Florida And Alabama Troopers Remind Drivers To ‘Move Over’
February 8, 2012
Troopers in Alabama and Florida are teaming up to raise public awareness of the “Move Over” laws in both states.
During the month-long enforcement operation, law enforcement officers will work together along busy highways and interstates to catch Move Over Law violators and others breaking traffic laws. Law enforcement officers will be out in force, issuing citations for violations.
The “Move Over” laws require motorists, when they see an emergency vehicle or a wrecker parked roadside with flashing emergency lights, to move over one lane away from the emergency vehicle or wrecker when driving on multi-lane highway. If a driver can’t move over, or if it’s a two-lane road, drivers must slow down 20 mph under the posted speed limit.
More than 170 law enforcement officers in the United States have died after being struck by motor vehicles since 1999, while thousands have been injured, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
“All too often, a law enforcement officer, paramedic or wrecker operator is seriously injured or killed while they are doing their job because a vehicle drove too close,” said Director of the Florida Highway Patrol, Col. David Brierton. “That is why our law includes protection for all first responders, emergency personnel and wrecker operators. Each of them deserves protection under the law.”
Florida Master Naturalist Program In Escambia County
February 8, 2012
A Florida Master Naturalist Program is now being offered in Escambia County.
The program is designed as an environmental education extension program to inform and prepare individuals to share information about Florida’s natural world and environmental history. Anyone who has an enthusiastic interest in learning more about Florida’s environment is encouraged to participate. Classes are appropriate for both novice and highly skilled environmental professionals.
The program is being offered by Escambia County Extension, the University of Florida-Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF-IFAS) and participating organizations throughout the state.
The coastal system program module includes classroom instruction, field trips and practical interpretive experience related to the general ecology, habitats, vegetation types, wildlife and conservation issues of coastal systems in Florida. Field trips will include the Navarre Beach Marine Science Station, Pensacola Beach, Shoreline Park South, the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies.
Classroom sessions will be held at the Gulf Breeze Recreation Center on Shoreline Drive in Gulf Breeze and the J. Earle Bowden Building in Historic Pensacola Village on most Wednesdays, February 29, through April 25.
Cost of the program is $225, which includes 40 contact hours of instruction, a comprehensive student reference workbook and upon completion, registration in the UF FMNP database as a Coastal Systems Naturalist. A UF-IFAS certificate of achievement, embroidered FMNP patch, and FMNP Coastal lapel pin also will be provided at completion of the course.
To register visit www.masternaturalist.ifas.ufl.edu and click on current course offerings. Registration will close on Thursday, February 23.
Florida Seniors Could Get Additional Tax Breaks
February 8, 2012
The House Finance and Tax Committee on Tuesday approved a plan that could lead to additional homestead exemptions for low- and moderate-income seniors who have owned their homes for at least 25 years.
The plan would depend on voters approving a constitutional amendment in November. Also, cities and counties would have the option to grant the additional exemptions, which would equal the assessed value of property.
The proposal is aimed at people who are 65 years or older, have incomes up to about $27,000 and live in homes valued at $250,000 or less.
The Finance and Tax Committee unanimously approved the measures, sponsored by Rep. Jose Oliva, R-Miami Lakes.
Ricky L. Davidson, Sr.
February 8, 2012
Ricky L. Davidson, Sr., passed away Sunday, February 5, 2012. Ricky was born in Pensacola on October 7, 1960, and has been a lifelong resident. He was owner of Davidson Wrecker Service since 1979 and co-owner of Davidson Racing. His favorite pastime and love of his life was NASCAR Racing and local short track at Five Flags Speedway with his loving wife Tina.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James C. and Sarah F. Davidson.
He leaves behind to celebrate his loving memory his wife of 13 years, Tina; son, Ricky Jr., son and daughter- in- law, Timothy and Samantha; daughters and sons-in-law, Camey and Michael, Marilyn and Arthur; daughter, Tiffany, eight grandchildren, brothers and sisters-in-law, Rodney and Debbie, Steve and Sharrone, and John and Emily, numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held 1:00 pm Thursday, February 9, 2012, at Faith Chapel North with Rev. Mark Torres officiating. Interment will follow at Cottage Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday February 8, 2012, from 5-8 p.m.
Faith Chapel North is in charge of arrangements.
Paul Edgar Mason, Jr.
February 8, 2012
Paul Edgar Mason, Jr., 76, of Alpharetta, GA, died Monday February 6, 2012, at his residence. He was a former resident of Atmore until he moved to Alpharetta with his wife and daughters in 2004.
He was owner of Sam’s Place with his father Ed for close to 50 years. During this time he also farmed soybeans, corn and wheat with his best friend Jimmy Mason. He also worked for the Escambia Grain elevator with his life-long friend Jim VanPelt.
He was born in Atmore on June 14, 1935, to the late Edgar and Lola Troutman Mason.
He retired with The Army National Guard and served during the Korean and Gulf Wars.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce C. Mason of Alpharetta, GA; two daughters, Shayne Mason Lee and Missy Mason Kindig, both of Atlanta; two sisters, Betty Ann Mason and Lanell Mason, both of Atmore; two grandchildren, Garrett Mason Lee and Colby Kyle Kindig, both of Atlanta.
Services will be Thursday February 09, 2012, at 2:30 p.m. from the First United Methodist Church of Atmore, with Rev. Leon Stewart and Rev. Jim Reece officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Jimmy Mason, Luther James, Wendall Eicher, Steve Drew, Butch Watson and Gary Welch. Honorary pallbearers will be Tommy Jackson, Jim VanPelt, George VanPelt, Ed Nolan and Wendall James.
Family will receive friends, Wednesday evening February 8, 2012, at the First United Methodist Church from 7 until 8:30 p.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Extension Cord Sparked Fire That Killed Sisters
February 7, 2012
An extension cord caused the early Monday morning fire that claimed the lives of two young sisters in Escambia County.
The fire, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office, was accidental.
The fire started in the bedroom where 8-year old Te’Laysia Jackson and 10-year old Te’Sjohnna Sanford died. Investigators said the extension cord was around the edge of the girls’ room, with clothes, boxes and other items on top of it. It overheated and sparked the blaze that consumed the wood frame home in the 2000 block of West Gregory Street about 1:30 a.m. Monday.
The home did not have working smoke detectors, but they are not required by law in a home build prior to 1989, according to officials.
The girls’ mother and stepfather were also at home at the time of the fire. The stepfather tried to rescue the girls, but the heat from the bedroom fire was too intense. The girls also have a brother, but he was not at home at the time of the blaze.
Pictured: Two young girls died in this house fire early Monday morning in Escambia County. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Charged After Alleged Drunken Dispute With Estranged Wife
February 7, 2012
An alleged drunken dispute with his estranged wife over the weekend landed a Cantonment man behind bars.
John James Orcutt, age 28 of Schifko Road, was charged with disorderly intoxication, burglary of an unoccupied vehicle, petit theft and resisting an officer without violence.
Saturday afternoon, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to disturbance call on Mills Avenue off Gulf Beach Highway where they found Orcutt and his estranged wife arguing in the middle of the street. The responding deputy said Ocrutt yelled an expletive at him multiple times before he was taken into custody.
The victim told deputies that she and Orcutt had been separated for several weeks and that he had broken into her mother’s 1999 pickup truck, taking personal belongings and throwing them to the ground, taking $300 which he later returned and taking her driver’s license.
Deputies found the pickup with its tailgate down and several items, including a hubcap, clothing and a driver’s license removed from the vehicle and tossed about.
While Orcutt was being transported to the Escambia County Jail, he told the deputy that he had been drinking a lot and had taken three Xanax bars before breaking into the vehicle because he was mad, according to the arrest report.
Orcutt was released from the Escambia County Jail Monday on a $4,000 bond.
Culp Named Tate High Teacher Of The Year
February 7, 2012
Alan Culp has been named the Tate High School Teacher of the Year.
Culp is the chair of the science department at Tate, and he teachers AP and honors biology. He hold a BA in Education Biology and has been a teacher for 10 years, eight of those years at Tate.
Teachers of the year are chosen by the faculty and staff at each school in the county. The Escambia County Teacher of the Year will be announced at the annual Golden Apple Awards Dinner later this month.
Ransom Middle FFA Places 6th In State In Horse Judging
February 7, 2012
The Ransom Middle School FFA recently placed sixth in the state in the Middle School Horse Judging Career Development Event (CDE) in Marianna.
The purpose of the horse evaluation CDE is to stimulate the study of, and interest in, equine science selection while providing recognition for those who have demonstrated skill and competency in this area.
Twenty teams from across the State gathered to compete for the top spot. Ransom Middle School’s FFA placed sixth overall. Team members included:
- Alex Mason
- Jacob Crump
- Owen Carter
- Rachel Grammer
Rachel Grammer was the 4th highest scoring individual, and Alex Mason was the 10th highest scoring individual in the state.
Century Honors Baseball Coaching Legend Floyd Adams
February 7, 2012
The Town of Century honored legendary baseball coach Floyd Adams Monday night with a proclamation highlighting some of his Century-area accomplishments.
Adams was head baseball coach at Century High School from 1968 to 1970 where he enjoyed a winning record and won the Escambia River Conference in 1969 and 1970. He was also named the conference’s coach of the year in 1969 and 1970. Adams also served as Northview High School’s coach during the 1996-1997 school year.
“The Mayor of the Town of Century, Florida, honors Floyd Adams for instilling and building Blackcat Pride in the young athletes of Century,” the proclamation presented Monday night states.
“I was honored to coach the very best wherever I went, and Century was no exception,” Adams said.
Last month, Adams was inducted into the Alabama Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame for his accomplishments in Alabama. At Jefferson Davis Community College in Brewton, Adams had a 10-season record of 303-149.
Adams also served as assistant coach for two years at Tate High School before moving up to serve as head coach for the Aggies for seven years.
Adams is a 1952 graduate of Escambia County High School in Atmore. He has been retired from coaching for over a decade.
Pictured top: Century Mayor Freddie McCall (right) presents a proclamation Floyd Adams Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge. Pictured below: Adams at the Tate Aggies head coach in an undated photograph.
