‘Do Not Call’ Violations, Cable Companies Irritate Florida Consumers
November 4, 2014
The top three complaints received last month at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services were regarding violators of the statewide Do Not Call List, cable companies and fuel, according to Commission of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.
The top three calls to the agency’s 1-800-HELP-FLA hotline requesting information or assistance were related to cable companies, the solicitation of contributions from charities and the Do Not Call list.
In the past month, the department has responded to many consumer concerns and taken action against several individuals or businesses operating outside of Florida law. During the month of October, the agency:
- Initiated 146 investigations.
- Arrested 12 individuals.
- Recovered $725,629 on behalf of Florida consumers.
- Registered 8,469 businesses.
- Added 14,372 telephone numbers to Florida’s Do Not Call List. Currently, there are more than 730,000 numbers on the list.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is the state’s clearinghouse for consumer complaints, protection and information. The call center is staffed with trained analysts who can respond to questions about programs and regulations under the department’s purview, provide information on a wide variety of topics or direct callers to the appropriate government agency.
Student Athletes Honored At FCA Banquet
November 4, 2014
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes “Go the Distance” Awards Banquet was held Monday night at the First Baptist Church in Pensacola.
Athletes from Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Washington counties were honored for their participation in cross country, golf, swimming and volleyball.
Honored from Northview High School were:
- Brandon Korinchak and Mary Sullivan, cross county
- Kyndall Hall, volleyball
- Lakelynn Parker and Trevor Levins, golf
Pictured top: Northview FCA award winners (L-R) Lakelynn Parker and Trevor Levins, golf; Brandon Korinchak and Mary Sullivan, cross county; and Kyndall Hall, volleyball. Pictured below: Northview banquet attendees. Photos by Barbara Korinchak for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Register Now For ‘In Hot Pursuit 5K’ On Pensacola Beach
November 4, 2014
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Seventh Annual In Hot Pursuit 5K is scheduled for November 15 on Pensacola Beach. There will be a fun beach course, great door prizes, and souvenir mugs for the winners. All proceeds from the race will go to support the Florida Sheriff’s Association Youth Ranches.
The mission of the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches is to prevent delinquency and develop strong, lawful, resilient, and productive citizens who will make a positive contribution to our communities for years to come. This charitable, non-profit agency was founded by the Florida Sheriffs Association and operates four residential campuses and two camping facilities. Additionally, it provides community-based services and family counselling to as many of Florida’s neglected, troubled children as funds will permit. This year,the Youth Ranches will serve more than 5,000 needy boys and girls.The organization is funded primarily through charitable donations from generous donors.
The race will start at 8:00 a.m. near the Pavilion on Pensacola Beach. Registration is $25 for adults. Register online at active.com or download a printable race form at escambiaso.com.
The In Hot Pursuit 5K is sponsored by Cox Cable, The Grand Marlin, Gulf Power, Edward Jones, John Peacock CFP, CRPC, Gulf Power, The Fraternal Order of Police, The Andrews Institute, Berney Office Solutions, Navy Federal Credit Union, Boost Mobile, May’s Construction, Gulf Winds Credit Union, Marianna Airmotive, The Sandshaker, NorthEscambia.com, The Independent News and News Talk WCOA Radio.
Want To Operate A Successful Cottage Food Business?
November 4, 2014
Santa Rosa County Extension will host a “Operating a Successful Cottage Food Business” program for those that wish to sell food made in their homes.
The program will cover pricing, taxes and marketing. It will also include a time for questions and answers with the Extension Service Small Farms and FCS Staff. Farms or individuals interested or currently marketing processed foods are encouraged to attend.
Cottage foods by definition are foods made in the home for resale that do not require refrigeration. These include but are not limited to jams, jellies, preserves, honey, cakes and pies.
Two identical programs will be held — November 7 from 10 a.m. until noon and November 20 from 6-8 p.m. at the Santa Rosa County Extension Service at 6263 Dogwood Drive in Milton. The cost is $10.
For more information or to register, call Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Agent Ginny Hinton at (850) 623-3868 or email ginnyh@santarosa.fl.gov.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Landing Gear Incident Closes Pensacola Airport
November 3, 2014
A small single-engine aircraft had an issue with its landing gear today at the Pensacola International Airport. The aircraft experienced collapsed landing gear and came to a stop at the intersection of the runways. There were no injuries, and no fire or threat of fire.
Since the aircraft was at the intersection of the runways, the airport was closed for operations until aircraft was moved. Operations have now returned to normal.
Poll: Scott, Crist In Virtual Tie
November 3, 2014
On the eve of the election, the battle between Gov. Rick Scott and former Gov. Charlie Crist remains a toss-up.
A Quinnipiac University poll released this morning shows Crist, the Democratic candidate, receiving support from 42 percent of likely voters, while Scott, the Republican incumbent, receives 41 percent. Libertarian Adrian Wyllie is at 7 percent.
“After an incredibly expensive, extremely nasty campaign, the Florida governor’s race is too close to call,” Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac Poll, said in a prepared statement. “The winner will be the candidate best able to get his voters to the polls. Turnout, turnout, turnout.”
The poll of likely voters was conducted from Tuesday to Sunday. It has a margin of error of 3.4 percentage points.
The Connecticut-based Quinnipiac, which frequently conducts surveys in Florida and other states, released a poll last week that showed Crist ahead by a margin of 43 percent to 40 percent, with Wyllie at 8 percent. That poll’s margin of error also was 3.4 percentage points.
The new poll shows Crist continuing to enjoy a large lead among women voters, while Scott holds a significant edge among men. It also shows Crist leading by a margin of 39 percent to 32 percent among independents — a gap that is substantially smaller than in last week’s Quinnipiac poll, which showed Crist with an 18-point edge among independents.
Both campaigns focused heavily during the past two weeks on getting supporters to turn out for early voting. But now, the attention is focused on spurring voters to go to the polls Tuesday.
Scott will make a series of campaign stops Monday in Central Florida and will be joined by Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and Texas Gov. Rick Perry, both possible 2016 Republican presidential candidates. Meanwhile, Crist, a former Republican governor running this year as a Democrat, will be joined by former President Bill Clinton at a Monday night rally in Orlando.
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
Inmate Death Confirmed At Escambia County Jail
November 3, 2014
A Sunday night death has been confirmed at the Escambia County Jail.
The death occurred at about 10:45 p.m. in the Main Jail, according to a statement from Escambia County. The deceased has been confirmed as a 48-year-old white male inmate. His identity has not yet been released.
“Initial indications are that the death was a suicide, however, (the) exact cause of death will not be definitive pending the Medical Examiner’s autopsy report,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
New Retention Pond To Address Carver Park Area Drainage Concerns
November 3, 2014
Escambia County plans to build a new stormwater retention pond near International Paper in Cantonment in order to address significant drainage and stormwater concerns in the Carver Park neighborhood of Cantonment.
The county will pay $500 for a 2.4 acre easement on IP property to construct the stormwater retention pond. The property is bounded by railroad tracks to the north and east, even with Booker Street to the south and bounded on the west by privately owned parcels of property that are east of Ransom Street in the Harvester’s Home Subdivision.
The project will be funded by Local Options Sales Tax (LOST) funds.
Main Escambia Health Dept Building To Reopen Monday After Flood Repairs
November 3, 2014
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County will reopen its main facility on West Fairfield Drive on Monday.
The facility has been closed since April 30 when heavy rains flooded the building, causing extensive damage and forcing health department services to be relocated to other facilityes in the county.
Services that will resume on Fairfield Drive Monday include the family planning clinic, child health clinic, sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinic, and immunizations clinic. Escambia Community Clinics’ will return their dental clinic operations to the FDOH-Escambia facility on Fairfield Drive on Monday, and bbirth and death certificates will also be available again.
WIC program services will not return to the Fairfield Drive location until November 12.
While limited services will be available at the Fairfield Drive facility during the first few weeks of reopening, all services will continue to be offered in Escambia County, Florida at various FDOH-Escambia locations. Details regarding where the public can receive FDOH-Escambia services can be found at www.escambiahealth.com, or by calling 850-595-6500.
Veterans Programs Planned For Ransom, Ernest Ward, Bratt, Northview And Century
November 3, 2014
Several programs are planned over the next week to honor veterans in advance of Veterans Day on November 11. Veterans and the public are invited to the following events:
Ransom Middle School will host a Patriotic Program honoring active military and veterans on Wednesday, November 5 with assemblies at 2:25 and 3:15 p.m. Music will be provided by the Ransom band, orchestra and chorus. Students from the Ransom History Club and Student Leadership Team will announce and help lead the program. The Tate High School JROTC Honor Guard will give the Presentation of the Colors. Speakers include a MIA presentation, a veteran story and acknowledgement of veterans. The programs are open to the public. Veterans are encouraged to attend.
Ernest Ward Middle School will hold their annual Veterans Day Program on Thursday, November 6 at 2 p.m. in the school gym. The program will include patriotic music performed by the school’s band and chorus, a special student presentation and special performances. The guest speaker will be retired Navy Capt. Frank Smith. All veterans are welcome to attend. Veterans unable to walk long distance should park in front of the gym. All other guests should park behind the gym or football field due to construction.
The Town of Century will hold a Veterans Day Program on Friday, November 7 at 10 a.m. at the Veterans Wall at Nadine McCaw Park (the former Roadside Park) at the corner of North Century Boulevard and Hecker Road. Everyone, including all veterans, is invited to attend. Guest speaker will be Rep. Clay Ingram.
Bratt Elementary School will host a Veterans Day Event on Monday, November 10 at 9:00 a.m. The school’s fourth grade students will present “We Honor the Brave”. For more information, call (850) 327-6137.
Northview High School will host a Veterans Day Program on Monday, November 10 at 9:35 and 10:30 a.m. The guest speaker will be Major Michael Ray, United States Air Force, retired. Major Ray served 21 years before retiring in May 2014. During his 21 years of service he flew the T-1, T-34, T-39, T-38, B-1 and F-15 aircraft. He served his final tour on active duty at NAS Pensacola as the Assistant Director of Operations for the Air Forces 451st Flying Training Squadron. All veterans, their families and community members are invited to attend.
Pictured top: Members of the Ransom Middle School Band practices for their Veterans Day program on Wednesday, November 5. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.