Identity Released Of Bicyclist Struck And Killed On Highway 29
April 6, 2013
A bicyclist was struck by a vehicle and killed this afternoon on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
The accident happened about 3:50 p.m. in the northbound lanes of Highway 29 just south of Archer Road, near Johnson’s Septic Tank. The Florida Highway Patrol said 51-year old Leila K. Pouncey of Pensacola was northbound in a 2012 Ford F150. Robert G. Hemme, age 51 of Pensacola was also northbound on Highway 29 on the paved shoulder on his bicycle when he was struck by Pouncey’s pickup.
Hemme was ejected from his Schwinn bicycle; he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Charges are pending further investigation, according to theFHP.
Pictured: A bicyclist was struck and killed on Highway 29 in Cantonment Friday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Escambia Health Department: 14 Gastrointestinal Infection Outbreaks
April 6, 2013
Once again, the Escambia County Health Department is reporting an increased number of gastrointestinal (GI) infections. Since early March 2013, the health department has investigated (14) GI outbreaks in the community. These outbreaks have been identified in various settings including one neighborhood and its affiliated elementary school, seven other elementary schools, two childcare centers, and four assisted living/long term care/skilled nursing facilities.
For each setting, specific guidance and education, as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) control measures, were implemented. These measures included:
- Keeping or sending students/staff showing symptoms of GI illness home from school or child care centers. Urging all ill persons to stay home until 48 hours after symptoms have resolved.
- Avoiding direct contact with infected persons and discarding or isolating food and personal items that have been contacted by infected persons.
- Reinforcing hygiene and environmental cleaning practices in the settings investigated.
- Monitoring the development of symptoms in teachers, classmates, and residential contacts of infected persons, as appropriate.
- Offering lab sampling of specimens collected from persons showing symptoms of GI illness.
The state lab has confirmed the presence of Norovirus in specimens from three discreet investigation settings. Additional specimens are currently pending at the state lab. The health department remains on alert for GI-related outbreaks, and follow-up with implicated facilities is ongoing at this time.
Norovirus and other GI infections can be highly contagious. They are usually spread through, person-to-person contact with an infected person, contact with contaminated surfaces, or contaminated food or drinking water. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, low to high grade fever, and headache.
“Norovirus is the most common cause of GI illness in the U.S., accounting for over 20 million cases annually. Good hygiene practices and staying home when ill play an important role in preventing the spread of Norovirus and other infectious agents that can cause gastrointestinal illnesses,” said Dr. John Lanza. Escambia Health Department director.
Most gastrointestinal infections can be prevented with proper hygiene practices, staying home when ill, the use of clean drinking water, and safe food preparation. The best way to avoid contracting or spreading these infections is to take the following precautions:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom, handling diapers, and before preparing or eating food.
- Use proper hand washing practices by rubbing soapy water on hands and under fingernails for 15-20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer.
- If you become ill, stay home. If your child becomes ill, keep him/her out of school or childcare until free from symptoms for 48 hours.
- If you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, do not prepare food for other people.
- Thoroughly disinfect contaminated surfaces by using a bleach-based household cleaner.
- Immediately remove and wash clothing or linens that may be contaminated with a virus after an episode of diarrhea or vomiting.
- Cook foods properly and wash fruits and vegetables before serving. Use separate cutting boards and utensils for preparing meats, fish, vegetables, or fruits.
Treatment for gastrointestinal illness includes drinking plenty of fluids and adequate rest. Dehydration may be a concern, especially among elderly adults and young children, so it is important to maintain proper fluid replacement. Persons showing severe symptoms, including bloody stool, vomiting that does not resolve, high fever, or signs of dehydration such as reduced urination, should contact their doctor.
Photos: Northview Spring Concert
April 6, 2013
From Johnny Cash to Disney to Katy Perry, the Northview Music Department Spring Concert featured a variety of music Friday night at the school. Performances included members of the Concert Band, Guitar Ensemble and Glee from Northview.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured above and below: The Northview High School Music Department Spring Concert Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Investigators Seek Man In Connection With Brent Shooting
April 6, 2013
Escambia Sheriff’s investigators are seeking any information leading to the whereabouts of 29-year old Chandler Bass. He is wanted on outstanding warrants and in connection with a Thursday shooting in Brent.
Bass is a black male, approximately 5-foot 3-inches and 175 pounds. He currently has outstanding warrants for failure to appear, violation of probation for resisting an officer without violence, and violation of probation for possession of cocaine.
The Sheriff’s Office said charges are forthcoming against Bass in connection with the shooting which occurred on Thursday near the area of Cary Memorial Drive and Lenox Parkway in Brent. The victim, 23-year old Steve Luron Benjamin, Jr., was shot multiple times and is expected to recover. Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from drug related activity.
Bass is known to frequent the Montclair area and should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information on his whereabouts should contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-7867.
Power Line Falls, Sparks Fire At Flomaton High
April 6, 2013
A downed power line energized a covered aluminum walkway Friday afternoon at Flomaton High School, sparking a small fire.
The 7,200 volt power line broke and dropped onto the walkway that leads to three buildings on the west side of the campus. The fire was started at the 
point the walkway connects to the high school building, starting a fire along the exterior of the building. The fire caused just minor damage and was quickly extinguished.
Firefighters from multiple Alabama and Florida departments spent the next hour carefully searching the buildings. They were looking first and foremost for any victims, amid fears that someone might have been in one of the buildings and had been shocked. The also carefully searched each building for any signs of fire, using thermal imaging cameras to search for any sign of heat from a smoldering fire.
“I don’t want to leave here and have a fire smoldering in that insulation,” Flomaton Fire Chief Steve Stanton said as he directed firefighters to check the high school building ceilings for signs of heat.
For a photo gallery from the scene, click here.
Stanton also acknowledged that the situation would have been much worse during school hours.
“If that power line had energized the awning with kids under it,” he said,”we could have had a major problem. It could have hurt or killed a lot of kids.”
The Flomaton, Friendship, Lambeth and Pineview volunteer fire departments from Alabama; and the Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue from Florida responded to Friday afternoon’s fire.
Escambia County (FL) EMS and the Flomaton Police Department also responded.
Pictured top: Firefighters check the damage inside a building at Flomaton High School Thursday afternoon. Pictured top inset: Burn marks on the outside of the high school building. Pictured bottom inset: A broken power line sent 7,200 volts into a covered awning below. Pictured below: A firefighters used a thermal imaging camera to make sure there is no fire inside a classroom ceiling. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Highway 29, Molino Road Crash
April 6, 2013
There were no injuries in a two-vehicle crash Friday afternoon in Molino. The crash involving a pickup and a car occurred just before 3 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 29 and Molino Road. The pickup came to rest upside down. The accident was investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details were not released. Reader submitted photo by Lynn J. Garrett, Sr. for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Minor Injuries In Walnut Hill Crash
April 6, 2013
A 17-year teen escaped serious injury in single vehicle crash Friday night near Walnut Hill.
Anna Donald of Walnut Hill was northbound on Pine Forest Road just after 9 p.m. when she lost control of Nissan Maxima just north of Doran Road. Her vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree in the front yard of a residence.. Donald was transported to Atmore Community Hospital by Atmore Ambulance.
The accident was investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash.
Pictured above and below: A 17-year old Walnut Hill teen escaped serious injury in this single vehicle wreck Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tennesee Shuts Down Wahoos With 8-2 Victory
April 6, 2013
A night after mashing four home runs, the Pensacola offense was quieted by Tennessee starter Alberto Cabrera in a 8-2 loss to the Smokies on Friday night in front of another sellout crowd of 5,038 at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. It was the second straight sellout to open the season.Smokies pitchers had the Wahoos stymied all night, fanning 15 Pensacola hitters in the game.
Cabrera (1-0) was in control from the onset, consistently touching the mid-90s with his sinking fastball, keeping Wahoos hitters off balance all evening. The Dominican righthander set down all but four batters he faced over six frames, needing just 77 pitches to halt the potent Pensacola attack. Cabrera retired 12 of the final 13 hitters in his outing, compiling nine strikeouts overall en route to his first win of the season.
Zac Rosscup continued the trend out of the bullpen for Tennessee, retiring six of the seven hitters he faced, including five on strikeouts in two innings.
Tennessee got all the offense it needed in the fourth off Pensacola starter Josh Smith. Entering the inning trailing 2-1, the Smokies sent nine men to the plate, scoring five times to take a commanding 6-2 lead. The inning featured three doubles, two singles, a sac bunt and a fielder’s choice that resulted in a run. Jay Fernandez, Matt Szczur, Jae-Hoon Ha, Justin Bour and Christian Villanueva each picked up an RBI in the five-run frame. Villanueva led the Tennessee offense, going 3-for-5 with a double and 4 RBI.
Smith (0-1) took the loss for the Wahoos as he gave up six runs (all earned) on nine hits in 3.2 frames.
Tucker Barnhart led the Blue Wahoos offense, going a perfect 3-for-3 with a run scored. Barnhart is now 5-for-7 at the dish to start the 2013 campaign.
Pensacola’s only runs in the game came in the last of the second. With runners on first and third, David Vidal brought in a run with a groundout to tie the game at one. A batter later, Brodie Greene drove home a run with an infield single to give Pensacola a 2-1 advantage.
The series continues tomorrow with a 6:30 p.m. first pitch. Tim Crabbe gets the call for the Wahoos opposed by Tennessee southpaw Eric Jokish. Tomorrow will be 1920’s night at the ballpark and it’s the first fireworks show of the season presented by Highpointe Hotels, Marcus Pointe Baptist Church and United Airlines.
Story By Kevin Burke
Pictured: The Blue Wahoos fell to Tennessee Friday night. Photos by Gary McCraken, Pensacola Blue Wahoos, for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Grenat Pitches Perfect Game As Tate Beats Escambia; Lady Aggies Win Again
April 6, 2013
Friday night, Tate High School’s J.T. Grenat pitched a perfect game against the Gators of Escambia High School, and the Lady Aggies continued with a perfect district record.
The Aggies (15-9, 9-2) beat the Gators 3-0 in Cantonment as Grenat struck out five. Also for the Aggies, Rashan Johnson was 2-2 with a double and an RBI. Andrew Mack was 2-3 and Sawyer Smith with 1-3 with a double.
The Tate Aggies will be away Tuesday at 7 p.m. against Pensacola High School.
SOFTBALL
In Tate softball action Friday, the Tate Lady Aggies continued their perfect district season by beating Milton 7-5.
The Lady Aggies are now 19-3 on the season and an undefeated 14-0 in district play.
Rachel Dunsford and Brooke White had a double, two hits and an RBI each. Amy Waters was 2-3 with an RBI for Tate, while Heather Tomason was 2-4 with a couple of RBIs.
The Tate Lady Aggies Will host Niceville Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
Weekend Gardening: Hit A Home Run With Knock Out Roses
April 6, 2013
I love roses, I always have. After many years of growing roses, I found myself becoming, dare I say it, a bit of a rose snob. If it wasn’t a hybrid tea, I didn’t want anything to do with it. But as many Southerners know, the hybrid teas do have to be pampered and constantly monitored and treated for fungal diseases.
A couple of years ago, I decided to add some Knock Out roses to my landscape. I was taking a hesitant turn away from the long stems of the hybrid teas to a common shrub rose. I am very glad that I did. This year, the shrub roses are covered with dozens of beautiful blooms. Massed together, they are breathtaking and grab the attention of neighbors.
Landscape shrub roses will not make you great cut flowers, but they will give your landscape an abundance of rose flowers for the majority of the year. They practically bloom non-stop during the growing season, from March to November in Northwest Florida. Also, they are much less prone to blackspot disease than the traditional hybrid tea, floribunda and grandiflora roses.
The Knock Out family of roses was started by rose breeder Bill Radler when he crossed seedlings of ‘Carefree Beauty’ with ‘Razzle Dazzle’ to create the original Knock Out rose. The family now includes varieties that range from blush to vibrant red and even yellow.
In general, Knock Out roses are drought tolerant, self cleaning, and resistant to black spot and powdery mildew. Since they require little maintenance, they are ideal for gardeners who enjoy roses but who aren’t interested in the upkeep required to grow hybrid tea roses. The only drawback of Knock Out roses is that they don’t have a strong fragrance. According to the Conrad Pyle website, the only true fragrant Knock Out is the yellow ‘Sunny’ cultivar.
Like all roses, Knock Out roses need to be planted where they will receive at least six to eight hours of sun each day. It also helps to have a site with good air movement and well-drained soil that falls between pH 6.0 and pH 6.5.
Knock Out roses generally grow three to five feet tall and equally as wide, but some sources say they can reach eight feet tall if not pruned, so be sure to space them appropriately.
After planting, water them regularly until they get established. Apply a three-inch layer of mulch to help retain moisture in the soil, pulling the mulch back from the stem of the plants. Be sure to avoid overhead watering which can increase the chance of fungal leaf spots. They prefer a deep watering every once in a while rather than frequent light waterings.
Knock Out roses are referred to as self-cleaning meaning that the spent blooms will fall off on their own. They will re-bloom every five to six weeks regardless of your deadheading practices. Deadheading is the removal of faded blooms. Most gardeners have found, however, that occasionally deadheading will create and maintain a tidier, more attractive plant.
For more information on rose pests and diseases, refer to the University of Florida/IFAS online publication at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep371 or contact your local Extension Office.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.