Escambia Deputies Involved In Two Separate Wrecks
January 10, 2013
Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies were involved into two separate traffic crashes Wednesday.
The first crash occurred just after 2 a.m. on Highway 29 at Burgess Road. The Florida Highway Patrol say Deputy Kristi Berry was en route to a robbery in progress call at a Waffle House on Highway 29. She was traveling in the inside lane, approaching a 1992 Toyota driven by Kaylyn Zimmerman of Pensacola. Zimmerman started to move to the inside lane and then quickly changed back to the center lane realizing a vehicle was approaching from the rear at a greater speed.
Berry took evasive action by changing into the left turn lane and braking sharply. She over-corrected, according to the FHP, and traveled across all lanes of southbound Highway 29 before striking a traffic signal support pole. She was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital for minor injuries. No contact was made between Berry’s patrol vehicle and Zimmerman’s vehicle.
The second accident involving a deputy occurred about 3:15 a.m. on Olive Road east of Davis Highway. The FHP said Deputy Jeremiah Meeks failed to stop for a 2010 Chevrolet SUV driven by Bradley Baker of Pensacola. Baker was stopped for a northbound vehicle on Davis Highway.
Meeks rear-ended Baker’s vehicle. There were no injuries.
There were no charges filed in either accident.
Bill Filed In Florida Senate To Establish Domestic Partnerships
January 10, 2013
A bill that would allow Floridians to enter “domestic partnerships” resembling marriages was filed Wednesday by Sen. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood, in an apparent effort to extend at least some marital benefits to same-sex couples.
While the legislation specifically states it is not an attempt to do an end-run around a provision in the Florida Constitution defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman, it would allow gay Floridians to get some rights approaching marriage. Any two people who are at least 18 years old would be allowed to establish a domestic partnership under the law.
“The state has a strong interest in promoting stable and lasting families, and believes that all families should be provided with the opportunity to obtain necessary legal protections and status and the ability to achieve their fullest potential,” the bill says in a section of legislative findings.
Sobel, who has filed similar legislation in previous sessions, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.
The legislation is not new, but the current version (SB 196) comes amid new focus on the issue of gay marriage. President Barack Obama endorsed allowing same-sex couples to marry last year before winning Florida in his re-election bid, and the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to take up the issue in a pair of cases set for oral arguments in March.
Two openly gay lawmakers were elected to the Legislature last fall, marking the first time anyone who was openly gay had ever won a seat.
John Stemberger, president of the Florida Family Policy Council — a group opposed to same-sex marriage — said similar domestic partnership bills had been used in other parts of the nation to help in court fights aimed at legalizing gay unions. And he said domestic partnership proposals were aimed at avoiding the state’s legal definition of marriage.
“They’re attempts to get around (the Constitution) and approximate a faux marriage arrangement,” he said.
But Stemberger also predicted that sponsors were unlikely to push the bill far in a Legislature dominated by Republicans, many of whom are cool to the idea of same-sex marriage.
“I think they’re lucky if they get it debated,” he said.
By The News Service Florida
Blood Drives Scheduled In Honor Of Tate Senior Halee Boyd
January 10, 2013
Friends and family of Tate High School student Halee Boyd have scheduled blood drives to help with her cancer treatments.
Boyd, 18, was diagnosed with a life-threatening cancer. Her medical treatments have interrupted her senior year at Tate.
Blood drives at two locations are planned Saturday, January 12 in her honor:
- The Spinal Center, 2921 Michigan Avenue, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Red Lobster, Cordova Mall, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Generally, healthy people age 16 or older who weigh at least 110 pounds can donate blood.
Jernigan Road To Close
January 10, 2013
Jernigan Road between Nine Mile Road and Ramblewoods Drive will be closed next week.
Due to work on a pipe crossing, Jernigan Road will be closed from 7 a.m. on Tuesday, January 15 to 7 a.m. on Tuesday, January 16.
Missing Molino Toddler Found Safe After Search
January 9, 2013
A missing toddler was found uninjured after a search in Molino Wednesday afternoon.
The toddler was located about an hour after the search began and was “safe and sound”, according to Sgt. Mike Ward, spokesman for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The 3-year old was reported missing just before 3 p.m. from a home in the 2000 block of Chance Road between Lark Road and Chestnut Road. Over a dozen Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies and a K-9 team from the Escambia County Road Prison participated in the search.
Pedestrian Struck, Killed By Two Vehicles
January 9, 2013
A pedestrian died after being hit by two vehicles Tuesday night on Mobile Highway.
The accident was reported about 10:15 p.m. in front of the Happy China Restaurant on Mobile Highway at Towawanda Drive, near Walmart.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the pedestrian attempted to cross Mobile Highway and was struck by a 2009 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by Joel Williams of Cantonment and a 2003 Ford car driven by Leslie Hall of Pensacola. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene by Escambia County EMS.
No charges were filed against either driver, according to the FHP.
The name of the pedestrian has not yet been released pending notification of next of kin.
Humane Society Seeks Owner Of Shot In Santa Rosa, Monetary Help
January 9, 2013
[Updated] The Humane Society of Escambia County (Ala.) in Flomaton is looking for the owner of a dog found shot in northern Santa Rosa County on Monday.
The dog is a male husky or malamute and appears to be a family pet. He was found on Highway 87 in Santa Rosa County and picked up by a good Samaritan that took him to a veterinarian in Brewton. The veterinarian was unwilling to treat him because there was no one to handle the cost, according to the Humane Society’s Facebook page.
The Humane Society later arranged for a medical assessment of the dog.
“X-rays reveal a small caliber bullet that has shattered the spine. He will be getting steroid injections for a couple of days to see how things go,” said Renee Jones, Humane Society director.
Anyone with information about the dog’s owner is asked to call the Humane Society of Escambia County (Ala.) at (251) 296-2275. After hours, call the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office at (251) 809-0741 and tell the operator that you need to speak to Renee as soon as possible about the injured husky dog.
Donations are being accepted to help with dog’s care. Click here and look for the “Donate Now” button near the bottom of the right column.
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 11 a.m. on January 9 to reflect new information that the dog had been shot. It was originally believed that he had been hit by a car until an X-ray and examination revealed the true nature of the injury.
Pictured: This dog, now in the care of the Humane Society in Flomaton, was found shot Monday in northern Santa Rosa County. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
South Alabama District Providing Armed Officers For Schools
January 9, 2013
An area school system is stepping up security following the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut that left 20 children and six adults dead.
Brewton, Ala., Police Chief Monte McGougin announced Tuesday that his department will provide armed officers to each school in the Brewton City School system.
“This is in no way a response to any local problem,” McGougin said. “This is strictly as a result of concerns raised by national events and is a preventive measure locally.”
McGougin said Brewton officer Sgt. Hal Parker has been providing security on campus at T.R. Miller High for more than two years, and will continue there. Officer Heath Madison will begin duty at Brewton Middle School and Capt. James Hicks will be assigned to Brewton Elementary. McGougin said the officers will be present “anytime school is in session”, Monday through Friday, and will be present from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Officials said the city and school system will share the cost of providing the security officers.
Community Gardens Offer Free Food For Needy
January 9, 2013
Three community gardens are offering free turnip greens to anyone in need that is willing to pick their own.
One of the three gardens is full of turnips that are now ready to be picked; it’s located on Main Street in McDavid just west of the McDavid United Methodist Church and the post office. Anyone is welcome to stop by and pick what they need.
A garden in Bratt will be ready for picking in about two weeks, and a third turnip patch in Walnut Hill be ready in about six weeks. Those locations will be announced here on NorthEscambia.com when the turnips are ready.
The gardens are a joint project of the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club, the McDavid United Methodist Church, the Northview High School FFA and the Ernest Ward Middle School FFA.
“We wanted to do something for the community,” said Perry Byars, Ruritan member and Northview FFA sonsor. “The idea was to help make sure nobody goes hungry.”
Pictured: Free turnips for those in need can be picked from this garden on Main Street in McDavid, near the McDavid United Methodist Church. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Friday Is Deadline To Apply For $50,000 In IP Grants
January 9, 2013
International Paper Pensacola Mill will award $50,000 in Foundation Grants in 2013.
The deadline for all 2013 grant applications is Friday, Jan. 11, 2013.
Grants are awarded by the IP Foundation in Memphis, Tenn., which focuses on environmental education, literacy, employee involvement, and critical community needs. Applicants must be a registered 501c3 non-profit organization, school, or qualifying government entity to apply.
For more information about the Foundation or to apply online, interested applicants should visit www.ipgiving.com. For more information on the grant process, contact Janice Holmes, communications manager, at 850-968-4203 or e-mail janice.holmes@ipaper.com.