Need A Passport? Passport Fair To Be Held Next Week In Century
August 18, 2015
The U.S. Postal Service is hosting a special Passport Fair at Century Post Office next week to accept passport applications and provide passport information.
The event will take place at the Century Post Office are from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. on Monday, August 24. Appointments are not required on this day, so customers are encouraged to show up early, as applicants will be served on a first-come, first-served basis.
“We will continue to leverage the convenience of the Postal Service to help our customers apply for passports. Having this service available where an appointment is not necessary is a plus for our customers”, said Pamela Tramonte, Century Postmaster.
On August 24th, customers can visit Century Post Office to apply for a passport without first having to make an appointment. To help the passport application process go smoothly and efficiently, the Postal Service recommends the following:
• Bring in proper proof of American citizenship. This must be either: a certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state; a previous U.S. passport; a certificate of citizenship; or a naturalization certificate. (Please note: a hospital-issued birth certificate alone is not acceptable.)
• Bring in proof of identity. This must be either: a previous U.S. passport; a naturalization certificate; a certificate of citizenship; or a current valid driver’s license, government ID or military photo ID. Also bring a photo copy of the driver’s license front and back.
• Passport photograph services will be provided on site for a $15.00 fee.
• To save time, customers can download a passport application at www.usps.com/passport to complete their application beforehand.
• All applicants must appear in person (including minors). Applicants under age 16 must appear with both parents. If one parent is not available, a notarized authorization from the absent parent is required along with a copy of their driver’s license front and back.
Each passport for an adult must be accompanied by a check or money order for $110 made payable to the U.S. State Department and a $25 execution fee made payable to Postmaster. Fees for children under 16 are $80 and $25.
The cost to expedite processing at the Department of State is $60 paid per application in addition to required fees.
The cost to expedite delivery service to the passport processing lockbox is $19.99 per family for Priority Mail Express paid to the United States Postal Service.
The cost to expedite delivery service is $14.85 paid per application directly to the Department of State for the delivery of an issued passport book from the Department of State to the customer. This service is only available to mailing addresses within the United States. Not valid for passport cards.
Passport customers may also check the U.S. State Department’s web site at www.travel.state.gov to obtain additional information. U.S. citizens also may obtain passport information by phone, in English or Spanish, by calling the National Passport Information Center toll free at 1-877-487-2778.
Florida Guard Reopens Recruiting Centers
August 18, 2015
Florida National Guard recruiters returned Monday to “storefront” locations for the first time since being pulled out in the wake of a shooting rampage that left four Marines and a sailor dead last month in Tennessee.
“The guardsmen inside are actively and proudly recruiting new heroes,” National Guard Adjutant Gen. Michael Calhoun said in a release from the governor’s office.
Gov. Rick Scott noted in the release that the recruitment centers have upgraded security, including the arming of guard members.
“I will continue to do everything in my power to protect our military members here in Florida,” Scott said in a release. “I hope President Obama is taking notice of what we are doing in Florida, and that he takes similar actions to ensure every branch of our military is protected across our nation.”
The centers are located in Brandon, Jacksonville, Miami, Orange Park, Orlando and Temple Terrace.
Other new security measures include the assignment of additional armed security officers and unspecified infrastructure enhancements at each of the six locations.
Scott commended Calhoun for quickly enacting the new security measures.
Guard members involved with recruiting were relocated to armories and Calhoun was directed to work with local law-enforcement agencies to arrange for regular security checks of the armories under an executive order signed by Scott on July 18. The order came two days after a gunman opened fire at a military-recruiting center and a Navy Reserve facility in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Scott’s order said it was possible improvements at the centers could include installing bulletproof glass and enhancing video-surveillance equipment.
At the time, Scott also said he wanted to fast-track the process for members of the National Guard to obtain concealed-weapons licenses.
Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, whose agency administers concealed-weapons licenses, announced July 27 that all active-duty members of the military and honorably discharged veterans would be moved to the front of the line when seeking licenses.
Since that time, 2,627 concealed-weapon license applications have been expedited, Putnam spokeswoman Jennifer Meale said in an email Monday.
Currently, there are more than 1.41 million concealed-weapons licenses issued in Florida, according to the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
by The News Service of Florida
Evers To Host Community Preparedness Forum Next Week
August 18, 2015
September is National Preparedness Month and State Senator Greg Ever is inviting local residents to take action and make a plan. Residents and business owners are invited to the join a panel of experts on Tuesday, August 25th at the Jean and Paul Amos Performance Studio Building in the WSRE Studio for a one of a kind community preparedness event.
Panelists include Evers; Tasha Carter from the Division of Consumer Services at Florida’s Department of Financial Services; Escambia County Emergency Manager John Dosh; Escambia County Risk Management Officer Robert Dye; , Jay Neal from the Florida Association for Insurance Reform (FAIR); and Paul Handerhan from the Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (FAPIA). The event will highlight:
• Insurance related legislation.
• Pre-loss documentation and making sure you have the right coverage. A free insurance policy review will be available
• The things you need to know to do after a loss.
• Insurance premium and mitigation issues.
• How to avoid being the victim of scammers and
• A review of all of the valuable local resources available in Escambia County.
Evers said that it is important for Panhandle residents to remain vigilant, particularly during hurricane season which runs through November 30th.
“When individuals and communities are better educated about the tools that are available to them they have a better chance of making a full financial recovery after a loss. Our community is no stranger to catastrophic losses, but it’s been quite some time since we’ve suffered a major hurricane. It’s not a matter of if – it’s a matter of when. It’s imperative that everyone be prepared and this event is a great way to start.”
The experts will make their presentations and be on hand to answer any questions. Participants will receive a free insurance policy review (bring an insurance policy) and valuable take home materials.
Early Morning Century Mobile Home Fire Under Investigation
August 17, 2015
A Century mobile home was damaged by an early morning fire Monday.
A neighbor reported smoke and flames coming from the doublewide mobile home about 1 a.m. in the 7000 block of Field Road, just off west Highway 4. The exact cause of the blaze is under investigation.
There were no injuries reported.
The Century, McDavid and Walnut Hill stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Flomaton Fire Department, the Jay Fire Department and Escambia County EMS also responded to the blaze.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man Charged With DUI Manslaughter After Fatal Wreck
August 17, 2015
A Milton man is jailed after a Sunday night wreck on Chumuckla Highway claimed one life and seriously injured another.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 40-year old Anthony Keith White was traveling southbound on Chumuckla Highway north of Highway 90 at a high rate of speed. White’s 2015 Ford F150 collided with a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu driven by 64-year old Ester Brown of Milton as she attempted to turn into the driveway of a business.
Brown was critically injured in the 8:10 p.m. crash. Her passenger, 62-year old Robin C. Brown of Milton died as a result of the crash. White was not injured.
White was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond on a charge of DUI manslaughter.
Man Sentenced On Animal Cruelty Charges
August 17, 2015
An Escambia County man has been sentenced on animal cruelty charges.
Mitchell Brent Dempsey, 36, was sentenced to 180 days in the county jail on two counts of animal cruelty by Judge Gary Bergosh. He was also sentenced to two years probation, during which he is prohibited from owning any animals. He was also ordered to pay restitution to Escambia County and Panhandle Equine Rescue.
Dempsey was charged for neglecting two miniature horses, one of which died. The second, named “Lightning Bug” was rehabilitated by Panhandle Equine Rescue and later became the group’s mascot his own Facebook page.
The only horse rescue in Escambia County, Panhandle Equine Rescue in Cantonment was founded by a small group of concerned citizens with a mission to rescue, rehabilitate and provide adoption services for abused, neglected and abandoned equines. PER is authorized by the court system to investigate equine cruelty in Escambia County.
Pictured top: A rehabilitated miniature horse Lightning Bug at Panhandle Equine Rescue now. Pictured below: Lightning Bug after the arrest of an Escambia man for animal cruelty. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
School Lunch Information: Prices, Free Or Reduced Application Available
August 17, 2015
Parents can expedite the processing of free or reduced lunch applications in Escambia County by submitting the form online.
For students at 30 Escambia County Schools, all children will be provided free meals with no application necessary and regardless of income. For a list of those schools, click here.
For schools not on the list, parents must apply for free or reduced price meals. For the 2015-2016 online free and reduced meal application, click here for a secure form.
Application forms are sent to all homes with a letter to parents or guardians. To apply for free or reduced priced meals, parents of students not approved by direct certification must fill out the application and return it to the school. Additional copies are available in the front office.
Children from households with incomes of less than or equal to the income criteria may be eligible for either free or reduced priced meals. Each school and the school system’s Food Services office have copies which are available to the public.
Meal prices are as follows:
Elementary
- Full price breakfast – $1.25
- Reduced price breakfast – 30¢
- Full price lunch – $2.25
- Reduced price lunch – 40¢
Middle/High Schools
- Full price breakfast- $1.50
- Reduce price breakfast – 30¢
- Full price lunch – $2.50
- Reduced price lunch – 40¢
Biloxi Beats The Wahoos
August 17, 2015
In the deciding game of the series, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos dropped to the Biloxi Shuckers, 5-3, despite a home run from Juan Duran to extend Pensacola’s home run streak to seven straight games.
Barrett Astin fell to 4-4 with Pensacola this year as Drew Gagnon picked up his first win of the season for the Shuckers and Damien Magnifico picked up his 16th save of the season.
Another contingency of season ticket holders and staffers from Pensacola came to MGM Park and watched the game with 1,956 fans. With Mobile and Mississippi’s game canceled, Pensacola remains in second place in the South Division and is a game back behind the BayBears.
The Wahoos got on the board first with by a sacrifice fly from Duran to score Bryson Smith in the first inning. Astin got into a jam in the second inning by allowing the Shuckers to load the bases with no outs after hitting Taylor Green and walking Tyrone Taylor and Parker Berberet. After striking out fellow pitcher Hobbs Johnson, Brett Phillips scored Green on a sacrifice double play to tie the game at 1-1.
Alex Blandino started the third inning with his second hit of the night, after advancing to second on Marquez Smith’s single, he stole third and then scored on Seth Mejias-Brean’s double to give the lead back to the Wahoos.
The Shuckers took the lead in the fourth inning as Taylor and Berberet both doubled to start the inning and then Orlando Arcia drove in Berberet to make the game 3-2.
Biloxi locked up the game in the fifth inning as Victor Roache hit his seventh home run of the season.
Duran knocked his fourth home run of the season in the eighth inning to put the Wahoos in striking distance but it wasn’t enough as the Shuckers nabbed an insurance run to finish the game at 5-3.
The Blue Wahoos return home for a ten game homestand against the Chattanooga Lookouts and Mississippi Braves beginning Tuesday.
School Bus Safety And Traffic Laws
August 17, 2015
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, drivers must follow these school and school bus safety rules:
- Adhere to the posted speed limit in designated school zones.
- When approaching an intersection where a crossing guard is present in the crosswalk with the stop sign raised, do not cross – or turn – into the crosswalk until the guard has completely left the crosswalk.
- Never stop a vehicle in a manner that blocks a crosswalk.
- When you approach a stopped school bus (from behind) with lights flashing and the stop arm extended, you must stop.
- When you approach a stopped school bus (from front) with lights flashing and the stop arm extended, you also must stop, unless:
- you are on a divided highway and the roadways are separated by an unpaved space at least five feet in width, or
- you are on a divided highway and the roadways are separated by a physical barrier.
- You are required to stop at least 10 feet away from the school bus.
- You must not resume driving until the school bus turns its lights off and withdraws its stop sign.
- Be certain all exiting children have reached a safe place before proceeding.
Security Costs For Scott, Bondi, VIPs Nears $3 Million
August 17, 2015
Protection for Gov. Rick Scott, First Lady Ann Scott, other officials and the governor’s mansion cost the state nearly $2.9 million in the recently completed fiscal year, according to an annual report from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The “Report of Transportation and Protective Services” covers the period from July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015.
The largest parts of the costs were for salaries and overtime pay.
The report put the cost of security and transportation for the first family at just under $2.37 million, while 97 details for governors and governors-elect from 35 states, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, along with Attorney General Pam Bondi, the Republican Governors Association and former President George W. Bush, came in at $530,330.
A number of the details covered times when out-of-state governors were in Florida last year campaigning for Scott, such as New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s October appearances in Boca Raton and Plantation — $2,026.16 — and in St. Lucie and Indian River counties — $460.58.
The biggest expense went to a May 22 to July 2 detail involving Bondi that came to $216,240. Another $95,290 was needed to cover expenses involving the Republican Governors Association’s annual conference last November in Boca Raton.
The cost for security when former President Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush visited Florida on Feb. 27 came to $504.15.
by The News Service of Florida