Firefighters Respond In Walnut Hill After Lightning Strike
December 29, 2007
Firefighters were called to a house in Walnut Hill Saturday morning after a reported lightning strike. The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department and surrounding stations responded to the home in the 6000 block of Arthur Brown Road in Walnut Hill just after 4:00 a.m
The residents of the home reported a lightning strike and the smell of smoke from under the house. The Walnut Hill VFD declared the fire was out shortly after arriving on scene.
A heavy rain shower with lightning was over the North Escambia area at the time. This radar picture shows a heavy shower at 4:02 a.m. over the Walnut Hill and Enon areas. It was moving easterly at about 30 mph.
Updated: 12/29/2007 4:25 am
County Survey Shows North Escambia Concerns
December 27, 2007
Escambia County has released a county-wide survey on the quality of life in county and satisfaction with services provided by the county, and several responses showed concerns about North Escambia.
When asked, “how satisfied are you with the overall quality of the job that the County is doing”, 91.6% of the residents responded with a neutral to very satisfied rating. The highest ratings when to fire services and emergency medical services.
There were 507 randomly chosen registered voters in the county that took part in the telephone survey. Several of their answers revealed common concerns about the quality of life and the concerns in North Escambia.
Comments related to North Escambia included:
- “County services aren’t good in the north end of the county. There aren’t enough parks in the north end.”
- ”I live at the north end of the county and everything goes to Pensacola.”
- Top concern: “Additional library branch in North Escambia.”
- Top concern: ”More growth and improvement in North Escambia.”
- Top concern: “Better schools for north end.”
- “Improve roads in north end. More public parks”
- ”Community center in the North of the county.”
- Problem: ”Representation in North end by people whose interest are in the South end.”
- “New library on the North side or District 5.”
- ”I think the county should be split in two- North and South. I think the interest of the North and South are so different to require the split.”
- ”I’d like to see public transportation in the northern part of the county.”
To view the survey questions in pdf format, click here.
To view a survey summary in pdf format, click here.
To view a complete survey with comments from residents like those above, click here.
Blog: That In-Between, End of Time Kind of Time
December 27, 2007
Well, this is it. It’s that last week of the year, that year ending time that it just really does not pay to be a reporter. Between Christmas and New Year’s Day, news often takes a break.
No way, you might say. It’s just an excuse to kick back and take the week off. Well, maybe, just a little. But really pay attention to the daily newspapers and the local TV newscasts. What stories are you hearing? “The Biggest Stories of 2007″, “The Year in Review”, “The Best Photos of 2007″. So you have noticed.
It’s called “filler and fluff”. It’s news that in July, well, just would not be news. But it takes up space in print and fills time on the airwaves. Channel 3 got creative this year and ran stories about people that had to work on Christmas day. Translation: “I had to work Christmas; you had to work Christmas…let’s kill some boring time together.”
Then there’s the “return something to the store” stories. That means “I have to stand in line to return the tie grandma gave me and try to get a measly $3 out of it, so I might as well do a story with the three hours I’m going to be here”.
There are have been stories about Christmas trash. Well, there’s lots of trash, and it make the news as a top story. Usually it’s some government scandal when we talk trash on the news, but that last week of the year it’s wrapping paper. Live reports from the curbside trashcan at 6:00.
The daily newspaper is filling up with the “Best Photos of 2007″. Some are really cool to look at; some are just lucky shots. Take 8,000 pictures a year for the newspaper and you will get lucky on one or two. Some of them are really good, however. More filler and fluff, but more entertaining than the guy on 3 standing in the mall trying to make a story out of people that are shopping/returning and not watching the news.
What’s the point of writing all this in my blog? Well, nothing really. It’s just a slow time of the year when nothing much happens. NorthEscambia.com is a new site, so there’s no year-in-review material to run. The kids are out of school; the wife is home from work. So I’m following the lead of the other news organizations around here and using filler and fluff. I hope you understand; I don’t want to work this week any more than the next guy. We’ve been blessed enough too that wrecks, fire and crimes have been pretty quiet also, so nothing there to write about. If “breaking news” happens, we’ll cover it.
We really are working a little bit this week at NorthEscambia.com. We are working on some of the computer code that runs the site, making changes that will make the site better for you. We are also working on a big announcement that will happen in January, but that’s all I can say right now.
Thanks again for taking the time out of your day to visit NorthEscambia.com. We appreciate you stopping by and hope to see you again soon.
— William
UWF Announces Area Graduates
December 26, 2007
The University of West Florida has announced the names of North Escambia area graduates who completed degree requirements during the fall 2007 semester. Graduates were recognized in a commencement ceremony on December 15.
North Escambia area graduated (listed by city) included:
MOLINO
Bachelor’s degree: Erin Boyd, Brandie Crabtree, Erika Fitzpatrick, Jeffrey Freeman, April Lord, Alicia Nowlin, Keesha Perryman, Sharon Powell, Lacey Resmondo, Krystal Rhodes
CANTONMENT
Associate’s degree: Chelsea Pipkins.
Bachelor’s degree: Rachel Baker, Matthew Blackburn, Stephanie Darden, Brandy Goundas, Kad Henderson, Chad Hetherington, Margaret Holloway, Charles Hoopingarner, Daniel Mishoe, Kyle Norton, Erin Quizon, Catherine Rudd, Jarrod Sears, Tinia Smith, Brigett Valier, Melissa Venable.
Master’s degree: Brenda Doss, Maryia Razumava.
Specialist’s degree: Anthony Catanese.
Locals Cut Their Own Christmas Tree At Davisville Tree Farm
December 26, 2007
Many area residents enjoyed Christmas tradition this year with a fresh, locally grown Christmas tree.. The Country Pine Christmas Tree Farm in the Davisville community was open everyday until Christmas.
“You come here for the old time experience,” said farm owner Andy Bogdan. “This is so much more than just a plastic tree.”
Visitors to the Christmas tree farm stroll around the trees, which are located in an “L” shape field around a scenic pond with a fountain and ducks. Once the perfect tree is found, visitors can cut their own tree with a supplied saw, or have Bogdan cut it down.
The tree is then shaken to remove any loose needles (and bugs), then it’s ready to head home or it can be bagged for easier transport.
During the “experience”, visitors can also enjoy free cookies, apple juice, candy canes for the kids and lots of Christmas music. “The kids can run and play, and have the time of their lives looking for just the right tree,” Bogdan said.
Tree varieties include Virginia Pines, Leylend Cypress and Carolina Sapphires. If you have allergies, he said the Leylend Cypress is the perfect tree. It will not drop needles and has virtually no smell. The Carolina Sapphire has an intriguing aroma that is a mix of lemon, lime and mint. The Virginia Pine has that classic pine Christmas tree smell.
True fresh cut trees cut on the farm will last from before Thanksgiving until well after Christmas, Bogdan said.
Country Pine Christmas Tree Farm is one of the few remaining Christmas tree farms in Northwest Florida or South Alabama, and is the only one in the immediate area. There were a few more prior to hurricane Ivan and Dennis, Bogdan said, but most did not survive.
“You had the direct damage from the wind,” he said. “Then you have the delayed die back from damage to the trees. Exotic bugs and fungus that were not here before were blown in, and trees around here had no resistance.”
“That stress really made the drought this summer even worse,” he added. But the trees have had good growth since the hurricane. An average seven or eight foot tall Christmas tree will grow from a seedling in about four years. “They grow much faster here in the South than they do up north,” he said.
With a little straightening and tender loving car, Bogdan’s trees post-hurricane are ready for a living room and a visit from Santa. Prices vary depending on the variety of tree and height.
Bogdan and his wife moved to the Davisville area from Miami after he retired from Eastern Airlines. He was looking for a little something to do in his retirement and settled on Christmas tree farmer about 10 years ago.
“I’d never farmed before, but ended up with a Christmas tree farm,” he said. “But it’s a nice business. It’s not like being a doctor or a lawyer where people you deal with are not happy. At a Christmas tree farm, everybody is happy when they come here.”
For more photos from the Christmas tree farm, click here.Pictured top: A few of the trees at the Country Pine Christmas Tree Farm in Davisville. Pictured middle: At the Christmas tree farm, you can use one of their saws to cut your own tree. Pictured below: The Country Pine Christmas Tree Farm stand with tree accessories plus goodies like free apple juice, cookies and candy canes for the kids. Click to enlarge. NorthEscambia.com photos.
FHP To Look For New Year’s Holiday Offenders
December 26, 2007
Colonel John Czernis, Director of the Florida Highway Patrol, announced the FHP’s statewide traffic enforcement plans upcoming New Year’s holiday. FHP will use zero tolerance enforcement strategies to target aggressive and hazardous violators throughout the state.
Troopers will place special emphasis on aggressive driving, D.U.I, speeding, and safety restraint violations. The Patrol reminds the public of the risks of walking and bicycling in close proximity to traffic. Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians who comply with our state’s traffic laws and use sound judgment can help prevent many of the deaths that occur each year on Florida roadways.
The New Year’s holiday enforcement period will begin at 00:01 hours on Saturday, December 29, 2007, and end at midnight, Tuesday, January 1, 2008. This year’s Christmas holiday enforcement period ran from 00:01 hours on Saturday, December 22, 2007, to midnight, Tuesday, December 25, 2007.
“I’ve asked our troop commanders to ensure that all available personnel are assigned to either routine patrol duties or specific enforcement operations throughout both holiday periods,” Colonel Czernis stressed, “which includes all personnel normally assigned to administrative duties.” In addition, our Auxiliary and Reserve troopers will be volunteering their time to assist regular troopers during the heightened holiday enforcements.
“I am excited at the prospect of having FHP Auxiliary and Reserve troopers participating in more of our special enforcement programs, holiday enforcement efforts, and general patrol activities,.” said Colonel Czernis, “The more troopers working the road, assisting the public, and enforcing the laws, the better we are able to achieve our vision of a Safer Florida!”
Motorists are urged to contact the FHP or local law enforcement officials when reporting an impaired, aggressive, or dangerous driver by dialing *FHP (*347) from their cell phones. Callers may remain anonymous.
Motorists who experience car trouble on the highway or otherwise need assistance from the FHP are also encouraged to use *FHP. For real-time traffic and road condition reports as well as maps and other safety tips, the public is urged to use our Live Traffic Crash service on the FHP website at www.fhp.state.fl.us.
Occie Phillips Road Closed
December 26, 2007
Occie Phillips Road is scheduled to be closed until December 31 for bridge repairs.
Occie Phillips Road is a dirt road that runs from County Road 97A to South Pineville Road west of Walnut Hill.
Young Farmers & Ranchers Contribute to Toys For Tots
December 23, 2007
EscaRosa Young Farmers and Ranchers, a non-profit organization comprised of agricultural producers from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, chose toys for Tots for their 2008 charity. The EscaRosa YF&Rs collected farm-related toys to donate to the annual Toys for Tots drive. Pictured re EscaRosa YF&R chairman, Ben Ellison, and his wife Jamie and their two sons, Tristan and Bailey, with local Marines at the Pensacola Civic Center recently. Submitted photo.
Contaminated Syringes Linked to Blood Infections in Area
December 21, 2007
Federal health officials and the Florida Department of Health are investigating cases of a rare bloodstream infection in at least three states that have been linked to heparin-filled medical syringes that were contaminated with bacteria at the manufacturing facility in North Carolina. As of Thursday, 13 people in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties have become ill with a rare bacterial infection suspected of being linked to the contaminated heparin syringes.
Investigation by the Health Department and local hospitals indicates that most of the people in Pensacola who developed the blood infections had used the heparin syringes as part of their home IV therapy.
No deaths have been reported in Pensacola, but some of those suspected of having the bacterial infection are hospitalized at Pensacola area hospitals.
Investigations are ongoing, with the hospitals awaiting the results of blood tests verify whether patients who used the pre-filled heparin syringes are positive for the bacterial infection. Symptoms of the bacterial infection, called Serratia marcescens, include flu-like symptoms such as fever, muscle aches and chills. While the infection can cause serious illness and is potentially deadly, it can be treated with antibiotics.
Earlier this week, the Centers for Disease Control said it was investigating cases where patients developed infections after receiving doses of contaminated heparin in Illinois and as many as four other states. The infections were first identified in Chicago and traced to heparin-filled syringes that patients used in home treatments for cancer and other ailments. Heparin is a blood thinner that is used to clear catheters and intravenous lines and to keep them from clotting.
Patients in the Pensacola area who received the heparin from the contaminated batch are being contacted by the local distributor of the product, which was manufactured by a company called Sierra Pre-Filled Inc. in North Carolina. Sacred Heart Hospital also is contacting home health patients who may have used the syringes. Sierra has announced a recall of the syringes and asked facilities that use the product to no longer distribute the suspected batch of heparin syringes.
Some home health patients obtained the syringes from a local infusion company. The home care agency also has contacted its patients who received syringes manufactured by Sierra to inform them of the recall, offer them follow-up care, and to tell them not to use the product. Sacred Heart also sent an alert yesterday to its physicians.
Patients who used a heparin-filled syringe from lot number 070926H should contact their local physician or supplier with concerns about getting a blood test, or if they are having symptoms, they should seek immediate medical care at a hospital Emergency Department.
The Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta said the lot of contaminated heparin could have been given to patients in Illinois, Florida, Texas, Colorado and Pennsylvania.
For more information on the local investigation of the bacterial infections, please call the Escambia Health Department at 595-6555. For information on the statewide investigation, contact the Florida Department of Health Communications Office at (850) 245-4111.
Highway 29 Accident Leads To McDavid Manhunt; Driver Charged With DUI
December 19, 2007
(Updated Wednesday, 8:15 pm)
An accident involving a Toyota SUV and a log truck on Highway 29 at 7:13 Tuesday night led to a manhunt for the driver of the SUV. The accident happened about a mile south of Bogia Road.
The driver of the Toyota has been identified by the Florida Highway Patrol as William Ryan Pouncey, 24, of Cantonment. Pouncey was charged with driving under the influence with property damage, leaving the scene of an accident, resisting arrest without violence, and violation of probation, according to troopers.
The driver side of the fully loaded 18-wheel log truck collided with the passenger side of the Toyota SUV driven by Pouncey when the SUV crossed the center line, according to a Florida Highway Patrol trooper. The Toyota came to rest just off Highway 29; the log truck was able to stop about 150 yards away. The side of Toyota was literally peeled away in the collision.
When firefighters from the McDavid Volunteer Fire Department arrived on the scene, they were unable to locate the driver of the SUV. Firefighters feared the driver had been ejected and began a search. Lifeflight was called to the scene.
Pouncey was spotted under a trailer home dozens of yards away, but then reportedly ran into nearby woods. Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies began a search for the driver. The sheriff’s department helicopter and K-9 dogs were called to the scene to search.
Pouncey (pictured left) was taken into custody by deputies off Highway 29 after traveling on foot from the trailer home back toward the wrecked SUV. He was turned over to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The driver of the log truck, a 55 year old from Milton, was not injured in the crash. Pouncey sustained minor injuries, according the the FHP.
Pictured top: The side of this Toyota SUV was peeled away in an accident Tuesday night on Highway 29. Pictured below: The front of this log truck was damaged, including damage to the fuel tank and several wheels, in Tuesday night’s crash. Click any picture on this page to enlarge.
Exclusive photos by NorthEscambia.com
