Escambia’s Robinson Name President Of State County Association
June 24, 2014
Escambia County Commissioner Grover C. Robinson, IV was recently sworn in as president of the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) at the Association’s annual conference in Orlando.
“I am looking forward to the challenge and humbled by the opportunity to work with commissioners throughout the state on behalf of our residents,” said Robinson. “If we are proactive and united in our approach, we can develop solutions that will improve the quality of life in our respective communities, and all over the State of Florida.”
Founded in 1929, the Florida Association of Counties is a non-profit Association representing the diverse interests of Florida’s 67 counties. The Florida Association of Counties helps counties effectively serve and represent Floridians by strengthening and preserving county home rule through advocacy, education and collaboration.
As president, Robinson will oversee the association for one year, directing policy, advocacy and the association’s administration.
Florida Residents Have Two Weeks Left To Apply For Flood Disaster Assistance
June 24, 2014
Just two weeks remain for storm and flood survivors in Florida to apply for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The deadline to register is Monday, July 7.
Survivors in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Jackson, Okaloosa and Walton counties are eligible to apply for disaster assistance that may include money to help pay for temporary housing, essential home repairs or other serious disaster-related expenses.
Those who had damage from the storms and flooding from April 28 to May 6 can apply for assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov or using a smartphone at m.fema.gov/ until midnight July 7. Survivors may also apply by phone at 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585 until 10 p.m. July 7. Recovery assistants remain available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (CDT) daily.
July 7 is also the deadline to submit loan applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration for low-interest disaster loans, which is the primary source of federal funds for long-term recovery. The quickest way to apply for an SBA disaster home or business loan is filling out an online application at DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ela.
For more information on SBA low-interest disaster loans, call the SBA disaster customer service center at 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339, send an email to DisasterCustomerService@SBA.gov or visit SBA.gov/Disaster.
To date, nearly $62 million in state and federal disaster assistance has been approved to help Floridians and their communities recover. The following is a summary of ongoing recovery efforts so far:
- More than $31 million in disaster assistance has been approved under the Individuals and Households Program for qualified homeowners and renters.
- This includes nearly $26 million for housing assistance, including short-term rental assistance and essential home repair costs.
- This also includes more than $5 million to help cover other essential disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.
- SBA has approved nearly $31 million in low-interest disaster loans for qualified homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations.
- More than 13,600 people in five designated counties have contacted FEMA for help or information following the storms and flooding April 28 to May 6.
- The counties designated for Individual Assistance are Escambia, Jackson, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton.
- State and local governments and certain nonprofit organizations in nine Florida counties are eligible to apply for federal reimbursements under the Public Assistance program for eligible response and recovery expenses.
- The counties designated for Public Assistance are Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Holmes, Jackson, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton and Washington.
For more information on Florida disaster recovery visit the Florida Division of Emergency Management website at FloridaDisaster.org or the state’s Facebook page at facebook.com/FloridaSERT.
Lively Makes Debut As Huntsville Beats Wahoos 6-2 To Take Series
June 24, 2014
The highly anticipated pitching debut of Gulf Breeze High School pitcher Ben Lively for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos finally took place in front of an electric sellout crowd on Monday night.
The crowd oohed and ahhed at his strikeouts. They loudly booed the home plate umpire on what looked like a full-count, third strike to Huntsville’s Nick Ramirez that would have ended the third inning with no runs, instead of two. And when Lively walked off the mound trailing Huntsville 3-0 with two outs in the third inning after striking out eight – a record for a Blue Wahoos pitcher in his debut – the hometown fans gave their hometown prospect a standing ovation.
In the end, however, the Huntsville Stars captured the five-game series to open the second half of the season, 3-2, with a 6-2 victory.
The 22-year-old Lively was making a regular start for the first time in 16 days. Before getting called up to Pensacola from High-A Bakersfield with seven other players, Lively did throw the first two innings in the California League vs. Carolina League All-Star game, where he struck out two and got the win.
Despite the pressure and long layoff, he allowed only five of the 19 batters he faced to put the ball in play. However, he walked a season-high five batters, hit a batter and allowed three earned runs. He threw 97 pitches total, including 53 strikes.
Lively said he was grateful for the hometown fans support and ovation when he left the game.
“I kind of got goose bumps,” he said. “I’m just glad everyone has confidence in me. A little bad outing is not going to stop me.”
Wahoos manager Delino DeShields said after all the buildup to Lively’s start the past week, he wished his first start had come on the road. DeShields said in his long career he has never seen a starting pitcher get a standing ovation from the fans for a short outing.
“This was something special for Ben, his family and friends,” DeShields said. “It’s the kind of game you live for. But at the same time you want to play well. I’m glad it’s over. I think he’ll be fine moving forward.”
Despite taking the loss in his pitching performance, Lively wanted to talk about his first at bat since he was a senior in high school. He didn’t bat in college at Central Florida and in his first two seasons until now. He grounded out to the pitcher.
“I’m not going to lie. I felt pretty good up there,” he said. “I was ready to face the guy.”
Lively’s eight strikeouts started with a waist-high 96 mph fastball that he blew by Huntsville’s Ramirez in the first. Between the first and third inning, all the Wahoos outs came on Lively K’s. He leads the Cincinnati Reds organization with 103 total strikeouts on the year and is second overall in all of minor league baseball.
Lively, the Reds No. 12 prospect who was drafted in the fourth round last year, was named the starter of the California League All-Star game after leading the league in nearly every pitching category through the first half. He was the league leader in ERA (2.28), wins (10), strikeouts (95) and WHIP (0.92). He was among the leaders in opponent batting average (.201) and innings pitched (79).
It was the first time in Blue Wahoos history that a local product was playing for the team. Pensacola’s last sellout on a Monday night came Aug. 26, 2013 in the team’s last homestand of the season. In six Monday home games this season, the Blue Wahoos have averaged 3,291 in attendance.
Lively admitted being excited in front of the 5,038 cheering fans and his whole family.
“I was a little amped up,” he said. “I was expecting it to be a little emotional. I’m not upset about it. I got the first one out of the way.”
Fans, players, media and even coaches talked all week about Lively’s debut Monday night.
“How is he going to handle the pressure of being in his hometown?” DeShields said earlier in the week. “He’s going to have a lot of people pulling at him. One of his biggest challenges is going to be how he maintains his routine.”
For his part, Lively said he just plans to keep working hard to make it to the big leagues just like everyone else on the team.
“My mindset is to push myself more and keep doing what I’ve been doing,” said Lively, who told his mother the news first after hearing with his fellow Bakersfield teammates that he was being called up to Pensacola. “It’s a different stage but the same stuff.”
And when he’s at home and not pitching, you’ll likely find Lively, who once rode a whale shark, at Pensacola Beach surfing or “tearing up” his truck. His first stop after returning home was Pensacola Beach.
“I’m a beach bum, surfer boy or pier rat,” he said. “When I got here, I threw my clothes down and went to Flounders.”
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos travel to play a five-game series against Los Angeles Dodgers Double-A affiliate the Chattanooga Lookouts at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday. RHP Daniel Corcino (7-5, 3.47) is scheduled to start for the Wahoos and is opposed by the Lookouts RHP Nick Struck (1-4, 7.24).
by Joey Truncale
Photos by Michael Spooneybarger, Pensacola Blue Wahoos, for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Citizens Property Insurance Proposes Rate Reduction For Most Customers
June 24, 2014
Citizens Property Insurance Corp. estimates that about 70 percent of policyholders would see a reduction in base rates, with the other 30 percent having their base rates go up, under a proposal for 2015 before the insurer’s Board of Governors on Wednesday in Orlando.
As part of the proposed rate changes, homeowner policies are projected to decrease on average 3.2 percent, while mobile-home rates will go down 3.9 percent on average.
Citizens pointed to a number of factors for the changes, from “increasingly reasonable rates” for reinsurance to a reduction in the number of policies under Citizens that has decreased the overall exposure for the state-backed agency.
A drop in rates doesn’t preclude the overall cost of a customer’s premium — the total amount that a policyholder pays for coverage — from going up.
by The News Service of Florida
Northview, Jay Students Attend Rural Electric Youth Tour In Washington
June 24, 2014
Two North Escambia area students were among 1,500 youth leaders from 41 states that enjoyed a week-long tour of Washington, DC.
Julie Hester of Northview High School and Tori Raught of Jay High School were winners of the Escambia River Electric Cooperative Youth Tour contest that is held annually for high school juniors in the EREC service area.
During the week, the students were able to see the World War II, Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean and FDR memorials; visit the Arlington National Cemetery, relax on the Potomac River during an evening boat cruise, and visit many other places of interest in Washington. Hester and Raught were also able to attend the play The Lion King at the Kennedy Center.
Both visited the Capitol where they learned more about how government works. During the Rural Electric Youth Day program, they had the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the history of rural electric cooperatives and the importance of cooperatives in the communities they serve.
Escambia County Considers New Regulations For Stables
June 24, 2014
Escambia County is considering an ordinance amending the Land Development Code that would set minimum lot sizes and distance standards for stables.
The ordinance will remove the 100,000 square foot lot size requirement for stables and adopt a two acre requirement and provided distance requirements from nearby dwellings.
Under the new ordinance, stables will be allowed for private, noncommercial use on lots two acres of greater in size. In addition, stables must be more than 50 feet from any property line and more than 130 feet from an adjacent principal residence. Horses will be allowed in any stable authorized by the code.
The Escambia County Commission will consider the ordinance during a 5:45 p.m. public hearing during their regular commission meeting on Thursday.
Infant Dies From Wreck Related Injuries
June 23, 2014
An infant has passed away as a result of injuries received in a June 19 traffic crash
The Florida Highway Patrol said Monday that Jaxon McCullung, age 1, passed away Saturday following the crash at Fairfield Drive and Baysprings Drive in Escambia County. In the accident, the FHP said 25-year old Jamie-Lyn Mullins drove onto the northbound shoulder, over-corrected, lost control and struck a utility pole.
Injuries to Mullins and a two-year old passenger were minor.
Anyone that witnessed the crash or that has any information regarding the accident is asked to contact Cpl. R. Harrigill at robertharrigill@flhsmv.gov or (850) 471-6927.
Burglar Steals Handicapped Dog From Kennel, Hits Convenience Store (With Video)
June 23, 2014
Authorities are working to solve early Sunday morning burglaries in Florida and Alabama that could be connected — one of which ended with the theft of a handicapped dog.
The dog, Bella, suffers from a broken back and needs a dog wheelchair to get around. She was inside her cage at the K-9 Cleaners kennel on West Nashville Avenue in Atmore early Sunday morning when a white male ripped a security camera from a wall and forced his way into the rear door of the business.
Police said he skipped over items of value including the register, instead going straight for the dog cages and taking nothing from the business but Bella and a cellular wi-fi modem before fleeing in an known type vehicle. The burglary and dog theft is under investigation by the Atmore Police Department.
Investigators have all but ruled out the man having any previous connection to the dog or its owner, who lives in Century.
Within a few minutes of that burglary, a white male smashed a window and entered the Davisville BP on Highway 97 in Florida, about five miles away. He fled the business with the cash register, which was recovered in nearby field later in the day, and cigarettes. The burglary is under investigation by the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said they are not positive that the burglaries are connected, but for now they believe they may have been committed by the same man.
Anyone with information on the K-9 Cleaners burglary or the whereabouts of Bella, should call the Atmore Police Department at (251) 368-9141. Anyone with information on the Davisville BP burglary should contact the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured top: Bella, a handicapped dog, was stolen from an Atmore kennel early Sunday morning. Pictured inset: A suspect’s face caught on camera as he removes a security camera from a wall of K-9 Cleaners in Atmore. Pictured below: In a separate burglary, a suspects jumps through a broken window at the Davisville (FL) BP station early Sunday morning. Pictured below: More images from K-9 Cleaners. Images for and by NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino, Cottage Hill Churches Bid Goodbye To Gantzhorn
June 23, 2014
A farewell and appreciation reception was held Sunday in Molino for Pastor Alan Gantzhorn of Aldersgate United Methodist and Cottage Hill United Methodist churches.
Gantzhorn and his wife Jackie are being transferred to a church in Jackson, Ala., after nine years in Molino.
“It has been an honor to serve as your pastor for nine years,” Gantzhorn told his congregation. “You have showered your love on me and Jackie in so many ways. Our time serving at Aldersgate and Cottage Hill has richly blessed us. God has now chosen to put me to doing his work in another place; but Jackie and I will always treasure our time here and our beautiful memories of the people of this charge.”
During Sunday’s reception, church and community members expressed their appreciation to Gantzhorn for his service to both churches as well as the Molino and North Escambia communities.
Pictured top: Paston Alan Gantzhorn and his wife Jackie were presented with a farewell gift Sunday — a double rocking chair inscribed “The Lord your God is with you wherever you go” — from Aldersgate United Methodist Church. Pictured below: Gantzhord poses for a photo during a farewell reception Sunday afternoon in Molino. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Early End Forecast For Insurance ‘Hurricane Tax’
June 23, 2014
Collected to help pay claims from the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, an extra charge on homeowners- and auto-insurance policies will be removed 18 months earlier than previously expected.
The 1.3 percent charge, added to most property and casualty lines, covers losses incurred by the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund from those storm-filled seasons. Gov. Rick Scott and members of the Florida Cabinet this week moved up the end date of the “assessment” to Jan. 1, 2015 rather than July 1, 2016.
“It’s a positive thing,” said Jack Nicholson, executive director of the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund. “People refer to this as a hurricane tax, and it will go away.”
The change was welcomed by the business and insurance community in Tallahassee.
“It means rates are going down a little bit, which is a good thing,” said Sam Miller, executive vice president of the Florida Insurance Council.
The charge, which first appeared at 1 percent in 2007 and was raised to the current rate in 2011, collectively hits policyholders for between $350 million and $500 million a year.
The charge is imposed on most property and casualty policies other than medical malpractice and workers compensation.
Nicholson said the fund, which provides backup coverage for insurers, was able to move up the end of the collection in part by settling the final claims for damages from Hurricane Wilma, which hit South Florida in October 2005, at $498 million less than what had been initially sought.
Also, the fund has received more money than expected due to an increase in policies statewide, he said.
Such a fee could return if the state is again hit by a large storm that depletes the resources of the fund.
The catastrophe fund, better known as the cat fund, currently has about $13 billion on hand and is expected to be able to raise an additional $4 billion, which is considered solid ground for covering most post-storm claims.
The state was hit by eight hurricanes in 2004 and 2005, which accounted for about $9.2 billion in claims to the cat fund. No hurricane has made landfall in Florida since those highly active seasons.
In addition to the cat fund assessments, customers of Citizens Property Insurance Corp. receive an additional 1 percent charge to cover losses from the 2005 storms. First imposed in 2007, the charge is expected to be paid off in June 2017.
by The News Service of Florida