Boil Water Notice For Tate Road, Including Tate High
June 3, 2011
Effective immediately, a precautionary boil water notice has been issued for ECUA customers residing on Tate Road, from East Kingsfield Road to Tate School Road, including Tate High School.
This notice is being issued following a water main break. Residents are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil, or to use 6 drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water for water to be used for drinking of cooking purposes.
Bacteriological sampling is underway and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible.
ECUA crews have repaired the main, and are flushing out the lines. Residents are advised that there is a possibility of discolored water as a result of the break and flushing, and to flush their home’s plumbing by running their taps for a few minutes. If problems persist, customers are asked to contact ECUA Customer Service at 850-476-0480 for assistance, or see precautionary boil water notice guidelines on the ECUA website at www.ecua.org.
Over 1,500 Acres Burn In Massive Wildfires (With Photo Gallery)
June 3, 2011
Four raging wildfires burned about 1,500 acres in Escambia County, Alabama, Thursday as well over 100 firefighters from 20 fire departments battled the flames.
Friday morning, firefighters were back in the area, extinguishing remaining hotspots to keep smoke off area roadways.
Thursday, the fires were so massive at one point that firefighters were unable to fight back, resorting instead to defending individual homes, according to David Adams, Emergency Management Director for Escambia County (Ala.). All of the homes were saved.
For a gallery of reader submitted photos, click here.
A few firefighters exhibited signs of heat exhaustion during the afternoon, but all were treated and the scene and none were transported to the hospital. There were no other injuries reported.
“All of the firefighters did an outstanding job,” Adams said about 10:30 Thursday as a command center at Hall Creek Road and Sardine Road was shut down for the night. “I just can’t commend all of the responders enough.”
Official believe the fires started just after 1 p.m. as a truck with mechanical problems traveled south on Butler Street to Highway 113, throwing sparks that ignited at least four small fires that quickly exploded into four wildfires of up to about 400 acres each.
By late afternoon, flames shot 40 to 50 feet above the tree tops at times, as entire pine trees burned in just moments. Smoke from the fires could be seen from over 20 miles away.
The fires burned in an area bounded approximately by I-65 to the north, Highway 113 to the west, Wolf Log Road to the south and Upper Creek Road to the east — an area north of, and between Atmore and Flomaton. Many of the roadways, including Highway 113, were closed due to heavy smoke.
The 20 fire departments from Escambia, Baldwin and Monroe counties in Alabama, and Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida, worked into the night to contain the fires. By 6 p.m. the fire had jumped across roadways and several fire lines plowed by the Alabama Forestry Commission. As the sun set and the humidity begin to rise, firefighters were able to bring two of the four fires under control. At 9:10 p.m., the dozens of firefighters that responded from North Escambia were able to return to Florida.
By 10 p.m., the remaining two fires were “contained” — still burning by surrounded by already burned areas, preventing their spread. A small contingent of firefighters and forestry officials remained in the area throughout the night to monitor the situation. A smoke advisory was issued for the area as heavy smoke created problems for motorists.
From the North Escambia area, firefighters from the Century, McDavid, Molino, Walnut Hill and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to Flomaton. Fire crews and equipment from the Cantonment, Ensley and Ferry Pass stations were moved into North Escambia to provide coverage in the event of a fire.
Firefighters from Walnut Hill, Cantonment and Ensley did responded to small brush fire in the area of Crary and Thompson Roads about 8:15. There were no structures damaged in that blaze.
For a gallery of reader submitted photos, click here. (Photos submitted by Amy Lambeth, Alisa Hart, Katie Fowler, Brooke Mixon, Brandi Golden and others for NorthEscambia.com)
Pictured top: A massive wildfire rages Thursday afternoon in Escambia County, Ala. Pictured top inset: Over 100 firefighters responded to the fires. Pictured middle inset: Entire pine trees were consumed by the blaze in just moments. Pictured bottom inset: A huge plume of smoke from the fires as seen from miles away. Pictured bottom: Heavy smoke closed Highway 113 between Flomaton and I-65. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Oak Grove Landfill Permit Renewal Under Consideration
June 3, 2011
A public hearing will be held June 16 to consider the renewal of a construction and demolition debris disposal pit permit in Oak Grove.
The current permit for the facility, located at 745 North Highway 99, was issued in 1996 and is now expiring. The 20 acre disposal area is on a 26 acre piece of property.
The public hearing will be held at 5:32 p.m on June 16 in the Escambia County Commission Chambers in downtown Pensacola.
2,200 Lose Power Around Cantonment; Eight North Escambia Schools Lose Internet, Email
June 3, 2011
About 2,200 Gulf Power customers lost power for just over an hour Thursday afternoon, and the outage left eight North Escambia schools without internet access or email.
The power was out in the Cantonment area from about 2:18 until 3:28 p.m., according to Jeff Rogers, corporate communications supervisor with Gulf Power. The outage was centered around Tate Road after a feeder line tripped, he said.
The power outage at Tate High School cut internet and email for the schools in North Escambia. Tate High High School, according to the school district, houses the server that provides internet and email connectivity to all of the North Escambia schools.
Tate High, Bratt Elementary, Jim Allen Elementary, Ransom Middle, Ernest Ward Middle, Molino Park Elementary, Byrneville Elementary and Northview High all lost internet and email service. Service returned after power was restored.
Sweet Deal: ‘Project Sugar’ Could Mean 100 New Escambia Jobs
June 3, 2011
Escambia County is hoping for a sweet deal by pledging support for a project that could bring 100 new jobs.
The new business name has not been released yet, but officials say “Project Sugar” is a maker of confectionery products and is expected to bring over 100 full-time jobs to
the area. The average wage would be $43,000 plus benefits. The company would have a minimum capital investment of $6 million.
Escambia County is pledging an incentive up to a quarter million dollars. The company would receive $125,000 when they reach 50 jobs, $2.15 million in payroll and a capital investment of $6 million. Once the company reaches 50 jobs and $4.3 million in payroll, the county would contribute another $125,000 in incentive money.
The $250,000 will come from Escambia County’s Economic Development Fund.
Northview Honors The Class Of 2011 (With Photo Gallery, Awards List)
June 3, 2011
The Northview Class of 2011 held Senior Honors Night at the school Thursday night, with over $1.25 million in scholarships and academic aid presented to members of the senior class.
During the event, the school also named Sarah Killam as valedictorian and Emily Vickrey as salutatorian.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
(Editor’s note: Top academic honor students, Beta Club members and subject area awards will be in included in an upcoming story.)
The following scholarships and awards were presented Thursday nightL
Atmore Rotary Club Academic All Stars
Mallory Bell $750
Ashley Digmon $750
Laneicia Gomez $750
Sarah Killam $750
Sara Conner $500
Tyler Garrett $500
Jocelyn Gould $500
Jessynia McCall $500
Christina Sepulveda $500
Emily Vickrey $500
Dustin Yuhasz $500
Barrineau Park Historical Society
Dixie Picheo $500
FFA Alumni Scholarship
Allyson Bullard $500
Stephanie Solari $500
Allison Vidak $500
FFA National Scholarship Dodge/Ram
Allie Vidak $1000
First National Bank and Trust
Sarah Killam, Valedictorian $100 Saving Bond
Fortis Institute of Technology
Allison Freeman $500
Florida A&M University
Derrick Portis $2000
Jim and Jumi Ross Memorial Scholarship
Tyler Garrett $750
Nashville Auto-Diesel College
Adam Freeman $1000
NNOA Scholarship
Tyler Garrett $500
Pensacola Civitan Club Citizen of the Year
Ashley Digmon, Gift Card
Pensacola State College
Haley Simpson $1600 (renewable)
Jocelyn Gould $1600 (renewable)
Poarch Band of Creek Indians
Derek Lewis $3500 Fred L. McGhee Memorial
Dustin Lewis $4000 Indian Descent Scholarships
Shawna Montgomery $30,000 Tuition Assistance Program
Brooke Tullis $30,000 Tuition Assistance Program
Megan Flurnoy $30,000 Tuition Assistance Program
Spirit of the Chief Award
Sarah Killam $1000
Austin Arrington $1000
United Bank of Atmore Award
Emily Vickrey, Salutatorian $75 Saving Bond and 5 shares of stock
University of West Florida
Sarah Killam $17,000
Joshua Scott $1000
US Army Scholar Athlete
Sarah Killam, Medal
Colton Sims, Medal
USNA/NROTC
Tyler Garrett $180,000
Walnut Hill Ruritan Glenn Key Ruritan Award
Stephanie Solari $500
Walnut Hill Ruritan Service Award
Adam Freeman $100
NAACP
Laneicia Gomez
Jocelyn Gould
Auburn University
Tyler Garrett $1000 Board of Trustees Scholarship
Tyler Garrett $1000 Chick-Fil-A Scholarship
Better Business Bureau Student Ethic’s Scholarship
Sarah Killam $1000
Charles and Alice Mayson Scholarship
Sarah Killam $12,000
Faulkner State
Mallory Bell $5500
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Derrick Portis $2000
Florida Bright Futures Recognition
25 – Florida Medallion $200,000 (4 years, $8000 each)
Jansen Bodiford
Caitlyn Brown
Allyson Bullard
Haley Coleman
Trestine Dean
Ashley Digmon
Laneicia Gomez
Jocelyn Gould
David Lambert
Dabney Langhorne
Derek Lewis
Dustin Lewis
Dixie Picheo
Derrick Portis
Brianna Roley
Megan Ryan
Joshua Scott
Christinal Sepulveda
Hayley Simpson
Colton Sims
Stephanie Solari
Diamond Tullis
Ladarion White
Katie Wieborg
Dustin Yuhasz
Florida Bright Futures Recognition
1 – Florida Academic $12,120 (4 years)
Sarah Killam
Henry H. Reichhold Scholarship
David (A.J.) Lambert, Jr $16,000
International Papers Cantonment Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship
Derrick Portis $1000
LaDarion White $1000
Jay Hospital Employee Foundation Scholarships
Jocelyn Gould $1000
Sarah Killam $1000
John E. Frenkel Sr. Educational Grants
Stephanie Solari $1000
Allison Vidak $1000
Quint and Rishy Studer Citizenship Scholarship
Katie Wieborg $1000
Trevecca Nazarene University
Naomi Cooler $10,000
Tri-City Rotary Club Scholarship
Joshua Scott $250
University of Mobile
Emily Vickrey $28,000
University of South Alabama
Allyson Bullard $14000
Colton Sims $33,250
Results Announced In Log A Load Bass Tournament
June 3, 2011
The recent 15th annual charity Log A Load For Kids Bass Tournament raised $15,000 for Sacred Heart Hospital.
The tournament at the Swamp House Marina and Landing offered $10,000 guaranteed prize money, including $3,000 for first place.
Top ten tournament winners were:
- Eddie Milstead and Tony Clements
- Leon Jernigan and Bobby Jernigan
- Kenneth Morris and Chazz Morris
- Larry Bullock and Rodger Caldwell
- JerryManning and Reggie Carper
- Jamie Franklin and Jeff McNiel
- Cole Griffith and David Foshee
- James Purvis and Shane Garrett
- Daniel C. Griffith and Danny R. Griffith
- Josh Halford and Jason Terry
Mystery Weight Fish
- Doug Tipton and Larry Tipton
Appeal Rejected: W.D. Childers Conviction Reinstated
June 3, 2011
A federal appeals court Thursday ruled against former Senate President W.D. Childers in his quest to overturn a 2003 bribery conviction related to a Pensacola land deal.
The full 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta rejected Childers’ argument that his constitutional rights were violated because he was prevented from fully cross-examining a crucial witness.
The 88-page ruling includes a dissenting opinion that said Childers did not receive a fair trial.
Childers was convicted of bribery and accepting unlawful compensation for official acts in connection with a Highway 29 soccer complex scandal in 2002 while he served as an Escambia County Commissioner.
The soccer complex scandal eventually landed four Escambia Commissioners in jail on charges that included Childers, Willie Junior, Terry Smith and Mike Bass. Junior was later found dead under a house, committing suicide the day before he was to be sentenced.
Childers, once known as “The Banty Rooster” for bringing home the bacon for Northwest Florida, was released from state prison on June 17, 2009, having served almost three years of a 42-month sentence on the charges related to the $3.9 million soccer complex purchase. Junior testified that he received a collard green pot full of cash in exchange for his vote to purchase the soccer complex.
Childers was also the first man in Florida jailed for violating the open-meeting portion of the Sunshine Law for a phone call he and Smith made to then Supervisor of Elections Bonnie Jones. Childers served about a month in jail before being released.
Near 100 Again Today
June 3, 2011
Our hot weather will continue into the foreseeable future, with temps on Friday once again approaching 100. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Friday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Calm wind becoming east between 5 and 10 mph. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Calm wind becoming east between 10 and 15 mph.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Calm wind becoming southwest between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. West wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Calm wind becoming southwest between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
- Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
- Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95.
Scott Signs Off On Medicaid Rewrite, Other Health Bills
June 3, 2011
Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday signed a landmark Medicaid overhaul that calls for shifting hundreds of thousands of low-income and elderly Floridians into managed-care plans.
Scott’s signature on a two-bill package (HB 7107 and HB 7109) was not a surprise — he has long pushed for transforming the Medicaid system.
Now, it will be up to the state to convince the federal government to go along. The state Agency for Health Care Administration is required to submit a proposal to federal Medicaid officials by Aug. 1 and is scheduled to start a flurry of public hearings June 10.
If the overhaul is approved, AHCA in July 2012 would start moving forward with a mandatory managed-care program for seniors who need long-term care. That phase would be finished by October 2013.
AHCA would then start putting in place the managed-care requirement for a broader Medicaid population — such as low-income women and children — in January 2013 and finish by October 2014.
The plan, however, has faced opposition from Democratic lawmakers and some patient advocates. They argue, in part, that relying on HMOs and other types of managed-care plans could squeeze needed services for Medicaid beneficiaries.
Lawmakers spent more than a year considering changes to the $20 billion Medicaid program and passed the two bills on the final day of the 2011 legislative session.
Also late Thursday, Scott signed one in a series of controversial bills dealing with abortion.
The bill (HB 97) would ban abortion coverage from policies sold through a health-insurance exchange — a type of insurance marketplace that is scheduled to start operating in 2014 as part of last year’s federal health law.
Scott also approved another measure (HB 1193) that takes aim at the hotly debated federal law. That bill says people cannot be compelled to buy health insurance, except in limited circumstances.
The Republican-controlled Legislature passed the bill in response to what has become known as the “individual mandate” in the federal law. That mandate will require almost all Americans to have health insurance starting in 2014.
By Jim Saunders
The News Service of Florida