County Honors Walnut Hill Man For 37 Years Service To FHP
January 11, 2008
The Escambia County Commission Thursday night passed a proclamation honoring Harold O. “Sonny” Blum of Walnut Hill for 37 years of service as an auxiliary trooper.
Sonny joined the Florida Highway Patrol Auxiliary on March 27, 1970. During his 37 years volunteering with the auxiliary, he logged over 30,000 hours of service. That would be almost three and a half years at 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
NorthEscambia.com sat down with Sonny Wednesday night at his Walnut Hill home. When we contacted him, he had no idea that the county was going to honor him with the proclamation the next evening. He was a bit surprised, he said, as be began to relate a tale 37 years in the making.
“I got into it because a buddy of mine got into it,” he said. “I enjoyed working with them, and I know that I am going to miss it.”
“We’ve had some good times. We’ve had some bad times,” he said.
During those 37 years with the FHP, Sonny became the first auxiliary trooper to ever be awarded Trooper of the Year. He was awarded Trooper of the Year a second time, and was also awarded the highway patrol’s Medal of Valor.
His first Trooper of Year award and the Medal of Valor were awarded after he and fellow trooper Johnny Freeman rescued two teenage boys from drowning in the Gulf of Mexico.
Sonny remembers that day in 1996 like it was yesterday.
“We happened to be down there talking to a ranger (near the Gulf) on Johnson Beach Road,” he said. “Then there was a call on the radio that kids were drowning in the Gulf behind the condo we happened to be at. They were being pulled out by the undertow.”
“We knew we had to do something,” he said. He had never been trained in water rescue. But off came the gun belt and other equipment, and into the waters of the Gulf he and Freeman went, pulling the boys to safety. “They were just so young, like 13 or 14.”
The two Mississippi boys were visiting with relatives in Pensacola.
Mississippi holds some of Sonny’s worst memories. Prior to joining the FHP Auxiliary, he volunteered for REACT — the Radio Emergency Associated Communication Team. REACT volunteer teams would volunteer to assist with various emergencies.
Sonny’s REACT team was sent to Biloxi after Hurricane Camille. Their job was going to be simple…assist victims in contacting their families across the country to let them know that they were okay using HAM radios.
“It was terrible.”
He sat quiet for a moment.
“It was terrible; it was a mess,” he said. “There were 20 something bodies floating. They had a hurricane party. None of them had survived.”
“There was this lady. There was this lady. Her trailer was gone, but the railing on her steps was still there. She was still holding onto the railing. She had drowned. She had drowned holding onto that railing. She was just there, still holding on.”
Not all of the memories are bad. Well, at least not bad in the same way as the Camille story.
It was 1994. The scene was an ordinary day, on patrol in an Escambia County neighborhood. A lady flagged them down on a residential street.
“My daughter is having a baby in the bathroom,” she told Sonny.
“I’d rather have worked an armed robbery,” he said.
Sonny delivered the baby in the bathroom of the home before the fire department and ambulance personnel arrived. The cord was tied off with a hair clip. The baby did not breathe at first. Mouth cleaned out. Nothing. Patted on the rear. Nothing. Held upside down and patted on the feet. Crying. “That was a good moment,” he said.
The baby girl was wrapped in Sonny’s FHP jacket. He met the firemen at the door, baby in hand. “You’re running a little late,” he told them.
There was almost another baby delivery in Sonny’s future. He and his partner had just left Sacred Heart Hospital. They found a van stopped in the street near the hospital, traffic blocked. A lady in labor did not think she was going to make the short distance to the hospital ER.
His partner called the ER and had them on standby.
“We ARE going to make this one,” he told his partner. “We drove her really fast to the ER, and they were standing out there waiting.”
It was a close call. But nothing like one he experienced at a pawn shop on Fairfield Drive.
He and his partner were the first on the scene of a break-in at the pawn shop.
“They were stealing guns. One came out with a shotgun. We told him to drop it. But he didn’t,” Sonny said.
“When you pull the trigger slowly on your gun, there’s like this little click when the hammer pulls back. I keep telling him to drop his weapon. I squeezed the trigger on my gun. I felt the click. At that point, you are so close to firing.”
“Then he dropped the shotgun. I caught the hammer of my weapon with my hand. It was so close. I thanked God that I did not have to shoot anybody.”
“I always wondered what would happen in a situation like that. I never got shook up until after it was over.”
Now that his 37 years of service is over, the 70 year-old looks back fondly on all those years in the auxiliary. He pauses for a moment when asked about the length of time, as if he realizes just how long 37 years is.
“I did a lot of things. A lot of things. It’s been a long time.”
He will turn 71 on Valentine’s Day. Thirty seven years of service to the FHP. That’s over half of his life dedicated to service the citizens of Escambia County in the trooper auxiliary.
But he’s not done with life. In fact, he gets up every weekday morning at about 4:00 and leaves for work in Pensacola before 5:00. That’s right…work.
He works weekdays from 6:00 until 2:30 at Pensacola Glass Company, mostly running deliveries.
And by the way…he’s not driving what’s typically thought of as an older person’s vehicle. No big car for Sonny. Weather permitting, he rides a motorcycle to and from work in Pensacola.
He plans a little cross country motorcycle trip to see a daughter in California later this year. He plans to work on his house, plans to add a bull to his pasture, and just plans to enjoy living in Walnut Hill.
“It so peaceful here,” he said. “I love it up here out of the hustle and bustle of Pensacola. Everybody is so nice here.”
“I may be retired, but if anybody in this community needs me, all they have to do is ask and I’ll be there to help them.”
Thirty seven years of community service. And still counting.
County Rezones Highway 4 Property
January 11, 2008
The Escambia County Commission voted Thursday night to rezone 27 acres of property in the 5100 block of West Highway 4.
The property, owned by David and Nancy Roach, had been zoned VR-1 that allowed for one dwelling for every four acres. The new zoning, VR-2, allows for one dwelling on every three quarters of acre. The new zoning would potentially allow about 35 homes to be constructed.
Raymond Peebles, a board member of the Bratt Assembly of God, addressed the commission in opposition to the rezoning. The property sits adjacent to the church’s property. Peebles told the commission that he was concerned that Godwin Cemetery Road, a private road, would be used to access the property.
Commissioners noted that the property had potential access from Highway 4 and from Dortch Road. They voted 5-0 in favor of the rezoning.
Pictured above: An Escambia County Property Appraiser map showing the rezoned property outlined in red. Highway 4 runs along the southern border of the property. Godwin Cemetery Road is to the east, and Dortch Road is to the west. The Bratt Assembly of God Church can be seen at the corner of Highway 4 and Godwin Cemetery Road.
Panhandle Equine Rescue Receives Donation
January 11, 2008
Panhandle Equine Rescue (PER) received over four thousand dollars in donations Thursday night from a recent horse endurance ride.
The money was presented by the Five Flags Arabian Horse Association to PER at PER’s monthly meeting at Fran’s Country Grill in Molino. The money was raised at the “Blackwater Boogie Endurance Ride” that was held November 30 and December 1 in the Blackwater State Forest near Milton. Over 130 riders from across the Southeast participated in the ride.
The $4,222.46 check was presented by Christina Schiro (pictured above, right) of the Arabian Horse Association to Diane Lowery (pictured above, left), president of PER. Added to $535 in proceeds given to PER last month, the total funds presented to PER totaled $4,757.46.
Panhandle Equine Rescue’s mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and provide adoption services for abused, neglected and abandoned equines. It is authorized by the Escambia County court system to investigate equine reports in the county.
Recently, PER rescued five of fourteen horses from a resident of Escambia County near the intersection on Highway 95A and Quintette Road south of Molino. The resident was unable to care for fourteen horses at one time, according to Lowery, so PER stepped in. Four boarded horses on the property were returned to their owner, and PER took possession of Firecracker, Rolla, Pretty Boy, Junior (pictured left) and Miss Penny.
“He had too many horses,” Lowery said, “Basically, he was in over his head.” She said the horses were in poor condition when they were picked up by PER, but now they are in good shape. Soon after a vet visit next Wednesday, all five should be available for adoption. All five can be viewed in our photo gallery by clicking here.
PER’s annual Benefit Ride scheduled for February 9 has been renamed “The Charlotte Salzer Memorial Benefit Ride”. Charlotte passed away December 30 after a six month battle with cancer. She was nurse, retired from Atmore Community Hospital. Before and after retiring, she was active in rides for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Atmore’s Relay for Life, Panhandle Equine Rescue, and the Five Flags Arabian Horse Association.
The benefit ride will take place Saturday, February 9 at Coldwater Recreation Area in the Blackwater River State Forest. The approximately 12 mile ride will be followed by an awards ceremony and a meal. For more information click here to download and print a pdf flyer, or contact Chris Jones at 478-2161.
Rain, Maybe Some Storms Tonight
January 10, 2008
Rain is expected Thursday night, with some storms possibly severe.
There is an 80 percent chance of rain tonight. The rain is expected to end around daybreak Friday. It will be cooler on Friday, with a high only around 65. Friday night’s low will be about 38.
Federal Raid At Century Helicopter Company
January 10, 2008
Officials with the U.S. Office of Transportation raided Van Nevel Helicopters in Century’s industrial park Wednesday seizing business records of the business and its owner, Georges Van Nevel.
“Van Nevel is suspected of improperly refurbishing helicopters and helicopter parts, selling unapproved aircraft parts, performing improper repairs on helicopters and misleading the aviation community by false advertisements,” according to federal documents from the Office of Transportation obtained by NorthEscambia.com.
When NorthEscambia.com was on the scene Wednesday, three marked Escambia County sheriff’s cruisers were maintaining a perimeter around the building, keeping onlookers and employees away from the building on Industrial Boulevard. As the driver of one vehicle drove toward the parking lot not using the main driveway but a grassy area on the side, he was quickly approached by deputies before he entered the parking lot (pictured left, click to enlarge).
The raid began during the 5:00 hour Wednesday morning, according to deputies.
Van Nevel operates Helicopter Technologies. It held a FAA repair station certification until Van Nevel voluntarily surrendered the repair station certificate in early August 2007, according to federal documents. Helicopter Technologies supported the FH1100 Company until that certificate surrender, but he had the capability to continue performing helicopter maintenance and repairs under an “Airframe and Powerplant” certificate. But Van Nevel’s companies were still able to sell parts for the FH-1100 helicopter, according to federal documents.
According to documents filed with the Florida Secretary of State, Van Nevel is the only corporate officer for Helicopter Technology, Inc., FH1100 Manufacturing Corp., and Van Nevel Helicopters, Inc.
According to the website fh1100.com, the company also operated the “Van Nevel Helicopters Academy”. The “whois” service at Network Solutions, an internet domain registrar, identifies the owner of the fh1100.com domain name to be Georges Van Nevel.
Federal agents were to seize documents related to all of Van Nevel’s companies, according to federal documents. Documents to be seized include both paper documents and electronic information related to the operation of the company, including employee records, customer records, supplier records and aircraft maintenance information.
No charges have been filed against Van Nevel or any employee or agent of any of his companies.
NorthEscambia.com was unable to contact Van Nevel for contact on Wednesday.
At Monday night’s meeting of the Century Town Council, Town Clerk Dorothy Sims reported to the council that Helicopter Technology last made a payment to the town in September 2007, and that payment was for their May 2007 rent in the town’s industrial park.
Click here for more photos from Van Nevel Helicopters.
Pictured top: A marked Escambia County deputy cruiser sits outside Van Nevel Helicopters as federal agents conduct a raid inside Wednesday. All photos exclusive NorthEscambia.com photos.
Snowflakes For Century Care Center
January 10, 2008
The residents of Century Care Center decorated snowflakes Wednesday for residents under hospice care.
Sally Cary with Covenant Hospice of Northwest Florida joined the Century Care residents in an arts and crafts program.
While working on the project, Care provided Mardi Gras beads, King Cake and punch for the residents.
Photos submitted by Mae Hildreth, Century Care Center.
Video: Steeple Goes Up At Aldersgate Methodist
January 10, 2008
A new steeple was installed Wednesday afternoon at Aldersgate Methodist Church in Molino. The steeple replaces one that blew off the sanctuary during Hurricane Ivan on September 16, 2004.
Century Fire Dept. Responds To Backwoods Road
January 9, 2008
The Century Volunteer Fire Department responded to the report of a residential structure fire at 11:00 Wednesday night. Firefighters on the scene in the 300 block of Backwoods Road reported the fire was out upon their arrival. There were no injuries.
ECAT Adds New Services For Century And Molino, Including Saturday Bus
January 9, 2008
The Escambia County Area Transit system (ECAT) has added new stops in Century and Molino effective this week. The new service will includ a new Saturday bus.
A new midday bus now runs Monday through Friday in addition to morning and afternoon service. ECAT has also added new Saturday bus.
The new midday bus on Route 60 begins Monday through Friday at the ECAT transfer center at 11:30. Headed north, it stops at Highway 29 and 9 Mile Road at 11:50, Highway 29 and Highway 95A in Cantonment at 12:03, Highway 20 and Highway 95A in Molino at 12:17 and the Century Courthouse at 12:35.
Southbound, the new midday bus on Route 60 begins Monday through Friday at the Century Courthouse at 12:35. It then stops at Highway 29 and Highway 95A in Molino at 12:47, Highway 29 and Highway 95A in Cantonment at 12:56, Highway 29 and 9 Mile Road at 1:05 and ends at the ECAT transfer center at 1:25.
From the ECAT transfer station, riders can connect to buses that can take them across most of the Pensacola area.
The new midday bus is in addition to a southbound bus that leaves the Century Courthouse Monday through Friday at 6:15 a.m. and stops in Molino at 6:17 on its way to Pensacola. An evening bus returns to Molino from the Pensacola area at 6:47 and arrives in Century at 6:35.
The new Saturday morning bus leaves the Century Courthouse at 10:35, stops in Molino at 10:47, then travels to Cantonment at 10:56, Highway 29 and 9 Mile Road at 11:05 and then arrives at the ECAT transfer station at 11:25.
The new Saturday evening bus follows the same schedule as the Monday through Friday evening bus, arriving back in Molino at 6:17 and Century at 6:35.
The base fare for all buses on Route 60 is $2.35. For students, it is $1.25. For senior citizens, disables citizens, and Medicare card holders, the fare is $1.10.
Route 60 carries a 50 cent surcharge on 10-Ride, seven or 30 day passes and all day passes. Not including the surcharge, the 30 day pass sells for $47 or the reduced rate of $35 for senior citizens and the disabled. The seven day pass sells for $14.50, and the one day pass sells for $5.25.
Click the map image above or the time chart below to enlarge and print.
Click here for a printable pdf of the map and time schedule.
Miss Northview High School Pageant Scheduled For January 19
January 9, 2008
The annual Miss Northview High School Pageant will be held on Saturday, January 19 at 7:00 in the school auditorium.
“This year we have 25 talented and lovely young ladies competing for the title of Miss NHS 2008,” said pageant coordinator Anna Barry. The pageant is sponsored by the Northview High Varsity Cheerleaders.
Admission is $5 per person. Advance tickets are on sale now in the school office. Tickets must be purchased in advance; they will not be available at the door.
Pictured above: Contestants in the Miss Northview High School pageant practice a physical fitness routine. Click the photo to enlarge.