Over 70 People Evacuated Due To Explosives Scare Near Atmore
December 21, 2014
Over 70 people were evacuated from a mobile home park near Atmore Saturday afternoon due to an explosives scare as a bomb squad responded to diffuse the situation.
Deputies were called to the Big Oak Tailer Park on Jacks Springs Road, between the Poarch and McCullough communities, after a man arrived with a pickup carrying old “military grade devices”, according to Escambia County (AL) Chief Deputy Mike Lambert. The devices includes hand grenades and mortars that were found in an old wooden barn at nearby location before being transported to the mobile home park.
Responding deputies photographed the devices and called for the evacuation and a bomb squad.
Two bomb squads from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (formerly the Alabama State Troopers) were called to the scene to evaluate the explosives. The devices were moved to a gravel pit owned by the Poarch Creek Indians and destroyed, Lambert said, as a precaution.
Jacks Springs Road was closed from Poarch Road to 3 Mile Road for several hours.
A command post was set up nearby. Responders were on scene from the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office, the Poarch Creek Police Department, Poarch Creek Fire Department, McCullough Fire Department, Atmore Ambulance and ALEA.
Pictured: Law enforcement and emergency personnel at a command post near mobile home park outside Atmore late Saturday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
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Rain Chances Continue Into Next Week
December 21, 2014
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 48. East wind around 5 mph.
- Monday A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Monday Night A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Tuesday Showers and thunderstorms. High near 70. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
- Tuesday Night Showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then a chance of showers. Low around 54. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
- Wednesday A 20 percent chance of showers before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 57. West wind around 15 mph.
- Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. West wind around 10 mph.
- Christmas Day Sunny, with a high near 59. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 43.
- Friday A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.
- Friday Night A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52.
- Saturday A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65.
- Saturday Night A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.
- Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 51.
Bill Would Shield Taxpayer Email Addresses
December 21, 2014
Warning of identify theft and other crimes, a Florida lawmaker has filed a proposal that would prevent the release of taxpayers’ email addresses held by tax collectors. The proposal, filed this week by Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, will be considered during the 2015 legislative session, which starts in March.
The proposal would create a public-records exemption for email addresses that are used in the course of communications between taxpayers and tax collectors.
“In order to conduct business electronically with a tax collector, the taxpayer must report his or her personal email address,” the bill said. “Under current law, email addresses are public records available to anyone for any purpose. However, such addresses are unique to the individual and, when combined with other personal identifying information, can be used for identity theft, taxpayer scams, and other invasive contacts. The public availability of personal email addresses invites and exacerbates thriving and well-documented criminal activities and puts taxpayers at increased risk of harm.”
by The News Service of Florida
Byrneville Tree Farm Recognized
December 21, 2014
Paina Farms in the Byrneville area was recently recognized for high quality land management. Farm owner Don Bush received both a Forest Stewardship certification and a Tree Farm certification.
The original farm acreage has been in the family for more than 50 years and this was not the first time management on this property was recognized. Bush’s parents received a conservation award in 1980.
After hurricanes Ivan and Dennis, much of the timber on the property had to be salvaged and replanted. In his efforts to restore the property to a healthy and productive forest, Bush has participated in several assistance programs through the Florida Forest Service and the USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service. He also has kept a schedule of prescribed burning in areas of longleaf pine and treats invasive species such as cogongrass. During hunting season, he has guided hunts on the property.
Certified landowners are honored with a sign displaying their status. Both programs have newsletters, tours and workshops for their landowners. The Stewardship program assists landowners in acquiring a management plan with a timeline for practices that can be followed to attain certification. The Tree Farm program is now also third party certified, allowing wood from these properties to be sold as “green” wood. Both programs are designed to promote sustainable land management, incorporating all components of the forest.
For more information on certification under either program, contact Escambia County Forester Cathy Hardin at (850) 587-5123 or email cathy.hardin@freshfromflorida.com.
Weekend Gardening: Creative Gift Ideas For Your Favorite Gardener
December 21, 2014
by UF/IFAS Extension Service
Still don’t have a Christmas present for your favorite gardener? Take heart, there is still plenty of time to find, or make, that perfect “green” gift.
Many gardeners don’t think of their landscapes as just plants in the ground. To the knowledgeable landscape designer, the landscape is a series of rooms; rooms that may require decoration.
Garden art can be anything from the whimsical garden gnomes, functional obelisks or metal sculptures.
Garden obelisks can serve many functions. In addition to providing interest during all four seasons, they can act as beautiful focal points in the garden. They can make your garden look as if it was designed by a professional.
In a flower garden, they provide support for plants such as climbing roses, flowering vines and many other climbers and twiners. In the edible garden, many types of fruits and vegetables, such as various types of beans, can be grown on obelisks.
Obelisks come in many different sizes and shapes. Common shapes include tall, rounded or oblong forms, rectangular forms, and pyramids. Most vining plants will take to any shape. Choose the shape that is pleasing to you and blends in with your garden design. Obelisks can be made from a variety of materials including cedar, copper and wrought iron.
Furthermore, if you are an avid recycler, there are plenty of materials just laying around that can be made into a functional obelisk with a minimum amount of skill and time. Take a look on the internet and you will find plenty of help in fashioning a home-made creation.
A “growing” trend is metal garden art. Metal garden art can be fun, playful or even classical. It can be used to create a focal point in the garden or to brighten up a dull spot. From small garden stakes, to colorful wall art, to sculptures small and large, the possibilities are endless. With so many materials to choose from and so many artists working in the field you will be sure to find at least one piece to add color and character to your yard.
Again, if you are an avid recycler, you will be able to find many pieces made from recycled metal. Recycled steel drums or tanks, discarded bicycle or tricycles, old car parts, these all provide the raw materials for the creative eco-artist.
Copper is widely used in metal garden art because it is beautiful, durable and adds elegance to any garden. If allowed to oxidize it will age gracefully to a natural weather worn green patina. It can also be preserved with a clear coating to maintain its bright, shiny look. Copper sculptures, wall art and garden stakes add a touch of class to any decor.
For a classic look add a bronze garden sculpture. Bronze sculptures have been around for thousands of years. They remain popular today because they are classic, timeless and will last for generations.
Whatever your taste, classic, contemporary or just playful, garden art will warm your heart even on the coldest winter day.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Changes Pondered In Funding For Disabled Services In Florida
December 21, 2014
Complying with a court ruling, the state Agency for Persons with Disabilities on Thursday held a hearing about a mathematical formula that helps determine how much money is spent on services for developmentally disabled Floridians.
The 1st District Court of Appeal in July found that the agency did not properly carry out a law that created what are known as “iBudgets.” The law was designed to provide set amounts of money to people with developmental disabilities, depending on their needs, and then give them flexibility in how the money is spent on services.
The court found that the Agency for Persons with Disabilities improperly used the formula, or algorithm, to make decisions that led to lower funding for some people.
Now the agency is increasing the money available for services for about 14,000 people in the iBudget program.
“We really do want this to be an open dialogue,” agency Deputy Director for Programs Denise Arnold told about 100 advocates, service providers, support coordinators and family members at the hearing. “We will make it better.”
The formula is intended to provide an equitable distribution of available resources among people who are in the program. It’s based on an evaluation process that includes the age and living situation of the person being served, along with an assessment called a QSI that scores his or her ability to perform functions such as maintaining hygiene.
Once the individual budget is determined, the client and caregivers can choose how to spend the money on services and providers.
The purpose of the hearing was to adjust the formula to better reflect the degree of care that people in the iBudget program require.
“The test for getting more services is pretty stiff,” said Nancy Wright, an attorney representing The Arc of Florida, an advocacy group for people with developmental disabilities. “If you took that literally, to its extreme, that would mean if you kept somebody safe sitting in a room watching TV all day … maybe you don’t need more than that. But all of us know that if you’re going to look at mental health and quality of life, you’ve got to look at more than that.”
Speakers said the formula should be altered to include more frequent assessments of people’s needs, because cognitive and physical abilities tend to deteriorate in middle age.
“I think (age) 50 is a critical cut-off point,” said Janice Phillips, chairwoman of the Association of Support Coordination Agencies of Florida.
Other speakers said factors such as where a person lives and the quality of his or her support coordinator affected how far the money would stretch for services.
“Some support coordinators cared more, did a better job of advocating for their clients, and some didn’t even take the time to see if (the assessment) was accurate or if their client needed additional advocacy,” said Julie McNabb, chief executive officer of Horizons of Okaloosa County, a service provider. “This is supposed to be a scientific process … but as soon as you put the people into it, the science kind of goes out the window.”
McNabb also said it’s probably a conflict of interest to have the Agency for Persons with Disabilities administering the QSI assessment “and also controlling the pocketbook.”
Mark Barry, executive director of The Arc Nature Coast, urged the agency to make the iBudget process more transparent.
“That’s a big part of where and how we got off track,” he said.
The cost of complying with the appellate court ruling could be as much as $120 million, but Arnold said the implications for her agency’s budget were “unknown at this point.”
“We’re trying to look at how we implemented the algorithm in the past and take some improvements and suggestions from the stakeholders to see if we can run something that matches more individuals’ needs,” she said after the hearing. “We’re trying to approach this from individual needs right now, not what the cost is of things necessarily right now.”
The agency is expected to turn to the Legislature for help with the issue next year, which could involve additional funding or changes in state law.
by Margie Menzel, The News Service of Florida
Northview Grad McCall Makes History As A UWF Football First Signee
December 20, 2014
A Northview High School graduate made history Friday as one of the first two student athletes to sign with the new University of West Florida football team during the NCAA midyear transfer signing period.
Northview’s Blake McCall, an offensive lineman, will transfer to UWF from Jackson State. Tyler Henderson, a safety from Crestview, will join the program after starting his college career at Florida Atlantic.
The UWF football team will play its first season in 2016. The program will add more commitments on February 4, 2015, the NCAA signing day for football. All football student-athletes enrolled at UWF during the 2015-16 academic year will redshirt that season.
Both McCall and Henderson, who were teammates at Davidson Middle School in Crestview, have enrolled at UWF for the 2015 spring semester. They will both have three years of athletic eligibility when the Argonauts begin play in 2016.
“It’s important to us that both of these student-athletes are local here in the 850 area code,” said UWF head coach Pete Shinnick. “We’re looking for young men that will be the best fit for our program from this area. They have to meet the marks that we’re looking for, and both Blake and Tyler do that.”
McCall, 6-3 and 300 pounds, helped lead Northview to an 11-3 overall record and a 4-0 district record as a senior. Northview averaged 42.9 points per game and took the Florida Class 1A state championship with a 42-21 win over Trenton High School during his senior year. McCall was a three-year starter and played all five positions in the offensive line. In 2013, he redshirted during his freshman year at Division I Jackson State. And during the 2014 season, he saw playing time as a redshirt freshman at Jackson State. On the offensive line, McCall helped lead the team to 25.8 points and 376.1 total yards per game.
At Crestview High, Henderson earned his first team all-area honors in both football and baseball. In 2013, he redshirted his freshman year at Division I Florida Atlantic and earned a spot on the Conference USA Honor Roll.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
December 20, 2014
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending December 18 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officers Livesay and Miller along with Investigator Goley worked a detail targeting night hunting in an area where multiple complaints have recently been received. From a concealed location, Officer Livesay observed occupants of one vehicle quickly shine a small light in multiple locations attempting to disclose deer. Officer Livesay stopped the vehicle and discovered a rifle in the front seat between two subjects. After questioning, one of the subjects admitted they were trying to kill a deer. Officer Livesay seized the gun and light and issued notice to appear citations for the violation.
Lieutenant Lambert was given the last name and vehicle description of two subjects that had illegally killed two doe deer at night. Both deer were shot with a .22 caliber rifle, five days apart. Neither deer was recovered by the subjects, but both deer were found the day after they were shot. Several hours after receiving the tip, Lieutenant Lambert observed one of the suspects shining a light attempting to disclose deer on the same road where one of the deer was shot earlier in the week. At that time, the subject did not have a gun in his possession, but after being questioned, admitted to killing the two illegal deer. After obtaining a written confession, Lieutenant Lambert traveled to the second subject’s house and obtained a second written confession. The rifle was seized and charges were filed on both subjects for two counts of taking deer at night with a gun and light.
Officers Cushing and Barnard were on water patrol on the Escambia River. They received a complaint regarding multiple bait sites in the Escambia River Wildlife Management Area (WMA). While investigating this complaint, they came across a vessel in the described area. As they were getting out of their vessel on the bank, they observed a subject carrying an automated barrel feeder back to his boat. When confronted, he denied having any previous knowledge of the equipment. He stated that he was removing it from the area because he knew it was a violation. An inspection of his boat revealed a hand-held seed broadcaster with corn in it. Two areas were located with corn and hunting equipment in the immediate area. After a thorough investigation, the officers obtained a written statement from the subject and a citation was issued for placing bait in the WMA. In addition, one citation for an expired registration and several warnings for other boating safety and hunting violations were issued.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officers Clark and Cushing and Federal Officer Demesillo were patrolling Gulf of Mexico federal waters in the FinCat (off-shore patrol vessel). Of the boats they inspected, three were found to be in violation. Federal citations were issued for possession of red snapper, gray triggerfish, red grouper, and gag grouper during a closed season.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week;however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
US Supreme Court Rules: Same-Sex Marriages Begin January 6 In Florida
December 20, 2014
The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way Friday night for same-sex marriages to begin January 6 in Florida. The court rejected a plea from Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to maintain a judge’s stay to keep the same-sex marriages from happening.
The stay was issued in August by U.S. District Judge Robert L. Hinkle who said that Florida’s 2008 ban is unconstitutional. The stay was issued to give Florida time to appeal. That stay will expire at midnight on January 5.
Bondi asked the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, where the appeal of the decision is pending, to extend the stay for the duration of the appeal. When the 11th Circuit denied that request, the state filed an application for a stay extension at the U.S. Supreme Court. Friday’s decision by the court rejected the request.
“Tonight, the United States Supreme Court denied the State’s request for a stay in the case before the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. Regardless of the ruling it has always been our goal to have uniformity throughout Florida until the final resolution of the numerous challenges to the voter-approved constitutional amendment on marriage. Nonetheless, the Supreme Court has now spoken, and the stay will end on January 5,” Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement released Friday night.
“This is a thrilling day for all Florida families. As we explained to the Court, every day that the ban remains in place, couples are suffering real harms. We are grateful that the Court recognized that, and that as a result, those days are finally coming to an end,” ACLU of Florida staff attorney Daniel Tilley said.
“Now that the last-ditch efforts of Governor Scott and Pam Bondi to delay implementation of Judge Hinkle’s ruling have failed, we turn our focus to marriage equality coming to Florida. The nation’s highest court has now given its blessing to marriage going forward in Florida. Those who were waiting for the Supreme Court to weigh in have gotten exactly what they asked for. We expect public officials in all of Florida’s 67 counties to understand the significance of this development and look forward to full implementation of Judge Hinkle’s decision across our state,” Tilly continued.
The order from the Supreme Court was short, saying only, “The application for stay presented to Justice Thomas and by him referred to the Court is denied. Justice Scalia and Justice Thomas would grant the application”.
Rain Possible All Weekend
December 20, 2014
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight A 20 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a low around 44. North wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday Night A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 50. East wind around 5 mph.
- Monday A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. East wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
- Monday Night A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Tuesday Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 69. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
- Tuesday Night A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 36. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Christmas Day Sunny, with a high near 60.
- Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 44.
- Friday A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 68.
- Friday Night A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51.
- Saturday A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63.