Morning Fire Destroys Northern Santa Rosa County Home
January 29, 2013
Fire destroyed an abandoned home in northern Santa Rosa County about 8:30 this morning. The home, located on Highway 89 near Allentown, was fully involved when the first units from the Allentown Volunteer Fire Department arrived on scene. There were no injuries reported. Reader submitted photo by Jeremy Wells, click to enlarge.
Health Alert Lifted After Cove Landfill Fire Extinguished
January 29, 2013
The Escambia County Health Department has lifted the health advisory that was issued last week for health risks associated with smoke from the Cove Landfill fire.
Health officials said they have been informed that the debris fire has been extinguished and environmental health inspectors have confirmed that the resultant smoke has dissipated. The landfill is located in the Ensley area behind Pine Meadow Elementary.
Persons who believe they are experiencing residual health problems or symptoms related to the smoke should contact their primary care physician, according to the health department.
Pictured: Smoke billows from the Cove Landfill behind Pine Meadow Elementary School on January 24. Reader submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Legislative Delegation To Consider Century, ECUA, Pensacola Requests
January 29, 2013
The Escambia County State Legislative Delegation will meet Thursday to decide if three local proposals will be presented for action to the full 2013 Regular Session of the Florida Legislature.
The proposals were submitted by the Town of Century, the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority and the City of Pensacola.
Century is requesting a bill that permit the town of opt-out of a four-cent gas tax approved last year by the Escambia County Commission. Scheduled for implementation in 2014, the tax is expected to net about $4 million countywide for mass transit.
Century officials contend the new tax is unfair to North Escambia residents and may force the three gas stations in Century to close as they force drivers choosing to purchase lower priced gasoline across the state line in Flomaton.
ECUA is seeking legislation that would allow it to purchase fuel without state sales tax under the same terms as municipalities and counties. ECUA is also requesting management audits be required every five years, rather than the current three year period.
The City of Pensacola is looking for more flexibility on pension plans. Specifically, the city wants a state law called the Pensacola Civil Service Act repealed. Although reenacted in 1984 as a special act, the law had its origins in the 1931 Charter of the City, a charter that was repealed and replaced by referendum of the voters on October 8, 2009, when the current charter was adopted.
Escambia County’s legislative delegation, consisting of Sen. Greg Evers, Rep. Clay Ford, and Rep. Clay Ingram, will meet Thursday at the University of West Florida, Building 90, at 5 p.m.
Century Raises Water Rates, Now Taking Credit Cards
January 29, 2013
The Century Town Council voted unanimously Monday night to raise water rates — the first rate increase for the town’s water customers since 1995. The overall 10 percent rate hike is to be implemented with an immediate 5 percent increase and additional 5 percent increase six months later.
The rate for the first 1,500 gallons of water will increase to $9.45 on February 1 and increase again to $9.90 on August 1. Each additional 1,000 gallons will be $2.27 on February 1 and $2.49 on August 1. Sewer rates will remain the same at $13 for the first 6,000 gallons of water used.
In the past, the town has had difficulty applying for, or receiving the full amount of, federal grants for the water system because Century’s rates were markedly lower than surrounding areas.
The town also announced that major credit cards are being accepted for water, sewer and gas bills. The customer will be charged an extra 3.5 percent fee for service.
Pictured: Century Town Council members Sandra McMurry Jackson and Jacke Johnston at Monday night’s meeting. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Atlanta Police Arrest Area Sex Offender
January 29, 2013
The Atlanta Police Department has arrested a sex battery suspect wanted in Santa Rosa County.
Donzell Kevin Knuckles was charged in Santa Rosaa Rosa County with four counts of capital sexual battery on a child under 12 years of age, 10 counts of sexual assault by a custodian and 10 counts of lewd and lascivious crimes. His bond in Santa Rosa County was set at $1.4 million.
At this time, the investigation is ongoing. If anyone has any information regarding Donzell Kevin Nuckles, they are urged to contact Detective Tynes with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office immediately at (850) 983-1239
Suspect Arrested In ‘Massive Burglary Ring’
January 29, 2013
A Pensacola man was arrested late Monday afternoon for his alleged part in dozens of residential burglaries.
Decker Rayshun Brooks was booked into the Escambia County Jail on about two dozen burglary and theft charges, plus fleeing and eluding and hit and run. His bond was set at $182,500.
The Pensacola Police Department said Brooks and two 0ther men — 19-year old John Flynn and 18-year old Jo’Kavious Wilson — are the suspects in more than 50 residential burglaries that occurred since August 2012. Flynn and Wilson were arrested last week in what police termed a “massive burglary ring”. Investigators said more charges are pending on these and other suspects as the investigation continues.
Among items taken were televisions, computers, alcohol, guns, coins and a vehicle. Detectives are still trying to determine what the suspects did with the items.
Harnett said the investigation determined that Flynn was the leader of the group, who typically committed burglaries during daytime hours by ringing doorbells or knocking on doors. When no one answered, they would kick doors in for access to residences.
All 23 Four-Year Florida Colleges Accept $10K Degree Challenge
January 29, 2013
Eleven more state colleges have joined Gov. Rick Scott’s “$10k degree challenge,” Scott announced Monday, meaning that all 23 colleges that currently offer four-year degrees have backed the initiative.
But the colleges are also making clear that they intend to be flexible in how they define and achieve the goal laid down by Scott, who has installed higher education affordability as a central plank in his education agenda.
“It is important our students can get an affordable education, and our state colleges have stepped up to the challenge to find innovative ways to provide a quality education at a great value,” Scott said in a statement released by his office. “Our goal should be that students do not have to go into debt in order to obtain a degree — and today’s announcement of nearly all of our state colleges meeting this challenge puts us closer to achieving that goal for our students and families.”
Democrats have slammed what they call the “Walmart” approach to higher education and dismissed the idea as a gimmick.
But state colleges have also indicated that they see the mandate as somewhat open to interpretation. And many of them have said that they’re not entirely certain how they will meet Scott’s push for each school to offer at least one degree at a total cost of $10,000.
“Do not ask me how all the details will come together on this, okay?” said St. Petersburg College President Bill Law at a November press conference unveiling the initiative. “We know that we have some significant work to do with our friends in the legislative arena. We’re going to need some new thinking on how we do some of the tuition pieces, how we put it all together, how we package this, how we support students, how we can use these as pilot projects.”
As an example: Polk State College said Monday that it had met Scott’s challenge – as far as students are concerned. The cost of a degree at the school is about $13,700, college officials said, but is less than $10,000 when financial aid is taken into account.
“We couldn’t be happier to know that the governor is using his influence to spotlight affordability within our system,” President Eileen Holden said in a press release from the college. “Now we will turn our attention to the challenge of securing appropriate state support during the upcoming legislative session. The Governor can be a key ally in that task.”
By The News Service of Florida
Medical Condition Leads To Dirt Road Crash
January 29, 2013
One person was injured in a single vehicle crash Monday evening near Enon in extreme western Escambia County.
The accident happened about 5:20 p.m. on South Pineville Road about 1.5 miles from Highway 97A. The driver of a Buick Lucerne lost control in a curve on the dirt road and hit a tree. Officials said the 43-year old man was suffering from a possible emergency medical condition at the time of the crash.
The driver was transported by ambulance to West Florida Hospital in Pensacola. His condition was not available.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Atmore Ambulance also responded to the crash.
Pictured: Authorities said a medical condition led to this crash on South Pineville Road near Enon Monday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Gary Arthur Whiting
January 29, 2013
Mr. Gary Arthur Whiting, 58, passed away on Monday, January 28, 2013, in Pensacola.
Mr. Whiting was a native of Rochester, NY and a resident of Walnut Hill for the past 23 years. Mr. Whiting was a loving husband, father and grandfather. His mother, Vivian Whiting, precedes him in death.
Survivors include his father, Newell Whiting of Rochester, NY; wife, Dana Whiting of Walnut Hill; three sons, Anthony Sones of Williamsport, PA, Nicholas Whiting of Walnut Hill and Justin Whiting of Walnut Hill; two daughters, Angela Steadham and Leslie Whiting both of Atmore; three brothers, Larry Whiting and Terry Whiting both of Rochester, NY and Jerry Whiting of Daytona, FL and eight grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Saturday, February 2, 2013, at 10 a.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Ted Bridges officiating.
Burial will follow at the Walnut Hill Baptist Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday, February 1, 2013, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be James Steadham, Nicholas Whiting, Justin Whiting, Rico Padilla, Anthony Sones, Tim Lambert and Jacob Bradley.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC, is in charge of arrangements.
Tate Aggies Release 2013 Baseball Schedules
January 29, 2013
The Tate Aggies have released their 2013 baseball schedules for the varsity, junior varsity and 9th grade teams.
