Ida Ross Hall
April 24, 2013
Ida Ross Hall, 82, of Atmore, passed away Tuesday, April 23, 2013, at her residence surrounded by her family. She was born March 12, 1931, in Escambia Co. AL. Ida grew up in Escambia County, but during Gene’s active military service lived in Ft. Jackson, SC and Ft. Bragg, NC. They returned to Atmore and have lived there ever since. She retired as a bookkeeper from the Escambia County Junior High and Escambia County High School after approximately 15 years. She also worked for Atmore Community Hospital and Daniel Insurance Company. She enjoyed working in her flower garden, fishing, and spending time with her friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Ardell Ross and infant daughter Kathy Jean Hall.
She is survived by her husband, Gene Hall; daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and David Sommerman; grandchildren, Andrew and Matthew Sommerman; brother, Jeff Ross, and many cousins nieces, and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 25, 2013, at 10 a.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Robert Heard officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be her nephews, Devon Jones, James Hall, Hilbert Hall; great nephews, Eric Hall and Jeremy Hall, and cousin Patrick Godwin. Honorary pallbearers will be her other many nephews and great nephews.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
FHP Releases Details Of Sunday Highway 29 Crash
April 23, 2013
Tuesday afternoon, the Florida Highway Patrol released details about a two vehicle crash early Sunday evening that injured four people on Highway 29 at Bluff Springs Road.
According to FHP, Blaze Thomas Harkness, age 18 of Century, was stopped at the stop sign on Byrneville Road when he turned his 2004 Dodge Durango onto Highway 29 and into the path of a northbound 2008 Chevrolet Aveo driven by 28-year old Jessica Moore Gates of LaGrange, GA.
Harkeness was transported to Jay Hospital with minor injuries. Jessica Gates and a passenger, 23-year Timisha Gates of LaGrange, were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital by ambulance with minor injuries. A backseat passenger in the vehicle, 10-year old Mykeria Thomas was airlifted by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital in serious but stable condition.
Harkness was cited for failing to yield to oncoming traffic.
Escambia County EMS and the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash.
Pictured: Four people were injured in this two-vehicle crash Sunday evening on Highway 29 at Bluff Springs Road. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Firefighters Quickly Extinguish School Dumpster Fire
April 23, 2013
Two fire stations responded to a dumpster fire at Northview High School this afternoon. The fire was reported about 1:30 p.m. in dumpster located in the rear of the student parking lot. There was no damage to any surrounding vehicles and no structures were threatened. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Engine 519 from the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the call.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
LIVE VIDEO: Auburn Oaks At Toomer’s Corner Cut Down Today
April 23, 2013
The iconic oak trees at Toomer’s Corner in Auburn were cut down today, after being poisoned by a rival fan in 2010.
The twin, century-old oak trees have celebrated Auburn’s spirit with countless thousands of revelers who have engaged in the long-standing tradition of “rolling Toomer’s Corner,” a celebration occurring after every significant Auburn sports victory.
The university unveiled plans on Saturday for the redevelopment of the corner (pictured left, click to enlarge).
An arcing path design, set to be implemented in 2014 with the planting of two oak trees, was selected after a series of public workshops and an online survey in which more than 10,000 alumni, students, fans and friends provided opinions and ideas.
“We are unveiling the results of your ideas today,” said Bill Stone, Auburn Alumni Association president, who helped unveil an artist’s rendering. “I can tell one thing for certain: Live trees will be planted on the corner and the great tradition of rolling the corner will continue.”
Officials said the new design will place trees farther back from the intersection; maintain the existing and historic character of the corner; retain the 1917 gates in their current positions; add more seating and shaded areas; and include the planting of additional trees along a curved walkway through Samford Park.
Pictured below: The Auburn oaks at Toomer’s Corner were rolled one last time this past Saturday. Image courtesy Auburn University for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Loses Again: Health Dept. Dental Clinic Closing
April 23, 2013
The Escambia County dental clinic in Century will close effective April 30.
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia COunty announced Monday that it will “merge” the pediatric and adult dental clinics service North Escambia into one location by closing the Century clinic while the Molino clinic remains open. Both clinics are operated under contract by ProMed Healthcare Services.
The Century clinic currently averages about 160 patient visits per month.
“We are very disappointed that they feel like…our people can get to the office in Molino for services,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall said. ” They don’t realize our transportation challenges.”
“When I learned of the impending closure of the Century clinic,” Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said, “I felt nauseous, another blow to a reeling community. I spoke to (health department Director) Dr. John Lanza last week and he assured me the Molino clinic will gladly serve the patients who are being displaced.
“I also spoke to Don Turner, Executive Director of Escambia Community Clinics, last week. Escambia Community Clinics may well be the future of the Medicaid dental programs in Escambia County. The vast majority of our residents served are adolescents, who potentially face life long stigmas and repercussions from a lack of access to dental care during their early years. I’m optimistic that as a community and as a county, we can formulate a workable solution to the issue,” Barry continued.
“We would love to see them reconsider,” McCall said.
Clients receiving dental services at the Century location will be able to transfer their care to the dental clinic located at 3470 Highway 29 North near Molino,, to another FDOH-EC dental clinic, or to any other dental office accepting their dental Medicaid plan.
According to the health department:
- The Molino dental clinic will continue to provide services for both adult and pediatric clients participating in Florida Medicaid, DentaQuest, and Healthy Kids dental insurance programs.
- The dental clinic located in the FDOH-EC Northside Pensacola service center at 8390 North Palafox Street, in the Ensley community, will continue to provide pediatric dental services to clients participating in Florida Medicaid, DentaQuest, and Healthy Kids dental insurance programs. Beginning May 1, 2013, adult clients using Florida Medicaid or DentaQuest may have tooth extractions performed at this location.
- Clients using Florida Medicaid, DentaQuest, or Healthy Kids may also receive services at the dental clinic at the FDOH-EC main service center, located at 1295 West Fairfield Drive in Pensacola.
- All dental clinics provide services Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. until 4 pm. For more information, contact the Molino clinic at (850) 587-2544, the Fairfield Drive location at (850) 595-6600 or the Ensley clinic at (850) 471-683.
Over the past several years, Century has lost numerous county and state facilities, including all public schools, a tax collector’s office and medical service from the health department.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Shots Fired During Century Robbery
April 23, 2013
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is continuing their investigation into the shots fired robbery of two individuals in Century.
The incident happened Friday night at a car wash in the 8900 block of North Century Boulevard. Two armed black males took money, cellphones and a vehicle key from the victim after firing a shot into the victims’ vehicle, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. There were no injuries, and the vehicle was not stolen.
The suspects fled on foot.
Escambia County (Fla.) deputies took a report on the incident after the victims fled to the Flomaton Police Department.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-7867.
Jay Out Of District Baseball Tourney, Northview Faces Freeport Today
April 23, 2013
The District 2-1A baseball tournament got underway Monday in Baker, with Jay and Chipley eliminated.
No. 6 seed Freeport beat the No. 3 Jay Royals Monday, 8-5. Freeport will face the No. 2 seed Northview Chiefs at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
No. 5 Baker beat Chipley 7-3 on Monday, with Baker set to face No. 1 Bonifay at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Northescambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Civil Citation Program Offers Alternative To Arrest For Escambia Youth
April 23, 2013
Florida’s juvenile civil citation process has been launched across Escambia County, allowing law enforcement officers to issue a civil citation to juveniles who commit first-time, non-violent offenders rather than making an arrest.
“Youth who break the law absolutely must be held accountable for their actions; civil citation is a great way to do that without establishing an arrest record, which can ruin their chances of a successful future. Additionally, it gives us the opportunity to get to the root of what is causing the youth’s behavior and address those underlying issues, decreasing the likelihood they will re-offend while also saving taxpayer dollars,” said Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Wansley Walters.
Youth issued the civil citations must complete required sanctions to leave the program without an arrest record. If the child fails to complete the civil citation requirements, the arrest proceeds.
“We are enthusiastic about the possibilities of this multifaceted approach to diverting young people from a life of criminal activity as well as affording them a chance to not be labeled for life with a criminal record,” said Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan.
During fiscal year 2011-2012, there were 2,242 youth arrests in Escambia County. Of those, 562 were first-time misdemeanors that would have saved about $2.6 million if civil citations had been issued, officials said.
Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas has been a strong supporter of the county-wide expansion. Juvenile civil citations have been available to youths committing first-time misdemeanors in Escambia County’s schools since September 2012.
“Civil citations offer first time offending youth an opportunity to learn from their mistake and avoid the lifetime stigma that an arrest will create. I applaud all of the agencies involved for their leadership in providing civil citations county-wide,” Thomas said.
State Attorney Bill Eddins, Public Defender Bruce Miller, Pensacola Police Chief Chip Simmons and Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May also participated in a Monday press conference to announce the program.
Pictured top inset: Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Wansley Walters speaks during a Monday afternoon press conference as Sheriff David Morgan looks on. Pictured bottom inset: Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas expresses his support for the new county-wide civil citation process. Courtesy images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Arrested After Carjacking, Attack, Multiple Wrecks
April 23, 2013
A Cantonment man was arrested after a carjacking Monday afternoon. Steven Kyle Meadows, 22, attacked a man with a chain and wrecked a stolen pickup truck three times during the incident, according to Rhonda Ray, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident happened shortly after noon in the area of Yarrow Circle in the River Gardens Subdivision, near the intersection of East Nine Mile Road and North Davis Highway.
Escambia Sheriff’s Dispatchers received a call from a victim who told them that as he was working on a home in the 9500 block of Yarrow Circle, a man approached him and asked him for money. When he declined to give the man money, the suspect, later identified as Meadows, left and then returned to the home where he attacked the victim with a chain. The man resfused medical treatment.
The suspect then ran to the victim’s truck and retrieved a knife, and robbed him of personal belongings before entering the home and taking several more items along with the victim’s truck keys. He then stole the victim’s truck and fled the scene at a high rate of speed, Ray said.
The Sheriff’s Office then began receiving calls of a reckless driver who had nearly hit several drivers in the area prior to wrecking in the area of Nine Mile Road and Davis Highway. Deputies arrived to find the suspect and vehicle on a dirt road in a nearby wooded area. As deputies approached the suspect vehicle, Meadows rammed a patrol cruiser and fled the scene prior to crashing into another vehicle near Nine Mile Road and Scenic Highway.
Meadows ran a red light at the intersection and collided with a 2013 Hyundai driven by 53-year old Cynthia M. Minor of Pensacola. She was transported to West Florida Hospital with minor injuries.
Meadows fled on foot and was apprehended behind a business in the 12000 block of Scenic Highway.
Meadows was charged with three counts of aggravated assault, battery, two counts aggravated battery, criminal mischief with property damage, burglary, larceny, grand theft of a vehicle, robbery with a firearm and resisting arrest with violence. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $260,500. He was also cited twice for leaving the scene of a crash with property damage, running a red light, and two counts reckless driving by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Additional charges against Meadows may be pending, Ray said.
Scott Signs Landmark Education Bill
April 23, 2013
Gov. Rick Scott signed a sweeping education bill Monday, recasting requirements for high-school diplomas and laying out the standards for state universities to reach “preeminent” status.
The measure (SB 1076), weighing in at 144 pages, makes several major changes to high school and higher education.
It creates two “designations” for high school degrees, each with different requirements, with one aimed at encouraging students to work toward industry certification.
And the bill sets out standards for universities to be recognized as “preeminent universities,” with one of those schools being tapped to operate an online institute in an effort to encourage Internet-based education. It also authorizes universities to do what’s needed to offer the $10,000 degrees that Scott has touted.
The measure has been praised by business groups and educators, in part because it would free students who choose one of the designations from being required to pass some courses — such as Algebra II — that are aimed at college-bound students. Business groups also say the bill will more closely tie the education system to employers’ needs.
“Senate Bill 1076 will make sure our students are prepared for college and careers and have the skills to compete for jobs in an ever-competitive global marketplace,” Scott said during a ceremony marking the signing of the bill.
“The Career and Professional Education Act does far more than reform education, it transforms education in our state. This bill lashes education to the realities and opportunities of the economy, making it far more likely that our graduates will earn diplomas and degrees that qualify them for real jobs,” said Senate President Don Gaetz.
The proposal received overwhelming support in the Legislature, with the Senate approving it 33-7 and the House signing off unanimously.
“What this bill does is it transforms our education system — from our K-12 system and how you get a degree in Florida, and the requirements that are associated with it, to what you do and what type of university you go to and the quality of degree that you’re going to get in our universities,” said House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel. “It is transformational.”
Officials insisted allowing two tracks toward a high school diploma wouldn’t water down Florida’s education. As if to emphasize the point, the Foundation for Florida’s Future, an education group founded by former Gov. Jeb Bush, issued a statement praising the bill.
“Governor Scott’s signature ensures that Florida students will receive more meaningful tracks to a successful future,” said Patricia Levesque, the group’s executive director. “Today, our state showed its continued leadership in student-centered education reforms.”
By The News Service of Florida
Pictured top: Gov. Rick Scott signs SB 1076, a far-reaching education bill, during a ceremony Monday. Photo by Brandon Larrabee for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.