Volume: 4 Issue: 22 November 1, 2012 bi-weekly Edition merald Star News E The The BEST LIL’ NEWSPAPER in Walton county - from Freeport, Florida A style of it’s own — a community Based Newspaper Free offered ‘free’ …….from our business Advertisers inside this week Made possible by your local advertising businesses in this edition. Real Estate listings inside: Two Ethics Complaints Against Jones Dismissed We previously reported on complaints to the Florida Commission On Ethics filed against Walton Commissioner Larry Jones by Suzanne Harris and Mike Judkins. Jones has maintained he ……...Page 3 Complaint Filed Against Sheriff, Complaint Denied A complaint has been filed against Walton County Sheriff Mike Adkinson with the Commission On Ethics. This right before the Sheriff is up …..…...Page 7 WALTON COUNTY 2012 TAX BILLS TO BE MAILED OCTOBER 31. DeFuniak Springs, FL - On October 31, 2012, the Walton County Tax Collector's Office will be mailing out the 2012 Tax Bills. Property owners paying in Novem- ber will receive a 4 percent discount. The Walton County Tax Collector's office urges property owners …......Page 10
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Volume: 4 Issue: 22 November 1, 2012 bi-weekly Edition
merald Star News E The
The BEST LIL’ NEWSPAPER in Walton county - from Freeport, Florida
A style of it’s own — a community Based Newspaper
Free
offered ‘free’ …….from our business Advertisers inside this week
Made possible by your local
advertising businesses in this edition.
Real Estate listings inside:
Two Ethics Complaints
Against Jones Dismissed We previously reported on complaints to
the Florida Commission On Ethics filed
against Walton Commissioner Larry Jones
by Suzanne Harris and Mike Judkins.
Jones has maintained he ……...Page 3
Complaint Filed Against
Sheriff, Complaint Denied A complaint has been filed against
Walton County Sheriff Mike Adkinson
with the Commission On Ethics. This right
before the Sheriff is up …..…...Page 7
WALTON COUNTY 2012 TAX
BILLS TO BE MAILED
OCTOBER 31.
DeFuniak Springs, FL - On October 31,
2012, the Walton County Tax Collector's
Office will be mailing out the 2012 Tax
Bills. Property owners paying in Novem-
ber will receive a 4 percent discount. The
Walton County Tax Collector's office
urges property owners …......Page 10
Sandy is being called a "once in a generation" storm that’s
unfortunately living up to its title.
Millions are without power, and may be for some time to
come. Others have evacuated, or will, escaping the torrential rains and
winds that have gusted up to 90 miles per hour. For those in the storm areas, and
those watching and waiting from afar, here are some important safety tips.
Q: How do I contact someone in the storm area?
A: You can of course try calling. Many landlines will be down, but some are operat-
ing. If you use your mobile phone, you may get a busy signal because mobile band-
width may be overloaded in the storm areas, or some cell towers may be damaged. If
you can’t reach someone by phone, try texting. All of the wireless carriers are recom-
mending people text because it has a greater chance of getting through and will use
less battery power of the person you’re trying to reach.
If that doesn’t work and you’re trying to contact someone in the area who may be
housebound or evacuated, contact FEMA (800-621-FEMA) or the American Red
Cross (800-RED-CROSS). Both have Internet locators where people in the storm
areas can register their names to let their loved one(s) know where they are, and if
they are safe. FEMA’s site is called the National Emergency Family Registry and
Locator System (https://egateway.fema.gov/inter/nefrls/home.htm). The Red Cross
has a site called “Safe and Well” that offers the same service. (https://
safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php).
Q: Once the power is out, how long will refrigerated foods last?
Refrigerated foods, once the power is off, will stay cold for about four to six hours.
To increase the time, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possi-
ble.
If a freezer is full, the temperature will be maintained for about 48 hours. If it's half
full of food, figure 24 hours.
Q: What foods should be eaten first, after power is off?
Start by eating leftovers, meat, poultry, and any foods with milk, cream, soft cheese,
or sour cream. If frozen foods still contain ice crystals, they may still be safely cooked
and eaten (or re-frozen, if power is restored). Fruits that were frozen can be eaten if
they still taste and smell good. Vegetables that are completely thawed shouldn't be
eaten, since bacteria multiply quickly.
If meat or poultry has thawed and has been warmer than 40 degrees F for two hours,
discard it. Discard melted ice cream.
Some foods typically refrigerated keep at room temperature for a few days. Among
them: butter, margarine, hard cheese, fresh fruit, and vegetables (except sprouts or
fresh, sliced fruit), fruit juice, dried fruits, or coconut. Opened jars of vinegar-based
salad dressing, jelly, relishes, taco sauce, and barbecue sauce are typically also OK to
eat. Mustard, ketchup, and olives generally keep at room temperature for a few days,
too.
I hope this is helpful to each of us wondering about those in the path of this storm,
this will be one for the record books. To see water’s crashing waves at the base of the
Statue of Liberty is what gave me an idea of how big the storm really is. Be safe.
Dent & Bent Groceries
Lunch meats-Frozen Foods near date groceries & more!
Accepting -Food Stamps, EBT, Debit & Credit cards (850) 880-6175 located on Blueberry Rd.- FREEPORT in 331Plaza
Stop in and see what we have, great prices!
Editorial Views expressed in The EMERALD STAR NEWS do not necessarily reflect those of the
publisher. The staff of The EMERALD STAR NEWS pride ourselves in our efforts to ensure
accuracy of the publication contents. However, there is no guarantee of the accuracy of all the
Information nor the absence of errors and omissions (especially when sent through a third party); therefore, no responsibility can or will be assumed. 3000 copies printed bi-weekly.
Page 8 The EMERALD STAR NEWS, Inc. Thursday, November 1, 2012
Ph: 850-835-4153 www.freeportwaterfront.com
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND PHOTOS - TEXT PROPERTY ID# TO 85377
OWNER FINANCED PROPERTIES
FREEPORT - Hwy 331 S, commercial/
industrial 1 acre sites available. $169,900 each
FREEPORT - White Pines Estates. 4-5 acre
tracts, paved road, CW available
FREEPORT - ±10 acres near Lafayette Creek
HOLT - 4.2 acres on Hwy 90, near Okaloosa -
Walton County line, CW available
BRUCE - 1.68 acres, manufactured homes
(under 4 yrs of age) allowed, well & septic
needed
PANAMA CITY - Waterfront lots on Watson
Bayou, protected water, CW&S available, near
Bay Medical & close to downtown Panama City
LARGE LOT ON MALLET BAYOU! - ID# T88494 3BR/2BA home with 1,514 sq. ft. Fenced back yard & outbuilding.
Enjoy the view from the screened back porch or fish from the dock equipped with power & water. ONLY $235,900
WATERFRONT DEAL!
W A T E R F R O N T H O M E
COMMERCIAL BUILDING
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Highway 331 South
Call for more details.
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B A C K O N T H E M A R K E T
UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY!
1.37 ACRES
Thursday, November 1, 2012 The EMERALD STAR NEWS Inc . Page 9
The 14 day Overview
Aquarius
1/20 – 2/18
Pisces
2/19 – 3/20
Aries
3/21 – 4/19
Taurus
4/20 – 5/20
Gemini
5/21 – 6/21
Cancer
6/22 – 7/22
Leo
7/23 – 8/22
Virgo
8/23 – 9/22
Libra
9/23 – 10/22
Scorpio
10/23 –11/21
Sagittarius
11/22 – 12/2
Capricorn
12/22 – 1/19
Help…..Spread the word about this
newspaper to everyone you know!
Advertising specials going on NOW!!
Please thank those advertisers in this issue,
because of them we can continue to promote
business in Walton county. Thank you
Advertise with us!! Guaranteed the lowest price to fit any budget. Call today: 850.585.0262
Letter to the :
You'll find plenty of opportunities to lend a helping hand -- and what goes around will surely come around.
On Wednesday and Thursday, boredom could get the best of you if you're not careful. Find creative ways to
mix things up, even if it's just swapping strange stories with friends. Starting on Friday and on into the
weekend, the spotlight is on you! You're positively magnetic right now .
Everything is a blur as the week begins. Your Monday and Tuesday could find you hard-pressed to sort out
truths from half-truths (not to mention outright lies!), and nothing ends up being quite what it seems. Pro-
ceed with caution. Wednesday and Thursday should both be better days for action. Your communication
skills are unusually attuned, and others will swoon over your sweet, soft words.
You'll be a veritable pioneer, boldly forging new trails and meeting new people everywhere you go. Expect
that action to subside by Wednesday and Thursday as obstacles and obligations crop up to block your path.
You'll need to show some flexibility and patience to persevere.
You'll find that you're in an unusual rush -- which is weird for you -- but just take a deep breath and resist
any impulsive urges. On Wednesday and Thursday, you'll come back into your own -- and how! All of your
best traits -- especially your persistence
You're a dynamo on Monday and Tuesday, able to communicate quickly and come up with new plans on the
fly (with a little help from your friends, of course). On Wednesday and Thursday, you'll need to drop your
speed back down to a relaxing coast. Unexpected obstacles could block your way, but some patience and
mental maneuvering
thanks to your temporarily extra-sensitive intellect. If you can stay calm, cool and collected, though, you'll
pull through fine. On Wednesday and Thursday, make plenty of time to socialize. You're entirely too charm-
ing right now to stay at home -- unless, of course, you're just planning to have a big dinner party.
Ready to learn something new? The beginning of this week should provide more than a few opportunities to
discover interesting people and downright amazing ideas -- and you'll even have some fun in the process.
On Wednesday and Thursday, your focus will shift to big-picture thoughts on your reputation and career.
Try to figure out how best to progress
You'll be filled with an unusually assertive sense of purpose. Use this spirit and ambition to get things done
on Monday and Tuesday, even if others are reluctant to help. On Wednesday and Thursday, take any oppor-
tunity to travel -- even if it's just across town. A shift in perspective (even something as simple as a new
place to eat) could clear up your mental outlook.
You'll be called on to make a compromise in a one-on-one partnership as the week begins -- but fortunately
striking a balance is your personal specialty. Find win-win solutions on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednes-
day and Thursday, you'll continue your focus on partnerships and alliances, but others will ask you to inter-
vene in their own affairs.
Watch out for trouble as the week begins! You're filled with initiative and energy on Monday and Tuesday -
- and it's a great time to start things -- but that assertiveness could bring you into conflict if you're not care-
ful. On Wednesday and Thursday, put more of a premium on flexibility. Your instinct might be to give your
passions free rein and push ahead, but a slower, more flexible
You can accomplish almost anything as the week begins. Monday and Tuesday both find you filled with
playful enthusiasm and an almost kid-like creativity, so put all that energy to good use. On Wednesday and
Thursday, focus on the big picture. You'll have a good handle on what needs to be done -- and what details
have to come together to make that happen.
You may have to put things off as the week begins. On Monday and Tuesday, events are at odds with your
desires and plans, but be patient -- you just need to show some perseverance. On Wednesday and Thursday,
take at least some time off to relax and goof off, especially with friends and kids (or even just kid-like
friends!). This could be a rare -- and fun
Home Sales Tax becomes effective Jan . 1,
2013 -- PASS ON TO EVERYONE!
The National Association of Realtors is not
pleased with this new tax and hopes this in-
formation is forwarded to every voter prior to
the election in November. -- It doesn't matter
which side of the political fence you sit on
- it will affect ALL of us.
When does your home become part of your
health care? After 2012! Your vote counts
big time in 2012, make sure you and all your
friends and family know about this!
HOME SALES TAX I thought you might
find this interesting, -- maybe even SICKEN-
ING! The National Association of Realtors is
all over this and working to get it repealed, --
before it takes effect. But, I am very pleased
we aren't the only ones who know about this
ploy to steal billions from unsuspecting
homeowners . How many realtors do you
think will vote Democratic in 2012? Did you
know that if you sell your house after 2012
you will pay a 3.8% sales tax on it? That's
$3,800 on a $100,000 home, etc. When did
this happen? It's in the health care bill, -- and
it goes into effect in 2013. Why 2013? Could
it be so that it doesn't come to light until after
Page 10 The EMERALD STAR NEWS, Inc. Thursday, November 1, 2012
CHEAP….. advertising available here!
Candy Tobacco As reported by WZEP AM1460
Candy is everyone’s favorite treat on Halloween. Year-round, candy is one
of the tobacco industry’s favorite tricks. Fruit and candy flavored ciga-
rettes were banned under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco
Control Act in 2009. However, menthol cigarettes and other smokeless
products are amongst some of the productions not included.
There are increasingly more non-cigarette products available in Florida
which youth are using. Tobacco products in flavors like kiwi-strawberry,
chocolate and sour apple are available across the state despite overwhelm-
ing evidence that these deadly products appeal to youth and lead to a life-
time of tobacco addiction.
Many children and teens believe these products are less harmful than their
non-flavored counterparts. It’s no surprise that one in seven Florida youth
between the ages of 11 and 17 has tried flavored tobacco. Once they start
using one tobacco product, they are more likely to experiment with others.
The flavoring and lower costs of these non-cigarette smoked tobacco
products make them especially appealing to youth. All of these tobacco
products cause cancer, heart disease and other smoking-related diseases.
Smokeless tobacco includes chew, dip, snus and a host of emerging prod-
ucts. Compared to cigarettes, these products can contain more nicotine.
Traditional smokeless products, like chew and dip, contain 28 cancer-
causing agents. Users of these products have an 80 percent higher risk of
oral cancers and a 60 percent higher risk of pancreatic and esophageal
cancer.
With cigarette smoking rates are on the decline, the tobacco industry has
created products and strategies that attract a new generation of tobacco
users. The array of flavored tobacco products that appeal to youth present
new challenges and concerns in the fight against tobacco use. These prod-
ucts help create a new generation of lifelong nicotine addicts and of life-
threatening diseases.
Learn more about the dangers of candy-flavored tobacco and how you can
help protect Florida’s youth from this sweet deception. Visit
www.tobaccofreeflorida.com/flavoredtobacco.
Sunday, November 4th Daylight Savings Time Ends
(Set clocks back 1hr.)
WALTON COUNTY 2012 TAX BILLS TO BE MAILED OCTOBER 31.
DeFuniak Springs, FL - On October 31, 2012, the Walton County Tax Collector's Office will be
mailing out the 2012 Tax Bills. Property owners paying in November will receive a 4 percent
discount. The Walton County Tax Collector's office urges property owners who haven't receive
a bill by the second week in November to please contact our office at (850) 892-8121 or
through the contact us page at Waltontaxcollector.com.
Property owners will receive a discount for early payment. Discount amounts are applied and
reflected on the bill. The following discounts apply to property tax payments:
* November 30- payments postmarked by the 30th will receive a 4 percent discount.
* December 31- payments postmarked by the 31st will receive a 3 percent discount.
* January 31- payments postmarked by the 31st will receive a 2 percent discount.
* February 29- payments postmarked by the 29th will receive a 1 percent discount.
* March 31- no discount is received and no penalty is applied to the account.
* After March 31- penalties are applied to the account.
"With the economic struggles so many individuals continue to face, early payment is encour-
aged to receive the 4 percent discount in November," said Rhonda Skipper, Walton County Tax
Collector. "Taxpayers with escrowed property should be aware mortgage companies by law are
required to pay in November, so they will receive the 4 percent discount."
The 2012 Walton County Tax Roll totals $109,648,884.79 and includes 91, 651 parcels.
Property owners can pay by mail, in person or online. Online payments can be made at walton-
taxcollector.com. A 2.5 percent convenience fee is applied to all credit/debit card payments.
The convenience fee is collected by the payment processor and is not a fee remitted to the Tax
Collector's Office.
Red Cross As temperatures are expected dip into the thirties and forties across the Gulf Coast on Monday night, the American Red Cross of Northwest Florida urges families to be cautious when using space heaters and other heating sources, and to make a plan in case of a home fire. Heating sources are the leading cause of cold weather fires, and increase during the winter months. Heat sources such as space heaters, fireplaces or wood and coal stoves can pose a fire hazard. To reduce the risk of heating related fires, the Red Cross recommends keeping anything that can burn such as paper, bed-ding or furniture, at least three feet away from heating equipment and fireplaces and to never leave them unattended. “Last year the Northwest Florida Chapter responded to more than 200 home fires in our service area that includes Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton Counties,” said Jerry Kindle, Chief Executive Officer. “But the good news is that there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of a home fire.” The American Red Cross offers the following fire prevention tips: All heaters need space. Keep all things that can burn (paper, matches, bedding, furni-ture, clothing, carpets, and rugs) at least three feet away from heating equipment.
Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended, and use a glass or metal fire screen to keep fire and embers in the fireplace.
Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.
Turn off portable space heaters every time you leave the room or go to sleep.
Have wood and coal stoves, fireplaces, and chimneys inspected annually by a profes-sional, and cleaned if necessary.
If you must use a space heater, place it on a level, hard and nonflammable surface (such as ceramic tile floor), not on rugs, or carpets or near bedding or drapes. Plug power cords directly into outlets and never into an extension cord.
Do you have a business?
You need to advertise with us!
Call today: 850-585-0262
FOR RENT
Place your rental here for only
$10
The Emerald Star News
office # is: 850-585-0262
Located in Freeport Florida
SERVICES
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The EMERALD STAR NEWS Inc. Page 11 Thursday, November 1, 2012
Page 12 The EMERALD STAR NEWS Inc. Thursday, November 1, 2012
Ph: 850-835-4153 www.freeportwaterfront.com
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND PHOTOS - TEXT PROPERTY ID# TO 85377
ESTATE SALE - ID# T756581 Exclusive Bay Harbour! City W&S, under-ground utilities. Corner lot adjoining nature preserve. Greatly reduced price! $22,500
NEWLY REMODELED IN DFS 3BR/2BA, 2,026 SF. Kitchen has bar & eat-in area. Bonus computer/craft room. Open back deck. ID# T649357 $124,900
NEAR BLACK CREEK - ID# T616439 3BR/1.5BA, 1,260 sq. ft. brick home on half acre. New roof, interior paint, appliances, tile, windows, blinds, etc. $115,000
THE FLORIDA
GOOD LIFE
Waterfront 3BR/2.5BA, 1,836 SF cottage on LaGrange Bayou. 1st floor Master BR. Open kitchen w/ granite countertops.
Double garage. Dock on LaGrange Bayou with bench seat for dolphin watching. ID# T305914 NOW $356,900
10 ACRES UNRESTRICTED - ID#T530156 Close to Choctawhatchee River, w/easy access to boat launches. Survey completed. Owner Financing Available. $60,000
WATERVIEW COVE - ID# T739502 4BR/2.5BA w/lots of curb appeal. Master BR on ground floor. Side load garage. Separate 30’x30’ shop/carport. $249,900
BANK OWNED 3BR/2BA, 1,631 sq. ft. country-styled home. Addtl 500± sq. ft. unfinished attic space. Freshly painted! Stone FP in Great Room. No carpet - tile floors throughout. Half acre
lot with nice oaks. Near Eglin AFB Reservation. $139,000