Hot And Humid
June 20, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. West wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Citizens Insurance May Delay Rate Hike
June 20, 2018
Citizens Property Insurance is poised to delay a 7.9 percent rate increase for policyholders, after some board members suggested Tuesday another rate hike may be too soon following a May 1 increase.
The Citizens Board of Governors, which oversees the government-backed insurer that has some 443,000 policies in the state, will discuss the proposal at its Wednesday meeting in Maitland.
Bette Brown, a consumer representative on the board, asked the Citizens Actuarial and Underwriting Committee on Tuesday to delay action on the annual rate request. She said much of the state, particularly South Florida and the Keys, is still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, which hit the state last September.
“Florida is still in an ongoing emergency, really, recovering,” said Brown, who lives in Monroe County, one of the state’s most heavily damaged areas.
The actuarial committee unanimously adopted Brown’s recommendation, saying the question of the next rate increase will be considered by the full board.
John Wortman, chairman of the actuarial committee, said one possibility would be to delay the 2019 rate increase to next May 1, since a 6.6 percent increase for homeowners with Citizens multi-peril policies took effect last month.
The 2018 rate increase, which normally would have taken effect in February, was delayed until May, following a 90-day rate freeze imposed after Irma.
Under the 2019 rate proposal that will be considered by the board, personal-lines policies for Citizens customers will increase by a statewide average of 7.9 percent, while commercial lines will increase by 8.9 percent.
Personal policyholders include homeowners, condominium-unit owners, renters and mobile-home owners. Commercial lines include condominium associations as well as non-residential property.
Under the rate proposal, inland homeowners with multi-peril policies will face an average increase of 8.3 percent, while coastal homeowners would have a 9.5 percent increase. Wind-only personal-lines policies would increase statewide by 7.8 percent.
Rate increases will vary by county, although the highest increases will be in populous South Florida. Average rates for homeowner multi-peril policies in Miami-Dade County will increase 9.8 percent, with an average annual premium of $3,945. In Broward, rates will increase 9.9 percent on average, with a $3,294 premium.
Wind-only homeowner policies in Monroe County would increase by an average 7.8 percent, with a $3,737 premium.
Pinellas County, which has the third highest total of Citizens multi-peril homeowner policies, would see a 2.8 percent average increase, with a $1,705 premium, according to the proposal.
Rates would decline in a few counties, including Okaloosa, where multi-peril homeowner policies would decrease by an average of 5.5 percent, with a $1,811 premium. But there are only 118 Citizens homeowner policies in that Panhandle community, compared to 54,431 in Miami-Dade.
A factor in the rate increase is the continuing controversy over the “assignment of benefits” practice where property owners with claims assign their insurance benefits to contractors and other firms, which seek reimbursement from the insurance companies. Citizens officials say it leads to increased fraud and inflated claims, while defenders of the practice say it allows property owners to be adequately compensated.
The new rate proposal notes that assignment of benefit claims “are on the rise, particularly in South Florida, and are one of the major factors driving increased non-weather water losses and Citizens’ increased rate need.”
Any rate increase approved by the Citizens Board of Governors is subject to review by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. Last year, the board approved a 6.7 percent increase for homeowners’ multi-peril policies but the rate was reduced to 6.6 percent by state insurance regulators.
Citizens annual rate increases are capped at 10 percent under a “glide path” provision in the state law.
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida
Atmore Man Charged With Three Counts Of Attempted Murder
June 20, 2018
An Atmore man has been charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting into a vehicle occupied by three people, including a child, on North Main Street.
Labrandon Sharp, 34, was charged with three counts of attempted murder and shooting into an occupied vehicle.
On June 14, Atmore Police responded to report of a subject discharging a weapon into a vehicle. They discovered shots had been fired into a vehicle occupied by two adults and a 7-year old at the intersection of North Main Street and Liberty Street. They were not injured.
The victims told officers that Sharp fired into the vehicle after a brief verbal altercation between one of the victims and Sharp.
Atmore Police learned that Sharp fled the scene in a gold colored Chevrolet Malibu. Minutes later, the suspect vehicle was spotted on South Canoe Road. Atmore Police and the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and identified the driver as Kendra Monick Williams, 37.
Williams told officers that she had just swapped vehicles with Sharp prior to being stopped. Williams was taken into custody and charged with assisting the alleged offender, Sharp, with the attempted murder of the three occupants.
Sharp turned himself in on Monday and remained in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton early Wednesday morning.
New Candidate In Race For Ingram’s House Seat; Jay Woman Files For Williamson’s Seat
June 20, 2018
The race for an open seat in nearby House District 1 drew a late candidate Monday, when Republican Lisa Doss of Milton opened a campaign account, according to the Division of Elections website. The Escambia County seat is open because Rep. Clay Ingram, R-Pensacola, faces term limits.
Five candidates have opened campaign accounts, with two — Republican Rebekah Bydlak and Democrat Vikki Garrett — listed on the state website as having qualified as of early Tuesday afternoon. The qualifying period started Monday and will last until noon Friday.
Meanwhile, it appears Rep. Jayer Williamson, R-Pace, won’t receive a free pass back to the Florida House. Bobbi Sue Osborne, a Jay resident running without party affiliation, opened a campaign account Tuesday to challenge Williamson in House District 3, which is made up of parts of Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties, according to the state Division of Elections website.
Williamson, who formally qualified for the race Monday, had been running unopposed. He had raised $100,750 for his re-election bid as of May 31.
by The News Service of Florida with contribution from NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
United Way Announces $850K In Community Grants
June 20, 2018
United Way of Escambia County announced $850,000 in grants Tuesday for 42 local nonprofit programs through their community investment process. These programs provide critical services to individuals and families throughout the area.
Over the past year, 266 companies and nearly 7,000 individual donors contributed to United Way for health, education and financial stability programs.
TOP 5 WORKPLACE CAMPAIGNS
1. Gulf Power Company
2. Publix Super Markets, Inc.
3. Ascend Performance Materials
4. Navy Federal Credit Union
5. Regions Bank
Health Awards:
2018-19 Health Awards: $116,264
1. Access to Care2 – Health and Hope Clinic
2. Child Abuse Prevention Education – Gulf Coast Kid’s House
3. Epilepsy Services and Resource Center – Epilepsy Foundation of Florida
4. Healthy Seniors Food Program – Manna Food Pantries, Inc.
5. Kids for Camp Summer Learning Lab – Autism Pensacola
6. Lakeview Center Victim Services – Lakeview Center
7. Mobile Outreach Program – OASIS Florida
8. The Salvation Army Emergency Shelter, Sally’s House – The Salvation Army
9. VIP Children’s Program – Independence for the Blind
2-3 Year Committed Health Awards: $260,962
1. Essential Life Skills – Capstone Adaptive Learning and Therapy Centers, Inc.
2. Family Advocacy – Gulf Coast Kid’s House
3. Healthy Lifestyles – Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast
4. Nutrition Program – Council on Aging of West Florida
5. Older Blind Program – Independence for the Blind
6. Pearl Nelson Child Development Center/Pediatric Therapy – The Arc Gateway, Inc.
7. Senior Companion Program – Council on Aging of West Florida
8. Sexual/Physical Abuse Treatment Program – Lutheran Services of Florida
9. Youth Development – YMCA of Northwest Florida
Education Awards:
2018-19 Education Awards: $129,682
1. Big Brothers Big Sisters Community Based Program – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida
2. Every Adult Achieves Self-Sufficiency – Pathways for Change
3. GED Program – AMIkids Pensacola
4. Girls Earning Diplomas (GED) Program – PACE Center for Girls
5. Milk & Honey Afterschool Program – Milk & Honey Outreach Ministry
6. ReadingPals – Every Child A Reader Escambia (ECARE)
7. School to Work – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida
8. Service Learning and Leadership Development – Chain Reaction
9. Workforce Development: Providing a Path to Self-Sufficiency – Waterfront Rescue Mission, Inc.
2-3 Year Committed Education Awards: $258,093
1. Academic Success – Boys and Girls Club of the Emerald Coast
2. Capstone Academy – Capstone Adaptive Learning and Therapy Centers, Inc.
3. Heritage Oaks Affordable Housing – Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies (BRACE)
4. Independence for Dependent and Homeless Youth – Legal Services of
North Florida
5. Pearl Nelson Child Development Center/Early Intervention Services – The Arc Gateway, Inc.
6. School Readiness Program – Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County
7. Teenspace – Children’s Home Society of Florida
8. Transition Program – Independence for the Blind
9. Veterans Legal Assistance – Legal Services of North Florida
Financial Stability Awards:
2018-19 Financial Stability Awards: $67,500
1. Child Care – YMCA of Northwest Florida
2. Emergency Assistance – Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida
3. Moving Escambia County from Hunger to Hope – Manna Food Pantries, Inc.
4. Social Services – Basic Needs – The Salvation Army
5. The Mobile Pantry Program – Feeding the Gulf Coast
2-3 Year Committed Financial Stability Awards: $17,500
1. Domestic Violence Shelter – FavorHouse of Northwest Florida, Inc.
Jay Honors Former Town Clerk By Renaming Community Center
June 20, 2018
Tuesday evening, the Jay Community Center was renamed the Linda Carden Community Center in honor of longtime town clerk Linda Carden.
Carden retired after serving the community for 40 years. She started working for the Town of Jay in 1976 as the assistant to Town Clerk Theda Bray. She worked under three mayors – J.D. Bray, Jackie Ard and Kurvin Qualls.
While serving as town clerk, Carden earned the Master Municipal Clerk designation from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. She retired in October 2016.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
George Stone Has A New Name – George Stone Technical College
June 20, 2018
George Stone Area Vocational–Technical Center has been renamed George Stone Technical College.
Officials hope the new name will better identify its mission so that more parents of high school graduates will realize the opportunities the institution provides for career preparation after high school.
“These technical colleges saw a five to fifteen percent enrollment increase in the first year after changing their names,” said TJ Rollins, GSTC principal.
Vandals Strike Century’s Parks; Mayor Pushes For Security Cameras
June 20, 2018
Vandals are causing damage to Century’s parks, and Mayor Henry Hawkins wants to send the message that there are consequences for actions.
Hawkins said every park in town has been vandalized recently. A few days ago, someone busted locks at Anthony Pleasant Park and broke bathroom fixtures and a water fountain.
Now Hawkins is pushing for town council approval for security cameras.
“We need to move quickly on cameras, because we are going to go broke with nickel and dime repairs,” Hawkins said. He said he wants the vandals arrested and an example made of them to send the message that “if you are caught, you will pay the price.”
About a month ago, Hawkins told the council that he wants to install security cameras at several town properties.
Hawkins presented the town council with a proposal from Security Center USA in Jacksonville for about $700 per month under a 36 month lease purchase with a $1 buyout.
The proposal included eight HD cameras at town hall and the Nadine McCaw Park, seven HD cameras at maintenance shop on Alger Road and Showalter Park, and three HD cameras at the water treatment plant. Installation, video recorders, streaming, accessories and monitoring were included.
The council took no action on the proposal. Hawkins said this week he plans to obtain an additional proposal.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Donald Nall
June 20, 2018
Donald (Don), Nall 69, of Huxford, AL, passed away on Friday, June 8, 2018.
He was born September 18, 1948, to the late John and Letitia Nall. Don graduated from Escambia County High School and received an associate of science degree from Jefferson Davis Community College and a bachelor’s degree in Electronic Engineering and Industrial Electronics from Cleveland Institute of Electronics. Don pursued an advanced degree in Art from the University of South Alabama and held many state and federal certifications in electronics, electrical, and hydraulics. Don retired from Masland Carpets with 47 years of service. He was a loving husband, father, and devoted grandfather.
Don was a beloved member of the community. He was an evangelist of the word of God for the Pentecostal Faith and an avid musician, painter/artist, quail hunter, and fishermen.
He was preceded in death by his father, John Henry Nall; mother, Letitia Ella Nall; brother, Nathan Nall, and sister Donnie Mixon.
He is survived by his wife, Annette Morris Nall, 41 years, of Huxford, AL; children, Jonathan Bradley (Olena) Nall of Cantonment, FL; Philip Brandon Nall of Huxford, AL and Thomas Matthew Nall of Huxford, AL; grandchildren, Vanessa Lauren Nall and Ronan Bradley Nall; sisters, Marteaz Brockman of Norfolk VA, Jannette Markman of East Hampton, CT, and Jaunita Williams (Wimpy) of Pensacola, FL; brothers, Narveaz Nall of Newport, WA and Felix Nall of Perry, FL along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Services were held Monday, June 18, 2018, from the Atmore Memorial Chapel with Bro. Michael Montgomery and Bro. Chris Pruitt officiating.
Interment followed at Sardis Primitive Baptist Cemetery at Huxford, AL.
Active pallbearers were Wesley Morris, James Bagwell, Kipp Moore, Brian Moore, Dale Williams and Austin Turberville.
Honorary pallbearers were Members of the Class of 1967 and Destany Morris.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home and Atmore Memorial Chapel in charge of arrangements.
O.C. Phillips Road Bridge Reopens
June 20, 2018
A bridge over Brushy Creek Bridge on O.C. Phillips Road has reopened. The bridge was closed by the Florida Department of Transportation last November due to a failed inspection, leading to a lengthy detour for some residents. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
