Cold Weather Safety Tips
January 6, 2014
With our historic winter weather foercast, Escambia County urges residents to take safety precautions while trying to stay warm, specifically when using space heaters. Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires during the winter months.
Actions should be taken to prepare for this and future cold weather events. Remember the “5 Ps” of cold weather preparedness:
- Protect People
- Protect Plants
- Protect Pets
- Protect Exposed Pipes
- Practice Fire Safety
Heating Equipment Safety Tips:
- Properly inspect all heating equipment for frayed cords or exposed elements before use.
- Space heaters need space. Keep heaters at least three feet away from all furniture, drapes, clothing and other combustibles.
- Use only heaters designed for use in the home. Never use cooking appliances, such as ovens, or any heaters designed for outdoor usage indoors.
- Only use heaters with safety features such as cut-off switches that turn them off if they accidentally tip over and those units with heater element guards that prevent combustible materials from contacting the heating element.
- Never leave space heaters unattended. Turn them off when you leave the room or go to bed.
- Keep children and pets away from space heaters.
- Keep heaters and their cords along with extension cords away from high traffic areas.
- When buying a new space heater, make sure it carries the mark of an independent testing laboratory.
- Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home and outside every bedroom. Test the batteries every month and change them at least once a year.
- If you have gas appliances, install a carbon monoxide alarm in a central location outside each sleeping area.
Alternative Heating Fire Safety Life-Saving Tips
- Allow your heater to cool before refueling and only refuel outdoors.
- Fill your heater with only crystal clear, K-1 kerosene, not gasoline or camp stove fuel as both explode easily.
- Keep the fire in the fireplace with a screen large enough to catch flying sparks and rolling logs.
- Carefully follow manufacturers’ installation and maintenance instructions.
- Remember it’s always safer to add more blankets on your bed than to use a space heater while sleeping.
- Electric blankets can be a serious fire hazard if defected or used improperly. Check your electric blanket for any damage from fraying, creasing or general wear and tear. Electric blankets that are more than 10 years old should be replaced, and never use a wet blanket.
- In case of a fire, stay low to the ground, beneath the smoke, and crawl to an exit using your escape plan.
Hwy 29/I-10 Interchange Construction Project Begins Today
January 6, 2014
Construction will begin today on a $2.5 million resurfacing project on I-10 from west of Highway 29 to east of Palafox Street in Escambia County.
The project also includes the milling and resurfacing of all ramps and ramp shoulders associated with the U.S. 29/I-10 interchange, shoulder widening, guardrail upgrades, crash cushion replacement, removal of portable traffic monitoring sites (PTMS), installation of new signs, pavement markings, and sodding. The entire project is slated for completion summer 2014.
During construction drivers will encounter overnight lane restrictions on both I-10 and the U.S. 29/ I-10 interchange. Lane closures on I-10 and intermittent closures or restrictions on the interchange will be limited to 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
All planned construction activities are weather dependent and may be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Governors Scott, Bentley Wager On Florida State, Auburn Game
January 6, 2014
Florida Gov. Rick Scott announced that he has agreed to a friendly wager with Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley on the outcome of Monday’s Florida State Seminole and Auburn Tiger BCS National Championship Game. If Florida State wins, Bentley will send a gallon of Toomer’s Lemonade to Scott, and if Auburn wins, Governor Rick Scott will send a fresh Florida Key Lime Pie, from Kermit’s in Key West, to Montgomery.
“Florida is the nation’s premier state for football. Florida State has had a great undefeated season, and I look forward to an exciting game and some ice cold lemonade from Toomer’s. Go Noles,” said Scott.
“I am pleased to join my good friend Gov. Rick Scott in this friendly football wager,” Bentley said. “I am looking forward to a great game between the Auburn Tigers and the Florida State Seminoles in the national championship. Both teams have worked hard all year and deserve to play for the national title. The crystal trophy has been in the State of Alabama for the last four years, and I expect it will remain in Alabama. I hope to enjoy a slice of Gov. Scott’s key lime pie to celebrate Auburn’s national championship win.”
Pictured: Key lime pie from Kermit’s in Key West. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
2013 Persons Of The Year: Shelby Godwin
January 6, 2014
NorthEscambia.com is naming several Persons of the Year for 2013. An additional honoree will be named on Tuesday.
Shelby Godwin of Bratt has been named one of our North Escambia persons of the Year.
At 10, Shelby is by far the youngest person we’ve ever named one of our persons of the year. At just 10, she exhibited a heart of gold and a love for her fellow man that touched thousands across the area as she touched the heart of a young man she’d never met.
Shelby had never met Wyatt Johnson, a 17-month old from Century who is suffering from a chronic liver disease. But she saw a fundraising flyer at CVS with Wyatt’s picture and was so emotionally touched by the young man that she wanted to do something to help him.
Her idea? A fresh orange juice stand along East Highway 4 in Bratt, under the shade trees last September in front of her house. The 10-year old used her own money to purchase the oranges and supplies for her little business venture and borrowed an old fashioned juicer from a friend of her mom. All the proceeds went to Wyatt’s cause.
When Shelby had the chance to meet Wyatt in October, hugs, smiles and happy tears filled the Bratt Elementary School Library. There was already a special bond between the two, a little boy in need of all the help the world will give him and a young lady with an unselfish heart.
Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas was on hand to recognize Shelby, and the Town of Century issued a proclamation in her honor. And the nationally syndicated John Boy and Bill Show got wind of a NorthEscambia.com story and named Shelby as one of their heroes.
But the greatest honor of all for Shelby was the giant smile on Wyatt’s face.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Reschedules Tonight’s Council Meeting Due To BCS Game
January 6, 2014
The Town of Century has rescheduled their regular first Monday of the month council meeting from tonight to tomorrow, Tuesday, January 7 at 7 p.m.
The meeting was rescheduled to encourage public participation and attendance — the regular Monday night meeting conflicted with the BCS National Championship Game between Auburn and Florida State.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
2013 In Photos: November
January 6, 2014
All this week, we are looking back at the photos that were in the news in 2013. Today, we are featuring photos from November.
Four people were left homeless by this November fire near Century.
A Georgia church provided Thanksgiving dinner for Century residents. As part of their “Compel Century” outreach event, Rivertown Church of Columbus provided the free meal.
Students from several northern Santa Rosa County schools put in a hard day’s work to help make sure hundreds of families have a good Thanksgiving dinner.
Hunting and fishing licenses are now available at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century.
Citrus canker was discovered in Santa Rosa County.
Century residents protested against a new barnyard animal ordinance.
Fans react as the Northview Chiefs lose to Cottondale.
Northview’s Keondrae Lett reacts emotionally after the Chief’s regional final loss in Cottondale.
Firefighters from Alabama and Florida battled a train engine fire near the state line.
A wreck involving a semi-truck and a car claimed one life at the intersection of Highway 29 and Muscogee Road in Cantonment.
Two brand new Escambia County EMS units were delivered to Century.
A biker group built a ramp for an injured motorcycle rider in Molino.
An item suspected to be a possible pipe bomb found alongside Highway 29 in Cantonment turned out to be harmless.
Northview High School held their annual Veteran’s Day program.
A driver that allegedly fell asleep on Highway 97 late took a wild ride that ended with his SUV heavily damaging a house.
The Tate Aggies ended their best regular season in 10 years at 8-2.
Ernest Ward Middle School held their annual Veteran’s Program.
A unique roadside bee hive in Walnut Hill on Highway 99, just off Highway 97.
Southwest Airlines first flight to arrive in Pensacola.
Fire destroyed this home on Bradberry Road in Bratt.
The Northview High School FFA chapter was awarded one of the highest national honors presented by the National FFA in November. Northview’s FFA received the Three Star Chapter award on live national television during the National FFA Convention & Expo in Louisville, KY.
State Appeals Court Tosses Jay Man’s Murder Conviction
January 5, 2014
A Florida appeals court has thrown out the second degree murder conviction of a Jay man that was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the shooting death of a Brewton teen at a 2010 party.
In a ruling Friday, the 1st District Court of Appeals ruled Friday said the Santa Rosa County jury that convicted Robert Franklin Floyd was given conflicting instructions about the self defense and “stand your ground law”.
During a bonfire party on February 27, 2010, a vehicle occupied by four people — 18-year old Getyron Lopez Benjamin of Brewton, Gerald Banton, Timothy Smith and Tiffanie Pate — arrived Floyd’s home on Country Mill Road. The four people exited the vehicle and got into a verbal altercation with Floyd. The four refused to leave, at which time Floyd pushed one the males and told them to leave. The male pulled out a handgun, and Floyd retrieved a .243 caliber rifle from his truck. Floyd said he heard gunshots and saw a muzzle flash coming from the vehicle before he fired.
There were two shots that hit the vehicle, one striking Benjamin in the back seat. He was driven to D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton where he was pronounced dead.
Floyd’s only defense at trial was self defense.
Under Florida law, “a person is justified in the use of deadly force and does not have the duty to retreat if he or she reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony”.
In Floyd’s case, the 1st District Court of Appeals found that “the trial court instructed the jurors that Floyd both did and did not have a duty to retreat”.
The court reverse Floyd’s convictions, vacated his sentences and ordered a new trial on both original counts against him — second degree murder and discharging a firearm into a moving vehicle. A new trial date has not been set.
Firefighters Respond To Kitchen Fire At Apartment Complex
January 5, 2014
Firefighters responded to a kitchen fire at a Gonzalez apartment complex early Sunday morning.
The fire was out when the first firefighters arrived on scene just after 2 a.m. at the Grantwood Apartments on Batson Lane, just off Highway 95A. There was no major damage, and no injuries were reported.
Hard Freeze Warning: Super Cold Monday And Tuesday
January 5, 2014
- Sunday: A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
- Sunday Night: A chance of showers before 9pm, then a chance of rain between 9pm and midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. Blustery, with a south wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest 15 to 20 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 36. Wind chill values between 15 and 25. Breezy, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
- Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 14. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 37. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 17. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 50. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. East wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 62.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.
- Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64.
- Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52.
- Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 69.
Vehicle Fees Rollback Gets Hearing
January 5, 2014
A closely-watched measure to reduce vehicle-registration fees will get its first hearing since Gov. Rick Scott threw his support behind a similar idea as part of his legislative agenda.
The Senate Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee is set to take up the proposal next Thursday.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, would roll back about half the unpopular 2009 hike in the fees. The decrease in fees would cost almost $182 million in the budget year that begins July 1, and $233 million a year after that. But Scott has endorsed doing away with the whole increase, something that would bring the price tag up to $401 million. Lawmakers could amend Scott’s plan onto the bill, though no amendments have been filed yet.
Negron’s measure unanimously passed the Senate Transportation Committee in October, more than a month before Scott announced his support.