Bill Would Prohibit Smoking On Playgrounds
November 14, 2013
Rep. Katie Edwards, D-Plantation, on Wednesday filed the House version of a measure that would give local governments the ability to prohibit smoking on playgrounds. The proposal would allow municipalities and counties to restrict smoking in local government-owned playground areas as an expansion of the Florida Clean Indoor Air Act.
The act, approved by voters in 2002, prohibits smoking in most enclosed indoor workplaces.
The Senate version (SB 342) was filed last week by Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island. Bradley tried to pass a broader bill (SB 258) during the 2013 legislative session that would have allowed restrictions on smoking on municipal or county properties, but it died in the Community Affairs Committee.
Pictured: The playground at the Molino Community Complex. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Boil Water Notice For Some Cottage Hill Water Works Customers
November 14, 2013
A precautionary boil water notice has been issued for some customers of the Cottage Hill Water Works System.
The following streets are included in the notice: 1459-1999 Hwy 95A, East Quintette Rd., Williams Ditch Rd, Clymil Dr., Gainey Ln, Glenna Ln, Elna Rd, McKenzie Rd, Chavers Rd, Parker Rd, Hollow Point , Cottage Park Rd., Handy Rd., Smyers Rd, Stacey Rd, Buckhead Trace, Eastman Ln, Danielle Lane, Heathrow Dr. Grenelefe Dr , and Wendy Drive.
The notice was issued following a water main break. Residents are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use six drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water for water drinking or cooking purposes. Bacteriological sampling is underway and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible.
A crew has repaired the main and is flushing out the lines. Residents are advised that there is a possibility of discolored water as a result of the break and flushing, and to flush their home’s plumbing by running their taps for a few minutes. If you have questions, contact the Cottage Hill Water Works, office at (850) 968-5485.
Have Extra Fruit On Your Trees? Donate It To The Needy
November 14, 2013
Have a fruit tree on your property with way too much fruit for you? The volunteer group Yes We Can Pensacola wants your donations as the group prepares to begin its annual fruit picking.
For the past six years, the independent group has harvested over 36 thousand of pounds of fruit in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties to be donated to area food banks and soup kitchens, including Manna Foods and Favor House in Pensacola.
The group has picked a wide variety of citrus fruits, including oranges, lemons, grapefruits, limes and tangerines from local residents. Yes We Can Pensacola volunteers will continue to pick fruit into February.
If you are interested in donating fruit or volunteering, contact group coordinator Anna Houghton at (850) 748-0616 or email annabhoughton@gmail.com.
Pictured: Tangerines growing in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Dr. Woodie Ross Cryar
November 14, 2013
Dr. Woodie Ross Cryar, formerly of Birmingham, died on Monday, November 11,2013, in Atmore. He was born in Albertville, Ala., on June 29, 1924. Dr. Cryar was a graduate of Albertville High School and Sneed State Junior College. He graduated from Alabama Polytechnic Institute School of Veterinary Medicine in 1950, following service in the United States Army during World War II with the rank of Sergeant.
Dr. Cryar practiced Veterinary Medicine in Birmingham from 1950 until his retirement in 1995. He served as president of both the Jefferson County Veterinary Medical Association and the Alabama State Veterinary Medical Association. He was a life member of both organizations. He was a member and officer of the Birmingham Optimist Club. He was a past member of the Woodlawn and Trinity Presbyterian Churches in Birmingham, where he served as Deacon, and was presently a member of the First United Methodist Church in Atmore.
Dr. Cryar was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Frances Bertram Cryar, his parents and two brothers.
He is survived by his daughters and sons- in-law, Emily and P. D. Pollard and Malia and Gerald Shelton; grandchildren, David Ross Lee, Joseph Duncan Pollard and Anna Frances Lee; one sister, Peggy Cornelius; and four nieces and two nephews.
A memorial service of Dr. Cryar’s life was held on Thursday, November 14, 2013, at the First United Methodist Church and was officiated by the Reverend Debora Bishop. The family will visit with friends and relatives immediately following the memorial service.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home and Johns-Ridouts Valley Chapel are in charge of the arrangements.
Ken McDonald
November 14, 2013
Ken McDonald, 58, beloved husband, brother, son, Pops, step father, uncle, passed away Saturday November 9, 2013, (following a long battle with cancer.) He is preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Wesley McDonald from Walsall England.
He is survived by his wife, Terri McDonald of Milton; brother and sister-in-law, Paul & Moira McDonald; nephew, Lee McDonald; mother, Margaret McDonald all from Walsall, England; sister, Lynn McDonald and husband, Paul Phayzee and nephew, Daniel Phayzee of Birmingham, England; step-daughter and son-in-law, Ashley and Ben Cauble; grandchildren, Gabriel, Noah, Eliana and Judah of McDonough, GA; step-son, Paul Westmoreland of Lawrenceville, GA; aunts, uncles and cousins from England; sisters and brothers-in-law, from Georgia and many dear friends from England, Florida, Georgia and Alabama.
He started playing football (soccer) in 1965, playing for many clubs in England and continued his career coaching and training to the very end. His accomplishments include many champion cups and league cups as a player. He and his friend Micky Ross started their own football club which achieved two levels below Premier League. His immense knowledge of the game is evident in two Deaflympic gold medals and World Cup semi-finals with the USA Deaf Soccer, numerous tournament and state championships with teams from Georgia, Florida and Alabama, six players that he personally trained and coached who now play in professional clubs in England, feature articles in the Soccer Journal, the largest soccer magazine in the USA, invitations to lecture at the NSCAA conventions, qualified and experienced Coerver Coach and staff coach at Berry College Summer Camps to name only a few.
In the words of his players, “Coach Ken is the definition of true coaching, so much more than soccer. Ken left everyone a better person. His dedication and commitment to players and teams and his deep love for the game and a powerful faith in the potential of his players was immeasurable. So many have benefited from his immense knowledge of the game, more than they even thought was possible.”
Ken was a legend in the eyes of his players, friends and family and is greatly missed.
In celebration of Ken’s life, services will be held at Navarre Beach on Sunday, November 17, 2013, at 2 p.m.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.
Bill Aimed At Gun Regulations on Government Property
November 14, 2013
A South Florida lawmaker filed a bill this week that would give cities and counties more power to regulate guns on property they own. Rep. Jim Waldman, D-Coconut Creek, filed the proposal (HB 305) on Tuesday.
It would change a law that has left regulation of firearms and ammunition to the Legislature.
The bill says there are “municipalities and counties that seek to exercise their home rule powers in the field of regulation of firearms and ammunition upon property owned by such municipality or county with the same freedom that they have in other fields to consider and account for local conditions and sensibilities.”
It appears highly unlikely, however, that the bill will pass during the 2014 legislative session. Both chambers of the Republican-controlled Legislature have been staunch supporters of gun rights.
by The News Service of Florida
Escambia SWAT Team Activated For Hostage Situation
November 13, 2013
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team responded to hostage situation late Tuesday night at a home near Saufley Field.
SWAT was activated after deputies responded to a home in the 6000 block of Champion Oaks Drive for an aggravated assault and suicide threat call.
The suspect, 34-year old Garren Shawndale Smith, was contacted via cell phone. Smith stated that he had a handgun held to his girlfriend’s head, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
SWAT was activated when he refused to exit the home. Negotiations between the suspect and the hostage negotiation team lasted several hours until finally the suspect and victim walked out the front door.
The suspect was taken into custody without incident and transported to the jail.
Smith was charged with aggravated assault and false imprisonment.
Two Brand New Ambulances Delivered To North Escambia Post
November 13, 2013
Two new ambulances were delivered to the Escambia County’s northern most EMS post on Tuesday.
The new ambulances are stationed at Escambia County EMS Post 50 in Century, were they will regularly serve the northwestern part of Escambia County from Century to Molino in Florida , the Flomaton area in Escambia County, AL, and surrounding areas as needed.
Both new ambulances are built on a Ford 450 chassis — most of the other ambulances in the county are on a slightly larger International chassis. The slightly smaller ambulance allows it to fit on smaller rural roads and driveways found in North Escambia.
The price tag for each vehicle was $189,000, paid for using Local Option Sales Tax funds.
Pictured: Two new ambulances were delivered and placed into service Tuesday afternoon in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jeff Miller’s Staff To Hold Office Hours Today In Century, Jay
November 13, 2013
Congressman Jeff Miller’s staff will be conducting mobile office hours in Century and Jay this morning.
In order to better serve the needs of constituents who are unable to get to the Congressman’s Pensacola or Ft. Walton offices, special “mobile office” days have been established. Expanding on the idea first used for “veterans’ assistance days,” two members of Congressman Miller’s staff will be on hand to answer questions about problems with federal agencies or issues affecting the First Congressional District.
“This is just another way we can better serve our growing population in Northwest Florida,” Miller said. “We tried the mobile office concept earlier and we had such an outstanding turnout that we decided to expand the concept and add more dates and locations to the program.”
The mobile office hours will be conducted on Wednesday, November 13 as follows:
Century Chamber of Commerce
7811 N. Century Blvd
9:00 a.m. -10:30 a.m.
Jay City Hall
3695 Highway 4
11:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
Taco Bell Coming To Atmore
November 13, 2013
A Taco Bell restaurant will be constructed in Atmore in the coming months.
The restaurant will be located in the Rivercane development at Highway 21 and I-65. Tacala, LLC is purchasing the land from the City of Atmore for $337,000. The restaurant, expected to open early next year, will employ about 30 people.
Based in Vestavia Hills, AL, Tacala operates 164 Taco Bell locations in six Southeastern States, making the company one of the largest franchise operations of Taco Bell restaurants in the nation.