Ada Ruth Cumbie
March 14, 2014
Ada Ruth Cumbie, 77 of Little River, passed away Thursday, March 13, 2014, in Fairhope. She was a homemaker, born in Atmore on September 7, 1936, to Robert Jack and Ada Bell Wall Lassitter.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Henry Hubbert Cumbie and a grandchild, Shane Cumbie.
Survivors include her three sons, Ricky (Joella) Cumbie, Michael (Darlene) Cumbie, and Terry (Diane) Cumbie all of Little River; one daughter, Wanda Blackburn of Bay Minette; three brothers, Rubbert (Eloise) Lassitter of Booneville, Russell (Maxine) Lassitter of Poarch and Milford Lassitter of Atmore; one sister, Shirley White of Booneville; and 10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and a host of family and friends.
Services will be Saturday, March 15, 2014, at 11 a.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Cornelious Phillips officiating.
Interment will follow at Mamie’s Chapel.
Family will receive friends Saturday, March 15, 2014, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 9:30 a.m. until service time.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Paul Wilkerson Moore
March 14, 2014
Mr. Paul Wilkerson Moore, Jr., 85, passed away on Thursday, March 13, 2014, in Pensacola.
Mr. Moore was a native and lifelong resident of Bluff Springs. Mr. Moore was a loving father and grandfather.
Survivors include his three sons, Ron (Rhonda) Moore of Holt, FL, Paul A. (Cindy Chadwick) Moore of Nashville, TN and William Keith Moore of Bluff Springs; one daughter, Cathie (Randy) Hendricks of Pensacola; two sisters, Margaret (Theodore) Creamer of Byrneville, and Hazel (Bob) Boyarski of Panama City; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be Tuesday, March 18, 2014, at 3:30 p.m. at the Crary Memorial Cemetery.
Visitation will be Tuesday, March 18, 2014, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Shriners Children’s hospital.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Vehicle Registration Fee Rollback Nears Scott Request
March 14, 2014
Lawmakers are closer to giving Gov. Rick Scott one of his priorities for the 2014 session, an election-year rollback of vehicle-registration fees that were raised under the watch of his potential Democratic challenger.
But while lawmakers should get to Scott’s $500 million goal for cutting taxes and fees, they likely will take a different approach on some of the details. Along with rolling back the vehicle-registration fees, lawmakers may look toward an assortment of tax cuts and tax-free shopping periods, rather than approving a Scott request to slash $100 million from taxes on commercial leases.
On Thursday, the Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously amended a proposal (SB 156) by Chairman Joe Negron, R-Stuart, to reduce the vehicle-registration fees. Under the revised proposal, motorists would potentially save between $20 and $25 per vehicle registration, with the total depending on the size of the vehicle.
The reduction would collectively save motorists about $309 million during the upcoming 2014-15 budget year, with the new rates going into effect Sept. 1.
The savings would grow the following year to about $395 million, when they would be in effect for the full 12 months. State fiscal years start in July.
Scott has called for cutting about $400 million in vehicle-registration fees, eliminating increases signed into law in 2009 by potential Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist, then a Republican occupying the governor’s mansion.
Negron called his initial Senate package, which sought first-year savings of $185 million, or about $12 per vehicle, a starting point. And he added that the “governor’s been very persuasive on his plan.”
The amendment brings the Senate version of the vehicle-fee reduction in line with a House proposal (PCB 14-04), which was unanimously backed Thursday by the House Finance and Tax Subcommittee.
Unlike in the Senate Appropriations Committee meeting, House Democrats offered more critical comments.
Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee, said the proposal has become a “political football in many ways.”
Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Coral Springs, said the reduction is simply being done to aid Scott’s re-election.
“There is a great line in ‘The Wizard of Oz’ that I like, ‘Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.’ I feel like we need to take the curtain down,” Moskowitz said.
“The reason we’re talking about this is so that we can make this an issue during the campaign,” Moskowitz added, “so the current governor running for re-election can attack the former governor on this specific issue.”
Finance and Tax Chairman Ritch Workman, R-Melbourne, called Moskowitz’ comments “misguided” and added that the subcommittee continues to plan a wide range of ideas to reach Scott’s goal of reducing $500 million in taxes and fees.
Scott has requested a $100 million reduction in the commercial-lease tax, which now generates about $1.4 billion a year in revenue for the state. But Workman said his approach will be more broad-based.
“The big ones are off the tables, the (communications services tax), the corporate rent tax, because they won’t fit in a $100 million package,” Workman said. “But we’ve got things like the corporate-income taxes that are still on the table, all the holidays, the back-to-school holiday, hurricane preparedness holiday, things I can use for the non-recurring portion.”
Scott has pitched increasing the corporate income-tax exemption from $50,000 to $75,000, which would reduce general-revenue funds by $21.6 million during the first year and $22.8 million the second year.
Workman added that a proposal by Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam for a sales-tax holiday on energy-efficient appliances is still in the mix.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Pictured: The Molino location for the Escambia County Tax Collector and Property Appraiser. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Students Pitch Plans, Score Cash To Start Local Businesses
March 14, 2014
It was a friendly competition, when 15 area students pitched their business plans to some of the most prominent members of the region’s business community during Greater Pensacola’s inaugural Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) investor panel showdown.
The students, who have been refining their business plans for nearly six months, were featured on stage in a shark-tank-like format and judged based on the appeal and merit of each proposal. More than $6,000 in grants were awarded to the nine businesses that presented, with Gulf Breeze Middle School siblings – Eve Knight, 12, and Liam Knight, 13 – selected to compete in the YEA! Saunders Scholars Regional Competition with their winning business, The Spice Kidz.
“Entrepreneurs are crucial to the success of economic development within our region,” said Greater Pensacola Chamber President Jerry Maygarden. “Programs like YEA! help foster the entrepreneurial mindset in young people and give them the opportunity to pursue their dreams, which may otherwise go unrealized, by harnessing their youthful energy, optimism and creativity.”
The business pitches were judged by a panel of local investors made up of Pen Air’s President & CEO Stu Ramsey, Sandy Sansing Automotive Group’s David Sansing, Studer Community Development Group’s Andrew Rothfeder, Gulf Power Company’s John Hutchinson, Warren Averett’s Cyndi Warren, Central Credit Union’s Maggie Conaghan, Nowak Enterprises’ Peter Nowak, Chick-fil-A’s Robert Barnes, Florida SBDC’s Mike Myhre, THG Investments’ Chad Henderson and Beck Property’s Justin Beck.
“With small businesses playing an instrumental role in our nation’s economy, this program is a true testament to Greater Pensacola’s continued dedication to producing future leaders who could make significant contributions to our community,” said Global Business Solutions Inc. CEO Randy Ramos, who emceed the evening’s events.
YEA! is a national educational program that guides 6th- to 12th-grade students through the process of starting and running real businesses over the course of a full academic year. Students work in close cooperation with local business leaders, educators and community members to develop ideas and objectives that help to create their own fully-formed companies.
“One of the most interesting components of the program is the actual behind-the-scenes knowledge the students are given from local business leaders, who were at one time standing in their shoes,” said Dr. Ed Ranelli, Dean Emeritus for the University of West Florida College of Business. “Participating students are receiving a dynamic introduction to the business world, which in turn, helps to create tomorrow’s leaders.”
Pictured: Eve Knight, 12, and Liam Knight, 13 – selected to compete in the YEA! Saunders Scholars Regional Competition with their winning business, The Spice Kidz. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Killed In Collision With Concrete Truck
March 13, 2014
A Cantonment man was killed this morning in a collision involving a pickup truck and a concrete truck in Cantonment.
The accident happened just before 8 a.m. on Jacks Branch Road at Green Tree Circle, just north of Muscogee Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 47-year old Johnson Watson Whitehurst of Cantonment was southbound in a sharp curve on Jacks Branch Road when his 2001 Dodge pickup crossed the center line into the path of a concrete truck driven by 46-year old Jimmy Dwight Weaver, Jr.
After the collision, the concrete truck overturned onto its side, while the pickup came to rest on the shoulder. Whitehurst was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Weaver was transported by ambulance to West Florida Hospital with minor injuries. No charges were filed in the accident.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Smith (top) and reader submitted photo by Jamie Thurman, click to enlarge.
Century Man Convicted Of Felony Horse Abuse
March 13, 2014
A Century man has been convicted of felony animal cruelty for abusing and starving two horses in 2012.
Kendrick Jamar Washington, now age 25, was found guilty by Judge Linda Nobles and sentenced to 180 days in jail with no eligibility for work release. He was also ordered to pay $668 in costs and fees, and the court reserved the right to impose restitution to Escambia County Animal control or any others that cared for the horses after they were seized.
Washington placed two horses into a lot on Ramar Street in Century surrounded by a makeshift barbed wire fence. Barbed wire was hanging inside the pen, causing a serious injury to the front leg of one horse.
On January 24, 2012, animal control officers found that one horse was tied to a post away from any water source; the second was found on its side in mud and dirt, unable to get up. Neither horse had access to food or shelter, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report. Both of the animals were obviously underweight.
Both horses were transported to the Northwest Florida Animal Clinic in Pace for treatment.
Cold Night Ahead
March 13, 2014
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight Clear, with a low around 37. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Friday Sunny, with a high near 68. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Friday Night Increasing clouds, with a low around 48. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light southeast in the evening.
- Saturday A 30 percent chance of showers after 7am. Cloudy, with a high near 70. Light southeast wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Saturday Night A chance of showers, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 7pm. Cloudy, with a low around 60. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Sunday Showers and thunderstorms likely before 7am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 7am. Cloudy, with a high near 73. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Sunday Night Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 7pm, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Monday A 20 percent chance of showers. Sunny, with a high near 68. North wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.
- Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 41. Breezy, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
- Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 71.
- Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 47.
- Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
- Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 48.
- Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
PER Seeks Donations To Purchase Lift For Rescue Horses
March 13, 2014
A week ago, we first reported on Ebony, a horse seized by Escambia County an now housed at Panhandle Equine Rescue in Cantonment. Ebony is continuing her recovery, now sometimes able to get up to her feet on her own.
Numerous times, PER has been forced to turn to a host of volunteers from the community, Escambia County Animal Control, the Escambia County Sheriff’’s Office and several assistance calls to the Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue.
Last week, the crew of Cantonment’s Fire Rescue Engine 419 put their training and brainpower to work. The firemen designed a sling and used a ladder, chains, straps and a come-along to lift Ebony to her feet. Once she was upright, a veterinarian was able to administer IV fluids.
Now, Panhandle Equine Rescue is turning to the community to raise money for a proper sling lift to be able to lift Ebony and future rescued horses without undue danger to the horse and volunteers. The lift is priced at $2,145, and as of Wednesday night, PER had raised $1,165 in donations.
They have set up a GoFundMe website to allow the community to securely donate toward the $980 still needed. Once those funds are raised, additional money will be needed to purchase a secure structure to which the lift will be attached.
Ebony was seized about two weeks ago from the 400 block of Crowndale Court. Ebony was severely malnourished when seized, according to PER President Diane Lowery. A second horse seized from the property was put down by a veterinarian due to its state of malnourishment. Criminal charges are expected in the case, Lowery said.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Former Gov. Askew Dies At 85
March 13, 2014
Former Gov. Reubin Askew, a major figure in modern Florida political history, died early Thursday at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare. Askew was 85.
The former governor was admitted to the hospital Saturday with aspiration pneumonia, and his condition worsened when he suffered a stroke, family spokesman Ron Sachs said.
Askew, a Democrat, served as governor from 1971 to 1979, after a dozen years representing the Pensacola area in the Legislature. Askew defeated incumbent Republican Claude Kirk in 1970 and was re-elected in 1974, becoming the first governor in Florida history to be elected to successive terms.
When he first ran for governor, Askew was a relative unknown. But once in office, Askew led efforts to institute a corporate income tax, while reducing consumer taxes. He also spearheaded approval of what became known as the “Sunshine Amendment,” which opened government records and required public officials to disclose information about their financial affairs.
In a 1998 interview with Florida State University’s “Research in Review,” Askew said he wanted to restore “some sense of responsibility and competence” in the governor’s office.
“It sounds awfully corny for me to say this but my goal wasn’t (simply) to get elected governor,” Askew said during the interview. “My goal was to get elected in such a way as I could govern. There’s a big difference. … So many people who run for office negotiate away all their options in the pursuit of the office and they literally tie their hands on dealing with the problems, by commitments.”
Askew, an attorney, said the Sunshine Amendment stopped “a lot of circuitous business transactions in state and local government.”
“Having to report your income is sort of an invasion of privacy and yet, I felt, while it was extraordinary, I felt that it was needed to give some sense of reassurance to the people (about their elected officials),” he said during the 1998 interview. “Who are they working for? Are they working for themselves or for the people?”
After leaving office, Askew served as the U.S. trade representative from 1979 to 1981. He ran unsuccessfully for president in 1984. He later taught at the Askew School of Public Administration and Policy at Florida State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in 1951.
The former governor is survived by his wife of 57 years, Donna Lou; a son, Kevin Askew; a daughter, Angela White; and several grandchildren. Details of memorial services will be forthcoming.
Elementary Students Honored As Shining Stars
March 13, 2014
The Escambia County School District’s Elementary Principals Association, in partnership with WSRE, PBS for the Gulf Coast, hosted the 18th Awards on March 6, honoring 33 elementary school students in Escambia County for their leadership and service to the community.
In an awards ceremony at WSRE’s Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio, each winner was presented with a certificate of achievement along with a new bicycle and helmet.
Area principals and teachers selected the Shining Stars based on good citizenship, leadership and adherence to the core values of the Escambia County School District: equality, responsibility, integrity, respect, honor and patriotism.
Escambia County Superintendent of Schools Malcolm Thomas, former Pensacola Mayor Mike Wiggins and DeeDee Davis, former Florida Teacher of the Year, were the masters of
ceremonies for the event.
2014 Shining Star Award Winners were:
- A.K. Suter Elementary School – Aiden Tylavsky
- Bellview Elementary School – Amaya Owen
- Beulah Elementary School – Savannah Marshall
- Blue Angels Elementary School – Margo Mason
- Bratt Elementary School – Shelby Godwin
- Brentwood Elementary School – Staci Garland
- Byrneville Elementary School – Cody Ryan Adams
- C.A. Weis Elementary School – Dantesia McIntosh
- Cordova Park Elementary School – Nathan Godwin
- Ensley Elementary School – David Geiger
- Escambia Christian School – Reed Allison Wilson
- Ferry Pass Elementary School – Dante Milligan
- Global Learning Academy – Joshua Davis
- Hellen Caro Elementary School – Landon Collins
- Holm Elementary School – Jaylen Thomas
- Jim Allen Elementary School – Christian Jacobs
- Lipscomb Elementary School – Kendall Blackmon
- Longleaf Elementary School – Kevin Davis
- McArthur Elementary School – Carly Johnecheck
- Molino Park Elementary School – Ashley Ragsdale
- Montclair Elementary School – Kamari Williams
- Myrtle Grove Elementary School – Natalie Moulder
- Navy Point Elementary School – Pedro H. Mendiola
- N.B. Cook Elementary School – Chloe Cate
- Oakcrest Elementary School – Grace Dunaway
- O. J. Semmes Elementary School – Phillip Straughn
- Pine Meadow Elementary School – Emily Stabler
- Pleasant Grove Elementary School – Ian Larrieu
- Redeemer Lutheran Elementary School – Alex Maddox
- Scenic Heights Elementary School – Nathaniel Agustin
- Sherwood Elementary School – Madison Duffy
- Warrington Elementary School – Taylor Davidson
- West Pensacola Elementary School – Destiny Rutherford
Pictured: Shining Star Awards were recently presented to 33 Escambia County elementary school students. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
