Evers, Gaetz Named To Committee Chair Posts
November 16, 2010
Northwest Florida’s senators were tapped to chair committees Monday by Senate President Mike Haridopolos as the chambers organize themselves for the 2011 Legislative Session.
Republican Greg Evers of Baker, who is moving over from the House to the Senate District 2, was named chairman of the Criminal Justice Committee. District 4 Senator Don Gaetz was name chairman of the Reapportionment committee.
The Republican from Niceville was also named chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development.
“Selecting committee chairs has been a member driven process,” Haridopolos said in a statement. “I took great strides in placing senators on committees they wanted to serve on.”
Chairmanships announced Monday included:
- Agriculture: Sen. Gary Siplin, D-Orlando.
- Communications, Energy and Public Utilities: Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Wellington
- Community Affairs: Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton
- Environmental Preservation and Conservation: Sen. Charles Dean, R-Inverness
- Banking and Insurance: Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples
- Commerce and Tourism: Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice
- Regulated Industries: Sen. Dennis Jones, R-Seminole
- Transportation: Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Tampa
- Children, Families and Elder Affairs, Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Brandon
- Criminal Justice: Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker
- Education K-12: Sen Stephen Wise, R-Jacksonville
- Health Regulation: Sen. Rene Garcia, R-Miami
- Higher Education: Sen. Steve Oelrich, R-Gainesville
- Judiciary: Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami
- Subcommittee on Ethics and Elections: Sen. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, R-Miami
- Government Oversight and Accountability: Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Margate
- Military Affairs, Space and Domestic Security, Sen. Thad Altman, R-Viera
- Reapportionment: Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville
- Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations: Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey
- Subcommittee on Finance and Tax, Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale
- Subcommittee on General Government Appropriations Sen. Alan Hays, R-Umatilla
- Subcommittee on Health and Human Services Appropriation: Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart
- Subcommittee on PreK-12 Appropriations: Sen, David Simmons, R-Orlando
- Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development: Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville.
- Rules Committee: Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine
- Budget Committee: Sen. J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales.
Joint Committees: Sen. Jim Norman, R-Tampa.
Driver Cited After Highway 99 Crash With Injuries
November 15, 2010
Two people were injured in a two vehicle wreck Friday night in Molino, including the driver of a vehicle charged in connection with the accident.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Richard Daniel Brown, Jr., 52, of McDavid was northbound on Highway 99 near Crabtree Church Road about 8:30 p.m. when he lost control of his 2001 Chevrolet pickup. Brown crossed into path of a northbound 2007 Pontiac driven by Samantha Elizabeth Luker, 22, of Molino. After the initial collision, Brown’s pickup overturned onto its left side.
Luker was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in serious condition. Her passenger, Holly Lynn Digmon, 24, of McDavid, received minor injuries and was not transported to the hospital. Brown received minor injuries and was transported to West Florida Hospital.
Brown was charged with careless driving, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. According to the FHP, everyone involved in the accident was wearing a seat belt, and alcohol was not a factor in the accident.
The Molino and Walnut Hill Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the crash, along with Escambia County EMS.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Deputy’s Condition Upgraded To ‘Good’
November 15, 2010
There condition of Escambia County Deputy Jeremy Cassady has been upgraded to good as he continues to improved following being shot October 29.
Cassady, 36, remains at Sacred Heart Hospital in good condition after being shot by Phillip Monier, 47. Monier remains in the Escambia County Jail on $2 million bond. He is charged with three counts of attempted murder, aggravated assault, false imprisonment and home invasion robbery.
Cassady was shot by Monier at the Bayview Circle home of his ex-girlfriend Jackie Rosenbloom on October 29. Cassady was struck in the side. Deputy Sam Parker was hit in the chest, and Deputy Chad Brown was hit in the arm. Parker and Brown were treated and released.
Rosenbloom, who was shot in the legs and pelvis, has been released from Sacred Heart Hospital.
Court documents show the incident begain when Monier forced his way into the home and demanded that a ring be returned.
Sales Tax Funds Paving North Escambia Dirt Roads
November 15, 2010
Work is underway to pave two dirt roads in Walnut Hill, and engineering work is progressing to pave another dirt road in Molino.
Pelt and Seals Roads
The $310,457.25 project to pave Pelt and Seals road was awarded to Roads Inc. Of NWF. The next lowest bid was $388,178 from Panhandle Grading and Paving.
Pelt Road is about a mile in length between Highway 97 and Pine Forest Road in Walnut Hill. Seals Road is a dead end dirt road that runs about a half mile north off Pelt Road. The project includes paving the existing dirt road, removing and replacing existing culverts, driveway replacements and signage.
The project is being funded with Local Option Sales Tax funds.
Brickyard Road
Engineering is currently underway to pave a portion of Brickyard Road in Molino. Escambia County awarded the $65,903.27 project to Metric Engineering rather than use the county’s engineers due to reduced county staffing in the engineering department.
The Brickyward Road project is also being funded with Local Option Sales Tax funds.
Pictured top: Work is underway to pave Pelt Road in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Students Honored At FCA Banquet
November 15, 2010
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes “Go the Distance” Awards Banquet was held recently at the First Baptist Church in Pensacola.
Athletes from Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Washington counties were honored for their participation in cross country, golf, swimming and volleyball.
Honored from Northview High School were:
- Georgia Goetter and Josh Scott, cross country
- Savannah Singleton and Kyle Long, golf
- Sarah Killam, volleyball
Pictured top: Northview athletes (L-R) Josh Scott, Georgia Goetter, Savannah Singleton, Sarah Killam and Kyle Long were honored at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes “Go the Distance” Awards Banquet in Pensacola. Pictured inset: Northview cross country team members Jazzlyn Franklin and Kelsey Taylor at the FCA banquet. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay’s Matt Dobson Wins Pensacola Marathon
November 15, 2010
Matt Dobson of Jay won the Pensacola Marathon on Sunday.
Dobson, 41, finished the 26.2 mile marathon in 2 hours and 49 minutes, over seven minutes ahead of the second place finisher.
About 1,100 runners took part in either the full marathon or a half-marathon course through downtown Pensacola.
Dobson will run the Disney World Marathon in January. He won the race in 2004, the only American to hold that distinction.
Other North Escambia area runners that placed were:
MARATHON
MALE AGE GROUP: 40 – 44
2 Hank Colburn 44 Cantonment 03:31:40
HALF-MARATHON
MALE AGE GROUP: 25 – 29
7 Keith Bell Atmore 01:33:10
16 Cole Yuknis Cantonment 01:41:13
MALE AGE GROUP: 35 – 39
5 Ryan Conner Cantonment 01:39:57
MALE AGE GROUP: 40 – 44
3 James Dillard Cantonment 01:33:41
41 Karlis Burton Cantonment 02:41:24
MALE AGE GROUP: 45 – 49
3 Mercer Sport Cantonment 01:41:45
42 Rick Vangilder Cantonment 02:51:18
MALE AGE GROUP: 50 – 54
15 David Frederick Cantonment 02:01:59
24 Carl Weber Cantonment 02:11:03
32 Cary Merkerson Cantonment 03:06:51
MALE AGE GROUP: 65 – 69
2 Wayne Peacock Cantonment 02:03:55
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 20 – 24
44 Ashley McCormick Cantonment 02:47:17
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 25 – 29
61 Nicole Napolitano Cantonment 02:29:15
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 30 – 34
69 Monica Williams Cantonment 02:58:08
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 40 – 44
11 Pam Stafford Cantonment 02:01:27
46 Deanna Cook Molino 03:01:42
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 45 – 49
12 Terri Berry Molino 02:11:03
15 Lasonya Purifoy Cantonment 02:14:39
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 50 – 54
19 Amy Knight Atmore 02:25:11
11 4 Yuvonne Hurd 2 Cantonment 02:07:36
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 55 – 59
9 Luann Joyner Cantonment 02:48:30
10 Tina Tuttle Molino 03:01:58
ECUA Picks Eco-Machine Artwork
November 15, 2010
Photographer Cheryl Casey’s design titled “A Greener Today, A Cleaner Tomorrow” was the grand prize winner in the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority “Clean, Green, ECO-Machine” art contest.
The Beulah photographer’s design will be displayed on the sides of the new ECUA “ECO-Machine” sanitation truck during the 2010-2011 year, and appear on the ECUA website.
The art contest was designed to showcase the newest item in the Authority’s environmental toolbox — a Peterbilt Model 320 HLA (Hydraulic Launch Assist) Hybrid sanitation truck, or better known as the “Clean, Green, ECO-Machine” Using the general theme of environmental awareness, residents of all ages were invited to submit an original art creation to the ECUA.
The new environmental truck is considerably quieter compared to standard sanitation trucks in its daily stop, pick-up, and go operations. The new vehicle delivers a significant 30 to 40percent reductions in emissions, and a 30 percent improvement in fuel consumption, according to ECUA. Brake-related maintenance costs are reduced by 50 percent, doubling the brakes life expectancy while using environmentally friendly biodegradable hydraulic oil.
As the contest winner, Casey received a Fujifilm Fine Pix S1800 digital camera. The runner-up art contest award was presented to water color artist, Patsy Pennington, also of Pensacola. Entries were judged on creativity, originality, and quality.
Pictured top: Cheryl Casey’s design titled “A Greener Today, A Cleaner Tomorrow” will appear on the side of the ECUA’s new “green” sanitation truck. Submitted for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Free Thanksgiving Lunch Planned For Area Seniors
November 15, 2010
The annual Community Thanksgiving Luncheon for senior citizens will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at Beulah Chapel Assembly of God at 2311 Highway 4A in Byrneville.
There will be lots of good food, fun and fellowship. Door prizes will be awarded. All senior citizens in the Byrneville Community are invited to attend.
Team Depot Volunteers For Century Care Center
November 15, 2010
Home Depot’s Team Depot recently donated their time and money to build an outdoor potting bench for the residents at Century Care Center. The bench is custom built for use by Century Care residents in wheelchairs. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Video: Northview Beats West Florida
November 14, 2010
Here are video highlights by Keith Garrison from Northview’s win Friday night over West Florida.
For game details, click here for the NorthEscambia.com story. For a photo gallery, click here.
(If you don’t see the video, it is because a setting at your home, work or school firewall or computer is blocking YouTube videos.)