Citizens Moving 60,000 Insurance Policies To Other Companies
September 25, 2012
The Office of Insurance Regulation on Monday announced that 60,000 policies from Citizens Property Insurance Corp will be taken by private carriers as the state attempts to whittle away at the 1.4 million policies now held by the state-backed insurer.
Florida Peninsular Insurance Co. will take an additional 10,000 policies, bringing its Citizens takeout total to 45,000. American Integrity Insurance Co. will take 50,000 policies. The takeouts will begin in November.
“It is encouraging to see the commitment of these domestic companies to bring more jobs as well as additional insurance capacity to Florida,” Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty said in a statement.
Citizens’ policyholders will be notified of the take-out request (assumption) on October 1 and have 30 days to accept or decline the offer. If policyholders do not respond, they will be transferred to the private company on November 6. Earlier this month, OIR approved a 150,000-policy takeout.
By The News Service of Florida
Deputies Seize Guns, $264,000 In Drugs And Cash
September 25, 2012
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office seized tens of thousands of dollars in cash and marijuana plants as search warrants were recently executed.
After serving three different search warrants, authorities seized over $35,000 in cash, 83 marijuana plants worth over $166,000, over 15 pounds of “high grade” marijuana with a street value of over $63,000 and a quantity of crack cocaine and prescription medications. Deputies also seized nine firearms including assault rifles and handguns, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Investigators said several people will face charges after the search warrants were served in Crescent Lake, Myrtle Grove and Monte Claire.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Berrydale Wreck Claims Life Of Jay Man
September 25, 2012
One person was killed in wreck Monday night on Highway 4 in northern Santa Rosa County.
The accident happened about about 8:30 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 4 and Gordon Landing Road, about a mile east of the Berrydale Forestry Camp.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Joshua David Holland, age 30 of Jay, was attempted to cross Highway 4 from Gordon Landing Road to Mason West Road when he pulled his 1988 Ford pickup into the path of an 18-wheeler drive by William Mathew Connell, age 47 of Ochlocknee, GA.
Connell swerved in attempt to avoid a collision but was unable to avoid the wreck, according to FHP.
Holland was pronounced deceased at the scene. His passenger, 22-year old Lacey Lefay Harris of Jay, was airlifted by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola in serious condition. Connell refused medical treatment at the scene.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Century Signs Off On New $2.9 Million Budget
September 25, 2012
The Town of Century approved a $2.9 million budget Monday afternoon for the upcoming fiscal year that is about $2.14 million less than last year.
Century’s 2012-2013 budget was set at $2,889,827. Last year’s $5,032,816 budget was unusually large for Century due to grant income and expenditures of $1,913,000.
There will be no increase in ad valorem taxes this year to meet the budget for fiscal year 2012-2013, which begins October 1.
To view a summary of the budget in pdf format, click here or the image below.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Wrecks Costing Century Much More Than Peanuts
September 24, 2012
The second overturned 18-wheeler on Highway 29 at Jackson street in two years will cost Century much more than peanuts — likely pushing the two-wreck damage total to town property over a quarter of a million dollars.
Last Thursday afternoon, an 18-wheeler fully loaded with peanuts overturned across a town sewage lift station, destroying a generator and control equipment, rupturing a town gas line and sending the town scrambling for a septic tank company to pump out the facility to prevent an overflow. Damage estimates are not yet complete for last week’s accident.
On December 20, 2010, an 18-wheeler loaded with plastic beads overturned at the same location. That accident destroyed the generator, control equipment and the complete pumping equipment for the sewage lift station. The Great Western Casualty Company settled with the town for $190,250.51 for the damages.
When repairs were made following the December 2010 accident, the pumping equipment was moved underground. The pumping equipment was not damaged during last week’s wreck.
Town officials said they want to explore options for moving the generator away from the side of the roadway, but the town’s current utility easements won’t allow it.
Pictured top: An overturned 18-wheeler last week caused tens of thousands of dollars to equipment at a Century sewage lift station at Highway 29 and Jackson Street. Pictured inset: A overturned natural gas generator partial covered in peanuts. Pictured below: An overturned truck caused $190, 250 in damage at the same location in December 2010. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Scott To Appeal FEMA’s Denial Of Local Hurricane Isaac Claims
September 24, 2012
Gov. Rick Scott’s office will appeal the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s decision to deny the state — and Escambia and Santa Rosa counties — a major presidential disaster declaration for Tropical Storm/Hurricane Isaac, which skirted the state in late August,
FEMA notified Florida on Wednesday that it was rejecting the application, meaning no federal funds to cover $11 million in damage in Escambia County and $1.2 million in Santa Rosa County.
In notifying FEMA of the state’s intent to appeal, Scott also said in a letter to FEMA Director Craig Fugate that the state was expanding its request for a major disaster declaration by adding Broward, Franklin and Martin counties, where Scott said damage estimates are more than $9.8 million. The original seven counties in the request are Escambia, Santa Rosa, Bay, Collier, Monroe, Okaloosa and Palm Beach.
Scott said in his letter that the total statewide damage figure for all 10 counties is now $36.7 million.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
County Seeks Volunteers For Extension Council, Library Board
September 24, 2012
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking volunteers for the Extension Council and the West Florida Public Library Board of Trustees.
The Escambia County Extension Council was established in accordance with Florida Statutes. The purpose of this Council is to study the needs of the County in developing its natural resources, its families and youth; to provide for the organization of planning committees in various agricultural commodities, in youth and in all phases of home economics important to Escambia County; to provide for close liaison between the committees, County extension agents and the Council; and to coordinate the reports of all committees into a single Escambia County resource development program designed to develop the County’s resources and its people through programs for which the cooperative Extension Service has a responsibility for initiating or coordinating. Council members serve a two-year term of office.
The West Florida Public Library Board of Trustees was established in accordance with Florida Statutes. The West Florida Public Library Board of Trustees governs the operation and programs of the library. Trustees serve a four-year term of office.
If interested in serving on the council or board listed above, please contact Judy Witterstaeter, county administration at (850) 595-4916 to submit your resume. All resumes must be submitted no later than Wednesday, October 3.
This Week: Last Chance To Save On Registration For Chief Challenge 5K
September 24, 2012
This week is the last chance to save on registration for the Third Annual Chief Challenge 5K Run/Walk at Northview High School.
The event will be held Saturday, October 6 at 8:30 a.m. at the school campus in Bratt. “The course is not your typical 5K race. It includes a variety of terrains and challenging hills around the campus,” according to event organizers.
For a registration form and more details, click here. The registration fee and a t-shirt are discounted to only $15 though September 28.
Awards will be presented to the top six male and female runners in the elementary, middle and high school categories, and to the top three male and female runners in two adult categories plus master and grand master.
About 120 runners and walkers took part in last year’s Chief Challenge. The Chief Challenge 5K Run/Walk is sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com.
Pictured: The 2011 Chief Challenge. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Week Four: Prep Football Standings
September 24, 2012
Last Friday night marked the first night of district games in the North Escambia area, except for Class 1A.
In 6A, early district leaders emerged with wins for Pace, Pensacola and Escambia, while Milton, Pine Forest and Tate record district losses. In Class 5A, Gulf Breeze and West Florida put one in the district win column.
The first district games in Class 1A won’t come until the first week of October.
Here’s a look at last week’s results and this Friday night’s schedule:
Voter Registration Deadline Approaching For November General Election
September 24, 2012
Tuesday, October 9 is the last day to register to vote or change party affiliation for the November 6 general election.
Florida law mandates that registration books close 29 days before an election, but due to the Columbus Day holiday the deadline was extended. New registrations must be completed on or before the end of the business day on October 9 in order for them to be effective for the November 6 election, according to Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford. Address changes can be made after the books close.
To check registration status, visit EscambiaVotes.com and click “Am I Registered?”.
Escambia County citizens have several ways to register or update their record:
Online/By Mail: Visit EscambiaVotes.com and complete, print, and sign the online application. Be sure to include a valid Florida Driver’s License number, a valid Florida ID number, or the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number in the appropriate space. Completed applications must be received no later than October r 9 to: Escambia County Supervisor of Elections, PO Box 12601, Pensacola, FL 32591-2601. Or, take the completed application to the Elections Office at 213 Palafox Place, 2nd Floor, in downtown Pensacola. Also, to have a form mailed to you, call (595-3900) or e-mail the Elections Office (soe@escambiavotes.com).
In Person: You can register at the Elections Office at 213 Palafox Place, 2nd Floor, in downtown Pensacola, at any Florida Driver’s License Office, and several other governmental offices and public assistance centers. Registration forms are also available to pick up at many locations countywide. For a complete list of locations throughout Escambia County, visit EscambiaVotes.com or call or e-mail the Elections Office.
For voters who wish to cast a ballot by mail (an absentee ballot), go to EscambiaVotes.com and complete the online request form, or call or e-mail the elections office. Early voting begins October 27 at several locations throughout Escambia County.