Escambia Deputies Begin Seat Belt Crackdown
March 15, 2011
Tuesday, Escambia County deputies started a two-week crackdown designed to increase seat belt use and decrease motor vehicle fatalities across the county.
During the mobilization, officers will be cracking down on motorists who fail to wear their seat belts – both day and night. Seatbelt non-usage is a primary violation and motorists should remember that they may be stopped for not buckling up, according to Sena Maddison, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The targeted effort will run through March 31st.
Pictured inset and below: An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit motorcycle deputy writes a ticket on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill last year. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Chiefs Win Two Against Ackerman, MS Indians
March 15, 2011
The Northview Chiefs won two against the Indians of Ackerman, Mississippi, Monday with both the varsity and junior varsity winning in Bratt.
The Chiefs JV team won the first game by a score of 7-6. The JV Chiefs were led by Destin Pizzolato, who was 2-4 and a run scored, Daulton Daniel 2-3 and a run scored, Tristan Montgomery 1-2 with a run scored, Justin Halteman with a run scored, Branden Freeman with a run scored, Jordan Coon with a run scored, and Chad Smith with one run scored.
Tristan Mongomery and Daulton Tullis both pitched for the JV Chiefs with Tullis picking up the win.
In the varsity game, the Chiefs won 3-0 with behind the pitching strength of Colton Sims, who pitched three innings giving up no hits, no runs, and striking out four. Hunter Rigby pitched two and two-thirds innings, giving up one hit, no runs, and striking out one. Harold Harrison closed the game with one and a third innings on the mound, giving up no hits, no runs, and striking out four.
The Chiefs were led at the plate by Brandon Sheets going 2-3 with two runs scored and 2 stolen bases, Austin Arrington at 2-3 with one RBI, and Dabney Langhorne scoring one run.
The Chiefs will be back in action Thursday against Escambia Academy in Canoe.The JV plays at 4 p.m. and varsity plays at 6 p.m. Friday the 18th, the Chiefs will be at Freeport for a district game with the Bulldogs.
Results: Northview Track Meet
March 15, 2011
The following results are in from a recent track meet held at Northview High School between Escambia High, Pensacola Christian Academy, W.S. Neal High and Northview.
Overall:
- Girls: 1st – PCA 146, 2nd Northview-75, 3rd-Escambia-7, 4th-WS Neal
- Boys: 1st – PCA 110, 2nd WS Neal -47, 3rd-Escambia-45, 4th-Northview
The following Northview High students placed at the meet:
Discus
- Girls-Te’Andreia Knight, third; ShelbyNielson, fourth
- Boys-Jody Day, fifth
Shot
- Girls-Te’Andreia Knight, first;, Naomi Cooler, second; Shelby Nielson, fourth
- Boys-Cole Eicher, third
High Jump
- Girls-Laneicia Gomez, second; Mason Solchenberger, fourth
- Boys-Jeremiah Cooler, fourth
Triple
- Girls-Laneicia Gomez, second; Hannah Fiellin, fourth
Long
- Girls-Hannah Fiellin, fourth; Mason Solchenberger, fifth
Hurdles 300
- Girls-Ashley Mooney, third
- Boys-Aaron Floyd, fourth
Hurdles High
- Girls-Laneicia Gomez, first
200
- Girls-Melissa Moretz, second
- Boys-La’Mikal Banks, fourth
400
- Girls-Melissa Moretz, first
- Boys-Jordan Bodiford, fifth
800
- Girls-Georgia Geotter, first
3200
- Girls-Charleigh McPherson, fourth
1600
- Girls-Georgia Geotter, second
All Florida Prisions To Ban Tobacco Use In Six Months
March 15, 2011
All Florida Department of Corrections facilities will be tobacco-free in six months — including a ban on inmate smoking.
“Inmate smoking and second-hand smoking is costing millions in healthcare costs each year,” said Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Edwin Buss. “Eliminating smoking is a win for taxpayers, but it’s also a win for employees and inmates, making our facilities healthier places to work and live in, and making them a little safer too.”
Smoking bans have long been in place in all of Florida’s public buildings and offices, over half of the state prisons in the US already have similar bans, and since 2004, all of the prisons in the Federal Prison system have banned smoking on prison grounds.
In the past year, inmates hospitalized for tobacco - related illnesses have cost Florida taxpayers nearly 9 million dollars, Buss said, and snuffing out cigarettes will also result in cleaner prisons and by removing lighters, reduce the chance of arson.
The Department is giving 180 days notice to inmates and will offer smoking cessation assistance to inmates requesting help. Designated smoking areas will be set up for employees outside the prison fence.
Pictured: A guard tower at Century Correctional Institution. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
AARP: 40% Over 50 Have Problems Paying Utility Bills; Concerns Over Phone Deregulation
March 15, 2011
AARP says 40 percent of Florida’s over 50 population finds it difficult to pay their electric bill each month, and the organization is raising concerns about a proposed deregulation of telephone rates, which supporters say would simply bring the state’s telecommunications rules into the 21ist century.
Jeff Johnson, interim state director for the organization in Florida, said AARP is still studying the measure. But he said the prospect of completely deregulating the phone rates in the state alarmed the organization.
“It looks to us like one that’s going to be bad for consumers, and it’s going to be a real challenge for us this session,” Johnson said.
The organization mentioned its concerns at a press conference called to unveil a survey of Floridians age 50 or older, including their concerns about utility costs.
That survey showed about 40 percent said it was difficult to pay their electricity bill and 78 percent were at least “somewhat concerned” about potential increases in the price of electricity.
Johnson said the organization didn’t know about the bill when it commissioned the survey and didn’t ask specifically about phone bills. Still, he said the survey indicated the challenges faced by older Floridians, including seniors on a fixed income.
“When you talk to folks who are 50 and over…. raising those fixed costs for no good reason is something that they’re not going to put up with,” said Johnson.
The bill – sponsored in the Senate by Sen. David Simmons, R-Maitland, and in the House by Rep. Mike Horner, R-Kissimmee – would add land-line telephone services to the list of utilities exempt from regulation by the Public Service Commission.
Simmons said his bill is simply an acknowledgment of the changing industry landscape, where cell phones play a larger role and landlines are beginning to decline. Cell phone rates are not regulated by the PSC.
“The telecommunications industry has seen dramatic changes over the last 10 years, and the technology has increased exponentially so that the prior concepts of the telecommunications industry as a monopoly are truly archaic,” he said.
Particularly with wireless and other technologies unregulated, the old-line services “should be opened up to free enterprise just like any other part of the telecommunications industry,” he said.
Utility companies are stepping behind the bill, offering the same reasons as Simmons.
“Florida’s telecommunications laws should reflect the reality of the current competitive marketplace and encourage jobs and investment,” said Stephanie Smith, a spokeswoman for AT&T Florida. “We are operating under rotary dial regulation in an iPhone world, and if this bill passes, consumers will benefit from a competitive marketplace that continues to ensure consumer protection.”
While it’s not clear how hard telecom interests will push the measure, AT&T showed a willingness to spend to advance its agenda last year, shelling out $1.7 million in compensation for lobbyists.
By Brandon Larrabee
The News Service of Florida
Molino Man Injured In Motorcyle Vs. Deer Crash
March 14, 2011
A Molino man was injured Monday night when he struck a deer with his motorcycle.
Marc Eugene Cayson, 42, was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital following the crash about 7:30 on Jacks Branch Road near Barrineau Lane. The Florida Highway Patrol said Cayson was thrown from his motorcycle after coming into contact with the deer. An independent witness verified seeing the deer, which had fled the area by the time emergency workers arrived.
The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Losing Saturday Post Office Retail Service
March 14, 2011
Saturday lobby service at the U.S. Post Office in Walnut Hill is coming to an end.
The post office retail lobby will be closed beginning April 4. However, mail will still be placed in post office boxes by no later than 9:30 each Saturday. The retail lobby will continue to be open from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.
The U.S. Post Office in Walnut Hill is a contract facility operated by Escambia River Electric Cooperative.
Pictured: The U.S. Post Office in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Fox 10 Back On Dish Network
March 14, 2011
Some good news today for Dish Network satellite television subscribers — American Idol, Glee, NASCAR and the Simpsons are back.
LIN Media, owner of WALA Fox 10 in Mobile, and Dish reached a new retransmission agreement, restoring WALA to the Dish lineup. Dish customers lost WALA on March 4 when the two companies failed to reach a retransmission agreement as Dish blasted LIN for being “greedy”.
But a new deal was reached over the weekend, the terms of which were not disclosed.
“We are pleased that our negotiations with Dish Network resulted in fair resolution and a news retransmission consent agreement,” LIN CEO Vince Sadusky said in an issued statement. “We thank our viewers and our advertisers for their tremendous support.”
“We appreciate your tremendous support throughout these negotiations. This fair resolution ensures that we can continue to provide top quality news, sports, entertainment, and other local programming that is most important to you,” said a statement posted Sunday morning by WALA on their website.
NWS Releases Data, Graphics Detailing McDavid Tornado
March 14, 2011
Data released by the National Weather Service details the track of an EF1 tornado across McDavid last Thursday.
Here is the NWS data on the storm:
- Event date: March 9, 2011
- Event time: 9:28 a.m.
- Intensity: EF1 with max 3-second wind gust of 105 mph
- Damage path length: 0.5 miles
- Max damage patch width: 80 yards
- Injuries/Fatalities: None
- Discussion: the tornado first touched down as an EF1 near Highway 164 just west of U.S. Highway 29. The tornado tracked southeast across Highway 29 and lifted near the intersection of Main Street and Railroad street. Eleven homes were damaged along the path. Two homes were damaged by falling trees. A home on Main Street was shifted off of its foundation, while another suffered significant roof damage.
The following data corresponds to the numbered locations on the map at the top of the page:
Location 1 — Highway 164
- Damage — Trees snapped and fell into front of a house.
- Wind Speed: 88 mph / EF1 Tornado
Location 2 — Highway 164
- Damage — Trees downed, debris damaged house
- Wind Speed: 90 mph / EF1 Tornado
Location 3 — Main Street
- Damage — Uplift of roof deck and significant loss of roofing material, collapse of chimney, garage door collapse inward, failure of porch and carport
- Wind Speed: 90 mph / EF1 Tornado
Location 4 — Main Street
- Damage — Entire house shifted off foundation, total roof failure
- Wind Speed: 105 mph / EF1 Tornado
Location 5 — Main Street
- Damage — Roof blown off house with walls still standing. Numerous pine trees snapped in half around the home. Outbuildings destroyed.
- Wind Speed: 105 mph / EF1 Tornado
NorthEscambia.com Previous Stories/Photos:
- For more information on how the National Weather Service determined the data above, click here.
- For more information on the storm and a photo gallery, click here.
Bond Revoked For Pharmacy Robbery Suspect
March 14, 2011
The woman accused of being the getaway car driver in last September’s armed robbery at a Molino pharmacy is back behind bars.
Judge Ronald Swanson granted Assistant State Attorney Jeff Gaddy’s request to revoke bond for Krystal Lynn Collins, 24. She is facing multiple charges in connection with the robbery at Scott’s Pharmacy, including robbery with a firearm, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and multiple felony drug charges.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, deputies believe Collins drove the getaway car and took part in the robbery with Joseph Daniel Flowers of Molino. Flowers, who was allegedly wearing underwear on his head at the time of the holdup, is using the insanity defense.
Flowers was later charged with beating Collins with a two liter bottle of Coke in an unrelated incident.
Both Collins and Flowers remain in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Pictured: Krystal Lynn Collins (with blond hair in September, 2010) was briefly taken into custody after the September, 2010 robbery of Scott’s Pharmacy in Molino. The inset on the photograph shows her current mugshot. NorthEscambia.com/courtesy photos, click to enlarge.