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Local Gas Prices Show State’s Biggest Weekly Jump Due To Gas Tax

Escambia County gas prices are up eight cents in the past week — the largest jump of any metro area gas prices in Florida.

The jump from $3.22 a gallon one week ago to $3.30 was due in part to a new four-cent gas tax that kicked in January 1 to fund the ECAT mass transit system. Other metro areas in Florida saw a one to five cent weekly increase, according to AAA.

The statewide average price per gallon moved upwards a couple of cents per gallon from $3.39 one week ago to a current average of $3.41 per gallon.

The Escambia County Commission and the City of Pensacola entered into an interlocal agreement on the tax to fund ECAT. And, despite the Town of Century’s refusal to go along with the increase, the higher gas tax is also being collected in the town for ECAT.

The 4-cent gas tax increase does not include diesel fuel.

Pictured top: North Century Boulevard in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.

Escambia County Offers More Frigid Cold Weather Tips

As the area faces more record cold tonight, Escambia County officials said is important to prepare your family, pets and home for winter weather.

Protecting People

• Stay indoors, dress warmly and use safe heating sources.
• Dress warmly. Layers can be removed to prevent perspiration and chill. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Mittens are warmer than gloves because fingers generate warmth when they touch each other.

Pets

• Do not leave pets out in the cold – if you are cold, they are cold.
• Bring all pets indoors and make sure they have a warm blanket to lie on, as well as plenty of food and water.
• If pets must stay outdoors, provide a pet house or other type of shelter and line the bottom with plenty of blankets or hay along with extra food and water. Try installing a light bulb flood light in the pet house at a safe distance away from the pet to avoid burns. The heat from the bulb will help keep them warm. However, do not use light bulbs when bedding with hay.
• When tethering an animal, be sure you are within the legal parameters with Escambia County.

Pipes

Water expands when it freezes and can shatter pipe seals or the pipes themselves, sending water pouring through your house if ice forms. You can avoid thousands of dollars of damage to your home by taking a few simple measures to protect your home:

• Use faucet covers, wrap rags, paper, trash bags or plastic foam around faucets and outdoor pipes.
• Cover any vents around your home´s foundation.
• Protect outdoor electrical pumps and bring water hoses indoors.
• Open the cabinets under the sinks in your kitchen and bathrooms to allow heated indoor air to circulate around water pipes.
• Insulate your outdoor water meter box and be sure its lid is secure.
• If you have a swimming pool, either drain the circulation system or keep the pump motor running. Run the pump motor only in a short freeze. Running the motor for long periods could cause damage.
• Let faucets drip, but do not run a big stream of water.
• If you leave town, consider turning off your water at the shut-off valve while faucets are running to drain your pipes. Make sure the faucets are turned off before you turn the shut-off valve back on.
• If you drain your pipes, contact your electric or gas utility for instructions on protecting your water heater.

If Pipes Freeze

• Turn off the water at the shut-off valve and call a plumber for help.
• Do not use lamps or electrical appliances to thaw frozen pipes. Leaking water from thawing pipes could cause a short and you can be electrocuted.
• If you try to thaw your own pipes, apply heat slowly, and move the heat toward the coldest spot on the pipe. Never concentrate heat in one spot – cracking ice can shatter a pipe.

Practice Fire Safety

• Use extra care with supplemental heating units.
• Make sure that all-combustible materials such as drapes or chairs are at least three feet away from any heating unit.
• Avoid using flammable liquids to start fireplaces and do not leave a fireplace unattended.
• Most importantly, check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are working properly.

Plants

• Water your plants thoroughly. The water will act as an insulator. Dry plants are more susceptible to freezing.
• After watering, cover plants with a breathable material, such as fabric not plastic.
• Place mulch at the base of your plants and do not prune prior to a freeze. Pruning encourages soft growth, which is susceptible to freezing. Spraying the leaves of plants with liquid seaweed will also toughen them against cold.

Escambia, Santa Rosa Schools Open

The freezing temperatures closed some Alabama schools, but for most of our area it’s class as usual this morning.

Schools in Escambia County, FL, Escambia County, AL, and Santa Rosa counties are all open today.

Escambia County (FL) School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said the school district will have maintenance staff readily available to deal with any heating or plumbing issues as they arise due to weather conditions.

Schools in Baldwin County, AL, are closed today for the cold, and Mobile County Schools are opening two hours late this morning.

Molino Branch Library Names New Librarian

The West Florida Library Systems has hired a new professional librarian for the Molino Branch Library.

Wen Mallette Livingston grew up in Cantonment and graduated from the University of West Florida with bachelor of science degree in marketing and earned her master of library science degree from the University of Missouri – Columbia.

Livingston said her favorite parts about working in libraries are planning programs, recommending book titles to readers and providing computer assistance.  She said believes that the library is a truly useful and enjoyable national treasure.

For the past seven years, Livingston worked for the St. Louis County Library System and did practicums with the St. Louis County Community College Library and the Missouri History Museum Library.

The Molino Branch Library, which opened in April 2013, is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The Molino Branch Library can be reached by calling (850) 435-1760.

Pictured: The Molino Branch Library’s new librarian, Wen Mallette Livingston, at work on Monday. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.

Scott Sued For Failing To Name New Lt. Governor

A lobbyist for the Florida National Organization for Women wants the state’s top court to order Gov. Rick Scott to name a new lieutenant governor — a position unoccupied since March 2013 — within 30 days.

As the 10-month anniversary approaches of Jennifer Carroll’s resignation from the post, Tallahassee lobbyist Barbara DeVane filed a lawsuit on Monday at the Florida Supreme Court that contends Scott is breaking state law by failing to appoint a successor. DeVane also claims Scott’s decision to leave the post unoccupied upsets the order of succession and that the “state would be powerless to respond” if a crisis occurs and Scott is for some reason unavailable.

“If the Governor (who resigned his previous position as chief executive officer of a company that pled guilty to massive amounts of systemic fraud, including 14 felonies, leading to a historic $1.7 billion fine) resigns amid scandal like his lieutenant or dies, there is no lieutenant governor to fulfill the heavy responsibilities of the office,” the suit claims.

If Scott were unable to fulfill his duties before a lieutenant governor is named, Attorney General Pam Bondi would take over as governor.

In an email response to the suit, Scott spokeswoman Melissa Sellers said, “The Governor is going to take the right time to find the right person.”

DeVane doesn’t offer who should be selected, noting she isn’t “seeking to compel the Governor to choose any particular individual.”

Despite a variety of rumored picks, Scott has given few clear indications about when he will fill the post. Carroll stepped down March 12, after law-enforcement officials raided Internet cafes across the state. Carroll previously had done consulting work for Allied Veterans of the World, a key target of the investigation.

by The News Service of Florida

Local Players Named To All-State Football Teams

Several North Escambia area high school football player were named to Florida All-State Football teams Monday, including one first team selection. Northview High School’s Neino Robinson was named to the 1A All-State team’s first team defense.

Northview

• First team defense: DB — Neino Robinson, 5-10 170, Sr.
• Second team offense:  WR — Brannen Freeman, 5-10 170, Sr.; OL — Laquan Thomas, 5-11 230, Sr.
• Honorable Mention: QB Dalton Tullis, 6-1 170, Sr.; LB Jeffrey Taylor, 6-2 210, Sr.

Tate (8A)

• Third Team Offense: RB — Tay Samuel, 5-10 190, Sr.
• Honorable Mention: LB Marquis Cass, 5-11 205, Jr.

West Florida (5A)

• Second Team Offense:  WR — Lawrence Lee, 5-11 175, Sr.
• Second Team Defense: Rocel McWilliams, 6-3 240, Sr.
• Third Team Offense: QB — Joey Baker, 6-3 215, Sr.
• Honorable Mention: DB DaQuan Young, 6-1 175, Sr.

Pictured: Northview’s Neino Robinson. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.

Christians, Atheists Say Keep Capitol A Free Speech Zone

Christians and atheists may have found a little common patch of ground, the rotunda of the Florida Capitol as a space to express themselves.

The threat of a lawsuit is hovering over the state’s rejection of a satanic display, and the rotunda exhibit policy is set to undergo a staff review. But the prevailing view among those who have recently jumped at the chance to use the public floor space to express their beliefs is to simply let everyone have their say.

“They designated a free speech zone for everyone to express their religious and non-religious beliefs,” said Austin Aycock, spokesman for the Tallahassee Atheists. “If they’re going to do it, they can’t have limits.”

The Tallahassee Atheists, The American Atheists Florida Regional Directors and the Madison, Wis.-based Freedom From Religion Foundation all put up seasonal banners this year to counter a Christian nativity scene.

“I hope the state can find a way to make all voices heard and to keep everyone’s freedom of speech alive here in the Capitol rotunda,” said Randall Smith, Knights of Columbus grand knight of the Good Shepherd Church parish in Tallahassee. “All capitols should be like the state of Florida, and I hope they can find a way to make room for everybody.”

Department of Management Services spokesman Ben Wolf said in an email that the department appreciates “the input we receive from all groups across the state” regarding the display policy, but added there is no timetable on the review.

“We will take as much time as needed,” Wolf said.

DMS limits the height of displays based on where they are located in the rotunda and prohibits displays from blocking permanent memorials such as the Civil Rights and Veterans halls of fame. Also, the department will allow displays as long as there is available space, but does have rules against noise and impeding official business.

The Knights of Columbus on Monday put up a decorated wooden cross in the Capitol for the group called Reclaim Christmas for Christ to mark Three Kings Day and the Christian feast of the Epiphany.

The cross display follows diverse exhibits that have dotted the rotunda this holiday season, including a pole made of empty beer cans to mark the sitcom-created ivus holiday and a shredded pile of paper that is supposed to resemble the deity of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

“When you see a nativity scene, and right beside it you see a pole with beer cans on it, we think it makes our point,” Smith said. “We think it further shows the seriousness of the nativity scene” versus other presentations that are not as serious.

The free speech issue exploded this year after the Florida Prayer Network put up the first nativity display in modern history in the Capitol on Dec. 3.

The nativity scene joined a menorah that has been displayed in prior years. But the Christian display went up with a lot of media fanfare.

The policy review will be undertaken as the ACLU of Florida continues to warn the Department of Management Services that a lawsuit remains an option over the department’s rejection of an exhibition proposed by the New York-based Satanic Temple.

“What we hope happens is that the department will realize you can’t pick and choose which messages or organizations get represented if you create an open forum — or that they make the determination after all that’s happened that maybe creating a venue for religious messages isn’t the best use of a government building in the first place,” said ACLU of Florida spokesman Baylor Johnson.

Johnson added that the ACLU is not formally representing the temple.

The Department of Management Services rejected the temple’s proposal on grounds that it was “grossly offensive.”

Department officials have not defined what they have considered offensive about the temple’s proposal that would have bannered the phrase “Happy holidays from the Satanic Temple” atop a diorama of an angel falling into hell. A sign on one side of the display referenced Luke 10:18 including the line, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”

The temple’s display was the only proposal denied by the state agency.

Pam Olsen, president of the Florida Prayer Network, said that while the Satanists’ proposal was “amateurish,” she didn’t think it should have been rejected.

“I would have been okay with it because I’m not afraid of what they’re saying,” Olsen said.

Olsen added she hoped the Department of Management Services doesn’t use the Satanists’ application as a reason to keep her and others out in the future.

“That was the whole reason they did this, to shut us down,” Olsen said.

Chaz Stevens, a Deerfield Beach resident behind the Festivus pole of beer cans, said when his display went up that the intent of his admittedly “ridiculous” effort was to make a political statement on the need for the separation of church and state.

by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida

51 Arrests Made in Prostitution Sweep (With Mugshots)

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrested over 50 people during a prostitution sweep.

The four-phase operation targeted street level prostitution and escort prostitution.

During a three day period beginning December 3, street level prostitution was targeted, with 17 female and one male prostitute arrested.  On December 12, escorts advertising on the internet were targeted with eight prostitutes arrested. There were two additional arrests made for narcotics related crimes.

On December 18, the operation targeted persons soliciting prostitutes at the street level.   Six men were arrested on soliciting charges and two additional arrests were made on unrelated charges.  And during the fourth phase of the operation on January 3, males responding to internet based advertisements were targeted with 15 men arrested.

The following was provided by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.

Arrested December 3-6:

Arrested December 12:

Arrested December 18:

Arrested January 3:

Two Armed Robberies Under Investigation; One Clerk Injured (Updated)

More details have been released on two armed robberies Sunday night in the North Escambia area — including one that left a store clerk with minor injuries.

The first robbery was reported about 8:13 p.m. at the Liquor Cabinet at the corner of Highway 29 and Old Chemstand Road in the Gonzalez area. According to the clerk, a black male about 5-foot, 8-inches wearing a bright blue hoodie and camouflage mask entered the store armed with a handgun.  The suspect fled the area on foot. An unsuccessful  manhunt with a K-9 followed in the area around the store.

The second armed robbery was reported about 15 minutes later. at the Family Dollar store on Highway 97 in Davisville,  just south of the Alabama state line. Two black males armed with a handgun and baseball bat entered the store demanding money. One of the suspects struck a store clerk in the legs with the baseball bat. The clerk was evaluated on scene and refused medical treatment for minor injuries. Both suspects fled the store in an unknown direction.

There is no indication that the robberies were related; the two businesses are located about 33 miles apart.

Anyone with information about the burglaries is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.

Pictured top and inset: The scene of an armed robbery Sunday night at the Family Dollar on Highway 97 in Davisville. Pictured below: Photos from the robbery scenes at the Family Dollar in Davisville and the Liquor Cabinet on Highway 29 in Gonzalez. Pictured bottom. EMS  arrives on scene to evaluate the clerk at the Family Dollar. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Dangerous Artic Blast: Low Of 13 Tonight

There is hard freeze warning and wind chill advisory in effect. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

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