Rabid Racoon Reported In Cantonment Area
April 5, 2008
The Escambia County Health Department reports that a rabid racoon was spotted in the Cantonment area near the intersection of West Ten Mile Road and Stefani Road.
The rabid racoon may have interacted with other domestic animals that are kept outside or allowed to go outdoors, such as dogs, cats or horses, the health department said.
The Brook Hollow, Brook Hollow Acres and Sharon Park subdivisions should pay particular attention to their domestic animals for signs of wild animal bites or rabies exposure, according to a press release from the health department. If rabies exposure is suspected, pet owners should contact their veterinarian immediately.
From the Escambia County Health Department:
Rabies is fatal to humans and pets. It can be transmitted even through a minor scratch from a wild animal or an unvaccinated domestic animal that was exposed. Residents are reminded not to interact with raccoons or any wild animals that may carry rabies such as bats and foxes. It is vital that residents get their animals, including horses, vaccinated against rabies and keep the vaccinations current.
The Escambia County Health Department advises:
- Animals with rabies may show strange behavior – they can be aggressive, attacking for no aapparent reason – while others, especially wild animals, may act very tame
- The animal may not be able to eat, drink, or swallow. They may drool because they cannot swallow their saliva. They may stagger or become paralyzed. Eventually they will die.
- Raccoons, in particular, may carry rabies without showing the normal signs of the disease.
- The best way to avoid exposure to rabies is to avoid contact with raccoons and wild animals.
- Keep raccoons out of the house and yard – do not place raccoon feeders in the yard.
- Protect pets by vaccinating them for rabies.
Man Gets 15 Years For Molino Drunk Driving Death
April 5, 2008
Anthony Mattheiss (pictured left) of Cantonment was sentenced to just 15 years in prison for DUI manslaughter in connection with a May 15, 2007, crash south of Molino.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash on Highway 29 near Booth Lake Road occurred when a Mercedes driven by Mattheiss, 45, crashed into a Chevy at about 95 mph, killing 71 year old Charles Stanton of Cantonment. The posted speed limit in that area is 65 mph.
The FHP says Mattheiss blood alcohol level was 0.16, which is twice the legal limit in Florida.
A passenger in Mattheiss vehicle, Gary Cooper, and the driver of the Chevrolet, Eddie Evans, were also injured in the crash, according to the FHP. Cooper’s medical bills topped over three quarters of a million dollars.
Stanton was on his way home from playing bingo in Atmore about 10:00 that night. Mattheiss had just left Swanees lounge less than five miles to the south.
At his sentencing hearing Friday, Mattheiss reportedly told the courtroom that he was sorry.
Zinghoppers Delight Children At Century Branch Library
April 5, 2008
The Zinghoppers performed to the delight of children at the Century Branch Library Friday afternoon.
Click here for a complete photo gallery from the Zinghoppers at the Century Branch Library.
The Zinghoppers blend upbeat music, dynamic and playful lyrics, slapstick comedy and humor, along with important “edutainment” elements designed for the audience’s age group, the Zinghoppers are high energy fun!.
This upbeat show features a band of “animal friends”: Penelope The Possum (lead singer, bass), Coconuts The Kangaroo (drums) and Olo The Donkey (guitar). They are accompanied by their friend Conductor Jack (ukulele) who drives the Happy Train and joins the band on stage.
Entertaining children in an inspiring world where imagination will take them on amazing adventures, the Zinghoppers encourage kids to explore the world around them through music, movement and laughter – and they won’t even know they’re learning.
The characters in the Zinghoppers are like any group of young friends learning to develop positive relationships with each other. The show also reflects the importance of family and friends to preschoolers. While the animals in the band aren’t necessarily related, they act very much like siblings and they love and care for each other. Expressive movement is both vital to and loved by preschoolers whether it be through dancing or role-playing. The Zinghoppers include these elements. Also, children love to laugh at funny visual situations. Our characters reflect this: they too love to laugh and there is a significant amount of humor in the show.
Pictured above: Children and parents alike enjoy the Zinghoppers at the Century Branch Library Friday afternoon. Pictured below: The Zinghoppers. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos.
County Cutting Some Top Jobs, Eliminating Departments
April 4, 2008
Escambia County government will look a lot different by July 1 after sweeping changes announced late Friday afternoon by County Administrator Bob McLaughlin.
The number of departments in the county will be reduced from 18 to six “bureaus”, group by similarities in functions and programs. Positions and titles will change, McLaughlin explained to county staff just prior to the Friday afternoon press conference, with several department director positions being eliminated.
Many directors will have the option of early retirement; if not, they will be reassigned.
McLaughlin explained that he was given direction by the County Commission when he was hired to streamline county departments and personnel.
The realignment process will continue over the next several months, as the “bureau chiefs” organize each of the bureaus. The will be a full presentation of the plan to the commission at the April 10 Committee of the Whole workshop.
One Escapee Captured In Molino; Second Escapes Friday, Now Captured
April 4, 2008
One escaped inmate is back in custody and another is on the run after a second unrelated escape.
Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies have apprehended Timothy Smith, 25, who was reported missing from the Escambia County Road Camp in Cantonment.
Smith (pictured top left) was spotted by a work crew working near Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino about 1:30 Friday afternoon. They grabbed him and held him until deputies arrived.
Meanwhile, another inmate escaped from the Escambia County Jail about 12:30 Friday afternoon. Troy Major, who escaped with a sheriff’s department van, was captured trying to catch a bus at the Greyhound bus station in Pensacola about 3:45. Major (pictured bottom left) was being held on charges of grand theft and forgery.
Smith was discovered missing during a routine head count Thursday night about 9:30. It is believed that he may have escaped through or over a perimeter fence near the camp’s smoking area. Several holes were found in the fence.
Smith was being held on several charges, including a burglary charge. He was to have appeared in court Friday on that charge.
Both men are now back in the Escambia County Jail charged with escape.
Commission Approves Land Swap For New Bratt Park
April 4, 2008
The Escambia County Commission voted to approve a land swap that will bring a new community park to Bratt at their Thursday evening meeting.
District 5 Commissioner Kevin White said that the new park had been a “long time coming”, with plans having been in the works for about 10 years.
The county will trade 57 acres of mostly wetlands that county owns on Hanks Road for 13.19 acres at the corner of West Highway 4 and Bratt Road. The Highway 4 property is currently owened by Kale and Donna Schneider.
“I think this is a great thing,” White recently told NorthEscambia.com. “A park in that area has been needed for a long time. This has been 10 years in the making.”
The land swap will end up costing the county only about $9,000. That will leave about $141,000 currently budgeted in White’s discretionary Local Option Sales Tax funds to develop that park. In the beginning, that money will pay for land improvements, playground equipment and a walking trail. Softball fields are part of the ultimate plan for the park, White said. The county’s current Admendment 1 budget crisis will not effect the funding for the park since funds will come from the local sales tax monies.
“It will be a great asset for the community, and we expect the private sector will get involved and help too,” White said. “It provides another park in the north part of the county that the other board members have supported since I have been here.”
The new park will be located along Highway 4 between Bratt First Baptist Church and Northview High School. The land is currently an open area with just a few very small trees (pictured below). The aerial photo above shows the placement of the property.
The commission was expected to approve the land swap two weeks ago, but the vote was postponed due to a problem with the legal description of the property, White said.
Gary Murph Joins Staff Of Atmore News And AtmoreNews.com
April 4, 2008
Gary Murph has joined the staff of Atmore News as their account executive. He previously worked in sales at the Tri-City Ledger.
“Gary will be responsible for leading our sales effort,” said Sherry Digmon, co-owner of Atmore News. “He brings a maturity and work ethic to the position that we know will benefit our organization. While Ryan, Myrna, and I enjoy getting out and selling ads, it’s not feasible for us to do that long term. Bringing Gary on board will allow us to get out more to cover the community and develop other projects.”
“Sherry and I have worked with Gary before, and we know he’s a good fit for our company,” said Myrna Monroe, co-owner and business manager. “We feel sure Gary is going to take our business to the next level.”
Prior to working at the Tri-City Ledger, Murph was in sales at The Atmore Advance.
Murph’s employment brings the Grace Publishing LLC staff to six full-time employees, three part-time employees, and two friends who volunteer their time.
NorthEscambia.com provides the technical side of atmorenews.com for the Atmore News, and the two sites often share stories. Murph will be able to sell advertisements on both websites.
Commissioner Speaks Out Against Awarding Contract To Firm Suing County
April 4, 2008
District 5 Commissioner Kevin White spoke out against awarding over a quarter million dollars in two contracts to Roads, Inc. Thursday night, saying he had a problem spending money with a firm that is currently suing the county.
Roads, Inc. sued the county after the county rovoked their storm water permit that being used to build a nine acre catfish pond in Cantonment. The county had previously shut down the dig, claiming that it was a “borrow pit” for road construction rather than a pond.
The commission’s agenda Thursday night included a $126,126 bid by Roads, Inc. for “Blue Pit Drainage Improvements” in the Cantonment area. The next lowest bidder was Panhandle Grading and Paving at $135,595.
Roads, Inc. was the lower bidder on a second project, improvements to Ziglar Road near Kingsfiled road, at $136,126. The next low bid was $159,795 by Chadbourne Construction.
“I have a hard time awarding a contract to a vendor that is suing this county over an issue they created themselves,” White said.
“I agree with you in that spirit, Commissioner White, that I have heartburn with people coming in here and continuing to business in this county when in fact they are costing the county money, but the law does not allow them not to,” Commissioner Gene Valentino said. “Even though I have the heartburn that Commissioner White has over their performance on the catfish pond, I definitely cannot deny them the rights to proceeds here.”
The motion to award the contracts to Roads, Inc. passed 3-1 with White voting against and Commissioner Grover Robinson absent.
County Approves Agreements With Walnut Hill Ruritan, Quintette Parks Association
April 4, 2008
The Escambia County Commission approved management agreements with the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club, Inc. and the Quintette Community Park Association, Inc. for management of their respective community centers.
Under the agreements, the entities lease their community centers for $1 per year in exchange for managing the centers during the year.
The Walnut Hill Ruritan Club manages the Walnut Hill Community Center at 7850 Highway 97 in Walnut Hill. The Quintette Community Park Association manages the Quintette Park and Community Center at 2490 Quintette Lane.
The Zinghoppers In Century Today For Free Show At Library
April 4, 2008
The Zinghoppers are coming to the Century Branch Library Friday afternoon at 2:30, with big fun for all kids.
The Zinghoppers blend upbeat music, dynamic and playful lyrics, slapstick comedy and humor, along with important “edutainment” elements designed for the audience’s age group, the Zinghoppers are high energy fun!.
This upbeat show features a band of “animal friends”: Penelope The Possum (lead singer, bass), Coconuts The Kangaroo (drums) and Olo The Donkey (guitar). They are accompanied by their friend Conductor Jack (ukulele) who drives the Happy Train and joins the band on stage.
Entertaining children in an inspiring world where imagination will take them on amazing adventures, the Zinghoppers encourage kids to explore the world around them through music, movement and laughter – and they won’t even know they’re learning.
The characters in the Zinghoppers are like any group of young friends learning to develop positive relationships with each other. The show also reflects the importance of family and friends to preschoolers. While the animals in the band aren’t necessarily related, they act very much like siblings and they love and care for each other. Expressive movement is both vital to and loved by preschoolers whether it be through dancing or role-playing. The Zinghoppers include these elements. Also, children love to laugh at funny visual situations. Our characters reflect this: they too love to laugh and there is a significant amount of humor in the show.
The Zinghopper show is for children ages one to eight. For more information, call the library at 256-6217.