NWS Releases Data, Graphics Detailing McDavid Tornado
March 14, 2011
Data released by the National Weather Service details the track of an EF1 tornado across McDavid last Thursday.
Here is the NWS data on the storm:
- Event date: March 9, 2011
- Event time: 9:28 a.m.
- Intensity: EF1 with max 3-second wind gust of 105 mph
- Damage path length: 0.5 miles
- Max damage patch width: 80 yards
- Injuries/Fatalities: None
- Discussion: the tornado first touched down as an EF1 near Highway 164 just west of U.S. Highway 29. The tornado tracked southeast across Highway 29 and lifted near the intersection of Main Street and Railroad street. Eleven homes were damaged along the path. Two homes were damaged by falling trees. A home on Main Street was shifted off of its foundation, while another suffered significant roof damage.
The following data corresponds to the numbered locations on the map at the top of the page:
Location 1 — Highway 164
- Damage — Trees snapped and fell into front of a house.
- Wind Speed: 88 mph / EF1 Tornado
Location 2 — Highway 164
- Damage — Trees downed, debris damaged house
- Wind Speed: 90 mph / EF1 Tornado
Location 3 — Main Street
- Damage — Uplift of roof deck and significant loss of roofing material, collapse of chimney, garage door collapse inward, failure of porch and carport
- Wind Speed: 90 mph / EF1 Tornado
Location 4 — Main Street
- Damage — Entire house shifted off foundation, total roof failure
- Wind Speed: 105 mph / EF1 Tornado
Location 5 — Main Street
- Damage — Roof blown off house with walls still standing. Numerous pine trees snapped in half around the home. Outbuildings destroyed.
- Wind Speed: 105 mph / EF1 Tornado
NorthEscambia.com Previous Stories/Photos:
- For more information on how the National Weather Service determined the data above, click here.
- For more information on the storm and a photo gallery, click here.
Bond Revoked For Pharmacy Robbery Suspect
March 14, 2011
The woman accused of being the getaway car driver in last September’s armed robbery at a Molino pharmacy is back behind bars.
Judge Ronald Swanson granted Assistant State Attorney Jeff Gaddy’s request to revoke bond for Krystal Lynn Collins, 24. She is facing multiple charges in connection with the robbery at Scott’s Pharmacy, including robbery with a firearm, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and multiple felony drug charges.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, deputies believe Collins drove the getaway car and took part in the robbery with Joseph Daniel Flowers of Molino. Flowers, who was allegedly wearing underwear on his head at the time of the holdup, is using the insanity defense.
Flowers was later charged with beating Collins with a two liter bottle of Coke in an unrelated incident.
Both Collins and Flowers remain in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Pictured: Krystal Lynn Collins (with blond hair in September, 2010) was briefly taken into custody after the September, 2010 robbery of Scott’s Pharmacy in Molino. The inset on the photograph shows her current mugshot. NorthEscambia.com/courtesy photos, click to enlarge.
Dixie Group, Masland Carpets Turn First Quarterly Profit Since ‘08
March 14, 2011
For the first time since 2008, Dixie Group — the parent company of Masland Carpets — has posted a quarterly profit.
“We are cautiously optimistic that 2011 will be a year of steady growth as we recover from the unprecedented downturn of the last few years,” said Daniel K. Frierson, chairman and chief executive officer. The company reported a net income of $516,000, or four cents per share, for the fourth quarter of 2010 compared with a net loss of $3,623,000, or $0.29 per diluted share, for the year-earlier period.
Across the industry, carpet sales were up less than one percent last year, but Dixie Group sales were up 14 percent.
Masland has added about 50 employees during the last six months to its Atmore facility for a total employment of about 410. The company also employees 160 in Saraland, Alabama.
Half Million Dollar Expansion Underway At Cantonment Park
March 14, 2011
A nearly half million dollar expansion is underway at the Cantonment Athletic Park. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of June.
The Escambia County Commission awarded the $492,197.50 construction contract to low-bidder Roads, Inc., of NWF. The project consists of the addition of two multi-use practice fields at the park, including a grass parking lot, landscaping and drainage improvements.
The proposed site is currently wooded and almost completely surrounded by wetlands. A Florida Department of Environmental Protection permit will allow access to the site from the current park with a paved entrance road with a culvert structure.
The park expansion will be funded with local option sales tax monies.
There were a total of nine companies that bid on the project. The second lowest bidder was Gulf Equipment Corp. at $509,312.50 while the highest bid was $653,243.57 from J.B. Coxwell Contracting, Inc.
The Cantonment Athletic Park is an 80 acre regional park at 681 Well Line Road. The park has 12 baseball and softball fields, one football field, restrooms, concessions, playground and security lights. A partnership with Cantonment Baseball Club and Cantonment Football Club provides for various youth athletic programs at the park.
Pictured: An aerial view of the Cantonment Athletic Park showing 12 baseball and softball fields and one football field. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Week Ahead In Florida Government
March 14, 2011
Here’s a look at some of the big issues in Florida government this week:
DOLLARS AND CENTS
While there are several big policy issues making their way through the Legislature, for budget watchers Friday is the big day of the coming week. The Revenue Estimating Conference on Friday will give lawmakers the latest look at the amount of money expected to be coming in, which gives them an amount to work with when writing the budget. Generally, the expectation is that there won’t be too much change from the $3.6 billion shortfall economists projected a few months ago.
MERIT PAY
The proposal to shift the way teachers are paid to a merit-based system depending in part on how well students do on tests is on the House floor on Tuesday. The bill, which would put an end to tenure pay systems for new teachers, is one of the most controversial before lawmakers, but has wide support among controlling Republicans and is expected to pass. Teachers generally don’t like it, and the state teachers union opposes it. A Senate version of the bill (SB 736) has already passed the Senate, and the House version is expected to largely conform to that, meaning the bill could be one of the first to go to Gov. Rick Scott this year.
MEDICAID OVERHAUL
The House also begins the serious work of revamping the Medicaid system, shifting patients into privately-run managed care plans. The proposal, which has been discussed for several years, is in two proposed committee bills rolled out last weekend and those two measures will be workshopped in the House HHS Committee on Monday.
CENSUS FIGURES OUT THIS WEEK
Lawmakers and others champing at the bit to begin redrawing political boundaries can get started this week as the U.S. Census Bureau is scheduled to release population data for Florida as part of its national rollout that is by law to be completed by April 1. Population and demographic data will be released for Florida, Georgia and a handful of other states sometime this week, the bureau announced Thursday. Census takers are going to give state lawmakers a 24 hour head start before releasing the figures to the public, under a protocol federal officials say is meant to ensure the accuracy of the data.
By The News Service Florida
Pensacola Man Dies In Escambia, Ala. Wreck; Santa Rosa Crash Claims One
March 13, 2011
A Pensacola man was killed in a single vehicle accident early Saturday morning in Escambia County, Alabama, and a Baker man died in a Santa Rosa County crash.
Donald Joseph Mandel, 28, of Pensacola, died in an accident about 3:10 a.m. on Appleton Road about seven miles north of Brewton. His 1998 Hyundai left the road at a high rate of speed, and struck a fence and tree before overturning according to Alabama State Troopers. Mandel was pronounced dead at the scene.
Alabama State troopers are continuing their investigation into the accident.
About 9:45 Saturday morning on I-10 in Santa Rosa County, a single vehicle crash claimed the life of Gerald Thompson, 21, of Baker. He was a passenger in a 2002 Chevrolet Blazer driven by Patricia E. Thompson, 65, of Baker. She was critically injured and transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
Patricia Thompson was westbound on I-10 when she lost control and overturned twice before the Blazer came to rest on its roof. Charges are pending the result of an ongoing investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
One Man’s Trash, Another Man’s Blessing
March 13, 2011
One man’s trash is another man’s blessing a new Molino Thrift Store.
The Molino Outreach Ministry Thrift Store is a little different that many other thrift stores. Not only are the prices lower than some thrift stores (clothes begin at just 29 cents, and no used clothing is over $3), the business has a mission of reaching out to those in need and returning their profits directly to the community.
According to Manager Jason Lee, a Baptist pastor, the store returns 10 percent to churches in the community. The 10 percent figure was no accident; it was chosen because of the 10 percent tithe from the Bible.
“We reach out to the community by pricing the items as low as possible so that the person buying it receives a blessing,” Lee said. “When people are hurting, they will go to the church in their neighborhood, and we provide vouchers to churches in the area so that someone truly in need can receive they help they need in purchasing items.”
“We’ve had people come in when it was cold an ask if the could work for a few hours to earn a coat,” he said. “That’s a blessing to them.”
When an individual donates items to the Molino Outreach Ministry Thrift Store, the items’ price tags are marked with a code for the church of their choice. At the end of the month, each church receives 10 percent of sales with their code. The process has worked well, Lee said, with many dollars being returned to churches in Molino, Cantonment, Walnut Hill, McDavid, Flomaton, Century and surrounding areas.
Lee, who is pastor at the Oak Haven Baptist Church in Pensacola, sees the store as a mission field — an opportunity for his role as pastor to reach those that walk through the doors, and as another opportunity for local churches to reach the community.
The Molino Outreach Ministry Thrift Store is located on Highway 29 at Molino Road, in the former Grocery Advantage building. The store is open Monday-Friday 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., except for Wednesdays when they close at 5 p.m. The store is also open 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturdays, and it is closed on Sundays.
Donations are accepted during business hours. For donations outside business hours, for more information, or to volunteer at the store, contact Lee at (850) 791-8357.
Pictured top: Pastor Jason Lee prices toys recently at the Molino Outreach Ministry Thrift Store. Pictured inset: The store occupies the former Grocery Advantage building on Highway 29 at Molino Road. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Rain In Forecast, Then Sunny Week
March 13, 2011
Rain moves into our forecast for Monday night, otherwise a great sunny week is in store.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Patchy fog after 4am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 48. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Monday: Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming south between 10 and 15 mph.
- Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday: A slight chance of showers before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. South wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 75. North wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 79. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 80.
- Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 49.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 80.
- Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 51.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 78.
Escambia Man, 25, Gets Life In Prison For Burglary, Grand Theft
March 13, 2011
An Escambia County man was sentenced to life in prison as a re-offender by Judge John Parnham late last week.
Wendell Ray Hurley, 25, was convicted in October 15, 2010, of principal to armed burglary with a firearm and principal to grand theft of a firearm by an Escambia County jury. The life sentenced was based upon his extensive criminal record, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins.
The conviction stemmed from an incident that occurred May 29, 2009 at the home of Paul Otto in Escambia County. After learning from his brother that there was a gun in the home, Hurley and another man drove to the home, entered through a window and stole the gun along with several other items, according to Eddins.
Owens Named Washington Youth Tour Winner
March 13, 2011
Meredith Owens of Jay has been named the winner of the Youth Tour to Washington contest for co-op employee’s children.
Meredith is the daughter of Rick and Sabrina Owens. Sabrina is employed by Escambia River Electric Cooperative, and children of employees are not eligible for EREC’s Youth Tour competition.
Meredith competed against other electric cooperative employees’ children across the state of Florida by writing an essay entitled “America’s Energy Future” and was selected by a panel of judges to represent the Florida Electric Cooperative Association on the tour.
Meredith will travel by plane to Washington, D. C. June 10-16 and visit the historic sites of our nation’s capitol along with approximately 1,500 other Youth Tour delegates from all across the country. Students will have the opportunity to learn more about our nation’s government, rural electrification and will make many new friends.
Two non-EREC employee children also headed on the Washington Youth Tour. Click here for an earlier story.
Pictured: Meredith Owens. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.