Firemen Respond To Walnut Hill Home, 2nd Time In About 2 Months
May 27, 2010
For the second time in about two months, firefighters responded to a home in the 6000 block of Arthur Brown Road near Juniper Street Thursday afternoon.
Area fire stations were dispatched to the home about 3:45 p.m. When they arrived, they found the home filling with smoke, apparently from a pot left on the stove. There was no major damage and no injuries reported.
On March23, firefighters responded to a kitchen fire at the same home. There was some smoke damage throughout the brick house in that fire.
The Walnut Hill, McDavid, Century and Molino Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue were dispatched to Thursday afternoon’s fire.
Pictured above: A kitchen fire was reported Thursday afternoon in the 6000 block of Arthur Brown Road. Pictured below: Firefighters responded to the same house about two months ago. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Headed to Ernest Ward This Morning?
May 27, 2010
If you are headed to Ernest Ward Middle School this morning, leave early.
Highway 97 is one lane at the school, creating traffic problems as road construction continues.
Pelicans Beat The Cats 7-2
May 27, 2010
The Pelicans (5-8) got a solid pitching performance from Jared Gothreaux and 2 RBI’s each from Javier Brito and Dallas Christison to lead the way in a 7-2 victory over the Cats (5-7) Wednesday night
The Pelicans offense stuck in the 1st inning when they had runners on first and second with one out and Javier Brito at the plate. Brito hit a high bouncer down the 3rd base line for a 2-run RBI double to give the Pels an early 2-0 lead. Marcos Rodriguez walked following Brito’s hit, then Alonso hit a chopper to Brenan Herrera at third which took a high hop off his glove and rolled in left field which scored Brito to make it 3-0.
In the 2nd inning, the Pels struck again as Adolfo Gonzalez drove a ball off the left field wall to score Dallas Christison to jump out to a 4-0 lead.
The Cats would get on the board in the 6th inning when John Allen would flip a single to right to score Rob Recuenco to make it a 4-1 game. Fort Worth would add a run on Seth Fortenberry hitting into a double play which scored Brian Fryer to cut the lead in half for the Pels 4-2. There was no RBI recorded for Fortenberry on the play.
In the 7th inning, Pensacola would open up the lead a bit more when newcomer Chase Porch would beat out a grounder with the bases loaded to give himself his first professional baseball RBI and give the Pels a 5-2 lead. Dallas Christison would follow with a sharp grounder down the left field line to bring home Rodriguez and Porch to bust the game open 7-2.
Adolfo Gonzalez went 4 for 5 with a run batted in for the night.
Jared Gothreaux (2-1) got the win as pitched 6 solid innings only giving up 2 runs off 8 hits. Pelicans reliever Ron Hill followed Gothreaux with pitching a scoreless 7th and 8th inning.
Pelicans hurler Nick Slack gave up a run in the 9th on an RBI single from Jaremy Sauceda and got Rob Recuenco to fly out to center to end the ballgame for a 7-3 win for Pensacola.
Jason Fernandez (0-2) takes the loss as he gives 4 runs-3 earned off 8 hits and struck out five.
Dollar General Store To Be Built In Molino
May 27, 2010
A new Dollar General store is on the way to Molino, and it will be larger than a normal store.
The building permit for the store was issued Tuesday, according to Escambia County building permit records, and the Dollar General corporate office confirmed the new store on Wednesday. The store will be located at 6511 North Highway 29, near the the old Grocery Advantage store at the Molino Road intersection.
“We are building a store in Molino,” Emily Weiss, Dollar General spokesperson, told NorthEscambia.com on Wednesday. “Molino was just a great match for us. We believe we can deliver a great shopping experience to the Molino area.”
The Molino Dollar General will be just over 12,000 square feet; the company’s average store is about 7,100 square feet, Weiss said.
“We will be able to offer a full selection of brand name and private label products, including food, home decor, household items, basic clothing, seasonal items and more,” she said.
The Molino store location was chosen by the Dollar General corporation based upon demographic trends, traffic patterns and customer needs, Weiss added.
There is currently no projected opening date for the store; the first day of business will be dependent on the construction progress at the store. The general contractor for the store is Cassida Construction Company in Pace.
In the North Escambia area, there are currently Dollar General stores in Century, Cantonment, Flomaton, Jay,and Atmore.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECUA Introduces New Sanitation and Recycling Programs
May 27, 2010
Enhancements are coming Tuesday, June 1 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.
Back To School Sales Tax Holiday Returning In August
May 27, 2010
Florida’s back-to-School sales tax holiday is returning this August.
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist signed the legislative measure Wednesday, setting this year’s sales tax holiday from August 13 through August 15 on school supplies, books, clothing and footwear. During the sales tax holiday, shoppers will not have to pay sales tax on certain clothing items under $50 as well as school supplies that cost $10 or less.
Officials estimate the tax holiday will save families about $26 million.
“This tax break will enable Florida families to buy school supplies and clothing for the school year without the additional cost burden of state and local taxes,” said Florida Retail Federation lobbyist Sally West. “The tax holiday will also provide a much needed boost to Florida’s economy.
Family Of Veterans: Flags To Be Placed On Graves Saturday
May 27, 2010
Members of the American Legion Post 90 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7016 will be placing small American flags on graves of local veterans Saturday for Memorial Day.
The memorial salute encompasses most cemeteries in the Walnut Hill, Bratt, Atmore and Perdido area. Volunteers and other organizations are invited to help with this special event.
“Family members of deceased veterans are especially welcome as not all veteran graves are marked; the American Legion and VFW do not have a ‘list’ of area veterans for this annual tribute and we do not want to inadvertently miss placing a flag on a veterans grave,” said René Bunch. “Sometimes the only way we know a veteran is buried in a local cemetery is from information received from a family member.”
To ensure that a deceased veteran family members receives this flag tribute, call Bunch at (251) 359-4039 to verify that a particular cometary is covered during the annual outing.
Chateau La Roach: EWMS Drama Presents Spring Play
May 27, 2010
The Ernest Ward Middle School Drama Department will present their annual Spring Play tonight.
This year’s production is “Chateau La Roach”, a comedy about a small hotel being overrun by cockroaches. Mimi and Francois LaRoche must find some way of stopping the health inspector from finding out about their little bug problem. With the help of their wacky staff, the two of them try to find which guest is the health inspector. Will they find the health inspector or is it too late?
The cast is made up of seventh and eighth graders who have spent many hours preparing for this play. Tickets are not being sold this year; donations will be accepted at the door. The community is invited to come for the debut at 6:30 Thursday night in the Ernest Ward gym.
The play will also be presented again Friday morning at 9:20 for the students and faculty.
Local Girl Is Regional Twirling Winner
May 27, 2010
Colbi Kendall of Flomaton recently brought home several trophies in a regional baton twirling competition in Wetumpka, Ala.
She placed first in open dance twirl, first in regional dance twirl, first in regional 1 baton, and second in regional 3 baton competitions. The regional event included twirlers from Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana and Arkansas.
Kendall’s instructor is Melissa Majors who conducts Century, Pace and Pensacola for her Santa Rosa and Escambia Twirlers.
Pictured top: Colbi Kendall of Flomaton won several trophies recently at a regional baton twirling competition. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Latest Escambia Oil Spill Information Update
May 27, 2010
Here is the latest Deepwater Horizon oil spill information specific to Escambia County:
- According to the NOAA oil plume model, the spill remains 55 miles southwest of Pensacola.
- All local fishing areas remain open, however NOAA has expanded the closed fishing areas in national waters. See details: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov.
- No direct surface oil impacts are expected on county shores within the next 72 hours.
- Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key remain open. Water is clear and air quality is good.
- See DEP’s Homeowner Tips for Protecting Florida’s Shorlines (PDF)
British Petroleum (BP)
- BP has reported 3,306 claims in the state with $2,187,904 paid to date.
- There are 128 of 1,104 contracts activated for the Vessels of Opportunity Program in Florida.
- 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.
- Approximately 175,950 feet of boom has been placed out of the Pensacola and Panama City staging areas in support of Unified Command.
- 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)
- NOAA modified and expanded the boundaries of the closed fishing area to better reflect the current location of the oil spill, and extended the fishing restriction. See updates.
State of Florida (DEP, FWC)
- The Small Business Administration issued an economic injury Disaster Loan Declaration for the state of Florida. Pensacola office: 401 E. Chase St., Ste. 100.
- The fisheries, wildlife and seafood off of Florida’s coast in state waters are safe and there are no alerts at this time. See news release.
- Florida saltwater fishing regulations remain in effect as usual. More information.
- FWC press release on data collection on gulf red snapper to address oil spill impacts.
- Submit innovative technology ideas, suggestions or products by completing this form. Send the completed form and any supporting documentation to Innovative.Technolgy@dep.state.fl.us.
- For more information on Economic Injury Disaster Loans visit the SBA website.
- 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 (800) 320-0519 or #DEP from your cell phone.
- An Economic Recovery Task Force was established facilitate efforts by businesses and industries in recovering from the loss of business and revenues due to the oil spill incident.
- A Legal Advisory Council was established to assess the impact the potential disaster could have on the state.
- For information on the Florida Small Business Development Center’s Mobile Area Command units, visit www.floridasbdc.org/Special Programs/bcrm.asp
- FWC temporarily suspended the restriction on use of purse seines landward of the COLRGEGS demarcation line in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
- 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).
Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and Staff
- The county is preparing to extend consulting and booming contracts for an additional 30 days.
- County staff continue to monitor the situation and will continue to participate in daily briefings with the State of Florida and Unified Command.
- 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.
- Pteropods, also known as the sea butterfly, have been reported on gulf beaches. Pteropods are small, clear and sharply pointed larval snails. Although they are fairly sharp, they do not pose a threat to people. They are naturally occurring and not due to anything oil-related.
- The brown foam seen on the beaches is not associated with the oil spill. This is a common natural occurrence, when fish are spawning and there are hard winds, rain, and wave action.
- The local state of emergency has been extended until May 28.
- The Escambia County Emergency Operations Center has returned to normal Level 3 operations.
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
- If you see a tar ball on the beach, DO NOT PICK IT UP. Report it to 1-866-448-5816.
- Florida Department of Health Deepwater Horizon Health Information FAQs
- Seafood Consumption FAQs
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
- The Escambia County Health Department released advice to residents who are experiencing symptoms from odors. (See details)
- 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 periodicallye.
- 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.