DAR Partners With Wreaths Across America
October 3, 2012
The Three Rivers Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution announced its partnership with Wreaths Across America to double the number of wreaths at Barrancas National Cemetery this Christmas as part of the 20th Annual Wreaths Across America.
“The Emerald Coast is home to more than 128,000 veterans and their families. Our community has always come together to pay tribute and honor these brave men and women, and this Christmas, we hope to double the number of wreaths laid at Barrancas National Cemetery to pay our respects to those we have lost,” stated Mrs. Vicki Miller, chairwoman of the Three Rivers Chapter Wreaths Across America partnership. “Wreaths Across America has started one of America’s most enduring and special traditions, and I am proud that our community is one of its strongest supporters.”
Wreaths Across America, founded by Morrill and Karen Worcester, began in 1992 to honor, remember, and teach the next generation of the service and sacrifice of America’s veterans. More than 400 locations across the United States participate in the annual event, as well at national cemeteries abroad.
Last year, more than 2,000 wreaths were placed at veterans’ gravesites at Barrancas National Cemetery, which is the final resting place of 39,000 veterans and their families. Wreaths Across America has sent wreaths to Barrancas since 2005.
“The effect Wreaths Across America has had on the Barrancas National Cemetery, and our greater community has been dynamic. Every year, we see an increasingly larger amount of people coming out to place a wreath; to remember a loved one, a friend, or a veteran they didn’t know, but who served our nation with honor,” said Angela Nash, director of Barrancas National Cemetery. “Wreaths Across America has become one of our traditions, and we could not be more grateful for the support of our military, veterans, families, and community partners.”
This year’s Wreaths Across America will take place on December 15, at 11 a.m.at Barrancas National Cemetery. Members of the public are welcome; volunteers should arrive at 8:30 a.m.
For every wreath donated, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Three Rivers Chapter Scholarship Fund. To donate a wreath to be placed at Barrancas National Cemetery as part of this effort, or to learn more, click here (select “fldar0001” as the group sponsor). Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)3.
Cross Country: 98 Percent Of Jay Royals Set New Personal Records
October 3, 2012
Members of the Jay High Cross Country team set numerous personal records Tuesday during a meet at Lake Jackson hosted by Paxton High School.
Taking first overall for boys was Micah Kemp with a personal record of 16:45, an improvement of 15 second over his 17:00 last week in the JD Mac Invitational in Jay. For the girls, Jessica Thornton took first with a personal best time of 19:51, over 40 second off her previous personal best set last week in Jay. Overall, 98 percent of the Jay Royals set personal best records Tuesday.
For the Royals:
GIRLS
1 – Jessica Thornton , 19:51
2 – Jorja Agrait , 20:23
4 – Savannah Brown , 21:40
9 – Jenna Thornton , 22:54
10 – Carsen Arrant , 22:49
25 – Alexis Mitchem , 25:58
29 – Kendra Weekes , 26:46
33 – RayAnn Free , 27:15
36 – Carly Sanders , 27:59
43 – Brandy Jackson , 30:09
44 – Ally Ashworth , 30:17:
61 – Jennifer Lowry , 35:27
64 – Haven Tagert , 37:38
BOYS
1 – Micah Kemp , 16:45
3 – Cody Wolfe , 18:29
13 – Mark Foley , 21:04
26 – Austin Gonzalez , 21:47
32 – Joey Belanger , 22:42
59 – Noah Goodson , 26:56
Atmore Man Charged With Fleeing From Police, Assaulting Officer
October 2, 2012
An Atmore man has been charged with running from police and then assaulting an officer.
Brent Antwon Simpson, 23, was charged with with felony assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, reckless endangerment, and fleeing and attempting to elude.
Atmore Police responded to a complaint of a fight and shots fire on Adams Street about 3:08 p.m. Monday. Witnesses said the violator was leaving the scene in a white car with a paper dealership tag.
Officers spotted the vehicle a short time later in the of Sunset Drive and Martin Luther King Avenue. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle on Martin Luther King Avenue, but the driver, identified as Simpson, refused to stop. Other officers responded and also attempted to stop the vehicle, but police said Simpson continued to flee. Officers pursued him at relatively low speeds never exceeding 40 mph, according to a statement from the Atmore Police Department.
The pursuit ended when Simpson drove to a residence on Mobile Street. Police said Simpson exited his car and physically assaulted officers as they attempted to take him into custody. Simpson was eventually subdued by officers and placed into custody.
Simpson had a toddler-aged child in his vehicle that was turned over to family members at the residence.
Two Injured In Century Highway 29 Rollover Crash
October 2, 2012
Two people were injured in a rollover accident Tuesday morning in Century.
The accident happened on North Century Boulevard at the Century Food Mart, just south of the Century Town Hall about 11:30 a.m. Both injured individuals were transported by Escambia County EMS to Jay Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The wreck is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Names have not been released.
The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Pictured: Two people were injured in a rollover crash Tuesday morning in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Cool Nights, Great Days
October 2, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the morning.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 88. North wind around 5 mph.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. Calm wind.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the morning.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53.
- Columbus Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.
- Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 79.
New Fence Height Law Now In Effect In Century
October 2, 2012
The Century Town Council approved a new ordinance Monday night that cuts back the height of fences allowed in front yards around the town — a new law that is a mix of Century’s current code and regulations that are already in place in the unincorporated areas of Escambia County.
The new law, approved on a 5-0 vote, adopted Escambia County’s current standards that limit the height of a solid fence in front of a single family residence to three feet and a chain link or other transparent fence to a four foot height. The fence height for a corner lot is limited to two feet as to not obstruct the view of traffic. For the purposes of the ordinance, the height of a hedge or shrubbery will be regulated as a solid fence.
Fences in the side, or rear yard of a home may not exceed eight feet, which is no change from Century’s current restrictions.
The new law became effective immediately. To read the new Century fence ordinance, click here.
Mayor Freddie McCall said residents with existing fences that violate the new ordinance, if passed, can ask the town council for a variance.
Pictured top: The Century Town Council met Monday night, approving a new fence ordinance. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets 30 Years For Kidnapping, Burglary
October 2, 2012
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to state prison for multiple charges including burglary and kidnapping.
Monday, Lee Milner was sentenced by Judge Michael Allen to 30 years in state prison on kidnapping to inflict bodily harm or terrorize victim and burglary of a dwelling with assault and battery along with other charges. Milner was sentenced as a Habitual Felony Offender.
On January 31, 2012, the victim stated when she returned home from the store, she walked in her house and was hit over the head by Milner. Milner tied her up and told her to give him her cash and her vehicle or she would be raped or killed if she told anyone.
Milner took the victim’s vehicle as well as $1,000 worth of jewelry. On February 2, 2012, law enforcement spotted the victims vehicle and the defendant was apprehended after a high speed chase.
In a separate case, the defendant was arrested for robbery without a weapon. The robbery occurred on January 24, 2012, when the victim arrived at work and the defendant inquired about renting a storage unit. Shortly after a struggle ensued and the defendant grabbed the victims wallet, ripping his pants. The pocket was swabbed for DNA and a hit came back to the defendant. Milner plead to the robbery charge and was sentenced to 15 years as a habitual felony offender with the sentence concurrent with the 30 year prison sentence.
Cantonment’s Gee Willies Closes
October 2, 2012
A popular Cantonment convenience store is now closed. Gee Willies at 710 North Highway 29 shut down Saturday night.
Employees said they were informed of the closure last Wednesday. The store’s owner, the Janmarene Corp. of Cantonment, has not offered a public explanation for the closure, but the sign outside the store was updated Tuesday to state the store is closed for a remodel.
In additional to fuel and a full service convenience store, Gee Willies also operated a restaurant with home cooked meals, pizza, burgers, chicken and more. The store had been open for about four and a half years.
Pictured: Gee Willies convenience store in Cantonment is now closed. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Week Five: Prep Football Standings
October 2, 2012
The first district games in 1A will be played this Friday night, while district games will continue in 5A and 6 A.
In 1A, the Northview Chiefs and the Jay Royals will meet in Bratt, while Freeport will be at at Baker. In a four-team district, wins are important for teams to move forward in the post season.
In 6A, Pace and Pensacola high schools have emerged as early district leaders. West Florida and Gulf Breeze, who will face off this Friday night, are the early leaders in Class 5A.
Here’s a look at last week’s results and this Friday night’s schedule:
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Amendment 3: Fight Over How Tightly To Cap Taxes
October 2, 2012
An amendment before Florida voters on the November ballot would tighten the state’s rarely-used revenue cap, potentially giving it more teeth – something supporters say will restrain reckless spending but opponents say would gut vital services.
Under Amendment 3, the amount of revenue the state would be allowed to collect and spend would no longer be tied to the growth in the economy — a cap that the state has never bumped into. Instead, it would follow a formula combining inflation and population growth.
For supporters, the proposal will help avoid the wild swings that Florida’s budget has taken over the last decade, smoothing out spending and providing a more robust savings account for when the state falls on more difficult economic times.
“Voting yes on Amendment 3 will send a message to our state leaders that the size of Florida’s government shouldn’t grow faster than the taxpayers’ capacity to pay for it,” said Edie Ousley, a spokeswoman for the Florida Chamber of Commerce, in an email.
But opponents say the amendment would force the Legislature to slavishly follow a rigid formula instead of adjusting spending as necessary. And they say it would handcuff lawmakers from addressing the state’s loophole-ridden tax code in a way that might bring in additional money for schools and infrastructure.
“We do not need to reduce our future to a mathematical formula,” said Charles Misted, associate state director for the AARP.
The force behind Amendment 3, approved by the Legislature in 2011, was Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island. At the time, Haridopolos was gearing up to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, though Haridopolos eventually abandoned his bid.
But as he leaves office because of term limits, Haridopolos said his proposal will help future legislative leaders avoid the headaches he and others had to deal with after years of spending inflated by an economic boom gave way to deep cuts triggered by an economic bust.
“What we’re trying to do with this amendment is just provide common-sense consistency,” he said.
Haridopolos also noted that some of the support for those opposing Amendment 3 comes from out-of-state groups.
Opponents, though, sense an effort to protect special interest tax breaks and constrict funding for public services under the guise of lowering taxes and responsible government.
“I know a wolf when I see one,” thundered Richard Dunn, senior pastor at Faith Community Baptist Church in Miami and a former Miami-Dade commissioner, during a rally Monday on the steps of the old Capitol. “This Amendment 3 is a wolf. And it’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
Critics say government costs often grow faster than inflation, artificially keeping the new limits too low. They’ve taken to citing a study by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities — a left-leaning think tank based in Washington, D.C. – saying the proposal would slash $11 billion from state spending by 2021, including more than $2 billion in the final year.
That contrasts sharply with estimates from legislative staff, which said in a 2011 analysis that the state would stay well below the cap until at least the 2019-20 fiscal year.
Rich Temple of the AFL-CIO, one of the groups fighting the proposal, mocked supporters’ argument that the amendment would provide certainty to businesses.
“It certainly guarantees that Florida will continue to remain at the bottom in all of the key indicators of a healthy society forever,” he said.
Exhibit A for opponents of the proposal is Colorado. Voters there approved a similar measure in 1992, but eventually suspended the measure because of an effect known as “ratcheting,” which limited lawmakers’ ability to use the revenues from an economic recovery to offset earlier reductions.
Jeanette Baust, a Denver sociologist, said Florida would follow the same path if it accepted the “snake oil” that was sold to Colorado voters.
“History will repeat itself if you do the same thing Colorado did and pass this amendment,” she said.
Haridopolos said that’s not true. He said Colorado ran into some of its problems because of spending requirements in Colorado in areas like education. And the Florida amendments provide safeguards, he said, that would allow a two-thirds majority in the Legislature to spend more money than the cap would allow if there’s an urgent need to do.
“We learned from the Colorado success,” he said, “and some of their difficulties.”
By Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida