No Injuries In Cantonment School Bus Wreck
July 3, 2012
There were no injuries when a Cantonment woman rear-ended a loaded school bus this morning in Cantonment.
The school bus driven by 50-yar old Carla Stromas of Molino was stopped for a railroad crossing about 7:20 a.m. on County Road 97 near Muscogee Road. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the bus was then struck from the rear by a 2003 Ford Windstar driven by 57-year old Luis Martinez.
Stromas, Martinez, and bus passengers 62-year old Mary Smith of Barth and seven students from Cantonment ranging in age from 6-19 were not injured.
Martinez was cited by the FHP for careless driving.
Alabama Man Dies As Result Of Traffic Crash
July 3, 2012
An Alabama man has died as a result of injuries he sustained in a Monday morning traffic crash.
Alabama State Troopers said 24-year old Robert Marcus Powell was eastbound on Highway 31 near Abrams Road, about six miles east of Atmore, when he collided nearly head-on with a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Jonathan Criswell, of Ray City, Ga.
Firefighters used the Jaws of Life to free Powell from the Corolla after the crash. He was transported by Atmore Ambulance to Bay Minette, Ala., and then airlifted to the USA Medical Center in Mobile where he later passed away from his injuries.
Criswell and passengers in both vehicles were not injured.
The accident remains under investigation by Alabama State Troopers.
For a photo gallery from the scene, click here.
Pictured: One person was seriously injured in this two vehicle crash Monday morning in Canoe, Ala. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Oak Grove Land Clearing Pit Permit Renewal Under Consideration
July 3, 2012
A public hearing will be held July 12 to consider the renewal of a land clearing disposal pit permit in Oak Grove.
The first permit for the county-owned facility, located at 745 North Highway 99, was issued in 1996 and must be periodically renewed. The 20 acre disposal area is on a 26 acre piece of property and operates as the Oak Grove Land Clearing Debris Disposal Pit next to the Oak Grove Convenience Center.
The public hearing will be held at 5:32 p.m on July 12 in the Escambia County Commission Chambers in downtown Pensacola.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Three Represent Jay High At State FFA Convention In Orlando
July 3, 2012
Three Jay High School FFA members attended the 84th Annual State FFA Convention in Orlando this past week.
Makenzie Bray and Olivia Moore, were selected to represent their chapter as delegates with the responsibility of taking part in delegate committee meetings and making choices that will shape the direction of the Florida FFA Association. FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
Jay High FFA member Harley Tagert also attended the convention as a participant in the Prepared Public Speaking contest were she delivered a speech on hydroponics.
Pictured top: (L-R) Olivia Moore, Harley Tagert and Makenzie Bray at the FFA State Convention in Orlando. Pictured inset: Moore and Bray at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Scott: Airbus Announcement Good For Florida Panhandle
July 3, 2012
A new $600 million aircraft assembly plant that will be built in Mobile will have some positive residual effects on the neighboring Pensacola area and the western Florida Panhandle, Gov. Rick Scott said Monday.
Airbus, the French aircraft manufacturing giant, announced Monday in Mobile that it will build the new plant to produce three types of jumbo jets, which will employ 1,000 full time workers at capacity.
Work will start on the plant in 2013 and 2,500 construction jobs will be created over two years.Aircraft assembly will start in 2015.
Scott said Monday that the announcement is good news for Florida. Scott also said Florida’s lack of income tax will also lead to the creation of Florida jobs.
For more on Monday’s Airbus announcement, click here for an earlier story.
Pictured top: Airbus President & CEO Fabrice Brégier (at left) is joined by Alabama Governor Robert Bentley amidst confetti and streamers after announcing the decision to create an A320 Family final assembly line at Mobile’s Brookley Aeroplex. Pictured below: State officials, airline customers, industry suppliers and local guests were on hand in Mobile for the announcement. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
By The News Service of Florida
ECUA Water Quality Report Available
July 3, 2012
The latest water quality report from the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority is now available.
A provision of the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996 requires all water suppliers to provide annual reports on the quality of their drinking water to their customers by July 1 of each year based on sampling data collected during the previous year. Postal mail distribution of ECUA’s 2011 Water Quality Report began June 25. Additional copies are also available to interested parties through ECUA Customer Service at (850) 476-0480.
Judge Bars Enforcement Of ‘Docs Vs. Glocks’ Gun Law
July 3, 2012
Saying it was based on anecdotal information and unfounded conjecture, a federal judge has barred enforcement of a 2011 state law that restricted doctors from asking patients about guns in their houses.
U.S. District Judge Marcia Cooke ruled Friday that lawmakers had failed to make the case that gun owners were being unduly burdened by the law, which restricted doctors and other medical providers from asking questions about gun ownership during medical visits.
In a 25-page ruling, Cook permanently barred the state from enforcing the law, known officially as the Firearm Owners ‘ Privacy Act.
“What is curious about this law-and what makes it different from so many other laws
involving practitioners’ speech-is that it aims to restrict a practitioner’s ability to provide truthful, non-misleading information to a patient…,” Cook wrote. “The purpose of preventive medicine is to discuss with a patient topics that, while perhaps not relevant to a patient’s medical safety at the time, inform the patient about general concerns that may arise in the future.”
Backed by the National Rifle Association and the United Sportsmen of Florida, the bill (HB 155) was approved by lawmakers and signed by the Gov. Rick Scott in 2011. The bill easily passed both chambers along largely party line votes of 88-30 in the House and 27-10 in the Senate.
A coalition of groups including the Florida Pediatric Society and the Washington-based Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence filed suit in federal court in Miami, raising a litany of concerns over patient-doctor relationships and First Amendment Rights.
Cooke issued a temporary injunction in September, saying at the time the group had a good chance of winning its case against the Florida Department of Health.
Critics of the bill, led by Florida pediatricians, said the law interfered with the doctor-patient relationship and muzzled health care practitioners from asking pertinent questions regarding safety issues in the home.
Queries regarding guns at home, physicians argued, are part of a routine battery of questions including whether the home has a swimming pool and whether dangerous chemicals are properly stored.
Supporters said a gun ownership was a private matter. They cited an Ocala case in which a physician dropped a patient after she refused to answer questions about whether the family had guns in the home.
Cooke said neither supporters of the bill nor their attorneys could provide more than anecdotal information proving that prohibiting physicians from asking such questions would result in widespread discrimination against gun owners. They also could not show that Second Amendment guarantees would be jeopardized, Cooke concluded.
“I do not disagree that the government has such an interest in protecting its citizens’ fundamental rights,” Cooke wrote. “The Firearm Owners’ Privacy Act, however, simply does not interfere with the right to keep and bear arms. The state’s arguments rest on a legislative illusion.”
Gun control advocates, who have accused lawmakers and Gov. Rick Scott of pandering to the NRA and other politically active pro-gun groups, lauded Cooke’s ruling on Monday.
“Guns kill eight children every day,” said Dan Gross, President of the Brady Center. “The government cannot tell us or our doctors that we are prohibited from discussing the deadly risks posed by guns.”
“We thank the court for recognizing that pediatricians need to maintain an open dialogue with our patients and work with parents in order to keep children safe,” said Dr. Mobeen Rathore, Florida Pediatric Society president. “Discovering potential risks and providing education on how to prevent injury fulfills the patient-physician relationship.”
The Department of Health has not determined if it will appeal the decision, but House sponsor Rep. Jason Brodeur, R-Sanford, said an appeal is likely.
“I expect the ruling to be appealed to the 11th Circuit (Court of Appeals in Atlanta,)” Brodeur said. “But that will depend on the wording of the ruling. I haven’t read it yet so we’ll have to see.”
Barring any appeal, at least one key supporter said he thinks gun owner rights advocates and medical professionals can come to terms.
Lawmakers, for example, last year crafted a bill that had enough protections that the Florida Medical Association did not oppose it.
“It’s an issue worth addressing next session,” Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, said Monday.”I’m optimistic that we can allow the reasonable application of medicine and protect constitutional rights.”
By The News Service of Florida
Pensacola Beach Observation Wheel Opens Today
July 3, 2012
The 360 Pensacola Beach observation wheel is set for a noon Tuesday opening.
The 360 Pensacola Beach Wheel has 42 Swiss-manufactured, fully enclosed climate controlled gondolas with heating and air conditioning. Gondolas will feature UV protective, non-reflective glass for excellent viewing, photo or video capturing. The flight lasts approximately 10-12 minutes with 4 revolutions. The wheel will include one VIP gondola that features these amenities in addition to leather bucket seats, a television and champagne bucket. Each gondola can hold up to 6 adults. But unrelated parties will not be required to sit together.
The wheel is the largest portable wheel in the world, and the first of its kind in America. It features over 1 million white Led lights outlining the wheel and each of its gondolas.
The wheel will be open 10 a.m. to midnight daily. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for kids under 48-inches tall.
Pictured above and below: Views from the new 60 Pensacola Beach observation wheel late Monday afternoon. Pictured inset: The wheel towers about 200 feet above Pensacola Beach. Photos by Jaimee Lee, WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cingrani Leads Pensacola Wahoos To 2-0 Shutout Win
July 3, 2012
Blue Wahoos starting pitcher Tony Cingrani gave up just two hits and struck out nine in 6.2 scoreless frames, while reliever Justin Freeman fired 2.1 perfect innings in relief to lead Pensacola to a 2-0 shutout win over the Jacksonville Suns on Monday night at The Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
The win for the Fish even the series at 1-1 to set up a rubber match on Tuesday night and improved their record in the second half to 7-5. The Suns fell to 5-7 since the All-Star Break.
After being named the Southern League’s Pitcher of the Week for the week ending on July 1, Cingrani (6.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 9 SO) kept the Jacksonville bats in check and allowed just the two hits while striking out nine. The victory improved the southpaw to a 3-1 record with the Blue Wahoos this year.
The left-hander had been recognized by the league earlier in the day for his 15 strikeout performance in his previous outing on June 27 versus Jackson. Cingrani did not give up a tally in that contest as well, meaning he has not given up a run in his last 14.2 innings of work.
Freeman (2.1 IP, 4 SO) came on in the seventh in support of Cingrani and finished off the Suns in firing the last two plus innings for his fifth save of the year. The righty added four punchouts of his own to help extend the club’s lead in the Southern League in strikeouts. Entering tonight, only the Visalia Rawhide of the California League had tallied more strikeouts overall this season than Pensacola’s total of 720.
Jacksonville relief pitcher Alan Oaks (3.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 SO) suffered the loss after giving up the Blue Wahoos’ two runs on three hits in his three innings of work. RHP A.J. Ramos (2.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO) tossed the final two innings for the Suns and allowed just one hit while striking out two.
Both teams were held quiet until the sixth when Pensacola got the only runs they would need. Cingrani helped his own cause by beginning the inning with a single to left and moved to second when 2B Brodie Greene was hit by a pitch before coming across on a run-scoring base knock from SS Didi Gregorius. Gregorius would subsequently score in the frame thanks to an infield base hit by C Brian Peacock.
Peacock has now recorded a hit 12 of his last 13 games with the Blue Wahoos dating back to April 29, with that span including a pair of stints with the Louisville Bats. During that period, the backstop has hit .340 (16-47) with five runs and six RBI.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: Tony Cingrani struck out nine & yielded just two hits in the Wahoos’ 2-0 win. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Shooting Of 2-Year Old Under Investigation
July 2, 2012
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the weekend shooting of at two-year old.
The toddler sustained a gunshot would to the stomach area, according to investigators. The incident happened Sunday afternoon about 3:30 at home in the 7300 block of Pine Forest Road.
The toddler was airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to a Sacred Heart Hospital where he remained hospitalized Monday in stable condition.