Lightning Sparks Morning Barn Fire, Possibly Hits School
May 16, 2010
A lightning strike was believed to have sparked a barn fire Sunday morning in Molino, and lightning may have struck a North Escambia middle school.
The fire in the 4400 block of Crabtree Church Road was reported about 5:45 a.m. A resident reported that they believed lightning hit the barn. The fire was quickly extinguished.
Just before 6:00 a.m. Sunday, fire units responded to Ransom Middle School in Cantonment after a possible lightning strike activated the facility’s fire alarm. No damage was reported.
County Set To Cut Back North Escambia’s Only ECAT Bus Route
May 16, 2010
The only Escambia County Area Transit route that serves North Escambia will be cut back if proposed changes in the county’s public transportation routes are made following a Thursday public hearing.
The Saturday transit bus that serves Century, Molino and Cantonment would be eliminated due to low ridership if the plan presented to the Escambia County by ECAT is approved. The route would also no longer service the “Park-n-Ride” lot at the old Winn Dixie in Cantonment.
The Escambia County Commission is set to hold a public hearing on the proposed changes at 5:32 Thursday afternoon and then vote on the proposal.
The “Route 60″ bus makes three weekday trips with stops between Century and the ECAT transfer center where it allows riders to connect to the rest of the ECAT network. It currently makes the run twice on Saturdays.
Most of the proposed changes across the county are simple route changes or service additions, with just a few routes seeking service cuts. For information on all route changes, click here.
According to an ECAT memo from General Manager Kenneth Gordon, the route changes in the county are designed to improve safety, improve on-time performance, improve connectivity between routes, provide service to under-served areas, reduce complaints and improve operating efficiencies.
ECAT is required to present proposed route changes to the Board of County Commissioners for discussion and public input. After the board discusses the plans on March 11, a 30 day period for public comment will be allowed and then then plan will go back to the commission.
The North Escambia to Pensacola Route 60 bus in the most expensive bus per hour in the entire public transportation system in the county.
The bus costs $11.15 per passenger to operate, according to ECAT numbers from the last fiscal year — a decrease from $16.27 the previous year. That’s the most expensive cost per passenger by far over any other bus in the system, with every other route falling below $8 per person (except for a free tourist route). The next most expensive route per person is a crosstown/airport route that costs ECAT $7.82 per person. The Century and Molino to Pensacola bus is also the most expensive per hour to operate in the ECAT system, at $60.67, down from $78.29 per hour the previous year.
A total of 9 ,430 riders took the Route 60 bus over a one year period, up from 7,819 the previous year. That compares to 162,403 on a Davis Highway area bus.
Pictured above: The current “Route 60″ Century and Molino to Pensacola ECAT route map. Pictured below: A current timetable for the bus. Click to enlarge.
More Rain Possible Tonight
May 16, 2010
There is still a chance of more rain tonight, and there is a slight chance of rain will continue for Monday. The rest of next week, Tuesday-Friday, looks to be warm and humid with a slight chance of afternoon storms each day.
- Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then a chance of showers between 7pm and 1am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Patchy dense fog after 1am. Low around 67. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. West wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. West wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. South southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming southwest between 5 and 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. South southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 90.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.
- Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 88.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66.
- Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88.
Covenant Hospice To Hold Remembrance Ceremony Today
May 16, 2010
Covenant Hospice invites bereaved hospice families, as well as community members who have endured the loss of a loved one, to attend a special Remembrance Celebration at 2:00 this afternoon at Century United Methodist Church, located at 530 Church Street, Century.
Covenant Hospice patients and community members who have died will be remembered and celebrated by family, friends and staff. The celebration will include music, candle lighting and selected readings. Children and teens are invited to participate in a special procession, and are asked to bring a long-stem flower. A reception with refreshments will follow.
Covenant encourages anyone in the community who has suffered the loss of a loved one to join the non-profit organization in remembering and celebrating the lives of those who were dear to them.
Oil Spill: Newsletter From U.S. Rep Jeff Miller
May 16, 2010
Last week, Admiral Thad Allen, Commandant of the Coast Guard, came to our district and met with local officials to hear and address their concerns and discuss actions the Coast Guard is taking. I also joined Admiral Allen on an overflight of the oil spill and spoke with him about my concerns and those of my constituents. The response is a joint effort of several federal agencies, and the Coast Guard is carrying a significant share of the workload toward cleaning up our waters and helping to find a way to stop the oil leak.
I have continued to push BP to set up an escrow account for all the Gulf states to draw from as they incur not only capital costs from prevention and cleanup but also economic losses from the oil spill. While BP issued block grants of $25 million to each state, we cannot lose sight of the fact of the sheer amount of coastline that Florida has compared to some other states. Preparing our massive coastline for the oil spill will go through that $25 million much faster than some other states. That block grant still does not fully address economic losses already being incurred by small businesses, fishermen, and other individuals along the Gulf Coast. The escrow account I have proposed would not only offset that impact but would also reaffirm BP’s commitment to covering the total cost of this oil spill’s cleanup.
One improvement constituents of the 1st Congressional District saw this week was the opening of a claims office in both Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties that are open seven days a week. Claims offices are set to open in Okaloosa and Walton Counties as well. Previously, claims from our area had to be called in, but now residents have the option of visiting the office in person. Counties have their emergency operations centers running, and the state of Florida also has its emergency personnel working with them. Contact information, in addition to updated information and facts about the oil spill, can be found in the Deepwater Horizon Information Hub on my website at http://jeffmiller.house.gov/Deepwater/.
Hundreds of vessels have been deployed, over 1.5 million feet of boom have been deployed, and nearly four million gallons of oil-water mix have been recovered. While these prevention and recovery efforts are showing signs of success, it does not change the fact that the primary goal continues to be stopping the oil leak at its source. Remotely-operated vehicles (ROVs) continue to work at the sea floor, and a second containment dome is set to be moved this weekend to cap off the leak. The effort still faces the challenge of the depth of the leak at 5,000 feet.
In the meantime, the EPA must speed up its approval of applying chemical dispersant at the source of the leak. The agency’s slow testing of this process is frustrating the efforts of thousands of volunteers, as well as BP and the federal agencies involved, to mitigate the spill’s impacts. Applying the dispersant at the source has shown tremendous effectiveness, and the fact that it has not been done before should not hinder its usefulness.
I recently contacted Commerce Secretary Gary Locke to ask that the snapper season be opened as soon as federal waters in our area are deemed safe to fish. Having faced a prohibitively short season just last year, local fishermen stand to lose their livelihood if a restrictive fishing season is combined with the oil spill moving toward our coastlines. It is imperative that those in Washington making rules and regulations understand the challenges unique to our area.
Please visit my website at www.house.gov/jeffmiller for updates and contact information on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, including how to volunteer or make a claim. Real-time updates and video of the cleanup, recovery, and containment efforts are also available to those following me on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter.
Photo Gallery: Combined Armed Forces, Memorial Day Parade
May 16, 2010
A combined Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day parade was held Saturday in Atmore. The parade honored those that have served, or are serving, in the armed forces.
The parade featured floats with area veterans; bands from Northview High, Escambia County High, Flomaton High and Ernest Ward Middle schools; ROTC units from Escambia County High and Northview High; motorcyle riders, the Ernest Ward Middle School Drama Team and more.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the parade, click here.
Pictured above: The Ernest Ward Middle School Drama Team reenact the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima. Pictured inset: Merrilene Garret, chaplain of VFW Post 7016 smiles as she rides a float. Pictured below: A group of veterans ride in Atmore’s combined Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day parade Saturday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview FFA Competes In Horse, Livestock Judging At State Fair
May 16, 2010
The Northview High School FFA horse and livestock judging teams competed at the Florida State Fair in Tampa. The members of the Horse Judging team were Heather Kite, Stephanie Solari, Brittany Thompson, and Dillian Crutchfield. Members of the Livestock Judging Team were Micah Byars, Lydia Weaver, Allie Vidak, and Brandon Chambless.
Pictured above: (L-R) Heather Kite, Stephaine Solari, Dillion Crutchfield, Alli Vidak, Brandon Chambless, Courtney Solari, Micah Byars, Brittany Thompson, and Lydia Weaver. In back: FFA Sponsor Perry Byars. Pictured below: Students judge. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Latest Oil Spill Info
May 16, 2010
Here is the latest Deepwater Horizon oil spill information specific to Escambia County:
- According to the NOAA oil plume model, the oil spill is 75 miles southwest of Pensacola.
- No surface oil is expected on Escambia County shores within the next 72 hours.
- On Thursday, May 13, three, very small, dime sized tar balls were reported by the state in the Perdido Key area. The state reported these tar balls as a very minor incident and could not confirm that they were related to this incident. For more information, please contact the Northwest Florida Department of Environmental Protection Emergency Response at (850) 595-8300.
- Tar balls are fragments or lumps of oil weathered to a semi-sold or solid consistency, feel sticky, and are difficult to remove from contaminated surfaces. If you observe any evidence of oil on Florida’s coastline, report the incident to 1-866-448-5816.
- The Deepwater Horizon Incident Joint Information Center has reported that the half-dozen golf ball size tar balls that washed ashore on Dauphin Island beaches on Saturday, May 8, are believed to be from the Deepwater Horizon spill.
- No information has been provided on the tar balls reported on Gulf Shores beaches and No tar balls have been reported in Escambia County, Florida.
British Petroleum (BP)
- BP has reported over 1,000 claims in the state with $194,000 paid to date to Floridians.
- There are over 1,500 participants in the Vessels of Opportunity Program in Florida with 382 signed contracts and 106 contract activations.
- The Deepwater Horizon Incident Joint Information Center has asked that the public help in monitoring boom along the Gulf Coast. Boaters are requested to report sightings of broken, disconnected or adrift boom and are asked to keep their distance from boom especially at night or in conditions of restricted visibility. Please report damaged, vandalized, adrift or stolen boom to: 1-866-448-5816
- To better serve our citizens with their claims, BP has moved the claims office to 3960 W. Navy Boulevard, Suite 16. The office is currently open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week, until further notice. Although completely functional, please be patient while the office is being fully developed.
- BP recommends anyone with a claim call 1-800-440-0858 to help expedite the process. By calling the claims number, adjusters at the claims office will have the information prior to your visit.
- The BP community outreach office is still open for citizens at 435 East Government Street. Representatives are available to answer any questions on volunteering, vessels of opportunity program, or any other oil spill related questions. The local phone number is (850) 912-8640 and the fax number is (850) 912-8755.
- The second training class for Vessels of Opportunity was held Tuesday for licensed charter boat captains. To pick up or deliver completed packets, visit BP’s Community Outreach office at 435 East Government Street. For information, call 281-366-5511.
- BP Vessels of Opportunity – see the master vessel charter agreement and vessel requirements checklist online www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com.
- Approximately 175,950 feet of boom has been placed out of the Pensacola and Panama City staging areas in support of Unified Command.
- BP officials request residents be wary of scam artists posing as BP contractors. Do not sign any documents in return from money from BP or anyone else until you know the extent of your loss. BP officials carry proper identification badges or business cards.
- BP does not use contractors to contact or solicit volunteers for cleanup. All training offered by BP is free. There are no fees for classes or registration.
- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research who is contracted by BP to provide assistance to oiled wildlife. All rehabilitation efforts must be coordinated through the service and Tri-State. Specific safety and other requirements must be met before anyone will be allowed on-site for any participation. If you already have wildlife training, call BP at 1-866-557-1401.
Federal (NOAA)
- NOAA modified and expanded the boundaries of the closed fishing area to better reflect the current location of the oil spill, and extended the fishing restriction until May 17. See details.
State of Florida (DEP, FWC)
- The fisheries, wildlife and seafood off of Florida’s coast in state waters are safe and there are no alerts at this time.
- Florida saltwater fishing regulations remain in effect as usual
- Governor Crist announces U.S. Small Business Administration approval of disaster loan programs for Gulf Coast businesses. Economic Injury Disaster loans can help eligible small businesses meet the necessary financial obligations they could have met, had the disaster not occurred. Interest rates for businesses and small agricultural cooperatives are as low as four percent, and for non-profit organizations rates are as low as three percent, with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition. Loan applications for economic injury can be filed until the close of business on February 14, 2011. In response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Florida is providing video and audio Public Service Announcements. These items, available for download, can be used to educate the public on response, safety, coast watch and beach cleanup. .
- Report boom vandalism to the Florida State Warning Point (800) 320-0519 or dial #DEP from your cell phone.
- Governor Crist announced today the activation of the Florida Oil Spill Information line which will serve as another resource to provide Florida residents and visitors with up-to-date information on Florida’s response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The line will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week until further notice.
- + Florida Oil Spill Information Line – 888-337-3569
- Governor Charlie Crist has issued an executive order creation an Economic Recovery Task Force to facilitate efforts by Florida businesses and industries in recovering from the loss of business and revenues due to the Deepwater Horizon incident.
- A Legal Advisory Council has been established to assess the impact the potential disaster could have on the state.
- DEP Guidelines for Protecting Shoreline from Oil Spill Impacts
- Homeowners may be able to help prevent oil from reaching private property or damaging sensitive vegetation by utilizing sorbent booms.
- Booming and alternative absorption measures should be coordinated through Escambia County as incorrect boom placement in navigable waterways can create a serious hazard.
- Coordination with state and local entities is important to ensure that booming or alternative measures being used do not impede navigation and are not more harmful to the natural environment in the long-run.
- If a boom is placed by a private citizen, that individual assumes responsibility for the boom, including the chance it could dislodge into the water or be harmful to wildlife.
- Booms placed by private citizens that become impacted by oil are the responsibility of that individual and require special authorization for removal and proper disposal.
- Do not place hay bales, sandbags or other unapproved devices along the shoreline, as the overall debris from disposal of such methods would increase and could cause serious long-term damage.
- Do not attempt to clean impacted beaches or attempt to rescue oiled wildlife. Touching oil is a health risk and disposing of it improperly could cause additional environmental damage.
- Authorized protective measures should be conducted in a manner that provides protection to, and does not disturb, native vegetation, species and their habitat.
- Taking or capturing any species, nests or eggs listed as an endangered species is not permitted.
- For more information on types of protective measures, contact BP’s community information line, 1-866-448-5816.
- The Florida Small Business Development Center Network is part of the state’s EOC Emergency Support Function as a responder for assistance in business recovery. The Mobile Area Commands are fully self-contained and staffed by SBDC Certified Business Analysts experienced in assisting businesses impacted by disasters, including assistance with federal and state disaster loan programs. MACs have been deployed in Escambia County. SBDC staff are meeting with area business leaders and available to provide technical assistance to local businesses. For more information, please visit www.floridasbdc.org/Special Programs/bcrm.asp
- The seafood off Florida’s coast in state waters are safe. There are no health alerts at this time.
- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has temporarily suspended the restriction on use of purse seines landward of the COLRGEGS demarcation line in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
- Affected businesses should file a claim with BP via the hotline number, 800-440-0858. Additional guidance to help small businesses survive a disaster can be found at www.MyFloridaCFO.com or by calling 850-413-3089 or toll-free 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236).
- The state emergency operations center remains at a level 2 activation.
Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and Staff
- On inland waters (bays, bayous, estuaries, rivers), private property owners may install oil absorbent material, booms or fences on private property above the mean high waterline (MHWL) only. No material may be installed or sprayed below the MHWL.
- On gulf-front property, the use of silt fences, obstructions, hay bales, peat, surfactants or other material is not approved. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is the permitting agency for beaches and coastal systems. No obstructions to sea turtle nesting behavior is allowed.
- If citizens see anything unusual on the beaches they feel needs to be reported:
- Contact the Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce at 850-492-4660 on Perdido Key
- Report to the lifeguards on duty on Pensacola Beach
- Deflective boom – large floating barriers that help contain floating oil – has been deployed around sensitive shorelines.
- Boom has been deployed in all locations of the Local Action Plan and Addendum One. Staff continues to evaluate areas and is monitoring all deployed boom.
- To keep waterways open as long as possible, boom will be “wet staged” at some locations. When floating petroleum becomes an imminent threat, boom will be fully deployed. “Fully deployed boom” is described as boom anchored into a functional configuration.
- Environmental staff completed collecting sediment, water and oyster tissue samples and have sent them to a lab for analysis. Staff also completed pre-assessments on air quality.
- Escambia County is evaluating several operational options from contractors for coastal protection and recovery. The county is considering every viable proposal, coordinating with Unified Command and will share information as it is approved.
- A PowerPoint of oil spill response strategies is posted at www.escambiadisasterresponse.com.
- Pteropods, also known as the sea butterfly, have been reported washing ashore on gulf beaches. Pteropods are small, basically clear and sharply pointed larval snails. Although they are fairly sharp, they do not pose a threat to people. They are naturally occurring and not washing ashore due to anything oil-related.
- Residents and business owners with water access on their property should have pre-assessments prepared (photos, video, etc. documenting the current condition of the property).
- The brown foam seen on the beaches recently is not associated with the oil spill. This is a common natural occurrence, especially in the spring, when fish are spawning and there are hard winds, rain, and wave action.
- The EOC remains at level 2 activation. This is a minimal activation with only specifically involved agencies. Meetings of all essential local emergency support agencies are held daily.
Local Beaches
- Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key remain open. The water is clear and air quality is good.
- SRIA lifeguards continue patrolling beaches for oil from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- In the event beaches are impacted by the oil spill, it may be necessary to issue health advisories to protect health and safety.
- The Florida Department of Health will issue advisories as they become necessary for the area of affected water and shoreline.
- Beaches above the high tide line should remain open for sunbathing, walking, shopping and restaurants.
- The exact area for the advisories will be determined at the time oil is reported.
City of Pensacola
- The City of Pensacola continues to coordinate with Escambia County officials.
Training Opportunities
- PEC Premier, a BP contractor, will begin free six-hour para-professional training classes in Pensacola on May 17. This is not volunteer training. This course is not a guarantee of employment, but provides credentials needed to be hired for spill cleanup work by BP contractors.
- See the class schedule.
- E-mail horizonresponse@pecpremier.com to register.
- The county has offered free volunteer orientation training for more than 900 citizens. If you completed the county’s training, your contact information has forwarded to the appropriate volunteer organizations. As the need for volunteers arises, you will be contacted.
- If you would like to be considered for future volunteer opportunities, contact the BP volunteer hotline at 1-866-448-5816.
- The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has determined volunteers cannot be used in any situation where they may come in contact with oiled shorelines or oiled wildlife.
Safety Information
- If you see a tar ball on the beach, DO NOT PICK IT UP. Report it to 1-866-448-5816.
Wildlife
- Do not attempt to rescue oiled or injured birds or wildlife. Doing so can cause additional injuries.
- If oiled, injured or dead wildlife are found, call the Oiled Wildlife Hotline at 1-866-557-1401. Please provide location of where the wildlife was sighted.
- Remember that May is the hatching season for many birds and reptiles.
Boats
- Boats should keep a safe distance from the booms. Do not drive boats over booms.
- Boat owners are urged to dry-dock boats.
- Do not drive your boat through slicks or sheens.
Beaches and Waterways
- Citizens should take precautions around waterways to avoid contact with oil substances.
- Officials are closely monitoring potential public health and environmental concerns.
Personal Safety (if areas are affected by oil)
- Avoid areas where oil can be seen or smelled. If you see or smell oil, leave immediately.
- Avoid direct skin contact with oil, oil-contaminated water and sediments.
- Do not swim or ski in areas affected by the oil spill, and if you travel through the area by boat, take precautions when hoisting the boat anchor. If you get oil on your skin, wash it off immediately with soap and water.
- Do not fish in the oil spill-affected waters.
- Do not harvest and eat dead fish, fish with oily residue or fish that have a petroleum odor.
- Young children, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems, and individuals with underlying respiratory conditions should avoid the area.
- Restrict pets from entering oil-contaminated areas.
- Those near Florida’s Gulf Coast may detect an odor because of the oil spill. Some people are more sensitive to these odors and may experience nasal irritation and feelings of nausea. In combination with seasonal allergies, such as sensitivity to pollen or pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma, some people may experience more severe symptoms.
- Individuals who have pre-existing medical conditions, such as asthma or other respiratory illness should contact their health care provider if feeling symptomatic.
- Report oiled shorelines to 1-866-448-5816.
Business Information
- Florida emergency management and economic development staff are gathering information from businesses impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Please complete their survey and help shape Florida’s response to this event. The survey will be updated periodically, so please check back, as your specific situation and information may change with time.
- BP has established a claim system and toll free number, 1-800-440-0858. This system will allow people to begin the process to recover lost income or recoup damage-related expenses.
- If you are not satisfied with BP’s resolution, call the Coast Guard at 1-800-280-7118.
- More information about what types of damages are eligible for compensation under the Oil Pollution Act as well as guidance on procedures to seek that compensation can be found at www.uscg.mil/npfc.
- Take detailed records of cancelled reservations. It is important that when these cancellations occur, the canceling party is questioned whether the cause is because of the oil spill. If the answer is yes, keep a record of the person’s name and contact information, and also the revenues lost as a result of the cancellation.
- Businesses, including shops, restaurants, sport fishing charters, watersports rental companies, etc. that may be negatively impacted, are asked to keep detailed profit and loss records should a claim need to be presented.
- Calculate estimated losses for a six-week period and be able to provide records, sales receipts and documentation to support your claim. One good option is to compare business to a five-year average of revenues between May and June, which can offer insight as to the damages incurred.
- Make a detailed list of assets, including non-structural, and include appropriate records to support the list. Example: if your hotel or restaurant is within walking distance to the beach and that beach has oil reach its shores, the business’s assets could be damaged even though there is no physical damage to the structure. It is important to record this depreciation.
- To register as a consultant, contractor, vendor or submit information on alternative response technology, services products or suggestions, call BP at 281-366-5511.
Citizen Information
- The Citizen Information Center line remains open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 850-471-6600.
- Florida Oil Spill Information Line is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week, 1-888-337-3569.
Checkmate: Ransom Chess Team Competes In Festival
May 16, 2010
Seventeen students from Ransom Middle School’s Chess Club, the Ransom Knights, recently competed in the 17th Space Coast Open Chess Festival at the Crowne Plaza, Melbourne Oceanfront Resort in Indialantic, Florida.
The students competed in a five round tournament over three days and competed against chess players whose ages ranged from five to 85. Eight of the students placed in the top 25 slots out of 51 players. One student, Peter Bennington, placed seventh in the top 10 players.
All of the participants were ranked at 1200 or below by the United States Chess Federation. The students who participated in the tournament received national rankings as the tournament was sanctioned by the USCF. As a result, if students improve their ranking above 1500 they may be eligible for college scholarships.
At the Chess festival, the Grandmaster and Woman’s world champion, Alexandra Kosteniuk, played a 50 board Simultaneous Chess Exhibition match. One Ransom Middle student, Dave Nolen, was able to last against the champion for an astounding 28 moves. Overall, the Ransom Knights, some of whom participated in a chess tournament for the first time, won a total of 23 matches.
Rain Forcast For Sunday
May 15, 2010
After a warm, muggy Saturday we are looking at showers and thunderstorms moving in for our Sunday and Monday. The rain will be more of the on and off variety instead of an all-day rain.
The rest of next week, Tuesday-Friday, looks to be warm and humid with a slight chance of afternoon storms each day.
- Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. South southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. South southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Sunday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Monday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming southwest between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. West wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 87. West wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. South southwest wind around 5 mph becoming west northwest.
- Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. North northwest wind around 5 mph becoming south.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 90.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 87.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88.