Latest Update: Tropical Storm Lee
September 2, 2011
Here is the latest information on Tropical Storm Lee from the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center:
The Escambia County Emergency Operations Center remains at a level 3 (monitoring) status as Tropical Storm Lee approaches the Louisiana coastline over the next 24 hours. Escambia County staff will continue to monitor the National Weather Service, including winds, rain, river levels and tides, however the EOC is not expected to activate unless conditions worsen or the forecasted path changes.
Current forecasted information for Escambia County includes:
- A flashflood watch for Escambia County through Tuesday morning.
- An accumulation of 12-17 inches of rain over the three to four day period.
- The river levels are expected to rise rapidly over the next three to four days, but not exceed flood stage.
- The Perdido River is currently at 1.18 feet and could go to 13.2 feet late Monday into early Tuesday.
- The Escambia River is currently at 2.67 feet and could go to 16.8 feet early Tuesday morning.
- Tides are expected to reach 2 feet above normal high tides.
- Flooding may occur along Ft. Pickens Road and along low areas of the barrier island.
- Strong winds will impact our area between Sunday and Tuesday. On Monday winds could reach 30-35 mph sustained.
Other County Actions:
- A single “red” flag is currently flying at Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key.
- Solid Waste Management will retrieve the large green recycling container at Park West (at the Ft. Pickens gate) in anticipation of possible flooding in that area of the barrier island.
- Sand bags can be purchased from local hardware and home improvement stores. No sand bags are being distributed by Escambia County officials.
The Escambia County Office of Public Information will provide updates as needed throughout the weekend. Please monitor local media outlets for the latest information. General safety and flooding information can be found at www.BeReadyEscambia.com.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight…Cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Some thunderstorms may produce heavy rainfall. Lows in the lower 70s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph becoming 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.
- Saturday…Showers and thunderstorms. Some thunderstorms may produce heavy rainfall. Highs in the mid 80s. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation 90 percent.
- Saturday Night…Breezy. Showers and thunderstorms. Some thunderstorms may produce heavy rainfall. Lows in the mid 70s. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph becoming 15 to 25 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation 90 percent.
- Sunday…Breezy. Showers and thunderstorms. Some thunderstorms may produce heavy rainfall. Highs in the upper 80s. Southeast winds 15 to 25 mph becoming south 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation 90 percent.
- Sunday Night…Breezy…cloudy. Showers and thunderstorms likely. Some thunderstorms may produce heavy rainfall. Lows in the mid 70s. South winds 15 to 20 mph becoming 15 to 25 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation 70 percent.
- Labor Day…Windy. Showers and thunderstorms. Some thunderstorms may produce heavy rainfall. Highs around 90. Chance of precipitation 80 percent.
- Monday Night…Windy…cloudy. Showers and thunderstorms likely. Some thunderstorms may produce heavy rainfall. Lows in the mid 70s. Chance of precipitation 60 percent.
- Tuesday…Windy…cloudy. Isolated thunderstorms in the morning. Scattered showers through the day. Scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 80s. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.
- Tuesday Night…Breezy. Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 60s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Wednesday…Mostly sunny. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 80s. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.
- Wednesday Night…Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 60s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Thursday…Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 80s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Thursday Night…Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 60s.
- Friday…Mostly cloudy. Highs in the upper 80s.
Family Plans Scholarship, Memorial To Honor Fallen Marine
September 2, 2011
The family of Lance Cpl. Travis Nelson will honor the legacy of the young Marine with an annual college scholarship and a monument in a local park in his honor.
LCpl. Nelson, who grew up in Bratt, was killed in action August 19 in Afghanistan, five weeks after being deployed as an infantry rifleman. His parents, Beckie and Scott Nelson of Bratt, buried their 19-year old son last Friday in Atmore.
“The support of the community has been remarkable to say the least,” Scott Nelson said following his son’s funeral Aug. 26. “Words really cannot express how we felt from the response to Travis’ death and funeral.”
Nelson said the community support has shown that Americans still have a heart and patriotism for the country and her people.
“Travis would have been proud to know he gave his life and the people came together as they did to show their respect,” Nelson said. “It’s nice to know that we haven’t given up on what our country was founded on – God, love, patriotism, honor, respect and the old-fashioned neighbor.”
From the gates of the Naval Air Station in Pensacola last Wednesday when LCpl. Nelson’s body arrived, to the streets of Atmore following his funeral last Friday, thousands upon thousands of people, from all ages and walks of life, lined the streets to honor the fallen marine.
As a tribute to their son and the sacrifices he made to serve his country, the Nelsons are creating a college scholarship fund to be awarded to one or two outstanding seniors involved in either the Northview or Pace High School ROTC program or in the Young Marines of Pensacola.
“Both of these organizations were such a big part of Travis’ life and were the beginning of his commitment to serve his country,” Beckie Nelson said. “We are proud of Travis and know that he would want to share in the excitement of other young men and women as they prepare for a career in military service.”
For the first year, the Nelsons plan to award a $500 scholarship to a senior ROTC member from NHS or PHS or Young Marine with the highest GPA (grade point average), who exemplifies community involvement and service and commitment to their country through military service.
“We think this is the best way to honor Travis and his life,” Mrs. Nelson said. “He loved his country and we know he died doing what he loved.”
Mrs. Nelson said she hopes the scholarship fund will eventually be able to offer at least two scholarships a year for up to a $1,000 to a senior ROTC member from both NHS and PHS.
In addition to the scholarship fund, the Nelson’s are seeking approval from Escambia County to place a monument in honor of their son at the county-funded and maintained Bratt Community Park located on Highway 4 in Bratt, just two doors down from Nelson’s childhood home.
“We just thought it would be fitting to have something there to remember him by,” Mrs. Nelson said. “This is where he grew up and he spent many hours and days out here playing before the park was built. This community (Bratt) was such a big part of his life and played a part in the man he became.”
The Nelsons have set up an account at Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union to accept donations for the college scholarships and monument in the park.
“I will learn from my son and this community and strive to be a better American and neighbor,” Scott Nelson said in a letter of thanks published on NorthEscambia.com. “Travis, you will always be your beautiful mom’s and my hero. We will miss you to the point we cannot describe but will join you, pawpaw, papa and the other heroes in heaven. My prayers go out to the rest of the troops, its time we bring these men and women home. God Bless America.”
Contributions can be made at any Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union branch in LCpl. Travis Nelson’s name.
To donated by mail, make checks payable to: LCpl. Travis Nelson Memorial/Scholarship Fund and mail to:
Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union
220 E. Nine Mile Road
Pensacola, FL 32534
If needed: GWFCU Routing Number 263281679
– OR –
Nelson Scholarship Fund
P.O. Box 601
Century, Florida 32535
Pictured top: The August 26 funeral of LCpl Travis Nelson, who died August 18 in Afghanistan. Pictured middle inset: The remains of LCpl Travis Nelson pass Ernest Ward Middle School August 24. Picture bottom inset: The flag presented to the Nelson family at the August 26 graveside service for LCpl. Travis Nelson. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Falls To Perdido (With Photo Gallery)
September 2, 2011
The Ernest Ward Middle School Golden Eagles opened their 2011 season Thursday night with a loss to the Perdido Middle School Raiders in Walnut Hill.
EWMS jumped out to an 8-0 lead with 4:04 to go in the first quarter, but the Raiders answered with a 6o-plus yard TD run less than a minute later. Perdido missed the point after, cutting Ernest Ward’s lead to 8-6.
With about two minutes on the clock in the half, EWMS drove to fourth and goal but tossed an interception to the Raiders at the four yard line. Heading into the half, Ernest Ward held onto their 8-6 lead.
Late in the fourth quarter, the Perdido Raiders drove to fourth and inches, running it in on the next down for a touchdown. Once again missing the point after, Perdido had a 12-8 advantage with 2:27 on the clock.
Ernest Ward ended the game with no time on the clock and a missed pass into the endzone.
For a photo gallery from the game, click here.
Next week, the EWMS Eagles will be on the road at Excel on September 6. Their next home game in Walnut Hill will be September 20.
Pictured top: Ernest Ward’s Warren Suggs avoids Perdido defenders Thursday night in Walnut Hill. Pictured inset: Seventh grader Desmone Knight picks up yardage for EWMS. Pictured below: Hadley Woodfin cheers for the Eagles. NortheEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
JV Chiefs Beat West Florida (With Photo Gallery)
September 2, 2011
The Northview High Junior Varsity Chiefs kicked off their 2011 season with a win Thursday over West Florida High School. The Chiefs beat the WFHS Jaguars 30-16 in Pensacola.
The JV Chiefs will travel north to Alabama next taking on Escambia County High School at 6:30 on Monday, September 12 in Atmore.
The remainder of their 2011 schedule is as follows: Sept 22 – at Baker – 6:30 pm; -Sept 26 – Atmore – 6:30 pm; Oct 13 – West Florida – 6:30 pm.
Pictured: The JV Northview Chiefs defeated West Florida High Thursday in Pensacola. Submitted photos by Chris Edwards for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Suspect’s Tight Pants Call 911; Cantonment Trio Busted For Burglary
September 2, 2011
A suspect’s too-tight pants called 911 during a burglary, landing three Cantonment men behind bars.
Micheal Joshua Smith, 20; Matthew Alex Nuvoli, 19; and Timmothy Luke Riley, 28, are all facing felony burglary of a vehicle and burglary of an unoccupied structure charges in connection with the incident on Flagler Drive in Ensley.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office received an unknown 911 call from Flagler Driver. Responding deputies discovered the Cantonment trio had gone through a Mercedes Benz parked under a carport. The men told deputies they knew no one was home, so they “had just been hanging out drinking beer”, according to a Sheriff’s Office arrest report.
Deputies determined that the original 911 call that led to the arrests had been made from Smith’s cellphone. Smith told deputies that his cellphone was in his pants pocket, and it will sometimes call 911 on its own if his pants are too tight.
Riley was also charged with resisting arrest without violence in connection with the incident. Deputies said he jumped a fence and tried to run from them, but he slipped and fell in a ditch.
All three were released from the Escambia County Jail on bond.
Frontier Internet Fails Again; Company Plans Big Fix
September 2, 2011
Officials with Frontier Communications said late Thursday that they are taking steps to prevent hundreds of North Escambia area residents from losing their internet service for hours at a time.
During the summer, Frontier high speed DSL and dialup internet customers in Walnut Hill, Bratt, Molino and Atmore have lost their internet connection for as long as 12 hours at a time. The company has experienced at least six major outages since June, including an almost eight hour period on Thursday.
The company said most of the outages were not their fault, blaming the downtime on AT&T, which provides Frontier’s internet connections. Karen Miller, spokesperson for Frontier, said Thursday’s outage was the result of an AT&T fiber line cut near Bay Minette, interrupting the connection between Atmore and Atlanta.
“We have no control over that AT&T cable,” Miller said. “It’s not our fiber; it’s not our network.”
All of the Walnut Hill, Bratt, Molino and Atmore DSL and dialup services provided by Frontier are connected to the rest of the internet by a single fiber optic line between Atmore and Atlanta. When that line goes down, there is currently no backup, Miller said.
But she said Frontier is working to install a second independent route to the internet from Atmore, preventing a single fiber cut like happened Thursday from cutting the North Escambia area off from the internet.
“We are close to finishing an engineering study to get a second route to get traffic from Atmore to Atlanta,” Miller said. “It won’t be that long before it happens.”
Once that second connection is installed, Miller said, it will provide a backup to keep internet traffic flowing from the area.
Kidnapping Suspect Gets 35 Years
September 2, 2011
An Escambia County man received 35 years in prison for kidnapping a woman.
Curtis Sanders Brown was sentenced by Judge W. Joel Boles to 30 years in state prison for kidnapping to inflict bodily harm upon or to terrorize the victim and five years for felony battery. Each sentence is consecutive to the other for a total sentence of 35 years in state prison, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins.
On July 25, 2009, the victim was at a closed business when Brown forced her into his vehicle and took her almost to the Alabama line before she jumped out of the vehicle. Two witnesses observed her jump out of the vehicle and called for law enforcement and medical assistance.
Jay Man Misses Appointment To Fish And Wildlife Commission
September 2, 2011
A Jay businessman hoping for a seat on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission has missed out; Gov. Rick Scott appointed a Tallahassee man to the post Thursday.
Jack Floyd, a 42-year old Jay native, began to lobby for a seat on the FWC after Commissioner Rodney Barreto of Miami announced that he was not seeking re-appointment.
Scott announced Thursday that he did not choose Floyd for the non-compensated position, instead naming Charles “Chuck” Roberts to the FWC.
Roberts, 58, of Tallahassee, has been the president of C.W. Roberts Contracting Inc. since 1976. He succeeds Barreto and was appointed for a term beginning September 1, 2011, and ending August 1, 2016.
Roberts served on the governing board of the Northwest Florida Water Management District from 1989 to 2001. He also was director of the Florida Transportation Builders’ Association for 20 years and chairman from 1996 to 1997, as well as the director of the Asphalt Contractors Association of Florida for 10 years. He was appointed to serve on the Liberty County School Board for one year in 1978.
The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
Pictured: Thursday, Gov. Rick Scott (left) appointed Charles “Chuck” Roberts (left) to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. Photo for NorthEcscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Our View: Honor A Bratt Hero, LCpl. Travis Nelson, By Renaming Park
September 2, 2011
NorthEscambia.com is calling on our communities and the Escambia County Commission to step up and honor LCpl. Travis Nelson, the little boy from Bratt that dreamed of becoming a Marine.
LCpl. Nelson lived his dream, making it from Highway 4 in Bratt to the front lines in Afghanistan where he lost his life at just 19 to defend the freedom of his family, friends and all Americans back home. He was the first service member from the Bratt or Walnut Hill area killed in action since 1969.
His parents, Beckie and Scott Nelson, have established a scholarship fund that will benefit local young men and women that are in the ROTC at Northview or Pace high school, or in the Young Marines of Pensacola. We call upon you to do your part to ensure the success of this scholarship program. Make your donation today, whether it be a handful of change or a fistful of dollars that can make a difference in a local student’s future. Click here to read more about the scholarship and how to donate.
The Nelson family is also asking Escambia County permission to place a monument at the Bratt Community Park on Highway 4, just two doors down from where Travis Nelson grew up. While we are sure that Escambia County will approve the request, we are asking for more.
Since it was completed over a year ago, there has never been a formal dedication or even naming of the Bratt Community Park, other than a sign erected by the county.
NorthEscambia.com is calling upon the Escambia County Commission to officially dedicate the park as “The Travis M. Nelson Bratt Community Park” in honor of our local hero. It’s a fitting way to honor the Marine from Bratt who went to his grave fighting for his country. It’s also a fitting example to the young people of our communities that a little boy (or girl) from Bratt can follow their dreams, no matter where it takes them, and make a real difference in the lives of Americans everywhere.
Pictured: Parents Scott and Beckie Nelson of Bratt remember their son, Marine LCpl. Travis Nelson, shortly after learning that he had been killed in action in Afghanistan. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power Restoring Power In Maryland
September 2, 2011
A Gulf Power storm restoration team of 65 employees is now working in the Baltimore area, helping restore power lost in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene. The team is now helping Baltimore Gas & Electric, which had more than 700,000 customers without power at the height of the storm. Pepco released the Gulf Power crews after power was restored in its territory near Washington, D.C. The storm team drove to Baltimore to begin work today. Gulf Power has 48 line personnel and 17 support staff members working in the area. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.