Four Injured In Muscogee Road Crash
July 10, 2010
At least four people were injured in a two vehicle accident Friday afternoon near Cantonment, and, as emergency personnel were working, a third vehicle became involved.
The accident was reported about 5 p.m. at the intersection of Beulah Road and Muscogee Road near the Alabama state line. As emergency workers were loading patients from the first collision, one of the wrecked pickup trucks was struck by a utility trailer being towed by a passing pickup truck. There were no injuries in the second accident.
The accidents are under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Beulah and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded.
For more photos from the scene, click here.
Pictured top: Four people were injured in this two vehicle collision Friday afternoon near Cantonment. Pictured below: A third vehicle pulling a utility trailer became involved in the crash as emergency workers were on scene. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Fred Sherman Salter
July 9, 2010
Mr. Fred Sherman Salter, 72, passed away on Thursday, July 8, 2010 at a Mobile, AL hospital.
Mr. Salter was born on a cold, frosty November 21, 1937 in Burnt Corn, AL and was a resident of Escambia County, AL since he was very young. He was a 1955 graduate of W.S. Neal High School, a retired employee of Container Corporation of America after 39 years, a veteran of the U.S. Army, and active in the IBEW. He also served twelve years on the Escambia County School Board, was President of Pollard McCall PTO, a member of the Civitans for many years and served on the McCall Water Board. He served as treasurer of the Atmore American Legion and was a long standing member. He was also a member of the unofficial coffee drinking café clubs around town and a member of the Brewton Pentacostal Holiness Church for 47 years, where he served as deacon and treasurer for most of that time. He went on several missionary trips to Costa Rica and Guatemala where he helped build churches and church schools. Preceded in death by his Parents, Marvin Andrew and Gussie Idonia Salter, an older Sister, Thelma Salter, and a Brother, Reginald Wesley “Bud” Salter.
Survivors include: his Wife of 47 years, Frances DeLaine Salter of Atmore, AL; his Son, Fred Sherman and Teresa Salter, Jr.of Brewton, AL; 2 Grandchildren, Ashley Megan Nall and Stephen Andrew Salter; a Grandson by mutual love agreement, Jonah Isaiah Pate; 2 Great-Grandchildren, Trever Alan Nall and Jordan Elizabeth Salter; and a Sister, Wylmogene Hart of Brewton, AL.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, July 11, 2010 at 3:00 P.M. at the Brewton Pentacostal Holiness Church with the Rev. Byrnes Pitts officiating.
Burial will follow at Green Acres Cemetery with Petty Funeral Homes, LLC. directing.
Visitation will be held Saturday, July 10, 2010 between 6:00 and 9:00 P.M .at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be David Chavers, Chuck Chavers, Joey O’ Bannon, Jerry Pate, Chris Byrd, Fred Balkcom, Pete Duiano, Ray Lee, Irvin Carnley, Jr., Gerald Franklin, and Lamar Hodge.
Honorary pallbearers will be the American Legion.
Driver, 16, Facing Charges After Early Morning Alcohol Related Crash
July 9, 2010
Three teens were involved in a single vehicle alcohol related accident early Friday morning at Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino, and the driver is facing multiple charges.
Ashton Vincent, 16, of Cantonment, was charged with having an unlawful breath-alcohol level for a minor (greater than .02), traveling too fast for conditions, reckless driving and violation of curfew restrictions after the 2:23 a.m. crash.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Vincent was traveling east on Crabtree Church Road approaching Highway 97 at an apparent high rate of speed in a 2010 Dodge Challenger. She lost control, traveled through the parking lot of the Tom Thumb, hit large concrete sign, and overturned several times across two ditches and into the intersection of Highway 97 and Highway 29. The vehicle landed upright in the intersection.
Vincent suffered minor injuries, as did her two passengers — Nicole Galletti, 16, of Pensacola, and Morgan White, 16, of Pensacola. All three were wearing their seat belts, according to the FHP.
Highway 97 and a portion of southbound Highway 29 were closed over an hour by the crash.
The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol responded to the early morning crash.
Three teens were injured in this single vehicle alcohol related crash about 2:20 a.m. Friday at Highway 97 and Highway 29 in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Teen Severely Burned In Lawn Mower Fire
July 9, 2010
A Flomaton teen was severely burned in a lawn mower fire Thursday.
The 15-year old was transported by ambulance to D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton after the noon accident. He was later transferred to the University of South Alabama Regional Burn Center.
Further details were not available.
The Flomaton Fire Department, Engine 519 from the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Flomaton Police Department responded to the call.
Submitted photo by Christine Stanton for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Officials Worried About Local Financial Implications Of Oil Spill
July 9, 2010
State and local officials are worried about the local financial implications of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, and they are talking drilling bans, income tax cuts and property tax problems.
Gov. Charlie Crist called Thursday for a special session aimed at a constitutional ban on offshore drilling, while Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Alex Sink urged the federal government to leave lost income payments alone when tax times rolls around.
Meanwhile, local government and business groups met with state officials to map out strategies for tracking the mounting costs of the BP Deepwater Horizon spill that continues to spew oil in the gulf and may alter the economics of the region for years to come.
Local governments, which have so far spent millions on protective measures and clean-up efforts, face plunging property values that, in turn, may further reduce the cash flow needed to pay for the schools, roads and other local responsibilities funded with property taxes. Somehow, they want to be repaid.
“This is a nightmare in slow motion,” said Greg Brown, Santa Rosa County property appraiser. “This is going to be with us for a long time.”
Leading off a flurry of oil-related activity, Crist called on lawmakers to return July 20 to craft a proposed constitutional amendment to ban oil and gas exploration in state waters. That’s likely to set up a standoff with reluctant Republican lawmakers, who have balked at the idea and led opponents of the no-party governor to call it a politically-motivated grandstand.
“Politics has nothing to do with this,” Crist said. “This has everything to do with what is right for a place that I love.”
Speaking to reporters, the governor said he’s no longer going to wait for consensus before calling lawmakers back into session, saying that time is running out for voters to address the issue during the Nov. 4 general election. Sixty percent of voters would have to agree to pass the proposal.
“They ought to have an opportunity, the people, to put it into their constitution so if a Legislature comes along and forgets what’s happening out there this year, that that doesn’t happen again,” Crist said.
Earlier Thursday, business and local government representatives underscored the difficulty in tracking just how much the BP oil spill has cost public and private entities and how long those adverse impacts will linger.
Among the immediate questions posed to the Oil Spill Economic Recovery Task Force working group were how the spill will affect property values when they are assessed again in January and what property owners will do when they get their tax notices in August. The working group is formulating a slate of recommendations for the full task force.
Property tax levels are based on the January 2010 assessed values, which may have fallen since the spill began April 20. Property owners who think the values are inaccurate have the right to address their local adjustment board, which may see a significant uptick in appeals this fall.
“I think you’re going to see a lot of people challenging their assessments,” Brown said.
While local governments look for a way to boost tax revenue, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, the leading Democratic candidate for governor, sent a letter to members of Florida’s Congressional Delegation asking them to support legislation that would waive the federal income tax on the lost income payments Floridians have received from BP. Those payments, which have so far totaled more than $25 million in Florida, should be considered tax exempt as residents struggle to get back on their feet, she said.
“Every dollar counts right now as many Floridians struggle to get by because of the oil disaster, and this common-sense measure just makes sense for our citizens and businesses,” said Sink. “BP should pay for this income tax loss, instead of taking much needed resources from our small business owners and other Floridians.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo of oil on Pensacola Beach by Regina Hare, click to enlarge.
BP Pays Up: Escambia Gets $1.86 Million Reimbursement
July 9, 2010
BP made a $1.86 million wire transfer to Escambia County on Thursday to reimburse the county for estimated expenditures incurred during the month of June for oil cleanup.
According to Sonya Daniel, Escambia County public information manager, payment was made as follows:
- Water Sampling $362,162
- Air Reconnaissance $36,000
- Beach Monitoring $400,000
- Marine Observation $396,000
- Boom Monitoring and Maintenance $175,000
- Operating Costs $6,123
- Equipment $15,400
- Professional Services $470,000
The boom payment, according to Daniel, was not for boom leasing fees. Those contracts are still be worked through the State of Florida and the Unified Command, she said.
Pelicans Win Again
July 9, 2010
The Pensacola Pelicans were led by a brilliant pitching performance from David Nathanson and solid offensive display to lead Pensacola over Shreveport-Bossier 6-0 Thursday.
All-Star John Alonso led off the bottom of the second inning with a homerun down the left field line to give the Pels a 1-0 lead. It was Alonso’s fifth homer of the year.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Pelicans (23-28, 3-0) loaded the bases with two outs. Dallas Christison lined a single to center to score John Alonso and Lou Palmisano to extend the lead for Pensacola to 3-0.
The Pelicans extended their lead in the last of the fifth inning when Chase Porch hit a two out, two run double down the third base line which brought in Francisco Leandro and Javier Brito to give the Pels a 5-0 advantage.
Pensacola added a run in the bottom of the eighth inning when Adolfo Gonzalez blooped single down the right field line scoring Porch from second base to give the Pels a 6-0 lead.
David Nathanson (3-4) gets the win as tosses his third complete game of the season. Nathanson shutout the Captains scattering eight hits and striking out eight batters on the night.
Escambia Ala. Junior Miss Competition Saturday Night
July 9, 2010
Six young ladies will take part in the Escambia County Junior Miss program tonight. They are Megan Andrews, Dallas Brown, Walton Nichols, Kelsey Templeton, Cierra White and Shelly Womack.
The program will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Woodfin-Patterson Auditorium on the campus of Jefferson Davis Community College in Brewton.
For a photo gallery of the contestants and their Little Sisters, click here.
Contestants are:
Megan Andrews is the daughter of Bennie and Zelda Andrews. She is a student at W.S. Neal High School in East Brewton. For the talent portion of the event, she will perform a praise dance routine to “Grateful” by Hezekiah Walker. Serving as her Little Sister is Sharnae Puryear.
Dallas Brown is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Brown of Atmore. She is a student at Atmore Christian School. For her talent presentation, she will perform “Let It Be” as a piano instrumental and vocal presentation. Maud Meacham will serve as her Little Sister.
Walton Nichols is the daughter of Randy and Melissa Nichols of Atmore. She is a student at Escambia Academy. For her talent, she will perform a jazz dance routine to “My Strongest Suit,” from the Broadway show, Aida. Jenna Brown will serve as her Little Sister.
Kelsey Templeton is the daughter of Roger and Lisa Templeton of Brewton. She is a student at T.R. Miller High School. For her talent, she will perform “Temporary Home”, by Carrie Underwood. Serving as her Little Sister will be Jaime Snowden.
Cierra White is the daughter Earnie White of Flomaton and the late Angie White . She is a student at the Alabama School of Math and Science. For her talent selection, she will perform “New York, New York,” by Frank Sinatra. Taylor White will serve as her Little Sister.
Shelly Womack is the daughter of David and Janet Womack. She is a student at Excel High School. During the talent competition, she will perform a piano solo, “Valse, Op. 64, No. 1.” Niki Bryan will serve as her her little sister.
Pictured above: Cierra White, Shelly Womack, Kelsey Templeton, Dallas Brown, Megan Andrews and Walton Nichols. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Schedule: Blue Angels Beach Air Show This Weekend
July 9, 2010
It’s the big Red, White and Blues Week on Pensacola Beach, with the Blue Angels’ annual air show taking place this weekend.
On Friday, the show gets underway at noon with a full dress rehearsal. The Blue Angels fly at 2 p.m. On Saturday, the Pensacola Beach Air Show begins at noon, with the Blue Angels scheduled to fly at 2 p.m.
On Saturday, NewsRadio 1620 will have live narration during the air show beginning at noon with Paul Stadden and former Blue Angels solo pilot Len Anderson. NewsRadio 1620 and Cat Country 98.7 will have special traffic reports with live updates both Friday and Saturday.
Aircraft scheduled to take part in the show include: a Grumman Widgeon G-44 flown by Julian MacQueen; Prometheus flown by Skip Stewart, Team RV; Red Star and the Dragon–Dragon Aviation; Fat Albert, a C-130 Hercules; and the Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornets.
Are you heading to the show? Send us your pictures! Email news@northescambia.com
FHP To Conduct Highway 29 Checkpoint Tonight
July 9, 2010
The Florida Highway Patrol will conduct a safety checkpoint tonight and early Saturday morning on Highway 29 near Broad Street.
“he “Comprehensive Roadside Safety Checkpoint” will take place between 10:00 p.m. Friday and 3:00 a.m. Saturday. There will be approximately 25 uniformed officers participating, as well as support personnel from the Emerald Coast MADD Chapter.
During the operation, vehicles will be stopped to check for driver impairment. Should impairment be detected, roadside sobriety testing will be performed on site. Warning devices will be placed in strategic locations for the safety and protection of the public, according to the FHP.
Broad Street intersects Highway 29 just north of I-10.