Man Convicted Of Murdering Prison Guard Is Executed
January 8, 2014
A man convicted of killing a prison guard while already on Death Row was executed Tuesday at Florida State Prison near Starke. Askari Abdullah Muhammad, 62, died at 6:45 p.m., according to a spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Corrections.
He was put to death for fatally stabbing corrections officer Richard James Burke with a sharpened spoon in October 1980.
Muhammad, who was formerly known as Thomas Knight, was initially convicted of kidnapping and killing Sydney and Lillian Gans in 1974. He also escaped from the Dade County Jail while awaiting trial and was involved in a liquor store robbery in Cordele, Ga., where two clerks were shot, with one killed.
Monday Is Deadline To Apply For $50,000 In IP Grants
January 8, 2014
International Paper Pensacola Mill will award $50,000 in Foundation Grants in 2014.
The deadline for all 2014 grant applications is Monday, January 13.
Grants are awarded by the IP Foundation in Memphis, Tenn., which focuses on environmental education, literacy, employee involvement, and critical community needs. Applicants must be a registered 501c3 non-profit organization, school, or qualifying government entity to apply.
For more information about the Foundation or to apply online, interested applicants should visit www.ipgiving.com. For more information on the grant process, contact Janice Holmes, communications manager, at 850-968-4203 or e-mail janice.holmes@ipaper.com.
Bondi, Wilson Ask Obama For Health Care Meeting
January 8, 2014
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson want President Barack Obama to set up a meeting for them on the Affordable Care Act with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
In a letter to the White House on Monday, the two Republican officials repeated their longstanding opposition to the federal health care law as they asked for the meeting to address a number of issues, including “specific security and consumer safety issues” involving the navigator program.
“Due to the lack of response to the multitude of concerns shared with your Administration by numerous states over the last several months, we are requesting you to direct Secretary Sebelius to meet with the concerned attorneys general to address these issues,” the letter said.
Navigators assist people who apply for insurance through online marketplaces that are key part of the Affordable Care Act.
As the system was rolled out, Florida banned the navigators from the grounds of county health departments claiming concern for consumer information that would be provided to the counselors. Bondi’s spokeswoman Jennifer Meale said in an email Tuesday afternoon that there had yet to be a response from the White House.
by The News Service of Florida
Northview Gets Big District Win Over Freeport
January 8, 2014
The Northview Chiefs opened 2014 with a district win on the road against Freeport, 77-41.
Scoring for Northview were Neino Robinson 31, Cameron Newsome 20, Tony Macroy 13, Nick Lambert 10, and Trent Howard 3. Mccroy recorded 12 assists for the Chiefs.
Northview’s varsity girls will host Rocky Bayou at 5:30 Thursday, following by the varsity boys at 7:00. In big district games Friday, the Chiefs will host Jay. JV girls at 3:30, JV boys at 4:45, varsity girls at 6:00 and varsity boys at 7:15.
Ronnie Murphy
January 8, 2014
Mr. Ronnie Murphy, age 43, passed away Tuesday, January 7, 2014. He was born October 13, 1970 in Pensacola to Howard and Judith Wilson Murphy.
Mr. Murphy was a resident of Mossy Head. He was Baptist by faith and a member of the Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church. He was a veteran of Desert Storm, serving his country in the United States Army for over 6 years. He worked as a Correctional Officer at Walton Correctional Institute for over 10 years. He served as a little league coach for over 16 years, and as a baseball coach assistant at Walton High School. He had a passion for coaching baseball and making a difference in children’s lives. He also served as a volunteer firefighter at Mossy Head Fire Department. He was a born again Christian and a devoted husband, father, son and brother. He was an avid outdoorsman and he loved Alabama football and especially loved his two boys.
Mr. Murphy is survived by his parents Howard and Judy Murphy of Pensacola; his loving wife Tiffany Murphy of 23 ½ years of Mossy Head; two sons Stephen and Christopher Murphy of Mossy Head; one sister Victoria Richardson and husband Scott of Molino; his mother-in-law Maxine Turner of Mossy Head, Florida; one brother-in-law Todd Turner and wife Teresa of Opelika, Alabama; two sisters-in-law Tawee Hardy and husband Robert of Lowndesboro, Alabama and Tonya Edgar and husband Tim of Pensacola. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation services will be held 12:00~2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 11, 2014, at Clary-Glenn Funeral Home Chapel; 230 Park Avenue, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 11, 2014, at Clary-Glenn Funeral Home Chapel; 230 Park Avenue, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435 with Pastors Owen Smith and Joel Glenn officiating.
Burial will follow at Crowder Chapel Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Larry Martin, Phillip Jones, Bob Sloan, Billy Burgess, Doug Cosson, Ronnie Bell, Kenny May, Jr., Tom Molinets and Victor Evans.
Photos: Florida’s Frozen Winter
January 8, 2014
With lows in the middle teens, there were some interesting photo opportunities around the North Escambia (Florida) area this morning. Like, pictured above, this tree on Highway 164 in Walnut Hill. (Courtesy Brandy White)
We received lots of winter photos from readers, scroll down for more.
Above: The fountain at Dr Gene Terrezza Optometry at the corner of Lillian Highway and Fairfield Drive. (Courtesy Justin Dukes)
Above: A frozen over fish pond in Bratt. (Courtesy Janie Beasley)
Above: Ice on a lily pad pond near Pollard McCall Junior High School where it dropped to 14 degrees this morning. (Courtesy Jennifer Smith)
Above: Frozen small tree in Molino. (Courtesy Lisa Weaver)
Above: Frozen hose into a pool, Molino. (Courtesy April Pawless)
Above: The fountain this morning at Century Health and Rehabilitation Center. (Courtesy Mae Hildreth)
Above: We saved this one for last. Seems that Rodney Colvin of Molino brought his wife Jennifer an “ice flower” from outside this morning. We are hoping to see how he tops this for Valentines Day.
Sheriff’s Office To Present Neighborhood Watch Academy
January 8, 2014
Applications are now being accepted forthe 18th Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Neighborhood Watch Academy which will be held Tuesday, January 21 in the ECSO Administration Building at 1700 West Leonard Street in Pensacola.
The free training is being provided to neighborhood volunteers for new and existing neighborhood watch programs, or anyone interested in preventing crime. The one evening seminar begins with a complementary meal at 5 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m.
Persons wishing to start a neighborhood watch group or simply make themselves less likely to be a victim of crime, this is the class needed.Much of the curriculum covers basic safety and security tips for the home, anonymous reporting and crime prevention through environmental design.
To register, contact David Craig in the Community Services Unit at (850) 436-9281 or at gcraig@escambiaso.com.
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.