Century Resident Hits The Century Mark With 100th Birthday
February 21, 2012
Della Godwin celebrated her 100th birthday on Sunday. The Century Care Center resident celebrated on Friday with a party attended by family and friends. Della danced to the music and enjoyed opening presents to mark the special day.
Della is a longtime resident of the Century area and is the oldest resident at Century Care Center.
Pictured: Della Godwin of Century celebrated her 100th birthday on Sunday. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Foreclosure Bill Debuts In Senate
February 21, 2012
A controversial bill backers say would speed up the foreclosure process and help jumpstart the economy made its Senate debut Monday amid concerns that the measure could leave some homeowners unjustly out in the cold.
By a 5-0 vote, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved a measure (SB 1890) which combines the contents of two House proposals, HB 213 and HB 1149, that are traveling in that chamber and supported by banks, builders and other lenders.
Backers of the proposal say they are targeting the 30 percent of foreclosed properties that sit abandoned, reducing neighborhood property values and raising public safety concerns. By reducing the time it takes to get those properties unencumbered and available, supporters say, the state’s housing industry — and the economy — will rebound more quickly.
“This is the underbelly of one of the things that is keeping our economy from recovering,” said Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine.
Critics, however, say the bills as written go much further than reducing the inventory of abandoned homes. Whether intentional or not, the proposals adversely affect homeowners still trying to stay in homes that were purchased in many cased during the pre-recession, white-hot period of easy credit, interest only mortgages and escalating home prices.
“This bill places too much burden of repairing this problem on the backs of consumers and homeowners,” said Alice Vickers, attorney for the Consumer Action Network.
On Monday, Sen. Jack Latvala, R-St. Petersburg, introduced the Senate version, deferring detailed questions to his House counterparts, specially Rep. Greg Steube, R-Parrish, and a real estate attorney.
For consumers, the bill would reduce the length of time lender can go after a borrower following a foreclosure sale from five years down to one year. Backers say the change will allow homeowners to get on with their lives.
Other provisions, however, are more lender friendly, including relaxing the restrictions on foreclosing on abandoned property and placing limits on the damages in foreclosure cases to monetary damages.
“The best way to help Florida’s economy is to get beyond this foreclosure crisis,” said Anthony DiMarco, senior vice president for the Florida Bankers Associations.
But some committee members said that while it’s important to wipe bad mortgages off the books, consumer protections need to be paramount, citing recent incidents of robo-signing and other examples of mortgage fraud that came to light after the housing crash.
“It should be a long process to take someone’s property,” said Sen. Oscar Braynon, D-Miami Gardens.
The Senate bill now travels to Senate Banking and Insurance and is likely to see substantive changes before it reaches the floor.
By The News Service Florida
15-Year Old Found Unharmed
February 20, 2012
A young lady that family said was missing following a Sunday morning wreck in Bratt has been found. Family members said 15-year old Ashley Johnson arrived for school this morning at Northview High School unharmed.
The Florida Highway Patrol responded about 7:30 a.m. Sunday to a wrecked pickup on West Highway 4 near Still Road. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and a K-9 team from the Century Correctional Institution were called to assist in a search for the driver and any passengers, but no one was found after a two hours search.
Troopers and the Sheriff’s Office did not release any other details about the incident, nor did they confirmed that anyone was considered missing following the crash.
Family members told NorthEscambia.com Sunday evening that the driver was Johnson and they were unable to locate her.
A Final Farewell: Last Call Sounds For Veteran Firefighter Joe Huff
February 20, 2012
Escambia Fire Rescue bid a final farewell Sunday to one of their own, Beulah Station Deputy Chief Joe Huff, 64.
Huff passed away last Wednesday after a short battle with cancer. He devoted nearly 50 years of life to volunteer fire service in Escambia County.
Huff’s flag draped coffin was carried open-air on the back of an antique fire truck from his funeral service at Marcus Point Baptist Church to a cemetery on Nine Mile Road. The procession included dozens of fire rescue vehicles from across the area.
His remains entered the cemetery beneath the crossed ladders of two aerial trucks, and his helmet was carried by hand. And Escambia Fire Rescue dispatchers made one final call over the county’s fire radio system.
“Last call for Joe Huff,” the emergency dispatcher called.
There was no response. Just silence.
“There is no response from Joe Huff,” the dispatcher said, her voice resounding across the handheld radios at the service.
The radio silence was broken again, this time by tones used alert firefighters to important information, followed by:
“On behalf of the community and the Beulah Fire Department it is with deep sorrow and sadness to notify you that after 47 years of service, bravery, and heroism, that Joe Huff has completed his last call and has returned home safely to eternity for his final call to watch over his family, friends and fellow firefighters. He will always be in our hearts forever. Escambia Rescue clear.”
Huff’s service to Escambia Fire Rescue included 1967 to 1968 at the Bellview Volunteer Fire Department, 1969 to 1991 at the Ensley Volunteer Fire Department, and 1991 until his death last week at the Beulah Volunteer Fire Department/Escambia County Fire Rescue Station 2 where he currently served as assistant chief.
Huff spent countless hours working on the department’s Beulah Sausage Festival, later renamed Beulahfest. He was a retired security officer with International Paper and worked the pit entrance gate for many years at Five Flags Speedway.
A fund to assist with funeral expenses has been established at Harvester’s Federal Credit Union in Cantonment. Donations should be made to the “Joe Huff Fund”.
For more photos from the services, click here.
Joe Huff is survived by his wife, Charlotte, daughters Vivian Huff , Wendy Wedgwood and Tammy Hester and numerous other family members.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Gas Could Hit $4.25 Before Summer
February 20, 2012
Gas prices continue to rise across the North Escambia area, and some industry analysts say the trend won’t reverse in the near future. The price of a gallon of regular unleaded was about $3.53 Sunday, up about a quarter since the first of the year. Experts are predicting a jump to about $4.25 a gallon by the end of April.
Pictured. Gas was $3.53 a gallon Sunday afternoon on Highway 97 in Davisville. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Century Man Held As Fugitive From Justice
February 20, 2012
A Century man is being held without bond in the Escambia County (Fla.) Jail as a fugitive from justice and for violating his probation.
Eric James Grimes, 21, is awaiting extradition to Alabama where he is wanted by the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office on one count of second degree receiving stolen property.
Grimes is also being held on an outstanding violation of probation warrant in Escambia County, Fla., issued in connection with a 2009 drug case.
Improvements For Raines Road, Stout Road
February 20, 2012
The Escambia County Road Department is making improvements on two North Escambia area roads — Raines Road near Century and Stout Road in Molino.
Raines Road, Century
The road department is removing excess material along the shoulders of Raines Road to allow proper drainage of water off the roadway. The project is 80 percent complete.
Stout Road, Molino
The asphalt crew has completed an asphalt overlay on the road that was necessary due to the deterioration of the previous open grade cold mix material.
Oops: Driver Fails In Attempt To Cross Flooded Road
February 20, 2012
A driver in Flomaton attempted — and failed — to drive through high water on Railroad Street Sunday morning. According to the Flomaton Fire Department, everyone in the vehicle was able to get out of the vehicle to higher ground on their own without injuries. The area of Railroad Street pictured often floods after heavy rains like the area experienced on Saturday. Submitted photos by Christine Stanton for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Names Students Of The Month
February 20, 2012
February Students of the Month have been named for Ernest Ward Middle School. The are (left to right) Elizabeth Wright, seventh grade; Cheyanne Gray, eighth grade; and Jake White, sixth grade. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Jacket Jamboree Benefits FFA (With Photo Gallery)
February 19, 2012
The Northview High School theater came alive Saturday nigh during the Blue Jacket Jamboree presented by the Northview FFA Alumni featuring the CGMA Country Group of the Year “The Springs”.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
The Northview FFA Alumini uses proceeds from the event for scholarships for eligible seniors and transportation for FFA members to state and national conventions.
The Springs have shared the stage with country greats like Alan Jackson, Craig Moran, Toby Keith and Reba McIntire with their high energy brand of Country/Southern Rock.
Nominated along with Steel Magnolia, Sugarland, and Lady Antebellum for the New Music Awards “Country Group of the Year”, The Springs are seen by some as the “next big thing” in country music. The all-male group has also had two Christian country number one songs.
The Blue Jacket Jamboree was sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com, Cat Country, 98.7 and Your Country 102.7 WXBM.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured top: Kellie Gindl (center) of Barrineau Park plays a cowbell on stage with The Springs’ lead singer Stewart Halcomb (left) and guitarist Steven Pettry Saturday night during the Northview FFA Alumni Blue Jacket Jamboree in Bratt. Pictured inset: Stewart Halcomb of The Springs. Pictured below: The Springs Perform at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
