Bill Would Slice Local Regulation Of Knives
December 3, 2013
A Republican senator filed a bill Monday that would bar state and local government agencies from regulating pocketknives, hunting and fishing knives and other types of knives. The bill (SB 458), filed by Sen. Thad Altman, R-Viera, would give only the Legislature the authority to regulate such knives — a concept known as “preemption.”
The state has a similar preemption law dealing with firearms.
“It is the intent of the Legislature to occupy the field of regulation of knives, common pocketknives, and weapons,” the bill says. “It is the further intent of the Legislature to provide uniformity of laws by prohibiting state agencies and political subdivisions from enacting rules or ordinances on the manufacture, sale, transfer, possession, and use of knives and weapons.”
by The News Service of Florida
61 Arrested During Sheriff’s Office Warrant Sweep; Burglary Ring Discovered
December 3, 2013
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrested 61 people on outstanding warrants during an a sweep named “Operation Smoking Gun”. And, as part of the operation, Sheriff David Morgan says his deputies also uncovered a burglary ring.
“We believe we are now on to a pretty sizable burglary ring in Escambia County,” Morgan said during a press conference Monday afternoon. Three people have been arrested in connection with the burglaries, but investigators believed up to 10 people may be involved. Due to the ongoing investigation, the Sheriff’s Office has not named the three arrested so far.
The burglary ring is believed to have included about 30 residential burglaries and more than 100 vehicle break-ins across the county.
On any given day in Escambia County, Morgan said there are about 25,000 outstanding arrest warrants. He said the November 18-23 outstanding warrant crackdown is just the first of many more similar operations.
Pictured: Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan speaks during a Monday news conference. Courtesy image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Animal Shelter Joins Adoption Campaign
December 3, 2013
The Escambia County Animal Shelter teamed up with Blue Buffalo and 4,000 other shelters worldwide to adopt 1.5 million pets this holiday season. The Blue Buffalo “Home 4 the Holidays” seasonal pet adoption campaign runs through January 2, 2014, with the goal of placing orphaned pets into loving homes.
The program has grown into the largest pet adoption drive in the world and is credited with saving more than 8 million pets across the globe since its inception in 1999.
Six Injured In Highway 29, Tate School Road Wreck
December 2, 2013
Six people were injured in a two vehicle crash Sunday night on Highway 29 at Tate School Road that closed northbound Highway 29 at the intersection for several hours.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 56-year old Curtis Ward drove his 2004 Jeep Liberty the wrong way on Highway 29, causing the the head-on collision with a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado driven by 42-year old Kimberly Hall of Brewton.
Ward was seriously injured in the crash, while his three juvenile passengers, ages 7-8, received minor injuries. All four were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital. Hall and her passenger, 42-year old Kenneth Hall also of Brewton, were seriously injured and transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital.
Charges against Curtis Ward and pending blood results, according to the FHP.
The Ensley and Cantonment Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Pictured: Six people were reportedly injured in this two vehicle crash Sunday night on Highway 29 at Tate School Road. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Wildfire Burns Portion Of Walnut Hill Cotton Field
December 2, 2013
A wildfire burned through a portion of an unpicked Walnut Hill cotton field Sunday afternoon. The fire was reported near the intersection of Highway 164 and North Highway 99 about 12:40 p.m.
Firefighters from the Walnut Hill, McDavid and Century stations Escambia Fire Rescue battled the blaze, along with the Florida Forest Service.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fire Safety: Annual Keep The Wreath Green Campaign Begins
December 2, 2013
The annual “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign is now underway from Escambia Fire Rescue and the Pensacola Fire Department, and Santa Rosa County has started the “Keep Your Holidays Bright” campaign.
Officials hope to reduce the number of fires during a time of serious fire danger with simple, life saving tips for each day of the month. Click here to read the fire safety tips.
Escambia County
This year, the ninth year of the campaign, five-foot wreaths will be on display at different locations throughout the holiday season, including Escambia County’s Ernie Lee Magaha Governmental Center building and fire stations across the county.
Every time firefighters respond to a residential fire in Escambia County, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by holiday decorations and other fire dangers.
There were six residential fires in Escambia County during the 2012 month-long campaign last December. None of those fires were in the North Escambia area.
Santa Rosa County
In the Santa Rosa “Keep Your Holidays Bright” campaign, a Christmas tree decorated with candles has been placed in the Santa Rosa County Administration Complex on Caroline Street.
Each time firefighters respond to a working residential fire or large wildfire causing fire damage, a candle will be “extinguished” and replaced with a card noting the basic details of the fire.
Last year, there were three residential fires in Santa Rosa County during December.
December Fire Dangers
According to the United States Fire Administration, 76 percent of fire injuries affecting civilians occurred in our homes. Fires occurring during the holiday season claim the lives of over 945 people, injure 3,825 and cause over $1.7 billion in damage. Nationally, cooking is the leading cause of residential building fires in December, accounting for 41 percent of fires, followed by heating fires at 28 percent, open flame fires at nine percent and incendiary/suspicious fires seven percent.
Pictured inset: A Keep the Wreath Green display at the Mcdavid Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Cheerleader Crabtree Performs At Disney
December 2, 2013
Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleader Jerni Crabtree was one of many cheerleaders and dancers from across the country that performed in the 2013 UCA/UDA Thanksgiving Tour during the Thanksgiving weekend at Walt Disney World in Orlando.
Crabtree, of Molino, performed with the UCA/UDA All-Americans group in the pre-parade at the Magic Kingdom Park on Thanksgiving Day.
The individuals invited to perform in the parade are part of a select group of cheerleaders and dancers chosen as All-Americans during the Universal Cheerleaders Association and Universal Dance Association summer camps across the country.
Man Dies In Hunting Accident
December 2, 2013
An area man is dead following a deer hunting accident Saturday evening.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 30-year old Christopher Garrett of Milton was hunting with friend Johnny Farmer on family property near Munson Highway in Santa Rosa County. They both left their tree stands about dusk. Farmer saw movement and fired, striking Garrett.
Garrett was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola where he passed away about 11:00 Sunday morning.
Florida Fish and Wildlife said they are investigating the incident as a hunting accident. As is standard procedure, the State Attorney’s Office will review the case.
Bridge Work Beginning On Hanks And Pine Barren Roads
December 2, 2013
Walnut Hill and Bratt area drivers can expect delays on two bridges this week. Road crews will be working on bridges on Hanks Road and also Highway 168.
Hanks Road Bridge
Work on the Hanks Road Bridge, just off North Pine Barren Road, was scheduled to begin on Tuesday. During the first phase of the project, crews will inspect and repair the underside of the bridge. By the end of the week, crews will turn their attention to the top side of the bridge. The focus on top of the bridge will be to clean and repair in order to best maintain the bridge.
Some lane closures are expected, mostly likely during the second phase of the project later in the week.
Highway 168 Bridge
Work on a Highway 168 Bridge, just west of Pine Barren Road, was scheduled to begin Tuesday morning. Work is expected to continue through December 10 during the hours of 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Some single lane closures are expected during work hours.
Pictured top: A bridge that will undergo repairs on Hanks Road. Pictured below: A bridge that will undergo repairs on Pine Barren Road. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Big Ticket Items Spur Growth In Florida Consumer Confidence
December 2, 2013
Florida’s consumer confidence showed some life in November after falling sharply in October as the federal-government shutdown and another debt-ceiling debate loomed in Congress, according to a University of Florida report.
On a scale that ranges from 2 to 150, confidence among Floridians rose to a 76 from a revised 70 in October, according to numbers released Tuesday. A big reason for the increase is an improved perception that now is a good time to buy big-ticket items, such as cars.
“That component is now at the highest since April 2007 when the economy was showing signs of the bursting housing bubble which led to the Great Recession,” Chris McCarty, director of UF’s Survey Research Center in the Bureau of Economic and Business Research, said in a news release.
Despite the overall increase in optimism, Florida seniors remain the most pessimistic consumers, McCarty noted.
“They were likely concerned over the potential consequences of a default on U.S. debt, such as potential delays in the distribution of Social Security and the negative effects such a default would have on an otherwise strong stock market,” McCarty said.