Century Proclaims Military Family And Community Covenant Day
February 25, 2013
The Town of Century has declared April 17 as Military Family and Community Covenant Day, joining cities across Florida and the state in the effort.
The proclamation and day recognizes military men and women along with their families.
By approving the proclamation, the town expressed “their unwavering support and admiration to all current and former military personnel for their true and faithful service and further recognize the tremendous sacrifices of their families”.
The complete proclamation is below, click to enlarge.
DCF Warns Floridians About Fake Public Assistance Websites, Apps
February 25, 2013
The Department of Children and Families is warning Florida residents about fake websites offering to help people apply for public benefits and asking for financial and credit card information.
To apply for public assistance, including Medicaid, cash or food assistance, in Florida, the only legitimate site is www.myflorida.com/accessflorida. Other sites are using ads, sometimes on the side of news articles, offering help filling out applications for public assistance benefits. These links may take visitors to another site where they are asked for personal information, including credit card information. DCF, its employees or service providers, will never ask for credit card information.
“We want our clients to safeguard this personal data just like they would any bank or financial information,” said Secretary David Wilkins. “Do not give your information out to any unauthorized or unknown website.”
The department also cautioned about various mobile applications have been produced for smartphones that request confidential information from clients who use Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards. To help maintain the security of an account, EBT users should never share information about an account with others, especially through websites or mobile applications. Several mobile apps called “EBT Buddy” have been developed for both iPhones and Android platforms and require EBT card and PIN numbers in order to check abalance. DCF said providing this information can put a user at risk for fraud.
Federal Funds Available To Agricultural Producers In Escambia River Watershed
February 25, 2013
Agricultural producers living in the Escambia River watershed have until March 15 to apply for financial incentives from the Gulf of Mexico Initiative resulting from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.
Financial assistance is available to help eligible producers focus on reducing soil erosion, improving water quality, and improving wildlife habitat on cropland, pastureland, and forestland, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
NRCS and their conservation partners developed this initiative in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and President Obama’s call to help restore the waters, shores, and wildlife populations along the Gulf Coast.
All NRCS conservation programs are voluntary but participants must meet eligibility requirements. For more information about signing-up for this initiative contact Escambia County District Conservationist Josh McElhaney at 151 Highway 97 in Molino or call (850) 587-5404, ext. 3.
For a printable information sheet, click here.
Woman, 76, Dies In Santa Rosa Traffic Crash
February 24, 2013
A 76-year old woman was killed and three others were injured in a Saturday night wreck in Milton.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 76-year old Herminio Reyllo Valderama was northbound in the turn lane of Highway 87 approaching Firehouse road when he turned his 1998 Tracker into the path of a 2006 Kia Optima driven by 24-year old Destiny Elisabeth Gregg of Milton.
Valderama received minor injuries. His passenger, 76-year old Lilia R. Valderama, was pronounced deceased following the crash. Gregg and her passenger, 25-year old Ryan Anthony Bush of Milton, were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries.
Charges against Herminio Valderama are pending further investigation, according to the FHP.
Female Murdered Saturday Night In Pensacola
February 24, 2013
Pensacola Police are continuing their investigation into the first homicide that has
occurred this year within city limits.
Alexia Baggett, 29, of Pensacola was shot to death around 11:30 p.m. Saturday outside a home in the 400 block of South L Street, said Lt. Doug Baldwin. Baldwin said Baggett was visiting the residence at the time of the shooting.
In addition, Baldwin said detectives are pursuing leads related to the woman’s death.
Anyone having information on the incident is asked to contact the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1900.
Rotary Clubs Partner To Create 100,000 Meals For Needy
February 24, 2013
Rotarians from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties joined together with Manna Food Pantries on Saturday to fight hunger in Northwest Florida.
The Rotary Against Hunger service project involved 13 Rotary Clubs that committed financial support and volunteer participation to create over 16,000 food packets for those in need. The result was about 100,000 meals that the Combined Rotary of Pensacola (CROP) will donate to Manna for distribution to partner pantries in the two county area. The donation will benefit pantries that provide much needed food to those in need.
“Many of our neighbors are struggling to have enough food to eat, including thousands of children in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The need continues to grow, with Manna providing food to an average of 68 children a day,” said Manna Executive Director DeDe Flounlacker.
“We are so grateful to Rotary for continuing to support the needs of the hungry through this project. Last year, Manna provided the equivalent of 663,135 meals to 44,209 people. These are your neighbors and mine – folks who are the working poor, grandparents raising their grandchildren, moms and dads who do not have enough money to pay their bills and buy food. Thanks to Rotary, thousands of people will once again be helped this year through the gift of nutritious food,” she said.
Saturday marked the second year for the Rotary Against Hunger project and the second time in history that all Rotary clubs in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties have come together on one day to work on a service project. Last year, over 700 Rotary members and friends donated over 1,200 hours of time to pack the meals.
“The Combined Rotary Clubs of Pensacola are pleased to join with MANNA Food Pantries and work on this Second Annual volunteer project to help feed the hungry in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties,” said Buz Eddy, Rotary project chair. “Area Rotarians have raised over $25,000 for this project that will provide over 100,000 meals.”
Tax Holiday Through Midnight On Hurricane Supplies In Alabama
February 24, 2013
A sales tax holiday on hurricane preparedness supplies continues through midnight Sunday in Alabama.
The severe weather preparedness sales tax holiday allows Alabama shoppers to stock up tax free on common supplies costing less than $60 that every home and business needs to prepare for a natural disaster or even a general emergency. Generators costing $1,000 or less also can be purchased free of the state’s four-percent sales tax.
Almost 190 city and county governments also have agreed to participate by waiving their sales tax, which means as much as 10 percent savings for consumers in some areas of the state. Atmore, Brewton, East Brewton and Escambia County are not participating, while Flomaton is waiving local sales tax in addition to the state’s four percent.
Alabama is one of three states with a severe weather preparedness sales tax holiday. Louisiana and Virginia hold their emergency preparedness sales tax holidays in May.
For a complete list of tax exempt items, click here.
Man Sentenced For Shooting Pastor Last Year
February 24, 2013
The man who shot an Escambia County pastor at his church last year has been sentenced.
Randall G. Markham, 72, was sentenced to four years in state prison followed by one year community control and then 10 years on probation.
Marcham shot West Pensacola Baptist Church Pastor Laddie Pierce in September 2012 as he was headed to a Bible study. He was transported by ambulance to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola. His injuries were not life threatening.
Deputies said Markham and Pierce were involved in an argument outside the church before the shooting. Markham, deputies said, then pulled a firearm and shot the pastor in the leg. There were no other injuries.
Markham, a member of the church’s congregation, admitted to deputies that he shot the pastor because he believed his wife was having an affair with Pierce. Markham told deputies that “his intent and purpose was to shoot Pierce in the groin area one time without killing him”.
Following the incident, Pierce stepped down as the church’s pastor.
Hundreds Attend Annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Auction (With Gallery)
February 24, 2013
Hundreds of people attended the 39th Annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club Farm Equipment Auction Saturday in Walnut Hill.
Items sold included farm equipment, lawn and garden equipment, household items and more during the event, which is held each year on the last Saturday of February. All proceeds from the auction benefit the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club’s community service projects in the Walnut Hill area.
Pictured: Hundreds attended the annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club farm equipment auction Saturday in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Health And Hope Clinics Seek Donations From ‘Wish List’
February 24, 2013
The Health and Hope Clinics in Pensacola and Century provides well over $1.5 million worth of free medical care each year.
The clinic was first established in Pensacola back in 2003 by the Pensacola Bay Baptist Association to meet the needs of uninsured and medically underserved in Escambia County. The clinic is entirely volunteer and donor supported.
The Health and Hope Clinics are currently in need of donations on their “wish list”. Items needed are:
Household items
- Paper towels
- Paper plates
- Plastic utensils
- Trash bags, 13 or 30 gallon
- Batteries, AAA or AA
Cleaning supplies
- All purpose cleaner
- Antibacterial wipes
- Glass cleaner
- Bleach
Office supplies
- 8.5 x 11 copy paper, white
- Postage stamps
- Avery labels, 5160
- Staples
- Ink pens
- Highlighters, all colors
- Paper clips
- Scotch tape refills
- Sharpie markers, black
Medical supplies
- 1CC insulin syringes
- True Track glucose meters
- True Track meter strips
- Urine sample cups
- Blank patient charts
- Powder free latex exam gloves
- Sharps containers
- Antiseptic towelettes
- Bandaids, all sizes
Gift cards
- Grocery stores
- Fast food restaurants
Any items to be donated can be dropped off at either clinic location:
- Century, 501 East Church Street, (850) 366-4100
- Pensacola, 9999 Chemstrand Road, (850) 479-4456
Pictured top: The Health and Hope Clinic location in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.