Motorcyclist Flown To Hospital Following Crash
July 25, 2010
On person was injured in a motorcycle accident Sunday afternoon in Bratt.
The accident happened shortly after 5 p.m. in the “S-curve” on North Highway 99 just south of Breastworks Road. The male driver of a Harley Davidson motorcycle apparently lost control in the curve, slid off the highway and into an electric fence.
The motorcyclist, who was reported to be in his 60’s,was transported by LifeFlight helicopter to a Pensacola Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The accident is still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Atmore Ambulance also responded to the call.
Pictured above and below: A Florida Highway Patrol Trooper looks at a wrecked motorcycle Sunday evening in Bratt as LifeFlight lifts off with the driver. Pictured below: The driver apparently lost control in a curve before hitting the electric fence. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Olivia’s Story: The Littlest Girl’s Biggest Birthday
July 25, 2010
Birthdays are a big deal for every little girl. For North Escambia resident Olivia Bush, her seventh birthday was a big deal in ways she might not realize.
We first introduced you to Olivia last December in a story titled “A Christmas Wish: A Cure For Olivia”.
Olivia Bush’s story started July 22, 2003, almost four months before there should have been a first chapter in her life. Born at just 22 weeks, she stayed in the neonatal intensive care unit three and half months, defying doctors and coming home two weeks before her due date. Olivia is the second youngest baby to ever survive at Sacred Heart Hospital.
She is blind, able to see just a little light with her left eye. And she suffered frequent seizures — until a portion of her brain was removed in February at Miami Children’s Hospital. During the surgery, doctors removed a seven centimeter portion of her brain — basically taking out the bad, non-functioning portion and leaving behind the good, healthy tissue.
She has been seizure-free since. And that was reason for the Bush family to celebrate a little more on the occasion of birthday number seven.
When the big birthday was winding down and the kids were in bed, mom Amber Bush took a quiet moment to go through some of the items from the Sacred Heart NICU and reflect on the days and weeks after the birth of their baby girl, who weighed barely a pound and a quarter.
Amber Bush, in her own words:
“We would just go in the waiting room and pray,” she said of one occasion in the neonatal intensive care unit. “We had no clue until after the fact, that she was so sick. The nurses told us that they couldn’t even look at us because Olivia was about to die. They knew what was coming and we had no clue. But, Olivia was a fighter and she slowly got better and better. I thank God that he shielded us from so much. I really don’t think I could have handled it.
“And, looking back, we really had no clue what we were going through. God shielded us from all the bad that was happening to Olivia and kept reassuring us that she would be OK. He was showing all of those doctors and nurses a true miracle right before their eyes.
“I thank God for these last seven years. They have been seven of the most rewarding years of my life. Not many people get to see their baby develop outside the womb. Not many people get to see a one pound baby fight for life after doctors wanted to abort her.”
It was, truly, a happy birthday.
Top photo courtesy Portrait Innovations.
Abundant Life Students Place Superior In Fine Arts Festivaln
July 25, 2010
Two youth from the Abundant Life Assembly in Century won superior in a recent Assemblies Of God Fine Arts Festival and were invited to attend Nationals. Zach Ingram won Superior for digital photography, and Victoria Creamer won Superior for voice.
Pictured above: Zach Ingram received a Superior for digital photography of “Ms. Brenda pulling her wagon”. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Have church news or an announcement you would like to share? Email news@northescambia.com
State Wants $11 Million More In Damages Over Late FCAT
July 25, 2010
The Department of Education continues to press its testing contractor for penalties for late delivery of test scores, adding more than $11 million on Friday to what it says NCS Pearson must pay for damages.
Pearson, which acknowledged problems in delivering the test scores, has already paid more than $3 million.
But Education Commissioner Eric Smith on Friday demanded another $11.7 million in penalties for additional problems, and ordered the company to deliver the money no later than Aug. 6. The additional penalty is for late delivery of math and reading FCAT results for grades 4 through 10 and science results for grades 5, 8 and 11, Smith said.
“Pearson’s usage of unproven technology systems this year has caused great turmoil for our parents, teachers, administrators and other education stakeholders and I remain committed to holding the company fully accountable for these disruptions,” Smith said, adding that if it turns out that it costs districts more than expected to deal with the problems, he’ll go to the company for that money too.
He also said company officials would appear before the state Board of Education in September to answer questions about the delays and explain why the company should keep its contract.
“I have firmly impressed upon Pearson that failure to meet their contractual obligations is not an option,” Smith said.
A spokesman for Pearson, Adam Gaber, said in a statement that the company would make good on “substantiated, unexpected costs,” due to the delay.
He also defended the company’s technology – it delivers testing and grading services in several other states – but again acknowledged the company’s shortcomings with the project in Florida.
“Pearson uses quality technology to conduct its testing, scoring and reporting functions,” the company statement said. “Our technology is sound. In short, as previously communicated, the delay was due to human factors in underestimating the requirements to customize our core technology for Florida.
“As we began the process of testing and configuring our systems to support FCAT and the requirements of the department, it became clear to us that we needed to make changes, and these changes took additional time. As a result we fell behind schedule.“Throughout the process our number one concern has always been the accuracy of the data,” Pearson said. “The FCAT scores are valid and accurate.”
NCS Pearson signed a $250 million contract with the state in 2009 to provide scoring of the FCAT until 2013. Harcourt Assessment, acquired by Pearson in 2007, had provided similar services related to the FCAT since 2000.
The Department of Education has contracted with the National Center for the Improvement of Educational Assessment to check the FCAT results, which some districts have also questioned in a matter unrelated to the result delays. The results are also being reviewed by a Pearson subsidiary that was signed up to check the company’s work as well.
Small Farms Programs To Help Producers
July 25, 2010
Upcoming workshops will help small farm producers get their product to local markets, address obstacles for small producers, and identify new market segments for selling products locally.
Florida Small Farms Outreach Program is offering four training sessions statewide. These workshops are available via video teleconference through Escambia Extension, 3740 Stefani Road. The program is open to the public for $5 per session.
Early registration is recommended for participants. The availability of program notebooks and materials will be based on pre-registration numbers.
The programs will offer a discussion by farmers and experts on their selected topics. Sessions are two hours each starting at 6 p.m. as follows:
- August 3 – Food Safety Requirements for Small Farmers
August 17 – Taking Care of Business: Price Discovery , Accountability, Basic Merchandising
August 24 – The Art of Selling
Pre-registration is required. Contact Escambia Extension Office at 475-5230. For more information about Small Farms Outreach, visit their website at http://smallfarms.ifas.ufl.edu.
Gates, Levins To Wed
July 25, 2010
Jordan Alexandria Gates and Brady Ryan Levins announce their engagement and forthcoming marriage.
The bride-elect is the daughter of Chad and Alison Fournier of Atmore. She is the granddaughter of Billy and Linda Gates of Atmore.
The prospective groom is the son of Dale and Marie Levins of Byrneville, Fla. He is the grandson of Vera Presley of Byrneville and the late Wilson H. Levins and Robert A. Cawthon of Byrneville and Cecilia Morris of Jay, Fla.
Miss Gates is a 2008 graduate of Escambia County High School in Atmore, Ala. She also received an associates degree in science in 2010 at Faulkner State Community College in Bay Minette. She is currently employed by Portrait Innovations in Pensacola as a photographer.
The prospective groom is a 2006 graduate of Northview High School in Bratt. He also completed the law enforcement course at George Stone Criminal Justice Training Center in Pensacola in 2009. He is currently employed by TBH Construction, Inc. in Flomaton.
The couple will exchange vows Saturday, July 31, 2010, at 6 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, Atmore.
Following the ceremony, a reception will be held at the Wisteria in Atmore. All friends and family are invited to attend.
Submitted photo, click to enlarge.
Featured Recipe: ‘Famous’ Special Cheese Lasagna
July 25, 2010
This weekend’s featured recipe from Janet Tharpe is a Lasagna Made “Famous” By Special Cheese Sauce. It’s bursting with a wonder combination of sweet and tangy flavors instead of the normal ricotta cheese filling.
To print today’s “Just a Pinch” recipe column, you can click the image below to load a printable pdf with a recipe card.
Northwest Escambia 11-12 Softball Ends Season At State Tournament
July 24, 2010
The Northwest Escambia 11-12 year old softball team ended their season Friday in Fort Myers as the Florida Little League Section 1 Champions.
In state tournament action Friday afternoon, NWE fell 11-1 to St. Cloud in a three hour game in rain from Tropical Storm Bonnie. In their final game Friday night, South Tampa got past Northwest Escambia 1-0.
Members of the NWE 11-12 year old All-Stars are: Savanna Roux, Peighton Dortch, Courtney Peebles, Kyndall Hall, Penny Banda, Addy Lee, Kendal Cobb, Mallory Ryan, Kristin Byrd and Natalie Goetter. The team is managed by Jerry Mason, and coached by Ronald Peebles and Eddie Ryan.
Pictured top: The Northwest Escambia All-Stars 11-12 softball team finished their year as Section 1 Champions. Pictured below: The NWE girls pose while waiting for a break in the rain from Tropical Storm Bonnie in Fort Myers. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Perritt To Continue House Campaign After Wife Arrested On Drug Charges
July 24, 2010
Days after the arrest of his wife on drug trafficking charges, Florida House District 1 candidate Ricky Perritt has announced that he will stay in the race.
(Update: Ricky Perritt was arrest on drug trafficking charges on July 26. Click here for the story.)
“I am running to give the common citizens a voice in Tallahassee,” Perritt said. “We must remember that leadership is earned, not inherited.”
Perritt’s wife, Jennifer Rene Perritt, 38, of Wallace Lake Road, Pace, is charged with drug trafficking, prescription forgery and fraud. She was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail where she was later released on $31,000 bond.
A statement issued by Perritt’s campaign said Jennifer Perritt has suffered from a degenerative spinal condition for the past seven years, and that she became addicted to her prescribed pain medications.
“…Mrs. Perritt voluntarily reported to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff to answer questions regarding allegations that she mishandled prescriptions,” the press released stated. “Mr. Perritt is concerned for the health of his wife and he is consulting with the appropriate professionals to evaluate the situation. During this time Mr. Perritt asks you to pray for his family and asks that you respect his wife’s privacy.”
Bond for Jennifer Perritt was originally set at $620,000, but later reduced to $31,000.
Florida House District 1 includes the northern two-thirds of Escambia County, most of Santa Rosa County and a portion of Okaloosa County. The seat is being vacated by Greg Evers who is running for Florida Senate District 2.
Escambia Firefighter’s Wife Injured In Townhouse Fire
July 24, 2010
An Escambia County firefighter’s wife was injured as the family’s townhouse burned.
Escambia County Fire responded to 630 Fairfield Drive just before 8:00 Monday morning. Units arrived in four minutes, but the end townhouse unit was a total loss and anadjacent unit sustained smoke damage. It is believed that the fire started on the second floor of the townhouse. The state fire marshal was called to investigate and determine the cause of the fire. The American Red Cross was called to assist the family with a temporary place to stay.
Myrtle Grove Volunteer Firefighter Cliff Long lived at the residence, according to Escambia County Public Information Manager Sonya Daniel. Long was at work but his wife and two children were at home when the fire broke out. The children and family pets were not injured. Long’s wife was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation and was later transferred to University of South Alabama Regional Burn Center. The children are staying with family members and the Westside Animal Hospital is caring for the pets until they can be reunited with the Long family.
Escambia County Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene along with units from Myrtle Grove, West Pensacola, Warrington, Navy Fire, Pleasant Grove, Osceola, Bellview and Ensley.