John Carroll
January 4, 2018
John Carroll, Jr., 87, of Pensacola, FL, passed away Wednesday, January 3, 2018. He retired from Monsanto textile industry. He enjoyed collecting and rebuilding violins. John had bee hives throughout the years and liked to fish and eat mullet. John will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather. He was the “Rock” of the family.
He is preceded in death by his three sons, John Carroll, III, Johnny Carroll and Jim Carroll; and two sisters, Doris and Kaki.
He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Patsy M. Carroll; two daughters, Linda Kelly and Ann Simmons (Merv); daughter-in- law, Teena Carroll; six grandchildren, Ginger Lee (Scott), Heather Gonzalez (Steve), J.B. Owens, Kristyn McCauley (Chad) and Kaitlyn Carroll; nine great-grandchildren, Brandon, Cody, Bentley, Lola, Bailey, Hunter, Bella, Aiden and Evelyn; one great-great-granddaughter, Bree; and one sister, Mildred Johns.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, January 6, 2018, at Whitmire Cemetery at 12 p.m. with Reverend Fred Stallworth officiating.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with the arrangements.
Bobby Paul Morrison
January 4, 2018
Bobby Paul “Big Man” Morrison, 55, of Frisco City, AL, passed away on Tuesday, January 2, 2018, in Monroeville, Al. He was a truck driver. He was born on February 26, 1962, in Atmore, AL to the late Waymon and Betty Mae Pearson Morrison.
He was a member of Crosspoint Church, an avid mule skinner and enjoyed working around his farm.
He is preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Donald Morrison, Dottie White, W.D. Morrison, and Jean Stewart.
Survivors include his wife, Genie Womack Morrison of Frisco City, AL; one son, Waymon Paul (Dana Marcv) Morrison of Frisco City , AL; three brothers, John Morrison of Mobile, AL, Pete (June) Morrison and Bud (Carolyn) Morrison all of Bastrop, LA; three sisters, Shirley (Johnny) Guyton of Atmore, AL, Susie Barbarpw of Perdido, AL, Mary Jackie Barnhill of Mobile, AL; and two grandchildren, Waylon Morrison and Gracie Morrison.
Services will be held Saturday, January 6, 2018, at 1 p.m. from Crosspoint Church with Pastor J.T. Guyton officiating.
Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Family will receive friends, Saturday January 6, 2018, at Crosspoint Church from 10 a.m. until service time.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
McArthur Elementary Evacuated Due To Smell Of Smoke From Heater
January 3, 2018
The smell of smoke led to the evacuation of at least one wing of McArthur Elementary School on Ten Mile Road Wednesday afternoon.
Escambia Fire Rescue traced the smell to dust in a heating unit that was activated for the first time this year. While a light smoky haze was reported in the building, there was no sign of a fire.
Students were allowed back in the building in under 30 minutes.
File photo.
Escambia Schools Cancel Outdoor Activities Through Friday
January 3, 2018
The Escambia County School District has extended the cancellation of all outdoor sports and activities for Thursday and Friday due to the cold temperatures.
All district outdoor sports and activities will resume on Saturday.
“District schools and transportation will maintain their regular schedules. This only affects outdoor activities and sports,” Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said.
“We are continuing to monitor weather predictions and these cancellations are to help limit exposure to low temperatures and wind chill for our students and their families,” said Thomas. “We appreciate everyone’s continued attention to the need to dress students appropriately while walking to and from school, or waiting at bus stops.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Farmers Use Pink Cotton Bales To Spread A Message Of Hope
January 3, 2018
Farmers across North Escambia are spreading a message of hope with huge pink cotton bales.
The plastic bale wraps are pink — really, really John Deere pink. The pink cotton bales have lined the highways for weeks as they await transportation to the cotton gin. John Deere makes the pink bale wrappers available for breast cancer awareness and a way for farmers to show support for those battling breast cancer.
“It’s a way for farmers to raise awareness about breast cancer,” Robert Godwin, manager of West Florida Gin, said. “About a third of the bales we take in this year will be the bright pink.”
Godwin said the pink wraps, at about $12-14 per bale, don’t cost the producer any more than the traditional yellow.
“It’s just a visible way for farmers to show their support.”
Pictured: Cotton is baled and wrapped in pink wrappers along Highway 97 in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Wreath Fire Safety Campaign Ends With 10 Red Bulb Fires
January 3, 2018
The annual “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign ended December 31 with 10 red bulbs, each representing a residential structure fire with damage that displaced an occupant.
A fire Saturday night was the final red bulb. One person was displaced by the fire about 9:40 p.m. at the Fairfield Lake Apartments on Highway 98. None of the fires were in the immediate North Escambia area.
During the month-long campaign, five-foot wreaths were on display at 18 county fire stations and five city fire stations, with wreaths also placed outside Escambia County’s Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building downtown, the Escambia County Public Safety Building, Pensacola City Hall and Cordova Mall near the food court entrance. Each time firefighters respond to a residential fire with damage, a green light bulb was replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in residential home.
The complete list of red bulb fires is as follows:
1. 9700 block of Aloha Lane in Beulah
2. 8300 block of Gardenia Circle
3. 3600 block of West Cervantes
4. 900 block of Bremen Avenue
5. 7200 block of North Palafox Street
6. 6200 block of Trent Street
7. 5700 block of Wickford Lane
8. 3000 block of Pelican Lane
9. 100 block of Ariola Drive
10. 8100 Highway 98
Escambia County residents can call (850) 595-HERO for fire safety information and information about obtaining a free smoke detector.
New Year, New Laws In Effect In Florida
January 3, 2018
Six bills from the 2017 legislative session became effective with the arrival of the New Year.
The changes range from eliminating a public-transit commission to streamlining how unmarried and divorced parents agree to time-sharing arrangements for children.
Also with the start of 2018, Florida’s minimum wage increased Monday by 15 cents, to $8.25 an hour. That, however, was not tied to legislation. Voters in 2004 passed a constitutional amendment that requires the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to annually calculate the rate based on changes in a federal consumer price index.
The laws taking effect this week were among 234 bills approved in 2017 by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Rick Scott. Most new laws went into effect July 1, the start of the state’s fiscal year.
Here are the laws that just hit the books:
— HB 647, a local bill that dissolved on Dec. 31 the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission, an independent special district. The commission was created to regulate such things as taxis, limousines and wrecker services.
The measure was considered a victory for rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft. Lawmakers during the 2017 session also passed a measure that created statewide regulations for rideshare companies, something the fast-growing industry sought so it wouldn’t have to operate under a variety of rules imposed by local governments. The commission’s breakup date coincided with the expiration of an agreement with rideshare companies operating in Hillsborough County.
— SB 590, a bill that makes changes in how Florida handles child time-sharing arrangements between unmarried or divorced parents.
— HB 435, a bill that revises rules regarding international banking corporations, including issues related to licensure and record-keeping.
— HB 437, a bill that is tied to HB 435 and creates public-records exemptions involving the Office of Financial Regulation. The exemptions deal with new entities known as “international trust entities” and “qualified limited service affiliates.” It prohibits the Office of Financial Regulation from releasing such things as personal identifying information of customers or shareholders.
— SB 800, a bill that requires health insurers and health maintenance organizations to offer “medication synchronization” to customers at least once a year. Under medication synchronization, customers are able to align refill dates of prescriptions.
— HB 911, a bill that makes a series of changes related to rules and licensure for public insurance adjusters.
Lawmakers had approved a seventh bill slated to go into effect with the New Year. That bill would have required warning labels on state Lottery games. But Scott vetoed the measure (HB 937) for imposing “burdensome regulations” on the games and retailers. The bill was one of 11 Scott vetoed last year.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Opinion: Thanks For Helping Century In Tornado Recovery Efforts
January 3, 2018
by Debbie Nickles, former Century Town Planner
As 2018 begins, it is time to reflect back on the past two years as the Town of Century’s disaster recovery is on its way to completion. As a result of the February 15, 2016, EF-3 tornado that whipped through parts of the town, it is time to thank all the players who have contributed to the recovery process.
Immediately after the event, the American Red Cross was in Century serving food and water to several neighborhoods. In addition, Escambia County Sheriff’s Department officers were on the job making sure everyone was safe and secure. Several church groups traveled to Century and contributed to the clean-up of neighborhoods and streets. I remember a group from Hillcrest Baptist Church clearing streets of trees and other vegetative debris as well as removing fallen trees from many rooftops.
The Escambia County Public Safety Division and the Building Inspections and Permitting Department were present to assess the damages to the housing stock and planning recovery efforts in concert with the town. The county’s neighborhood Enterprise Division was there to determine the need for housing rehabilitation and reconstruction. Representatives from the Escambia County Perdido Landfill were there to help the town deal with the tons of trees and other vegetative debris by providing equipment and manpower.
Once damage assessments were complete, several agencies were there to start the recovery process. The town is most grateful for services provided through United Way of Escambia County, Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies (BRACE), Legal Services of North Florida, Inc., United Methodist Ministries, St. Vincent de Paul and Catholic Social Services.
Without the services provided through these agencies, many of the tornado victims in Century would not have been able to recover.
The Neighborhood Enterprise Division, applied for and received funding through the State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program, as administered by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. SHIP funds were to be used to rehabilitate and/or reconstruct housing units damaged and/or destroyed by the tornado. To date, the County’s Neighborhood Enterprise Division has expended approximately $2 million in housing assistance in the Century area.
Recovery would not have been a reality without the County’s participation since a large majority of the homeowners did not have private insurance. Pensacola Habitat for Humanity partnered with Escambia County and the Escambia County Housing Finance Authority in order to construct the new homes. For several months after the disaster, the Escambia County Building Inspections and Permitting Office had staff members working at town hall to issue building permits.
The Town of Century could not have recovered without the aid and assistance from these partnerships! I am sure I may have forgotten someone—please know this was not intentional. A big thank you to all who answered the call as Century is now on its way to full recovery!
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Tax Collector Offers Partial Payment Plan for Property Taxes
January 3, 2018
Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford is reminding taxpayers there is help for those who may need to make partial payments for their 2017 property taxes.
If a property owner decides to make partial payments, the following information applies:
- Property owner must submit an application (found on the back of the tax bill, available at the tax collector’s office and on our website) with initial partial payment.
- Partial payments are accepted for current year taxes only from November 1 until March 31.
- No discount allowed for partial payments.
- A $10 processing fee deducted from each partial payment.
- Partial payments are not accepted after March 31, and any remaining balance as of April 1 is delinquent and subject to all applicable penalties and fees.
For additional information, visit escambiataxcollector.com/property-tax/payment-options
Hard Freeze Warning Tonight
January 3, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 19. Wind chill values between 10 and 15. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 42. Wind chill values between 10 and 20. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 20. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 47. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 21. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 48. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 30. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 57. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Showers likely, mainly after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 50. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday: Showers. High near 65. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 56.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 58.