We Interupt This Program: National Test Of Emergency Alerts Today
November 9, 2011
The National Emergency Alert System (EAS) will conduct the first nationwide test of the system at 1:00 this afternoon.
Virtually all broadcast and cable programming in the U.S. will be interrupted at the same time with the standard emergency tone and message. Unlike typical tests that have been conducted before, this message may run up to three and a half minutes.
The EAS is a national public warning system that requires broadcasters, cable television systems, wireless cable systems, wireline video providers, satellite digital audio radio service providers and direct broadcast satellite service providers to make their communications facilities available to the President during a national emergency.
The system also may be used by state and local authorities to deliver important emergency information such as AMBER (child abduction) alerts and severe weather warnings targeted to specific geographical regions or areas.
Poarch Man Pleads Guilty In Child Sex Abuse Case
November 9, 2011
An Escambia County, Ala., man pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to charges that he sexually abused three young boys.
Dustin O. Raybon of Poarch entered the plea, ending his ongoing trial for sexual contact with a child younger than 12. The boys, which were Raybon’s relatives, were reportedly abused in 2003 on the Poarch Creek Indian Reservation near Atmore.
Raybon’s plea came under an agreement with prosecutors to recommend a light sentence of less than three years and registration as sex offender for the abuse of a 3-year old. Another boy, now 13, testified that he was sexually abused by Raybon when he was 5 or 6. Another male victim, age 8, testified that Raybon engaged him in oral sex in April 2011.
Shipbuilder Hiring 130 At $18+ Per Hour
November 9, 2011
Workforce Escarosa will assist Huntington Ingalls Industries with therecruitment and hiring of 130 shipfitter apprentices, starting at $18.67 per hour, for their Pascagoula, Miss., jobsite.
Additional openings will include; composite fiberglass workers, pipefitters, pipe welders, structural welders, insulators, industrial engineers, planning and scheduling personnel and physicians.
Individuals with correlating experience and credentials may apply in-person on Thursday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Workforce Escarosa Pensacola One-Stop Center located at 3670 North L Street. Applicants are advised to bring a resume, related credentials or certifications, and a valid driver’s license. Former military should also bring a copy of their DD214.
Representatives from Huntington Ingalls Industries will be on-site and may choose to conduct interviews with selected applicants during the hiring event.
Huntington Ingalls Industries designs, builds and maintains nuclear and non-nuclear ships for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard while also providing after-market services for military ships around the globe.
Additional information and job descriptions for the openings are on the Employ Florida Marketplace, www.employflorida.com, under job order 9616274.
Video: Bratt Meth Lab Cleanup
November 9, 2011
Video shows a hazardous materials team from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Rapid Response unit neutralize “one pot” meth labs and associated chemicals about 2 a.m. Wednesday in Bratt.
For the complete story, click here.
If you do not see the video above, it is because your home, school or work firewall is blocking external videos.
Atmore Motorcyclist Injured In Cantonment Traffic Crash
November 8, 2011
An Atmore motorcyclist was seriously injured when he collided with a SUV and a pickup Tuesday afternoon in Cantonment.
The Florida Highway Patrol says 22-year Joshua T. Daniel was northbound on Highway 29 near Tate School Road about 3:30 p.m. on a Yamaha motorcycle when he struck the rear of a Chevrolet Tahoe driven by 40-year old Rebecca Mills of Cantonment and the muffler of a Chevrolet Silverado driven 17-year old Joshua Ingram.
According to the FHP, Mills slowed at a traffic light when Ingram veered to the left to avoid her SUV. Daniel unsuccessfully tried to avoid a collision by veering to the left. Daniel was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition. Mills, Ingram and a passenger in Ingram’s pickup – 16-year old Victoria Ingram — were not injured.
Daniel was cited for careless driving, according to the FHP.
The Cantonment Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the incident
Pictured: One person was injured in this accident involving a SUV and motorcycle at Highway 29 and Tate School Road Tuesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Programs To Honor Local Vets
November 8, 2011
Several events are planned across the area for Veterans Day:
A Veterans Day Program will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, November 10 at Century Care Center, followed by a presentation by the Camp Fire USA Century Youth Learning Center.
The Flomaton Area Rail Road Museum will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, November 8 at 6 p.m. at the Flomaton Welcome Center. Navy Seal Chuch Thornton will be the guest speaker. The public is invited to attend.
Northview High School will hold its annual Veterans Day Program on Thursday, November 10 in the school’s theater. Two identical programs will be held at 9:35 and 10:35. The guest speaker will be Capt. Frank Smith, USN (Ret.). All veterans and their families are invited to attend.
On Friday, November 11, Reading is Fundamental will hold its third annual Veterans Day celebration at Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 1200 Airport Blvd. Events begin at 11 a.m. with a special children’s story time. A recognition ceremony is planned for 1 p.m. and will include guest speakers Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas; Lt. Col. Julie Eldred, who is retired from the Army Nurse Corps; and Phyllis Pia of the Pensacola USO. The program includes a performance of “Taps” by members of the Tate High School band, a color guard display by students from Washington High School NJROTC and patriotic songs sung from Molino Park Elementary students.
Pictured top: Work a memorial in honor of LCpl Travis M. Nelson at the Bratt Community Park, which will be renamed Tuesday in Nelson’s honor. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Mothers Arrested For Murder In Fire Deaths Of 3 Kids; Funeral Services Announced
November 8, 2011
The mothers of three children killed in an Atmore house fire last week were arrested Monday for murder.
The twin sisters, Akeevia Lajoseia Abner and Tekeevia Lajoseialan Abner, both 18, were arrested Monday for three counts of the reckless murder of 3-year old Aniyia Abner, 3-year old Takia Abner and 22-month old Michael Coleman. The arrest followed an investigation by the Alabama State Fire Marshal, Atmore Fire Department and the Atmore Police Department.
“They showed an extreme indifference to these children’s lives and created a grave risk of death to the children by leaving them home alone on November 2, 2011,” according to a press release from Escambia County (Ala.) District Attorney Steve Billy.
They perished in a fire which was apparently caused from leaving a stove unattended, according to a preliminary fire marshal report.
They were taken into custody by the State Fire Marshal and booked into the Escambia County Detention Center Monday without bond, pending a bond hearing.
Funeral services for the children will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the New Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 1712 M.L. King Avenue in Atmore. The Rev. Dr. Harold Askew will be officiating.
For earlier stories about the fire, including photos from the aftermath of the fire Wednesday night, click here and click here.
Pictured below: This photo shows the oven door propped open inside the kitchen of a home were three children died in a house fire Wednesday night.
McDonald Named Molino Park Elementary Teacher Of Year
November 8, 2011
Twinette McDonald has been named Teacher of the Year at Molino Park Elementary School. She is the school’s music educator.
Pictured: Teacher of Year Twinette McDonald leads students recently at Molino Park Elementary School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Monday Night Fire Destroys Bluff Springs Road Home
November 8, 2011
Fire destroyed a small single family home in the Bluff Springs community Monday night.
The home on Bluff Springs Road just east of Highway 29 was fully involved when the first fighters arrived on scene about 9:45 p.m. Authorities said a family had recently rented the home and and had the power turned on in the past few days.
There were no injuries. The cause of the blaze remains investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s office.
The Century, McDavid, Walnut Hill and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Flomaton Fire Department, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the fire.
Pictured: Fire destroyed this home on Bluff Springs Road Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
West Florida Wins District 1-5A Title In 3-Way Shootout
November 8, 2011
The West Florida Jaguars emerged from a 3-way shootout Monday night as District 1-5A champions.
West Florida, Panama City Arnold and Gulf Breeze were all 3-1 in the district headed into the showdown on the Jag’s home turf at Woodham Middle School.
In the first 12-minute quarter, Gulf Breeze beat Arnold 3-0.
In the second 12-minute game for the district title, West Florida beat Gulf Breeze 7-0. Things were off to a rough start for the Dolphins, as they fumbled the ball away on their very first possession of the night. West Florida drove all the way down to the Dolphin one before missing a field goal attempt.
The Jaguars scored with 1:06 to go in the game with a 40-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Faxlanger to Lawrence Lee.
On November 18, the West Florida Jaguars will host Tallahassee Godby in the Class 5A regional quarterfinals.
The Jaguars will host the 1A Northview Chiefs in a regular season ending game Thursday at 7 p.m. at Woodham Middle School.