Hurricane Season Begins
June 1, 2010
Tuesday was the first day of hurricane season, and the National Weather Service is predicting an “active to extremely active” season for the Atlantic Basin this year.
Across the entire Atlantic Basin for the six-month season, which begins June 1, NOAA is projecting a 70 percent probability of the following ranges:
- 14 to 23 Named Storms (top winds of 39 mph or higher), including:
- 8 to 14 Hurricanes (top winds of 74 mph or higher), of which:
- 3 to 7 could be Major Hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of at least 111 mph)
“If this outlook holds true, this season could be one of the more active on record,” said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “The greater likelihood of storms brings an increased risk of a landfall. In short, we urge everyone to be prepared.”
The outlook ranges exceed the seasonal average of 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes. Expected factors supporting this outlook are:
- Upper atmospheric winds conducive for storms. Wind shear, which can tear apart storms, will be weaker since El Niño in the eastern Pacific has dissipated. Strong wind shear helped suppress storm development during the 2009 hurricane season.
- Warm Atlantic Ocean water. Sea surface temperatures are expected to remain above average where storms often develop and move across the Atlantic. Record warm temperatures – up to four degrees Fahrenheit above average – are now present in this region.
- High activity era continues. Since 1995, the tropical multi-decadal signal has brought favorable ocean and atmospheric conditions in sync, leading to more active hurricane seasons. Eight of the last 15 seasons rank in the top ten for the most named storms with 2005 in first place with 28 named storms.
“The main uncertainty in this outlook is how much above normal the season will be. Whether or not we approach the high end of the predicted ranges depends partly on whether or not La Niña develops this summer,” said Gerry Bell, Ph.D., lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. “At present we are in a neutral state, but conditions are becoming increasingly favorable for La Niña to develop.”
“FEMA is working across the administration and with our state and local partners to ensure we’re prepared for hurricane season,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “But we can only be as prepared as the public, so it’s important that families and businesses in coastal communities take steps now to be ready. These include developing a communications plan, putting together a kit, and staying informed of the latest forecasts and local emergency plans. You can’t control when a hurricane or other emergency may happen, but you can make sure you’re ready.”
The president recently designated May 23-29, 2010, as National Hurricane Preparedness Week. NOAA and FEMA encourage those living in hurricane-prone states to use this time to review their overall preparedness. More information on individual and family preparedness can be found at www.Ready.gov and www.hurricanes.gov/prepare.
NOAA scientists will continue to monitor evolving conditions in the tropics and will issue an updated hurricane outlook in early August, just prior to what is historically the peak period for hurricane activity.
Cantonment Residents Die When RV Crashes 100 Feet Into Louisiana Swamp
June 1, 2010
Two Cantonment residents died Monday morning when their vehicle went over an interstate guardrail and a fell about 100 feet into a Louisiana swamp.
Joseph P. Ridgedell, 72, and Felisa B. Mullins, 68, both of Cantonment, were killed in the crash about 9:45 a.m. on I-55 south at the I-10 interchange near LaPlace, Louisiana, according to Louisiana State Police.
A preliminary investigation revealed that a 2003 Condor Motor Coach driven by Ridgedell was traveling on I-55 south when, for unknown reasons, it struck the left guardrail and crossed over the left and right lanes. The motor coach then struck the right guardrail and fell about 100 feet off the elevated portion of I-55 into a marshy area.
Ridgedell and Mullins were pronounced dead at the scene. Their bodies were recovered shortly after the crash, but crews with heavy-duty wreckers worked through the day Monday and into early Tuesday morning to recover the recreational vehicle and a car that was being towed.
“Speed and alcohol are not suspected as factors in the crash, however, toxicology results are pending,” according to a news release from the Louisiana State Police.
There were no other vehicles involved in the accident and no other injuries, according to authorities.
LaPlace, Louisiana, is about 30 miles west of New Orleans.
Pictured: Two Cantonment residents died Monday morning west of New Orleans when their RV careened over an interstate guardrail and fell 100 feet into a Louisiana swamp. Photo courtesy WWL-TV New Orleans for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Randy ‘Shorty’ Moye
June 1, 2010
Mr. Randy ‘Shorty’ Moye, 50, died Friday, May 15, 2010. He was a lifelong resident of Century and had been employed by Service Welding, Burkhead Cotton Gin in Jay, Fla., and Commercial Landscaping. He was preceded in death by his twin brother, Joseph, and his sister, Joann Moye.
He is survived by his parents, Pierce and Carolyn Moye of Century; his wife, Glenda Mayo of Century; daughters, Susan (Brian Beswick) Beeker of Milton, Fla., and Kimberly (Bryan Johnson) Copeland of Atmore; his sisters, Patricia (Larry) Johnson and Wanda (Everette) Brown, both of East Brewton, and Brenda Patterson of Century; his brother, Andy (Theresa) Moye of Flomaton; his grandchildren, Amber, Brian Jr., Zachary, Logan and Layla; a special friend, Bonnie King and numerous other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 18, at 2 p.m. at Jay Funeral Home with the Rev, Raymond Wiggins and Brother Tommy Lee Johnson officiating. Burial followed at McCurdy Cemetery with Jay Funeral Home directing.
It’s Primary Election Day In Alabama (With Sample Ballots)
June 1, 2010
It’s primary election day in Alabama, with voters headed to the polls to pick the Democratic and Republican nominees for the November general election.
Polls will be open until 7 p.m.
Click here for a sample Democratic ballot.
Click here for a sample Republican ballot.
NorthEscambia.com will have local election results posted later tonight.
Here is how the field of candidates stands for local races Escambia County, Alabama:
- Sheriff — Democratic incumbent Grover Smith will face the winner of the Republican primary race between Lloyd Albritton and Heath Jackson. Albritton is a former military criminal investigator; Jackson, a Brewton native, is a narcotics investigator for the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office.
- County Commission District 1 – Incumbent Democrat David Stokes is unopposed.
- County Commission District 3 — Republican Buster Crapps, a Flomaton councilman, will face incumbent Democrat Larry White.
- County Commission District 5 — Two Democrats, David Allen Quarker Sr. and Wiley B. Tait will face each other in the primary election. The winner will face Republican Don “Viking” Ellestad in the general election. The incumbent, Richard Hawthorne, did not seek re-election after being indicted on sexual misconduct charges.
- School Board District 4 — The most crowded local race in the county has five candidates — Democrats Stephanie Agerton, A.G. “Bo” Brantley and Joseph Hutchcraft; and Republicans Cindy Jackson and Monica Shockley.
- School Board District 6 — Incumbent District 6 Democrat Cereal Daniel will face Republican challenger Sherry Digmon, publisher of the Atmore News newspaper in November.
Area state race:
- Senate District 22 – Republicans Danny Joyner and Jeff Peacock; incumbent Democrat Marc Keahey.
- State House District 66 — Incumbent Republican Alan Baker.
- State House District 92 — Republicans Mike Jones, Jr. and Greg White.
New ECUA Sanitation and Recycling Programs Begins
June 1, 2010
Enhancements began Tuesday to the recycling and sanitation services offered by the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority.
The first change is the introduction of a bulk item collection to the recycling program. This service will allow existing recycling customers the ability to call-in and request a bulk pick-up of recyclable items once per month.
The pick-up will be made on the next recycling day following the request. It will include the pick-up of items such as tires, propane tanks, household electronics, appliances, batteries and large amounts of cardboard.
The second enhancement will be the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) curbside collection program. This service will allow all ECUA residential sanitation customers to call-in and request a pick-up of HHW items once-per-month.
The collection will be made on the first Saturday of the month and will include the pick-up of HHW items such as pool chemicals, household chemicals, paints, used cooking grease, lawn and garden chemicals, and used oil, to name just a few. These materials will be collected by ECUA crews at the customer’s doorstep and transported to an ECUA collection site.
The ECUA Recycling Program debuted the week of January 5, 2009, as part of the regular residential sanitation service. This program is being utilized by 38,000 households — about 52 percent of ECUA customers.
For more information on the ECUA Recycling and Sanitation Programs, or to sign-up for the recycling program, visit the ECUA website at www.ecua.org or contact their customer service center at (850) 476-0480.
Atmore Pool Now Open; Register Now For Swimming Lessons
June 1, 2010
The newly renovated city pool at Tom Byrne Park in Atmore reopened Tuesday, and registration for swimming and tennis lessons is underway.
Admission to the pool is just $1 for ages 17 and under and $1.50 for 18 and over. Swimming and tennis lessons are $35 for a three week session.
For complete swimming and tennis lesson information and pool hours, click here..
Free Sacred Heart Health Screenings
June 1, 2010
Sacred Heart Health System will provide free health screenings Tuesday in Cantonment and June 17 in Molino for the poor, elderly and uninsured.
Sacred Heart staff will provide heart-health screenings to measure blood pressure, blood sugar and total cholesterol and to screen for anemia. The screenings are helpful in diagnosing conditions that put people at high risk for heart attack, stroke, diabetes and other health problems.
Sacred Heart’s Mission in Motion staff will provide screenings for adults at the Cantonment Council on Aging at 132 Mintz Lane from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday. The free screenings will also be offering from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 17 at Scott’s Pharmacy at 6505 North Highway 29 in Molino.
Mission in Motion is a community service provided by Sacred Heart Health System in Pensacola. For more information, call (850) 416-7826.
Updated: More Rain Tonight, Wednesday
June 1, 2010
Our wet weather pattern will continue for the next couple of days. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Wednesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Thursday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming south southwest between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South southwest wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 95. South southwest wind between 5 and 15 mph.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 95.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 96.
- Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
- Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 91
Photos: A Look Back At A Long North Escambia Weekend
June 1, 2010
