Head Graduates From Basic Training

June 12, 2010

headdereck10.jpgAir Force Airman Derek J. Head 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 Nicki Qualls of Highway 4, Jay. Head is a 2008 graduate of Jay High School.

Oil Spill Info For Saturday

June 12, 2010

Here is the latest Deepwater Horizon oil spill information specific to Escambia County for Saturday, June 12, with updated information in yellow:

  • If you see tar or oiled debris on the beach, DO NOT PICK IT UP.
    Report it to 1-877-389-8932 (new number), 1-866-448-5816 or #DEP from a cell phone.
  • DO NOT TOUCH oiled or injured wildlife. Report your finding to 1-866-557-1401.
  • A large plume of weathered oil was detected nine miles south of Pensacola Pass. The plume is two miles wide and extends 40 miles.
  • An additional plume of non-weathered oil was verified through state reconnaissance date, located six miles south of Escambia County.
  • Escambia County officials have confirmed through Unified Command that Captain Steve Poulin, USCG Captain of the Port for Sector Mobile, authorized the closure of Pensacola Pass at 7 p.m. today, June 11.
  • Boom will be deployed across the opening of the pass and the pass will be navigationally restricted during incoming (flood) tide as waters enter Pensacola Bay. The pass will be manned to allow access to necessary vessel traffic.
  • The pass will reopen during outgoing (ebb) tide as water flows out to the Gulf of Mexico.
  • Skimmers will continue working during the night.
  • The Intracoastal Waterway will remain open.
  • Boom in locally deployed waterways will limit waterway access in and out of commercial marinas and residential harbors. Boaters needing access in or out of boomed locations, should call 850-736-2261.
  • See Escambia Inland Waterways Deployed Boom List.
  • Perdido Pass will be closed to Terry Cove on the western side of Perdido Bay and navigationally restricted during flood (incoming) tide as water enters Perdido Bay, and will reopen during ebb (outgong) tide as water flows out to the Gulf of Mexico. Boom is deployed across the deep draft waterway to the east of Perdido Bay, but navigation is still open through a gate system.
  • See NOAA tide predictions.
  • Boaters are asked to be mindful of the boom and skimming operations, to use slow speeds so as not to produce a wake that may disrupt the boom, and to be aware of restricted areas.
  • A flashing light has been attached to all boom to increase visibility to boaters.
  • NOAA trajectories show direct on-shore impacts of scattered tarballs and light sheen through the weekend, for coastal regions near and west of Pensacola.
  • Relatively weak winds (below 10 knots), low seas (below 3 feet) and relatively low rain chances are expected to prevail through the next 7 days. Winds are expected to continue out of the south through the weekend. A possible shift to the southsouthwest may occur on Sunday, which may continue to push portions of the oil plume towards the western Florida Panhandle through the next 72 hours.
  • Daily cleanup continues on both beaches.
  • The beaches at Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key remain open.
  • The Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier and the Pensacola Bay Fishing Bridge are both open for sightseers and fishing.
  • Based on the volume of tar balls washing ashore on Perdido Key and the difficulty in avoiding contact with the tar in the surf, the state health department issued a health advisory June 8 from the Florida/Alabama line east to the entrance of Johnson Beach/Gulf Islands National Seashore. The Health Department posted signs at the affected area.
  • This is an advisory, not a ban. People may safely participate in activities that are above the high tide line and can still swim at their own risk. If you experience respiratory problems, leave the area and contact a physician if you deem necessary. Please see the Health Department web site for more information on health safety: www.escambiahealth.com.
  • The health department will continue to monitor the levels of tar balls and will lift the advisory as conditions improve.
  • Reconnaissance flights and ATV beach patrols are being conducted daily, weather permitting, to monitor Florida’s shoreline for impact.
  • Unified command continues to check, verify the condition and make repairs as needed to currently placed booms. The county will work with Unified Command on any placement of boom within navigable waterways.

BP
  • BP claims in Florida total 10,967 with $7,788,317.02 paid.
  • BP has 376 vessels registered in Florida for the Vessels of Opportunity program
  • 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.
  • There are reports of a scam involving individuals falsely representing themselves as BP employees and offering applicants training and job placement for a fee. BP does not charge to train applicants.  If you or someone you know has been charged for training, please contact law enforcement.
  • BP’s Florida Gulf Response web site: www.floridagulfresponse.com.
  • File claims with BP online: http://www.bp.com/claims.
  • BP’s claims office is located at 3960 W. Navy Boulevard, Suite 16 & 17. The office is currently open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week, until further notice. BP claims categories. Call 1-800-440-0858 to help expedite the process. If you are not satisfied with BP’s resolution, call 1-800-280-7118.
  • The BP community outreach office is located at 435 East Government Street for questions on volunteering, vessels of opportunity program, or any other questions. Phone: 850-912-8640.
  • 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 435 East Government Street. For information, call 281-366-5511.
  • The Fish and Wildlife Service is working with Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research, contracted by BP to provide assistance to oiled wildlife. 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
  • U.S. Senator Bill Nelson will be available to the media at the Emergency Operations Center at 10:40 a.m. on Monday, June 14.
  • Latest information from NOAA Fisheries Service, including fisheries closure, regulation changes and quota increases: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov.

State of Florida
  • The Small Business Administration issued an economic injury Disaster Loan Declaration for the state of Florida. Pensacola office: 401 E. Chase St., Ste. 100. For more information on Economic Injury Disaster Loans visit the SBA website.
  • For information on the Florida Small Business Development Center’s Mobile Area Command units, visit www.floridasbdc.org/Special Programs/bcrm.asp.
  • 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).
  • Submit innovative technology ideas, suggestions or products by completing this form. Send the form and supporting documentation to Innovative.Technology@dep.state.fl.us.
  • 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 1-800-320-0519 or #DEP from your cell phone.

Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and Staff
  • If citizens see anything unusual on the beaches, Escambia County has opened field offices on Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key to assist in answering questions from the public and to also act as staging areas for the county monitoring teams.
    • The Pensacola Beach field office is located at 5 Via Deluna, Suite 8; phone: 934-6500.
    • The Perdido Key field office is located at 13578 Perdido Key Drive.
  • The county received a permit from DEP to use rakes and tractors (mechanical cleaning equipment) on beaches. Eight pieces were requested. BP is procuring five and planning for three more.
  • County contractors continue to monitor passes for indications of oil during the evening hours.
  • EOC briefings continue 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., with news conferences at 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
  • Staff continue to monitor and maintain boom. See Booming Locations and Booming Maps.
  • Officials meet with BP and the Coast Guard daily on materials collected and locations of cleanup.
  • SRIA lifeguards continue patrolling beaches for oil from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • 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.
  • Escambia County has allocated more than $3 million local dollars to date.
  • Escambia County has received $700,000 in funding for tourism promotion with the Escambia County Tourism Development Council, with another $700,000 to be allocated in 45 days.
  • Hurricane season began June 1. See the Hurricanes and Oil Spill Fact Sheet (PDF)
  • Escambia County, in conjunction with the University of West Florida, is collecting gulf water samples from Santa Rosa Island and Perdido Key routinely to indicate any changes in water quality. The latest testing came back negative for aliphatic hydrocarbons, meaning no dissolved or dispersed hydrocarbons were found. Tar balls represent a different and less toxic form of the oil.
  • 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.

City of Pensacola
  • Unified Command authorized the closure of Bayou Texar at 7 p.m. today, June 11.
  • Boom will be deployed across the opening of the bayou. The bayou will be navigationally restricted during incoming (flood) tide. It will be manned to allow access to necessary vessel traffic.
  • The bayou will reopen during outgoing (ebb) tide as water flows out to the Gulf of Mexico.
  • 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, visit www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org.

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 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.
  • Do not drive boats 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.
  • Individuals who have pre-existing medical conditions, such as asthma or other respiratory illness should contact their health care provider if feeling symptomatic.
  • If you see or smell oil, leave immediately. Avoid skin contact with oil or oil-contaminated water. 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. Restrict pets from entering oil-contaminated areas. If you get oil on your skin, wash it off with soap and water. Young children, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems, and individuals with underlying respiratory conditions should avoid the area.
  • 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.

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 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 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 have records, 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 supportive records. If your hotel or restaurant is within walking distance to the beach, the business’s assets could be damaged even though there is no physical damage to the structure. Please record this depreciation.

Important Phone Numbers For Citizens

    • To report oil on the beach or shoreline:
      • 1-877-389-8932 (new number)
      • #DEP from a cell phone
    • To report oiled wildlife:
      • 1-866-557-1401
    • BP Claims:
      • 1-800-440-0858
    • To report damaged, vandalized, adrift or stolen boom:
      • 1-866-448-5816
      • 1-800-320-0519
    • Escambia County Citizen’s Information Line:
      • 471-6600
    • Florida Oil Spill Information Line:
      • 1-888-337-3569

Elmira G. Crapps

June 12, 2010

Mrs. Elmira G. Crapps, 103, passed away on Thursday, June 10, 2010 at a Pensacola, FL hospital.

Mrs. Crapps was a native of Georgiana, AL, a resident of Gandyville, FL since 1925 and attended the Poplar Dell Baptist Church. Preceded in death by her Husband of 65 years, W.H. Crapps.

Survivors include: a special Nephew, Dale Brunson of Gandyville, FL; a special Niece, Charlotte Field of Pensacola, FL; and a number of Nieces and Nephews.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, June 13, 2010 at 2:00 P.M. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Robert Gandy and the Rev. Mitch Herring officiating.

Burial will follow at Poplar Dell Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Saturday, June 12, 2010 between 6:00 and 8:00 P.M .at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be her Nephews, Carl Gandy, Gary Baggett, Mike Gandy, Tracey Gandy, Haynes Gandy, Randy Chavers.

Honorary pallbearers will be Tom Gandy, Hollis Gandy, John Gandy, William Gandy, Buster Crapps, and Carmen Ivy.

Pelicans Win Thriller Over AirHogs 5-4

June 12, 2010

The Pelicans (11-16) and AirHogs (15-11) both put up a great fight at Quiktrip Park and in the end, Pensacola prevailed for a thrilling 5-4 victory Friday night. The Pelicans have now won three games in a row.

Grand Prairie struck first blood in the bottom of the first inning with an RBI single from Juan Camacho and a two run homerun from Aaron Garza. All these runs came with two outs which gave the AirHogs an early 3-0 advantage.

The Pelicans loaded the bases with one out in the top of the fourth inning. Francisco Leandro would line a single into right field to score Adolfo Gonzalez and Kyle Brown to make it a 3-2 game. Chase Porch would follow with an RBI groundout to bring in Christison to tie the game up at 3. One batter later, Javier Brito would hit a sharp ground ball off the glove of the third baseman Jose Duran which would roll down the left field line scoring Porch to give Pensacola a 4-3 lead. Lou Palmisano would follow with a single up the middle to bring home Gray and make it a 5-3 Pelicans lead.

Grand Prairie scored a run in the fifth inning, but that would end the scoring as Pelican pitching shut them out for the last four innings to seal up the 5-4 victory.

Jared Gothreaux (3-2) gets the win as he battled through eight innings scattering 4 runs off ten hits, but making the big outs when he had too.

Ron Hill pitched a perfect ninth to get his second save of the season.

Ryne Tacker (1-1) takes the loss as he gives up five runs-none earned off five hits through seven innings pitched.

Pelicans Put Out Diablos 5-3

June 11, 2010

The Pelicans (10-16) fought hard and got a big hit late in the game from Javier Brito to help Pensacola beat the Diablos (7-18) 5-3 Thursday night and take their first series of the season.

In the top half of the second, J.D. Reininger belted a ball down the left field line for his fourth homerun of the season. It was a two run shot that gave the Diablos an early 2-0 lead.

Kyle Brown got the Pelicans on the board in the bottom half of the second inning by hitting an infield single to bring in Lou Palmisano from third to make it a 2-1 contest. It was the first professional baseball RBI for Brown.

With the score 3-1, the Pelicans loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the fourth inning. Dallas Christison hit a sacrifice fly to right center field to score Rodriguez to make it a 3-2 game. Francisco Leandro followed with a screaming double down the right field line to bring in Adolfo Gonzalez and tie the game up at 3.

Javier Brito untied the game in the seventh inning with a towering two run homerun over the left field fence to give the Pelicans a 5-3 lead. It was the second homer of the year for Brito and it was a clutch shot late in the game.

Jason Franzblau (1-0) got the win as he pitched three scoreless innings only giving up one hit on the evening.

Tyler Wilson pitched a perfect ninth striking out two to get his first save of the season.

Noel Baca (0-2) takes the loss as he gives up the two run homerun to Javier Brito in the seventh inning.

The Pelicans will hit the road and start a three game series tomorrow night against the Grand Prairie AirHogs

Margaret Coon

June 11, 2010

Margaret Coon 81, a lifetime resident of Escambia County, passed away quietly at home after a long battle with ovarian cancer.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, 9 months, Joe, two sons both of Pensacola, Harry (Susan) Coon and Steven (Cecile) Coon and a daughter Saundra (Rusty) Hudson of Daytona Beach and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved her garden and her flowers. With graciousness and generosity she touched the lives of all those around her. Strength, dignity and perseverance, she was truly a Steel Magnolia, a gracious southern woman.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, June 10, 2010 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North-Cantonment with Rev. Joe Mullins officiating. Interment will follow at Aldersgate United Methodist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to service time.

Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 Highway 29 south Cantonment is in charge of arrangements.

Betty Elder

June 11, 2010

Betty Elder

In the early morning hours of June 6, 2010 God saw one of his precious flowers that needed to be plucked. Betty was this flower, and she is now fully blooming with the Lord.

Betty was born on February 28, 1944 to Duffy and Rosa Mae Jefferson. Her father preceded her in death.

Betty leaves to cherish very fond memories of her, a devoted husband, Ray Edler; six children, Victoria Daniels, Allen Moore, Lydia Moore (Stephen Killan), Sentia Dorsey, Darcy Kirkland and Vickie Edler; mother, Rosa Jefferson; three grandchildren, Charlie Daniels, Jr., Chimere and Shontell Daniels; five great-grandchildren, Kyara Gen, Jadin Daniels, Anaiah Daniels, Jashaun Gean and Anjelia Pagan; one sister, Marilyn Harris; a favorite aunt, Charlie Mae Cooper; a favorite cousin, Betsy Lee Chavers; a special friend, Gloria Donald; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Viewing will be from 12 to 8pm June 11, 2010 at Joe Morris & Son Funeral Home. Services will be on Saturday, June 12, 2010 at 10am at St. Paul’s AME Zion Church, Cantonment. Interment will be at Cedartown Cemetery.

Neal L. (Spookey) Davis, Sr.

June 11, 2010

Neal L. (Spookey) Davis, Sr., age 74, died Sunday, May 30, 2010, at the UPMC Shadyside Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA, after a six year battle with cancer. Neal was born in Century, FL on September 16, 1935.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Henry Davis, Jr. and Myra Louise Davis Crary.

He is survived by his wife and companion of 50 years, Connie Davis of Robertsdale, AL; sons, Neal Lee Davis, Jr. of Robertsdale and John L. Davis(Beverly), Ft. Meyers; and daughter, Anne L. McGowan (Steve), Molino; grandsons, Eric Davis, Ft. Lauderdale and Michael Davis, Ft. Meyers; and granddaughters, Kelly Davis, Ocala, Katie Davis, Ft. Meyers, and Jordan McGowan, Molino; stepgrandson, Mathew McGowan, Pensacola.

In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made to the David C. Koch Regional Perfusion Cancer Therapy Research Fund, 5150 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15232, Dr. David L.Bartlett, Director.

Visitation and memorial service will be held at the Hamilton Baptist Church, Gateswood, Alabama at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 12, 2010.

Escambia Awarded $7 Million In Disaster Grants, Including $600K for Century

June 11, 2010

cdbg.jpgEscambia County has received a $7 million disaster recovery grant to be used on projects in Century and in the Pensacola area.

The $7,067,397 community development block grant from the Florida Department of Community Affairs will fund five projects, two of them in Century related to flooding in 2008.

Projects funded by the grant will include:

  1. Century flooding and drainage improvements on Jefferson Avenue, $193,300.  The funding will construct Jefferson Avenue ditch outfall improvements to rework a ditch that is responsible for draining the central portion of Century. The town does not currently have a dedicated easement for the ditch, so the town’s ability to maintain it has been hampered. As a result, the ditch has grown up with heavy vegetation and debris from storms, and as a result it is difficult for the town to maintain it with hand labor and small equipment. The goal of the project will be to secure easements for the adjacent property owners and to clear and reshape the ditch to improve it so that it can be better maintained in the future.
  2. Century flooding and drainage improvements on Pond Street, $406,700.  The funding will provide improvements to an existing drainage ditch in the Pond Street area, including correction of the easement issues as exist around the Jefferson Avenue ditch.
  3. Affordable rental housing preservation and development, $1.05 million to  partially fund the acquisition of the Maison Deville Apartments, which were heavily damaged by Hurricane Ivan and further impacted by Hurricane Gustav. The 144-unit complex will replaced by units of mixed income rental housing.
  4. Development of Homeless Service Facility, $1.8 million. The money will be used for a new homeless service center that will house the Waterfront Rescue Mission and provide homeless services. The existing Waterfront Rescue Mission homeless facility is currently located in a flood-prone area.
  5. Lakewood (Warrington) area sewer construction will receive $3.3 million to eliminate septic tanks that impact Bayou Chico during flooding.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery Grants totaling $81 million were available statewide under funding approved by Congress for areas declared disaster areas due to 2008 storms. Escambia County was one of six counties in Florida declared disaster areas due to the impact of Hurricane Gustav.

Football: Northview Assistant Coach Headed To Escambia County Atmore

June 11, 2010

A Northview High School assistant football coach was hired Thursday at Escambia County High School in Atmore.

Karl Smith was hired by the Escambia County (Ala.) Board of  Education as a special education teacher at Escambia County High to replace Christopher Hill.

Smith taught for six years at Northview High School, according to the school website, teaching ESE math and career education. He was the defensive line and tight ends coach for the Chiefs, and also served as the head track and weightlifting coach.

« Previous PageNext Page »