Multiple Injuries In Highway 97 Crash At State Line
December 19, 2023
There were multiple injuries in a two-vehicle crash Tuesday evening on Highway 97 at the state line.
There were three patients, one of which refused transport. One of the patients was a juvenile.
The crash was reported about 5:20 p.m. in front of the Grey Goose, about 250 feet south of the Alabama-Florida state line and Atmore. A pickup truck came to rest on its roof in the Grey Goose parking lot, while another vehicle came to a stop in the travel lanes of Highway 97.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released the cause of the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
UWF Faculty And Students Develop Goggles For Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease
December 19, 2023
University of West Florida faculty and undergraduate students recently developed Pulsed Medical LED goggles for the early detection of Alzheimer’s Disease.
The product was researched and designed through a partnership between the Department of Psychology, Department of Physics and Dr. Muhammad Harunur Rashid Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UWF.
Dr. Mohamed Khabou, professor in the Dr. Muhammad Harunur Rashid Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and associate dean of the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering, Dr. Aaron Wade, associate professor in the physics department and Dr. James Arruda, professor of psychology in the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health, connected to work on the product. For the past several years, Arruda, a research neuropsychologist, has researched brain-behavior relationships like those related to Alzheimer’s dementia and mild cognitive impairment.
Arruda started making the goggles two years ago and realized he needed to make them with special enhancements for those who are color-deficient. He further understood that everyone has a unique number and distribution of visual receptors that allow for color vision. The goggles were developed to detect how the brain responds to a flash of light, whether it be for the detection of a seizure disorder or for the early detection of Alzheimer’s dementia. In either circumstance, the results would allow someone to prepare ahead of time and seek treatment options. For example, delayed signaling in one area of the brain suggests participants with mild cognitive impairment — an early stage of Alzheimer’s dementia — have compromised cholinergic functioning that resulted in impaired visual processing in the cerebral cortex.
“It dawned on me that not everyone’s visual system is the same, so I wanted to tailor the light to maximally influence the visual receptors in an individual’s eyes,” Arruda said. “Not everyone has all four types of visual receptors and if someone is color deficient that indicates that they are missing one type of visual receptor. So we are attempting to tailor the physical properties of the light to maximize the response of someone’s visual receptors so we can get an appropriate response from the brain.”
Arruda, Khabou and Wade sought improvements in its design and usability from students. Sierra Kautz, who just graduated with her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering earlier this month, began working on the product as part of a capstone project in January 2023. She and colleagues Mark Yepishin, Judy Aquino and Dustin Tran built a circuit and designed a user interface to control the product.
“We were given LED boards designed by Dr. Wade and we had to figure out the best way to wire the circuits to control the LEDs,” Kautz said. “We wrote a lot of code to allow them to have full control over it and adjust different brightness levels.”
The student team and faculty worked together to test to make sure light levels were safe for anyone who put the goggles on.
The product is undergoing additional testing and development and will be worked on with additional students from the Department of Psychology, Department of Physics and Dr. Muhammad Harunur Rashid Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in spring.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia School Board Sets Process That Could Make Interim Superintendent Leonard Permanent In January
December 19, 2023
The Escambia County School Board Monday night established a process by which Interim Superintendent Keith Leonard can become the permanent superintendent in January.
“In October, the board expressed a general consensus to make Leonard the permanent boss by extending his contract.
“In October, we the board, made the public aware of our consideration, to make our interim superintendent, Mr. Keith Leonard, our permanent superintendent. We wanted to give the public ample opportunity to share their views,” board member Patty Hightower said.
Each board member will individually complete a mid-year evaluation of Leonard’s performance to date, and they will be compiled by the board attorney.
Those reviews and the item will be discussed at a January 16 meeting, and the public will be invited to speak at that time. The public can also call board members or send emails before that time.
The motion by Kevin Adams passed unanimously.
Leonard’s current contract as interim is otherwise set to expire June 30, 2024.
The board will avoid an expensive nationwide search. Leonard was one of four finalists in in their last search which ultimately led to the hiring of Dr. Tim Smith who was later terminated.
Pictured: Interim Superintendent Keith Leonard at Monday night’s meeting of the Escambia County School Board. Image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Red Bulbs 7 And 8 Placed For Fires During ‘Keep The Wreath Green’
December 19, 2023
Escambia County Fire Rescue has placed two more red bulbs on the county wreath during “Keep the Wreath Green” following two residential structure fires on Saturday, Dec. 17, bringing the current total to eight red bulbs.
At 5:32 p.m. on Saturday, ECFR units responded to a residential structure fire at the 2400 block of Mallory Street. Upon arrival, flames were seen from the roof of the single-story structure. After ECFR entered the home, seven dogs were spotted and rescued from the fire. While the dogs were being rescued, ECFR attacked the fire, bringing the situation under control by 8 p.m. The attic was destroyed, but the rest of the home can be re-occupied once repairs are made. There were no additional injuries or fatalities. ECFR conducted the investigation and determined an electrical issue in the attic caused the fire.
Following the Mallory Street fire, ECFR responded to a residential structure fire at the 200 block of Aquamarine Drive at 10:49 p.m. Upon arrival, a fire was seen from the carport. ECFR’s rapid response prevented the fire from extending into the home, but power was cut off during the response, resulting in a temporary displacement. There were no injuries or fatalities. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire.
The “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign is a collaborative initiative with the City of Pensacola to promote fire safety during the month of December. During the month-long campaign, five-foot wreaths are on display at 21 county fire stations and five city fire stations, as well as Escambia County’s Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building downtown, the Escambia County Public Safety Building and Pensacola City Hall. Each time firefighters respond to a residential fire with damage, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in a residential home.
School Board Recognizes Northview FFA Alumni, The Nation’s Number One Alumni Chapter
December 19, 2023
Monday night, the Escambia County School Board formally recognized the Northview High School FFA Alumni Chapter for being named the National Outstanding FFA Alumni & Supporters Chapter during the National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana.
After being named as a top five finalist on the state level earlier this year, their application was eligible to advance to the national level, was named as a national finalist earlier this fall, and later named as the overall national winner.
The award highlights the alumni chapter’s accomplishments.
“On behalf of the Escambia County Public Schools, and Escambia County School Board, we can congratulate you,” Interim Superintendent Keith Leonard told NHS FFA sponsor Brandon Korinchak. “All the students in the FFA, and most important the FFA alumna for Northview High School for being the national award winner.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Improves With Win Over L.E.A.D. Academy
December 19, 2023
The Northview varsity boys improved to 2-5 on the season with a 49-38 win over L.E.A.D. Academy of Pace Monday night in Bratt.
Senior Jacob Spence had a double double for the Chiefs, with 16 points and 2 rebounds. Luke Diamond added 17 points. The chiefs also had 10 points from Jikeir Hudson, four from Austin Mincshew and two from Jarrett Bodiford.
The Northview Chiefs will travel to take on the Baker Gators Tuesday night to close out action before the Christmas break.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Elementary Collects 3/4 Ton Of Food For Manna Food Pantries
December 19, 2023
Jim Allen Elementary School collected nearly three-quarters of a ton of food for Manna Food Pantries.
The school donated over 1,450 pounds of food. Class winners were treated to an ice cream party for their hard work: Mrs. Mogar’s Pre-K, Mrs. Helton’s Kindergarten, Mrs. Mayhair’s first grade, Mrs. Guilford’s second grade, Mrs. Holley-Lewis’ third grade, Mrs. Skipper’s fourth grade, and Mrs. Hall’s fifth grade.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Does Not Conduct Employee Background Checks, But They Want To Start
December 18, 2023
From a parks and recreation employee that may work near children, to a street department worker to a town manager, the Town of Century does not conduct background checks on new hires, NorthEscambia.com has learned.
Last week, when the town council voted to hire Howard Brown and the Local Government Consulting Group of West Palm Beach as a city manager, council members were told that complete background checks are not conducted on job applicants with the town.
“It is odd that there is no policy,” council member Alicia Johnson said.
“You would think in this day and age, that’s something that’s procedural,” council president Dynette Lewis said, “In the hiring process, a background check is something that’s performed.”
“We’re talking about employees across the board, you know, contractors, that we might want to develop a policy to address in the future,” Johnson added.
“You have nothing in place for a background check in hiring? That’s neanderthal. Everyone you go to they are going to do a background check. We are back in the Stone Ages, ” a citizen told the council.
The council agreed that a more concise policy requiring background checks is needed and should soon be developed, perhaps with Brown’s help.
As for Brown, the new city manager, Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. said he thoroughly checked his background and references prior to bringing him to the council for approval.
“I have vetted these candidates, because I don’t want to look like a clown,” Gomez said.
FDC Says Century Correctonal Inmate Assaulted Officer
December 18, 2023
A Century Correctional Institution inmate assaulted a correctional officer recently, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
Inmate Peter Dellapenna (S80344) assaulted a correctional officer, and the incident was captured on camera, according to FDC.
Dellapenna was serving a six-year sentence out of Clay County for charges including burglary and grand theft.
Bratt Elementary Holds ‘Jingle Bell Jog’
December 18, 2023
Bratt Elementary School students participated in their annual Jingle Bell Jog last Friday. The event was organized by coaches Norton and Blackburn. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
