Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
December 9, 2017
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings for the week of December 11-15:
Monday, Dec. 11
West Florida Regional Planning Council Board Meeting – 3:30 p.m., Okaloosa County Administration Building Training Room, 1250 Eglin Pkwy., Shalimar
Marine Advisory – 5:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex,
3363 West Park Place (Agenda)
Escambia County Legislative Delegation Public Hearing – 5:30 p.m., Pensacola State College Jean and Paul Performance Studio, 1000 College Boulevard
Tuesday, Dec. 12
BCC Committee of the Whole – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place (Agenda)
Co:Lab Policy Board Meeting – 11 a.m., 418 West Garden Street, Pensacola
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place (Agenda)
Wednesday, Dec. 13
Transportation Planning Organization – 9 a.m., 913 South “I” Street, Pensacola
Development Review Committee - 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Thursday, Dec. 14
BCC Agenda Review, Public Forum and Regular Meeting – 9 a.m., 4:30 p.m. & 5:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance Board of Directors – 2 p.m., 418 West Garden Street, Pensacola
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Senate Boss Says Florida PIP Repeal Needs To Include Medical Coverage
December 9, 2017
The Senate will consider the merits of repealing Florida’s long-standing requirement for drivers to carry personal-injury protection insurance, but Senate President Joe Negron said it’s important to ensure that any replacement coverage still provides Florida drivers access to medical coverage and funeral benefits.
“I think med pay (medical payments coverage) is an important component that we need to retain in the system,” Negron said Friday in an interview with The News Service of Florida. “It makes sure that an emergency room is compensated when someone appears for care after a motor vehicle accident.”
Moreover, Negron, R-Stuart, said it’s important to maintain a burial benefit.
“I think if a terrible, unspeakable tragedy of someone getting killed in an automobile accident, and the family is having to adjust with that permanent alteration of their reality, to have a modest payment to make sure they can afford a funeral and a burial is not too much to ask. I will not support jettisoning that.”
The Legislature in 1972 passed a requirement that drivers carry $10,000 in personal-injury protection insurance in hopes of limiting the number of lawsuits stemming from traffic accidents. It provides benefits to the policyholder, regardless of who is at fault in an accident.
For health benefits, so-called PIP covers 80 percent of reasonable medical expenses. The benefit is reduced to $2,500 if a treating medical provider determines an emergency medical condition did not exist. PIP also provides policyholders 60 percent of their loss of income following accidents.
In the case of a death, PIP provides the policyholder a $5,000 death benefit.
According to the Office of Insurance Regulation, Florida is one of 10 states to require drivers to carry PIP. Senate Banking and Insurance Chairwoman Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami, said one of the first bills her committee will consider when it meets in early January is a PIP repeal (SB 150), filed by Sen. Tom Lee, R-Thonotosassa. A House version (HB 19), filed by Rep. Erin Grall, R-Vero Beach, is ready to go to the House floor after the 2018 session starts Jan. 9.
by The News Service of Florida
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary Postpones Christmas Musicals Due To Weather
December 9, 2017
Due to weather, Byrneville Elementary School has postponed their annual Christmas musicals that were scheduled for Friday night.
The musicals will presented by grades K-2 on Tuesday at 9:00 a.m and grades 3-5 on Tuesday 1:00 p.m. A second performance will be held with grades 3-5 on Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. and grades K-2 on Wednesday at 1:00 p..m. All performances will be at Byrneville Elementary School.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Data Breach Could Impact 22K Gulf Power Customers
December 8, 2017
A data breach with a third party vendor may have exposed the personal data of some Gulf Power customers who have paid by check at a local kiosk.
TIO Networks, which was acquired this year by PayPal, has uncovered evidence of unauthorized access to TIO’s network, including locations that stored personal information of some of TIO’s customers and customers of TIO billers.
According to Gulf Power spokesman Jeff Rogers, the data breach impacts customers who paid their bill at a payment kiosk using a check. He estimates about 22,000 of Gulf Power’s 460,000 customers could be affected with unauthorized access to names, bank routing and account numbers and Gulf Power account numbers. Other information, such as credit card and social security numbers were not compromised.
Rogers stressed that Gulf Power did not suffer a data breach. He said the company was being proactive, notifying customers that might be impacted by mailing Gulf Power cover letter and additional information about free credit monitoring from TIO. That letter will go out to customers this week.
School Bus Detouring Around Bridge Closure Involved In Wreck
December 8, 2017
A school bus, detouring around one of many bridge closures in North Escambia, was involved in an accident Thursday morning on a dirt road outside Walnut Hill. There were no injuries to the drivers or seven students headed to Ernest Ward Middle and Northview High School.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 47-year old Paul Ryals of McDavid was driving a 2002 Toyota Tacoma south on South Pineville Road near Ryals Lane as the 2016 Escambia County School District bus driven by Barbara Hollingsworth was traveling north. Both vehicles approached at entered a curve at the same time. The FHP said Ryals failed to to maintain his lane, “causing him to go into the opposite lane of traffic”. The front of the vehicle collided, with $8,000 in damage to the Tacoma and $400 in damage to the bus.
Ryals was cited for failure to maintain lane, per FHP.
School district officials said the bus driver was using South Pineville Road as a detour around a closed bridge on O.C. Phillips Road. South Pineville is a very rural dirt road that is very muddy on rainy days, but is the recommended (and only) detour around the bridge closure.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County School District Names Top 5 Teachers
December 8, 2017
The Escambia County School District named their Top 5 Teachers of the Year Thursday afternoon. They are:
- William Broome — Woodham Middle School
- Shana Brown — Molino Park Elementary School
- Megan Carroll — Northview High School
- Suzanne Hollingsworth — Beulah Elementary School
- Carla Ross — Washington High School
The winner will be announced at the annual Golden Apple Dinner on January 26, 2018.
Pictured; Molino Park Elementary School teacher Shana Brown and her fifth grade students celebrate. Thursday, Brown was named one of Escambia County’s Top 5 teachers. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Santa Claus Visits Century Library (With Photo Gallery)
December 8, 2017
Santa Claus paid a special visit to the Century Branch Library Thursday evening taking those special Christmas wishes.
Puppies were the most requested items, with children asking for other items including dolls, toy cars, video games and more.
And one young man brought a big smile to Santa’s face when asked what he wants for Christmas morning.
“I want breakfast,” the young man replied.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Santa will be back in NorthEscambia on Tuesday with a visit to the Molino Branch Library at 6 p.m. for a special Pajama Story Time with Santa. Children invited to wear their comfy, cozy pajamas, brink a blanket and join the library staff for a stories, milk and cookies along with a very special visit from Santa Claus. Parents are encouraged to bring their cameras.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Graduate Taylor McCarty Completes Navy Basic Training
December 8, 2017
Navy Seaman Taylor J. McCarty recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, IL.
During the eight-week program, McCarty completed a variety of training which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.
The capstone event of boot camp is “Battle Stations”. This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet. “Battle Stations” is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment. Its distinctly ”Navy” flavor was designed to take into account what it means to be a sailor.
McCarty will continue her training in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, as a hospital corpsman.
McCarty is the daughter of Deborah Carter of Cantonment. She is a 2013 graduate of Tate High School.
Volunteer Needed For West Florida Public Library Board Of Governance
December 8, 2017
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking county residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an appointment to the West Florida Public Library Board of Governance.
The duties of the board include establishing policy and overseeing the management of Escambia County library services and making recommendations to the BCC regarding the annual budget according to the purposes and authority set forth in resolutions, interlocal agreements and other agreements, as well as state and federal laws. These duties also include establishing an annual plan of service and the long-range strategic planning of library services.
West Florida Public Libraries provides service to all of Escambia County, with the board typically meeting on the fourth Monday of the month from 4-6:30 p.m.
Residents interested in serving on the board are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve by close of business on Thursday, Dec. 14. Resumes should be submitted to Todd J. Humble, Director, West Florida Public Libraries, 239 N. Spring St., Pensacola, FL, 32502 or by email to tjhumble@mywfpl.com.
Two Homeless After Jay Travel Trailer Fire
December 7, 2017
Fire destroyed a travel trailer in Jay about noon Thursday, leaving two people without a home.
Neighbors said two men and their dog had been living in the camper on State Street just off Highway 4. The men and their dog were able to get out of the camper with no injuries; however, it was not immediately clear if they were inside when the fire started or were already gone for the day.
The camper quickly burned to the ground before firefighters arrived. Neighbors used water hoses and firefighters worked to save nearby structures from the blaze.
Pictured top and inset: Fire rages inside a camper trailer in Jay midday Thursday as seen before firefighters arrived. Reader submitted photos by Alyssia Mcclantoc for NorthEscambia.com. Pictured below: The travel trailer was a complete loss. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
