Escambia County Animal Shelter Awarded $75K Renovation Grant
December 24, 2017
The Escambia County Animal Shelter has been awarded a $75,000 grant for extensive renovations to the shelter, which will improve animal welfare while enhancing overall aesthetics at the shelter. The renovation process will also be filmed and broadcast nationally on PBS on an episode of Shelter Me, an uplifting film series that celebrates shelter pets and the people who help them.
The grant was applied for by Friends of the Escambia County Animal Shelter, a nonprofit organization that supports the shelter through resources, outreach, education and more. Renovations will include new cat adoption rooms, an outdoor cat area, new play yards for dogs and upgrades to the shelter’s lobby area.
“To be honored with a $75,000 grant is huge,” Friends of the Escambia County Animal Shelter Vice President Kim Rainer said. “To be able to give this to our shelter is exactly what we’ve been working for since we started.”
Rescue Rebuild is seeking volunteers for the Escambia County Animal Shelter project, including corporate groups and individuals. No construction or renovation experience are necessary, but volunteers should be medically fit for manual labor. The volunteers are currently needed Saturday, Jan. 20 through Monday, Jan. 28, although it is not required to volunteer each day. Tools are also not a requirement, but volunteers with tools are greatly appreciated. Click here to sign up.
Escambia County Animal Services Director John Robinson said the renovations will focus on increasing adoptability while making the animals’ time at the shelter more comfortable and enjoyable. Many of the issues with the animal shelter’s current setup stem from the fact that it was built about 20 years ago when shelters were not designed to promote adoptions and create a welcoming atmosphere for the public, Robinson said.
“Rescue Rebuild is going to put a facelift on the shelter that makes it a fun place for people to go to see animals, to adopt animals,” Robinson said. “There are a lot of things they’re doing here that are going to benefit the animals while they’re staying at the shelter. While you want their stay to be shorter, you also want it to be not so institutional-like. We want the animals to have fun and be happier and healthier because of the things that we do, and this is going to give us a lot of opportunities to do that.”
Rainer said although something as simple as a play area may seem small, changes like that will create a chain reaction that supports a more adoptable environment.
“Providing play yards for animals means every animal in that shelter gets out to play…that provides mental stimulation for them, it gets them out in the sun, in the fresh air and makes them happier,” Rainer said. “So when people come to meet a dog, they’re not going to see a frantic, panicked dog that’s been locked in their kennel too long. They’re going to be happier and more well-balanced, and that will improve the overall morale in the shelter.”
Although the monetary total of the grant is $75,000, Robinson said the true value is much greater since all of the renovation labor will be completed by volunteers. In addition to the animal area upgrades, the grant will cover renovations to the laundry room, dishwashing areas and a new studio where animals can be photographed for online adoption websites.
Through the grant, Escambia County Animal Shelter staff will also receive training from Dogs Playing for Life, a program for shelter dogs that promotes animal play groups to socialize dogs in a natural environment and support better adoption matches.
Robinson emphasized his appreciation to Friends of the Escambia County Animal Shelter, who took the initiative to create the grant application video and submit the necessary information to be awarded the grant.
“That’s the best part about having a partner organization like Friends, and all the things they do for our shelter – particularly a grant like this that is going to be so impactful on the shelter and the community,” Robinson said. “We would have never had the opportunity to do this without them.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Health Department Offers Tips For Safe And Healthy Holiday Season
December 24, 2017
This Christmas, the Florida Department of Health would like to remind everyone to stay safe, prepared and aware. With the excitement of the holidays in the air, it can be easy to forget about safety precautions and careful behavior.
“The Department of Health encourages everyone to put safety into practice, particularly during the holidays,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of State Dr. John Armstrong. “We want all Floridians and visitors to have memories of a joyous holiday season.”
The Department of Health offers the following tips to ensure a safe and healthy holiday season:
- Handle and Prepare Food Safely. As you prepare holiday meals, keep yourself and your family safe from food-related illness. Always wash your hands before preparing foods and after handling raw meat. Avoid cross-contamination by keeping raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs (including their juices) away from ready-to-eat foods and eating surfaces. Cook foods to the proper temperature and refrigerate promptly. Do not leave perishable foods out for more than two hours. Also, be aware of ingredients that may cause allergic reactions.
- Practice Fire Safety. Use flame-resistant, flame-retardant and non-combustible materials and keep candles away from Christmas trees, decorations and combustible materials. Before you string lights on your house or trees, inspect the strands, to make sure there aren’t any frayed cords or cracked bulbs. Also, don’t use indoor lights outside and vice versa. Check the tag on the string of lights to be sure. Be sure to install or check smoke alarms, and unplug your Christmas tree during sleeping hours.
- Travel Safely. When traveling, have a trusted friend or neighbor keep an eye on your home and avoid speaking to strangers about your travel plans. Avoid driving alone or at night and always be aware of your surroundings. Text messaging can wait until you safely arrive at your destination. Always park in well-lit areas and do not leave the car unoccupied with the motor running or with children inside.
- Prevent Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning: As temperatures drop, the potential for CO poisonings rise. CO is a highly poisonous gas produced by burning fuels such as gasoline, natural gas, propane, kerosene, charcoal, and wood. The Department discourages citizens from burning charcoal inside a house, garage, vehicle, or tent, including in a fireplace.
- Watch the Kids. Children need to be watched closely, especially when they’re eating and playing. Keep potentially-dangerous toys, food, drinks, household items, choking hazards (like coins and hard candy) and other objects out of kids’ reach. Do not leave children unattended around space heaters or the fireplace.
Young Flomaton Woman Killed In Wreck Near Century
December 23, 2017
A young Flomaton woman was killed in a three-vehicle wreck Friday night west of Century.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 19-year old Daizee Brooke Angus was traveling east on Highway 4A near Broomes Road when she failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway. Her 2003 Chevrolet Impala traveled onto the south shoulder of Highway 4A where she over-corrected and traveled back across the roadway onto the north shoulder. Her Impala overturned approximately four times, coming to rest on its roof in a ditch. The FHP said Angus was ejected from the vehicle between the third and fourth rollover.
Angus came to rest in the westbound lane of Highway 4A where she was subsequently struck by two cars – a 2007 Mazda CX-7 driven by 25-year old Haley N. Smith of Flomaton and a 2016 Chrysler 200 driven by 19-year old Alston S. Wiggins of McDavid.
Angus, who was not wearing a seat belt, was pronounced deceased on the scene. Smith and Wiggins were not injured.
Any charges in the crash are pending the outcome a Florida Highway Patrol traffic homicide investigation.
A secondary crash occurred at the same scene when the driver of a pickup truck swerved to miss the victim in the roadway and collided with another pickup truck (pictured below). Neither driver was injured. The names of those drivers were not released.
The roadway was closed for hours by the accidents.
Pictured top: The young woman driving this Chevrolet Impala was ejected as the vehicle flipped multiple times on Highway 4A near Century Friday night. Pictured below: Two pickup trucks involved in a secondary collision Friday night following an initial fatal crash. There were no injuries reported from the pickup trucks. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Former President Of Molino Business Charged With $76K Alleged Theft
December 23, 2017
A former president of a Molino business has been charged with allegedly stealing tens of thousands of dollars from the company.
Scott Allen Taylor, 41, was arrested at his home Friday afternoon on multiple felony charges for the alleged crimes against Hendrix Service Center in Molino. He was charged with fraud, grand theft and uttering a forged instrument. He was released from the Escambia County Jail late Friday night on a $25,000 bond, according to jail records.
According to a warrant affidavit, Taylor is accused of stealing $76,483.09 from Hendrix Service Center between September 2016 and August 2017. Taylor was president of the corporation at the time and owned 49 shares of the company while the vice president owned 51 shares.
The majority owner reported to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that Taylor opened an account without his knowledge and by forging his signature at Hancock Bank. Documentation provided to the bank showed the Hendrix account address to be Taylor’s home address on Cocoa Drive in Pensacola, not the business location on Highway 29 in Molino. Taylor was the only person authorized to write checks and withdraw money from the account.
The victim told deputies that some of the direct deposits to the business were being deposited into the new account.
According to the warrant affidavit, Taylor was responsible for processing invoices and payments from an extended warranty company, and he diverted direct deposit payments into the Hancock Bank account. The affidavit states a total of $72,501.72 was deposited into the unauthorized account, and Taylor was reimbursed $3.981.37 for a total of $76,483.09. Investigators found that the majority of the purchases from the account appeared to be personal expenses to several restaurants, Disney resorts, Disney tickets, Google, PlayStation, barber shops and other stores.
Taylor resigned from the Hendrix board of directors prior to being questioned by investigators, the documents state. He is due in court in January.
No Serious Injuries In Hwy 29 Crash
December 23, 2017
There were no serious injuries reported in a two vehicle collision Friday evening on Highway 29. The accident occured about 6:45 p.m. on Highway 29 near Ten Mile Road. Further details were not released by the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Christmas Government Closures, Trash Pickup Schedules
December 23, 2017
Escambia County Closures:
Below is a listing of Escambia County offices and departments closed Monday, Dec. 25, Tuesday, Dec. 26 and Monday, Jan. 1 in observance of Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
- Escambia County Board of County Commissioners - All departments, including:
- Escambia County Animal Shelter
- West Florida Public Libraries (All locations)
- Escambia County Property Appraiser
- Escambia County Tax Collector
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections office
- Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s office
Escambia County Exceptions:
- ECAT buses will not operate Monday, Dec. 25 and Monday, Jan. 1. Buses will operate on a modified holiday schedule Sunday, Dec. 24 and Sunday, Dec. 31, with Route 59X and 64 running service until 6 p.m. There will be no UWF Trolley or Express Shuttle service from Saturday, Dec. 16 to Tuesday, Jan. 2. UWF service will resume Wednesday, Jan. 3. For more information about ECAT schedules, click here.
- Animal Control will be responding to emergency calls only.
- The Perdido Landfill will be closed Monday, Dec. 25, and landfill operations will resume Tuesday, Dec. 26. Administrative offices will be closed Monday, Dec. 25 and Tuesday, Dec. 26. The Perdido Landfill and administrative offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 1.
Town of Century:
Town of Century offices and departments will be closed Monday, Dec. 25, Tuesday, Dec. 26 and Monday, Jan. 1 in observance of Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
ECUA Escambia County:
There are no changes to the ECUA sanitation collection schedules in Escambia County for garbage, recycling and yard trash services.
ECUA Santa Rosa County:
There will be no collections on Monday, Dec. 1 and Monday, Jan. 1. Monday recycling collections for our Santa Rosa County customers will be made on Wednesday, Dec. 27 and Jan. 3, 2018, respectively for each holiday week.
ECUA Christmas Tree Collections:
ECUA customers in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties may place real wreaths and Christmas trees at the curb for pick-up with their regular yard waste collection. Customers are asked to remove all tinsel and decorations from their trees before placing them at the curb and to ensure that trees, or portions thereof, are no more than 6 feet in length. Trees can be placed at the curb with other yard trash, and should not be placed in the recycling cans or green garbage containers.
City of Pensacola:
City of Pensacola administrative offices will be closed on Monday, December 25, and Tuesday, December 26. All regular operations will resume on Wednesday, December 27. All City resource centers will also be closed on Monday, December 25, and Tuesday, December 26. The Osceola Golf Course and Roger Scott Tennis Center will be closed on Monday, December 25, but will be open on Tuesday, December 26. All sanitation collections normally scheduled for Monday, December 25th will be made on Tuesday, December 26th and Tuesday’s collection will be made on Wednesday, December 27th. Thursday and Friday collection schedule remain unchanged. Customers of City of Pensacola Sanitation Services can also place their organic Christmas trees curbside to be picked up on their trash collection day.
Churches Plan Candlelight And Other Special Christmas Services
December 23, 2017
Numerous area churches will hold special Christmas services as listed below. If you have a service to add to this list, please leave the information in the comments section below.
Highland Baptist Christmas Eve Services – Molino
Highland Baptist Church in Molino will hold morning worship at 10:45 a.m. (no small groups or Sunday School) on Sunday. A Candlelight Service with worship and communion will be held at 5 p.m. Christmas Eve.
Walnut Hill Baptist Christmas Eve Services
Walnut Hill Baptist Church will have morning worship at 10:30 a.m. (no Sunday School). A Candlelight Service will be held at 5 p.m. Christmas Eve.
First Baptist Church Cantonment Christmas Eve Service
First Baptist Church in Cantonment will hold a Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve at 4 p.m.
Abundant Life Christmas Eve Service – Century
Abundant Life Assembly of God In Century will hold a Christmas Eve Communion Service at 10 a.m. Sunday.
Gonzalez United Methodist Christmas Eve Service – Gonzalez
In addition to their three normal Sunday morning services, Gonzalez United Methodist Church will hold two communion and candlelight services: 5:30 p.m. Contemporary Candlelight Service and 7 p.m. Traditional Candlelight Service.
Atmore First Assembly Christmas Eve
Atmore First Asssembly of God Church will hold an 11 a.m. service of Christmas Eve and a Candlelight Service at 5 p.m. A nursery will be provided.
Saint Monica’s Episcopal Church Christmas Eve – Cantonment
Saint Monica’s Episcopal Church will hold their traditional Family-oriented Christmas Eve Service of Holy Eucharist. And a Christmas Eve Midnight Service will begin Sunday at 11 p.m
Olive Baptist Church – Pensacola
Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola and Warrington will hold one Christmas Eve morning service at 10 a.m.. A Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be held at the Main Campus at 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. and on the Warrington Campus at 10 p.m.
Hillcrest Baptist – Pensacola
Hillcrest Baptist Church in will hold morning services at 9:30 a.m. at both campuses. Christmas Eve Candlelight Services will be at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on the Nine Mile Campus and 4 p.m. only on the Spanish Trail Campus.
Immanuel Baptist Church Eve Service – Pace
Immanuel Baptist Church Christmas Eve Lord’s Supper/Candlelight Service will be at 5 p.m. Sunday.
Trinity Luthern Christmas Eve Services – Cantonment
Trinity Lutheran Church – LCMS will hold their Christmas Eve Day Service on Sunday, December 24, at 10 a.m. and Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7 p.m. Christmas Day services will be held on Monday, December 25, at 10 a.m. All services are free and all are welcome. The church is located at 2385 Highway 297A in Cantonment. For more information, visit www.trinity–lutheranchurch.org.
St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church – Atmore
St. Robert’s Bellarmine Catholic Church in Atmore will hold Christmas Eve Services at 9 a.m. for regular mass, 5 p.m. for a children’s Vigil Mass, and at midnight. Christmas Day mass will be at 10 a.m.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Latvala Quits
December 23, 2017
For years, he flexed his muscle as a power broker, often putting the brakes on right-wing priorities of his fellow Republicans and championing legislation that benefited teachers, firefighters, cops and prison guards.
But there’s little doubt that former Sen. Jack Latvala’s legacy won’t be that of a law-enforcement cheerleader, an advocate for protecting Florida’s environment or a defender of local governments.
Instead, the Clearwater Republican likely will go down in history as a villain accused of engaging in a pattern of sexual harassment and possibly breaking ethics rules and laws by allegedly promising to trade legislative favors for sex.
But Latvala’s announcement this week that he is resigning from the Senate is more than a comeuppance for the veteran politician, disparagingly dubbed by critics as “King Jack,” who less than two months ago was one of the Legislature’s most influential members.
The political demise of the Senate’s leading moderate Republican — a dying breed in both chambers of the Legislature — leaves a vacuum for groups such as labor unions, whose influence has dissipated in Florida as the GOP’s dominance has intensified.
“I believe his absence leaves the lack of a strong voice, or a strong advocate. But I believe there are Republicans in the Senate who will take a measured, reasonable approach to dealing with working people in Florida,” said a hopeful Rich Templin, legislative and political director of the Florida AFL-CIO, adding a pointed reminder that more than 40 percent of his union members are Republicans.
But it’s unclear right now who, if anyone, will pick up the mantle.
An overhaul of the state pension system, the weakening of collective-bargaining rights and prison privatization are among the items that Latvala was able to curb during his tenure.
With Christmas bells ringing and last-minute scurrying to fill stockings, few folks around the Capitol are fretting now about such matters. Speculation remains focused on who might be the next elected official to be exposed by a spotlight similar to the one first shined on Latvala in early November by Politico Florida.
To the end, Latvala steadfastly maintained his innocence, pointing the finger for his downfall at political foes and even a special master brought in to investigate the senator’s alleged wrongdoing.
In his resignation letter Wednesday to Senate President Joe Negron, Latvala also condemned the process that resulted in a damning report by Special Master Ronald Swanson, who recommended that findings be referred to law enforcement.
An unyielding Latvala — painted as a vindictive bully by witnesses — took some parting shots at Negron in what might be his final words to the Senate, saying he hated to leave his constituents in the lurch.
“But I have had enough. If this is the process our party and Senate leadership desires, then I have no interest in continuing to serve with you. I, therefore, will resign my seat in the Florida Senate at midnight, January 5, 2018,” he wrote.
THEY DON’T KNOW JACK
With the resignation announcement Wednesday, Latvala will leave his legislative post four days before the annual session kicks off on Jan. 9.
Latvala’s resignation came less than a day after a special master recommended a criminal probe into allegations that the longtime lawmaker had promised legislative favors for sex.
Latvala quit amid increasing pressure — including from Gov. Rick Scott — to step down after Swanson found probable cause to support allegations that the senator had repeatedly groped Senate aide Rachel Perrin Rogers and engaged in a pattern of making unwelcome remarks about women’s bodies.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is handling a preliminary inquiry into allegations of possible public corruption.
The inquiry is based on Swanson’s findings related to an unidentified former lobbyist. Swanson found that the testimony of the former lobbyist and text-message exchanges between the senator and the woman indicated that Latvala may have violated ethics rules as well as “laws prohibiting public corruption” by agreeing to support the lobbyist’s legislative priorities if she would have sex with him or “allowed him to touch her body in a sexual manner.”
If the Florida Department of Law Enforcement determines that a crime may have been committed, the agency will open an investigation. The matter could then be turned over to the Leon County state attorney.
Throughout more than a month of investigations into Latvala’s actions, and continuing on the heels of Tuesday’s damaging special master’s report, the senator vehemently denied that he had made any unwanted physical contact with Perrin Rogers or any other women.
As late as Tuesday night, Latvala posted on his Facebook page that he would return to Tallahassee after Christmas to meet with his legal team and decide his future.
But Wednesday afternoon, the 66-year-old, who made a fortune in the direct-mail business and announced in August that he would run for governor in 2018, sent a letter to Negron announcing he would quit the Senate.
“I have never intentionally dishonored my family, my constituents or the Florida Senate,” Latvala wrote.
Latvala continued to blame political foes for his downfall.
“Our nation has been caught up in a movement to shine a spotlight on behavior that dishonors women,” Latvala wrote, adding that he has spent his “entire career helping women advance in public service.”
But, he wrote, “my political adversaries have latched onto this effort to rid our country of sexual harassment to try to rid the Florida Senate of me.”
Latvala “made the right decision,” Negron said in a statement.
“At all times during this investigation, the Senate has afforded all parties the full and fair opportunity to be heard. The Florida Senate has zero tolerance for sexual harassment or misconduct of any kind against any employee or visitor. The allegations in this complaint, and the resulting special master’s report, describe behavior that violates the public trust,” Negron, R-Stuart, said.
Perrin Rogers, the chief legislative aide for Senate Majority Leader Wilton Simpson, filed a complaint against Latvala with the Rules Committee last month, accusing him of repeatedly groping her and “assaulting” her on an elevator.
The Senate hired former appellate judge Swanson to serve as special master to investigate her complaint, while a private lawyer was hired to conduct a separate probe into sexual harassment allegations against Latvala by six unidentified women, including Perrin Rogers, cited in a Politico Florida report in early November.
Latvala — a churlish and sometimes crass curmudgeon — is in his 16th year in the Senate and has been a political player for four decades. He returned to the Senate in 2010 after an earlier stint that ended because of term limits.
But his political fortunes quickly plummeted in the aftermath of the revelations. Just weeks ago, he held the powerful title of Senate appropriations chairman, a post he lost after the allegations were made public.
The scandal intensified — with lawyers on both sides hurling accusations of intimidation, Perrin Rogers hiring a security guard to protect her in the Capitol, and her attorney asking for a special prosecutor — after the Senate aide filed the complaint.
Perrin Rogers accused Latvala and his supporters of retaliating against her and her husband, Republican political consultant Brian Hughes. She stepped forward and identified herself as one of the women in the Politico story, blaming Latvala for effectively “outing” her to the media.
In a social media post, Simpson, a future Senate president, hailed “the bravery” of his aide Perrin Rogers and others as “an example to all in the process.”
“They deserve honor for their unwavering strength and courage in the face of fear and intimidation. May their actions also serve as a siren to men who seek to harass women. It must stop,” Simpson, R-Trilby, tweeted shortly after Latvala’s resignation was announced.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Clearwater Republican Jack Latvala resigned from his Senate seat, effective Jan. 5, amid an investigation into possible criminal charges related to a sexual harassment probe.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “With this report, the people of Florida now know that the Florida Senate, an august and important institution has been exposed to a terrible truth; the government they fund with their hard earned tax dollars has failed a basic obligation. It has failed to treat employees with dignity and respect by following the law. The person responsible for this sad truth is Jack Latvala,” — Tiffany Cruz, attorney for Senate aide Rachel Perrin Rogers, after the release of the special master’s report.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Molino Outreach Ministry Shoppers Provide Christmas For 100 Local Kids
December 23, 2017
Over 100 local children will have a Merry Christmas thanks to the generous support of Molino Outreach Ministry’s store in Molino. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Highway 97 Bridge To Close For Reconstruction
December 22, 2017
Work is expected to begin in early January to replace a bridge on Highway 97 in Davisville.
The bridge over Sandy Hollow Creek, about a mile south of Highway 4, won’t close until after a temporary bridge is constructed.
The current bridge was constructed in 1940 and was deemed functionally obsolete, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. The bridge has an average daily traffic count of about 5,000 vehicles.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.