Day Of Service: Volunteers Team Up To Clean Up In Cantonment
January 20, 2015
The Florida Department of Children and Families’ (DCF) AmeriCorps Coalition of Escambia and Santa Rosa (AmeriCorps ACES) program joined Cantonment residents and other volunteers on a national day of service Monday in cleaning up parks in volunteer service to honor Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy.
“Today we answer Dr. King’s call to serve and are making a difference in the lives of Escambia County residents,” DCF’s Circuit 1 Community Development Administrator Phyllis Gonzalez. “A resourceful way to meet local needs, volunteer service is a powerful tool that builds strong communities. We are putting the core American principles of citizenship and service into action.”
The group cleaned up Carver Park on Webb Street in Cantonment. The park is the future location of the Cantonment Improvement Committee, which worked to make the event possible.
AmeriCorps ACES consists of non-profit and governmental entities working together in Northwest Florida to put an end to poverty. Funding for Florida Department of Children and Families’ AmeriCorps ACES program is administered by Volunteer Florida, the Governor’s lead agency for volunteerism and national service in Florida.
The annual MLK Day of Service, in partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service, mobilizes thousands of nonprofit groups, faith-based organizations, and schools and businesses nationwide. These projects include delivering meals, refurbishing schools and community centers, collecting food and clothing, signing up mentors, reading to children, promoting nonviolence, and more.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Dry Conditions: Firefghters Battle Woods, Grass Fires
January 20, 2015
Firefighters battled brush and woods fires in the North Escambia area Monday, fueled by a moderate wind and dry conditions.
The Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to a grass fire behind a home in the 2800 block of North Century Boulevard about 11:25 a.m. The fire was quickly extinguished with no threat to surrounding structures.
Monday afternoon, the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to a woods fire sparked by a downed power line on Sandy Hollow Road, just south of West Highway 4. It took firefighters about an hour to put out the blaze. There were no structures threatened by the fire.
Pictured top and below: A woods and brush fire sparked by a downed power line Monday afternoon on Sandy Hollow Road. Pictured inset: Linemen work to repair the downed line. Pictured bottom: Firefighters on the scene of a grass fire Monday morning on North Century Boulevard. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Golfer Bubba Watson Purchases Part Ownership In The Blue Wahoos
January 20, 2015
Two-time Masters Champion Bubba Watson has purchased ownership in the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, joining majority owners Quint and Rishy Studer.
“Ever since I went to my first Blue Wahoos game I have been a big fan of the team. I love the atmosphere, it’s such a great place to go with friends and family. I wish Pensacola had a team like this when I was growing up. There’s something special about pulling for the hometown team. It’s great that Quint and Rishy were willing to let me be a part of it. I look forward to a long and exciting partnership with them. I just hope Quint doesn’t get tired of my crazy ideas because I have been known to have a few. One thing I know for sure is that you won’t see me out there in a uniform playing. I already asked, and they said I can’t do that even if I own part of the team,” said Watson.
Bruce Baldwin ,president of the Blue Wahoos, made the announcement Monday afternoon at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. Following the announcement, Watson took two ceremonial swings from home plate – one with his signature hot pink shafted driver and the other with a Louisville slugger. Jamie Walczak, who pitched for the Wahoos last season, threw to Watson.
Watson is no stranger to the team’s home field, throwing out ceremonial first pitches and greeting Wahoos players and fans in 2012 and 2014 after each of his Masters wins. In 2014, he even wore the famed green jacket while throwing out the first pitch.
“We are thrilled to welcome Bubba Watson into the ownership and to have Bubba’s family, Angie, Caleb and Dakota, as part of the Wahoos family, enjoying the Wahoos Life,” said Quint Studer. “Over the years many have been touched by Bubba beyond golf. His work to make life better for others is what attracted Rishy and I to him. Bubba sends a message of belief and giving, always striving to be the best he can be. Rishy, Bubba and I all view the Wahoos as an investment in improving the quality of life for people. Together we will continue to create great experiences for all ages, make lifelong memories for our fans, be a super place to work and now, with Bubba’s leadership, we will gain a national and international awareness for the Blue Wahoos and Northwest Florida.”
Known for incredible shot-making, mammoth drives, a hot pink shafted driver and an electric personality, Watson is a true all-American superstar. Born in Pensacola and raised in nearby Bagdad, he began the game of golf at age six with a cut down 9-iron and plastic golf balls. As a professional golfer, he has twice won the Masters, golf’s most prestigious tournament, and is a seven-time winner on the PGA Tour.
The first game of the season for the Blue Wahoos is April 9.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Celebrates Martin Luther King Jr’s Legacy (With Photo Gallery)
January 19, 2015
Many Century and Flomaton area residents spent their Monday morning honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Century-Flomaton Improvement Association held their annual motorcade, ending with a program and celebration at the Century Community Center. Songs, essays, poems and speeches honored King’s memory, looked forward to the future and honored local community leaders that have passed away. Guest speaker Pastor Michael C. Steward of the Pilgrim Lodge Missionary Baptist Church in Century addressed the group before a community lunch.
For a photo gallery from the Century event, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Parade Marks Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (With Photo Gallery)
January 19, 2015
Huge crowds turned out in Atmore Monday morning for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade. The annual event draws entries from Alabama and Florida, including units from Escambia County High School in Atmore and Northview High School in Bratt.
The parade ended with a memorial program and lunch at Escambia County High School.
For a photo gallery from the Atmore parade, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pedestrian Killed In Hwy 29 Hit And Run Crash
January 19, 2015
A pedestrian was struck and killed in a hit and run accident on Highway 29 at West Ensley Street early Monday morning.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Cecil R. Willis, Jr., of Pensacola, was walking on the northbound outside should of Highway 29 about 12:30 a.m. A pickup truck drifted off the roadway and hit the Willis, who was propelled into a ditch. The pickup truck then fled the scene.
The pickup was described as possibly being a 1992 to 1994 Ford F150 or F250 pickup truck that is red or maroon in color. The vehicle with have front and front right damage. Anyone with information on the hit and run fatality is asked to call FHP Corporal Michael Collins at (850) 471-6924.
Doctor: Local Flu Cases On The Rise
January 19, 2015
The United States is currently in the middle of the annual flu season and many parts of the country, including the Southeast, are experiencing high levels of flu activity.
“Across the Unites States, hospitals are seeing more than double the number of flu-related admissions than last year,” said Lt. Cmdr. Mary Graves, department head, Preventive Medicine, Naval Hospital Pensacola.
The flu season typically runs from October through April, but it is not always predictable. According to the Center for Disease Control, 5 to 20 percent of the U.S. population gets the flu every year and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from complications.
According to Graves, there have been 55 deaths in Escambia County in the past five years related to the flu. The majority of the deaths were with the elderly, but complications from the flu can occur at any age and are often preventable.
To help combat the likelihood of contracting the flu, the CDC and Naval Hospital Pensacola recommends everyone 6 months and older get an annual flu shot.
“A common myth is that the flu shot will give you the flu, but that cannot happen,” said Graves. “Some people may experience some fatigue after receiving the flu shot, but that is because the body is producing antibodies to fight the flu and that can make you feel a little rundown.”
While the flu vaccine will not protect against every strain, the vaccine will help protect against multiple strains of the flu that are circulating this year and can help reduce serious outcomes such as hospitalization. The flu vaccine will also help with the recovery of the flu, even if it’s one of the strains not covered in this year’s flu vaccine because the vaccine helps the body build antibodies that can combat multiple strains of the flu.
“Even though the strains don’t match exactly this year, getting vaccinated will still give a person partial protection,” said Graves. “The vaccine will reduce the severity of symptoms and result in fewer days being sick and less time lost to work or normal activities.”
Common flu symptoms can include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, muscle aches and fatigue. Most people will recover from the flu after a few days and usually do not need prescribed medications to recover.
“If you feel flu symptoms coming on, drink lots of fluids and get lots of rest,” said Cmdr. Kim Toone, associate director for public health, NHP. “You can also take an over the counter decongestant or pain reliever to help as well.”
People at risk of flu-related complications include pregnant women, children under the age of 2, elderly people over 65 and patients with chronic health problems such as asthma, heart disease and a weakened immune system. Anyone that falls into one of these categories should contact their health care provider as soon as they begin to feel flu symptoms.
“If you are a high-risk beneficiary, please get your flu vaccine,” said Toone, “and contact your health care provider as soon as you feel flu symptoms developing to discuss other treatment options that may be beneficial.”
In addition to receiving the flu vaccine, there are additional precautions that people can take to prevent the flu. These simple precautions include avoiding close contact with those that are infected with the flu, staying home when sick, covering the mouth and nose when sneezing, washing hands regularly, avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.
“Proper hand hygiene and immunizations are a great way to prevent infections and diseases anytime, not just during the flu season,” said Sheila Jones, infection prevention program manager, NHP.
Story by Jason Bortz, Naval Hospital Pensacola
Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class James Stenberg for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Firefighters Battle Field Fire
January 19, 2015
Firefighters battled a large fire in a grassy field Sunday morning on the Florida/Alabama state line.
The fire was reported about 11:40 a.m. about two miles west of Century on Gandyville Road, a small road off Gandy Lane that is in Florida but must be accessed from Old Atmore Road in Alabama. It took firefighters about 45 minutes to completely extinguish the three acre fire in an open field. There were no structures immediately threatened by the blaze.
The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the fire.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Storytime Held Each Week At The Local Library
January 19, 2015
The West Florida Public Library offers Story Time for children five and younger each week.
Story Time is held:
- 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays at the Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
- 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays at the Molino Branch Library, 6450-A Highway 95A
- 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays at the Main Library: 239 North Spring Street
- 4 p.m. Thursdays at the Century Branch Library, 7991 North Century Boulevard
- 10:30 a.m. Thursdays at the Tryon Branch Library, 1200 Langley Avenue.
For more information call (850) 436-5060 or visit www.mywfpl.com. The events area always free of charge.
Panel Works To Expand Legal Help For Low, Moderate Income Residents
January 19, 2015
A commission established by Supreme Court Chief Justice Jorge Labarga began a year-long effort last week to make civil justice services more accessible to both low- and moderate-income Floridians.
The 27-member Florida’s Commission on Access to Civil Justice won’t create anything new but will build on what other states with limited resources like Florida’s are already doing to keep individuals from having to navigate the complex court system on their own, Labarga said.
“This issue is not just a legislative issue, not just an executive issue, it is a societal problem,” Labarga said at the commission’s first meeting in Tallahassee on Friday. “And it is something society in general needs to fix.”
People representing themselves in court are often confused by simple paperwork or stumble over writing a legal brief, county clerks told the panel.
The commission will also explore the possibility of establishing public-private partnerships with businesses to help offset the costs of legal services.
“Employers provide people with health insurance. Well let’s provide them with legal insurance,” Labarga said. “There is such a thing and it’s very inexpensive. Little things like that help take the stress off of what people are going through.”
An interim report is due in October and the final product will be released in 2016.
Making the courts more accessible to all Floridians is a goal that Labarga announced in June when sworn in as the state’s 56th chief justice.
One of the things the panel will have to figure out is how to provide additional funding for civil legal aid without simply asking for money from state legislators. Gov. Rick Scott has red-lined from the state budget such allocations each year since he assumed office in 2011.
Fleming Island Republican Sen. Rob Bradley, an attorney who is a member of the commission, said there remains a role for government funding, but “it needs to be part of a larger plan.”
Gregory Coleman, president of The Florida Bar and a member of the commission, estimated that about 60 percent of moderate-income families now struggle to pay for civil legal services.
“The folks that are making $40,000, $50,000 a year, supporting a family of four, if they have to get divorced, they can’t afford a lawyer at $50, an hour, $25 an hour,” Coleman said.
Legal-aid lawyers currently handle tens of thousands of cases a year, with many of the cases dealing with family issues, including divorce and child custody, or housing issues, such as foreclosures.
Scott’s veto of $2 million for legal services for the poor last year came as former Florida Supreme Court Justice Raoul Cantero and attorneys for the poor pushed an effort to increase Florida Bar dues by up to $100 to help fund legal-service groups across the state.
The state Supreme Court heard arguments Dec. 2 on raising a $265 cap on the Bar’s annual membership fees. The Florida Bar has come out strongly against the proposal, arguing that the legal system needs a longer-term solution to pay for services provided to the poor.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida