Motorcycle Verses Dog Running After Moped In Accident
So this motorcycle, moped and dog… While it might sound like the introduction to a joke, the accident sent one to the hospital. The Florida Highway Patrol reports, Saturday afternoon on Highway 90 at Cooper Ln. in Okaloosa County, a 1981 Yamaha moped, driven by 17-year-old Leslie Livingston of Holt, was northbound on Bryant Bridge Cutoff Rd. after turning from Highway 90. A dog had been following the moped, running along the shoulder. A 2006 Honda motorcycle driven by 56-year-old Bradley Marsh of Ft. Walton Beach was eastbound on Highway 90 when the dog ran into its path. The bike struck the dog, causing the motorcycle to overturn and eject the driver.
Neither bike driver was wearing a
helmet and Marsh was sent to the hospital with serious injuries. Livingston was
charged with learner’s license restrictions. The condition of the dog is
unknown.
Walker Was Not Alone Say
FHP
The
Northwest Florida Daily News says a more detailed Florida Highway Patrol
accident report shows that Alabama resident David Alford was traveling with
Herman Walker on July 11 when his tractor-trailer, loaded with feed, overturned
and struck another vehicle, killing a father of two and left a 9-year-old girl
clinging to life. The accident happened on State Road 2A near the intersection
of Harrison Road north of DeFuniak Springs.
The FHP says , 61-year-old
Walker, a former Walton Commissioner, was southbound when he lost control of his
tractor-trailer on a curve. The truck, which was loaded with pallets of cattle
feed, overturned on its left side and slid into the driver's side of a Hyundai
sport utility vehicle driven by 38-year-old Eric Buharp. Buharp's wife, Shannon,
and two young sons, Cade and Hunter, were injured. Katie Johnson, a family
friend who also was in the vehicle, suffered critical injuries.
Walker is
scheduled to appear in court Aug. 20 on a charge of improperly driving left of
the center line. Walker was reportedly charged with careless
driving.
Listen to the Mp3 file for News Segment 1 http://www.wzep1460.com/WZEP%20News%20Monday%20Segment%201.mp3
Gas Station Attendant Struck By Customer’s Truck
Around 2pm Sunday an employee of the Murphy’s Oil on Highway 331 was struck by a truck as it was pulling from the service station. An unconfirmed report says the female employee is pregnant. Lt. Greg Gandy with the DeFuniak Springs Police could not confirm the expectant condition, but did confirm she was in a Pensacola hospital with non-life threatening, but serious injuries.
While the investigation is still underway, apparently the employee was removing moisture from a tank valve in the driveway landing of the gas station. There were orange cones placed for safety. Gandy says the employee was bent over or on her knees near an orange cone on the northeast corner of the station. The truck pulled out and stuck her at low speed.
Gandy says the male driver of the truck was charged with failure to make sure the lane of travel was clear. The investigation continues with the female’s position considered a contributing factor.
A more detailed reports is expected later today.
Gulf Waters Churning and Rip Currents Abound
The Gulf waters are currently closed to public swimming as a double red flag is flying. This weekend was another busy one for area water rescuers with two possible drownings in Bay County and several rescues with at least one near drowning. In Walton County, with a double red flags flying, beach emergency personnel were patrolling and telling people they need to stay out of the water.
The South Walton Fire District, who manages the life guards and responds to EMS and water rescue emergencies, reports at least four rescues Sunday, with one female needing resuscitation. She was transported to the hospital.
The Beach Safety Flag flying early Sunday was a single red flag, denoting high water danger and meaning beach visitors should not swim and should not go in any farther than their knees. After a rescue, the flags were changed to a double red, meaning you can enjoy the beach, but waters are closed to swimming.
Rip currents are where water pushed by wave action onshore, drains back into the gulf. The water drains between wave action as a narrow flow, much like a small stream or river of water rushing back into the deeper water. The flow can be powerful, sweeping swimmers off their feet and hundreds of yards into the surf. The problem comes when swimmers panic and try to get back to the beach, swimming “upstream” against the flow. This can cause a swimmer to become exhausted, which can lead to cramps and other physical problems.
With a trained eye, you can usually spot rip current flows or at least identify where they might be. Education about rip currents can also help you stay safer if you find yourself caught in one. The beach flag warning system is your first key to staying safe in the water.
If you find yourself caught in a rip current, being pushed out into the gulf, follow these steps.
Do not panic
Do not swim against the flow
Do let the flow of water work for you pushing you out until it weakens
As you are moving out, also try to swim perpendicular to the flow, usually parallel to the beach
When you get out of the flow, swim with the incoming waves back to the beach
Links to the current flag system maintained by the South Walton Fire District and Beach Safety from the Walton County TDC are on our website, http://www.wzep1460.com. Look in the right column about half way down.
Anderson Gives District Update To
Chamber Members
At the recent Walton Chamber First Friday
Breakfast, Walton Superintendent of Schools Carlene Anderson gave a State of the
District, an update on the schools. The district’s theme this year is “Linking
Learning To Life” with the logo borrowing from the Olympic rings, each ring a
color used in one of the school’s colors. She says the realize 12 years of
education is not just something to get through then start your life, but is part
of a person’s life. The linking part also relates to schools, teachers,
departments, grade levels and the entire district working together to share good
ideas and things that work.
Anderson said they are focused on continuing
to improve. One area is the Academies at the Career Development Center. These
will eventually be expanded to other schools and are part of a career emphasis
by the state.
In 2003 and 2004 the district was a “B”
district, but the last three years Walton has been an “A” district. The points
system also shows improvement each year for the last three years. Walton is
5th in the state as far as the percentage of schools earning an “A”
grade.
The District is opening Mossy Head School
this year, the new Walton High should open next year. South Walton High School
has new restrooms and a concession stand. Emerald Coast Middle School, or rather
a new building, is in the design phase. The Board might decide to delay its
construction to allow for budget tightening. They were previously using
port-a-lets.
Anderson said, as far as looking at the
budget, it is raining this year and will be pouring next year.
Anderson said she goes to superintendent
meetings and many districts are facing doom and gloom. Taxes and money coming in
is going down and some districts in our are having to lay off employees.
Anderson says Walton is fiscally sound. She credits this to the taxpayer
approved ½ mill vote. She says they will not have to cut programs or layoff,
though there will be budget tightening.
Anderson told the audience, she and the board
are not recommending an increase in the millage, but the state of Florida
require an increase of the Require Local Effort. At their recent budget meeting,
the board voted on a 3-2 decision to raise the millage to 4.125 mills. Last year
the millage was 4.047. The total millage is made up of several parts. The
Required Local Effort is what is set by the state. This has an increase from the
state of 0.086. Other millage, including Discretionary, Supplemental and the
Voted ½ -mill Levy all combine for a slightly lower 0.078 increase. The Capital
Outlay stayed the same. The Board can not change the amount of the Required
Local Effort. The other parts can be changed. The millage is going up by
0.078.
School Board member Mildred Wilkerson, who made the motion, said she voted to keep the millage the same, that the state required them to raise it in the Required Local Effort Part. On a $200,000 home, the additional millage will mean about a $14 increase.