Here Comes…Santa Goat?
December 24, 2014
Look out Rudolph…there’s a new kid in town…Santa Goat. One of our NorthEscambia.com staffers spotted this goat, complete with a Santa hat, riding in the back of a Dodge Ram pickup at the Piggly Wiggly in Davisville. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Satanic Temple’s Holiday Display Now At Florida Capitol
December 24, 2014
The Satanic Temple, a New York-based group that doesn’t really worship the devil, put up a crudely made diorama in the entry rotunda of Florida’s Capitol on Monday.
The only dispute involved a brief dustup with a state official over the exact spot on the floor to place the display.
The falling-angel diorama, which a year ago was barred from the Capitol because it was deemed “grossly offensive” by the Department of Management Services, is the latest in a series of irreverent holiday displays from groups motivated by the state’s acceptance of Christian nativity scenes the past two years.
John Porgal, a Tallahassee resident and member of the Satanic Temple, said the group threatened legal action this year if it again was blocked. It also offered not to put up its display if the Florida Prayer Network and International House of Prayer Tallahassee wouldn’t put up their nativity scenes.
“If the nativity scene never came in here in the first place we would never had done this,” said Porgal, who is also a member of the American Atheists of Tallahassee. “We don’t want to be insulting. We just want our rights, the separation of church and states or equal rights.”
The group’s name, the Satanic Temple, is simply to draw attention to its efforts.
“The Satanic Temple does not worship the devil in any way, shape or form,” Porgal acknowledged when asked.
The temple’s display this year joined entries from the American Atheists of Tallahassee, the Madison, Wis.-based Freedom From Religion Foundation, the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, and a South Florida political blogger who for the second year put up a 6-foot stack of empty beer cans to represent Festivus, a sitcom-based festival “for the rest of us.”
State officials, when asked the past couple of weeks about the temple’s inclusion in the Capitol, have either deferred to the Department of Management Services or turned the topic to the more irreverent Festivus pole, which gained a national audience in the sitcom “Seinfeld.”
In reaction to the glut of holiday display applications this year, the department imposed a new seven-day timeline for items put up in the rotunda. Applicants face a fine starting at $100 if a display remains after its scheduled removal date.
The Florida Prayer Network’s nativity, which went up Dec. 15, was taken down Monday. Nearby a framed poster of the nativity by the International House of Prayer Tallahassee was put up Monday.
Both groups are represented by Pam Olsen, who questioned the motives of those opposed to the nativity scene but said she supports the open forum for holiday displays.
Olsen added she wouldn’t remove the nativity scenes if that would keep out many of the more “outlandish” displays.
“They’re here to shut down Christianity,” Olsen said. “They’re fighting for the separation of church and state. That’s what their whole premise is. They’re here to fight the display of Christ and Christmas. Whether we have a display here or not, guess what, Christ is in Christmas.”
Olsen noted that the opposition groups have been silent regarding the placement of a Hanukkah menorah or Christmas trees, which have been displayed for years on the first floor of the Capitol.
The menorah is up this week inside the rotunda. The trees are inside the entries to the offices of the governor and the members of the Cabinet, the same as in past years.
The temple’s display includes the phrase “Happy holidays from the Satanic Temple” atop a diorama of an angel falling into hell. On Monday, the temple demanded its table-top display be placed in the middle of a hallway leading toward the offices of Attorney General Pam Bondi and Gov. Rick Scott.
The spot had been occupied by the Florida Prayer Network’s wooden nativity scene.
A Department of Management Services official told Porgal that the display needed to be closer to a column, a couple of feet away and out of the central walkway. After Porgal vehemently protested, the official departed without speaking to the gaggle of media attending the temple’s arrival.
“We wanted to make sure we got front and center just like the manger scene did,” Porgal said.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Christmas Lights: Bratt, Byrneville, Century
December 24, 2014
Merry Christmas! Here’s a photo gallery of few light displays from Bratt to Century — including private residences, a park in Century and a Nativity scene in Byrneville.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cook Up A Holiday Gift Idea
December 24, 2014
by Dorothy Lee, Escambia Extension Agent
Christmas is a joyous season. It’s a time to remember friends and neighbors with small tokens of your love and appreciation.
Every holiday season is magical, but can also be a perplexing time. How do you choose gifts for your friends and loved ones that are unique, and sure to be cherished?
Remember Christmas when you were young? How the simplest projects—stringing lights, hanging icicles, baking cookies, gathering pine cones, or making ornaments for the tree—filled the season with fun and excitement. Bring back that special magic with your own holiday projects. These holiday projects are gifts from the heart.
If you have spent many hours in past seasons trying to find the answer to the perplexing question of what to give, perhaps this year you can find the answer in your own kitchen. Flavorful gifts you can create in an evening or two at home might be the just the solution. Most of us like to follow the pleasure of cooking with sharing the scrumptious results. So this holiday season prepare some delicious food gifts for friends and relatives.
A jar of homemade jam or jelly conveys a welcome sign of friendship to neighbors or coworkers. Besides being fun to make and share, oven-baked goods, snacks, and other savory items are attractive and often cost less than those that are store-bought. This is a gift that comes from the heart without breaking the bank. For a holiday touch, add a pretty ribbon or a note from a square of wrapping paper.
Fresh from the oven, a batch of pumpkin muffins or a loaf of whole grain bread will send warm holiday greeting to friends. Decorated with raisins and nuts, gingerbread men will appeal to anyone who fancies the spicy flavors of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. When invited to festive dinners take along a basket filled with your own gift assortment of cookies packaged in inexpensive containers with recipes and a personalized message included. You will find these gifts easy to transport and the hostess is sure to appreciate the gesture.
Another gourmet goodies idea to consider is sharing a decorative jar or tin packed with flavorful popcorn or a nutritious trail mix. Top a decorative tray with herbed cheese rounds. Herbs offer a delicious alternative to salt. Herb seasoning mixes can be packaged in a decorative glass jar or bottle and tied with festive ribbon. Be sure to attach a label with instructions for serving and a recipe for making more.
When making these gourmet goodies, you might want to prepare an additional batch so you will have a last minute gift on hand. The additional jar of jam or jelly can make a special gift for last minute visitors. These gifts are seen as thoughtful and well-prepared when they are in reality a last minute thought.
Start early and make lots of homemade goodies for the holidays. By planning your kitchen gifts early you can shop for ingredients on sale, save decorative containers and make food items in advance. So get a head start on holiday gifts from your kitchen.
For more information, contact Dorothy Lee, UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County at (850) 475-5230 or email dclee@ufl.edu.
Arrest Made In November Shooting Death In Beulah
December 23, 2014
A murder charge has been filed in connection with a shooting last month in Beulah.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday morning that 33-year old James Adam Greenwood has been charged with murder for the November 21 homicide of his stepfather, 65-year old Albert James Jones. He is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
The arrest came after an “intensive” joint investigation by the Sheriff’s Office and the State Attorney’s Office.
Albert Jones was married to Greenwood’s mother, according to an arrest report, but they were living apart. On the day prior to the shooting, Jones went to the residence to retrieve personal clothing, but was not allowed access by Greenwood. He called the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and a responding deputy told Greenwood that he could not restrict Jones’ access to the house or property, the report states.
The following day, Jones returned to the home, unlocked the backdoor with his key and attempted to enter but could not due to a security chain that was in place.
The entire incident was captured on camera. According to an ECSO report, Jones can be seen attempted to enter the residence with Greenwood telling him to contact his estranged spouse. Greenwood is wearing what appears to be a bulletproof vest in the video. Jones unlocks the door, forces it open by breaking the molding to which the security chain is attached. Jones then proceeds into the residence. Greenwood then fires at least two times with a shotgun. Jones is hit and injured, but manages to exit the residence and retrieve a handgun as Greenwood continues to fire.
According to investigators, the video shows that Jones did not have a weapon as he entered the residence.
Pictured top: Albert James Jones was shot at his residence on Mobile Highway in Beulah on November 21. File photo courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Work Begins To Remove Log Jam From Escambia River
December 23, 2014
Work is scheduled to be underway to remove a log jam from the Escambia River south of Century…nearly two years after the Escambia County Commission first awarded a bid for the project.
In February 2013, Escambia County awarded a $68,498 contract to Florida Forest Recyclers, LLC to remove the vessels and associated debris — including thousands of logs — from the Escambia River about one mile north of the Cotton Lake boat ramp. The agreement was not executed as written at that time.
The contract was awarded again in May 2013 for the same amount to the same contractor but was revised to waive the bond requirements at the request of then Interim County Administrator George Touart. The agreement provides for a one-time payment upon final completion and inspection of the project. The standard practice of the County is to require payment and performance bonds for projects in excess of $100,000. The project was set to begin by June 2013.
The 2013 bid from Florida Forest Recyclers was over a half million dollars lower than bids received from two Alabama companies. A $527,000 bid was received from Crowder Gulf Joint Ventures of Theodore, while DRC Emergency Services, LLC bid $792,622.14.
In November, Keith Wilkins, director of the Escambia County Community and Environmental Department, said Florida Forest Recyclers had reorganized into a new company, Southern Forest Recyclers. He said Southern Forest Recyclers has a $2 million contract for the wood from the logjam, and that the company was awaiting their final work permits from the Water Management District.
Liz Henderson of Southern Forest Recyclers said Monday that the company now has all of the permits needed to being work Tuesday. She said the company was moving forward with no money or assistance from Escambia or Santa Rosa counties.
Boaters are asked to use care and obey posted signs for safety near the project, and boaters are asked not to enter the Escambia River north of Cotton Lake.
There is no time frame for the completion of the project, which is very much weather dependent, said Henderson.
Pictured top: A logjam stretches bank to bank, blocking the Escambia River near McDavid. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Alabama Man Claims $54K Lottery Ticket Sold On Nine Mile Road
December 23, 2014
An Alabama man has claimed a $54,000 prize for a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket sold last week at a Nine Mile Road store.
Claude R. Mitchell of Mobile purchased the ticket for the December 18 drawing at the Publix on West Nine Mile Road at Pine Forest Road. The ticket was one of four winning tickets worth $54,467.31. Other winning tickets matching all five numbers were sold in Cape Coral, Dunnellon and Miami.
The 287 tickets matching four numbers won $122 each. Another 9,461 tickets matching three numbers are worth $10 each, and93,324 tickets holders won a Quick Pick ticket for picking two numbers.
The winning numbers for the December 18 drawing were 2-10-16-22-31.
Legal Threats Over Nativity Scene Spark ‘Holy Night’ In Jay
December 23, 2014
“O night divine, the night when Christ was born; O night, O Holy night….”
The words to the classic Christmas carol “O Holy Night” echoed across the heart of Jay Monday night as nearly 300 people gathered at a corner lot at the town’s only traffic light. A huge turnout for a town of about 575 people.
“It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth…”
Old and young, preachers, friends and neighbors, Baptists, Methodist — from all walks of life — they gathered to celebrate that night in Bethlehem when Jesus Christ was born. Their meeting in front of a Christmas tree and a vintage Nativity scene was sparked by a letter a few weeks ago from an attorney for a Wisconsin group that represents agnostics and atheists claiming that a nativity display at the town hall was illegal.
For the first Christmas in about 40 years, the Nativity scene was moved from the town hall and placed on corner lot by the Santa Rosa Ministerial Association. Following the first report of of the Nativity scene’s fate on NorthEscambia.com, emotions in Jay ranged from outrage to disbelief that some lawyer hundreds of miles away would send such a letter, and outage and disbelief that the group claimed the letter was the result of a complaint from one of their neighbors in the close-knit town.
“We can blame this group; we can blame this town, we can blame governments, we can blame all these other people,” event organizer Nick Jackson said, “but look what is doing amongst us.”
They celebrated the fact that thanks to social media, and thanks to extensive media coverage, their little Nativity scene and the message it carries had spread far beyond their little town.
“Look around you tonight. Look what God is doing in this community. Look what God is doing among your church and your household,” Jackson said. “He is stirring us again. He is reviving the believer to stand and to speak out.”
Jackson said the entire episode had sparked revival in Jay and a Christmas celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ like none before.
“O night divine, O night when Christ was born…”
For more photos from the event, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
CrossFaith Members Bring Christmas Cheer To ‘The Retreat’
December 23, 2014
Members of CrossFaith Church in Molino paid a special visit Monday to The Retreat, operated by the Council on Aging of West Florida. The Retreat offers a stimulating day experience for older adults with physical and cognitive impairments. Participants enjoy a full day of activities, social interaction and recreation in a safe, protective at-home like atmosphere.
While at The Retreat, the CrossFaith group played bingo with the participants and sang Christmas carols to them.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Gets 10 Additional Years In Drug Case
December 23, 2014
A Cantonment man has been sentenced to another 10 years in state prison following another drug related conviction.
Johnathan Wayne Glass, 38, was convicted by a Santa Rosa County jury of trafficking in methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Immediately following the trial, Santa
Rosa County Circuit Court Judge John F. Simon sentenced Glass to 10 years in state prison with a minimum mandatory of three years. Judge Simon ordered the 10 year sentence to run consecutively to a 15 year prison sentence he had previously imposed on Glass in September.
On February 21, 2013, members of the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant at the residence Glass shared with his girlfriend, Victoria Cain, at Piney Woods Place Apartments in Milton.
During the execution of the search warrant, officers found a trafficking amount of methamphetamine along with drug paraphernalia and numerous other items used to manufacture methamphetamine.
The search warrant had been obtained after Glass brought sulfuric acid into the home on February 20, to use during the process of manufacturing methamphetamine. Glass left the bottle of acid on a bathroom counter where a 3-year old child drank the acid. As a result, Glass was charged and convicted on September 18, 2014, by a Santa Rosa County Jury of child neglect causing great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement. Judge Simon sentenced Glass to 15 years in prison in that case.
Glass is also charged with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine and unlawful possession of listed chemicals. Those charges are set for trial on January 20, 2015. He faces a maximum possible sentence of 30 years in prison in that case.
Victoria Cain was also arrested as a result of her involvement and entered a plea to aggravated child abuse, child abuse causing great bodily harm, trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of prescription drugs without a prescription, conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine and unlawful possession of listed chemical.
Cain testified at both trials against Glass. She is set for sentencing on February 4, 2015, before Circuit Judge Marci Goodman and faces a maximum possible sentence of 135 years.