Learn How To Purchase AED At Escambia County’s Cost
May 26, 2016
Escambia County will hold a meeting next week to provide more information on how to purchase an automated external defibrillator (AED) at the county’s cost.
District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry and Escambia County Public Safety will host a meeting Tuesday, May 31 at 6 p.m. for groups or individuals interested in purchasing an AED for their church or business at the county’s cost.
The meeting will take place at the Walnut Hill Fire Station at 7760 Highway 97. Escambia County Public Safety Director Mike Weaver will be available to answer questions about purchasing an AED at the same cost the county received during its last bid solicitation and provide information about AED kit options and available warranty programs.
An AED will be available to view at the meeting.
The cost will be $1,317.31 for the AED and associated equipment, according to Mike Weaver. Escambia County Public Safety Director . The vendor is also offering a wall mount cabinet for an additional $99..
“By no means are we trying to ’sell’ this particular AED. It is the same AED that we have chosen for our responders, County Buildings and parks. There are other devices and distributors that may be able to offer a lower price that will be shared,” Weaver said.
An automated external defibrillator is a lightweight, portable device that delivers an electric shock through the chest to the heart. The shock can stop an irregular heart rhythm and allow a normal rhythm to resume following sudden cardiac arrest. Sudden cardiac arrest is an abrupt loss of heart function. If it’s not treated within minutes, it quickly leads to death.
According to Escambia County, AEDs are important because they make it possible for more people to respond to a medical emergency where defibrillation is required. Because AEDs are portable, they can be used by anyone who has been trained how to use them – not only by medical professionals. They can be made part of emergency response programs that also include rapid use of 9-1-1 and prompt delivery of CPR. All three of these activities are vital to improving survival from cardiac arrest.
For more information, contact Escambia County Public Safety at (850) 471-6400.
Blue Wahoos Down Barons In Series Opener
May 26, 2016
Jackson Stephens’ family rarely miss his starts, making the five-hour drive from their home in Oxford, Ala., near the Georgia border to Pensacola.
They left the game in good spirits on Wednesday. Their son didn’t walk anybody, plus he improved his record to 4-3 and his ERA dropped to 3.22.
“My dad hates walks,” Stephens said. “I didn’t have any so he was pumped. My mom, she just wants to see her baby do good and she’s happy.”
Stephens, coming off of a combined no-hitter against the Jacksonville Suns on May 20, threw another gem. He threw seven scoreless innings allowing five hits and striking out a season-high nine batters for the second time this season. He has now thrown 12 scoreless innings.
Pensacola earned the victory, 5-1, over the Birmingham Barons in the opening game of the five-game series in front of 3,993 fans Wednesday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Stephens pumped his fist after getting first baseman Nick Basto to fly out to Donald Lutz in left field to end the seventh inning.
All four of his pitches – a two- and four-seam fastball, curveball and slider – were working for him Wednesday. He said his seven scoreless innings Thursday were similar to his last outing when he pitched five innings without allowing a hit but giving up two walks.
“I’d say they were similar,” said the 21-year-old Stephens. “You’re not going to go out there and throw no hitters all the time. My stuff was there. I was able to get ahead in the pitch count with a lot of early strikes.”
Stephens, who entered the game with opponents hitting .221 off him, limited Birmingham to .192 (5-26) Thursday.
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly also liked what he saw from Stephens, who got ahead of hitters Thursday. Kelly pointed out Stephens threw about 85 pitches in both his five inning outing and Thursday’s seven inning game.
“He’s been throwing bullets but wasting them early in the ball game,” Kelly said. “That’s what he’s got to do.”
Pensacola retook sole possession of first place from the Biloxi Shuckers, who vaulted into the Southern Division lead when they beat the Blue Wahoos April 19. Pensacola is 27-19, while Biloxi is 26-19, after losing to Mobile BayBears, 9-1, Wednesday.
Pensacola’s third baseman Tony Renda doubled to lead off the first inning, went to third on a groundout by center fielder Phillip Ervin and scored on a wild pitch to give the Blue Wahoos a 1-0 lead.
Renda was also involved in the second run scored by the Blue Wahoos, too, in the third inning when he singled to drive in Pensacola catcher Chad Wallach. Renda tried to stretch his single into a double but was thrown out at second base by left fielder Courtney Hawkins.
Kelly was happy with Renda’s aggressiveness against Birmingham starter Tyler Danish, the White Sox No. 11 prospect, who threw a complete game shutout the last time he faced the Blue Wahoos on April 29.
“To scratch out a few runs early was nice,” Kelly admitted. “(Renda) had that big RBI for the second run.”
DH Eric Jagielo hit a two-out blooper to left field in the sixth inning that drove in Kyle Parker, who had singled, to put Pensacola ahead, 3-0.
Dixon got the third straight hit to start the eighth inning to drive in two runs and put Pensacola up, 5-0.
New York Yankee transplants who came over in the Cincinnati Reds trade for closer Ardolis Chapman, Renda and Eric Jagielo led the team at the plate Thursday. Renda hit in his fifth straight game, going 2-4 with a double and one run scored. Meanwhile, Jagielo went 2-4 and drove in the third run off of Birmingham’s Danish.
Jagielo, an All-Star in his previous minor league seasons, is hitting .180 but Kelly expressed confidence in him.
“To me it’s just a relaxation thing,” Kelly said. “When you’re coming to a new organization you want to show everybody what you can do. He looked good tonight.”
Robert Eugene Williams
May 26, 2016
Robert Eugene “Gene” Williams, 82 of Atmore, passed away Tuesday May 24, 2016, in Pensacola. He was a timber inspector employed with Huxford Pole and Timber. He was born in Butler County, AL on April 20, 1934, to the late Hillary Spann and Ovis Esther Bozeman Williams. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Atmore. He served in the United States Air force. He also was an avid Auburn fan.
He is preceded in death by a brother, Larry Williams.
Survivors include his wife, Nancy Farrow Williams of Atmore; two sons, Whit (Lisa) Williams of Oxford, NC and Erik (Charlotte) Williams of Pike Road, AL; one daughter, Haley (William) Huskey of Atmore; one brother, John (Shirley) Williams of Memphis, TN; and 4 grandchildren, Hanna, Chase, Jake and Hillary.
Services will be Friday May 27, 2016, at 10 a.m. from the First United Methodist Church of Atmore with Dr. Debora Bishop officiating.
Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Jake Williams, Chase Williams, Lance Williams, Landon Williams, Allen Nix, Tommy Farrow, Greg Norwood and Kevin Classen.
Honorary pallbearers will be Billy Ridgeway, Mike Beech, and employees of Huxford Pole and Timber.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church More Than Bricks fund.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc is in charge of all arrangements.
Richard Wayne Trawick
May 26, 2016
On Tuesday, May 24, 2016, Mr. Richard Wayne Trawick passed away peacefully after a short stay at Century Health and Rehabilitation Center. Wayne was born January 8, 1960, at Century Hospital to Calvin and Kathleen Jones-Trawick.
He was the proud father of two beloved children, Eric Lee and Kala Dawn. He had three siblings Rex, David and Carol who all loved him very much. A private and quiet man, he had a talent for finding humor in everyday life making you laugh. His interests were working on machines, automobiles and playing chess. He served honorably in the Army from 1978-1982.
Funeral services will be held at Walling Cemetery in Jay on Saturday, May 28, 2016 at 11 a.m.
All family and friends are welcome to attend.
Frances Alene Wasdin
May 26, 2016
Frances Alene Wasdin, 79, of McCullough, AL, passed away May 26, 2016, in Monroeville. She was a homemaker. She was born in Atmore on September 25, 1936, to the late Levy and Bessie Walker Bryant.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Wasdin; one brother; and three sisters.
Survivors include one son, Ricky (Deborah) Wasdin of McCullough; one daughter, Kellean (James) Stacey of Booneville, AL; seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Services will be Saturday, May 28, 2016, at 10 a.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home chapel with Bro. Bobby Willis officiating.
Interment will follow in McCullough Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Jake Wasdin, John Ashcraft, Jessie Sanks, Chris Lambert T. J .Lambert and Pete Stacey.
Honorary pallbearers will be Benny Lassitter, James Bryant, Phillip Weaver, and Dempsey Hall.
Family will receive friends, Saturday, May 28, 2016, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 9 a.m. until service time at 10 a.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Jessie Earnest Fillmore
May 26, 2016
Mr. Jessie Earnest Fillmore, age 85 of Brewton, passed away Thursday, May 26, 2016, at a members home. He was a native and lifelong resident of Escambia County, Alabama. Mr. Fillmore was a member of the Canaan Free Will Baptist Church. He attended Wallace School. He was a farmer and also a welder in the construction industry.
Survivors include one son, Barry (Faye) Fillmore of Brewton; one brother, Robert Fillmore of Atmore; one sister, Sang Hayles of Atmore.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Christine Fillmore and son, Kenny Fillmore.
Visitation will be held Saturday, May 28, 2016, from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home
Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, May 28, 2016, at 3 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Waylon Stuckey officiating.
Interment will follow in Canaan Cemetery in Brewton.
Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home is directing.
Sharon Delane White Freeman
May 26, 2016
Mrs. Sharon Delane White Freeman, age 54, of Forest Hill Road Flomato, passed away Wednesday May 25, 2016, at her residence after a brief illness. She was a native and life long resident of Escambia County, Alabama. Mrs. Freeman was a member of the Flomaton Pentecostal Church. She was a 1980 graduate of Flomaton High School, and attended Jefferson Davis Community College. She was also a U.S. National Gaurd Veteran. She was a former insurance agent with Larry White Insurance and Liberty National Life Insurance Company and was a homemaker.
Survivors include her father, Sam (Christine) White of Flomaton; husband, Ronald Freeman of Flomaton; one son, Ron Freeman of Flomaton; three daughters, Jennifer Reaves of Crestview, Marcia Lynn Freeman of Atmore and Kimberly Nicole Hamilton of Flomaton; two brothers, Sammy Dewayne White and Shannon Dale White, both of Flomaton; one sister, Sherry Caraway of Atmore; 14 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Sunday, May 29, 2016, from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. at the Flomaton Pentecostal Church in Flomaton.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, May 29, 2016 at 3 p.m. at the Flomaton Pentecostal Church with Rev. Al Bethea and Rev. Rick Freeman officiating.
Interment will follow in Rock Cemetery in Flomaton.
Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Brewton is directing.
Century Man Facing Additional Charges For Stealing Copper Wire From Former School
May 25, 2016
A Century man arrested in late April for stealing heavy duty copper wiring from the former Century High School has been arrested again on similar additional crimes.
Nicholas Depue, 33, was arrested for burglary and grand theft, in addition to previous charges of burglary of an unoccupied structure and two counts of grand theft. He remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $50,000.
The site foreman responsible for the demolition of the old Century High School told investigators that 100 pounds of salvage copper wire was missing from inside one of the campus buildings.
Upon contacting Advance Environmental Recycling in Flomaton, Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s investigators found that Depue had alleged sold the stolen wire for scrap.
Depue was previously arrested after he allegedly removed a wood covering over a window and broke the window to enter the Old Century High School. Inside the building he took about 28 pieces of heavy duty copper wiring about 6-8 feet in length valued at about $600. The wiring was then hid in bushes about 1,000 feet from the school.
When investigators contacted Depue at his Front Street home, he admitted to the theft and showed deputies where the wire was located, an arrest report states. The wire was returned to the demolition company that is removing the school.
Depue is also accused of stealing a $4,000 Evinrude boat motor from a home on North Century Boulevard. The motor was attached to a 16-foot aluminum boat and was parked in the rear area of a yard. Depue then allegedly sold the boat motor to a Flomaton man for $800. The stolen boat motor was recovered.
Sunny Skies Continue
May 25, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 86. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Patchy fog after 5am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 63. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Patchy fog after 5am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 86. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 69.
Memorial Day: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Escambia School Media Centers Honored For Makerspaces In Innovation Centers
May 25, 2016
As part of the Escambia County School Superintendent’s Vision 2020 plan, school district library media specialists were challenged last summer to transition their school’s libraries into Innovation Centers and to rethink floor plans and material usage to create Makerspaces.
“It was exciting to see so many schools’ Innovation Center Specialists look for ways to reinvent their space and shift their mind sets,” said Superintendent Malcolm Thomas. “Spaces that were previously used for storage or teacher workrooms were cleared out and cleaned to become student Makerspaces. Students had a place to be creative and keep their projects to finish on another day.”
A rubric was created to track each Innovation Center’s progress with implementing Makerspaces. Library media specialists and principals completed the rubrics and provided documentation of their efforts. The rubrics and documentation were reviewed by a committee and eleven schools are being honored as being “exemplary” in their design and implementation of the Makerspace opportunities in their Innovation Centers. The Innovation Specialists at these schools are being awarded $250 from the Superintendent’s Circle fund to support the Makerspaces in their schools and further develop ideas and creativity.
Exemplary schools honored for their Makerspaces and Innovation Centers were:
· Ensley Elementary (Library Media Specialist, Myra Palmer)
· Ferry Pass Elementary (Library Media Specialist, Valerie Kaye)
· Northview High (Library Media Specialist, Alison Robinson)
· Oakcrest Elementary (Library Media Specialist, Michelle Lingo)
· Pine Meadow Elementary (Library Media Specialist, Debby Dorough)
· Ransom Middle (Library Media Specialist, Crystal Roberts)
· Tate High (Library Media Specialist, Mitzi Allen)
· Washington High (Library Media Specialist, Alisha Wilson)
· Weis Elementary (Library Media Specialist, Jennifer Kemp)
· West Florida High (Library Media Specialist, Linda Quinn)
· Woodham Middle (Library Media Specialist, Hazel McCormack)
Innovation Center Specialists have also worked hard this year to find ways to fund specific ideas. Many received grants from the Escambia Public Schools Foundation. Twelve schools each received part of a $28,000 grant from the Panhandle Public Access Network that allowed them to purchase some big ticket items.
“Some used grant money to buy items like Minecraft, small robots, circuits, and even 3D printers,” added Sheila Brandt, ECSD’s Media Services Coordinator. “We also saw amazing examples of recycling. Even the packing material that came in the boxes with the new Chromebooks were repurposed in creative ways, such as a model of Shakespeare’s Globe Theater created with the material at Washington High School.”
“As librarians, none of us ever want to see kids stop checking out books. This transformation has not meant that, in fact some schools saw an increase in their checkout rate,” Brandt added. “Instead, we are excited to see increased levels of energy and excitement when students come in to be creative, and they find a book for inspiration, or vice versa.”
“One rubric contained a comment from a high school Innovation Center Specialist that said that at first this seemed overwhelming,” added Thomas. “But now, she said she knows this was the most positive thing she could have done in her library for their students. It is my pleasure to present funds to these schools to help keep the innovations coming.”