A SOUTHERN REVIVAL
By Kelly Oden
Centuries ago, the majestic longleaf pine forest covered an estimated 92 million acres of the southeastern United States— running from Virginia to Florida and along the Gulf Coast as far west as Texas. With one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world, the longleaf pine, with its long needles and tall, sturdy trunks, once dominated the southern landscape, but has since nearly disappeared. Fortunately, many public, private and nonprofit organizations are working together to restore this iconic species.
Vernon Compton is the Director of the Gulf Coastal Plain Ecosystem Partnership (GCPEP), a model of 16 public and private organizations working together to conserve and restore the longleaf pine ecosystem in Northwest Florida and southern Alabama.
“By 1995, less than three million of those original 92 million acres rangewide remained," Compton said. “And of that original inheritance, only 12,000 acres of old growth longleaf remain. We are fortunate because 72 percent of that old growth longleaf pine forest exists right here, primarily in and around Eglin Air Force Base. About half of that area was once the Choctawhatchee National Forest so it was never completely cut. You can walk the Florida National Scenic Trail and still see trees that may be 300 to 500 years old. The Florida National Scenic Trail starts on the east side of Eglin and wraps all the way around the base. It's about 72 miles long and it requires an outdoor recreation permit.”
The History
The longleaf pine has a deep history in the South. For indigenous peoples, the longleaf pine was an important part of life, providing materials for housing, medicine and tools. When Europeans began settling in the Southeast, they quickly saw that the trees' tall, straight trunks were ideal for ship masts, and their resin could produce tar, pitch and turpentine. These products were vital to the shipbuilding industry and helped to create the naval stores industry which consisted of pine-derived materials used to build and maintain ships. The strong wood of the longleaf also played a large role in
building any of America’s towns and cities. In fact, those beautiful heart pine floors so beloved in old southern homes are crafted from the hard center wood of the longleaf pine.
While the early American naval stores and building industries did leave a mark on the longleaf populations, Compton says it was logging, agriculture and urban development in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries that saw the mass destruction of millions of acres of longleaf forest. “The forests were clear-cut and converted to other uses—to agricultural fields or development sites. If pine was replanted, it was usually planted with faster-growing and on some sites less ecologically beneficial species like loblolly and slash pine,” Compton said. By the mid-twentieth century, less than three percent of the original longleaf pine forest remained, and most of that in a degraded condition.
The Ecology
The longleaf pine is highly adaptable, making it an excellent tree for withstanding the varied soil, climate and weather conditions of the south. One of the most remarkable features of the longleaf pine is its resistance to fire. Longleaf pines rely on periodic fires to maintain their health.
The thick bark of mature longleaf pines protects them from fire, while their seeds require the bare soil and nutrient-rich ash left by fires to germinate. Fires also help to clear out the underbrush, allowing the sunlight to reach the forest floor and sustain the diverse plant life that thrives in the understory. “It's very fire resistant,” Compton said. “Fire can kill it if the fire is hot enough. But all the plant species beneath the tree—the wiregrass and a lot of the ground cover are also fire loving. So, the more of that ground cover you have, the hotter the fire can be, and then the more of those species that you get. So, it's sort of circular. The ground cover and the trees depend upon fire, and then the wildlife all depend upon having healthy ground cover and more grasses.”
The longleaf understory is home to a rich variety of grasses, wildflowers and shrubs, many of which are found nowhere else in the world.
“Much of the diversity of the system is found below your kneecap,” Comp-
ton explained. “It's the ground cover where there's hundreds of different species of wildflowers, grasses and carnivorous plants. Some people have called this area the Serengeti of carnivorous plants because there are so many—pitcher plants, sundews and all these small carnivorous plants. So, it's a unique ground cover, and the animals that live in that habitat depend on it.”
These plants provide habitat and food for a wide range of animals, from the gopher tortoise, which digs burrows that provide shelter for other species, to the red-cockaded woodpecker, an endangered bird that nests almost exclusively in mature longleaf pines. The longleaf pine ecosystem is one of the most biologically diverse in North America, rivaling even tropical rainforests in terms of species richness. In fact, the longleaf ecosystem supports an estimated 900 different plant species and provides habitat to approximately 100 bird species, 36 mammal species and 170 species of reptiles and amphibians.
The Revival While the plight of the longleaf had been discussed for decades it was in the 1990s that conservation efforts began in earnest. “In the 90s, there was still a decline occurring, so more and more people were putting their heads together,” Compton said. “That's when two forestry professors from Auburn University, Rhett Johnson and Dean Gjerstad, started the Longleaf Alliance. The Longleaf Alliance is focused on all things longleaf, so we help private and public landowners learn and implement longleaf restoration and management. After that, America's Longleaf Restoration Initiative was born, and in 1995/1996 the GCPEP was formed. We are the oldest voluntary landowner partnership supporting longleaf ecosystem recovery, and we share a common vision of environmental stewardship.”
The GCPEP has been working for over two decades to restore longleaf pine forests on both public and private lands. Through a combina -
tion of prescribed burns, tree planting, and invasive species and habitat management, this partnership has helped to restore thousands of acres of longleaf pine forest providing critical habitat for endangered species and supporting sustainable forestry practices. In areas where longleaf pines and fire management have been successfully reintroduced, there has been a resurgence of the diverse plant and animal life that characterizes these ecosystems.
As for the long-term success of longleaf conservation efforts, Compton explained that America's Longleaf Restoration Initiative has identified significant geographic areas—areas that have the best chances of restoring and recovering longleaf. “One of those places is right here along the Gulf Coast,” Compton said. “We were the first partnership. Now there are partnerships like this scattered across the whole longleaf range. The shared goal is to restore 8 million acres of longleaf forest. Public and Private landowners working together have restored over 2.34 million acres to date, raising our current acreage total to some 5.2 million acres. The longleaf ecosystem recovery is headed in the right direction due to those collective landowner efforts.”
The Future Compton believes that education and community involvement are important to the success of longleaf pine restoration efforts. Many of the remaining longleaf pine forests are located on private land, and engaging landowners in conservation efforts is essential. Programs that provide technical assistance and financial incentives to landowners have also been successful in encouraging the restoration and management of longleaf pine forests.
The Longleaf Alliance offers a variety of educational programming including learn and burns, field days and Longleaf Academies where private landowners can come spend a day or two learning everything about the longleaf ecosystem.
“There are a lot of learning opportunities coming up,” Compton said. “We have our 15th Biennial Longleaf conference in Sandestin in October. That's going to be a week of learning opportunities. We will have a field day where people will get to see the only remaining coastal old growth longleaf forest that exists today on Eglin Air Force Base.” The conference is open to public and private landowners as well as anyone who has an interest in longleaf restoration and conservation.
A restored longleaf pine forest is not just about the trees themselves, but about the entire ecosystem that depends on them—the plants, the animals and the people who call this region home. We can all play a role in longleaf conservation by supporting conservation initiatives with time or donations, by advocating for sustainable forestry practices or by simply appreciating the beauty and significance of these magnificent trees and forests. For more information on the longleaf pine visit longleafalliance.org and americaslongleaf.org.
Local Longleaf Compton recommends the following local spots to see some great examples of longleaf pines including some that more than 70 years old.
• GINS - Fort Pickens and Naval Live Oaks
• Big Lagoon State Park
• Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park
• Bayview Park
• Blackwater River State Forest
• Blackwater River State Park
• Conecuh National Forest
• Eglin Air Force Base
• Garcon Point Water Management Area
• NAS Whiting Field Clear Creek Nature Trail
• Operto Park (East Hill at 16 Ave. and E. Moreno St.)
• Betty & Crawford Rainwater Perdido River Preserve
• Ruth McClellan Abronski Splinter Hill Bog Preserve ■
PLEASE CHOOSE THE SUMMATION WEEKLY FOR ALL YOUR LEGAL NOTICES
The Summation Weekly, a publication of the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association (ESRBA) produced in partnership with Ballinger Publishing, offers highly competitive insertion rates and a way to indirectly support your local bar association.
The Summation Weekly is a subscription-based community newspaper circulated to ESRBA members and made available to the general public throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The publication satisfies Fla. Stat. 50.031, which governs the requirements for publication of legal notices. In addition to the published weekly newspaper,
The Summation Weekly website –summationweekly.com satisfies Fla. Stat. 50.0211, which requires all legal notices to be made available online and on the state registry – floridapublicnotices.com.
Ballinger Publishing manages the day-to-day operations of the publication. Darien Hardy is the contact person for legal notices. She can be reached at legals@ballingerpublishing.com or 433-1166, ext. 25.
Thank you for your support. Choosing The Summation Weekly generates non-dues revenue that helps subsidize programs and services provide to members of the EscambiaSanta Rosa Bar Association.
CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION ONLINE LIBRARY: CLE.ESRBA.COM
ESRBA’s CLE Library is now digital! Go to cle.esrba.com to get your credits. Each download comes with the audio from the seminar, the PowerPoint/handouts, and the CLE Certificate of Accreditation from The Florida Bar. The audio can be downloaded in any file type that you would like including MP3, FLAC, ALAC, AAC, Ogg Vorbis, WAV, and AIFF formats. For your convenience and ease of listening, the seminars can also be streamed directly from the library.
If you are interested in presenting a CLE seminar or being recorded for a CLE accredited podcast, please email esrba@esrba.com.
Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Audio Library
Cost: $15 per credit – ESRBA members, $25 per credit –nonmembers
Top Ten Probate Pitfalls CLE Credits: 1 Elder Law and 1 Wills Trusts Estates
Launching your Law Firm
We want you to be a part of our Bar Association! We realize it is by choice that attorneys join voluntary bar associations like ours We are committed to providing exceptional member service, relevant CLE content, an array of networking and community service opportunities and engaging monthly bar luncheons In short, our goal is to provide value We hope that you join us as a member this year!
PENSACOLA MESS HALL RECEIVES
NEARLY $200,000 FROM NATIONAL AND LOCAL FUNDING
The Pensacola MESS Hall has been awarded over $200,000 in funding through multiple national and local grants. Through these funds we will engage local students, teachers, and other adults in hands-on science discovery and enhance science education in schools, reaching over 10,000 students with many participating in longterm projects. The funding agencies include National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Museum and Library Services, Pensacola and Perdido Bay Estuary Program, International Paper, and NASA.
“We are excited to engage the community through these many different programs. We are especially proud that most of these are funded through nationally competitive grant processes. While the MESS Hall is small, these awards demonstrate that our work is of a national caliber,” said Megan Pratt, executive director.
The largest grant is from the National Academy of Sciences Gulf Research Program. This two-year grant supports visits to approximately 25 elementary schools each year to engage students in grades 3-5 in exploring their connection to the Gulf of Mexico. In addition, fourth grade students at 10 schools will participate in multiple classroom programs and create a project to make an environmental impact on their school campus.
Learning about our local environment continues with funding from the Pensacola and Perdido Bay Estuary Program. Students in 10 local elementary schools will enjoy a stage show, “A Walk In The Watershed.” They will then have the opportunity to explore hands-on activities at their school media center and with their art teachers over the course of two weeks. The activities will increase students’ familiarity with our local flora and fauna and improve their observational skills.
Funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services will allow the MESS Hall to partner with 6th grade teachers at Escambia county elementary schools for two years. This pilot program, developed in consultation with district employees, aims to enhance the skills of the teachers. The activities will be presented to the classrooms by MESS Hall staff in partnership with the teachers.
SOURCES
Through a grant from International Paper one half of the MESS Hall will be converted to an immersive experience called Illuminate: Light. This exhibit, which is also supported by funding from FooFoo Fest, is scheduled for November and December and will be presented for free during Night on the Tracks on November 10. Visitors will engage in light discovery across the electromagnetic spectrum, from infrared to ultraviolet, and delve into many properties of light such as reflection and refraction.
The light learning continues with support from NASA’s Universe of Learning. The activities in the Illuminate: Light exhibit will be adapted to an outreach program about light and how NASA uses light in the hunt for exoplanets. The MESS Hall will then partner with art teachers at select schools to engage their students to create art for the Illuminate: Space exhibit in the spring. These students will use fluorescent paint to convey aspects of our universe which will be then presented in a portion of the MESS Hall only illuminated with black light.
In addition to these grant funded programs, the MESS Hall continues to host school groups on field trips and present Family Science Nights at area schools, among other programs. The MESS Hall team also engages students in afterschool programming weekly through funding from Escambia Children’s Trust. Families can visit to enjoy open-ended handson science exploration. While grant funds support specific programs, donations from the community ensure that the MESS Hall is accessible for a wide audience.
Schools that might be interested in any of MESS Hall programs can visit their website at pensacolamesshall.org/education/ or email groups@pensacolamesshall.org.
About The MESS Hall
Founded in 2012, the Pensacola MESS Hall is not a typical science museum. It’s all handson science. Visitors to the facility enjoy exploring math, engineering, science, and stuff with an ever-changing menu of mess kits, activities and exhibits. Additionally, the MESS Hall serves the community with outreach programs, field trips, and other events. For more information about the MESS Hall, visit pensacolamesshall.org.
GCE CELEBRATES NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT
MONTH
October marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), and Pensacola is home to one of the country’s largest private employers of people with disabilities – Global Connections to Employment (GCE). More than 300 team members with disabilities work at GCE contracts from Escambia to Walton County, including at Naval Air Station Pensacola and Eglin Air Force Base. This October will include NDEAM celebrations for GCE team members, whose roles include food services, facilities maintenance, custodial services, business support and information technology services.
This year’s NDEAM theme, “Access to Good Jobs for All,” highlights the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities have equal opportunities to secure meaningful employment. NDEAM is a time to recognize the valuable contributions of workers with disabilities and the need to break down barriers to employment. Promoting accessible hiring practices and creating inclusive work environments can ensure that everyone has access to good jobs, fostering a workforce where all individuals can thrive and succeed.
The rate of people with disabilities in the labor market is at an all-time high of 24.2%, according to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities continues to be more than double the rate for those without disabilities. This highlights a significant gap in opportunities for both organizations looking for workers and for individuals seeking jobs.
“Employees with disabilities often have lower absenteeism and higher retention rates, reducing the costs associated with turnover, such as hiring and training new employees,” said Dwight Davis, president of GCE. “These are team members who contribute positively to the workplace environment and overall performance of organizations. Plus, demon-
ESCAMBIA
COUNTY
EMS
OFFERING $10,000 SIGN-ON BONUS TO NEW PARAMEDICS
Escambia County Emergency Medical Services is offering a $10,000 sign-on bonus for new full-time paramedics, with a goal of attracting qualified individuals with a passion for public safety to join the EMS team.
Several full-time paramedic positions are currently open, offering numerous benefits including competitive wages, shift differentials, deferred compensation, state retirement, and more. In addition to brandnew ambulances, Escambia County EMS uses state-of-the-art equipment including LifePak 15s, stretchers, Lucas devices and Stryker Power-Load systems.
Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply at MyEscambia.com/careers.
The $10,000 sign-on bonus is available for newly hired full-time paramedics, to be paid out in three installments in accordance with the terms of their contract. The bonus will be paid during the first pay period of December each year for three years, paid as two $4,000 installments and one $2,000 installment.
"We are very excited to offer this $10,000 bonus to encourage qualified individuals to seek a rewarding career in public service with Escambia County EMS," Escambia County EMS Chief Chris Watts said. “Like many EMS agencies throughout the nation, we are constantly looking at innovative ways to enhance recruitment and increase our
staffing levels. Our goal is to attract highquality paramedics to join our hardworking, dedicated team and help us continue to provide the best possible level of care to Escambia County residents."
Escambia County EMS, a division of the Escambia County Department of Public Safety, is dedicated to protecting and serving the community through the performance of emergency medical services, providing basic and advanced life support to patients at the scene of emergencies and while transporting sick and injured patients to medical care facilities. Minimum qualifications for Escambia County paramedics include, but are not limited to:
• High school diploma or the successful completion of the GED test
• Completion of emergency medical coursework at the paramedic level, or a combination of education and experience equivalent to these requirements
• Licenses and certifications including:
Valid Florida Paramedic Certification, AHA CPR Certification, AHA ACLS Certification, valid driver's license from state of residence
• Additional qualifications are available in the job description. For more information about Escambia County EMS, visit the myescambia website.
EAST HILL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION HOSTS FALL MAKERS MARKET SERIES
• Tuesday, November 5 East Hill Makers Market - Fall Into Fun! Cordova Square Park, 1101 N. 12th Ave. (East Hill) 3-7 p.m.
strating a commitment to diversity and inclusion can enhance a company’s reputation and brand loyalty among consumers.”
Studies show that companies practicing disability inclusion had 1.6 times more revenue, 2.6 times the net income and double the profit. Managers and HR leaders have said in surveys that team members with disabilities perform the same as or better than their peers without disabilities.
“At Global Connections to Employment, our diverse and inclusive workforce is seen as the key to innovation, growth and engaging culture,” said Davis. “Beyond just filling positions, employing people with disabilities is a strategic decision that brings a multitude of benefits to an organization. Embracing an inclusive workforce can transform businesses while building a more prosperous and productive future.”
Since 1986, GCE has provided not only jobs, but training and support for people with disabilities, including war-wounded veterans. Today, GCE has more than 1,500 team members – including 1,000 with significant disabilities – at contract sites in 14 states plus Washington, D.C. Learn about GCE services at gce.org.
About Global Connections to Employment Global Connections to Employment (GCE) is a nationwide team providing jobs for people with significant disabilities, including our war-wounded veterans. Since its establishment in 1986, GCE has helped match team members to fulfilling careers, including in custodial services, facilities maintenance, food services, business support, contact center solutions and information technology services. Working with customers from the U.S. military, commercial business and community partners – as well as federal, state and local governments – GCE is one of the country’s largest private employers of persons with disabilities. Learn more at GCE.org.
East Hill Neighborhood Association will host its third annual East Hill Makers Market Fall Series in Cordova Square Park in East Hill. Enjoy Fall afternoons of shopping, fresh flower and bouquet bars, music, photo booth, food trucks, refreshments, and kids activities at Cordova Square Park, located at the corner of North 12th Avenue and East Gonzalez Street in East Hill. Browse locally grown and crafted baked goods, produce, one-of-a-kind jewelry, refreshments, unique gifts, and more from nearly 50 local Makers. Sip, shop and mingle with your neighbors! East Hill Makers Markets are free and open to the public.
• Tuesday, December 3 East Hill Makers Market - Holiday Edition! Cordova Square Park, 1101 N. 12th Ave. (East Hill) 2-5:15 p.m.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY SHARES VOLUNTEER AND DONATION RESOURCES FOLLOWING HURRICANE HELENE
Escambia County is sharing resources for individuals who wish to help with recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene's impact in Florida's Big Bend region Thursday, Sept. 26. Hurricane Helene made landfall just after 10 p.m. on Thursday in Taylor County as a category 4 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph.
Citizens are encouraged to only donate to reputable organizations. Monetary donations are the best way to help after a disaster as they can help meet immediate needs and aid recovery in the days and weeks ahead.
Those wishing to donate items should only give through a disaster relief organization or the government, and follow this guidance:
• Only give items when they are requested.
• Only give items that are on the list of requested items.
• Do not send items directly to the affected area.
Additional guidance about how to help after a disaster is available at USA.gov.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management is also reminding everyone to stay out of impacted areas as search and rescue missions continue in response to Hurricane Helene. Only those who are part of a designated organization or group with a mission assigned by the state should deploy to provide assistance. Self-deployed volunteers can inhibit first responders and rescue operations.
Florida Disaster Fund:
• The Florida Disaster Fund is the State of Florida’s official private fund established to assist Florida’s communities as they respond to and recover during times of emergency or disaster. In partnership with the public sector, private sector and other non-governmental organizations, the Florida Disaster Fund supports response and recovery activities. The Florida Disaster Fund distributes funds to service organizations that will serve individuals within their communities with disaster response and recovery.
• Visit volunteerflorida.org to make a monetary donation.
• Volunteer Florida has established
resources for individuals and groups who would like to support Floridians affected by Hurricane Helene. Visit volunteerflorida.org to find a volunteer opportunity.
• For more information about the Florida Disaster Fund or Volunteer Florida, please call 850-414-7400 or email info@ volunteerflorida.org.
American Red Cross:
• The American Red Cross is working with partners in the Florida Panhandle, around the capital area in Tallahassee, and in northeast Florida to make sure people have support if and when it is needed. To make a monetary donation, text HELENE to 90999.
• Sign up to volunteer with American Red Cross by visiting redcross.org/volunteer.
United Way:
• United Way assists in disaster-related evacuations, shelters, food and clothing distributions, volunteer opportunities, and other resources. Monetary contributions can be made to the United Way of Florida Disaster Fund.
The Salvation Army:
• The Salvation Army operates mobile feeding units, emergency disaster warehouses and other relief efforts. Citizens can call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-7252769) to make a donation by phone, text STORM to 51555, or visit the Salvation Army's website. Additional volunteer resources:
• Samaritan's Purse hotline: 1-833-747-1234
° Volunteers may be able to assist with removal of personal property and furniture, flood cleanup, sanitizing with shockwave treatment, chainsaw work, debris cleanup, and temporary roof tarping.
• Florida Baptists Disaster Relief Public Assistance: 904-253-0502 or text HELENE to 27123
° Volunteers may be able to assist with chainsaw work, debris cleanup, temporary roof tarping and muck-outs. Visit floridadisaster.org/updates for additional volunteer opportunities and storm information.
PENSACOLA FIRE DEPARTMENT AIDS IN HURRICANE HELENE RECOVERY
Pensacola Fire Department deployed resources to assist in Hurricane Helene's recovery efforts in the Big Bend region Friday evening, Sept. 27.
PFD's Engine 3 — consisting of four firefighters all trained as emergency medical technicians — departed Fire Station 1 at 6 p.m. and joined other regional departments, forming a strike team ready to deliver a full force of resources to Bell, Florida.
“In the wake of devastating events such as Hurricane Helene, Pensacola Fire Department is always ready and willing to help
our neighbors in need,” PFD Fire Chief Cranor said. “All four of our deployed firefighters volunteered to assist in recovery, eager to lend a hand wherever they could because we all know how destructive a hurricane can be."
PFD's Engine 3 has been assigned to Gilchrist County, northeast of Cedar Key, Florida. While there, the engine company set up 911 communications and fire, medical and hazardous materials emergency response. Engine 3 is expected to return Wednesday evening.
LAKEVIEW CENTER SECURES $320,000 FLORIDA BLUE MENTAL WELLBEING GRANT
Lakeview Center has been awarded a mental wellbeing grant for $320,000 over the next four years from the Florida Blue Foundation – the only organization in Northwest Florida to receive this prestigious funding. This grant will be instrumental in enhancing Lakeview Center’s efforts to develop a robust behavioral health workforce pipeline through expanded internship opportunities and community outreach.
With the support of the Florida Blue Foundation, Lakeview Center will hire a dedicated internship coordinator to serve as a liaison to educational institutions, including universities, trade schools and high schools to cultivate and promote careers in behavioral health. This strategic initiative aims to address the growing need for qualified professionals in the fields of counseling, social work and nursing, particularly within the behavioral health sector.
Building strong partnerships with educational institutions
Lakeview Center delivers comprehensive behavioral health services across four counties in Northwest Florida, serving communities that include major educational institutions like the University of West Florida, Pensacola State College, Northwest Florida State College, Columbia Southern University and Troy University’s satellite campus. Just an hour away, the University of South Alabama offers additional opportunities for collaboration.
The new internship coordinator will partner with colleges and universities to maintain a steady flow of interns into Lakeview Center’s diverse programs. Targeting students in fields such as social work, counseling, nursing and advanced nursing, the program will provide invaluable hands-on experience across Lakeview Center’s 60 behavioral health programs. Additionally, the coordinator will engage with local high schools to inspire students to explore rewarding careers in behavioral health, paving the way for future professionals in the field.
Expanding internship opportunities across the region
For students already enrolled in related fields, the internship coordinator will work directly with school placement coordinators to facilitate internships, track hours and coordinate tasks between site supervisors and school placement supervisors. The goal is to provide a seamless, supportive experience that prepares students for successful careers in behavioral health.
“Our goal is to develop a pipeline of skilled professionals who are passionate about serving in the behavioral health field,” said Shawn Salamida, president of Lakeview Center. “This grant allows us to build on recent improvements in our intern process so that the students and learning institutions alike have a positive experience. We want the next generation of behavioral health professionals to get their start and grow their careers with Lakeview Center.”
Incentivizing quality supervision
Recognizing the additional responsibilities placed on supervisors who mentor interns, Lakeview Center will implement a stipend program. Qualified supervisors will receive stipends upon the successful completion of internships, incentivizing high-quality supervision and encouraging more licensed staff to participate in the program. This approach not only supports the professional development of interns but also enhances
the overall quality of care provided within Lakeview Center’s programs.
Lakeview Center’s commitment to fostering a well-prepared behavioral health workforce aligns with its mission of helping people and its vision to be the trusted partner in the community.
Florida Blue Foundation supports mental wellbeing across the state Lakeview Center was among seven organizations to receive mental wellbeing grants from the Florida Blue Foundation – and the only organization in Northwest Florida.
The Florida Blue Foundation awarded $2.4 million to these nonprofits across the state, citing the alarming rise in mental health disorders in recent years and the need to expand access to mental health resources and support.
The nonprofit organizations selected for 2024 grants serve primarily underserved, underinsured and low-income individuals from rural communities.
“At Florida Blue, we believe there is no health without mental health, and we’re supporting solutions that help individuals and families thrive,” said Pat Geraghty, president and CEO of Florida Blue. “These grants will help address critical gaps in mental health services, particularly for youth and communities that are under resourced. We’re proud to partner with these outstanding organizations to make a meaningful difference.”
Geraghty made the announcement in Central Florida at Special Hearts Farm, one of the seven nonprofits receiving a grant from the Florida Blue Foundation.
“We’re thrilled to support these seven organizations that are dedicated to improving mental well-being in Florida,” said Susan Towler, executive director of the Florida Blue Foundation. “By providing funding for proven programs and approaches, we ensure more individuals and families have the tools they need to prioritize their mental health.”
Over the past five years, the Florida Blue Foundation has awarded 58 grants totaling $18.9 million to nonprofit organizations addressing mental health needs in Florida.
For information about mental health services available at Lakeview Center, call 850-469-3500 or visit elakeviewcenter.org.
About Lakeview Center
Lakeview Center provides comprehensive behavioral health care to adults and children with mental illnesses, drug and alcohol dependencies and intellectual disabilities. Across Northwest Florida, our services range from residential treatment to outpatient counseling, psychiatry, trauma care, treatments for substance misuse and 24/7 crisis support. Learn more at eLakeviewCenter.org.
About Florida Blue Foundation
Florida Blue Foundation enables healthy communities by making grants, building coalitions, and embracing solutions that create a meaningful impact in our communities. More than 8 million Floridians have received services as a result of our community investments since its founding in 2001. Florida Blue Foundation is committed to improve health equity by impacting food security, advancing mental well-being, growing healthy communities, and addressing health disparities. Florida Blue Foundation is a trade name of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Foundation, Inc., an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information, please visit floridabluefoundation.com.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY MOURNS THE LOSS OF BELOVED EMPLOYEE TAMIKA WILLIAMS
Escambia County is mourning the loss of beloved Public Safety employee Tamika Williams, who passed away on Sept. 21, 2024. Tamika had worked for Escambia County for 10 years, and she will be deeply missed by her colleagues and loved ones.
Tamika was a dear friend and a mentor to many, described as someone who led by example and by faith. Tamika’s impact extended beyond the Public Safety Department, not only to her colleagues in other departments, but also to her community outside of the workplace.
“There’s only one Tamika,” Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore said. “Her loss is deeply felt by the county as a whole. Anybody who knew Tamika in the county knew they could go to her and get good information and good advice. She was always a person you could lean on.”
Tamika served as the Public Safety Business Operations Manager during her entire career with the county, which began in September 2014. Although she served in a leadership role, Tamika’s colleagues say it was much more than her job title that made her a true leader.
Her commitment to following policies and procedures made Tamika a “go-to” person for many of her colleagues, who often came to her seeking guidance and advice. In addition to helping her coworkers with work-related issues, Tamika also became a trusted friend to many, both inside and outside of the workplace.
“She was a confidant for many,” said Public Safety Director’s Aide Kelly Goad, who worked with Tamika for seven years. “Many went to her for help, not only for work, but personal. She was a Christian and she could lead by faith, so she could relate to you on many levels.”
As a mentor to many young women through the county’s Summer Youth Employment Program, Tamika devoted herself to guiding and motivating interns, ultimately helping several of them gain full-time employment. Tamika also played an integral role in the inaugural HERricane Escambia program, a day camp for girls that aims to empower them to pursue careers and leadership roles in emergency management.
“Tamika was very big in inspiring those young ladies, teaching them, motivating them, setting the mark for them,” said Billing Manager Shandra Jenkins, who worked with Tamika for over nine years. “She also helped them build their resumes, and if any of them had questions, she always had an opendoor policy. She was very approachable. She always gave words of encouragement.”
Along with being a trusted friend, Tamika was a dedicated mother, wife, and new grandmother – but she still made time to engage in her community. Tamika was heavily involved in the Pensacola Alumnae Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., serving as their treasurer, spending countless hours volunteering, and helping establish a student chapter of Delta Sigma Theta at the University of West Florida. Tamika was also very engaged in her church, New Life Deliverance Temple Church in Navarre.
Although she was a stickler for policies and procedures at work, Tamika’s colleagues said she also had a gift for spreading laughter and fun. She could often be heard in the hallways cheerfully saying “Morning, ma’am,” or her favorite expression when something didn’t meet her standards: “A MESS.”
“You always knew when she was in the room,” Gilmore said.
Tamika also started a door decorating contest during the holidays, bringing her competitive spirit and a whole lot of cheer to Public Safety offices.
“You want to talk about extra?” Goad said. “That’s going to be missed this year. She would have people singing and dancing, and everybody else would just do their door. So she definitely made a difference as far as comedic relief.”
Tamika's colleagues agreed that her loss will leave a void that's impossible to fill.
"She was our right and left hand," Shandra Jenkins said.
“On behalf of Escambia County, I'd like to extend our sincere condolences to Tamika’s family, friends, loved ones, and our colleagues impacted by this tragic and immeasurable loss,” Escambia County Administrator Wes Moreno said. “We join Tamika’s family in grieving and supporting one another during this incredibly difficult time, and we will continue to offer support services for any of our employees who have been impacted by this tragedy. Tamika was an incredibly special, bright person who will never be forgotten by her Escambia County family.”
A Homegoing Service for Tamika Williams in her hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. Burial service immediately followed the service at the West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, 4000 Forest Hill Irene Road, Memphis, Tennessee.
A local memorial in the Pensacola area is being planned, with details to be announced.
PENSACOLA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT HOSTS: AIRPORT 101
What: Pensacola International Airport (PNS) is excited to host Airport 101, a unique event offering media members an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at airport operations. Attendees will meet key staff to understand how the Airport functions, and how staff plans to manage the demands of growth and balance the interests of the community.
Who:
• Matt Coughlin – Airport Director
• Ken Ibold – Deputy Airport Director
• Laura Amentler – Assistant Airport Director of Finance
• Roy Remington – Assistant Airport Director of Planning & Engineering
BROWNSVILLE
• Carter Mansfield – Assistant Airport Director of Operations
• Todd Payne – Assistant Airport Director of Strategy & Development
Where:
Pensacola International Airport Administrative Offices 2430 Airport Blvd., Suite 225 Pensacola, FL 32504
When: Thursday, October 17, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Contact Info: Please RSVP by October 15, 2024. For more information, please visit www.flypensacola.com or send email to bliggett@cityofpensacola.com.
LIBRARY PROJECT UNDER BUDGET AND ON TRACK FOR EARLY 2025 OPENING
Escambia County is continuing to move forward with renovating the former Masonic Lodge into Brownsville's first library, which remains under budget despite construction challenges stemming from the building's historic nature.
Escambia County purchased the old Masonic Lodge building to convert into a new 8,000-square-foot library and community space in the heart of Brownsville, which is expected to be completed by December 2024, with a grand opening to the public in early 2025. The first floor will feature a public library and café space, with a large multi-use space offered on the second floor for meetings, children's programs and events.
The Board of County Commissioners initially budgeted approximately $3.1 million for the project, and the BCC awarded a construction contract of approximately $2.1 million to Vision Construction of North Florida, Inc. for Brownsville Library renovations. Due to unforeseen issues related to the building's age, including significant termite damage, an additional $466,990.46 is on the Thursday, Oct. 3 BCC agenda for approval.
If approved, the additional funding, along with two previously approved change orders, would bring the construction total to approximately $2.77 million, which remains under the $3.1 million budgeted for the project.
Escambia County was also awarded $350,000 in RESTORE Act funding for the design of a business incubator, which will be constructed near the new library to provide services and resources to business owners or anyone looking to start a new business. The business incubator will include office space and commercial space, offering networking opportunities, business mentorships, and more.
In addition to offering a wide variety of literature for the community, the new Brownsville Library will also provide highspeed internet access on library computers, along with free high-speed Wi-Fi for those who prefer to bring their own devices.
The Brownsville Library will be located at 3300 W. De Soto St., adjacent to the Brownsville Community Center. For more information about current West Florida Public Libraries locations in Escambia County, visit mywfpl.com.
JUDGE BACKS FEDS IN UNION LAW FIGHT
NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
JIM SAUNDERS
A U.S. district judge Friday rejected a lawsuit filed by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody in a dispute about federal transit funding and a 2023 state law that placed additional restrictions on public-employee unions.
Judge Melissa Damian issued a 36-page ruling that sided with the Biden administration. A key issue was a longstanding federal law designed to ensure that transit workers’ collective-bargaining rights are protected before federal transit money is provided to local agencies.
The 2023 state law included a series of controversial restrictions on publicemployee unions, including preventing workers from having dues deducted from their paychecks and requiring unions to be recertified as bargaining agents if fewer than 60 percent of eligible employees pay dues. Numerous unions have argued that the law violates collective-bargaining rights.
In 2023, Florida transit agencies, including agencies in Miami-Dade and Broward County, submitted applications for federal money, Damian wrote. But unions objected because they said the state law (SB 256) prevented transit agencies from continuing collective-bargaining rights.
Ultimately, the state Public Employees Relations Commission granted waivers from the 2023 law to the transit agencies. But Damian’s ruling said the state disagreed with a Department of Labor determination that parts of the law, including the ban on paycheck dues deductions, harmed collective bargaining.
Moody’s office filed the lawsuit in October, alleging that the federal law was unconstitutional. Also, the lawsuit alleged that the Department of Labor had violated another law known as the Administrative Procedure Act because its determination about the state law harming collective bargaining was “arbitrary and capricious.”
“The Department of Labor has given Florida an ultimatum — abandon the reforms enacted through SB 256 or lose hundreds
of millions in federal funding,” the lawsuit said. “Because that ultimatum is based on an unconstitutional funding condition and is otherwise contrary to law, Florida brings this suit to protect its access to critical funding and its sovereign prerogative to regulate in the realm of collective bargaining.”
But in court documents, U.S. Department of Justice attorneys argued that the judge should dismiss the case or grant summary judgment to the defendants.
The Justice Department attorneys wrote that the parts of the law dealing with dues deduction and the potential required recertification of unions “substantially clash with transit employees’ rights to be represented by a designated bargaining agent and to bargain collectively through that representative on critical mandatory subjects. Plaintiff’s (the state’s) say-so that this interference is no more than ‘de minimis,’ without elaboration or support, cannot disturb DOL’s (the Department of Labor’s) conclusion.”
Moody’s office alleged, in part, that the federal law was unconstitutional because of “ambiguous terms governing the grant of funds,” Damian wrote. But she rejected the argument.
“In sum, the state has not demonstrated that it has been presented with a scenario in which it is required to accept funds under unconstitutionally ambiguous conditions,” Damian wrote. “Nor has it demonstrated that the statute is facially unconstitutional. Therefore, this court declines the state’s request for a declaration that (the federal law) is unconstitutional.”
Also, she rejected the argument that the Department of Labor violated the Administrative Procedure Act.
“(A) reading of the statute’s plain text reflects that Congress gave the DOL the authority to construe (the federal law) to determine whether provisions that affect employee collective bargaining rights are ‘fair and equitable.’” Damian wrote. “The state offers no authority to support a finding that the DOL violated the APA (Administrative Procedure Act) where the DOL did what Congress said it could do.”
'STOP WOKE' CASE COULD COST STATE
JIM SAUNDERS NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Florida could face paying nearly $750,000 in legal fees for businesses that successfully challenged part of a 2022 law that Gov. Ron DeSantis dubbed the “Stop WOKE Act.”
Citing what they called a “resounding victory,” attorneys for the businesses filed a motion Friday seeking $749,642 in fees. Also, they sought $41,144 in additional costs related to the lengthy legal battle.
Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker in August ruled that the plaintiffs were entitled to seek fees, clearing the way for Friday’s detailed motion. The state faces an Oct. 28 deadline to respond to the request.
The underlying case involved a challenge to part of the state law that placed restrictions on addressing race-related issues in workplace training. Walker in 2022 issued a preliminary injunction against the restrictions on free-speech grounds. A panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in March upheld the preliminary injunction, and Walker followed in July by issuing a permanent injunction.
“It is hard to envision greater success than what plaintiffs attained in this case,” Friday’s motion for fees said. “This court’s opinion, and the Eleventh Circuit’s opinion affirming the same, now stand as important constitutional markers for courts across the United States. Plaintiffs, in turn, have been able to continue their diversity trainings both as employers and trainers without fear of government encroachment on their free speech, which is exactly what they had wanted.”
Attorneys from the international law firm Ropes & Gray LLP and the non-profit group Protect Democracy represented the plaintiffs — Primo Tampa, LLC, a Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream franchisee; Honeyfund. com, Inc., a Clearwater-based technology company that provides wedding registries; and Chevara Orrin and her company, Collective Concepts, LLC. Orrin and her company provide consulting and training to employers about issues such as diversity, equity and inclusion.
The motion seeks $458,676 in legal fees and $32,128 in costs for Roper & Gray and $290,966 in legal fees and $2,641 in costs for Protect Democracy. It also seeks $6,375 in expert fees.
It details requested attorney fees ranging from $200 an hour to $775 an hour and said the rates were reduced to reflect
FLORIDA PORTS
FEEL EFFECTS OF STRIKE
JIM TURNER NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Four busy Florida ports will see direct impacts from an International Longshoremen’s Association strike for higher wages that began Tuesday.
JAXPORT in Jacksonville, Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, PortMiami and Port Tampa Bay are among ports along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts where tens of thousands of union members halted work in the dispute with the United States Maritime Alliance, which represents shipping lines, terminal operators and port authorities.
“We hope there will be a quick resolution, and all containerized cargo operations can return to business as usual,” Port Everglades CEO and Port Director Joseph Morris said in a prepared statement.
The Florida Ports Council said the strike predominantly will affect containerized cargo, which can include items such as clothing, furniture, automobiles, construction and hurricane supplies, medical supplies and perishable goods such as fruits, vegetables and seafoods.
The council said in a news release that it has “a genuine concern about getting much needed supplies to storm-ravaged communities in Florida and up the Eastern seaboard.”
The strike isn’t expected to affect bulk cargo, which generally is not shipped in such things as containers, specialty cargo, fuel or cruises, the council said.
“The ILA intends for the demonstrations to continue round the clock, 24/7, for as long as it takes for the United States Maritime Alliance to meet the demands of ILA
rank-and-file members,” the union said in a news release.
Among the demands are an annual $5-an-hour increase over the course of the next six-year contract, provisions against the introduction of automation or semi-automation and royalties on containers.
President Joe Biden pointed to Hurricane Helene relief efforts in calling for the union and the maritime alliance to reach an agreement and get workers back on the job.
“As our nation climbs out of the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, dockworkers will play an essential role in getting communities the resources they need. Now is not the time for ocean carriers to refuse to negotiate a fair wage for these essential workers while raking in record profits,” Biden said in a statement.
Biden added that his administration “will be monitoring for any price gouging activity that benefits foreign ocean carriers.”
--- About one-third of the business at JAXPORT is expected to be affected, according to the Jacksonville port.
--- Port Everglades anticipates delays at two of its five terminals and said the union is involved with about 41 percent of cargo operations.
“The negotiations between the ILA and USMX (the maritime alliance) focus on some containerized cargo activities and should not affect the majority of activity taking place at Port Everglades, such as the movement of petroleum products, aggregate materials and cement, and our cruise activity,” Port Everglades said on its website.
--- PortMiami said the strike will affect about 50 percent of cargo at three container terminals, while cruise operations remain unaffected.
JUDGE REFUSES TO BLOCK ABORTION INFORMATION
JIM SAUNDERS NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
Saying courts “must trust the people to decide what information is important to them,” a Leon County circuit judge Monday refused to issue a temporary injunction to block the state Agency for Health Administration from disseminating what critics call “misinformation” about a proposed constitutional amendment on abortion rights.
the “prevailing market rates” in the federal Northern District of Florida, where the case was filed. Lower fees were requested for the work of people such as paralegals.
To try to bolster their request, the plaintiffs’ attorneys pointed to what the state paid the Washington, D.C.-based Cooper & Kirk firm to represent it in the case. Citing state data, the plaintiffs’ attorneys said the state paid a “blended rate” of $725 an hour for each Cooper & Kirk lawyer who worked on the case.
The Stop WOKE Act — short for what DeSantis called the “Stop Wrongs To Our Kids and Employees Act” — drew fierce debate in 2022 before being approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature. Part of the law put restrictions on workplace training, while another part included restrictions for the education system.
The workplace-training part listed eight race-related concepts and said that a required training program or other activity that “espouses, promotes, advances, inculcates, or compels such individual (an employee) to believe any of the following concepts constitutes discrimination based on race, color, sex, or national origin.”
As an example of the concepts, the law targeted compelling employees to believe that an “individual, by virtue of his or her race, color, sex, or national origin, bears personal responsibility for and must feel guilt, anguish, or other forms of psychological distress because of actions, in which the individual played no part, committed in the past by other members of the same race, color, sex, or national origin.”
In court documents, the state disputed that the law violated speech rights, saying that it regulated “conduct.” It said businesses could still address the targeted concepts in workplace training — but couldn’t force employees to take part.
But, for example, the appeals court described the law as the “latest attempt to control speech by recharacterizing it as conduct. Florida may be exactly right about the nature of the ideas it targets. Or it may not. Either way, the merits of these views will be decided in the clanging marketplace of ideas rather than a codebook or a courtroom.”
Walker also separately issued a preliminary injunction against the law’s restrictions on the way race-related concepts can be taught in universities. A panel of the appeals court held a hearing in that case in June but has not issued a ruling.
Judge Jonathan Sjostrom rejected arguments by Floridians Protecting Freedom, a political committee sponsoring the proposed amendment, and wrote that the case is “not justiciable by courts because political power is reserved to the people in an election by means of each ballot.”
“When courts speak of justiciability, the essence of the point is that judges must exercise lawful authority without hesitation but must resist the temptation to power unconstrained by a reasonable resort to judicial process,” he wrote. “In an election campaign under these circumstances, the political power reserved to the people in (part) of the Florida Constitution means that it is not for the courts to intervene in this referendum campaign to decide what the people will be permitted to consider. This case is not justiciable.”
Floridians Protecting Freedom filed a lawsuit Sept. 12 and sought a temporary injunction after the Agency for Health Care Administration began using a website and ads to disseminate information about the proposed amendment. The proposal will appear on the November ballot as Amendment 4 and would enshrine abortion rights in the Constitution.
With Gov. Ron DeSantis helping lead efforts to defeat the amendment, Floridians Protecting Freedom contends the agency violated state law by using public resources to spread inaccurate information about the proposal.
Issues in the lawsuit included statements on the website such as, “Current Florida Law Protects Women, Amendment 4 Threatens Women’s Safety.”
In seeking the temporary injunction, Floridians Protecting Freedom wanted Sjostrom to declare that the agency’s actions violated the committee’s right to propose constitutional amendments, order the agency to remove advertising or materials that “violate FPF’s (the committee’s) rights and enjoin AHCA from disseminating such advertising or other materials in the future.”
“Through this website, AHCA disparages Amendment 4 and Floridians Protecting Freedom as its sponsor, alleging fearmongering and lying,” the motion for a temporary injunction said. “AHCA presents voters with false information about Amendment 4 and current law and creates a sense of urgency that ‘Current Law Protects Women. Amendment 4 Threatens Women’s Safety,’ that Amendment 4 will ‘lead to unregulated and unsafe abortions,’ and ‘We must keep
Florida from becoming an abortion tourism destination state.’ Voters can only be left with the impression that this state agency is advising them to vote no on Amendment 4.”
But in a court document opposing the injunction request, attorneys for the state said the Constitution does not give Floridians Protecting Freedom a “right to muzzle AHCA’s public statements about an issue of immense public concern.”
“Nothing in Florida law supports FPF’s attempt to make this court a referee in a fundamentally political dispute over the accuracy of AHCA’s speech about Amendment 4,” the state’s attorneys wrote. “In any event, FPF is wrong when it accuses AHCA of ‘spreading false information about the amendment.’ AHCA has not made false, deceptive or misleading statements about Amendment 4.”
Sjostrom wrote Monday that nothing in his decision “should be considered as expressing the court’s views of the wisdom of the proposed constitutional amendment under consideration for the upcoming election or the relative merits of the arguments mustered for or against the amendment during the current campaign. This order should form no part of any voter’s decision whether to vote for this proposed amendment.”
But he wrote that Floridians Protecting Freedom had not established legal standing to challenge the disputed information.
“Really, this is so because no person or entity has standing to litigate these issues in court during this campaign,” Sjostrom wrote. “The fact finder must be each voter who will choose the information the voter finds convincing and render judgment on each ballot.”
In part, the proposed constitutional amendment says, no ”law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient's health, as determined by the patient's healthcare provider.”
Floridians Protecting Freedom began the drive to pass the constitutional amendment after DeSantis and the Republicancontrolled Legislature last year approved a law to prevent abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. That law took effect May 1.
The Floridians Protecting Freedom lawsuit came two days after Palm Beach County attorney Adam Richardson filed a case at the Florida Supreme Court about the agency information on Amendment 4. That case remains pending.
Richardson asked the Supreme Court to issue what is known as a writ of quo warranto to Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Jason Weida, DeSantis and Attorney General Ashley Moody “forbidding them from misusing or abusing their offices to interfere with the election for Amendment 4, and to unravel whatever actions they have already taken to do so.”
Legals
Notice of Public Sale
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE OF ABANDONED PROPERTY
Pursuant to Fla. Stat. 715.109, notice is hereby given for the public sale of the following described items: 8 ft. open spray booth (8CPPSEB102519-18970); 3.5 cu. ft. Blast Pot; 8x8x15 Blast Room (8x8x15SBR110719-18970).
The public sale shall take place at 6425 North 9th Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32504 on October 18, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. CDT.
The winning bidder shall pay to Vick’s Properties, Inc. the amount of their bid in cash or cashiers’ check immediately upon the conclusion of the sale, and the winning bidder shall remove the property from the premises no later than 5 days after the sale. Failure of the winning bidder to pay in full at the conclusion of the sale or to timely remove the property will result in a default of the bid. In the event of default, any money paid will be forfeited and applied to the reasonable costs of storage and advertising, and the next-highest bidder who complies with these terms will be declared the winner.
2WR10/2-10/9NOS
Notice of Sale IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR SANTA ROSA COUNTY, FLORIDA CIVIL DIVISION
AJAX MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2021-G, MORTGAGEBACKED SECURITIES, SERIES 2021-G, BY U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE, Plaintiff,
v.
SUSAN K. SCHLOTT A/K/A
SUSAN K. SCHINSTINE A/K/A
SUSAN KELLY SCHINSTINE
A/K/A SUSAN JEANNETTE KELLY, WILLIAM SCHINSTINE, UNKNOWN TENANT #1 AND UNKNOWN TENANT #2, representing tenants in possession, Defendants.
Case No.: 23-CA-1028
NOTICE OF SALE
Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to the Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above-styled cause in the Circuit Court of Santa Rosa County, Florida on September 20, 2024, the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Santa Rosa County, Florida will sell the property situated in Santa Rosa County, Florida described as:
Description of Mortgaged and Personal Property
A PORTION OF LOT WW OF CRESCENT SHORES, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK A, PAGE 70, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF SANTA ROSA COUNTY, FLORIDA, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: COMMENCING AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF LOT WW, CRESCENT SHORES ACCORDING TO PLAT RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK A AT PAGE 70, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF SANTA ROSA COUNTY, FLORIDA, THENCE NORTH ALONG THE WEST LINE OF LOT WW A DISTANCE OF 1936.65 FEET TO POINT OF BEGINNING, THENCE CONTINUE NORTH 100 FEET, THENCE EAST 136 FEET, THENCE SOUTH 100 FEET, THENCE WEST 136 FEET TO POINT OF BEGINNING. (ALSO KNOWN AS LOT 130, BANDERA SUBDIVISION).
The address of which is 2259 Paloma Street, Navarre, FL 32566.
at a public sale to the highest bidder on January 22, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. CST (12:00 p.m. EST) electronically online at http://www.santarosa.realforeclose.com (website) pursuant to the Final Judgment of Foreclosure.
Any person claiming an interest in the surplus funds from the sale, if any, other than the property owner, as of the date of Lis Pendens, must file a claim before the Clerk reports the surplus as unclaimed.
Dated: September 25, 2024. J. Andrew Baldwin dbaldwin@solomonlaw.com Florida Bar No. 671347 foreclosure@solomonlaw.com
The Solomon Law Group, P.A. 1881 West Kennedy Boulevard, Suite D Tampa, Florida 33606-1611 (813) 225-1818 (Tel) (813) 225-1050 (Fax) Attorneys for Plaintiff
If you are a person with a disability, who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact Court Administration, ADA Liaison, Santa Rosa County 4025 Avalon Blvd., Milton, FL 32583, Telephone (850) 623-3159 Fax (850) 983-0602, ADA.SantaRosa@flcourts1. gov at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the scheduled appearance is less than 7 days; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711.
2WR10/9-10/16NOS
Notice of Foreclosure Sale IN THE COUNTY COURT IN AND FOR ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA NEWCASTLE PLACE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., a Florida not-for-profit corporation, Plaintiff, v. SUMMER MAXWELL, et al. Defendants.
CASE NO.: 2024 CC 002740
NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE
Notice is hereby given that Pam Childers, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Escambia County, Florida, shall sell the following described property situated in Escambia County, Florida:
Lot 10, Block “O”, of Newcastle PlaceUnit 4, according to the Plat thereof, as recorded in Plat Book 18, at Page 51, of the Public Records of Escambia County, Florida.
including the structures and improvements located thereon, if any, at a public sale on the 17th day of October, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. (Central Standard Time), or as soon thereafter as the sale may proceed, to the highest bidder or bidders for cash, except as set forth hereinafter, at www.escambia. realforeclose.com, in accordance with Chapter 45, Florida Statutes, and the Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in a case pending in said court, the style of which is SUMMER MAXWELL, et al., the case number of which is 2024 CC 002740.
In accordance with the AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, persons needing a special accommodation to participate in this proceeding should contact the Courthouse not later than seven days prior to the proceeding at (850) 623-3159.
ANY PERSON CLAIMING AN INTEREST IN THE SURPLUS FROM THE SALE, IF ANY, OTHER THAN THE PROPERTY OWNER AS OF THE DATE OF THE LIS PENDENS MUST FILE A CLAIM WITHIN SIXTY (60) DAYS AFTER THE SALE.
Dated September 23, 2024
Moorhead Law Group, PLLC /s/ John “Jay” A. Fraiser, Jr. John “Jay” A. Fraiser, Jr. Florida Bar No. 110741 Moorhead Law Group 127 Palafox Place, Suite 200 Pensacola, FL 32502 850-696-1888 jfraiser@moorheadlaw.com aharris@moorheadlaw.com calitigation@moorheadlaw.com Attorneys for Plaintiff 2WR10/2-10/9NOS
Notice to Creditors IN THE FIRST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COURT IN AND FOR ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION IN RE: ESTATE OF MICHAEL EDWARD DANCER, Deceased.
File No. 2024-CP-000777
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of Michael Edward Dancer, deceased, whose date of death was February 11, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Escambia County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is P.O. Box 333, Pensacola, FL 32591. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.
All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes.
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.
ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.
NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The date of first publication of this notice is October 9, 2024.
Attorney for Personal Representative: Drew Daddono, Esq. Florida Bar Number: 111946 1227 North Franklin Street Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 444-2573 contact@anchortrustmanagement.com drew@anchortrustmanagement.com
Personal Representative: Drew Daddono 1227 North Franklin Street Tampa, Florida 33602 2WR10/9-10/16NTC
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIRST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE COURT
IN RE: ESTATE OF: BETTY LOUISE ROBITZSCH, Deceased.
Case No.: 2024 CP 1414
Division:
NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION (Intestate)
The administration of the estate of BETTY LOUISE ROBITZSCH, deceased, is pending in the Circuit Court for Escambia County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 190 Government Street, Pensacola, Florida 32502. The estate is intestate.
The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. The fiduciary lawyer-client privilege in Section 90.5021, Florida Statutes, applies with respect to the personal representative and any attorney employed by the personal representative.
Any interested person on whom a copy of the notice of administration is served must file with the court, on or before the date that is 3 months after the date of service of a copy of the Notice of Administration on that person, any objection that challenges the validity of the will or any codicils, venue, or jurisdiction of the court. The 3 month time period may only be extended for estoppel based upon a misstatement by the personal representative regarding the time period within which an objection must be filed. The time period may not be extended for any other reason, including affirmative representation, failure to disclose information, or misconduct by the personal representative or any other person. Unless sooner barred by section 733.212(3), Florida Statutes, all objections to the validity of a will or any codicils, venue or the jurisdiction of the court must be filed no later than the earlier of the entry of an order of final discharge of the personal representative or 1 year after service of the notice of administration.
Persons who may be entitled to exempt property under section 732.402, Florida Statutes, will be deemed to have waived their rights to claim that property as exempt property unless a petition for determination of exempt property is filed by such persons or on their behalf on or before the later of the date that is 4 months after the date of service of a copy of the notice of administration on such persons or the date that is 40 days after the date of termination of any proceedings involving the construction, admission to probate, or validity of the will or involving any other matter affecting any part of the exempt property.
Unless an extension is granted pursuant to section 732.2135(2), Florida Statutes, an election to take an elective share must be filed on or before the earlier of the date that is 6 months after the date of service of a copy of the notice of administration on the surviving spouse, an agent under chapter 709, Florida Statutes, or a guardian of the property of the surviving spouse; or the date that is 2 years after the date of the decedent’s death.
Under certain circumstances and by failing to contest the will, the recipient of the notice of administration may be waiving his or her right to contest the validity of a trust or other writing incorporated by reference into a will.
Attorney for Personal Representative: /s/ Jennifer Lee Bushnell
JENNIFER LEE BUSHNELL, ESQUIRE
Attorney for Personal Representative Florida Bar Number: 617555
Jennifer Lee Bushnell, P.L.L.C.
1507 W. Garden Street Pensacola, Florida 32502
Telephone: (850) 466-2929
Fax: (1-866) 466-9791
E-Mail: jlb@nwflattorney.com
Secondary E-Mail: paralegal@nwflattorney.com
Personal Representative: /s/ Rebecca D. Cox
REBECCA D. COX, Pers. Rep. 5040 W. Fairfield Drive Pensacola, FL 32506
2WR10/9-10/16NOA
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIRST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE COURT
IN RE: ESTATE OF: BETTY LOUISE ROBITZSCH, Deceased.
Case No.: 2024 CP 1414
Division:
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of BETTY LOUISE ROBITZSCH, deceased, whose date of death was July 13, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Escambia County, Florida, Probate Division U, Case No. 2024 CP 1414, the address of which is 190 Government Street, Pensacola, Florida 32502. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.
All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.
ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.
NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The date of first publication of this notice is October 9, 2024.
Attorney for Personal Representative: /s/ Jennifer Lee Bushnell
Jennifer Lee Bushnell, Esquire
Attorney for Personal Representative
Florida Bar Number: 617555
Jennifer Lee Bushnell, P.L.L.C.
1507 W. Garden Street Pensacola, Florida 32502
Telephone: (850) 466-2929
Fax: (1- 866) 466-9791
E-Mail: JLB@NWFLattorney.com
Secondary E-Mail: Paralegal@NWFLattorney.com
Personal Representative: /s/ Rebecca D. Cox
Rebecca D. Cox 5040 W. Fairfield Drive Pensacola, Florida 32506 2WR10/9-10/16NTC
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR SANTA ROSA COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION
IN RE: ESTATE OF MARILYN MERLE BIGBYGENTRY a/k/a MARILYN M. BIGBYGENTRY a/k/a MARILYN M. BIGBY Deceased.
File No. 2024 CP 000491 Division Probate
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of Marilyn Merle Bigby-Gentry, deceased, whose date of death was January 26, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Santa Rosa County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 4025 Avalon Blvd, Milton, Florida 32583. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.
All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.
ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.
NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The date of first publication of this notice is October 9, 2024.
Personal Representative: Ashleigh L. Woolly 4495 Furling Lane Apt 170 Destin, Florida 32541
Attorney for Personal Representative: Raymond B Palmer E-mail Addresses: ray@rplegal.com, carolyn@rplegal.com
Florida Bar No. 42171 Palmer Law Firm 913 Gulf Breze Parkway, Suite 41 Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561 Telephone: ***Attorney phone TE*** 2WR10/9-10/16NTC
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR SANTA ROSA COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION
IN RE: ESTATE OF MAHALEA G. POWELL, Deceased.
CASE NUMBER: 2024-CP-495 NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the Estate of MAHALEA G. POWELL, deceased, whose date of death was February 10, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Santa Rosa County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 4025 Avalon Blvd, Milton, FL 32583. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.
All creditors of the Decedent and other persons having claims or demands against the Decedent’s Estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
All other creditors of the Decedent and other persons having claims or demands against the Decedent’s Estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.
ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.
NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO(2)YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The date of first publication of this notice is October 9, 2024.
Attorney for Personal Representative: DAN STEWART Florida Bar Number 319392 4519 Hwy. 90, Pace, FL 32571-2043 Telephone: (850) 994-4887; Fax: (850) 994-4541 Personal Representative: LINDA BOHL
2WR10/9-10/16NTC
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR SANTA ROSA COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION IN RE: ESTATE OF JOYCE JOHNSON CALDWELL a/k/a JOYCE ANN CALDWELL Deceased.
File No. 2024-CP-455 Division D NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of Joyce Johnson Caldwell, deceased, whose date of death was May 24, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Santa Rosa County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 4025 Avalon Blvd., Milton, Florida 32583. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.
All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.
The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes.
ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.
NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The date of first publication of this notice is October 2, 2024.
Personal Representative: Tina Kaye Caldwell 907 Ave., G SE Cullman, Alabama 35055
Attorney for Personal Representative: Angela J. Jones
E-mail Addresses: ajjones@ljslawfirm. com
Florida Bar No. 096441 Locklin, Saba, Locklin & Jones PA 4557 Chumuckla Hwy. Pace, Florida 32571
Telephone: (850) 995-1102
2WR10/2-10/9NTC
PUBLIC NOTICES
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR SANTA ROSA COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION
IN RE: ESTATE OF ROY DEAN GLOVER, JR. Deceased.
File No. 2023 CP 000321 Division:
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of ROY DEAN GLOVER, JR., deceased, whose date of death was October 18, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Santa County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 4025 Avalon Blvd, Milton, FL 32583. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.
All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.
ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.
NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The date of first publication of this notice is October 2, 2024.
ATTORNEY FOR ESTATE
/s/Frederick J. Gant
Frederick J. Gant Attorney for Personal Representative Florida Bar No.0449369 322 W. Cervantes Street Pensacola, FL 32501
Telephone: (850) 433-3230
Fax: (850) 434-8158
PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE
/s/ Barbara Glover
Barbara Glover Personal Representative
2WR10/2-10/9NTC
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION
IN RE: ESTATE OF SUE SCHULTHEIS MAYO, a/k/a SUE S. MAYO, Deceased.
FILE NO: 2024 CP 001347 DIVISION: U
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of Sue Schultheis Mayo, a/k/a Sue S. Mayo, deceased, whose date of death was August 23, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Escambia County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 190 Government Street, Pensacola, FL 32502. The names and addresses of the personal representatives and the personal representatives’ attorney are set forth below.
All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.
ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.
NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The date of first publication of this notice is October 2, 2024.
Personal Representatives: William Roland Mayo, Jr. 14300 Gorham Road Pensacola, FL 32507
Elizabeth Idonia Brennan 1584 Harbourton Rocktown Rd Lambertville, NJ 08530
Attorney for Personal Representatives: Charles L. Hoffman, Jr. Florida Bar Number: 229768 CARVER DARDEN KORETZKY ET AL 151 West Main Street, Suite 200 Pensacola, FL 32502 Telephone: (850) 266-2565 Fax: (850) 266-2301 E-Mail: choffman@carverdarden.com
Secondary E-Mail: bass@carverdarden. com
2WR10/2-10/9NTC
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION
IN RE: ESTATE OF SHARON MORRISON BINT, Deceased.
File No.: 2024 CP 1333 Division: T NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of SHARON MORRISON BINT, deceased, whose date of death was June 16, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Escambia County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 190 West Government Street, Pensacola, Florida 32502. The name and address of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.
All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.
ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.
NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The date of first publication of this notice is October 9, 2024.
Attorney for Personal Representative:
/s/ Lauren A. Merritt
LAUREN A. MERRITT
Lauren A. Merritt, P.A. Florida Bar Number: 1017893 105 S. De Villiers Street Pensacola, FL 32502
Telephone: (850) 741-2999
Fax: (850) 466-0956
E-Mail: lauren@laurenmerrittlaw.com
Personal Representative:
/s/ Julie Reynolds
JULIE REYNOLDS 2711 Edmund Dr. Gulf Breeze, FL 32563
2WR10/9-10/16NTC
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION
IN RE: ESTATE OF MARGARET J. BEDNAR Deceased.
File No. 2024-CP-1258 Division U
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of Margaret J. Bednar, deceased, whose date of death was January 30, 2024, and whose Social Security Number is available upon request, is pending in the Circuit Court for Escambia County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Escambia County Clerk of Court, Attn: Probate, P.O. Box 333, Pensacola, Florida 32591-0333. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.
All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.
ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.
NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The date of first publication of this notice is Wednesday, October 2, 2024.
Attorney for Personal Representative: /s/ Nicholas R. Medley
Nicholas R. Medley
Attorney for Petitioner FL Bar #: 107194
Medley Law Firm 714 N. Spring Street Pensacola, FL 32501
Telephone: (850) 768-0132
Fax: (850) 254-7872 nicholas@medleyelderlaw.com
Personal Representatives: Karen Nelson PO Box 3873 Pensacola, FL 32516
2WR10/2-10/9NTC
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION
IN RE: ESTATE OF ESTELLE RUTH RAY Deceased.
File No.: 2024 CP 1310 Division: U NOTICE TO CREDITORS
An Order of Summary Administration of the estate of Estelle Ruth Ray, deceased, whose date of death was February 11, 2024, was entered on September 27, 2024 in the Circuit Court for Escambia County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 190 Governmental Center, Pensacola, FL 32501. The names and addresses of the Petitioner therein and the Petitioner’s attorney are set forth below.
All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.
ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.
NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The date of first publication of this notice is October 9, 2024.
Attorney for Petitioner:
Jason R. Mosley
Florida Bar No.: 386650
6706 Plantation Rd., Suite C, Pensacola, FL 32504
Telephone: (850) 696-1196
jmosley@mosleyestatelaw.com
Petitioner:
Joseph Queen 6351 Wyndotte Rd. Pensacola, FL 32526
2WR10/9-10/16NTC
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION
IN RE: ESTATE OF EDWARD ORVAL RIDOUT, Deceased.
File No. 2023 CP 1634
Division: U
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of Edward Orval Ridout, deceased, whose date of death was August 21, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Escambia County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 190 Governmental Center, Pensacola, FL 32502. The names and addresses of the Personal Representative and the Personal Representative’s attorney are set forth below.
All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
The Personal Representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in §§ 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under § 732.2211, Florida Statutes.
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.
ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.
NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The date of first publication of this notice is October 2, 2024.
Attorney for Personal Representative: Jason A. Waddell Florida Bar Number: 529362 Waddell Law Firm 4317 Spanish Trail Pensacola, FL 32504
Telephone: (850) 434-8500
Fax: (850) 434-0971
E-Mail: jaw@waddell.law
Secondary E-Mail: jawpara@waddell.law
Personal Representative: Judy Ridout 14288 St. Rt. 104 Lucasville, OH 45648
2WR10/2-10/9NTC
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION
IN RE: ESTATE OF JAMES K. LABBIE Deceased.
File No. 2024 CP 1363
Division Probate NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of James K. Labbie, deceased, whose date of death was August 30, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for ESCAMBIA County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 190 West Government Street, Pensacola, Florida 32502. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.
All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes.
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.
ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.
NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The date of first publication of this notice is October 9, 2024.
Attorney for Personal Representative: /s/ James L. Chase James L. Chase Attorney Florida Bar Number: 304514 Chase & Ralls, PLC 101 East Government Street Pensacola, FL 32502 Telephone: (850) 434-3601 Fax: (850) 607-2196
E-Mail: jchase@chaseattorneys.com
Secondary E-Mail: vralls@chaseattorneys.com
Personal Representative: WADIH PAUL EL KHOURY 4522 Brickyard Bayou Road Gulf Breeze, Florida 32563
2WR10/9-10/16NTC
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE FIRST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION
IN RE ESTATE OF: FAMOUS LEE SMITH, JR., Deceased.
Case No: 2024 CP 1135 Division: T NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of FAMOUS LEE SMITH, JR., deceased, whose date of death was June 4, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Escambia County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is M.C. Blanchard Building, 190 W. Government Street, Pensacola, FL 32502. The names and addresses of the Curator and the Curator’s attorney are set forth below.
All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served, must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.
ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.
NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIOD SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The date of first publication of this notice is: October 2, 2024.
Signed on this 19th day of September, 2024.
/s/ Paul E. Arnold Paul E. Arnold, Attorney at Law Curator
Florida Bar No. 60799
411 E College Ave Tallahassee FL 32303 448-229-8888 paul@paularnoldlaw.com
2WR10/2-10/9NTC
Notice of Action
NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS VACATING, ABANDONING, AND CLOSING EXISTING PUBLIC STREETS, RIGHTS OF WAY, ALLEYWAYS, ROADS, HIGHWAYS OTHER PLACES USED FOR TRAVEL, OR OTHER LANDS DEDICATED FOR PUBLIC USE OR PURPOSES, OR ANY PORTIONS THEREOF TO RENOUNCE AND DISCLAIM ANY RIGHT OF THE COUNTY AND THE PUBLIC IN AND TO SAID LANDS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on October 3, A.D., 2024, in accordance with Sections 336.09 and 336.10, Florida Statutes and Vacation Policy - Section III(A) of the Board of County Commissioners Policy Manual, the Board of County Commissioners of Escambia County, Florida, adopted a resolution vacating, abandoning and closing use of that certain public road rights-of-way, alleyway, or other land in Escambia County, Florida, described as follows: COMMENCE AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF LOT 2, BLOCK 108 OF “OAK CREST” SUBDIVISION A SUBDIVISION OF A PORTION OF SECTION 16, TOWNSHIP-2-SOUTH, RANGE-30-WEST, ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA ACCORDING TO PLAT OF SAID SUBDIVISION RECORDED IN DEED BOOK 67, AT PAGE 28, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF SAID ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA, ALSO BEING ON THE FIELD MONUMENTED WEST RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF HOLLYWOOD AVENUE A 66’ RIGHTOF-WAY; THENCE GO SOUTH 03 DEGREES 44 MINUTES 13 SECONDS WEST ALONG SAID WEST RIGHT-OFWAY LINE OF HOLLYWOOD AVENUE FOR A DISTANCE OF 150.00 FEET FOR THE POINT OF BEGINNING; THENCE CONTINUE SOUTH 03 DEGREES 44 MINUTES 13 SECONDS WEST ALONG SAID FIELD MONUMENTED WEST RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF HOLLYWOOD AVENUE FOR A DISTANCE OF 797.78 FEET TO AN INTERSECTION WITH THE FIELD MONUMENTED NORTH RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF WEST AVERY STREET (RIGHT-OF-WAY WIDTH VARIES); THENCE, DEPARTING AFORESAID WEST RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF HOLLYWOOD AVENUE, GO NORTH 87 DEGREES 09 MINUTES 44 SECONDS WEST, ALONG SAID NORTH RIGHT-OF-WAY OF WEST AVERY STREET FOR A DISTANCE OF 656.76 FEET; THENCE CONTINUE ALONG SAID NORTH RIGHT-OF-WAY OF WEST AVERY STREET, NORTH 85 DEGREES 35 MINUTES 31 SECONDS WEST, FOR A DISTANCE OF 33.69 FEET, TO AN INTERSECTION WITH THE EAST LINE OF THAT PARCEL DESCRIBED IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 5952 AT PAGE 1132 OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ESCAMBIA, FLORIDA; THENCE, DEPARTING SAID NORTH RIGHT-OFWAYOF WEST AVERY STREET GO NORTH 31 DEGREES 17 MINUTES 04 SECONDS EAST, ALONG THE EAST LINE OF THAPARCEL DESCRIBED IN SAID OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK AT PAGE 1132, FOR A DISTANCE OF 913.23 FEET TO AN INTERSECTION WITHTHE CENERLINE OF THE 20 FOOT WIDE ALLEYWAY IN BLOCK 13 OF THE OF THE AFOREMENTIONED “OAK CREST” SUBDIVISION; THENCE GO SOUTH 85 DEGREES 50 MINUTES 08 SECONDS EAST, ALONG SAID CENTERLINE AND AN EXTENSION THEREOF, FOR A DISTANCE OF 267.96 FEET TO THE AFOREMENTIONED FIELD MONUMENTED WEST RIGHTOF-WAY OF HOLLYWOOD AVENUE AND THE POINT OF BEGINNING. THE ABOVE DESCRIBED PARCEL OF LAND IS SITUATED IN SECTION 15, TOWNSHIP-2-SOUTH, RANGE-30WEST, ESCAMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA AND CONTAINS 8.83 ACRES MORE OR LESS. and surrendered, renounced and disclaimed any right of Escambia County, Florida and the public in and to the aforesaid property.
Dated this 4th day of October, A.D., 2024. Board of County Commissioners Escambia County, Florida
2WR10/9-10/16NOA
