Ernest Ward Basketball Player, 13, Airlifted After Game Injury
December 9, 2010
A 13-year old Ernest Ward Middle School girls basketball player was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital after suffering an apparent head injury during a Thursday night game.
Brianna Parker was transported by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital. She was released from the hospital Thursday night after being treated for a concussion.
Pictured above: LifeFlight lands at the Walnut Hill Fire Station to transport an injured Ernest Ward Middle School girls basketball player. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Gov. May Not Sign Legislation Stopping Septic Tank Inspections
December 9, 2010
A six-month delay of new requirements that septic tanks be inspected will have to be signed by January 1, when current law calls for the required every-five-years checks to begin. But Gov. Charlie Crist said Wednesday that he has not decided whether or not he will sign the lone piece of new legislation to emerge from last month’s special session that saw lawmakers override several of his vetoes.
That means Crist, who will remain in office until January 4, would likely be the governor who will act on the bill, not Gov.-elect Rick Scott, though the measure hasn’t been sent to him yet. Crist told reporters Wednesday he had not made a final decision.
“If it improves the quality of life for our people, than I’ll support it,” he said after signing an unrelated bill. “If it doesn’t, then I won’t. It’s that simple.” Crist said he was looking forward to reviewing the bill when he received it.
Lawmakers were forced to pass new legislation to delay the septic tank inspections because Crist signed the measure that included it in the spring.
On another big water issue, the soon-to-be ex-governor was also vague. Crist said did not yet have an opinion on outgoing Attorney General Bill McCollum and Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Bronson’s lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over recently announced numeric nutrient limits for state bodies of water.
“The courts will make a decision about the appropriateness of it,” Crist said. Senate President Mike Haridopolos said Wednesday he was not particularly worried about a Crist veto. “If he vetoed it, I guess we’d try to override it,” he said.
Poarch Creek Indians Donate $1.6 Million To Help Area Schools
December 9, 2010
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians announced donations well over $1 million to Atmore area schools Wednesday and the establishment of a fund that could benefit schools in North Escambia.
Donations were made to the following Atmore area schools:
- Escambia County High School/Escambia County Middle School $687,360
- Rachel Patterson Elementary $78,000
- A.C. Moore School $112,547
- Huxford Elementary $337,000
- Escambia Academy $311,500
- Atmore Christian School $100,000.
The remaining $350,000 is in an education endowment and other schools in the surrounding communities will have the opportunity to solicit these funds for various educational needs. Schools in North Escambia are eligible to seek a portion of the $350,000, according to Sharon Delmar, spokesperson for the Tribe.
“Part of being a good neighbor is helping out others in need. Education is the bedrock of productive successful lives for these youngsters; we are happy and proud to be able to make this contribution to their future today,” said Tribal Chairman Buford L. Rolin. The presentation was made during a special ceremony held Wednesday at Escambia County High School in Atmore.
School personnel had an opportunity to provide a list of needs that were used in formulating the donation amounts.
Also Wednesday, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians donated $10,000 to the United Fund of Atmore.
“The United Fund of Atmore is so very thankful for the generosity of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Without the help of Poarch and other donors the agencies that United Fund supports would definitely suffer and in some cases not be able to function,” said Atmore United Fund Vice President Lee Ann Allen said. “We are truly grateful.”
The $10,000 donation helped move the United Fund of Atmore closer toward their $50,000 goal for 2011.
Man Accused Of Stealing, And Then Taking Drug Test
December 9, 2010
A man is accused of stealing a $29 drug test from a Century pharmacy before being arrested on outstanding warrants in Flomaton.
The store manager at the CVS Pharmacy on North Century Boulevard reported that a man had asked to see the “drug tests” and had ran from the store with a First Check drug test in his coat pocket. He fled the store in a white vehicle headed north toward Flomaton.
The vehicle was determined to be at an address on Roosevelt Street in Flomaton. The Flomaton Police Department and deputies from the Escambia Count (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office responded to the home where they made contact with Adam Lee Kornegay, 31. Kornegay was recognizable to deputies from the surveillance video at the CVS, according to a Sheriff’s Office report.
Kornegay admitted to taking the drug test, and the package wrappers were visible in his kitchen trash. He was taken into custody by the Flomaton Police Department on outstanding failure to appear and theft charges in Alabama. He was booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton. A warrant for his arrest is being pursued for the alleged theft of the drug test.
The Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriffs’ Office report does not specify if the drug test results were positive or negative.
Dog Dies During 2.5 Hour Wait For Animal Control Help
December 9, 2010
A dog died on a Century street Wednesday morning as an Escambia County deputy stood by, waiting over two hours for an animal control officer to arrive.
A NorthEscambia.com reader contacted us wanting to know why it took over two hours for the county’s animal control officer to respond. Here’s what we found.
A resident of Jefferson Avenue reported that the dog was loose and appeared to have been hit by a car at 6:24 a.m., according to Escambia County Sheriff’s Office dispatch logs. A deputy arrived on scene, located the pit bull and requested, per protocol, that Escambia County Animal Control respond.
The deputy requested an estimated time of arrival for the animal control officer, including at 8:32 a.m. Sheriff’s Office dispatchers were advised at that time that the animal control officer would arrive in another 45 minutes.
At 8:33 a.m., according to the dispatch logs, the deputy advised dispatchers that the dog was dead.
“The dog was picked up at nine,” according to Sonya Daniel, public information manager for Escambia County. She said animal control received the call from the Sheriff’s Office at 6:30 a.m. and it was relayed to the on-call officer — the only officer assigned to the Century area — by 7 a.m. The animal control officer removed the dog from the roadside at 9 a.m.
“It turns out that he had other calls with Century, and he prioritized these calls,” Daniel said. “He responded but he prioritized it.”
Northview’s ‘Biggest Fan’ Almost Homeless And Needs Your Help
December 9, 2010
Northview Chiefs’ fans may not know his name. But they, without a doubt, know the distinctive voice and mannerisms of the man sometimes dubbed “Northview’s Biggest Fan”. If it’s Friday night Northview football, he’s the guy running around with the Northview flag loudly proclaiming his love for the Chiefs. You just can’t miss Jake.
Or if it’s a Saturday afternoon little league football game in Century, he’s the announcer’s voice that you know you’ve heard before with a style that’s just hard to put into words.
He is 33-year old Jake Livingston of Century. It’s obvious that Jake is a little different than most. But that’s why we all like him.
Born with special needs, Jake has lived with a relative all of his life. But due to a change in a family situation, Jake may be without a place to live. And that did not sit well with his neighbor Charlie Brown.
“I just could not see him without a home,” Brown said. “He does not deserve that.”
Brown has found a FEMA trailer for Jake, a half-acre lot of his own for the trailer and other items like a septic tank, plumbing and electrical wiring. But money is needed to help pay for the trailer and other necessities.
Since Jake has never lived on his own, Brown has even arranged for a state-assigned caregiver to teach him independent living skills. Plans are also being made to assist Jake with ordinary living expenses in the future like his electric and water bills.
“We have most everything we need to keep him from being homeless, but we need help,” Brown said.
The “Jake Livingston Fund” has been established at Pen Air Federal Credit Union in Century for anyone wishing to help.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Grandma Dies In Prison After Beginning Drug Sentence
December 9, 2010
The 87-year old grandma caught on video selling crack cocaine to undercover officers has died in prison.
The Florida Department of Corrections confirmed that Ola Mae Agee, 87, of Pensacola died Monday. She was just over a month into her 18 month prison sentence for selling cocaine.
Agee was arrested May 13 at her Dr. Martin Luther King Drive home. An undercover Escambia County Sheriff’s Office video shows Agee selling a $20 piece of crack cocaine inside her house to an undercover deputy.
In 1996, Agee was sentenced to two years probation and ordered to forfeit $1,971 seized at the time of her arrest for possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, manufacture or deliver and resisting arrest with violence. In 1999, she once again faced charges of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, but those charges were dropped.
Senior ‘Snow’ Picture
December 9, 2010
The yearbook photo for Northview High School Senior Class of 2011 turned out to be a little more on the memorable side Wednesday morning as snow flurries interrupted the photo shoot.
To see closeup images from the main picture, click here.
Pictured above: Snow interrupted the Northview High School Senior Class of 2011 picture Wednesday morning. Pictured below: A closeup from the photo. Submitted for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jeff Miller to Lead House Veterans’ Affairs Committee
December 9, 2010
Northwest Florida’s Congressman Jeff Miller was elected Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Wednesday.
“It is certainly a great honor to have the opportunity to serve as chairman of an important committee that is so critical to our country,” said Miller. “I’m eager to work hard in this new capacity for our veterans and retirees.”
“I can’t think of anyone in the House more capable to serve as the Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs than Jeff Miller,” said Boehner. “Jeff’s efforts for veterans are well documented and his credentials as a conservative leader are without question. Jeff will continue to work to ensure that all of our nation’s heroes receive the proper respect and care that they earned.”
The Committee on Veterans’ Affairs is responsible for authorization and oversight of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA.) VA is the second largest department in the federal government with over 300,000 employees and a budget of over $119 billion.
Since being elected to Congress in 2001, Miller has established himself nationally as a strong advocate for veterans’ concerns including his successful support for changes to concurrent pay receipt and his advocacy of a greater co-sharing between the military and veterans’ facilities. In 2004, Miller spearheaded a measure to remedy the inequity in the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) for Social Security recipients.
A staunch fiscal conservative, Miller aims to bring efficiency and a streamlined approach to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Miller plans for a return to strict oversight, focusing on issues such as claims backlogs as well as safety and security breaches within the department.
“I am humbled by the opportunity to serve the more than 22 million veterans who have so proudly served this great nation,” Miller said. “I will work to ensure that we meet our veterans’ needs.”
Stay Warm, But Stay Safe
December 9, 2010
With cold temperatures forecast for the next several nights, Escambia County urges residents to take safety precautions while trying to stay warm, specifically when using space heaters. Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires during the winter months, and trails only cooking equipment in home fires year-round.
According to the National Fire Protection Association annual fire department survey, heating equipment was involved in an estimated 64,100 reported home structure fires in the United States in 2006. These fires accounted for 16% of all home fires and were responsible for an estimated 540 deaths, roughly 1,400 injuries and $943 million in direct property damage. With this in mind, Escambia County would like to offer a few safety tips involving heating equipment:
- Properly inspect all heating equipment for frayed cords or exposed elements before use.
- Space heaters need space. Keep heaters at least three feet away from all furniture, drapes, clothing and other combustibles.
- Use only heaters designed for use in the home. Never use cooking appliances, such as ovens, or any heaters designed for outdoor usage indoors.
- Only use heaters with safety features such as cut-off switches that turn them off if they accidentally tip over and those units with heater element guards that prevent combustible materials from contacting the heating element.
- Never leave space heaters unattended. Turn them off when you leave the room or go to bed.
- Keep children and pets away from space heaters.
- Keep heaters and their cords along with extension cords away from high traffic areas.
- When buying a new space heater, make sure it carries the mark of an independent testing laboratory.
- Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home and outside every bedroom. Test the batteries every month and change them at least once a year.
- If you have gas appliances, install a carbon monoxide alarm in a central location outside each sleeping area.
Alternative Heating Fire Safety Life-Saving Tips
- Allow your heater to cool before refueling and only refuel outdoors.
- Fill your heater with only crystal clear, K-1 kerosene, not gasoline or camp stove fuel as both explode easily.
- Keep the fire in the fireplace with a screen large enough to catch flying sparks and rolling logs.
- Carefully follow manufacturers’ installation and maintenance instructions.
- Remember it’s always safer to add more blankets on your bed than to use a space heater while sleeping.
- Electric blankets can be a serious fire hazard if defected or used improperly. Check your electric blanket for any damage from fraying, creasing or general wear and tear. Electric blankets that are more than 10 years old should be replaced, and never use a wet blanket.
- In case of a fire, stay low to the ground, beneath the smoke, and crawl to an exit using your escape plan.
Actions should be taken to prepare for this and future cold weather events. Remember the “5 Ps” of cold weather preparedness:
- Protect People
- Protect Plants
- Protect Pets
- Protect Exposed Pipes
- Practice Fire Safety
Escambia County encourages everyone to follow these safety tips. For more information on cold weather hazards click here.