Highway 29 Crash Injures One
February 21, 2010
One person was injured in a two vehicle accident early Sunday afternoon in Cantonment.
The accident happened at the intersection of Well Line Road and Highway 29 about 12:10 p.m. The driver of a SUV was transported by ambulance to Pensacola hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The driver of a car involved in the crash was not injured.
The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Florida Highway Patrol responded. The accident is still under investigation by the FHP.
Pictured above and below: One person was injured in this accident early Sunday afternoon at Well Line Road and Highway 29 in Cantonment. Submitted photos by Kristi Smith for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Quick Work Keeps Brush Fire Away From Structures
February 21, 2010
Quick work by two area fire departments kept a brush fire from spreading to nearby two structures this morning in the Quintette area. The Cantonment and Molino stations responded about 11:30 a.m. to the half-acre fire on Frank Ard Road. Submitted photos by Kristi Smith for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Study: Century, Jay And Cantonment Unhealthy; Walnut Hill, McDavid, Molino Much Healthier
February 21, 2010
An environmental health study shows that residing in the Century, Jay or Cantonment zip codes may be unhealthy, while the McDavid/Walnut Hill and Molino zip codes are among the healthiest places to live in a two county area.
The results were released in a recent University of West Florida study focusing on Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
The study shows that residents in the Century and Jay zip codes have the among the highest disease risk in the two-county region, attributed almost entirely to formaldehyde and toluene emission from the petroleum and natural gas extraction operations in the north Santa Rosa County area. For the purposes of the study, the Century and Jay zip codes were combined into one geographic region due to their relatively small populations. The location attributed most to the risk factor attributed almost entirely to formaldehyde emissions from a natural gas compressor station in northern Santa Rosa County.
The risks associated with living in the Cantonment zip code were related to the pulp and paper manufacturing operation, mostly attributed to higher levels of methanol, acetaldehyde, benzene and xylene, which are used as chemical solvents in the pulping operation. The area encompassed by the Cantonment zip had the worst mortality rate due to birth defects.
The McDavid/Walnut Hill and the Molino zip code areas had the lowest rates of hospital admission in the two county area due to respiratory problems. The zip codes also had among the lowest overall health and cancer risks.
Primarily, the study evaluated relationships between the health outcomes and the proximity of the zip codes to air emission sites.
During the past several days, NorthEscambia.com has taken an in-depth look at the health of North Escambia and our immediate neighbors in the series “Our Local Health: North Escambia Area”. For previous articles, click the links below:
- Escambia Alabama And Florida Unhealthy Places To Live; Santa Rosa Much Better
- Our Local Health: Escambia, FL
- Our Local Health: Santa Rosa, FL
- Our Local Health: Escambia, AL
The darker reds and orange colors show the zip codes with the greatest burden of disease in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Liberty Counsel Will Sue Santa Rosa; Calls School Prayer Battle ‘Nuclear War’
February 21, 2010
Liberty Counsel announced Saturday that it plans to sue the Santa Rosa County School District to allow prayer in the county’s schools. The announcement came a day after a federal judge barred the Christian organization from seeking to overturn a consent decree requiring school officials in Santa Rosa County to stop promoting their personal religious beliefs in public schools.
Liberty Counsel released the following statement Saturday:
Following Judge M. Casey Rodgers’ ruling late Friday evening which denied the request for intervention by Christian Educators Association International (CEAI), Liberty Counsel will file a direct lawsuit against the Santa Rosa School District. When the ACLU originally filed its suit against the District, Liberty Counsel offered to represent the school at no cost, but the offer was rejected. The new District Superintendent, Tim Wryosdick, and the school board attorney decided to cave in to the ACLU’s demands and enter into a consent decree which Judge Rodgers approved.
Representing CEAI, Liberty Counsel filed a motion to intervene in order to represent the interest of the faculty and staff, which the District and the ACLU clearly violated. Judge Rodgers’ ruling last evening, denying CEAI’s right to intervene, now means that Liberty Counsel will file a direct lawsuit against the District in order to get this unconstitutional order overturned before an appellate court.
During testimony in December, Michelle Winkler broke down on the witness stand when describing how a coworker sought comfort from her after losing her two-year-old child. The two hid behind a closet door to pray because they feared the consent decree. Denise Gibson, an elementary teacher for 20 years, testified the order forces her to tell parents she cannot respond if they talk about church or their faith. She may not even respond to an email from a parent if it contains a Scripture verse or “God bless you.” Instead, the District requires her to open a separate email to respond rather than hit “reply,” in order to eliminate any trace of religious language. School employees are prohibited from “communication with a deity” when in their “official capacity.” They are considered to be in their “official capacity” even when not working – whenever they attend a “school event,” which includes events during the day, including breaks, after-school events on or off campus, and privately sponsored events on campus for students. Employees cannot bow their head or fold their hands and must prohibit others from praying, even in meetings such as Good News Clubs or privately sponsored baccalaureate services. The ACLU has dragged three employees to court already, yet, Judge Rodgers states there is no “chill” on free speech.
Mathew D. Staver, Founder of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law, commented: “The court’s ruling has elevated this case to nuclear war. Liberty Counsel’s offer to defend the school district was denied by a superintendent who chose instead to sacrifice the rights of his employees. Content with the outrageous order from the ACLU, the superintendent then opposed the request to intervene by the Christian Educators Association International. Now Liberty Counsel will file a direct lawsuit against the school district. I am confident that when an appellate court reviews this outrageous order, it will be overturned and freedom will be vindicated. Anyone familiar with constitutional law cannot believe the breadth of this order. It is blatantly unconstitutional.”
North Escambia Bee Association Holds Chautauqua
February 21, 2010
The Fourth Annual North Escambia Bee Association Chautauqua (workshop) was held Saturday at Northview High School.
The day-long event featured a variety of workshops and demonstrations as beekeepers from across the area gathered.
Participants learned about caring for their hives, pesticides, honey production and more.
Pictured: A hive of North Escambia Bee Association member bees. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Northview Beats Flomaton 16-2 In Area Baseball Tourney
February 21, 2010
Northview’s varsity baseball team beat Flomaton 16-2 in five innings Friday night at W.S. Neal.
The Chiefs scored one in the first, four in the second, two in the third, and nine in the fifth to pick up the win. Leading hitters for Northview were Austin Reid going 3 for 4, with a triple. Brad Lowery was 3 for 4, including a three-run homer. Aaron Chancery had a double. Dabney Langhorne had a two-run single and Austin Arrington collected a single for the Chiefs.
Brad Lowery pitched four innings, giving up two runs on one hit, striking out 11 batters, and walking four. Austin Arrington pitched the fifth, striking out 2 of the 3 batters he faced.
Panhandle All-Star Cheer Team Places First in Orange Beach Nationals
February 21, 2010
The Panhandle All-Star Cheer Team picked up a first place win in their category Saturday at the Orange Beach Nationals.
The All-Stars, which include girls from across the area, recently placed second in the Saltwater Championship All-Star Level 2 that was held at the Pensacola Civic Center.
For more photos from Saturday’s competition in Orange Beach, click here.
Team members are: Samantha Bethea, Kamryn Brock, Qumesha Brown, Chasity Burt Fatimah Carter, Tiffany Chavers, Sierra Dortch, Kaile-Anne Gumapac, Dajionae Hetherington, Jarelle Hooks, Keyvinana Johnson, Trinity Johnson, Dinesha Jones, Shaniqua Jones, Shaquanna Jones, Jamia Newton, Lizzy Nicholls, Skye Nolan, Danielle Suggs, Raylin Wesley, Tatyanna White, and Tylia White.
Coaches are Tara Jones, head coach and director; Sharon Robinson, assistant coach; Rene Dortch-Wesley, assistant coach and administrator; Kanisha Knight, junior assistant; and Shakeria White, junior assistant.
Pictured top: Members of the Panhandle All-Star Cheer Team Saturday in Orange Beach. Pictured below (L-R): Kneeling: Jarelle Hooks, Fatimah Carter; front row: Kaile-Anne Gumapac, Raylin Wesley; middle row: Danielle Suggs, Keyvinana Johnson, Samantha Bethea, Jamia Newton, Tylia White, Kamryn Brock, Shaquanna Jones; back row: Tatyanna White, Tiffany Chavers, Shaniqua Jones, Chasity Burt, Sierra Dortch, Skye Nolan, Trinity Dixon, Dinesha Jones, Qumesha Brown, Dajionae Hetherington, and Lizzy Nichols. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rain On The Way
February 21, 2010
Weather changes are in store with rain approaching our are of the Gulf Coast. The best chance of rain will arrive Sunday night into Monday, and the sunshine will return by Tuesday.
Here is your official NorthEscambia area forecast:
- Today: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 51. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. North wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61. North wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. North wind between 5 and 15 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 28. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 58. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 31.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 61.
- Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35.
- Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62.
Let The Good Times Roll: Seniors Celebrate Mardi Gras
February 21, 2010
The residents at Century Care Center held their own Mardi Gras parade and party this week.
Katie Clark was named Mardi Gras queen, and George Locket was named king.
For photos from the event, click here.
Pictured top: Last year’s Century Care Center Mardi Gras Queen Katie Clark (standing) made it clear that she was passing on her reign, but not her crown. Sitting in 2010’s queen, Judy Macks. Submitted photo for NorthEcambia.com, click to enlarge.
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.