Poarch Creek Indians Donate $45,000 To Bratt Elementary
March 8, 2011
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians have donated $45,000 to Bratt Elementary School from an educational endowment fund. The donation is in addition to a $50,000 donation to Northview High School announced last week.
After donating over $1.5 million to Atmore area schools in early December, the Tribe announced the creation of a $350,000 educational endowment fund for schools in surrounding communities. Schools in those surrounding areas were given the opportunity to seek a portion of the $350,000.
In December the Poarch Creek Indians made the following donations to Atmore area schools:
- Escambia County High School/Escambia County Middle School $687,360
- Rachel Patterson Elementary $78,000
- A.C. Moore School $112,547
- Huxford Elementary $337,000
- Escambia Academy $311,500
- Atmore Christian School $100,000.
“Part of being a good neighbor is helping out others in need. Education is the bedrock of productive successful lives for these youngsters; we are happy and proud to be able to make this contribution to their future today,” said Tribal Chairman Buford L. Rolin after the donations were made.
Debate Continues Over Florida Pill Abuse
March 8, 2011
Speaker Dean Cannon said Monday that the House approach to fighting pain pill abuse won’t include a database to track prescription drugs, but instead will call for a ban on doctors selling drugs from their offices.
Calling for a repeal of a prescription drug tracking database, which was put into law last year but isn’t up and running yet, sets up a fight with the Senate where the president restated Monday his backing of the database.
Cannon said he has come to believe that the problem of prescription drug abuse needs to be thwarted farther up the chain – and that the House bill will instead outlaw the dispensing of prescription drugs in doctors’ offices as a way of fighting what many say is an epidemic of fraudulent script writing. Doing so, Cannon said, would “stop drug dealers who are masquerading as doctors.”
“Banning doctor-dealers is the only way to do it,” said Cannon, R-Winter Park, while speaking with reporters the day before the opening of the legislative session.
Cannon’s counterpart on the other side of the Capitol, Senate President Mike Haridopolos, meanwhile, said he will continue to push for the prescription drug database. The database, aimed at flagging people who get large amounts of prescription drugs by “doctor shopping,” has been tied down in a fight over the contract to run it.
Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, restated his belief that the problem of painkiller abuse is too urgent to abandon the database
“I don’t think we’re going to be moving in the opposite direction (from last year’s bill) in the Senate,” Haridopolos said Monday.
In addition to Cannon and other top members in the House who oppose the database, Haridopolos will also be up against Gov. Rick Scott, who has urged lawmakers to repeal the law requiring it.
The state’s medical establishment, meanwhile, doesn’t want doctors to lose the right to dispense drugs, and supports the database.
“Dispensing physicians play an important role in the health care system,” Florida Medical Association General Counsel Jeff Scott said in a statement. “We look forward to working with the speaker to ensure that this important aspect of patient care continues, and that legitimate patients and physicians are not hurt by those who take advantage of the system.
“We believe the focus should be on the enforcement of the laws that were put on the books in the last two sessions, rather than punishing honest physicians who provide a valuable service for their patients,” Scott said.
The House proposal (PCB HHSC 11-03) would ban the dispensing of most controlled substances by physicians, and ban distributors from selling them to doctors. It would also allow the Department of Health to quarantine drug supplies for doctors until they’re disposed of, and calls for additional spending on law enforcement to enforce the ban.
The repeal of the database is contained in a separate proposed committee bill (PCB HHSC 11-04.)
Cannon said he knew some doctors would oppose his plan.
But, he said, “this plan isn’t about hurting doctors, it is about addressing the situation as a whole, and putting principle over profit to cut off the supply at the distribution point.”
By David Royse
The News Service Florida
Green Eggs And Ham — Camp Fire Kids Celebrate Dr. Seuss
March 8, 2011
Volunteer readers recently helped celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday with the children at the Camp Fire USA Century Youth Learning Center. Joy Simpson and Faye Lee from Century pharmacy read Seuss favorites to the children as part of the Early Learning Coalition’s volunteer reading program. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
March Madness Math Night At Bratt Elementary
March 8, 2011
Bratt Elementary School will hold a March Madness Math Night for third, fourth and fifth graders Tuesday night. Students and their parents are invited for a night of math fun with door prizes, refreshments and games from 6:30 until 7:30 at the school. For more information contact Bratt Elementary School at (850) 327-6137.
Preview: Gov. Rick Scott’s First State Of The State Address Tonight
March 8, 2011
Don’t expect Gov. Rick Scott to deviate much from his frequent message as he delivers his first State of the State speech Tuesday night before a joint session of the Legislature.
Jobs and the need to attract more of them will continue to resonate through the governor’s public discourse as he makes his first major speech since his inaugural address.
“I’m going to continue to watch how we spend every dollar…make sure that we give money back to taxpayers,” Scott said Monday when asked about what themes would be in his upcoming speech. “Make sure we prioritize things. Make sure our education system is for the benefit of our children, not special interests. Those are generally the things I’m going to talk about.”
House and Senate leaders say they expect few surprises Tuesday evening, saying the governor has remained on message since jumping into the race in April. Given Scott’s strong performance among conservatives, they expect the governor to come back to his mantra of lowering taxes and cutting spending by redefining the role of what state government should do.
“I think he’s going to have an ambitious agenda,” said Senate President Mike Haridopolos. “It’s one the American people are looking for.”
Scott minimized potential conflicts with his legislative dance partners, who have questioned the ability to provide business tax cuts while dealing with a $3.6 billion budget deficit. House Speaker Dean Cannon said Monday he also wants to put $1 billion in reserve, making business tax cuts even more difficult to deliver.
Scott remained unfazed, but downplayed the idea he might take a combative tone.
“Everybody got elected and they got elected on a platform,” Scott said. “The positive thing is everyone knows the number one issue is jobs,” Scott said.
Not everyone listening Tuesday night will agree with the message.
Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich said she’d like to hear a number of things from Scott Tuesday night.
“I’d like to hear how he is going to get the state back on track in terms of jobs and closing the budget gap without decimating health care, social services and our education system,” Rich said. “I’d like to hear how we can responsibly balance the budget by closing tax loopholes and looking for additional resources, not by cutting corporate income taxes or lowering property taxes.”
That said, Rich is not under the presumption that such proposals will be brought up by Scott when he addresses the chambers in a joint session.
“I expect to hear what we’ve heard for the last 12 years,” Rich said. “We’ll hear about cutting taxes, cutting services to our most vulnerable. We’ll hear about cutting education.”
Protests have been scheduled for Tuesday by teachers’ groups, environmentalists and others to express their concern over Scott’s agenda, which includes reduced funding for environmental programs, support for merit pay for teachers, and increasing the employee contribution level for the state’s pension fund. Scott said he welcomes the protesters.
“One thing that is great about our country is that everyone has the right to speak,” Scott said. “It’s good that people show up and say what they care about.”
By Michael Peltier
The News Service Florida
Paula Janet Wood
March 8, 2011
Miss Paula Janet Wood, age 65, passed away Saturday, March 5, 2011, at Pensacola Developmental Center where she won the hearts of everyone. Janet was born to Paul Scott and Jayne Ellison Wood. She spent her youth with her parents at the Century Drive-in. She traveled to Hawaii and Ireland and spent her summers traveling with her aunt and uncle, Louzine and James Mosley. She was recognized with a five-year pin for serving as a volunteer at Century Memorial Hospital. Miss Wood attended Flomaton First Baptist Church during her young years and also attended Little Escambia Baptist Church and was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Century.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Jayne Wood.
She is survived by a sister, Pamela Febig of Gulf Breeze; aunt and uncle, Louzine and James Mosley of Century; aunt, Jerri Coulter of Rock Springs, GA; a niece, Lee Williams of Gulf Breeze; and numerous cousins.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 8, 2011, at 2 p.m. from the chapel of Flomaton Funeral Home with Dr. Jerry Keese officiating. Interment will follow in Flomaton Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at Flomaton Funeral Home on Tuesday from 11 a.m. until service time at 2 p.m.
Pallbearers will be Michael Cox, Bill Cox, Thomas Cox, Shawn Fleming, Matt Febig. Honorary Pallbearers will be the staff and resident family members of Pensacola Developmental Center.
No Serious Injuries In 5-Vehicle Crash
March 7, 2011
There were no serious injuries in a five vehicle wreck this morning on Nine Mile Road at Palafox Street involving several North Escambia area residents.
Stanley Steve Lambert, 60, of Gonzalez, was charged with careless driving by the Florida Highway Patrol following the 10:10 a.m. crash. The FHP said he failed to stop, setting off the chain reaction crash.
The driver of the vehicle rear-ended by Lambert, 78-year old William Lee White, was not injured. A passenger in his vehicle, 85-year old Margaret McCluskey White, was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries.
None of the drivers of the other three vehicles in the crash were injured. They were McNeal Beasley, 23, of Beatrice, Alabama; Marissa Ruth Register, 21, of Pensacola; and Michael Jay Kirsch, 62 of Pensacola.
Names Released: 1 Dead, 2 Critically Injured After Atmore Police Pursuit
March 7, 2011
One person was killed and two others were critically injured in a single vehicle rollover crash in Atmore Sunday night during an Atmore Police pursuit.
According to a written statement from the Atmore Police Department, an officer was on patrol traveling southbound on South Presley street about 9:37 p.m. as he observed the vehicle traveling north at a high rate of speed. The vehicle ran a stop sign at East Horner Street as the officer turned his vehicle around and activated his emergency lights. The vehicle continued to speed up, running another stop sign at South Presley and Church streets and then running a red light at East Nashville Avenue (Highway 31).
The driver of the older model Ford Crown Victoria with “Pixie Dust” lettered on the side crossed over East Nashville Avenue headed north on Presley Street, losing control as they crossed over CSX railroad tracks at a high rate of speed.
The vehicle overturned, coming to rest upright in a ditch about 250 feet north of the railroad tracks. All three of occupants in the vehicle were ejected.
Adam D. Patterson, 34, of Atmore was pronounced dead at the scene. William Lee Patrick, 23, of Mobile was transported by LifeFlight helicopter to the USA Medical Center in Mobile, and Carlton T. Hunt, 49, of New York was airlifted in a second LifeFlight helicopter to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola.
A written press release from the Atmore Police Department did not specify how close their officer was pursuing the vehicle. Atmore Police also did not identify which man was driving the vehicle.
The incident remains under investigation.
Pictured above and below: One person was killed and two others were critically injured in this single vehicle accident Sunday night in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No Arrest In Century Double Shooting
March 7, 2011
Just over a week after two people were shot during a private party at a Century community center, the gunman remains at large.
As of late Monday, there have been no arrests in the double shooting at the town’s Habitat Building, a community center located on East Pond Street. The building was rented at the time of the shooting to a Century woman for the purpose of a “Teen Party” for $100, plus an additional $100 deposit.
The rental agreement did not require the woman to have any sort of security present for the party. For several months, the town has discussed the need to require security at parties and other functions at their community centers following other reports of violence and potential alcohol use. The council considered a stricter policy — with security required — at their Monday night meeting. Read more…
During the February 26 incident, two people were shot when gunfire erupted at an early morning party attended by about 100 people. Ieshia Mitchell, 20, of Century, was hit in the left knee and later airlifted to a Pensacola hospital, and 19-year old Register Yelder of Atmore was shot in the leg. A third person, Stacy O’Neal Johnson, 18, of Atmore, was injured when he was hit in the head with a bottle during the incident.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said a suspect had been identified in the shooting, but there have been no arrests. The suspect, once arrested, will face a felony charge for firing a weapon into a crowd.
For more about the rental contract and the shooting, click here for an earlier story.
Pictured top: The Century Habitat Building on East Pond Street. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
More Info, Surveillance Photo: Woman Injured In Walmart Parking Lot Mugging
March 7, 2011
More information has been released a weekend purse snatching an Escambia County Walmart.
Investigators with the Sheriff’s Office major crimes unit are asking for the public’s help in locating a vehicle used in the robbery Saturday afternoon.
On Saturday, at around 4:04 p.m., the victim was approached by a white female who tried to take her purse. The female suspect was described as being five-foot-four or five-foot-five with curly reddish blonde hair. She was said to be wearing a dark jacket or coat.
The victim held onto her purse and struggled with the female suspect as the suspect got into a red Dodge Neon (pictured) driven by a white male.
The victim continued to hold on to her purse as the male suspect drove away, dragging her several feet through the parking lot. She suffered injuries to her head and face and was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital by ambulance.
Anyone with information about the robbery is encouraged to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.