Project Can Help Families In Need Pay ECUA Bills
January 22, 2012
An assistance program is providing a little help for ECUA customers that have trouble paying their water, wastewater or sanitation bills.
Project EUAP (Escambia Utility Assistance Program) was created in 1988 to assist families that are experiencing financial difficulties. The program is made possible through the voluntary contributions if ECUA customers; there 1,545 ECUA customers that were contributing to the program as of November 2011.
Project EUAP offers assistance to the elderly, the disabled, and to crisis victims, individuals who have a financial circumstance due to a medical emergency, death in the family, or any other serious situation. All contributions in Project EUAP are used for emergency relief and never to pay administrative expenses. The program is administered by the Community Action Program, Escambia County Council on Aging, and the Salvation Army.
ECUA customers can participate in the program by having at least one dollar included on their monthly utility bill, or making a one-time contribution.
For more information, to contribute or to sign up as a participant in Project EUAP, visit ecua.org or call (850) 476-0480.
Search Continues For Escambia Bank Robbery Suspect
January 22, 2012
Authorities are searching for a man that robbed an Escambia County bank Saturday morning.
An older white male wearing a cap and a long sleeve light colored shirt held up the Bank of America on Davis Highway at Creighton Road just before 11 a.m. Authorities said the man gave the teller a note demanding money and never displayed a weapon. He fled the bank with an undisclosed amount of money.
Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies were on the scene within four minutes. A K-9 search was unable to locate the suspect.
Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to the call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Postage Rates Increase
January 22, 2012
Sending a letter via the United States Postal Service will cost you more.
The new 45-cent price for Forever stamps went into effect across the U.S. on Sunday, the first price increase in 2.5 years.
Highlights of the new single-piece First-Class Mail pricing include:
- Letters (1 oz.): 1-cent increase to 45 cents
- Letters additional ounces: unchanged at 20 cents
- Postcards: 3-cent increase to 32 cents
- Letters to Canada or Mexico (1 oz.): 5-cent increase to 85 cents.
- Letters to other international destinations: 7-cent increase to $1.05
Prices also changed for other mailing services, including Standard Mail, Periodicals, Package Services and Extra Services, according to the USPS.
However, Express Mail and Priority Mail prices were not affected. First-Class Mail Presort mailers went up in price, but the second ounce is free.
And new for all customers is a three-month pricing option to rent PO Boxes, perfect for people on the move and others who need a PO Box for a short time period.
Pictured: New “Weather Vanes” 45-cent first class postage stamps. Courtesy image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Charges Pending After Hwy 29 Crash In McDavid
January 21, 2012
Two people were injured and charges are pending after a two vehicle crash early Saturday morning in McDavid.
The accident happened about 3:30 a.m. near Cox Road. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 2010 Mazda driven by 22-year old Dwayne K. Fountain of Florence, Ala., was legally parked next to Highway 29. His vehicle was struck by a northbound 1999 Ford Taurus driven by 27-year old Anna Maria Rae Lynn of Atmore. The parked Mazda was knocked into a wooded area by the force of the collision.
Fountain and Lynn were transported to Jay Hospital with minor injuries. A passenger in Lynn’s vehicle, 29-year old Elizabeth A. Skelton of Atmore also received minor injuries.
Charges are pending against Lynn, according to the FHP.
The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details have not been released.
Pictured: One person was injured in this two vehicle crash earl Saturday morning in McDavid. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Navy Federal Named One Of The Best Employers In U.S.
January 21, 2012
One of the best companies to work for in the country is located in Escambia County, according to FORTUNE magazine.
FORTUNE announced Friday that Navy Federal Credit Union was ranked #95 on their 15th annual list of The 100 Best Companies To Work For. Navy Federal also made the list in 2008 and is the only credit union to ever receive the honor.
“Service and commitment are a two-way street – employees take care of our members and we take care of our employees. I’ve always believed that Navy Federal is a great place to work. I’m proud of our dedicated and talented team members who contribute to making us one of the ‘100 Best,’ ” said Cutler Dawson, President/CEO, Navy Federal Credit Union.
A Little Good News On The Unemployment Front
January 21, 2012
The latest job numbers released Friday showed a little bit of good news in the three-county North Escambia area — while Florida’s state unemployment rate dropped to the lowest level in two and a half years.
Escambia County’s unemployment was down slightly from 10.1 percent in November to 9.9 percent in December. There were 455 jobs gained during the period, for a total Escambia County unemployment of 13,512 people. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 11.3 percent.
Santa Rosa County unemployment slipped from 9.2 percent to 9.1 percent in December. Santa Rosa County added 97 jobs during the period, with a total of 6,385 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 9.8 percent.
The employment news was also good in Escambia County, Alabama, where unemployment dropped from 9.2 percent in November to 9.0 percent in December. That represented 39 people returning to work during the month. There were 1,305 people unemployed in the county during the month.
Florida’s unemployment rate in December fell to 9.9 percent, its lowest level in two and a half years. December’s rate translates to 913,000 jobless Floridians out of a potential work force of 9.2 million.
Alabama’s seasonally unemployment rate, at 8.1 percent in December, was down from November’s rate of 8.7 percent and was below the year-ago rate of 9.1.percent.
The unemployment figures do not include discouraged workers who have given up on their job search or part-time employees who would rather be working full time. If those are added, the jobless rate typically climbs by several points.
Local Bride-To-Be Misses Dream War Eagle Wedding
January 21, 2012
A North Escambia area woman won’t get the free complete wedding package of her dreams this spring on Samford Lawn on the campus of Auburn University.
Jennifer Coleman, a Flomaton High School graduate, and her groom-to-be, Wes Sinor, fell short of first place in the War Eagle Wedding contest.
“Not the perfect ending, but still a very successful run at the War Eagle Wedding,” Coleman said. “Thanks everyone for your votes and support. Although we did not win, Auburn University has generously gotten us this much closer to our dream wedding.”
The couple of Katie Oliver and Slade Ponder were announced as winners on Friday of the May 26 wedding of their dreams including the dress, tuxedos, flowers, photos, cakes, limousine, entertainment, reception — a complete wedding package worth thousands. Oliver and Ponder received 9,992 votes for the win. The other two couples received 7,181 votes and 3,352 votes, but contest officials did not name which couple was second and which was third.
For an earlier story about Jennifer and Wes, click here.
Pictured: Wes Sinor and Jennifer Coleman of Flomaton, pictured here at the 2011 Auburn-Mississippi State game, are huge Auburn football fans. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ball Registration: NWE, Molino, Cantonment, Atmore
January 21, 2012
Baseball and softball registrations have been scheduled for Northwest Escambia, Molino, Cantonment and Atmore.
The Northwest Escambia League will hold open registration for baseball and softball for ages 3-18 as follows:
- Friday, January 27 from 5-8 p.m.
- Saturday, January 28 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
The cost will be $50 for the first child, $40 for the second child and $10 for the third child from each family. A copy of the child’s birth certificate should be brought to registration at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill.
Molino Ballpark registration will be held every Saturday until February 18 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Don Sutton Ballpark. Cost is $50 for the first child, $45 for the second and $40 for the third from the same family. A copy of the child’s birth certificate should be brought to registration.
Cantonment Baseball and Softball registration will he held every Saturday until February 18 from 9 a.m. until noon at the Cantonment Ballpark, 681 Well Line Road.
Ages 4 and up. Registration is $80 for the first child, $70 for the second, $60 for the third and additional child per family.
Teams include:
- T-ball 4-6
- Coach Pitch 7-8
- Minors 9-10
- Majors 11-12
- Pony 13-14
Atmore Babe Ruth Softball registration for ages 6-16 will be held each Saturday until February 4 at the concession stand at the softball fields at Tom Byrne Park.
Tryouts will be Saturday, February 11 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the softball fields at Tom Byrne Park. Players may register on the day of tryouts.
The registration fee will be $45 for one child and $40 each for the second and additional children. A copy of the player’s birth certification should be brought to registration.
Early Voting Underway
January 21, 2012
Early voting is underway with four sites in Escambia County for the January 31 Presidential Preference Primary.
Early voting will be available Sunday, January 22 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.; and from Monday, January 23 through Saturday, January 28 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Early voters will cast paper ballots through digital scanners. As a result of the renovations of the downtown library, the Genealogy Branch Library will not be available as a polling place; the Tryon Branch Library will be used instead.
Early voting will take place at:
- Supervisor of Elections Main Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor
- Supervisor of Elections Annex, 292 Muscogee Road, Cantonment
- Tryon Branch Library, 1200 Langley Avenue
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
Votes may also be cast by mail or on primary day.
By Mail: Voters may vote by mail using an absentee ballot, which can be requested through the online form at EscambiaVotes.com, or by contacting the Supervisor of Elections by mail, phone (850-595-3900), e-mail (absentee@escambiavotes.com), or fax (850-595-3914). Requests must include the voter’s date of birth and the address, and must be received no later than Wednesday, January 25. Voted ballots must be received in the Elections Office no later than 7:00 p.m. on Election Day and may not be returned to a polling location on Election Day. Absentee voters may track the status of their ballot at EscambiaVotes.com by clicking Track My Ballot.
At Your Precinct: The third option for voters is to cast a paper ballot at their precinct on Election Day, January 31, using our digital scanners. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. A touchscreen is also available at each polling place and early voting site for persons with disabilities.
Voters are reminded to bring their photo and signature ID with them to the polls, and are encouraged to contact the Elections Office by phone or e-mail with any questions.
Prison Privitization Measure Headed To Budget Panel
January 21, 2012
Senate President Mike Haridopolos said Friday he will send a controversial prison-privatization plan to another committee for review — but stopped short of fulfilling a request by Sen. Mike Fasano for greater scrutiny.
Fasano, R-New Port Richey, sent a letter to Haridopolos arguing that bills dealing with the privatization plan are of “such a magnitude” that they deserve to be heard by three committees that focus on criminal-justice and government-oversight issues.
“In my opinion a subject as complex as prison privatization should have been referred to the substantive committees that oversee this subject matter (i.e. Criminal Justice, Governmental Oversight and Accountability and Criminal & Civil Justice Appropriations),” wrote Fasano, chairman of the Criminal & Civil Justice Appropriations Subcommittee. “The Senate has a rich history as a deliberative body that examines and allows for full vetting of proposed policy changes both major and minor.”
Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, released a memo a short time later saying he would send the primary privatization bill (SB 2038) to the Budget Committee, which is chaired by Sen. JD Alexander, a chief proponent of privatization. Until that announcement, the bill had only been assigned to the Rules Committee.
In the memo, Haridopolos said he decided to “proceed in an abundance of caution” after hearing concerns from senators about the issue, which would lead to privatizing prisons in 18 counties in the southern half of the state. But he also defended his handling of the plan, saying it was fully considered and approved by the Senate during the 2011 legislative session.
Lawmakers included the privatization plan in the fine print of the 2011-12 budget. But a Leon County circuit judge rejected that decision, saying such a plan had to be approved in state law.
Haridopolos and Alexander, R-Lake Wales, say the plan would save tens of millions of dollars for the state, though it is vehemently opposed by correctional officers.
In defending his handling of the issue, Haridopolos also said in the memo that he had “authored an opinion piece stating my position that it is paramount that we prioritize our state’s spending by privatizing prisons, which has the potential to save a minimum of 22 million taxpayer dollars that I firmly believe are better spent on education, health care and economic development.”
The Senate Rules Committee is scheduled to take up the issue Monday, and Haridopolos’ memo said it will go to the Budget Committee on Wednesday.
By The News Service of Florida