Gulf Power Employees Collect Toys, Bikes For Needy Kids
December 13, 2014
The Communities Caring at Christmas caravan streamed into the Gulf Power headquarters on Friday and collected hundreds of toys, bikes and other gifts donated by Gulf Power employees.
The estimated total of all the donations is more than $29,000 from Gulf Power employees — including more than $12,000 in cash donations and 146 bicycles.
After collecting the gifts, the caravan headed to the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds to sort and process the gifts to be distributed to families and children in need.
Gulf Power employees raised money throughout the year through fundraisers, such as golf tournaments, bake sales and raffles.
“We know the holiday season can be a difficult time for many, so Communities Caring at Christmas is a great way to directly help those in need,” said Jeff Rogers, Gulf Power manager of Corporate Communications. “Every year our employees reach into their own pockets to help make sure as many children as possible have a great Christmas.”
Communities Caring at Christmas provides new toys, clothing and daily living needs for low income and abused, neglected and abandoned children living in foster care in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties.
This is the 19th year Gulf Power and its employees have participated in Communities Caring at Christmas.
Photos: Century Health And Rehab Celebrates Christmas
December 13, 2014
Santa got a little head start on Christmas Friday, delivered presents for the good girls and boys of Century Health and Rehabilitation. The event was made possible by numerous volunteers and organizations working behind the scenes.
Pictured: A Christmas party Friday at Century Heath and Rehabilitation. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Crestview Hands Tate Second Loss Of Season
December 13, 2014
Crestview 68, Tate 56
The Tate Aggies suffered their second loss the season Friday night to the Bulldogs of Crestview. Crestview downed the Aggies 68-56 in Cantonment.
Zach Phalen scored 18 for the Aggies (7-2, 2-1), while Danny Cafarella had 14 and Reggie Payne added 10. Michael Roberts had six for Tate, Jake Henry added five and Jusin Baker scored three.
The Tate High Aggies will host Pine Forest High School on Monday.
University Of Florida Honors Milton Campus Graduates
December 13, 2014
Five Bachelor of Science degree graduates were honored Friday at the University of Florida, West Florida Research and Education Center (WFREC). Each earned their degrees from the University of Florida at the Milton Campus.
Dr. Wes Wood, Center director of the WFREC, presented the Fall 2014 graduating class to family and friends. Faculty and fellow students extended congratulations and presented highlights of each graduate’s time at the University of Florida Milton Campus.
Graduates earning Bachelor of Science degrees in forest resources and conservation were Micah Byars, Courtney Culler, Shane Jurjens, Cortney Tyson and Christie Wagner. Wagner graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Special speaker for the event was Hooper Matthews, local landowner, businessman and forester.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
William Timothy Russell
December 13, 2014
William Timothy Russell (Tim) 70, of Jay, joined His Lord and Savior on December 12, 2014, surrounded by his family.
A loving husband, brother, father, uncle, grandfather, and brother-in-law he was preceded in death by his father, Roy Russell; mother, Laura Russell; and sister, Ladeane Abell.
He is survived by his best friend and wife, Ann; sister, Chiquita Chavers; brother, Glennon Russell; daughter, Roxanne Seib; son-in-law, Eric Seib; grandchildren, Will, Trace, and Carysn Seib and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Tim grew up in Fidelis on a dairy farm. He graduated from Jay High School in 1962 where he met his future wife Ann. Tim was a starting player on the Troy State basketball team. A studious athlete, he earned a degree in Criminal Justice at Troy State. A proud patriot, Tim served in the Army for 12 years including a tour of duty in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Married in 1965, he was then stationed in Berlin, Germany where he played three years with the Berliner Bears and OSC German basketball teams and became a proud father. Tim continued his Army career in Frankfort, Germany where he worked as a CID investigator. Returning to his hometown in 1979, Tim became the manager of the Golden Peanut Company buying point. Over the next three decades he managed the purchasing of peanuts from local farmers. Tim loved the Lord, hard work, playing basketball and tennis, and his horses. He served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and choir member at the Jay First Baptist for many years. His Pee Wee, Roxanne, and grandchildren brought him much joy every day. He will be truly missed as he brought joy to everyone just by his presence.
A visitation will be held from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Monday, December 15, 2014, at Jay First Baptist Church. Funeral services will follow at 5 p.m. There will be no graveside services.
Oil Hits Six Year Low; Gas Prices Continue Downward Slide
December 12, 2014
Crude oil prices, and the price at the pump, are continuing to decline. On Thursday, crude oil fell to a close below $60 per barrel for the first time since 2009. Prices have nosedived since hitting a high of $110 a barrel in June 2014.
Gas prices are expected to fall to a national average of $2.50 or less per gallon by year’s end from the current mark of $2.62.
In the North Escambia area Thursday, gas prices were already down to $2.48 in Cantonment, while just above the $2.50 mark in Century. The Pensacola metro average on Thursday at $2.54, with one Navy Boulevard station at $2.41.
Pictured: The price of a gallon of regular unleaded was $2.48 Thursday afternoon in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
ECUA Phones Overloaded As North Santa Rosa Residents Sign Up For Solid Waste Service
December 12, 2014
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority said Thursday that there telephone system is being overloaded by residents of north Santa Rosa County calling in to sign up for solid waste services before the end of the year.
To avoid long wait times on the phone, customers may obtain information on services at http://www.ecua.fl.gov/santa-rosa. To sign-up, residents may email customer.service@ecua.fl.gov to request any of the solid waste services, or go to http://www.ecua.fl.gov/santa-rosa/contact to request service online by December 26.
When making a request for service, customers are asked to include their name, service address and a daytime telephone number. When applying for a new account, customers should be prepared to present some form of identification (for example: driver’s license, military ID card, Florida ID card or student ID card).
To contact ECUA regarding an emergency only, such as a water outage or to report a broken main, call (850) 494-7350.
The Santa Rosa County Board of Commissioners has entered into an inter-local agreement with the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority to provide single-family residential solid waste collection north of the Yellow River beginning Friday, January 2. No other large truck provider will be able to provide service in the franchise area after December 30.
The new north end Santa Rosa ECUA services are $51.27 per quarter and include:
- Garbage pickup: twice a week in a wheeled, 95-gallon container
- Recycling pickup: on request by resident once a week in a wheeled, 95-gallon container, residents should request recycling service when signing up for service
- Yard debris pickup: every two weeks
- Bulky waste pickup: service on request via phone call from resident
- Side door collection service for the disabled at no extra charge, Non-handicapped side door collection service, additional containers or bear-resistant containers at an additional cost.
ECUA will begin delivering new garbage and recycling containers to Santa Rosa customers this week. It is important that residents do not use the new containers until after their last scheduled pickup date with their outgoing provider, either December 29, 30 or 31; as ECUA will not start service routes until January. Please leave your old empty containers at the curbside for pickup by the previous provider.
Citizens utilizing residential curbside collection in the north end of the county that do not live the city of Milton, town of Jay or NAS Whiting Field, will now have one solid waste provider assigned to their area. The franchise agreement does not impact business or commercial dumpster accounts or residents living south of the Yellow River. Residents in the Holley, Navarre, Midway or the city of Gulf Breeze will have no change in solid waste providers.
The residential curbside solid waste service is not mandatory. Individuals who do not signup for service will be responsible for transporting their household waste, recyclables, yard debris and bulk waste items to the Central Landfill in Milton or the Jay Residential Drop Off Station in Jay. Additionally, the commission chose to grandfather in the small providers. Residents may choose a provider that is currently permitted and utilizes trucks that weigh 15,000 lbs. or less.
Salvation Army: 150 Kids Won’t Have Christmas Presents Without Help
December 12, 2014
The local Salvation Army has issued a plea for help — about 150 children may get nothing for Christmas without your help.
“The Salvation Army still has about 150 children who’ve not been adopted for Christmas, and this Christmas will be just another day without the basics and an empty tree unless we help immediately,” said Salvation Army Capt. Bob Cornett.
The Salvation Army Angel Tree program accepts applications from parents beginning in late October and had plans to help nearly 500 families, but so far there’s not help for about 150 kids.
For more information on how to help, contact the Salvation Army at (850) 432-1501.
All Aboard The Snowball Express For Children, Families Of Fallen Soldiers
December 12, 2014
The ninth annual Snowball Express, an all expenses paid special American Airlines flight for the children and families of fallen soldiers made a stop at the Pensacola International Airport this morning. Thirty-one children from Escambia County will be participating in the event.
Every December, as many as 2,000 children, teenagers and their families gather in Dallas for an extended weekend of fun and socializing. Though they come from all over the country and even international locations to participate in Snowball Express, these children all have one very important thing in common – each one has lost a parent on active duty.
Now in its ninth year, Snowball Express brings together families of post-9/11 fallen military members for an all-expenses-paid trip to create new memories and provide much-needed support.
Nearly 150 American Airlines pilots and flight attendants donate their duty time to charter flights for families to attend the five-day event. Crews dress up and deck the halls of each aircraft with holiday decorations, and American employees throw a send-off party at each departure airport, bringing in costumed characters, games and treats for the children aged 5-18.
The events, however, aren’t purely for fun. The weekend is also a time for the families to support each other, share their grief and celebrate their accomplishments after suffering a devastating loss.
This year’s Snowball Express will include a trip to Dallas’ Perot Museum of Nature and Science, a screening of Annie and a talent show. Gary Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band will perform for their eighth year, an annual highlight of the weekend. Plus, David Hira will return to be the MC for many of the weekend’s evening events, as well as the closing night’s Grand Finale Show.
The weekend also includes the annual ‘Walk of Gratitude,’ a procession that allows members of the Dallas/Fort Worth community to cheer for the children and their families and honor the sacrifice their husbands, wives, moms and dads have made.
Picture above and below: Preparing to board the Snowball Express Thursday at the Pensacola International Airport. Pictured bottom: Selfies will members of the Blue Angels crew at the Snowball Express. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Evers Files Senate Bill That Would Allow Guns On College Campuses
December 12, 2014
Sen Greg Evers R-Baker proposed a measure Thursday that would allow people to carry concealed weapons on the campuses of state colleges and universities. Evers represents Escambia and Santa Rosa counties and portion of northern Okaloosa County.
The proposal filed by Evers in identical to the bill filed in the House by Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota.
It comes after an incident last month at Florida State University in which a gunman shot three people at the campus library before he was killed by police. The bills will be considered during the 2015 legislative session.
Steube said he already planned to sponsor the measure before a shooting incident last month at Florida State University — but that the attack, which left three people injured and the gunman dead, helps to make his point.
“I think it (the attack) brings it closer to home for people who think these events don’t occur in Florida, or that law enforcement can prevent them from happening,” Steube said.
He said that although Tallahassee and university police officers reached Florida State’s Strozier Library less than five minutes after the shooting, more people could have died in that time.
In the wake of last month’s shooting, a group called Students for Concealed Carry at FSU called for Thrasher to reconsider his stance on allowing guns on campus. The group also said Nathan Scott, a Strozier Library staffer who was shot in the leg, was one of its members. Erek Culbreath, the group’s president, argued that Scott and another man, a U.S. Army Infantry combat veteran who “had a clear shot at the shooter,” had the training and skills necessary to end the shooting but were powerless to do so under current law.
“We have seen that the current “Gun-Free Zone” policies have done nothing to curb violence, both in our state and nationwide,” Culbreath wrote in a Nov. 24 news release. “As criminals don’t abide by these policies, they only serve to prevent victims from having the ability to defend themselves and their peers.”
National Rifle Association lobbyist Marion Hammer said Steube’s bill didn’t originate with the NRA, but she supports it on the grounds that law-abiding citizens who are licensed to carry concealed weapons shouldn’t be prevented from carrying firearms in places where they may be in danger.
“The Constitution gives you the right of self-defense,” Hammer said. “Those rights are being usurped, and people are not getting the opportunity they are guaranteed.”
But House Minority Leader Mark Pafford, D-West Palm Beach, said the answer to gun violence isn’t more guns. He also said he’d be more inclined to support the cost of additional security rather than allowing more guns at state universities and colleges.