Braun Awarded $180K NJROTC Scholarship
January 27, 2014
Northview High School Cadet Kasie Braun has been award the Navy’s four-year Reserve Officer Training Corps College Scholarship. Braun’s goal is to attend Yale University in the fall. The scholarship is valued at $180,000 over the four-year period. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Gulf Power Offers Money Saving Cold Weather Tips
January 27, 2014
Gulf Power Company is offering some cold weather energy savings tips for everyone, including customers of other utilities.
This week, the North Escambia are is expecting more frigid temperatures. Gulf Power offers the following tips to stay warm, safe and conserve energy.
Things you can do right now to save money and energy
- Set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower to conserve energy.
- Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans so they rotate clockwise as you look up at them. This will force warm air down from the ceiling.
- During the middle of the day, open blinds and curtains on the sunny side of the house. Also, where possible, reduce the traffic in and out of the house.
- Don’t use your oven to heat your home — it’s not efficient and most important, it’s not safe.
- A fireplace is not always an efficient heat source. If not used properly it can actually make the rest of the house cooler because airflow up the chimney removes the heated air. When using the fireplace, close all doors and warm air ducts to the room where the fireplace is located. Glass doors on a fireplace will reduce the outflow of warm air. And a fireplace with a blower system is ever better because it actually blows the warm air around the firebox back into the room.
- An electric blanket is more economical than heating the entire house all night long.
- Use a portable electric heater to heat only a small area. Buy models that are thermostatically controlled. Keep it at least three feet from items that could catch fire like curtains or furniture. Make sure you have working smoke detectors on every floor and in every sleeping room of your house.
- Make sure vents and return air registers are not blocked by furniture, draperies, doors or other obstacles.
- Use “draft stoppers” or towels/blankets to block drafts at foot of door.
- If you should lose power, go to your thermostat and turn off your heating system. Please wait 10 to 15 minutes after power has been restored before turning it back on. This prevents a power surge from shutting down electricity again.
- If you should lose power, please do not connect portable generators to your household electrical wiring. This can cause serious injury to you and to Gulf Power employees who are restoring electricity. Instead, plug appliances into the generator. Never use a generator in enclosed or partially-enclosed spaces because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Things you can do to prepare your home for the whole winter season
Temperature settings
- Heating a house makes up about half of your electricity bill so set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower in the winter. Did you know that you can decrease the amount of energy you buy for heating by three percent or more for every degree below 68 degrees you set your thermostat?
- Programmable thermostats are a good investment, or you can take advantage of Gulf Power’s Energy Select. Energy Select is Gulf Power’s advanced energy management program that offers a lower price for electricity 87 percent of the time. Energy Select features a programmable thermostat and a special rate of four price periods based upon time of day, day of week and season. Installation and meter-based surge protection are both free with Energy Select. Only $4.95 per month.
Heating and cooling equipment
- The system heating the home is extremely important. If it’s an older, less efficient unit, upgrading to a geothermal heating and cooling system — or a high efficiency air-source heat pump may be a wise choice. Contact Gulf Power at 1-877-655-4001 for a free Energy Check-Up.
Routine maintenance
- A well-maintained heating system runs more efficiently. A complete tune-up of the home heating system can cost anywhere from $50 to $100 and more, but this is a very worthwhile investment and can reduce your heating bill from 3 to 10 percent. Some companies offer regular service contracts, which are a convenience if you tend to forget system maintenance. Remember to replace the filter every month.
Ductwork
- Duct leakage can account for 20 percent of the heating and cooling cost. Getting ducts sealed up should be at the top of the list for making your home energy efficient.
Insulation
- Adding insulation to your attic is one of the most cost-effective energy saving measures. Different types of insulation material have different R-values. The recommended level is R-38 in the attic.
Weather-stripping and caulking
- Weather-strip door jambs and caulk any cracks around windows to prevent cool air from entering your home.
Window units
- If you have a window air conditioning unit, remove it for the winter months to prevent heat from escaping through and around the unit. If it can’t be moved, put a cover over it to prevent drafts.
Humidifier
- Use a humidifier to keep your home more comfortable. Adding moisture allows you to reduce the thermostat setting without feeling colder.
Lt. Susie Marie (Sheffield) Joye
January 27, 2014
Susie was a lifelong resident of Pensacola graduating from Woodham High School in 1976. She went to work at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department first as a dispatcher then as a deputy after graduating from rookie school at Pensacola Junior College in 1982. Over her 30 year career in law enforcement she worked in many divisions including patrol, investigations, and internal affairs before retiring on May 30, 2013, as a Lieutenant in the south patrol district. She was honored by the American Legion Post #340 as officer of the year in 1985. She was also awarded the Medal of Courage in 1993 for bravery in the line of duty. Susie enjoyed gardening and fishing with Charles on the river when they could find the time.
She is preceded in death by her father W.D. (Fitz) Sheffield, her mother Lois Hetherington and husband Tommy, brother T.J. Hetherington, father and mother in law Robert and Sarah Joye.
She is survived by her loving husband of 25 years Charles Joye, son Nicholas Rogers (Jennifer), step daughter Amanda Joye and son Stephen Roddam, Stepson Jason Joye and daughter Anna Belle, sister Pam Sheffield, niece Kimberly Sheffield, uncle Jim Enterkin (Linda), aunt Inez Arrich, special brother in law Robert Joye, and numerous family and friends in Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Funeral service will be 1:00 p.m. Tuesday January 28, 2014,at Faith Chapel North with Rev. Allen Cotton officiating. Interment will follow at Ray’s Chapel Cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Faith Chapel.
Pallbearers will be Jeremy Small, Jimmy Rogers, Lisa Dixon, Michelle Wert, Matt Baxter, and Ron Busbee.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 Highway 29 South Cantonment is in charge of arrangements.
Learn More About Neighborhood Watch, ECUA
January 27, 2014
Area residents can learn more about neighborhood watch programs and the services offered by Emerald Coast Utilities Authority during a meeting tonight in Molino.
The Mid-County Neighborhood Watch will meet at 6:30 p.m at the Molino Community Center. The guest speaker will be Jim Roberts, a public information officer for ECUA.
For more information about neighborhood watch programs in Escambia County, contact David Craig in the Community Services Unit of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9281 or at gcraig@escambiaso.com.
Michael Lee Barberi
January 27, 2014
Michael Lee Barberi passed away Friday, January 24, 2014. He was born in Albany, Georgia, on February 7, 1964. Michael Barberi was so many amazing things: a devoted husband, a loving father, a faithful son, a loyal brother, a thoughtful uncle and a phenomenal grandfather. Michael proudly served active duty in the U.S. Air Force and continued his service as a StaffSergeant in the Reserves. He then worked for Winn-Dixie as a refrigeration expert for15 years in the Atlanta, GA, area. Michael returned to Pensacola in 2005 to work in his father’s family business, Barberi Heating & Air, and he became president and owner in 2008. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed spending time in the woods.
He is survived by his wife, Susan Barberi and children, Laura, Amanda and Jillian; stepchildren, Kayla, Brian, Susan and Brandy; step-grandchildren, Zane, Chase and Paisley. Michael is also survived by his father and stepmother, Michael W. and Beverly Barberi; mother and stepfather, Susan and Gene Gurley; three brothers and three sisters, David (Pam) Barberi, Sherri (Charlotte Starkey) Barberi, Suzy (David) Godwin, Christopher (Helen) Barberi, June (Russ) Burchfield, and Stephen (Nicole) Gurley.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 30, 2014, at 3:30 p.m. at the Escambia Education Association building, 6551 N. Palafox, Street, Pensacola.
According to his wishes, Michael will be cremated.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that a donation be made to your favorite charity in Michael’s name.
Family-Funeral & Cremation is handling arrangements.
Arrest Made In Series Of Century Business Burglaries
January 26, 2014
A man is now behind bars charged with a series of business burglaries in Century.
Jason Allen Bodiford, 35, is facing multiple charges, included burglary, larceny, criminal mischief property damage and illegal use of a credit card. Bodiford, who told officials he is homeless, is being held in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $44,000.
He reportedly admitted to investigators that he burglarized Century Marine, Rhonda’s Hair Salon, the Happy Star Chinese Restaurant and the Century Flower Shop. Business owners reported that Bodiford had visited their places of business prior to the burglaries asking for money.
He also allegedly burglarized a car on Hecker Road in Century and stole a credit card that was later used to purchase food at Burger King in Century.
Bodiford was originally arrested December 30 at a motel in Atmore and booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton on a failure to appear charge on traffic tickets in Alabama. He was extradited to Florida on Friday to face the burglary charges.
Molino Museum Opens (With Photo Tour)
January 26, 2014
A grand opening was held Saturday morning for the new Molino Museum inside the Molino Community Complex.
The museum features a variety of displays depicting life in Molino, local education, the railroad, logging and other items from Molino’s rich history. There’s also a display devoted to Baseball Hall of Fame member and Tate High graduate Don Sutton.
For a pictorial tour of the museum, click here.
Saturday afternoon, Lil King, president of the Molino Mid-County Historical Society, hosted a presentation on “The History of Molino” followed by a special museum tour.
With its location just 25 miles north of Pensacola, the Molino area, including the old town of Molino, played a vital role in the area’s settlement and development. From its start as a Spanish mission in the 1700s, an important mill town during the Industrial Revolution and into the modern era, Molino’s history is the story of life in rural Florida and how it has changed over the years.
The Molino Community Complex — the former Molino School — is located at 6450 Highway 95A. For more information, call (850) 587-5011. The museum is open 10 am. until 4 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and Friday-Saturday. It is closed on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Bethany Reynolds, click to enlarge.
Eat Out Thursday Night, Help The NHS Band
January 26, 2014
Mark your calendar to eat out Thursday night and help the Northview High School Tribal Beat Band.
Whataburger in Century will donate 20 percent of their sales from 5-8 p.m. Thursday to the band. There will also be games and a drawing for a free Whataburger each week for an entire year.
Davis Highway Resurfacing To Begin
January 26, 2014
A $1.6 million project to resurface a portion of Davis Highway is getting underway. Crews will begin installing signs and performing preliminary construction activities this week along the 1.8 mile section between University Parkway and U.S. 90.
Improvements under this contract consists of resurfacing the roadway from north of University Parkway to U.S. 90, constructing sidewalk and ramp improvements, minor drainage upgrades, signalization and guardrail improvements, and placing new signs and pavement markings within the project limits.
Planned improvements requiring lane restrictions will take place at night between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. There will be no lane closures allowed during daytime peak traffic hours. Access to homes and businesses will be maintained at all times. Vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle traffic are reminded to use caution when traveling through the work area.
Construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Stamp Prices Rise
January 26, 2014
The cost of mailing a letter has increased, including a jump from 46 to 49 cents for a first class letter.
New U.S. Postal Service pricing, effective today, includes:
- Letters (1 oz.) — 3-cent increase to 49 cents
- Letters additional ounces — 1-cent increase to 21 cents
- Letters to all international destinations (1 oz.) — $1.15
- Postcards — 1-cent increase to 34 cents
Forever stamps are good for first-class postage whatever the current or future rate.
The price increases are forecast to generate $2 billion in incremental annual revenue for the Postal Service.