Evers Leads Hill By Over Quarter Million Dollars In Contributions
August 1, 2010
In the race for Florida Senate District 2, Greg Evers has received over a quarter million dollars more in campaign contributions than fellow Republican Mike Hill.
Ever’s campaign war chest now boasts $340,310.92 in contributions, while Mike Hill has received $57,100 in contributions. Write-in candidate Margaret M. Smith reported no contributions, while Tea Party candidate Christopher S. Crawford received $1,781.82 .
Dave Murzin, who dropped out of the race to run for the District 2 Escambia County Commission seat currently held by Gene Valentino, reported contributions of $108,551 total for his campaign. Murzin spent $31,918.59 on his campaign. Under state law, he was allowed to transfer the balance of his campaign contributions to his commission campaign; however, contributors to his Senate campaign also have the right to ask for their money back. In all, Murzin transferred about $46,000 into his commission campaign.
Evers has spent $133,530.83 on his campaign. His largest expenditures were for consultants, a campaign manager, a web site and advertising. His single largest expense was $28,836.88 to Marketing Matrics & Media in Pensacola for campaign signs.
Hill’s single largest expenditure has been $3,038 to campaign manager Jim Harris. His other large expenditures have been on advertising and campaign consultants.
Tea Party candidate Crawford spent all of his $1,781.82 on filing fees to run for the office.
Click the candidate’s name below to see their complete first quarter campaign finance report:
Evers is a House member hoping to move up to the Senate chambers to fill the seat being vacated by Rep. Durell Peaden. With 10 years in the Senate, Peaden is not running again due to term limits. Walter “Mike” Hill is a Pensacola insurance agent.
NorthEscambia.com graphics, click to enlarge.
Wilbur Hendrix Of Molino Passes Away
August 1, 2010
Community leader Wilbur Earl Hendrix of Molino passed away Saturday. He was 76.
Hendrix was one of five Molino residents that organized and founded the Molino Volunteer Fire Department, and he served as Molino’s first fire chief.
In 1968, Wilbur Hendrix and his wife Carolyn founded Hendrix Lawn and Cycle and Hendrix Service Center. Together, they owned and operated the successful, community-minded business for over 38 years.
“A man of God and family, Wilbur will be remembered by those who knew him best as someone who worked with his hands his entire life. Wilbur was creative and inventive, able to find ingenious solutions, and could always be looked to when something needed repairing, even after his fingers and wrist had to be repaired. He was always willing to help anyone in need of finding a problem with automobiles, lawn mowers and equipment, even traveling strangers who needed help. He never turned his back on anyone who needed his help,” according to his obituary.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, August 2, at Highland Baptist Church with Rev. Brian Calhoun officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at Faith Chapel North Funeral Home in Cantonment from 4:30 until 7 p.m. on Sunday.
For the complete obituary, click here.
Florida Highway Patrol Announces Checkpoints For August
August 1, 2010
The Florida Highway Patrol has announced locations for driver’s license and vehicle checkpoints during the month of August in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
In Escambia County, FHP checkpoints will be held during August at the following locations:
- Avery Street west of “W” Street
- Johnson Avenue east of Davis Highway
- Patricia Drive north of Fairfield Drive
- Kingsfield Road west of 297A
In Santa Rosa County, checkpoints will be held:
- State Road 399 west of State Road 87
- Ward Basin Road at the Fire Department
- Anderson Lane south of Willard Norris Road
- Gardenview east of CR197
Featured Recipe: Wavy Rancheroos
August 1, 2010
This weekend’s featured recipe from Janet Tharpe is Wavy Rancheroos pie. Colorful and flavorful, this pie is a fun take on the classic huevos rancheros Mexican breakfast, but it’s great or lunch or dinner too.
To print today’s “Just a Pinch” recipe column, you can click the image below to load a printable pdf with a recipe card.
Birth: Forester David Bryan
August 1, 2010
Heath and Shelby Bryan are proud to announce the birth of their son, Forester David Bryan, born July 2, 2010 at Thomas Medical Center.
Forest weighed eight pounds and was 21 inches long. Grandparents are Ricky and Cheryl Golson, and Terry and Sheila Bryan of Bratt. Great-grandparents are Marlene Forester and the late Curtis Forester, the late Walter Lee Golson and Doris Oline Hopkins, Pansy Bryan and the late Preston Bryan, Dillard and Rochelle Bankston, and the late Billy Macks.
Qualifying Ends For Century Council Election; Riley Wins
July 31, 2010
The field of candidates is set for three seats on the Century Town Council, with no opposition for one incumbent.
No one qualified to run against Seat 4 Councilman Gary Riley (pictured), putting him back in office for another term.
Incumbent Henry Hawkins will face two opponents for the Century Town Council Seat 3 post. Jacke Johnston and Robert Lasher both qualified Friday for the position.
Two candidates qualified for the Seat 5 job currently held by Sharon Scott who did not seek re-election. Candidates for Century Town Council Seat 5 are Sandra McMurray Jackson and Annie Carter Savage.
Noon Friday was the deadline for Century candidates to qualify.
The primary election for Century’s council is scheduled for October 5. The charter states that the primary election should be 30 days prior to the November election, but that date falls on Sunday, October 10. As a result, the date was moved to October 5. Per Florida statute, registration books will close on September 7 because September 6th is Labor Day.
The general election/runoff is scheduled for November 9, the second Tuesday in November. Registration books will close on October 11.
There will be one change for candidates this year for Century’s council. The Council has approved an ordinance that will require candidates to file their campaign finance disclosure statements electronically on the Internet as is done in other races in the county — as opposed to filling out a paper form.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Caretaker Allegedly Steals From Elderly Resident
July 31, 2010
An arraignment date has been set for a Century caretaker accused of stealing from an elderly woman.
Marialena Adams Godwin, 38, of Front Street, will be arraigned August 12 on a felony grand theft charge. Godwin allegedly stole a diamond ring and a pair of earrings from an elderly Century woman. Godwin was employed as the woman’s caretaker.
Godwin told Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigators that she gave the jewelry to another woman as payment on debt. The jewelry was recovered and returned to the elderly woman.
Godwin, who is free from jail on $2,500 bond, is scheduled to be arraigned in Escambia County Circuit Court on August 12 before Judge Frank Bell.
Looking For A Bargain? Try The Junior Humane Thrift Store
July 31, 2010
If you are looking for some good, low cost shopping, consider the Junior Humane Society’s Thrift Store in Cantonment.
Store proceeds benefit JHS activities, such as finding homes for homeless cats and dogs. The store features of clothing for all ages, shoes, office furniture, kitchen supplies, books, toys, pet supplies and other items with new merchandise arriving almost daily.
Initially open just four days a week, hours have been expanded to include everyday except Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“Some days when we came to open the store, we had customers already lined up and waiting for us,” said Frankie Van Horn Harris, director of the Junior Humane Society. “Hopefully, being open on more days and for longer hours will help our customers and help JHS.”
The store opened for business October 2009 after weeks of planning and hard work by a group of pet-minded and dedicated volunteers. Through the store, JHS volunteers have found a way to help the animals they care about so much and the community at the same time.
The Junior Humane Society’s Thrift Store in Cantonment is located at the corner of Highway 29 and Neal Road in Cantonment.
Pictured JHS volunteers Kristi Kirby; Amanda Gifford; Crystal Clanton; Mary Foster; Director Frankie Van Horn Harris; Christa Pettijohn; Elizabeth Irby; and Janet Lewis. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power Meeting High Heat Demand
July 31, 2010
Gulf Power Company’s power plants are humming around the clock to meet higher customer demands for electricity as temperatures soar across Northwest Florida.
“We work hard to anticipate additional demand from our customers in the summer,” Jeff Rogers, Gulf Power spokesperson, said. “We have to plan wisely for future energy needs, forecasting demand years in advance so we have enough electricity. Our connection to the Southern Company power grid with sister companies Alabama Power, Georgia Power and Mississippi Power also helps to ensure we have enough capacity to handle peak demands.”
The company can generate 2,659 megawatts of electricity on its own and purchase more electricity if necessary from neighboring utilities. The peak demand for Wednesday was 2,477 megawatts and Gulf Power’s all-time peak was 2,634 megawatts set in August 2007. The utility is not expecting to set a new all-time peak this summer, but forecasts predict that Gulf Power will surpass Wednesday’s peak today and again early next week.
“About half of the electricity a customer buys during the summer is for air conditioning,” Rogers said. “And when customers choose to buy more electricity that means higher bills. That’s why we recommend that customers take advantage of our energy efficiency services including free Home Energy Check-Ups, online energy saving tips, energy reduction programs and billing options that make paying bills easier.”
Gulf Power’s customer service representatives work with customers who may have trouble paying for their electricity. The company offers a program called Budget Billing that helps smooth out seasonal changes in a customer’s electricity bill.
Learn to Burn: Certified Pile Burner Course Offered
July 31, 2010
An upcoming pile burner course will teach area residents how to burn piles legally, safely and efficiently.
When the weather is dry, certified pile burners will receive priority for authorization to burn. Also, certified pile burners are allowed to burn up to two hours longer per day and get multiple day authorizations.
Florida Division of Forestry and University of Florida will offer a certified pile burner course on Wednesday, August 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Escambia County Extension Office, 3740 Stefani Road in Cantonment. Attendance is limited to 50; the cost is $50.
To pre-register, or for more information, call Libbie Johnson at (850) 475-5230, visit escambia.ifas.ufl.edu or email libbiej@ufl.edu.