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.
Unemployment Numbers Improving Across Most Of The Local Area
January 25, 2014
The latest job numbers released Friday show the unemployment level sliding downward in most of the North Escambia area — as Florida’s unemployment rate also dropped to the lowest level in over five years.
Escambia County’s unemployment fell from 6.2 percent in November to 5.9 percent in December. There were 8,92 people reported unemployed during the period. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 7.89 percent.
Santa Rosa County unemployment fell from 5.4 to 5.1 percent from November to December. Santa Rosa County had a total of 3,787 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 7.1 percent.
In Escambia County, Alabama, unemployment inched upwards from7.0 percent in November to 7.1 percent in December. That represented 976 people unemployed in the county during the month.
Florida’s unemployment mark fell to 6.2 percent in December, down from 6.4 percent in November, according to the state Department of Economic Opportunity. Out of a workforce of 9.4 million, there were an estimated 584,000 jobless people in December, 18,000 fewer than in November.
The state also reported that Florida added 14,100 jobs in December, a 0.2 percent increase from November, of which the majority were private sector positions.
“Once again we continue to distance ourselves from the national unemployment rate and create opportunities for Florida families,” Gov. Rick Scott said in a prepared statement.
The national unemployment mark stands at 6.7 percent.
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 6.1percent in December, was down from November’s rate of .2 percent and was below the year-ago rate of 6.8 percent.
The jobless numbers released by Florida and Alabama do not include persons that have given up on finding a job and are no longer reported as unemployed.
Medical Marijuana Initiative Gets Needed Signatures For Ballot
January 25, 2014
Medical marijuana proponents cleared a major hurdle Friday by surpassing the number of signatures required to make it on the November ballot.
But it’s still up in the air whether voters will get to choose if they want Florida to join 20 other states and the District of Columbia in legalizing medical marijuana.
The Florida Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments about the ballot initiative last month, will have final say as it decides whether the proposal meets constitutional requirements and does not mislead voters.
With 710,508 validated signatures statewide — 27, 359 more than the required 683,149 — and reaching signature requirements in the bare minimum of 14 congressional districts, People United for Medical Marijuana beat a Feb. 1 deadline for submitting petitions to the state.
“We are absolutely thrilled about reaching the required number of signatures. This is a historic day for Florida. Hopefully, Floridians will not only get a chance to vote on medical marijuana this fall but will pass it and bring relief to the thousands of Floridians that are desperately asking for it,” said Ben Pollara, campaign manager for United for Care, the group working for People United for Medical Marijuana.
The push for the medical marijuana initiative is being led by Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Charlie Crist’s boss, Orlando trial lawyer John Morgan. Morgan and his law firm have contributed at least $2.7 million, including nearly $1 million in loans last month, to the effort. But that’s just a drop in the bucket. Pollara estimates that, if the initiative makes it onto the ballot, the campaign could cost at least $10 million. Like all other constitutional proposals, the amendment would need at least 60 percent of the vote to pass.
Republicans as well as law enforcement and parts of the business community have lined up against the proposal. Gov. Rick Scott and legislative leaders oppose letting doctors prescribe pot, and Attorney General Pam Bondi’s lawyer argued against the proposal before the high court last month.
Many of the justices’ questions focused on the difference between the ballot summary’s reference to “debilitating diseases,” which would appear before voters, and the amendment language which says doctors could write pot prescriptions for a “debilitating medical condition.”
Solicitor General Allen Winsor, representing opponents, argued that the ballot title and summary that would appear on the ballot could deceive voters about the scope of the amendment. Winsor argued that the ballot language is misleading because it wrongly leads voters to believe that fewer people could get access to pot when doctors instead would have much more liberty to determine who qualifies.
But former House Speaker Jon Mills, a constitutional lawyer who authored the proposed amendment and argued on its behalf before the court, said the proposal was written to give doctors the ability to make the best decision for their patients.
Scott has repeatedly said he does not want to make pot legal because of the risks of abuse.
But on Friday, the governor toned down his message, saying he would defer to voters.
“I have a great deal of empathy for people battling difficult diseases and I understand arguments in favor of this initiative. But, having seen the terrible affects of alcohol and drug abuse first-hand, I cannot endorse sending Florida down this path and I would personally vote against it. No matter my personal beliefs, however, a ballot initiative would be up to the voters to decide,” Scott said in an e-mailed statement.
Jenn Meale, a spokeswoman for Bondi, said the attorney general’s office is waiting for a ruling from the Supreme Court on the ballot language and would refrain from commenting Friday.
Morgan insists he was inspired by his own family’s suffering. He said medical marijuana eased the excruciating pain and discomfort his father experienced as a result of emphysema and esophageal cancer.
But some critics have questioned Morgan’s true motives. Putting the pot question on the November ballot where his friend and fellow Democrat Crist might also appear may help the former governor. Polls have shown widespread support for the proposal, but the support is even higher among younger voters. Medical marijuana could help drive those voters, who might otherwise stay home in a non-presidential election, to the polls.
The strategy is similar to what Republicans used in previous years with proposals banning gay marriage, said Florida Atlantic University political science professor Kevin Wagner. Wagner said that could also be why Republicans like Bondi are fighting the initiative in court.
“It’s a political play in which neither side cares about who wins but what’s on the ballot,” Wagner said.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Firefighters Respond To Smoke In Ernest Ward Gym
January 25, 2014
Multiple Escambia Fire Rescue Stations were dispatched to the smell of smoke in the Ernest Ward Middle School gym Friday night.
The smoke was reported at 9:14 p.m., shortly after hundreds of people had departed a beauty pageant in the gym. Firefighters traced the smoke to a pulley on a heating system fan motor. There was no damage reported.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
