Thursday, May 16, 2013
WZEP AM 1460
WZEP AM 1460 First News
Thursday, May 16, 2013
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News Segment 1
The new traffic signal on U.S. 331 at Chat Holley Road in Walton County will be activated Tuesday, May 21 at 10 a.m. The signal has been in a flash mode to acquaint motorists with the location.
The new signal is mounted on horizontal mast arms. Since the signal is in the horizontal position, motorists with color weakness problems will need to remember red is on the left and green on the right. Drivers are urged to use caution when approaching the intersection.
Maintenance and construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to pay attention to the speed limit when traveling through the work zone.
News Segment 2
Memorial
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is hosting the first Anthony Forgione Memorial SWAT Competition during National Police Week. The competition involving local and regional law enforcement officers, as well as military teams.
The event is in memory of former Okaloosa County Deputy and Special Response Team member Tony Forgione, who lost his life in the line of duty on July 22, 2008.
Agencies participating include the OCSO, Walton County Sheriff’s Office, Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Walton Beach Police Department, Crestview Police Department, and Eglin Air Force Base Special Response Team.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all the OCSO personnel who are volunteering their personal time to help with this event as well as the sponsors.
Chat Holley Signal
The new traffic signal on U.S. 331 at Chat Holley Road in Walton County will be activated Tuesday, May 21 at 10 a.m. The signal has been in a flash mode to acquaint motorists with the location.
The new signal is mounted on horizontal mast arms. Since the signal is in the horizontal position, motorists with color weakness problems will need to remember red is on the left and green on the right. Drivers are urged to use caution when approaching the intersection.
Maintenance and construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to pay attention to the speed limit when traveling through the work zone.
News Segment 3
WC Fire Study Update
If you live in the unincorporated part of Walton County, expect what you pay for fire protection to go up. The update on the Fire Services Study was presented to the Walton Commissioners at their Tuesday meeting. Interim Administrator Gerry Demers said Government Services Group returned with vacant land fire assessment rates. He asked the commissioners for direction.
Commissioner Cindy Meadows said she understood the public was to be given an update so those on the south end could hear what is being considered. Commissioners previously held a meeting on the north end. She said this will effect a lot of people. Camille Tharpe, with GSG, gave a quick review of the presentation made at the previous meeting. She noted unincorporated Walton’s rates have remained the same $25 since it was put into place. She noted the EMS calls have to separated since they can not be funded by the fire MSBU. She said the fire department budget has about $4.8 million that can be funded through the cost assessment program.
Several land rate scenarios were presented. Currently whatever is not funded through the $25 per residence structure is funded through the general fund. This means those in south Walton, DeFuniak Springs, Freeport, Liberty and Argyle are helping to fund the unincorporated parts of the county along with those residents. The county also returns money to these districts. Those districts would be given a year to become self sufficient.
Commissioner Bill Imfeld said that for almost two decades they have let the issue slide. Demers also gave costs to build two stations on either side of Freeport. Freeport is paid to service the area around the city and there has been a need for stations. Imfeld said the new rates would bring in about four times the amount and that is enough to fund the two stations. Imfeld said what they have been paying $25 per parcel for, really costs $379. Meadows noted the difference has been coming from ad valorem taxes.
Commissioner Chapman said, if they get to the 100%, it will impact people who have a low income. Commissioners were told there are hardship exemption allowances. Meadows noted there are people in south Walton who would be hit hard with a $379 fee.
Bob Hudson, with the Walton County Taxpayer’s Association asked commissioners why churches, schools and others are exempted. He also asked about people who, after exemptions, do not pay land taxes. He asked why, if they are now paying $25, should they not pay anything.
The matter will continue with more public input before a final vote is made. At this time the commissioners are looking at charging 25% to around 40% of the amount needed to fund the fire department. They are deciding if they will cap it there or let it continue to 100%. This means an average residential parcel could see fire costs go from $25 a year to $100 or more. Others who own just land could also see a fee where they might have had little to no fee before. The commissioners also are discussing how much of a break, if any, to give lower income residents.
News Segment 4
The Arrest Report from the Walton County Department of Corrections Jail.
Sports - Listen to WZEP for national and local sports. Email us your local sports stories and scores.
In High School Baseball, Holmes County has made it to the Class 1A State Semifinals. They will go up against Trenton in Fort Myers on Wednesday, May 15th at 7:30 pm EST. Go Blue Devils!
On Saturday, May 18th, it’s the DeFuniak May Day MaFesto at the Douglass Crossroads Park from 3-8 pm. Enjoy baseball and basketball, good food, live entertainment, car show, and more. For more information, call 333-2684.
Northwest Florida State College is hosting two Baseball Camps--June 10-13 and June 17 -20 on the college’s Niceville campus. Expert coaching staff and players from the NWF State College Raiders Baseball Team will serve as camp instructors and will teach participants about the fundamentals of baseball in an educational and entertaining setting. The camp’s half-day sessions will be held at the college’s Raiders baseball field each day from 9 am until noon. The camp is open to boys ages 7 to 14 and the fee is $90. Campers may enroll in person at any NWFSC area campus or center for course #XRL 6024; Ref# 86114 (for June 10-13) or Ref# 86115 (June 17-20). The registration form is also available on the Raider Athletics website at www.nwfraiders.org.
Obituaries - Listen in the morning, just after noon and the 4pm hour
Eva Merle Creamer Padgett, age 79, of DeFuniak Springs, passed away Monday, May 13, at West Florida Hospital in Pensacola. A time of visitation will be held Thursday, May 16, at Davis-Watkins Funeral Home, 1474 Highway 83 North, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32433 from 6 until 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held Friday, May 17, in the chapel of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home beginning at 3 p.m. Committal services will follow at Leonia Cemetery. Flowers are being accepted. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.daviswatkins.com. Arrangements and services are under the direction of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home.
Mrs. Wilma Alice Pope, age 87, passed away Sunday, May 12. Memorialization will be by cremation. A private family burial will be held at a later date. You may go online to view obituaries, offer condolences and sign guest book at www.clary-glenn.com. Clary-Glenn Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.
Colie Barnes, age 75, Passed away May 12. You may go online to view obituaries, offer condolences and sign guest book at www.clary-glenn.com. Clary-Glenn Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.
Mrs. Donna L. Howell, age 69, passed away Saturday, May 11. Memorial services will be held 1:00 PM, Saturday, May 18, at New Beginnings Church; 1564 Highway 20 West, Freeport, Florida 32439. Burial will be held at Black Creek Cemetery. In lieu of flowers family request donations be made to the Alaqua Animal Shelter at 914 Whitfield Road, Freeport, FL 32439. You may go online to view obituaries, offer condolences and sign guest book at www.clary-glenn.com. Clary-Glenn Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cBqotV0MFzjcmLZXOcmLCibIZvvIkd5SAXr52oP0Aps/edit
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