Escambia County Man Killed In Nebraska Wreck
May 26, 2014
An Escambia County man was killed Sunday in a single vehicle accident in Nebraska.
Frank Schofield, 45, passed away while enroute to Grand Island Hospital following the rollover accident on I-80 about 20 miles west of Kearney, NE, according to the Nebraska State Patrol.
Schofield was eastbound in a 2005 Nissan pickup when the vehicle crossed the interstate median and both lanes of traffic and rolled into a ditch about 1:30 a.m. The Nebraska State Patrol said Schofield was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected when his pickup rolled over.
Schofield attended Tate High School.
North Escambia Memorials Honor Those That Served
May 26, 2014
People across North Escambia and the country will pause today to remember the brave men and women that have served our country as we celebrate Memorial Day.
In North Escambia, there are several memorials that honor those that have served in the military:
Walnut Hill Veterans Wall of Honor
The largest such memorial in the North Escambia area, the Veteran’s Honor Wall has stood in front of the Walnut Hill Community Center since its dedication in 2003. There are nearly 300 names on the wall, including names of just over a dozen soldiers killed in action. The wall honors those from the Walnut Hill area that have served in the nation’s military.
The Walnut Hill Ruritan Club began planning the wall in late 2001, and they decided that it would be a community project at no cost to the veterans listed.
Billy R. Ward began to engrave the names with an antique machine the club purchased off the internet, and there were 220 names on the wall when it was dedicated in 2003. He spent a lot of time on the project, even visiting the Wall South Memorial in Pensacola to get an idea what size the letters on the plaques should be.
On the Walnut Hill Veteran’s Honor Wall, everyone is equal. It was decided that no service rank would be include on the name plaques, just the branch and years of service.
It is estimated that about one-fourth of the veterans listed on the wall are now deceased.
The Walnut Hill Veteran’s Wall is located in front of the community center at 7850 Highway 97.
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LCpl Travis M. Nelson Park
The LCpl Travis M. Nelson Park was dedicated in Bratt on November 8, 2011, in honor of the local Marine killed in action in August 2011 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. It was just two weeks after his 19th birthday and only about a month after he arrived in Afghanistan.
The park features a memorial in Nelson’s honor. It is located on West Highway 4, just west of Northview High School.
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Atmore Veterans Memorial
The Veterans Memorial in Atmore stands proudly on the lawn of the Atmore City Hall to pay tribute to those have served from around Atmore and North Escambia. Names of the fallen are on the spire, while commemorative bricks around the base of the spire name those that have served in the military past and present.
Those honored on the bricks date back to the Revolutionary War with a brick with the name of Benjamin Sasser, 1755-1840. His relative, Federick Sasser, 1794-1846, is also honored for his service in the War of 1812.
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Barrineau Park Wall of Honor
The Wall of Honor inside the Barrineau Park Community Center honors scores of area residents that have served in the military. The wall was a project of the Barrineau Park Historical Society. (Pictured above.)
Century Veterans Wall of Honor
About four dozen of those that served from the Century area are honored on the Century Veterans Wall of Honor at Century’s Roadside Park on Highway 29. The memorial was dedicated on July 4, 2008. (Pictured below.)
The Century Veterans Wall of Honor is located in the Nadine McCaw Park at the corner of North Century Boulevard (Highway 29) and Hecker Road.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Man Flees From Traffic Stop, Takes Hostage
May 26, 2014
An Escambia County man fled from deputies Sunday morning and a took a hostage before being taken into custody.
Johnnie Lewis Bryant, Jr., 38, was charged with armed burglary, false imprisonment, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
At about 10:00 Sunday morning deputies attempted a traffic stop on Bryant and his truck in the area of Untreiner Avenue in Ensley, but Bryant bailed and fled on foot in the area of Tortuga Drive.
He was able to elude deputies at first, but K-9 officers tracked him to a residence in the 1000 block of Tortuga Drive.
In the meantime, an off-duty Escambia Sheriff’s deputy had received a call from the resident who informed him that someone had broken into her home and was holding her hostage.
The SWAT team was activated, but before their arrival the hostage managed to escape unharmed. Deputies broke through a locked privacy fence and took the resident to safety. A short while later the suspect was arrested without incident.
Pictured: An Escambia County man fled from deputies and took a hostage on Tortuga Drive in Ensley Sunday morning. Reader submitted photos by Cor’Darius Jones for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rain Chances This Week
May 26, 2014
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Monday Night Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Tuesday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light southeast after midnight.
- Wednesday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 5 mph becoming southeast after midnight.
- Thursday A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Thursday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Friday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning.
- Friday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Saturday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
- Saturday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.
- Sunday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Barrineau Park 4-H Joins Groups In Honoring Those At Barrancas National Cemetery
May 26, 2014
Members of the Barrineau Park 4-H Club joined other volunteers from local Boy Scout groups and other organizations in placing flags in Barrancas National Cemetery. A flag was placed on each of the 32,643 graves in the cemetery on board Pensacola Naval Air Station for Memorial Day.
“It was an honor to have been able to go out and remember everyone who lost their lives fighting for our freedom,” said Barrineau Park 4-H Club member Willow Foxworth.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Extension Urges Smart Grilling For Food Safety
May 26, 2014
Safety is an important consideration when operating a grill. Improper use can cause a fire or explosion. Keep the area around a lighted grill clear of combustible materials, and never use a grill in an enclosed area such as a sheltered patio or a garage. Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing that may catch fire. The cooking grids should be cleaned after every cookout. The last thing you want to do is cause someone to become ill due to improper cleaning or unsafe food preparation practices.
Wash your hands with hot soapy water for at least 20 seconds before starting to prepare any foods, and wash your hands again if you do anything else—change a diaper, pet an animal, or blow your nose, for example. Cover any cuts or sores on your hands with a bandage, or use plastic gloves. If you sneeze or cough while preparing foods, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue and turn your face away, or cough into your sleeve. Always wash your hands afterwards.
Bacteria multiply rapidly at room temperature. Most food-borne illness-causing bacteria cannot grow well at temperatures below 40°F or above 140°F. Thaw foods in the refrigerator or in the microwave. Never leave foods out at room temperature.
Keep everything that touches food clean. Bacteria can hitch rides around your kitchen on all sorts of things—plates and cutting boards, dirty utensils, dish rags and sponges, unwashed hands.
Never chop fresh vegetables or salad ingredients on a cutting board that was used for raw meat without properly cleaning it first. If possible, keep a separate cutting board just for the preparation of raw meat, poultry, and fish.
Wash cutting boards thoroughly with hot soapy water, and then sanitize with a solution of household bleach and water.
Keep raw meat, poultry, fish, and their juices from coming into contact with other foods during preparation, especially foods that will not be cooked. Wash all utensils and your hands with hot soapy water after contact with raw meat.
Marinate meat, poultry and seafood in the refrigerator in a covered, non-metal container. Throw away any leftover marinade.
Grill food to a safe internal temperature. Use a meat thermometer to assure correct doneness of the food being grilled.
Safe minimum internal temperatures:
- Poultry (whole, ground, and breasts): 165°F
- Hamburgers, beef: 160°F
- Beef, veal, and lamb (steaks, roasts and chops):
- Medium rare: 145°F
- Medium: 160°F.
- All cuts of pork: 160°F.
Hold meat at 140°F until served. Use a clean platter for transferring cooked meat from grill to serving table.
Summer is the time for getting together with friends and family and cooking outdoors. Make your outdoor grilling experience safe and enjoyable.
For further information regarding food safety and other related topics, go to the University of Florida’s Solutions for Your Life website: http://www.solutionsforyourlife.com.
Dorothy C. Lee, CFCS, is an Extension Agent II, Family & Consumer Sciences with the Escambia County Extension Service. Reference: Safe Food Handling Fact Sheet, United States Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Series.
FWC Releases 2013 Boating Accident Stats, Stresses Safe Boating
May 26, 2014
Sixty-two people lost their lives in Florida last year in boating accidents, and there have already been 11 deaths so far this year, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), which has released its 2013 Boating Accident Statistical Report.
The FWC is responsible for reviewing, analyzing and compiling boating accident data for the state. Its statistical report details boating accidents and their causes.
The theme of accident-related messages from FWC staff is clear: Officers want to help keep Florida’s beautiful waterways a safe place to boat.
“Often, accidents can be prevented by more careful operation,” said Lt. Seth Wagner. “It is critical for operators to maintain a proper lookout and focus on what is going on around their boat at all times.”
Failing to have a proper lookout is a leading cause of boating accidents, statistics show.
In fatal accidents, drowning is the leading cause of death.
“There’s an easy fix. Wear a life jacket,” Wagner said. “There are several styles of life jackets available to boaters that won’t interfere with your boating experience and may save your life.”
Today’s boaters can choose from several models of light and comfortable, inflatable belt-pack and over-the-shoulder life jackets that can be worn while fishing or enjoying the sun, and they do not interfere with boating activities.
Accidents can occur without warning, and if for some reason someone ends up in the water, quite often it’s too late to put on a life jacket.
“The leading type of accident continues to be boaters colliding with other boats or objects,” Wagner said. “With the number of boaters in our beautiful state, it’s important to pay close attention to everything that’s going on around you.”
Grilling Out Costing More: Retail Meat Prices Continue To Climb
May 26, 2014
Summer grilling season will cost meat lovers a few more dollars this year, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. Wholesale meat prices climbed higher during the first quarter of the year and retail meat prices quickly followed suit.
“Retail prices for beef and pork cuts have steadily pushed into new record territory,” said John Anderson, AFBF’s deputy chief economist.
“For pork, the average retail price per pound in March—$3.83—was higher than the prior four months and eclipsed the record level set last fall,” Anderson said.
“For beef, the price move in March was more dramatic. Consumers saw the sixth straight month of new record retail prices for fresh beef products, at $5.40 per pound, which is a 23-percent increase compared to the 2010-2012 average,” he explained.
The sharp increase in retail beef prices has not occurred in a vacuum, Anderson noted. Retail pork prices are currently 18 percent higher than in 2010-2012 while chicken is up 9 percent.
“Farmers and ranchers are raising smaller numbers of hogs and cattle. This is the key factor contributing to higher retail meat prices, a trend that is likely to continue through the summer and, at least for beef, into next year,” Anderson said.
The long-term effects of searing back-to-back droughts in 2011 and 2012 resulted in less feed available for cattle, and ultimately forced a substantial decline in cattle numbers that is now resulting in lower beef production. Year-to-date beef production is down by close to 5 percent according to the Agriculture Department.
Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus or PEDv, a serious hog disease that poses no risk to humans or food safety, is expected to result in a 2 percent decline in 2014 production according to USDA, further influencing retail prices for bacon, ham, pork chops and other products.
The good news for consumers is that although they will pay a bit more for meats this summer, there will be plenty of everyone’s favorites to go around.
“Meat supplies will continue to be plentiful,” said Anderson. “From burgers to brats, steaks to chops and everything in between, consumers will have no problem finding their favorite meats for summer barbeques and cook-outs,” he said.
Barons Top Wahoos By One
May 26, 2014
When starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen left the game after seven innings, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos trailed the Birmingham Barons by only one run, 2-1.
By the end of Sunday’s game, Birmingham left the field with a 5-1 victory in the finale of a five-game series at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
It was a familiar story to Lorenzen—a stingy offense. In his 10 starts this season, only three have come with more than three runs. Plus, both runs the Barons scored came on misplayed fly balls by centerfielder Yorman Rodriguez, normally known for his excellent defense and arm that’s rated the best in the Cincinnati Reds organization.
“Those things are out of my control,” Lorenzen said. “I could get mad and negative about it but that does not help me be successful. Plays just happen. The bug hit him twice, and I was like, ‘Man.’”
On a positive note, Lorenzon threw 5 innings without allowing a hit in his last start, and then another 3.1 innings Sunday for 8.1 straight no-hit innings over his last two starts. He finally gave up a double to the Barons Trayce Thompson which scored Dan Wagner, who had reached third on the first Rodriguez error.
“I try to throw a no-hitter every game out there,” Lorenzen said. “We were talking about it. It was a little frustrating” not to go nine innings without allowing a hit.
Wahoos manager Delino DeShields singled Lorenzen out after the game. “That kid is going to be a big league pitcher one day. Every time he throws I see something a little different.”
After Pensacola third baseman Juan Silverio hit his third solo homerun to left field in five at bats over the past two games to tie the game at 1 in the fifth inning, the Barons added another run in their very next at bat. Wagner led off with a double and scored to make the score, 2-1, on a deep fly ball by Thompson to centerfield that Rodriguez ran back on but dropped. The Barons added three more in the eighth inning for the 5-1 win.
by Tommy Thrall
Pictured: The Pensacola Blue Wahoos lose to the Birmingham Barons 5-1 at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium on Sunday. Photo by Michael Spooneybarger/ Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Slight Chance Of Isolated Rain
May 25, 2014
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Patchy fog after 3am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 65. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 10%.
- Memorial Day Patchy fog before 7am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Tuesday Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light southwest after midnight.
- Wednesday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Light southwest wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
- Wednesday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.
- Thursday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
- Thursday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.
- Friday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
- Friday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.
- Saturday A 20 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 68.
- Sunday A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.