American Diabetes Month: Floridians Impacted In Large Numbers

November 11, 2014

November is American Diabetes Month. As the prevalence of the disease continues to rise across the state and nation, the number of Floridians with diabetes is expected to increase.

David Becker, a spokesman for the American Diabetes Association, says the latest numbers show 29 million Americans with diabetes, and the toll on health can be great, including kidney failure, blindness, amputations and more.

“There are a lot of co-morbid diseases as far as diabetes and cancer and heart disease,” he points out. “It all kind of is interrelating.”

Becker says about 95 percent of those people who have diabetes have Type 2, which healthier lifestyle choices with nutrition and physical activity can help prevent.

In Florida a little more than 1.7 million have diabetes, but that is expected to increase to nearly three million by 2030, according to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Becker notes that even some simple, small changes with healthy eating and regular exercise can yield big results. “If you lose just 7 percent of your body weight, you can decrease your chances of getting diabetes by 58 percent,” he stresses.

If the current trends don’t change, it’s estimated that by 2050, 30 percent of all Americans will have diabetes.

by The Florida News Connection

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News

Energy Workshop To Be Held For Small Busineses, Ag Producers

November 11, 2014

Escambia County Extension, Santa Rosa Extension and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Science (UF/IFAS) will host a energy workshop prestened by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development, Florida Department of Energy and Power South Energy Cooperative. The primary focus of this workshop is to notify local small businesses and agricultural producers of grant opportunities.

The workshop will be held at the Jay Community Center, 5259 Booker Lane, on Tuesday, November 18, from 12 to 3 p.m. Lunch will be provided. Registration will begin at 11:30 a.m. RSVP to Sabrina Owens at (800) 235-3848 ext: 7433 or sabrina@erec.com or Dewanna Smith at USDA Rural Development at (850) 526-2610 ext: 110 or dewanna.smith@fl.usda.gov.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Two Sentenced To Life For Christmas Eve Murder

November 10, 2014

Two Escambia County men have been convicted of a Christmas Eve 2012 murder.

According to State Attorney Bill Eddins, Deontrez Kitt and Anthony Wilson Jr. were each convicted after a five-day trial of first degree felony murder and armed burglary of a dwelling. Following the verdict, Circuit Judge Jan Shackelford sentenced both Kitt and Wilson to life in prison on both counts.

On Christmas Eve 2012, Deontrez Kitt, Anthony Wilson, Jr., Deavis Saulsberry, and Trevon Nelson kidnapped and killed Torrance Hackworth. All four defendants entered the home of Torrance Hackworth in the Morris Court apartment complex in a home invasion. When they were not satisfied with what they found in the home, they bound Hackworth, took him from the home, threw him in the trunk of a car, and drove off with him. Several blocks later, Hackworth was able to escape from the trunk. He was then chased down and shot to death. The stolen car used to transport Hackworth was then dumped in Pensacola Bay.

The four defendants were identified by eyewitnesses, DNA, and other forensic evidence. Saulsberry was convicted by a jury in July 2014 of the same charges and sentenced to life in prison. Nelson pled to second degree murder and armed burglary of a dwelling. Nelson testified against Kitt, Wilson and Saulsberry. Nelson will be sentenced November 18 where he faces up to a life sentence.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Man Found Shot To Death In Vehicle In Beulah, One In Custody

November 10, 2014

One person has been taken into custody after the body of a man was discovered shot to death in a vehicle early Monday morning in a quiet Beulah neighborhood.

Terrance Piece Soles, 26, has been charged with homicide for the death of 30-year old Skky Ralphel Shine after his body was found in the 6000 block of Patch Lane. Patch Lane near Castleberry Boulevard in the Blackberry Ridge neighborhood off Frank Reeder Road.

At about 1:40 a.m., Soles contacted the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and said that he had shot someone. When deputies arrived, Shine was located in a vehicle, deceased of an apparent gunshot wound. Soles was in the same vehicle and was taken into custody at the scene, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Further details have not yet been released by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office as their investigation continues.

Pictured top: The scene in the Blackberry Ridge neighborhood in Beulah Monday morning. Photo courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Drivers Escape Injury In Morning Cottage Hill Crash

November 10, 2014

There were no serious injuries reported in a two vehicle accident his morning near Highway 95A and McKenzie Road in Cottage Hill. The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Chip Truck Overturns In Cantonment

November 10, 2014

An 18-wheeler hauling wood chips overturned just before 5:00 on Tree Road at the International Paper in Cantonment Sunday.

The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, with the assistance of a passing ladder truck from Century, worked to contain a minor fuel spill. There were no injuries reported in the incident.

The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.

NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge..

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Photos: Blue Angels Come Home

November 10, 2014

Over 150,000 people attend the 2014 Blue Angels Homecoming Show aboard NAS Pensacola this weekend.

For a photo gallery, click here.

Pictured top: The Blue Angels Homecoming Show. Pictured inset: The No. 1 pilot, Capt. Tom Frosch, signs autographs. Pictured below (top to bottom): screaming for the skies, lining up, Fat Albert and plane versus jet truck. Photos by Ditto Gorme for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News

Local Events To Honor Veterans

November 10, 2014

Here are Tuesday events to honor veterans:

A free Atmore Veterans Day Breakfast is planned for 6-10 Tuesday at the Anchor Cafe, 211 North Trammel, sponsored by the Ladies Auxiliary to Atmore Memorial VFW Post 7016. All Veterans will eat free.

The 2014 Pensacola Veterans Day Parade and Observance will be held Tuesday. The parade beings at 9 a.m. downtown on Spring Street, and a ceremony will take place at 10:45 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Park on Bayfront Parkway at 11 a.m.

Admission to all National Parks, including the Gulf Islands National Seashore, and all state parks in Florida will be free on Veterans Day.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News