Carl Albert (Bert) Weis, III
June 26, 2014
Carl Albert (Bert) Weis III, 83, passed away Monday, June 23, 2014. He was born November 24, 1931, in Pensacola to Dorothy Wing and Henry Mahlon Weis. He attended Pensacola High School and Baylor Military Academy before joining the Navy. He served on the USS ANTIETAM (VC-35) in the Korean Conflict. He was married to Elisabeth Kirchmaier Weis December 28, 1952, and together they raised four boys. He married Frances (Misty) Poyser Weis in 1976. She brought two sons and a daughter to Bert’s family.
Bert loved the outdoors, spending time with family, music and traveling the tropics with the family business, Weis Fricker Mahogany Company. With most of his life spent in the lumber and timber, export and import business he became an expert in heavy machinery, dealings in South American business and sawmills. He sold the business to Dant and Russell in 1976.
Dad’s passion was revealed in 1990, when he answered the Lord’s calling and attended the United Methodist Course of Study, finishing in 1993. Licensed as a local pastor he was appointed to Byrneville UMC, St. Paul UMC Bay Minette, and then to Pollard UMC, where he served until his recent retirement.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Evelyn Scott.
He is survived by his wife, Misty Weis; sons, Carl (Naomi), Michael (Terry), Joseph Mahlon, and Bill (Lorrie); eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; his step-children, Colin (Mae), Angie, and Michael (Angela) Feeser; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sisters, Bobby Anne Land and Dorothy McCoy.
A graveside service will be held at Barrancas National Cemetery at 10:15 a.m. Friday, June 27, 2014. A celebration of life service will be held at First United Methodist Church in Atmore at 12:30 p.m. with visitation immediately following in the Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations to First United Methodist Church, 311 South Pensacola Avenue, Atmore, AL.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Florida Increases Age Requirement For Car Seats
June 25, 2014
Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill Tuesday raising the car seat age requirement in Florida
The car seat law, which goes into effect on Jan. 1, requires children up to 5 years old to be placed in car seats or booster seats when riding in a vehicle. Currently, only children 3 years old and younger are required to ride in the restraining devices.
“With this initiative, we are working to ensure our children travel safely and remain protected on the road,” Scott said. “We will continue to do all we can to keep every Floridian safe, so they can enjoy everything our great state has to offer with their loved ones.”
Kevin Bakewell, vice president of AAA Auto Club South, issued a statement with measured praise for the bill, though his organization recommends children use at least a booster seat until they are 4-foot-9 — a height they usually reached when they are 8 to 12 years old.
“While this law does not cover all children who need to be safely restrained, it is a step in the right direction,” Bakewell said. “On matters of public safety, Florida’s parents look to state law for solid guidance. That’s why this law is so important.”
by The News Service of Florida
County Considers $3.6 Million Radio System Upgrade, Including North Escambia Enhancements
June 25, 2014
The Escambia County Commission is set to consider about $3.6 million in improvements to the county’s radio system, including upgrades specifically designed to improve coverage in portions of the North Escambia area.
In late 2011, Escambia County switched the county’s radio system for agencies such as the sheriff, fire and EMS to a digital “P25″ system from Motorola at a cost of $12.5 million. The switch was necessitated due to a FCC mandate under which the system in place at the time was considered outdated.
Since that time, three areas of the county were identified where the new radio system provides poor or spotty coverage making the use of a handheld radios difficult if not impossible, according to Mike Weaver, Escambia County Public Safety Bureau Chief.
The problem reception areas were identified as being north of Century where mutual aid assistance is provided by Escambia County (FL) agencies into Escambia County, AL., an area in the center of the county north of Molino, and Scenic Highway from north of I-10 to south of the airport. Improvements will be made to existing radio equipment on water tower in Century, at an existing 300 foot tower at Don Sutton Ballpark in Molino and on an existing 300 foot tower in the Scenic Heights area.
“Right now, there are instances in these areas where poor coverage could result in a delayed or missed response (from first responders),” Weaver said. “These upgrades will solve that.”
Another major aspect of the $3.6 million upgrade will include replacement of the county’s microwave loop — the radio backbone that connects each tower site to other towers. The existing microwave system was installed in 1997 (not part of the 2011 $12.5 million upgrade). Replacement and repair parts have not been manufactured since 2009.
“Due to the critical nature of this equipment, it is imperative to replace this system before parts become unavailable and a possible catastrophic failure occurs that cripples Public Safety communications,” according to the county.
The radio upgrades will be funded with previously budgeted LOST (local options sales tax) funds. All or part of the system is currently used by public safety, the sheriff’s office, fire, EMS, emergency management, code enforcement, animal control, school board, ECAT and the road prison.
Fizz, Boom, Read: Summer Reading Thursday At Century, Molino Libraries
June 25, 2014
The Fizz, Boom, Read: Summer Reading Program continues Thursday at library branches in Molino and Century.
Children and teens 6-12 are invited to participate in the West Florida Public Library’s 2014 Fizz, Boom, Read program, which focuses on experimenting with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics).
The interactive program is a fun way for students to keep their minds sharp throughout the summer months. Join the library for the summer reading game and interactive enrichment programs where there will be prizes for reading books, a chance to take part in science experiments and meet new people.
The program will be held Thursday afternoon at the Century Branch Library from 2:30 until 3:30 p.m. and at the Molino Branch Library from 6-7 p.m.
Baptist LifeFlight Sold
June 25, 2014
Air Methods Corporation announced Tuesday that it has acquired the four bases of Baptist LifeFlight, owned by Baptist Healthcare of Pensacola. The change was effective immediately, with no change to service.
The four bases are located in Pensacola, near Mobile, Greenville, Ala., and Hattiesburg, Miss. each with an EC130 aircraft already owned and operated by Air Methods. Prior to the acquisition, Air Methods staffed each location with five employees, including four pilots and one mechanic per base. As part of the acquisition, 43 clinical Baptist employees joined the Air Methods team. In addition, Air Methods acquired substantially all of Baptist LifeFlight’s assets, including the program name, branding and medical equipment.
“Air Methods is honored that Baptist Hospital has chosen to allow us to continue the proud history and tradition of this high quality service to the community. As BHC’s partner in providing high quality aviation services to the region, we now will have the opportunity to serve the Gulf Coast region through all facets of our air medical skill sets. We are proud that most of the clinical and management professionals from Baptist LifeFlight have joined Air Methods as we move forward in this new service model,” said Mike Allen, Air Methods’ president of Domestic Air Medical Services.
Baptist LifeFlight was the third hospital-based aeromedical helicopter program in the United States. The program will continue to fly adult and pediatric critically-ill and injured patients to Baptist Hospital and Sacred Heart hospitals in Pensacola, Baptist South Hospital in Montgomery, University of South Alabama in Mobile and Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg, Miss.
The Air Medical Services Division of Air Methods is the largest provider of air medical transport services in the United States.
Pictured top: A patient is wheeled to an awaiting LifeFlight helicopter in Molino. Pictured inset: An accident victim is loaded in a Pensacola-based LifeFlight helicopter in the parking lot of the Dollar General in Century. Pictured below: First responders from across the area learn about the LifeFlight helicopters during a training session held at the Walnut Hill Fire Station. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Atmore Police Ask For Help In Solving Rash Of Recent Burglaries
June 25, 2014
The Atmore Police Department is investigating several recent residential burglaries and is asking the public for help in solving the cases.
Most of the burglaries have occurred in the areas of Old Bratt Road, Davis Drive, McRae Street and Tatum Avenue. In most of the cases, the burglars have hit vacant homes or homes currently on the market for sale. Officers said some have forcefully entered the homes, usually through a backdoor that is not easily seen from the road. Once inside the homes, thieves have made off with items like washing machines, dryers, televisions, jewelery and cash.
The Atmore Police Department is asking residents to report suspicious activity or information on these burglaries by calling (251) 368-9141.
Report Cards Mailed
June 25, 2014
Weeks after the school year ended, Escambia County parents will soon have report cards for middle and high school students in their hands.
Report cards were scheduled to be mailed Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Escambia County School District said.
The report cards were delayed waiting on End of Course (EOC) grades in select subjects. Those scores were released June 16, but report cards were held for district staff to convert the scores and double check them for accuracy before they were released, according to Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas.
Northview Quarterback Club Hosting Softball Tourament
June 25, 2014
The Northview High School Quarterback Club will host a softball tournament August 2 at Showalter Park in Century from 8 a.m. until. The cost is $150 per team. Proceeds will go to support the Northview Chiefs football program.
Lookouts Outslug Wahoos
June 25, 2014
The Chattanooga Lookouts jumped out to a seven run lead through the first three innings, and the Wahoos couldn’t catch up. Pensacola rallied multiple times and came as close as a run, but the Lookouts prevailed 14-10 in the series opener at AT&T Field.
Yorman Rodriguez set the tone offensively for Pensacola with a 3-for-4 game including a grand slam and five RBI but it wasn’t enough. His blast capped a five-run fourth inning which helped Pensacola make an 8-1 deficit, 8-6. But, as they did all game, Chattanooga responded to keep the Wahoos at arm’s length.
Four Blue Wahoos pitchers combined to allow the 14 Lookouts runs, and all were earned. Daniel Corcino (L, 7-6) started it, and he was charged with 8 R/ER on just four hits with four walks over 3.0 innings. He took the loss, his sixth of the year.
The ball was carrying well all night for both teams. They combined to hit five home runs in the game. Two of the Lookouts blasts were three-run shots and one was a two-run homer. For the Wahoos Rodriguez had the grand slam and Seth Mejias-Brean launched a solo shot, his first with the Wahoos.
Chattanooga’s starter Nick Struck struggled on the mound as well. He was charged with 6 R/ER on eight hits over 4.0 innings in a no-decision. Juan Noriega (W, 4-4) earned the win with two innings in relief, despite allowing a pair of runs.
Pensacola will look to get even in the series on Wednesday. The Blue Wahoos will send RHP Jon Moscot (4-6, 2.82) to the mound against Lookouts RHP Matt Shelton (2-1, 3.67). First pitch is set for 10:15 a.m. (CT) from AT&T Field in Chattanooga.
by Tommy Thrall
Report: Consumer Confidence Hits Post Recession High In Florida
June 25, 2014
The state’s consumer confidence hit a post-recession high in June, according to a University of Florida report. On a scale that ranges from two to 150, confidence among Floridians sits at 82, four points higher than in May, according to numbers released Tuesday by UF’s Survey Research Center in the Bureau of Economic and Business Research.
The increase, bolstered by rising optimism from young Floridians and those in low-income households, was surprising, said Chris McCarty, director of the center.
“While the Florida economy is certainly stabilizing, it is not exhibiting trends that would indicate great potential for growth, at least through this year,” McCarty said in a release.
Some of the optimism, according to McCarty, may be due to a drop in gas prices and the state’s improved unemployment mark, which was aided by new leisure and hospitality jobs.
“Those are the kinds that will be filled by people who live in lower income households,” McCarty said in the release.
by The News Service of Florida