McDavid Mini Mart To Close
August 22, 2012
The owners of the McDavid Mini Mart announced Tuesday that the store will be closing.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that we have decided to close McDavid Mini Mart. We hope everyone will understand that we have given all we have to keep the store running, but we are just plain tired, and we also want to spend time with our families, especially our grandsons, before they grow up on us,” the full-service community store announced on Facebook.
The store has already marked down inventory, and the owners said they are looking for a way to keep the deli food side of the business going.
Pictured top: The McDavid Mini Mart on Highway 29. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Ran Over By His Out Of Gas Truck
August 22, 2012
An Escambia County man was seriously injured Tuesday night when he was ran over by his own vehicle after running out of gas.
The Florida Highway Patrol said James Brittingham, 56, was westbound on County Road 296A west of Highway 90 when he ran out of gas on a hill. Brittingham was at the driver’s door attempting to push the 1995 Ford truck out of the roadway when he fell down, according to the FHP. The front tire of the truck rolled over his legs, according to FHP.
Brittingham was transported to Baptist Hospital for treatment.
Isaac Possibly Headed To Florida; GOP Convention On Alert
August 22, 2012
Tropical Storm Isaac is churning in the Atlantic, possible headed toward Florida. The latest details on the storm are in the graphic above.
Isaac, the ninth named storm of the season – giving Republican National Convention officials something to think about. While the storm is not terribly well organized, early forecast tracks have the storm moving into the Caribbean, crossing Hispaniola and Cuba, possibly by Sunday evening. But after that, Isaac could become a problem for the GOP convention, which starts Monday in Tampa.
Official forecast tracks don’t project much beyond Sunday, but some early possible paths would include the Gulf coast of Florida early in the week. State emergency officials have said they’ve done exercises contemplating the possibility of a hurricane hitting Tampa during the convention, and have drawn up evacuation plans that account for the huge influx of delegates and media.
Evers Honored For Law Against Synthetic Drugs
August 22, 2012
The Community Drug and Alcohol Council is honoring Sen. Greg Evers (R-Baker) with the 2012 Spirit of Prevention Award for his active support of legislation banning synthetic drugs.
Last session, Evers was involved in a House controlled substance bill that made 142 chemical designations illegal in Florida. The sale, purchase, possession or distribution of the banned substances is a felony.
Synthetic compounds of these chemicals are marketed as “bath salts” with names such as “Blue Silk” or “Vanilla Sky”, while synthetic marijuana is sold as Spice, K2, and other names like “Lions Tail”. These synthetic drugs have no safety regulation associated with the control of their ingredients, according to the CDAC.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the side effects of bath salts can include severe paranoia, violent behavior, and hallucinations orpsychosis and increase heart rate. The side effects of Spice can include loss of control, lack of pain response, vomiting, uncontrolled spastic body movement and severe paranoia with hallucinations. The packaging for both of these products warns “not for human consumption”.
“Senator Evers is applauded for his concern and support of prevention legislation in the State of Florida,” the CDAC said Tuesday.
Florida Not Getting GOP Delegates Back
August 22, 2012
[TAMPA] Florida is still going to see its delegation to the Republican National Convention — held next week in Tampa — cut in half for breaking party rules on when the state could hold its presidential primary.
But all of the would-be delegates will be allowed on the convention floor, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus told the Tampa Bay Times’ political blog The Buzz.
The other half of what would have been the Florida delegation will instead be designated as “honored guests,” Priebus said.
The state will also lose 160 guest passes. “They received 90 percent of every penalty available to us,” Priebus said.
By The News Service of Florida
PIP Insurance Bill To Lower Future Losses, Not Current Premiums
August 22, 2012
[TALLAHASSEE] A much heralded change to Florida’s no-fault automobile insurance law likely won’t reduce policyholder premiums but may slow the increase in rates, according to a report released Tuesday by state regulators.
The Office of Insurance Regulation released findings from an analysis of HB 119, passed by lawmakers earlier this year. The new law attempts to reduce costs associated with personal injury protection insurance, or PIP, which provides up to $10,000 in medical coverage regardless of who caused an accident.
The report says the new law, which places restrictions on benefits and makes efforts to curb fraud, is expected to translate into a reduced losses of between 14 and 24.6 percent in the PIP portion of a typical automobile insurance policy. The PIP portion accounts for about 20 percent of policy costs.
Such reduced losses, however, may not translate into lower automobile insurance premiums because PIP rates are currently inadequate to pay losses and most of the provisions won’t go into effect for months.
Still, insurance regulators and the state’s insurance consumer watchdog praised the legislation, the benefits of which may not be known for a few years.
“Only time will tell whether the actual savings in PIP loss costs will exceed the estimated savings, but we are optimistic that reforms enacted by the 2012 Florida Legislature will have significant, favorable results for Florida consumers,” said Robin Westcott, Florida insurance consumer advocate.
Lawmakers earlier this year passed the insurance industry-backed measure to stem skyrocketing claims paid under PIP. Between 2006 and 2010, PIP losses increased by 66 percent to $2.5 billion, while the number of claims rose by 28 percent, according to the analysis conducted by Pinnacle Actuarial Resources Inc.
“The savings shown assume that current rates are adequate,” the report noted. “To the extent that current PIP rates are inadequate, it is likely that insurers will offset the savings from HB 119 against the otherwise indicated PIP rates.”
By Oct.1, PIP insurers must submit rate filings to the Office of Insurance Regulation with at least a 10 percent rate reduction, or document why they can’t.
Consumers may not see immediate premium benefits because many of the bill’s major changes won’t kick in until after carriers are required to file for new rates. Most of the law’s provisions take effect Jan. 1.
“While the 2012 PIP legislation delivered the potential to address the fraud and abuse in the PIP system, policymakers, regulators and Florida drivers need to understand that the new PIP law must have adequate time to be implemented and take effect so the new PIP law can achieve its potential,” said Donovan Brown, representative of the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America.
Among its major provisions, the law requires clinics treating PIP patients to be licensed, limits payment to chiropractors and prohibits massage therapists and acupuncturists from being reimbursed under the program. PIP claims must also be reported within 14 days of an accident.
Westcott said the proposed reductions in losses may be conservative.
“It is important to note that historically, past legislative reforms of the workers’ compensation and medical malpractice systems required independent actuarial studies that significantly under-estimated the reduction in loss costs that were actually realized,” Westcott said in a statement.”
Meanwhile, Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, said analysis results were encouraging and hoped that policyholders would see some relief.
“I am eager to see these projected savings, if not more significant savings, passed on to Florida’s insurance consumers,” Atwater said in a statement. “Florida’s drivers deserve to see the full impact of these policy changes through lower auto insurance rates.”
By The News Service Florida
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Newton C. McNeil (Mac)
August 22, 2012
Newton C. McNeil (Mac), 88, of Pensacola passed away on August 21, 2012.
Mac was born and raised in Excel, AL. He attended high school in Uriah, A:. and then entered the military in December 1942 as a pharmacist mate. Mac was assigned to Easy Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Division during the assault on Peleliu Island. He was honored with the Purple Heart and the Navy and Marine Corps medal for his heroism. After being discharged Mac moved to Pensacola where he began his career with Monsanto as a mechanic for 30 years. On weekends he served his community by donating thousands of hours as a reserve officer with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department over a period of 20 years. After his retirement with Monsanto he was hired by the Sheriff’s department and retired in 2002. He was a member of Pine Forest United Methodist Church. Mac enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his family.
Mac was preceded in death by his son, Monroe. He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years Ruth, his sons and their wives, Tim and Kim McNeil, Tony and Sherry McNeil, two step daughters and their husbands Pam and Robert (Kit) Callahan, and Cheryl and Kevin Buckmaster. He was blessed with seven grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Mac is also survived by special family member Charlotte Armstrong and numerous others that were considered family as well as great friends.
Visitation will be Thursday August 23, 2012, from 5-7 p.m. and the service will be Friday August 24, 2012, at 10 a.m.. Visitation and the service will be held at Pensacola Memorial Gardens with Rev. Rodney Smith officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Newton C. McNeil may be made to the American Heart Association, 4400 Bayou Blvd., Pensacola, FL 32504 or Covenant Hospice, 5041 North 12th Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32503.
Hamilton Breaks Steals Record As Biscuits Sweep Fish In Twin Bill
August 22, 2012
Pensacola SS Billy Hamilton stole four bases to set a new professional baseball record of 146 for stolen bases in a single season, while Montgomery swept the Blue Wahoos in Tuesday night’s double header. The Biscuits took the first game 4-2 before they topped the Fish 3-1 in the second contest at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
With the defeats, the Blue Wahoos fell to an even 29-29 record in the second half, while Montgomery improved to 34-25 since the league’s All-Star Game. The Wahoos are now four games out of first place in the Southern League South.
With two outs in the bottom of the third of game one and one steal away from tying the top mark, Hamilton lined a single into right field to reach for the second time in the contest. Hamilton then took off for second and swiped the base just under a strong and accurate throw from Montgomery catcher Mark Thomas. Three pitches later, the Mississippi native ran on the 0-2 pitch and dove head-first into third base ahead of Thomas’ throw to claim the record.
The record falls 20 years to the day after Vince Coleman and Donnell Nixon broke Rickey Henderson’s single-season stolen base record with their 131st stolen base of the 1983 season.
After both teams went scoreless through the first five innings of game one, Montgomery got the scoring started with a run in the sixth. 1B Greg Sexton walked and then advanced to third on C Mark Thomas’ double, before an RBI groundout sent home Sexton. One inning later, LF Brad Coon increased the advantage to 2-0 with an RBI single to center.
The Blue Wahoos however, came back to tie it with a clutch two-out two-run game-tying homer. LF Donald Lutz drew a one-out walk, before C Tucker Barnhart left the yard for his second longball of the year.
However, Montgomery plated two tallies in the extra eighth inning to pull ahead for good. 1B Michael Sheridan led off with a solo shot to right, his ninth roundtripper of the year, prior to RF Mikie Mahtook’s RBI single. Pensacola again fought hard in bottom of the frame and loaded the bases, but their hopes were shut down by the Biscuits.
Fish starter Tony Cingrani (7.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 SO) did not factor in the decision despite giving up just two earned runs on three hits while fanning seven in seven innings, while RHP Justin Freeman (1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 SO) suffered the loss. Cingrani started off the contest by retiring the first 16 batters he faced. Montgomery starter Kyle Lobstein (6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 SO) also did not receive a decision in the first game despite yielding just two hits in six shutout frames, while RHP Kirby Yates (2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO) earned the victory.
Pensacola struck first in game two, beginning with 1B Beau Mills’ leadoff single in the second. The infielder eventually moved to second on a passed ball and third on a bunt, before being sent in on LF Donald Lutz’s run-scoring single to right. The Biscuits however, scored the next three runs to push ahead with single tallies in the third, fifth and seventh innings.
Montgomery C Mayo Acosta launched his fourth big fly of the year in the third to tie it, while the club took advantage of a Blue Wahoos passed ball to take the 2-1 advantage in the fifth. In the final frame, 3B Omar Luna drew a free pass and then moved to third on a single before coming across on Acosta’s sacrifice fly to center.
Biscuits starter Matt Buschmann (7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 3 SO) fired a seven-inning complete game to earn the win after giving up the lone earned run on just four hits in seven frames, while Blue Wahoos reliever Josh Ravin (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB) suffered the loss.
The two teams will now meet on Wednesday evening, with first pitch scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at the bayfront stadium. Pensacola is scheduled to send RHP Mark Serrano to the mound, while Montgomery is expected to counter with RHP Nick Barnese.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: Billy Hamilton broke Vince Coleman’s record of 145 Tuesday night. Photo courtesy Emmele Photography for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Four Busted After Agents Find Active Meth Lab
August 22, 2012
Four people, including a former Century resident, were arrested in Escambia County, Ala., after officers found an active meth lab in a mobile home.
Sandra Watson, 38; Josh McCormick, 26; Sena Daw, 22; and Karissa Carroll, 19 were all charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and manufacturing of a controlled substance. All listed a current address in Brewton. According to Escambia County, Fla., jail records, Daw is a former resident of Century.
Agents from the 21st Judicial Drug Task Force received a tip that an individual was making multiple purchases of pseudoephedrine, a common ingredient used in the meth making process. Agents responded to the residence on Highway 31 in Brewton where the they entered the home with a resident and discovered the components of a meth lab. The residence was evacuated, and a search warrant was obtained for the home.
When the search warrant was executed, agents found what they believed to be an active meth lab with about $1,000 worth of crystal methamphetamine.
All four suspects remained in the Escambia County (Ala.) Detention Center Tuesday afternoon awaiting a bond hearing.
Pictured top and inset: An alleged meth lab discovered by the 21st Judicial Drug Task Force in Escambia County, Ala. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two Drive-By Shootings Reported
August 21, 2012
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating two drive-by shootings.
About 6:15 Tuesday morning, deputies responded to the 3100 block of West Moreno Street for a shots fired call. The victims reported hearing gunshots in front of their home and a vehicle leaving the area. The home was hit by gunfire, but none of the occupants were struck or injured. There was no suspect vehicle description available.
A few hours earlier, about 8:12 p.m. Monday, deputies responded to a shots fired call in the 2200 block of West Blount Street where they found a female that had been shot in the leg. She told deputies that she was inside the house when she heard shots and a felt pain in her leg. It is believed the shots were fired from a vehicle as it drove by.
The female was transported by ambulance to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. No one else in the home was injured.
The Gun Response Team responded and is assisting in the investigation.
Sheriff’s investigators are asking for the community’s help in locating a suspect. Anyone with information about either incident is asked to call Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP. Witnesses do not have to give their name and may remain anonymous.