Longtime Century Council Member Marie McMurray Passes Away

June 2, 2010

Former Century Town Council member Marie McMurray passed away Sunday. She was 84.

Visitation will be from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday at the First Mount Zion Baptist Church at 9030 North Century Boulevard. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church.

McMurray served 30 years on the Century Town Council, last running for seat two on the council in 2007.

Jackson-McMurray Funeral Services in Century is in charge of arrangements.

Escambia Ala. Election Results

June 2, 2010

Here are unofficial election results from Tuesday’s primary in Escambia County (Ala.). Results are complete except for provisional ballots.

Escambia County Sheriff
**Heath Jackson [R] 2,309 70%
Lloyd Albritton [R] 1,013 30%

Escambia County Commission District 5
David A. Quaker, Sr. [D] 311 60%
Wiley B. Tait [D] 206 40%

Escambia County Board of Education District 4 — Democratic
**Stephanie Agerton [D] 200 46%
**A.G. Brantley [D] 175 40%
Joseph Hutchcraft [D] 62 14%

**Agerton and Brantley will meet in a runoff.

Escambia County Board of Education District 4 — Republican
**Cindy Jackson [R] 575 84%
Monica W. Shockley [R] 110 16%

Alabama State Senate District 22
Danny Joyner 3,538 51%
Jeff Peacock 3,350 49%
86% reporting

Liberty Counsel Files For Injunction Against Santa Rosa Schools Over Religious Expression

June 2, 2010

The conservative Christian advocacy organization The Liberty Council has filed a request in federal court for a preliminary injunction against the Santa Rosa County School District and its superintendent Timothy S. Wyrosdick.

Liberty Counsel filed a federal complaint against the district last month on behalf of 22 individuals representing students, faculty and staff, and members of the community, whose constitutional rights to free speech are being violated, according to the group, by a consent decree drafted by the ACLU, agreed to by the district, and entered by a federal court.

The latest motion for preliminary injunction requests the federal court to block the enforcement of the consent decree and set it aside. Under the consent decree, a student was told he could not say “God Bless” and had to change it to “Good Luck.”

The Liberty Counsel said teachers are not allowed to reply to emails sent by parents seeking advice if the parents’ email contains words like “God Bless”, and district employees are prohibited from participating in privately sponsored off-campus religious events or baccalaureate. Faculty and staff are required to stop prayers at privately sponsored after-school clubs, the advocacy group said.

“Not only does the Consent Decree violate the free speech rights of faculty, staff, students, and members of the community seeking equal access to school facilities, it should also be set aside as moot, because the ACLU student plaintiffs graduated prior to the Consent Decree becoming a final order. Once they graduated, the court lost jurisdiction and should have dismissed the case,” according to statement released by The Liberty Counsel.

“Freedom fled from Santa Rosa County when the ACLU filed suit. Liberty Counsel intends to restore freedom and end the intimidation. The constitutional violations wrought by the ACLU’s court order are the most outrageous I have seen. The court order directly conflicts with opinions from the United States Supreme Court. It is only a matter of time before the ACLU court order is set aside. Schools are not religious-free zones,” said Mathew Staver, founder of Liberty Counsel and dean of Liberty University School of Law.

Oil Less Than 10 Miles From Escambia, Closing In

June 2, 2010

An oil sheen was spotted Tuesday less than 10 miles from Escambia County; a reddish brown oil began washing up on Dauphin Alabama; the federal government announced a criminal probe of BP; and the latest oil spill trajectory map from NOAA shows oil on the shores of Alabama and Northwest Florida by Friday.

Escambia County officials reported Tuesday that sections of the oil sheen had been spotted 9.5 miles from the county’s coastline. Regular reconnaissance flights are being conducted daily to monitor Florida’s shoreline for impact. For the latest information specific to Escambia County, click here.

Authorities on Dauphin Island, Alabama, reported reddish brown, weather oiled washing up on the island. The Alabama Department of Public Health posting warnings telling beachgoers to stay out of the water, and all Alabama Gulf Waters were closed to fishing.

The latest 72-hour forecast shows the oil slick headed toward the mouth of Mobile Bay and the oil approaching the coast of Escambia County, Florida, at the state line.

For live video of the oil spill from NorthEscambia.com, click here.

Meanwhile, U.S. Attorney General Erick Holder announced a civil and criminal probe into the Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill.

“We will closely examine the actions of those involved in this spill. If we find evidence of illegal behavior, we will be forceful in our response. We have already instructed all relevant parties to preserve any documents that may shed light on the facts surrounding this disaster,” Holder said Tuesday. “As our review expands in the days ahead, we will be meticulous, we will be comprehensive, and we will be aggressive. We will not rest until justice is done.”

Holder said that while the federal government continues to focus on stopping the leak and responding to the environmental disaster, the Department of Justice will work to make sure that the American people do not foot the bill for the disaster.

“We will ensure that every cent of taxpayer money will be repaid and damages to the environment and wildlife will be reimbursed. We will make certain that those responsible clean up the mess they have made and restore or replace the natural resources lost or injured in this tragedy. And we will prosecute to the full extent any violations of the law,” Holder said.

Grimes Arrested On Drug Charges

June 2, 2010

A Century man is facing drug paraphernalia charges after a traffic stop.

Deputy Jason Land spotted a Chevrolet pickup with an expired tag Sunday afternoon on North Century Boulevard near East Highway 4.  According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, Javis Cain Grimes, 25, of Gilmore Road, Century, was charged with three counts of possessing drug paraphernalia after Land discovered two 100 ml syringes in the driver’s door of the truck and an additional syringe in Grimes’ pocket.

Grimes (pictured) was released from the Escambia County Jail on $1,500 bond. He is due back in court on June 23.

He was also issued a traffic citation for the expired tag.

Heath Jackson Wins Escambia (Ala.) Sheriff Republican Primary

June 2, 2010

heathjackson10.jpg

Heath Jackson, an Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division investigator, won the Republican nod for sheriff in Escambia County, Ala., Tuesday by a two to one margin.

Jackson took 70 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s Republican primary, compared to 30 percent for challenger Lloyd Albritton. For Jackson, a political newcomer, the wide margin was huge boost as he looks forward to facing  Democratic incumbent Grover Smith in November. Smith was unopposed in the primaries.

“We are going to continue to move forward; we have the momentum going,” Jackson said Tuesday night after his win. “We are going to put up a good fight in November and win.”

Jackson said he is not going to waste any time getting out on the streets of Escambia County, knocking on doors and talking to every citizen.

“We are going to take back what has been taken from us in Escambia County — the right to be safe in our homes and not worry about drug dealers,” Jackson said.

Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Blood Drive Saturday In McDavid, Monday In Walnut Hill

June 2, 2010

There will be two opportunities in the next week give the gift of life in North Escambia.

The Northwest Florida Bloodmobile will be at the McDavid Mini Mart  Saturday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. The Bloodmobile will also be at the Walnut Hill Farm Supply on Monday, June 7 from 7:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

When you donate to Northwest Florida Blood Services, you can save the life of a hospital patient in northwest Florida. Northwest Florida Blood Services is the exclusive provider of blood products to more than 24 area hospitals who need 175 blood donations a day. Each donation can save up to three lives.

Requirements for giving blood are below.

  • Donors must be in generally good health
  • At least 17 years of age, without permission.  16-year olds are now allowed to donate with permission granted by parents or legal guardians.
  • Must bring picture ID
  • Weigh at least 110 lbs
  • Free of infection, fever or flu symptoms, for 3 days
  • No cancer within the last 5 years
  • No antibiotics within the last 48 hours
  • No tattoos within the past 12 months
  • No chest pain, heart disease, heart surgery (Requires written physician release with diagnosis)
  • No history of viral hepatitis
  • Cannot have lived in France for 5 years or more between 1980 and the present
  • Cannot have lived or visited in the UK for a total of 3 months or more from 1980 to 1996
  • Cannot have received a blood transfusion in the UK between 1980 and the present
  • Military personnel (current and former), and their dependents, who spent time in military bases in northern Europe during 1980-1990, or southern Europe during 1980-1996, for 6 months or more
  • All military personnel (active & reserve) that are returning from Iraq, are deferred for a period of 1 year after the last date on location in that country.

Pictured: The Northwest Florida Blood Services Bloodmobile at Fran’s Diner in Molino on Saturday.

Under The Sea: Danceworks Holds Recital

June 2, 2010

Heather Leonard’s Danceworks presented their annual recital “Under The Sea” recently at Ernest Ward Middle School.

For a photo gallery from the event, click here.

Preschool :
Emma Gilmore, Madalyn Grimes, Ava Gurganus, Berklee Hall, Leah Hetrick, Meredith Johnston, Gracie Long, Mariana Minchew, Jordan Sanders, Aubrey Stuckey, Aleigh Thornton
5-6 year olds:
Bama Coburn, Sarah Margaret Hetrick, Jamison Janes, Makayla Minchew
7-8 year olds:
Shelby Bashore, Anna Grace Janes, Ansleigh Maholovich, Olivia Porter, Bailey Van Pelt
9-10 year olds:
Anna Belle Barberree, Karrie Gibson, Allison Johnson, Cassidy Murphy
11-12 year olds:
Jalyn Bodiford, Katie Born, Leah Fischer, RayAnn Free, Courtney Grim, Jenna Thornton, Brittney Ward
Teen:
Morgan Digman, Anna Fischer, Chloe Leonard, Jessica Lowery, Madi Minchew, Shelby Nielsen

Leonard started Danceworks in 1994. She has over 30 years of dance training, 25 years of teaching experience  and serves as Danceworks’ director. The Danceworks students are instructed by Chelsea Sims, with 15 years of dance experience and five years as an assistant teacher. She is a former Northview High School cheerleader and Miss Northview.

Photos courtesy Ramona Fischer for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Latest Escambia Oil Info

June 2, 2010

Here is the latest Deepwater Horizon oil spill information specific to Escambia County. The latest updates are highlighted in yellow.

  • Based on information received Tuesday, June 1, from the state, sections of the oil sheen have been spotted 9.5 miles off the Escambia County coastlines.
  • Regular reconnaissance flights are being conducted daily to monitor Florida’s shoreline for impact.
  • Escambia County’s Emergency Operations Center will return to a Level 2 (partial) activation on Wednesday, June 2.
  • An EOC briefing will be held on Wednesday, June 2 at 9 a.m.
  • Secondary and tertiary boom staging began today, Tuesday, June 1.
  • 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.
  • Escambia County has maintained a state of emergency to prepare for the oil reaching our shores for the past 34 consecutive days.
  • With the spill’s closer proximity and winds from the south, an odor may be detected by residents.
  • Nineteen teams of 10 crew members have been prepared for beach cleanup. Some teams were activated Tuesday morning. The remaining are on standby for activation by Unified Command.
  • Sixty vessels are located off the shores of Florida and Alabama for skimming.
  • Documents were signed Tuesday to allocate $700,000 in funding for tourism promotion with the Escambia County Tourism Development Council, with another $700,000 to be allocated in 45 days.

British Petroleum (BP)
  • BP has reported 4,620 claims in the state with $3,360,515 paid to date.
  • There are reports of a scam involving individuals falsely representing themselves as BP employees and offering applicants training and promising job placement for a fee.  BP does not charge to train and hire applicants.  If you or someone you know has been charged for training, please contact law enforcement.
  • BP is providing a $100,000 grant through a Memorandum of Understanding with Volunteer Florida to maintain a database for the regulation of volunteers.
  • 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. 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.
  • 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)
  • Tuesday, June 1 – Local fishing areas remain open, however NOAA has again expanded the closed fishing areas in national waters. See details: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov.

State of Florida (DEP, FWC)

Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and Staff
  • 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.
  • The local state of emergency has been extended until June 4.

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
  • The Escambia County Health Department offers advice to residents experiencing symptoms from odors associated with the oil spill. (See details at www.escambiahealth.com.)

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 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.

First Day On The Job For New Atmore Principal

June 2, 2010

Today is the first day on the job for Joseph Dean, the new principal of Escambia County High School in Atmore.

Dean,38, is a native of Monroe County and most recently served as interim superintendent in Butler County, Ala.  During a 15 year career in Butler County, he served as an assistant principal at Greenville High School, principal at Georgiana High School and principal at Butler County Magnet School. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Alabama State University and a master’s degree in education leadership from ASU.

Dean was hired unanimously by the Escambia County Board of Education to replace Harvey Means after the board failed to extend Means’ contract.

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