Gas Prices Over $3 For 1,000th Day
September 18, 2013
The national average price of gasoline surpassed $3 per gallon for 1,000 consecutive day on Tuesday according to AAA. The current streak began on December 23, 2010. AAA forecasts the national average will remain above $3 per gallon for at least another thousand days barring a major economic recession.
“Paying less than $3 per gallon for gasoline may be automotive history for most Americans, like using 8-track tapes or going to a drive-in movie,” said Bob Darbelnet, President and CEO of AAA. “The reality is that expensive gas is here to stay, which is tough on millions of people who need a car to live their lives. While a few lucky drivers may occasionally pay less than $3.00 per gallon, the national average is likely to remain more costly into the future.”
Tuesday’s national average price was $3.52, while the average price in Escambia County was $3.34.
Pictured: Gas prices below $3, like at this Davisville station in 2010, are likely a thing of the past. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Holley Elected To Florida Tax Collector’s Board
September 18, 2013
Escambia County Tax Collector Janet Holley has been elected to serve on the Florida Tax Collectors Association’s (FTCA) Board of Directors as the District 1 Director for 2013-2014. She will represent Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, and Washington counties. Holley previously served as president for the association in 2005-2006.
Holley and her accounting department, headed by Chief Financial Officer Brenda Chestnutt, received recognition at the FTCA’s Fall Education Forum. The office earned a Certificate of Merit for achieving a clean audit for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012. This is the second year in a row they received this honor.
ECSO: Man Videos Child Beating To Tune Of Robin Thicke Song ‘Blurred Lines’
September 17, 2013
A Molino man is facing multiple child abuse charges after allegedly beating a juvenile girl on video to the tune of the Robin Thicke song “Blurred Lines”.
Steven Grady Fillingim, age 40 of Chestnut Road, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on three counts of felony child abuse. He was being held without bond.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a child abuse complaint on Sunday. The victim said Fillingim came home Saturday night and became angry with her, calling her lazy, because she had not vacuumed up bugs from the carpet. He allegedly struck her on the face with a belt and his hands, but he did not leave any marks. According to an arrest report, he then made the victim hold a 20-pound weight straight out in front of her body, and then made her hold an 8-pound weight behind her. He then reportedly made the victim shovel dirt for about an hour and a half before allowing her to go to bed at 1:30 a.m.
The victim told deputies that punishments were for “being lazy” and for skipping school the previous week.
The day she skipped school, the victim said Fillingim began to hit her on the backs of both thighs with a switch about 2.5 feet long for about 40 minutes, using the switch like a whip.
As he was striking the victim, Fillingim played the Robin Thicke song “Blurred Lines”, striking her with the switch to the beat of the music, an arrest report states. At some point during the beating, Fillingim began to record the incident with his phone and sent the recording to his girlfriend via text message.
A deputy that viewed the video said it was titled “She’s Home” and what appears to be a switch is repeatedly stuck across the upper thigh area of a person’s legs. The face of the person is not visible in the video, but the deputy said the portion of the legs was the same area where the victim was bruised.
The victim also reported Fillingim struck her multiple times leaving a bruise on the upper portion of her left arm.
Fillingim’s girlfriend told deputies she observed Fillingim strike the victim with a belt before ordering her to hold a weight. The victim said she was then ordered to go to her room and “mind her own business”, the report states. The woman told deputies that she has now broken up with Fillingim and no longer wished to continue a relationship with him.
The arrest report does not specify the relationship between Fillingim and the victim.
The Department of Children and Families is also investigating the incident.
Century Postpones Public Hearing, Final Action On New Budget
September 17, 2013
The Town of Century promptly adjourned a final budget public hearing Monday evening until next week.
The town council was set to hold the public hearing prior to their regular meeting and then vote to adopt a budget and set a tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year. But due to advertising requirements, the council was forced to postpone the public hearing at 5:01 p.m. on Monday, September 23.
To view a summary of the budget in pdf format, click here.
Northview Seeks School Advisory Council Members
September 17, 2013
Northview High School is seeking volunteers for their 2013-2014 School Advisory Council.
The council meets four times each year after school. Interested parents and community members should call (850) 327-6681, ext 221, before September 23.
At Least Two Injured In Highway 29 Crash
September 17, 2013
At least two people were injured in a two vehicle wreck Monday night on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
The accident happened about 9:15 p.m. in the northbound lanes of Highway 29 near Neal Road when the driver of a car apparently rear-ended a pickup truck. The northbound lanes of Highway 29 were closed for over an hour by the crash.
Both of the injured persons were transported to an area hospital by ambulance. Their names and conditions were not available Monday night as the Florida Highway Patrol continued their crash investigation.
The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Pictured: At least two people were injured in this two vehicle accident Monday night on Highway 29 in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Free Blood Pressure Screening In Molino
September 17, 2013
Free blood pressure screenings are offered each Tuesday at the Molino Community Center from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., sponsored by the Molino Mid-County Historical Society.
Organizers said the free blood pressure checks have been a great service to the community, with one individual discovering a dangerously high blood pressure, and another realizing that they needed to resume their blood pressure medication.
The Molino Community Center is located at 6450 Highway 95A.
Scam Alert: ESAR Not Soliciting Funds Door To Door
September 17, 2013
Escambia Search and Rescue wants Escambia County residents to know that the group is not currently soliciting funds door-to-door.
“We discontinued the services of a professional fundraising service that has been performing our door-to-door campaigns for us, and we would like to inform our supporters, and those who may become future supporters, that we are not soliciting donations at this time,” said John Provo, an ESAR commander. “We are in the process of reorganizing our fundraising efforts and would like for the public to know that we will make another announcement when we resume fundraising.”
Provo said the group has received reports of someone fraudulently collecting funds door-to-door for the group.
Escambia Search and Rescue trains for and responds to many different types of incidents, including lost children, missing hunters, drowning victims, overdue boats, natural disasters, and missing persons with Alzheimer’s, autism or other forms of dementia.
ESAR has served the Escambia County area for over 50 years. The 100 percent volunteer organization relies primarily on the support of individual donors. Donations can be made on the group’s website, www.EscambiaSearchAndRescue.com.
Pictured: ESAR begins a successful search for a missing 8-year old boy lost in a wooded area near Century. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Flags Ordered To Half Staff In Tribute To Navy Yard Victims
September 17, 2013
President Barack Obama and Gov. Rick Scott have ordered flags be flown at half staff through Friday to pay tribute to the victims of the Washington Navy Yard shootings on Monday. The governor’s order arrived Monday night during a Century Town Council meeting. Following that meeting, Century Mayor Freddie McCall (pictured) personally lowered the flag at Century Town Hall. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Century Hears Proposals To Create Economic Development Plan
September 17, 2013
The Century Town Council heard proposals Monday from four contenders to develop an Economic Development Strategic Plan for the town.
Robert Gray of the Strategic Planning Group of Ponte Verde Beach, William Fruth of the Policom Corporation of Palm City and Rod Lewes of the Haas Center (the research and consulting arm of the University of West Florida) made their presentations to the council in person. Herbert Marlowe of Analytica made his company’s presentation via telephone and a Powerpoint.
Council members completed a score sheet Monday that will be used to rank and later choose the winning company. The town was awarded a $25,000 technical assistance grant from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to develop the plan.
Pictured top: Rod Lewes of the Haas Center (the research and consulting arm of the University of West Florida) makes a presentation Monday evening to the Century Town Council. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.