Voter Registration Drive This Afternoon In Century
October 15, 2013
The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office will hold a voter registration drive this afternoon in Century.
The event will be held from 2:30 until 3:30 p.m. at the Century Town Hall. Florida residents can register to vote or, if already registered, make sure the elections office has their most current information on file.
Florida residents attending the event should bring their Florida driver’s license, Florida ID card or the last four digits of their social security number.
For more information, call (850) 595-3900.
Meal Available Before NHS Homecoming Parade
October 15, 2013
A benefit homecoming meal will be offered Friday before the 2013 Homecoming Parade at Northview High School.
The $6 meal will include a BBQ pork sandwich, chips, soft drink and dessert prepared by Archie’s Catering Smokehouse. Pickup will be from 10:30 a.m. until noon at the football stadium concession stand. Proceeds will benefit students that earn the Tommy Weaver Scholarship.
The Northview Homecoming Parade will line up at noon and travel from Bratt Elementary to Northview High. For a printable entry form, click here. Entries are due by Wednesday, October 16.
For more information on the meal or parade, contact Perry Byars at (850) 327-6681 ext. 248.
Camp Fire Kids Learn Fire Safety
October 15, 2013
The VPK class at the Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center recently visited the Century Fire Station to learn all about fire safety. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Putnam Pitches Cutting Energy Taxes For Businesses, Shoppers
October 15, 2013
Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam wants an annual sales-tax holiday on energy-saving appliances similar to the back-to-school tax holiday.
And he said the sales tax on energy used by businesses needs to be trimmed, with the remaining revenue redirected for school construction and maintenance.
The two proposals were among several Putnam announced Monday for the 2014 legislative session during an appearance at the start of the two-day Florida Energy Summit in Orlando.
In addition to cutting in half the 7 percent sales tax on energy use by businesses and seeking a tax holiday on energy-saving appliances, Putnam also proposed expanding to commercial properties a residential property-tax exemption on installing renewable-energy systems and undertaking a study on Florida’s future natural gas demands.
Putnam, who in 2012 was able to get lawmakers to approve the state’s first comprehensive energy plan in five years, said the proposals are intended to reduce energy costs for businesses and consumers, identify energy infrastructure needs and support energy innovation.
“We’re in the early stages of an energy revolution with a profound potential for our nation, profound potential in workforce, profound potential in manufacturing, profound potential in export markets and reversing our dependency on hostile nations for the life blood of our nation’s economy,” Putnam said.
The proposal drew support from legislators, who also noted they are early in the budget process.
“Commissioner Putnam has proposed ideas that are bold and incentivize energy efficiency in Florida,” House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, said in a release. “The Florida House is always supportive of tax cuts, and using the commissioner’s proposal, we will continue to determine what is feasible before next session.”
Putnam’s proposal comes as state economists have projected a surplus of $845.7 million for the 2014-15 budget year and as Gov. Rick Scott has requested a $500 million cut in taxes and fees.
Cutting the sales tax that private firms pay for electricity to 3.5 percent would be expected to collectively save businesses about $250 million a year. Putnam wants to use the remaining money as a revenue source for the Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) program. Currently, the money goes into the state’s general revenue.
Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee, while attending the summit, tweeted that Putnam has “come up with some strategic ideas,” but she also declared that “this investment in natural gas will backfire as dependence.”
“The dependence on natural gas needs no promotion,” Rehwinkel Vasilinda tweeted. “We must be focused beyond natural gas so we don’t get stuck on the same path as petrol.”
The multi-decade natural gas forecast, which currently doesn’t have an estimated cost, would be aimed at helping lawmakers and businesses make decisions about growth and hiring, Putnam said.
“The analysis will evaluate the risks associated with the state’s growing reliance on one fuel source,” Putnam explained. “The study will assess long-range infrastructure needs, above-ground storage and liquefaction, opportunities for natural gas in transportation and pricing predictions.”
The request for a long-term outlook on natural gas comes as the state Public Service Commission is expected to vote Oct.24 on a proposal, spearheaded by Florida Power & Light, that would create a two-phase, 591-mile Alabama to Indiantown natural gas pipeline.
The pipeline, which has support of the commission’s staff, would become the third major pipeline into the state.
The sales tax holiday, which could be held over several days like the back-to-school holiday on clothing and other items in early August, would apply to Energy Star appliances under $1,500.
“The tax-holiday weekend on Energy Star appliances will not only save consumers money on purchases and utility bills — it will help us conserve our precious energy and water resources,” Putnam said.
In addition to those changes that require legislative support, Putnam also intends to shift about $4 million to a new clean energy research and development matching fund from the 2006 Renewable Energy and Energy-Efficient Technologies Grant Program.
“Many states offer matching funds for this purpose, but Florida historically has not,” Putnam said.
The money has gone unused as some of the originally proposed grant projects were never completed or a project didn’t meet pre-set goals, a spokeswoman for Putnam’s office noted.
Putnam called that “recycling.”
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
One Injured In Highway 97 Accident Blamed On Deer
October 15, 2013
One person received minor injuries in a single vehicle accident blamed on a deer Monday night in Walnut Hill.
The driver of a Lincoln Navigator was southbound on Highway 97 south of Pine Forest Road when they swerved to avoid a deer. The vehicle then collided with a pole or other unknown object alongside the roadway, damaging the vehicle’s rear axle. The vehicle spun around and the driver stopped on the shoulder of the roadway facing north.
One person in the accident suffered neck pain and was transported to Atmore Community Hospital.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Florida Highway Patrol also responded to the incident.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
State Board Of Education Member Resigns Just Before ‘Common Core’ Talks
October 15, 2013
A State Board of Education member with ties to former Gov. Jeb Bush has resigned shortly before the panel begins following Gov. Rick Scott’s plan for how to deal with the controversial “Common Core” standards that have been adopted by about four dozen states.
In a letter dated Sunday, Sally Bradshaw said her resignation was effective immediately.
Bradshaw, whose term was scheduled to end December 31, said she was resigning because of “family obligations.” The departure is almost certain to fuel rumors of a rift between Scott and Bush on education.
Bradshaw served as chief of staff for two years for Bush, who strongly supports Common Core. Kathleen Shanahan, another former Bush chief of staff, is set to leave the board at the end of the year and sharply criticized Scott at a recent meeting.
On Monday, Scott issued a statement praising Bradshaw.
“We are grateful for Sally’s service and commitment to ensuring the highest quality in our education system,” Scott said. “She has worked hard to continue the legacy of high standards that began under the great leadership of Governor Jeb Bush.”
The board is set to meet Tuesday to discuss parts of an executive order by Scott calling on the state to reconsider some of the standards it has approved under Common Core and to begin extracting itself from a multi-state testing system meant to measure student learning under the initiative.
by The News Service of Florida
Northview, Major Leaguer Caleb Gindl To Hold Baseball Clinic For Ages 9-17
October 15, 2013
Northview Baseball and Major Leaguer Caleb Gindl of the Milwaukee Brewers will present a fall baseball clinic for ages 9-17. Participants will receive on the field experience while supporting the Northview Chiefs baseball program.
The clinic will be held Saturday, November 9 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Northview baseball complex. The cost is $40 per participant. Pre-register by October 29 for a free clinic t-shirt. The number of registrations are limited.
For more information or to register, call the Northview Diamond Club at (850) 554-8594.
It’s Buffet Time For Bears; FWC Asks For Sighting Reports
October 15, 2013
In fall, the world is an all-you-can-eat buffet for Florida black bears. Programmed to pack in extra calories before winter, bears can smell food a mile away and will eat almost anything. Bears may decide an overflowing trash can is easier pickings than searching for acorns and berries.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds the public this is a critical time of year to properly store garbage, pet food and birdseed to keep bears out of places where people live and work. During the fall, bears with big appetites are less likely to linger in neighborhoods if people don’t give them access to food.
“People can prevent problems with Florida black bears by safely securing garbage, putting out garbage cans the morning of pickup rather than the night before, and using bear-resistant garbage cans or dumpsters.” said David Telesco, the FWC’s bear management coordinator.
Surveys of Florida communities with access to bear-resistant trash cans or dumpsters show the overwhelming majority are pleased with the results.
“The FWC is committed to helping the public keep bears out of garbage and out of neighborhoods,” said Telesco. “Now, we’re asking the public to help us better understand the range of the Florida black bear in the wild.”
As bears become more active in fall, more people are also going outdoors for hunting, fishing, hiking, biking and wildlife viewing. The FWC is asking the public to report their sightings of Florida black bears or their tracks to a new web page: https://public.myfwc.com/fwri/blackbear/. Biologists are especially interested in sightings of a female bear with cubs.
The bear sightings page will help biologists update the map of where bears live in Florida. However, the Web page is only for sharing bear location information. FWC regional offices remain the places for people to call for advice on how to resolve human-bear conflicts.
The web page has the option for people to upload photos of bears or their track, but residents are advised not to approach bears to take photos of them. Black bears are generally not aggressive, but approaching them can make them defensive. Adult males typically weigh 250 to 400 pounds and can be as large as 600 pounds. Extra caution is appropriate when a mother bear and her cubs are sighted. Photos from game cameras are welcome.
“We know about prime bear habitats such as the Apalachicola National Forest, Ocala National Forest and Big Cypress National Preserve. While bear subpopulations are mainly centered on large public lands, bears also occur elsewhere, and those locations have been underreported,” said FWC bear research biologist Brian Scheick. “Our bear range data is 11 years old, and we are excited about getting the public’s help in identifying all the places where bears now live in Florida.
“What we learn from the new bear sightings Web page will inform the FWC’s efforts to document bear distribution and help with future bear management decisions,” Scheick said.
The black bear is a conservation success story in Florida, with the population growing from as few as 300 bears in the 1970s to an estimated population of more than 3,000 today.
Pictured: This black bear wondered through a Cantonment apartment complex for days last year until it was captured and euthanized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Sara Williamson Volbruck
October 15, 2013
Sara Williamson Volbruck, 83, of Cantonment, went home to her savior October 14, 2013.
She is survived by four children Diane Harris, Lester and Linda Williamson, Sheila and James Hicks, and Bruce and Sharon Thompson; six grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
Services will be held at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North on Friday, October 18, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. with a viewing from 10-11:00 a.m. Burial will be at Catawba Springs Cemetery, in Pollard, AL.
Florida Still Doesn’t Have A Lt. Governor
October 15, 2013
Florida has quietly passed the seven-month mark without a lieutenant governor, as Gov. Rick Scott has given few clear indications about when he will fill the post.
Former Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll stepped down in March, after law-enforcement officials raided Internet cafes across the state. Carroll previously had done consulting work for Allied Veterans of the World, a key target of the investigation.
Scott said in early July that Chief of Staff Adam Hollingsworth would prepare for a search, and rumors of candidates have periodically flared. But Scott has rarely addressed the issue.
If Scott were unable to fulfill his duties before a lieutenant governor is named, Attorney General Pam Bondi would take over as governor.
by The News Service of Florida