New Law To Provide Death Benefits For First Responders
April 19, 2016
A new law will help families of first responders who are enrolled in the Florida Retirement System and get killed in the line of duty.
The death-benefits bill was a priority of Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando.
“When people give their lives in the service of our state, the least we can do is make sure we help provide for the families they leave behind,” Gardiner said in a prepared statement.
The law covers first responders killed since July 1, 2013.
Gardiner pushed for the bill in large part because of Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Jonathan “Scott” Pine, who in February 2014 was shot and killed while chasing a burglary suspect.
Pine, who had joined the sheriff’s office in 2011, was married and had three children. While enrolled in the retirement system’s 401(k)-style investment plan, Pine’s family was not eligible for survivor benefits beyond what was accrued during his three years of service, Gardiner noted.
“We do not want the spouses of Florida’s fallen heroes to struggle to meet the basic needs of their children,” Gardiner said in a prepared statement.
The measure, sponsored by Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Margate, and Rep. Matt Caldwell, R-North Fort Myers, ensures that survivors of first responders killed in the line of duty who were members of the investment plan are eligible for the same benefits as those enrolled in the state’s traditional pension plan.
It also provides for the lifetime of a beneficiary the full monthly salary of any “special risk” class member who had been enrolled in the state retirement system.
Special-risk members include law-enforcement officers, firefighters, correctional officers, emergency-medical technicians, paramedics, probation officers and other employees whose jobs may put them at risk.
“With recent world events, it’s more important now than ever to honor our brave men and women who put the safety of others above their own,” Scott said in a prepared statement.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Deadline For Escambia Storm Debris Pickup Is Today
March 13, 2016
Escambia County and Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) crews will begin making their final passes through neighborhoods collecting storm generated debris this week. Residents in the unincorporated areas of Escambia County that have storm related debris are asked to move all debris to the right of way no later than Sunday, March 13.
When moving your debris curbside, please remember:
- All storm generated debris must be separated and be placed in the right-of-way. Residents should avoid placing debris near power poles, fire hydrants, water meters, mail boxes or other utilities. Crews are not allowed on private property so all debris must be in the right-of-way area, typically the area from a power pole to the curb.
- No demolition debris will be picked up, please consult with your insurance company and/or contractor for demolition debris removal.
- Do not place household garbage with storm debris.
- Storm generated debris must be sorted and placed curbside in the following categories:
- Construction– furniture, carpet, tile, steel, glass, brick, concrete, asphalt roofing material, pipe, gypsum wallboard, lumber or anything used in the construction, renovation, and demolition of a structure.
- Vegetative debris – Tree limbs, leaves, logs, pallets, and tree branches
- White goods – washers, dryers, refrigerators, ranges, microwaves, water heaters, freezers and small AC units.
- Electronics – TV’s, computers, monitors, fax machines, stereos, speakers, etc.
- Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) – Cleaning supplies, batteries, lawn chemicals, oils, oil-based paints and stains and pesticides.
Commercial Customers please contact your contracted waste services provider for disposal services. Commercial waste should not be placed on the right-of-way.
Residents of Century should continue to place their storm debris on the right of way for continued pickup. Vegetative debris should be separated from construction debris.
Motorcyclist Airlifted After Crash Near Bratt
March 3, 2016
One man was critically injured in a single motorcycle accident Thursday afternoon near Bratt.
The motorcyclist lost control on Highway 168 about a mile from Pine Barren Road. The driver and the motorcycle came to rest in a concrete culvert. The 37-year old male was airlifted by LifeFlight to a Pensacola area hospital.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details have not been released. The Walnut Hill and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescambia and Atmore Ambulance also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Highway 29 Morning Drivers Greeted By Giant Turbines
January 26, 2016
Morning drivers on Highway 29 through North Escambia were greeted by a couple of giant turbine pieces under escort by the Florida Highway Patrol. Details of the transport were not released in advance. Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Glen Rooks Dunaway
December 3, 2015
Glen Dunaway, 95, of Molino, passed away on Wednesday, December 2, 2015. He served in the Army during WWII and worked for the local paper mill as a forester for many years. He was a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church.
He is preceded in death by his son, John; mother, Jahaza; father, Lee; brothers, Marvin and James; and sisters, Una and Hazel.
He is survived by his wife, Claire; daughter, Amy (Anthony) Adams; daughter-in-law, Susie Dunaway; grandchildren, Alyssa, Johnny, Aaron, and Aadan; sister, Jewel, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank Century Health and Rehabilitation Center for their excellent and loving care of Glen.
Visitation will be held at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North on Saturday, December 5, 2015, at 1 p.m. followed by the memorial service at 2 p.m. with Reverend Jimmy Cook officiating.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
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September 25, 2015
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September 23, 2015
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September 19, 2015
Olive Nathelle Bush
August 11, 2015
Mrs. Olive Nathelle Bush, age 86 of Byrneville, passed away on Sunday, August 9, 2015, at the Century Health and Rehabilitation Center in Century.
Mrs. Bush was a native of Washington County, but lived in the Byrneville and Century communities for 50 years coming from Cantonment. She was a member of Byrneville United Methodist Church and a homemaker.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Enos Bush.
She is survived by her son, Don (Pat) Bush of Gulf Breeze; and sister, Agnes (Jerry) Baxter of Chipley, FL.
Visitation will be held on Friday, August 14, 2015, at Byrneville United Methodist Church at 9 a.m. followed by services at 10 a.m. with Rev. Joe Hensel officiating.
Interment will follow in Byrneville United Methodist Church Cemetery in Byrneville.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Flomaton Funeral Home Directing.
EWMS Orientation Information
August 11, 2015
To all EWMS parents, Orientation for incoming 6th graders and new students to EWMS will be Thursday, August 13, from 10-11 a.m. in the cafeteria. 6th grade students will pick up their schedules after a brief meeting. Students will be given a chance to see where their classes are located.
After orientation at 11:15 all 7th and 8th graders will pick up their schedules in the main entrance lobby. They will not be permitted to walk the halls as they know where the classes are located. Those who do not pick their schedule up on Thursday, August 13 at the designated time will not receive their schedule until the first day of school or until the FOCUS parent portal is open.