Second Escambia West Nile Case
September 22, 2008
A second person in Escambia County has been confirmed to have the West Nile virus, according to the county’s health department.
The Escambia County Health Department issued a Health Alert for West Nile virus earlier this month following the report of the first adult case of West Nile Virus since 2006. Residents and visitors are urged to take the necessary precautions to avoid being bitten by an infected mosquito.
The health department says residents in North Escambia should follow the “5 D’s of Prevention”:
The 5 D’s of Prevention
• Dusk and Dawn: Do not go outdoors when mosquitoes are seeking blood during the
twilight hours of dusk and at dawn.
• Dress: Wear clothing that covers most of your skin.
• DEET: When the potential exists for exposure to mosquitoes, repellents containing
DEET are recommended. Check labels before using a product on infants and children. If
an infant is too young to wear repellent and must be outdoors, a parent should place
mosquito netting over the infant’s carrier. Picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus are other
repellent options for individuals who cannot wear DEET.
• Drainage: Check around your home to rid the area of standing water, which is where
mosquitoes can lay their eggs. Elimination of breeding sites is one of the keys to
prevention.
• Screens: Make sure window and door screens are in good condition, without any tears
or holes that allow mosquitoes to enter your home. Place screens on open windows.
Eliminate Mosquito Breeding Sites
• Clean out eaves, troughs and gutters.
• Remove old tires or drill holes in those used in playgrounds to drain.
• Turn over or remove empty plastic pots.
• Pick up all beverage containers and cups.
• Check tarps on boats or other equipment that may collect water.
• Pump out bilges on boats.
• Replace water in birdbaths and pet or other animal feeding dishes at least once a week.
• Change water in plant trays, including hanging plants, at least once a week.
• Remove vegetation or obstructions in drainage ditches that prevent the flow of water.
What is West Nile Virus?
• West Nile virus is a potentially serious illness – about one in 150 people infected with
WNV will develop severe illness.
• The severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor,
disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness
and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may
be permanent.
• Mild Symptoms in Some: Up to 20 percent of the people who become infected have
symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes
swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. Symptoms can last
for as short as a few days, though even healthy people have become sick for several
weeks.
• No Symptoms in Most People: Approximately 80 percent of people (about 4 out of 5)
who are infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all.
NWE Shuts Out Gulf Breeze In 2 Of 3 Saturday Games
September 21, 2008
The Northwest Escambia Football League hosted Gulf Breeze Saturday, with two of three NWE Eagle teams shutting out the Dolphins.
The NWE Mini Mites started the games off by falling to the Dolphins with a loss of 30-0. Chase Gifford and Hunter Edwards made several tackles which slowed the advancement of a seemingly unstoppable Dolphin team. This primarily rookie team kept their spirits high with the experience of this loss preparing them for East Milton next week.
On the flip side, the NWE Mites obtained their first regular season victory with an incredible 42-0 shut out against the Dolphin team. Chasen Freeman took control of the game in the first play by running for an exhilarating 40 plus yard touchdown on the opening kickoff for the Eagles. With such an exciting start, the Eagles kept the momentum going by maintaining a flawless defense and an invincible offense. This win is exactly what the Mites needed to catapult them into a winning season.
The NWE Midgets following suit a Dolphin defeat. This was the second win of the season for the Midget Eagles. The Eagle defense shut the Dolphins down by keeping them off the scoreboard. The final score was Eagles 40, Dolphins 0.
All three teams play again at the Ernest Ward Middle School Field next Saturday at 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 noon against the East Milton Jaguars.
Submitted story.
For a complete photo gallery with pictures from all three games, click here.
Pictured above and below: NWE versus Gulf Breeze Saturday at Ernest Ward Field. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Rabid Fox Found
September 21, 2008
A rabid fox was found recently in the Gonzalez area of Escambia County, according to the Escambia County Health Department.. Individuals or their pets who have been bitten or scratched by a wild animal should contact the health department at 595-6700.
Rabies is fatal to humans and pets. It can be transmitted to humans through a wild animal’s saliva from a bite or a minor scratch. Residents are reminded not to interact with wild animals.
To Avoid Rabies from Wild Animals
- The best way to avoid exposure to rabies is to avoid contact with wild animals. Do not keep wild animals as pets.
- Keep wild animals such as foxes and raccoons out of the house and yard – do not place feeders in the yard.
- Protect pets by vaccinating them for rabies and keep their shots up-to-date.
- Unsupervised outdoor pets are at risk for exposure to rabies through contact with wild animals.
To Keep Wild Animals Off Your Property
- Eliminate artificial feeding sources – bring in pet food at night, secure trash cans with fasteners or enclose them in lockable bins.
- Make sure bird feeders are not accessible to wild animals; most squirrel-proof coverings also deter wild animals.
About Rabies
Rabies is a disease that affects the central nervous system. The rabies virus is carried in the saliva of infected animals and is usually transmitted to people and other animals when they are bitten or scratched by the rabid animal. Rabies is fatal to humans and animals.
Report all Animal Bites
Immediately seek medical attention and report the bite to the Escambia County Health Department at 595-6700 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or 418-5566 after hours and on weekends. Wild animals may have rabies and can carry rabies without showing any signs of the disease.
If You See a Suspicious Wild Animal
If you see a suspicious wild animal in your yard or neighborhood, contact a private pest control service. County Animal Control no longer responds to wild animal calls.
Photo Gallery Flomaton Vs. Leroy
September 21, 2008
Flomaton traveled to Leroy Friday night to take on the Leroy Bulldogs.
Both teams were unbeaten going into the game. Leroy scored very early in the first quarter and would hold on the lead throughout the game. The final was Leroy 48, Flomaton 12. The Hurricanes are now 3-1 overall. Next week will be homecoming for Flomaton with a game against Central Hayneville.
Flomaton star Tony Ellis was held to just 58 yards on 24 carries Friday night.
Ellis came into the contest at Leroy averaging 212 yards per game. The top ranked Bears extended their regular season winning streak to 14 games.
Submitted story.
For more photos from the game, click here.
For even more photos, visit www.mikenewtonphotography.zenfolio.com.
Pictured above and below: The Flomaton Hurricanes lost to Leroy Friday night. Submitted photos by Mike Newton Photography for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida’s Attorney General Investigating Gas Price Gouging
September 21, 2008
Florida’s attorney general, Bill McCollum, and his office are continuing to investigate complaints of gasoline price gouging in Florida. The following is McCollum’s weekly newsletter.
by Attorney General Bill McCollum
Throughout the state this week, Floridians have been facing higher gasoline prices at the pumps as Hurricane Ike slammed into the Texas coastline. To date, my price gouging hotline has received more than 7,000 calls and emails about the prices, and we have referred more than 2,600 complaints to my investigators to review for possible price gouging.
According to Florida law, price gouging on essential commodities, including gasoline, is prohibited during a declared state of emergency. Price gouging is an unjustified increase in the price of a commodity compared to the average price for the 30 days prior to the declaration of a state of emergency. The statute does permit businesses to pass along cost increases to consumers if those increases can be justified due to higher purchase prices, etc.
With that in mind, my office has issued four subpoenas to the corporate offices of Flying J, Dodge’s Gas Stores, Valero and Pilot Travel Centers. We have requested documentation from the companies detailing the purchase prices the companies paid for gasoline sold at their Florida retail stores because we want to determine whether these increased prices are justifiable by the companies. As Florida’s Attorney General, I will simply not tolerate gouging our consumers out of sheer greed.
My office continues to work closely with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as we strive to protect Floridians from price gouging. Reports of price gouging should be reported to my fraud hotline, 1-866-966-7226.
Authorities Searching For Two Escaped Prison Inmates
September 21, 2008
The search is one for two inmates that escaped from a work detail in Atmore.
Authorities across the area are on the lookout for Charles Bales and John Rice. The pair escaped from a work detail in Atmore.
Rice was serving a life sentence for a 1997 Baldwin County burglary. Bales was serving a 10 year sentence in connection with a 2002 robbery. Bales could have been eligible for parole as early as June of 2010.
If you know the whereabouts of either man, you are asked to call 911 or your local law enforcement agency.
Video: Northview Vs. Walton
September 20, 2008
NorthEscambia.com video from Friday night’s Northview High Chief versus Walton High game. Click to play
Chiefs Fall To Walton County, 36-13
September 20, 2008
A young Northview High School team lost 36-13 to Walton High Friday night in Bratt.
Walton blocked two different punts, and they returned both for touchdowns.
A 37-yard pass with 9:56 in the first quarter put the Braves on the board first. A good kick, and Walton led 7-0.
Walton scored another TD with an almost 70 yard run, and they had a good kick with 11:03 in the first to increase their lead to 14-0. With 4:14 in the quarter, Walton scored again to move ahead 23-0.
The Chiefs got their first points on the board with 2:24 to go in the half. A 37 yard pass and a one yard run by Jay Jackson made the score 23-7 going into the half.
Walton picked up another seven with 7:05 on the clock in the third to make the score 30-7. They added another half dozen with 5:21 to go in the ballgame, 36-7 Walton.
Chief Montayo Mitchell intercepted a Walton pass and had scored a touchdown on a 27 yard run with 4:03 in the ballgame for a final score of 36-13.
“All we can do is put this behind us and look forward to next week,” Northview Head Coach Cody Keene told the team after the game. “We are not going to point any fingers at anyone on this one. If we are going to point any fingers, we are going to point them at me.”
“We just made a lot of mistakes in the kicking game, and we just didn’t play very well,” he said. “We tackled real poorly.”
“They’ve got a good football team,” Keene said about Walton after the game. “We are real young, and we are going to keep working and try to improve this week and get ready for a district game.”
Northview’s first district game is next Friday night on the road at Holmes County.
For a complete NorthEscambia.com photo gallery with over 100 photos from the game, click here. The photos include the football players, cheerleaders and band.
Pictured above and below: Walton County downed Northview Friday night 36-13 in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Leroy Bears Bite Flomaton, Other Area Scores
September 20, 2008
Flomaton star Tony Ellis was held to just 58 yards on 24 carries Friday night as the Leroy Bears beat the Flomaton Hurricanes 48-14.
Ellis came into the contest at Leroy averaging 212 yards per game. The top ranked Bears extended their regular season winning streak to 14 games.
A photo gallery from the Flomaton game will be posted Sunday morning here on NorthEscambia.com.
In other area action Friday night, Spanish Fort traveled to Atmore and beat Escambia County High School 28-13 on the Blue Devil’s home turf. T.R. Miller shutout Central-Hayneville 49-0. W.S. Neal fell to Thomasville in Brewton, 23-14.
On the Florida side of the line, Gulf Breeze beat Tate 31-24.
Unemployment In Escambia, State Increases
September 20, 2008
Florida’s unemployment rate is the highest level it has been in more than 13 years, jumping to 6.5 percent.
That equates to 606,000 people out of work out of a labor force of 9,320,000.
In Escambia county, the umemployment rate for August was 6.1 percent, or 8,828 people out of 144,043 workers out of a job.
The unemployment rate is up 0.3 percentage point from the revised July rate of 6.2 percent and is up 2.3 percentage points from the August 2007 rate. Florida’s August 2008 unemployment rate is the highest since January 1995, which was also 6.5 percent. The state’s current unemployment rate is 0.4 percentage point higher than the national unemployment rate of 6.1 percent.
Florida’s annual nonagricultural employment growth rate for August 2008 is -1.2 percent. The rate represents a loss of 99,100 jobs from August 2007, to reach a total employment level of 7,924,400. This is slower than the national rate for August which is -0.2 percent. The August 2008 job growth rate continues the trend of negative over-the-year growth that began in September 2007, primarily due to declines in construction.