Century Approves Contractor To Repair Gas Leak Under Highway 29
April 22, 2014
Over three years since the problem was first publicly revealed as a potential “major public safety issue”, natural gas continues to leak under Highway 29 in Century.
Monday night, the Century Town Council voted to award a repair contract to R.A.W. Construction, LLC of Tallahassee for $393,500 to repair the problem.
About 6,515 feet of 4-inch steel natural gas line was buried beneath the southbound lanes of Highway 29 when the road was widened to four lanes. Now, over 45 years since the almost 1.25 mile long pipe was put into the ground, the town believes the steel is corroding and leaking somewhere between West Highway 4 and McCurdy Street.
The R.A.W. bid paperwork must now be approved by USDA Rural Development, a process that should take about two weeks. After approval, the contractor should begin work within about 60 days with 120 days to complete the project, according to Dale Long, the town’s engineer.
That repair portion of the project has been estimated to cost the town about $1 million.
In April 2012, Century signed off on a $1.4 million USDA Rural Development loan to cover the cost of replacing the pipe. But, according to town officials, the town received the wrong form from the USDA, and as a result advertised the meetings incorrectly.
That meant heading back to the drawing board and starting the loan process again.
A new 4-inch pipe will be placed on the west side of Highway 29, while a new 2-inch pipe will be installed on the east side of the highway, eliminating the need to install pipes under the road to service natural gas customers. The pipe will be installed where existing easements exist or can be obtained at no cost, otherwise, it will be installed under existing sidewalks.
Two other bids were received on the project — one for $795,700.75 from Utility Service Company and one for $897,000 from Roberson Excavation, Inc. of Milton.
Long said due to the significantly lower bid from R.A.W, he verified the company’s references and verified the bid was correct. He said the company was lower because they are primarily a gas contractor, while the other two companies are primarily water and sewer contractors.
Pictured above and below: Natural gas is leaking under Highway 29 in Century. Pictured inset: Century Mayor Freddie McCall signs documents in April 2012 for a $1.401 million USDA Rural Development loan to repair the leaky gas lines. The loan was later invalidated by the USDA due to an incorrect form. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Senior Wright Accepts Air Force Academy Appointment
April 22, 2014
Northview High School senior Victoria Anne Wright has accepted an appointment to The United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO.
The United States Air Force Academy offers a four-year program of instruction and experience designed to provide cadets the knowledge and character essential for leadership, and the motivation to serve as Air Force career officers. Each cadet graduates with a bachelor of science degree and a commission as a second lieutenant in the Air Force.
Pictured above are: Victoria Wright (center, seated), her parents Joseph and Tami Wright (seated): (back row, L-R) cousin Jessica McCullough, her grandparents John and Brenda Ekstrom and sister Elizabeth Wright. Pictured inset: Wright with her NJROTC instructors Charlie C. Code, Capt USN (ret), and Jeffrey D. Simpkins, CPO, USN (ret). Pictured below: Northview Principal Gayle Weaver and Assistant Principal Gerry Pippins presented Wright with a mountain bicycle to navigate between classes. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge. Pictured bottom: The Wrights with Lt. Col. David Landfair, USAFA’s admission liaison officer.
Escambia Man Sentenced To Life For 2012 Murder
April 22, 2014
An Escambia County man was sentenced to life in prison for an Escambia County murder.
Circuit Judge Terry Terrell sentenced 19-year old Bennie Louis Robbins III to life in state prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years.
Robbins was convicted of first degree felony murder, grand theft auto and possession of controlled substance by an Escambia County jury in January of this year.
On July 27, 2012, 19-year old Matthew Cox was shot and killed by Robbins in the Montclair community. Just prior to midnight, Robbins approached Cox outside of his home, displayed a firearm and demanded money. After Cox gave his money to Robbins, Cox fled. Robbins chased after Cox and fired the fatal shots.
DNA found at the scene identified Robbins as a suspect. Additionally, during a traffic stop three weeks later the murder weapon was found in the vehicle Robbins was driving.
Hunter Jumper Horse Show This Weekend At Equestrian Center
April 22, 2014
The James C. Robinson Escambia County Equestrian Center will host the Pensacola Hunter Jumper Association Horse Show this weekend, Saturday, April 26, and Sunday, April 27. Classes begin each day at 8:30 a.m. and run until everyone competes.
As Pensacola’s only Hunter Jumper club, 200 participants are expected to compete in the show and travel to Escambia County from surrounding states. This event is free to spectators and there is a full service concession stand on site.
The James C. Robinson Escambia County Equestrian Facility is a multi-use facility that hosts horse and dog shows, rodeos, concerts, festivals and more. The facility is located at 7750 Mobile Highway, Pensacola.
Scott Administration Wants More Restrictions On Marijuana Proposal
April 22, 2014
Gov. Rick Scott and his surgeon general are balking at a proposal headed to the House floor that would open the door for a strain of marijuana that doesn’t get users high but is believed to dramatically reduce seizures in children with a rare form of epilepsy.
Instead, Scott wants a more limited approach that would put children with “intractable” epilepsy, as well as children and adults with other diseases, into clinical trials for the drug. The trials would require cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or drug companies.
A plan approved by the House Judiciary Committee on Monday includes language proposed by Scott that would create an “Office of Compassionate Use” within the Department of Health that would “enhance access to investigational new drugs for Florida patients through approved clinical treatment plans or studies.”
“Investigational new drug” studies are the first step in laboratory testing of drugs not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Florida Surgeon General John Armstrong told the House committee Monday that he has concerns about other areas of the bill but that his approach is “patient-centered and provides access to medications of known content and dose” and could be operational within months.
But Armstrong raised questions about the measure’s “plant-focused system … without quality assurance for the precise chemical composition and protection from impurity.”
The strain of marijuana, which is high in cannabidiol (CBD) and low in euphoria-inducing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), would have “variable and unknown content,” Armstrong said.
“The safety is unknown and the time to establish such a (distribution system) structure is unknown, likely more than 18 months and subject to rule challenges,” he went on.”Your Department of Health is committed to helping children and their families managing refractory epilepsy safely. We support access to investigational new drugs with known composition and a regulated risk profile. We must be wary of unintended consequences and remember that first we must do no harm.”
Armstrong also pointed to a drug called Epidiolex, a synthetic form of marijuana high in CBD but with no THC. The University of California, San Francisco, started clinical trails on the drug, manufactured by GW Pharmaceuticals, earlier this year.
Under Scott’s plan, the “Office of Compassionate Use” could create a network of state universities and medical centers and apply to the FDA or a drug manufacturer for a study. The House measure also includes $1 million for the clinical studies.
“We have concerns with the bill as it is, but have proposed language to ensure safeguards that support the compassionate use through investigational treatments and ensures those suffering get access to treatments in the fastest possible way,” Scott spokeswoman Jackie Schutz said.
House sponsor Matt Gaetz said that the clinical trials preferred by Scott are a good addition to his bill but an inadequate substitute for allowing anyone whose physician deems they would benefit from the low-THC treatment to get it.
“The governor’s suggestions are good. We’ve taken those suggestions but we’re thinking a little bolder,” Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, said Monday evening. “I would like to do that and have little kids who can’t get into a clinical trial still have their lives saved.”
Apart from the language proposed by Scott, the House proposal (HB 843) adopted Monday edged closer to the Senate’s approach (SB 1030) to the issue. Parents of children with intractable epilepsy, which does not respond to other treatments, believe a strain of the marijuana produced in Colorado and known as “Charlotte’s Web” is their best hope of reducing the hundreds of seizures, some of them fatal, affected children can experience each day.
Like the Senate plan (SB 1070), the House proposal now on its way to the floor would create a “vertical” distribution system where the same company must grow, produce and dispense the product.
The House measure would allow for four distribution centers spread out across the state. The Senate proposal would allow from one to four distribution centers.
The House and Senate bills would create a statewide “compassionate use” registry for anyone who receives the drug, allow doctors to order the low-THC marijuana and require doctors to submit treatment plans for patients to the University of Florida College of Pharmacy quarterly. The Senate version would limit use of the drug to individuals with seizure disorders. The House measure would also require any doctor who orders the medical marijuana to undergo eight hours of training provided by the Florida Medical Association, which supports the bill.
Many of the elements of the House bill could be used as a blueprint for how the state would handle medical marijuana if voters approve a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would allow doctors to order the drug for their patients.
Although the low-THC proposal has the support of many GOP lawmakers, including Senate President Don Gaetz, some Republicans remain unconvinced.
House Judiciary Chairman Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, was one of three “no’s” in the 15-3 vote Monday, objecting that the issue was “a little too edgy” for his approval.
“This is the push-off point. Are we starting an avalanche?” Baxley said. “I just don’t feel that we’re safe there as a policy yet.”
by Dara Kim, The News Service of Florida
Ernest Ward Middle Names April Students Of The Month
April 22, 2014
Ernest Ward Middle School has named Students of the Month for April. They (L-R) Savannah Spence, 6th grade; Conner Riley, 8th grade; and Shelby Sloan, 7th grade. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Atmore Man Finishes 148th In Boston Marathon (With Other Local Results)
April 22, 2014
An Atmore man who has ran marathons for less than an year finished 148th of about 36,000 runners in Monday’s Boston Marathon.
Alan Ash, 22, finished the 26.2 mile course in just over two and a half hours — 2:33:54. The Escambia Academy graduate was the 127th overall fastest malee. During college, he ran cross country at Vanderbilt, and was the top local finisher at 17th overall in Mobile’s recent Azalea Trail Run.
Monday’s overall winner was Meb Keflezighi of the United States with a time of 2:08:37.
North Escambia area runners completing the Boston Marathon on Monday were:
- Alan Ash, 22, Atmore – 2:33:54, Overall: 148
- Eric J Kujawski, 39, Pensacola – 3:03:00, Overall: 2,856
- Paul Epstein, 48 Pensacola – 3:07:36, Overall: 3,669
- Timothy J. Moser, 42, Pensacola – 3:15:08, Overall: 5,313
- Heather M, Asmar, 42, Pensacola – 3:16:22, Overall: 5,560 (82nd in division)
- Cherie Epstein, 46, Pensacola – 3:37:27, Overall: 11,612
- Veronica Brown, 43, Pensacola – 3:48:47, Overall: 14,964
- Brian K. Spencer, 56, Pensacola – 3:59:31, Overall: 17,964
- Gail Fry, 46, Pensacola – 4:13:57, Overall: 20,780
- Mindi G. Straw, Pensacola -4:15:11, Overall: 21,007
- Perry A. Palmer, Pensacola – 4:27:44, Overall: 23,111
- Mark Rice, 53, Atmore – 5:16:36, Overall: 28,602
Fire Scorches Cable TV Van
April 22, 2014
Fire heavily damaged a Bright House Networks van Monday evening in Cantonment. The fire, in the company’s parking lot in the 200 block of south Highway 97, was reported about 6:40 p.m. There were no structures damaged and no reports of any injuries. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Lutz Hits For Cycle In Wahoos Historic 17-1 Win
April 22, 2014
Donald Lutz hit for the first cycle in Blue Wahoos franchise history on a night where the team set records for runs (17) and hits (21) in a 17-1 win over the Jacksonville Suns at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. The Blue Wahoos also snapped a five-game losing streak in the process.
The Wahoos jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back. Yorman Rodriguez launched the first of three Wahoos homers on the night, a two-run shot in the first inning. The game got carried away when Pensacola, already leading 6-1, plated five runs in the sixth inning to move in front 11-1. The Blue Wahoos went on to plate six more runs over the next two innings.
Besides Lutz, Wahoos starting pitcher Robert Stephenson (W, 2-1) also had a remarkable night with what he did on the mound and at the plate. Stephenson fanned seven while allowing just 1 R/ER over 5.0 innings, but he also went 2-for-4 at the plate with three RBI. He was one of three Wahoos to drive in three runs. The others were Rey Navarro (3-for-7, 2 R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI) and Juan Duran (2-for-5, 2B, R, 3 RBI). Everybody in the starting lineup collected at least one hit, and seven Wahoos starters had multi-hit games.
Lutz finished the game 5-for-6 with two doubles, two RBI, four runs scored, a triple and a mammoth solo home run in the cycle. He waited until his final at bat for the triple. With nobody out and a runner at first, he drove a ball off the wall in right-center field, and it caromed away from the Suns centerfield Isaac Galloway, allowing Lutz to coast into third for the third cycle of his career (other cycles: 7/21/11 w/Dayton, 7/10/09 w/ GCL Reds). He later scored to set the team record for runs in a game. The previous record was 16 scored on August 2, 2013 in Birmingham. That same game the Wahoos set the previous hit record with 17.
Stephenson ended up earning the win, his second, with Suns starter Angel Sanchez (L, 0-4) taking the loss. Sanchez was charged with 5R/4ER over 3.1 innings. He allowed seven hits, two walks with three strikeouts.
The Blue Wahoos look to stay hot and even the series on Tuesday against the Suns. Pensacola will send RHP Jon Moscot (0-1, 2.20) to the mound against Suns LHP Justin Nicolino (1-2, 3.38). First pitch from the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville is set for 6:05 p.m. CT.
by Tommy Thrall
Sunday Night Shooting Under Investigation; Friday Night Victim’s Name Released
April 21, 2014
Today, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a Sunday night shooting, just as they have released the name of a the victim in a Friday night incident.
At about 9:00 Sunday night, deputies responded to the 700 block of Smiley Avenue in reference to a shooting victim. The black male victim was found on a porch with apparent gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital. His name and condition have not been released.
About 10:30 Friday night, deputies responded to the area of Edgewater Drive and Chaseville Stree to assist Florida Highway Patrol after a vehicle crashed into a wooden fence and a male driver, 27 year old Daishawn Willis, was found in the driver’s seat bleeding from the head. He was transported to a local hospital where he later passed away. Further details were not released.
Anyone with information on either incident should contact Crime Stoppers at (850) 436-STOP.