Pedestrian Struck, Killed By Two Vehicles
January 9, 2013
A pedestrian died after being hit by two vehicles Tuesday night on Mobile Highway.
The accident was reported about 10:15 p.m. in front of the Happy China Restaurant on Mobile Highway at Towawanda Drive, near Walmart.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the pedestrian attempted to cross Mobile Highway and was struck by a 2009 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by Joel Williams of Cantonment and a 2003 Ford car driven by Leslie Hall of Pensacola. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene by Escambia County EMS.
No charges were filed against either driver, according to the FHP.
The name of the pedestrian has not yet been released pending notification of next of kin.
Dense Fog Advisory Issued
January 9, 2013
A dense fog advisory is in effect until noon Thursday for much of the area. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Fog. A chance of drizzle. Cloudy, with a low around 61. East wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 72. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 62. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph.
- Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. South wind around 10 mph.
- Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 71.
- Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.
- Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71.
- Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51.
- Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Breezy.
Humane Society Seeks Owner Of Shot In Santa Rosa, Monetary Help
January 9, 2013
[Updated] The Humane Society of Escambia County (Ala.) in Flomaton is looking for the owner of a dog found shot in northern Santa Rosa County on Monday.
The dog is a male husky or malamute and appears to be a family pet. He was found on Highway 87 in Santa Rosa County and picked up by a good Samaritan that took him to a veterinarian in Brewton. The veterinarian was unwilling to treat him because there was no one to handle the cost, according to the Humane Society’s Facebook page.
The Humane Society later arranged for a medical assessment of the dog.
“X-rays reveal a small caliber bullet that has shattered the spine. He will be getting steroid injections for a couple of days to see how things go,” said Renee Jones, Humane Society director.
Anyone with information about the dog’s owner is asked to call the Humane Society of Escambia County (Ala.) at (251) 296-2275. After hours, call the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office at (251) 809-0741 and tell the operator that you need to speak to Renee as soon as possible about the injured husky dog.
Donations are being accepted to help with dog’s care. Click here and look for the “Donate Now” button near the bottom of the right column.
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 11 a.m. on January 9 to reflect new information that the dog had been shot. It was originally believed that he had been hit by a car until an X-ray and examination revealed the true nature of the injury.
Pictured: This dog, now in the care of the Humane Society in Flomaton, was found shot Monday in northern Santa Rosa County. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
South Alabama District Providing Armed Officers For Schools
January 9, 2013
An area school system is stepping up security following the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut that left 20 children and six adults dead.
Brewton, Ala., Police Chief Monte McGougin announced Tuesday that his department will provide armed officers to each school in the Brewton City School system.
“This is in no way a response to any local problem,” McGougin said. “This is strictly as a result of concerns raised by national events and is a preventive measure locally.”
McGougin said Brewton officer Sgt. Hal Parker has been providing security on campus at T.R. Miller High for more than two years, and will continue there. Officer Heath Madison will begin duty at Brewton Middle School and Capt. James Hicks will be assigned to Brewton Elementary. McGougin said the officers will be present “anytime school is in session”, Monday through Friday, and will be present from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Officials said the city and school system will share the cost of providing the security officers.
Community Gardens Offer Free Food For Needy
January 9, 2013
Three community gardens are offering free turnip greens to anyone in need that is willing to pick their own.
One of the three gardens is full of turnips that are now ready to be picked; it’s located on Main Street in McDavid just west of the McDavid United Methodist Church and the post office. Anyone is welcome to stop by and pick what they need.
A garden in Bratt will be ready for picking in about two weeks, and a third turnip patch in Walnut Hill be ready in about six weeks. Those locations will be announced here on NorthEscambia.com when the turnips are ready.
The gardens are a joint project of the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club, the McDavid United Methodist Church, the Northview High School FFA and the Ernest Ward Middle School FFA.
“We wanted to do something for the community,” said Perry Byars, Ruritan member and Northview FFA sonsor. “The idea was to help make sure nobody goes hungry.”
Pictured: Free turnips for those in need can be picked from this garden on Main Street in McDavid, near the McDavid United Methodist Church. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Friday Is Deadline To Apply For $50,000 In IP Grants
January 9, 2013
International Paper Pensacola Mill will award $50,000 in Foundation Grants in 2013.
The deadline for all 2013 grant applications is Friday, Jan. 11, 2013.
Grants are awarded by the IP Foundation in Memphis, Tenn., which focuses on environmental education, literacy, employee involvement, and critical community needs. Applicants must be a registered 501c3 non-profit organization, school, or qualifying government entity to apply.
For more information about the Foundation or to apply online, interested applicants should visit www.ipgiving.com. For more information on the grant process, contact Janice Holmes, communications manager, at 850-968-4203 or e-mail janice.holmes@ipaper.com.
Elections Supervisor Stafford, Clerk Of Court Childers Sworn In
January 9, 2013
Two Escambia County officials were sworn into office Tuesday after winning their respective elections last fall. Pam Childers was sworn in as clerk of the court, ending 55-years in office for Ernie Lee Magaha, and David Stafford was sworn in for this third term as supervisor of elections.
Pictured top: William H. Stafford Jr., senior judge, U.S. District Court Northern District of Florida, reads the oath of office to Supervisor of Elections David H. Stafford while his mother Nancy, sons Charlie and David Jr. and wife Kim look on Tuesday. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge
Brooks, Riley Selected To Lead Century Town Council
January 9, 2013
The Century Town Council has re-elected Ann Brooks as council president and Gary Riley as vice-president for 2013. Pictured: Century Town Council Vice-President Gary Riley and President Ann Brooks at Monday night’s regular council meeting. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Analysts Question Scott’s Obamacare Estimates
January 9, 2013
Key state budget analysts found fault last month with Medicaid cost estimates that Gov. Rick Scott has repeatedly used to raise objections to the federal Affordable Care Act — but the Scott administration has refused to scrap the numbers, according to a report by Health News Florida.
The online news service obtained emails that showed questions were raised by Amy Baker, who leads the Legislature’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research, and Eric Pridgeon, the top staff member on the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee. Baker and Pridgeon play important roles in estimating the state’s expenditures on Medicaid and other health and human-services programs.
The Agency for Health Care Administration, which is under Scott, released a report last month that said Medicaid changes in the Affordable Care Act would cost the state $26 billion over 10 years. That was dramatically higher than earlier estimates, including estimates that Baker and Pridgeon helped put together.
Baker and Pridgeon quickly found flaws with AHCA’s estimates and said moving forward with the numbers would violate state law, according to Health News Florida.
After meeting Monday with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleeen Sebelius, Scott relied on the $26 billion figure in expressing concerns about the cost of the federal health law, commonly known as Obamacare.
The state’s Social Services Estimating Conference, which includes analysts from the Legislature, Baker’s office and the Scott administration, is expected to update the official estimate of the Affordable Care Act costs. As of Tuesday morning, a meeting of the estimating conference had not been scheduled.
By The News Service of Florida
High School Basketball
January 9, 2013
Here’s a look at high school basketball from across the area Tuesday:
BOYS
Northview 66, Jay 60
The Northview Chiefs beat the Jay Royals in Jay Tuesday, powered by Neino Robinson with 35 points. Cameron Newsome had 19 points for the Chiefs, while Ladarius Franklin added eight, and Blake McCall contributed two.
Tate 53, Escambia 45
The Tate Aggies beat the Escambia Gators 53-45. The Aggies were led by Travis Walton with 11 and Luke Dykes with 10. Tanner Moore-Hudgens scored nine, Dewayne Williams had eight, and Deonte Nicholson added seven for Tate.
GIRLS
Escambia 44, Tate 34
Catholic 31, Jay 24
Pine Forest 69, Milton 10
Pace 62, Washington 42
JUNIOR VARSITY
Northview 51, Jay 44
JUNIOR VARSITY GIRLS
Jay 16, Catholic 14