Jay Man Slams Vehicle Into Century Church
January 7, 2014
An Jay man was injured when he slammed his SUV into a Century church Tuesday afternoon.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 69-year old Richard Hill of Jay was northbound on North Century Boulevard when he drifted onto the shoulder, struck a utility pole guy wire and then hit the Abundant Life Assembly of God. The front of the vehicle pushed about four feet into the church’s sanctuary, while the rear of the vehicle struck the main entrance and foyer area.
Hill was transported by Escambia County EMS to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola with minor injuries. Charges against Hill are pending, according to the FHP.
The building suffered substantial damage at the point of impact.
The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Local Gas Prices Show State’s Biggest Weekly Jump Due To Gas Tax
January 7, 2014
Escambia County gas prices are up eight cents in the past week — the largest jump of any metro area gas prices in Florida.
The jump from $3.22 a gallon one week ago to $3.30 was due in part to a new four-cent gas tax that kicked in January 1 to fund the ECAT mass transit system. Other metro areas in Florida saw a one to five cent weekly increase, according to AAA.
The statewide average price per gallon moved upwards a couple of cents per gallon from $3.39 one week ago to a current average of $3.41 per gallon.
The Escambia County Commission and the City of Pensacola entered into an interlocal agreement on the tax to fund ECAT. And, despite the Town of Century’s refusal to go along with the increase, the higher gas tax is also being collected in the town for ECAT.
The 4-cent gas tax increase does not include diesel fuel.
Pictured top: North Century Boulevard in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Offers More Frigid Cold Weather Tips
January 7, 2014
As the area faces more record cold tonight, Escambia County officials said is important to prepare your family, pets and home for winter weather.
Protecting People
- Stay indoors, dress warmly and use safe heating sources.
- Dress warmly. Layers can be removed to prevent perspiration and chill. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Mittens are warmer than gloves because fingers generate warmth when they touch each other.
Pets
- Do not leave pets out in the cold – if you are cold, they are cold.
- Bring all pets indoors and make sure they have a warm blanket to lie on, as well as plenty of food and water.
- If pets must stay outdoors, provide a pet house or other type of shelter and line the bottom with plenty of blankets or hay along with extra food and water. Try installing a light bulb flood light in the pet house at a safe distance away from the pet to avoid burns. The heat from the bulb will help keep them warm. However, do not use light bulbs when bedding with hay.
- When tethering an animal, be sure you are within the legal parameters with Escambia County.
Pipes
Water expands when it freezes and can shatter pipe seals or the pipes themselves, sending water pouring through your house if ice forms. You can avoid thousands of dollars of damage to your home by taking a few simple measures to protect your home:
- Use faucet covers, wrap rags, paper, trash bags or plastic foam around faucets and outdoor pipes.
- Cover any vents around your home´s foundation.
- Protect outdoor electrical pumps and bring water hoses indoors.
- Open the cabinets under the sinks in your kitchen and bathrooms to allow heated indoor air to circulate around water pipes.
- Insulate your outdoor water meter box and be sure its lid is secure.
- If you have a swimming pool, either drain the circulation system or keep the pump motor running. Run the pump motor only in a short freeze. Running the motor for long periods could cause damage.
- Let faucets drip, but do not run a big stream of water.
- If you leave town, consider turning off your water at the shut-off valve while faucets are running to drain your pipes. Make sure the faucets are turned off before you turn the shut-off valve back on.
- If you drain your pipes, contact your electric or gas utility for instructions on protecting your water heater.
If Pipes Freeze
- Turn off the water at the shut-off valve and call a plumber for help.
- Do not use lamps or electrical appliances to thaw frozen pipes. Leaking water from thawing pipes could cause a short and you can be electrocuted.
- If you try to thaw your own pipes, apply heat slowly, and move the heat toward the coldest spot on the pipe. Never concentrate heat in one spot – cracking ice can shatter a pipe.
Practice Fire Safety
- Use extra care with supplemental heating units.
- Make sure that all-combustible materials such as drapes or chairs are at least three feet away from any heating unit.
- Avoid using flammable liquids to start fireplaces and do not leave a fireplace unattended.
- Most importantly, check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are working properly.
Plants
- Water your plants thoroughly. The water will act as an insulator. Dry plants are more susceptible to freezing.
- After watering, cover plants with a breathable material, such as fabric not plastic.
- Place mulch at the base of your plants and do not prune prior to a freeze. Pruning encourages soft growth, which is susceptible to freezing. Spraying the leaves of plants with liquid seaweed will also toughen them against cold.
Escambia, Santa Rosa Schools Open
January 7, 2014
The freezing temperatures closed some Alabama schools, but for most of our area it’s class as usual this morning.
Schools in Escambia County, FL, Escambia County, AL, and Santa Rosa counties are all open today.
Escambia County (FL) School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said the school district will have maintenance staff readily available to deal with any heating or plumbing issues as they arise due to weather conditions.
Schools in Baldwin County, AL, are closed today for the cold, and Mobile County Schools are opening two hours late this morning.
Molino Branch Library Names New Librarian
January 7, 2014
The West Florida Library Systems has hired a new professional librarian for the Molino Branch Library.
Wen Mallette Livingston grew up in Cantonment and graduated from the University of West Florida with bachelor of science degree in marketing and earned her master of library science degree from the University of Missouri – Columbia.
Livingston said her favorite parts about working in libraries are planning programs, recommending book titles to readers and providing computer assistance. She said believes that the library is a truly useful and enjoyable national treasure.
For the past seven years, Livingston worked for the St. Louis County Library System and did practicums with the St. Louis County Community College Library and the Missouri History Museum Library.
The Molino Branch Library, which opened in April 2013, is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The Molino Branch Library can be reached by calling (850) 435-1760.
Pictured: The Molino Branch Library’s new librarian, Wen Mallette Livingston, at work on Monday. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Deep Freeze Continues
January 7, 2014
A hard freeze warning and wind chill advisory continue. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 16. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 49. Wind chill values between 15 and 25 early. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 27. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. East wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 57. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a high near 70. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 54. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67.
- Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 65.
- Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 40.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 64.
Scott Sued For Failing To Name New Lt. Governor
January 7, 2014
A lobbyist for the Florida National Organization for Women wants the state’s top court to order Gov. Rick Scott to name a new lieutenant governor — a position unoccupied since March 2013 — within 30 days.
As the 10-month anniversary approaches of Jennifer Carroll’s resignation from the post, Tallahassee lobbyist Barbara DeVane filed a lawsuit on Monday at the Florida Supreme Court that contends Scott is breaking state law by failing to appoint a successor. DeVane also claims Scott’s decision to leave the post unoccupied upsets the order of succession and that the “state would be powerless to respond” if a crisis occurs and Scott is for some reason unavailable.
“If the Governor (who resigned his previous position as chief executive officer of a company that pled guilty to massive amounts of systemic fraud, including 14 felonies, leading to a historic $1.7 billion fine) resigns amid scandal like his lieutenant or dies, there is no lieutenant governor to fulfill the heavy responsibilities of the office,” the suit claims.
If Scott were unable to fulfill his duties before a lieutenant governor is named, Attorney General Pam Bondi would take over as governor.
In an email response to the suit, Scott spokeswoman Melissa Sellers said, “The Governor is going to take the right time to find the right person.”
DeVane doesn’t offer who should be selected, noting she isn’t “seeking to compel the Governor to choose any particular individual.”
Despite a variety of rumored picks, Scott has given few clear indications about when he will fill the post. Carroll stepped down March 12, after law-enforcement officials raided Internet cafes across the state. Carroll previously had done consulting work for Allied Veterans of the World, a key target of the investigation.
by The News Service of Florida
Local Players Named To All-State Football Teams
January 7, 2014
Several North Escambia area high school football player were named to Florida All-State Football teams Monday, including one first team selection. Northview High School’s Neino Robinson was named to the 1A All-State team’s first team defense.
Northview
- First team defense: DB — Neino Robinson, 5-10 170, Sr.
- Second team offense: WR — Brannen Freeman, 5-10 170, Sr.; OL — Laquan Thomas, 5-11 230, Sr.
- Honorable Mention: QB Dalton Tullis, 6-1 170, Sr.; LB Jeffrey Taylor, 6-2 210, Sr.
Tate (8A)
- Third Team Offense: RB — Tay Samuel, 5-10 190, Sr.
- Honorable Mention: LB Marquis Cass, 5-11 205, Jr.
West Florida (5A)
- Second Team Offense: WR — Lawrence Lee, 5-11 175, Sr.
- Second Team Defense: Rocel McWilliams, 6-3 240, Sr.
- Third Team Offense: QB — Joey Baker, 6-3 215, Sr.
- Honorable Mention: DB DaQuan Young, 6-1 175, Sr.
Pictured: Northview’s Neino Robinson. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Barbara Joan VanMerkestyn McCurdy
January 7, 2014
Barbara Joan VanMerkestyn McCurdy, 78, of Century passed away Friday, January 3, 2014, at her residence. She was owner and operator of the Village Flower Shop for many years. She was born on December 21, 1935, in Century and was an active member of the Century United Methodist Church.
She is preceded in death by her parents, W.S. and Inez Huggins VanMerkestyn; her biological father Nathan Mashburn and her husband of over 50 years, Herbert McCurdy.
Survivors include her two brothers, James (Carolyn) Mashburn and Michael (Paula) Mashburn, both of Pensacola; one sister, Donna (Coy) Register of McDavid; special nieces, Erica (J.B.) Nelson of Century, Belinda Gouveia of Pensacola and a great-niece, Rainey Nelson.
Funeral services will be Monday, January 6, 2014, at 12 p.m. from the Century United Methodist Church with Rev. Janet Lee officiating.
Interment will follow in the McCurdy Cemetery in Century.
Family will receive friends, Sunday, January 5, 2014, at Century United Methodist Church from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc is in charge of all arrangements.
Janet Michelle Milstid
January 7, 2014
Janet Michelle Milstid, 46, of Cantonment, passed on to a better place on January 4, 2014. Janet was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on October 7, 1967, to Arva Ruth Simmons Milstid and Tommie Eugene Milstid.
Janet is preceded in death by her mother, Arva Ruth Simmons Milstid and her grandparents Mae Simmons and Melvin Simmons of Atmore and Floyd Milstid, Sr., and Maggie Lee Milstid Whittington of Perdido.
She is survived by her father, Tommie Eugene Milstid; brother, Greg Eugene Milstid; and sister, Tina Milstid of Cantonment; and her life partner, Dan Brunette of Azelda, Ontario, as well as many loved aunts, uncles, and cousins on both sides of the family.
Janet’s wishes were to be cremated with no memorial service, and the family is honoring her wishes.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Heart Association, the Humane Society, or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.
Family-Funeral & Cremation of Pensacola is handling arrangements.