Deputy Injured In Rollover Wreck
September 5, 2012
An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy was injured in a rollover accident Wednesday morning at the New Warrington Road overpass across Mobile Highway.
Deputy Melissa Scruggs, 33, was responding to an armed disturbance call. She was eastbound on New Warrington Road when she struck a guardrail that borders the roadway and traveled into the median. Her 2007 Crown Victoria then struck a bridge concrete barrier and traveled over it. The vehicle came to rest at the bottom of the overpass embankment adjacent to Mobile Highway.
First responders extricated Scruggs from her cruiser. She was transported to a local hospital where she remains in serious condition.
Scruggs has been with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for two and half years and is assigned to patrol.
No charges were filed in connection with the accident, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Pictured above: An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy was injured in this accident Wednesday morning at New Warrington Road and Mobile Highway. Photo courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Firefighters Respond To Reported Electrical Fire At Bratt Home
September 5, 2012
Firefighters responded to a reported electrical fire at a home in Bratt this morning.
A resident reported sparks from a bedroom outlet about 6:35 a.m. The fire was extinguished before firefighters arrived on scene at the wood frame home on O’Farrell Road, just west of North Highway 99.
The Walnut Hill, McDavid, Century and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the call.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Murder Suspect Named After Woman Shot, Killed In Escambia
September 5, 2012
A suspect has been named in the shooting death of a woman Tuesday night in Escambia County.
The shooting happened about 7:25 p.m. in the 5900 block of Wales Avenue, off Mobile Highway. Deputies found the victim, 47-year old Sandra K. Walker, deceased at the scene.
The shooting was believed to be domestic violence related.
A warrant for premeditated murder has been issued for Fred William Walker, Jr. for the murder. He was last seen in a silver or gray Toyota Tundra four-door truck with a possible unknown Alabama tag.
Walker is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with information about his whereabouts should contact Crime Stoppers at a (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Escambia Human West Nile Cases Now Up To Five
September 5, 2012
A total of five cases of the West Nile virus have been confirmed as of Tuesday in Escambia County, a “Mosquito Borne Illness Advisory” continues for the entire county.
The risk of additional persons becoming infected with West Nile Virus from mosquito bites remains very high, according to the Escambia County Health Department. The health department has not said where in the county the infected person reside.
“The abnormally high number of confirmed cases reaffirms the increased risk of contracting West Nile Virus for everyone in Escambia County,” said Dr. John Lanza, director of the Escambia County Health Department. Since most people who contract the disease have mild or no symptoms, there are most likely numerous undiagnosed cases throughout the area. All Escambia County, Florida residents and visitors should take precautions to limit their exposure to mosquitoes.”
Mosquitoes infected with West Nile Virus can bite and infect humans. Symptoms of infection can range from mild to severe, including development of diseases such as meningitis or encephalitis. Being outdoors, especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active, further increases the risk of infection. People with weakened immune systems and individuals over 50 may be at higher risk of the most severe form of the infection.
Decreasing Rain Chances
September 5, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms through the night. Lows in the lower 70s. East winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the lower 70s. Southeast winds around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Friday: Mostly sunny. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 90s. East winds around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs around 90. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.
- Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 80s.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 60s.
- Monday: Sunny. Highs in the mid 80s.
- Monday Night: Clear. Lows in the mid 60s.
- Tuesday: Sunny. Highs in the upper 80s.
Group Claims High School Prayers Illegal; Students Take A Stand
September 5, 2012
The Escambia County (Ala.) School District has banned prayers at events like football games, but that did not stop a group of Flomaton High students from taking a stand on the football field last Friday.
The students stood hand-in-hand along the sidelines before the game in prayer. No faculty or staff took part in the student led, student initiated prayer.
Prayers led over the public address system at Flomaton High School football games was common prior to this year, as was the recital of the Lord’s Prayer by both players and coaches following Hurricane football games.
But that all came to an end prior to Flomaton’s Friday night season opener against Monroeville after the school district received a letter from the Freedom from Religion Foundation that claimed such prayers were illegal.
“A local complainant has reported to us that Flomaton High School has a local pastor, often a Baptist minister, pray before each home football game. This practice is unconstitutional,” FFRF attorney Andrew L. Seidel wrote in a letter to Escambia County (Ala.) School Superintendent Randall Little and Flomaton High Principal Scott Hammond. “It is illegal for a public school to organize, sponsor, and lead prayers at public school events. The Supreme Court has continually struck down formal and teacher or school-led prayer in public schools.”
The Freedom from Religion Foundation is a national nonprofit group with about 19,000 members with the purpose to “protect the constitutional principal of separation between state and church”.
“We ask that Escambia County Public Schools commence an immediate investigation into the complaint alleged, and take immediate action to stop any and all prayers occurring before all Escambia County Public Schools athletic events, including those at Flomaton High School,” Seidel wrote.
The school district responded to the letter by enforcing a ban against facility and students from participating in or leading prayer at school sponsored events.
Century Council Decides New Fence Height Restrictions
September 5, 2012
The Town of Century has developed a plan for cutting back the height of fences allowed in front yards around the town — a plan that is a mix of Century’s current code and regulations that are already in place in the unincorporated areas of Escambia County.
The Century Town Council introduced an ordinance Monday night that would adopt Escambia County’s current standards that limit the height of a solid fence in front of a single family residence to three feet and a chain link or other transparent fence to a four foot height. The fence height for a corner lot would be limited to two feet as to not obstruct the view of traffic. For the purposes of the ordinance, the height of a hedge or shrubbery will be regulated as a solid fence.
Fences in the side, or rear yard of a home may not exceed eight feet, which is no change from Century’s current restrictions.
The ordinance will be up for a second reading and a public hearing on September 17. If adopted, the new fence law becomes effective immediately. To read the complete proposed ordinance, click here.
Mayor Freddie McCall said residents with existing fences that violate the new ordinance, if passed, can ask the town council for a variance.
“We need to make sure we treat everybody fairly,” council members Sandra McMurray Jackson said. “We’ve just got be sure that we don’t have anything to come back and slap us in the face…everybody that has got a high fence in front of their house is going to think that my fence is just like his (the one approved for a variance).”
Pictured top: (L-R) Mayor Freddie McCall and council members Gary Riley, Ann Brooks and Sandra McMurray Jackson at Monday night’s Century Town Council meeting. Council members Jacke Johnston and Annie Savage were absent from the meeting. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Get Green Thumb Certified With Master Gardener Training
September 5, 2012
Certifications are available for your hard-earned green thumb – Escambia County Extension is accepting applications through Friday, September 7 for a Master Gardener training class.
Class sessions begin Wednesday, September 26 and continue every Wednesday through November 14, with one Friday class on October 26. Classes resume on Wednesday, January 2 and run continuously through February 6. Normal class hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost for the program is $125 and includes all book and class materials.
Those with a passion for gardening and are interested in serving as a volunteer to assist with community horticulture education programs and activities, are encouraged to apply for training as a Master Gardener. Trainees will complete approximately 60 hours of horticulture training and donate 75 hours of service as an Extension volunteer. Volunteers gain service hours through numerous projects including school and community gardens, community outreach demonstrations, and adult and youth horticulture programs.
For more information, contact Beth Bolles at (850) 475-5230 or email bbolles@uwf.edu with any questions about the program or application process.
For more information, please visit http://escambia.ifas.ufl.edu/hort/master-gardeners.shtml.
Volleyball: Northview Wins First District Contest With Laurel Hill
September 5, 2012
The Northview Lady Chiefs defeated Laurel Hill Tuesday to win their first district match.
Misty Doran had seven kills, while Morgan Payne recorded five kills for Northview. Lilly Townsend and Shelly Mothershed added six assists each for the Lady Chiefs.
Northview lost their first game at Laurel Hill 25-23 but rebounded with wins of 25-16, 25-22, 25-19.
In junior varsity action, Northview defeated Laurel Hill 25-11, 25-18.
The Lady Chiefs will host Central High School on Thursday, with the JV taking the court at 4:30 and the varsity playing at 5:30 p.m.
Pictured: The varsity Northview Chiefs. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
First Lady: Issues Aren’t Political, They’re Personal For Barack Obama
September 5, 2012
First lady Michelle Obama was the headline speaker at the opening day of the Democratic National Convention Tuesday in Charlotte, NC, making a forceful pitch to give her husband more time to complete the job they had elected him to do four years ago.
“In the end, for Barack, these issues aren’t political — they’re personal,” Michelle Obama said. “Barack knows the American Dream because he’s lived it, and he wants everyone, everyone in this country to have the same opportunity.”
In a speech that alternately stilled and electrified delegates, the first lady said President Barack Obama was continuing to push forward with his agenda for change despite setbacks in his first term.
“And he reminds me that we are playing a long game here — and that change is hard, and change is slow, and it never happens all at once,” Michelle Obama said. She also said that her fears that the White House might change Barack Obama had proven unfounded. “Well, today, after so many struggles and triumphs and moments that have tested my husband in ways I never could have imagined, I have seen firsthand that being president doesn’t change who you are,” she said. “No, it reveals who you are.”
Her speech presented a behind-the-scenes look at life in the White House and at the early lives of the Obamas.
“Barack knows the American Dream because he’s lived it…and he wants everyone in this country to have that same opportunity, no matter who we are, or where we’re from, or what we look like, or who we love,” she said. “And he believes that when you’ve worked hard, and done well, and walked through that doorway of opportunity…you do not slam it shut behind you…you reach back, and you give other folks the same chances that helped you succeed.”
Former president Bill Clinton will formally place Barack Obama’s name up for nomination on Wednesday night. Barack Obama will accept his nomination Thursday night during a nationally-televised speech. The speech was planned for the city’s 74,000-seat outdoor football stadium, but the threat of severe weather has moved the event back inside the Time Warner Cable Arena, the site of the rest of the week’s activities.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.