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North Escambia Memorials Honor Those That Served

People across North Escambia and the country paused Monday to remember the brave men and women that have served our country as we celebrated Memorial Day.

In North Escambia, there are several memorials that honor those that have served in the military:

Walnut Hill Veterans Wall of Honor

The largest such memorial in the North Escambia area, the Veteran’s Honor Wall has stood in front of the Walnut Hill Community Center since its dedication in 2003. There are nearly 300 names on the wall, including  names of just over a dozen soldiers killed in action. The wall honors those from the Walnut Hill area that have served in the nation’s military.

The Walnut Hill Ruritan Club began planning the wall in late 2001, and they decided that it would be a community project at no cost to the veterans listed.

Billy R. Ward began to engrave the names with an antique machine the club purchased off the internet, and there were 220 names on the wall when it was dedicated in 2003. He spent a lot of time on the project, even visiting the Wall South Memorial in Pensacola to get an idea what size the letters on the plaques should be.

On the Walnut Hill Veteran’s Honor Wall, everyone is equal. It was decided that no service rank would be include on the name plaques, just the branch and years of service.

It is estimated that about one-fourth of the veterans listed on the wall are now deceased.

The Walnut Hill Veteran’s Wall is located in front of the community center at 7850 Highway 97.

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LCpl Travis M. Nelson Park

The LCpl Travis M. Nelson Park was dedicated in Bratt on November 8, 2011, in honor of the local Marine killed in action in August 2011 in  Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. It was just two weeks after his 19th birthday and only about a month after he arrived in Afghanistan.

The park features a memorial in Nelson’s honor. It is located on West Highway 4, just west of Northview High School.

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Atmore Veterans Memorial

The Veterans Memorial in Atmore stands proudly on the lawn of the Atmore City Hall to pay tribute to those have served from around Atmore and North Escambia. Names of the fallen are on the spire, while commemorative bricks around the base of the spire name those that have served in the military past and present.

Those honored on the bricks date back to the Revolutionary War with a brick with the name of Benjamin Sasser, 1755-1840. His relative, Federick Sasser, 1794-1846, is also honored for his service in the War of 1812.

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Barrineau Park Wall of Honor

The Wall of Honor inside the Barrineau Park Community Center  honors scores of area residents  that have served in the military. The wall was a project of the Barrineau Park Historical Society. (Pictured above.)

Century Veterans Wall of Honor

About four dozen of those that served from the Century area are honored on the Century Veterans Wall of Honor at Century’s Roadside Park on Highway 29. The memorial was dedicated on July 4, 2008. (Pictured below.)

The Century Veterans Wall of Honor is located in the Nadine McCaw Park at the corner of North Century Boulevard (Highway 29) and Hecker Road.

NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.

Democratic Effort To Hold Special Session Falls Short

Byrne: We Remember The Fallen

by Rep. Bradley Byrne, R-AL

As Americans, we know all too well that freedom is not free.  Each time we bow our heads to pray or speak up for what we believe in, we exercise rights that many across the world do not have.  These are just some of the unique freedoms that the brave men and women of the United States military have fought and died to protect.

We are reminded of their patriotic sacrifice each Memorial Day as we pay our respects to servicemembers who have selflessly given their lives to defend freedom and liberty throughout our country’s history.

From the American Revolution to the War on Terror, men and women of all backgrounds have answered the call of service and paid the ultimate sacrifice to defend the United States.  These American heroes shall never be forgotten.

Unfortunately, loss of life does not occur solely in times of war; this past year, we have experienced tragic loss during military training, likely due to the readiness crisis and funding shortfalls.  In 2017, nearly four times as many members of the military died in training-related accidents as were killed in combat.

These accidents span from aviation training mishaps in the Air Force to major naval collisions involving the USS McCain and the USS Fitzgerald.  The gravity of these accidents – in the air, on land, and at sea – could have likely been avoided given the proper resources and enhanced military readiness.

It is imperative that Congress take immediate action to give our servicemen and women the proper resources they need to keep our nation safe. That’s why I am proud that the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2019 passed the House with strong bipartisan support last week.

This bill authorizes funding for our military, including the highest pay raise for our troops in almost a decade.  The bill prioritizes military readiness and rebuilding the military so that our troops can safely meet current and future threats.

This year also marks the 100^th anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I. The NDAA reflects on a century of military service and focuses on the men and women who sacrificed to secure America’s freedoms.  While those who served in the First World War are no longer with us, their memories live on in the hearts of younger generations everywhere.

I recently had the distinct pleasure of speaking at the Alabama Blue Star Salute Celebration at Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile.  This annual event to pays tribute to the Armed Forces and the military heroes who have served our country.

As I addressed the crowd, I was filled with pride to see servicemembers of all ages, many different ranks, across all branches of service, who had come to participate in the event. I was also struck by the young people in the crowd, who may very well represent the next generation of servicemembers.

Heaviest on my heart were the people not in the crowd – the millions of Americans who lost their lives fighting to protect the red, white, and blue.

Memorial Day gives us the time each year to honor our American heroes at memorial services, vigils, and parades.  Americans proudly display the stars and stripes in remembrance of the sacrifices paid in service to our country.

John 15:13 says it best, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Thank you to all of those who have served, are serving, or intend to serve in the United States military. Our nation is forever grateful.

Rep. Bradley Byrne is Congressman for Alabama’s First Congressional District, which includes all of Baldwin, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe and Washington counties, and a portion of Clarke County.

State: How To Avoid Gas Pump Card Skimmers

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam is providing Floridians and visitors simple tips to avoid identity-stealing card skimmers placed on gas pumps.

“Floridians and visitors shouldn’t have to worry about losing their hard-earned money to scammers who prey on victims at gas pumps. A few simple steps can help prevent identity theft,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.

Travelers can take the following steps to avoid skimmers at gas stations:

• Pay in cash inside the store to ensure credit card information stays safe.
• Check to make sure the gas pump dispenser cabinet is closed and has not been tampered with.

• Use a gas pump closer to the front of the store. Thieves often place skimmer at the gas pumps farther away from the store so they are not noticed as quickly.
• Use a credit card instead of a debit card. Credit cards have better fraud protection, and the money is not deducted immediately from an account.
• If using a debit card at the pump, choose to run it as a credit card instead of putting a PIN number in. That way, the PIN number is safe.
• Monitor bank accounts regularly to spot any unauthorized charges.
• Consumers who suspect their credit card number has been compromised should report it immediately to authorities and their credit card company.

Consumers who suspect that a gas pump has been tampered with should contact the gas station manager, local law enforcement or the department’s consumer protection and information hotline at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or, for Spanish speakers, 1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832).

Smokies Defeat Wahoos 11-6 To Claim Series Victory

The Blue Wahoos could not get the win in their final game against the Smokies despite a late comeback as Tennessee bested Pensacola, 11-6, to claim the series.

Pensacola trailed 9-4 in the bottom of the eighth. A Nick Longhi two-run base hit cut the Wahoos deficit to 9-6. Gavin LaValley came to the plate with only one out in the inning. LaValley hit a line drive that could have cut the deficit to one, but third basemen Jesse Hodges caught LaValley’s ball, then dove back to the bag to double off Shed Long and end the threat.

Hodges and Zack Short each hit solo home runs in the top of the ninth to increase the Smokies lead to 11-6.

The Blue Wahoos got off to a fast start in the game with four runs over the first two innings. C.J. McElroy, Longhi and LaValley combined to go 6-for-6 in the first and second innings helping the Wahoos to the early advantage. Pensacola starter Wyatt Strahan battled through four-plus innings but was charged with six runs (five earned) in the losing effort. He allowed just one earned run over his first 3.2 innings, but surrendered hits to seven of the last eight batters he faced before getting lifted with two on and nobody out in the fifth.

Carlos Navas, Jesus Reyes, and Juan Martinez combined to allow five runs out of the Pensacola bullpen. Offensively, Longhi and LaValley led the way with three hits each in the losing effort.

Preston Morrison earned the win in relief for the Smokies with a pair of scoreless innings.

The Wahoos will head to Jacksonville to face off against the Jumbo Shrimp for five games. Pensacola will turn to right-hander Daniel Wright (2-2, 4.59) against Shrimp right-hander Nick Neidert (4-3, 3.11).

New ‘Jake Livingston And Century Academy’ Little Free Library Dedicated

The “Jake Livingston and Century Academy Little Free Library” was dedicated Friday afternoon.

The Town of Century recently made a $500 donation to Century Academy in Livingston’s name; a portion of the donation went toward the little free library. The library was constructed by students at Northview High School.

Century Academy, a division of East Hill Academy in Pensacola, specializes in teaching children diagnosed with autism and other related learning disabilities.

Livingston raises funds and volunteers for Autism Pensacola.

The Jake Livingston and Century Academy Little Free Library is located in front of Century Academy at 440 East Hecker Road in Century.  The Little Free Library concept is simple — anyone from the community may borrow a book or give a book to the library.

Pictured above: Jake Livingston cuts the ribbon to dedicate the Jake Livingston and Century Academy Little Free Library. Pictured below: The dedication of the little free library. Pictured bottom: Century Academy students also have an indoor little free library constructed by Pensacola State College. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Is Your Church Having VBS?

Now is the time to submit your Vacation Bible School announcements to NorthEscambia.com so that we can include them on our events page and let everyone know.

Email your VBS event details to: news@northescambia.com

Please try to submit your information as far in advance as possible.

Escambia County High Grad Hubert Completes Basic Training

U.S. Air Force Airman Donineque C. Hubert graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, TX

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Hubert is the son of Shiley C. Hubert of Atmore.

He is a 2013 graduate of Escambia County High School in Atmore.

Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: A Food Fight And A Power Play

For a while, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and Congressman Ron DeSantis were in danger of serious elbow injuries in a “who’s the Trumpiest” contest that’s part of their larger battle to capture the Republican nomination to succeed Gov. Rick Scott.

But it seems that Fox News darling DeSantis has captured the heart not only of President Donald Trump but perhaps the entire First Family.

The president’s namesake, Donald Trump Jr., will be in the Sunshine State to stump for DeSantis next month, according to the congressman’s campaign staff. The First Son will also give a Trump stamp of approval to DeSantis’ fellow Fox fave, Panhandle Congressman Matt Gaetz, prior to Florida’s August primary election.

DeSantis has been boasting for a while that he’s garnered the endorsement of the president, who’s more than once praised the Palm Coast Republican. But appearing onstage with the younger Trump will burnish the congressman’s conservative credentials in his grudge match against Putnam.

The agriculture commissioner, meanwhile, remains ensnared in a controversy about Publix after reports last week that the supermarket company contributed more than $600,000 to Putnam’s gubernatorial campaign over the past three years.

Gun-control advocates, who had already targeted Putnam for calling himself “a proud NRA sellout,” quickly called for a boycott of Publix, while supporters of both the Lakeland-based company and Putnam encouraged shoppers to spend their time and money at the iconic grocery chain.

Election-season verbal backstabbing in Florida and throughout the nation prompts a pause for reflection on how a little kindness might offset the animosity that’s become the norm.

“Constant kindness can accomplish much,” the late, great humanitarian Albert Schweitzer advised. “As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate.”

POWER COMPANY BULKS UP

Publix isn’t the only Florida corporate behemoth in the news: Florida Power & Light’s parent company, NextEra Energy Inc., announced this week it will buy Northwest Florida’s Gulf Power as part of a $6.475 billion deal.

NextEra plans to buy Gulf Power, the Florida City Gas natural-gas company and ownership interests in two power plants from The Southern Company. The purchase of Gulf Power and the stakes in the power plants, which are subject to federal approval, are expected to close during the first half of 2019, while the Florida City Gas purchase is slated for the third quarter of 2018, according to a NextEra Energy announcement.

The deal would expand NextEra Energy’s already-massive footprint in the state. Its Florida Power & Light subsidiary is by far the largest electric utility in Florida, serving nearly 5 million customers. Gulf Power, with about 450,000 customers in eight counties, is the largest utility in the Panhandle.

Florida City Gas has about 110,000 residential and commercial natural-gas customers in Miami-Dade, Brevard, St. Lucie and Indian River counties.

“These transactions will provide meaningful benefits for the state of Florida, and Gulf Power and Florida City Gas customers, as well as NextEra Energy shareholders,” Jim Robo, chairman and chief executive officer of NextEra Energy, said in a prepared statement. “Importantly, these transactions are consistent with our long-standing, disciplined approach of maintaining the strength of our balance sheet and credit ratings, both of which are among the strongest in the industry.”

PLEASE SIR, MAY I HAVE SOME MORE … PAGES?

In other regulatory news, state health officials heard a litany of warnings this week about potential flaws in a proposed medical marijuana rule.

A hearing about the proposed rule came more than seven months after a legislatively mandated Oct. 3 deadline for the Department of Health to issue new medical-marijuana licenses, in what could be one of the country’s largest cannabis markets.

The proposed rule, released more than three weeks ago, set in motion the application process — considered far behind schedule by many legislators — for four highly sought-after licenses.

But the issues identified during a Thursday hearing signaled possible legal or administrative challenges that could further postpone the issuance of licenses.

Lawmakers ordered the new licenses after voters approved a 2016 constitutional amendment that broadly legalized marijuana as a treatment for patients with debilitating medical conditions.

The law requires one of the new licenses to go to a black farmer who was involved in federal litigation about discriminatory lending practices. And the statute requires health officials to give preference for up to two licenses to applicants that “own one or more facilities that are, or were, used for the canning, concentrating, or otherwise processing of citrus fruit or citrus molasses and will use or convert the facility or facilities for the processing of marijuana.” The citrus preference is the subject of one of several marijuana-related court challenges.

During about an hour of public testimony Thursday, most of the complaints were focused on the citrus-related language in the proposed rule.

Lawyer Seann Frazier pointed out that the proposed regulation substituted the word “property” for “facilities,” which, he said, “adds vagueness” and may broaden the language in the statute, something the agency is not permitted to do.

The proposed rule would give the two highest-scoring applicants who are eligible for the citrus preference an extra 35 points, in addition to a total of 1,150 possible points available to all applicants. The 35 extra points amount to just a 3 percent bonus, Frazier said.

“We respectfully suggest that more weight should be given to the citrus preference” to “avoid a situation where you issue licenses and no one really had a meaningful exercise of the preference,” Frazier, who represents Tampa-based Louis del Favero Orchids, said.

Office of Medical Marijuana Use Director Christian Bax asked Frazier if he had a suggestion about how many points the citrus preference should be worth.

“I suggest it should be a lot higher preference, one that would make a difference that a citrus-qualifying applicant will actually receive a license,” said Frazier, whose client is interested in seeking one of the citrus-preference licenses.

Other speakers complained that page limits imposed in the proposed rule could prevent applicants from providing necessary information, such as how many dispensaries they plan to open or information about human-resources policies.

Bax said the health department would take the concerns into consideration.

“If the department believes that a change needs to be made, then it will be made. If not, then we’ll continue to move forward with this process,” he said.

STORY OF THE WEEK: NextEra Energy, the parent company of Florida Power & Light, is buying Gulf Power as part of a $6.475 billion deal.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “If all New York has to do to prevent inmate misconduct and crime is gently remind them not to misbehave, one wonders why that state’s prisons have fences and walls. Why not simply post signs reminding inmates not to escape? If New York wants to engage in a fantasy about convicted criminals behaving like model citizens while serving out their sentences, it is free to do so, but the Constitution does not require Florida to join New York in la-la-land.” — 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Chief Judge Ed Carnes, siding with Florida corrections officials in a lawsuit challenging the state’s censorship of Prison Legal News. The publication is available to inmates in every state but Florida.

by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida

Library Summer Reading Program Begins May 29

Summer Reading Club 2018 “Libraries Rock” will kick off at all West Florida Public Libraries locations on Tuesday, May 29, with opportunities for adults and youth to participate and be entered to win a variety of prizes.

Participants and parents wanting to sign up their children may do so at any WFPL branch from May 29 through Aug. 4.

Youth ages 0-17 will get reading logs to keep track of every 15 minutes they read. After 12.5 hours of reading, they get a free book and a bonus reading log to be entered for additional prizes.

Youth prizes include books, ukuleles, tablets, Bluetooth speakers, bongo drums, otamatones, karaoke machines, musical instrument sets, light-up gloves and disco ball, voice-changing microphones and firetruck rides to school for a few lucky students.

Summer Reading Club youth programs include Tampa Taiko Drummers, Roger Day, The Moogician, Magical Poodles, Mike Artell, Reno’s Reptiles, Bucky & GiGi, Quite a Catch and Animal Tales (schedule below).

Adults will have a separate Summer Reading Club with prizes including ukuleles, tablets, Adirondack chairs and gift cards.

Escambia County residents 18 years old and above can pick up a Summer Reading Club log bookmark at any WFPL location. Fill in the bookmark with the titles of books that you read or listen to via audiobook during the summer and return the filled-in bookmarks to any location. During the first week in August, partially filled in bookmarks will be accepted.

Drawings will take place during the first week of August. Winners will be notified by Tuesday, Aug. 7. At the halfway mark, youth and adult Summer Reading Club participants will be entered in a drawing for six chickens and a coop. The winner of the chicken coop must complete Chicken Keeping 101 class held at Pensacola Library.

There will also be a top prize drawing for a keyboard at the end of Summer Reading Club, which is open to youth and adult participants.

Summer Reading Club programs for children:

Tampa Taiko Drummers

• Tuesday, June 5, 11 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library – Weather permitting program will be held at Big Lagoon State Amphitheater
• Tuesday, June 5, 4 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
• Wednesday, June 6, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
• Wednesday, June 6, 4 p.m. – Pensacola Library
• Thursday, June 7, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
• Friday, June 8, 11 a.m. – Tryon Branch Library
  Tampa Taiko is back this summer with a dynamic, interactive show featuring Japanese Taiko drums

Roger Day, Musician

• Tuesday, June 12, 11 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library – Weather permitting program will be held at Big Lagoon State Park Amphitheater
• Tuesday, June 12, 4 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
• Wednesday, June 13, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
• Wednesday, June 13, 4 p.m. – Pensacola Library
• Thursday, June 14, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
• Friday, June 15, 11 a.m. – Tryon Branch Library
  Award winning children’s musician Roger Day has played with the Indigo Girls, Nancy Griffith and the Crickets (Buddy Holly’s band). You don’t want to miss his performance!

The Moogician, Entertainer

• Tuesday, June 19, 11 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library – Weather permitting program will be held at Big Lagoon State Park Amphitheater
• Tuesday, June 19, 4 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
• Wednesday, June 20, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
• Wednesday, June 20, 4 p.m. – Pensacola Library
• Thursday, June 21, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
  Todd Charles (the Moogician) combines magic, music and milk in a creative comedy show for kids.

Mike Artell, Artist

• Tuesday, June 26, 11 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library – Weather permitting program will be held at Big Lagoon State Park Amphitheater
• Tuesday, June 26, 4 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
• Wednesday, June 27, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
• Wednesday, June 27, 4 p.m. – Pensacola Library
• Thursday, June 28, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
• Friday, June 29, 11 a.m. – Tryon Branch Library
  Mike Artell, author of “Petite Rouge The Cajun Red Riding Hood”, visits the library to share his unique talents including cartooning and music.

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