Meet With The Governor Today In Pensacola
May 4, 2009
If you would like tell Florida’s governor what issues are important to you, you will have that chance today in Pensacola
Governor Charlie Crist today announced he will hold a town hall meeting at Pensacola Junior College to provide an opportunity for the citizens of Florida to voice their concerns about issues important to them.
“During these difficult economic times, we are faced with new and ever-changing issues that must be resolved,” said Governor Crist. “Town hall meetings provide an excellent forum for Floridians to express their concerns and offer suggestions for the future of our state.”
Details for the Pensacola town hall meeting are as follows:
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
12:00 p.m. – Doors Open, Participants Register
1:00-1:45 p.m. – Town Hall Meeting
Pensacola Junior College
WSRE AMOS Studio
1000 College Blvd, Building 23
Pensacola FL 32504
Power Outages, Road Flooding; Northview High, Bratt Elementary Left In Dark
May 4, 2009
Heavy thunderstorms in North Escambia brought up to four inches of rain and power outages, including an outage that left Northview High, Bratt Elementary and Byrneville Elementary in the dark Monday.
Some minor road flooding was reported across the area in the places that normally flood after heavy rain. The National Weather Service says up to four inches of rain have fell across North Escambia Monday.
Scattered power outages were also reported at other locations across the area.
Confession In Shooting Of Donkey
May 4, 2009
A 17-year old while male juvenile from Cantonment has confessed to the weekend shooting of a donkey off Jacks Branch Road, and his arrest is expected soon.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department says the juvenile will be charged with cruelty to animals causing death, using a weapon during the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a person under 18.
The arrest of the juvenile is pending, according to Sgt. Rick Vincent, once warrants are issued by the judge reviewing the case. A .22 caliber firearm used in the incident was provided to deputies by a witness.
About the time J.B. was born, his mother was shot and killed by a passerby in the area of 901 River Annex Road. Now J.B. will rely on someone to bottle feed him once per hour as he fights for survival.
It’s the sad beginning of life for J.B., a donkey born late Saturday night or Sunday morning in a pasture on Jacks Branch Road near Cantonment.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the shooting death of the young donkey’s mother. Neighbors heard the gunfire before midnight and the mother donkey was found dead. Little J.B. was next to his mother, just minutes old.
It’s not clear if J.B. was born just before or just after his mother’s death. Authorities say the donkey was not shot by her owner, but rather by someone in a vehicle on Jacks Branch Road.
Deputies located and stopped a vehicle in the area following the incident. They were unable to locate a firearm in the vehicle and were not able to make an arrest at the time, according to deputies. One of the two juveniles in the vehicle is the person now facing charges in the incident.
As for little J.B., he is now in the care of Panhandle Equine Rescue. When NorthEscambia.com visited J.B. Sunday afternoon, the less than one day old donkey had just been placed in a stall at PER in Molino. J.B. stumbled around the fresh pine shavings in the stall, still slightly sedated from a trip to the vet. He has an IV needle still in his neck.
J.B. brayed weakly, calling the mother that he will never have. He wondered around the stall, looking for her and a warm meal. Instead, the baby donkey will be fed hourly from a bottle by a PER volunteer.
Diane Lowery, PER president, tells us that the next week will be a tough one for J.B., named that for Jacks Branch where he was born. Survival will be tough for the little guy.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff Department at 436-9620.
Panhandle Equine Rescue’s mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and provide adoption services for abused, neglected and abandoned equines. PER is authorized by the Escambia County court system to investigate equine reports in the county.
Donations are being accepted to help pay the vet bill or anyone interested in sponsoring J.B.. Checks or money orders can be sent to PER, P.O. Box 777, Cantonment, FL 32533 or you can visit www.panhandleequinerescue.org for more information.
Pictured above: Baby donkey J.B., less than 24 hours old, is fighting for survival after the shooting death of his mother Sunday morning. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photo, click to enlarge. Pictured below: J.B. looks for his mother.
More Rain Possible
May 4, 2009
(Updated 3:15 p.m.) All watches and warnings have been canceled for North Escambia, but there is still a chance of rain for this afternoon.
There is an 80 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms today, with the possibility that some storms could be severe. Tonight, the rain chance decreases to 20 percent, with some fog by morning.
The rain chance increases to 40 percent, and the high will be about 85 on Tuesday.
Here is the forecast for the rest of the week:
Tuesday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 4am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 88.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 89.
Nuclear Power Bill Passes Senate
May 4, 2009
Just over a month after NorthEscambia.com broke the story that Gulf Power Company is purchasing land in North Escambia for a possible nuclear power plant, the Florida Senate has passed a bill promoting so-called “clean power” — including nuclear — in the state.
The bill was approved by the Senate 37-1 late last week. The energy bill requires electric utilities to meet or exceed specified standards for the production or purchase of clean energy. Clean energy production methods include wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, hydrogen, hydroelectric and nuclear, according to the bill.
The bill will now head to the Florida House for approval.
In March, NorthEscambia.com was the first to report the exclusive story that Gulf Power was purchasing property in North Escambia for a potential power plant — one that might be nuclear — in the Cox and Roach road areas between McDavid and Bratt.
Gulf Power Manager of Public Affairs Sandy Sims told us that the plant could be nuclear, natural gas powered or even an advanced technology like wind or solar. Whatever the type of power generation facility, the earliest it would likely produce its first kilowatt of electricity would be the year 2020, and perhaps as late as 2025.
Jones Slams Molino Softball’s First Home Run In 13 Years
May 4, 2009
For the first time in 13 years, a Molino girl’s softball player knocked one out of the park last week.
Shaniqua Jones, who plays for the 16U Lady Cats, hit one out of the park last week against NEP. She stepped up to the plate with two runners on base. On the third pitch, she sent the ball over the center field fence for a three-run home run.
It was the first home run on the season, and the first home run by a Molino girl’s softball player since 1996.
Pictured The Molino Lady Cat’s Shaniqua Jones. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com.
Weekend In Photos: Fishing Rodeo, Mayfest, Relay And More
May 4, 2009
NorthEscambia.com was there as many weekend events took place, and we have the photos for you.
Over 1,000 people took part in the North Pensacola Relay for Life Friday night into Saturday morning at Tate High School. For the photo gallery, click here.
In Barrineau Park Friday night, dozens of people gather for an evening of entertainment at the Barrineau Park Music Night. Click here for info.
It was a special morning in Walnut Hill Saturday as dozens of handicapped people took part in the Fiesta of Five Flags Pen Wheels Fishing Rodeo. For the photo gallery, click here.
With lots of beautiful babies, arts, crafts, good food, entertainment and more, Atmore held the annual Mayfest event Saturday. Click here for the photo gallery.
Pictured above: One of our favorite weekend photos from the Pen Wheels Fishing Rodeo Saturday morning in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Helicopter Technology Foreclosure Proceedings Move Forward; Hearing Scheduled
May 4, 2009
The Town of Century’s foreclosure proceedings against Helicopter Technology is continuing, and the town’s lawyer says that proving that the defunct company owes a default interest rate could mean another $235,000 for the town.
The town started mortgage foreclosure proceedings against Helicopter Technology, Inc. in Escambia County Circuit Court on August 26, 2008 after the company defaulted on payment arrangements with the town. Company owner Georges Van Nevel apparently left the country at that time.
At the time the mortgage foreclosure proceedings were filed, the town was aware of two other liens against the property. One from Williams, Cox, Weidner & Cox. P.A. from 2005 was for $8,000. Another judgment from 2008 by Anthony Urella and Demetri Urella had a $27,000 balance. After the lawsuit was filed, the town learned that there was an additional lien for $90,000 for a judgment in favor of Landmark National II Corp.
The town’s foreclosure motions in Escambia County Circuit Court sought to have the other liens dismissed. Only one party, the accounting firm, filed an answer supporting their claim. A motion of default was entered against the other defendants, including Helicopter Technology, in October.
One of the biggest points that the town will be required to prove in court is the amount of interest owed, Town Attorney Matt Dannheiser said in a recent letter obtained by NorthEscambia.com. According to the letter to Mayor Freddie McCall, Dannheiser said the interest rate could mean a $235,000 difference in the amount of money the town receives.
The promissory note provides for a seven-percent interest rate, making the total amount owed by Helicopter Technology $471,000. But one provision of the note provides for an 18-percent default rate, which would make the total amount the town could claim $706,000 if the rate is applied back to March 1, 2004 — the first day of default.
If the building is sold at auction for less than $471,000, the interest rate is unimportant, Dannheisser’s letter says. But if it sells for more than $471,000, the excess would go to the other lienholder before the town. If the court agrees the interest rate should be the 18 percent back to 2004, the town would receive the full auction selling price up to the $706,000 before a lien is paid.
“Of course, that effort would be for naught if the amount bid at the foreclosure sale would be less than $471,000,” Dannheisser said in his letter to the mayor.
The latest motion in the Helicopter Technology foreclosure case will be heard on July 20.
Pictured above: Helicopter Technologies owner Georges Van Nevel addresses the Century Town Council in early June 2008. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Important NWE Football Meeting This Afternoon
May 3, 2009
Northwest Escambia Football League has scheduled their first 2009 football meeting for Sunday afternoon.
The event will take place Sunday afternoon at 2:00 in the Ernest Ward Middle School gym. Anyone interested in being a football manager must attend this meeting. The schedule for the upcoming season will be discussed, along with cheerleader registration.
Report: Our Air Is Some Of The Worst In The State
May 3, 2009
The air we breathe in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties is some of the worst in the state according new information just released by the American Lung Association.
The “State of the Air” report from 2009 gives Escambia County an “F” for the number of high ozone days — about 46 — per year. Santa Rosa also gets a failing grade for 35 high ozone days per year. The report says the ozone levels are getting worse. Escambia County had 39 more per year in this year’s report than last, and Santa Rosa was up 33.
The report also gives Escambia County low marks for particle pollution. Exposure to particle pollution to appears to increase women’s risk of lower lung function, developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and dying prematurely, according to the Lung Association. Particle pollution, on average, reaches critical levels about five days per year, the group says. Particle pollution numbers were not released for Santa Rosa County in the 2009 report.
The low air quality is especially problematic for those with certain diseases. In the two county area, about 31,000 people are estimated to have asthma, about 7,000 have chronic bronchitis, 6,100 have emphysema and over 130,000 have cardiovascular disease.
“This should be a wakeup call. We know that air pollution is a major threat to human health,” said Stephen J. Nolan, American Lung Association national board chair. “When 60 percent of Americans are left breathing air dirty enough to send people to the emergency room, to shape how kids’ lungs develop, and to kill, air pollution remains a serious problem.”
Editors note: Since North Escambia borders Escambia County, Alabama, we thought it important to note that we did not include that county in this article because the report does not list any data for Escambia County, Alabama. Many counties are not included in the report because the county does not have any air pollution monitors installed by the EPA.