Health Advisory Issued, Fire Continues At Rolling Hills Landfill
February 18, 2017
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County(FDOH-Escambia) is issuing an air quality health advisory in response to associated smoke from fire at Rolling Hills Construction and Demolition Landfill.
Air quality monitoring has been performed by the Escambia County Natural Resources Management Department near the facility at 6990 Rolling Hills Road, Pensacola, FL. The monitoring has revealed elevated levels of small particulate matter in the air likely associated with smoke from the fire.Nearby residents are advised to protect against smoke exposure.
Smoke is a respiratory irritant that can cause scratchy throat or irritated eyes and nose.
According to the CDC, breathing in smoke can have immediate health effects, including coughing, difficulty breathing, scratchy throat, irritated eyes and nose, shortness of breath, and rapid heartbeat. Persons experiencing respiratory symptoms, including those with severe or chronic respiratory conditions like asthma or chronic lung disease, should consult their doctor for treatment and stay inside their homes. While inside, residents should close windows, run their cooling or heating system, and change the system’s air filter as needed. If symptoms persist while inside an air conditioned home, residents may choose to leave the area until their symptoms are tolerable.
Escambia County has mobilized work crews from Waste Services, Public Safety and the Road Department to address the ongoing fire at the Rolling Hills Landfill, located at 6990 Rolling Hills Road. The county successfully worked through issues with the property owner, South Palafox Properties, and at approximately 12:30 Friday afternoon entered the landfill. South Palafox Properties agreed that it was unable to provide the necessary resources to extinguish the fire and will be invoiced for the mobilization of county resources.
Three firefighting brush trucks along with bulldozers and dump trucks are working to first bring down the smoke and then use dirt to smother the fire. Crews will be on scene daily until sunset until the fire is extinguished.
The fire is in a large mound of land clearing debris located in the southeast area of the property designated for land clearing debris disposal. The fire is not in the C&D area of the landfill currently being remediated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Since revoking Rolling Hills Landfill’s permit in 2014, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection was able to get court approval to close the landfill. Working with state contractors, surveyors and landfill closure experts, FDEP developed a comprehensive closure design based on current site conditions, and the contractor began work in the fall of 2016. A vast majority of the onsite work has been completed. However, weather has caused some delays, and the project is expected to be completed at the end of this month.
Vehicle Struck By Train In Atmore
February 17, 2017
Two people reportedly ran for their lives just before a train struck their vehicle early Friday morning in Atmore.
The crash happened about 1:45 a.m. at the Trammell Street crossing just off Nashville Avenue. Reports indicated the driver had turned off the roadway and attempted to drive down the railroad tracks where his vehicle became stuck before being hit by the westbound CSX freight train The vehicle apparently became airborne and became lodged against a crossing arm signal pole.
Both the driver and his passenger escaped the vehicle before the crash. There were no injuries.
The driver was seen being placed into the back of an Atmore Police Department vehicle. It was not immediately known what charges, if any, he might face in connection with the crash.
Further details have not yet been released as the accident investigation continues. The Atmore Fire Department also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Embattled Doctor Wins Auction For Former Century Hospital Building
February 17, 2017
The Century doctor that battled the state to operate out of the town’s former hospital has now purchased the building at auction.
Dr. Christian Bachman’s Mayo Street Medical, Inc. was the sole bidder on the facility Thursday, according to Jason Mahon, public information specialist for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, owners of the former hospital. Bachman bid $21,000 for the 1.69 acre property and 24,000 square foot building at 7600 Mayo Street, well above the $13,500 minimum bid.
The DEP served Mayo Street Medical a cease and desist order keeping the public out of the building and effectively closing the medical office in February 2016. Since that time, Bachman has continued to make house calls to see his patients.
“I believe this ordeal finally has a happy ending,” Bachman told NorthEscambia.com Thursday evening as he was driving between house calls. He expects to repair code violations and make tornado repairs to the building quickly, with hopes that his medical practice will be open again within about six months. He also expects to re-open his research laboratory, which was heavily damaged a year ago in Century’s EF-3 tornado.
Now that he will own the building, Bachman also said he’s considered making space available in the facility for other businesses, hopefully creating additional jobs.
Bachman’s 50 Year Lease
In a letter dated August 26, 2015, Century Health Care Access (CHCA) and Dr. Bachman, president of CHCA and physician for Mayo Street Medical, were ordered to vacate the facility by September 30, 2015, by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The eviction date passed, with Bachman and his medical practice receiving much media attention that began with a NorthEscambia.com story. As a result, Bachman said, DEP shifted their position, which at first seemed like a positive breakthrough. But with time, he said he realized it appeared the DEP simply changed their strategy to making “impossible demands”.
The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office also demanded changes that the doctor said were impracticable to impossible. Demands included repairs to large areas of ceilings that were patched by DEP or their contractors in the 1990’s to install a new fire sprinkler system. He said it was not possible to obtain the permits for the work in a short time period, much less make the costly repairs.
Bachman refused to budge, continuing to operate his medical practice, seeing patients regardless of their ability to pay and even making house calls.
On Friday afternoon, February 12, 2016, law enforcement officers served Bachman a cease and desist order that demanded that no member of the public be allowed inside the building due to fire code violations.
A Stormy End
Bachman said the cease and desist order from the State Fire Marshal’s Office was served on him about 3:45 to 4:00 on that Friday afternoon, with a 72-hour provision to comply. Almost exactly to the minute 72 hours later, the most powerful tornado to hit Escambia County in 45 years roared through Century with winds over 150 mph, and wiped out numerous homes in Century around Bachman’s office. The hospital building suffered damage, but the structure survived intact.
Bachman told NorthEscambia.com at the time that he found great irony in the fact that the building was deemed unsafe, but it was the very place many Century residents ran to for shelter during and after the EF-3 tornado.
When Gov. Rick Scott toured the tornado damage in Century in late Feburary 2016, it presented Bachman with a sudden and unexpected opportunity to discuss his battles with state government face to face with the state’s top elected official.
As Scott walked along Mayo and Church streets, toward the old Century Hospital, he had been briefed on the facility and Bachman’s plight. As Scott and his entourage continued to walk down Church Street, just outside the boarded-up windows of Bachman’s research lab, Bachman grabbed the chance to plead his case and hand over a support petition.
At the time Bachman was served the cease and desist order by DEP, he was the only doctor in Century. A pediatrician has since located in Century.
Pictured above and below: The former Century Hospital on Mayo Street as seen Wednesday, January 25. Pictured above inset: Dr. Christian Bachman pleads his case with Gov. Rick Scott on the street outside the former Century Hospital.
Molino Drive-By Shooting Suspects Arrested
February 17, 2017
Two people have been arrested in connection with a drive-by shooting January 29 near Molino.
Daquan Damian Jones and Javoris Knight, both 18, were taken into custody Thursday.
Jones was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond on outstanding felony failure to appear warrants, fire a weapon into a dwelling and criminal mischief with property damage. Knight was charged with aggravated assault with intent to a commit a felony and was being held with bond set at $63,500.
The Sheriff’s Office said the drive-by shooting occurred on Cedartown Road. There was no one injured or hit by gunfire in the incident.
Pictured top: Daquan Damian Jones (left) and Javoris Knight. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Woman Indicted For Stabbing Death Of Son
February 17, 2017
An Escambia County grand jury has indicted an Escambia County woman for the murder of her son.
Janel Charlene Francis was indicted for first degree premeditated murder in the stabbing death of 18-year old Devan Francis and attempted premeditated murder with a weapon for the stabbing of her 24-year old daughter, Gabrielle Torrence.
Francis allegedly stabbed her children at her home in the Heritage Oaks Mobile Park.
Francis will be arraigned February 23.
No Serious Injuries In ‘Power’ Crash
February 17, 2017
There were no serious injuries in a single vehicle crash Thursday afternoon in the area of Highway 29 and Power Boulevard. A properly restrained child was unharmed. Further details about the crash have not been released. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
National Read Aloud Day: Century’s Mayor Reads To Head Start Kids
February 17, 2017
Thursday was “National Read Aloud Day” – a day set aside to read aloud to children. In Century, Mayor Henry Hawkins stopped by the Century Head Start Center to read aloud to the children, and they presented him with a certificate of appreciation. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Florida Supreme Court Blocks Abortion Waiting Period
February 17, 2017
In another in a string of rulings siding with abortion-rights advocates, the Florida Supreme Court on Thursday blocked a 2015 law that would have required women to wait 24 hours before having abortions.
Thursday’s 4-2 decision was the second time the state high court kept the law, approved by the Republican-dominated Legislature and signed by Gov. Rick Scott, from taking effect.
A Leon County circuit judge issued a temporary injunction blocking the law from being implemented, but the 1st District Court of Appeal overturned that decision a year ago. The Supreme Court then issued a stay temporarily blocking the law while it considered the matter.
The appeals court pointed to a lack of evidence to support the temporary injunction, saying in part that the circuit judge “failed to make sufficient factually supported findings about the existence of a significant restriction on a woman’s right to seek an abortion.”
But in Thursday’s majority opinion overturning the appellate decision, Justice Barbara Pariente wrote that enactment of the law “would lead to irreparable harm.”
The law would require women to make at least two visits to a health-care provider before being able to have the procedure, Pariente noted.
“The mandatory delay law impacts only those women who have already made the choice to end their pregnancies. Indeed, under Florida’s pre-existing informed consent law, a woman can already take all of the time she needs to decide whether to terminate her pregnancy, both before she arrives at the clinic and after she receives the counseling information,” she wrote for the majority. “No other medical procedure, even those with greater health consequences, requires a twenty-four hour waiting period in the informed consent process.”
The law would require women seeking an abortion “to make an additional, unnecessary trip to their health care provider” that “could impose additional harms by requiring a woman to delay the procedure or force her past the time limit for the procedure of her choice,” Pariente wrote.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida filed the challenge on behalf of a Gainesville abortion clinic and a group of medical students, shortly after the law was passed. The lawsuit maintained that the waiting period is an unconstitutional violation of right to privacy.
“Today we make clear, in Florida, any law that implicates the fundamental right of privacy, regardless of the activity, is subject to strict scrutiny and is presumptively unconstitutional,” wrote Pariente, who was joined in the majority by Chief Justice Jorge Labarga and justices R. Fred Lewis and Peggy Quince.
But, in a dissent joined by Justice Ricky Polston, Justice Charles Canady accused the majority of taking “an unreasonably narrow view of the purpose of informed consent” and argued that the plaintiffs had not presented any evidence to prove that the 24-hour waiting period imposed “a significant restriction on the right to abortion.”
And the law “enhances voluntary consent” by giving women more “post-informed reflective time free from undue influence” by doctors or clinic personnel, as well as more time to consider “the medical risks of terminating or not terminating a pregnancy,” Canady wrote.
Justice Alan Lawson, who joined the court at the end of December, did not participate in Thursday’s ruling.
The 2015 law is one of a number of anti-abortion measures approved by Republican lawmakers, even as the courts have repeatedly blocked the laws from going into effect.
A federal judge last summer issued a permanent injunction against a 2016 abortion law that would have led to increased inspections of clinic records and prevented abortion providers from receiving public money for other health services.
The ACLU filed a lawsuit challenging another portion of the same 2016 law that deals with people or organizations that provide advice to women considering abortions.
People or groups who provide information about abortions — considered “referral or counseling” agencies under the law — would have to register with the Agency for Health Care Administration, pay a $200 fee and could be charged with a felony for violating the statute. A ruling in that case is pending.
Nancy Abudu, legal director for the ACLU of Florida, hailed Thursday’s ruling in the waiting-period case. But lawmakers have filed a slew of anti-abortion bills again this year, she pointed out.
“Even though we’ve won this battle, the real war, in terms of protecting a woman’s right to choose, is far from over,” Abudu said in a telephone interview. “So far, we’re seeing some victories. We wish this would signal to the Legislature that they need to focus on other things.”
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Tate High Senior Cheerleaders Honored
February 17, 2017
The Tate High School senior cheerleaders were honored Thursday night. They are (L-R) Mallory Stephens, Jasmine Crabtree, Alexis Wilson and Hayden Lindsay. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Softball: Tate, Northview Win With Shutouts; Tate Baseball Splits Preseason Games
February 17, 2017
BASEBALL
Preseason At Gulf Breeze:
Pace 3 Tate 3
Tate 2 Gulf Breeze 3
Escambia Academy 3 Patrician Academy 1
SOFTBALL
Tate 18 Washington 0
Hannah Brown threw a perfect game Thursday as the Tate Aggies beat Washington 18-0. The Aggies took a commanding lead with a 13-run second inning with homer runs from Hayden Lindsay and Hanna Brown; a singles from Syndi Solliday, Tristyn Cook and Shelby Ullrich; a double from Deazia Nickerson and triple from Belle Wolfenden.
Northview 15 Freeport 0
Tori Herrington pitched a 15-0 shutout over Freeport, facing 18 batters, striking out 8 and only gave up 2 hits in a 5 inning run rule. Northview scored 3 runs in the top of the 2nd, 9 runs in the top of the 3rd and added 3 more in the top of the 5th. Kendall Enfinger led off the 3rd with a double followed by Tori Herrington with a HARD line drive single and Aubree Love drove them in with a 3 run HR to right center field.
Hitting for the Lady Chiefs were
Jamia Newton 2-4 with a run and a stolen base
Kendall Enfinger 2-3 with 2 runs,double, single and an RBI
Tori Herrington 3-4 with 2 runs, double, 2 singles and 2 RBI’s
Aubree Love 2-3 with 2 runs, HR, single, walk and 3 RBI’s
Peighton Dortch 2-3 with 2 runs, double, single and a walk
Teriana Redmon 0-3 with 2 runs and a walk
Lydia Smith 0-4 with 2 runs and an RBI
Valen 2-4 with 1 run, 2 singles and 2 RBI’s
Alana Brown 2-3 with a run, 2 singles, walk and 3 RBI’s
Mallory Merchant 0-1.
West Florida 15, Pine Forest 2
Lauren Carnley homered for the West Florida Jaguars Thursday as they defeated Pine Forest 15-2.
