Ag Saves Workshop Series – Securing Your Farm’s Financial Future
March 9, 2015
Escambia County Extension and the University of Florida IFAS will host an Ag Saves Workshop Series, and the registration deadline is Tuesday. This four-session series of interactive workshops will focus on the basics of securing your farm’s financial future and will be offered locally at the Walnut Hill Community Center on Highway 97. In addition to learning from featured speakers, participants will receive a Farm Journal Legacy Project Workbook to help walk their family through the succession planning process.
The four workshop sessions, held from 6 to 7:30 p.m., will cover the following topics:
- Tuesday, March 24 – Preparing for retirement and other goals
- Tuesday, June 23 – Trimming the fat, how to manage and reduce your debt
- Tuesday, July 21 – Securing your family’s and your farm’s future, part 1
- Tuesday, August 18 – Securing your family’s and your farm’s future, part 2
The cost of the class is $55 per family (up to four members) and pre-registration is required by Tuesday, March 10. For more information or to register contact Libbie Johnson or Dorothy Lee at Escambia County Extension (850) 475-5230. or visit bit.ly/AgSavesSeries.
This Week: Fly Along With LifeFlight Over North Escambia
March 8, 2015
Our NorthEscambia.com photographers had the opportunity to fly along with the LifeFlight medical helicopter Saturday. Coming up this week, we’ll share our pictures and show you Walnut Hill and Bratt from the air like most people have never seen, plus we’ll take a look at the helicopter itself.
Pictured top: The new Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill as seen from LifeFlight Saturday morning. Pictured below: LifeFlight lands on a practice field at Northview. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Supervisor Of Elections Offers College Scholarship Opportunity
March 8, 2015
Ecambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford is reminding students that the deadline is approaching to apply for the 2015 Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections (FSASE) college scholarship. Three $1,200 scholarships will be awarded this summer by FSASE for the 2015 school year.
The scholarship is available to juniors or seniors attending an accredited Florida university or college, with a major in: political science, public or business administration, or journalism/mass communications. Among the requirements, students must have maintained a “C” average or above the previous year, demonstrate financial need and be registered to vote.
Copies of the application and full eligibility requirements may be downloaded from the Supervisor of Elections website at EscambiaVotes.com or may be picked up at the Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor. Completed applications must reach the Supervisor’s office by close of business on March 16.
Stafford will forward one application with a written recommendation to the FSASE Scholarship Committee, which will review the submissions from all 67 Florida counties. The scholarships will be awarded by the Association and the winner will be announced at the 2015 FSASE Summer Conference in June.
Students from Escambia County were scholarship winners in 2006, 2009 and 2010.
United Way Offers Two Free Income Tax Filing Programs
March 8, 2015
The United Way of Escambia County is offering free tax help to anyone living in Escambia or Santa Rosa counties with a household income of $60,000 or less.
Online: File your taxes anywhere, anytime at www.myfreetaxes.com. If you have questions, just call the MyFreeTaxes Helpline at 1-855-698-9435, Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. CST for assistance.
In-person: Go to a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site and have an IRS certified volunteer prepare your taxes one-on-one. Dial 2-1-1 or visit www.unitedwayescambia.org/taxhelp for locations and hours of operation.
Photos: Blue Jacket Jamboree
March 8, 2015
The annual Blue Jacket Jamboree was held Saturday at Northview High School with arts and crafts, kids’ activities, food, a car show and more. All proceeds from the event benefited the Northview High School FFA and FFA Scholarship Fund.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Car, SUV Slam Into Century Home
March 7, 2015
A Century resident escaped injury Saturday morning when her own SUV came crashing into her house after been slammed by a sleepy driver.
The accident happened just about 6 a.m. in the 8800 block of North Century Boulevard. The driver of a southbound Chevrolet Impala told authorities she left the roadway after falling asleep at the wheel.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 49-year old Madonnna Schaniel of Atmore then struck a Chevrolet Blazer parked next to the house, sending the SUV through a living room wall. The car then struck the front of the house.
The homeowner was asleep in an adjacent bedroom and not injured. The driver refused medical treatment at the scene.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.Com photos.
Destiny Cleckler Named Miss EWMS (With Photo Gallery)
March 7, 2015
Destiny Cleckler, 13, was named Miss Ernest Ward Middle School Friday night in “Night in Holleywood” pageant at the school
Third runner-up was Morgan Lathan, second-runner up was Ashtyn Carnley, and first runner-up in the annual pageant was Ashlan Harigel.
Other awards presented were: Miss Congeniality Gabrielle Kline, Miss Personality Ashlan Harigel, Physical Fitness award Gabrielle Kline, Poise and Appearance award Ashlan Harigel, and People’s Choice award Emily Stabler.
For a photo gallery from the pageant, click here. Editor’s note: Photo reprints are available. Email news@northescambia.com for details.
Pictured top: First Runner-up Ashlan Harigel, Second Runner-up Ashtyn Carnley, Miss EWMS Destiny Cleckler, and Third Runner-up Morgan Lathan. Pictured inset; Miss EWMS Destiny Cleckler is crowned by last year’s winner Jerni Crabtree. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
March 7, 2015
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending March 5 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Johnson responded to a night hunting complaint north of Milton. The caller advised that he heard two shots from a field near his home. He observed a truck leave the area and return a short time later. Officer Johnson arrived as the suspects were leaving the area. When he stopped the truck, he was greeted by five juveniles in possession of four loaded rifles. Two of the juveniles admitted to shooting at deer in the field, but apparently, they did not hit any of them. Officer Miller arrived on scene to assist. The officers obtained written statements from each of the juveniles detailing their involvement in the incident. After discussing the incident with the State Attorney’s Office, two warrant affidavits were filed charging each of the two shooters with attempting to take deer at night with a gun and light.
Officer Hoomes concluded a trespass investigation which led to the arrest of a suspect. The suspect was charged with one count of armed trespass and one count of trespass on property. A landowner contacted him regarding a subject captured on a game camera as he trespassed on his private property. The man had apparently cut part of a link out of a chain on a gate and drove a golf cart onto the property. He placed a tree stand on the property and had been doing so for some time based on the number of trees that had been climbed on the property. Officer Hoomes was able to identify the suspect and determined that he lived a short distance from the property. He went to interview the suspect and observed the golf cart used during the incident in his yard. The man denied trespassing, but his distinct features captured in the photo clearly told otherwise. The subject was arrested after Officer Hoomes obtained a warrant.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Investigator Wilkenson received a referral from the Sheriff’s Office regarding a wetland complaint. The complainant stated that a property owner was dredging and filling in wetlands. Upon receipt of this environmental complaint, Investigator Wilkenson coordinated the investigation with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). A DEP specialist completed a wetland impact assessment on the property. Investigator Wilkenson followed up by conducting a site inspection on the property and observed fill dirt placed on wetlands. Further, Investigator Wilkenson interviewed the contractor hired by the property owner. The contractor stated he was hired to place fill dirt on the property to create a driveway access. It was determined the activity required an authorization from DEP. The property owner was issued a citation for dredging and filling wetlands without a valid permit from DEP, which is a first degree misdemeanor. This same property owner was cited in October 2013 and adjudicated guilty for the same violation on the same property by Investigator Wilkenson.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week;however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
Lawmakers Consider Sending Kids Back To School Earlier This Fall
March 7, 2015
Florida lawmakers are considering proposals that would allow most school districts to start classes earlier in August. Under current law, most districts can start school as many as 14 days before the Labor Day holiday, though districts classified as “academically high performing” can start earlier. For the upcoming 2015-16 academic year, the 14-day restriction would mean most districts could not start before August 24.
The House Education Committee on Monday is scheduled to take up a wide-ranging bill that includes allowing districts to start as early as August 10.
“The bill provides district flexibility to implement school calendars and assessment schedules based on the district’s needs by deleting the link between the school start date and Labor Day and allowing districts to start school as early as August 10,” said an analysis of the measure.
Also, the Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee this week approved a bill filed by Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, that would allow schools to start 21 days before Labor Day. That would be an August 17 start date for the 2015-16 academic year.
by The News Service of Florida
Time Change: Spring Forward (And Don’t Forget The Smoke Alarm Batteries)
March 7, 2015
Don’t forget to “spring forward” and set your clocks ahead one hour before heading off to bed Saturday night. Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday, making use of longer summer days, allowing people to rise early and spend more of the day working or playing.
The peak time for home fire fatalities is between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. when most families are sleeping, according to Escambia Fire Rescue.
It is also recommended that residents test smoke alarms by pushing the test button, planning “two ways out” and practicing escape routes with the entire family. Families should also prepare a fire safety kit that includes working flashlights and fresh batteries.
Communities nationwide witness tragic home fire deaths each year. An average of three children per day die in home fires and 80 percent of those occur in homes without working smoke alarms. Non-working smoke alarms rob residents of the protective benefits home fire safety devices were designed to provide. The most commonly cited cause of non-working smoke alarms: worn or missing batteries.
Tragically, fire can kill selectively. Those most at risk include:
- Children — Approximately 1,000 children under the age of 20 die each year in home fires. Children under age five are at twice the risk of dying in a home fire. Eighty percent of fatal home fire victims who were children were killed in homes without working smoke alarms.
- Seniors — Adults over age 75 are three times more likely to die in home fires than the rest of the population; those over 85 are 4.5 times more likely to die in a home fire. Many seniors are unable to escape quickly.
- Low-Income Households — Many low-income families are unable to afford batteries for their smoke alarms. These same households often rely on poorly installed, maintained or misused portable or area heating equipment — a main cause of fatal home fires.
Changing smoke alarm batteries at least once a year is one of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce these tragic deaths and injuries. In fact, working smoke alarms nearly cut in half the risk of dying in a home fire. Additionally, the International Association of Fire Chiefs recommends replacing your smoke alarms every ten years.
For more information about fire safety, call Escambia County Fire Rescue at 850-475-5530 or visit the web site at www.myescambia.com.
For information about obtaining a free home smoke alarm call 850-595-HERO (4376).