Letter To The Editor: Beulah Fire Dept. Offers Thanks To Community
December 16, 2015
Submited by Mike Aaron, Beulah VFD
As one of the Officers of the Beulah Volunteer Fire Department, I would like to ask for your help, we received some kind gestures Tuesday morning during the fire at the Tavern, The Tom Thumb across the street provided free coffee to the firefighters, and the Krispy Creme truck was dropping off at the same time and provided several boxes as well for free.
They didn’t have to do this, for that I’m very appreciative and would ask that next time your in the store or see the donut man, please tell them thank you on our behave for supporting your local fire department.
I would also like to say thank you to the Beulah community for not only supporting us this past week with donating candy for the upcoming Santa Run (which we have received a good amount so far to include money donations) but for also supporting us in the local media, social media (Facebook) and everything else you do to show your support!!! Being apart of the beulah family is a great feeling!!!
Thanks again and we will see you all this Saturday when Santa makes his rounds!!!
Tate Showband Members Wrapping Presents At Walmart
December 16, 2015
Tate High School Showband of the South is heading to Hawaii next December to play at the 75th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. If you would like to help them get out there, they’ll be wrapping Christmas presents for donations at the Walmart on Highway 29 in Ensley as follows:
12/18 – 10am – 8pm
12/19 – 8am – 8pm
12/20 – 1pm – 8pm
12/22 – 7am – 9pm
12/23 – 7am – 9pm
12/24 – 7am- 6pm
Santa Claus Visits Century Library (With Photo Gallery)
December 16, 2015
Santa Claus paid a special visit to the Century Branch Library Tuesday afternoon taking those last minute Christmas wishes.
Requests included hoverboards, dolls, computers, a hamster, an ATV, a diary and many requests for Playstations.
One girl asked for a hamster, and Santa was quick to check to make sure she would be willing to clean the cage. For the young man that’s hoping for a new computer under the tree, there was a request from Santa that he use it to research and learn about science and history in addition to just fun and games.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: One of Santa’s young visitors Tuesday a the Century Branch Library. Pictured inset: Santa sizes up a young man Tuesday at the Century Branch Library to see if he is big enough for his requested ATV. Pictured below: Despite much encouragement, this young lady was just not in the mood for Santa. Pictured bottom: Trying to decide what to ask Santa to bring. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
More Showers And Storms Tonight; Turning Colder
December 16, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Areas of dense fog. Low around 65. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Thursday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a temperature falling to around 55 by 5pm. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 56. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 32. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 58. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 36. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 64. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 71.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 60.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a high near 71. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a low around 62. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a high near 73.
Appeals Court Once Again Upholds ‘Docs Vs. Glocks’ Law
December 16, 2015
Rejecting constitutional arguments, a federal appeals court again upheld a controversial Florida law that restricts doctors from asking questions and recording information about patients’ gun ownership.
The 82-page ruling by a panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was the third time the court has upheld what became known as the “docs vs. glocks” law. After a July ruling by a three-judge panel, opponents of the 2011 law asked for the full appeals court to take up the issue. Instead, the same three-judge panel issued a revised ruling that unanimously backed the law.
“The act seeks to protect patient privacy by restricting irrelevant inquiry and record-keeping by physicians on the sensitive issue of firearm ownership and by prohibiting harassment and discrimination on the basis of firearm ownership,” said the ruling, written by Judge Gerald Tjoflat and joined by judges L. Scott Coogler and Charles Wilson. “The act does not prevent physicians from speaking with patients about firearms generally. Nor does it prohibit specific inquiry or record-keeping about a patient’s firearm-ownership status when the physician determines in good faith, based on the circumstances of that patient’s case, that such information is relevant to the patient’s medical care or safety, or the safety of others.”
Wilson wrote a dissent in July that said the law violates the First Amendment rights of physicians.
The ruling left open the possibility of First Amendment challenges that deal with how the law is applied to specific physicians.
“Though the act applies in only a small number of circumstances, when it does apply it plays an extremely important role in protecting patients,” the ruling said. “The act is not a legislative revolution, but it does not need to be. It narrowly protects patients in a focused manner in order to advance the state’s compelling interest in protecting the Second Amendment’s guarantee to keep and bear arms and patients’ privacy rights in their medical records, exactly the sort of tailoring strict scrutiny requires. Those are rights that must always be protected in ways big and small.”
The law, which drew heavy opposition from physicians before passing, includes a series of restrictions on doctors and other health providers. As an example, it seeks to prevent physicians from entering information about gun ownership into medical records if the physicians know the information is not “relevant” to patients’ medical care or safety or to the safety of other people.’
by The News Service of Florida
Byrneville Elementary Present Sounds Of Christmas Joy (With Photo Gallery, Video)
December 16, 2015
Byrneville Elementary School’s third, fourth and fifth grade students presented their annual Christmas Program Tuesday night at Northview High School.
For a photo gallery, click here.
For a bonus Facebook highlight video, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Rudolph’s Day Off: Santa Arrives At Area School In Helicopter
December 16, 2015
The reindeer got the day off Tuesday as Santa Claus arrived at Flomaton Elementary School in a LifeFlight helicopter. Santa visited with the boys and girls, hearing Christmas wishes. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida’s Presidential Primary Ballots Set
December 16, 2015
Florida Republicans will be able to select from 13 candidates in the March 15 presidential preference primary. Democrats will have three candidates — Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley and former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton — on the ballot, according a list released Tuesday by Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner. The Republicans on the ballot are former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, physician Ben Carson, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, businesswoman Carly Fiorina, former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and businessman Donald Trump. Voters must be registered by Feb. 16 with one of the parties to participate in the primary.
by The News Service of Florida
John “JW” Gafford
December 16, 2015
Mr. John “JW” Gafford, 61, passed away on Monday, December 14, 2015, in Pensacola.
Mr. Gafford was a native of Bay Minette, former resident of Pensacola, and a resident of Century for the past 20 years. Mr. Gafford was a U.S. Army Combat and Veteran of Vietnam, avid fisherman, hunter, outdoorsman and gardner. He is preceded in death by his father, Otto Stokes; brother, Earl Gafford; and his grandparents.
He is survived by his mother, Barbara Stokes of Century; one brother, Otto (Karen) Stokes of Pensacola; two sisters, Barbara Flowers of Pensacola and Pat (George) Tolbert of Brewton; and numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be Thursday, December 17, 2015, at 1:15 p.m. at the Barrancas National Cemetery.
Burial will be at the Barrancas National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Covenant Hospice and the family would like to thank them also.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC, is in charge of all arrangements.
Helen A. Jones Johnson
December 16, 2015
Helen A. Jones Johnson, 79 of Atmore, passed away Thursday, December 10, 2015, in Tuscaloosa. She worked in insurance business most of her life. She was born in Jackson, TN on April 5, 1936, to the late James Lennon and Olene Higgins Jones.
She was a lifetime member of the First Baptist Church of Murfreesboro, TN. She was also a member of Robinsonville Baptist and a member of International Woman’s Insurance Association. She was a Lioness and past president of the Lion’s Club.
She is preceded in death by a brother, Robert Jones.
Survivors include her husband, Robert Lee Johnson of Atmore; one son, Rev. Phil (Shea) Johnson of Atmore; one daughter, Phyllis Parks of Tullahoma, TN; three grandchildren, Dan, Ellen and Gabriel; two great-grandchildren.
Services were held Monday, December 14, 2015, at 1 p.m. from the Robinsonville Baptist Church with Rev. Phil Johnson and Rev. Mark Jones officiating.
Interment will follow in the Robinsonville Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be the deacons of the church.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, INC, is in charge of all arrangements.