Eastern Diamond Rattlesnake Could Become Protected, Endangered Species
May 15, 2012
The eastern diamondback rattlesnake may receive protection under the Endangered Species Act, according to information from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
After a petition filed last year by environmental groups claiming the snake’s population has declined, Fish and Wildlife said more in-depth review will begin to determine if warranted for the largest venomous snake in North America.
The eastern diamondback historically ranged along the coastal lowlands of the southeastern United States from North Carolina to eastern Louisiana, including all of Florida. But now the eastern diamondback is already an endangered species in North Carolina and scientists believe it has all but disappeared from Louisiana.
The decline is attributed to the disappearance of longleaf pine ecosystems in many places and hunting of the snakes for meat, skins and events like the Opp (Ala.) Rattlesnake Rodeo.
It could take the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service months or even years to gather information to make a decision on labeling the eastern diamondback rattlesnake as a protected endangered species.
The Endangered Species act does not preclude a person from acting in self defense to protect themselves or their family.
Local Students Are Winners At State SkillsUSA Competition
May 15, 2012
Several North Escambia area students were winners at the recent SkillsUSA state competition at the Pensacola Civic Center.
Florida SkillsUSA competitors faced off to showcase their technical trade talents and leadership abilities inconjunction with the Worlds of Possibilities Career Expo.
The Worlds of Possibilities Career Expo is showcasing businesses and vendors in technical and vocational career fields by engaging more than 3,000 local seventh- and eighth-grade students, and more than 2,000 high school and college students from throughout the state of Florida.
TECH PREP SHOWCASE EDUCATION AND TRAINING:
Team B – Tate High School Gold Medal Winners
(100% Pensacola State College scholarship awarded for each Gold winner)
Team B (Gold Medal):
- Courtney Graves
- Morgan Fillingim
- Miranda Franklin
Team A – Tate High School Bronze Medal Winners
(25% Pensacola State College scholarship awarded for each Bronze winner)
Team A (Bronze Medal):
- Morgan Bathurst
- Mandi Praytor
- Ainsley Xenos
Preschool Teaching Assistant:
- Elizabeth McMann, Tate High School, Bronze Medal Winner
George Stone Technical Center students and teachers:
Marine Service Technology Winners
- Silver – Drew Resmondo
- Bronze – Jason Pack
Mens Haircutting
- Silver – Hoang Nguyen
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
- Gold – Daniel Wallace
- Silver – Bryant Horne
Computer Maintenance Technology
- Gold – James Bauder
Pictured top: Students from Ernest Ward Middle School were among those that attended the recent SkillsUSA event at the Pensacola Civic Center. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Charles Herman Sansom, Sr.
May 15, 2012
Charles Herman Sansom, Sr., 72, died Wednesday, May 9, at his home in Pensacola, surrounded by his family. Charlie was born on September 16, 1939, in Port. St. Joe, Florida, where he lived until 1954, when his family moved to Century, where Charlie met his future wife and graduated from high school. After Pensacola Junior College, Charlie married, then began a career at (Chemstrand) Monsanto. In the Century community, he will be remembered for his long hours of labor and dedication to the Century Volunteer Fire Department, in which he was a charter member and longtime chief. He used the same dedication at the Monsanto Fire Department, where he also served as chief and for whom he taught yearly classes in Industrial Firefighting at Texas A & M. Charlie was a Plant Shift Supervisor at the time of his retirement.
After moving to Pensacola, Charlie became a member of the St. Luke United Methodist Church, Escambia County Search and Rescue, and Stephen R. Mallory Camp 1315 of the Sons of the Confederacy. After his retirement, Charlie enjoyed traveling with his wife and photographing wildlife, working in his garden, tinkering with his model railroad layouts, listening to his scanner, lending a helping hand, and watching his beloved Florida Gators. He was a consummate (but never cruel) practical joker who loved to find laughter in any situation.
Charlie was one of those rare individuals who saw the good in everyone and the pleasure in every moment. He never made an enemy and never closed a conversation with harsh words. Charlie was a kind, generous family man whose passing will leave a hole in the heart of everyone who ever had the privilege of meeting him.
Charlie was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Alma Sansom. He leaves behind his loving wife of 51 years Ruth Elizabeth, son Charles “Chuck” (Sharon) Sansom, Jr., daughters Beth (Ronny) Norwood and Stephanie (Raymond Higgins) Sansom, sister Lou Owens, brothers John (Martha) Sansom and Michael Sansom , mother-in-law Mary Stanton, brother-in-law Sam (Clara) Stanton, seven granddaughters, four grandsons, three great-grandsons, and many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends who seem as close as family.
Friends and family are welcome during visitation from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, May 19, 2012, at St. Luke United Methodist Church, 1394 Nine Mile Road, Pensacola. A service for Charlie will follow at 11 a.m. with Rev. Ted Bowne, Rev. Mike Roberts, and Rev. Carolyn Nelson officiating. There will be no graveside services, but honorary pallbearers include Steve Hacker, Jim Hernandez, Frank Jackson, Hal Kuhn, John Nowlin, Sid Perry, Jerry Simmons, Paul Villane, and Ronny Wadkins.
Trahan Family Funeral Home of Pensacola is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: St. Luke United Methodist Church Bus Fund, 1394 E. Nine Mile Rd, Pensacola 32514: Escambia County Search and Rescue, 9530 Nims Llane, Pensacola 32534: Waterfront Mission , P O Box 870, Pensacola 32591; or Trumpet of Hope Ministries P O Box 179125, San Diego, CA 92177.
Clyde Carroll
May 15, 2012
Clyde Carroll, 80, passed away peacefully at his home on May 14, 2012, with his wife by his side. Clyde was born in Brewton and has lived in Cantonment for the past 30 years. He served in the US Army during the time of the Korean War. After his time in the Army he worked mostly in sales and after retiring he is remembered working and helping many at Reynolds Hardware Store and Faith Chapel Funeral Home. Clyde was always a hard worker taking pride in any job he had and never meeting a stranger. His treasured his Christian faith, wife, family and friends. He enjoyed being active in his church, taking family vacations spending time with his grandchildren fishing and watching them play sports. Clyde was always a kid at heart, singing, laughing and enjoying his life. His funny personality and smiling face will always be part of our memories.
Clyde is survived by his wife of 30 years, Brenda Carroll, daughters, Brandy (Mark) Jackson, Melissa Newton, Katherine (Rex) Amerson and son, DeWayne (Deb) Carroll. His grandchildren; Tyler and Tanner Jackson, Cameron, Spencer and Kendall Newton, Isabela Pomeroy, Tayler and Taryn Fuller, Christian Jernigan, Steven and Shaun Cook, Michael Carroll and Jennifer Calway, 6 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 17, 2012, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North-Cantonment. Interment will follow at Pensacola Memorial Gardens.
Serving as pallbearers will be Mark and Tyler Jackson, James and Spencer Newton, Richard Cobb, Larry Williams and Terry Fuller.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, from 5-8 p.m.
The family would like to thank our many friends for their support and love through this difficult time. A special thanks to Woodlands Oncology Department and Dr. Patel.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 Highway 29 South Cantonment is in charge of arrangements.
Terry Dale “Wolfman” Killam
May 15, 2012
Mr. Terry Dale “Wolfman” Killam, age 61, passed away on Sunday, May 13, 2012, in Bay Minette.
Mr. Killam was a native of Bratt and a resident of Century for the past 33 Years. Mr. Killam was a veteran of the Vietnam War, was an employee of Solutia, an avid hunter, fisherman, devoted husband, father and grandfather. He loved to share hunting and fishing stories with his family and friends as well as spending time at Boatyard Lake.
He is preceded in death by his father, Winfred “Peanut” Killam, grandparents and granddaughter Mable Killam.
Survivors include his mother and stepfather, Geraldine and Bruce Campbell of Century; wife of 33 years, Brenda Tharp Killam of Century; son, Terry Dale Killam II (Dale) of Century; daughter, Tiffany Killam (David) Jurey of Milton; brother, Gavin (Barbara) Killam of Birmingham; two sisters, Gleda (Jerry) McElhaney of Bratt and Tara (Burton) Wiggins of Elberta; three grandchildren, Colby Berry, Paige Killam and Kelan Jurey; uncle, Alton (Merle) Killam and aunt, Dorothy Sutton (Billy) Johnson; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Funeral services will be Thursday, May 17, 2012, at 2 p.m. at the Petty Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Joe Lee officiating.
Burial will follow at Rock Cemetery.
Visitation will be Wednesday, May 16, 2012, from 6-9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Corey Parrish, Jamie Barnes, Jeremy Barnes, Josh Barnes, Jonathan Tharp, Thomas Cofield, Brocky Davis and Dennis Mathis.
Slight Rain Chance Tonight
May 15, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming east between 5 and 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 88. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming east between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. East wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
Hurricane Season: Insurers Plan For Worst, Hope For Best
May 15, 2012
With two weeks to go before the hurricane season officially begins, players in the multi-billion dollar property insurance market meet in Orlando Tuesday to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
With $17 billion in obligations, the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund could find itself about $1.8 billion short if it has to go to the bond market immediately following a particular devastating storm, according to an analysis prepared an upcoming workshop this week on the catastrophe fund.
But the state remains in strong financial position to weather a particularly bad storm if allowed to pay off claims within a two-year period, a scenario seen as much more likely.
“If the (CAT fund) can realize and use its estimated 12-24 month post-event bonding capacity of an additional $5 billion, it could meet its full initial season obligation and apply additional bonding amounts and fund balance accumulated during that period to subsequent season claims paying capacity,” according to an analysis compiled by Raymond James.
State CAT fund officials are scheduled to meet this week with insurance industry representatives for an overview of the state-backed fund.
In order to meet its mandatory level of just over $17 billion, the CAT fund would have to float about $8.8 billion in bonds. Conservative estimates of the current bond market, however, say the capacity for such bond sales would tap out at $7 billion, leaving the gap.
Jack Nicholson, chief operating officer of the fund, said the $1.8 billion estimate is merely an indicator telling private insurers what their potential re-insurance needs may be. For large companies able to string out their losses over a two year period, the gap in coverage will have little impact.
Smaller companies, however, may consider the figure and determine that they need additional re-insurance from the private market in case a severe storm hits.
“If a company can wait two years to tap into the fund, they are fine. But for some smaller companies, the lag may be a legitimate concern,” Nicholson said
The CAT fund does an analysis of its bonding capacity twice a year – in May and October – the May figure is used primarily as a gauge of the availability of bond investors. During the credit crisis of 2008, the state would have only been able to secure about $3 billion from the bond market, a far cry from the $13.3 billion in potential losses.
If the state can’t meet its obligation through traditional bonding, it can levy assessments on policyholders or can go to the bank lending market to make ends meet.
“However, complete certainty of funding for the FHCF can only be achieved by increasing the pre?event committed cash resources of the fund for example, by doing a prevent liquidity funding program or by decreasing the potential obligations of the fund – or both,” the analysis concludes.
By The News Service of Florida
Pictured: A satellite image of Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Courtesy NOAA for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Barons Beat Blue Wahoos 8-4 To Even Series
May 15, 2012
Birmingham plated five runs in the top of the second inning, including a grand slam from third baseman Corey Smith, to lead the Barons to an 8-4 win over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Monday night at Pensacola’s multi-use stadium.
After Pensacola took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first thanks to part to DH Cody Puckett’s seventh home run of the season, Birmingham grabbed a lead they would not relinquish with a big second frame. CF Jared Mitchell led off the inning with a solo shot to left before the Barons loaded the bases with two walks and a single from 2B Jose Castro, which set the scene for Smith. The third baseman slugged the first pitch he saw down the left field line to clear the bases and give the Barons a 6-2 advantage.
The Blue Wahoos brought home single tallies in the fourth and fifth frames with 1B Joel Guzman leaving the yard for his fifth longball of the year in the fourth, while CF Ryan LaMarre singled and then was driven in on SS Didi Gregorius’ run scoring triple in the following frame. Birmingham would then plate additional insurance runs in both the sixth and seventh frames to increase the margin to 8-4.
LaMarre (2-3, 2 R, 1BB) and Guzman (2-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI) accumulated two hits on the night for the Blue Wahoos, while no Barons hitters recorded a multi-hit effort.
Barons starting pitcher Pedro Hernandez (5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 9 SO) earned his fifth win in as many starts after allowing four earned runs on six hits in five frames, while relievers Brandon Kloess (3.0 IP, 5 SO) and Leroy Hunt (1.0 IP, 1 SO) combined for the four perfect innings in support of Hernandez. Pensacola starter Daniel Corcino (5.0 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 7 SO) suffered the loss after yielding six earned runs on five hits in his five innings pitched.
With the series now tied at 2-2, the Blue Wahoos and Barons will meet Monday evening for the rubber match with first pitch scheduled for 7:00 pm at Pensacola’s bayfront stadium. RHP Tim Crabbe is scheduled to take the hill for Pensacola, while Birmingham is expected to send LHP Jose Quintana.
By Andrew Green
Mable L. St. Germain
May 15, 2012
Mable L. St. Germain, 70 of Atmore, passed away Monday May 14, 2012, in Pensacola. She was a nurse, born in Poarch on January 3, 1942, to the late Hurley and Carlie McGhee.
She is preceded in death by a son, Bobby Dannelly.
She is survived by a son, John Calvin Dannelly, and daughter, Cindy Colardo, both of Poarch; five brothers, Leon McGhee and Levon McGhee both of Foley, John Dalrymple of Opp, Thomas Dalrymple of Atmore, Tommy McGhee of TN; two sisters: Sara Dalrymple and Patricia McGhee both of Poarch; four grandchildren, and many friends.
Services will be Saturday, May 19, 2012, at 2 p.m. from the Atmore Memorial Chapel with Bro Leon McGhee and Bro. Ward officiating. Interment will follow in McCullough Cemetery.
Active Pallbearers will be Levon McGhee, Thomas Dalrymple, John Dalrymple, Wayne McGhee, John McGhee and Tommy McGhee. Honorary pallbearer is Danny Rowland.
Family will receive friends Saturday May 19, 2012, at Atmore Memorial Chapel from noon until service time.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
One Killed In Multiple Vehicle Crash With A Horse
May 14, 2012
A Pensacola man was killed in a multiple vehicle accident involving a horse Sunday night in Molino.
James Cobb, 63, was pronounced deceased on the scene of the 8:27 p.m. crash near Victory Assembly of God, just south of Barrineau Park Road. His passenger, 56-year old Debra Cobb, was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola with minor injuries.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Cobb was southbound on Highway 29 in the left lane as a horse was running northbound in the left southbound lane. Cobb was unable to avoid the horse; the front of his 2007 Kia Sorrento hit the horse. Cobb’s vehicle continued across the median and across both northbound lanes, coming to rest on the shoulder of the road.
The horse came to rest in the southbound lane of Highway 29. At least two other vehicles struck the animal following the initial collision, and at least one other person was transported to a Pensacola hospital with non life-threatening injuries. As of early Monday morning, details on the additional vehicles and drivers had not been released.
None of the vehicles collided with any another vehicle; all collided with only the horse. The horse did not survive the accident.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Molino, McDavid and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS, LifeFlight and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Pictured top: The driver of this vehicle died after hitting a horse on Highway 29 in Molino Sunday night. Pictured inset: One person from this vehicle was transported by ambulance to a Pensacola hospital after running over the horse. Pictured bottom inset: The driver of this vehicle was not injured after colliding with the horse.Pictured below: Traffic was backed up by the accident. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
