Tate’s Lynsey Meharg Elected To FFA Post
August 31, 2010
Lynsey Meharg of Tate High School was recently elected Area I vice president for the Florida FFA.
The State Office Team was elected during the 82nd Annual Florida FFA State Convention in Orlando. A total of only eight officers were elected by their peers who served as official delegates in the convention.
The National FFA Organization, formerly known as Future Farmers of America, is a national organization comprised of over 500,000 students throughout the United States. Over 15,000 students in 320 chapters throughout Florida are engaged in a wide range of agricultural education activities, leading to more than 300 professional career opportunities in the agricultural industry.
New $320 Million Wastewater Plant Now Operating
August 31, 2010
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority’s new Central Water Reclamation Facility in Cantonment began operations on Monday.
The first wastewater began to flow through the $320 million facility almost six years after Hurricane Ivan’s devastating impact on Northwest Florida and the ECUA’s Main Street Wastewater Treatment Plant. The new CWRF off Chemstrand Road is constructed to withstand Category 5 hurricane force winds of up to 190 mph, and the site is well above sea level, eliminating the potential of hurricane-related flooding.
It will take a few months before the entire system is fully functional, but it’s expected that all flow will be diverted from the Main Street Plant by January 2011. The rate at which the diversion flow is increased will be determined by how quickly the biological treatment is operating in its new environment at the CWRF. All reclaimed water from the CWRF will go directly to area industries — Gulf Power and International Paper — for use in their industrial processes. When not reused by industry, effluent will be disposed of on spray fields at the plant’s site.
Pictured above and below: The Central Water Reclamation Facility in Cantonment began operations on Monday. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lady Chiefs Split Volleyball Matches With Catholic
August 31, 2010
The Northview Lady Chiefs Ninth grade team beat Catholic Monday afternoon on the volleyball court, while the JV and Varsity teams lost.
In the first game of the ninth grade match, Northview won by two points, 25-23. The Lady Chiefs took a big 11-point win the second game, 25-14. Mallory Wiggins had one kill, four aces and a block for the Chiefs (1-0). Paeton Hadley had one assist and a half dozen aces, and Ali Martin had four aces.
The Varsity Lady Chiefs lost three games to the Crusaders, 25-10, 25-14, 25,11. Shawna Montgomery had two kills, three assists and two blocks for the Varsity Chiefs (0-1). Kara Hardin had one ace, two assists and a dig, while Sarah Killam had 13 assists, one kill and a block.
The JV Lady Chiefs lost two games to Catholic, 25-5, 25-9. Sophomore Rebecca Masaitis had one dig for the JV Lady Chiefs (0-1).
The JV and Varsity teams will be in action again Tuesday at Jay beginning at 4:00.
Escambia County High Football Game Moved To Atmore
August 31, 2010
Escambia County High School’s football this week against B.C. Rain has been moved to Atmore Friday night, according to Head Coach Mark Heaton.
The game was first scheduled for Friday night at B.C. Rain. It was the moved to Thursday, but both teams agreed to move the game to the Blue Devil’s home turf this Friday night.
With the move, Escambia County’s schedule now includes five home games and five on the road.
Driver Charged After Molino Road Wreck Cuts Power
August 30, 2010
An unknown number of Molino residents were without power for about eight hours Monday night after a wreck on Molino Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Kenneather S. Davison, 23, of Century, was westbound on Molino Road when she lost control about 6:10 p.m., struck a ditch embankment and then hit a power pole. The force of the collision near Veazy Lane snapped one power pole, damaged several others and left power lines scattered on the ground about a half mile back to near Highway 95A.
Davison was transported to West Florida Hospital by ambulance with minor injuries. According to the FHP, Davison was charged with careless driving. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Train Hits Truck In Brewton
August 30, 2010
Downtown Brewton, Ala.,was essentially shutdown this afternoon after a truck was hit by a train.
The flatbed truck was struck by the CSX train at Mildred Street about 1:30 and pushed down the tracks. Debris and rocks from the railbed were scattered along St. Joseph Avenue in the downtown area.
The driver of the truck was reportedly not seriously injured.
Mosquito-Borne EEE Virus Claims Horse In North Escambia
August 30, 2010
Eastern equine encephalitis has claimed a victim in North Escambia — a horse in the Molino area.
The horse was euthanized last week after showing symptoms of EEE, a diagnosis confirmed by laboratory tests, according to Katie Miller, spokesperson for the Escambia County Health Department. The horse was pastured on River Bend Road, near the Escambia River, not far from Fairgrounds Park.
EEE is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system. Signs of the virus include fever, listlessness, stumbling, circling, coma and usually death. The disease is fatal in horses in 90 percent of cases and fatal in about one third of human victims. It leaves many survivors with permanent brain damage.
“There have been no recent human cases in Escambia County,” Miller said.
The virus can only be spread by mosquito bites, and is sometimes spread among horses and birds in species that does not typically bite humans. Miller said that Escambia County stepped up its mosquito prevention spraying program in the Molino area last week in response to the disease confirmation.
Typically one or two human cases are reported each year in Florida, according to the Florida Department of Health. The state averages over 70 reported cases of equine EEE each year. In years when conditions favor the spread of the EEE, the number of reported equine cases can exceed 200. EEE is not believed to have the potential to cause a human epidemic in Florida.
Miller said it is still a good idea to follow the “5-D’s ” of mosquito protection:
- Don’t go outdoors at DUSK and DAWN when mosquitoes are most active.
- DRESS so your skin is covered with clothing
- Apply mosquito repellent containing DEET to bare skin and clothing. Other effective repellents include picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and IR3535.
- Empty containers and DRAIN standing water around your home where mosquitoes can lay eggs.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said the majority of cases of EEE and other mosquito-borne diseases in horses can be prevented through proper vaccinations. Horse owners are urged to check with their veterinarian to make sure their animals have received current vaccinations and booster shots against EEE and West Nile Virus, and that these shots are kept up to date.
Pictured: Jessica Mullins with Spirit, the Molino horse that contracted Eastern equine encephalitis. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Convicted Felon Sentenced For Possession Of Gun, Brass Knuckles
August 30, 2010
A convicted felon from Walnut Hill has been sentenced to three years probation after a deputy found her in Cantonment with a gun and set of brass knuckles.
Tammy Lou Price, 47, of Pine Forest Road, Walnut Hill, was charged with two counts of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a concealed firearm and possession of narcotics paraphernalia. Prosecutors later dropped the carrying a concealed weapon charges against Price.
In addition to probation, she was ordered to perform 50 hours of community service, but she will be allowed to buyout the sentence at minimum wage due to a disability. She was also ordered to pay $518 in court costs and fees.
During the early morning hours of April 18, Escambia County Deputy John Rose spotted a small Mazda pickup truck in the parking lot of the Champion Golf Course, which was closed at the time.
When Deputy Rose asked for Price’s identification, she admitted that she had a firearm in her purse and that she was a convicted felon. A records check revealed that she was convicted on a felony burglary charged in 2003. A search revealed that her purse also contained brass knuckles.
When her property underwent a thorough search at the jail, detention deputies located two wooden pipes that smelled of marijuana inside of a coin purse, according to the arrest report.
Escambia Details New Animal Tethering, Shelter Ordinance
August 30, 2010
The Escambia County Commission recently adopted an ordinance amending the definitions and restrictions related to sheltering and tethering animals.
The county released the following information outlining the new regulations:
Shelters should provide unlimited access for the animal. Structures should have a roof, walls and a floor. Shelters must also be dry, sanitary, clean, weatherproof and made of durable materials. At a minimum shelters must meet these requirements:
- The size of the structure must allow the animal to stand up, turn around, lie down and stretch comfortably.
- Protect the animal from the elements, provide shade and reduce exposure to inclement weather.
- Free of standing water, accumulated waste and debris.
- Provide adequate ventilation.
- Provide a comfortable surface for the animal to lie.
Tether means to restrain an animal by tying to any stationary object or structure, including but not limited to a house, tree, fence, post, garage or shed, by any means, including but not limited to, a chain, rope, cord, leash or pulley/running line, but shall NOT include the use of a leash when walking an animal.
No animals under six months of age shall be tethered.
Those animals over six months in age can only be tethered when:
- The animal is in visible range of the responsible party.
- The tether is a minimum of six feet or is at least 5 times the length of the animal, has a swivel at both ends and does not weigh more than 1/16 of the animal’s weight.
- Overhead run/pulley line shall be at least 15 feet in length and no less than seven feet above the ground at all times.
- Tethers must be fastened to a properly fitted body harness or buckle collar made of nylon or leather.
- Tether must be free from entanglement and other obstructions at all times.
- Tethered animal shall have access to potable water, food, shelter and dry ground at all times.
- Animals shall not be tethered while sick, injured or in distress.
- Animals shall not be tethered outside during a period of extreme weather, including but not limited to, extreme heat, extreme cold, thunderstorms, tornadoes, tropical storms, or hurricanes.
- Multiple animals must be tethered separately.
Dobson Places In USA 10km Trail Championships
August 30, 2010
Matt Dobson of Jay placed in the 2010 USA 10K Trail Championships this past weekend in Laurel Springs, North Carolina, and he’s already looking forward to a host of upcoming races, including the Boston Marathon.
Saturday, Dobson, 40, finished 9th in the Masters runners division and 25th in the Open Men division with a time of 55:15.
“This race happened to be exceptionally difficult and the slower times proved it out,” said Dobson, who won a 10K in Pensacola with a time of 34 minutes. “This course could have been titled an adventures course or survival course! Huge rocks on the trail made it imposable to run across because they were at angles and they were slick. You had to grab the tops of rocks and use arm strength to pull you up, over, and/or across.”
He described the course as having up to a 25 percent grade — “mountainous hills”, he said.
“All in all, I enjoyed it as much as it hurt. It’s like I tell first time marathoners — do your first one to get experience, then go from there. This was my first true “trail” championship race. I learned much from the experience and will think twice about doing that course again. Not for the faint of heart,” the experienced runner said.
Dobson’s upcoming races include the Marine Corp Charity 5K in Pensacolaon September 18, the Cross Country Stampede 8K at the Equestrian Center in Pensacola September 25, the Disney World Wine and Dine Half Marathon on October 2, the Pensacola Marathon on November 14, the Disney Marathon in January and the 115th Boston Marathon in April, 2011.
Dobson finished the 2004 Boston Marathon 49th overall out of 20,000 runners and was the 16th fastest American.
Pictured top: Matt Dobson of Jay. Pictured bottom: A runner on the course at the USA 10K Trail Championships in Laurel Springs, North Carolina. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.