Christians, Atheists Say Keep Capitol A Free Speech Zone
January 7, 2014
Christians and atheists may have found a little common patch of ground, the rotunda of the Florida Capitol as a space to express themselves.
The threat of a lawsuit is hovering over the state’s rejection of a satanic display, and the rotunda exhibit policy is set to undergo a staff review. But the prevailing view among those who have recently jumped at the chance to use the public floor space to express their beliefs is to simply let everyone have their say.
“They designated a free speech zone for everyone to express their religious and non-religious beliefs,” said Austin Aycock, spokesman for the Tallahassee Atheists. “If they’re going to do it, they can’t have limits.”
The Tallahassee Atheists, The American Atheists Florida Regional Directors and the Madison, Wis.-based Freedom From Religion Foundation all put up seasonal banners this year to counter a Christian nativity scene.
“I hope the state can find a way to make all voices heard and to keep everyone’s freedom of speech alive here in the Capitol rotunda,” said Randall Smith, Knights of Columbus grand knight of the Good Shepherd Church parish in Tallahassee. “All capitols should be like the state of Florida, and I hope they can find a way to make room for everybody.”
Department of Management Services spokesman Ben Wolf said in an email that the department appreciates “the input we receive from all groups across the state” regarding the display policy, but added there is no timetable on the review.
“We will take as much time as needed,” Wolf said.
DMS limits the height of displays based on where they are located in the rotunda and prohibits displays from blocking permanent memorials such as the Civil Rights and Veterans halls of fame. Also, the department will allow displays as long as there is available space, but does have rules against noise and impeding official business.
The Knights of Columbus on Monday put up a decorated wooden cross in the Capitol for the group called Reclaim Christmas for Christ to mark Three Kings Day and the Christian feast of the Epiphany.
The cross display follows diverse exhibits that have dotted the rotunda this holiday season, including a pole made of empty beer cans to mark the sitcom-created 
ivus holiday and a shredded pile of paper that is supposed to resemble the deity of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
“When you see a nativity scene, and right beside it you see a pole with beer cans on it, we think it makes our point,” Smith said. “We think it further shows the seriousness of the nativity scene” versus other presentations that are not as serious.
The free speech issue exploded this year after the Florida Prayer Network put up the first nativity display in modern history in the Capitol on Dec. 3.
The nativity scene joined a menorah that has been displayed in prior years. But the Christian display went up with a lot of media fanfare.
The policy review will be undertaken as the ACLU of Florida continues to warn the Department of Management Services that a lawsuit remains an option over the department’s rejection of an exhibition proposed by the New York-based Satanic Temple.
“What we hope happens is that the department will realize you can’t pick and choose which messages or organizations get represented if you create an open forum — or that they make the determination after all that’s happened that maybe creating a venue for religious messages isn’t the best use of a government building in the first place,” said ACLU of Florida spokesman Baylor Johnson.
Johnson added that the ACLU is not formally representing the temple.
The Department of Management Services rejected the temple’s proposal on grounds that it was “grossly offensive.”
Department officials have not defined what they have considered offensive about the temple’s proposal that would have bannered the phrase “Happy holidays from the Satanic Temple” atop a diorama of an angel falling into hell. A sign on one side of the display referenced Luke 10:18 including the line, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”
The temple’s display was the only proposal denied by the state agency.
Pam Olsen, president of the Florida Prayer Network, said that while the Satanists’ proposal was “amateurish,” she didn’t think it should have been rejected.
“I would have been okay with it because I’m not afraid of what they’re saying,” Olsen said.
Olsen added she hoped the Department of Management Services doesn’t use the Satanists’ application as a reason to keep her and others out in the future.
“That was the whole reason they did this, to shut us down,” Olsen said.
Chaz Stevens, a Deerfield Beach resident behind the Festivus pole of beer cans, said when his display went up that the intent of his admittedly “ridiculous” effort was to make a political statement on the need for the separation of church and state.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Roy Cecil Harrison
January 7, 2014
Mr. Roy Cecil Harrison, 80, passed away on Saturday, January 4, 2014, in Flomaton.
Mr. Harrison was a native and former resident of Uriah and had resided in Flomaton since 2004. Mr. Harrison was an avid gardner and attended the Flomaton Pentecostal Church. His parents, Wiley & Bessie Harrison; three brothers, Charles W. Harrison, Lee Gaines Harrison and James Harrison; one sister, Zelma Harris; daughter, Linda Gayle Smith; step-granddaughter, Toni Hammond; and step-grandson, Dustin Smith precede him in death.
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Alford Harrison of Flomaton; two step-sons, Dell (Carrie) Jackson of Flomaton and Mike White of Chicago; one daughter, Carolyn Johnson of Pensacola; three step-daughters, Dickie Lynn White and Renea White, both of South Florida and Donnette Garvin of Groveland, FL; one brother, Gordon (Ellen) Harrison of Frisco City; two sisters, Annette Wiggins of Uriah and Lucille Brake of Monroeville; seven grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; mother-in-law, Pearl Alford Beasley of Brewton and devoted sister-in-law, Carol (Larry) Madden of Brewton.
Funeral services were Monday, January 6, 2014, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel with Rev. Homer Stewart and Rev. Al Bethea officiating.
Burial was at the Poplar Springs Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Johnny Daw, Carlos Whitehead, James Kimbler, Tyler Jackson, Mike Woods and Junior Salter.
Honorary pallbearers were Ubie Hammack, Raymond Woods, Rayburn Knowles, Joe LaSalle and Melvin Finley.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC is in charge of all arrangements.
Willie Vaughn Smith
January 7, 2014
Mrs. Willie Vaughn Smith, age 94, of Flomaton, passed away on Monday, January 6, 2014, at her home.
Mrs. Smith was a native of Pollard, Ala., and a member of the Flomaton community for her lifetime. During her working years, she worked at St. Regis Paper Mill and at Abernathy Hospital as a dietician. Later in her life, she worked as a private sitter. She was of the Pentecostal faith and a member of South Bethel Church of God. Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her son, J.W. Smith.
She is survived by her sons, Joe Edward Smith of Pace, Hosie Leon Smith, Jr. of Flomaton and Shelby Ray (Cindy) Smith of Flomaton; 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 9, 2014, at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel beginning at 1 p.m. until service time at 2 p.m. with Rev. Jason Lindsey officiating.
Interment will follow at Green Acres Cemetery in Brewton.
Pallbearers will be David Smith, Tracy Sutton, Nicholas Sutton, Trent Sutton, Alex Alvarez, Joey Smith, Logan Smith and Tyler Smith.
Flomaton Funeral Home is directing.
James Alfred Cooke
January 7, 2014
Mr. James Alfred Cooke, 67, of Cantonment, passed away January 3, 2014.
Visitation or funeral services have not been scheduled.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Escambia Schools Are Open On Tuesday
January 6, 2014
THIS IS AN ARCHIVE ARTICLE FROM JAN 6 2014. THIS ARTICLE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SNOW EVENT ON JAN 28.
All Escambia County, FL, students will return to class on Tuesday.
Parents are encouraged to minimize student’s exposure to cold weather while waiting for the school bus, according to a school district news release. School buses will maintain their usual on-time schedule.
The school district will have maintenance staff readily available to deal with any heating or plumbing issues as they arise due to weather conditions.
Escambia County, AL
All Escambia County, AL, schools will all be open as usual on Tuesday.
Santa Rosa County
All Santa Rosa County schools will all be open as usual on Tuesday.
Free Bus Ride Available To Cold Weather Shelters; Shelter Opening In Century
January 6, 2014
For the homeless or those with inadequate heat for tonight’s bitter cold, there are options being offered for North Escambia residents.
The Escarosa Coalition on the Homeless is offering a free bus voucher to the Waterfront Rescue Mission or the Salvation Army.
North Escambia residents unable to pay the bus fare to one of the shelters can mention the Esacrosa Coaliton on the Homeless voucher program to the bus driver.
The only bus remaining today from the North Escambia area picks up as follows:
- Century Courthouse – 7:05 p.m.
- Hwy 29/Hwy 95A , Molino – 7:17 p.m.
- Hwy 29/Hwy 95A, Cantonment – 7:26 p.m.
- Hwy 29/Nine Mile — 7:35 p.m.
- ECAT Transfer Center – 7:55 p.m.
The Town of Century, in conjunction with BRACE, will open the Ag Building/Community Center on West Highway 4 by the Century Care Center upon request for cold weather shelter Monday and Tuesday.
To request cold weather shelter in Century, contact DeAnna Poland-Stemock at (850) 596-4613. Cots and blankets will be provided on a first come first served basis.
51 Arrests Made in Prostitution Sweep (With Mugshots)
January 6, 2014
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrested over 50 people during a prostitution sweep.
The four-phase operation targeted street level prostitution and escort prostitution.
During a three day period beginning December 3, street level prostitution was targeted, with 17 female and one male prostitute arrested. On December 12, escorts advertising on the internet were targeted with eight prostitutes arrested. There were two additional arrests made for narcotics related crimes.
On December 18, the operation targeted persons soliciting prostitutes at the street level. Six men were arrested on soliciting charges and two additional arrests were made on unrelated charges. And during the fourth phase of the operation on January 3, males responding to internet based advertisements were targeted with 15 men arrested.
The following was provided by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Arrested December 3-6:
Arrested December 12:
Arrested December 18:
Arrested January 3:
Two Armed Robberies Under Investigation; One Clerk Injured (Updated)
January 6, 2014
More details have been released on two armed robberies Sunday night in the North Escambia area — including one that left a store clerk with minor injuries.
The first robbery was reported about 8:13 p.m. at the Liquor Cabinet at the corner of Highway 29 and Old Chemstand Road in the Gonzalez area. According to the clerk, a black male about 5-foot, 8-inches wearing a bright blue hoodie and camouflage mask entered the store armed with a handgun. The suspect fled the area on foot. An unsuccessful manhunt with a K-9 followed in the area around the store.
The second armed robbery was reported about 15 minutes later. at the Family Dollar store on Highway 97 in Davisville, just south of the Alabama state line. Two black males armed with a handgun and baseball bat entered the store demanding money. One of the suspects struck a store clerk in the legs with the baseball bat. The clerk was evaluated on scene and refused medical treatment for minor injuries. Both suspects fled the store in an unknown direction.
There is no indication that the robberies were related; the two businesses are located about 33 miles apart.
Anyone with information about the burglaries is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Pictured top and inset: The scene of an armed robbery Sunday night at the Family Dollar on Highway 97 in Davisville. Pictured below: Photos from the robbery scenes at the Family Dollar in Davisville and the Liquor Cabinet on Highway 29 in Gonzalez. Pictured bottom. EMS arrives on scene to evaluate the clerk at the Family Dollar. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Dangerous Artic Blast: Low Of 13 Tonight
January 6, 2014
There is hard freeze warning and wind chill advisory in effect. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 13. Wind chill values between 5 and 10. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 35. Wind chill values between 5 and 15. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 16. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 48. Wind chill values between 10 and 20 early. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 61. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. East wind around 10 mph.
- Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69.
- Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52.
- Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68.
- Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.
Helpful Hints To Prevent Frozen Pipes
January 6, 2014
The following recommendations, from ECUA, are a few simple measures residents can take to ready their home’s plumbing for our potentially record breaking freezing cold.
External, exposed pipes are naturally the most vulnerable to freezing. Homeowners may:
Insulate Pipes or Faucets in Unheated Areas: Pipes located in unheated areas of your house, such as a garage or crawl space under the house or in the attic, are subject to freezing. If you have time to do this before freezing temperatures arrive, wrap these pipes with insulation materials made especially for this purpose. These materials can be found in most hardware stores or home improvement centers.
Disconnect And Drain Outdoor Hoses: Detach all hoses from faucets and allow them to drain. This will prevent the water in the hose or pipe from freezing and bursting the faucet or pipe to which it is connected.
Run a Trickle of Water: When forecasts call for sustained and / or severe freezing temperatures, run thin trickles of water from the faucet furthest from the water line coming to your house. Usually this is in a room at the back of the house or outside, in the yard. Allowing the water to circulate through your home’s plumbing helps to keep it from freezing. Some consider this a waste of water, but the cost of the water used is extremely slight compared to that of repairing broken pipes and the resulting water damage.
Remember the Backflow Preventer: Residents and business owners who have backflow preventers on their properties for water lines, fire lines, irrigation systems, and swimming pools need to protect their backflow preventers from freeze as well. Extended freezes can burst the body of the backflow assembly, rendering it useless. Wrap these pipes with insulation materials, made especially for this purpose. These materials can be found in most hardware stores or home improvement centers. If the device and the water lines are not in use at this time (i.e., irrigation system or swimming pool lines), shut off the water supply line and drain the backflow device.