Fire Safety: Keep The Wreath Green Campaign Begins Today
December 1, 2012
Today, Escambia County Fire Rescue and the City of Pensacola Fire Department begin the “Keep the Wreath Green” holiday safety program and Santa Rosa County begins the “Keep Your Holidays Bright” campaign designed to promote fire safety during the month of December. With both programs, officials hope to reduce the number of fires during a time of serious fire danger with simple, life saving tips.
Escambia County
Every time firefighters respond to a residential fire in Escambia County, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by holiday decorations. Last year, there were four residential fires in December, including one in North Escambia. A home on Washington Street in Cantonment was destroyed by fire in the early morning hours of December 30. [Read more...]
By comparison, the 2010 Keep the Wreath Green campaign ended with 18 red bulbs representing residential fires, with 15 of those fire occurring by Christmas Eve. In 2009, there were a dozen fires during the period.
This year, the eighth year of the campaign, five-foot wreaths will be on display at 26 different locations throughout the holiday season. These sites are the Old Escambia County Courthouse on Palafox Place, the Public Safety Building on W Street, the Central Office Complex on West Park Place, 17 primary county fire stations, seven stations within the City of Pensacola, Cordova Mall and one mobile display.
The “Keep the Wreath Green” program has gone green with all new LED low wattage lights that use less energy, have a longer lifetime and are more durable than the standard lights.
Officials hope to reduce the number of fires during a time of serious fire danger with simple, life saving tips for each day of the month. Click here to read the fire safety tips.
Santa Rosa County
In the Santa Rosa “Keep Your Holidays Bright” campaign, a Christmas tree decorated with candles has been placed in the Santa Rosa County Administration Complex on Caroline Street.
Each time firefighters respond to a working residential fire or large wildfire causing fire damage, a candle will be “extinguished” and replaced with a card noting the basic details of the fire.
Pictured top: This home on Washington Street in Cantonment was destroyed by fire in the early morning hours of December 30, 2011. Pictured inset: A Keep the Wreath Green display at the Mcdavid Volunteer Fire Department. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Santa Rosa Man Sentenced To Death In Double Murder Case
December 1, 2012
A Milton man that shot a couple to death in 2010 and left the bodies along a dirt road has been sentenced to death.
Robert Hobart, 43, shot and killed Tracie Tolbert and Robert Hamm in September 2010 in order to steal prescription drugs from them. Following the jury’s recommendation, Judge David Rimmer sentenced Hobart to death for killing Tolbert and imposed a life sentence for the death of Hamm.
Hobart was a suspect early in the investigation and arrested by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office after he was implicated by conclusive forensic evidence. Investigators said ballistics tests matched the weapon to both the shell casings and the bullets recovered from the crime scene.
The murders were discovered after a resident of Jesse Allen Road called authorities to report what looked like a large amount of blood in Jesse Allen Road. When deputies arrived, they found the two bodies on opposite sides of the roadway. Tolbert and Hamm had been shot in their heads.
Jesse Allen Road runs west off Highway 87, about 18 miles south of Jay and not far from Central High School.
Christmas Parade Schedules
December 1, 2012
Here is a list of Christmas parades to be held this year around the North Escambia area:
December 7 — Poarch
The Poarch Creek Christmas Parade will be Friday, December 7 at 5:30 p.m. The parade will begin on the Poarch Creek Reservation at the Wellness Center (gym) and end at the PCI Health Department Building.
December 7 — Milton Boat Parade
The Riverwalk Milton Holiday Lighted Boat Parade will begin at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, December 7.
December 8 — Chumuckla
The Chumuckla Christmas Parade will be Saturday, December 8. Floats will line up on Mineral Springs Road at 11 a.m. The parade will begin at 1 p.m. from the cotton gin, travel Highway 182, cross Chumuckla Highway and end at Salter Road.
December 8 – Brewton
The Brewton Christmas Parade will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 8. The parade will travel from Forrest Avenue in East Brewton, across the Mildred Street Bridge to St. Joseph Street to Belleville Avenue.
December 8 — Atmore
The Atmore 2012 Twilight Christmas Parade will be held Saturday, December 8 beginning at 5:30 p.m. The parade will follow its traditional route from the Atmore City Hall, down Main Street, to Lindberg Avenue and ending at Escambia County High School. Over two dozen floats are entered, along with several bands and numerous other groups. Parade participants should be at the Atmore City Hall by 4 p.m.
December 8 — Pensacola
The Pensacola Christmas Parade will be held at 5:15 p.m. on Saturday, December 8 in downtown Pensacola. Featuring local bands and the Blue Angels.
December 15 — Molino
The annual Molino Christmas Parade on Crabtree Church Road will be Saturday, December 15 at 11 a.m., ending with Santa Claus at the Molino Ballpark. To enter the parade, stop by Fran’s Diner on Highway 29 for information and to sign up.
Pictured: A float in last year’s Atmore Twilight Christmas Parade. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Christmas Shopping: Hope For Halee, Palafox Market
December 1, 2012
Two events Saturday afternoon will offer shoppers an opportunity to purchase unique Christmas gifts.
Hope 4 Halee Boyd – Heritage Baptist Cantonment
A day of early Christmas shopping and a silent auction will be held today to benefit Halee Boyd, a Tate High School student that is battling cancer. The event will be held from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Heritage Baptist Church, 3065 Highway 297A in Cantonment. Vendors will be on hand with Christmas bargains and a silent auction will offer numerous gift ideas. Door prizes will be given away each hour. A hot dog chip and drink meal will also be available for $5.
Donations for Halee Boyd are also accepted at Doral Bank, 4920 Bayou Boulevard in Pensacola. For more information about Halee, click here for a NorthEscambia.com story from earlier this year.
Palafox Market – Downtown
There will be plenty of great gift ideas at the Palafox Market in the Martin Luther King Plaza in downtown Pensacola. Every Saturday from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m., the Palafox Market has something for everyone with over 70 vendors participating weekly. The market includes art vendors with an incredible variety of local and award winning art including paintings, sculptures, textiles, photography, woodworking, soaps, candles, jewelry and many holiday themed items. There are gifts for all tastes and styles to be found among the artists at the Palafox Market.
Food vendors sell an array of homemade cakes, breads, pies, jams, candies, salsas, and sauces and the market’s local meat and produce will be a fabulous addition to any holiday meal. The fresh cut flowers, plants, and aromatic potpourri will help you put the finishing touches on your holiday décor.
Active 2012 Hurricane Season Comes To A Close
December 1, 2012
Friday marked the end of the 2012 Atlantic Hurricane season, one that produced 19 named storms, of which 10 became hurricanes and one became a major hurricane. The number of named storms was well above the average of 12. The number of hurricanes was also above the average of six, but the number of major hurricanes was below the average of three.
Based on the combined number, intensity, and duration of all tropical storms and hurricanes, NOAA classified the season as above-normal. 2012 was an active year, but not exceptionally so as there were 10 busier years in the last three decades.
This season marked the second consecutive year that the mid-Atlantic and Northeast suffered devastating impacts from a named storm. Sandy, and Irene last year, caused fatalities, injuries, and tremendous destruction from coastal storm surge, heavy rainfall, inland flooding, and wind. Storms struck many parts of the country this year, including tropical storms Beryl and Debby in Florida, Hurricane Isaac in Louisiana, and Post-tropical Cyclone Sandy in New Jersey.
“This year proved that it’s wrong to think that only major hurricanes can ruin lives and impact local economies,” said Laura Furgione, acting director of NOAA’s National Weather Service. “We are hopeful that after the 2012 hurricane season, more families and businesses all along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts become more “weather ready” by understanding the risks associated with living near the coastline. Each storm carries a unique set of threats that can be deadly and destructive. Mother Nature reminded us again this year of how important it is to be prepared and vigilant.”
NOAA will release its pre-season outlook for the 2013 hurricane season in May.
Scott, Panel Call For Florida Property Insurance Reform
December 1, 2012
Several Florida lawmakers and Gov. Rick Scott said Friday they will push to “educate” Floridians on the hidden costs associated with property insurance and a “house of cards” that will blow down if a major storm hits.
Speaking at the Florida Chamber of Commerce insurance summit at Disney, Scott said a concerted effort needs to be made to inform insurance policyholders that state efforts to shore up the market in some of the most hurricane prone regions of the state, will likely trigger across-the-board assessments when the state-backed insurer can’t pay claims.
Scott’s comments came shortly after a Chamber political consultant released survey results showing 80 percent of policyholders are not aware that they will be charged assessments if Citizens Property Insurance Corp. and the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund are unable to pay claims in the event of a serious storm.
Scott said Citizens, the state-backed insurer, needs to continue efforts to get the word out about the potential for what he called a “hurricane tax.” Citizens has gone from the insurer of last resort to the state’s largest property insurer, with nearly 1.5 million policyholders.
“To make the dream of home ownership available we must reduce the size of Citizens,” Scott said. “It cannot be the insurer of first resort.”
Any fundamental change to Citizens role will be difficult, a subsequent panel of lawmakers said. Political considerations have – and will continue to – butt heads with the economic realities of insuring property in a state where about 80 percent of the population lives near the coastline, they said.
Balancing the actuarial soundness of insurers, including Citizens, with the clamor of the coastal population for affordable insurance has been something Florida policymakers have wrestled with for years.
Following the destructive 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, the Legislature placed caps on Citizens premium increases as Floridians complained loudly about spiraling rates. With private companies unable or unwilling to write policies in many areas that a number of homeowners consider affordable, Citizens has stepped in to insure more and more property.
To shore up the market, the CAT fund and Citizens play an increasingly critical role, but are themselves funded in part by potential assessments on policyholders of all companies if they can’t pay losses.
“Most families have no idea they are subject to this tax,” Scott said.
Any proposal to raise those rates beyond the 10-percent cap approved by lawmakers faces intense political pressure from coastal voters, who disproportionately make up Citizens policy base. But Sen. Darren Soto, D-Orlando, said coastal lawmakers may have to make unpopular choices to strengthen the overall insurance market across the state.
“It’s a pretty big balancing act,” said Soto, who was just elected to the Senate after serving in the House. “A big issue going into session is whether we can convince those folks who represent people along the coast to sign on to it.”
By The News Service of Florida
Carl Houston Mothershed
December 1, 2012
Mr. Carl Houston Mothershed, 71, passed away on Wednesday, November 28, 2012, in Foley.
Mr. Mothershed was a native of Atmore and resident of Huxford for the past 36 years. Mr. Mothershed attended the Westside Baptist Church. He is preceded in death by three brothers, Charles Raymond Mothershed, William Frederick Mothershed and W.D. Mothershed and three sisters, Dorothy Hall, Ernestine Davis and Audine Sharpless.
Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Emma Ruth Mothershed of Huxford; one son, Daryl (Jennifer) Mothershed of Huxford; one daughter, Tina (James) House of Huxford; one brother, Rev. Gladyn (Joyce) Mothershed of Atmore; nine grandchildren, Matthew (Brittney) Mothershed, Justin Mothershed, Katie Stabler, Breanne Rolin, Kala House, C.J. House, Trevor Lowry, Megan House Turberville and Grant Everett; three great-grandchildren, Noah Mothershed, Braylee Mothershed and Troy Turberville.
Funeral services were held Saturday, December 1, 2012, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Don Davis officiating.
Burial was at the Mothershed Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Matthew Mothershed, Justin Mothershed, Grant Everette, James House, C.J. House and David Chunn.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC is in charge of all arrangements.
LIVE Updates: Northview At Liberty County
November 30, 2012
NorthEscambia.com will have live updates tonight from the Northview at Liberty County game.
Updates will be posted on our Facebook page at:
www.facebook.com/NorthEscambia
Three Dozen Students Uninjured In Pine Forest Road School Bus Crash
November 30, 2012
There were no serious injuries reported in a three vehicle accident involving a school bus this morning on Pine Forest Road near Mandeville Lane, just north Longleaf Drive.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a school bus with 38 students on board was stopped at 7:05 a.m. with red signals flashing to load passengers. A 2009 Mercury driven by 48-year old Tammy P. Franko of Pensacola was properly stopped behind the bus. Marshall C. Fundaburk, age 23 of Pensacola, was operating his vehicle above the posted speed limit and “failing to maintain awareness of the roadway,” according to a FHP report, when he slammed his 2003 Chevrolet car under the back of Franko’s vehicle and pushed it under the bus.
School district officials contacted the parents of the involved students and arranged for a second bus to transport the students to Beulah Elementary School.
Fundaburk was charged with failure to use due care, according to the FHP.
Pictured: There were no serious injuries reported in this three vehicle crash involving a school bus Friday morning on Pine Forest Road. Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Dispose Of Hazardous Waste, Electronics, Tires At Tate On Saturday
November 30, 2012
The Escambia County Department of Solid Waste will host a Regional Roundup Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon at Tate High School. The Regional Roundup event will provide an opportunity to residents to dispose of electronics, household hazardous waste, shoes and up to four tires per vehicle for free of charge.
Businesses and residents can dispose of all types of clean, dry, recyclable electronics including computers, monitors and terminals, keyboards, mice, printers, TVs, copiers, gaming systems, remotes, fax machines, VCRs, stereo systems, cell phones and telephones. Electronics that have been gutted will not be accepted. Businesses with large amounts of electronics should call the Department of Solid Waste Management to make an appointment to dispose of those items at the Perdido Landfill. Appliances, including fans and air conditioners, are not accepted.
Household Hazardous Waste items can cause injury if handled improperly. These items will usually have a warning or cautionary statement on their labels, such as flammable, corrosive, poison or toxic and include items such as swimming pool chemicals, cleaners, drain openers, paint and paint products, fuels, gases, lawn and garden chemicals, aerosol cans and automotive repair and maintenance products.
Shoes are also collected for the Soles4Souls program, which accepts donated shoes for the less fortunate. Donated shoes should be bound together with a rubber band.
All electronic, household hazardous waste and tires are recycled.
For more information about Regional Roundup events, proper disposal of waste or to make an appointment for a business electronics drop-off, contact the Escambia County Department of Solid Waste Management at (850) 937-2160.