Another Human West Nile Case Confirmed
September 19, 2012
Another human case of the West Nile Virus was confirmed Tuesday in Santa Rosa County, bringing the two-county area total to 12 cases and one death.
Two cases have been reported in Santa Rosa, while 10 cases with one fatality have been reported in Escambia County. A death from West Nile was also reported in Okaloosa County.
“The confirmation of a second case of West Nile virus in our county means that it is extremely important for people to follow the recommended precautions,” Sandra Park-O’Hara, administrator for the Santa Rosa County Health Department.
Residents are advised to attempt to avoid going outside between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are the most active, to use a mosquito repellent and to wear protective clothing. Residents should also work to remove any standing water around the outside of their homes.
Escambia Man Arrested On Child Porn Charges
September 19, 2012
An Escambia County man was arrested Tuesday morning after an almost month-long investigation determined he was downloading child pornography from the internet.
Ryan Campbell Williams, 33, of 711 Underwood Ave., Apt. 300 C, was charged with possession of child pornography. Additional charges are anticipated, said Pensacola Police Department Detective Jeff Brown.
Williams, who is unemployed, was arrested around 9 a.m. during a search warrant at his apartment. The warrant was served by Pensacola Police and members of the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which includes members of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Homeland Security.
Brown said officers seized two computers, several thumb drives and several CDs from the apartment. Evidence of child pornography has been found on one of the computers; the other items will undergo forensic review, investigators said.
Brown said the investigation began August 23 after Williams was identified as trafficking in child pornography using the internet.
While it is unknown exactly how many photographs and movies Williams has that contain child pornography, Brown said it is believed the collection is extensive and includes
male and female children.
Brown said officers are not aware of Williams having personal contact with children, but that remains under investigation.
Volleyball: Jay Defeats Northview
September 19, 2012
Jay defeated Northview in both varsity and junior varsity volleyball action Tuesday in Jay.
In varsity play, Jay downed Northview 25-21, 25-22, 20-25, 15-25, 15-11. For the Lady Chiefs, Misty Doran had 17 kills and two aces, and Shelley Mothershed had two aces, two kills and 11 assists.
In junior varsity action, the Lady Royals defeated Northview 25-16, 25-15. Kyndall Hall had one ace, one kill and one assist for the JV NHS Lady Chiefs.
On Monday, Northview beat Jay in varsity action, and Jay downed Northview’s JV.
On Thursday, the Northview Lady Chiefs will host Laurel Hill in Bratt beginning at 4:30. Also Thursday, Jay will host Flomaton starting at 4:30.
Pictured: Action between Northview and Jay Monday in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Alabama Voters Approve $437 Million General Fund Amendment
September 19, 2012
Alabama voters approved an amendment to transfer over $437 million from a state trust fund by a 2-to-1 margin Tuesday.
The constitutional amendment will make $145.8 million transfers yearly for three fiscal years from the Alabama Trust Fund to the General Fund where it can be used to fund the state’s prisons, courts, Medicaid and other programs.
A plan will be developed to repay the money, according to Gov. Robert Bentley.
Bill Armistead, chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, said in a written statement Tuesday night that his party is ready to introduce legislation mandating the repayment.
“I am also confident that they will continue to right-size our state government, so that necessary services can continue to be met in the most cost effective way possible,” Armistead wrote. “Under the continued Republican leadership, we must make sure that we never find ourselves in a similar situation again. Republicans were sent to Montgomery to bring spending under control. I applaud them in their efforts to do so far, and encourage them to continue to remain faithful to the mandate set before them.”
Meanwhile, Alabama Democratic Party Chairman Mark Kennedy released a statement praising the amendment passage and blaming state Republican’s for the amendment’s necessity.
“The people of Alabama have not only saved countless friends and neighbors from losing jobs and the most basic services but have also saved the Republican legislative supermajority from a catastrophic mess,” Kennedy said. After over a hundred years of Democrats getting the job done and making tough decisions on behalf of all Alabamians, it took only two years for the Republican supermajority in the legislature to bring the state to the brink of a financial catastrophe — threatening countless seniors and vulnerable Alabamians with losing the most basic of care, literally putting lives in jeopardy.
Boil Water Notice Canceled For Cottage Hill Water Works
September 18, 2012
A boil water notice for a portion of the the Cottage Hill Water Works system is no longer in effect.
The boil water notice had been issued on September 13 following a water main break.
The original notice included:
- McKenize Rd
- Parker Rd
- Chavers Rd
- Smyers Rd
- Elna Rd Williams Ditch Road 1501-1744
- Hwy 95A North from1756-1999
- Cottage Park Rd.
- Grenelefe Dr. Handy Rd
- Eastman Ln
- Buckhead Trace
- Heathrow Dr
- Hollow Point
- Nosler Ct
- Ballistic Tip
- Soft Point Dr
For more information, contact the Cottage Hill Water Works office at (850) 968-5485.
Body Found In Baldwin County Was That Of Missing Escambia Man
September 18, 2012
Investigators in Baldwin County, Ala., have identified a missing Escambia County man as the person whose body was found September 6 near Seminole.
Foul play is not suspected in the death of 57-year old Garry McArthur, according the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office. He was reported missing September 2 to the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office.
McArthur’s body was found in a creek less than a half mile from the Florida state line. His vehicle was parked nearby on a dirt road.
Two Arrested, One Hospitalized After Shooting In Pensacola
September 18, 2012
Two men were arrested and another hospitalized after a late night shooting Monday that occurred in the area of Tarragona and Hernandez streets in Pensacola
Ulysses Samuel Jr. (pictured), 34, of the 700 block of Fowler Avenue, and Aquarius Devaughn, 17, of the 2500 block of North Seventh Avenue, were both charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
Meanwhile, a 20-year-old male is hospitalized in stable condition. The man was sitting in a car in the 2000 block of North Tarragona Street when he was shot, said Pensacola Police Detective James Reese.
Officer Patrick Burns was on patrol when he heard several shots fired in the area of North Hayne and Jordan streets. As he continued patrolling the area, he saw a truck leaving the area at a high rate of speed.
Burns followed the truck throughout the area until it came to a stop at Tarragona and Lakeview streets where the driver got out, ran and threw down a gun. Another passenger also fled from the truck.
Samuel and Devaughn were taken into custody by Burns and Officer Jeffry Cain where the truck stopped. Officers recovered three guns while searching the area of the shooting and the victim’s car.
Reese said the investigation is continuing; a motive is not yet known.
The Gun Crime Response Team was activated.
Anyone having information on this incident is asked to contact the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1900.
Fire Destroys Cantonment Home (With Photo Gallery)
September 18, 2012
Fire completely destroyed a vacant home in Cantonment early Tuesday morning.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The fire broke out about 2:30 a.m. on Booker Street. The fire firefighters on scene reported that the house was fully involved when they arrive. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
There were no injuries reported.
The Cantonment, Molino, Ensley, Beulah and Bellview stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the blaze, along with Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Pictured: This house on Booker Street in Cantonment was fully involved when the first firefighters arrived on scene early Tuesday morning on Booker Street. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Escambia Cuts Plan For Utility Bill Increase
September 18, 2012
The Escambia County Commission has backed away from a proposal that would have meant an increase in electric and natural gas bills for residents of the unincorporated areas of the county.
The hikes failed on a 3-2 Monday, even after Commissioner Grover Robinson amended the proposal to only raise franchise fees by half the amount previously proposed. Robinson and Commissioner Gene Valentino were in favor of the bill increases, while Commissioners Kevin White, Wilson Robertson and Marie Young were against.
The original plan would have added extra $2.5 million to $3 million per year to the county’s budget that would be used for economic development efforts.
In the 1990’s, Escambia County granted power franchises to Gulf Power and Escambia River Electric Cooperative, and a natural gas franchise to the City of Pensacola. As part of the franchise agreements, the companies are required to collect and pay the county five percent of gross revenue collected on the sale of electricity and natural gas up to a maximum amount for each category. The county’s first proposal would have increase those caps by 50 percent, while a plan presented Monday by Robinson would have cut that increase to 25 percent.
An increase under the original proposal would have meant a maximum franchise fee hike from $10 to $15 per month for residential customers and small office and up $1,500 each for power and gas for large industrial users.
Great Weather Forecast
September 18, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. North wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 56. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 83.
- Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 83.