Deputies Crack Down On Highway 97 Speeders During Traffic Blitz
March 13, 2009
One after another, Escambia deputies cracked down on speeders on Highway 97 in the heart of Walnut Hill Thursday.
Four deputies from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department Traffic Unit conducted the operation, stopping car after car for violating the speed limit. In the 45 mph stretch of Highway 97 at Arthur Brown Road, near Ernest Ward Middle, deputies stopped vehicles traveling over 60 mph.
“The new sheriff has heard the complaints, and we are going to beef up traffic operations in the north part of the county as much as we can,” said ECSO Traffic Unit Sgt. Ray Griffith. “We are going to answer those complaints.”
Many of the North Escambia traffic complaints have centered on Highway 97, known locally for its speeders and the number of traffic crashes. The recent opening of the Wind Creek Casino in Atmore has led to a noticeable increase in traffic on the highway.
“It’s a small area with the school and the other places, it’s almost like a small town,” the sergeant said about Walnut Hill. “People here have a right to feel safe on the highway.”
The Traffic Unit often spends days in Pensacola working traffic in between escorting funerals. But Sheriff David Morgan has directed the unit to crack down on traffic in North Escambia when time allows, make traffic control a priority.
“We will be back,” Griffith said. “This is not the only time you will see us up here. We won’t do it once and forget about it.”
He said the unit plans to do a similar crackdown in Century in near future, and they plan to return to the Walnut Hill area soon.
Thursday afternoon, four marked units were lined up in a driveway just south of Ernest Ward Middle School, partially hidden from northbound traffic by an old building. One after another, the deputies pulled out after speeders.
The location was picked because of its lower 45 mph speed limit near the school.
The tickets being written Thursday were not cheap. Driving 60 mph in a 45 mph zone is a $266 ticket. Hit 30 mph over the posted speed limit, and the ticket has no fixed cost. The offender is required to see a judge, and the judge sets the fine amount at his or her discretion.
Pictured top: An Escambia County Deputy on a traffic stop Thursday afternoon on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill. Pictured middle and below: Deputies line up waiting for the next speeder during a traffic blitz on Highway 97 Thursday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Flu Season Hits Peak
March 13, 2009
Sacred Heart Hospital says that this year’s flu season appears to have peaked in Escambia County. The hospital continues to see an elevated number of patients with influenza or the flu.
The number of patients with flu-like symptoms being tested for influenza has spiked noticeably, up to 481 at its highest point during the week of February 15. For the week ending March 7, the number of patients with flu-like symptoms was still at a high level — 431.
The most recent test results show that 23 percent of the patients tested were positive for the influenza virus.
“That is a high number of flu cases in one week,” says Donna Mayne, Microbiology Lab Manager at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. “Flu activity is still strong in our area with an unusually high number of influenza B cases,” she said.
Influenza is caused by very contagious viruses, which infect the nose, throat and lungs and cause symptoms such as fever, chills, dry cough, muscle aches, extreme fatigue, sore throat, headache and nasal congestion. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea can sometimes accompany the flu as well, although these are not the primary symptoms of the flu. What people may call the “stomach flu” is actually gastroenteritis. A person can spread the flu as early as one day before he or she even feels sick, and can continue to pass the flu virus to others for several days after symptoms start.
If you seek treatment soon after your flu-like symptoms begin, your doctor can prescribe a medication that has been effective in lessening the severity and duration of the illness. “These anti-viral drugs, Tamiflu and Relenza, are only effective within the first 24-to-48 hours of the onset of symptoms,” explains Dr. Michelle Brandhorst, family medicine physician with Sacred Heart Medical Group. “This medical treatment is effective only against influenza viruses, and they will not help the symptoms associated with the common cold or many other flu-like viruses,” she said.
If you or a loved-one develop flu-like symptoms, the hospital says you should visit your family medical doctor as soon as possible.
How should you care for someone with the flu?
As the illness runs its course, follow these self-care tips:
• stay in bed and drink plenty of fluids
• breathing in hot vapors from a shower may help you feel better
• elevate your head at night to help nasal passages drain
• blow your nose to clear any congestion, but do it gently and blow both nostrils at the same time
• use over-the-counter medications for specific symptoms: decongestants can relieve congestion and shrink swelling in your nose and sinuses, antihistamines can stop sneezing and itching and analgesics can relieve pain.
How can you prevent the flu?
To avoid becoming a number on the flu-season chart, keep prevention top-of-mind. Wash your hands thoroughly and often. Avoid sharing utensils for eating and drinking with others (especially if someone is ill). Avoid picking up used tissues, but if you must, wash your hands immediately. Avoid crowds during a flu epidemic. Cover your cough: Grab a tissue and cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing – this helps prevent germs from becoming airborne.
Northview Sweeps Double Header (Updated With Stats)
March 13, 2009
The Northview High School Varsity Baseball team swept a double header from Cottage Hill Academy in Bratt Thursday night. The win was the sixth straight for the Chiefs.
Northview won the first game 6-4. Brad Foster (1-0) was the winning pitcher. He pitched six innings, giving up four runs on four hits. He walked two and struck out seven. Heath Burkett pitched the final inning recording one strikout.
The hitters for Northview included Brad Foster collecting one single. Dabney Langhorne walked four times and scored two runs. Austin Reid has a pair of singles, scored two runs, and had two RBI”s. Austin Lowery was 1 for 3 with a single, and scored a run. Austin Arrington had a double and collected an RBI.
In the second game, Northview won 7-5. Northview scored one in the first, three in the third, two in the fourth, and one in the sixth.
Scooter Hamilton collected singles, scored a run, and had an RBI. Brad Foster had one RBI. Dabney Langhorne had one single, scored two runs, and had one RBI. Dakota Stuckey had a single, double, and had one RBI. Austin Reid had one single and an RBI. Brad Lowery collected two hits, including a double. Austin Arrington had a single and scored two runs. Patrick McPherson had a single and scored a run. Aaron Chancery also picked up a run.
Brad Lowery pitched five innings to pick up the win and move his record to 2-0 on the season. He gave up no runs, on two hits, he walked one, and struck out four.
The chiefs improved their record to 6-2 on the season.
The Chiefs will be at home this afternoon, taking on South Walton in a district game. The junior varsity will hit the field at 4:00, and the varsity game will begin at 6:30.
Click here for more photos from Thursday night’s Northview versus Cottage Hill double header.
Pictured above: Action as Northview beat Cottage Hill Academy Thursday in Bratt.. Submitted photo by Heather Leonard for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
More Info Released On Deadly Alabama Shootings
March 12, 2009
More information has been released in the Tuesday shootings in south Alabama, the deadliest single crime ever recorded in Alabama history.
Col. J. Christopher Murphy, director of the Alabama Department of Public Safety, released the following information Thursday night:
Since the horrific events Tuesday in Coffee and Geneva counties in south Alabama, investigators at the state and local levels, with assistance from federal agencies, have worked virtually without rest to answer the questions surrounding this tragedy. We have said before, and it bears repeating: Tuesday’s violence marks the single deadliest crime in recorded Alabama history, and it has resulted in an intense, unprecedented unified response by law enforcement. From the police and sheriff departments, the district attorneys’ offices, and every other resource, we have fielded a cooperative investigation that, most importantly, is yielding important information about these events.
We have examined multiple crime scenes spread over two counties and more than 20 miles, and we are sifting through a multitude of evidence. Because the author of these events died Tuesday by his own hands, the evidence in this case becomes the ultimate witness. We look to this evidence to provide answers, and tonight we have a much clearer understanding of Tuesday’s events.
While there still is evidence and analysis that we are not at liberty to discuss, on behalf of the investigation, District Attorney McAliley and I would like to provide the following information, which has resulted from this joint investigation and answers many of the questions being asked by the communities in Coffee and Geneva counties, by law enforcement, and by the larger public.
- In 1999, Michael Kenneth McLendon enlisted in the USMC and was discharged one month later for fraudulent enlistment.
- In 2003, McLendon entered the Montgomery Police Academy and was released one month later.
- In 2003, McLendon resigned from employment at Reliable Products of Geneva, Alabama.
- On Wednesday, March 4, 2009, McLendon resigned from employment at Kelley’s Foods in Elba, Alabama.
- McLendon was a self-proclaimed survivalist and was known to purchase large amounts of ammunition. He owned several different types of firearms, including two assault rifles.
- McLendon made a large purchase of ammunition and magazines the day before the homicides.
- McLendon was known to train with the weapons he used in the homicides.
- McLendon made statements of being depressed and dissatisfied with his present position in life. His dream was to become a Marine and later a police officer. Both dreams were unfulfilled.
- McLendon owned body armor, but was not wearing it during these events.
- McLendon had no known criminal history.
- McLendon left a letter that is in the possession of investigators, describing how he killed his mother and his intentions of taking his own life. The letter describes how McLendon harbored ill feelings toward family members due to a family dispute.
- There also is evidence in the possession of investigators that indicates McLendon made a list that expresses his dissatisfaction with others who had grieved him and disappointed him.
- McLendon fired a known 125 rounds at his victims, killing Corrine Gracy Myers, Andrea D. Myers, Lisa White McLendon, James Alford White, Tracy Michelle Wise, Dean James Wise, Virginia E. White, James Irvin Starling, Sonja Smith, and Bruce Wilson Malloy, and injuring six more innocent victims, including Chief Frankie Lindsey and Trooper Mike Gillis, who despite their injuries continued valiantly in pursuit of McLendon in an effort to protect the public.
This investigation is continuing and there are still unanswered questions. But through the evidence collected and analyzed, including the letter McLendon left behind, we have a much better understanding of motive. Our investigators are absolutely convinced that these events began with Michael Kenneth McLendon and died with Michael Kenneth McLendon. There are no indications that there are any lingering threats to the community that stem from this incident. These communities need a chance to grieve and to mourn, but they also need a chance to move past these events, and that is what all of our investigators have been and remain focused on.
Could Federal Stimulus Money Resurrect Plans For Century Car Plant?
March 12, 2009
Escambia County’s top 22 project list for federal stimulus dollars includes millions that might resurrect plans for an electric car manufacturing facility in Century.
The county is seeking $20 million in federal funding for a “renewable energy electric car” at number 15 on their 22 items wish list.
The $20 million would be used to “support renewable energy transportation needs, provide economic stimulus, and reduce carbon emissions. This will support economic development for the southeastern United States by establishing and promoting incentives to companies that develop measures to reduce dependence on foreign oil and limit and combat climate change,” according to the county’s proposal.
Larry Newsom, who worked to develop the list for the county, said that the money could go toward LHS EV locating in Century. LHS EV is company that planned to build an electric car in Century until the state denied a $2.5 million grant from the state’s Renewable Energy and Energy-Efficiency Technologies program. At that point, the company announced that Century and Escambia County were no longer being considered for the plant.
“Maybe the feds will come through for us,” Newsom said. “The money could be used for LHS EV to still locate in Century. But I can’t speak for them; I don’t know if they would or not.”
If it is not used to lure LHS EV or another similar company to Escambia County, it could still be used for other projects that would alleviate some of Escambia County’s traffic problems that ultimately impact the environment, he said.
The county’s wish list to be presented to our federal legislators states that the $20 million would create 1,100 jobs in the county — the exact number that LHS had said that their electric car plant would bring to Century.
The grant, Newsom said, is not directly tied to LHS EV or Century.
LHS EV had promised about 200 jobs would have come with the plant to Century, and they said total employment could reach as high as 1,100. Escambia County helped LHS EV apply for the $2.5 million grant, and the county passed a resolution offering $39,000 in tax incentives to the company. But the state turned down the application in late February.
Patel said that LHS EV needed the $2.5 million to get $34 million in financing for Project Green Leaf. Nash and his brother Jay Patel said they had the $34 million secured in a line of credit, but they refused many media requests to name the bank that would provide the financing.
“The Patels’ concern was how money they would have to put up on the front end,” Newsom said. “The $2.5 million would have got the plant built, put people to work and got the ball rolling. They would have generated revenue before they had to put up their own money. I thought it was a very smart strategy; they would have been looking at only about a year to get a return on their investment.”
An exact timetable to decisions to be made the county’s stimulus list is not known.
Attempts to reach Jay and Nash Patel, co-owners of LHS EV, were unsuccessful late Wednesday afternoon.
Man Interrupts Daytime Burglary In Progress At His Home
March 12, 2009
A Molino resident interrupted a burglary in progress at his home during broad daylight, now Escambia deputies are asking for your help in locating the suspects.
At about 11:00 Monday morning, a man returned to his home in the 4000 block of Chestnut Road as two men were burglarizing his home, according to Sgt. Ted Roy, spokesman for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department.
He found an older mar car backed up in the driveway of his house; the car was occupied by a black male in his 20’s. The rear door of the home had been kicked in. The victim stated that he suspect outside the home began yelling at another suspect inside the home.
The victim entered the house to discover another black male in this early 20’s near his grandchild’s bedroom. The sheriff’s report states that the black male ran past the victim in the hallway and exited the home.
Deputies attempted to locate the suspects or their vehicle in the area, but they were unable to do so, Roy said.
The vehicle was described as a late 70’s or early 80’s model Oldsmobile or Pontiac. It was golden or yellow in color and had a large of rust near the front edge of the hood. The car was described as not being “tricked out” — no fancy hubcaps or rims or other alterations.
Camera equipment was reported missing from the home. One digital camera was recovered from the front yard of the home.
Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department at 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at 433-STOP.
Learn To Read: Program Offered In North Escambia
March 12, 2009
About 50,000 adults in Escambia County are unable to fill out properly fill out a job application because they are unable to read; they are functionally illiterate.
But Sharyon Miller, Edna Earle Barnes and a host of volunteers are hoping to change that one person at a time through Learn to Read of Northwest Florida.
The program, which operates a branch office in Century, provides free one-on-one reading instruction through a free tutoring program.
“When looking at a job application and they see ‘DOB’, they have no clue what it means,” Miller, excutive director of the Learn to Read program, said.
Volunteer tutors are trained to teach adult students that want to learn to read. Complete training is provided at no cost, and the entire Learn to Read program is free for the group’s clients.
Currently, there are six sets of tutors and students — 12 people in all — in the Learn to Read program in Century. Barnes has volunteered as the Century coordinator for about two years.
For more information about the Learn to Read program, visit www.learntoreadnwf.org or call Edna Earle Barnes in Century at 256-0880.
Pictured above: Century Area Learn to Read Coordinator Edna Earle Barnes listens to Executive Director Sharyon Smith explain the literacy program. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Molino Community Center, Library Near Top Of County Wish List
March 12, 2009
One of the 22 projects listed on Escambia County’s “Priority Project List” could finally provide the funds for a new Molino Community Center
The renovation project at the old Molino Elementary School would create multi-use communtiy center that would include a library.
The old Molino school project is ranked at number six on Escambia County’s 22 stimulus wish list projects, with the county hoping for $5 million in funding for the Highway 95A project.
The project would renovate the old school into a multiuse/multipurpose community center and branch library for the Molino area.
The county says the facility used for disaster response and recovery, agribusiness, health services, a library, education, economic development, transportation and recreation.
It would include a community center, possible educational partnerships with the Escambia County School District’s vocational programs, possible community college uses, a full use branch library, agricultural services, a visitor’s information center or chamber of commerce satellite location and more.
The library portion of the project is currently ranked number three in the state for a half million dollars in funding from the state. The grant, if awarded, would require the county to use the facility as a library in Molino for a minimum of 20 years.
The school closed in 2003 when the new Molino Park Elementary School consolidated Molino Elementary and Barrineau Park Elementary. The school, which sits on nine acres along County Road 95A just south of Molino Road, first opened in 1939.
Friday Is Final Day For Three Farm Bill Programs
March 12, 2009
The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) says tomorrow, March 13, is the cutoff date for three Farm Bill conservation programs.
All applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP), and the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) will be accepted until close of business on March 13.
EQIP and WHIP offer financial and technical assistance to install structural and management practices on eligible non-federal lands to address natural resource concerns and wildlife habitat restoration. Conservation treatment activities for EQIP and WHIP are carried out in accordance to a conservation plan that is developed with the landowner or manager.
State-wide priorities for EQIP include erosion control, water quality, water quantity, animal / plant health and confined livestock operations. Priorities for WHIP include habitat restoration on scrubby flatwoods, pine rocklands, tropical hammocks, and native grasslands for bobwhite quail. Individual county priorities may vary slightly due to locally established objectives.
The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) is a voluntary program that provides technical and financial assistance to private landowners and Tribes to restore, protect and enhance wetlands in exchange for retiring eligible land from agriculture.
For additional details on these Farm Bill programs and for specific eligibility requirements to participate, contact the Escambia County, FL USDA NRCS office at (850) 587-5404 ext. 3. Or stop by 151 Highway 97, Molino (Escambia County Farm Bureau Building).
Bratt Road Brush Fire
March 11, 2009
Firefighters were called to a brush fire near Byrneville this afternoon.
The Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and Engine 519 responded to the brush fire just after 1 p.m.
The fire was behind a residence in the 7500 block of Bratt Road. Their were no structures threatened by the fire.
It took firefighters just a short time to bring the blaze under control. It burned about one acre.
The Florida Division of Forestry was called to scene, but they were cancelled prior to their arrival.
Pictured above: A crew works to pull hose into a brush fire located on Bratt Road Wednesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.