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.
UF Financial Expert: Be ‘SMART’ About Your New Year’s Resolutions
January 3, 2018
If you dread looking at your bank account balance, you might consider adding fiscal responsibility to your list of New Year’s resolutions.
And when it comes to setting goals, especially financial ones, it’s important to be specific, according to a University of Florida expert.
“If you want to make a change, it helps to have a SMART goal. SMART stands for specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound,” said Jorge Ruiz-Menjivar, assistant professor of family, youth and community sciences in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
“So instead of saying, I want to start saving money this year, make your objective more concrete. A better resolution would be something like, I will set up an automatic transfer of $25 into my savings account each month so that I have $300 saved by the end of the year,” he explained.
Ruiz-Menjivar has these tips for making better financial resolutions in the New Year:
Identify your unhealthy money habits.
Do you go shopping without a shopping list? Do you hate budgets? Do you use a credit card for any and all purchases? If so, you may have some unhealthy money habits. Targeting a specific habit you want to change is the first step toward changing your behavior for the better, Ruiz-Menjivar said.
Think about positive habits that you can start now to help you toward long-term goals.
“Something you can change in the short term is how you save money and for what purpose. For example, it’s a good idea to have a rainy day fund equal to three to six months of your regular income. You can start doing small things now to reach that goal, such as setting up automatic payments into a savings account—the Florida Saves program is a great way to set these small, short-term goals,” Ruiz-Menjivar said.
Know your weak spots.
“There are a few common barriers people encounter when they are trying to change their financial habits,” Ruiz-Menjivar said. “Being disorganized with your recordkeeping is a common one. Keeping your information—especially about your income and spending—in order will help you stay on track for reaching many financial goals.”
Often times, people don’t think “big” enough when it comes to their money, Ruiz-Menjivar explained. “If you are only planning month-to-month, you won’t get to where you want to be in 10 years,” he said. “Time perspective does matter; consumers with a longer time horizon tend to think and plan potential purchases in the near and far future.”
Create an environment that enforces healthier habits.
There are several things you can do to create the conditions for financial success.
- Track income and expenses with a tool that works for you. Some people like to write everything in a calendar, others save receipts, some prefer a spreadsheet. There are a lot of apps out there that let you keep tabs on everything from your phone.
- Become a “convenience user” of credit cards: you use the card to enjoy the perks, such as miles or cash back, but you don’t carry a balance over months
- Set up your bank account to transfer money automatically to a savings or retirement account.
by UF/IFAS Extension.
Jamison “Jamie” Eugene Janes
January 3, 2018
Jamison “Jamie” Eugene Janes, age 42, of Pensacola, went to be with the Lord after a long courageous battle with Acute Leukemia, on Friday December 29, 2017.
He was surrounded by friends and family.
Jamie served and protected the Pensacola community for two decades with the Pensacola Police Department and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. He was a brave and decorated Sergeant upon his death. Jamie was a loving, caring and dedicated husband and father. He made eternal impacts on many lives. His spirit will live on and continue to make lasting impressions within the community and his family. A quote found among Jamie’s things: “Shame on the body for breaking down while the spirit perseveres.” By John Dryden.
Jamie was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Frank Cotton; and grandparents Eugene and Frankie Lou Cotton and Bernice Mancil.
Those left to cherish his memory are his cherished wife Dawn; his son Grayson; father James (Mary) Janes of Tennessee; sisters Carey (Tony) Gribble, Cassey (Rick) Mills of Oregon and Carla Janes of Michigan; niece Gabriella Gribble; and a host of extended family, work family and friends.
Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 04, 2018, until the service begins at 2:00 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North. Bro. Craig Hindsman will officiate. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Pensacola.
Pallbearers will be the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Pensacola Police Honor Guards. Honorary Pallbearers are Tony Gribble, Ray Scruggs, Josh Goodwin, Tom Greer, Scott Allday and Vince Odenbrett.
Frozen Fountain Photo
January 3, 2018
Pictured: Ice was building up Tuesday morning on the Nona Hightower Fountain at Century Health and Rehabilitation Center. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to elarge.