Santa Rosa Clerk To Stop Performing Marriages
December 26, 2014
Beginning next Thursday, January 1, the Santa Rosa Clerk’s Office will no longer perform wedding ceremonies.
The office will continue to issue marriage licenses at the Santa Rosa County Administrative Complex on Caroline Street in Milton and at the Santa Rosa County South End Service Center on Gulf Breeze Breeze Parkway in Gulf Breeze.
For more information, call (850) 983-1823 or (850) 983-1967.
Two Injured In Christmas Rollover Wreck In McDavid
December 26, 2014
Two people received minor injuries in a rollover accident late Christmas night in McDavid.
The accident was reported about 11 p.m. on Highway 29 at South Pine Barren Road. Two people were transported to D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton by Escambia County EMS with non-life threatening injuries.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the accident.
Christmas Recycling Workshop For Kids Next Week At The Landfill
December 26, 2014
The Escambia County Department of Solid Waste Management will host a Christmas Recycling Workshop on Tuesday, December 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Escambia County Perdido Landfill at 13009 Beulah Road in Cantonment. The workshop is open to participants 5 to 8 years of age.
The workshop will include a tour of the landfill, arts and crafts using recycled materials and games that focus on recycling and reuse. The cost of the camp is one pair of new or gently used shoes to be donated to Soles4Souls. Participants should wear clothing that is appropriate to play in and be worn outside, and bring a brown bag lunch, snacks and a reusable water bottle.
For more information on this workshop or other events at the Escambia County Perdido Landfill, call (850) 937-2160.
Rain Moves In For Wet Weekend
December 26, 2014
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Friday Night A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. East wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 67. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
- Saturday Night A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Sunday Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 73. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Sunday Night A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 56. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Monday A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 65. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
- Monday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. North wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.
- Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
- Wednesday Partly sunny, with a high near 59.
- Wednesday Night A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
- New Year’s Day A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.
Florida Tops New York On Population List
December 26, 2014
Florida has topped New York in terms of population.
The Sunshine State, averaging 803 new residents a day, is now the third most-populous state in the nation, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates released Tuesday.
“It is an important milestone because it reflects many years of rapid population growth in Florida,” Stan Smith, program director of the University of Florida’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research, said in an email. “Population growth is important because it is a major driver of the state’s economic growth and has transformed many aspects of life in Florida.”
The new numbers aren’t surprising. But they help prepare state officials for a wide range of issues, from services needed for elderly residents to the stresses put on the natural environment.
More people also mean a larger congressional delegation. In 1910, New York had 43 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives to Florida’s four. Both states now have 27 seats.
Gov. Rick Scott called the demographic milestone “exciting” news and pointed to his efforts to increase jobs and boost the economy in Florida.
“Florida is on the way to become the number one destination for jobs and we continue to be the best place to live, work and raise a family,” Scott said in a prepared statement. “I look forward to more people and more job creators moving to Florida in the near future.”
Scott has often appeared on national cable news programs telling people to move to Florida. New York was also one of the states in which Scott wrote open letters to business owners in 2012 and 2013 touting the economic benefits of Florida.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce praised Scott and the state’s Republican leadership for the population growth.
“People have been comparing apples and oranges for a long time,” the business group said on its website. “Now they’re choosing oranges, and calling Florida home. Thanks to Governor Scott and the Florida Legislature, Florida is now the third most populous state, we’re creating jobs faster than New York, have the 5th best business tax climate compared to New York (49) and Florida has zero state income tax.”
As of July 1, there were an estimated 19,893,297 Floridians, compared to 19,746,227 people who called the Empire State home.
With the U.S. population up 2.4 million to 318.9 million, California remains atop the list of states with 38.8 million residents, followed by the 26.96 million Texans.
Between July 1, 2013 and July 1, 2014, Florida added 293,000 residents, while New York grew by 51,000.
Only California, with 451,321 new residents, and Texas, with 371,107 additional residents, were credited with larger single-year increases.
New York long held the number-one spot, grabbing that position from Virginia before the 1810 census. But New York got topped by California prior to the 1970 census and surpassed by Texas after the 1990 census.
Florida, which in 1900 had just over a half million residents, joined the top 10 most-populous states with the 1960 census.
Florida’s 1.5 percent increase over the past year was the fifth-fastest growth rate among the states.
The nation’s growth rate advanced at .75 percent the past year.
North Dakota, with a 2.2 percent growth rate, was the nation’s fastest growing, and the only state among the top 10 outside the South or West.
Six states had drops in population: Illinois, West Virginia, Connecticut, New Mexico, Alaska and Vermont.
Among the top 10 most-populous states, Georgia, eighth on the list, went over the 10 million resident mark with the latest figures. Meanwhile, North Carolina is now in ninth place, moving ahead of Michigan.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Florida’s Youth Smoking Rate Reaches An All Time Low
December 26, 2014
New data released by the Florida Department of Health shows that fewer youth in Florida are smoking cigarettes than ever before. In 2014, only 4.3 percent of Florida’s youth, ages 11 to 17, are current cigarette smokers.
There are 59 percent fewer youth cigarette smokers in the state than before the Tobacco Free Florida program launched in 2007. This represents a decrease from 10.6 percent in 2006 to 4.3 percent in 2014.
“Tobacco Free Florida is a nationally renowned program that has set the bar for how other states can reduce cigarette use among young people,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “The state’s steady and significant reduction in youth smoking is saving lives and money, and creating a healthier, tobacco free generation.”
The new data from the 2014 Florida Youth Tobacco Survey found that:
- 7.5 percent of high school students reported current cigarette use, meaning they smoked a cigarette at least once during the past 30 days, a 51.6 percent decrease compared to 2006
- Florida’s 2014 cigarette smoking rate among high school students was lower than the national average of 12.7 percent in 2013,[1] the most recent equivalent national survey
- 2.3 percent of middle school students reported current cigarette use, meaning they smoked a cigarette at least once during the past 30 days, a 65.2 percent decrease compared to 2006
- Florida’s 2014 cigarette smoking rate among middle school students was similar to the national average of 2.9 percent in 2013,[2] the most recent equivalent national survey
In 2006, Florida voters overwhelmingly approved a state constitutional amendment requiring 15 percent of the state’s tobacco settlement fund be used for a comprehensive tobacco education and use prevention program. In 2007, the funding was used to launch Tobacco Free Florida, which is managed by the health department. Tobacco Free Florida’s efforts are supported by community interventions at the county level and a statewide media campaign driven by powerful advertisements that demonstrate the dangers and real-life consequences of tobacco use, encouraging more and more youth to never begin.
Douglas Ray Holt
December 26, 2014
Mr. Douglas Ray Holt, 79, passed away on Friday, December 26, 2014, in Pensacola.
Mr. Holt was a native and life long resident of Flomaton. Mr. Holt was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and retired from Armstrong after 35 years of service. He was a lifelong member of the Little Escambia Baptist Church. He is preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Francis Brown Holt parents, Joel and Edna Holt and brother Donald Holt.
Survivors include his son, Mike (Lisa) Holt of Flomaton, sister, Linda H. White of Flomaton and Grandchild Lauren C. Holt of Orlando.
Visitation will be Saturday, December 27, 2014, from 5-8 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home in Atmore
Graveside services will be Sunday, December 28, 2014, at 2 p.m. at the Little Escambia Church Cemetery with Rev. Doug Hogg officiating.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Elma Malese Johnson
December 26, 2014
Mrs. Elma Malese Johnson, age 94 of Flomaton, passed away on Thursday, December 25, 2014, at her home.
She was a native and lifetime resident of the Flomaton area where she was a homemaker and a member of Bethel Baptist Church. Mrs. Johnson was preceded in death by her husband, Woodrow W. Johnson; daughter, Pearl McCurdy; son, Jerry Johnson; and daughter-in-law, Gloria Johnson.
She is survived by her children, Wilson (Mavis) Johnson of Flomaton, Bettie (Clayton) Armstrong of Pace, Jeanette Johnson of Flomaton, Katherine (Bob) Reid of Byrneville, Charles (Faye) Johnson of Flomaton, Ronald (Brenda) Johnson of Flomaton and Donald (Linda) Johnson of Flomaton.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2014, at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 29, 2014, at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel at 2 p.m. with Bro. Michael Johnson and Bro. Phil Armstrong officiating.
Interment will follow in Flomaton Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Keith Reid, Heath Johnson, Cory Johnson, Bart Johnson, Travis Johnson, Steven Johnson, DeWayne McCurdy, Steve Turner.
Flomaton Funeral Home Directing.
Bertha Louise Crutchfield
December 26, 2014
Mrs. Bertha Louise Crutchfield, age 85 of Flomaton, passed away on Friday, December 26, 2014, at Century Health and Rehabilitation Center.
She was a native of Escambia County, Florida and a lifetime resident of Flomaton. She worked as a seamstress with Vanity Fair Mills and was a member of Lambeth Holiness Church. She is preceded in death by her husbands, Cleveland Moye and Jack Crutchfield.
She is survived by her step-son, Randy Crutchfield of Pensacola; daughters, Judy (Mike) Boutwell and Anita (Earl) Bradley all of Flomaton; sister, DeVera Moye of Brewton; four grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2014, at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2014, at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel at 2 p.m. with Bro. Andy Boutwell officiating.
Interment will follow in Traveler’s Rest Cemetery in Flomaton.
Pallbearers will be Michael Boutwell, Douglas Boutwell, Dusty Boutwell, Trey Boutwell, Shon Haveard and Luke Mitchell.
Flomaton Funeral Home Directing.
Christmas In Jail: Escaped Inmate Back Behind Bars
December 25, 2014
An inmate that escaped from the Pensacola Work Release Center Wednesday is back behind bars.
Jeremy Lee Picha, 42, escaped on foot from the North L Street facility sometime between 9:20 and 9:40 a.m. According to the Florida Department of Corrections, Picha was recaptured about 2:10 p.m.
Picha was serving a 20 month sentence from possession of methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance charges from Santa Rosa County. He was about five months away from his scheduled release date.