Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Gipson died from blunt force trauma to the head.
Switzer was already being held at the jail on a revoked bond for previous charges of battery, kidnapping, vehicle theft, failure to appear and numerous traffic offenses. The charges stemmed from a December 1, 2010, altercation with his girlfriend. Switzer was accused of battery on his girlfriend before stealing her vehicle, which was occupied by the woman’s infant. Switzer later wrecked the car and abandoned the infant.
The bond for the manslaughter and battery charges was set at $260,000.
Pictured: Brandon Ryan Switzer.
Sheriff’s Office Plans Neighborhood ‘Clean Sweeps’ Including Cantonment
January 8, 2011
The Sheriff’s Office and several county agencies will conduct “Operation Clean Sweep” events in the coming months, including one in Cantonment.
The focus of “Operation Clean Sweep” is to work with Neighborhood Watch groups, residents, churches and business owners to control and prevent the damaging effects of criminal activity through “Eradication, Enforcement and Education”. The Operation Task Force works closely with Escambia County Animal Control, Environmental Law Enforcement, the United States Military, Escambia County Roads and Bridges and Neighborhood Watch groups to clean up neighborhoods and educate citizens on preventive measures that could be implemented to minimize possible crimes.
Operation Clean Sweep events will be held as follows:
- Warrington January 20, 2011
- Lincoln Park February 17, 2011
- Cantonment March 24, 2011
- Brownsville April 28, 2011
- Bellview May 19, 2011
For more information on future clean ups, or to volunteer, contact P.O.C. 1st Lt Tharp (850) 554-1384 or Deputy Wiggins (850) 554-1362. For more information on starting a Neighborhood Watch in your community, or to join an existing group, call David Craig (850) 436-9281 visit escambiaso.com.
NWE Registration Begins Today
January 8, 2011
Northwest Escambia Little League registration begins today in Walnut Hill.
Registration will be from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday January 8, 15 and 22 at Bradberry Park for ages three to 18. A copy of the child’s birth certificate is required for registration.
Registration fees are $40 for the first child, $30 for the second child and free for additional children. The child will be measured for their uniform, and there will be a $20 deposit toward each child’s uniform fee.
Weekly Roundup: New Gov. Gets To Work
January 8, 2011
Rick Scott dropped the elect from his title this week, becoming the 45th governor of Florida and immediately getting to work, as he promised to do during his campaign – repeatedly.
His first order of business after taking the oath of office was to deliver an inaugural address, however haltingly. Scott stumbled over several of his lines, but he used his speech to make the case for a business, business and more business agenda, even borrowing a phrase from former President George W. Bush – with a slight twist.
“States like these, and their terrorist allies, constitute an axis of evil, arming to threaten the peace of the world,” Bush said of three nations – North Korea, Iraq and Iran – in his 2002 State of the Union speech.
“Three forces reduce that chance for success,” Scott said this week. “Taxation, regulation and litigation. Those three form the axis of unemployment.”
Scott took the side of those looking for work in making the case for getting to work.
“This morning more than a million Floridians got out of bed and faced another day of unemployment,” Scott said. “For months they’ve searched for work. They fill out applications. They beg for interviews. They face rejection after rejection. Many people who once earned a good living on a construction site, –when the economy stalled, building stopped — found themselves with skills, but no degree and absolutely no job.”
That’s why “job creation is an absolute mission,” Scott said near the top of a roughly 20 minute speech in which he used the word jobs 20 times. At one point, Scott looked up from his prepared remarks and asked roughly 4,000 attendees “can you tell I’m focused on jobs?”
The crowd responded favorably for the most part, though Scott’s message was not well received by everyone in attendance. A heckler interrupted Scott at one point, shouting “Criminal! You are not Christian! You’re a heathen!”
But even there, it all came back to employment. “Get a job!,” someone in the crowd responded, though Scott himself did not take the bait.
Members of the GOP in the Legislature loved Scott’s speech, which was music to their ears after a year of having a Republican turned independent who governed at times like he was a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat.
“His comments on… making sure that we create a better environment to create jobs in Florida was probably what stuck out the most,” said Rep. Will Weatherford, who is expected to be speaker of the House during the second half of Scott’s tenure. “Frankly, that’s what the Legislature’s been talking about and that’s what we’ll be focusing on as well.”
Weatherford was even willing to overlook the fact the audience for Scott’s first official remarks as governor included many of the lobbyists he railed against during his populist campaign. In fact, many of them had the best seats in the House, right in front of the podium. But Weatherford said those who share Scott’s goals aren’t the “special interests” the former health care executive ran against.
“If what you mean by special interests is tax cuts and deregulating industries that have been far too overregulated for far too long, if it means helping out small businesses, if it means creating a 21st century education system and putting free markets into our health care, than I’m OK with those special interests,” Weatherford said.
Democrats were less charitable after the speech, which was filled with red meat rhetoric aimed squarely at them, or whatever is left of them after last year’s disastrous-for-the-Dems election.
“I think he had a golden opportunity to bring everybody together and start from a fresh page and say ‘look, these are my goals, but today we are one Florida.’ I think we missed that a little bit,” said Rep. Alan Williams, D-Tallahassee, one of the few Democratic lawmakers who actually attended the inauguration ceremony.
MILLION AIR (AND A MILLION MILES)
One of the first things Scott did as governor was ground two state airplanes by putting them up for sale. That’s easy for him to do, of course, because he has his own jet, which was used this week to take him around the state.
But don’t try to keep up with the whereabouts of Scott’s private plane – he’s blocked it from flight trackers, and said Friday morning he has no plans to let the public track the planes takeoffs and landings on the Internet. “We put out … where I’m flying, where I’m going,” Scott said. “It’s all public record.”
A reporter noted that might make Scott able to “slip away” like former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford. “I don’t think you have to worry too much,” Scott responded.
Scott ordered the Department of Management Services to sell the state’s 10-year-old Beech King Air 350 and its 2003 Cessna Citation Bravo on the Website Aircraft Shopper Online – with bids opening on Feb. 9. As for the other members of state government who don’t have their own wings, Scott said they could fly commercial, despite the fact that means they could be spending much of their working time in Terminal B in Atlanta. They could also drive, the governor with his own sky miles said, which probably wasn’t much comfort either.
The ground stop on official state flights is already putting a crimp in the travel plans of new Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, who said he was driving himself to Weston for the Everglades Coalition Conference. And then drive to St. Augustine.
“It certainly presents some challenges, but we’ll make the most of it,” Putnam said this week. It’s the governor’s prerogative, he said, and “it is what it is.”
Other new Cabinet members said they would get familiar with Florida’s highways and byways too. A spokeswoman for state Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater said he will continue to move around in his blue minivan, and Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement she would drive or catch a ride.
Elsewhere in his busy first week, Scott froze agency regulations and ordered checks on the immigration status of new state hires, both of which he had promised to do. Following his inaugural speech, he signed an executive order creating a new office to carefully vet proposed rules by agencies and go back over state contracts.
The day after, the moves were still being debated, with some lawmakers and lobbyists praising Scott for being bold, and others boldly saying he was wrong to paint all regulations with the same brush.
“I don’t want to use the word disappointed, but I wish Gov. Scott had consulted the Department of Health before he signed the executive order, understanding the effect it may have on the Legislature’s attempts to crack down on pill mills,” said Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey.
“He’s not looking at what rules might be worthwhile or effective,” Audubon of Florida Executive Director Eric Draper said. “To stop rules arbitrarily, like he’s done, doesn’t make sense.”
Also this week, Florida Senate president Mike Haridopolos said that a proposed high-speed rail connecting Tampa and Orlando was too expensive, despite the fact that the federal government has offered to pay for about 90 percent of it. The remarks that the state shouldn’t be paying for rail appeared to be on a different track than Haridopolos’ voting record however, since he supported a late 2009 bill that allowed the state to purchase tracks for the proposed SunRail commuter train in Orlando.
As for Scott, who has yet to weigh in on the project, he said he was still waiting for a feasibility and ridership study.
STORY OF THE WEEK: There’s a new governor in town, and he wants you to know it. The all new, all-Republican Cabinet was sworn-in and got to work this week too.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “That’ll be in the papers tomorrow,” Gov. Rick Scott after mistakenly saying in his inaugural that he would close all state agencies, an acknowledgement that his words carry greater weight now that he has been sworn-in.
By Keith Laing
The News Service Florida