Council On Aging Seeks Volunteers
July 11, 2013
Council on Aging of West Florida will host an information session for individuals 18 or older who are interested in volunteering their time, experience and skills to help serve the diverse, growing senior population. The session will be held Thursday, July 18 at 5:30 p.m. at the Council’s main office, 875 Royce Street in Pensacola. The session is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.
The information session includes an overview of the Council’s mission, what the organization does in the community and how volunteers can make a difference in the lives of seniors. Volunteer opportunities to be presented include delivering Meals on Wheels, marketing and community outreach, adult day health care activities, transportation, light home repairs, yard work and office work. Flexible schedules are available for one time, periodic or weekly volunteer assignments for individuals and/or groups. For more information or to register, please contact Betty McLeroy at (850) 266-2518 or bmcleroy@coawfla.org.
Blue Wahoos Snap Losing Skid, Beat Montgomery 5-3
July 11, 2013
Ryan LaMarre broke a 3-3 tie in the top of the ninth inning with a game-winning two-run home run giving the Blue Wahoos all they needed to down the Montgomery Biscuits 5-3 in the series opener at Riverwalk Stadium Wednesday night. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Blue Wahoos.
After the two teams waited out a rain delay of nearly an hour, Pensacola struck first with a run in the top of the second when LaMarre brought home Tucker Barnhart from third with a sacrifice fly to right field. The Biscuits quickly responded using a hit and three walks, including one with the bases loaded, to tie the game in the bottom of the inning.
The Biscuits moved in front with back to back home runs from Todd Glaesmann and Kyeong Kang in the bottom of the third. Blue Wahoo starter Shaun Ellis labored through three innings and was charged with all three Biscuits runs. He also walked a season-high four batters in the no decision.
Pensacola got back on the scoreboard with a pair of runs in the fourth. Barnhart started the rally with a one-out solo home run. Travis Mattair singled behind him and scored on a two-out double from LaMarre. The left fielder mishandled the ball allowing Mattair to scamper home with the game-tying run.
The two teams traded zeros until the ninth. With Mattair at first and two outs, LaMarre launched a 3-1 pitch over the left field wall to give the Blue Wahoos a 5-3 advantage. Trevor Bell (S, 5) came in and nailed down the save, his fifth in as many tries. Bell combined with three other relievers to work six scoreless innings. Chris Manno worked three shutout and Lee Hyde (W, 3-4) pitched 1.1 scoreless. Hyde earned the win, his third of the season. Juan Sandoval (L, 2-2) took the loss for the Biscuits after allowing the ninth inning home run.
Five players had multi-hit games for the Blue Wahoos. Corey Wimberly (2-for-4), Barnhart (2-for-4), Brodie Greene (2-for-4), LaMarre (2-for-3) and Mattair (3-for-4) all had at least two hits, but LaMarre added three RBI.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series with the Biscuits on Thursday night. RHP Tim Crabbe (3-7, 3.63) gets the nod for Pensacola against Biscuits LHP Enny Romero. First pitch is slated for 7:05 from Riverwalk Stadium.
story by Kevin Burke
Mildred ‘Murray’ Mooney
July 11, 2013
Mrs. Mildred “Murray” Mooney, 81, passed away on Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Cantonment.
Mrs. Mooney was a native of Century and a former resident of Bratt and has resided in Cantonment, for the past two years. Her sister, Willie Mae Childress, preceded Mrs. Mooney in death.
Survivors include her son, Ricky (Alice) Mooney of Frisco City, AL; two daughters, Linda Gail (Reggie) Morgan of Bay Minette, AL, and Betty Ann Dickman of Cantonment,; one brother, Rupard Murray of Bluff Springs; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Friday, July 12, 2013, at 10 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Jimmy Willis officiating.
Burial will follow at the Little Escambia Cemetery.
Visitation will be Thursday, July 11, 2013, from 6 to 9 p.m.. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC in charge of all arrangements, Atmore, Alabama
AG Boss Putnam Raking In Campaign Cash
July 11, 2013
Still more than a year from the 2014 elections, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam gave a glimpse Wednesday of the strength of his re-election campaign.
Putnam, a Republican, reported collecting $591,011 in contributions between April 1 and June 30, hundreds of thousands of dollars more than other statewide candidates. As another point of comparison, Putnam’s cash haul totaled more than 60 percent of the $966,788 raised by the Florida Democratic Party during the three-month period.
Putnam also received nearly $83,000 in in-kind contributions, with about $77,000 coming through staffing and other support from the Republican Party of Florida. Putnam opened a campaign account for the race in mid-April. Sunrise Democrat Thad Hamilton also has opened an account for the race and had raised $760 through June 30.
“Big thanks to everyone who helped kick off my reelection (with) such momentum!” Putnam said in a message on Twitter. “Nearly 2000 donors have invested in our vision for Florida!
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
Joe Cox, Jr.
July 11, 2013
Mr. Joe Cox, Jr., 61, passed away on Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Perdido, Alabama.
Mr. Cox was a native of Fairhope, former resident of Bay Minette and has resided in Perdido for the past 27 years.
He is survived by his mother, Doris Dornquast of Perdido; wife, Patricia Cox of Perdido; four sons, Jeremy R. (Trisha) Cox of Perdido, Hubert (Jennifer) Parker of Spanish Fort, Dale (Kristie) Parker of Camden, AL, and Leon Parker of Bay Minette; two Daughters, Jodi (Dale) Robison of Perdido, and Cathy (Derek) Larkin of Perdido; one sister, Carolyn Wilson of Perdido and 14 grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Friday, July 12, 2013, at 3 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Harrison Steege officiating.
Burial will follow at the Perdido Baptist Cemetery.
Visitation will be Friday, July 12, 2013, from 1:30 p.m. until funeral time at 3:00 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Roger Hadley, Ronnie Hadley, Ray McDuffie Jr., W.C. Gafford, Wendell Kast and Jamie Phillips.
Honorary pallbearers will be Ray McDuffie, Sr, Donnie Kast and Marvin Havard.
The family would like to thank the Dr. Cameron and his Staff at the Mitchell Cancer Treatment Center for all they did.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Tropical Storm Chantal Fades Away
July 11, 2013
The National Hurricane Center has issued its last advisory on Chantal. It’s no longer a tropical storm, just a remnant low. The NHS will be track on the low just to make sure it does not regenerate. If it does, it will keep the same name.
The last advisory on Tropical Storm Chantal is in the graphic above, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Names Former DEP Boss As Interim Administrator
July 10, 2013
Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward announced today that he has appointed former state agency director Colleen M. Castille as interim city administrator, effective Monday, July 15.
The announcement came a few days after Hayward terminated Bill Reynolds as administrator following a State Attorney’s Office investigation into public records law violations Read more…
“Colleen is exceedingly qualified and I can’t thank her enough for coming aboard on such short notice,” said Hayward. “I know she will hit the ground running and do her best to make this transition as smooth as possible until we have a new permanent administrator in place.”
Ms. Castille is a former secretary of both the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA), serving under Governor Jeb Bush. As DEP Secretary, Castille managed 4,700 employees and administered a $2.6 billion annual budget. In her prior position as DCA Secretary, she advised the Governor on all on all local and state policy and budget matters regarding growth management, housing and emergency management. Since leaving the DEP in 2007, Castille has worked in the private sector as a consultant to businesses and government.
Prior to her appointment as DCA Secretary, Castille held several positions within the Florida executive branch, including chief cabinet aide to both Education Commissioner Frank Brogan and Governor Jeb Bush, and senior cabinet aide to Insurance Commissioner and Treasurer Tom Gallagher.
Castille holds a bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from Florida State University. She serves on the board of directors for the Leroy Collins Institute at Florida State University as well as the Space Coast Energy Consortium.
McDavid Sawmill Reopening; Over 50 Jobs To Be Filled
July 10, 2013
Dozens of new jobs are coming to McDavid as the West Fraser mill reopens after sitting idle for over four years. The official announcement will be made next week by Gov. Rick Scott.
West Fraser is looking to fill over 50 openings for their newly reopened McDavid Mill on Champion Drive. The company has turned to Workforce Escarosa for assistance in filling a long list of positions, which are both hourly and salaried. Requirements and qualifications vary by position type.
All of the jobs are full time with a benefits package.
In late 2008, the West Fraser McDavid mill was closed, putting about 75 people out of work. The company also closed a mill in Citronelle in 2008, cutting about 100 jobs.
The McDavid mill produces Southern Yellow Pine lumber and has an annual production capacity of about 200 million board feet. At the time it was closed in 2008, the mill was running just one shift, producing about 75 million board feet.
During the first quarter of 2013, West Fraser reported earnings of $67 million or $1.57 per share on sales of $863 million. During the same quarter in 2012, the company lost $19 million.
To view complete job descriptions and apply for available positions, visit www.employflorida.com. Or to complete an application in person, visit the Workforce Escarosa Century One-Stop at 8120 North Century Boulevard from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday-Thursday.
Pictured: The West Fraser McDavid Mill. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Tate’s Viviano Named Math Educator Of The Year
July 10, 2013
The Escambia County Council of Teachers of Mathematics has named Gelinda Viviano of Tate High School as the 2013 High School Mathematics Educator of the Year. Viviano has taught for 22 years, nine of those at Tate High. Last year, she taught college algebra, math for college success and intensive math.
ACLU Wants Rules To Protect Privacy Of Prescription Drug Users
July 10, 2013
The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida on Monday asked the state Department of Health to tighten rules to prevent the accidental release of confidential information from a state prescription-drug database.
The database was created to curb “doctor shopping” by drug abusers who visit multiple physicians and pharmacies to get powerful painkillers. But the program in recent weeks has come under heavy scrutiny — and faces a legal challenge — since the disclosure of confidential prescription records for roughly 3,300 people in the Volusia County area. The information was disclosed to defense attorneys involved in a drug case.
Now the ACLU is recommending that law enforcement agencies be required to get search warrants in order to access the database.
Failing that, Pamela Burch Fort of the ACLU said the Department of Health should limit law enforcement’s access to the database to prevent “fishing expeditions.” Burch Fort was the only member of the public who spoke during a rule-making workshop Monday at the department headquarters in Tallahassee.
“Requiring law enforcement agencies to obtain a warrant or a court order is a change that must come from the Legislature and not DOH,” Burch Fort said. “But we want to stress that such an amendment to (state law) is critical.”
The database was created in 2009, after Florida became known as a magnet for drug abusers and dealers to get powerful — and sometime deadly — pills. According to the Department of Health, since the database began operations two years ago, Florida has seen a nearly 18 percent drop in deaths due to Oxycodone abuse and a 58 percent drop in “doctor shopping” cases.
Under the law, pharmacies and other health professionals who dispense certain painkilling drugs must report the name of the prescriber, the date the prescription was filled and the name, address and birth date of the person to whom the drug is dispensed – all information that was compromised in the Volusia case. But that does not mean physicians have to check the database before writing prescriptions for the drugs.
“The (database) is not a research tool,” Burch Fort said. “It is a collection of highly sensitive information to which law enforcement should only have access after a neutral third party has examined the asserted grounds for need (and) determined that the law enforcement agency is targeting specific individuals or entities for specific crimes, supported by probable cause.”
The ACLU also recommended that the results of law enforcement queries be redacted to remove the names and personal data of those who were not under investigation, and that the Department of Health ensure the results remain confidential and notify those whose personal information has been breached.
But Lorri Abramowitz, a former detective in the pharmaceutical drug unit of the Duval County Sheriff’s Office, said the ACLU recommendations would undermine the state’s successful effort.
“Having to get a subpoena or a search warrant to obtain that information would totally slow down the process and put us going backwards rather than forwards,” Abramowitz said. “Doctor-shopping cases are down, at least in Duval County. It is working.”
Abramowitz also said more checks by physicians and pharmacies would reduce the need for law enforcement agencies to access the database.
In a report dated Dec. 1, 2012, the Department of Health found that physicians and pharmacists had used the database 2.6 million times since it began operations in September 2011. Law enforcement officers had used it more than 20,000 times in criminal investigations involving controlled substances. Five thousand pharmacies had entered 56 million controlled-substance prescriptions into the database.
Abramowitz, who helped Attorney General Pam Bondi draft the legislation cracking down on pill mills, said limits on use of the database could force law enforcement officers to contact dozens of pharmacies individually.
Florida Sheriffs Association executive director Steve Casey pointed to a Sarasota County case in which one person obtained 178 prescriptions for Oxycodone and Hydrocodone from 56 different medical providers, filling them at 26 different pharmacies over two years.
“The subject went to dentists, walk-in clinics, emergency rooms, urologists, psychiatrists and other providers every few days to obtain small quantities of the potent drugs in an attempt to go undetected,” Casey said. “That worked until two pharmacists finally consulted the database and alerted investigators… This case exemplifies why the (database) can only be effective if it is checked by medical professionals prescribing or dispensing these powerful prescription drugs.”
Casey said statistics show the database is working, and that as more medical professionals begin using it, the state will continue to see a decrease in prescription-related deaths and “doctor shopping” cases.
During the 2013 session, measures by Sen. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, and Rep. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, would have required doctors to check the database before prescribing controlled substances, but they failed — in part due to opposition from physicians’ groups.
Florida Medical Association General Counsel Jeff Scott said in an email his organization was instrumental in passing legislation to crack down on pill mills, but “arbitrarily requiring all physicians — regardless of patient population or specialty — to consult a database before prescribing a (drug covered under the law) is not the answer. This puts patients with legitimate pain needs in limbo and makes it more difficult for physicians to treat their patients.”
Scott also said the FMA has serious concerns about patient privacy in light of recent leaks of patients’ personal data. “Until those issues are resolved, forcing physicians to use the database is not good public policy,” he said.
A Department of Health spokeswoman said the ACLU’s recommendations and any written comments submitted by July 22 will come up for discussion at another workshop, as yet unscheduled, in August.
by Margie Menzel, The News Service of Florida