Not About The Catch: Pen Wheels Fishing Rodeo Held In North Escambia
May 2, 2010
“I caught one! I caught one!”
The sounds of excitement were all around Saturday for the 36th annual Pen Wheels Fishing Rodeo in Walnut Hill.
Over the 35 year history of the fishing rodeo, it has been held at locations ranging from Ft. Pickens to the Three Mile Bridge in Pensacola. Since 2001, it has been held at Jantz’s Catfish Pond on South Highway 99, just off Highway 97.
Dozens of volunteers stood ready Saturday to help the disabled fish. They baited hooks, tossed a line and offered words of friendly encouragement. Many of the volunteers were from the Walnut Hill Mennonite Church.
About 60 disabled people were registered in Saturday’s fishing rodeo. They were from around the area, including Pensacola and Century. Several residents from the Century Care Center participated. Everything, including lunch, in Pen Wheels Fishing Rodeo is provided to the disabled for free as a project of the Pensacola Fiesta of Five Flags organization.
For the Century Center residents, a morning snack of sardines on Ritz crackers and Vienna sausage brought memories of fishing trips gone by.
“They love sardines and Vienna sausage when they fish,” said Century Care Center Activities Director Mae Hildreth. “This is what they remember having on their fishing trips; they just love it.”
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured: Scenes from the 36th annual Pen Wheels Fishing Rodeo in Walnut Hill Saturday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Oil Spill Response Limited On Saturday
May 2, 2010
The surface area of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has tripled; President Barack Obama is expected to visit the Gulf Coast today, and local emergency operations centers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are in operation.
The response to the Deepwater Horizon incident continued on Saturday with only limited operations due to rough weather in the Gulf.
The National Response Team (NRT), an organization of 16 federal departments and agencies responsible for coordinating emergency preparedness and response to oil and hazardous substance pollution incidents was quickly activated and a coordinated group of federal partners-including the United States Coast Guard, Departments of Homeland Security, Commerce, Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency-immediately began directing and overseeing BP’s response.
Coastal protection and booming operations under the direction of the Unified Command Mobile are ongoing, actively deploying as rapidly as possible as part of the strategic plan across Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida panhandle, Unified Command Mobile said today. The protective measures are targeting the barrier islands and prioritized environmentally sensitive areas.
Additional areas will be designated for booming as trajectories are updated each day.
Overall, the combined response has deployed 275,580 feet of boom, staged 316,470 feet, and has on order an additional 250,000 feet. About 55,000 feet of the boom has been deployed in the waters of Escambia County.
“The Unified Command is working diligently to ensure that all possible resources are being employed in the response to the oil spill,” said Coast Guard Capt. Steven Poulin, commander of Coast Guard Sector Mobile.
Pictured above: U.S. Environmental Services’ workers move oil containment boom onto a supply boat in the Gulf of Mexico. Staging areas have been set up along the Gulf Coast, including Pensacola Naval Air Station, to actively identify, target and protect environmentally and economically sensitive areas. U.S. Coast Guard photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Oil Spill: Latest Escambia County Information
May 2, 2010
Here is the latest emergency operations center information for Escambia County:
Proactive efforts continue as contractors work to place deflective booms or large floating barriers that help contain floating oil around sensitive shorelines in Escambia County.
Actions by Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and Staff
- County Commissioners and staff participated in a DEP briefing with the Governor.
- Emergency Management officials continue to communicate with the State of Florida liaison at unified command.
- A meeting of all essential local emergency support agencies was held on Saturday, May 1 and another will be held on Sunday, May 2.
- County staff is coordinating with the Santa Rosa Island Authority on equipment necessary for the response effort.
- County staff is coordinating with the Escambia County Health Department on health and safety information.
- The Perdido Landfill has coordinated with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and is prepared to accept oil contaminated sand and materials from commercial haulers.
- Emergency management has been in contact with the Visitor’s Information Center to encourage businesses to track losses.
- Pre-qualified debris contractors and consultants have been contacted and are ready to respond.
- Environmental staff finished the initial assessments of pre-oil spill conditions and will perform aerial assessment on Sunday, May 2.
- Environmental staff are reviewing waterways and conducting a comprehensive inventory of waterways that have been boomed, waterways that have not been boomed, and prioritizing the remaining areas.
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) staff are taking information for the priority areas and mapping the locations to determine the amount of boom that is still needed.
- County officials are working through state and federal channels to request equipment, manpower, training and other resources that may be needed for long-term recovery.
- A local state of emergency was declared by the Board of County Commissioners at an emergency meeting at 2 p.m. Friday, April 30.
- The emergency operation center activated to a level 2 on Saturday, May 1. This is a minimal activation with only specifically involved agencies activating at this time.
Operation “Clean Sweep”
- An “Operation Clean Sweep” will be held on the beaches to clean them of any debris before the oil spill reaches the shores to prevent additional contamination. This is a preventative measure that everyone can participate in. The focus will be on local beaches.
- Items to be picked up include: paper, plastic, glass, any other man-made debris.
- Anyone may participate in this pre-cleanup event. Your safety is the number one priority.
- Wear rubber soled, closed toed shoes, hats, and preferably, long pants. Bug spray, sunscreen and water is also highly recommended.
- This information is provided to help minimize safety risks, such as slips, trips and falls, use of improper lifting techniques, use of improper shoes, dehydration, heat stroke, sun burns and others.
- Volunteers will be briefed at the cleanup locations for deployment.
- Please bring your own garbage bags and gloves; goggles will be provided, if desired.
- Driftwood and seaweed can be moved above the high tide water line; shells can be left.
- Once your bag is full, leave it on the beach for pick up. Escambia County Public Works staff will be picking up bagged litter from the beaches from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- On Pensacola Beach, the cleanup will be held Sunday at noon, please meet at the Gulfside Pavilion at Casino Beach.
- On Perdido Key Beach, the cleanup will also be held Sunday at noon, please meet at the Perdido Key Chamber, 15500 Perdido Key Drive.
- Volunteer response activity will be from noon to 3 p.m. We thank you for volunteering.
Safety Messages
- Boats
- Boats should keep a safe distance from any of the booms large floating barriers that help contain floating oil seen in the water.
- Boaters should not drive boats over any booms.
- Boat owners are urged to dry-dock boats.
- Wildlife
- The public is advised not to attempt to rescue oiled or injured birds or wildlife. Doing so can cause additional injuries.
- If oiled wildlife are found, call the Oiled Wildlife hotline at 866-557-1401, please provide location of where the oiled wildlife was sighted.
- An additional concern, May is the hatching season for many birds, reptiles, and shellfish. Please use the toll free number above.
- Beaches and Waterways
- Citizens should take precautions to avoid contact with oil substances.
- Citizens are urged to take caution around the waterways.
- Officials are closely monitoring potential public health and environmental concerns.
- Personal Safety (If areas are affected by oil)
- Avoid entering areas where oil can be seen or smelled. If you see or smell oil, leave the area right away.
- Avoid direct skin contact with oil, oil-contaminated water and sediments.
- Do not swim or ski in areas affected by the oil spill, and if you travel through the area by boat, take precautions when hoisting the boat anchor. If you get oil on your skin, wash it off immediately 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.
- Do not drive your boat through slicks or sheens.
- 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.
- Additional information and frequently asked questions from the Escambia County Health Department can be found at www.escambiadisasterresponse.com.
- Report oiled shorelines to 866-448-5816. Report oiled wildlife to 866-557-1401.
Businesses Information
- Businesses, including hotels, sport fishing charters, watersports rental companies, etc., that may be negatively impacted are asked to keep detailed profit and loss records and track any cancellations, should a claim need to be presented.
- BP has established a claim system and toll free number for people to call. This system will allow people to being to process to recover lost income or recoup damage related expenses.
- Claim line toll free number 800-440-0858.
- BP is asking fishermen for their assistance in cleaning up the oil spill.
- The Vessels of Opportunities Program is looking to contract shrimp boats, oyster boats and other vessels for hire to deploy boom in the Gulf of Mexico.
- Fishermen should call 425-745-8017 about this program.
Volunteer Opportunities
BRACE, United Way and First Call for Help are organizing volunteers for cleanup after the oil reaches the shores. Please call 595-5905 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday to register to volunteer.
Volunteer Training
- Sign-up to be trained for post-beach clean-up, 595-5905. Phones open at 8 a.m.
- Registration is required for a four-hour health and safety training classes for handling petroleum-contaminated materials.
- Registration is required for the class. Classes will be held beginning Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Pensacola Civic Center. Once the class is full, additional classes will be scheduled.
State of Florida
- A state of emergency was declared by Governor Crist today, Friday, April 30.
- The state emergency operations center activated to a level 2 today.
Citizen Information
Citizen information phone lines will open at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 1 for questions from residents may have. The number will be (850) 471-6600.
Important information
- Although oil has not yet touched Escambia County shorelines, citizens are asked to stay away from oiled areas and keep a safe distance away from oil containment booms.
- Report oiled shorelines to 866-448-5816. Report oiled wildlife to 866-557-1401.
- For more information, see the official Escambia County disaster response site, www.EscambiaDisasterResponse.com.
Florida Approves Final Budget
May 2, 2010
Lawmakers approved a $70.4 billion state budget Friday, ending a two-month, election-year legislative session shaped by a massive budget shortfall and the stunning defection of Gov. Charlie Crist from the Republican Party in his race to U.S. Senate.
In the House, the measure was approved 77-43, with most Democrats opposed. The Senate voted 33-4, setting the 2010-11 plan for the year beginning July 1.
But it was an uneven ending to the often combative session. The House adjourned at 6:59 p.m., with the Senate not calling sine die to the session until 8:47 p.m. Gov. Charlie Crist, who separated himself from the GOP on Thursday, didn’t make a public appearance on the Legislature’s final night.
For the fourth straight year, the budget was mostly about cuts. The spending plan includes just slightly more than an extra buck for a kid in a Florida classroom, while there are higher tuition rates for college and university students, and rate reductions for hospitals, nursing homes and hospices.
But such big-ticket programs as KidCare, Medically Needy, and Medicaid Aged and Disabled programs were sustained, while lawmakers also salted away at least $1.4 billion in reserves – bracing for what is certain to prove an even tougher financial picture next year when federal stimulus dollars are slated to end.
“The budget – it’s lean, but it’s not mean,” said Rep. John Legg, R-Port Richey.
The spending plan buttoned-up Friday includes $2.3 billion in stimulus – the last installment of more than $15 billion in federal cash helping prop-up Florida the past three years.
Also helping lawmakers offset a $3.2 billion shortfall was $433 million from the Seminole gambling compact, a $507 million draw from agency trust funds, and $270 million from an anticipated extension of federal Medicaid spending.
“These are difficult times,” said Senate budget chairman J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales. “The economy is likely to have a slow recovery. We can’t budget with blinders. We must consider the future, and this budget does that.”
Republicans in both the House and Senate united in praising the spending plan, saying that unlike last year, lawmakers cobbled it together without any tax or fee increases. Rep. Esteban Bovo, R-Hialeah, said lawmakers did what voters wanted this election year.
“We don’t have the ability to run to the ATM and take out cash without their permission,” Bovo said.
But Democrats didn’t like it, generally.
Sen. Nan Rich, D-Weston, said the budget misdirects federal aid and lawmakers were wrong to not consider means to expand the state’s tax base to pull in more revenue.
“We had a responsibility to prepare for next year, by looking at new resources,” Rich said.
Sen. Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach, also criticized the spending blueprint for not looking ahead.
“We keep seeming to bale out water without plugging the holes,” Gelber said.
The budget vote and the conforming bills that go with it were the last act of the 2010 session. While the recession-damaged spending plan dominated much of the two-month session, it also will be remembered for some major mileposts.
Anticipation of Crist’s Thursday move to bolt the Republican Party to qualify for Senate as a no-party-affiliated candidate seemed to slack the wind in the Legislature for much of the session’s final week.
With Crist cutting himself free of party ties, the governor is unpredictable on both the budget and bills. He could choose to heavily apply his veto pen to the spending plan – in an attempt to both bolster state budget reserves and underscore his independence from a Legislature he could soon begin campaigning against as part of an establishment he now scorns.
Legislation approved Friday by lawmakers that would require women seeking abortions to be asked if they want to view a required ultrasound image was expected by many to be vetoed by a governor eager to burnish his credentials as a political moderate.
Crist’s split with the party may have proved a fitting metaphor for a session marked by surprising results.
For all the legislative anxiety over Medicaid – which will absorb about one-quarter of all state spending – lawmakers never got close to consensus on two widely divergent plans emerging from the House and Senate.
While both approaches relied heavily on steering low-income Floridians into managed care health plans, HMOs ended the session with no significant expansion – despite contributing heavily to the Florida Republican Party and Republican leaders political committees in the weeks leading up to the session.
Another storyline that took an unexpected twist – offshore oil-drilling.
House Speaker-designate Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, led a House council through hours of testimony mostly from industry experts on the prospect of lifting the state’s 20-year ban on drilling within state waters in the Gulf of Mexico.
The panel concluded its work with a report and a proposed bill for the 2011 Legislature, unveiled one week before an oil-rig off Louisiana exploded, triggering a massive spill that continued to threaten Florida’s coastline as the session ended.
On Friday, Republican Attorney General Bill McCollum, the frontrunner to succeed Crist as governor, suggested oil-drilling would not be part of the state’s future.
“Until technology advances, we must continue to be extraordinarily cautious with our consideration of any proposal that would further jeopardize our beaches and our environment for future generations,” McCollum said.
Another Republican-leaning interest, the insurance industry, saw the session end without any significant gains. The industry’s sought-after authority to raise premiums by as much as 20 percent without state approval faded early in the face of a Crist veto threat.
Despite Republican dominance in the Legislature, unions may have been among the session’s biggest winners. In what is likely the session’s most seismic moment, the Florida Education Association, the state’s largest teachers’ union, gained a Crist veto of a bill abolishing teacher tenure. The veto became a prelude to his declaration of political independence.
The Democratic-allied American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) also dodged House-proposed pay cuts for state workers and the prospect of major layoffs. A proposal requiring public employees to contribute to their pension fund to stave off a looming deficit also was denied.
While state workers are forced to absorb a fifth straight year with no pay raises, one of the few organizations standing by Crist’s non-party candidacy, the Florida Police Benevolent Association, successfully got a roughly 10 percent pay raise included in the budget for Florida Game & Fish Commission officers.
The provision brings these law enforcement officers to the level of Florida Highway Patrol officers, with an annual starting salary of about $34,000, said David Murrell, a PBA lobbyist. It also looks veto-proof.
“We’re standing by Charlie,” Murrell said. “It’s going to be an interesting year.”
By John Kennedy, The News Service Florida
Photo Gallery: Celebrating Mayfest
May 2, 2010
From beautiful babies, arts and crafts, entertainment and plenty of fun, Mayfest 2010 had a little bit of something for everyone Saturday at Tom Byrne Park in Atmore.
Hundred attended the annual event, including many North Escambia residents.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from Mayfest in Atmore, click here.
Pictured above: A Mayfest crowd enjoys twirlers Saturday morning in Atmore. Pictured: inset: One of the contestants in a beautiful baby contest. Pictured below: Mayfest in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Atmore’s 5K For A Cause; Jay’s Dobson Wins Fiesta 5K
May 2, 2010
About 40 people took part in the second annual Atmore Community Hospital Relay for Life 5K Run/Walk Saturday morning in Atmore. The male overall winner was Keith Bell of Atmore with a time of 20:13. The female overall winner was Georgia Geotter of Bratt with a time of 25:27.
In Pensacola, Matt Dobson of Jay was the overall male winner in the 36th Annual Fiesta of Five Flags 5K. His time was 16:26.
Pictured top and bottom: About 40 runners took part in the second annual Atmore Community Hospital Relay for Life 5K Run/Walk Saturday morning in Atmore. Pictured left: Overall winners Keith Bell of Atmore and Georgia Geotter of Bratt. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Homemakers: Needlework Project
May 2, 2010
The ladies of the Molino Homemakers club will spend the next several months working on a needlework project in hopes of capturing a top prize at this fall’s Pensacola Interstate Fair.
[Submitted by Terri Brown, Molino Homemakers Club]
This month’s main topic was our Fair Booth project. Each year the Molino Homemakers vote on a project to enter at the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds 4-H building. This would be a hand needlework project. Hand needlework includes, sewing quilts, knitting, crocheting and cross stitching. Several members take on a project and work on it during the next few months.
In October when the items are completed, they are strategically placed in the fair booth as to draw attention especially to the judges for a good score. A good score means a ribbon and money for the club when it places in the top three. The Molino Homemakers have been entering the fair as long as they can remember and enjoy showing off their beautiful handiwork.
Several members bring items they have been working on throughout the month and share during show and tell. Becky Dortch showed a beautiful throw she had been working on. The stitching was done by machine. She hopes to have it finished in the near future.
Dot Halstead’s cross stitched “Brave Night” took about 4 weeks to complete. She tries to complete one every month and has completed four this year.
Nancy Holland showed a Monkey quilt she had been working on and plans to have it completed soon.
The Molino Homemakers meet at 10 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month in the fellowship hall of Molino First Assembly of God Church. Visitors are welcome.
Pictured top: Nancy Holland with one of her needlework pieces. Pictured below: Dot Hallstead (left) and Becky Dortch with their work. Submitted photos by Terri Brown for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Coming Sunday: Mayfest, A Very Special Fishing Trip And More
May 1, 2010
Make sure you join NorthEscambia.com Sunday morning for a look back at Saturday’s events.
We’ll take you to a very special fishing rodeo where it’s not about the catch. It’s a heartwarming story and photos you won’t want to miss.
We’ll also take you to Mayfest in Atmore. Beautiful babies, cute pooches, food and fun — take a look at our photo gallery Sunday morning and see who you know.
Plus, we’ll take a look at the very latest on the massive oil spill in the Gulf, you weekday forecast and more. It’s all Sunday morning here on NorthEscambia.com.
Former Atmore Cop Arrested For Fake Pain Pill Prescriptions In Century
May 1, 2010
A former Atmore Police Department officer was arrested Friday afternoon in Escambia County, Fla., charged with prescription fraud at a pharmacy in Century. Meanwhile, Atmore Police said their former officer is under investigation by the Alabama Bureau of Investigation.
Ronald Sanford Freeman, 23, of Flomaton is charged with two felony counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on $5,000 bond.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office incident report, Freeman made an arrangement with a doctor’s office employee, Ashley Megan Nall, 24, of Atmore, to call-in prescriptions for pain medication to area pharmacies. Freeman would then pick up the filled prescriptions and split the pills evenly with Nall. Nall was employed by Dr. Francis Salter of Atmore, and she is Salter’s granddaughter, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Two such prescriptions were called in to the Century Pharmacy and filled on February 5 and March 5. Both were in Ronald Freeman’s name, and both were for 90 Lortab pills, according to the ECSO report. When Century Pharmacy received another call-in prescription on April 19 for 90 Lortabs and 20 Keflex, they became suspicious and called Dr. Salter to verify that she had issued the prescription. When Dr. Salter said that she did not issue the prescriptions and that Freeman was not her patient, the sheriff’s department was contacted.
When deputies contacted Dr. Salter, she said “she made contact with her granddaughter and told her that she was fired and further indicated that she also contacted the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) in reference to some matter concerning her license.”
When interviewed by Escambia County (Fla.) deputies, Nall admitted that she had called in about eight fraudulent prescriptions for Freeman to Walgreens in Atmore, Flomaton Pharmacy and Century Pharmacy for 90 Lortab pills and 20 Keflex. Nall said the two came up with the 50-50 split phony pain pill scheme about four months ago. She said she had known Freeman since high school and as an officer for the Atmore Police Department.
Freeman told Escambia deputies that he saw Dr. Salter one time in October 2009 for a back injury, and that is when he made the deal with Nall. He admitted, according to the police report, that he knew the prescriptions were fraudulent.
According to the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office report, Atmore Police Chief Jason Dean was notified of the investigation on April 19. “Chief Dean indicated that he would be taking administrative action against him (Freeman), pending the outcome of our investigation”.
Dean said Friday afternoon, following Freeman’s arrest, that Freeman had “resigned for personal reasons” and was no longer an Atmore police officer. Dean said that the Alabama Bureau of Investigation was investigating any alleged incidents in Alabama involving Freeman. He declined to comment on that investigation.
As of Friday, any alleged involvement by Nall in the incident was still under investigation in both Florida and Alabama. She had not been charged in connection with the case as of Friday afternoon.
Escambia Declares State Of Emergency In Advance Of Oil
May 1, 2010
Escambia County has declared a local state of emergency, as has the State of Florida, in anticipation of an oil slick arriving from the Gulf of Mexico by early next week.
The county has formulated a plan to keep the oil out of bay, bayous and other inland waterways. The plan calls for placing about 30,000 feet of boom stored at Pensacola Naval Air Station to form a barrier in a v-shape to catch the oil at East Pensacola Pass. With additional barriers at Fort McRae and Perdido Pass, oil should be blocked from Pensacola Bay, according to county officials.
The oil blocked by the booms will be collected and skimmed from the surface of the water. The booms would be in place about eight hours per day, and they would be removed when the tide flows out.
The following is the latest information from the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center:
State of Florida
- A state of emergency was declared by Governor Crist today, Friday, April 30.
- The state emergency operations center activated to a level 2 today.
Escambia County Board of County Commissioners
- A local state of emergency was declared by the Board of County Commissioners at an emergency meeting at 2 p.m. Friday, April 30.
- The emergency operation center will activate to a level 2 on Saturday, May 1 at 9 a.m. CST. This is a minimal activation with only specifically involved agencies activating at that time.
Citizen Information
- Citizen information phone lines will open at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 1 for questions from residents may have. The number will be (850) 471-6600.
Operation “Clean Sweep”
- An “Operation Clean Sweep” will be held on the beaches to clean them of any debris before the oil spill reaches the shores to prevent additional contamination. This is a preventative measure that everyone can participate in.
- On Pensacola Beach, the cleanup will be held Sunday at noon, please meet at the Gulfside Pavilion at Casino Beach.
- On Perdido Key Beach, the cleanup will also be held Sunday at noon, please meet at the Perdido Key Chamber.
- Anyone may participate in this pre-cleanup event; please bring your own garbage bags and gloves.
Volunteer Opportunities
- BRACE, United Way and First Call for Help are organizing volunteers for cleanup after the oil reaches the shores. Please call 595-5905 to register to volunteer. Please call 595-5905 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday to register to volunteer.
Volunteer Training
- Sign-up to be trained for post-beach clean-up, call 595-5905 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
- Registration is required for a four-hour health and safety training classes for handling petroleum-contaminated materials.
- Classes will be held beginning Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Pensacola Civic Center.
Important information
- Although oil has not yet touched Escambia County shorelines, citizens are asked to stay away from oiled areas and keep a safe distance away from oil containment booms.
- Report oiled shorelines to 866-448-5816. Report oiled wildlife to 866-557-1401.
- For more information, see the official Escambia County disaster response site, www.EscambiaDisasterResponse.com.