Health Department Continues To Warn About Spread Of Whooping Cough
August 21, 2009
After a surge in local whooping cough cases, local health officials are launching an informational campaign to remind families about the importance of booster vaccinations against this very contagious disease.
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, can be especially dangerous to newborn infants who are too young to get vaccinated. Studies have shown that newborns often get the disease from teenagers and adults in their family or other close contacts.
“In a normal year, there are three to five cases reported, but already in 2009, we have 50 cases,” said Dr. John Lanza, Director of the Escambia County Health Department. “Because it can be so dangerous for newborns, it is important for the teenage and adult family members to talk with their physician about getting vaccinated against pertussis.
The informational campaign includes radio spots featuring the actress and singer Jennifer Lopez. The campaign also includes billboards. Copies of the radio spot and billboard are attached to this press release.
Most teens and adults were vaccinated for pertussis when they were a child. However, if there is going to be a newborn in their home, they should talk with their physician about getting vaccinated again. This infection is also serious for people with weakened immune systems and the elderly. If it has been two or more years since a teen or adult received a tetanus shot, it may be appropriate for them to receive the TDaP shot. Individuals should talk with their physician or the Escambia County Health Department about getting the vaccination.
Vaccinations are available at the health department and from many private physicians. The vaccine that children aged 6 weeks to 7 years old receive is the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, pronounced Dee-TAP) vaccine. The vaccine that children of 11 years old through adults of 64 years old receive is the TDaP (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, pronounced Tee-DAP).
This disease is very contagious and is spread from person to person through the droplets from a cough. The main symptom is a cough that lasts for 2 weeks to several months. The cough can be very serious. Individuals may be unable to catch their breath and begin to turn blue. Severe coughs can also lead to vomiting, sleep loss, weight loss, nose bleeds, rib fractures, hernia and even pneumonia. In infants, the cough may have a “whoop” sound at the end.
People who have these symptoms should see a doctor. There are specific antibiotics that treat pertussis. Also, see a doctor if you have a cough and have been exposed to someone who has been diagnosed with pertussis.
Additional information about the disease, what infected individuals should do, and vaccination recommendations are available at www.EscambiaHealth.com
Kitchen Fire at Century Woods Apartments Causes Little Damage
August 20, 2009
A stove fire at Century Woods Apartments caused very little damage late Thursday afternoon.
Fire units from across the area were dispatched to the apartment complex on West Highway 4 about 5:45 p.m. The first unit on scene reported smoke showing from an apartment in the 100 building. The stove fire was quickly extinguished.
There was no major damage to the apartment and no injuries.
The Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Flomaton Fire Department and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department responded to the call.
Pictured: A stove fire at Century Woods Apartments caused very little damage late Thursday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Suspects Named In Stolen Property For Meth Case
August 20, 2009
Two suspects have been identified in connection with a large stash of stolen property and a meth lab operation found Tuesday in north Santa Rosa County — an operation that could be one of the largest of its kind in the county.
Daniel Wayne King, 36, and Barbara Carroll King, 38, were both charged with drug possession, possession of narcotics equipment, trafficking in methamphetamine, marijuana possession, possession of methamphetamine, and manufacturing methamphetamine. They are being held in the Santa Rosa County jail on $246,000 bond each.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office responded to a stolen property complaint at the Kings’ residence on Green Road near Munson. When they arrived, they found a large number of stolen items across the property including vehicles, portable buildings, tools, lawn equipment, farm equipment, guns and more. The property was stolen from both northwest Florida and south Alabama.
Deputies also discovered two large methamphetamine lab operations, one inside a portable building and one inside a construction trailer. One of the meth labs was a large scale operation, according to investigators.
Authorities said the stolen property was likely amassed over a period of several years. They believe that the Kings and third person, who was not been named, were trading meth for the stolen property.
Escambia County Applying For $500,000 Grant For New Molino Library
August 20, 2009
Escambia County’s purchase of the old Molino Elementary School is set to be finalized on Friday. And tonight, the county commission is set to approve the re-submission of a half million dollar library construction grant to construct a public library in a portion of the building.
In March 2007, the commission authorized the submission of an application for a state library construction grant to provide $500,000 towards the construction of a public library in a 4,930 square foot portion of the old Molino Elementary. That 2007 application was ranked number two for funding among 23 applicants; but, the Florida Legislature did not fund any applicants. The county has already committed $510,408 in matching local option sales tax funds toward the $1,010,408 total library cost.
The same application was again re-submitted in 2008 and ranked number three, but due to funding constraints, the Legislature did not fund any projects. The State Library has requested that if Escambia County intends to continue to pursue this project, the existing approved grant application on file with the state be updated for consideration and re-submission to the next session of the State Legislature for funding consideration. The Escambia County Commission is expect to approved that re-submission at their Thursday night meeting.
The closing on the $400,000 sale of the old school from the Escambia County School Board to the Escambia County Commission is set for Friday. The funds for the property purchase are from the county’s local option sales tax fund. The school board will use the $400,000 in the Local Capital Improvement Fund.
In addition to a library, plans call for the old Molino school to become a community hub, possibly including a museum highlighting Molino history, a small health clinic, a business incubator, renovation of the cafeteria and one additional building for community events and private party rental along with other uses. The school campus includes four buildings — the largest of which is 16,630 square feet.
The Molino school closed in 2003 when the new Molino Park Elementary School consolidated Molino Elementary and Barrineau Park Elementary. The school, which sits on 9.66 acres along County Road 95A, first opened in 1939.
School Board Makes Personnel Changes At North Escambia Schools
August 20, 2009
The Escambia County School Board has approved numerous North Escambia teacher and staff transfers, resignations, and rehires.
The following changes below were made this month:
Appointments:
- Amanda Brown, teacher, Tate High
- Rebecca Burt, teacher, Tate High
- Cheryl Rembert, teacher, Tate High
- Chet Truett, teacher, Ernest Ward Middle
Reappointments:
- Raja Atallah, Ernest Ward Middle
- Brian Caldwell, Tate High
- Leal Fowler, Tate High
- Stephanie Lang, Tate High
Professional Appointments:
- Sherri Stallworth, Ernest Ward Middle
Fourth Year Annual Appointments:
- Tadd Corder, Ernest Ward
- Joyce Wright-Evans, Title I (Bratt & Ernest Ward)
Transfers
- Gina Brown, Tate to Pine Forest
- Kristin Cain, Jim Allen to Jim Allen/Pine Meadow
- Jessica Cloud, Molino Park to Bratt
- Sabrina Evans, Semmes to Beulah/Molino Park
- Kelly Krostag, Tate to Hall Center
- Ashley McClarren, Lincoln Park to Molino Park/Oakcrest
Approved the following returns from leave of absence:
- Jennifer Carlson, teacher, Tate High
- Erin Ruckman, teacher, Tate High
- Lisa Sarfert, teacher, Tate High
- Janie Walker, band director, Ransom Middle
The board approved the following resignations:
- Loretha Bell, custodial worker, Tate High
- Tongee Fountain, custodial worker, Ernest Ward
These personnel changes are in addition to changes previously approved by the board.
- Click here for a story about July appointments
- Click here for June retirees
- Click here for June teacher transfers
Man Arrested After He Allegedly Kidnaps Escambia Ala. Woman
August 20, 2009
An alleged kidnapping Wednesday in Escambia County, Ala. ended with a manhunt in north Baldwin County and a Rabun, Ala., man in jail.
Troy Steven Smith, 22, was charged with unlawful imprisonment first degree, burglary second degree and domestic violence third degree by Baldwin County authorities. He is expected to face additional kidnapping charges from Baldwin County.
A young woman was reported to have been kidnapped in Escambia County, Ala., Wednesday morning. Baldwin County authorities were notified of the kidnapping, and Smith was named as a suspect.
Mid-afternoon Wednesday, Baldwin County received a call that the victim had escaped and was at a Stockton home. She told deputies from Escambia and Baldwin counties that she had been held by Smith before her escape. She told deputies that he left the area on foot.
A K-9 unit from Fountain Prison in Atmore located Smith hiding in a wooded area near Stacey Road and Old Gainey Road near Stockton. He was booked into the Baldwin County Jail about 6:30 Wednesday evening where he was being hold without bond.
Second Suspect Has Been Charged In $300,000 Multi-State Theft Ring
August 20, 2009
A second suspect has been arrested in a a $300,000 multi-state theft ring that targeted homes and businesses in North Escambia, Santa Rosa County in Florida, and Baldwin and Escambia counties in Alabama.
Douglas Settle, 32, of H Street Pensacola, was arrested in Escambia County (Ala.) and charged with theft of property third degree. Chief Deputy Mike Lambert said Settle confessed to his involvement in the theft ring.
Settle was extradited Wednesday to Santa Rosa County where he was charged with three counts of larceny and one county of burglary. He was being held on $5,000 bond. Settle is expected to face further charges in Escambia County (Fla.) and Baldwin County.
Authorities say the theft ring targeted homes and businesses in North Escambia, Santa Rosa County and Baldwin and Escambia counties in Alabama.
Property discovered on Upper Creek Road in Flomaton included a four wheeler that was reported stolen from Century Marine in December of last year. Two additional stolen four wheeler and two motorcycles were also recovered from the property.
When officers executed search warrants at homes in Riverview and Brewton, they located a stash of additional stolen property, including a Fleetwood motor home. In all the stolen goods are worth an estimated $300,000 from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida, and Escambia and Baldwin counties in Alabama.
Mark Anthony Harrison, 38, was arrested last week after he was found hiding in an apartment closet in Milton. He is still in the Santa Rosa County Jail, charged with resisting arrest, criminal mischief, two counts of burglary and two counts of grand theft. Authorities said Harrison will be charged with receiving stolen property in Escambia County, Ala., grand theft, burglary and criminal mischief in Escambia County, Fla.; and more charges from both Santa Rosa County and Baldwin County, Ala.
Zoo To Close Permanently
August 20, 2009
The owners of The Zoo Northwest Florida have announced that they are now closed for good.
The Santa Rosa County Tourist Development Council was discussing $125,000 in funding for the zoo Wednesday afternoon when Animal Park, Inc., the zoo’s founders, announced the closure.
“We have seen no long-term commitment from our elected officials to assist us in the goal we have worked toward for a decade or more of creating a non-profit, community-supported zoo,” he said. “Without a long-term plan and support, The Zoo would continue to struggle financially. This short-term, hand-to-mouth approach is not fair to the animals, the staff or the public who have supported us for many years,” said Bobby Switzer, one of the principals in Animal Park, Inc.
The zoo had requested $125,000 each from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in order to stay open. Escambia County took a wait and see approach to find out what Santa Rosa County, where the zoo is located, would do. Santa Rosa commissioners declined to contribute general fund revenue to the zoo. Instead, Santa Rosa commissioners deferred the funding request to a Wednesday meeting of the Santa Rosa County Tourist Development Council.
It was at that meeting that Animal Park, Inc. announced the zoo closure. Zoo funding is still on Thursday’s agenda for the Escambia County Commission.
The zoo had closed temporarily closed Sunday, laying off many of their employees. They had pledged to reopen this Friday if they received the $250,000 in funding from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Pat Quinn, zoo founder and director emeritus, emphasized The Zoo’s animals, including more than 600 “exotics,” such as lions, great apes and giraffe, will continue to be cared for to the highest standards and will eventually be moved only to “qualified facilities, either public or private, that are licensed and permitted.”
“The welfare of the animals remains our primary concern,” said Quinn. “The public can rest assured we will care for the animals responsibly, ethically and in a professional manner.”
The Zoo Northwest Florida opening in 1984 and has struggled financially since sustaining severe damage from Hurricane Ivan in 2004.
New Start And Dismissal Times This Year For All North Escambia Schools
August 19, 2009
There will be a change in school start and dismissal times when students return to Escambia County Schools next week, with some North Escambia schools following a different schedule than the rest of the county.
At the elementary level, the earliest drop time for students will be 7:20. School will begin at 7:45 and will dismiss at 2:00. The North Escambia area elementary schools — Bratt, Byrneville, Molino Park and Jim Allen — will all follow this schedule. The 7:45 to 2:00 day is the standard elementary day for 33 schools in Escambia County.
At the middle school level, Ernest Ward will begin the school day at 9:05 and dismiss at 3:45. The earliest students can be dropped off at school will be 8:55. This represents a start and dismissal time 35 minutes later than the previous year. Ransom Middle School will follow the standard 9:20 to 4:00 school day.
Northview High School will begin an hour later this year and have the latest start and dismissal times of any school in the school district. Northview will have an 8:30 drop time, and an 8:45 to 3:20 school day. Northview’s day started at 7:45 last year. Tate High School will have an 8:30 to 3:05 day.
North Escambia school times are different because of the long transport distances in the rural area and a two-tier system where middle and high school students will ride the bus together.
The school times were changed last year, most drastically outside of North Escambia, to save money. By taking over two dozen buses off the road, the school district saved an estimated $1.2 million this year.
School officials stressed that some times may be adjusted on a school by school basis to accommodate transportation difficulties. The early drop time at the elementary level is for breakfast.
School begins Monday in Escambia County.
Editor’s note: Most Bratt Elementary School parents received a postcard in the mail Tuesday that had different start and dismissal times listed. Those times were tentative and changed after the postcards were printed. Bratt will follow the 7:45 to 2:00 schedule as stated in the article above.
Driver Named In Semi-Truck Crash
August 19, 2009
The driver of a tractor-trailer that was killed Tuesday morning when his truck crashed near the intersection of I-10 and I-110 in Pensacola has been identified.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Paul Joseph Korach, 55, of Pensacola was headed north on I-110 toward I-10 when he plowed over a concrete retaining wall on a flyover bridge, sending his truck crashing down on the David Highway exit off I-10. The impact ejected Korach, tore apart to semi’s cab and split open a tanker hauling 5,600 gallons of hot tar used in the road making process.
Korach was pronounced dead at the scene.
Emergency responders worked to quickly contain the flowing liquid asphalt, working to keep it out of the drainage system to avoid any groundwater contamination. Crews from the Florida Department of Transportation worked into the night to repair the Davis Highway exit off I-10 eastbound.
The 1995 Kenwood truck, operated by Materials, Inc. of Luverne, Ala., was traveling from Pensacola to Tallahassee.
The accident is still under investigation by the FHP.
Pictured above and below: A Tuesday morning accident at I-10 and I-110 killed the driver of this semi-truck. Photos courtesy WEAR TV 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
