Blog: An Addiction, And How It Involves You
February 3, 2009
The first step is admitting an addiction. So here goes: I, like our new president, have a Blackberry addiction.
For those that don’t know, a Blackberry is a “smartphone” — a cellular phone that in may ways is like having a portable computer. From browsing the web, to reading email, to taking photos and videos, to the latest games — I mean productivity software — to watching movies and listening to music…there is very little that can’t be done on a Blackberry.
When I walk out of my office, I always have three things…pants, a camera and the Blackberry. I don’t leave home without it. I use it frequently to update NorthEscambia.com, approve the comments you see on the site and even post stories “live” from the scene of an event.
When a man became trapped inside a grain silo in Walnut Hill Monday, the Blackberry proved its usefulness. NorthEscambia.com was literally first on the scene, arriving before the first emergency vehicles. Minutes later, we were able to post the breaking news about the entrapment on NorthEscambia.com.
For three hours, we posted live updates from the scene using the Blackberry. Our story was continually updated every few minutes with the latest information as we stood inside the grain elevator, just feet from the rescuers working to free the man from the silo. For three hours, several thousand people were able to follow the rescue live on our site, all thanks to the technology offered by the smartphone.
In fact, looking at our fancy statistics program running behind the scenes on NorthEscambia.com, our story live from inside the grain silo was read nearly 50,000 times. People returned over and over during the three hours to read about the event as it unfolded.
We have used the Blackberry before to post brief “more information will be posted soon” stories from the scene of wrecks, fires and the like. Monday was the first time we had used the phone to post ongoing live updates on a story. We appreciate you turning to us for breaking news, and we appreciate you returning over and over for the latest live news.
If you check NorthEscambia.com only once per day, you might want to drop in a few more times per day. We are making more of an effort to post events as they happen during the day in North Escambia.
We are looking at more ways to improve our news coverage on NorthEscambia.com. We have a few more things in the works in the coming weeks that I believe our readers will enjoy.
But back to my addiction. Sometimes you just don’t realize how much you are addicted to something until it is gone. Saturday afternoon, I pulled on the Blackberry on the side on Highway 29 in Molino at an accident. The plan was to post a story on NorthEscambia.com to let you, our readers, know that Highway 29 was closed. The button was pushed for the Internet. Nothing happened. Button pushed again. And again. Still nothing.
The Blackberry date network on our cellular company was down in Florida, Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas. No internet. No email. Nothing. I felt so disconnected, so lost.
You many have seen the coverage in the national news…President Obama fought the Secret Service to be able to keep his Blackberry. He was first told no, but eventually won the battle to stay connected.
I can understand and feel his pain. Being disconnected is very much like going into withdrawal. It’s just not for me.
I also understand why a Blackberry is sometimes called a “Crackberry”. It’s just that addicting.
I also understand the president when on one of the morning shows he said he also wanted his Blackberry to keep in touch with his children. Those emails and photos from the kids when you are out working somewhere are just priceless. When you are sitting in a meeting and you get a photo from the kids, or a “Hey daddy, I love you” it makes that hefty monthly cellular bill worthwhile.
It also makes the Blackberry part of the family. Perhaps it is not an addiction, but part of the family. Yeah, that’s it.
Lights, Cameras, Reading: Byrneville Elementary Students Are Real Stars
February 2, 2009
The students at Byrneville Elementary School received the star treatment Friday as they dressed up for glamour shot photo sessions in preparation for a big Hollywood event Tuesday night.
Hollywood will come to the school as the red carpet will be rolled out, a movie will hit the big screen and parents will learn about making their student a star.
It’s all about reading at Byrneville. At Tuesday’s opening night Hollywood event, the students will watch the movie will kindergarten to second grade parents will learn about a new reading series. Parents of third, fourth and fifth graders will learn more about how to help their child succeed on the upcoming FCAT.
During Friday’s photo shoot, the children dressed up in fancy dresses, coats and jackets, jewelry, sunglasses and more “glam” items. The children will write about their favorite book on a star. Their glamour photo will be added to the star, the stars will be hanging in the hallways (the “walk of fame”) when parents arrive Tuesday night.
All of the events are taking place in conjunction with the school’s book fair that is themed “Reading Makes You a Star”. During the day Tuesday, the students are encouraged to come dressed up like movie stars or in other glamorous fashion.
From 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Byrneville parents can visit the book fair with their child. At 6:00, the students will go to the cafeteria for a movie, and their parents will be split up for the their learning sessions.
You will find pictures of a couple of ducks in the photo gallery…those are Bob and Bess, Byrneville’s conversation ducks. Every morning, they have a new Post-it note on them outside the school office. The children read the sticky notes to learn the latest in the continuing drama of Bob and Bess. It is another tool Byrneville Elementary uses to encourage reading.
Pictured above: Byrneville student Chloe Smith gets treated like a star during a glamour shot photo session Friday morning. Pictured inset: Several young ladies pick out the perfect jewelry for their photo shoot. Pictured below: Jared Jeter poses for his photo shoot. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Wet Groundhog? Rain Forecast Today In North Escambia
February 2, 2009
If a groundhog were to pop out on this Groundhog Day in North Escambia, he would not be seeing his shadow.
There is an 80 percent chance of shower and thunderstorms today with a high in the upper 50’s. A cold front moves through late this afternoon, blowing away the clouds and rain. Winds will shift to the northwest, bringing cool lows near 35 tonight.
Sunshine returns for Tuesday, and temperatures will struggle to pass 55. Winter will be back in full force Tuesday night as the low falls to 24 in North Escambia.
It will continue on the cold side for Wednesday, with a high of just 51. The temp will fall into the middle 20’s again for Wednesday night before rebounding to 55 on Thursday under sunny skies.
Local Group Collecting Underwear For Gulf Coast Kid’s House
February 2, 2009
The Escambia Farm Bureau Women’s Committee is conducting a drive to collect underclothes for children being seen by the Gulf Coast Kid’s House.
These abused children are often in need of new clothing items. While there is adequate gently used outer clothing donated, underwear is always needed. The committee is asking the North Escambia community to donate new, never worn underwear, socks and diapers. There is a need for all sizes, infant through adolescents.
The Gulf Coast Kid’s House is a center where abused and neglected children receive services from a number of agencies. While the Kid’s House is located in Pensacola and serves all of Escambia County, a fair number of the children served are from our area. Abuse is an issue found in every community, both urban and rural.
“As February is viewed as the month of love, we felt it was an appropriate time to ask our neighbors to show their love for some of our most vulnerable neighbors – the abused children,” said Rikki Vidak, Women’s Committee member. “We would like to put a donation box in your church, school or business.”
There will also be a donation box at the Molino Farm Bureau office.
For more information, contact Rikki Vidak at 587-4246 or call the Farm Bureau office at 587-2135.
January Students Of The Month Named At Area Schools
February 2, 2009
Students of the Month have been named for January at schools across North Escambia by The Escambia Association for Administrators in Education.
Area Students of the Month are:
- Bratt Elementary: Jordyn A. Dionne, kindergarten; Peighton D. Dortch, fourth grade.
- Carver/Century K-8: Destiney P. Bradley, kindergarten; Jayden C. Jackson, kindergarten.
- Jim Allen Elementary: Brandon K. Curtis, first grade; Garrett P. Donalson, first grade.
- Ernest Ward Middle: Danielle S. Suggs, sixth grade; Justin L. Halteman, eighth grade.
- Ransom Middle: Megan T. Light, eighth grade; Nakeem D. Williams, eighth grade.
- Northview High: Clinton E. Davis, 11th grade; Kaitlyn N. Caraway, 11th grade.
Pictured above: January Students of the Month are Northview High School were Clint Davis (L) and Kaitlyn Caraway. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com
One Quarter Of ECUA Customers Are Recycling
February 2, 2009
About one quarter of ECUA’s residential sanitation customers are participating in the new curbside recycling program launched a month ago, keeping over 200 tons of recyclable materials out of the landfill.
As of last Friday, 18,227 recycling cans had been requested. That is about 24 percent of the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority’s total residential sanitation customers. Of those that have requested cans, about 90 percent have had the can delivered to their homes. New can requests are expected to be fulfilled within 14 days. An average of 600 new customers are signing up weekly.
During the first week of the program, 36.71 tons of recyclables were collected in the curbside program. In the second week, that number grew to 46.19 tons. In the third week, it increased to 55.37 tons. Last week. ECUA collected 68.49 tons of recyclable materials, for a total of 206.76 tons.
“There is an upward trend to the tonnage collected each week,” said Larry Walker, ECUA District 5 member. “This means a couple of things. First, many customers are participating. Second, the distribution of recycling cans, while far from perfect, has been progressing, nonetheless.”
Walker said that anyone requesting a recyclables can more than 14 days ago should let him know or give the ECUA another call.
“Some signups have gotten lost in the paper shuffle between the customer service center and the sanitation department,” he said.
There are three ways to request ECUA service or add recyclables service to your current ECUA pickup:
- email support@ecua.org with your name, address and daytime phone number, along with the desired recycling container size — 40, 64 or 90 gallon.
- visit ecua.org and download a form located on the “Sanitation Services” page. That form can be faxed or mailed to the ECUA.
- call ECUA customer service at 476-0480
Walker can be reach by phone at 723-6094 or email at lwalker@ecua.org.
Driver Trapped, Seriously Injured In Highway 29 Rollover Crash
February 1, 2009
A Pensacola woman was seriously injured on a single vehicle accident south of Molino late Saturday afternoon.
Allie L. Hall, 22, of Pensacola was listed in serious condition at Sacred Heart Hospital Saturday night following the accident, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Hall was trapped in her overturned vehicle for nearly an hour while firemen worked to free her. She was reported to be trapped partially under her 2001 Ford car.
The accident happened about 4:45 on Highway 29 between Mathison Road and Quintette Road. Witnesses say she was northbound on Highway 29 when she lost control of the vehicle and flipped several times across the southbound lane.
The vehicle came to rest on its side just a few feet from the edge of a concrete culvert and an area filled with water. Firemen worked to stabilize the vehicle and prevent it from overturning into the water while they used the Jaws of Life to extricate Hall from the car. There were no other occupants.
Hall was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital by the hospital’s AIRHeart helicopter. The helicopter is based in Walton County, but was at Sacred Heart Hospital at the time of the call.
Hall reportedly told a witness that she is pregnant.
The accident shut down the southbound lanes of Highway 29 for over an hour. The northbound lanes were shut down as the AIRHeart helicopter landed and took off from the southbound lanes.
The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the call, along with Escambia County EMS, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department and the Florida Highway Patrol.
The accident is under investigation by the FHP. The FHP says charges are pending the outcome of that investigation.
For an exlusive photo gallery of the rescue, click here.
Pictured above: Emergency workers use the Jaws of Life to free the driver of this car Saturday afternoon on Highway 29 south of Molino. The AIRHeart One helicopter can be seen in the background waiting to transport the patient. Pictured below: The car nearly landed in water. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Steering Committee Members Needed To Address Trash Collection Consolidation
February 1, 2009
The Escambia County Division of Solid Waste Management is currently seeking volunteers to serve on a steering committee to address consolidation of trash collection, recycling and disposal services for Pensacola, Century and the unincorporated areas of Escambia County.
Committee members will be selected to meet once per month for six months beginning in March. Candidates must reside in Escambia County and submit a resume to the Division of Solid Waste Management by February 28.
Resumes can be emailed to sjdennis@co.escambia.fl.us or mailed to Escambia County Division of Solid Waste Management, P.O. Box 1591, Pensacola, FL 32591. For more information contact the Division of Solid Waste Management at (850) 937-2160.
Authorities Search Gravel Pit For Missing Woman’s Body
February 1, 2009
Authorities spent Saturday morning searching a gravel pit north of Atmore for the body of woman that went missing from her home almost five years ago. Searchers did not locate a body.
The search centered around a water-filled gravel pit off Jack Springs Roads near the Judson Cemetary between Atmore and Poarch. Authorities were searching for the body of Melinda Wall McGhee who was reported missing from her residence on Kent Road on March 24, 2003. She was 31 at the time.
Authorities said there was no strong evidence that there was a body buried on the property owned by the Poarch Creek Indians, but they were following up on a tip.
“We have no concrete evidence that Mrs. McGhee’s body is here,” Escambia County Sheriff Grover Smith said. “But we are conducting a follow-up on an ongoing investigation.”
Cadaver dogs from Florida and Alabama were used in the search, along with sonar equipment from the North Baldwin Search and Rescue Squad. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and several Alabama agencies participated in the search.
Anyone with information on McGhee’s disappearance is asked to call the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Department at (251) 809-0741.
Pictured above: Two photos of Melinda Wall McGhee who went missing in March 2003.
Simple Grace At Ray’s Chapel
February 1, 2009
The diverse group Simple Grace will perform this evening at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church in Bogia.
Simple Grace offers a variety of Christian music, artistically blending acoustic bluegrass, gospel, traditional hymns, folk, and fresh original pieces. Their concerts shine with strong vocals and personal testimony to affirm their message of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The group is made up of the Jim and Kathy Hitch family from rural Martell, Nebraska. The family has eight children, with five of them traveling full time with the family ministry.
The Hitch family’s performances include guitars, fiddles, banjo, mandolin, piano, harmonicas, cello, and percussion in an inspirational and uplifting program, which ministers across denominational lines.
Simple Grace will perform at 5 p.m. today at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church at 170 West Bogia Road. The public is invited to this free event. More info: www.simplegrace.org