Lows In The 40’s Returning
March 1, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm, then a chance of showers between 9pm and 10pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 50. North wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 69. North wind 5 to 15 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 40. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 69. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 70. North wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 71. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 69.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 66.
Roadway Safety Improvements Made Just Days After Fatal Molino Wreck
March 1, 2018
Just days after a fatal traffic collision in Molino, safety improvements have been made at the intersection.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 56-year old Franklin Webb was traveling east Sunday afternoon on Barrineau Road when he failed to properly yield his Toyota Tundra at a stop sign at the intersection of Highway 29. His vehicle was hit by a southbound pickup truck. Webb was pronounced deceased at the scene. [Read more...]
On Tuesday, someone repainted rumble strips and other pavement markings on Barrineau Park road approaching Highway 29 from both the east and west. But exactly what agency was responsible for the rumble strips remained unclear.
The Florida Department of Transportation said the painting was not done by FDOT or any of their subcontractors. And Escambia County said they didn’t do the work either.
Anyone that knows exactly who painted the rumble strips is asked to email news@northescambia.com.
Area residents and an Escambia County official said the rumble strips were last painted several years ago, and area residents said they had worn down were no longer effective.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
15-Year Old Arrested After Gun Rumor Forces Middle School Lockdown
March 1, 2018
Jim Bailey Middle School in Escambia County was on lockdown Wednesday after a rumor was started that there was a gun inside the school.
A 15-year student at the school was arrested and charged with disrupting a school function following the incident.
Nearby Helen Caro Elementary was also place on lockdown as a precaution.
Work Underway On Temporary Highway 97 Bridge Near Walnut Hill
March 1, 2018
Construction work is underway on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill as crews replace the current bridge over Sandy Hollow Creek, about a mile south of Highway 4. This week, crews have been working to drive pilings for a temporary detour bridge west of the existing structure.
The existing wooden-support bridge constructed in 1940 will be replaced with a new concrete structure with 12-foot travel lanes, eight-foot shoulders and a solid concrete barrier railing. The bridge approaches will also be milled and resurfaced.
The speed limit in the area has been reduced to 45 mph.
The bridge has an average daily traffic count of about 5,000 vehicles. The project is expected to cost $5 million.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Local Students Honored For Their Freedoms Foundation Essays
March 1, 2018
The Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge Pensacola Chapter honored six local students for their essays.
A Youth Essay Medal was presented to Sarah Perritt from Northview High School, Levi Shaffer from Tate High School, and Bryce Cox and Myles Herren from East Hill Christian.
A Youth Essay certificate was presented to Jaysea Young from Tate High School and James Riggins from Pensacola High School.
The ceremony at the Pensacola Yacht Club also honored additional members of the community.
Pictured top: Levi Shaffer and Sarah Perritt. Pictured inset: Jaysea Young. Pictured below: Myrles Herren and Bryce Cox. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Weightlifting Takes Second In Gator Invitational
March 1, 2018
The Northview Boys Weightlifting team was runner-up at the 2018 Gator Invitational on Wednesday.
The Chiefs fell to co-champions Pensacola Washington and Baker, while outpacing and out scoring West Florida, Pensacola Catholic, Jay and Rocky Bayou.
Individually, sophomore Trent Kite placed first overall in the 129-lb. weight class, winning by a demanding 110-lbs. in his total over second place.
Also placing for the Chiefs were:
Aunterio Minor – 169-lb. class – 3rd
Logan Bryan – 119-lb. class – 4th
Justin Helton – UNL class – 4th
Dalton Hadley – 139-lb. class – 5th
Jarius Moorer – 154-lb. class – 5th
Colten Dockens – 154-lb. class – 6th
Jacob Hawkins – 219-lb. class – 6th
Jojo Parker – 238-lb. class – 6th
Northview returns to action next Friday in the district weightlifting meet at Baker High School. The Chiefs will be competing against Baker, Jay, Pensacola Catholic, Pensacola High, Rocky Bayou and West Florida.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bet Raines Road In Molino Closure Extended
March 1, 2018
Bet Raines Road in Molino will remained closed until sometime Thursday.
At 7 a.m. Tuesday, Escambia County closed the roadway and expected that project would be complete on Wednesday, but bridge work will continue.
Construction will include temporary bridge work. Bet Raines Road will be closed to through traffic
Atmore Student Charged With Attempted Murder In Shooting; Security Heightened At Schools
February 28, 2018
A drive-by shooting in Atmore Tuesday afternoon left a student in critical condition and led to a precautionary increased police presence at two schools.
Atmore Police said a 17-year old was taken to Atmore Community Hospital about 4:08 p.m. with a possibly life threatening gunshot wound. Police said he was shot when someone fired at a group of classmates gathered in a porch on the 300 block of East 4th Street off Martin Luther King Avenue. Officials believe the shooting may have been retaliation after a fight that happened Tuesday at Escambia County High School in Atmore.
The police department stated in a press release that “the victim suffered a punctured lung and the bullet also struck his spine leaving the victim paralyzed”. He was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
The victim was conscious and was able to identify the person who shot him.
The suspect, 17-year old De’Andre Lamar Mitchell arrived at the Atmore Police Department Wednesday morning with his mother. After speaking with investigators, Mitchell was placed under arrest for attempted murder and transported to the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton. He is expected to be tried as an adult.
A decision was made, according to Escambia County (AL) Chief Deputy Mike Lambert,” to provide extra security as a precaution at both Escambia County High School and Escambia County Middle School in Atmore. Deputies could still be seen monitoring ECHS Wednesday afternoon from near parking lot entraces, as Atmore Police officers patrolled through the parking lot.
Inside the high school, it was what appeared to be a normal day. The campus was not on lockdown.
“We have a safe a secure learning environment here today,” ECHS Principal Dennis Fuqua told NorthEscambia.com as he walking a school hallway Wednesday afternoon. “It’s business as usual in here today. I did meet with about 100 students at a time this morning to assure them that we do care about the one that was injured, but there is no reason to be worried about their safety at school”
Lambert said the law enforcement presence at both the middle and high schools in Atmore was greatly increased due to information received that indicated there might be some sort of retaliation.
“It wasn’t very specific about it, whether it migth be at school or off the school premises, but as a safety precaution and a deterrent, we decided it would be best.” Lambert said. “The safety of these students is a number one priority.”
Pictured top: Escambia County High School Principal Dennis Fuqua discusses school security as he walks the hall of the school Wednesday afternoon with Escambia County (AL) Chief Deputy Mike Lambert. Pictured below: A deputy watches an entrance at the high School in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Man Facing Drug, Weapon Charges After Traffic Stop
February 28, 2018
A Molino man was charged with multiple drug and weapon offenses after deputies pulled over a vehicle in which he was a passenger in Cottage Hill.
Jacob Monroe Colville, 24, was charged with carrying a concealed firearm, possession of a firearm while committing a felony, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of a drug paraphernalia and providing a false name to law enforcement. He was also arrested on an outstanding battery warrant for allegedly spitting on a another man in an incident unrelated to the traffic stop.
Colville was a passenger in a vehicle deputies stopped on Williams Ditch Road near Wishbone Drive due to suspected illegal window tint. He falsely told deputies that his name was”Desean Rickit”, according to an arrest report. A K-9 positively alerted on the vehicle, and deputies found a black backpack where Colville had been sitting.
In that backpack, officers located a container containing 15 clonazepam pills (a controlled substance), a loaded .22 caliber revolver, two metal smoking devices, additional ammunition of differing calibers and other paraphernalia, the report states. Colville remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning with bond set at $27,500. The driver of the vehicle was given a verbal warning for a window tint violation.
In September 2017, Colville’s neighbor filed a police report claiming Colville spit on his right shoulder, and showed deputies that there was a stain remaining on his shirt.
House Backs Rules For Nursing Home Generators
February 28, 2018
A House committee on Tuesday agreed to take steps to ratify a rule requiring nursing homes to have backup-power sources but didn’t endorse similar requirements for assisted living facilities because of concerns about the costs.
Gov. Rick Scott in recent months has pushed for nursing homes and assisted living facilities to have generators that can keep buildings cool if electricity goes out.
McKinley Lewis, Scott’s deputy communications director, told The News Service of Florida on Tuesday that assisted living facilities need to be “included” in the mix and that the governor’s office is “continuing to work with the Florida Legislature to make sure this gets done.”
The House Health & Human Services Committee voted unanimously to introduce a bill that would ratify a rule issued by the state Agency for Health Care Administration, which regulates nursing homes. The proposed rule, which was hammered out by the Scott administration and the long-term care industry, would require nursing homes to have alternative power sources, such as generators, on site and 72 hours of fuel. The generators would need to be able to keep cool an area of no less than 30 square feet per resident at a temperature of 81 degrees Fahrenheit or lower for at least 96 hours.
The rule is estimated to cost nursing homes $121.3 million over the first five years, and about $66 million can be offset by Medicaid, according to a staff analysis. Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Justin Senior told committee members that about $25 million of the $66 million Medicaid tab would be borne by the state.
Since 2010, Florida law has required legislative ratification of any rule that would increase the costs of doing business by more than $1 million over a five-year period.
House Health & Human Services Chairman Travis Cummings, R-Fleming Island, has repeatedly expressed concerns that requiring assisted living facilities to abide by backup power rules would result in an unfunded mandate on some of Florida’s smallest businesses.
The 2,951 assisted living facilities in the state would have to spend more than $243 million to comply with the requirements.
Scott’s administration has pushed for generators at ALFs and nursing homes since the deaths in September of residents of The Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills, a Broward County nursing home that lost its air-conditioning system in Hurricane Irma. But long-term care providers have raised repeated concerns about issues such as costs and requirements to store fuel.
Assisted living facilities are designed to provide services in a less-restrictive and more home-like environment than nursing homes. They range from one resident to several hundred residents and offer various types of personal and nursing services.
Senior told members of the House committee that in the days following Hurricane Irma, the state emergency operations center had nightly phone calls with long-term care providers and that the Agency for Health Care Administration sent facility-surveyor staff across the state to get a gauge on what was occurring.
Senior said 1,677 assisted living facilities reported that they lost power during Hurricane Irma. Senior said facilities without backup power tended to have what he called employee abandonment, or staff not showing up for work.
He said that the “lack of staffing really put some frail elders at risk.”
Moreover, Senior said, the state “saw ALF residents, in particular, dumped inappropriately at special needs shelters and hospital emergency rooms.”
Cummings then asked Senior to focus what was in the bill and not on ALFs, which weren’t included in the bill.