Additional Human West Nile Case Reported In Escambia County
October 16, 2012
One additional human cases of the West Nile virus have been confirmed in Escambia County, bringing the total number this year to 13, including one death. The Escambia County Health Department said there is still some risk that additional people could become infected with West Nile Virus from mosquito bites.
“With the continuation of the recent cooler fall weather, we expect less mosquito activity in our area and anticipate diagnosing fewer new cases of West Nile Virus,” Escambia County Health Department Director John Lanza said. “However, residents should continue to take precautions against mosquito bites until the alert is lifted for the county.”
Mosquitoes infected with WNV can bite and infect humans; about one in 150 people infected with WNV will develop serious illness. Symptoms of infection can range from mild to severe including development of diseases such as meningitis or encephalitis. People with weakened immune systems and individuals over 50 may be at higher risk of the most severe form of the infection.
Three human cases have now been reported in Santa Rosa, and one person has died from the virus in Okaloosa County.
Escambia Health Officials Still Working To Contact Patients In Meningitis Scare
October 16, 2012
The Escambia County Health Department has contacted all but just a few of the 611 people who received injections from the Pain Consultants of West Florida potentially tainted with meningitis.
At last count Monday, health officials said 605 of 611 patients that received the suspect injections had been contacted with the health department at least leaving a voice mail or a letter on a door. The Escambia County Health Department said 591 of the patients had been contacted one on one by phone or in person.
At times, two or three dozen Escambia County Health Department employees have been involved in making patient contacts.
One of the patients receiving an injection at Pain Consultants of West Florida on North Davis Highway, a 47-year old man, has come down with meningitis, the Florida Department of Health said Saturday. There have been at least 15 deaths nationwide.
Patients that received pain injections at Pain Consultants of West Florida between July 8 and September 28, 2012, are advised to call their doctor immediately and the Escambia County Health Department at (850) 535-6651.
Pictured: Escambia County Health Department employees work in the department’s Incident Command Center Monday to contact patients that received potentially tainted injections. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Locker Room Renovation Planned For Tate, Escambia, West Florida
October 16, 2012
Locker rooms at Tate, West Florida and Escambia High School will be renovated.
The Escambia County School Board is set to approve architectural service to design the renovations at a meeting later this month.
Architectural fees for Escambia and West Florida are expected to be $61,513 with a total construction budget of $527,045. At Tate High, architectural fees will total $65,235 with a construction budget of $737,866.
The architectural design will be provided by Townes + Architects in Pensacola. The projects will be funded with half cent sales tax monies.
Camp Fire Kids Hold Trike-A-Thon For Children’s Hospital
October 16, 2012
The children at Camp Fire USA Century Youth Learning Center recently held their fourth annual Trike-A-Thon in support of St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. The children not only raised money; they also learned about trike safety and the importance of helping others.
Submitted photos by Pam Townson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Concrete Crushing Strength Team To Appear In Molino
October 16, 2012
With feats like ripping a phone book in half, crushing walls of concrete with a blow from an arm or head, breaking handcuffs and running through 2×4 boards, the Strength Team will bring their inspirational message to a Molino church Wednesday night.
The Strength Team will perform their amazing feats of strength Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Highland Baptist Church. Admission is free; an offering will be received.
The leader and founder of The Strength Team, Mike Hagen, has dedicated over 20 years of his life to this kind of work. He has spoken to hundreds of thousands of people and performed at thousands of school and church assemblies. He has been featured on CNN, ESPN, and the popular television show “Walker Texas Ranger” with Chuck Norris.
Escambia Man Gets 30 Years For 2010 Shooting
October 16, 2012
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to 30 years in state prison for a 2010 shooting that left the victim permanently disabled.
Thadius Edward Watson was convicted of aggravated battery with great harm with a firearm and aggravated assault by an Escambia County jury. Judge J. Scott Duncan immediately sentenced Watson to 30 years in prison with a 25 year minimum mandatory.
Prosecutors said Watson was with several other people inside a residence in the 1000 block of Armenia Drive when became upset at one of the occupants who was waiting for a ride home. Watson pulled a .45 handgun and demanded that man get out of a living room chair. A short time later, the victim’s brother arrived to give him a ride home. He was shot in the leg by Watson, resulting in a permanent disability.
Century Approves First Variance To Two Week Old Fence Law
October 16, 2012
Less than two weeks after approving a new ordinance that regulates the height of fences in the town, the Century Town Council has granted one resident a variance — exempting his current fences from the law.
The new law, approved October 1, adopted 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 is limited to two feet as to not obstruct the view of traffic. Fences in the side, or rear yard of a home may not exceed eight feet, which was no change from Century’s previous restrictions.
The town council voted 3-0 Monday night to approve a variance for Paul Thompson at 30 Hobbs Road. Thompson’s property is mostly surrounded by a wood privacy fence, but the area directly in front of the home is chain link fenced.
“It (the house) is visible when you pull up,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall said. “You can see his whole house.”
Pictured: A fence law variance was granted for this property on Hobbs Road. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gulf Seafood Testing Program To End Next Year
October 16, 2012
The Department of Agriculture will ask lawmakers to approve the use of the final $1.5 million from BP to continue a seafood testing program through October of next year.
The 2010 agreement – which expires in October of 2013 – provided a total of $10 million for the program to test seafood for ill effects of the 2010 BP oil spill. Just over $3.3 million has been spent, and another $5.1 million is budgeted for the current year.
State agencies had until Monday to submit proposed budgets for the coming year, and the Agriculture agency included the spending authority for the final installment of the BP money in its proposal. In particular, the agency’s testing program checks seafood for hydrocarbons, dispersants and heavy metals, and anticipates taking 80 samples of shellfish and finfish per month.
“Failure to adequately fund this work will result in decreased consumer confidence in purchasing and eating Florida gulf seafood, lack of scientific evidence that can be shared with the public and other entities to confirm that Florida gulf seafood is safe to consume, and potentially place the consumer at risk for the consumption of Florida gulf seafood that has not been consistently tested,” the agency said.
JV Football: Escambia Academy Downs Northview
October 16, 2012
The junior varsity Northview Chiefs wrapped up their season Monday night with a loss to Escambia Academy. The EA Cougars defeated Northview 22-14 in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Front Brings Cooler Weather
October 15, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 52. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 79. North wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear during the early evening, then becoming mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Calm wind.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 82. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Wednesday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 79. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Thursday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 79. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 51. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 78.
- Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 50.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 81.
- Sunday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 56. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Monday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 80. Chance of precipitation is 20%.