Escambia Fire May Move Paid Fire Crew From Century To McDavid For Expanded Coverage
October 25, 2013
A paid Escambia Fire Rescue crew currently assigned to Century could be shifted to the McDavid Fire Station in an effort to improve the level of service across the North Escambia area.
“It is in the planning stages now,” Escambia Fire Rescue Fire Chief Patrick Grace said Thursday. “We are looking at the numbers right now, and they show a (paid) crew in McDavid could answer about 60 percent more calls.”
The paid firefighter crew currently staffs the Century Fire Station from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. The crew provides coverage during the daytime hours when many volunteers are unavailable due to employment outside the area. Volunteer firefighters answer calls at other times and on the weekends.
Until a few weeks ago, a paid crew was stationed at the Molino Fire Station during the same hours. But Molino’s paid crew was among those transferred to the Cantonment Station in order to provide 24/7 paid coverage after Cantonment experienced an overall lack of volunteer response. Since the switch, volunteers have worked to answer calls in Molino around the clock.
From the more centrally located McDavid Fire Station on Highway 29, a paid firefighter crew would be dispatched and able to answer calls a few miles — and just a few minutes — away in Century, Molino and Walnut Hill during the daytime hours when the availability of volunteers is the lowest. Volunteer firefighters in those areas would still be dispatched and respond to call in their districts.
Grace said the daytime paid fire crew in Century has answered 108 calls during the past year, many of which were in Flomaton. If the crew had been stationed in McDavid, they would have been dispatched on over 160 calls across parts of North Escambia.
“It’s an effort to look at getting the biggest bang for the taxpayer’s buck,” Grace said. “It’s nothing at all against Century.”
Grace noted that an Escambia County EMS ambulance would remain stationed in Century, responding the same current speed to any medical calls. And while stationed in McDavid, the paid firefighter crew would often be in Century, working on fire pre-plans for business, testing hydrants and taking part in other activities.
Century Mayor Freddie McCall, who previously served several years as Century’s fire chief, does not see the proposed change as a service improvement for his town.
“They are taking it away from Century; that’s not going to improve things,” he said. McCall said he plans to meet with Escambia County leaders to protest the potential move.
The proposed fire crew change from Century to McDavid is still in the planning stages with no date set for a potential change, Grace stressed. “We are just looking at how we can provide better service more often for the citizens of Escambia County.”
Pictured top and top inset: Escambia Fire Rescue trucks, most of which are assigned to North Escambia. Pictured bottom inset: Operated by a paid crew, Century’s Engine 511 responds to a brush fire Thursday morning. Pictured below: Ladder 5, assigned to Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Frost Advisory Tonight, Low 35
October 25, 2013
A frost advisory is in effect tonight with widespread frost likely north of I-10. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Clear, with a low around 35. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable in the evening.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 68. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 43. Calm wind.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. Calm wind.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. East wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 80.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.
- Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 78.
- Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60.
- Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 76.
Dental Service Change At Main Health Dept., Molino Unchanged
October 25, 2013
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia Count transitioning dental services at its main facility location on West Fairfield Drive Escambia Community Clinics. The change will take place on November 1.
The health department will continue to provide dental services at their Northside and Molino clinics using their current provider. Previous clients of the main Fairfield facility may seek dental care at the Northside or Molino clinic sites, or they may choose to become a client of ECC dental clinic starting November 1. Escambia Community Clinics will assume care of previous DOH-Escambia clients through Head Start and Lutheran Services.
ECC dental clinic will provide dental services Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. central time. Please call Escambia Community Clinics at 850-912-8880 to arrange an appointment.
Photos: West Florida Junior Varsity At Northview
October 25, 2013
The junior varsity West Florida Jaguars defeated the JV Northview Chiefs 40-14 Thursday night in Bratt.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: Northview’s Desmone Knight (white jersey) blocks a two point attempt by West Florida. Pictured inset: West Florida gains yardage against the Chiefs as Jared Aliff (#3) closes in for the tackle. Pictured below: Peighton Dortch (left) and Hadley Woodfin cheer for the Chiefs. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Amazon Will Add Tax To Florida Purchases
October 25, 2013
The confirmation by Amazon.com that it will build a pair of massive “fulfillment” centers along the Interstate 4 corridor means that sometime in the next two years Floridians will have to start paying sales taxes on purchases from the online retail giant.
But even with Amazon eventually joining other businesses located in Florida in collecting the state’s sales tax, some groups will continue pushing to eliminate an exemption that has allowed out-of-state online retailers including eBay and Overstock to avoid the tax.
The Florida Retail Federation, which has long called for ending the exemption, estimates that between $80 million to $90 million a year in sales taxes will be paid once Amazon starts collecting. Amazon announced this week that it would build distribution centers — or what it calls “fulfillment” centers — in Lakeland and Ruskin.
The Department of Revenue requires online companies to begin collecting sales taxes once “a company has a physical presence in the state,” said Renee Watters, a department spokeswoman. That has allowed many out-of-state online retailers, including Amazon, to avoid adding the taxes to online purchases. Floridians are supposed to pay the taxes themselves when they buy from online retailers, but few do.
It remains unclear when the tax will be included on the Amazon website.
That could be when dirt is first turned on either of the distribution centers that Amazon announced this week, or when the first package is ready to roll out the doors of either location.
“It is a very fact-based situation and it depends on the facts of each individual circumstance,” Watters said.
Asked about when construction of the new centers could begin or when the first packages will be shipped, Amazon spokeswoman Kelly Cheeseman instead replied in an email that the Seattle-based company was “excited” to bring full-time jobs to Florida and that when hiring begins jobs will be posted online.
The distribution facilities in Lakeland and Ruskin are part of a growing competition among businesses to shorten delivery time, which could be an indication that Amazon will want to quickly get the centers up and operational.
The company already has the support of each local community, which should help speed the permit approval process. Hillsborough and Polk counties approved incentives packages to help attract Amazon.
Amazon’s entry into Florida’s brick-and-mortar retail landscape won’t end efforts by some business groups to get Florida to impose what they call “e-Fairness” tax laws and Congress to approve the Marketplace Fairness Act. The federal act would give states the authority to require online and catalog retailers — regardless of where they are — to collect sales taxes at the time of transaction.
“Amazon really hasn’t changed the legislative situation at all,” said John Fleming, a spokesman for the Florida Retail Federation. “There is still a loophole in Florida law, there is still a loophole in federal law as far as we’re concerned. We’re still going to need legislation to close this loophole.”
The Florida Chamber of Commerce agrees.
“The day that Amazon comes on line they will begin paying sales tax and that will greatly contribute to a fairness between main street and online retailers, but that does not do away with the argument because unfairness will remain until lawmakers take a look at how to address that,” said chamber spokeswoman Edie Ousley.
Lawmakers for years have looked at online sales as a possible source of tax revenue. Eight bills on the issue died during the 2013 state legislative session, including one (SB 316) that would have offset the additional revenue collected by lowering other taxes.
The proposal was strongly supported by Florida retailers that rely on non-Internet sales and have claimed for years they’re at a disadvantage because buyers can purchase items online without paying sales taxes.
The hurdle has been the reluctance of state lawmakers to impose new taxes, a barrier that could be greater next year when many will be up for re-election.
And the disparity between online and brick-and-mortar retailers, even with Amazon joining the side of companies collecting sales taxes in Florida, is only expected to widen, Fleming said.
Online sales are growing. They are estimated by the retail federation to account for about 5 percent of all sales in Florida, of which Amazon is about 10 percent.
“It’s a huge market and those are conservative numbers,” Fleming said.
When the governor’s office announced in June that Amazon intended to expand into Florida, the news release said Amazon would begin collecting Florida sales taxes “at such time as it is required under current Florida law.”
The June announcement came a month after the deal was considered scuttled as the two sides were unable to reach an agreement on when Amazon would have to start collecting the taxes. Reports at the time noted that Amazon was seeking a two-year exemption from collecting state sales taxes.
The Lakeland facility will concentrate on packing and shipping large items, such as kayaks and televisions, while the center along I-75 in Ruskin will handle smaller items, ranging from books to electronics and consumer goods.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
AG Bondi Asks Court To Block Florida Medical Marijuana Vote
October 25, 2013
Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday asked the Florida Supreme Court to block a vote on a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow medical marijuana, becoming the highest-profile official to take on the ballot initiative.
In a filing required because the group pushing the initiative has triggered an automatic review by the high court, Bondi wrote that the ballot language could deceive voters about the extent of marijuana use that would be allowed.
Bondi said the ballot summary written by United for Care: People United for Medical Marijuana wrongly suggests that only people with “debilitating diseases” could get the leafy green substance.
“But if the amendment passed, Florida law would allow marijuana in limitless situations,” she wrote. “Any physician could approve marijuana for seemingly any reason to seemingly any person (of any age) — including those without any ‘debilitating disease.’ So long as a physician held the opinion that the drug use ‘would likely outweigh’ the risks, Florida would be powerless to stop it.”
The ballot language also suggests the amendment is not in conflict with federal law, which still prohibits the use of marijuana, Bondi said.
Official state estimates have not painted the likely marijuana use under the law in the sweeping terms that Bondi’s filing suggests would be possible.
Health officials have estimated that 1.6 million Floridians would be eligible for medical marijuana, according to information provided to state economists. But somewhere between 175,000 and 450,000 would probably take advantage of the measure.
The push for allowing pot to be used for medicinal purposes in Florida has received a boost from John Morgan, a prominent Orlando trial lawyer and Democratic contributor. Morgan has already recorded a radio ad urging Floridians to approve the amendment “for the really sick people.” Elections officials say the measure has received 111,940 valid signatures — more than enough to trigger Supreme Court review.
Supporters of the initiative would need to gather 683,149 valid signatures by Feb. 1 to put the amendment before voters in the November elections.
Ben Pollara, the campaign manager for United for Care, blasted Bondi’s filing in statement issued Thursday.
“It is not surprising that out of touch Tallahassee politicians like Pam Bondi continue to oppose compassionate health care policy in Florida,” Pollara said. “Just as politicians in the Florida Legislature refused to even give medical marijuana a hearing in the 2013 session, AG Bondi wants to deny Floridians the opportunity to even vote on this issue — despite numerous polls showing that an overwhelming majority of the state is supportive of the issue.”
Pollara also sent out a fundraising email based on the filing.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Football Pundit ‘Chief Nostradamus’ Weighs In On Tonight’s Football Games
October 25, 2013
Here’s a just for fun look at Friday night’s Florida high school football games with NorthEscambia.com’s football pundit Chief Nostradamus, “The Cow Pasture Prophet”, a Northview fan with a passion for all things Chiefs —
Well football fans as the regular football season wanes, the time has arrived for a contemplative gaze across ye ol’ cow pasture in an effort to garner a few upcoming game predictions. After a long sunny Thursday, there promises to be a fabulous Friday for football games all around the area. With this remarkable fall weather we’ve been experiencing over the past few days, the pasture prognosticates these game outcomes:
Northview is traveling east today to play the class 4A Walton Braves in a non-district match-up. The Chiefs have improved over some early season miscues, so tonight’s game should be a good one. The organic fertilizer mounds impart a Chiefs win in a close one… 26-21.
Across the way just north of Milligan, an inept Franklin County team travels to play an undefeated Baker Gators team, that won’t break a sweat while pouring on the points. Baker should enjoy this win for the moment. However, the play will ratchet up a notch come November 1st. More on that next week.
Jay started off with a flash with a quick 3-0 record against a day care excursion. But that early flicker of hopeful light has since dimmed and turned into a proverbial flash ‘n the pan over the last four games. Tonight, Cottondale will extinguish the fleeting twinkle with a fifth consecutive loss for the Royals.
In other Florida games of interest to North Escambia fans:
–Freeport loses big to South Walton – Expect SW to be the District 3 Runner-up
–Ft Walton loses to Tate
–Pine Forest loses to Milton
–Pensacola loses to Washington in the battle for last place in their district
–Arnold loses to West Florida. The set up for a district title game between Catholic and WF
–Gulf Breeze loses to Catholic
–Pace loses to Escambia in a close one
That’s about it for this week, Chiefs Fans. Get in your cars (or trucks for y’all Bratt folks) and hit the road for Walton tonight to cheer on your Northview football team. And don’t forget to honk you horns as you drive back through Baker Friday night on your way home from the game!
Walton High School (Northview’s opponent) is in Defuniak Springs. Click here for a map.
Escambia Schools Foundation Holding Student Artwork Contest
October 25, 2013
The Escambia County Public Schools Foundation is seeking artwork submissions from Escambia County K-12 students for its 27th Annual We Believe in Children 5K Run & Health Fair, which will be held on January 25, 2014. The winner of the contest will have their design on event t-shirts as well as posters, registration forms, and many other marketing materials used to promote this year’s event.
Students or their teachers should submit artwork, along with the attached required form by October 31, 2013. The top 3 finalists will be chosen by the 2014 We Believe in Children 5K Run Committee; students, parents, teachers, and the rest of the community will then vote on the final design winner on Facebook. The winning student will receive a free t-shirt featuring his or her design, as well as a party.
Entry Guidelines:
- Create artwork on a white sheet of paper – 8 ½ X 11 or 11 X 14.
- Use bold colors—paint, marker, or graphic art is acceptable.
- Dimensional art is acceptable as long as it can be photocopied.
- Artwork should reflect the We Believe in Children 5K Run & Health Fair (running, walking, active lifestyles, healthy communities, etc.)
- Name and date of the event should be included in the design: We Believe in Children 5K Run & Health Fair, January 25, 2014.
- All original artwork submitted becomes the property of Escambia County Public Schools Foundation. The artwork may be reproduced, distributed, displayed or derivative works may be created without compensation to the entrant.
- Artwork MUST be entirely original work, by the submitting student, and cannot include any copyrighted image or likeness.
- Tips: Use as much space as possible on the paper so the design is easy to see. Make sure all lines are clear and concise.
For additional information, please contact Cindy Nall at (850) 469-5354 or cnall@escambia.k12.fl.us.
To learn about sponsorship opportunities for the 2014 We Believe in Children 5K Run & Health Fair, please contact Jennifer Passeretti at (850) 430-7457 or jpasseretti@escambia.k12.fl.us.
New Crime Stoppers App Helps Citizens Catch Criminals
October 25, 2013
There’s a new way to submit tips to help local law enforcement catch criminals — TipSubmit Mobile, a free applications for iPhone, iPad, iPad Touch and Android devices.
The app allows users to send crime crime information to law enforcement while remaining anonymous. With the app, unlimited length two-way anonymous messages are possible, and video and photos can be directly submitted.
To download the app, click here for Android or click here for Apple products.
Crime Stoppers pays cash rewards of up to $1,000 for information that helps solve crimes, or leads to the location of wanted fugitives, illegal drugs, or recovery of stolen property. Crime Stoppers is a non-profit, community organization. It is not a government program or law enforcement agency, and no taxpayer dollars are used in its reward fund.
Tonight’s Football Schedule
October 25, 2013
Here’s a look at tonight’s high school football schedule from around the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
- Northview at Walton, 7 p.m
- Jay at Cottondale, 7 p.m.
- Tate at Fort Walton Beach, 7 p.m.
- *West Florida at Arnold, 7 p.m.
- *Milton at Pine Forest, 7:30 p.m.
- *Escambia at Pace, 7:30 p.m.
- *PHS at Washington, 7:30 p.m.
- *Catholic at Gulf Breeze, 7 p.m.
Walton High School (Northview’s opponent) is in Defuniak Springs. Click here for a map.
*denotes district game
ALABAMA
- T.R. Miller at W.S. Neal
- Flomaton at Millry
- Escambia Co. (Atmore) at Andalusia
- Escambia Academy at Southern