Fire Heavily Damages Cantonment Home
December 1, 2012
Area fire departments responded to a house fire in Cantonment this afternoon.
Flames were coming out of the attic of the home at the corner of Pace Parkway and Mintz Lane when the first firefighters arrived on scene about 12:40 Saturday afternoon.
The home was currently uninhabited; there were no injuries reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Pictured: Fire damaged this empty home in Cantonment Saturday afternoon. Reader submitted photos by Douglas Brown for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Third Time’s The Charm: Northview Heads To First State Championship
December 1, 2012
The Northview Chiefs beat the Liberty County Bulldogs Friday night 48-14 to earn a trip to the Class 1A state championship game next week in Orlando.
For the Chiefs, Friday night marked the third consecutive trip to a state semifinal games; the last two years ending with a loss.
The boys from Bratt will face undefeated and No. 1 ranked Trenton next Friday night at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando — the first time in school history that Northview has ever made the Class 1A championship game.
“It’s kind of surreal right now,” Northview Coach Sid Wheatley said after the win on the road in Bristol. “We’ve (came) so close last year, and for these guys to persevere and be so close and fight through it to get back to that same point … You know, I really sensed before the game that they were ready, and they really delivered tonight. There was no denying them.”
For an action photo gallery, click here. (For cheerleader, band and fan photos, click here.)
It was, simply, near-perfect execution and style for the Chiefs. The Chiefs played an entire game with no errors. No fumbles, no interceptions, nothing. Liberty County was almost unable to gain ground; the Chiefs held them to just under 100 yards for the entire game.
Liberty County was effectively shut down by Northview as the Chiefs took a commanding 41-0 lead. Liberty County was only able to gain ground and get on the board as Wheatley began to put in backup and reserves.
The Bulldogs were stopped in the tracks on the opening kickoff, with Northview’s Jeffery Taylor recovering a Liberty County fumble. That set up a 38-yard drive ending with a 2-yard touchdown dash from Brannon Freeman, 7-0 NHS.
“It was huge,” Wheatley said Taylor’s opening play fumble recovery. “It was huge to grab momentum right now and go down and score.”
And Liberty County was just getting taste of how Northview football is played.
La’Mikal Kyles scored with 5:20 to go in the first on a 1-yard run. A good kick from Kevin Vaughan, and the Chiefs were up 14-0. In the second, Northview scored on a 12-yard run from Freeman and a 32-yard run from Kyles for a 28-0 halftime lead.
In the third quarter, Northview added a 13-yard touchdown run from La’Darius Thomas and a 51-yard run across midfield from Freeman, 41-0.
By now, fans on the Liberty County side were beginning to sneak quietly out of the stands and head for home. And the PA announcer was beginning to congratulate Liberty County for a “great” season, winning nine in a row and not losing a game at home this year. Or at least until they were whipped by the Chiefs.
As Wheatley began to substitute backup players, the Bulldogs added a couple of touchdowns.
The Chiefs racked up 367 rushing yards on 44 attempts. Freeman added 138 yards, while Kyles had 11. At QB, Vaughan was 5-8 for 73 yards, plus 23 rushing. Thomas contributed 33 yards for the Chiefs, and Neiko Robinson, who scored the final Chiefs TD of the night, had 45 yards.
“Man, we are so excited; these kids deserve it,” Wheatley said after the win. They put in the effort; they put in the time. And they’re deserving of this moment.”
For an action photo gallery, click here. (For cheerleader, band and fan photos, click here.)
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Santa Rosa Man Sentenced To Death In Double Murder Case
December 1, 2012
A Milton man that shot a couple to death in 2010 and left the bodies along a dirt road has been sentenced to death.
Robert Hobart, 43, shot and killed Tracie Tolbert and Robert Hamm in September 2010 in order to steal prescription drugs from them. Following the jury’s recommendation, Judge David Rimmer sentenced Hobart to death for killing Tolbert and imposed a life sentence for the death of Hamm.
Hobart was a suspect early in the investigation and arrested by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office after he was implicated by conclusive forensic evidence. Investigators said ballistics tests matched the weapon to both the shell casings and the bullets recovered from the crime scene.
The murders were discovered after a resident of Jesse Allen Road called authorities to report what looked like a large amount of blood in Jesse Allen Road. When deputies arrived, they found the two bodies on opposite sides of the roadway. Tolbert and Hamm had been shot in their heads.
Jesse Allen Road runs west off Highway 87, about 18 miles south of Jay and not far from Central High School.
Fire Safety: Keep The Wreath Green Campaign Begins Today
December 1, 2012
Today, Escambia County Fire Rescue and the City of Pensacola Fire Department begin the “Keep the Wreath Green” holiday safety program and Santa Rosa County begins the “Keep Your Holidays Bright” campaign designed to promote fire safety during the month of December. With both programs, officials hope to reduce the number of fires during a time of serious fire danger with simple, life saving tips.
Escambia 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. Last year, there were four residential fires in December, including one in North Escambia. A home on Washington Street in Cantonment was destroyed by fire in the early morning hours of December 30. [Read more...]
By comparison, the 2010 Keep the Wreath Green campaign ended with 18 red bulbs representing residential fires, with 15 of those fire occurring by Christmas Eve. In 2009, there were a dozen fires during the period.
This year, the eighth year of the campaign, five-foot wreaths will be on display at 26 different locations throughout the holiday season. These sites are the Old Escambia County Courthouse on Palafox Place, the Public Safety Building on W Street, the Central Office Complex on West Park Place, 17 primary county fire stations, seven stations within the City of Pensacola, Cordova Mall and one mobile display.
The “Keep the Wreath Green” program has gone green with all new LED low wattage lights that use less energy, have a longer lifetime and are more durable than the standard lights.
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.
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.
Pictured top: This home on Washington Street in Cantonment was destroyed by fire in the early morning hours of December 30, 2011. Pictured inset: A Keep the Wreath Green display at the Mcdavid Volunteer Fire Department. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Christmas Parade Schedules
December 1, 2012
Here is a list of Christmas parades to be held this year around the North Escambia area:
December 7 — Poarch
The Poarch Creek Christmas Parade will be Friday, December 7 at 5:30 p.m. The parade will begin on the Poarch Creek Reservation at the Wellness Center (gym) and end at the PCI Health Department Building.
December 7 — Milton Boat Parade
The Riverwalk Milton Holiday Lighted Boat Parade will begin at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, December 7.
December 8 — Chumuckla
The Chumuckla Christmas Parade will be Saturday, December 8. Floats will line up on Mineral Springs Road at 11 a.m. The parade will begin at 1 p.m. from the cotton gin, travel Highway 182, cross Chumuckla Highway and end at Salter Road.
December 8 – Brewton
The Brewton Christmas Parade will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 8. The parade will travel from Forrest Avenue in East Brewton, across the Mildred Street Bridge to St. Joseph Street to Belleville Avenue.
December 8 — Atmore
The Atmore 2012 Twilight Christmas Parade will be held Saturday, December 8 beginning at 5:30 p.m. The parade will follow its traditional route from the Atmore City Hall, down Main Street, to Lindberg Avenue and ending at Escambia County High School. Over two dozen floats are entered, along with several bands and numerous other groups. Parade participants should be at the Atmore City Hall by 4 p.m.
December 8 — Pensacola
The Pensacola Christmas Parade will be held at 5:15 p.m. on Saturday, December 8 in downtown Pensacola. Featuring local bands and the Blue Angels.
December 15 — Molino
The annual Molino Christmas Parade on Crabtree Church Road will be Saturday, December 15 at 11 a.m., ending with Santa Claus at the Molino Ballpark. To enter the parade, stop by Fran’s Diner on Highway 29 for information and to sign up.
Pictured: A float in last year’s Atmore Twilight Christmas Parade. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Active 2012 Hurricane Season Comes To A Close
December 1, 2012
Friday marked the end of the 2012 Atlantic Hurricane season, one that produced 19 named storms, of which 10 became hurricanes and one became a major hurricane. The number of named storms was well above the average of 12. The number of hurricanes was also above the average of six, but the number of major hurricanes was below the average of three.
Based on the combined number, intensity, and duration of all tropical storms and hurricanes, NOAA classified the season as above-normal. 2012 was an active year, but not exceptionally so as there were 10 busier years in the last three decades.
This season marked the second consecutive year that the mid-Atlantic and Northeast suffered devastating impacts from a named storm. Sandy, and Irene last year, caused fatalities, injuries, and tremendous destruction from coastal storm surge, heavy rainfall, inland flooding, and wind. Storms struck many parts of the country this year, including tropical storms Beryl and Debby in Florida, Hurricane Isaac in Louisiana, and Post-tropical Cyclone Sandy in New Jersey.
“This year proved that it’s wrong to think that only major hurricanes can ruin lives and impact local economies,” said Laura Furgione, acting director of NOAA’s National Weather Service. “We are hopeful that after the 2012 hurricane season, more families and businesses all along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts become more “weather ready” by understanding the risks associated with living near the coastline. Each storm carries a unique set of threats that can be deadly and destructive. Mother Nature reminded us again this year of how important it is to be prepared and vigilant.”
NOAA will release its pre-season outlook for the 2013 hurricane season in May.
Scott, Panel Call For Florida Property Insurance Reform
December 1, 2012
Several Florida lawmakers and Gov. Rick Scott said Friday they will push to “educate” Floridians on the hidden costs associated with property insurance and a “house of cards” that will blow down if a major storm hits.
Speaking at the Florida Chamber of Commerce insurance summit at Disney, Scott said a concerted effort needs to be made to inform insurance policyholders that state efforts to shore up the market in some of the most hurricane prone regions of the state, will likely trigger across-the-board assessments when the state-backed insurer can’t pay claims.
Scott’s comments came shortly after a Chamber political consultant released survey results showing 80 percent of policyholders are not aware that they will be charged assessments if Citizens Property Insurance Corp. and the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund are unable to pay claims in the event of a serious storm.
Scott said Citizens, the state-backed insurer, needs to continue efforts to get the word out about the potential for what he called a “hurricane tax.” Citizens has gone from the insurer of last resort to the state’s largest property insurer, with nearly 1.5 million policyholders.
“To make the dream of home ownership available we must reduce the size of Citizens,” Scott said. “It cannot be the insurer of first resort.”
Any fundamental change to Citizens role will be difficult, a subsequent panel of lawmakers said. Political considerations have – and will continue to – butt heads with the economic realities of insuring property in a state where about 80 percent of the population lives near the coastline, they said.
Balancing the actuarial soundness of insurers, including Citizens, with the clamor of the coastal population for affordable insurance has been something Florida policymakers have wrestled with for years.
Following the destructive 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, the Legislature placed caps on Citizens premium increases as Floridians complained loudly about spiraling rates. With private companies unable or unwilling to write policies in many areas that a number of homeowners consider affordable, Citizens has stepped in to insure more and more property.
To shore up the market, the CAT fund and Citizens play an increasingly critical role, but are themselves funded in part by potential assessments on policyholders of all companies if they can’t pay losses.
“Most families have no idea they are subject to this tax,” Scott said.
Any proposal to raise those rates beyond the 10-percent cap approved by lawmakers faces intense political pressure from coastal voters, who disproportionately make up Citizens policy base. But Sen. Darren Soto, D-Orlando, said coastal lawmakers may have to make unpopular choices to strengthen the overall insurance market across the state.
“It’s a pretty big balancing act,” said Soto, who was just elected to the Senate after serving in the House. “A big issue going into session is whether we can convince those folks who represent people along the coast to sign on to it.”
By The News Service of Florida
Three Dozen Students Uninjured In Pine Forest Road School Bus Crash
November 30, 2012
There were no serious injuries reported in a three vehicle accident involving a school bus this morning on Pine Forest Road near Mandeville Lane, just north Longleaf Drive.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a school bus with 38 students on board was stopped at 7:05 a.m. with red signals flashing to load passengers. A 2009 Mercury driven by 48-year old Tammy P. Franko of Pensacola was properly stopped behind the bus. Marshall C. Fundaburk, age 23 of Pensacola, was operating his vehicle above the posted speed limit and “failing to maintain awareness of the roadway,” according to a FHP report, when he slammed his 2003 Chevrolet car under the back of Franko’s vehicle and pushed it under the bus.
School district officials contacted the parents of the involved students and arranged for a second bus to transport the students to Beulah Elementary School.
Fundaburk was charged with failure to use due care, according to the FHP.
Pictured: There were no serious injuries reported in this three vehicle crash involving a school bus Friday morning on Pine Forest Road. Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Former Marine Guilty In Murder Of Escambia Teen
November 30, 2012
A former Marine was found guilty Thursday of the December 2011 murder of an Escambia County teen.
Michael Palmer Davis, 26, was convicted of the lesser charge of manslaughter; he had been charged with second degree murder for the shooting death of Alonzo Dewayne Knight.
Deputies responded to the 7100 block of Princess Lane near Fairfield Drive and Patricia Drive during the early morning hours of December 2, 2011. Upon arrival, Knight was
pronounced dead at the scene from a gunshot wound.
Authorities said a friend of Davis got into argument with several teenagers. During the argument, Davis fired a shot from 142 feet away, striking and killing Knight. Davis’ attorney argued that he was trying to break up the situation and did not actually intend to shoot anyone. As a trained Marine, the defense argued, he thought the shot was properly fired and he never thought a shot fired at the ground would hit someone.
Davis faces up to 30 years in prison when he is sentenced in January.
Despite Outcry, Molino Farm Services Office Closes
November 30, 2012
Despite a public and local government outcry, the USDA Farm Services Agency Office in Molino is now closed.
The Molino FSA Office administered farm commodities, crop insurance, credit, environmental conservation and emergency assistance for farmers and ranchers in Escambia County. With the closure of the office, farmers will be forced to drive to another office like Milton or Brewton for FSA services.
On May 29 the Florida Farm Service Agency received approval from Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to proceed with the implementation of county office consolidation plan, including closure of six agency offices.
In February, farmers and producers from across Escambia County met in Molino with Tim Manning, FSA state executive director, with pleas to keep the office open.
Manning (pictured) said that offices with two or less employees and offices that were located within 20 miles of another office were targeted for closure. Manning said that on December 23, 2011, the day chosen as a “snapshot” of the Molino office, it met both criteria for closure.
But multiple farmers and producers were quick to point out that it is more than 20 miles to drive from Molino, or areas like Walnut Hill or Nokomis, to the FSA office in Milton because of limited routes across the Escambia River. And the criteria for two or fewer employees, many producers said, was met only because a third employee in the office had recently retired.
“We all understand that government must be a good steward of our tax money,” Escambia County Property Appraiser Chris Jones said at the February meeting. Jones, a timber producer in Escambia County, pointed out that the Escambia County FSA office was the third busiest payment office in the state. “Sometimes you have to weigh those dollars against those that fund it…to put the human factor in it.”
“We are the last in Florida, the last county,” Jones said, “and sometimes we get left out of a lot of things.”
Mike Godwin of Walnut Hill suggested during the meeting that perhaps instead of closing the Molino office, the Farm Service Agency should use it as a nationwide model of doing more with less since the number of payments processed per employee is now the highest in the state.
The major savings from closing the Molino Farm Service Agency will be about $16,000 per year in rent to the Escambia County Farm Bureau for office space along with telephone service. All other utilities are included in the monthly rent.
“The federal government is broke; we all know this,” Walnut Hill farmer Brett Ward (pictured) said at the public meeting. “But we in ag are willing to do our share. But let’s make smart cuts.This is my opinion, in our opinion, is not a smart…Our job to feed and clothe this nation is hard enough.”
Ward, speaking on behalf of the Farm Bureau Board, told state FSA directors in February that the it’s no secret at the Farm Bureau wanted to keep the $16,000 in annual rent flowing. He said the money is returned to the community each year through a variety of community organizations — most dealing with children — like the Northview and Ernest Ward FFA chapters, the Escambia County Extension Service for children’s projects, the Molino Park Elementary PTA and Bratt Elementary School.
The Escambia County Commission also took a stance against the closure, passing a resolution forwarded to FSA officials and members of the local Congressional delegation.
“The Escambia County FSA office is a vital resource to address the claims and concerns of citizens in Escambia County,” the county’s resolution stated.
“Over the past three years, FSA has faced a variety of budget-related challenges,” said Bruce Nelson, Administrator of the Farm Service Agency in a news release distributed Thursday. “Although we recognize that change is never easy, we strongly believe that taking this action now is critical to ensuring FSA can continue to serve its customers as it adjusts to budget constraints. FSA can only achieve the high level of service expected through consolidation of our human, financial and technical resources.”
Beginning today, all FSA program services for Escambia County will be provided by the Santa Rosa County FSA office unless a producer has requested their records transferred to another county.
The Santa Rosa County FSA office is located at 6277 Dogwood Drive in Milton, and the phone number is (850) 623-2411.
Pictured top: Dozens of farmers and producers packed a meeting about the Molino FSA Office in February at Highland Baptist Church in Molino. Pictured below: The Farm Service Agency rented office space in this, the Farm Bureau Building on Highway 97 in Molino. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
