Authorities Search For Driver That Attempted To Run Trooper Off I-10
January 17, 2018
Law enforcement officers from two states searched Tuesday for a truck driver that attempted to run a Florida Highway Patrol trooper off the road.
Troopers observed a white straight truck with a black dump trailer bypass the Florida weigh station on I-10. A trooper attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle and activated his emergency lights and sirens but the vehicle failed to stop.
The trooper attempted to pull up next to the truck to make sure the driver could see him as they crossed into Alabama. The driver then deliberately swerved twice, both times causing the truck’s trailer to almost strike the trooper in his lane.
Eventually, the driver lost control and crashed into a wooded area. The driver then fled on foot.
Troopers from Florida and Alabama, the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office and a tracking dog for an Atmore prison attempted to track the unknown white male.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
U.S. House Approves Poarch Creek Land Reaffirmation Act
January 17, 2018
The U.S. House passed a bill known as the Poarch Band of Creek Indians Land Reaffirmation Act on Tuesday.
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians Land Reaffirmation Act is a bipartisan bill that simply affirms that land that was taken into trust for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians prior to the 2009 decision in Carcieri vs. Salazari will remain in trust.
On February 24, 2009 the Supreme Court handed down a decision in Carcieri v. Salazar stating that Section 5 of the Indian Reorganization Act authorized the Secretary of the Interior to take land into trust only for those tribes that were “under federal jurisdiction” in 1934, when the IRA was enacted
The legislation simply clears up any legal ambiguity that may have been caused by the previous court decision. The legislation does not have any change over the way the Poarch Creek Indians or their land are currently being treated in Alabama.
The bill prohibits and lawsuits related to the trust land
“The Poarch Creek Indians are a valued and trusted part of our community in Southwest Alabama. Their economic impact in Escambia County, Alabama speaks for itself. From their help with funding for community projects to their business enterprises that employ thousands of Alabamians, the Poarch help make life better for so many people in our area,” bill sponsor Congressman Bradley Byrne said.
Pictured: Congressman Bradley Byrne speaks in support of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians Land Reaffirmation Act on the floor of the U.S. House. Image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Deputies Seek Info On Dollar General Armed Robber
January 17, 2018
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is seeking help in identifying a suspect from the armed robbery of a Dollar General store.
On January 13, the suspect walked into the Dollar General at 4818 Mobile Highway, pointed a gun at the clerk and demanded cash. He was last seen running into the Mayfair subdivision.
Anyone with information about this suspect or his whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Image courtesy Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Freeze Warning — Protecting Pets, Plants, Pipes And Other Tips
January 17, 2018
When temperatures fall into the teens and hard freeze warning, it is time to take necessary precautions to protect pipes, pets and plants, and check on elderly friends and neighbors.
For tonight’s latest forecast, click here.
Here are ways to stay safe during this year’s first round of cold temperatures, courtesy of the American Red Cross:
- Wear layers of lightweight clothing to stay warm. Gloves and a hat will help prevent losing body heat.
- Know the signs of hypothermia – confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. If someone has these symptoms, they should get immediate medical attention.
- Watch for symptoms of frostbite including numbness, flushed gray, white, blue or yellow skin discoloration, numbness or waxy feeling skin.
- Bring the pets indoors. If that’s not possible, make sure they have enough shelter to keep them warm and that they can get to unfrozen water.
- Avoid frozen pipes – run water, even at a trickle, to help prevent them from freezing. Keep the thermostat at the same temperature day and night to help avoid freezing pipes.
- Do not use a stove or oven to heat the home.
- Space heaters should sit on a level, hard surface and anything flammable should be kept at least three feet away.
- If using a fireplace, use a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.
- Turn off space heaters and make sure fireplace embers are out before leaving the room or going to bed.
And here are a few extra details and tips from ECUA on protecting pipes against the freeze:
- Insulate pipes or faucets in unheated areas: Pipes located in unheated areas of your house, such as a garage or crawl space under the house or in the attic, are subject to freezing. If you have time to do this before freezing temperatures arrive, wrap these pipes with insulation materials made especially for this purpose. These materials can be found in most hardware stores or home improvement centers.
- Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses: Detach all hoses from faucets and allow them to drain. This action guards against the water in the hose or pipe from freezing and bursting the faucet or pipe to which it is connected.
- Run a trickle of water: When forecasts call for sustained and / or severe freezing temperatures, run a thin trickle of water from the faucet furthest from the water line coming to your house. Usually this is in a room at the back of the house or outside, in the yard. Allowing the water to circulate through your home’s plumbing helps to keep it from freezing. Some consider this a waste of water but the cost of the water used is extremely slight compared to repairing broken pipes and the resulting water damage.
- Remember the backflow preventer: Residents and business owners who have backflow preventers on their properties for water lines, fire lines, irrigation systems, and swimming pools need to protect their backflow preventers from freeze as well. Extended freezes can burst the body of the backflow assembly, rendering it useless. Wrap these pipes with insulation materials, made especially for this purpose. These materials can be found in most hardware stores or home improvement centers. If the device and the water line are not in use at this time (i.e., irrigation system or swimming pool lines), shut off the water supply line and drain the backflow device.
With Flu Activity Increasing, It’s Not Too Late To Get Your Flu Shot
January 16, 2018
Both in Florida and throughout the U.S., flu activity is on the rise. In Florida, data shows more influenza activity across all age groups this year than detected in the last two flu seasons. Cases of the flu are particularly increasing in the northern portions of the state, including the Panhandle.
The number flu cases is increasing in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, according to the health department. The flu is being reported as at a moderate activity level in Escambia County and at a mild level in Santa Rosa County.
Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that based on their data, this might be the peak of this year’s flu season. CDC recommends that people who are very sick or who are at high risk of serious flu complications and get flu symptoms should be treated with antiviral drugs as soon as possible.
It is not too late to get your flu vaccine. There are still weeks of flu activity to come. Flu vaccines can vary in effectiveness from season to season but they continue to be the best way to prevent influenza infection and serious influenza complications. To locate a flu shot near you, contact your physician, your local county health department, or use the Florida Department of Health’s flu shot locator: www.floridahealth.gov/findaflushot
The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone six months and older, including pregnant women. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for your body to develop protection against the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people get injectable flu shots. Nasal spray vaccine is not recommended for this flu season because of concerns about its effectiveness.
It is also essential to practice good hygiene by properly and frequently washing your hands to help prevent the spread of seasonal flu. Make it a habit to clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces in your home, school or office. You can take additional steps to ward off the flu by coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your elbow and avoiding touching your face.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
January 16, 2018
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the period ending January 5 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Cushing observed a vehicle being operated without any lights on and initiated a traffic stop to address the safety concern. While behind the vehicle with emergency lights on, the passenger was observed discarding several small items out of the passenger window while the vehicle was moving. When the vehicle was stopped, several indicators that the passenger and the operator may be under the influence were observed. Neither subject had any form of identification nor did the operator have a valid driver’s license. Additionally, the tag was not assigned to the vehicle. Pensacola Police Department (PPD) arrived on scene to assist and the PPD K-9 unit alerted on the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was found to be in possession of illegal narcotics and the case was turned over to PPD.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Hutchinson was patrolling late one night when he observed a truck moving slowly in an area known for night hunting. He observed the driver shine a spotlight along the edge of a field in an attempt to disclose the presence of deer. When Officer Hutchison attempted to stop the truck, the driver did not stop immediately and he was observed throwing an object out of the window of the vehicle. Once the operator stopped, a muzzleloader rifle with a flashlight taped to the stock was located inside the vehicle. A Santa Rosa County Deputy arrived to assist and located a bag containing methamphetamine and glass pipes where the subject threw it out the window. The subject was a convicted felon and had a suspended driver license. Additionally, blood from a recently killed deer was found in the bed of the truck and it was determined that the man had killed an illegal buck a few days earlier. The subject was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, attempting to take deer at night, driving on a suspended license and possession of an illegally taken deer.
Officer Jones responded to the Escribano Point WMA at the request of a FWC biologist who had encountered subjects removing a Jeep from a wetland within the management area in an area where public entry by vehicles is prohibited. An investigation revealed that the driver had driven around a locked gate and proceeded into the area. He drove across a small bridge that was not intended for vehicles which resulted in considerable damage to the bridge. After driving throughout the area, he then drove across a creek and through a wetland for approximately a mile causing considerable damage to the land, trees, and plants. Charges are being prepared for two counts of destruction of state lands by a motor vehicle.
Officer Jones received a complaint from a Santa Rosa County marina owner that he was ordering off his property a sailboat, its owner and other associated persons. The officer arrived the following morning to find that the boat was tied to a piling near the marina as well as to structures of the marina. A patron of the marina pointed to a small dingy boat that was tied alongside of the sailboat. The patron said that the dingy was the property of the marina owner. A man and a woman were on board the vessel. After watching the boat and the area, the officer observed the female occupant of the sailboat proceed in the dingy to shore at a nearby park. It was confirmed that the dingy was recently stolen. The woman was charged with theft, operating a vessel with no personal flotation devices and operating a vessel with no registration.
Officer Wilkenson and Investigator Hughes responded to a complaint of individuals harvesting juvenile stone crabs at the Bob Sikes Fishing Bridge. Based on the description provided by the complainant, the officers located the individuals quickly. The individuals were actively fishing with rods and reels. In plain view, a bucket that contained several juvenile whole-body stone crabs was observed. It was determined the individuals were using the stone crabs as bait. There was a total of 14 whole body stone crabs in the individuals’ possession. The subjects were cited for possession of whole stone crabs and undersized stone claws. The officers released the stone crabs alive.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Elementary Kids Write Letters To Sailors In At Boot Camp
January 16, 2018
Beulah Elementary teacher Allison Rhodes’ fourth grade students recently wrote letters to sailors at Navy Boot Camp in Great Lakes, IL.
The letters were passed to Capt. Kertreck Brooks, Commanding Officer of the Naval Education and Training and Professional Development Center (NETPDC) to ensure they get into the right hands.
Capt Brooks recently visited the class to thank them and took some time to explain just how special those letters are. He served as the Executive Officer of Great Lakes so he was able to share that when the new sailors arrive they get to make one phone call home and then their belongings, including their cell phones, are boxed up and mailed home. They then communicate with families the old fashioned way – with letters.
That makes mail call a special event.
He told the young writers that their letters will be shared with all 80 members of a boot camp unit. The students shared with him that they thought the sailors might need words of encouragement – and a laugh.
Each student included their favorite joke in their letter while they also learned how to format a letter and how to empathize with young adults away from home. The captain also answered questions about his time in the Navy.
Atmore Approves Sunday Alcohol Sales
January 16, 2018
The city of Atmore has unanimously approved a resolution to allow Sunday alcohol sales after 10 a.m.
Now that the resolution has passed, the local legislative delegation will introduce a bill in the Alabama Legislature for final approval. Once the bill passes, it would head to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey for a signature making it effective.
Last year, Ivey signed a bill passed on the last day of the legislative session allowing cities or counties to authorize businesses to begin alcohol sales at 10 a.m. Sundays under ordinance or resolution.
Pictured: Businesses such as this Winn Dixie in Atmore may soon be able to sell alcohol as early at 10 a.m. on Sundays. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Free Heart Health Screenings Next Week In Cantonment
January 16, 2018
Sacred Heart Health System will provide free heart health screenings in Cantonment for adults who are poor, elderly or uninsured. Heart-health screenings will measure blood pressure, blood sugar and total cholesterol, and can detect anemia. The screenings are helpful in diagnosing conditions that put people at high risk for heart attack, stroke, diabetes and other health problems.
The screenings will be held on Thursday, January 25 from 9 until 11:30 at Victory Assembly of God.
Century Celebrates Legacy Of Martin Luther King, Jr. (With Gallery)
January 15, 2018
Dozens turned out in Century Monday to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Century-Flomaton Improvement Association held their annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration at the Century Ag Building Monday.
Songs, essays and speeches honored King’s memory during the program, which was themed “Keep the Dream Alive”.
“If we can dream it, with the Lord’s help we can achieve it,” guest speaker Pastor Lloyd A. Hicks told the assembly. Hicks was employed by the Alabama Department of Corrections for 28 years and received his first pastoral appointment to Westley Chapel CME Church in Century. He is now employed as a staff chaplain at Brookwood Princeton Medical System in Birmingham and pastors Unity CME Church in Bessemer, AL.
“This is not a black thing; this is not a white thing. This is a God thing,” he said. “If you can dream, and you have the will of the Lord, you can achieve.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
