Sunny And Cold Today, Freeze Warning Tonight
November 15, 2018
There is a freeze warning tonight for all but the immediate coast.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Today: Sunny, with a high near 49. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight: Widespread frost after midnight. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 31. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Friday: Widespread frost before 7am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 59. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 37. Calm wind.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 66. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42. Calm wind.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 67. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 66.
Gaetz, Democratic Ally Back Veterans’ Marijuana Bills
November 15, 2018
U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz and a Massachusetts Democrat on Wednesday introduced a package of legislation to change the Department of Veterans Affairs’ medical marijuana practices in an attempt to make cannabis a more realistic treatment option for veterans.
Gaetz, a Northwest Florida Republican, joined with U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., to prepare three bills that seek to learn more about how veterans use cannabis, to prepare better medical-marijuana education for providers and to protect the benefits of veterans who use marijuana.
“Our veterans are seeking alternative options to opioids and we should be supporting their desires not to be addicted to painkillers. Let’s not kid ourselves, people are using marijuana — including our veterans,” Moulton said in a statement. “We have an obligation to regulate it and make it as safe as possible. We also have an obligation to make sure our veterans are getting the best health care in the world. We have a long road ahead of us until medicinal cannabis is fully researched and legal, but we can take a few steps now to start figuring that out.”
A 2011 study conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs found that Veterans Health Administration patients were nearly twice as likely as the general population to die of an accidental opioid overdose, and recent survey data from the American Legion shows that veterans and their caregivers are interested in having medical marijuana as a treatment option.
One bill, according to Moulton’s office, would amend and codify an existing VA policy to protect a veterans’ benefits if they discuss their medical use of marijuana with providers. Moulton’s office said “not all health care providers respond in a standard way and veterans still fear and experience repercussions of some kind.”
“Medical cannabis has tremendous potential for veterans. It can reduce chronic pain, without the harmful side effects of opioids, and some early reports indicate that it may even have potential as a treatment for PTSD,” Gaetz said in a statement. “Unfortunately, many veterans fear discussing medical cannabis with their doctors, for fear that their benefits will be jeopardized.”
The second bill directs the VA to conduct a nationwide survey of all veterans and VA health care providers to learn more about how veterans are using marijuana.
The American Legion reported last year that 22 percent of veterans are using marijuana to treat a medical condition, and 83 percent of veteran households surveyed indicated that they think the federal government should legalize medical cannabis and 82 percent said they want to have medical cannabis as a federally-legal treatment option.
In 2016, the American Legion resolved to “urge the Drug Enforcement Agency to license privately funded medical-marijuana production operations in the United States to enable safe and efficient cannabis drug development research,” and to “urge Congress to amend legislation to remove marijuana from schedule I and reclassify it in a category that, at a minimum, will recognize cannabis as a drug with potential medical value.”
The third bill Moulton and Gaetz rolled out Wednesday would instruct the VA to partner with colleges or universities that “have incorporated medical cannabis education into their curriculum” to develop continuing education programs for VA health care providers.
Moulton’s office said the bundle of three bills has been endorsed by the Drug Policy Alliance, National Cannabis Industry Association and the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.
by Colin A. Young, State House News Service
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Study Underway On Return Of Passenger Rail Service Mobile To Montgomery
November 15, 2018
A study is underway into the feasibility of the return of passenger rail service from Mobile to Montgomery.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs held a public information meeting on the study Wednesday night in Atmore, which was designated by the Legislature as Alabama’s official rail welcome station.
The study into the return of service to the former “Gulf Breeze” passenger corridor is being completed in two phases. Phase I, completed and submitted to the Federal Rail Administration in 2014, included rail service between Birmingham and Montgomery. Phase II, the current study, pertains to rail service between Mobile and Montgomery and is set to be submitted in the fall of 2019.
The purpose of the study is to assess the feasibility of passenger rail service between Montgomery and Mobile, and to determine the necessary elements needed to implement the system. The study will also consider the combined effects of restoring passenger rail service along the corridor, with rail connections to existing and proposed east-west Amtrak lines in Birmingham and Mobile.
Rail travel supports a long range goal of reducing congestion on the road network.
The public is invited to take a survey on potential passenger rail service between Mobile and Montgomery by clicking here, and email comments to Kathleen.rasmussen@adeca.alabama.gov by a January 4, 2019, deadline.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Man Claims $8.45 Million Lottery Prize
November 14, 2018
A Century man has claimed a lottery prize of $8.45 million.
Jonathan Wiggins, 47, won a top prize in the $10,000 A Week For Life scratch off game and claimed his prize Monday at Florida Lottery headquarters in Tallahassee.
Wiggins chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump sum payment of $8.45 million. He purchased his winning ticket from Circle K, located at 2020 West Cervantes Street in Pensacola. The retailer will receive a $20,000 bonus commission for selling the winning ticket.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Highway 95A Crash Claims Life Of Cantonment Woman
November 14, 2018
A two vehicle accident Tuesday night claimed the life of a Cantonment woman.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 69-year old Desiree Dawn Mattair of Cantonment was northbound on North Palafox Street near Tower Drive when her 2003 Chevrolet Malibu drifted into the southbound lane about 7:30 p.m.. She collided with a southbound Ford Focus driven by 49-year old Mark E. Gruschow of Prosper, TX. Troopers said he was unable to avoid the collision.
Mattair was pronounced deceased at the scene. Gruschow was transported to West Florida Hospital with minor injuries.
The FHP is continuing their investigation.
File photo.
Asleep At The Wheel: Cantonment Man Arrested On Multiple Drug Charges
November 14, 2018
A Cantonment man that allegedly fell asleep at the wheel while waiting for a redlight to change is facing multiple drug charges.
Cameron Edmond Edgecumbe, 25, was charged with felony possession of a control substance without a prescription, felony dealing in stolen property, marijuana possession and knowingly driving with a suspended license.
Deputies found Edgecumbe asleep at the wheel of his still-running vehicle on Muscogee Road at Highway 29, according to an arrest report. After deputies managed to wake him up, they reported a strong smell of marijuana emanating from the vehicle.
On Edgecumbe’s person, deputies found 28 Alprazolam tables, just over 20 grams of marijuana, an empty Hydrocodone pill bottle, a digital scale, two Visa credits cards in the name of a female, and $1,685 in cash. The credit cards were allegedly stolen during a recent burglary.
He told deputies that he was waiting at the light and it would not change, and he must have fallen asleep, the arrest report states.
Edgecume was released from the Escambia County Jail on an $8,000 bond.
Nine Mile Road At Highway 29 Closure Delayed Until Sunday
November 14, 2018
Due to inclement weather conditions, the temporary road closure of Nine Mile Road at the Highway 29 overpass in Escambia County has been rescheduled for 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 18 and Monday, Nov. 19 for crews to place beams for the new northbound bridge.
Eastbound Nine Mile Road traffic will be reduced to one lane, detoured to Highway South, perform a U-turn at West Hood Drive, and return to Nine Mile Road. Westbound traffic will utilize Highway 29 North, perform a U-turn at West 9 1/2 Mile Road, and return to Nine Mile Road. Traffic control officers will be on-site to help direct traffic.
Highway 29 traffic between Interstate 10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to obey the 40-mph speed limit and use caution when traveling through the work zone, especially at night. Drivers should also watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Hours After Triple Shooting Arrest, Atmore Council Yanks Chick-a-Dee Business License
November 14, 2018
Hours after an arrest was made in a triple shooting in Atmore, the Atmore City Council revoked the business license of the Atmore establishment where it all happened this past weekend.
U.S. Marshals arrested 34-year old Anji Lynn Baker of Bay Minette in Escambia County, FL, about midday Tuesday. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond where he was being held as a fugitive from justice. He will be extradited back to Alabama to face three counts of attempted murder and a charge of shooting into an occupied building.
At a scheduled Atmore City Council meeting Tuesday afternoon, Atmore’s police chief asked the council to revoke the license of the Chick-a-Dee/The Assembly Hall on Carver Avenue.
“Due to individuals with a firearm, I am asking you to revoke their business license,” Chief Chuck Brooks told the council.
The council voted unanimously. to revoke the event center’s license to do business in the city.
The triple shooting happened during an event inside business early Sunday morning. Two victims were airlifted to a Mobile hospital where one was listed in critical condition and the other in serious condition. A third gunshot victim was transported by ambulance where he was treated and released. All three victims were adult males.
An Atmore police officer suffered minor injuries when he was struck with a barstool, Brooks said.
There were reportedly one hundred or more people at the business, which is about two blocks from the Atmore Police Department’s backdoor.
Pictured top: The Assembly Hall on Carver Avenue. Pictured below: Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks asks the Atmore Town Council to revoke the establishment’s business license. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
It’s Operation Christmas Child Collection Week At First Baptist Bratt
November 14, 2018
Volunteers are busy this week at the First Baptist Church of Bratt during “National Collection Week” for Operation Christmas Child. For the 24th year, the simple, gift-filled shoe boxes will bring Christmas joy and evangelistic materials to children in over 130 countries across the world.
National Collection Week for OCC continues through November 19. The First Baptist Church of Bratt is the official drop-off location/OCC Relay Center for the north end of Escambia County, FL.
Pastor Tim Hawsey, Relay Center coordinator, said the shoe boxes are distributed by trained local pastors and volunteers around the world…right where the children live. The children that receive the box are invited to participate in a twelve step bible study called The Greatest Journey translated into their native language and taught by local people the children know.
Collection hours at the First Baptist Church of Bratt will be:
- Wednesday, Nov. 14, 5-8 p.m.
- Thursday, Nov. 15, 4-6 p.m.
- Friday, Nov. 16, 9 a.m.-noon
- Saturday, Nov. 17, 9-11 a.m.
- Sunday, Nov. 18, 1-3 p.m, 5 p.m.-7 p.m.
- Monday, Nov. 19, 8-10 a.m.
“This is about being a blessing and bringing God’s love and hope to children in poverty around the world that would not receive it otherwise. We have gone through the intense process of been approved as a church to be a Relay Center to collect the boxes from individuals, families, and churches of our area, document and pack them into special cartons and take them to the next level for Samaritan’s Purse, and we have been blessed to do it for nine years now,” Hawsey said.
Operation Christmas Child boxes should be packed in a specific manner. For more information, call Hawsey at the First Baptist Church of Bratt at (850) 327-6529, visit www.samaritanspurse.org/occ, or call (800) 353-5949. Resources are available for churches that wish to participate.
Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational non-profit organization that has mission’s opportunities all over the world.
Freeze Warning For Tonight
November 14, 2018
There is a freeze warning in effect from Wednesday night though Thursday morning. The freeze warning includes the entire North Escambia area, but is not in effect for the immediate coast.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast
Tonight: Showers, mainly before 11pm. Low around 31. Northwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 50. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 30. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 60. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 38. Calm wind.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 67. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43. Calm wind.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 68. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.