One Killed In Northern Santa Rosa County Crash
November 22, 2017
A Pensacola man died Tuesday in a three vehicle accident in northern Santa Rosa County.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 54-year old Kevin Karlton Morgan was traveling south on Highway 87 near Spring Hill Road when his Ford F150 struck the rear of a southbound Chevrolet Suburban driven by 38-year old Clifford Alvin Miller of Milton. Morgan’s pickup then veered into the northbound lane and collided head-on with a Toyota Prius driven by 76-year old Jewel Lowery Donahue of Milton.
Morgan was pronounced deceased following the crash. Donahue was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition, while Miller was taken to Santa Rosa Medical Center with minor injuries.
Any charges in the crash are pending the outcome of a FHP traffic homicide investigation.
Thanksgiving Holiday Closures
November 22, 2017
ESCAMBIA COUNTY:
Below is a listing of Escambia County offices and departments closed on Thursday, Nov. 23 and Friday, Nov. 24 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Normal operations resume on Monday, Nov. 27 unless otherwise noted.
- Escambia County Board of County Commissioners - All departments, including:
- Escambia County Animal Shelter (Normal hours will resume Saturday, Nov. 25)
- West Florida Public Libraries (All locations – normal hours will resume Saturday, Nov. 25)
- Escambia County Property Appraiser
- Escambia County Tax Collector
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections office
- Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s office
Escambia County Exceptions:
- ECAT buses will not operate Thursday, Nov. 23. Regular bus service resumes Friday, Nov. 24. UWF trolleys will not operate Thursday, Nov. 23 and Friday, Nov. 24. UWF Trolley service resumes Saturday, Nov. 25. For more information about ECAT schedules, click here.
- Animal Control will be responding to emergency calls only.
- The Perdido Landfill will be closed Thursday, Nov. 23 and will reopen Friday, Nov. 24.
ECUA Escambia County:
All residential sanitation, recycling, and yard trash collections for ECUA customers that would normally be made on Thursday, Nov. 23, or Friday, Nov. 24 will be made one day later, on Friday, Nov. 24 or Saturday, Nov. 25, respectively.
All commercial sanitation collections for ECUA customers that would normally be made on Thursday, Nov. 23, will be made one day earlier, on Wednesday, Nov. 22. There are no changes to the schedule for commercial services scheduled on Friday, Nov. 24, or Saturday, November 25.
ECUA Santa Rosa County, Town of Jay:
There will be no garbage or yard trash collection on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23. Garbage and yard trash will be collected on the next normally scheduled collection day for that route (Monday). Recycling collection scheduled for Thursday, November 23, will be collected on Saturday, November 25.
There are NO CHANGES for Tuesday and Friday collections, which are unaffected by the holiday schedule change.
Town of Century:
All office will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 23 and Friday, Nov. 24.
Judge Weighs Legality Of Abortion Waiting Period
November 22, 2017
Lawyers for the state asked a Leon County circuit judge Tuesday to order a trial about the constitutionality of a 2015 state law that would require women to wait 24 hours before having abortions.
But lawyers representing a Gainesville abortion clinic asked Judge Terry Lewis to issue a summary judgment finding the waiting-period law is an unconstitutional violation of women’s privacy rights.
The law is on hold after the Florida Supreme Court this year approved a temporary injunction, sending the case, which involves a clinic run by Gainesville Woman Care LLC, back to the lower courts. Earlier, a trial judge had issued a temporary injunction, but the 1st District Court of Appeal overturned that decision in 2016.
Julia Kaye, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union’s Reproductive Freedom Project, asked Lewis to invalidate the law because it would provide no exceptions in cases where women’s health could be in jeopardy and because the state has not shown a “compelling interest” for restricting the constitutional right to privacy.
“The problem here for the state is that they have admitted that no other medical procedure in Florida, including those that impose greater health risks than abortion, is subject to a mandatory delay,” Kaye said.
Kaye said the state’s “paternalistic argument that women in Florida are not capable” of deciding whether they want abortions or not “is invalid and legally insufficient to support this mandate.”
“Patients may already take additional time to consider their decision if they believe they need additional time,” she said.
Citing testimony from medical experts, Blaine Winship, a lawyer representing the state, said abortion procedures are an “outlier in medical practice” because most other procedures are not performed on the same day that an initial consultation between a doctor and patient takes place.
“The Legislature has acted to bring abortions in line with standard medical practice,” Winship said. “Not out of hostility to the procedure but out of a legitimate concern that women must have the same opportunity for informed consent as patients have with respect with every other invasive procedure that the field of medicine offers.”
Lewis asked Winship why an abortion procedure should be treated differently than a doctor recommending a patient immediately have a gallbladder removed because of health reasons.
Winship said there are provisions in the law where an abortion can immediately be performed if a woman’s life “is threatened.” and another provision that says the doctor can act if he or she “reasonably believes” a life is threatened or the patient’s health is in jeopardy.
“You got to have a darn good reason for doing it,” Winship said. “It really ought to be life-threatening. But if you believe it’s so health- threatening that you’re willing to stand up for doing that, to defend yourself, then you can do it.”
Lewis said the language is vague enough that a doctor could risk disciplinary action by the state Board of Medicine by performing an abortion before the waiting period ends.
Kaye said doctors could face criminal charges.
“It’s not only that that doctors will be dragged before the medical board at risk of losing their licenses,” Kaye said. “This is a criminal statute. They would be at risk of being prosecuted.”
Lewis gave the state and the abortion-clinic lawyers until Dec. 1 to submit proposed orders in the case. He will make his ruling some time after reviewing those proposals.
Great Weather Through The Thanksgiving Weekend
November 22, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 64. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thanksgiving Day: Sunny, with a high near 63. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 66. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44. West wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 70. West wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 64.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 38.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 62.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 42.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.
Tips For An Energy Efficient Thanksgiving
November 22, 2017
Homes will be filled with the aromas of roasting turkeys, sweet potatoes and pecan pies as the traditional start of the holiday cooking season begins with Thanksgiving. This is also when kitchen appliances are pushed into overtime preparing meals to be shared with loved ones.
As you prepare for the holiday celebrations, Gulf Power says extra cooking, activities and people in your home can cause your energy bill to go up, especially when the oven and kitchen appliances are working nonstop.
“Today’s new kitchen appliances use nearly 50 percent less energy than those built just a decade ago” said Rick DelaHaya, Gulf Power spokesperson. “Still, when holiday time rolls around, your energy bills can rise considerably, with your stove, oven, and dishwasher running overtime, and the door to your refrigerator standing open frequently as family members search for hidden treats.”
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to keep holiday energy costs to a minimum. Here are some no-cost ways to save money and energy in the kitchen and be thankful for the savings on your November energy bills:
* If you expect a large group of people for dinner, lower the thermostat a degree or two before the guests arrive. Otherwise, since people generate heat, the space may become wastefully overheated.
* Check the refrigerator and freezer doors to make sure they seal tightly. This will keep the cold air in and the warm air out. To test, close the refrigerator door on a dollar bill. If you can slip the bill out easily, or, worse, if it falls out on its own, the door needs to be adjusted or the gasket needs to be replaced.
* Plan ahead and remove all ingredients at one time. Each time the door of a refrigerator or freezer is opened, its compressor has to run a bit longer to replace the cold air that spills out.
* When preheating your regular oven for baking, time the preheat period carefully. Five to eight minutes should be enough time. There is no need to preheat for broiling or roasting.
* When roasting or baking, avoid making frequent progress checks that involve opening the oven door. Each time the door is opened, a considerable portion of the oven’s heat escapes and lowers the temperature inside by as much as 25 degrees, which increases cooking time and wastes energy.
* Cook as much of your meal as possible in the oven at one time. Foods with different cooking temperatures often can be cooked simultaneously at one temperature – variations of 25 degrees Fahrenheit in either direction still produce good results and save energy.
* Use a “lids-on” approach to cooking. Tightly fitted lids on pots and pans help keep heat in, enabling you to lower the temperature settings and shorten the cooking times.
* When cooking on top of your range, match the size of the pan to the heating element. More heat will get to the pan and less will be lost to the surrounding air. A six-inch pan on an eight-inch burner will waste over 40 percent of the energy.
* When boiling liquids, start by using the highest temperature settings to reach the boiling point. Then lower the heat control setting and allow the food to simmer until fully cooked.
* Once dinner is done and clean up has started, allow hot foods or liquids to cool off before placing them in the refrigerator. The cooling-off period should not hurt the taste of the food and will reduce the load on the refrigerator. Discard any uncooked food that has remained at room temperature for more than two hours
* When all of the cooking is done, don’t use your oven’s self-cleaning cycle unless a major cleaning job is needed. Wipe up minor spills and splatters with a damp cloth. When you do use the oven’s self-cleaning feature, start the cycle right after cooking, while the oven is still hot, or wait until late evening hours when use of energy is lowest.
* Finally, gather everyone in the kitchen for a cost-effective way to save energy by washing the dishes by hand. If that’s not an option and you use the dishwasher, wash full loads only. If you must rinse your dishes before loading them, use only cold water so you’re not running up your energy bill by heating water unnecessarily.
* Don’t forget to use the energy-saving cycles whenever possible. Dishwashers that feature air power or overnight dry settings can save up to 10 percent of your dishwashing energy costs.
Survey Shows Lowest Thanksgiving Dinner Cost In Five Years
November 22, 2017
American Farm Bureau Federation’s 32nd annual price survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table indicates the average cost of this year’s feast for 10 is $49.12, a 75-cent decrease from last year’s average of $49.87.
The big ticket item – a 16-pound turkey – came in at a total of $22.38 this year. That’s roughly $1.40 per pound, a decrease of 2 cents per pound, or a total of 36 cents per whole turkey, compared to 2016.
“For the second consecutive year, the overall cost of Thanksgiving dinner has declined,” AFBF Director of Market Intelligence Dr. John Newton said. “The cost of the dinner is the lowest since 2013 and second-lowest since 2011. Even as America’s family farmers and ranchers continue to face economic challenges, they remain committed to providing a safe, abundant and affordable food supply for consumers at Thanksgiving and throughout the year.”
The shopping list for Farm Bureau’s informal survey includes turkey, bread stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a veggie tray, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and coffee and milk, all in quantities sufficient to serve a family of 10 with plenty for leftovers.
Consumers continue to see lower retail turkey prices due to continued large inventory in cold storage, which is up almost double digits from last year, Newton explained.
Foods showing the largest decreases this year in addition to turkey, were a gallon of milk, $2.99; a dozen rolls, $2.26; two nine-inch pie shells, $2.45; a 3-pound bag of sweet potatoes, $3.52; a 1-pound bag of green peas, $1.53; and a group of miscellaneous items including coffee and ingredients necessary to prepare the meal (butter, evaporated milk, onions, eggs, sugar and flour), $2.72.+
“Milk production has increased, resulting in continued low retail prices,” Newton said. “In addition, grocers often use milk as a loss leader to entice consumers to shop at their stores.”
Items that increased modestly in price were: a half-pint of whipping cream, $2.08; a 14-ounce package of cubed bread stuffing, $2.81; a 30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix, $3.21; a 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries, $2.43; and a 1-pound veggie tray, $.74.
“Whole whipping cream is up about 4 percent in price, due to increased consumer demand for full-fat dairy products,” Newton said.
After adjusting for inflation, the cost of a Thanksgiving dinner is $20.54, the lowest level since 2010.
Volunteer shoppers checked prices at grocery stores in 39 states for this year’s survey. Farm Bureau volunteer shoppers are asked to look for the best possible prices, without taking advantage of special promotional coupons or purchase deals, such as spending $50 and receiving a free turkey.
Shoppers with an eye for bargains in all areas of the country should be able to purchase individual menu items at prices comparable to the Farm Bureau survey averages. Another option for busy families without a lot of time to cook is ready-to-eat Thanksgiving meals for up to 10 people, with all the trimmings, which are available at many supermarkets and take-out restaurants for around $50 to $75.
The AFBF Thanksgiving dinner survey was first conducted in 1986.
Leon Taylor
November 22, 2017
Mr. Leon Taylor, 74, passed away Tuesday, November 21, 2017 in Atmore, Alabama.
Mr. Taylor was a native of Mexia, AL, was a resident of Atmore and Greenville, AL since 1958 and has resided in Atmore, AL for the past 13 years. He retired from Southern Sand & Gravel in Greenville, AL as an equipment operator and was the Co Owner of the Anchor Café. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ed & Hattie Taylor; three brothers, Jimmy Ray Taylor, Roy Taylor and Ricky Taylor and one sister, Nan Taylor Nelson.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Moye Taylor of Atmore, AL; two daughters, Rebecca (B.J.) Hopper of Atmore, AL and Frances (Floyd) Burkett of Atmore, AL; one step-son, Arnold Jarrell of Damascus, AL; five brothers, Larry (Barbara) Taylor of Dayton, TX, Dwaine (Betty) Taylor of Fulton, MS, James Taylor of Atmore, AL, Richard (Renee) Taylor of Atmore, AL and Terry (Mary Lynn) Taylor of Hearne, TX; four sisters, Margaret (Bert) Colbert of Uriah, AL, Debbie King of Bay Minette, AL, Elizabeth (Jim) Chandler of Daphne, AL and Delila (Henry) Haire of Jay, FL; four grandchildren, Amy, Ginger, Daniel and Tyler; six great grandchildren, Hannah, Ainsley, Zoey, Zack, Zaylee and Josh and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be Saturday, November 25, 2017 at 10:00 AM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Rickey Tedder officiating.
Burial will follow at the Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday, November 24, 2017 from 6 to 9 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC is in charge of all arrangements in Atmore, Alabama.
Century Man Busted With UPS Package Containing Seven Pounds Of Pot
November 21, 2017
A Century man has been arrested after allegedly receiving a UPS package full of marijana
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit conducted the controlled delivery of a UPS package to a home on Pine Forest Road as surveillance units watched. A woman opened the door and moved the package indoors. Kendrick Jamar Washington arrived, entered the home, and then placed the package in the backseat of his vehicle, according to an arrest report
As he drove away, deputies immediately stopped him for a seat belt violation. In addition to the package, which contained about seven pounds of marijuana, deputes reported finding plastic baggies containing marijuana, Ecstasy pills and $1,432.
The woman who moved the package inside the residence told deputies that she was on the phone with Washington at the time of the delivery and he told her to move the package that he would soon pick up.
Washington was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell, manufacture or deliver and possession of methamphetamine with the intent to sell, manufacture or deliver. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
Cool Week, Maybe A Shower
November 21, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 68. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thanksgiving Day: Sunny, with a high near 62. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 66. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 70.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 65.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 39.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 62.
FDLE Arrests Escambia County Man For Possession Of Child Porn
November 21, 2017
FDLE agents and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office today arrested Steven Michael Truax Jr., 30, of 2006 East Johnson Avenue, Apartment #C, Pensacola, Florida for 32 counts of possession of child pornography.
In September 2017, FDLE agents received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and obtained search warrants for Truax’s residence.
With the information provided by NCMEC, agents seized several electronic devices from Truax’s residence and located an application that contained over 200 child pornography videos featuring children in ages ranging from infants to young teens.
Truax was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail. The case will be prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office, First Judicial Circuit, in Escambia County.