Rule Would Bar Use Of Telemedicine For Marijuana
December 10, 2016
The Florida Board of Medicine this week proposed a rule to make clear that doctors cannot use “telemedicine” to order medical marijuana for patients. Telemedicine involves doctors using the internet and other technology to treat patients who are in other locations. The proposed rule, published Thursday, said that medical marijuana “may not be ordered by means of telemedicine.”
Lawmakers in 2014 approved allowing some patients to use non-euphoric medical cannabis and followed up this year by allowing full-strength marijuana for terminally ill patients. But the use of medical marijuana is expected to dramatically expand after voters last month approved a constitutional amendment that legalizes marijuana for a much-larger number of patients.
by The News Service of Florida
Nemith Signs With Pensacola State
December 10, 2016
Pace High School’s Jake Nemith has signed to play baseball for Pensacola State College. He played his freshman and sophomore years at Gulf Breeze before transferring to Pace two years ago. He is the son of Chris and Gina Nemith. She is a pharmacist in Molino. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Melba Faye Quinley
December 10, 2016
Mrs. Melba Faye Quinley, 73, passed away on Tuesday, December 6, 2016, in Pensacola, Florida.
Mrs. Quinely was a native of Century, FL and has resided in Flomaton, AL for the past 40 years. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and a loving-giving friend to all. She was a member of the Beulah Chapel Assembly of God. She is preceded in death by her mother, Hazel Smith.
She is survived by her husband, Lyman Quinley of Flomaton, AL; two sons, Tony (Sheron) Nall of Milton, FL and Gary (Carmen) Nall of Opelousas, LA; one daughter, Cathy (Duane) Bond of Century, FL; one sister, Marie Johnson of Hattiesburg, MS; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Saturday, December 10, 2016, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Tim Hawsey officiating.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
N.L. “Swede” Danielson
December 10, 2016
N. L. “Swede” Danielson, 94, co-founder of Faith Chapel Funeral Home, passed away peacefully on Thursday December 8, 2016, with his family at his side.
Swede was born in Lindsborg, Kansas on June 28, 1922, to the late Delbert and Mildred Lagerstrom Danielson. Swede was a U. S. Navy veteran who honorably served his country in World War II. He was stationed at Whiting Field and Okinawa, Japan. While in Pensacola, he met and married, Myrtle Davis, of Brewton, Alabama, and together they moved to Kansas.
Swede’s love for the funeral business started at age 14 while working with his uncle, Arvid Danielson. Upon returning to Kansas he completed mortuary college at Kansas City College of Mortuary Science in 1949 and worked again with his uncle. Swede and Myrtle returned to Pensacola in 1950 with their first son (Ray) and he went to work at Fisher Pou Funeral Home with the ultimate dream of one day owning his own funeral home.
Swede worked five jobs at one time and fathered two more children with Myrtle (Beverly and Lamar) while working to fulfill his dream. He was a painter, monument salesman, gravedigger, and ambulance driver all while working at his job at the funeral home. In 1964 his dream came true after meeting the late Tommy Smith and in 1965 they partnered and opened Faith Chapel Funeral Home on Beverly Parkway.
He surpassed his dream by opening the second Faith Chapel Funeral Home location in December 1999, and an onsite crematory in 2009, both located in Cantonment, FL. Swede formally retired in 2012 and was the oldest active funeral director in the State of Florida. Swede loved what he did and was dedicated to serving the whole community, making this the foundation of Faith Chapel Funeral Homes. In following his calling, he was a living example of Galatians 5:13, “but through love serve one another.”
He was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 67 years, Myrtle; his son, Lamar; and his parents.
Swede is survived by his two children, Ray and his wife Theresa, and Beverly Milsted and her husband David; daughter-in-law, Micah Danielson; 10 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Louise Davis; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 13, 2016, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Dr. Jerry Passmore officiating and Dr. Ted Traylor assisting.
The family will receive friends at 10:30 a.m. prior to services.
Burial will follow the funeral service at Bayview Memorial Park Cemetery in Pensacola, FL where he will be laid to rest beside Myrtle.
Active pallbearers will be Swede’s grandsons.
Honorary pallbearers will be past and present employees of Faith Chapel Funeral Home.
The family would like to express a special “thank you” to the staff of Summer Vista Assisted Living Facility for their love and care during his residency and to Emerald Coast Hospice for their care during his illness.
In lieu of flowers, donations in the memory of Swede Danielson may be made to Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen or Manna Food Bank.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Grace Jackson Ikner
December 10, 2016
Grace Jackson Ikner 76, of Atmore, AL, passed away December 6, 2016, in Charlotte, N.C. She was born August 29, 1940, in Oak Grove, Alabama, and graduated from Pine Hill High School. Later, she graduated from the University of West Alabama, in Livingston, Alabama with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Elementary Education. Grace taught for over 33 years at Bratt Elementary School.
She married Roy G. Ikner in 1961 and had one child, Nathan Lee Ikner. After retiring, Grace volunteered at Atmore Area Christian Care Ministries, and Save-a-Life of Atmore.
Mrs. Ikner was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Atmore, and was a member of the Faithful Workers Sunday School class. Grace taught children’s Sunday School for many years at the church.
Grace was preceded in death by her husband, Roy G. Ikner; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Jackson; brothers, Ed Ikner, Jr. and Wilbur Allen Jackson; and sister Minnie Clare Jackson Orr.
She is survived by son, Nathan Lee Ikner, his wife Catherine, and their children, William Lee and Elizabeth Stuart Ikner. Also surviving Grace are siblings, Carolyn Jackson Colburn of Pine Hill, Alabama; Robert Franklin (Helen) Jackson of Lufkin Texas; James Ralph (Phyllis) Jackson of Pine Hill, Alabama; Ann Jackson (Dr. James) Green of Shelby, Alabama; Hazel Jackson Drummond of Flowood, Mississippi; and Harry Truman Jackson of Pine Hill, Alabama. Mrs. Ikner is also survived by numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces, and three special friends, Susan Robbins Ward, Ina Cleavanger Stafford, and Theresa Barnes Scott.
Funeral services were held Saturday, December 10, 2016, at the First Baptist Church of Atmore with Rev. Arnold Hendrix and Rev. Kelly Brown officiating.
Burial will follow in Serenity Gardens Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Dr. Joel Drummond, Rick Layton, Tim Layton, Stan Orr, Ralph Jackson, Bobby Jackson, Michael Jackson, Walter Jackson, Jimmy Colburn, Anthony Wiggins, Joey Ikner, Brian Ikner and Tommy Ikner.
Honorary pallbearers will be her Sunday School Class, Faithful Workers.
Flowers will be accepted but donations can be made to Atmore Area Christian Care Ministries and First Baptist Church of Atmore.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Camp Fire Kids Present Christmas Program
December 10, 2016
The children of the Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center presented their Christmas program Friday for the residents of the Century Health and Rehabilitation Center. The children will perform the play again Monday morning at 10:00 for parents and grandparents at the Century Ag building. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Register Now For Century’s Boats And Floats Christmas Parade
December 9, 2016
Century’s 4th Annual Boats and Floats Christmas Parade is set for 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 17.
The parade will line up at 5 p.m. at Century Auto Parts and travel south on North Century Boulevard (visitors must stand on the southbound side) to Showalter Park were there will be vendors and many more festivities. Winners of the boat/float contest will be announced at Showalter Park.
For more information, or to register to enter the parade, call Kim at (850) 256-3208.
Pictured: The 2015 Boats and Floats Christmas Parade in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Woman Charged With Hitting Ex-Husband With Kitchen Pot
December 9, 2016
A Walnut Hill woman has been charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon after allegedly striking her ex-husband in the side of the face with a metal kitchen pot.
Shelley Denise Foster, 46, was booked into the Escambia County Jail where she remained Thursday with bond set at $5,000.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported domestic disturbance on Foster Road off South Pineville Road. When they arrived, they found Foster’s ex-husband covered in blood with a wound to his face. He told deputies that Foster struck him with an unknown object.
Foster told deputies that her ex-husband began to call her vulgar names and threw her onto the kitchen floor. She said she swung a kitchen pot that she had in her hands in attempt to escape her ex.
She also told deputies that she had been ordered by a judge to stay away from her ex-husband. She went to his house, where she currently lives, to retrieve items for a court case, according to the arrest report.
The ex-husband was highly intoxicated at the time of the incident, telling deputies that he had consumed two pints of whiskey. He denied any wrongdoing toward his ex-wife.
The woman claimed that her ex-husband unsuccessfully tried to hit her with a piece of wood, and she said that her back and arms should be bruised or scratched from the altercation. Deputies said in their report that she showed no sign of any injuries.
Deputies arrested Foster at the scene and seized the metal pot as evidence.
Escambia County: Prepare For Freezing Temps
December 9, 2016
As the first widespread freeze of the season approaches tonight, Escambia County urges residents to remember the five P’s of cold weather safety:
- Protect People: Remember to dress in layers and wear a hat and gloves. It is important to try to stay out of the wind and to stay dry. Also, remember to check on young children and the elderly family and neighbors who are the most sensitive to cold weather. If the temperature cannot be maintained at a home, make temporary arrangements to stay elsewhere, including with friends and family.
- Protect Pets: If cold weather is in the forecast, be sure to bring outdoor pets inside or give them a warm shelter to stay in.
- Protect Plants: Cover cold sensitive plants to protect them from the dangerous temperatures.
- Protect Pipes: Cover pipes and allow outdoor faucets to slowly drip to prevent from freezing and breaking.
- Practice Fire Safety: Use safe heating sources indoors. Do not use fuel-burning devices such as grills; they release carbon monoxide, which is a deadly, invisible and odorless gas. Also, make sure to use space heaters according to their instructions and be attentive to open flames. In the event of long-term power outages, be extremely careful when using generators, lanterns, gas powered appliances or when cooking on charcoal grills or gas grills. These appliances produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide, which can cause poisoning in only a matter of minutes. Equipment or appliances that produce carbon monoxide should never be used indoors. Opening doors and windows or using fans will not stop carbon monoxide buildup.
For tonight’s forecast, click here.
Florida Supreme Court Questions Medical Malpractice Law In Escambia Case
December 9, 2016
In an Escambia County case, Florida Supreme Court justices appeared skeptical Thursday about the constitutionality of a 2013 medical-malpractice law that critics argue could lead to violations of patient privacy rights.
Five justices asked critical questions about the law, which is part of years of battles between groups such as doctors and plaintiffs’ attorneys about the state’s malpractice system. The 1st District Court of Appeal upheld the law last year.
The law allows what are known as “ex parte communications” as physicians’ defense attorneys gather information in medical-malpractice disputes. The communications would involve defense attorneys talking with other doctors who have treated the patients involved in the disputes. Those doctors may have treated the patients for issues unrelated to the malpractice allegations — and the patients’ attorneys would not be present for the conversations.
Critics argue, in part, that the law could dissuade people from pursuing medical-malpractice cases because of concerns that private medical information would be disclosed during conversations between their doctors and defense attorneys. During Thursday’s hearing, Justice Barbara Pariente suggested that the law could have a “chilling” effect on malpractice cases.
“Your medical information is one of the most private of what you possess as a citizen, what you talk to your doctor about, your treating doctors, and it could go far from just your medical condition,” Pariente said at another point in the hearing.
The challenge to the law was filed in 2013 in Escambia County. The plaintiff in the case, Emma Gayle Weaver, contemplated filing a medical-malpractice lawsuit against physician Stephen Myers but was concerned about the constitutionality of the ex-parte change, according to court documents. Weaver was the wife of the late Thomas E. Weaver, whose care was at issue in the malpractice allegations.
Erik Bartenhagen, an attorney representing Myers, told the Supreme Court that other states have similar laws and that ex parte communications are aimed at helping resolve malpractice cases.
“The purpose of it is to have a full and free exchange of all information relating to a claim prior to entering the courthouse doors in order to weed out frivolous cases and settle meritorious cases,” Bartenhagen said.
Robert Peck, an attorney representing Weaver, raised a series of constitutional objections to the law, including arguing that it violates privacy rights in the Florida Constitution. Also, he contended that the Legislature’s passage of the law violated the separation of powers because the Supreme Court has the constitutional authority to decide issues such as whether to allow ex parte communications.
The Supreme Court typically takes months to rule on cases. But Pariente was joined by Chief Justice Jorge Labarga and justices R. Fred Lewis, Peggy Quince and James E.C. Perry in asking critical questions about the law. The other justices, Charles Canady and Ricky Polston, sat quietly throughout the 45-minute hearing.
Lewis was particularly pointed in his questions of Bartenhagen, at one point referring to conversations allowed by the law as “clandestine.”
Bartenhagen said much of the patient information can be obtained through other types of evidence-gathering in malpractice cases, but the use of ex parte communications can make the information available earlier.
“I think the feeling is that this will lead to more open and free discussion and that therefore the value of the case will be determined earlier,” he said. “Right now (without ex parte communications), there’s no way for these frank and candid discussions between the defense and other treating physicians to happen until you take a formal deposition or you schedule a sworn statement with the plaintiff there.”
But Lewis indicated he doesn’t think such reasoning means the law is constitutional. He also refuted assertions by Bartenhagen that other protections are in place to prevent the disclosure of private patient information that is not relevant to the malpractice cases.
“There’s no one there (in ex parte discussions) to say, ‘Hey, that’s not relevant, don’t go there,’ ” Lewis said. “How can you protect against it if nobody knows it’s going on?”
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida