Home For The Holidays: A Christmas Surprise
December 17, 2014
Two Escambia County elementary school students received a special surprise Tuesday. They thought their uncle was still deployed overseas in Japan, but he had a Christmastime surprise for second grader Penelope Saxton and her brother, kindergarten student Riley Saxton.
They were together in a classroom at Scenic Heights Elementary School when their uncle, Airman Ean Van Gemerden, popped in from an adjacent room. After a brief pause, they off running into the arms of their “Uncle E”.
Penelope was in tears, but she assured everyone that they were happy tears because her hero was home for the holidays.
Van Gemerden has been deployed on the USS George Washington homeported in Yokosuka, Japan, for the past two years and is home for Christmas with his family.
The family members had been in touch via occasional phone calls and Facebook posts, but this was his first chance to see – and hug – his little loved ones in a long time.
Ean Van Gemerden also attended Scenic Heights Elementary School, so having the reunion at the school seemed like a fun idea to his sister, Ayla Van Gemerden. Principal Mary Ellen Wiggins and staff were happy to assist her in the coordination of the surprise.
After the holidays, Airman Van Gemerden will be returning to Japan to crossdeck from the Washington to the USS Ronald Reagan. While Van Gemerden has enjoyed his time in the Navy so far, he said, “When when you travel far from home, you realize what you have been taking for granted and you really wish you were home.”
Pictured top: Ean Van Gemerden shares a welcome home hug with his niece and nephew, Penelope and Riley Saxton. Pictured inset: Penelope and Riley’s mother, Ayla Van Gemerden (holding their little brother),and Ean Van Gemerden’s mom, Sara Exner, look on. Pictured below: Van Germerden visits helps with a gingerbread project. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Council Workshop Meeting To Discuss Economic Development Plan
December 17, 2014
The Century Town Council has scheduled a special workshop meeting for this Thursday, December 18 at 3 p.m.
During the meeting, town council members and the mayor will meet with Brick Harris, co-director of the University of West Florida’s Haas Center to discuss implementation of the town’s economic development plan.
The Haas Center recently developed Century’s economic development strategic plan, funding by a $25,000 grant.
State Attorney: Deputy Justified In April Shooting
December 17, 2014
The shooting of a Pensacola man by Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy last April has been ruled justified, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
During the early morning hours of April 14, deputies responded to the 3000 block of Bent Oak Road in reference to suicidal threats. Thomas Eugene Fillingim, had been reported earlier as missing, armed and suicidal late the night before had returned to the home.
When deputies arrived on scene Fillingim was in possession of a knife and had cut his own throat from ear to ear. Fillingim, armed with a knife, lunged at Deputy Albert Kalber who discharged his service weapon in self defense.
“Due to the circumstances faced at that moment in time, Deputy Kalber was justified in the use of deadly force at the time he shot Thomas Fillingim,” Assistant State Attorney Coleman Robinson concluded in his report.
Wildfire Danger Remains High
December 17, 2014
Officials with the Florida Forest Service’s Blackwater Forestry Center – serving Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties – are warning residents of the local wildfire danger level.
Dry weather has led to an increase in local wildfires, with the Florida Forest Service responding to at least a dozen fires in the past week. Until substantial precipitation is received, officials said the potential for fire ignition and spread will remain high.
With the increase in wildfires comes an increase in the likelihood drivers could encounter smoke on the road. Here are some tips:
DRIVE WITH LIGHTS on low beam. High beams will only be reflected back off the fog and actually impair visibility even more. Your lights help other drivers see your vehicle, so be sure they all work. Keep your windshield and headlights clean, to reduce the glare and increase visibility.
SLOW DOWN – and watch your speedometer – before you enter a patch of fog. Be sure that you can stop within the distance that you can see. Fog creates a visual illusion of slow motion when you may actually be speeding. Speed is a major factor in fog-related crashes.
WATCH OUT for slow-moving and parked vehicles. Listen for traffic you cannot see. Open your window a little, to hear better.
REDUCE THE DISTRACTIONS in your vehicle. Turn off the radio and cell phone. Your full attention is required.
USE WIPERS AND DEFROSTERS liberally for maximum visibility. Sometimes it is difficult to determine if poor visibility is due to fog or moisture on the windshield.
USE THE RIGHT EDGE of the road or painted road markings as a guide.
BE PATIENT. Avoid passing and/or changing lanes.
SIGNAL TURNS well in advance and brake early as you approach a stop.
DO NOT STOP on a freeway or heavily traveled road. You could become the first link in a chain-reaction collision. If you must pull off the road, signal (people tend to follow tail lights when driving in fog), then carefully pull off as far as possible. After pulling off the road, turn on your hazard flashers (hazard lights should only be used when you pull over to show that you are parked on the side of the road). Move away from the vehicle.
Byrneville Students In Grades 3-5 Present Christmas Musical (With Gallery)
December 17, 2014
Byrneville Elementary School students in grades 3-5 presented their Christmas program – “Twinkle & Shine! A Musical That Celebrates the Light at the Top of the Tree” – Tuesday night at Northview High School.
For a photo gallery, click here.
For story and photos from Monday night’s grade K-2 performance, click here.
Photo by Raja Atallah for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Health Department Lifts Mosquito Borne Illness Alert
December 17, 2014
A mosquito-borne illness alert that was issued back in August for Escambia County has been lifted, the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County announced Tuesday.
Although mosquito-borne illnesses are less common in the winter months, the health department still urges local residents to “Drain and Cover” to protect against being bitten by mosquitoes:
Drain standing water.
- Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots or any other containers where sprinkler or rain water has collected. Water held in open containers in your house is also a potential breeding location for mosquitoes.
- Discard old tires, bottles, pots, broken appliances and other items that aren’t being used.
- Empty and clean birdbaths and pets’ water bowls at least twice a week.
- When protecting boats and vehicles from rain, ensure that tarps don’t accumulate water.
- Maintain swimming pools in good condition and keep them adequately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.
Cover skin with clothing or repellent and cover doors and windows.
- Clothing – Wear shoes, socks, long pants and long sleeves when mosquitoes are most prevalent.
- Use repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535.
- Always use repellents according to the label. Using too much repellent doesn’t make it work better or last longer.
- Re-apply mosquito repellent as often as needed to prevent mosquito landings and bites.
- When using repellent on children, apply to your hands first and then rub on their arms and legs.
- Instead of repellent, use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.
- Place screens on windows, doors, porches, and patios. Always repair broken screens.
For more information contact the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County at (850) 595-6700 or visit www.EscambiaHealth.com.
HS Basketball: Northview Beats Jay
December 17, 2014
Northview 62, Jay 42
The Northview Chiefs beat jay 62-42 in a district game Tuesday night in Jay.
Eric Williams led the Chiefs with 29, while the Royals were led by Eric Travino with 15.
Northview 65, Jay 21 – JV
In junior varsity action, Northview beat Jay 65-21 Tuesday.
Northview will head north to Atmore Friday to take on Escambia County High School. The junior varsity games tips off at 4:30, followed by the varsity at 6:00. The Royals will host the Jay High School Christmas tournament starting on Thursday.
Jeb Bush To ‘Actively Explore’ Presidential Bid
December 16, 2014
After weeks of increasing speculation about his plans, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said Tuesday he will “actively explore” a possible bid for president in 2016.
Bush made the announcement on Twitter and Facebook. He wrote on Facebook about spending time with his wife, Columba, children and grandchildren at Thanksgiving.
“We also talked about the future of our nation,” Bush wrote. “As a result of these conversations and thoughtful consideration of the kind of strong leadership I think America needs, I have decided to actively explore the possibility of running for President of the United States.”
Bush, who was elected governor in 1998 and served two terms, also wrote that he will establish what is known as a “Leadership PAC” in January “that will help me facilitate conversations with citizens across America to discuss the most critical challenges facing our exceptional nation. The PAC’s purpose will be to support leaders, ideas and policies that will expand opportunity and prosperity for all Americans.”
Bush, 61, made the announcement a day after giving a commencement address at the University of South Carolina — a state that plays a major role in Republican primaries. If he ultimately decides to run, Bush would seek to follow his father and brother into the White House.
But Bush also would face fierce opposition from Democrats and likely from some Republicans who disagree with him on issues such as immigration reform and education policy. The Florida Democratic Party website Tuesday, for example, featured a prominent picture of Bush and touted what it said was his “awful week” that included “damning articles” in national media outlets.
Bush’s Facebook post did not say when he will make a final decision about entering the race.
“In the coming months, I hope to visit with many of you and have a conversation about restoring the promise of America,” he wrote.
Century Woman Charged With Selling Stolen 18-Wheeler Rims For Scrap
December 16, 2014
A Century woman is facing multiple felony charges for allegedly selling stolen aluminum commercial 18-wheeler truck rims at a Pensacola recycling facility.
Madeline Hope Johnson, age 32 of Old Flomaton Road, was charged with three felony counts of knowingly providing false ownership to a secondhand metals recycler and three felony counts of dealing in stolen property.
She allegedly sold 10 rims during three different trips to Wise Recycling, each worth $200 to $300, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report. Johnson told deputies that she was requested by Charles Allen Aplin to take him and the rims to the recycling business. Surveillance video shows Johnson unloading the rims and rolling them over to a set of scales to be weighed for scrap.
She told deputies that the Rims belonged to Aplin. According to deputies, Johnson was living adjacent to a trucking company that reported 16 rims stolen, 10 of which were identified as those recycled by Johnson, the report states.
Alpin, 46, was charged last month with grand theft and dealing in stolen property. He remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond due to an outstanding failure to appear warrant. Johnson is being held in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $10,000.
What’s That Smell? DEP Wants Escambia, Santa Rosa Residents To Report Odors
December 16, 2014
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Northwest District is launching an online reporting tool to gather data regarding ongoing odor complaints received from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The department has been investigating odor complaints since Wednesday, Dec. 10. Information currently available to the department has been inconclusive in establishing the source of the odor.
The department is requesting that residents in Santa Rosa and Escambia counties experiencing any unusually strong odors report them here.
The information provided through this online reporting tool will assist the department with identifying the source of the odor.