Joseph Hobson Huff
February 16, 2012
Joe Huff, age 64 of Pensacola, passed away Wednesday, February 15, 2012.
Mr. Huff was born in Millport, AL, on August 23, 1947. Mr. Huff was a volunteer firefighter in Escambia County for 48 years. He was also a decorated Marine. Mr. Huff worked at Five Flags Speedway for many years. He was a loving and loyal husband and father.
He is survived by his wife Charlotte; his daughters Vivian Huff of Pensacola, Wendy Wedgwood and Tammy Hester of Grand Bay, AL; his father and mother Clyde and Frances Huff; his brother and sister-in-law Larry and Susan Huff of Pensacola; 12 grandchildren and one great grandchild, mother and father-in-law Ester and Alex Cutts of Pensacola; and a sister and brother-in-law Gail and Ernie Craycraft; numerous nephews and nieces; and great nephews and nieces. He had several special girls that were like daughters to him, Elizabeth Peavy of Pensacola, Shannon Neal of Morristown, TN, Talesha Grev of Pensacola, and Mari Grimes of Pensacola.
He was preceded in death by his sister Brenda Huff and a special young man that was like a son Labo Martin.
Funeral services will be held at 2 pm on February 19, 2012, at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church with the Reverend Bill Flannigan officiating. Interment will follow at Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens on Nine Mile Road.
Serving as pallbearers will be Beulah Fire & Rescue. Honorary pallbearers will be Escambia County Fire & Rescue.
The family will receive friends at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North-Cantonment on Saturday, February 18, 2012, from 5-8 p.m.
Corp Income Tax Break, Sales Tax Holiday Pass House
February 16, 2012
The Florida House on Wednesday approved a series of tax breaks, hoping to free thousands of businesses from corporate-income taxes and put extra money in the pockets of back-to-school shoppers.
The House voted unanimously to hold a “sales tax holiday” from Aug. 3 through Aug. 5 that would be geared to back-to-school shoppers.
The plan (HB 737) would allow shoppers to avoid paying sales taxes on items such as clothing, shoes and bags that cost $75 or less. Also, they would receive a sales-tax exemption for school supplies valued at $15 or less.
House members also went along with Gov. Rick Scott’s proposal to increase the corporate-income tax exemption from $25,000 to $50,000, passing it as part of a broader economic-development bill.
Scott, in a statement, said it was “a huge victory” for Floridians, and would help businesses create more jobs.
The issue sparked a partisan fight Tuesday, as Democrats tried to tack conditions onto the additional exemption — and Republicans fired back by limiting the tax break to businesses that do not employ union workers.
Some Democrats continued to criticize the income-tax proposal Wednesday, contending that it would primarily help large corporations and do little for small businesses.
“This bill does nothing to sweeten the pot for the middle class or the working families in this state,” said Rep. Mark Pafford, D-West Palm Beach.
But Finance and Tax Chairman Steve Precourt, R-Orlando, said lawmakers need to put aside procedural disputes and “partisan rhetoric.” He said the higher exemption would allow nearly 4,000 businesses to avoid paying corporate-income taxes altogether.
“This is not about the big guys, the big corporations, the fat cats,” said Majority Leader Carlos Lopez-Cantera, R-Miami. “This is about jobs.”
The House voted 92-22 to approve the economic-development package, which also includes new or expanded tax breaks related to agricultural packing houses, aircraft repairs and industrial machinery and equipment.
A House analysis said the package eventually would eliminate about $121 million a year in tax revenues for state and local governments.
“By allowing more than 3,500 businesses to stop paying income taxes and instead put that money into jobs, and maximizing incentives to make Florida more attractive to quality manufacturing jobs, the Florida House has demonstrated it knows what it takes to help grow private-sector jobs,” Scott said in a statemet after the vote.
By The News Service Florida
EREC Washington Youth Tour Winners Named
February 16, 2012
Two Central High School students have won the Escambia River Electric Cooperative Youth Tour to Washington contest.
Lauren Griswold and Logan Rowell will represent EREC on the Washington Youth Tour in June. While in Washington, Griswold and Rowell will see the sights, learn about the nation’s capital and rural electrification while making new friends from across the country.
Students from across the EREC service area interviewed with an independent panel of judges. Contestants were judged on their knowledge of EREC and the history of rural electrification. Personal attributes of each candidate such as character, academic ability, personality and leadership abilities were also considered.
Pictured: Central High students Lauren Griswold and Logan Rowell, winners of the EREC Youth Tour to Washington contest. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
George Irvin Hanks
February 16, 2012
George Irvin Hanks, age 88, of Cantonment, passed away Wednesday February 8, 2012. He was born September 21, 1923 in McDavid to the late Elijah E. Hanks and Arcora Roach Hanks.
He was a United States Navy Veteran having served in WWII. He retired from Champion Paper and was a life long member of the First Baptist Church of Cantonment.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 65 years, Estelle O’Farrell Hanks; and a son, Randall G. Hanks.
Survivors include two daughters, Victoria (Mark) Hanks Staples and Karen (Brett) Hanks Shaw; five grandchildren, Heather (Jay) Staples Lucey, Ginger (Troy) Staples Reeder, Christopher Staples, Alexandra Shaw and Austin Shaw; four great grandchildren, Andrew Rohler, Meredith Lucey, Jeremiah Lucey and Nathanial Lucey.
Funeral services were held Monday February 13, 2012, at the First Baptist Church of Cantonment. The family received friends at the church before the servicer. Interment followed in Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association or the American Cancer Society . Condolences may be made to the family at www.easterngatememorial.com.
Eastern Gate Memorial Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements.
D. C. Daughtry
February 16, 2012
Mr. D. C. Daughtry, 80, passed away on Wednesday, February 15, 2012, in Poarch, AL.
Mr. Daughtry was a native of McCullough, AL, a lifelong resident of Poarch, a member of the Poarch Creek Indians and attended the Friendly Holiness Church.
He is survived by hi wife, Ernestine McGhee Daughtry of Poarch; two sons, Douglas and Keysha Daughtry of Poarch and Jack Allen and Charlotte McGhee of Pensacola; two daughters, Jackie Smith and Charlotte and Martin Meckel, both of Poarch; 15 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and three sisters, Luverne Ward , Savannah Lee Daughtry and Bernice Qualls, all of Poarch.
Funeral services will be Saturday, February 18, 2012, at 11 a.m. at the Friendly Holiness Church with the Rev. Ray Ward and the Rev. Trevor Daughtry officiating
Burial will follow at the Judson/Creek Indian Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday February 17, 2012, from 5 p.m. until funeral time at the Friendly Holiness Church.
Drug Bills Face Different Fates
February 16, 2012
Fresh off a successful but contested effort last year to require welfare applicants to pass drug tests to collect benefits, Rep. Jimmie Smith brought a pair of related bills to the House Appropriations Committee Wednesday and came away 1 for 2.
Following concerns from members including fellow Republicans, the committee rejected a measure (SB 1205) that would have allowed state agencies to randomly drug test employees. On a close vote, the panel rejected the proposal that critics from both parties say was facially unconstitutional.
Smith, R-Inverness, had better luck with another measure (HB 813) that would require felony drug offenders to show proof that they have undergone substance abuse treatment before collecting temporary federal aid. On a party-line vote, the panel approved the measure over the concerns of critics who say it also is unconstitutional.
Smith, who last year sponsored a measure requiring applications for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families to pay for and pass a drug screen that was thrown out by the courts, dismissed concerns, and said the new bill sends a strong message that taxpayer funds won’t be used for drug use.
“This is the perfect way for the state of Florida to show that we help those people who help themselves,” Smith said.
The bill would prohibit the receipt of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program money to convicted felons unless they provide proof that they have completed or are undergoing drug or alcohol treatment. Details on how felons would prove their participation are still being worked out, Smith told members of the budget committee.
Democrats argued that there was no evidence to show that felony drug offenders have higher rates of drug abuse and the courts can already require such treatment programs as a condition of release. They also said the bill singles out low-income residents while ignoring possible drug use among others who receive state and federal assistance.
“If we’re going to check people, let’s take away some pensions if we think it’s going to be used for drugs,” said Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg.
Smith’s bill from last year requiring TANF applicants to undergo drug tests to obtain benefits is now tied up in federal court following a lawsuit arguing it is unconstitutional.
While the measure seeking to require former felons to go to rehab to get benefits squeaked through the committee, the bill allowing state agencies to randomly drug test employees did not.
After the panel voted to reject that measure, it was brought up again on a motion for reconsideration, but immediately tabled, and paced in legislative limbo. Committee chairwoman Rep. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, said the issue is dead for the session.
By The News Service of Florida
Lloyd “Eddie” Phillippi, Jr.
February 16, 2012
Mr. Lloyd “Eddie” Phillippi, Jr., 56, passed away on Tuesday, February 14, 2012, in Atmore.
Mr. Phillippi was a native of Pensacola, a resident of Atmore, AL for the past 42 years and attended the Methodist church.
Survivors include his wife, Ruby Mason Phillippi of Atmore.
Funeral services will be Sunday, February 19, 2012, at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Thurl Pearson officiating.
Burial will follow at Magnolia Cemetery in Evergreen, AL.
Visitation will be Friday February 17, 2012, from 6-8 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Carolyn Ingram
February 16, 2012
Carolyn Ingram passed away Tuesday, February 14, 2012m at Covenant Hospice at West Florida Hospital.
She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Leroy Ingram of Molino; son, Ron Ingram of Pensacola; daughters, Donna (Andy) Lashley of Molino and Janet (Doug) Pridgeon of Prattville; brothers, Olen (Marie) Davis, Adolph (Sandra) Davis; sister, Margaret Crawford; grandchildren, April Ingram, Whitney Allen, Josh Pridgeon and Adam Pridgeon; great-grandchildren, Cade, Macy, Caleb and Trenton.
She will be remembered as dedicated wife and mother. She was known for her generosity, hospitality, and love of people. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
A special thanks to Covenant Hospice at West Florida Hospital, 6th Floor nurses at West Florida Hospital, Dr. Dissanyake, Dr.Boatright, Dr. Scott, Dr. Krentel and staff, and a special family Dave Sanford.
Visitation will be held Friday, February 17, 2012m at Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens, 1985 West Nine Mile Road, Pensacola, Florida from 5-8 p.m. A funeral service will be held at Eastern Gate at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 18, 2012.
The service will be officiated by Missionary Steve Farmer from Memphis, Tennessee.
Funeral Services Set For Joe Huff, Beulah VFD Assistant Chief
February 16, 2012
Joe Huff, the assistant chief of the Beulah Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, passed away Wednesday.
During his long tenure at the Beulah VFD, Huff also served as the department’s chief and spent countless hours working on the department’s Beulah Sausage Festival, later renamed Beulahfest. He was a retired security officer with International Paper and worked the pit entrance gate for many years at Five Flags Speedway.
Huff is survived by his wife, Charlotte, and four daughters.
He was diagnosed with cancer just a few weeks ago, according to close family friends.
Visitation for Joe Huff will be held from 5-8 p.m. Saturday at the Faith Chapel Funeral Home North in Cantonment. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Marcus Point Baptist Church. Graveside service to follow at Eastern Gate Cemetery on Nine Mile Road.
Century Care Center Names Valentine’s King, Queen
February 16, 2012
Century Care Center celebrated Valentine’s Day in grand style with sparkling juice, good food, good music and lots of great fellowship. During the event, Louise Jackson and Paul Louviere were named Century Care Center’s Valentine’s king and queen. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.