Another Area West Nile Case Reported
August 19, 2014
Another human case of the West Nile Virus has been reported — this time in Santa Rosa County.
The Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County issued a mosquito-borne illness advisory Monday after receiving a report of a case of West Nile Virus in a Santa Rosa County resident. It is believed the virus was acquired locally, since the individual had not traveled out of the county recently. Officials said there are no other known cases of West Nile Virus in Santa Rosa County.
Last Friday, the Florida Department of Health issued a mosquito-borne illness advisory for Escambia County after receiving notification of a probably case of West Nile Virus in a local resident.
“There is a heightened concern that other Escambia County, Florida, residents and visitors may become ill from being bitten by an infected mosquito,” the department said in a news release.
The health department is reminding residents and visitors to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to take basic precautions to help limit exposure to mosquito-borne illnesses
Wahoos Squander Lead Late, Fall 6-5 To Jacksonville
August 19, 2014
The Wahoos took a 5-2 lead into the eighth inning, but Jacksonville scored four times against Blue Wahoos reliever Ben Klimesh (L, 1-1) on their way to a 6-5 win Monday night at the Baseball Ground of Jacksonville.
Pensacola was helped by a 4-for-5 night from Yorman Rodriguez at the plate to take a 5-1 lead into the bottom of the seventh, but the resilient Suns, battling for the top spot of the Southern League South, rallied for a run in the seventh and four in the eighth. Rodriguez hit a mammoth two-run home run in the seventh to cap the Wahoos scoring before Jacksonville rallied.
The comeback spoiled a great spot start from Wahoos right-hander Tim Adleman. After pitching two innings on Saturday, Adleman worked 5.0 shutout innings against the Suns allowing just four hits and adding three strikeouts. He ended up with a no-decision. Klimesh suffered his first loss for the Wahoos allowing the four go-ahead runs in his only inning of work. He walked two and allowed four hits in the eighth.
The Suns got two solid innings in relief from Collin Cargil (W, 4-1). He struck out two and didn’t allow any walks, hits or runs on his way to the win. Nick Wittgren (S, 18) shut the door on Pensacola with a 1-2-3 ninth inning for the save.
The Blue Wahoos have dropped three straight, but continue to try to spoil the Suns postseason hopes on Tuesday night. Gulf Breeze native RHP Ben Lively (1-6, 3.54) will start for Pensacola against Suns LHP Chipper Smith (3-3, 4.02). First pitch is schedule for 5:05 p.m. CT.
Operation Summer Heat: 69 Arrested On Outstanding Warrants
August 18, 2014
Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan announced Monday afternoon that 69 people were arrested during “Operation Summer Heat”.
The operation included a warrant sweep that concluded Friday, August 8. The sweep was conducted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshal’s Task Force, which includes deputies from Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.
A total of 95 mostly felony warrants were served on the 69 individuals during the week-long sweep, according ot Morgan.
Pictured top: Sheriff David Morgan announces the results of “Operation Summer Heat” during a press conference Monday afternoon at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Thomas: It’s Going To Be A Great School Year
August 18, 2014
As about 40,000 students head back to school today in Escambia County, Superintendent Malcolm Thomas says the district is ready for a successful school year.
“I think we are going to have a good year,” Thomas said. “We ended strong last year, and we are going to build strong on those successes.”
In the North Escambia area, students are anticipating the completion of a new school at Ernest Ward Middle. School officials are hopeful that Ernest Ward students can be transitioned into the new building over this year’s Christmas break.
“We may be a just little off from Christmas, but we have a new facility coming this year for those students,” the superintendent said.
Three North Escambia schools were rated as “A” schools by the Florida Department of Education — Byrneville Elementary, Ernest Ward Middle, and Molino Park Elementary — while other schools record grade level increases. And Molino Park Principal Alice Woodward was recently named the county’s principal of the year.
“Student performance has been great,” Thomas said of the North Escambia area. “And student performance will continue to increase. It’s going to be a great year.”
Need To Apply For Free Or Reduced Lunches?
August 18, 2014
Parents can expedite the processing of free or reduced lunch applications in Escambia County by submitted the form online.
For the 2014 – 2015 online free and reduced meal application, click here for a secure form.
The National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs as administered by Escambia County School District provides free and reduced priced meals for children unable to pay the full price.
Students from households who receive food stamps and/or Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) and who have a social security number on file at the school may be eligible for direct certification. Students approved by direct certification are not required to have an application on file.
Application forms are sent to all homes with a letter to parents or guardians. To apply for free or reduced priced meals, parents of students not approved by direct certification must fill out the application and return it to the school. Additional copies are available in the front office.
Children from households with incomes of less than or equal to the income criteria may be eligible for either free or reduced priced meals.
Each school and the school system’s Food Services office have copies which are available to the public.
Meal prices are as follows:
Elementary
- Full price breakfast – $1.00
- Reduced price breakfast – 30¢
- Full price lunch – $2.00
- Reduced price lunch – 40¢
Secondary
- Full price breakfast- $1.50
- Reduce price breakfast – 30¢
- Full price lunch – $2.50
- Reduced price lunch – 40¢
Teen Killed In Highway 4 Crash East Of Jay (Updated With Names)
August 18, 2014
UPDATE — A teenager was killed and five people were injured in two-vehicle crash about eight miles east of Jay Sunday night.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 1998 Nissan Frontier pickup struck the rear of a 2002 Dodge Neon drive by 40-year old Renee Russell of Baker on Highway 4 about 320 feet east of Cornelia Lane. A passenger in the Neon, 13-year old Shawn McLaughlin of Baker, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Other passengers in the Dodge Neon, Shannon McLaughlin, age 14 of Flomaton, and Raistlin Bunch, age 14 of Baker, were seriously injured and airlifted to area hospitals; and Kevin McLaughlin, 37 of White, GA, received minor injuries. The driver, Russell, received minor injuries. All occupants were wearing their seat belts.
According to the FHP, Melvin D. Hawthorne of Jay “was an occupant of (the Nissan pickup) at the time of the crash. It is undetermined if he was the driver of (the pickup). Driver information of (the Nissan pickup) is pending further investigation at this time.”
Any charges in the crash are pending the outcome of a traffic homicide investigation, according to FHP.
Three Years: Remembering LCpl Travis Nelson
August 18, 2014
Today marks the three year anniversary of the death of local Cpl. Travis M. Nelson. LCpl. Nelson gave all on the battlefields of Afghanistan on August 18, 2011.
A world was shattered at the Nelson home in Bratt as three men in military uniforms stood at the door. “I just screamed and said no,” Beckie Nelson of Bratt said shortly after she learned that her son, LCpl Travis Nelson, was shot and killed while conducting combat operations in in Helmand province, Afghanistan. “I just went to my knees and said don’t let them come in. I knew right away that he was gone.”
It was a tragedy that began a wave an emotions and events that touched the entire North Escambia area and a nation. The community grieved as hundreds if not thousands changed their Facebook profile pictures to a single image in honor of Nelson. Tears flowed as powerful photos were published that showed an honor guard removing Nelson’s flag-draped coffin from a plane at Dover AFB in Delaware.
The rain poured down at Pensacola Naval Air Station a few days later as the final leg of Nelson’s journey home began. The rain did not send them running; they stood silently — many holding American flags — as the hearse carrying an American hero departed on a 55-mile journey to Atmore. Along the way, some of Pensacola’s busiest roadways came to a complete standstill as the motorcade passed. Many motorists stood outside their vehicles and paid their respects. In Walnut Hill, just a few miles from Nelson’s boyhood home in Bratt, the motorcade slowed as it approached Ernest Ward Middle School. Nelson was Golden Eagle, attending Ernest Ward in the sixth and seventh grades.
Hundreds of Ernest Ward Middle School students and teachers dressed in red, white and blue lined Highway 97, American flags in hand, waiting for the arrival of the motorcade.
As the procession passed, the students stood with their hands over their hearts, waving Old Glory. The thunder of 127 Patriot Guard motorcycle riders vibrated the ground and echoed across the country fields near the school.
Six Florida Highway Patrol trooper vehicles led the hearse past the school. Many students broke down in tears at the sight of a flag draped coffin. Others cried as they made eye contact with Nelson’s parents and their daughter — a sixth grader at Ernest Ward.
The motorcade continued into Atmore, where crowds stood along the route, waving Old Glory. At a local bank on Highway 31, people stood with large flags as the Northview High School NJTROC stood steadfast at attention. Across the way at the iconic Atmore train station, a group of local veterans stood proudly and saluted as Nelson’s remains passed.
Nelson’s funeral was held in Atmore where, again, hundreds paid their final respects.
Nelson was not forgotten. His name was added to the Walnut Hill Veterans Wall of Honor and other area memorials. A scholarship was announced. The Bratt Community Park was renamed the LCpl. Travis M. Nelson Park. Nelson’s family was honored at the annual Veterans Day program at Ernest Ward Middle School.
LCpl Travis Nelson left behind a short, simple note just in case he did return from the battlefield in Afghanistan.
“Dear friends and family, if you are reading this, I didn’t get to come home. I love each and every one of you. I have no regrets, I died for a meaningful cause.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Back To School Forecast: Chance Of Rain
August 18, 2014
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Monday Night A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Tuesday Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Wednesday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning.
- Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Thursday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Friday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95.
- Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
- Saturday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.
- Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
- Sunday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95.
Escambia Sheriff’s Office: Top Five Back To School Safety Tips
August 18, 2014
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is offered the follow five back to school safety tips:
- More cars will be on the road – leave the house earlier than normal to give yourself extra time, and be a patient driver!
- Watch for children walking to and from school – be extra cautious as you approach, sometimes kids get distracted, or while playing with friends may veer onto the roadways.
- School crossing guards will be out in force – please pay attention to them!
- School buses have precious cargo on board – obey the school bus right-of-way laws!
- Obey school zone speed limits – law enforcement will be patrolling these areas!
Wahoos Shut Out 4-0 In Series Opener
August 18, 2014
Despite a strong start from Daniel Corcino, the Wahoos were shut out by Jose Urena and the Jacksonville Suns 4-0 on Sunday night at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
The Suns took the lead in the third when Austin Barnes doubled home Austin Nola from first base with one out. They cruised from then on adding an insurance run against Corcino in the seventh and scoring two more in the eighth to put the game away.
The Wahoos biggest threat came in sixth. Pensacola put runners at second and third with only one, out but couldn’t score.
Corcino kept the Wahoos in the game over his seven strong innings on the mound. He allowed just three hits with two walks and seven strikeouts. The right-hander retired the Suns in order three times but Pensacola couldn’t provide him any offensive support.
Urena was outstanding on the mound for the Suns. He held the Blue Wahoos to just one hit over his first five innings. Yorman Rodriguez led the game off with a single for Pensacola, and the Wahoos didn’t get another hit until Brodie Greene’s double with one out in the sixth inning. Urena earned the win after working 7.0 shutout innings. He allowed just three hits and two walks with five strikeouts.
Pensacola will try to even the series on Monday night in Jacksonville. RHP Tim Adleman (3-6, 3.10) is expected to start for Pensacola against Suns starter RHP Jay Rogers (6-5, 4.06). First pitch is set for 5:05 p.m.
by Tommy Thrall