Nokomis Road Closes Again Today
July 6, 2010
A short section of Nokomis Road will be closed again today, creating travel problems for residents in the Nokomis area.
The Escambia County Road Department will close Nokomis Road from Meadows Lane to Rockaway Creek Road from 6:30 am. Monday until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, July 9. A crossover pipe is being replaced by road crews during the closure.
First closed in late June, the road was temporarily reopened for the Independence Day weekend.
More Rain Today
July 6, 2010
More showers and thunderstorms are in the forecast for this Tuesday, mainly in the afternoon. Rain chances will decrease as the week progresses, and temperatures will rise.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1 pm. Cloudy, with a high near 87. East southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 91. East northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southeast.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 92. South southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Thursday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93. South wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Friday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Saturday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Sunday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Sunday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Monday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 95. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Almost There: Century Resident Continues Journal From Spain Hike
July 6, 2010
We are continuing to follow the journals of Century resident Terri Sanders as she hikes 500 miles across Spain this summer.
As Terri hiked from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France, she filed dispatches from her journal and sent pictures when possible for NorthEscambia.com as she hiked the Camino de Santiago — the Way of St. James — to the Atlantic Ocean.
To read the complete series from day one, click here.
On Wednesday, we will bring you Terri’s final journal entry and look a gallery of photos from across Spain.
(Scroll down to read entries from several days.)
June 27 2010
Start: Portomarin
Destination: Palas De Rei
Today was a day of varied terrains. We started by climbing up and crisscrossing the main road. More and more new faces join us every morning and we are also seeing some of the pilgrims we met miles ago. It is funny how you think someone is far ahead of you and then you see them sitting at a cafe table.
The walk through the woodlands was very enjoyable and as Lou pointed out, with the terrain it we could be in just about any state in the union. This area was the scene of a bloody battle in 840 between the Moors and Christians but there is nothing left now to disturb the peace other than the chatter of pilgrims .
We passed through the hamlet of Rosario, named because long ago pilgrims would begin to recite the Rosary as they came into town. We heard of a brand new alburque so we decided to try it out. Shock of shocks it was air conditioned!! A brand new facility, new beds, cafes, showers with plenty of hot water.
If it lacked anything it was tables and chairs to sit in as you went on line to check email or the internet. As we tried to sleep though we learned the walls were paper thin and the doors all had a tendency to slam. There are plenty of pilgrims who have started hiking and want to party most of the night then sleep late in the mornings.
Miles 16.2
June 28, 2010
Start: Palas De Rei
Destination: Ribadiso
I threatened to pitch a full blown temper tantrum if the guys woke me up before 6:00 am. They must have taken me seriously because Lou woke me up at 6:30. I decided to ship my pack ahead today. We have several climbs and I am having problems with my left heel. It was very enjoyable to hike with just snacks and water.
We crossed six shallow river valleys today and the majority of the path was a natural path. The day today was all about smells. When we finally left the farmlands and the smell of manure, the hedge rows were in full bloom and the sweet smell was almost intoxicating. Then we walked through a forest of eucalyptus trees and their smell was just as intoxicating.
Most of the places today had octopus on the menu. Evidently this area is renowned for its octopus meals. None of us were willing to try one of the dishes but instead opted for a scrambled egg sandwich. It was almost cultural shock to hike through town with its noisy streets and shops, blaring horns and busy sidewalks. We stopped in the western suburb of Santa Maria de Melide with its 12th century Romanesque church. The interior is decorated with delightful inspiring frescos above the altar. We collect yet another stamp in our pilgrim passport and head out of town back into the woodlands. Our resting place for tonight is in Ribadiso.
This hostel is a wonderful reconstruction of one of the oldest pilgrim hospitals still in existence with an award for environmental architecture. This is the only hostel here and it is not quite as bad as a cattle car. The showers and toilets are down a long path separated from the sleeping quarters. I am thinking there is a lot of grass between my bed and the bathroom. Its redeeming grace is that it is located on the bank of a small river with steps going into the water to sit on and soak your feet. Some brave souls are even braving the icy water to try and swim in 3 foot of water.
There are lots of screams and squeals going on among the younger hikers. One of the funniest things that has happened to me along the trail happened this afternoon. I was sitting on a low window ledge arranging my back pack to catch the sun to dry it when a man jumped from the window and landed in front of me. He gave his best superman pose, faced me and proudly proclaimed in very broken English that he had hiked 22 kilometers today.
What is strange about that you ask? Only the fact that he was in his mid seventies and he was wearing nothing but a Speedo bathing suit! Lou says he was just hitting on me. I am not sure that is supposed to make me feel better or not. This guy kept repeating himself like he was waiting for me to give some sort of reply. All I could think to say was “Oh!” I am not sure what I was saying “oh” to though!
Miles 16.4
June 29, 2010
Start: Ribadiso
Destination: Arca Do Pino
I was determined not to have to crawl out of the top bunk and go outside in the middle of the night and my determination worked. However the weather turned chilly during the early hours of the morning and I woke up shivering. My pack was down on the floor and I tried reaching over the rail to get it and get my sleeping bag out but it was just out of my reach. If I leaned any farther I would have fallen on my head and really woke everyone up. I pulled the disposable sheet off the bunk and put it over the top of my silk liner. I don’t think it did any good though. I was awake before the guys even crawled out of bed.
In fact I was packed and ready to roll by 6:30. We had plenty of shade today and most of the walk was on earthen paths. A television crew was doing a segment on pilgrims and they took video of me getting my pilgrim passport stamped. At one point there were a dozen or more cars lined along the road. Today was a celebration of San Pedro which I found out was St. Peter. There was a small marching band that marched along the road and several large statues being carried by four men each. I don’t know why today was the celebration and no one could understand us when we asked.
Arzua is the last major city before we enter Santiago. The town is an untidy development put together haphazardly along the older town center. There is no rhyme or reason to how the town is laid out. This is the farthest we have had to walk off of the trail to get to a hostel. It was probably close to a half mile into town. We also encountered our first major wait to check in. We were in line for 45 minutes.
It is hard to believe that tomorrow we reach Santiago, the destination we have been hiking towards for 29 days now. We ask each other where the days went. It seems just yesterday we were huffing and puffing up that first mountain. I came over here with two expectations and they were to hike and have a good time. I have hiked and I have had a great time. I have met some very interesting people, some of which I could not understand a word of what they said. Some who I could converse with because they spoke a little English. I have found the same apathy in cafes by the waitresses and waiters that you find in the states. It is just a job to them and they are not really present. Then there have been the larger portion of them who have went beyond just waiting on you to asking about where you are from and how long you have been walking.
For most of the small villages it is the pilgrims who keep the place going even if it is just a small amount it is all they have. Most of the pilgrims themselves will try to talk with you, bridging the language gap as much as possible. Then there are those from other countries who speak English and very fast become your friends and you exchange email addresses with. All in all it has been a lot of fun; I have been exposed to totally different cultures while in the same country.
If there is one negative thing that stands out it is the fact that at least half of those who walk are either uneducated or uncivilized in the “Leave no trace” motto that is prevalent among most of the United States trails and parks. I am appalled at the number of women who will pee along the trail and leave their toilet paper on the ground as opposed to putting it in a zip lock bag and disposing of it every night in the trash or just burying it.
Then there were plenty of places along the trail just off the path where people choose to have a bowel movement, leave the used toilet paper on top of it with no thought of digging a cat hole to bury their poop in. I didn’t see things like this along the Appalachian Trail although at some of the trail heads it was obvious that women chose to just leave their toilet paper on the ground.
Miles 13.8
Free Summer Reading Program Today At Library
July 6, 2010
All-American fun continues with the summer reading series this week at the Century Branch Library. Ross Mudge will lead today’s noon program with lots of patriotic songs.
The “Make A Splash” summer reading programs are going on each week at Century, Jay and Atmore libraries.
Schedules are listed below for each.
The Century Branch Library invites children to celebrate with summer library programs each Tuesday at noon.
- July 6, Ross Mudge, sing patriotic songs
- July 13, Beau Broomall, magician
For more information, contact the Century Branch Library at (850) 256-6217.
The Atmore Public Library, will celebrate summer reading with six weeks of fun and reading. All programs listed below will be at 10 a.m.
- July 9: Awards Day
For more information, call the Atmore Public Library at (251) 368-5234.
The Jay Library will present their “Make a Splash – Read” summer programs each Monday (except July 5) continue through July 19 at 11 a.m. for 3-5 years old that are able to attend without a caregiver and at 1 p.m. for students who have completed K-5th grade.
- July 12 – Surf’s Up for preschoolers; Island Luau for K-5
- July 19 – Rainy Days and Muddy Mischief for preschoolers; The Little Mermaid performed by Jacksonville State Unversity’s Children’s Theater for K-5
For more information, contact the Jay Library at (850) 575-6293.
Tuesday Oil Update
July 6, 2010
Here is the latest BP oil spill information for Tuesday, July 5 from the Florida Department of Environmental Management.
(Editor’s note: We normally run information from Escambia County’s daily update, however, Escambia County has not issued an update since Friday.)
Tar balls, tar patties and sheen have been reported in Northwest Florida, though fewer impacts were reported over the weekend due to westward-moving winds and ocean currents.
Continued impacts will be possible in Northwest Florida over the next 72-hours, likely in the form of tar balls and tar patties.
Nearly 90 percent of Florida’s coastline remains unimpacted.
If oil is sighted on Florida’s coastline report it to the State Warning Point at 1-877-2-SAVE-FL (1-877-272-8335) or by dialing #DEP from most cell phones.
Pensacola Pass as well as Perdido Pass will continue to be closed with the tide to reduce the amount of oil entering inland waters. These waterways are manned to allow access to necessary vessel traffic and are open for vessel traffic during low tide. See NOAA tide predictions.
Due to the amount of boat traffic on the Fourth of July weekend, if oil is present in or near Little Sabine Pass, Escambia County will not be opening the boom for recreational vessels. If Little Sabine pass is clear of oil, the boom will be opened on the outgoing tide. This is an effort to protect Little Sabine from oil, mousse and tar balls.
Observations by NOAA continue to indicate no significant amounts of oil moving toward the Loop Current. The Loop Current Ring, a circular current which was formerly part of the Loop Current provides no clear path for oil to enter the Florida Straits.
There have been no reports of Deepwater Horizon oil spill-related products reaching the shore beyond the Northwest Florida region. There is no indication that the rest of the state will have impacts from weathered oil products within the next 72 hours.
There are currently three tropical waves being monitored for tropical cyclone development by the National Hurricane Center. A small tropical wave south of Louisiana has a 10% chance of development before it moves inland tonight. A tropical wave extending from northeast of the Leeward Islands and Virgin Islands through the eastern Caribbean Sea has a 10% chance for development as it moves west-northwest over the next few days. Environmental conditions near a tropical wave in the northwestern Caribbean Sea about 550 miles south of Key West are more favorable for development and this wave has a 40% chance of becoming a tropical cyclone by Wednesday.
On Site Actions:
Current projections estimate Deepwater Horizon’s discharge at 35,000 to 60,000 barrels per day. Learn more.
BP is continuing its efforts to contain the leak and capture a substantial amount of leaking oil from the use of the Lower Marine Riser Package (LMRP) Cap Containment System. Get daily oil collection numbers here.
BP continues efforts to drill two relief wells.
State Actions:
The State Emergency Operations Center is activated at Level 1.
On July 2, the Florida Oil Spill Information Line activated Haitian Creole and Spanish call lines to serve as another resource providing Florida residents and visitors with up-to-date information. Call (877) 955-8707 for information in Haitian Creole and (877) 955-8773 for information in Spanish.
Five state-leased skimmers continue to operate in Northwest Florida to protect sensitive inland water bodies. These skimmers are operating at the passes in Escambia, Okaloosa, Bay, Gulf and Franklin Counties.
DEP has conducted and continues to conduct water sampling monitoring to establish baseline conditions throughout the state. Learn more about sampling and results at www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/water.htm.
DEP’s Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas is conducting water sampling under the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) process. Learn more.
Real-time sampling data from statewide air quality monitoring can be viewed at http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/air.htm. Air quality reports for July 4 revealed that air quality was considered good for ozone and fine particulate concentrations in Northwest Florida. “Good” means the air quality is satisfactory and air pollution poses little or no risk.
Boom Placement:
Approximately 419,600 feet of boom has been placed in Northwest Florida along the most sensitive areas. Additionally, counties in the region are moving forward with supplemental booming plans. As of July 4, 316,261 feet of supplemental boom has been deployed or staged by Florida contractors.
Health Effects:
There are Oil Impact Notices posted for all Escambia and Walton County Gulf beaches. Signs may remain in place until local authorities determine that beaches are no longer impacted by the oil spill. Learn more.
If residents or visitors see tar or oiled debris on the beach, DO NOT PICK IT UP. For most people, an occasional brief contact with a small amount of oil will not cause any harm, however it is not recommended. Learn more.
Fisheries & Seafood:
On July 4, NOAA revised the commercial and recreational fishing closure in the oil impacted areas of the Gulf of Mexico. The new closure measures 81,181 square miles. This federal closure does not apply to any state waters and still leaves approximately 66 percent of Gulf federal waters available for fishing. Learn more.
On July 2, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced a plan to move sea turtle eggs that are within a week of hatching from the beaches in Northwest Florida to a facility on the central-east coast of Florida. Learn More.
A portion of coastal state waters offshore of Escambia County is closed to the harvest of saltwater fish, crabs and shrimp. Learn more.
To report oiled wildlife, please call 1-866-557-1401. For the safety of the public as well as the safety of animals, rescues should only be conducted by trained responders. Learn more.
Visit http://bpdecon.com for a list of vessel decontamination locations for oiled boats within the U.S. Coast Guard Mobile Sector.
Learn More About Florida’s Response:
Visit www.deepwaterhorizonflorida.com to learn more about Florida’s response to the Deepwater Horizon incident, sign up for daily updates, view tips for businesses and consumers, and much more.
For a list of Unified Command, BP and Florida phone numbers, visit http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/default.htm#numbers.
The Oil Spill Information Line is available at 1-888-337-3569 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. seven days a week. Additional phone numbers have also been established for persons with disabilities: (800) 955-8771 (TDD) or (800) 955-8770 (voice).
No Word On North Escambia Power Plant; Panhandle Solar Plant Announced
July 5, 2010
Months after Gulf Power Company began to purchase large amounts of land in North Escambia for a possible power generation plant, a new company has announced a solar power plant is feasible for Northwest Florida.
A start-up company called Energy Farm, Inc. plans to build a solar power plant in the Florida Panhandle.
The solar photovoltaic power plant will be located on 550 acres near Freeport in Walton County and will be capable of producing 74-megawatts of electricity — enough power for about 12,000 homes. The company will sell its generated electricity to a utility company that is has declined to name.
The official announcement came during a Clean Energy Congress in Tallahassee. Construction will begin later this year and the plant will be producing power by 2011, according to Energy Farm President Shelton Stone.
Stone said the company is working with “German partners” to develop technology to store extra energy created by the plant during the day so that it can be used after dark.
Meanwhile, there is still no word on the possibility of a new power plant in North Escambia. As previously reported by NorthEscambia.com, Gulf Power Company has paid millions of dollars for hundreds of acres near Bluff Springs as they attempt to amass about 3,000 acres.
“Nuclear, natural gas, solar or biomass.” That was as specific as Gulf Power’s Manager of Public Affairs Sandy Sims has been about the power company’s plans for North Escambia. As for wind generation, current technology would eliminate that possibility for now, she said.
On the acreage currently owned by Gulf Power, soil analysis is underway to determine if the land can support “any type of generation facility”. Permits are being acquired for a meteorological weather station including 300-foot high tower to measure temperatures, wind speeds and rainfall. All of that data will be crunched as Gulf Power moves forward in a decision on building a new generation facility. The projected need for the plant has been pushed to 2018 or 2019.
To read a previous NorthEscambia.com story about Gulf Power’s plans, click here.
Second Robbery Suspect Busted; May Be Responsible For North End Crimes
July 5, 2010
A second suspect is now behind bars in connection with armed robberies in Escambia County, including perhaps robberies in the north end.
Thomas Kellon Sledge, 20, was booked into the Escambia County jail Sunday night on charges of armed robbery. He is being held on a quarter million dollars bond. He is accused of robbing the TQ Mini Mart on Olive Road on May 28. Deputies said Sledge is the half-brother of Cheraina Cristle Campbell, 19.
Campbell was arrested June 29 and charged with armed robbery with a firearm and public order crimes for wearing a mask or hood during the commission of a felony in connection with a robbery that occurred June 28 at the TQ Mini Mart located at 1112 East Olive Road.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said that while investing the June 29 robbery, they developed information that led them to issue warrants for Sledge.
Deputies are also looking for a third suspect which they have not named.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Campbell (pictured left) may be the suspect in several other robberies in the north end of the county, but declined to release further information due to their ongoing investigation. She remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
During the June 28 robbery, deputies said Campbell entered the store wearing a mask and pointing a handgun at the clerk and demanded money. Deputies said she removed her mask as she fled the store and turned to look back at the store allowing the clerk to see the her face.A K-9 unit tracked the Campbell to a nearby abandoned trailer. There was no one inside the trailer, but a photo of Campbell was found inside. The store clerk positively identified Campbell from the photo as the person who robbed the store at gunpoint.
More Rain Possible Tonight, Tuesday
July 5, 2010
Rain chances will remain high for Monday night and Tuesday before tapering off later tin the week.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. East southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Cloudy, with a high near 87. East southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Tuesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 91. East northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southeast. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Wednesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 92. South southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Thursday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93. South southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Friday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Saturday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Sunday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Sunday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Monday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 95. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Monday Holiday Closings
July 5, 2010
The following will be closed Monday in observance of the Independence Day holiday:
- City offices in Century, Flomaton, Jay, Atmore (The Century Town Council will meet at 7 p.m.)
- Escambia County (Ala. & Fla.) offices
- Santa Rosa County offices
- West Florida Library branches, including Century
- Santa Rosa County libraries, including Jay
- University of West Florida, Pensacola State College closed
- Retail windows at the U.S. Post Office will be closed, and there will be no mail delivered or collected, except for Express Mail.
- ECUA offices
- ECAT buses will run on Monday, but they will follow a Saturday schedule
- There will be no change in ECUA garbage collection.
Public Meeting: Century Town Council Could Consider ‘Junkyard’ Rezoning Tonight
July 5, 2010
The Century Town Council could consider if a Front Street property is a junkyard or if it should be rezoned as early as tonight.
A week ago, the council held a public workshop as they work to decide if a local man is operating a junkyard on his residential property and if what he claims to do for a living is or is not a business — all part of the process to determine if the council will vote to change the rezoning on his property to commercial.
George William Philyaw has been cited by Escambia County Code Enforcement for his property at 120 Front Street because it is zoned residential which does not allow his type of business to operate. He has told the town council that he simply collects metal for recycling until he has a “load” and then it is sold. Philyaw has petitioned the council to charge the property’s zoning to commercial.
While Philyaw says he is operating a recycling business, the Century Town Council has questioned if it is not actually a junkyard behind his privacy fence. And the council has also questioned if his money-making operation is even a business.
For details on the council’s recent public workshop on Philyaw’s property and more photos, click here.
The Century Town Council meets at 7 p.m. tonight at the Century Town Hall. The meeting is open to the public.
Pictured top: The street view of the property at 120 Front Street, Century as seen June 28. NorthEscambaia.com file photo, click the enlarge.