Molino Man Critically Injured In Early Morning Wreck
March 25, 2013
A Molino man was critically injured in a single vehicle wreck early Sunday morning in Molino.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Mark Allen Ships, Jr. was traveling west on Molino Road near Chestnut Road about 3:30 a.m. when he crossed over the eastbound lane and onto the shoulder. He continued on the shoulder until he struck a cement culvert and cement embankment with the front of his 2002 Jeep Liberty.
Shipps was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital as a “trauma alert”.
Charges against Shipps are pending, according to the FHP. The Molino, Cantonment and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue were also dispatched to the crash.
Pictured: One person was critically injured in this one vehicle accident early Sunday morning in Molino. Photos by Kristi Smith for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FHP Investigating After Driver Flees Creighton Road Crash
March 24, 2013
The Florida Highway Patrol is searching for the driver that fled the scene of rollover accident this morning. The accident happened about 7:05 a.m. on Creighton Road just off Davis Highway. Authorities said the occupant or occupants of the vehicle had fled the scene before first responders arrived on scene. Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate’s Rivers Signs Soccer Scholarship With Belhaven
March 24, 2013
Tate High School senior Michael Rivers has signed to play soccer with Belhaven University in Jackson, Miss.
Rivers played soccer all four years at Tate High School, with two goals and 10 assists this year for the Aggies. He was chosen as this year’s Tate Boys Soccer Scholar Athlete.
In addition to his stellar performance on the soccer field, Rivers has earned numerous awards and accolades during this four years in ROTC at Tate. He is also an Eagle Scout and a member of the Tate’s Interact, Spanish and Beta clubs.
Pictured: Tate’s Michael Rivers has signed to play soccer with Belhaven University in Jackson, Miss. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Negron, Gaetz: Cut Vehicle Registration Fees
March 24, 2013
Eliminating a quarter century-old tax credit for the insurance industry could allow the state to reduce the annual vehicle registration fees that were raised during the heart of the Great Recession, Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, chairman of the Appropriations Committee proposed.
Negron, who intends to formally present his proposal as a committee bill, predicted that by eliminating the tax credit established in 1987, motorists overall could see up to $220 million a year in savings if the 2009 vehicle registration fee increase was cut in half.
When the economy tanked at the end of 2008, lawmakers the next year, desperately seeking revenue but unwilling to raise taxes, made a controversial decision to raise fees on drivers instead. Opponents said it was regressive – hurting poor people as much or more than the wealthy.
The move, as lawmakers were facing a $6 billion shortfall, increased vehicle registration fees by 35 percent, as the cost of renewals, titles and driver licenses all were boosted.
“We were all elected, and we should make decisions that reflect our priorities today,” Negron said during the committee meeting on Thursday.
Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, quickly sent out a release supporting Negron’s proposal.
“In 2009, during a difficult budget year, the Legislature made the hard choice to increase certain fees associated with driving a vehicle in lieu of raising taxes, or taking draconian cuts to critical state services,” Gaetz said. “However, times have changed and it is time that we reprioritize and evaluate ways to keep more money in the pockets of hard working Floridians.”
The insurance industry tax credit was designed to offset the Insurance Premium Tax.
But Negron noted that only one other state, Arkansas, offers a similar discount that has allowed insurance companies to get rebates of 15 percent of the salaries of their employees in Florida.
House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, expressed interest in the proposal after the House session on Thursday, but said he’ll have his budget chairs review the plan.
“It’s an interesting idea,” Weatherford said. “I’m not a fan of those taxes either.”
House Minority Leader Rep. Perry Thurston, D-Fort Lauderdale, intends to approach the proposal with caution.
“We would think that it would be a good idea to bring down the costs to everyday Americans who have to drive because in Florida we don’t have mass transit,” Thurston said.
“But we’re concerned about those type of proposals, because when you’re given incentives we want to know who is getting the benefit of those incentives?” he added. “Is it for working Floridians or are we just giving a handout to a big company without them having to be accountable, which we wouldn’t support.”
By The News Service of Florida
Poll Finds Favor For Toughening Gun Controls
March 24, 2013
Just over half of Florida voters back stricter controls on guns, according to a poll just released.
The Quinnipiac University poll found that registered Florida voters back stricter statewide gun-control laws by a 51-44 percent. The poll also found that 56 percent of voters support a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons with 41 percent opposed. Voters also favor a ban on the sale of high capacity magazines 53 percent to 43 percent.
The poll was taken last week among registered voters across the state and has a margin of error of plus minus 3.1 percentage points.
By The News Service of Florida
Barrineau Park 4-H’ers Take Three Blue Ribbons At District
March 24, 2013
Three members of the Barrineau Park 4-H took blue ribbons in the District 4-H competition held Saturday.
Placing first in the Animal Science Demonstrations/Illustration Talk category were:
- Izzy Kent — “One Bad Stomach Ache – Goat Bloat”
- Dillon Conti – “Meat Cuts of a Pig”
- Jessica Conti – “It’s a Hogs Life”
The district event Saturday at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church included 4-H members from Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.
For more information on the Barrineau Park 4-H Club call Tena Gindl at (850) 698-3441.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Students Of The Month Named
March 24, 2013
Students of the month for February have been named in Escambia County. The awards are presented monthly to a limited number of students from participating schools.
North Escambia area students of the month for February were:
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Bratt Elementary — Sara Amerson, first; Sheyenne Dillon, fifth;
Jim Allen Elementary — Eluah Bianchi, kindergarten; Kayla Jarman, kindergarten;
Lipscomb Elementary — Seth Bestgen, fourth; Amaya Bullock, fifth;
McArthur Elementary — Bryson Gier, kindergarten; Heidi Lynn, kindergarten;
Molino Park Elementary — Addison Pawless, first; Evin Pedicord, first.
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
Ernest Ward Middle – Helen Kemp, sixth; Jacob White, seventh; Savanna Calhoun, eighth;
Ransom Middle — Jacob Kmetz, eighth; Kayla Johnson, eighth.
HIGH SCHOOLS
Northview High — Jessica Baldwin, 12th; Tristan Brown, 10th;
Tate High — Emily Lee, 12th; William Newman, 12th;
West Florida — Kelly Wyland, 11th; Samuel McKenzie, 12th.
Recipe: Magic Crust Custard Pie
March 24, 2013
Sometimes basics are best… and this tasty little custard number from home cook Robyn Witte has all the right ingredients to become a new favorite.
First, its classic vanilla custard flavor and gooey texture just can’t be beat. What’s more, this tasty confection comes together in a snap.
To prepare, simply combine all the ingredients in a blender then pour into a pie pan. The crust forms “magically” as the flour settles to the bottom of the pan during baking. It doesn’t get much easier than that!
Magic Crust Custard Pie
What You Need
- 1/4 cup margarine
- 4 eggs
- 3/4 c white sugar
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 cups 2% milk,
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
Directions
- Put all ingredients into a blender.
- Blend for 30 seconds. Pour into buttered 9-inch pie pan.
- Sprinkle with nutmeg. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. The flour will settle to make its own crust.
Birth: Jaxon Noah Wilson
March 24, 2013
Jaxon Noah Wilson born on March 4, 2013, weighing 7-pounds, 5-ounces and 20 inches long. He was welcomed by parents Jeremiah and Lindsey Wilson. Grandparents are Teresa and Lloyd Jordan, and Rose and Willie Wilson of Century.
One Injured In Bratt Crash
March 23, 2013
An Atmore woman received minor injuries in a single vehicle wreck before daybreak Saturday in Bratt.
The woman lost control about 5:30 a.m. on North Highway 99 near the Alabama state line, left the roadway, and struck some large brush. The 27-year old driver was transported by Atmore Ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash; the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
Pictured: One person was injured in this single vehicle accident in Bratt early Saturday morning. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.