Escambia Commission To Discuss RESTORE Act Funds
July 10, 2012
The Escambia County Commission will discuss the federal RESTORE Act at meetings on Thursday. The RESTORE Act requires 80 percent of all fines paid by BP in future settlements for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill to go to Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Texas. The fines are estimated to reach up to $21 billion.
“We understand that the money will be coming more quickly than expected,” said Commissioner Wilson Robertson. “I think it’s important for the Commission to start discussing the approach for deciding a methodology and criteria for determining the best use of these funds in our community.”
Although Louisiana will collect the largest share of the total fine, Florida will receive a significant portion of the funding under a distribution formula that will factor in the number of residents living along coastal areas. Although the final amount is uncertain, some estimates place Florida’s share at $100 million. Escambia, Santa Rosa, Bay Franklin, Gulf, Okaloosa, Wakulla and Walton counties will receive 75 percent of Florida’s share of money.
“Everyone seems to have a lot of ideas about how to spend the money,” said Commissioner Robertson. “However, it’s ultimately the Escambia County Commission’s responsibility to ensure this money is administered in a manner that best benefits our residents.”
The RESTORE Act funds will be discussed during the Commission’s Agenda Review meeting at 9 a.m. Thursday and during a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. Both meetings will take place in Commission Chambers at 221 Palafox Place in Pensacola.
Health Department Urges Residents To Protect Against Mosquitoes
July 10, 2012
The Escambia County Health Department is urging the public to take steps to protect against mosquitoes, including a tip to “drain and cover” to protect against mosquitoes.
The health department advises residents to drain standing water in and around homes to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs. Mosquitoes are known carriers of West Nile Virus, and other disease-causing viruses.
“Given the recent rains we have experienced, mosquitoes may be more prevalent in the upcoming weeks,” says Dr. John J. Lanza, director of the Escambia County Health Department. “Individuals should do all they can to avoid mosquito bites, in order to prevent the spread of infections carried by the insect.”
Adult mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing or slow-moving water. Even one teaspoon of water is adequate for breeding. Mosquitoes are most active during evenings, nighttime and the dawn hours. Being outdoors at these times increases people’s chances of being bitten unless they cover their skin with clothes and/or an effective mosquito repellant.
The health department also offers these tips:
Drain standing water.
- Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots or any other containers where sprinkler or rain water has collected. Water held in open containers is also a potential breeding location for mosquitoes.
- Discard old tires, bottles, pots, broken appliances and other items that aren’t being used.
- Empty and clean birdbaths and pets’ water bowls at least twice a week.
- When protecting boats and vehicles from rain, ensure that tarps don’t accumulate water.
- Maintain swimming pools in good condition and keep them adequately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.
Cover skin with clothing or repellent and cover doors and windows.
- Clothing – Wear shoes, socks, long pants and long sleeves when mosquitoes are most prevalent.
- Use repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535.
- Always use repellents according to the label. Using too much repellent doesn’t make it work better or last longer.
- Re-apply mosquito repellent as often as needed to prevent mosquito landings and bites.
- When using repellent on children, apply to hands first and then rub on their arms and legs.
- Instead of repellent, use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.
- Place screens on windows, doors, porches, and patios. Always repair broken screens.
Radio Dial Shuffle: Your Favorite Station May Be Moving Sunday
July 10, 2012
Confusing…that might be the best way to describe what’s happening to radio stations heard in the local area come Sunday afternoon.
Three stations will actually “move”, changing their frequencies at noon Sunday.
K-LOVE, which recently purchased WABB 97.5, will move and be heard on 98.3 FM. After the March 1 change, the format and air staff from WABB went to WABD 104.1.
On Sunday, WABD 104.1 — airstaff, music format and all — will move back home to 97.5 FM.
And, “smooth hits” WDLT 98.3 will move to 104.1 FM at noon Sunday.
The announcements were made Monday on-air at WABD 104.1 and via the station’s Facebook page.
Deputies Investigate As Bricks Are Thrown Through Windshields
July 10, 2012
Deputies are looking for the person or persons that have been throwing bricks into the windshields of vehicles in Escambia County.
The latest of six incidents occurred early Monday morning on Highway 297A at Pine Cone Drive, about a mile west of Pine Forest Road. The victim was traveling south on Highway 297A when someone threw a brick at his Jeep Grand Cherokee. The brick bounced off the hood and through his windshield, sending shattered glass all over the vehicle.
The man was not seriously injured. He drove to a nearby Circle K at Pine Forest and Nine Mile roads and called for help.
Anyone with information about the brick attacks is asked to call Escambia County Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured: A brick attack early Monday morning is under investigation. A brick was thrown into this Jeep Grand Cherokee. Photos by WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Deputies Seek Suspect Known To Frequent Cantonment
July 10, 2012
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a suspect known to frequent the Cantonment area.
Joseph Logan Banks is wanted for dealing in stolen property and obstruction of justice by tampering with, or harassing, a witness, according to the Sheriff’s Office. He often goes by his middle name “Logan”, deputies said.
Banks is six-feet tall and weighs 165 pounds.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Rick Scott, Pensacola Mayor On European Trade Mission
July 10, 2012
Gov. Rick Scott and an entourage of business and economic-development leaders are in England to drum up business for Florida, including Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward.
With plans announced earlier this month for a new Airbus manufacturing plant in Mobile, Florida is hoping to cash in on its proximity and aeronautical experience. The news of the Alabama deal provides an added incentive for the trade group that crossed the pond for the Farnborough International Air Show.
On Monday, Scott met with British Prime Minister David Cameron to discuss the importance of the aerospace sector to the global economy and their efforts to implement policies that create aerospace sector jobs in the UK and Florida.
“The UK and Florida have significant trade and investment links as the world’s seventh and 20th largest economies, respectively,” Scott said in a statement. Great Britain is one of Florida largest direct investors, and nearly 1.3 million British tourists visit Florida every year.
The trade mission comes a week after Airbus announced it would build a $600 million manufacturing plant in Mobile. Scott and others are hoping to lure or expand ancillary businesses needed to support the plant, which is expected to employ 1,000 workers and cost the state of Alabama about $165 million in incentives.
Scott plans to spend all day Tuesday at the air show in back-to-back meetings with undisclosed aviation companies. He has scheduled other appointments with private companies periodically for the remainder of his trip, which ends July 15.
Florida is home to 12 military aviation bases and three spaceports. The aviation sector in Florida includes about 2,000 companies and 83,000 employees, according to information from Enterprise Florida.
Scott is not the only governor to lead groups to Great Britain. Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin and Virginia Gov. Bob McConnell are also leading potential trading partners. Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, also made the trip. Enterprise Florida paid for travel expenses for most government travelers. Private companies paid their own way.
Government groups and economic developers in attendance include staff members from Enterprise Florida, the governor’s office and local economic development agencies including Pensacola, the Space Coast, and the Jacksonville Aviation Authority.
By The News Service of Florida
Florida Takes Lead In Congressional Hearing On Crimes Against Homeless
July 10, 2012
Florida is both a model and a cautionary tale for other states grappling with violent crimes against homeless people, and on Tuesday it will play a lead role at a congressional hearing on the subject.
A model: Florida passed a law in 2010 making violence against the homeless a hate crime, including a corresponding increase in penalties. It was the second state to do so.
A cautionary tale: Florida led the nation in violence against homeless people last year and drew national headlines in late May because of the bizarre “face-eating” attack on a homeless man in Miami.
Broward Sheriff’s Capt. Rick Wierzbicki will testify Tuesday, urging the U.S. House of Representatives to adopt legislation to track assaults on the homeless nationwide. He and Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti, having overseen a series of gruesome crimes against homeless people in their jurisdiction, led the BSO in becoming the first Florida law enforcement agency to back protective legislation.
Among the crimes they oversaw was a 2006 cluster of attacks by teens using baseball bats. One assault was captured on video, and three of the teens were convicted. The skull of another victim, 45-year-old Norris Gaynor, a homeless veteran, was split as he slept on a park bench.
“Unfortunately, in Florida a lot of homeless like to live outside,” said Wierzbicki. “They’re much more vulnerable.”
As to the cannibalistic attack in May, the Broward Sheriff’s Office noted, “It seems the recent savage attack that left a Miami homeless man with his face disfigured may be the impetus for the renewed interest in curbing such violence on the national level.”
That may be, but most people see it as an isolated incident, said Tom Pierce, who heads the state Office of Homelessness at the Department of Children and Families.
Wierzbicki said he thinks violence against Florida’s homeless has lessened since the 2010 hate-crimes law, but both he and Pierce said the numbers of homeless people are vastly under-estimated – as are the crimes against them.
That’s partly because only residents of homeless shelters and identifiable street locations are counted by the federal government. People who are “doubled up” – living with relatives or friends – are not counted. Neither are those in the woods or other encampments.
So while the 2012 federal point-in-time survey showed 54,300 homeless Floridians, Pierce said, state school districts reported 56,000 homeless children for the 2010-2011 academic year. And where there are homeless children, he said, there are homeless parents.
Many are frightened of the authorities, which makes counting them – or helping them – more difficult.
“Homeless families with children make it difficult to find them,” said Pierce. “They’re fearful that the government will take their children away because they can’t support an environment for them.”
According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, one of the co-sponsors of Tuesday’s hearing, the numbers of homeless families and children are growing – to one in three of the total homeless population. Veterans make up more than one in 10 homeless people.
“We have no idea how many homeless people there are,” said Neil Donovan, the coalition’s executive director. “And you can’t dedicate resources appropriately when you are lacking information.”
That’s why Wierzbicki, who tracks national as well as Florida crimes, said a law to simply count the crimes is the first step in curbing them. In other states, he added, violence against the homeless is increasing.
“You read almost every day about a homeless person who was the victim of a homicide or a sexual battery,” he said. “We had one report where a person was degutted.”
Donovan said he doesn’t expect legislation to track violence against the homeless will result from Tuesday’s hearing. “If it passes, great,” he said. “But it’s a very difficult climate…Our goal is to make inroads at the state level.”
By The News Service of Florida
John W. “Bill” Wilson
July 10, 2012
John W. “Bill” Wilson, of Pace, passed away at his home on July 6, 2012. Bill was born in Pollard, AL on November 24, 1939. He was the owner of Wilson Auto Sales in Pensacola until his retirement.
He was preceded in death by his parents Tom and Ellen Wilson; brothers Walter Wilson and Ray Blackmon and sister Pat Edwards.
He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years Shirley Windham Wilson of Pace; sons Jeff (Jennifer) Wilson of Pace, Thomas Wilson of Vidor, Texas, Mike (Susan) Wilson of Dallas, Texas; grandchildren, Sarah, Abbie and Noah Wilson; and one sister, Betty Pritchett of Albertville, AL.
Visitation was held at Wallace Baptist Church in Pace on Monday, July 9, 2012. Funeral services followed at 2:00 p.m. Bro. Bud Doctor and Bro. Andy Martin officiating. Burial was at Cora Baptist Cemetery.
The family would like to thank Dr. Matthew Kinzelman for his compassionate care and friendship. In memory of Bill, the family would appreciate any donation made to Emerald Coast Hospice for their loving care.
Blue Wahoos Win 6-3 For Seventh Straight Series
July 10, 2012
Blue Wahoos third baseman David Vidal homered for the second time in as many days, while starting pitcher Daniel Corcino earned his fourth consecutive victory at home as Pensacola topped the Mobile BayBears 6-3 to win their seventh straight series on Tuesday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The win moves the Fish to a 12-7 record in the second half, and are assured of at least a tie at the top of the Southern League’s South Division, pending the outcome of Montgomery’s contest against Jackson tonight. The loss dropped Mobile to an 8-11 mark since the league’s All-Star Break. The team has now won each of their last seven series dating back to their four-game sweep of Birmingham between June 7-10.
The Blue Wahoos got the scoring started in the second inning with two early scores. 2B Brodie Greene led off the inning with a double to center and moved over the third on a groundout before coming home on C Tucker Barnhart’s run-scoring single to left-center to make it 1-0. Vidal drew a free pass in the frame before eventually being plated on a BayBears throwing error to push the advantage to two.
Pensacola would then bring home four additional tallies in the sixth to extend the margin to six. 1B Beau Mills and RF Josh Fellhauer each reached with a base hit prior to LF Bryson Smith’s RBI base knock to left. Vidal and Fellhauer subsequently scored on Vidal’s three-run shot to left-center, his fourth of the year and second in as many games.
Mobile would make things interesting in the seventh, narrowing their deficit to three. 3B Matt Davidson began the frame with a single and moved to second and third on back-to-back walks drawn by 1B Marc Krauss and 2B David Nick, before coming plateward on a groundout. Krauss would eventually score on a sacrifice fly to right by RF Wladimir Sutil, while Nick went home on C Rossmel Perez’s run-scoring infield single.
Fish starting pitcher Daniel Corcino (6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO) earned the win victory to improve to 6-4 after yielding just two earned runs on three hits in his six frames, while closer Justin Freeman (2.1 IP, 3 SO) tossed the final 2.1 perfect frames to notch his eighth save. Mobile starter Derek Eitel (6.0 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO) suffered the defeat to fall to 6-7 after allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits in six innings.
Pensacola has Tuesday off and will travel to Chattanooga for a three game series with the Lookouts, the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, with the opening contest scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET on Wednesday night. RHP Tim Crabbe is expected to take the mound for the Fish, while RHP Matt Magill is slated to toe the rubber for the Lookouts.
By Andrew Green
Pictured top: Daniel Corcino earned his fourth straight win at home in the Wahoos’ 6-3 win Monday. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weather Radios Back After Lightning Strike, Weather Radar Still Down
July 10, 2012
NOAA weather radio service has returned after a lightning strike Monday at the National Weather Service Office in Mobile, but weather radarremains down.
All seven NOAA weather radio transmitters, including those that serve Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, were out of service for a day, leaving local citizens unable to rely on their weather radios for weather warnings.
The estimated time of repair for the weather radio system is unknown, and the NWS says the weather radar from Mobile (which is local radar for the Pensacola/Escambia County area) remains out of service until further notice.