Dr. Larry Walker: ECUA Employees Caught Lending A Helping Hand
June 18, 2014
Submitted by Dr. Larry Walker, ECUA Board Chairman Larry Walker
On Tuesday, I was driving on Lambert Bridge Road when I cam upon this scene — an ECUA sanitation truck stopped because an oncoming driver had slid his truck and trailer off the soft shoulder and into the ditch of the dirt road. ECUA employees Jamore Simmons and Reginald Evans attached a tow line and quickly had Mr. Edward Egerton of Oak Grove back in the road and on his way.
Man Sentenced On 43 Child Porn Charges
June 18, 2014
An Escambia County man was sentenced Tuesday to state prison on 43 child pornography counts.
Jairo Scott Domanski, 31, was charged after a search warrant was served in June 2013 and several electronic items were seized and later determined to contain videos and images of children involved in sexual activity. He was convicted by an Escambia County Jury and sentenced by Circuit Judge Michael Jones to 34 years state prison.
Woman Killed In House Fire
June 17, 2014
An Escambia County woman was killed in a house fire Tuesday afternoon.
The fire in the 700 block of Blue Springs Avenue, north of Michigan Avenue, was discovered by a passerby about 2:30 p.m. When the first fire crews arrived on scene, the house was involved in flames.
A female victim about 6o-years old was found inside the house. Authorities said there were no working smoke detectors in the home.
Further details, including the woman’ name have not been released. The fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Bridge Repairs, Driving Delays On Molino Road
June 17, 2014
Drivers on the west end of Molino Road can expect delays for bridge work.
Crews from Gulf Marine Construction will make repairs daily from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily beginning Tuesday on the Alligator Creek Bridge. Repairs are slated to be complete in one week. The repairs will require temporary single lane closures and motorists are advised to seek alternate routes and expect minor delays.
The Alligator Creek Bridge is located on Molino Road between South Highway 99 and Barrineau Lane.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
CrossFaith Church Ride Benefits Alzheimer’s Services
June 17, 2014
CrossFaith Church in Molino held a motorcycle ride last weekend to benefit local Alzheimer’s victims and their families. The ride began at Eagle’s Talon on Copter Road and ended at the Council on Aging of West Florida on Royce Street with a cookout, biker games and door prizes. Proceeds benefit Alzheimer’s Services. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century, Pensacola Begin Gas Franchise Talks
June 17, 2014
After months of silence, Century and Pensacola are now talking in their North Escambia natural gas dispute.
“We are in negotiations with their people, but we are not getting anywhere at this point,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall said Monday night. “We are working at it…I’m not giving up.”
Pensacola Energy currently provides natural gas service to three schools and one commercial customer in Bratt and Walnut Hill, plus a few dozen residential customers — all within the Town of Century’s gas franchise area. Pensacola and Century are disputing Pensacola Energy’s continued right to serve those customers, as Century seeks a franchise extension from the Escambia County Commission for a geographic area that spans from the Escambia River westward to almost the Perdido River and from the Alabama state line southward to near Bogia.
About two weeks ago, Pensacola Energy customers in Walnut Hill and Bratt were invited to join the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club for a BBQ thrown by the town and its gas department. During the event, Century Mayor Freddie McCall explained the town’s current dispute with Pensacola over a gas franchise, and he presented several reasons why Century’s gas service would be superior. The ultimate goal was to drum up support among Walnut Hill and Bratt residents with the hopes that they will lobby Escambia County commissioners to pass a new Century gas franchise agreement.
McCall said Monday night there were no real results so far from the BBQ event, but it was a good event for “setting the stage” to let the residents knows the Town of Century Gas Department is serious about their franchise and potential customers.
“We want to serve them. We can sell them cheaper, and we need their help,” McCall said.
In April, the Escambia County Commission delayed action on the franchise agreement for Pensacola and Century to come to terms. So far, McCall said, that has not happened and Century is not yet ready to go back to the commission.
Escambia Students Score Above State Averages On EOC Exams
June 17, 2014
End of Course (EOC) test results were released Monday by the Florida Department of Education and, across the board, Escambia County students performed at or just above the state averages.
In Escambia County with 66 percent of students taking the Algebra EOC passed, which was also the state average.
In Geometry, 74 percent of Escambia County students taking the test were at grade level 3 or above. The state average passing was 64 percent.
In Biology, 71 percent of Escambia students earned a passing grade; the state average was 68 percent.
In U.S. History, 67 percent of Escambia students earned a passing grade, better than the state average of 65 percent.
Scott Signs Bill Targeting Synthetic Drugs
June 17, 2014
Gov. Rick Scott on Monday signed a bill that is the latest chapter in the state’s effort to curb the sale and use of synthetic drugs.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Clay Ingram, adds six new synthetic drugs to criminal drug laws.
With Attorney General Pam Bondi taking a lead role, Florida has made repeated attempts during the past few years to crackdown on synthetic drugs, which involve mixes of chemicals that produce highs similar to drugs such as marijuana and cocaine. The new law also adds three toxic compounds – commonly found in the street drug “molly” – to the trafficking statute. The bill passed the House and Senate overwhelmingly during the spring legislative session.
“Thanks to the hard work of our superior law enforcement officers and prosecutors, Florida is at a 43 year crime low, but we must keep working to ensure our children are protected from these dangerous substances. By signing this bill into law, we are giving the brave men and women who serve in our communities each day the authority needed to keep Florida families and visitors safe,” Scott said.
“We must protect our youth from dangerous synthetic drugs, and this key public safety legislation will advance our efforts to keep these drugs out of the hands of Floridians. We are committed to doing everything in our power to continue to outlaw emergent forms of these deadly drugs,” Ingram said.
Century Mayor Freddie McCall took time during Monday night’s Century town council meeting to praise Ingram and the new law.
“Sometime drugs overflow in our town,” McCall said. “It (the new law) is going to make it harder on those selling drugs in our town.”
Escambia County Mosquito Control Urges Horse Vaccinations Against Eastern Equine Encephalitis
June 17, 2014
Escambia County’s Mosquito Control Division encourages horse owners to take preventative actions by vaccinating their horses for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in the light of increased production of mosquito species that may carry and transmit this widespread disease.
Recent local weather events have contributed to the emergence of both the primary and secondary vectors of EEE, a severe to fatal disease transmitted to horses by several distinctive mosquito species. Horses are “accidental hosts” of this disease, with a natural cycle that typically involves birds and the primary vector, Culiseta melanura, inhabiting cypress hammocks and other freshwater swampy areas.
To protect horses from the effects of this disease, vaccinations should be current and delivered on a frequency of two times each year, every six months in consultation with a local veterinary professional. In horses, the clinical presentation of EEE includes the following: apprehension, depression, elevated temperature, head shaking, muscle twitching, incoordination, weakness of hind limbs, inability to stand, aimless wandering, head pressing and listlessness. If you have questions or concerns, please consult your veterinarian for further information. Horses depend on their owners to prevent their exposure and avoid becoming victims of mosquito-borne disease.
Humans can take actions on their own to prevent their exposure to mosquitoes by avoiding activity at the times of dawn and at dusk when mosquitoes are active, dressing to cover exposed skin, using a mosquito repellent that contains DEET and by draining large and small water-filled containers, as may breed nuisance pests.
If you are experiencing mosquito problems, please contact the Mosquito Control Division. Inspection by a licensed applicator is required under state regulations and rule prior to any applications of pesticides. Call (850) 937-2188 and provide your name, address and contact number to initiate a response by Escambia County Mosquito Control.
Crime Stoppers: Do You Know This Man?
June 17, 2014
Do you know this man? He is suspected of stealing a silver Genesis bicycle from outside Walmart on Pensacola Boulevard in Ensley on June 2, according to Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers.
Anyone with information on this man is asked to call Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP. Callers may remain anonymous and may be be eligible for a cash reward.