Jay Boil Water Notice Lifted
May 25, 2010
A precautionary boil water notice previously in effect for the town of Jay has been lifted.
The advisory was issued recently due to an unexpected cut in a water line.
Rain Possible Tonight
May 25, 2010
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. East southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 1pm. Partly cloudy, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. West northwest wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 93. North northwest wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69. West northwest wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 93. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. West wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 90. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.
- Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 92.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.
- Memorial Day: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 93.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Driver Injured In Early Morning Highway 97 Rollover Crash
May 25, 2010
One person was injured in a single vehicle rollover accident early Tuesday morning on Highway 97 just north of Gobbler Road in Walnut Hill.
The driver of a northbound Oldsmobile Intrigue apparently lost control, ran off the side of the road and overturned about 12:45 a.m. The vehicle came to rest upright in the ditch.
The male driver was transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital with what was believed to be non-life threatening injuries. There were no passengers in the car. The driver’s name and condition were not immediately available; the accident is still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Atmore Ambulance also responded to the early morning accident.
Pictured top: Emergency personnel work to remove the driver from a wrecked vehicle early Tuesday morning. Pictured below: Another view of the single vehicle rollover accident early Tuesday morning on Highway 97 north of Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Deputies Find Mobile Meth Lab In Walnut Hill Woman’s Car Trunk
May 25, 2010
An alleged mobile meth lab found in the trunk of a car has landed a Walnut Hill woman in jail.
Madeline Hope Johnson, 24, of Still Road was charged with attempting to manufacture methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of a listed chemical. She is being held in the Escambia County Jail on $75,000 bond.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, an off-duty deputy at a Circle K at 3109 North Pace Boulevard in Pensacola was tipped off by an occupant of Johnson’s vehicle that she had a meth lab in the vehicle’s trunk.
In the vehicle’s trunk, investigators found several chemical bottles, batteries, two boxes pseudoephedrine tablets and other items known to be used in the production of methamphetamine. Several lithium batteries were found in the glove box of the vehicle. The glove box also contained what deputies described an “owe sheet” — a list of names and monies owed.
In Johnson’s purse, deputies said they found several lithium batteries of the same name brand as those in the vehicle. Her purse, according to the arrest report, also contained a list of chemicals and items known to be used in the production of meth.
According to the arrest report, Johnson admitted to being a meth user, but denied ownership of the items in the vehicle.
Flomaton Police Chief Resigns
May 25, 2010
Flomaton Police Chief Terri Tolbert resigned her position Monday.
Tolbert was hired last year to replace Tim Hardage as police chief; Hardage was released during a six month probationary period. Flomaton will begin accepting applications for a new police chief soon.
Pictured: Former Flomaton Police Chief Terri Tolbert works a crime scene on Old Atmore Road last February. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Attention Teachers, Schools, Parents: Send Us Awards Info
May 25, 2010
Teachers and schools from across North Escambia are encouraged to submit the names of students that receive awards during your end of school awards programs. We will begin publishing award lists soon and continue for several days.
Moms and dads: You are invited to submit your award ceremony photos to us as well.
Email the information to news@northescambia.com with the subject line “Awards”.
Please include a valid email address or phone number that we can use to contact you if we have questions.
Jarrett Parker Wins Big In Mississippi Dirt Track Racing
May 25, 2010
A Molino teen picked up a couple of big kart racing wins this past weekend.
Jarrett Parker, a freshman at Northview High School, had two first place finishes in the MS/Maxxis Dirt Track Series at Whynot Motorsports Park in Meridian, MS. He qualified on the pole in the Jr. Gold FH and took the win. In the Jr. Gold Animal division, he qualified fourth and fought his way to another win.
Parker is currently leading points chase in the Jr. Gold MX/Maxxis Dirt Track Series. He won the state championships in both Alabama and Mississippi last year. He has previously competed, either winning or placing, in races across Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama.
Parker, who has been kart racing since 2003, is the son of Scott and Tammy Parker of Molino.
Pictured: Jarrett Parker of Molino prepares for a race this past weekend at the Whynot Motorsports Park in Meridian, MS. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Alabama Senator Blasts Census Bureau For Sending Sex Offenders Door-to-Door
May 25, 2010
U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science, sent a letter Monday to the Secretary of Commerce, Gary Locke, to express his significant concerns over the Census Bureau’s hiring of a registered sex offender as a U.S. Census survey taker.
This hiring follows Secretary Locke’s testimony before the Subcommittee in which he assured Senator Shelby that the Census Bureau follows general guidelines to disqualify applicants, which specifically includes sexual offenses and crimes against children.
“The Census Bureau spent $2.5 million on a Super Bowl advertisement to encourage participation in the Census and has gone to great lengths to assure Americans that they should open their doors to Census workers. The lack of adequate oversight is unacceptable,” Shelby said.
Shelby’s letter came after published reports of two alleged criminals hired by the Census Bureau that conducted door to door surveys. One, a registered sex offender, spent two weeks going door to door this month.
The full text of Shelby’s letter is below.
May 24, 2010
The Honorable Gary Locke
Secretary
US Department of Commerce
1401 Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20230
Dear Secretary Locke,
I am shocked and very concerned over news reports that the Census Bureau employed a registered sex offender as a US Census survey taker. It is inconceivable that the Census Bureau could be so poorly managed as to hire a convicted sex offender to go door-to-door to collect personal information.
In a 2009 Congressional hearing, I raised numerous concerns about the Census Bureau hiring hundreds of thousands of temporary workers in a short period of time without appropriate background checks, particularly focusing on the upcoming 2010 Census and the hundreds of thousands of temporary workers the Department would be hiring. In the 2000 Census, twenty-five percent of the 930,000 applicants were flagged by the FBI. If insufficient guidelines or a lack of training and oversight by the Census had allowed these people to be hired, that would have equated to a 1 in 4 chance that the person at the door has been identified by the FBI as having a criminal record. When asked the question about this issue and the upcoming 2010 Census, you stated that the Bureau follows general guidelines to disqualify applicants, which includes sexual offenses and crimes against children, to ensure that “each applicant is an acceptable risk to collect census information from residents of a community as a representative of our government.” Clearly, Mr. Secretary, your guidelines are not working.
It is expected that US federal employees, especially those tasked with a job that collects personal information at people’s homes, be thoroughly vetted. The Census Bureau spent $2.5 million on a Super Bowl advertisement to encourage participation in the Census and has gone to great lengths to assure Americans that they should open their doors to Census workers. The lack of adequate oversight is unacceptable. Applicants should not be given credentials prior to results of an FBI background check. What is even more objectionable is that it does not appear from public statements on the incident that the Census Bureau admits fault or even acknowledges that their screening procedures are not working.
I expect the Census Bureau will take immediate action to rectify their procedures and I look forward to receiving written confirmation from you about the steps the Department of Commerce and Bureau of the Census have taken to ensure that this never happens again.
Sincerely,
Richard Shelby
Wrapup: Complete Play By Play Jay Vs. Shorecrest Prep
May 25, 2010
Here is a complete play-by-play recap from Jay’s loss Monday to Shorecrest Prep in the state 2-A semi-final game.
For more on the game, click here.
SHORECREST PREP starters: 14/cf J Rothwell; 15/ss B Rasmussen; 4/c M Brakeman; 23/3b
S Heath; 19/1b J Oorlog; 10/dh J Kiracofe; 20/p T Larson; 24/2b A Roy; 3/lf
JBrandenburg; 16/rf B Kinter;
JAY ROYALS starters: 10/cf H Boutwell; 14/p H Brown; 9/c R Hendricks; 20/3b D Smith;
2/lf K Stanton; 12/dh C Weekes; 5/rf P Roberts; 7/1b T Prescott; 4/ss S Gandy; 16/2b
Z Gavin;
SHORECREST PREP 1st – J Rothwell singled to left field. J Rothwell stole
second. B Rasmussen singled to pitcher, bunt; J Rothwell advanced to third. M
Brakeman singled to center field, RBI; B Rasmussen advanced to second; J Rothwell
scored. S Heath grounded out to p; M Brakeman advanced to second; B Rasmussen
advanced to third. J Oorlog reached on a fielder’s choice, SAC, bunt, RBI; M
Brakeman advanced to third; B Rasmussen scored. J Kiracofe singled to first base,
bunt, RBI; J Oorlog advanced to second; M Brakeman scored. T Larson doubled down the
lf line, RBI; J Kiracofe advanced to third; J Oorlog scored. A Roy struck out
swinging. JBrandenburg grounded out to 2b. 4 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
JAY ROYALS 1st – H Boutwell grounded out to 3b. H Brown grounded out to 2b. R
Hendricks reached on a throwing error by ss, advanced to second on the throw. D
Smith flied out to lf. 0 runs, 0 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
SHORECREST PREP 2nd – J Rothwell doubled to right center. B Rasmussen out at
first p to 2b, SAC, bunt; J Rothwell advanced to third. M Brakeman popped up to 3b.
S Heath grounded out to ss. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
JAY ROYALS 2nd – K Stanton tripled to right field. C Weekes singled, advanced
to second on a throwing error by 3b; K Stanton scored. P Roberts grounded out to 1b
unassisted; C Weekes advanced to third. T Prescott grounded out to 2b, RBI; C Weekes
scored, unearned. S Gandy singled to right field. H Boutwell walked; S Gandy
advanced to second. S Gandy advanced to third on a throwing error by c, failed
pickoff attempt. H Brown grounded out to 2b. 2 runs, 3 hits, 2 errors, 2 LOB.
SHORECREST PREP 3rd – J Oorlog struck out looking. J Kiracofe flied out to
cf. T Larson grounded out to ss. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
JAY ROYALS 3rd – R Hendricks singled to right field. D Smith struck out
swinging. K Stanton grounded into double play ss to 2b to 1b; R Hendricks out on the
play. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
SHORECREST PREP 4th – A Roy reached on a fielding error by ss. JBrandenburg
reached on a throwing error by 3b, SAC, bunt; A Roy advanced to third. J Rothwell
grounded into double play ss to 1b; JBrandenburg out on the play; A Roy scored,
unearned. B Rasmussen flied out to lf. 1 run, 0 hits, 2 errors, 0 LOB.
JAY ROYALS 4th – C Weekes lined out to 2b. P Roberts singled to center field.
T Prescott reached on a fielder’s choice to pitcher, bunt; P Roberts out at second p
to ss. S Gandy reached on a fielder’s choice to shortstop; T Prescott out at second
ss to 2b. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
SHORECREST PREP 5th – M Brakeman grounded out to 2b. S Heath singled to left
field. J Oorlog popped up to p, bunt. J Kiracofe struck out looking. 0 runs, 1
hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
JAY ROYALS 5th – H Boutwell grounded out to 3b. H Brown struck out looking. R
Hendricks tripled to center field. D Walker pinch ran for R Hendricks. D Smith
struck out swinging, out at first c to 1b. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
SHORECREST PREP 6th – R Hendricks to c for D Walker. T Larson flied out to
lf. A Roy flied out to cf. JBrandenburg grounded out to p. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0
errors, 0 LOB.
JAY ROYALS 6th – K Stanton singled to center field. K Stanton advanced to
second on a wild pitch. C Weekes grounded out to p; K Stanton advanced to third. P
Roberts singled to center field, RBI; K Stanton scored. M Brakeman to p. S Heath to
c. T Larson to 2b. A Roy to 3b. T Prescott grounded out to 2b; P Roberts advanced to
second. S Gandy singled to right field; P Roberts advanced to third. S Gandy stole
second. H Boutwell struck out looking. 1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
SHORECREST PREP 7th – J Rothwell walked. B Rasmussen grounded out to 3b, SAC,
bunt; J Rothwell advanced to second. M Brakeman flied out to cf. J Rothwell advanced
to third on a wild pitch. S Heath fouled out to 1b. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1
LOB.
JAY ROYALS 7th – H Brown grounded out to 1b unassisted. R Hendricks popped up
to ss. D Smith singled to left field. T Sweeney pinch ran for D Smith. K Stanton
singled to first base; T Sweeney advanced to third. C Weekes struck out swinging.
0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Latest Escambia Oil Update
May 25, 2010
Here is the latest Deepwater Horizon oil spill information specific to Escambia County:
- Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key remain open. Water is clear and air quality is good.
- All local fishing areas remain open.
- According to the NOAA oil plume model, the spill is 55 miles southwest of Pensacola.
- No direct surface oil impacts are expected on county shores within the next 72 hours.
British Petroleum (BP)
- BP has reported over 2,847 claims in the state with approximately $1,724,520 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 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.
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. .
- Florida saltwater fishing regulations remain in effect as usual.
- FWC press release on data collection on gulf red snapper to address oil spill impacts.
- 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 proposa 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
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
- 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 periodically.
- Take detailed records of canceled 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.