Health Advisory In Effect After 1.4 Million Gallons Of ECUA Sewage Dumped
August 16, 2011
A health advisory has been issued after an ECUA pipe failure released about 1.4 million gallons of untreated sewage into the wetlands of Thompson Bayou near the University of West Florida this morning — the second such failure this summer.
A health alert has been issued for Thompson’s Bayou where it meets the Escambia River. The Escambia County Health Department is advising against any water related activities in the area due to the potential for high bacteria levels.
At 9:50 a.m. Monday, ECUA staff noticed a discrepancy in flows between the major lift stations and the influent flow meter at the Central Water Reclamation Facility in Cantonment. An old 12-inch “force main” was found ruptured near Greenbriar Boulevard. Emergency crews and tanker trucks were immediately dispatched to the affected site to help contain the spill, according to ECUA.
Operators initiated steps to minimize the wastewater being pumped to the CWRF and to minimize the untreated sewage leaking from the broken force main. At 10:40 a.m. an isolation valve was closed at the connection between the old force main and the new transmission system to the Cantonment facility. At 11:50 a.m., a temporary bypass line was complete from a lift station to ECUA tanker trucks and the discharge was stopped, ECUA said.
The spill was reported to local and state authorities, including the Escambia County Health Department and the Department of Environmental Protection.
In late June, an ECUA pipe failure dumped 2.2 million gallons of untreated sewage into Thompson’s Bayou.
Greg Evers To Serve On State Committee Created From Casey Anthony Trial
August 16, 2011
The North Escambia area’s state senator, Greg Evers, will serve on a new state committee that will look at child protection laws in Florida.
In a direct response to concerns raised by the Casey Anthony trial about the fate of children in the state, Senate President Mike Haridopolos announced the creation of a Select Committee on Protecting Florida’s Children to be chaired by Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart.
A Senate spokeswoman said the committee was being created because the president’s office heard from members of the Senate and “concerned Floridians” that the Senate should further examine whether changes in child protection laws are needed.
In addition to Negron, Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, appointed Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, vice chairwoman. The other members of the committee will be Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker, Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami, and Sen. Chris Smith, D-Fort Lauderdale.
“This select committee will be charged with examining the various policy options that are available to further advance the protection of Florida’s children,” a statement from the president’s office said. “The Florida Senate will discuss these options as a legislative body, and then determine whether changes need to be made to current Florida law.”
15-Month Old Recovering After Being Pulled From Bratt Swimming Pool
August 15, 2011
A 15-month old is recovering today after being rescued from a pool in Bratt.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to a reported drowning about 11:30 a.m. in the 6300 block of Pine Barren Road, near Northview High School.
One of the toddler’s relatives reportedly heard her fall into an above ground swimming pool behind their mobile home and was able to get her out of the pool in just a few seconds. The 15-month old was reported to be conscious and alert when first responders arrived.
The child was transported by Atmore Ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital in stable condition.
Pictured above: A 15-month old is recovering after being pulled from a pool in Bratt Monday morning. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Jay Doctors Request Leaves Of Absence From Hospital Staff After Federal Raid
August 15, 2011
Less than two weeks after their private medical practice office was raided by federal authorities, two Jay doctors have requested leaves of absence from the medical staff at Jay Hospital.
Dr. Cleatious David Smith and Dr. John-Stewart Michael Smith will take a hiatus from Jay Hospital for an indefinite period. Both still hold an active medical license in Florida and will continue in their private practice at the Jay Medical Clinic. The doctors, however, surrendered their DEA licenses to write prescriptions for narcotics during the federal raid at their clinic in late July.
The other two physicians in the practice, Dr. Marian B. Stewart and Dr. Jeffery S. Kelley still hold their DEA licenses and are able to issue all prescriptions, including narcotics. The investigation does not include Stewart, Kelley or Jay Hospital, which continue to operate with business as usual.
Agencies including the FBI, federal Drug Enforcement Agency, the Attorney General’s Office, the Florida Department of Health and Florida Department of Law Enforcement raided the Jay Medical Clinic on July 28, seizing patient and medical practice records.
David Smith has been a licensed physician in Florida since 1980, while Michael Smith has held his physician’s license since 2003. Neither man has any public complaints on file with the Florida Department of Health.
Pictured top: Federal and state agents raided the Jay Medical Center in late July. Pictured inset: A patient is turned away from the closed clinic by Florida State Trooper Todd St. Clair. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Winn Dixie, Publix, Kroger Recall Ground Beef Over E. Coli Concerns
August 15, 2011
Certain packages of ground beef sold at Winn Dixie, Publix and Kroger in Florida and Alabama are being recalled over a possible E. coli contamination.
The meat was produced by National Beef Packing Co. in Kansas and sold in large chubs to the grocery stores which, in turn, repackaged it into consumer-size containers for sale. Products affected by this recall were sold in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.
Products subject to the Winn-Dixie recall have “sell-by” label dates from 7/31/11 – 8/12/11 and can be identified as follows:
- “Winn-Dixie Ground Chuck,” UPC code 20170000000
- “Winn-Dixie Ground Chuck Family Pack (FP),” UPC code 29127700000
- “Winn-Dixie Ground Chuck Patties,” UPC code 20170100000
- “Winn-Dixie Ground Chuck Patties Family Pack (FP),” UPC code 29128200000
Further information about the specific products recalled by Publix are in the graphic below the article; information on Kroger recalls is at the bottom of the page.
The USDA advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160° F. The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature.
E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.
Church Hands Out School Supplies To 260+ Students
August 15, 2011
Hundreds of Century area students received school supplies Friday from the Abundant Life Assembly of God. The Century church handed out the school supplies to a total of 268 students as part of an annual community outreach event.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Back To School For Florida Teachers, Alabama Students
August 15, 2011
Monday was the first day back for teachers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida and the first day of school for students in Escambia County, Alabama.
Students in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties will return to class next Monday, August 22.
Orientation and elementary open house events have been scheduled at schools in Escambia County. Click here for more info.
Great Day Of Service: Churches Volunteer At Molino Park, Jim Allen
August 15, 2011
Three North Escambia churches joined together Saturday to volunteer at two elementary schools.
Aldersgate, Cottage Hill and Allen Memorial United Methodist churches took part in a “Great Day of Service” at Jim Allen and Molino Park elementary schools. Volunteers did yard and landscape work and helped in other areas around the schools to prepare for the return of students on August 22.
“They pulled weeds, mowed the front lawn, trimmed shrubbery and put new mulch in the flower beds at the front of the school,” Molino Park Elementary Principal Alice Woodward said. “These volunteers worked hard and were such a blessing to us. The transformation is remarkable. I really appreciate their passion to serve the community in such an awesome way.”
Pictured: Volunteers work around the campus of Molino Park Elementary for about four hours Saturday morning as part of a Methodist “Great Day of Service”. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Several Area Blood Drives This Week
August 15, 2011
Northwest Florida Blood Service’s Bloodmobile will be in several North Escambia area locations this week.
Northwest Florida Blood Services is the exclusive provider of blood products to more than 24 area hospitals who need 175 blood donations a day. Each donation can save up to three lives.
Blood drives will be held as follows:
Tuesday
- 2 to 4:30 p.m. – Escambia County Road Department, 601 Highway 297A, Cantonment
Wednesday
- 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. — Century Correctional Institute, 400 Tedder Road, Century
Thursday
- 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Ascend, 300 Old Chemstrand Road, Gonzalez
Saturday
- 2 to 6 p.m. — Winn Dixie, 1550 South Highway 29, Cantonment
- 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Kmart, 235 East Nine Mile, Pensacola
Tropical Storm Gert Forms
August 14, 2011
Tropical Storm Gert formed Sunday afternoon and is no threat to the Gulf Coast. The latest information on the Gert is in the graphic above, click to enlarge.