How To Protect People, Pets, Pipes, Plants During Freezing Weather
January 1, 2018
With temperatures expected to drop to near 20 tonight, Escambia County residents should prepare their family, pets and home for the extreme cold. Considerable attention should be provided to people performing outdoor activities to make sure they have the appropriate layered clothing on to protect themselves from the near zero degree wind chill.
Escambia County offers the following cold weather safety tips:
Protecting People
- Stay indoors, dress warmly and use safe heating sources.
- Guard against wind chill – One of the gravest dangers of winter weather is wind chill. The wind chill is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin by combined effects of wind and cold. As the wind increases, heat is carried away from the body at an accelerated rate, driving down the body temperature. Animals are also effected by wind chill.
Pets
- Do not leave pets out in the cold.
- Bring all pets indoors and make sure they have a warm blanket to lie on, as well as plenty of food and water.
- If pets must stay outdoors, provide a pet house or other type of shelter and line the bottom with plenty of blankets or hay along with extra food and water. Try installing a light bulb flood light in the pet house at a safe distance away from the pet to avoid burns. The heat from the bulb will help keep them warm. However, do not use light bulbs when bedding with hay.
Pipes
Water expands when it freezes and can shatter pipe seals or the pipes themselves, sending water pouring through your house if ice forms. You can avoid thousands of dollars of damage to your home by taking a few simple measures to protect your home:
- Use faucet covers, wrap rags, paper, trash bags or plastic foam around faucets and outdoor pipes.
- Cover any vents around your home´s foundation.
- Protect outdoor electrical pumps and bring water hoses indoors.
- Open the cabinets under the sinks in your kitchen and bathrooms to allow heated indoor air to circulate around water pipes.
- Insulate your outdoor water meter box and be sure its lid is secure.
- If you have a swimming pool, either drain the circulation system or keep the pump motor running. Run the pump motor only in a short freeze. Running the motor for long periods could cause damage.
- Let faucets drip, but do not run a big stream of water.
- If you leave town, consider turning off your water at the shut-off valve while faucets are running to drain your pipes. Make sure the faucets are turned off before you turn the shut-off valve back on.
- If you drain your pipes, contact your electric or gas utility for instructions on protecting your water heater.
If Pipes Freeze
- Turn off the water at the shut-off valve and call a plumber for help.
- Do not use lamps or electrical appliances to thaw frozen pipes. Leaking water from thawing pipes could cause a short and you can be electrocuted.
- If you try to thaw your own pipes, apply heat slowly, and move the heat toward the coldest spot on the pipe. Never concentrate heat in one spot – cracking ice can shatter a pipe.
Practice Fire Safety
- Use extra care with supplemental heating units.
- Make sure that all-combustible materials such as drapes or chairs are at least three feet away from any heating unit.
- Avoid using flammable liquids to start fireplaces and do not leave a fireplace unattended.
- Most importantly, check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are working properly.
Plants
- Water your plants thoroughly. The water will act as an insulator. Dry plants are more susceptible to freezing.
- After watering, cover plants with a breathable material, such as fabric not plastic.
- Place mulch at the base of your plants and do not prune prior to a freeze. Pruning encourages soft growth, which is susceptible to freezing. Spraying the leaves of plants with liquid seaweed will also toughen them against cold.
Today’s Bowl Game Schedule
January 1, 2018
The college football season ends in Atlanta with the College Football Playoff national championship game on January 8. But first, four teams will face off in the CFP semifinals on January 1 — No. 1 Clemson will take on No. 4 Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, while No. 2 Oklahoma and No. 3 Georgia face off in the Rose Bowl.
Monday’s complete bowl schedule is below (all times Central):
OUTBACK BOWL
Michigan vs. South Carolina
Jan. 1, 2018 | 11 a.m. on ESPN2
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
PEACH BOWL
No. 7 Auburn vs. No. 12 UCF
Jan. 1, 2018 | 11:30 a.m. on ESPN
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
CITRUS BOWL
No. 14 Notre Dame vs. No. 17 LSU
Jan. 1, 2018 | Noon on ABC
Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida
ROSE BOWL GAME (CFP SEMIFINAL)
No. 2 Oklahoma vs. No. 3 Georgia
Jan. 1, 2018 | 4 p.m. on ESPN
Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
SUGAR BOWL (CFP SEMIFINAL)
No. 1 Clemson vs. No. 4 Alabama
Jan. 1, 2018 | 7:45 p.m. on ESPN
Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Concealed Weapons Licenses Now Available In Molino
January 1, 2018
Residents can now submit original applications and renewals of concealed weapon licenses in the Escambia County Tax Collector’s Office in Molino.
While renewal licenses will be printed in the office, new applications still will be submitted to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for final approval. The statutory turnaround time for this process is within 90 days.
The Escambia County Tax Collector Molino Office is located at 6440 Highay 95-A North, Suite A, in the Molino Community Complex.
In addition to the regular license fees, the Escambia County Tax Collector will add a convenience fee of $22 for new applications or $12 for renewals as allowed by state statute. (Click here for a fee schedule.)
Appointments for concealed weapon license applications and renewals can be made here or by visiting EscambiaTaxCollector.com.
For additional information on concealed weapon licenses, please click here.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Donald Eugene Davis
January 1, 2018
Donald Eugene Davis, 85 years old, of Davisville, FL, died Saturday, December 30, 2017, at his home.
Mr. Davis was born January 16, 1932, to Ammon and Pearl Davis of Davisville. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and avid fan of the Blue Angels. For many years he delivered buses from High Point, N.C. to Mississippi, Mobile, and Atmore. He will also be remembered for driving the van for the senior citizens in Davisville.
Mr. Davis was a member of First Baptist Church of Bratt (FL).
He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Lillian (Bill) Barclay; Ruby (James) Ziglar; Evelyn (Milton) Armstrong; and one brother, Dalton (Amelia) Davis.
He is survived by five nieces, Winifred Hollingsworth (Martin), Davisville, FL, Frances Cain, Pensacola, FL, Tina Davis, Jacksonville, FL, Sharon (Sue) Davis, Huntsville, AL, Barbara Jo Davis, Texas; and four nephews, Dwight Ziglar (Arleen), Columbus, Ohio, Larry Davis (Ann), Atmore, AL, Terry (Joe) Davis (Beth), Conroy, Tx, Jerry (Bubba) Davis (Barbara), Huntsville, AL; and a special cousin, Henry Davis of Perry, FL; and many friends.
Visitation will be held Thursday, January 4, 2018, from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. from the First Baptist Church of Bratt.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 4, 2018, at 11:30 a.m. from the First Baptist Church of Bratt with Reverends Jesse Wood, Tim Hawsey, and Delbert Redditt officiating.
Burial will be at Serenity Gardens in Atmore.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Charles Eric Gohagan
January 1, 2018
Mr. Charles Eric “Goat” Gohagan, 44, passed away on Thursday, December 28, 2017, in Valley Grove, West Virginia.
Mr. Gohagan was born in Mobile, Alabama, was a resident of Atmore, AL most of his life and resided in Flomaton, AL. He was raised in the Bethel Methodist Church of Atmore and was a member of the Poplar Dell Baptist Church. He is preceded in death by his father, Lawrence Alfred “Buck” Gohagan, Sr.; and brother, Michael Gohagan.
He is survived by his mother, Regina Gohagan of Robinsonville, AL; wife, Teresa Gohagan of Flomaton, AL; one son, Robert Codey Hadley of Flomaton, AL; one daughter, Haley Danielle Hadley of Flomaton, AL; one brother, Lawrence Alfred “Larry” (Kambi) Gohagan, Jr. of Atmore, AL; three sisters, Kay Gohagan (Joe Frank) Wooten of Century, FL, Emily Gohagan (Jeff) DeRidder of Brewton, AL and Kristen Gohagan Branch of Atmore, AL; mother and father-in-law, Judson and Delores Carden of Flomaton, AL; special nephew, Bailey Bass; special neice, Kenzie Gohagan; and numerous nieces, nephews other relatives and many friends, including an extended pipe line family.
Funeral services will be Thursday, January 4, 2018, at 1 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Mitch Herring and Rev. Waylan Stuckey officiating.
Burial will follow at the Poplar Dell Baptist Cemetery.
Visitation will be Wednesday, January 3, 2018, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Bryan “Bones” Andrella, Josh “Cave Man” Bailey, Jerry Silguero, Jaime Aguilar, Michael “The Pipeliner” Liner and Jason Tingstruem.
Honorary pallbearers will be Larry Gohagan, Judson Carden, Jeff DeRidder, Bailey Bass, Rodney Hightower, Joe Frank Wooten, Rex McKinley and Judson Carden, Jr.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Neita Stewart Smith
January 1, 2018
Mrs. Neita Stewart Smith, 78, passed away Friday, December 29, 2017, in Century, Florida.
Mrs. Smith was a native of Walnut Hill, FL, former resident of Bratt, FL and had resided in Atmore, AL since 2012. She retired from the Escambia County Florida School Board with 33 years of service and was a member of the Bratt First Baptist Church. She is preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Ruth Stewart; brother, Robert Stewart; and brother-in-law, Abil Walt Dzurus, Jr.
She is survived by her two sons, Glenn (Debbie) Smith of Atmore, AL and Roger (Carrie) Smith of Atmore, AL; and four sisters, Milie Dzurus of Orlando, FL, Myrna (Ray) Hodges of Atmore, AL, Jackie (David) Johnson of Century, FL and Diann Stewart of Century, FL; five grandchildren and numerous great and great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, January 3, 2018, at 10 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Burial will follow at the Godwin Cemetery.
Visitation will be Tuesday, January 2, 2018, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Lonnie Leon Ward
January 1, 2018
Lonnie Leon Ward, age 75, of Molino, FL, was called home Saturday, December 30, 2017, with his family by his side. He was born in Molino, Florida on March 4, 1942, to the late Tom and Winnie Lee Ward. Lonnie will be fondly remembered for his love of fishing and his affinity for lawn mowing. He was a member of Highland Baptist Church since May 30, 1976.
Lonnie was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Ebb Ward, Bud Ward, Junie Ward, Willie Ward, Ray Ward and Bill Ward.
He is survived by his sisters, Tiny McCrory, Jean Moody, Ruth Neal; brother, Wayne Ward; best friend and fishing buddy, Eric Hallford; and a host of extended family members and close friends.
Visitation will be Tuesday, January 3, 2018, at 10 a.m. at Highland Baptist Church, 6240 County Hwy 95A in Molino, until the service begins at 11 a.m. with Rev. Brian Calhoun officiating.
Interment will follow in Highland Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Eric Hallford, Raymond Hallford, Donel Thomas, Tommy McCrory, Terry Hasselbrock and John Hasselbrock.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
John Kermit Dickinson, Jr.
January 1, 2018
The Rev. Dr. John Kermit Dickinson, Jr., died on Friday, December 29, 2017, at a local area hospital. He was 81.
Dr. Dickinson was born in Atlanta, Georgia on October 17, 1936, the son of John Kermit Dickinson, Sr. and Margaret Dickinson (née Cooper). He was a graduate of Russell High School (East Point, Ga., 1954), the University of West Florida (B.S., 1972), Emory University (M.Div., 1975) and Oral Roberts University (D.Min., 1986). He served in the United States Navy as a link flight instructor at Pensacola NAS from 1954 to 1957. He then worked for Monsanto. Dr. Dickinson was called to full-time ministry in 1971 and ordained as an Elder of the United Methodist Church in 1976. He was an Eagle Scout.
Known affectionately as “Brother John,” he served as the pastor of Gulf Shores, Farm Hill-New Hope, Mt. Zion (Carroll, Ga.), Byrneville-Mt. Carmel, Ensley, Georgiana, East Brewton First, Christ Church (Milton), Asbury (Montgomery), Geneva First, Summit Park (Pensacola), and Chipley First churches. Dr. Dickinson also chaired or served on various church boards and agencies of the Alabama-Northwest Florida Conference. He retired from full-time ministry in 2000.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Phyllis Dickinson (née Jones); brother, David Michael Dickinson (Ely); sister, Susan Margaret Wiederhold (Dusty); children, John (Judy) and Joy Smith (Ed); six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at Faith Chapel North in Cantonment on Friday, January 5, 2018, at 2 p.m. Rev. Mark Dees, pastor of Opp First United Methodist Church, will officiate. Assisting in worship will be Rev. Danny Gilroy, pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church, and Rev. Joel Treick, pastor of Pinewoods Presbyterian Church.
Rhett Jones, Rhett Dickinson, Caleb Smith, Joshua Smith, Robert Hinson and Matthew Fugett will serve as pallbearers.
Committal will be at Barrancas National Cemetery on Tuesday, January 9, 2018, at 11 a.m.
And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”