Court Backs Health Providers In Fight With Allstate
August 20, 2015
A South Florida appeals court Wednesday sided with medical providers in a series of cases filed against Allstate Insurance Co. about payments for treating patients in the state’s no-fault auto insurance system. The ruling, which involved 32 consolidated cases, dealt with whether policies were clear that Allstate would reimburse the providers under a fee schedule from the Medicare program. The fee schedule includes limits on payments for services. The providers argued that the policies were “ambiguous” on the issue, and a majority of a three-judge panel of the 4th District Court of Appeal agreed. The majority opinion, written by Chief Judge Cory Ciklin and joined by Judge Spencer Levine, said legal precedents “make clear that insurance statutes require clarity and specificity in electing fee schedules with respect to PIP (personal injury protection) medical benefits coverage.” But Judge Melanie May dissented, arguing that medical providers had led the court’s majority “down the yellow brick road.” She also pointed to the purpose of the no-fault system, which provides at least a minimum amount of health coverage for injuries suffered in car accidents. “Providers … look to get paid as much as possible, but that does not inure to the insured’s (policyholder’s) benefit,” she wrote. “The less costly the services provided, the more services the insured can receive. While some providers may choose to not treat an insured if their fee is limited to the Medicare fee schedules, that problem is one of the provider’s making, not that of the insurer.”
by The News Service of Florida
Cantonment Woman Critical After Rear-Ending UPS Truck
August 19, 2015
A Cantonment woman was critically injured when she rear-ended a parked UPS truck Wednesday morning in Cottage Hill.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 77-year old Sharon K. Gipson was westbound on Eden Lane approaching Virecent Road as the unoccupied UPS truck was parked with hazard lights activated in the westbound lane of Eden Lane making a parcel delivery.
The FHP said Gipson rear-ended the UPS truck before her 2006 Nissan Maxima rolled eastbound on Eden Lane and struck a tree.
Gipson, who was not wearing a seat belt, was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital as a “trauma alert”. Any charges in the accident are pending.
Brewton Accident Claims Life of Flomaton Man
August 19, 2015
A traffic crash Tuesday afternoon in Brewton claimed the life of a Flomaton man.
According to authorities, 56-year old Jimmy Wayne Cash was southbound on Highway 31 just south of College Drive in a 1991 Ford Ranger when, for an unknown reason, he rear-end a 2003 Chevrolet pickup. Cash was transported to D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton where he later died from injuries sustained in the crash.
The driver of the second pickup, Steven Smith of Graceville, was not seriously injured.
The accident remains under investigation by the Brewton Police Department.
Reader Photos: Morning Rainbows
August 19, 2015
Here are a couple of NorthEscambia.com reader submitted photos of rainbows Wednesday morning. The photo above is International Paper in Cantonment, courtesy of Kevin McCanty. The photo below is looking across Highway 29 from Escambia Fire Rescue Station 6 in Ensley this morning, courtesy of Bryan Caro, for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
If you have news or weather photos to share, just email them to news@northescambia.com
Ransom Middle Gym Named For Educator, Coach Joseph E. Murphy
August 19, 2015
The Escambia County School voted Tuesday to name the gymnasium at Ransom Middle School as the “Joseph E. Murphy Gymnasium” in honor of Joseph E. Murphy.
Murphy said he never dreamed of such an honor.
“To have this honor bestowed upon me is very humbling,” he said. “No one can ever feel worthy of this wonderful honor…I am very grateful.”
Murphy began his career with the school district in 1976 as a science teacher at Ferry Pass Middle School, became a physical education teacher at Workman Middle School in 1980, and then moved to Ransom Middle School in 1984 where he has served as physical education teacher, physical education department chair, School Advisory Council member, and dean of students.
Murphy coached middle school basketball and track and field, winning numerous district championships for Ransom. He also coached football and golf at Tate High School, and served as the pitching coach for the Tate baseball team, leading them to two state championships.
Murphy was also named the Escambia Physical Education Association Middle School Teacher of the Year for the 2009-2010 school year.’
He retired in June.
“Joseph E. Murphy has touched the lives of countless young people through his coaching and focus on health and wellness, encouraging and motivating students to perform at their highest level, in the classroom and on the athletic field,” a school board resolution stated.
Pictured top: Joseph E. Murphy before by the Escambia County School Board Tuesday night as the Ransom Middle School gymnasium was named in his honor. Pictured inset; Murphy (left) with Ransom Middle Principal Brent Brummet. Pictured below. Superintendent Malcolm Thomas with Murphy, Brummet and a group of Ransom supporters. Photos by Kim Stefansson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
GED Classes Beginning At Molino Community Center
August 19, 2015
GED classes will being Monday, August 31 at the Molino Community Center from 6-8 p.m. each Monday and Thursday evening in Room 124.
New students 1will need to take the TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education) before registration for the GED classes. The test will be given at the Molino Community Center on Tuesday, August 25 at 5 p.m. for new students 18 or over with a photo identification. Cost is $15.
Registration for Fall 2015 classes will be Thursday, August 27 at the Molino Community Center from 5-8 p.m. All new and returning students will need to bring identification and a social secuity card. ‘
New students are required to complete an online registration at www.georgestonecenter.com. Computers will be set up on registration day to assist new students if needed. Tuition for the class is $30.
For more information on the Molino GED class, call Patricia Harrison at (850) 941-6200.
Century Woman Sentenced For Bratt DUI Crash
August 19, 2015
A Century woman convicted for a DUI crash on Bratt Road back in January.
Debra Lee Lukkar, age 51 of Century, lost control of her vehicle, with her Jeep overturning coming to rest across both lanes of Bratt Road just east of Vaughn Road about 10:30 p.m. on July 12. Lukkar was briefly trapped in the vehicle but quickly extricated by firefighters. She refused medical treatment at the scene.
Lukkar was charged by the Florida Highway Patrol with DUI and resisting an officer without violence.
Lukkar was sentenced by Judge Jennifer Frydrychowicz to 12 months probation and ordered to pay $1,081 in charges and fines. She was also ordered to attend first offender DUI school and consume no alcohol.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Bratt Elementary Wins $1,000 Wellness Challenge
August 19, 2015
Bratt Elementary School has been named the winner of Escambia Superintendent Malcolm Thomas’ first annual Choose Wellness Challenge. The school was presented a $1,000 prize at Tuesday’s meeting of the Escambia County School Board.
The challenge was to see which school or major department could achieve the highest level of participation in the challenge by the end of the school year. Participants completed four steps to promote health and wellness, potentially reducing the district’s health care and lost work time costs.
Thomas said he expected the winner to come from a school that was located near the district’s health and wellness center. But he was wrong.
“This year’s winner is actually the school that is located the furtherest away from the center. So it appears mileage and inconvenience is simply not a factor,” he said.
The $1,000 prize is expected to be used in some manner to promote wellness among the school’s staff. All of the funds were from private donations; no taxpayer dollars were used.
Pictured: Bratt Elementary “Wellness Challenge” winners represented by Laura Carroll, assistant principal; Jeanene Hall, principal, and Lissa Bardin, the school’s wellness coordinator, with Superintendent Malcolm Thomas. Photo by Kim Stefansson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New State Regulations Proposed For Animal Shelters
August 19, 2015
A House Democrat on Tuesday filed a detailed proposal that would set guidelines for animal shelters before stray animals can be euthanized.
The proposal (HB 71), filed by Rep. Barbara Watson, D-Miami Gardens, will be considered during the 2016 legislative session.
The nine-page bill includes numerous requirements such as posting on the Internet photographs and information about each stray animal impounded. If possible owners are identified, shelters would have to undertake “due diligence” in notifying owners, such as trying to contact them by phone and mail.
Among the other requirements, the bill would mandate a minimum holding period of five business days for stray animals that are impounded. Among numerous other provisions, the bill would set conditions for the care of animals in shelters. That would include providing fresh food and water, cleaning of cages and “environmental enrichment,” such as socialization, toys and treats.
by The News Service of Florida
Atmore Woman Killed In Alabama Crash
August 19, 2015
An Atmore woman was killed in a two-vehicle crash Tuesday morning.
According to Alabama State Troopers, 65-year Barbara Emmons Harrison passed away at Atmore Community Hospital from injuries she received in the crash just before 11 a.m. on Highway 21 just north of Atmore.
Troopers said Harrison was a passenger in a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu that was hit by a 2007 Chevrolet Impala. The driver of the Malibu, 70-year old Velma Joyce Evans, was transported in unknown condition to Atmore Community Hospital. The driver of the Impala, who has not been identified, was not injured.
The accident remains under investigation by Alabama State Troopers.