Local Forest Service Firefighters Deployed To Fight Western US Fires
July 29, 2014
Local area firefighters are among dozens being sent from the Florida Forest Service to help battle blazes in the western United States.
There are six Florida Forest Service firefighters from the Blackwater District — which includes Escambia and Santa Rosa counties — that have been been deployed so far to various western states, according to Joe Zwierzchowski, spokesman.
So far this season, the Florida Forest Service has deployed 52 wildland firefighters to western wildfires, including Oregon’s 396,000-acre Pine Creek wildfire and Washington’s 250,000-acre Carlton Complex of wildfires.
“The Florida Forest Service will continue to fill requests for help as we receive them,” said Jim Karels, State Forester. “The experiences that our firefighters gain out West will build upon their first-class training and experience fighting wildfires here in Florida.”
Deployed wildland firefighters will fill a variety of roles, including front-line firefighting, aviation, safety regulation, logging, heavy equipment management and more.
“The Florida Forest Service is a talented group of some of the most skilled firefighters in the country,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “Thanks to current low wildfire danger levels in Florida, we are able to lend support to other states for the protection of people, structures and natural resources.”
12 Elementary Schools To Add Extra Hour Due To Low Reading Scores
July 29, 2014
Due to low reading scores, a dozen Escambia County elementary schools will have an extended school day when classes begin next month.
The extra hour per day was mandated by the State of Florida for the 300 lowest scoring elementary schools. Students will spend the extra time each day working on reading and comprehension skills.
The extra hour was mandated for Ensley Elementary, Holm Elementary, Montclair Elementary, Myrtle Grove Elementary, Navy Point Elementary, Oakcrest Elementary, O.J. Semmes Elementary, Sherwood Elementary, Warrington Elementary, West Pensacola Elementary, C. A. Weis Elementary and the Global Learning Academy.
None of the elementary schools in North Escambia or District 5 will be required to have the extra hour, and for those schools it will be the normal school day when classes begin August 18.
Photos: Storm Clouds Roll
July 29, 2014
Afternoons storms rolled across the North Escambia area Monday afternoon. Pictured top: Storm clouds move across Highway 97A in Walnut Hill. Pictured: The storm as seen from nearby Corley Road. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Doctors Will Appeal ‘Docs Vs. Glocks’ Ruling
July 29, 2014
Doctors and gun-control advocates said Monday they will appeal to the full 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals a ruling that upheld Florida’s controversial “docs vs. glocks” law.
A three-judge panel, in a 2-1 ruling last week, said the state Legislature had the right to pass the law, which includes provisions restricting doctors and other medical providers from asking questions about gun ownership during medical visits.
The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, which is helping represent Florida doctors fighting the law, announced the appeal Monday.
“If the appellate court’s decision is allowed to stand, the corporate gun lobby and its political cronies will be given license to silence the medical community from speaking the truth to patients about the real risks of guns in the home, and any powerful industry will be able to dictate whether families get complete, honest information about the dangers posed by its products,” said Jonathan Lowy, director of the center’s Legal Action Project.
Supporters of the 2011 law, which was backed by the National Rifle Association, say doctors might turn away patients who own guns or who don’t answer questions about gun ownership. Critics argue that doctors need to know what’s in a patient’s home so they can offer safety advice.
by The News Service of Florida
Manna Food Pantries Offering Limited Service Once Again
July 29, 2014
Manna Food Pantries’ main facility is partially restocked and the grassroots organization is once again providing emergency food on a limited basis. The food pantry had lost all of its food back in the recent flooding.
Manna staff will be helping people with appointments in temporary trailers set up in Manna’s parking lot. However, the staff and board of directors are actively looking for a new permanent home away from the flood-prone area.
- The Main Pantry re-opened Monday. Because of Manna’s limited capacity to store good, distribute food and see clients, the organization is now scheduling appointments. To schedule an appointment, call (8500 432-2053 Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- The Cantonment, Milton and Jay pantries have resumed limited service on a first come, first serve basis. Appointment not necessary.
- All clients must present a picture I.D. and social security card for adults in the family, and social security card, birth certificates or shot records for children under 18.
- Manna is no longer providing USDA food, which is what the organization distributed if people did not have a picture I.D. and Social Security card.
Last year, Manna Food Pantries distributed 800,000 pounds of food to the hungry, serving more than 42,000 people. The non-profit has been serving the community since 1983.
Go to mannafoodpantries.org to find out how you can make a donation or volunteer to help.
Four Busted For Commerical Burglaries
July 29, 2014
Four people have been arrested in connection with a series of commercial burglaries in Escambia County.
Last Friday morning, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to multiple burglaries and attempted burglaries at local businesses. They first found a large commercial moving truck had been stolen from the Ellyson Field Industrial Park. According to the truck’s GPS data, the vehicle was driven to other nearby businesses where deputies found that two other burglaries had occurred.
A business in the 8000 block of Grow Road was burglarized with copper stolen, while a building in the 3000 block of a Bill Metzmer Lane was also burglarized.
The vehicle was then driven to the area of Palafox Street and Brent Lane where deputies located another burglary and attempted burglary.
GPS data showed the vehicle was driven to Attapulgus, GA, where it stopped for a period of time before traveling back to Quincy, FL
Deputies in Quincy were notified, and they located the truck abandoned on the side of the road.
Deputies in Decatur, GA, approached a house where the truck had stopped. They observed four males in a vehicle in the front yard.
ECSO Investigators traveled to Georgia. Based upon interviews, forensic evidence and the recovery of stolen items, four arrests were made: Damarkus Larrell Mathis, 26, Bainbridge GA; Victor Lamar Bodison, 36, Bainbridge, GA; Derrick Wilson Hill, 36, Orlando; amd Derrick Joseph Reaves, 24, Orlando. Investigators believe these suspects are responsible for additional burglaries across the Southeast, and the investigation is ongoing.
Braves Claim Third Straight Win Over Wahoos
July 29, 2014
Make it three nights in a row that the Braves have claimed a 6-2 win over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos at Trustmark Park. The Braves used a five-run first inning on Monday night to put the Blue Wahoos away in the middle game of the five-game set.
Jon Moscot (L, 5-10) was met with early adversity when he surrendered a three-run home run to Kyle Kubitza after starting the game with back to back walks. The Braves mounted a second rally in the first inning after two were out. Mississippi strung together four straight two-out hits to go up 5-0 before the first-inning ambush came to an end. Moscot settled down and retired the next seven batters he faced, and 10 of the next 12.
The Blue Wahoos got on the board with a pair of runs in the fifth. Juan Duran’s triple started the threat against M-Braves starter Williams Perez (W, 4-6). Brodie Greene knocked him in with his second single of the game, and Greene came home on a base hit from Yorman Rodriguez. Those were the only runs the Wahoos could put on the board against Braves pitching.
Greene was one of three Wahoos with a multi-hit contest. Duran and Travis Mattair had the other, and both finished 2-for-4.
Moscot was saddled with the loss after going 6.0 innings. He gave up the 5 R/ER on eight hits with two walks and four strikeouts. Perez picked up the win for the Braves after allowing 2 R/ER on seven hits over 6.0 innings.
Pensacola will try to snap their skid with RHP Robert Stephenson (5-6, 4.12) on the mound Tuesday night against RHP Ryan Weber (3-4, 4.54). First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m. from Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss.
by Tommy Thrall
Fire Heavily Damages Nokomis Road Home
July 28, 2014
Lightning may have been responsible for a fire that heavily damaged a home near Davisville Monday afternoon.
Heavy smoke was visible from around the roof of the single story brick home on the corner of Nokomis Road and Rockaway Creek Road when the first firefighters arrived on scene. The fire was spotted and reported by passers-by who rescued the family dogs. There was no one at home at the time of the blaze and no injuries reported.
A thunderstorm with frequent lightning was moving through the area at the time of the fire. The exact cause of the blaze is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The Walnut Hill, McDavid and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Atmore Fire Department and Atmore Ambulance responded to the fire.
Pictured top and inset: Firefighters make entry into a burning home near Davisville Monday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Parents Charged With Toddler’s Death
July 28, 2014
Two Escambia County parents have been charged with homicide – negligent manslaughter in the death of their son, who went untreated for burns for about two weeks.
Pensacola Police said Christopher Redd and Jennifer Perry failed to seek medical treatment for their two-year old son after he was severely burned by boiling water. He suffered second and third degree burns over more than 40 percent of his body.
The parents told police that the child, Bryson, managed to spill boiling water that was on the stove about two weeks ago. They said Bryson acted like a typical two-year old and they did not seek medical treatment until until Sunday. In the meantime, they had searched burn treatments on the internet and had applied products purchased at local retailers, according to an arrest report. Additional, Perry had received prescription medication for a burn she suffered on her finger, and she said she applied the leftovers to the child.
He died Sunday after being taken to Baptist Hospital.
Both told police they delayed medical treatment because they would not know what story to tell the hospital about the burns, and they were concerned Bryson and their two other children would be removed from the home by the Department of Children and Families.
Frontier Communications Internet Outage Repaired
July 28, 2014
Technicians from Frontier Communications have repaired a high speed internet outage.
Frontier customers in the Walnut Hill, Bratt, Molino and Atmore areas lost their internet service from the company late Sunday afternoon. Some customers reported losing service as early as Saturday.
By late Monday morning, technicians had repaired a splice in a fiber optic cable to restore service to most customers.