Eric “Henry” Amos
September 3, 2014
Dr. Eric “Henry” Amos, age 72, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 1, 2014, at his home in Molino.
Henry was born on “a day of infamy”, December 7, 1941. He was raised in Baton Rouge, LA where he attended Catholic High School. He went to college at LSU and finished medical school at LSU in New Orleans. He completed a residency in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at Baptist Hospital in Memphis, TN. He then completed a residency in Radiation Oncology at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL, where he became Chief Resident and was honored with the “Superior Accomplishment Award” and the “Best Resident’s Paper Award”.
After completing his training in 1971, he accepted a position with the Medical Center Clinic in Pensacola, FL, where he practiced for more than 30 years and treated almost 15,000 patients. While in private practice, Henry published several papers in prestigious medical journals on various topics including new radiation techniques for head and neck cancer, pioneering breast conservation therapy, and the use of radiation for colon cancer. He was awarded the Honor of “Fellow” of the American College of Radiology, which is awarded to less than 20% of all Radiation Oncologists. He was a long-standing member of the American College of Radiation Oncology, the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology, the Florida Radiological Society, the American Medical Association, and the Florida Medical Association. He was selected as one of “The Best Doctors in America” by each: American Health, Woodward White Publishers, and Good Housekeeping Magazine.
During his medical practice, he designed and developed five radiation facilities in the region. He also personally purchased one of the first linear accelerators, a machine used to deliver high-energy radiation for treating patients, in private practice in the United States.
Henry attempted to retire multiple times, but an intense love of medicine and care for his patients brought him back to active clinical practice a total of five times. He returned to practice with 21st Century Oncology in Okaloosa County, the Cancer Center of Southern Alabama, Urology Partners of Lakewood Ranch, FL, Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, as well as joining the staff at the University of Florida Radiation Oncology Department where he headed the Radiation Pediatric Oncology Section.
His personal interests included sculpting, drawing, and writing poetry and books. His most recent publications include: “A Few Poems Along the Way”, “My Mother’s Soul”, “My First 30 Years”, and “An Outline of the History of Western Philosophy”. He enjoyed pecan farming (cultivating over 2000 trees), breeding Limousine Cattle, upland bird hunting, the Colorado mountains, and especially the waters of the Gulf Coast where he spent countless hours exploring, boating and fishing. In his younger years he had his private pilot’s license and participated in several triathlons.
He is survived by his wife, Glenda Jo (Adams) Amos of Molino; children, Warren Richard Amos of Destin, Frances Corrine Amos of New York, NY, and Stacey Leigh Mason of Pensacola; five grandchildren including Haleigh Jo Mason (21), Eric Berton Amos (21), Mack Selser Amos (17), Ella Elizabeth Amos (12), and Savannah Leigh Amos (18 mo). He is also survived by his brothers, Wayne Amos of Baton Rouge, LA and Augusta Martin Smith; two sisters, Hilda McBride of Alexandria, LA and Louise Enochs of Lexington, KY; daughter-in-law, Shannon Leach Amos of Destin; brother-in-law, Mike Adams of Pensacola; brother- and sister-in-law, Mark and Karen Adams of Pensacola; and numerous nephews, nieces, friends, and colleagues.
He was predeceased by his mother, Corrine “Macu” Voorhies Smith of Baton Rouge; his stepfather, Warren “Pops” Smith of Baton Rouge; and his father, Ralph Wayne Amos of Houston, TX.
A memorial visitation will be held Saturday, September 6, 2014, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Faith Chapel North Funeral Home in Cantonment.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice of Northwest Florida and the American Cancer Society are appreciated.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Animal Shelter Cat Adoptions Resume
September 2, 2014
The Escambia County Animal Shelter has resumed cat adoptions. Adoption were suspended last Friday as a result of widespread upper respiratory infections in the shelter’s feline population.
Over the past several days, cats with upper respiratory infections have been treated and tested by the shelter’s medical staff.
Anyone looking to provide a forever home for a cat is encouraged to visit the Escambia County Animal Shelter during regular business hours, Tuesday through Saturday from noon until 6 p.m.
Also, anyone who has a lost an animal can visit the shelter to see if their cat or dog has been taken to the shelter.
For more information, please contact the Escambia County Animal Shelter at (850) 595 – 3075.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Brownfields Program Turns Polluted Sites Into Economic Potential
September 2, 2014
The Florida Brownfields Program facilitates redevelopment and job creation by empowering communities, local governments and other stakeholders to work together to assess, clean up and reuse sites that may have been previously impacted by pollutants. Brownfields are properties where expansion, redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of environmental pollution.
Established in 1997, the Florida Brownfields Redevelopment Program utilizes economic and regulatory incentives to encourage the use of private revenue to restore and redevelop sites, create new jobs and boost the local economy. Partners in the Florida Brownfields Redevelopment Program include local governments, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Economic Opportunity and Enterprise Florida, Inc.
In Escambia County, one of the largest Brownfields areas is the entire town limits of Century.
The former Alger-Sullivan Company lumber mill site on Front Street was first listed as an individual Brownfields site, and the designation was later expanded to the entire town.
From about 1900 until the late 1960’s, Alger Sullivan operated their lumber mill on the site. Various companies, including Wayne Dalton Corporation, manufactured wooded doors at the facility from about 1971 until 1992. As part of the manufacturing process, the wooden doors were dipped in pentachlorophenol wood preservative; the contamination of the property was associated with a release from the dipping tank.
Cleanup of groundwater and soils was conducted and a conditional closure was issued by DEP in 2009, indicating no further remediation of the property was necessary as long as the registered engineering and land use controls were maintained.
Other companies have expressed interest in the property after cleanup, but none have opened in the facility. A recent state report says a sale is under negotiation on the property, but the realtor that represents the property owner said the there are no offers pending on the property.
In late 2005, the Century Town Council took advantage of a state provision allowing them to expand the Brownfields designation to the entire town as an economic development tool. The designation provides bonuses for job creation, loan guarantees, sales tax credits and other incentives for qualified businesses to locate in the town.
“Florida’s Brownfields Program continues to facilitate the successful redevelopment of underutilized areas throughout the state,” said Jorge Caspary, director of the Division of Waste Management. “This program not only makes it possible to mitigate contaminated sites, but also creates jobs and stimulates the economy in the process.”
Since inception of the program, 75 contaminated sites have been cleaned up, more than 65,000 confirmed and projected direct and indirect jobs have been created and $2.5 billion in capital investment has been made in designated brownfield areas, according to data released recently by the state. To make the program’s incentives available to a community, a local government must designate a brownfields area by resolution. Local governments have designated 362 current brownfield areas statewide.
Century is also an Enterprise Zone, providing qualifying businesses with various tax credits and incentives.
Pictured top: The former Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company Brownsfield site in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Commissioners Revise Meeting Schedule
September 2, 2014
The Board of County Commissioners’ (BCC) Agenda Review regularly scheduled for Thursday, September 4, has been cancelled.
The revised schedule for Thursday, September 4, is:
- 9 a.m. – Public Forum
- 9:30 a.m. – Regular BCC Meeting
Additional Board meetings held in September are as follows:
Tuesday, September 9:
- 5:01 p.m. – First BCC Public Hearing on the Proposed 2014/2015 Fiscal Year Budget
- 5:02 p.m. – Meeting to adopt the special assessments for MSBUs
- 5:03 p.m. – Special BCC Meeting
Thursday, September 11
- 9 a.m. – Committee of the Whole
Tuesday, September 23
- 5:01 p.m. – Second BCC Public Hearing on the Proposed 2014/2015 Fiscal Year Budget
- 5:02 p.m. – Special BCC Meeting
Thursday, September 25
- 9 a.m. – Agenda Review
- 4:30 p.m. – Public Forum
- 5:30 p.m. – Regular BCC Meeting
All BCC meetings will take place in the Board Chambers, first floor, 221 Palafox Place, Pensacola.
Ransom Responds, Tate’s Shackle Shivers With Ice Bucket Challenge
September 2, 2014
Ransom Middle School staff members recently responded to the ice bucket challenger for ALS, as did Tate High Principal Richard Shackle.
Shackle recently completed the ALS ice bucket challenge from Superintendent Malcolm Thomas. Shackle challenged the Escambia County School District’s assistant principals and Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan. Shackle also donate $100 to ALS. (Video below)
And the staff at Ransom Middle School stepped up to the challenge after Principal Brent Brummet was challenged by Thomas. About 50 Ransom staff members took part in the ALS challenge.
The ALS challenge has a couple of goals — raise money and raise awareness about ALS, a neurodegenerative nerve disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.
Pictured top: Ransom Middle School staff members including Principal Brent Brummet (tan pants) and Assistant Principal Sandy Ames (long black pants) take the ALS ice bucket challenge. Pictured inset: Tate Principal Rick Shackle takes the challenge.
If you do not see the video below, it is because your work, school or home firewall is blocking external videos from Youtube.
Tate Grad Awarded Prestigious Southern Illinois University Scholarship
September 2, 2014
A Tate High School graduate has been named has been named a Southern Illinois University Carbondale Chancellor’s Academic Scholar.
Elizabeth Blalock is the daughter of Robin and Timothy Blalock. A National Honor Society member, Blalock graduated in the top 10 percent of her class and was a 2014 selection for Tate High School’s Hall of Fame. She was a member of the Mu Alpha Theta mathematics honor society, Rho Kappa honor society and her Tatel’s social studies student of the year and senior social sciences award recipient. She was a member of the student council, French club, and cross-country and tennis teams. She plans to major in psychology.
The Chancellor’s Academic Scholarship, SIU’s most prestigious award, is a significant achievement for the students as it covers tuition, fees and room and board for four years.
More than 560 students participated in the Chancellor’s and University Excellence Scholarship interview weekend, vying for the competitive scholarships. Each scholarship is based on information that includes the students’ ACT or SAT scores and the students’ academic credentials submitted at the time of admission along with personal interviews. The applicants also show leadership roles in their community and participate in numerous activities.
The award is renewable for four years, contingent upon the students maintaining a 3.0 or higher GPA.
Feeling Sleepy? FHP Cracking Down On Drowsy Driving
September 2, 2014
Do you fight to keep your eyes open and your head up when you are tired? All too often this scenario is real on Florida’s roadways. To help prevent crashes caused by driver fatigue and to bring awareness to the dangers of drowsy driving, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and the Florida Department of Transportation are teaming up with lawmakers and safety advocates this week for Florida’s Drowsy Driving Prevention Week September 1–7 in memory of Ronshay Dugan, who was killed by a drowsy driver in 2008.
“Alert drivers make for safer roads,” says DHSMV Executive Director Terry L. Rhodes. “To help get everyone home safely, the Department reminds motorists never to drive tired.”
FDOT Secretary Ananth Prasad said, “The department recognizes that making our roads safer includes driver responsibility and encourages all motorists not to drive drowsy. Be alert every trip, every time you get behind
“Six years ago, the life of a little girl was tragically taken in a crash that easily could have been prevented,” said state Representative Alan Williams, who sponsored the legislation in 2010. “Drowsy driving can be eliminated by simply planning and making a conscious decision to pull over and rest when you’re tired. I applaud Ronshay’s family for keeping her memory alive and fighting to prevent other senseless deaths.”
Here are some tips to prevent drowsy driving from the Florida Highway Patrol
- Allow plenty of time to get to your final destination.
- Avoid driving at times when you would normally be asleep.
- Drink caffeine. Two cups of coffee can increase alertness for several hours.
- Get a good night’s sleep before you travel.
- Take a break every 100 miles or 2 hours.
- Take a nap—find a safe place to take a 15 to 20-minute nap, if you think you might fall asleep.
- Use the buddy system, switch drivers when needed.
Ronald Wayne Johnson
September 2, 2014
Mr. Ronald Wayne Johnson, 63, passed away on Saturday, August 30, 2014, in Bluff Springs.
Mr. Johnson was a native of Reedley, California and a resident of Bluff Springs since 1976. Mr. Johnson was a former gospel musician (guitar player). His grandparents, Robert & Maggie Johnson of Century and Levi and Aley Johnson of Marysville, CA precede him in death.
Survivors include his parents, Aubrey and Rosa Johnson of Bluff Springs; one brother, David (Jackie) Johnson of Bratt; one sister, Alice (Dee) Bennett of Panama City, FL; one nephew, Dale (Karen) Johnson of Pace; one great-nephew, Nathanael Johnson of Pace; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He leaves behind his special friends, Nick and Teressa Emmert of Pensacola.
Funeral services were held Monday, September 1, 2014, at 2 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Kevin Stott and Bro. Dale Johnson officiating.
Burial will follow at the McCurdy Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Nick, Emmert, Dusty Richardson, Darrin Merchant, Ken Johnson, Dale Johnson and Robert Gandy.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC is in charge of all arrangements.
Faulk Graduates From Basic Military Training
September 2, 2014
Air Force Airman Randy Faulk graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Faulk is the son of Volante Henderson of Augusta, Ga., and grandson of Junius McGee of Century.
Scattered Showers Today
September 2, 2014
\Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday Scattered showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Tuesday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
- Wednesday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Calm wind.
- Thursday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind.
- Friday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind.
- Friday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Calm wind.
- Saturday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
- Saturday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
- Sunday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
- Sunday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
- Monday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.