Thousands Of Patient Records Stolen
February 18, 2010
Cardiology Consultants reported Wednesday that a computer used to process ultrasound images was stolen from one of its Pensacola offices last month.
The computer was stolen December 19, and the group said they become aware of the theft on December 21 and and immediately began a thorough investigation with authorities. However, as of Wednesday, no arrests have been made and the computer has not been recovered.
The computer did not contain patient financial information or Social Security Numbers. However, the stolen computer did contain the first and last names, dates of birth, medical record numbers, exam dates and in some cases, the reason for the ultrasound. This information was not encrypted, but the computer does require a special key to access the data,” said Andrew Radoszewski, Cardiology Consultants administrator in a prepared release.
“In addition, because of the proprietary configuration of the computer, it is unlikely that the computer’s information can be accessed by the average user. It is also unlikely that the limited nature of the information could expose patients to any harm.”
Cardiology Consultants is notifying approximately 8,000 patients potentially affected by the breach by mail.
“The privacy of our patient’s is a top priority,” said Radoszewski. “The management and staff of Cardiology Consultants regret this incident occurred and we are taking steps to ensure it is not repeated. These steps include a security review and enhancements to building access control systems.”
Cardiology Consultants is urging patients to visit the Federal Trade Commission’s Identity Theft Web site at the link below to obtain valuable information on precautions they may consider taking at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/consumers/index.html.
Patients are encouraged to call (800) 452-2067 with questions or concerns.
Flomaton Woman Arrested On Drug Charges
February 18, 2010
A Flomaton woman was arrested on multiple felony drug charges after she picked up controlled substance prescriptions belonging to someone else.
Wandra Gibson was charged with three counts of possession of a controlled substance, second-degree theft of property, third-degree forgery, and second-degree possession of marijuana.
Gibson allegedly forged someone’s signature at the Walmart Pharmacy in Brewton in order to pick up a Xanax prescription. Police were alerted after a Brewton area resident discovered her prescription had already been picked up and signed for at the pharmacy. Gibson was identified from Walmart’s surveillance video and warrants were issued.
When authorities went to Gibson’s Flomaton home to arrest her, they found several Adderall and Xanax pills without a proper prescription and about a half ounce of marijuana, according to police reports.
Alger-Sullivan Society Presents History Book To Northview Library
February 18, 2010
Wednesday, members of the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society presented a copy of their new book “A Pictorial History Volume II” and accompanying CD to the Northview High School Library.
The book and CD contain historical pictures and information concerning Century and northeastern Escambia County, Florida; Flomaton, Alabama; Jay and northern Santa Rose County, Florida; and surrounding areas. The book was compiled by Jerry Fischer and Jerry Simmons.
Edsel Smith, former principal of Century High School, and Don Sales visited Northview High School on behalf of the historical society to present the book and CD.
“Northview High School is very appreciative of this ‘treasure-trove’ history book and CD donation to our library,” said Principal Gayle Weaver.
The book is available from Alger-Sullivan Historical Society members and at the Leach House Museum at 610 4th Street in the Century Historical District from 9 until 1 Monday-Friday. The book can also be ordered by mail. Send a check for $30.00 plus $5.00 postage and packaging (padded envelope) to the ASHS, P.O. Box 1002, Century 32535.
For more information, contact Jerry Simmons at (251) 765-2629 or Jerry Fischer at (850) 256-3980.
Pictured above: Current Northview High faculty and Century High School graduates (L-R) Joyce Gunn (1973), Bobby Simpson (1970) and Mary Jo Smith (1966) look through A Pictorial History Volume II in the Northview Library. Pictured below: Century’s drugstore and the Tuberville Hospital in the late 1930’s — just one of about two thousand photographs in the book. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
103-Year Old North Escambia Woman Honored
February 18, 2010
North Escambia’s 103-year old Elmira Gandy Crapps was honored by the Escambia County Commission Thursday night.
Born in Butler County, Alabama, in 1907 to John Oxford and Victoria Black Gandy and married to William Haynes Crapps, she has been a member of Poplar Dell Baptist Church for over 75 years.
For 45 years, she and her husband operated a successful trucking business, Gulf & Southern Transport, in Century, providing hauling services for timber, lumber and equipment.
“Bonds, savings accounts and CD’s are the best and safest places to invest money, and a person should invest at least 20 percent of their annual income with an additional 10 percent going to charity and tithing,” was the advice the Gandyville resident gave as a county proclamation was being prepared.
“She is the third descendant in her family to live past the age of 100 and creates a link to our history,” the county commission’s proclamation states. “She lauds the spirit, inspiration, and endurance represented by one of our oldest residents and is a valued member of our community.”
Crapps was recently recognized by the Town of Century with a day in honor. Florida Governor Charlie Crist offered his congratulations, as did Congressman Jeff Miller.
NorthEscambia.com featured Crapps in a January 30 article. Click here for the story, and to learn more about Crapps’ secret for a long life.
All-Star Cheerleaders To Compete
February 18, 2010
The Panhandle All-Star Cheer Team will perform Saturday at the Orange Beach Nationals.
The All-Stars, which include girls from across the area, recently placed second in the Saltwater Championship All-Star Level 2 that was held at the Pensacola Civic Center.
The 22 team members will take part in Saturday afternoon’s competition at the Wharf in Orange Beach.
Team members are: Samantha Bethea, Kamryn Brock, Qumesha Brown, Chasity Burt Fatimah Carter, Tiffany Chavers, Sierra Dortch, Kaile-Anne Gumapac, Dajionae Hetherington, Jarelle Hooks, Keyvinana Johnson, Trinity Johnson, Dinesha Jones, Shaniqua Jones, Shaquanna Jones, Jamia Newton, Lizzy Nicholls, Skye Nolan, Danielle Suggs, Raylin Wesley, Tatyanna White, and Tylia White.
Coaches are Tara Jones, head coach and director; Sharon Robinson, assistant coach; Rene Dortch-Wesley, assistant coach and administrator; Kanisha Knight, junior assistant; and Shakeria White, junior assistant.
Pictured (L-R): Kneeling: Jarelle Hooks, Fatimah Carter; front row: Kaile-Anne Gumapac, Raylin Wesley; middle row: Danielle Suggs, Keyvinana Johnson, Samantha Bethea, Jamia Newton, Tylia White, Kamryn Brock, Shaquanna Jones; back row: Tatyanna White, Tiffany Chavers, Shaniqua Jones, Chasity Burt, Sierra Dortch, Skye Nolan, Trinity Dixon, Dinesha Jones, Qumesha Brown, Dajionae Hetherington, and Lizzy Nichols.
NHS Softball Opens Season With Wins Over Atmore; Plus Tate, Jay, NHS Scores
February 17, 2010
Northview 19 Escambia County 4
The Northview Lady Chiefs opened their softball season Tuesday night with a 19-4 win over the Escambia County High School Blue Devils.
Northview had eight hits, while Atmore had three. Amy Clarke was 2-3, Candice Greenwell had a double, and Emily Vickery had a triple for the Chiefs.
While softball season is often associated with spring, NHS Assistant Coach Sammy Day said the game was anything but spring-like, with the temperature at 33 by the end of the game.
Northview 18 Escambia County 1 (JV)
The JV Lady Chiefs opened their season with a strong 18-1 win over Escambia County High School of Atmore.
Key offensive leaders were Ashton Gibbs with two hits, Morgan Payne with a double, Tori Reid with a double, and Taylor Byrd with a triple. Shaquanna Jones pitched a no-hitter for two innings and struck out six Atmore batters. The next game for the JV team is at Jay this Friday.
Jay 9 Pace 8
The Jay Royals opened their season with a 9-8 softball win over Pace in an extra-inning game.
Nine inning pitcher Alicia Ashworth; she drove in the winning run with a two out single for the win. Ashworth allowed eight hits and had six errors during her complete game on the mound.
Amber Steadham was 5-5, with one run and a couple of RBI’s. Olivia Wright has three RBIs and two runs for the Royals.
Niceville 4 Tate 3
Niceville handed Tate a 4-3 loss Tuesday. Shelby Myers had two runs and two RBIs. Heather Schaff was 2-4 with one RBI for the Aggies.
BOYS BASEBALL
Pensacola High 11 Northview 7
Northview opened their season with a loss to Pensacola High on Tuesday, 11-7. The Chiefs opened with one in the first inning, but Pensacola High answered with two runs in the second and eight in the third.
Tate 4 Escambia 0 (JV)
The Tate JV team beat the Escambia Gators 4-0. The Aggies will play Niceville Wednesday night.
School Board Approves Pay Raises
February 17, 2010
The Escambia school district has approved pay raises for teachers and staff members that amount to about 2.42 percent for 2009-2010.
The plan includes a higher starting salary — $32,500 — for new teachers, a small raise for teachers with up to four years of experience, and annual 2 -percent raises for teachers with five or more years of experience. The 2 percent raise ends at year 26 and then provides a $500 annual bonus beginning in year 27.
The salary deal will be retroactive to July 1, 2009, now that it has been ratified by the Escambia County School District and the Escambia Education Association.
Professional and administrative employees will receive a raise that averages 2.71 percent.
The salary increases will cost the school district about $3.7 million.
Molino’s Dark Sunday: Today Is Anniversary Of Destructive Tornado
February 17, 2010
Today marks the second anniversary of the Molino tornado that destroyed four homes, caused heavy damage and ripped the steeple off a church with worshipers inside.
The E-F1 tornado destroyed four homes in Molino about noon Sunday, February 17, 2008. Escambia County officials say at least 60 other structures were damaged by the twister along at least a two and a half mile path. At least 20 of those structures suffered major damage. There were no injuries reported.
Many homes in the Crest Lane area were damaged, with at least one house destroyed. Other suffered significant roof damage. As the tornado continued on a path to the northeast, it took the steeple off Highland Baptist Church and caused roof damage to the sanctuary. The steeple landed in the church parking lot, damaging at least four cars.
Church members said the service was about to end when they got word of the approaching tornado. Everyone evacuated the sanctuary and sought shelter in the church fellowship hall, a brick building with no windows. They prayed and sang songs as the storm approached, a church member said. (Click here to read more about Highland and the tornado from February 21, 2008.)
On Molino Road, near Brickyard Road, several more homes were damaged. The roof was completely gone from several houses and the Masonic Lodge building. One mobile home was flipped upside down and others were heavily damaged.
Gulf Power company cut power to about 4,500 people in the Molino area as a safety precaution. Power lines were down all around the area with many poles snapped in half.
Dozens of emergency responders conducted a door to door search in the areas with heavy damage, checking to make sure residents were not injured. Firefighters also drove all of the roads around the area, looking for any additional damage.
For cleanup photos from February 19, 2008, click here.
Pictured above: One of the homes destroyed by 2008’s Molino tornado. Pictured below: Another home under repair February 17, 2008. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Man That Allegedly Made Up Shooting Story Now Charged With Shooting Teen
February 17, 2010
The Cantonment man that reported multiple times that someone had been shooting at his home when deputies say he made it all up is facing additional charges for shooting a teen.
John Horace Bryant, 33, was arrested Tuesday on two child cruelty charges for a shooting the teenager in the leg as part of what deputies say was a fabricated story.
In a report aired on WEAR TV, Bryant said that someone had shot at his Sundance Lane home or his truck on at least eight different occasions in the past couple of months. In the televised report, Bryant even showed the reporter the bullet holes in his truck. The Cantonment man had also filed several police reports on the alleged shootings.
Braynt was arrested earlier this month and charged with aggravated stalking and obstruction of justice for making up the shooting stories in an attempt to frame his ex-wife. He remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Tate High Getting Health Science Academy For North End
February 17, 2010
The Escambia County School Board voted Tuesday night to establish the Tate High School Health Science Academy to serve students in the north end of the county.
Tate Health Science Academy students will take four years of curriculum that supports various health occupations. Students will be instructed by a licensed health care provider and certified teacher. While enrolled in the academy — essentially a school within a school – students will participate in clinical training at West Florida Hospital and have the opportunity to earn industry certifications.
The goal of the academy will be to prepare students for employment or advanced training in the health occupations industry.
During the 2010-2011 school year, the first year of the program, at least 30 students will be needed in the program. Upon completion of the four year academy, students can apply to attend the George Stone Technical Center’s Patrient Care Technician program. Upon completing the George Stone program, students can immediately take Florida’ certified nursing assistant exam.
Students interested in the Tate Health Science Academy should contact the Office of School Choice. The academy is open to any qualifying high school student in Escambia County, not just students at Tate.
A similar health sciences academy is already in place at Washington High School.