Braun Awarded $180K NJROTC Scholarship
January 27, 2014
Northview High School Cadet Kasie Braun has been award the Navy’s four-year Reserve Officer Training Corps College Scholarship. Braun’s goal is to attend Yale University in the fall. The scholarship is valued at $180,000 over the four-year period. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Gulf Power Offers Money Saving Cold Weather Tips
January 27, 2014
Gulf Power Company is offering some cold weather energy savings tips for everyone, including customers of other utilities.
This week, the North Escambia are is expecting more frigid temperatures. Gulf Power offers the following tips to stay warm, safe and conserve energy.
Things you can do right now to save money and energy
- Set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower to conserve energy.
- Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans so they rotate clockwise as you look up at them. This will force warm air down from the ceiling.
- During the middle of the day, open blinds and curtains on the sunny side of the house. Also, where possible, reduce the traffic in and out of the house.
- Don’t use your oven to heat your home — it’s not efficient and most important, it’s not safe.
- A fireplace is not always an efficient heat source. If not used properly it can actually make the rest of the house cooler because airflow up the chimney removes the heated air. When using the fireplace, close all doors and warm air ducts to the room where the fireplace is located. Glass doors on a fireplace will reduce the outflow of warm air. And a fireplace with a blower system is ever better because it actually blows the warm air around the firebox back into the room.
- An electric blanket is more economical than heating the entire house all night long.
- Use a portable electric heater to heat only a small area. Buy models that are thermostatically controlled. Keep it at least three feet from items that could catch fire like curtains or furniture. Make sure you have working smoke detectors on every floor and in every sleeping room of your house.
- Make sure vents and return air registers are not blocked by furniture, draperies, doors or other obstacles.
- Use “draft stoppers” or towels/blankets to block drafts at foot of door.
- If you should lose power, go to your thermostat and turn off your heating system. Please wait 10 to 15 minutes after power has been restored before turning it back on. This prevents a power surge from shutting down electricity again.
- If you should lose power, please do not connect portable generators to your household electrical wiring. This can cause serious injury to you and to Gulf Power employees who are restoring electricity. Instead, plug appliances into the generator. Never use a generator in enclosed or partially-enclosed spaces because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Things you can do to prepare your home for the whole winter season
Temperature settings
- Heating a house makes up about half of your electricity bill so set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower in the winter. Did you know that you can decrease the amount of energy you buy for heating by three percent or more for every degree below 68 degrees you set your thermostat?
- Programmable thermostats are a good investment, or you can take advantage of Gulf Power’s Energy Select. Energy Select is Gulf Power’s advanced energy management program that offers a lower price for electricity 87 percent of the time. Energy Select features a programmable thermostat and a special rate of four price periods based upon time of day, day of week and season. Installation and meter-based surge protection are both free with Energy Select. Only $4.95 per month.
Heating and cooling equipment
- The system heating the home is extremely important. If it’s an older, less efficient unit, upgrading to a geothermal heating and cooling system — or a high efficiency air-source heat pump may be a wise choice. Contact Gulf Power at 1-877-655-4001 for a free Energy Check-Up.
Routine maintenance
- A well-maintained heating system runs more efficiently. A complete tune-up of the home heating system can cost anywhere from $50 to $100 and more, but this is a very worthwhile investment and can reduce your heating bill from 3 to 10 percent. Some companies offer regular service contracts, which are a convenience if you tend to forget system maintenance. Remember to replace the filter every month.
Ductwork
- Duct leakage can account for 20 percent of the heating and cooling cost. Getting ducts sealed up should be at the top of the list for making your home energy efficient.
Insulation
- Adding insulation to your attic is one of the most cost-effective energy saving measures. Different types of insulation material have different R-values. The recommended level is R-38 in the attic.
Weather-stripping and caulking
- Weather-strip door jambs and caulk any cracks around windows to prevent cool air from entering your home.
Window units
- If you have a window air conditioning unit, remove it for the winter months to prevent heat from escaping through and around the unit. If it can’t be moved, put a cover over it to prevent drafts.
Humidifier
- Use a humidifier to keep your home more comfortable. Adding moisture allows you to reduce the thermostat setting without feeling colder.
Arrest Made In Series Of Century Business Burglaries
January 26, 2014
A man is now behind bars charged with a series of business burglaries in Century.
Jason Allen Bodiford, 35, is facing multiple charges, included burglary, larceny, criminal mischief property damage and illegal use of a credit card. Bodiford, who told officials he is homeless, is being held in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $44,000.
He reportedly admitted to investigators that he burglarized Century Marine, Rhonda’s Hair Salon, the Happy Star Chinese Restaurant and the Century Flower Shop. Business owners reported that Bodiford had visited their places of business prior to the burglaries asking for money.
He also allegedly burglarized a car on Hecker Road in Century and stole a credit card that was later used to purchase food at Burger King in Century.
Bodiford was originally arrested December 30 at a motel in Atmore and booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton on a failure to appear charge on traffic tickets in Alabama. He was extradited to Florida on Friday to face the burglary charges.
Molino Museum Opens (With Photo Tour)
January 26, 2014
A grand opening was held Saturday morning for the new Molino Museum inside the Molino Community Complex.
The museum features a variety of displays depicting life in Molino, local education, the railroad, logging and other items from Molino’s rich history. There’s also a display devoted to Baseball Hall of Fame member and Tate High graduate Don Sutton.
For a pictorial tour of the museum, click here.
Saturday afternoon, Lil King, president of the Molino Mid-County Historical Society, hosted a presentation on “The History of Molino” followed by a special museum tour.
With its location just 25 miles north of Pensacola, the Molino area, including the old town of Molino, played a vital role in the area’s settlement and development. From its start as a Spanish mission in the 1700s, an important mill town during the Industrial Revolution and into the modern era, Molino’s history is the story of life in rural Florida and how it has changed over the years.
The Molino Community Complex — the former Molino School — is located at 6450 Highway 95A. For more information, call (850) 587-5011. The museum is open 10 am. until 4 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and Friday-Saturday. It is closed on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Bethany Reynolds, click to enlarge.
Davis Highway Resurfacing To Begin
January 26, 2014
A $1.6 million project to resurface a portion of Davis Highway is getting underway. Crews will begin installing signs and performing preliminary construction activities this week along the 1.8 mile section between University Parkway and U.S. 90.
Improvements under this contract consists of resurfacing the roadway from north of University Parkway to U.S. 90, constructing sidewalk and ramp improvements, minor drainage upgrades, signalization and guardrail improvements, and placing new signs and pavement markings within the project limits.
Planned improvements requiring lane restrictions will take place at night between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. There will be no lane closures allowed during daytime peak traffic hours. Access to homes and businesses will be maintained at all times. Vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle traffic are reminded to use caution when traveling through the work area.
Construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Stamp Prices Rise
January 26, 2014
The cost of mailing a letter has increased, including a jump from 46 to 49 cents for a first class letter.
New U.S. Postal Service pricing, effective today, includes:
- Letters (1 oz.) — 3-cent increase to 49 cents
- Letters additional ounces — 1-cent increase to 21 cents
- Letters to all international destinations (1 oz.) — $1.15
- Postcards — 1-cent increase to 34 cents
Forever stamps are good for first-class postage whatever the current or future rate.
The price increases are forecast to generate $2 billion in incremental annual revenue for the Postal Service.
Fire Destroys Barn
January 26, 2014
Fire destroyed a large free-standing barn Saturday night near McDavid.
The barn, located behind a residence in the 4500 block of Crary Road, was fully involved in fire when the first firefighters arrived on scene about 9:45 p.m. There were no injuries reported.
The McDavid, Century and Walnut Hill stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the blaze. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Scott Proposes $33 Million Cut In Corporate Fees, Fines
January 26, 2014
Gov. Rick Scott released another component of his election-year proposal to cut taxes and fees by $500 million, this time by seeking to slash $33 million in corporate filing fees and penalties.
Scott’s office issued a press release announcing the latest of his tax and fee cut proposals late Friday, but details of the proposal weren’t immediately available.
The plan would reduce “approximately 50 different corporate filing fees and reduces the penalties associated with late filings taking into account the number of months the filing is late,” according to the release.
The tax break appears to be another dig against Scott’s presumed Democratic opponent, Charlie Crist. In 2010, then-Republican governor Crist and the GOP-controlled Legislature repealed a law that allowed corporations to get a waiver from the Division of Corporations for $400 late fees. The elimination of the late fee waiver, a recommendation of business-backed Florida TaxWatch, was one of a variety of methods Crist and lawmakers employed to plug a budget hole during the state’s economic downturn.
Scott also wants to roll back vehicle registration fees hiked by Crist and the Legislature in 2009. Lawmakers will consider Scott’s proposed tax and fee cuts during the upcoming legislative session.
Retired Super Bowl Winner Pushes Tate Students Toward Healthy Ways
January 25, 2014
A former Super Bowl winner was at Tate High School Friday afternoon, celebrating a culture of wellness as the school received a large cash donation.
Leigh Torrence, retired player for the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Super Bowl champ New Orleans Saints, spoke about his life and career, focusing on the importance of good nutrition, eating breakfast and exercising. Before participating in a question and answer session with students, Torrence led the gym full of Tate students in exercise activities.
During “Fuel Up To Play 60″ presentation, the Dairy Council of Florida presented the school with a $4,000 check. Tate was just one of 10 schools in Florida to receiving funding this year from the Dairy Council. The money will be used for a fitness trail and to provide healthier school breakfast choices.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: Retired NFL player Leigh Torrence speaks to students about healthy exercise Friday at Tate High School. Pictured inset: The school was presented $4,000 from the Dairy Council of Florida. Pictured inset: Students pose with Torrence. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Jerni Crabtree Named Jr. Miss EWMS (With Photo Gallery)
January 25, 2014
Jerni Lee Crabtree was named Jr. Miss EWMS Friday night at Ernest Ward Middle School.
First runner-up was Gabrielle Faith Nichole Kline’ amd second runner-up was Ashlan Kaile Harigel. The People’s Choice award was presented to Kally Lee White; the poise and appearance award to Ashlan Kaile Harigel; the congeniality award to Gabrielle Faith Nichole Kline, and the physical fitness award to Jerni Lee Crabtree.
Jr. Miss EWMS Jerni Lee Crabtree is the 13-year old daughter of Louis and Layna Crabtree. She plans to graduate from law school, become a lawyer and eventually a judge.
For a pageant photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: (L-R) Second Runner-up and Appearance Award winner Ashlan Kaile Harigel, Jr. Miss EWMS and Physical Fitness Ward winner Jerni Lee Crabtree, People’s Choice winner Kally Lee White and First Runner-up and Miss Congeniality Gabrielle Faith Nichole Kline. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
