Blog: Why We Did Not Cover Obama. Or McCain
November 16, 2008
“Why didn’t you cover Obama winning?” It’s a question, that frankly, I’m tired of hearing. It wasn’t local, plain and simple. Our email has been hit hard with that question for the past 12 days, and I’ve even had someone literally get up in my face with the question.
The answer is simple…it was not local news that Obama won. If McCain had won, we would not have had any coverage either. I will point out that we did have live election coverage on election night, and we did post a story with county numbers from all the races, including president.
“But you cover Jeff Miller, and he’s a U.S. senator” I’ve heard that one too this week. Sure, we cover Jeff Miller, our representative. Mr. Miller may be a federal official, but he does local things and appears locally in North Escambia. He reads this website for a feel of what is happening in his part of the district. He stands here in Escambia County and does things. He’ll return my call, and he’s likely to return your call if you have a real issue.
President-elect Obama and McCain are not likely to return my call, nor is it likely that they are like to return the call of NorthEscambia.com readers. They don’t set foot in Escambia County and do local things. If either candidate had visited this county, or even Escambia, Alabama, or Santa Rosa, we would have covered it here on NorthEscambia.com. Then it would have been a local story.
When Sarah Palin visited Escambia County, we had coverage. Click here to read that story from October 11. When Michelle Obama visited Escambia County, we had coverage. Click here to read that story from October 22.
We are a local news outlet; we are the most read news source in North Escambia. It’s an honor that we’ve earned from our readers by covering local news. From local schools to local government, we cover local things. Look at the top of every page on this site notice what it says at the top of the page: “Local News for Molino, Bratt, McDavid, Century & Walnut Hill”. Those are the larger of the many communities in North Escambia. We off course cover things in Bogia, Barrineau Park, Oak Grove, Davisville, Gandyville and a long list of other communities in North Escambia too. We just could not fit all the community names at the top of the page.
Obama did nothing locally. McCain did nothing locally. As soon as one of them makes an appearance in this county or returns my call, we’ll cover it. Until then, they are not local news.
Your Chance To Help Plan Growth For Entire Sector Of County
November 16, 2008
If you want to help to plan the growth of a portion of the North Escambia area, there’s a meeting coming up for you.
The Escambia County Long Range Planning Division will hold an Optional Sector Plan Alternatives workshop on Wednesday, November 19 at 6 p.m. at Ransom Middle School, 1000 W. Kingsfield Road.
The purpose of this workshop is to begin to build public consensus for a vision concept. Based on the results of the sector profile, the trend analysis and community values established in preceding public workshops, the planning team has prepared three alternative conceptual “build-out” vision plans. The team will present each alternative and provide a technical comparison. Individuals are encouraged to express support for one or more of the alternatives or suggest another alternative.
The Optional Sector Plan encompasses approximately 15,000 acres of land north of Interstate 10, south of Barrineau Park Road and west of Highway 29. It is a long-term conceptual planning project which will incorporate road networks, schools, parks, commercial and residential projects.
For more information, please visit the Planning and Zoning web pages at www.myescambia.com or contact Eva Peterson, project manager at (850) 595-3475.
Friends, Family Honor Chief Robert Stewart, Present Check From Fish Fry
November 16, 2008
Friends and family gathered at a Saturday night reception to honor Robert Stewart, retired chief of the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department.
The department present Stewart a check for $3,671.68, proceeds from a November 1 fish fry. The department sold 750 fish and chicken plates at the annual event to benefit Stewart, who is battling cancer.
Fire chiefs from across the area attended to honor the man that spent over 30 years as a volunteer fireman in North Escambia.
“I greatly appreciate it,” an emotional Stewart said. “You just don’t know how much I appreciate it.”
“If you look around Walnut Hill, you see Robert Stewart all over it,” Century Fire Chief Regi Burkett said. Burkett and Stewart served on the county’s volunteer fire association board for over 15 years. “That’s the kind of person Robert is. He was a pleasure to work with.”
“You don’t know what it is like to have a friend until you know Robert,” Steve McNair, chief of the Beulah Station of Escambia Fire-Rescue said. He presented Stewart with a plaque in his honor from the Beulah fire department.
“On behalf of the City of Atmore, I just want to thank Robert,” Atmore Fire Chief Gerry McGhee said. “Thank you. We are going to miss you.”
The Walnut Hill department presented Stewart with his chief’s helmet mounted on large fire shield cut from cedar wood.
Many in attendance were moved to tears as they viewed a video presentation in Stewart’s honor. You can watch the video by clicking here.
Stewart was a member of the Bratt Volunteer Fire Department from 1967 to 1977 and joined the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department in 1988. He became chief of the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department in 1988 and served in that position for over two decades before his recent retirement.
Pictured top: Recently retired Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department Chief Robert Stewart was present his helmet on a large plaque in his honor at a Saturday night retirement reception. Also pictured: Current Walnut Hill Chief Chris Brown presents Stewart with a $3,671.68 check for his medical expenses. The funds were raised at a recent fish fry to help Stewart with medical bills as he fights cancer. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Ends Season With Loss To West Florida
November 15, 2008
The Northview Chiefs finished their season with a loss to the West Florida High School Jaguars Friday night, 31-20.
The Jags jumped on the board early in the first quarter, taking a 7-0 lead. Northview answered at 9:27 in the half with a Dustin Yuhasz touchdown. The point after kick was blocked, 7-6.
Click here for a complete photo gallery from the game, the cheerleaders and the band.
West Florida returned the kickoff to the 45 before being taken down by Chiefs Austin Albritton and Austin Reid. On their second down with two to go, Jay Jackson stopped the Jags run. On the next play, Ka ‘Daris Grice and Austin Arrington made the tackle, but West Florida had a first down.
After four poor passing attempt, West Florida picked up little ground and punted the ball to the Chiefs. With 6:35 to go in the first, the Chiefs were once again in control of their home field.
On their first down, the Chiefs fumbled and recovered behind the line to the 20. Second down saw a pass to Yuhasz to the 35, making it first and 10. A Jeremy Jackson carry and a Brandon Sheets pass to Chris Sheets picked up little yardage for the Chiefs. On third down, a Brandon Sheets pass was tipped off, setting up four and eight. The Chiefs punted the ball away.
West Florida took over on the 38, with an eventual march to the endzone for a touchdown with 4.6 seconds in the first quarter. Their kick was good, and West Florida was up 14-6 at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter saw the Chiefs return the kick to the 25. A Jay Jackson run setup first and 10 on the 30 for NHS. A long Sheets to Sheets pass was incomplete on the second down. Another incomplete pass on the third forced the Chiefs to punt on the fourth down.
West Florida took over on the 26 yard line, and had driven to Chiefs’ 20 with just over four minutes in the half. At first and 10 on the 20, the Jags quarterback was taken down behind the line by Jay Jackson and Grice for a loss, setting up second and 16 for WFHS. The Jags continued their drive, scoring again to make it 17-6.
With 45 seconds to go in the half, the Chiefs took over inside their own 10. A Brandon Sheets pass to Jay Jackson, a pass to Yuhasz and another pass to Jay Jackson put the Chiefs on the 37 yard line with a first down. A 73-yard run from Yuhasz added a touchdown for Northview. A two point attempt failed, and West Florida led 17-14 with seconds to go in the half.
The third quarter started on the 20 for the Chiefs and a Brandon Sheets handoff to Grice and a loss on the play. At second and 13, a Sheets to Yuhasz pass was incomplete. Sheets took to the air again on third down, missing a pass to Jackson. The Chiefs punted the ball away again on the fourth down.
West Florida answered with another touchdown with 6:54 to go in the third. Their point after kick was good, and the Jags expanded their lead to 24-14.
With 2:41 in the third, Yuhasz picked up three yards after the Chiefs recovered a Jaguar fumble. A Brandon Sheet to Jay Jackson pass moved Northview to the 45. Four plays later, the Chiefs were punting it away again, following incomplete pass attempts and one loss play.
The Chiefs recovered the ball early in the fourth quarter deep in the Jaguar territory. From first and 10 on the 26, Northview picked up four yards on a Jeremy Jackson run. A Jackson-Sheets pass put the Chiefs at first and goal. Brandon Sheets scored on a quarterback keeper. The point after was no good, cutting West Florida’s lead to 24-20.
With 6:45 to go, the Jags added another TD for the final score of 31-20.
Northview finished the season at 2-8, 1-3 in district play.
Click here for a complete photo gallery from the game, the cheerleaders and the band.
Pictured above: Brandon Sheets scores on a quarterback keeper. Pictured below: Justin Yuhasz gains yardage for the Chiefs. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Flushed Away: Generators Improving Century’s Sewer System
November 15, 2008
Power outages will soon no longer cause problems with Century’s sewage system. The installation process is now underway for new generators to keep the system running.
The generators are being installed at sewage lift stations around the town, funded by a half million dollar grant. . The grant money was used purchase 17 generators and one transfer switch for $405,198. Another $88,000 went toward administrative and engineering fees, and the remaining $6,000 went toward any cost overruns.
The generators range from 15 to 35 thousand watts. They will be placed on concrete pads next to the lift stations. Sixteen will run off the town’s natural gas system, and one is diesel powered.
The generator bid was awarded to North Florida Construction Company.
Pictured above: Generators are loaded onto a truck at the Century’s garage on Alger Road to be transported to sewage lift stations around the town. Pictured below: One of the generators in place on Highway 4A. Pictured bottom: More of the generators waiting for transport. NorthEscambia.com photos.
November Is Lung Cancer Awareness Month
November 15, 2008
Submitted by Vicki Miller
As we breathe in the crisp fall air, it is a good reminder of how important lung health is—and how we can all play a part in keeping out lungs healthy and cancer free. November is Lung Cancer Awareness month and a great time to make a fresh start for lung health.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. It kills more men and women than any other cancer and will kill more people this year than breast, prostate, colon, liver, kidney cancers and melanoma combined.
The statistics are startling. Lung cancer is expected to kill 161,840 Americans in 2008. In Florida alone, it is estimated that 17,360 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer, and 12,490 people will die from the disease in 2008.
Over 85 percent of lung cancer cases are tobacco related—but that does not mean if you use tobacco it is too late to turn your health around. A study last year found quitting smoking reduces your risk of dying from lung cancer by 70 percent. It is not too late to quit smoking and reverse course.
The future of lung cancer research is promising, but we don’t have to wait for the next breakthrough to reduce incidence and death from this disease. Live a tobacco free healthy life, teach your children about the dangers of tobacco, and help keep your home, workplace and public spaces tobacco free. Also include several servings of fruits and vegetables in your diet as part of a healthy lifestyle.
Everyone needs to know the signs of lung cancer, since not all cases are preventable, and there is not a screening method recommended by most medical guidelines for most individuals. Symptoms including persistent cough (the most common symptom); constant chest pain; shortness of breath; recurring pneumonia or bronchitis; coughing up blood; unusual or unexplained fatigue; swelling and redness of the neck or face; or loss of appetite and loss of weight.
Talk with your doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, and about your family medical history of lung cancer and all cancers, as well as your history of tobacco use.
If you would like additional information on lung cancer early detection and prevention — or about cancer prevention in general, please contact the Prevent Cancer Foundation at www.preventcancer.org.
Vicki Miller is the spouse of Representative Jeff Miller and is a member of Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program of the Prevent Cancer Foundation.
Gulf Power Gets Second Rate Increase Of The Year
November 14, 2008
For the second time this year, Gulf Power has been granted a rate increase by the Florida Public Service commission.
Gulf Power Company customers will see a nine percent increase in their billed rate beginning in January. That will increase the cost of 1,000 kilowatt hour for residential customers from $113.76 to $124.23. In September 2007, that same 1,000 kilowatt hours would have cost just $70.29.
Residential Gulf Power customers saw an increase of 11.3 percent in September. A single annual increase is usually granted in November to go into effect in January. Overall, that’s about a 21 percent increase this year.
Electric utility customers pay only the actual fuel costs that the company incurs. When fuel prices go up, the additional costs are passed through to customers. And when fuel prices go down, the savings are passed through to customers. Fuel costs have a major impact on electricity bills, accounting for almost 50 percent of the total bill. The base rate has not increased since 2002.
Gulf power says it is paying about 20 percent more for coal this year, and about 24 percent more for natural gas. About 80 percent of Gulf Power’s electricity is generated by coal; the remaining 20 percent from natural gas.
Northview Freshman To Undergo Brain Surgery
November 14, 2008
Nathan Therrell is important part of the Northview High School football team, but you’ve probably never read his name in news story, seen him in a team photo or heard his name on the public address system at the stadium. As the team’s waterboy, Nathan quietly spends Northview’s games doing what waterboys do…serving and helping. Now that football season is coming to a close, Nathan needs your help.
Wednesday, Nathan will undergo brain surgery at the Miami Children’s Hospital to remove something the size of a grain of rice that has caused years of problems for him. It’s called a hypothalamic hamartoma, also called an “HH”. The HH is not a tumor, nor is it a cancer; it is a tissue growth.
The HH causes seizures, a problem Nathan has had for four years. They were originally controlled by medication, but the medicines have failed to work, his mother Tina Therrell said. They’ve tried radiation and laser treatments. None have workeed. That led the family to decide to have the surgery to remove the HH from the middle of the Northview freshman’s brain.
“It’s been very expensive for us,” mom Tina said. “We have insurance, but we’ve made five trips this year to Miami. The expenses from that really add up.”
A barbecue lunch sale was held Friday at the Century Fire Department and a car wash was held Saturday to raise funds for Nathan’s medical expenses.
Pictured above: Nathan Therrill waits on the Northview sidelines, his water ready to go. Pictured below and bottom: Nathan watches last Friday night’s Northview game. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Lady Chiefs Pickup Big Preseason Basketball Win
November 14, 2008
The Northview High School varsity girls basketball team picked up a win Thursday night in preseason game.
The Lady Chiefs destroyed Pensacola Christian Academy 57-10 in the Preseason Classic in Pensacola.
Gabe Wesley had a big night, sinking 20 points for the Chiefs. Other scorers for the Northview Chiefs Thursday night were:
Lanecia Gomez 8 pts
Shaniqua Jones 2 pts
Timkea Marshall 7 pts
Shakeria White 4 pts
Brittney Thompson 8 pts
Angela Rodriguez 8 pts
Molino Park Honors Veterans
November 14, 2008
Molino Park Elementary School honored veterans Thursday night with a musical program entitled “United We Stand”.
The fourth grade classes of Mrs. Garrett, Mrs. Kent, Mrs. Madrill, Mrs. Robinson and Mrs. Nelson presented the program that included patriotic songs like “You’re a Grand Old Flag”, “My Country ’tis of Thee” and “America the Beautiful”. The program included a salute to veterans and a moving song “American Tears”.
The evening also wrapped up a 10 day canned food drive for the Manna Food Bank that netted over 1,600 cans of food. The first place award for the most food collected went to Ms. Doyle’s class, second to Ms. Greene’s class and third to Ms. Hatch’s class.
For a complete photo gallery from Molino Park’s “United We Stand” program, click here.
Pictured above and below: Scenes from Molino Park Elementary School’s Veterans Program “United We Stand” Thursday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
