Great Day Today; No Outdoor Burning
February 20, 2010
It will be nearly springlike by afternoon today, but it’s not going to be a good day for outdoor burning.
There is a fire weather warning in effect for today. With low humidity, a fire could quickly get out of control.
Here is your official National Weather Service forecast:
- Today…Sunny. Highs around 68. East winds 5 to 10 mph.
- Tonight…Partly cloudy in the evening becoming mostly cloudy. Slight chance of rain showers after midnight. Lows 36 to 41. East winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of showers 20 percent.
- Sunday…Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain showers. Highs in the lower 60s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of showers 50 percent.
- Sunday Night…Warmer. Mostly cloudy. Showers and thunderstorms likely. Lows in the mid 50s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation 70 percent.
- Monday…Mostly cloudy. Showers and thunderstorms likely in the morning…then chance of rain showers in the afternoon. Highs around 70. South winds 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation 60 percent.
- Monday Night…Colder. Partly cloudy. Slight chance of rain showers. Lows in the mid 40s. Chance of showers 20 percent.
- Tuesday…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 60s.
- Tuesday Night…Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of rain showers. Lows in the upper 30s. Chance of showers 20 percent.
- Wednesday…Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain showers. Highs in the mid 50s. Chance of showers 50 percent.
- Wednesday Night…Colder. Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain showers. Lows 29 to 34. Chance of showers 40 percent.
- Thursday…Sunny. Highs in the upper 50s.
- Thursday Night…Clear. Lows 26 to 31.
- Friday…Sunny. Highs around 60.
Almost Half Of ECUA Customers Recycle One Year Into Program
February 20, 2010
Curbside recycling has been available in North Escambia for just over a year, and almost half of all ECUA customers now recycle.
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority introduced curbside recycling throughout Escambia County in January of 2009, coinciding with their takeover of the Allied Waste franchise in North Escambia.The latest numbers from ECUA show that about 34,500 households — about 47 percent of all ECUA customers in the county — are enrolled in the recycling program, and that number is growing by about 100 new sign-ups per week.
During the first year of the program, ECUA collected over 5,790 tons of recyclables — that’s over 11.5 million pounds — keeping those items out of the Perdido Landfill. The latest average is 116 tons per week, with a record-setting week of 179 tons of recyclables collected the week of December 22.
About 12.5% of recyclables received by ECUA are “contaminated” — containing incorrect items.
The following items are accepted:
- Newspaper & Inserts
- Magazines & Catalogs
- Junk Mail & Envelopes
- Cardboard
- Office and School Papers (colored paper)
- Boxboard (cereal, cracker boxes)
- Brown Paper Bags
- Aluminum Cans
- Tin and Steel Cans
- Plastic Milk Jugs
- Plastic Bottles with necks only
- Phone Books
The following items are not accepted:
- No Food-Tainted Items
- No Ice Cream Cartons
- No polystyrene foam products (coffee cups, coolers, packaging)
- No Pizza Boxes
- No Aluminum Foil
- No Plastic Cups & Silverware
- No Aerosol Cans
- No Other Plastics (hangers, food trays, etc.)
- No Juice Boxes / Bags
- No Garbage Yard Waste
- No Glass. Glass items are accepted at county drop-off centers.
Plastic bags are not recyclable, but ECUA encourages the use of plastic bags to hold other recyclables such as paper to prevent the items from blowing out of the the recycling truck.
Customers that wish to recycle can contact use at (850) 476-0480 or online at www.ecua.org.
Judge Prohibits Christian Educator Group From Involvement In ACLU Prayer Suit
February 20, 2010
A federal judge barred a Christian educators association from seeking to overturn a consent decree requiring school officials in Santa Rosa County stop promoting their personal religious beliefs in public schools. In a 35-page decision issued Friday, U.S. District Court Judge M. Casey Rodgers reiterated that school district officials are constitutionally obligated to not promote their religion and that the Christian Educators Association International had no valid basis for seeking to have the consent decree ruled unconstitutional.
The consent decree is the result of a lawsuit filed in 2008 by the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Florida on behalf of two Pace High School students who alleged that school officials regularly promoted religion and led prayers at school events.
“The consent decree was clearly constitutional and designed to stop school officials’ admitted practice of promoting their personal religious beliefs. The judge’s decision affirms that no one is prevented from doing anything they should be allowed to do,” said Benjamin Stevenson, ACLU of Florida staff attorney. “Hopefully, school officials can now return their focus to educating students.”
Santa Rosa Meth Ring Busted
February 20, 2010
Eight people have been arrested in Santa Rosa County in connection with a methamphetamine manufacturing ring.
A federal indictment announced Friday alleges that that Charles G. Boyer, 37, John I. Lewis, 38, Ronald L. Phares, 46, Tonia L. Phillips, 30, James D. Ramsey, 26, Frank R. Skivington, 27, Shane M. Swann, 37, and Christina A. Williams, 30, all of Santa Rosa County, were involved in a conspiracy to possess pseudoephedrine and use it to manufacture methamphetamine. The charges stem from a long-term investigation involving pharmacy records, search warrants, and cooperating witnesses.
Boyer was also charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office filed separate state charges against another fourteen individuals involved in the manufacturing ring.
The defendants began to make their initial appearances today in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Elizabeth M. Timothy. Detention hearings, to determine their pre-trial status, have been set for February 24, 2010. A trial date will also be set at that time.
The case was investigated by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the United States Attorney’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg.
Ernest Ward Middle Holds Valentine’s Dance, Names Court
February 20, 2010
Ernest Ward Middle School held its annual Valentine’s Dance Friday night, naming a queen and her court based upon student votes.
Eighth grader Lily Townson was named queen, and Brannon Freeman was named king. From the seventh grade, Kamryn Brock was named maiden, and Tristan Portwood was named knight. Sixth grade queen was Jalyn Bodiford and sixth grade knight was Gavin Grant.
The dance was held after Valentine’s Day due to the school’s cheerleaders and drama club attending out of town competitions last weekend.
Pictured above: (L-R) Sixth Grade Knight Gavin Grant, Sixth Grade Maiden Jalyn Bodiford, King Brannon Freeman, Queen Lily Townson, Seventh Grade Knight Tristan Portwood and Seventh Grade Maiden Kamryn Brock. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tonight Is Your Last Chance To Catch South Pacific
February 20, 2010
The Flomaton High School Drama Club will present Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific Saturday evening.
Considered one of the best musicals in history, the musical tells the story of Seabees, sailors, nurses and Marines on a small island in the South Pacific during World War II.
The Flomaton High production of South Pacific stars Victoria Creamer as Nellie Forbush, Austin Patterson as Emile de Beque, Blakelee White as Bloody Mary, Josh Brock as Luther Billis, Robert Anderson as Lt. Joseph Cable, among a cast of about 40 drama students.
South Pacific will be presented Saturday evening 7:00 at the Flomaton High School Auditorium. Admission is $6.
A performance was held Thursday night.
Pictured top: A group of Seabees in the Flomaton High School production of South Pacific. Pictured inset: Nicole Simpson as Liat and Robert Anderson as Lt. Joseph Cable. Pictured below: Professor played by Dylan Green, Bloody Mary played by Blakelee White and Luther Billis played by Josh Brock. Pictured bottom: Victoria Creamer as Nellie Forbus and Austin Patterson as Emile de Becque. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Head Start Program In Escambia
February 20, 2010
Young children and pregnant women can take advantage of a new program called Early Head Start.
Offered by the Community Action Program Committee and Escambia County Head Start, the new program serves children ages 0-3 and pregnant women with comprehensive education, social and health services.
Early Head Start will serve parents and children in the areas of Century-Bratt, Cantonment-Molino, Warrington and the Pensacola area.
Documentation needed to take part in the program includes:
- child’s birth certificate
- verification of pregnancy (if applicable)
- proof of family income
- proof of public assistance
- proof of residency for Escambia County
- child’s Social Security card
- proof of Medicaid or health insurance
- guardianship paperwork (if needed)
Interested persons should contact Escambia County Head Start at (850) 432-2992 ext. 446 or 441 to schedule an appointment to complete an application.
Our Local Health: Santa Rosa
February 20, 2010
A study released this week by the University of Wisconsin showed Santa Rosa County to be one of the healthiest counties in Florida.
In “health outcomes” which is determined by morbidity and mortality rates, Santa Rosa ranked number 10 of 67 counties in the state. In the four areas that determine “health factors” Santa Rosa also ranked 10 of 67.
As part of our continuing series “Our Local Health: North Escambia Area”, we take a look today at the risk factors and lifestyles that led to Santa Rosa County’s good health report card.
Health Outcomes
- The number of premature deaths in Santa Rosa County is slightly higher than the state average.
- 15% of population in poor or fair health. Florida: 16%
- 4.2 days of a 30 day period was a sick day. Florida: 3.5
- 3.0 days of the last 30 was a poor mental health day. Florida: 2.8
- 8% of babies had a low birth weight. Florida: 8%
Heath Factors
- 28% of adults smoke. Florida: 21%
- 22% of adults are obese. Florida: 24%
- 14% binge drink. Florida: 14%
- 20 people for every 100,000 die in a traffic crash. Florida: 19
- Chlamydia rage is 178 per 100,000 people. Florida: 318
- Birth rate is 40 of 1,000 teen girls. Florida: 46
Clinical Care
- 19% of adults are uninsured. Florida: 24%
- 87 preventable hospital stays out of 1,000. Florida 69
- Diabetic screening rate 78%. Florida: 80%
- Hospice use is 48%. Florida: 44%
Social & Economic Factors
- 76% high school graduation rate. Florida: 64%
- 24% have college degrees. Florida: 25%
- 15% of children in poverty. Florida 17%
- 8% single parent households. Florida 9%
- 240 violent crimes per 100,000 population. Florida: 714
Physical Environment
- 4 air pollution days per year. Florida: 4
- 9 ozone pollution days per year. Florida: 2
- 50% have access to healthy foods. Florida: 50%
- 0.1 liquor stores per 10,000 people. Florida: 0.7
Each day through Sunday, NorthEscambia.com will investigate our health. We’ll take a detailed look at what is healthy about our three county area, plus we’ll look at the dirty little health secrets of our residents like smoking, binge drinking, obesity and violent crime. Join us each day through Sunday for our special series “Our Local Health: North Escambia Area”.
Our Local Health: Escambia, AL
February 20, 2010
A study released this week by the University of Wisconsin showed Escambia County, Alabmaa, to be one of the unhealthiest counties in Alabama.
In “health outcomes” which is determined by morbidity and mortality rates, Escambia (Ala.) ranked number 51 of 67 counties in the state. In the four areas that determine “health factors” Escambia County (Ala.) ranked 58 of 67.
As part of our continuing series “Our Local Health: North Escambia Area”, we take a look today at the risk factors and lifestyles that led to Escambia County, Alabama’s poor health report card.
Health Outcomes
- The number of premature deaths in Escambia County is much higher than the state average.
- 25% of population in poor or fair health. Alabama: 20%
- 3.9 days of a 30 day period was a sick day. Alabama: 4.3
- 4.0 days of the last 30 was a poor mental health day. Alabama: 4.1
- 11% of babies had a low birth weight .Alabama: 10%
Heath Factors
- 26% of adults smoke. Alabama: 24%
- 35% of adults are obese. Alabama: 31%
- 4% binge drink. Alabama: 12%
- 37 people for every 100,000 die in a traffic crash. Alabama:25
- Chlamydia rage is 462 per 100,000 people. Alabama: 547
- Birth rate is 71 of 1,000 teen girls. Alabama: 54
Clinical Care
- 19% of adults are uninsured. Alabama:
- 87 preventable hospital stays out of 1,000. Alabama:
- Diabetic screening rate 78%. Alabama:
- Hospice use is 48%. Alabama:
Social & Economic Factors
- 63% high school graduation rate. Alabama: 66%
- 11% have college degrees. Alabama: 21%
- 31% of children in poverty. Alabama: 24%
- 12% single parent households. Alabama: 10%
- 454 violent crimes per 100,000 population. Alabama: 435
Physical Environment
- 4 air pollution days per year. Alabama: 6
- 0 ozone pollution days per year. Alabama: 1
- 29% have access to healthy foods. Alabama: 39%
- 0.5 liquor stores per 10,000 people. Alabama: 0.7
Each day through Sunday, NorthEscambia.com will investigate our health. We’ll take a detailed look at what is healthy about our three county area, plus we’ll look at the dirty little health secrets of our residents like smoking, binge drinking, obesity and violent crime. Join us each day through Sunday for our special series “Our Local Health: North Escambia Area”.
Molino Home Invasion Investigation Is Continuing; No Connection To Flomaton Incident
February 19, 2010
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department is still looking into the case of two reported Molino home invasion attacks on cheerleaders last year.
Investigators are still interviewing persons in the case, Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson Ted Roy said Thursday. “It is still an active case,” he said.
Authorities say there is no known connection whatsoever between the Molino home invasions and a home invasion and sexual assault of a 40-year old woman Thursday morning near Flomaton, Ala. (Read more about the Flomaton case here.)
“We are still pursuing any and all leads,” Sheriff David Morgan told NorthEscambia.com recently. He said his investigative team is keeping him updated on the progress of the case, but Morgan said he was unable to indicate a time frame for a possible resolution to the case.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Department investigators have returned to Molino several times since the incidents, questioning some of those involved with the two cases, Sgt. Ted Roy said recently.
A 13-year old Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleader reported that she was attacked by a knife-wielding intruder while she was home alone the night of October 31, 2009, at her home in the 7000 block of Highway 95A. The girl told deputies that a man entered the home through a window (pictured left), and one tried to attack her with a knife. The middle school student was cut multiple times on her hands in an apparent attempt to fight off her attacker as she was pinned on a bed, but she was not otherwise injured. Her injuries were not considered serious.
A 16-year old told investigators that a tall, slender white male had entered her home on Nancy Lane through a utility room window the morning of November 3, 2009. She told authorities that she fought back — throwing drinking glasses at her attacker and dousing him with pepper spray. She then fled the home, running to nearby Highland Baptist Church for help. She described her attacker as wearing a black ski mask, a long black shirt and black pants.
To read previous stories, click a link below:
- Cheerleader Home Invasion Victim: “I Was Scared”
- Sheriff’s Report Details Friday Night’s Home Invasion
- Another Cheerleader Attacked In Second Molino Home Invasion
- Are The Two Cheerleader Home Invasion Attacks Related
- Molino Remains On High Alert After Attacks
- Home Invasion In Molino: Young Teen Cut Multiple Times With Knife
Pictured top: The attacker in the November 3 home invasion in Molino entered this Nancy Lane home through this utility room window. Pictured top inset: The October 31 suspect reportedly entered a home on Highway 95A through this window. Pictured below: The victim in the Nancy Lane attack ran to nearby Highland Baptist Church for help. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
