Tate Regional Roundup To Collect Electronics, Tires And More For Free
December 2, 2011
Escambia County Department of Solid Waste Management hosts the next Regional Roundup on Saturday, December 3, from 8 a.m. until noon at Tate High School, 1771 Tate Road, Cantonment. Regional Roundup events provide an opportunity to properly dispose of electronics, household hazardous waste (HHW), shoes and up to four tires per vehicle, free of charge.
Businesses and residents can dispose of all types of clean, dry, recyclable electronics including computers, monitors and terminals, keyboards, mice, printers, TVs, copiers, gaming systems, remotes, fax machines, VCRs, stereo systems, cell phones and telephones. Electronics that have been gutted will not be accepted. Businesses with large amounts of electronics should call the Department of Solid Waste Management to make an appointment to dispose of these items at the Perdido Landfill. Appliances, including fans and air conditioners, are not accepted.
HHW items can cause injury if handled improperly. These items will usually have a warning or cautionary statement on their labels, such as flammable, corrosive, poison or toxic and include items such as swimming pool chemicals, cleaners, drain openers, paint and paint products, fuels, gases, lawn and garden chemicals, aerosol cans and automotive repair and maintenance products.
Shoes are also collected for the Soles4Souls program. Donated shoes should be bound together with a rubber band.
All electronics, household hazardous waste and tires are recycled.
For more information about Regional Roundup events, proper disposal of waste or to make an appointment for a business electronics drop-off, contact the Escambia County Department of Solid Waste Management at (850) 937-2160.
Bank Robber Takes A Cab, Gets Busted In Fun Park
December 2, 2011
A man that took a cab for his getaway car after robbing a bank Thursday afternoon was busted by deputies within a half hour later at an amusement park.
Darrel Ward, 27, walked into the Member’s First Credit Union on Airport Boulevard, passed a note to a teller demanding money and alluded that he had a weapon. After the teller gave Ward an undisclosed amount of cash, Ward fled in a cab, according to Sgt. Mike Ward (no relation), spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The cab driver said he dropped Ward off in the 700 block of Ladner Drive in the Marcus Pointe subdivision. Off duty deputy Troy Brown saw Ward jumping the back fence of Sam’s Fun City. Ward was taken into custody with incident. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail on robbery and larceny charges with bond set at $105,000.
Sheriff’s K-9 units were able to recover a bag of money behind Sam’s Fun City and the Rave Theater.
Century Resident Retires After 11 Years With Escambia County Facilities
December 2, 2011
Louie Eugene (Gene) Findley of Century retired this week from Escambia County Facilities Management/Maintenance. He worked for Escambia County for 11 years after retiring from the Westinghouse Corp.
Findley’s work took him across the North Escambia area — often to the community centers, fire departments, tax and tag offices, Clerk of Courts offices, and Lake Stone.
Escambia County Public Works held a retirement party Wednesday for Findley, celebrating his accomplishments for Escambia County.
Pictured: Gene Findley (left) is congratulated on his retirement by Escambia County Facilities Management Deputy Bureau Chief David Wheeler. Pictured below: A retirement party for Findley was held Wednesday. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Grad Celebrating Alabama State Football Championship
December 2, 2011
The Flomaton Hurricanes may have fallen short of a state championship this season, but a Flomaton graduate is celebrating a state football championship of his own.
Flomaton High School graduate Patrick Henderson has coached at Handley High School in Roanoke, Ala., for the past 11 years. Thursday, his Handley Tigers rallied from a 14-7 deficit late in the fourth quarter Thursday to claim the school’s first Alabama Class 3A football title.
Handley scored two touchdowns in the final four minutes and turned away a Madison Academy threat from the Tigers’ 12-yard line in the final seconds to capture a 20-14 victory.
“It was a roller coaster of a ride of a fourth quarter,” Handley said Thursday night. “I am just so proud of our kids, coaches, and fans.”
Henderson coaches wide receivers and corner backs at Handley, and he also edits team video. He and his wife, Robyn, have two children, Finley and Sophie Kate.
Pictured top: Celebrating an Alabama Class 3A championship Thursday are Handley High’s Logan Cofield, Flomaton graduate Patrick Henderson, quarterback Tre Kyles, running back Breyon Deberry and offensive coordinator Ron Watters. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Homeless Man Facing Life In Prison For Kidnapping, Robbery
December 2, 2011
A homeless man is facing life in prison for kidnapping and robbing a church secretary.
Richard Lewis Bell entered a plea Thursday to robbery with a deadly weapon, carjacking with a firearm/weapon, and armed kidnapping before Judge Jan Shackelford.
On April 27, 2011, Bell forced Brenda Bartley, the secretary of Pine Summit Baptist Church, out of her office with some type of weapon that he had mostly concealed in a backpack. He then made Bartley drive to her bank where $500 in cash was withdrawn from her account.
Bell filled up her car with gas and eventually abandoned her at the end of Fairfield Drive. Bartley walked to the nearest gas station and contacted law enforcement. Bell was ultimately stopped in Texas 15 days later driving the victim’s vehicle. Bartley’s car was towed back from Texas with many of the defendant’s belongings which were tested and had his DNA as well as the backpack, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins.
Richard Lewis Bell faces up to life in prison when he is sentenced later this month before Judge Shackelford.
Jay High Students Get Hands-On With Hospital Clinical Experience
December 2, 2011
Six Jay High School students who plan to pursue careers in health care are receiving hands-on experience while shadowing staff members at a local hospital.
The Jay seniors — Quinten Garcia, Shelbie Barnhill, Leah Finney, Crystal Brown, Allison Blair and Dallas Belanger — enrolled in the school’s Health Science Academy as sophomores and are now in the final phase of the program. The academy was launched in 2009 as a partnership between Jay High School and Jay Hospital to offer real-world experience for students interested in health care careers.
“Our team of doctors, nurses and support staff has enjoyed working with these talented students,” said Patsy Jackson, director of nursing at Jay Hospital. “The students experience a wide range of health care occupations and have opportunities to learn from our staff members in very small group settings. The mentoring relationships that have formed will be invaluable to these students for years to come.”
During their clinical rotations, Health Science Academy students participate in all areas of the hospital – from patient care to housekeeping to medical records. They observe and practice skills that are allowed within their scope. Prior to the on-site experience, students attended classes at Jay High School to prepare them for the clinical setting.
Participant Allison Blair said she expects the experience to be helpful to her when it comes time to make a career choice. “So far, I have really enjoyed working with patients and getting to know the employees,” Blair said. I have gained a respect for each of them.”
For more information about the Jay High School Health Science Academy, contact program facilitator Nina Hendricks at (850) 675-4507 or HendricksN@mail.santarosa.k12.fl.us.
Pictured: (L-R) Quinten Garcia, Shelbie Barnhill, Leah Finney, Crystal Brown, Allison Blair and Dallas Belanger are enrolled in the Jay High School Health Science Academy and are completing clinical rotations. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Quarterback Suspension Appeal Denied By FHSAA
December 1, 2011
Northview High School quarterback Brandon Sheets’ suspension will stand, and he will be ineligible to play in Friday night’s state semifinal game against Chipley.
According to Principal Gayle Weaver, the school was notified of the Florida High School Athletic Association’s decision late Thursday morning. She said that the FHSAA determined that “both acts were perceived as taunting”. She said the school was working to determine if the suspension is one game as believed by the coaches and if Sheets would be eligible to play in the state championship game on December 9 in Orlando if Northview defeats Chipley Friday night.
Sheets, a senior, was flagged twice in last Friday night’s regional win over Freeport for what the officials said amounted to taunting.
The first flag came after a touchdown when Sheets stopped just across the goal line and dropped the ball near a Freeport defender (see video below). The second flag came on the next play. As a referee was explaining the flag to coach Sid Wheatley on the Chiefs’ sideline, Sheets ran back on the field to run the extra point play. That’s when Sheets allegedly mocked a referee by looking at him and clapping.
Junior Kevin Vaughan will step up as starting quarterback for the Chiefs Friday night against Chipley.
“I hope everyone rallies around the Chiefs Friday night as they go out there and win,” Weaver said.
Pictured top: Northview QB Brandon Sheets (#8, far right) runs the ball in for a touchdown that led to him being flagged for taunting last Friday night against Freeport. Pictured inset: A referee explains the flag to Northview Coach Sid Wheatley. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
1,600 Living With AIDS In Escambia County
December 1, 2011
There are 1,600 people in Escambia County living with HIV/AIDS. That was the word Thursday from the Escambia County Health Department on World AIDS Day.
For many of those suffering, accessing treatment is an ongoing issue, according to the health department. In Florida alone, more than 3,200 uninsured and underinsured people are on a waiting list to receive HIV medications to treat the disease from the federal AIDS Drug Assistance program. Over 50 of these people are residents of Escambia County.
“Currently, these individuals are able to obtain some of their medications from sources such as Pharmaceutical Patient Assistance programs due to the work and dedication of local HIV service providers,” said Jennifer Findley, Area 1 HIV/AIDS Program coordinator. “It is unclear how long this assistance will continue to be available before they will have to seek help from other sources.”
Fire Safety Campaigns Begins Today; Fire Damages Home
December 1, 2011
Today, Escambia County Fire Rescue and the City of Pensacola Fire Department begin the “Keep the Wreath Green” holiday safety program and Santa Rosa County begins the “Keep Your Holidays Bright” campaign designed to promote fire safety during the month of December. With both programs, officials hope to reduce the number of fires during a time of serious fire danger with simple, life saving tips.
The first residential fire of the year in Santa Rosa County was reported at 4:15 a.m. Thursday in the 4800 block of Covenant Circle in Pace. The fire, mostly contained to the attic, caused an estimated $25,000-$50,000 in damage.
Escambia County
Every time firefighters respond to a residential fire in Escambia County, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by holiday decorations. Last year, there were 18 occupied residential fires during December. None of the fires were in North Escambia; all were south of Nine Mile Road.
This year, the eighth year of the campaign, five-foot wreaths will be on display at 28 different locations throughout the holiday season. These sites are the Old Escambia County Courthouse on Palafox Place, the Public Safety Building on W Street, the Central Office Complex on West Park Place, 17 primary county fire stations, seven stations within the City of Pensacola, Cordova Mall and one mobile display.
This year, the “Keep the Wreath Green” program is going green with all new LED low wattage lights that use less energy, have a longer lifetime and are more durable than the standard lights.
Officials hope to reduce the number of fires during a time of serious fire danger with simple, life saving tips for each day of the month. Click here to read the fire safety tips.
Santa Rosa County
In the Santa Rosa “Keep Your Holidays Bright” campaign, a Christmas tree decorated with candles has been placed in the Santa Rosa County Administration Complex on Caroline Street.
Each time firefighters respond to a working residential fire or large wildfire causing fire damage, a candle will be “extinguished” and replaced with a card noting the basic details of the fire.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Fallen Marine’s Family To Provide Free Christmas Meals For Elderly, Disabled
December 1, 2011
The Bratt family of a Marine killed in action earlier this year is giving back to the community at Christmas through a program they are calling “Operation Enduring Loss”.
The family of LCpl. Travis M. Nelson will prepare and deliver Christmas meals to homebound elderly and disabled individuals that have no means of transportation and will be home alone on Christmas Day. The family will prepare 70 meals at no cost for delivery in the Bratt community and Atmore.
Due to the limited number of meals, reservations are required. Call (251) 253-8511 or email xmasdinner13@gmail.com and provide the individual’s name, age, phone and address, along with at least on person of contact to verify eligibility.
LCpl. Nelson was killed in action August 18 while serving in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
Pictured: Scott and Beckie Nelson of Bratt, parents of fallen Marine LCpl. Travis M. Nelson. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.