One Injured In Hwy 29, Hwy 97 Car Versus Semi Crash
August 30, 2012
A Molino woman was injured in a wreck involving a semi-truck and a car midday Thursday in Molino.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 64-year old Patsy Settles of Molino was southbound on Highway 29 when a semi-truck turned from a northbound turn lane on Highway 29 into her path about noon.
The FHP said the driver of the semi, 45-year old Ricardo Valdes-Suarez of Miami, failed to see Settles’ 2003 Jaguar due to another semi-truck stopped in a southbound turn lane on Highway 29.
Settles was trapped in her vehicle for a brief period of time while rescuers used the Jaws of Life to free her. She was was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola in serious condition.
Valdes-Suarez was cited for violation of right of way.
The Molino, McDavid, Cantonment and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Pictured: One person was injured in this Thursday accident at Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Crash Claims Life; Early Morning Wreck Injures One
August 30, 2012
A late night crash in Escambia County claimed one life, while an early morning wreck injured one person.
Lillian Highway Fatality
The Florida Highway Patrol said Jonathan C. Odom, 21, of Pensacola was southbound on a Lillian Highway near San Sebastian Circle at a high rate of speed when he was unable to negotiate a curve. His Kawasaki 600 motorcycles struck a guardrail about 11 p.m. Wednesday.
Odom was pronounced deceased at the scene.
University Parkway Wreck
One person was injured in a two vehicle rollover crash just after midnight on University Parkway between Nine Mile Road and the University of West Florida. The victim was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details have not been released.
Pictured top: One person was injured in this crash early Thursday morning on University Parkway. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Friends To Make $10,000 Gift To New Molino Library
August 30, 2012
When the new Molino Branch Library opens this fall, there will be numerous additional items on the shelves, thanks to some “friends”.
The Friends of the Pensacola Public Library has approved a gift of $10,000 to the Molino Branch Library’s book budget, according to Friends member Bette Hooton. An October opening is being targeted for the library.
The former Molino School on Highway 95A is being converted into a 15,600 square foot library, community center and museum.
The Friends of the Library in a non-profit group with the primary mission of supporting the West Florida Library system. Funding comes primarily from membership and book sales.
Pictured top: The older Molino School is being converted into a library, community center and museum. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Football Cancellations At Tate, Northview, Ernest Ward, West Florida, PHS
August 30, 2012
Football games have been canceled at three North Escambia schools due to Hurricane Isaac.
The Tate High School Aggies regular season opener at Louisiana’s St. Charles High School scheduled for Friday night has been canceled.
The Northview High Chiefs junior varsity football game at West Florida High scheduled for Thursday has been canceled. It will be rescheduled to a later date.
At Ernest Ward Middle School, the football jamboree scheduled for Thursday night at Summerdale has been canceled. The first EWMS football game will be next Thursday, September 6 at home versus Perdido at 6 p.m.
Pine Forest High School at Stephenson, Ga., game has been canceled.
Pensacola High at Lincoln has been canceled.
Atmore Man Charged With Attempted Murder After Crowd Hit By Vehicle
August 30, 2012
An Atmore man has been charged with attempted murder following an incident in which a crowd of people was struck by a vehicle last weekend, injuring at least six.
Fredrick Rudolph is behind held in the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton.
Reports indicate that a crowd of people had gathered early Sunday morning outside at a nightclub on Freemanville Drive, northeast of the I-65 and Jack Springs Road exit. A fight broke out about 2:30 a.m., and then someone rammed several vehicles, knocking multiple people to the ground.
One person was transported by LifeFlight to an area hospital. Two other people were transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital, and at least three others went to the Atmore emergency room by private vehicle.
Most of the victims were reportedly treated and released by mid-morning Sunday.
The case is under investigation by the Alabama Bureau of Investigation, which has released no details on the incident.
Florida AG Bondi Takes Aim At Obama During GOP Convention
August 30, 2012
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, sharing the stage with Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens at the Republican National Convention in 2012, lambasted President Barack Obama for the health-care overhaul he signed into law in 2010.
Bondi, who was at the forefront of the legal challenge to Obamacare after her predecessor filed the first lawsuit against the measure in federal court in Pensacola, scolded Obama for a provision requiring that almost every American purchase health insurance. Most of the law, including the mandate, was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.
“This is what happens when a president has such total disregard for our individual liberty that he knowingly and purposely imposes unwarranted restrictions against the will of the people,” Bondi said. “This is not why our Founding Fathers risked their lives and their fortunes when they created a nation.”
Bondi has emerged as a key female surrogate for GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, pushing back on the Democrats’ line that Republicans are waging a “war on women,” though her remarks Wednesday did not address that issue.
By The News Service of Florida
Pictured top: Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi shares the stage with Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens at the Republican National Convention Wednesday in Tampa. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power Crews Heading West To Help Restore Power
August 30, 2012
Gulf Power Company crews are loading up their trucks and going west today to help Mississippi Power restore electric service in the wake of Hurricane Isaac.
“The threat of widespread outages in Northwest Florida has passed so we will send a storm team of 68 employees to help our neighboring utilities,” said Jeff Rogers, Gulf Power spokesman.
The team will travel in 24 Gulf Power bucket trucks to help assess the damage and work to restore power. The crews are prepared to work for up to two weeks and will assist wherever they are needed.
Gulf Power workers traveled to Sarasota earlier this year to help Florida Power & Light Company restore power after Tropical Storm Debby. “Our crews are often requested in the hardest-hit areas. And we’re more than happy to help after our customers are taken care of,” said Rogers.
Earlier this week, Gulf Power crews restored power to more than 20,000 customers across Northwest Florida in the wake of Hurricane Isaac. As of Wednesday morning, only a few scattered outages remained in the region.
“Our crews did what they are trained to do and restored power quickly, and more importantly, safely, to our customers throughout the storm,” said Rogers. “We thank our customers for their patience and their support.”
Escambia Man Gets 78 Years For Burglary, Criminal Mischief
August 30, 2012
An Escambia County man, 42-year old Russell Smith, has been sentenced to prison after being convicted of burglary with assault or battery and criminal mischief, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins.
On January 16, 2012, Smith knocked on the victim’s door several times before kicking it in, presumably to steal from the victim expecting no one to be home. The victim and his two sons chased Smith from their home and detained him until the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrived. At the time of this offense, Smith was on probation for multiple counts of burglary and was also found guilty of violating his probation.
Judge Linda Nobles sentenced Smith to 78 years in state prison to cover all charges against him.
Police Release More Details About Body Parts Found In Storage Unit
August 30, 2012
A multi-agency investigation continues into the discovery of human body parts found inside a Pensacola storage unit on August 24 in an effort to determine what, if any, laws may have been broken.
The remains were stored in plastic containers, specimen cups and trash bags inside Unit B12 at Uncle Bob’s Storage at 195 East Fairfield Drive. The unit was rented by Dr. Michael Berkland, a former associate medical examiner who is no longer licensed in Florida, according to the Pensacola Police Department.
Lungs, hearts, tissue samples, and 10 brains were among the body parts from more than 100 people found in the air conditioned unit. The body parts were stored in formaldehyde in plastic containers, plastic bags, and even a 32-ounce Styrofoam cup from a convenience store.
Some of the containers had cracked and leaked, police said.
The discovery was reported to police on Friday. Storage shed Manager George Klages told police contents of the unit had been sold for $900 during an auction on August 22. As the purchaser began cleaning out the unit, cardboard boxes of plastic containers holding the remains were found.
Klages told police Berkland rented the unit from April 8, 2009, until it was auctioned August 22. He said Berkland was late on rental payments several times during the lease, but usually paid right before the unit contents were to be auctioned. The storage unit also contained office furniture and other property.
It is believed the remains are from autopsies Berkland did between 1997 and 2007 at funeral homes in Pensacola, Tallahassee, Fort Walton Beach, and Panama City.
There were labels on some of the containers of a person’s name and autopsy date but other containers did not have identification indicators.
The remains have been given to the Medical Examiner’s Office. The Pensacola Police Department is not releasing the inventory because some of the decedent families may not be aware of the investigation.
Berkland worked for the Medical Examiner’s Office between 1997 and May 2003 when he was fired for failing to complete autopsy reports in a timely manner.
The discovery is being investigated by the State Attorney’s Office, the Medical Examiner’s Office and the Pensacola Police Department.
NHS Volleyball In Action Today
August 30, 2012
The Northview Lady Chiefs will play their first home volleyball games of the regular season today as scheduled.
The Lady Chiefs will host Catholic High School at 4:30 for the junior varsity and 6:00 for the varsity.
Next week, Northview will be on the road at Laurel Hill on Tuesday, September 4 and will host Central on Thursday, September 6 at 4:30/5:30.
Pictured top: The Northview Lady Chiefs in action against the Escambia Lady Gators last week during a preseason game. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.