NRA Loads Up For Doctor Gun Question Trial
July 6, 2011
With a federal judge ready to hear arguments next week, the National Rifle Association and doctors are feuding about the NRA’s role in a legal challenge to Florida’s new “Docs vs Glocks” law.
The NRA is seeking to formally intervene in the case, contending it was a “foremost supporter” when lawmakers approved the measure to restrict doctors from asking patients about gun ownership.
“The Firearm Owners’ privacy law protects NRA members from intrusive, irrelevant questions by health care practitioners and from discrimination on account of their exercise of Second Amendment rights,’’ the NRA said last week in a motion to intervene.
But physicians, who argue the law is a violation of their First Amendment free-speech rights, are trying to block the NRA from playing a large role in the case. In a document Friday, the doctors said the state can adequately defend the law and that the NRA “offers only inflammatory hyperbole’’.
“The interest at issue here is a doctor’s and patient’s First Amendment right to engage in an open and frank discussion free of government interference,’’ the document says.
The legal sparring follows a major lobbying fight during this year’s legislative session about the law, which Gov. Rick Scott signed June 2.
A group of physicians quickly challenged the constitutionality of the law in federal court in Miami. U.S. District Judge Marcia G. Cooke has scheduled a July 13 hearing on the doctors’ request for an injunction to block the law.
The law, which passed largely along party lines, says doctors and other health-care practitioners “shall respect a patient’s right to privacy and should refrain” from asking about gun ownership or whether people have guns in their homes. It also, however, says health providers may ask about guns if they believe in “good faith” that the information is relevant to a patient’s medical care or safety.
The issue centers, at least in part, on pediatricians who ask questions about household safety issues that could affect children. The law’s supporters point to episodes such as an Ocala couple complaining that a doctor told them to find another physician after they refused to answer questions about guns.
Former NRA President Marion Hammer, an influential Tallahassee lobbyist, played a major role in pushing the bill (HB 155) through the Legislature.
The law took effect immediately when Scott signed it. That helped prompt the plaintiffs, who include six individual doctors and three physician organizations, to seek an injunction.
The state has backed the NRA’s attempt to intervene in the case.
With no ruling on the motion to intervene — and the injunction hearing next week — the NRA filed another motion Tuesday aimed at allowing it to submit a brief and participate in the hearing.
By Jim Saunders
The News Service of Florida
Google Street View Car Spotted Again
July 6, 2011
A Google Street View car has been spotted in the North Escambia area numerous times over the past couple of months. Tuesday, the car with 15 cameras on top was seen around the streets of Atmore.
Google Maps with Street View, as well as Google Earth, allows users to explore places through 360-degree street level imagery. Most of the roadways in the area already appear on Street View, but the lower quality images are being updated with new realistic high definition photos.
For a more detailed look at the Google Street View Car and more information about how it all works, click here for a NorthEscambia.com story and photo gallery about the car in Walnut Hill last May.
There’s no word when the new images from the North Escambia area will be available on Google Street View.
Pictured top: A Google Street View car was spotted Tuesday afternoon on Craig Street in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kim McCullough, click to enlarge.
White, Robertson Earn Advanced Commissioner Designation
July 6, 2011
The Florida Association of Counties (FAC) has presented Escambia County commissioners Kevin White and Wilson Robertson with their Advanced County Commissioner (ACC) designation following their completion of a comprehensive study program developed by the association.
“The Advanced County Commissioner designation is something every commissioner throughout the state should strive to achieve,” White said. “It shows a commitment not only to your constituents but to all the citizens of the county that you are attempting to do the best possible job you can.”
The ACC program is organized as a series of three seminars with 27 hours of course work. The course content focuses on leadership with an overarching theme of growth and development in Florida.
White and Robertson received the designation along with 28 other county commissioners during an awards ceremony held at the FAC Annual Conference in Orange County, Florida.
In The Shadows: Children Enjoy Century Library Reading Program
July 6, 2011
Children enjoyed an award winning Red String Wayang shadow puppet show Tuesday afternoon at the Century Branch Library
The event was part of the West Florida Library’s summer reading program. During the next Century Branch Library summer reading program July 12 at noon, children of all ages can enjoy another puppet show. Australian puppeteer Bob Parsons will perform a variety of shows using marionettes.
Other Area Summer Reading Programs
The summer reading program continues Thursday at the Flomaton Public Library. Programs will be held each Thursday through August 4 from 10-11 am.
The Molino Park Elementary School Library will be open Wednesday, July 13, from 9 a.m. until noon for students and their parents. There will be guest readers along with activities related to the stories that are read. Parents and students can check out books, and students can take Accelerated Reader tests. Parents are required to stay with their children during the event.
Ruby Simmons
July 6, 2011
Ruby Simmons, age 91, of Jay, died on Tuesday, July 5, 2011, in Pensacola.
Ruby was a resident of Jay and member of New Bethel Baptist Church. Ruby was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Ruby was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, James Edward “J.E.” Simmons, daughter Hazel Daughtery, daughter Margaret Ward, and great-granddaughter Randi Fuller.
Ruby is survived by sons Joseph Edward “Ed” (Irene) Daughtery, John (Carol) Daughtery, and Joe Fuller; grandchildren Debora (Dennis) Finegan, Karen (Andy) Layton, John “J.D.” Daughtery, Jr.; great-grandchildren Randall Warrick, Andrew Howell, Kelly Fuller, Tally Warrick, Christina Finegan, Wesley Layton, Carrie Fuller and Ashley Finegan.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 7, 2011, from 5-8 p.m. at Jay Funeral Home.
Funeral service for Ruby will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 8, 2011, at Jay Funeral Home with Reverend Matthew Dobson officiating.
Brief graveside service immediately following funeral will be held at Cora Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Jimmy Arnette, Alan Burch, Wayne Polk, Jim Preddy, Jamie Sanders and Todd Watson.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Joseph Daniel Kittrell
July 6, 2011
Joseph Daniel Kittrell, age 71, died Friday, July 1, 2011. Joseph was born in Pensacola on September 21, 1939, to the late John D. and Louise Townley Kittrell.
Joseph was a lifelong resident of the Cantonment area. He resided in the Farm Hill community where he was a member of Farm Hill United Methodist Church. He was a graduate of Tate High School Class of 1958 and he quarterbacked for Tate while in high school. Joseph also played baseball for Monsanto for several years.
Joseph enjoyed assisting Tate High football and baseball over the years. He also spent many years coaching football and baseball at Cantonment Ball Park, Larsen Center, and with the Babe Ruth League.
He enjoyed hunting, golfing with his best friends and spending time with his family. His greatest joy was serving God and serving in his church any way he could. Helping others was always a priority in his life. The greatest loves of his life were his four children.
In addition to his parents, Joseph was preceded in death by his brother, Johnny Kittrell and his sisters Hattie Louise and Betty Jean.
Joseph is survived by his four children, Craig (Mary) Kittrell, Randy Kittrell, Cheryl (Joel) Linholm, and Dale (Rhonda) Kittrell; his seven grandchildren, Mandi Irwin, Jenni Kittrell, Erica Kittrell, Linsay Kittrell, Randy Kittrell, Cody Linholm, and Joseph Kittrell; his four great grandchildren, Tyler and Taylor Michanowicz, Kyndal Hurly, and Colby Kittrell; and his sisters, Mary Moye (Rex) Dease and Carolyn (Ronnie) Stewart.
Funeral services for Joseph will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 7, 2011, at Farm Hill United Methodist Church with Reverend John Kuritz and Reverend Fred Funches officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be one hour prior to the services. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Farm Hill United Methodist Church New Building Fund.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 Hwy 29, Cantonment, is in charge of the arrangements.
James Eugene Entrekin
July 6, 2011
James Eugene Entrekin, 87 of Mobile died Saturday July 2, 2011, in Mobile. He was a operator with a lumber mill. He was born in Canoe on April 10, 1924, to the late Dee and Flora Lee Entrekin.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Entrekin.
He is survived by a son, Jerry Entrekin of Daphne; one brother, Charles Entrekin of Bay Minette; five grandchildren, Kerri Smelley and husband Jessie of Mobile, Jerry O. Entrekin, Jamie Entrekin, Nichcole Lim and husband Jonathan of Daphne, and Natasha Millwood and husband Trey of Spanish Fort; nine great-grandchildren, Nicole Spencer, Lexington Smelley, J.P. Miller, Jade Lim, Reagan Lim, Riley Millwood, Jareod Millwood, Cole Millwood and Mason Lim; and one great-great-granddaughter, Reagan Smelley.
Services will be held Wednesday July 6, 2011, at noon at Atmore Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Doug Hogg officiating. Interment will follow in Sardis Baptist Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Payton Williams, Joe Lister, Terry Millwood, J.P. Miller, Lexington Smelley and Jerry O. Entrekin.
Family will receive friends, Wednesday July 6, 2011, at Atmore Memorial Chapel Funeral Home from 10 a.m. until service time.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc and Atmore Memorial Chapel Funeral Home are in charge of all arrangements.
Unharmed: Authorities Locate Young Woman Missing From Century
July 5, 2011
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A young Century woman reported missing Tuesday morning in North Escambia was located unharmed and returned home to her family.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office located Ashley Grace Nix, 19, about 12:30 p.m. at the Food Giant in Century.
Deputies searched throughout the morning for Nix after she was reported missing by her family. She was seen in the area of Whataburger on North Century Boulevard about 4:50 a.m. Tuesday with purple backpack and pulling a white clothes basket or hamper.
A passerby reported seeing a white female matching Nix’s description alongside Highway 29 at Cox Road at about 8:45 and a K-9 unit was called in to search. Deputies later determined that the female seen on Highway 29 at Cox Road was not Nix.
Deputies described Nix as suffering from mental handicap, prompting their full-fledged search due to concerns for her safety.
Pictured top: A missing Century woman was located unharmed early Tuesday afternoon at the Food Giant on North Century Boulevard. Pictured below: Based upon a tip, deputies searched for Nix along Highway 29 near Cox Road in McDavid. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Drought At Historic Levels; Rivers Near Record Lows
July 5, 2011
The drought in the North Escambia area has reached historic levels, and area rivers are reaching near all-time lows.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor map shows all the area in an exceptional drought — the worst category possible. Portions of the area are 15-20 inches below normal rainfall. Coupled with hot temperatures and above-normal evaporation, the rainfall deficit has been helped little by scattered afternoon showers.
“This is a drought that has a historical frequency of once every 50 to 100 years,” according to the National Weather Service in Mobile.
The U.S. Drought Monitor is published by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln using a variety of climatic data.
Rivers in the area are also approaching historic lows. At Century, the Escambia River was at 2.90 feet at 9:00 Monday night; the all-time record low level was 1.30 feet in 1954. The Perdido River at Barrineau Park was at 1.30 feet Sunday night. Low water records for the Perdido River are not available.
Pictured above: The Escambia River as seen from Fischer Landing in Century. During periods of flooding, the river will almost reach the bottom of the bridge. Pictured below: The Escambia River is approaching record low levels, with a pier to nowhere and a boat ramp that does not reach the water as seen at the Molino Boat Ramp on Fairgrounds Road.
Sunshine Hill Road Being Resurfaced; Fairground Road To Be Paved Soon
July 5, 2011
One resurfacing project is underway in Molino, and a dirt road paving project is set to begin soon.
A resurfacing project is underway on Sunshine Hill Road in Molino. A county asphalt crew is overlaying the road due to the deterioration of the original “cold mix” surface.
Escambia County is moving forward with a plan to pave the dirt portion of Fairground Road in Molino. A pre-bid conference for contractors will be held on July 6, and bids on the project will be opened on July 20. Once work begins on the project, the low bidder will have 120 days to complete the job.