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Shirley Eyvonne Carden

Miss. Shirley Eyvonne Carden age 57 of Hwy. 31 Flomaton, Alabama passed away early Friday morning May 21, 2010 in a Century, Florida Nursing Facility after a brief illness. She was a native of Brewton, Alabama and a life long resident of Flomaton, Alabama. Miss. Carden was a member of Friendship Freewill Baptist Church.

Survivors: two brothers, Jimmie (Doris) Carden of Flomaton, Alabama and Jack (Linda) Carden of Jay, Florida; two sisters, Bobbie (Sonny) Chavers of Brewton, Alabama and Linda Eddins of Opelika, Alabama; nine nieces and nephews, whom she affectionately called her ‘grandchildren,’ and 15 great-nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Saturday night, May 22, 2010 from 6 until 8:00 P.M. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, Brewton, Alabama.

Funeral Services are scheduled for Sunday afternoon, May 23, 2010 at 3:00 at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Henderson and Rev. Jerry Keese officiating. Interment will follow in Catawba Springs Cemetery Brewton, Alabama with William Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Brewton, Alabama, directing.

North Escambia Man Named Florida’s Most Wanted Fugitive Captured

A Cantonment man wanted on child porn charges was captured Saturday in Louisiana.

Martin Lyle Christianson, 58, was arrested without incident at a home on the 500 block of Delmar Street in Terrytown, Louisiana, according to a U.S. Marshals press release.  He is being held in the Jefferson Parish Corrections Center on $1 million bond awaiting extradiction to Escambia County.

Christianson, 58 was named the Florida Attorney General’s most wanted fugitive in the state. He was wanted on 20 felony counts of possession of child pornography, including images of child molestation. He was also wanted on four-year charges for placing his wife into a brothel.

His last known address was 452 Crowndale Court in the Cottage Hill community.  Investigators believe Christianson, aka ‘Robert Allen’, fled the Pensacola area earlier this week in a used ice cream truck that was later found abandoned in Mobile.

Investigators have determined that Christianson is also wanted in Santa Ana, CA on a four-year old warrant for commercial sex charges. Each of the 20 felony counts of possession of child pornography holds a $50,000 bond, setting his total bond at $1 million.

Escambia Official Raises Conflict Of Interest Worries In Oil Spill Tests

Taylor Kirschenfeld, an environmental official for Escambia County, does not want to play the water testing game under the rules set forth by BP and NOAA, according to an article in the New York Times.

Water, sediment and marine animal tissue samples are being collected now in Escambia County. NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has instructed that the samples be sent to the lab at TD-Brooks International in College Station, Texas. The lab’s biggest client is BP. Kirschenfeld instead wants to send the samples to licensed local lab.

“Everywhere you look, if you look, you start seeing these conflicts of interest in how this disaster is getting handled,” Kirschenfeld told the New York Times. “I’m not a conspiracy theorist, but there is just too much overlap between these people.”

Click here to read the complete New York Times article.

Northview, West Florida Meet In Spring Game

The Northview Chiefs and the West Florida Jaguars walked away from their Friday night spring football game tied at 14-14.

The Chiefs took an early first quarter lead and expanded it to a 14-0 advantage in the first half. The Jaguars made it 14-7 late in half, and tied it up in the second half.

For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the game, click here.

Northview is coming off a 7-3 season last year, a vast improvement from 2-8 the year before. But much of their experience is gone, with 20 seniors from the 2009 team graduating. That inexperience, according to second-year Head Coach Sid Wheatley, was costly Friday night in Bratt.

Wheatley said he was pleased with the first half  when the two teams matched starters against starters.

“We are not real deep right now, but we got after it and produced two early scores,” he said. “And our defense played hard, and we won that half.”

The Jaguars dressed out about 85 players, compared to about 40 for the Chiefs. That, Wheatley said, did give the the Jags the advantage.

“In the second half, we had some younger kids step in, and they just need some more experience, more plays,” he said. “I thought they did a decent job, our backups and even our third group, our younger kids. I thought they played hard; we didn’t just give ourselves much of a chance offensively.”

For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the game, the cheerleaders and the band, click here. 

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Oil Spill: Latest Escambia Info

Here is the latest Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill information specific to Escambia County:

• Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key remain open. Water is clear and air quality is good.
• Escambia County, in conjunction with the University of West Florida, is collecting Gulf water samples from Santa Rosa Island and Perdido Key on a weekly basis. These samples are being taken to indicate any changes in water quality.
• All local fishing areas remain open.
• According to the NOAA oil plume model, the spill is 65 miles southwest of Pensacola.
• No direct surface oil impacts are expected on county shores within the next 72 hours.
• 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.

British Petroleum (BP)

• BP has reported over 2,200 claims in the state with approximately $1,297,151 paid to date.
• There are over 1,500 participants in the Vessels of Opportunity Program in Florida with 454 signed contracts and 128 contract activations.
• File claims with BP online: http://www.bp.com/claims
• BP announced a $25 million grant to Florida to promote tourism and mitigate the economic impact of the oil spill in addition to the $25 million grants to accelerate the implementation of area contingency plans. BP also provided $15 million promotion grants to Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 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.
• BP Vessels of Opportunity – see the master vessel charter agreement and vessel requirements checklist online www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com.
• 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.

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.
• Economic Injury Disaster loans can help eligible small businesses meet the necessary financial obligations they could have met, had the disaster not occurred. Interest rates for businesses and small agricultural cooperatives are as low as four percent, and non-profit rates are as low as three percent, with terms up to 30 years. Loan applications for economic injury can be filed until the close of business on February 14, 2011. For more information 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.
• DEP Guidelines for Protecting Shoreline from Oil Spill Impacts
•  Homeowners may be able to help prevent oil from reaching private property or damaging sensitive vegetation by utilizing sorbent booms.
•  Booming and alternative absorption measures should be coordinated through Escambia County as incorrect boom placement in navigable waterways can create a serious hazard.
•  Coordination with state and local entities is important to ensure that booming or alternative measures being used do not impede navigation and are not more harmful to the natural environment in the long-run.
•  If a boom is placed by a private citizen, that individual assumes responsibility for the boom, including the chance it could dislodge into the water or be harmful to wildlife.
•  Booms placed by private citizens that become impacted by oil are the responsibility of that individual and require special authorization for removal and proper disposal.
•  Do not place hay bales, sandbags or other unapproved devices along the shoreline, as the overall debris from disposal of such methods would increase and could cause serious long-term damage.
•  Do not attempt to clean impacted beaches or attempt to rescue oiled wildlife. Touching oil is a health risk and disposing of it improperly could cause additional environmental damage.
•  Authorized protective measures should be conducted in a manner that provides protection to, and does not disturb, native vegetation, species and their habitat. Taking or capturing any species, nests or eggs listed as an endangered species is not permitted.
•  For more information on types of protective measures, call 1-866-448-5816.
• The Florida Small Business Development Center has deployed Mobile Area Command centers in Escambia County, with certified business analysts experienced in assisting businesses impacted by disasters, including assistance with federal and state disaster loan programs. For more information, 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.
• Affected businesses should file a claim with BP via the hotline number, 800-440-0858. 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 local state of emergency has been extended until May 28.
• The Escambia County Emergency Operations Center has returned to normal Level 3 operations.
• County staff continue to monitor the situation and will continue to participate in daily briefings with the State of Florida and Unified Command.
• 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.
• 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.
• Escambia County is evaluating every viable proposa for coastal protection and recovery, coordinating with Unified Command and will share information as it is approved.
• A PowerPoint of oil spill response strategies is posted at www.escambiadisasterresponse.com.
• 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.
• 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).
• 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.

Local Beaches

• Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key remain open. The water is clear and air quality is good.
• 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.

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 (if areas are affected by oil)

• 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

• 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.
• BP has established a claim system and toll free number, 1-800-440-0858. This system will allow people to begin the process to recover lost income or recoup damage-related expenses.
• If you are not satisfied with BP’s resolution, call the Coast Guard at 1-800-280-7118.
• 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.
• 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.
• To register as a consultant, contractor, vendor or submit information on alternative response technology, services products or suggestions, call BP at 281-366-5511.

Citizen Information

• Florida Oil Spill Information Line is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, 1-888-337-3569.

Hot Weekend, Few Isolated Showers Possible

Most of us will be dry though Monday — and hot. A few people will see an isolated shower.

Here’s your official North Escambia area forecast:

• This Afternoon: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 93. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 10%.
• Tonight: Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 65. South southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
• Sunday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly cloudy, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 10%.
• Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
• Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly cloudy, with a high near 93. Calm wind.
• Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. West southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
• Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming east northeast around 5 mph.
• Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. East southeast wind around 5 mph.
• Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 89. East southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
• Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.
• Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89.
• Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.
• Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 90.

Need Your Car Washed?

The Northview High School NJROTC unit will hold a car wash fund raiser this today from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Whataburger in Century. All proceeds will benefit the NJROTC unit and support their activities the in the upcoming school year.

Florida Jobless Rate Falls For First Time In Four Years; Escambia, Santa Rosa Improve

For the first time in four years, Florida’s unemployment rate has declined, falling in April to 12 percent. That’s down from 12.3 percent in March. Alabama’s unemployment rate held steady at 11 percent.

Escambia County saw a dramatic dip in unemployment — down from 11.5 percent in March to 10.6 percent in April. That represents 1,309 unemployed people headed back to work in a month.

Santa Rosa County also recorded a nearly full percentage point drop in unemployment — falling from 10.3 percent in March to 9.4 in April. Santa Rosa County gained 612 jobs during the period.

The unemployment rate in Escambia County, Ala., dropped slightly from 12.6 percent to 12.2 percent — a gain of 48 jobs.

Coinciding with the unemployment drop, consumer confidence in April improved from the previous month, according to a University of Florida report. Nationally, unemployment inched up in April to 9.9 percent, up from 9.7 in March and 1.0 percentage point higher than April 2009.

Governor Charlie Crist signed Senate Bill 1736 this week, extending eligibility dates for the Extended Benefits (EB) program. The EB program provides unemployment compensation to job seekers who have exhausted all other available benefits and meet all requirements. This program utilizes federal stimulus funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and will bring an estimated $128 million in benefits to approximately 107,000 Floridians.

Free Open House Today At Turtle Point

There is an open house today at the Turtle Point Science Center in Flomaton.

From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., Turtle Point will be open for a day filled with animals, crafts, and wonderful shopping.

The 3,000 square foot facility offers a touch tank for children and other hands-on exhibits. It boasts an extensive collection of wildlife specimens including many Alabama birds, nests, and eggs; a butterfly and living bee exhibit; live alligators, turtles, snakes, amphibians, and fish of the East Gulf Coastal Plain geophysical region. Also, plant lovers will find six teaching gardens and a glorious wetland nature trail.

Bird watchers are encouraged to hike the nature trail boardwalk and enjoy the red-tailed hawk, great blue heron, great egret, pileated woodpecker, red-headed woodpecker, yellow-shafted flicker, yellow bellied sap sucker, eastern bluebird, wren, killdeer, green heron, barred owl, screech owl, and many other native birds and wildlife.

Turtle Point’s goal is to provide hands-on environmental education to students and adults in the South Alabama and Northwest Florida. Turtle Point is located at 20959 Highway 31 in Flomaton, near Hurricane Park and Flomaton High School. For more information, call (251) 296-3401.

Pelicans Win Home Opener Over AirHogs

The Pensacola Pelicans bear the AirHogs 2-1 in the Pels’ home opener Friday night.

Jared Gothreaux (1-1) was the player of the game as he dodged in and out of trouble on numerous occasions to get his first win of the season. Gothreaux only gave up one run off 12 hits against the AirHogs.

The AirHogs scored the game’s first run though in the 5th inning of the game. Jaun Camacho hit a blooping RBI single over Adolfo Gonzalez’s head into shallow left field to bring home David Espinosa to give the AirHogs a 1-0 lead.

The Pelicans had their chances to score early, but had trouble finding that RBI hit through the first 5 innings.

However in the 6th inning, Javier Brito popped a ball up in the air to shallow right and Jose Duran dropped it putting Brito at second base. One out later, John Alonso hit a liner to left which sailed over the head of Chad Gabriel who mis-managed the ball which brought home Brito to tie the game up at 1-1. Alonso raced into third on the play just being the cut off throw from shortstop David Espinosa. Joey Side followed Alonso by getting hit in the stomach by a fastball thrown from AirHogs reliever Jeff Williams. The Pelicans had baserunners at first and third with one out and Lou Palmisano hit a very week grounder in the hole at short which Espinosa threw to second to get the force on Side, but that was it. The grounder was hit too softly to double up Palmisano allowing Alonso to score to give Pelicans a 2-1 lead.

In the 7th inning, Gothreaux flirted out of his last stressful inning of the game as Flint Wipke was at second with two outs and Greg Porter was at the plate. Gothreaux struck out Porter for his 8th and biggest strikeout of the game.

Tyler Wilson replaced Gothreaux in the 8th inning and struck out 3 batters in a scoreless inning. Tommy Baumgardner pitched a scoreless 9th for his 3rd save in as many chances this season.

Jarod Plummer (1-1) took the loss in a tough luck game for him as he gave up 2 runs-1 earned through 5 1/3 innings pitched.

The Pelicans and AirHogs will continue their 4 game series tomorrow night at 6:45pm. Aaron Jackson will take the mound against Matt Green with the pregame show at 6:30pm. Chetan Chaudhari will be on the call on pensacolapelicans.com.

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