Storytime Held Each Week At The Local Library
January 19, 2015
The West Florida Public Library offers Story Time for children five and younger each week.
Story Time is held:
- 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays at the Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
- 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays at the Molino Branch Library, 6450-A Highway 95A
- 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays at the Main Library: 239 North Spring Street
- 4 p.m. Thursdays at the Century Branch Library, 7991 North Century Boulevard
- 10:30 a.m. Thursdays at the Tryon Branch Library, 1200 Langley Avenue.
For more information call (850) 436-5060 or visit www.mywfpl.com. The events area always free of charge.
Panel Works To Expand Legal Help For Low, Moderate Income Residents
January 19, 2015
A commission established by Supreme Court Chief Justice Jorge Labarga began a year-long effort last week to make civil justice services more accessible to both low- and moderate-income Floridians.
The 27-member Florida’s Commission on Access to Civil Justice won’t create anything new but will build on what other states with limited resources like Florida’s are already doing to keep individuals from having to navigate the complex court system on their own, Labarga said.
“This issue is not just a legislative issue, not just an executive issue, it is a societal problem,” Labarga said at the commission’s first meeting in Tallahassee on Friday. “And it is something society in general needs to fix.”
People representing themselves in court are often confused by simple paperwork or stumble over writing a legal brief, county clerks told the panel.
The commission will also explore the possibility of establishing public-private partnerships with businesses to help offset the costs of legal services.
“Employers provide people with health insurance. Well let’s provide them with legal insurance,” Labarga said. “There is such a thing and it’s very inexpensive. Little things like that help take the stress off of what people are going through.”
An interim report is due in October and the final product will be released in 2016.
Making the courts more accessible to all Floridians is a goal that Labarga announced in June when sworn in as the state’s 56th chief justice.
One of the things the panel will have to figure out is how to provide additional funding for civil legal aid without simply asking for money from state legislators. Gov. Rick Scott has red-lined from the state budget such allocations each year since he assumed office in 2011.
Fleming Island Republican Sen. Rob Bradley, an attorney who is a member of the commission, said there remains a role for government funding, but “it needs to be part of a larger plan.”
Gregory Coleman, president of The Florida Bar and a member of the commission, estimated that about 60 percent of moderate-income families now struggle to pay for civil legal services.
“The folks that are making $40,000, $50,000 a year, supporting a family of four, if they have to get divorced, they can’t afford a lawyer at $50, an hour, $25 an hour,” Coleman said.
Legal-aid lawyers currently handle tens of thousands of cases a year, with many of the cases dealing with family issues, including divorce and child custody, or housing issues, such as foreclosures.
Scott’s veto of $2 million for legal services for the poor last year came as former Florida Supreme Court Justice Raoul Cantero and attorneys for the poor pushed an effort to increase Florida Bar dues by up to $100 to help fund legal-service groups across the state.
The state Supreme Court heard arguments Dec. 2 on raising a $265 cap on the Bar’s annual membership fees. The Florida Bar has come out strongly against the proposal, arguing that the legal system needs a longer-term solution to pay for services provided to the poor.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
West Florida’s Gunter Signs With Tallahassee Community College
January 19, 2015
West Florida High School’s Kristin Gunter recently signed her national letter of intent to play softball at Tallahassee Community College. She was a member of the Jaguar’s 2014 Class 4A State Champion softball team and was named first team All-Area Shortstop. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Taking It To The Streets: Molino Church Offers Cardboard Testimonies
January 18, 2015
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. But a few words on piece of plain brown cardboard can tell a life story and story of faith in a way a thousands words might not ever touch.
The concept is simple, starting with a piece of cardboard and permanent marker. Often on the first side of the cardboard for all to see is the story of a sin, a trial, a struggle or battle. On the flip side is where the person stands today though Christ.
“Now God has given me life and a purpose! (You),” stated on sign. “Religion Sets Rules. Jesus Sets U Free,” proclaimed another. And another said, ” I was drowning in debt and sorrow of not having enough…my God has blessed me with joy, happiness and more than enough”.
Members of CrossFaith Church in Molino presented their cardboard testimonies Saturday at Brent Lane and W Street. The church also prayed with passersby, gave away free coffee and offered free coats and blankets to those needing a helping hand.
For a photo gallery with more CrossFaith Church cardboard testimonies, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECUA Sewer Averaging Period Continues
January 18, 2015
The ECUA’s sewer averaging period is continuing. The time period begins with each residential customer’s first meter reading on or after November 15 (including ECUA sewer customers whose water service is from another water provider such as Peoples Water Co.). The length of each customer’s sewer averaging period is 90 days.
Annual sewer charges are based on the average number of gallons of water used in a household during the sewer averaging period. Conserving water usage during this time helps residential wastewater customers impact their sewer rates for the coming year in a positive way. It is important to check all indoor and outdoor plumbing fixtures for leaks. Leaks will end up affecting your monthly water and sewer charges.
Most leaks are easy to identify, but there are many areas around the home where a plumbing leak can be found. Check common areas such as dishwasher (connections to the sink), sinks (examine pipes for wear and loose connections), bathtubs (check the caulking and seals), and toilets (if you hear a “toilet running” sound, but your toilet isn’t running). Following these simple measures can lower the monthly sewer charge for the next twelve months
For more information on ways to conserve, visit the ECUA website at www.ecua.fl.gov or call Customer Service (850) 476-0480.
Expect Delays This Week I-10 At Scenic Highway
January 18, 2015
Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on I-10 east and westbound near the Scenic Highway overpass in Escambia County 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. from Monday, January 19 through Friday, January 23.
In addition, drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on Scenic Highway between the I-10 exit ramps, Tuesday, January 20 and Wednesday, January 21 from 7 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The closures will allow crews to work on the new Scenic Highway overpass. Flagmen will be on-site to safely direct traffic through the work zone, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
All planned construction activities are weather dependent and may be re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Photos: A Barrineau Park Sunset
January 18, 2015
Pictured: Saturday’s sunset as seen from near Barrineau Park School Road. Reader submitted photos by Kayla Bedell fro NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Have an interesting photo to share? Email news@northescambia.com.
Florida Chamber: Hurricane Taxes Less Likely Due To Citizens Insurance
January 18, 2015
Florida Chamber President and CEO Mark Wilson recently praised the continued efforts of Citizens Property Insurance Corporation to shed insurance policies and send them to the private market, thus decreasing the chance that Floridians would be saddled with hurricane taxes after a major hurricane.
In the last three years, the Chamber reports, the number of Citizens’ policies have fallen by roughly 50 percent, from 1.5 million to 727,122, and exposure has fallen from $500 billion to $229 billion. Wilson believes the unprecedented drought of hurricanes to hit Florida — more than nine years to date — is the right time to look into private market solutions to prevent future taxes.
“While Florida’s storm-free years have benefited Floridians by eliminating hurricane tax assessments, it would be irresponsible to believe Florida will forever be spared from future costly storms,” Wilson said. “Now is the right time to prevent hurricane taxes from creeping back onto to insurance policies by looking to private market solutions to absorb Florida’s future hurricane risk.”
In the last decade, Floridians statewide have been paying more in their monthly automobile, homeowner, business and other insurance bills to account for billions in hurricane taxes. Members of Stronger Safer Florida, a nonpartisan coalition comprised of business, consumer and environmental groups, believe Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, which provides much of the coverage for coastal properties statewide — many of which are vacation homes of out-of-state and foreign citizens – must return to its proper role as the state’s “the insurer of last resort.”
Members also support reform to right-size the Cat Fund to a level where it can reliably keep its promises, reduce economically and environmentally unsound cross subsidies and incentives and prevent future hurricane taxes. Stronger Safer Florida also believes both of these reforms treat Florida residents and businesses more equitably, encourage storm proofing of homes and reduce the risk of growing state bonded indebtedness.
Airman Travis Deese Graduates From Basic Military Training
January 18, 2015
Air Force Reserve Airman Travis L. Deese 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 earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Deese is the son of Sewonya York of Atmore and grandson of Dan York of Mobile.
He is a 2013 graduate of Escambia County High School, Atmore.
Molino Man Sentenced For Attacking His Mom, 87, With Telephone
January 17, 2015
A Molino man has been sentenced for attacking his 87-year old mother with a telephone handset.
Conrad Lee Micari was sentenced to 36 months probation, 50 hours of community service and ordered to pay $870 in court costs.
The elderly woman called 911 last October to report that her son, Micari, was drunk and tearing things up in her residence on Straughn Road in Molino. The 911 dispatcher reported that the phone went dead after she heard a scuffle.
When deputies arrived, the victim told them that Micari heard her on the phone with the 911 operator, snatched the phone out of her hand and used it to strike her several times on her leg. Escambia County EMS was called to the home to evaluate the 87-year old, who told deputies that she felt like she was going to have a heart attack.
Micari was “extremely intoxicated” and refused to discuss the incident with deputies, according to an arrest report.