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
Teen Girl: Men With Shotguns Were Banging At Family’s Backdoor
June 24, 2014
A family near McDavid is warning others to be on the look out today after their teenage daughter came face to face with two men armed with shotguns at the family’s backdoor last night.
The incident happened about 8:20 p.m. on North Century Boulevard near West Bogia Road. The family’s 15-year old daughter said she looked outside through their window blinds to see two men banging at their backdoor with shotguns in their hands.
The men, described as appearing to be of Middle Eastern descent, saw the girl; both men then fled in a newer model extended cab white pickup truck. They were dressed in all black with black ball caps. One was chubby with a beard and longer hair, and one was clean cut.
The girl grabbed a firearm, locked herself in a bathroom and called for help. She was not injured. Family members said they believe the men were out to break into the home.
The incident is under investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
DUI Manslaughter Trial Delayed For Cantonment Man
June 24, 2014
A judge has granted a prosecutor request to delay trial for a Cantonment man for a November 2013 traffic crash that claimed the life of his 54-year old passenger.
Jury selection was set to being Monday for 48-year old Melvin Pryear on charges of DUI manslaughter and DUI with property damage for the death of Albertina McCarty of Pensacola. Last week, Judge Terry Terrell ruled that Pryear was competent to face trial. His trial is now set to begin at the end of July and is expected to last at least two days.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Pryear was driving under the influence when he pulled into the path of a 18-wheeler near International Paper last November. The FHP said that according to multiple witnesses, both north and southbound Highway 29 had a green light, but there was no green turn arrow for Pryear.
The front of the 18-wheeler struck the Chrysler, causing it to rotate onto the southbound shoulder at the Raceway gas station. McCarty, Pryear’s passenger in the Chrysler, was pronounced deceased at the scene by Escambia County EMS.
Pryear remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $101,000. Jury selection in his trial is set to begin next week.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
cambia County Jail with bond set at $101,000.
FDOT Public Hearing Tonight On Possibly Four-Laning Nine Mile Road
June 24, 2014
The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing tonight concerning the future of Nine Mile Road, including a possible four-laning project.
The proposed improvements include widening a portion Nine Mile Road from two to four lanes, installing additional drainage and storm water treatment ponds, constructing sidewalks, and the design and construction of medians and median openings within the study limits.
The hearing is being held to give interested persons an opportunity to express their views concerning the location, conceptual design, and social, economic and environmental effects of the proposed project.
The public hearing will take place from 5:30 until 6:30 p.m. at Plainview Baptist Church, 1101 West Nine Mile Road. The hearing will begin as an open house at 5:30 p.m., followed with a formal presentation at 6 p.m.
Draft study documents and other information depicting the proposed improvements will be available for public review at the hearing. Documents may also be viewed at the FDOT Milton Operations Office, 6025 Old Bagdad Highway and at American Consulting Professionals, 4489 Woodbine Road, Pace, until Monday, July 7.
Escambia’s Robinson Name President Of State County Association
June 24, 2014
Escambia County Commissioner Grover C. Robinson, IV was recently sworn in as president of the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) at the Association’s annual conference in Orlando.
“I am looking forward to the challenge and humbled by the opportunity to work with commissioners throughout the state on behalf of our residents,” said Robinson. “If we are proactive and united in our approach, we can develop solutions that will improve the quality of life in our respective communities, and all over the State of Florida.”
Founded in 1929, the Florida Association of Counties is a non-profit Association representing the diverse interests of Florida’s 67 counties. The Florida Association of Counties helps counties effectively serve and represent Floridians by strengthening and preserving county home rule through advocacy, education and collaboration.
As president, Robinson will oversee the association for one year, directing policy, advocacy and the association’s administration.