Chateau La Roach: EWMS Drama Presents Spring Play
May 27, 2010
The Ernest Ward Middle School Drama Department will present their annual Spring Play tonight.
This year’s production is “Chateau La Roach”, a comedy about a small hotel being overrun by cockroaches. Mimi and Francois LaRoche must find some way of stopping the health inspector from finding out about their little bug problem. With the help of their wacky staff, the two of them try to find which guest is the health inspector. Will they find the health inspector or is it too late?
The cast is made up of seventh and eighth graders who have spent many hours preparing for this play. Tickets are not being sold this year; donations will be accepted at the door. The community is invited to come for the debut at 6:30 Thursday night in the Ernest Ward gym.
The play will also be presented again Friday morning at 9:20 for the students and faculty.
Local Girl Is Regional Twirling Winner
May 27, 2010
Colbi Kendall of Flomaton recently brought home several trophies in a regional baton twirling competition in Wetumpka, Ala.
She placed first in open dance twirl, first in regional dance twirl, first in regional 1 baton, and second in regional 3 baton competitions. The regional event included twirlers from Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana and Arkansas.
Kendall’s instructor is Melissa Majors who conducts Century, Pace and Pensacola for her Santa Rosa and Escambia Twirlers.
Pictured top: Colbi Kendall of Flomaton won several trophies recently at a regional baton twirling competition. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Latest Escambia Oil Spill Information Update
May 27, 2010
Here is the latest Deepwater Horizon oil spill information specific to Escambia County:
- According to the NOAA oil plume model, the spill remains 55 miles southwest of Pensacola.
- All local fishing areas remain open, however NOAA has expanded the closed fishing areas in national waters. See details: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov.
- No direct surface oil impacts are expected on county shores within the next 72 hours.
- Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key remain open. Water is clear and air quality is good.
- See DEP’s Homeowner Tips for Protecting Florida’s Shorlines (PDF)
British Petroleum (BP)
- BP has reported 3,306 claims in the state with $2,187,904 paid to date.
- There are 128 of 1,104 contracts activated for the Vessels of Opportunity Program in Florida.
- File claims with BP online: http://www.bp.com/claims.
- BP’s claims office is located at 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. BP claims categories
- 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.
- If you are not satisfied with BP’s resolution, call the Coast Guard at 1-800-280-7118.
- The BP community outreach office is 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. Phone: (850) 912-8640, fax: (850) 912-8755.
- To register as a consultant, contractor, vendor or submit information on alternative response technology, services products or suggestions, call BP at 281-366-5511.
- BP Vessels of Opportunity – see the master vessel charter agreement and vessel requirements checklist online www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com.
- To pick up or deliver completed Vessels of Opportunity packets, visit BP’s Community Outreach office at 435 East Government Street. For information, call 281-366-5511.
- Approximately 175,950 feet of boom has been placed out of the Pensacola and Panama City staging areas in support of Unified Command.
- 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 Fish and Wildlife Service is working with Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research, 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 have wildlife training, call 1-866-557-1401.
- 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. See details.
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. See updates.
State of Florida (DEP, FWC)
- The Small Business Administration issued an economic injury Disaster Loan Declaration for the state of Florida. Pensacola office: 401 E. Chase St., Ste. 100.
- The fisheries, wildlife and seafood off of Florida’s coast in state waters are safe and there are no alerts at this time. See news release.
- Florida saltwater fishing regulations remain in effect as usual. More information.
- FWC press release on data collection on gulf red snapper to address oil spill impacts.
- Submit innovative technology ideas, suggestions or products by completing this form. Send the completed form and any supporting documentation to Innovative.Technolgy@dep.state.fl.us.
- For more information on Economic Injury Disaster Loans visit the SBA website.
- Video and audio public service announcements are available for download to educate the public on response, safety, coast watch and beach cleanup. See details.
- Report boom vandalism to the (800) 320-0519 or #DEP from your cell phone.
- An Economic Recovery Task Force was established facilitate efforts by businesses and industries in recovering from the loss of business and revenues due to the oil spill incident.
- A Legal Advisory Council was established to assess the impact the potential disaster could have on the state.
- For information on the Florida Small Business Development Center’s Mobile Area Command units, visit www.floridasbdc.org/Special Programs/bcrm.asp
- FWC temporarily suspended the restriction on use of purse seines landward of the COLRGEGS demarcation line in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
- 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).
Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and Staff
- The county is preparing to extend consulting and booming contracts for an additional 30 days.
- County staff continue to monitor the situation and will continue to participate in daily briefings with the State of Florida and Unified Command.
- Escambia County is evaluating every viable proposal for coastal protection and recovery, coordinating with Unified Command and will share information as it is approved.
- Escambia County, in conjunction with the University of West Florida, is collecting gulf water samples from Santa Rosa Island and Perdido Key weekly to indicate any changes in water quality.
- 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. DEP is the permitting agency for beaches and coastal systems. No obstructions to sea turtle nesting behavior is allowed.
- 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).
- 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 in all locations of the Local Action Plan and Addendum One. See boom deployment progress report and map. Staff continues to evaluate areas and is monitoring all deployed boom.
- To keep waterways open as long as possible, boom is “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.
- Pteropods, also known as the sea butterfly, have been reported on gulf beaches. Pteropods are small, 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 due to anything oil-related.
- The brown foam seen on the beaches is not associated with the oil spill. This is a common natural occurrence, when fish are spawning and there are hard winds, rain, and wave action.
- The local state of emergency has been extended until May 28.
- The Escambia County Emergency Operations Center has returned to normal Level 3 operations.
Local Beaches
- 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 dining. 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.
Volunteer Opportunities
- 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.
- To volunteer, call BP at 1-866-448-5816.
Safety Information
- If you see a tar ball on the beach, DO NOT PICK IT UP. Report it to 1-866-448-5816.
- Florida Department of Health Deepwater Horizon Health Information FAQs
- Seafood Consumption FAQs
Wildlife
- Do not attempt to rescue oiled or injured birds or wildlife as this may 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.
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
- Gulf coast residents may detect an odor because of the oil spill. Some are more sensitive to these odors and may experience nasal irritation and feelings of nausea. In combination with seasonal allergies or pre-existing respiratory conditions, some may experience more severe symptoms. For Air Quality Reports, see http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/air.html
- The Escambia County Health Department released advice to residents who are experiencing symptoms from odors. (See details)
- 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 oil, and if you travel through the area by boat, take care when hoisting the anchor. If you get oil on your skin, wash it off 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.
- 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
- More information about what types of damages are eligible for compensation under the Oil Pollution Act as well as guidance to seek compensation can be found at www.uscg.mil/npfc.
- 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 periodicallye.
- Take detailed records of cancelled reservations. When cancellations occur, ask the party if the cancellation is related the oil spill. Keep the person’s name and contact information, and the revenues lost as a result of the cancellation.
- Businesses that may be negatively impacted due to the oil spill, 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. 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.
Citizen Information
- Florida Oil Spill Information Line is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, 1-888-337-3569.
Gulf Coast Population Surges
May 27, 2010
Between 1960 and 2008, the population in coastline counties along the Gulf of Mexico soared by 150 percent, more than double the rate of increase of the nation’s population as a whole. On the eve of hurricane season, this area now is home to nearly 14 million residents, according to a U.S. Census Bureau report issued today.
The report, Coastline Population Trends in the United States: 1960 to 2008, [PDF] examines population trends along the country’s saltwater edges — coastline counties — and their shares of coastline states during the period. Specifically, it analyzes trends in the growth and decline, geographic distribution and density of the coastline population. It also incorporates historical data on the trajectories of hurricanes striking the U.S. coastlines to gauge the coastline population’s experience with hurricanes.
The Gulf Coast’s population growth over the period surpassed that of coastline counties along the Pacific (110 percent) and Atlantic (56 percent). The region has experienced double-digit rates of population increase each decade since 1960. The Gulf Coast was home to six of the eight U.S. coastline counties with the fastest population increases over the 48-year period, led by Collier County, Fla., which grew by 1,900 percent (from 15,753 to 315,258). At the same time, the region contained six of the 11 coastline counties most frequently hit by hurricanes during that time, with Monroe County, Fla., leading the list with 15, and Lafourche Parish, La., tied for second with 14.
“Coastline counties along the Atlantic and Gulf, as well as the Hawaiian Islands, account for nearly two-thirds of the nation’s coastline population and are home to four of the nation’s 10 most populous counties,” said Steven Wilson of the Census Bureau’s Population Division, who co-authored the report. “As hurricane season begins, this report should put into perspective the number of Americans living along the coast who might be affected.”
All in all, 87 million people, or 29 percent of the U.S. population, live in coastline counties, including more than 41 million in Atlantic and 32 million in Pacific counties. In 1960, only 47 million lived in coastline counties.
Other highlights include:
- The number of housing units along the Gulf of Mexico’s coastline increased by 246 percent from 1960 to 2008, compared with 130 percent in the Pacific and 98 percent in the Atlantic coastline regions and 121 percent for the U.S. as a whole. The number of housing units along the U.S. coastline grew from 16 million to 36 million during this time.
- On average, the 11 coastline counties that were hit by 11 or more hurricanes from 1960 to 2008 increased in population by nearly 179 percent and had a housing unit increase of 255 percent. Among these counties, only Hyde, N.C., lost population (-10.1 percent) and only St. Bernard Parish, La., lost housing units (-2.6 percent).
- The coastline share of Maine’s total population climbed by 9 percentage points from 1960 to 2008. New Hampshire, Virginia and Alaska also had increases of more than 5 percentage points. In contrast, the share of Maryland’s population in its coastline counties dropped 14 percentage points and California’s by 10 points.
- Excluding Alaska, the average density of coastline counties increased from 260 people per square mile in 1960 to 480 in 2008. On average, they are twice as densely populated as noncoastline counties. Among the coastline states, only the coastline sections of New York (between 1970 and 1980), Louisiana (from 1980 to 1990 and 2000 to 2008) and Mississippi (from 2000 to 2008) had declines in population density during any decade.
- New York County (Manhattan), N.Y., is the most densely populated coastline county, with nearly 72,000 people per square mile in 2008. Between 1960 and 2008, Orange County, Calif., and Pinellas County, Fla., joined the list of the 20 most densely populated coastline counties, with Orleans Parish, La., and Westchester County, N.Y., dropping off.
- Nearly half of the nation’s coastline population in 2008 was in either California (29 percent) or Florida (16 percent).
- Most coastline counties (223 of 254) experienced population gains from 1960 to 2008, including all counties from the southern coast of North Carolina through Mississippi, and all counties from California through Washin
Congressman Miller’s Staff To Hold Office Hours In Century, Jay
May 26, 2010
Congressman Jeff Miller’s staff will be conducting mobile office hours in Century and Jay on Thursday.
Two members of Miller’s staff will be on hand to answer questions about problems with federal agencies or issues affecting residents in the First Congressional District.
“This is just another way we can better serve our growing population in Northwest Florida,” Miller said. “We tried the mobile office concept earlier and we had such an outstanding turnout that we decided to expand the concept and add more dates and locations to the program.”
Miller’s staff will be at the Century Chamber of Commerce at 7811 North Century Boulevard from 8:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. and at the Jay City Hall at 3695 Highway 4 from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.
One Injured In Highway 97 Rollover Crash
May 26, 2010
One person was injured in a single vehicle rollover accident this morning on Highway 97.
The accident happened about 10:05 a.m. just north of Tungoil Road. The driver of an older model Ford Crown Victoria apparently lost control while northbound on Highway 97, slid across both lanes and overturned in a field. The vehicle came to rest on the driver’s side.
The driver was able to get out of the vehicle before the first emergency personnel arrived on scene. She was transported to Atmore Community Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.d
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Atmore Ambulance and the Florida Highway Patrol responded to the crash.
The accident is still under investigation by the FHP. Further details were not available.
Pictured: The driver of this Ford Crown Victoria was injured in a single vehicle rollover accident Wednesday morning on Highway 97. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Notice Something Strange About NorthEscambia.com?
May 26, 2010
Everything should be just fine as you visit NorthEscambia.com today, but if you notice something strange, we would like you to tell us about it.
As NorthEscambia.com has grown over the past several months with more and more readers, we found it necessary to make some “behind the scenes” upgrades to our site. The end result should be a faster experience for our readers.
But, if you should notice anything strange — a page that won’t load, a page that looks different than usual, or any type of error message — please let us know! Please send us an email to news@northescambia.com with the problem that you have found. Tell us the exact page where you had a problem, and, if possible, copy and paste the error message into your email.
(We are aware that a very, very small number of comments made between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. this morning may be missing. It was an unfortunate side effect of the upgrades. We have tried to restore as many of those comments as possible.)
And, as always, thanks for being part of the NorthEscambia.com family of readers. We appreciate each of you!
Thanks,
William
NHS Grad Richard Braun Of Molino Graduates From Basic Training
May 26, 2010
Air Force Airman Richard K. Braun graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
He is the son of Laura and Billy Braun of Haupert Lane, Molino. Braun is a 2009 graduate of Northview High School.
Molino Woman Charged With Writing 37 Bad Checks, Most To Pizza Restaurants
May 26, 2010
A Molino woman has been arrested on 37 worthless check charges, a fraud charge and failure to appear warrant.
Natasha Monique Hall, 27, of Highway 95A, Molino, is accused of writing 37 worthless checks totaling $1,719.92 to four different companies. She allegedly wrote 19 checks worth $631.35 to various locations of Hungry Howies Pizza, five bad checks worth $129.18 to different Dominoes Pizza locations, 11 checks for $879.29 to different Tom Thumb locations and two checks for $80.10 to Beauty Express, according to the Escambia County Clerk of the Courts. The worthless checks ranged in value from a $22 check to Hungry Howies to a $215.05 check to the Tom Thumb.
Hall is facing a fraud charge for failing to redeliver leased property valued at $300 or more during 2007. According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, Hall failed to return a leased item to a Rent A Center on Mobile Highway. The arrest report states that the rental company attempted to contact Hall a total of 110 times by phone, registered mail and visiting her address in order to have their rented property returned. The arrest report states the rental property was worth $2,100; however, the report does not state what items were allegedly rented by Hall.
A warrant was also served on Hall in connection with a 2007 petty theft case. Hall was due to pay $250 in court costs, a $75 public defender fee and $236 in restitution to Tom Thumb in connection with the case. The warrant was issued in January, 2008, after Hall failed to make payment.
Hall remains in the Escambia County Jail.
Atmore Man Gets Life In Prison For Selling Over 13 Pounds Of Crack
May 26, 2010
An Atmore man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for selling over 13 pounds of crack cocaine.
Scottie LaDon Dixon, 38, received the sentence from Chief U.S. District Judge William Steele after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine. Dixon admitted in federal court that he sold 6.2 kilograms (13.67 pounds) of crack cocaine while he was on supervised release from a 1997 drug conviction.
A Drug Enforcement Administration’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force agent used a confidential informant to purchase crack from Dixon near Bay Minette on April 21, 2009. According to court documents, Dixon bragged about the quality of crack and sold the confidential informant two cookies of crack for $2,000.
As federal agents raided Dixon’s home, he was found at the end of a trail of cocaine powder, standing over a toilet. Court documents indicated that agents found crack in the sewage pipes under his trailer. He was taken into custody by federal agents at his trailer at 307 East 4th Street in Atmore on April 30.
Dixon is currently being held in the Baldwin County Jail.