Rollover Accident Seriously Injures One Early Saturday
July 5, 2008
A one vehicle accident seriously injured one person early Saturday morning.
The accident happened on Fannie Road near Carnley Road just northeast of Century. The driver of a pickup truck headed north on Fannie Road lost control and overturned about 2:20 Saturday morning.
The pickup truck rolled through a fence before landing upside down in a pasture. The driver of the pickup was ejected, and they were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola by Lifeflight helicopter.
The accident is still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The FHP has not yet released the driver’s name.
Pictured above and below: The driver of this pickup truck was seriously injured in this one vehicle accident about 2:20 Saturday morning near Century. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
A Quiet Fourth In North Escambia
July 5, 2008
The Fourth of July was quiet in North Escambia, with very few problems reported.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department responded to a few fireworks complaints across the area.
There were no major accidents, fires or injuries reported through midnight Friday in the North Escambia area.
The sheriff’s department did respond to an alarm call about 10:15 Friday night at the Century Pharmacy on Mayo Street. Officers arrived to discover that the pharmacy had been burglarized. The sheriff’s crime scene unit was called to the pharmacy to investigate. Further details were not immediately available.
Century Dedicates Wall Of Honor On The Fourth
July 5, 2008
Marion Brown stood quietly to the side as he Town of Century dedicated its new Veteran’s Wall of Honor Friday.
In her hands she held a picture frame with memories from her husband’s five tours in Vietnam. There is a purple heart and other medals from Willie H. Brown’s service in the 101st Airborne divison of the U.S. Army.
Willie Brown passed away last September from pancreatic cancer. Now the picture frame of memories honors his service to the country. But his name will soon be added to the new Century Veteran’s Wall of Honor.
“I wish he could be here today to see the wall,” Marion (pictured left) told NorthEscambia.com. “He had went to the mayor a few years ago and asked about some memorial to honor veterans. He would be so proud that it has finally happened.”
“He did not really like to talk about going to Vietnam,” she said. “But he served his country well. He was a courageous hero, just like all of the others.”
About thirty of those others that served from the Century area are now honored on the Century Veteran’s Wall of Honor that was unveiled in the Fourth of July ceremony at Century’s Roadside Park on Highway 29.
Several dozen families joined local dignataries in dedicating the wall, some waving American flags and wiping away tears as the crowd sang “God Bless America”.
Pictured top: The Rev. Willie Carter (right) prays a prayer of blessing over the new Century Veteran’s Wall of Honor Friday morning as an audience member holds a flag. Pictured above: Marion Brown holds a picture frame with items honoring her husband’s service in Vietnam. Pictured below: A young girls runs her finger along one of the names on the Veteran’s Wall of Honor. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Woman Hits Two Sheriff’s Vehicles
July 5, 2008
Two Escambia County Sheriff’s Department cruisers were hit Friday afternoon by a woman troopers say was suffering from a medical condition.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Donna M. Smith, 57, of Pace was stopped by deputies Marc C. Dewees, 41, and Kevin L. Vickery, 44, after she was observed driving erratically on Nine Mile Road. The deputies stopped her at Nine Mile Road and Tower Ridge Road. She then accelerated forward, stricking the two marked cruisers.
Dewees suffered minor injuries in the crash and was treated and released at Baptist Hospital. Vickery was not injured.
The FHP says Smith’s behavior was caused by a medical issue related to diabetes. Charges are pending, according to the FHP report.
Dewees crusier incurred about $5,000 in damage, while Vickery’s cruiser suffered about $500 in damage.
Many Alabama Fireworks Illegal In Florida, Other Safety Tips
July 4, 2008
In order to make this Fourth of July a safe holiday for all, Escambia County Fire Rescue offers the following safety tips:
• Observe local laws.
• The best way to enjoy fireworks is to visit public fireworks displays put on by professionals who know how to safely handle fireworks.
• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• Parents should pay special attention to older children using sparklers and remember that sparklers can easily ignite clothing. Children should not touch the lit portion of sparklers, throw them or play games with them. Sparklers can be dangerous, if used improperly.
• Read and follow all warnings and instructions.
• Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks. Never shoot a firework at or near another person.
• Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves, and flammable materials.
• Never try to relight fireworks that have not fully functioned. Douse and soak them for at least 15 minutes with water and throw them away.
• Keep a bucket of water handy in case of a malfunction or fire.
• Never ignite fireworks in a container, especially a glass or metal container.
• Keep unused fireworks away from firing areas.
• Store fireworks in a dry, cool place. Check instructions for special storage directions.
• Never have any portion of your body directly over a firework while lighting.
• Don’t experiment with homemade fireworks.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, in 2005, fireworks caused an estimated 1,800 structure fires and 700 vehicle fires. In 2006, an estimated 9,200 people were treated for firework related injuries, with 49 percent of the injuries were to the extremities and 46 percent to the head.
For a complete list of all approved consumer fireworks by the state fire marshal visit http://fldfs.com/sfm/pdf/Sparklers2007.pdf.
For additional information, please contact Escambia County Fire Rescue at 475-5530.
Pictured above: Many people in North Escambia purchase fireworks at stands in Alabama, like this one in Flomaton. Many of the fireworks availabe at fireworks retailers in Alabama are actually illegal in Florida. NorthEscambia.com photo.
ECUA Member Larry Walker Wants To Give Allied Waste The Boot
July 4, 2008
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority District 5 member Larry Walker said Thursday night that he wants to see Allied Waste loose its waste franchise in North Escambia.
Walker told the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club that he wants to see the ECUA take over residential waste service north of 10 mile road when Allied’s franchise agreement with ECUA expires in early 2010.
“I am going to everything I can do to get the Allied franchise terminated in March 2010,” he said. Walker said ECUA would be able to provide more reliable waste service in North Escambia at the sam he would “continue to work hard as the District 5 representative”.
While it will not serve North Escambia, Walker said a crowning achievement of ECUA is the new wastewater treatment plant under construction near Solutia. It replaces the downtown wastewater treatment plant that flooded during Hurricane Ivan. It is expected to be online before the 2010 hurricane season.
“The economy of the area could be decimated if the downtown plant was wiped out by a hurricane,” Walker said.
Pictured above: ECUA District 5 board member Larry Walker speaks to the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club Thursday night.
The Pearls Of The Pacific Perform At Century Care Center
July 4, 2008
The Polynesian dance group the Pearls of the Pacific brought their show to the Century Care Center Thursday afternoon.
From “Tiny Bubbles” to a selection from “Lilo and Stitch”, the girls performed traditional and interpretive hula dances. Several audience members also joined in on stage, trying their hand at the hula.
Pictured above: The Pearls of the Pacific at the Century Care Center Thursday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
FHP Stepping Up Patrols For Long Holiday Weekend
July 4, 2008
The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is stepping up its enforcement operations for the July Fourth holiday weekend.
“The men and women of the Florida Highway Patrol will be teaming up with law enforcement officers across the state to provide the safest possible driving environment for our visitors and residents during the Independence Day holiday driving period,” stated Colonel John T. Czernis, director of the Florida Highway Patrol.
In order to ensure a safe holiday experience for everyone, the Patrol statewide will increase visibility and enforcement efforts until midnight Sunday, July 6. The FHP will target three specific causes of highway fatalities: speeding, impaired driving and failure to use occupant restraints.
“We want the public to understand that drunk driving is no accident. It’s one of Florida’s most often committed crimes that accounts for one-third of all traffic fatalities. If you choose to drink and drive during this Fourth of July holiday period, law enforcement officers will catch and arrest you,” added Colonel Czernis.
This strategy is intended to increase the Patrol’s presence on major roadways throughout Florida in an effort to increase public compliance of traffic laws and to provide enhanced services to motorists who find themselves in need of assistance. In addition, our Auxiliary and Reserve troopers will be volunteering their time to assist regular troopers during the heightened holiday enforcement weekend.
Motorists are reminded to use their cellular phones safely. FHP urges all drivers to call *FHP (*347) to report drunk or aggressive drivers. They can also use this number if their vehicle breaks down or need assistance. Motorists needing immediate emergency services should dial 911.
For real-time traffic and road condition reports, as well as maps and other safety tips, the public is urged to visit the FHP website at www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/. Florida drivers can also call 511 on their cell phone for up-to-the minute updates on traffic congestion, road construction, lane closures, severe weather and travel delays on Interstates and major highways.
The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles encourages anyone with a valid Florida driver license or identification card to go online to www.flhsmv.gov and enter their emergency contact information. This vital information gives law enforcement immediate access to this information in cases of an emergency, which makes it easier for them to contact a family member or friend.
Sheriff Ron McNesby Campaigns In Walnut Hill
July 4, 2008
Escambia Sheriff Ron McNesby brought his campaign message to Walnut Hill Thursday night, talking budgets, crime and more.
“If I stood up here and told you what I am going to do the next four years, you would have to ask me what I did the past eight years,” McNesby told the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club.
The sheriff said he was proud of the job he had done as the county’s top law enforcement officer and that he was especially proud that there more deputies than ever on the county’s roads.
“We not increased our budget in two years,’ he said. “We have actually decreased about two million by cutting 83 funded positions.”
“But we have not laid off any deputies or detention deputies, and we won’t do that,” he said.
One the sheriff’s department biggest budget challenges has been the rising cost of fuel in a department that uses about 45,000 gallons a month, McNesby said. “It’s hard to budget for that.”
On crime, the sheriff said crime in Escambia County has increased less than one percent in recent years, while nationwide statistics have soared.
The recent Florida Taxwatch study on Escambia County government reported that the sheriff’s budget is 52 percent of the overall county budget, but that report notes “but it must be mentioned that this is not unique to Escambia County.” (Click here for the NorthEscambia.com story on the Florida Taxwatch report and a link to the report.)
After the report, there was a call for a more in-depth look at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department budget. But McNesby pointed out that his budget had increased just 17.93 percent from the report period of 2001 to 2006. The report says that the Board of County Commissioners’ budget increased 68.13 percent during the same period and increases for most other constitutional officers in the county were also in the 32 to 48 percent range.
“The sheriff that needs to be looked at has increased just 17.9 percent, or about three percent per year,” McNesby told the Ruritan members.
Several of McNesby’s opponents have criticized the expense of helicopters used by the department.
But the sheriff defended the value of the helicopters, citing a recent case where the helicopter was used to locate a missing Alzheimer’s patient and a case where it was used to locate another missing teen.
“His family is with him today because of the helicopter,” McNesby said of the Alzheimer’s patient. “And ask the mom of that boy if it is worth it.”
Pictured above: Escambia Sheriff Ron McNesby addressed the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club Thursday night. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photo, click to enlarge.
Gas Soars Past $4 Gallon In North Escambia Just In Time For Holiday Travel
July 3, 2008
Gas soared to a new all time record high Wednesday in North Escambia, passing the $4 mark for the first time.
A gallon of regular unleaded jumped six cents to $4.05 Wednesday afternoon at a station on Highway 97 in Davisville, just in time for the Fourth of July weekend travel period.
A new poll shows that about one third of Americans are curtailing their travel plans for the Fourth because of high fuel prices.
According to a CNN/Opinion Research poll, 31 percent of Americans have canceled or shortened their planned holiday weekend vacation because of the recent increases in gas prices.
For the first time this decade, AAA estimates a decline in the number of Americans traveling during the Fourth of July holiday travel period.
AAA still projects 40.45 million Americans will still travel during the July Fourth holiday weekend, down 1.3 percent, or nearly 550,000 Americans, from the 41 million who traveled last year. This is the second consecutive travel holiday in 2008 where a year-to-year decrease was forecasted. AAA projected a nearly one percent drop in holiday travelers for the Memorial Day travel holiday in May. The forecast includes U.S. residents traveling 50 miles or more from home.
The national average for a gallon of regular unleaded hit an all time high Wednesday at $4.09 according to AAA. The state average in Florida is $4.06. Last Fourth of July, the average cost for a gallong of regular unleaded in Florida was $2.91.
When NorthEscambia.com last ran a gas price story back on May 13, gas had just hit $3.75 a gallon.