Relic Of The Past: Florida Removing Motorist Aid Call Boxes
December 1, 2013
Those motorist telephone call boxes along Florida’s highways will mostly be a thing of memory.
The state Department of Transportation is removing all but a few of the 2,752 push button call boxes from along its highways as personal cell phones have reduced the need for the roadside phones.
“With cell phone use it was decided to save the department some money,” said DOT spokesman John O’Brien.
The removal, estimated to cost around $200,000, has already started.
By not having to maintain the system, including the interconnecting consoles at Florida Department of Highway dispatch offices and base stations, the state is expected to save $1 million a year.
The move will leave Pennsylvania and Hawaii as the only states that offer roadside motorists call boxes.
The boxes were installed in the early 1970s, back at a time when those seeking police, medical or automotive aide would have otherwise had to hoof it or hitch a ride to the closest businesses or residence with a pay phone.
However, for more than a decade the use of the boxes has been on a steady decline, falling from 56,674 calls in 1998 to 22,051 in 2004 and 7,807 in 2012.
“There’s been a dramatic decline in usage over the years,” O’Brien said. “The technology is antiquated and we’re doing a lot of stuff with ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems programs) and the Road Rangers.”
ITS is a fiber optic system of traffic cameras, overhead message signs, microwave vehicle detectors, travel time sensors, road and weather information sensors, and highway advisory radios that is in place along 1,259 miles of interstate and turnpike. Work began this week putting the system in place in the northwest, along a section of I-10 and U.S. 231, at a cost of $24 million.
Along I-10, from the Alabama line to Jacksonville, the calls have dropped from 3,571 in 2004 to 1,143 last year from 464 call boxes.
Century Decks Out For Christmas With Pole Decorations
December 1, 2013
Century is all decked out with Christmas decorations along North Century Boulevard. Last year, the town bought 42, 50-inch Christmas wreaths with energy saving LED bulbs and 24-inch bows.
The wreaths were ordered from Dixie Decorations in Montavello, Ala., for $15,047, while the bows were purchased from a local business for $3,918. It also cost the town $2,734 to have Gulf Power wire three poles that previously did not have electricity for three of the wreaths.
Pictured: Lighted wreath decorations adorn nearly four dozen utility poles along North Century Boulevard in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
FFA Fruit Sale Ends Monday
December 1, 2013
The NHS FFA is selling citrus in attractive 2/5 or 4/5 bushel boxes perfect for gift wrapping. The Florida citrus is from RiverBrite in Vero Beach.
Orders must be made by Monday, December 2. The delivery date is Wednesday, December 18.
For an order form click here. Order forms and payment can be returned to Northview by mail (the address is on the order form), or dropped off at the school office. Fruits available include red apples, grapefruit, navel oranges, tangelos and Hamlin oranges. Mixed trio half bushels are also available.
For more information, call (850) 327-6681, ext. 248.
Holiday Giving: Shop Wisely For A Reputable Charity
December 1, 2013
Millions of Americans have ventured out to big and small retailers in search of the best deal for their holiday gift giving, and experts advise them to have the same diligence when it comes to picking their charity.
According to AARP, older Americans are more likely to receive charitable solicitations than any other group, and not all requests are legitimate, warns Doug Shadel, author of AARP’s “Outsmarting the Scam Artists.”
“There’s a lot of charitable solicitations going on out there that really tug at the heartstrings, whether it’s disabled veterans or anything having to do with disasters, and so you really just got to be careful about that,” he cautions.
Shadel advises seniors and others to be cautious of charities whose names are similar to better-known organizations.
You can also request written information, avoid cash gifts and ask for a receipt.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, nearly 25 million Americans are victims of consumer fraud every year.
You can check to see if a charity is registered in Florida by checking with the state’s Division of Consumer Services.
Shadel also says to ask the person requesting the donation more about how the donations are used and how much goes to operating costs versus the actual cause it claims to serve.
“A lot of times, charitable solicitors will try and get you into kind of a heightened emotional state around their charity,” he explains. “The best way to avoid that is at the beginning of every year, come up with your own charitable giving plan.”
Elsie Mae Fillingim
December 1, 2013
Elsie was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Jim Fillingim; her father, Joel Yarber; her mother, Elizabeth Harrell Yarber; special sister, Evelyn Holsembeck; brother, Walker Yarber and grandson Jimmy Allen.
She will be greatly missed by her brother Charles; one son, Rickey and Liz Fillingim; four daughters, Mickey and Glenn Allen, JoAnn and Jim Catoe, Phyllis and Andy McDonald, Mary Jane and Larry King; grandchildren, Curtis, Denice, Keith, Kristie, Renea, Sidney, Kim, Ray, Lamar, Kaye, Matt and Ken; numerous great grandchildren and one great great grandson.
Pallbearers will be Mark Daniel, Bubba Gulsby, Sidney Catoe, Howard Fillingim, Hubert Fillingim and Gary Diamond.
Special thanks to the staff of Santa Rosa Health and Rehabilitation who took such loving care of our mother in her final hours and Emerald Coast Hospice.
Family will receive friends at Faith Chapel North on Sunday, December 1, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. Services will follow at 2:00 p.m. with interment to follow at Lathram Chapel Cemetery, 2690 Jacks Branch Rd with Pastor Pam Avery officiating.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Judy Marie Smith
December 1, 2013
Ms. Judy Marie Smith, age 57 of Flomaton, passed away on Thursday, November 28, 2013, in Flomaton.
Ms. Smith was a native of Century and a resident of the Century and Flomaton community the majority of her life coming from Hurley, MS. She had been an employee of the Food Giant in Century for years and was of the Baptist faith.
She is survived by her father, Carl Turk of Hurley, MS; her mother, Marie Turk of Flomaton; sons, Michael (Sonja) Smith of East Brewton, Marcus (Vanessa) Smith of the McCall community and Timothy Nisewonger of Pensacola; brothers, Jesse Turk of Flomaton, John Turk of Hurley, MS and Jimmy (Tessa) Turk of Ocean Springs, MS; sister, Joana Turk of Hurley, MS; grandchildren, Brandon, Trevarly, Tristan, Taylor and Holliegh; and nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, December 1, 2013, at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Carl Wilson officiating.
Interment was in McCurdy Cemetery in Century.
Flomaton Funeral Home is directing.
Gulf Power Rate Increase Could Be Approved Tuesday
November 30, 2013
The Florida Public Service Commission next week could approve a proposed settlement that would lead to increased base electric rates for customers of Gulf Power Company.
Commission Chairman Ronald Brise has approved adding the issue to a regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, and Commissioner Lisa Edgar — who has been overseeing the rate case — said that was the PSC’s plan for considering the settlement.
The Pensacola-based utility and representatives of consumers and business groups finalized the proposed settlement last week.
Gulf Powerwould be able to increase base electric rates by $35 million in January and an additional $20 million in 2015. Originally, the utility had sought to increase base rates by $74.4 million, along with another potential $16.4 million 2015.
Several parties opposed the full rate hike amount, including the state Office of Public Counsel, which represents consumers in utility issues; the Florida Industrial Power Users Group, which represents major electricity users; federal government agencies that are Gulf customers; and retailers Wal-Mart Stores East, LP, and Sam’s East, Inc.
Gulf Power said over the next three years the company is building and replacing power lines and infrastructure — some more than 70 years old — to keep electricity flowing to its 430,000 customers. In addition, new lines and equipment are needed to comply with new mandatory federal environmental regulations.
Part of the new transmission line construction is to help the company comply with new federal environmental regulations that will change the way the company operates its plants and will require plants to be shut down at regular intervals. The new lines and equipment will be used to ensure voltage stability and reliable power flow while the plants are offline.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
Pictured inset: Gulf Power crews making upgrades to a distribution line. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weather Begins To Warm
November 30, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. Calm wind.
- Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 47. Calm wind.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 69. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. Calm wind.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51.
- Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.
- Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72.
NWE Juniors Beat Eight Mile; Advance In Gulf Coast Youth Championships
November 30, 2013
The Northwest Escambia Juniors are competing in the Gulf Coast Youth Football Championships in Gulf Shores this weekend.
Friday, the NWE Juniors beat the Eight Mile Giants 13-0. For the NWE Eagles, Jayden Jackson and Jaheem Durant both scored touchdown, and Kaden Odom added an extra point.
The Eagles defense dominated the Giants. Keaundre Richardson had five tackles and a sack, Kaden Odom had one interception and several tackles, Ki-Jana Carter, Donovon Davis and Tomorrion Knight played tough on the defensive line, AJ Hasty had a fumble recovery, and Jayden Jackson and Jaheem Durant both had several tackles.
Shortly after the NWE Eagles win, tournament officials disqualified the Giants for two ineligible, over-age limit players.
The NWE Eagles will take on Trimmier Park on Saturday.
Area Christmas Parades Begin (With Parade Schedules)
November 30, 2013
The Jay Christmas Parade Saturday morning was the first of many parades in the North Escambia area this Christmas season. Here is a complete look at area parades:
December 7 — Flomaton Christmas Parade
The Flomaton Christmas Parade will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 7 with a route through the downtown area.
December 7 — Molino Christmas Parade
The 11th Annual Molino Christmas Parade is set for Saturday, December 7 at 11 a.m. The parade route starts at the west end of Crabtree Church Road and ends and the Molino Ballpark where Santa Will be waiting to visit with all the good little boys and girls. Donations such as toys and non-perishable food can be dropped off at Fran’s Diner. The parade rain date will be Sunday, December 8 at 2:30 p.m.
December 12 — Century Land To Lake Parade
Century will hold a Land to Lake Lighted Boat Parade on Thursday, December 12 at 5 p.m. The parade will begin on Front Street, travel to Jefferson, Pond Street and West Highway 4, ending at Lake Stone.
December 13 — Poarch Christmas Parade
The Poarch Creek Christmas Parade will be Friday, December 13 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 14 – Brewton Christmas Parade
The Brewton Christmas Parade will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 14. The parade will travel from Forrest Avenue in East Brewton, across the Mildred Street Bridge to St. Joseph Street to Belleville Avenue.
December 14 — Atmore Christmas Parade
The Atmore 2013 Twilight Christmas Parade will be held Saturday, December 14 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 14 — Chumuckla Redneck Parade
The Chumuckla Redneck Christmas Parade will be Saturday, December 14 at 1 p.m. The parade will begin at the Cotton Gin on Chumuckla Springs Road/Gin Road, cross Chumuckla Highway and end at Salter Road. More than 250 units are expected along the 1.5 mile parade route.
December 14 — Pensacola Christmas Parade
The Pensacola Christmas Parade will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 14 in downtown Pensacola. Featuring local bands. Parade begins at Spring and Garden and travels through downtown.
Pictured top: Santa arrives during the 2012 Atmore Christmas parade. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.