Talks Underway To Outsource Trails Sponsorship Program
December 28, 2013
The state is negotiating with a private company to take over a park sponsorship program after failing to get any businesses to pay for advertisements along some of Florida’s prime trails — including the Blackwater Heritage Trail.
New York-based Bikepath Country has offered to give the state 30 percent of any revenue over 15 years in exchange for making signs and seeking corporate sponsors for the controversial program, which went into effect more than a year ago.
Bikepath Country was the only entity to submit a proposal regarding the trail signs after a Department of Environmental Protection conference call with potential sponsors this summer. The company reportedly runs similar programs in parts of New York, Tennessee, Arizona and Texas.
DEP, in talks with Bikepath Country since August, held an internal meeting Dec. 18 on the proposal but the deal remains in limbo, according to DEP spokesman Patrick Gillespie.
“We are currently negotiating with the company and the current proposal is being reviewed internally,” Gillespie said in an email. “I won’t have more information on the terms until those negotiations conclude.”
Bikepath is proposing trailhead signs up to 16-square-feet and 13 access point signs up to 4-square-feet at seven parks at “no proposed cost” to the state.
On its webpage, the company claims to design “attractive and non-obtrusive” eco-friendly signs.
The Legislature’s first attempt at approving the park trail advertisements died in 2011 after opponents objected that the ads would become an intrusive distraction for those visiting pristine state lands.
But proponents claimed awarding naming rights and allowing the commercial displays could help cover or replace some of the estimated $1 million a year the state spends annually to upkeep public trails, and Gov. Rick Scott signed “The John Anthony Wilson Bicycle Safety Act” into law in 2012. The law limits the wording on the signs, which can depict a corporate logo and can say the business “proudly sponsors the costs of maintaining” the trail but cannot include a company’s slogan.
The law only allows the advertisements at seven trails: Blackwater Heritage Trail, Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail, Palatka-Lake Butler State Trail, Nature Coast State Trail, Withlacoochee State Trail, General James A. Van Fleet State Trail and the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail.
Under the law, 85 percent of the proceeds from the concessions agreement must be put into trust funds for greenway and trail management. The remaining 15 percent is slated for Department of Transportation safety programs.
Pictured: The Blackwater Heritage Trail near Milton. Courtesy images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Appeals Court Overturns Escambia Man’s Conviction In Gun Replica Case
December 27, 2013
An appeals court Thursday sided with an Escambia County man arrested for possessing a gun as a convicted felon, finding that a state law related to replicas of antique guns is unconstitutionally vague.
A three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal overturned the conviction of Christopher Douglas Weeks, who was arrested in February 2012 in Santa Rosa County by the Florida Fish and & Wildlife Conservation Commission on charges including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Weeks pleaded no contest to the gun-possession charge after a judge denied arguments that it should be dismissed.
But the appeals court agreed with Weeks’ arguments, which focused on a legal definition of “firearm” that excluded antique firearms manufactured in 1918 or earlier and replicas of such antiques.
“Weeks possessed a black powder muzzle loader rifle with a percussion cap firing system,” said Thursday’s ruling, written by appeals-court Judge William Van Nortwick. “It is undisputed that this type of firing system is of ancient vintage. His firearm also had a scope. Given the type of firing system, his firearm was arguably a replica of an antique, regardless of the scope.”
Prosecutors argued that the gun was not an antique replica because of the scope. But the appeals court ruled that the law banning possessions of guns by convicted felons was unconstitutionally vague as it related to the meaning of a firearm.
The court said the legal definition “does not give adequate notice of what type of firearm may be lawfully carried by a convicted felon and, because of the imprecision, may invite arbitrary and discriminatory enforcement.”
Three Injured When Car Slams Into Ditch On State Line
December 27, 2013
Three people, including two children, were injured in a single vehicle accident Thursday night on the Florida/Alabama line.
The driver of a Kia Sorento told first responders they swerved to avoid three deer on State Line Road, just west of Highway 99 in Bratt. The vehicle came to rest in a deep ditch along the north side of the roadway — literally on the state line.
The adult and two children were transported by Atmore Ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital with injuries that were not considered severe following the accident.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated the crash. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Clouds For Friday, Rain On Saturday
December 27, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 61. North wind around 5 mph.
- Tonight: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 41. North wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday: Rain. High near 54. Northeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
- Saturday Night: Rain. Low around 46. Northeast wind around 10 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
- Sunday: A 20 percent chance of rain before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. West wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. North wind around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 55. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33.
- New Year’s Day: Sunny, with a high near 59.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.
- Thursday: A 30 percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 58.
Man Struck, Killed By Vehicle
December 27, 2013
A 61-year old Atmore man died Thursday night after being struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle.
Charles “Charlie” Warren Phillips was struck by the vehicle just after 6 p.m. on Highway 31 near James Road in Nokomis, Ala. He was airlifted to the USA Medical Center in Mobile where he passed away a short time later.
Phillips was struck by a 1996 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by 46-year old Rodney Brooks of Atmore, according to Alabama State Troopers.
The exact cause of the accident is still under investigation by state troopers.
Tax Offices Open On New Year’s Eve For Last Day Of Discount
December 27, 2013
All four Escambia County Tax Collector offices will be open regular business hours on New Year’s Eve, according to Tax Collector Janet Holley. Persons paying their 2013 real estate and tangible personal property taxes who want to receive the three percent discount must make their payments by December 31.
In order to receive the three percent discount and have your tax payment receipted with a December date, payments must be:
- received in the tax office by close of business December 31 or
- made on the tax collector website by midnight December 31.
Additionally, payments mailed with a December 31 postmark or left in a 24-hour drop boxes after hours on that date will receive the three percent discount but will be dated in January.
Residents are encouraged to pay taxes online; however, other options are available, such as payment by phone, by mail, and in person at any of the four convenient tax collector offices.
Drive thru service and 24-hour drop boxes are available at all locations.
Escambia County Tax Collector Offices will be open regular business hours — 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. — on Tuesday.
Offices are located at:
- Downtown – 213 Palafox Place
- Marcus Pointe – 6451 North W Street
- Molino – 6440 Highway 95-A North, Suite A
- Warrington – 507 N. Navy Boulevard
For more information, call (850) 438-6500, ext. 3252.
One Injured In Hwy 29 Bluff Springs Crash
December 27, 2013
One person was injured in a two vehicle crash Thursday afternoon on Highway 29.
The t-bone type wreck happened about 3:30 on Highway 29 at Bluff Springs Road. One person was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola with non-life threatening injures.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details have not been released. The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Teen To Hold Fundraiser To Benefit Humane Society
December 27, 2013
A Walnut Hill teen will be hard at work Saturday to raise money for the Humane Society of the United States.
Anna Donald, 17, will hold a “Bread of Life” bake sale at Tom Byrne Park in Atmore from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday featuring a variety of baked goods, hot chocolate and a small concert featuring local musicians.
“A few years ago, God used animals to save my life. What better time than at Christmas to return the favor and give them some much-needed love this holiday season, Donald said. She said her fundraising plans are based upon a verse from Proverbs — “A righteous man has regard for his beast but the mercy of the wicked are cruel”.
Pictured: Anna Donald and Duchess, who was rescued after spending eight months in the Flomaton Humane Society shelter. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Marily June Zylstra
December 27, 2013
Marilyn June Zylstra was born May 18, 1954, and passed away December 25, 2013.
Marilyn was a lifelong resident of Pensacola and graduated from Tate High School. She worked as an interpreter for the deaf in the Escambia County School District for twenty years. After retiring, she, along with her husband, established Coastline Striping, Inc. in 2005. She served as president of the company and continued to work until her death. She attended First Pentecostal Church where she was involved in the Deaf Ministry.
She was preceded in death by her sisters Joanie Jackson and Tammy Hooks.
She is survived by her loving husband of 40 years, Dennis Zylstra; her son, Derek (Jahayla) Zylstra; grandchildren, Madelyn, Brooklyn, and Levi Zylstra; mother, Jeanette Hooks; father, Devon (Sharon) Hooks; sister, Sherry (Randy) Nims; brother-in-law, Gary (Maralyn) Zylstra; sister-in-law, Janet Gay; spiritual daughter, April (Kevin) Stewart and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Sunday, December 29, 2013, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m., at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, December 30, 2013, at First Pentecostal Church, 6500 North W Street, with Reverends Brian Kinsey and Paul Welch officiating.
Pallbearers will be Dustin Nims, Jason Zylstra, Aaron Paparella, Kevin Stewart, Ryan McIntosh, and Dennis Johnston.
The family would like to thank Dr. Thomas Tan and staff at the Woodlands. Also, a special thanks to the nurses at Sacred Heart Hospital on the second floor Oncology Unit and Infusion Center, for the love and care provided during her stay.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
BBB: Use Caution When Purchasing BCS National Championship Game Tickets
December 27, 2013
For many football fans in Northwest Florida, a ticket to the BCS National Championship might be at the top of their wish list. Between now and the National Championship game on January 6, 2014, thousands of tickets will be listed on classifieds websites, offering buyers little protection from dishonest sellers. The Better Business Bureau serving Northwest Florida is warning consumers to be on the lookout for phony game tickets.
“The reason tickets are expensive is because they’re hard to get and the chances of you getting lucky and finding a deal are slim. If an offer sounds much better than it should, such as someone selling tickets for much less than offered elsewhere, it’s probably not on the level,” says Norman Wright, president and CEO of the BBB serving Northwest Florida.
To help insure that you don’t get ripped off buying event tickets, your BBB recommends the following:
- Be careful buying tickets from someone on the street. When you get to the gate and find out your tickets aren’t real, the seller will be long gone.
- Before buying from an online ticket broker, check out the broker’s BBB Business Review at bbb.org. Make sure the website has a secure payment processing system, usually denoted by “https://” at the start of its website address or URL or a small closed lock icon at the bottom of the screen.
- If you buy tickets through an online auction site, choose a seller with a long history of satisfied customers. Scammers can hijack old accounts, so make sure the seller has recently sold other tickets.
- Ticket buyers also should be wary of sellers who try to lure buyers from a legitimate site to another site for a “private” transaction. Scammers often want to conduct their business on sites with names that mimic well-known companies but actually are fakes.
- If you are buying tickets through an online classified ad site, never pay the seller by wire transfer. You will have no way to get your money back if the tickets do not arrive or are counterfeit.