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.
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.