Vehicle/Structure Fire Near Molino
January 11, 2009
Firefighters from across the area were dispatched a vehicle fire inside of a structure on Country Hills Drive near Molino Sunday morning.
The fire was reported just after 6:30 Sunday morning in the 1400 block of Country Hills Drive, just off Shifko Road near Molino. The caller reported a vehicle on fire inside a structure. Molino firefighters quickly brought the fire under control and canceled the response of neighboring departments.
Units from Molino, McDavid, Century, Cantonment and Beulah were originally dispatched to the fire.
There were no injuries reported.
Northview Freshman Recovering Well From Brain Surgery, Headed Back To Class This Week
January 11, 2009
Northview High School freshman Nathan Therrell is continuing to improve following brain surgery back in November, and if all goes as planned, he will be back in class Monday morning.
On November 19, Nathan underwent brain surgery at the Miami Children’s Hospital to remove something the size of a grain of rice that has caused years of problems for him. It’s called a hypothalamic hamartoma, also called an “HH”. The HH is not a tumor, nor is it a cancer; it is a tissue growth.
Nathan’s aunt, Kelly Sims, said Nathan has done well since the surgery. Best of all, he has been seizure-free since the surgery. He was back in school for one day when it resumed Tuesday after Christmas break, but he missed the rest of the week to once again travel to Miami. This time, the trip to Miami was for a checkup, and Nathan received an “all clear” from his doctor.
“Nathan has recovered from the surgery far better than expected. He seems like a total different kid,” Sims said of her nephew. “God does answer prayers and Nathan’s family would like to thank everyone that helped during the time of fund raisers and for any donations that were given.”
“The family is very thankful for everything including the prayers that were sent out for Nate,” she added.
If all goes as plans, Nathan will return to Northview as a fulltime student beginning Monday.
A typical HH like the one removed from Nathan’s brain causes seizures, a problem Nathan has had for four years. They were originally controlled by medication, but the medicines failed to work, his mother Tina Therrell said. They’ve tried radiation and laser treatments. None have worked. That led the family to decide to have the surgery to remove the HH from the middle of his brain.
Pictured above: Nathan Therrell watches a Northview football game last season. He served as the team’s waterboy. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
NHS Student Kills Big Rattlesnake In Bogia
January 11, 2009
Seth Leonard, a junior at Northview High School, ran over and killed this large rattlenake Saturday night. Leonard, who is 5-foot 11-inches tall, is pictured hold the snake that he ran over on Bogia Road while returning to his home from Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com.
Dave Ramsey Financial Peace Classes In Molino
January 11, 2009
Christian financial advisor Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University is coming to Molino.
The 13 lesson program at Victory Assembly of God will change the way you think about personal finance, according to Ramsey’s web site. The program teaches about how to save money, live on a budget, communicate about money, eliminate debt, find bargains, and experience the joy of giving. Over 650,000 families have taken the course, which features a one hour video sesson each week from Ramsey.
The course also includes a lifetime membership in the Financial Peace University along with class materials. The lifetime membership allows holder to attend a class anytime, anywhere at no additional charge.
Classes being on January 20 at 6:30 an continue for 13 weeks every Tuesday evening. For more information, contact the church at 587-2295 or visit victorycan.org.
Ramsey is also a popular radio talk show host, dealing out his own personal credit-cards-are-bad style of Christian financial advice. The show can be heard locally weekdays on WNSI 105.9 FM. It is also available on XM satellite radio channel 165 from 2 to 6 p.m. weekdays, and on Sirius satellite radio from 8 to 11 pm on channel 161.
B-I-N-G-O At the C-C-C
January 11, 2009
Judy Copeland with Epilepsy Services of Northwest Florida and the Dogwood Chapter of Good Sam Club teamed up to play “Safety Bingo” with the residents of Century Care Center. There were no losers in the game, and the residents enjoyed themselves as did the volunteers. The two groups provided an abundance of prizes, as well as game play assistance for those who needed it. Submitted photos, click to enlarge.
Miller Named Ranking Member Of Armed Services Committee
January 11, 2009
House Armed Service Committee Ranking Member John McHugh has announced that U.S. Congressman Jeff Miller of FLorida has been appointed ranking member of the Terrorism and Unconventional Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee. Designation as Ranking Member means Miller is the top Republican on the subcommittee.
The Terrorism and Unconventional Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee has jurisdiction over Special Operations Command – policy, readiness, personnel, and acquisition; International terrorism; Homeland defense and consequence management programs; Information Technology programs and policy, to include cyberwarfare and cybersecurity; Defense Research and Development; Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction, including Defense Threat Reduction Agency; Chemical, Biological, and radiological defense; and Select force protection issues.
“It is certainly a great honor to have the opportunity to serve as ranking member of an important subcommittee that is so critical to our nation,” said Miller. “I’m eager to work hard in this new capacity for our men and women in uniform.”
Since being elected to Congress in 2001, Miller has quickly established himself nationally as a strong advocate for national defense issues. The First Congressional District of Florida, which includes North Escambia, is home to NAS Pensacola, NAS Whiting Field, Hurlburt Field, Duke Field, and Eglin AFB.
“I am honored to have Jeff Miller as an integral part of the Republican leadership team for the House Armed Services Committee. His detailed knowledge of today’s threat environment—and his understanding of what tools are needed to counter those threats—make him a natural choice to lead the Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee. In his new role, he will ensure the men and women of America’s Special Operations Command, including those stationed at the Air Force Special Operations Command in Florida, have the necessary tools and support to achieve their missions,” said Congressman John McHugh.
Elderly Couple Dies In Area House Fire
January 10, 2009
An elderly couple died in a northern Escambia County house fire in the Cottage Hill area near Cantonment this morning.
Their names have not been officially released pending notification of next of kin.
The fire was reported on Cedar Point Road just before 8:00 this morning. Cedar Point is located off Cedar Tree Lane between Highway 29 and Highway 95A.
A large portion of the house was heavily damaged including the front bedroom where the couple was found.
Fire departments from across the North Escambia area, including Molino, McDavid and Cantonment, responded to the blaze.
The state fire marshal has been called to the scene to investigate.
Further details will be posted when they become available.
Walker: Mass Delivery Of Recycling Cans This Weekend, ECUA Made Mistakes
January 10, 2009
The ECUA will make a mass attempt to deliver as many recyclables containers as possible this weekend, and one board member admits that ECUA made have made some mistakes in its new trash program.
The ECUA recyclables container delivery contractor will have seven trucks working on Saturday and Sunday, and ECUA will add three of their trucks into the delivery effort, according to Larry Walker, ECUA District 5 board member. Over 2,400 containers have been delivered so far, Walker said, including deliveries on 36 roads in North Escambia. He said deliveries have been made on Pineville Road, Rockaway Creek Road, Highway 4, Highway 186 and Barrineau Park School Road.
Deliveries to former Allied Waste customers was further complicated and delayed by a delay in getting customer account data transferred from Allied to ECUA. Cans were delivered in North Escambia January 2-3, Walker said, adding that the deliveries actually began in North Escambia and moved south.
Walker admits that ECUA has made a mistake by trying to take over the Allied Waste residential service in North Escambia and implementing recycling program at the same time.
“ECUA is guilty of trying to do too much too quickly and all at the same time. In retrospect, it appears to me that ECUA should have absorbed the Allied area first, then initiated the recycling program and the changes in the service program. We also should have done more effective public information efforts. I agree that ECUA has made a mess out of the transitions in garbage service. I do believe, though, that ECUA will made rapid progress in getting the program on a sound footing.”
ECUA has said that their phone lines have been overwhelmed since the changeover, both with customers with service questions and with those wishing to sign-up for recycling service. They implemented improved contact methods, including email. and extended customer service phone hours. That contact information is at the bottom of this article.
Walker spent about 15 hours in North Escambia last Saturday, Monday and Tuesday. He made stops at Cooper’s Store in Bratt, Harold Holder’s store in Molino, Frans Diner and Webbs Diner in Molino, Cole’s Barber Shop and the Davisville General Store. Along the way, he met with residents that shared their questions and concerns about ECUA’s service.
Some of those concerns Walker addressed in an email to NorthEscambia.com:
- Recycling will not be made mandatory. The current approach appears to be stimulating widespread participation. The signup for recycling has exceeded expectations, and hundreds of households that were not Allied customers have signed up for ECUA service.
- There is not a 50 percent reduction in service if a customer accepts the recycling service. With the recycling pickup included, there will be two cans picked up each week, just as now. The route will be run three times weekly, once by the garbage truck, once by the recycling truck, and once by the yard-debris truck. Consequently, there will be no reduction in operating costs.
- The minor rate reduction that has been offered (from $19.62 to $17.99)is the result of the fact that ECUA expects to sell the collected recyclables to a private-company buyer. The revenue from those sales, it is projected, will permit the $1.63 rate reduction.
- If ECUA had simply continued two regular garbage pickups, no rate reduction would have been possible. In these hard times, every penny counts, as so many people have said to me recently. ECUA is responding by finding the one way that it is possible to reduce the charge for garbage service, namely, by collecting recyclables separately and selling them for revenue.
- Many people have told me that ECUA is sucking people in with the $17.99 price and will raise the price a few months later. In fact, that may happen, but it will not be because of trickery on ECUA’s part. Rather, the danger is that the revenue from the sale of recyclables will be less than expected, which will force a rate increase. I have read in the New York Times that recyclables markets are collapsing, as part of the broader recession.
- The Seniors rate may be obtained by any customer who is 65 or older. Apply for the Seniors rate and provide name, address, and telephone number.
ECUA is asking customers with Internet access to sign up for the voluntary curbside recycling program in one of the following ways:
- email support@ecua.org with your name, address and daytime phone number, along with the desired recycling container size — 40, 64 or 90 gallon.
- visit ecua.org and download a form located on the “Sanitation Services” page. That form can be faxed or mailed to the ECUA.
- phone lines hours have been extended to 7 p.m. “for as long as necessary”.
The new trash, recycling and yard waste pick-up day in all of North Escambia is Tuesday, except for those still served by Allied Waste in the Town of Century.
If else fails, or if you have other concerns, Walker said he welcomes your email at larry@larrywalker.com or your call at 723-6094.
Molino Man Gets Maximum Sentence For Killing His Infant Daughter
January 10, 2009
A Molino man will spend the next 15 years in state prison or killing his infant daughter in 2006.
On Friday, Circuit Judge Michael Allen sentenced Christopher Paterson, 28, to 15 years in prison for the death of his one year old daughter Ali Jean Paterson in late September, 2006. That sentence was the the maximum the judge could have imposed.
Ali Jean Paterson died on November 26, 2006, from burns she received two weeks earlier when she was left unattended in a hot bath, according to authorities. Paterson told deputies he placed the child in shower that just felt warm and went to another room to get a towel. He said that when he returned, Ali was screaming, and there was steam rising from the shower. He then called 911 after noticing red sores on the child.Ali survived at Children’s Hospital in Birmingham for two weeks before she died.
This was not Paterson’s first involvement with authorities over Ali. The Department of Children and Families investigated a broken leg she suffered in May 2006. Paterson and Brittany Knapp, Ali’s mother, took Ali to the hospital with a broken leg. They said her leg was broken when it became trapped in a slot in her crib. DCF did not find that the incident was abuse at that time.
A jury deliberated for only about two hours before returning the guilty verdict.
Paterson was indicted by a grand jury on second degree manslaughter charges in February of 2007. He was arrested on May 1, 2007, near Gainesville. He has remained in jail since his arrest.
Rain On The Way, Cooler Sunday
January 10, 2009
For the second week in a row, it looks like a wet Saturday in North Escambia.
There’s a slight chance of morning showers in the area, with a rain chance increasing to 70 percent by afternoon. Expect a high of 70, with a south wind up to 20 mph.
The rain chance continues at 70 percent for tonight. The rain should end shortly after midnight with a low in the upper 40’s.
It will be partly sunny and cooler on Sunday, with a high of 57. Sunday night’s low will be 34, and Monday will be sunny and 62.
Sunny days and clear, cool nights are in store Tuesday and Wednesday, with highs of 57 and lows of 32.