BREAKING NEWS: Primary Winners: Morgan, Barry, Walker, Childers
August 14, 2012
Clear winners have emerged from today’s primary elections in Escambia County, with all precincts reporting.
Steven Barry has won the Republican primary for Escambia County Commission District 5. With all precincts reporting in the district, Barry carried 41.5 percent of the vote, and Archer received 38.3 percent. Barry will face Packy Mitchell (NPA) in November.
Larry Walker was re-elected to ECUA District 5 with 75.5 percent of the vote.
Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan has been elected to a second term 77 percent of the vote to Powell’s 23 percent.
Pam Childers has defeated Ernie Lee Magaha for Escambia County Clerk of the Court. Childers had 68.5 percent of the vote.
Election Day Live Blog
August 14, 2012
This is an archive of our Live Election Blog from today. No further updates will be posted to this story.
7:15 p.m. — Results posted here…
7:00 p.m. — Polls are now closed. Live Election Results Coming Up Soon on NorthEscambia.com!
5:20 p.m — Weather has become a factor in voting in North Escambia this afternoon with strong storms slowing the lines at the polls. We are now in what is typically the busiest two hours of voting of the afternoon on an election day. Candidates and supporters and continuing to stand outside polling locations making a last minute push, like sheriff candidate John Powell (pictured) at Precinct 110 at Pensacola Christian College. (Do you have photos to share? Email them to news@northescambia.com.)
4:35 p.m. – Special weather statement issued for strong storms moving into Escambia County. Polls remain open until 7 p.m.
4:05 p.m. — Strong storms are developing north and west of Escambia County around Atmore and Mobile. The storms are moving toward the east; if they hold together expect rain at the polls. But you can beat the rain, and the late after rush, by heading out now.
3:15 p.m. — Don’t forget that a photo and signature ID is required for all voters – if you do not present an approved form of ID, you may vote a provisional ballot. A driver’s license is safe bet. Many precincts still reporting a light turnout so far.
2:00 p.m. – Five hours until the polls close at 7:00. Things usually get busy after about 4:30. Candidates and supporters are out waving signs at polling places, like Ernest Ward student Mitchell Singleton (pictured top) showing his support for District Escambia County Commission candidate Jim Taylor at the precinct at Barrineau Park Community Center.
1:25 p.m. – A quick lunch…the number of voters increased during the lunch hour at many precincts in District 5. That’s a usual occurrence on election day as people vote during their lunch break or when they are back with their spouse around lunch. Voter turnout around the area is still being reported as low to moderate. Surprising, considering that we are voting on a commissioner and sheriff. Those offices usually bring people out to the polls.
12:10 p.m. — Turnout is reported to be generally light around the area…easy in, easy out at most precincts. Still have an absentee ballot that you did not cast? You can return it unvoted to your precinct, have it cancelled and vote there. If it’s a voted ballot, it can’t be returned at the precinct…it must be returned to the Elections Office downtown by 7 p.m.
11:35 a.m. — Coming up on the llunch hour. Voting usually picks up during this time . No major problems reported at any of the area precincts. A few showers reported in the Gonzalez and East Nine Mile Road area.
11:00 a.m. — In Escambia County, 6,685 voters had already cast their ballot before today. More than 1 million primary votes were cast in early voting or turned in by absentee ballots this year across Florida, state officials said Tuesday as Election Day primary voting got underway. The total is up 350,000 over 2008, despite five fewer days of early voting. With just one statewide race on the ballot – the U.S. Senate seat – turnout was expected to be low across the state, as it typically is in primaries. The primary in 2010 drew 22 percent of voters and 2008 brought out just 18 percent.
10:35 a.m. — Don’t forget NorthEscambia.com is the place to be tonight to get all of the election results from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. As soon as the results are in after 7 p.m., they will be posted here on NorthEscambia.com. This is the place to be tonight for all the election results.
9:15 a.m. – Big races on the District 5 ballot — county commissioner, sheriff and more — are not translating to big turnout in the North Escambia area, according to reports from a few precincts with no line, no waiting.
8:45 a.m. – Don’t forget…your voting precinct and polling place may have changed (especially for folks in the 9 Mile Road area due to redistricting!). Check her sample ballot, voter info car, EscambiaVotes.com or call (850) 595-3900 to make sure you head to the right place to vote.
8:05 a.m. — Turnout was reported to be slow but steady at polling locations in North Escambia during the first hour of voting. Today is not just a Republican primary. All registered voters, regardless of party affiliation, are eligible to vote in certain contests on the ballot, while other contests are restricted to voters in a specific political party or district — check your sample ballot to view the contests in which you can vote.
7:25 a.m. – The polls are open in Florida until 7 p.m. tonight. There is a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms by this afternoon. Get out and vote this morning if you want to avoid the possibility of rain later.
First Train, $6.5 Million In Crude Oil Rolls Into Walnut Hill Transfer Station
August 14, 2012
Monday afternoon, a train loaded with about $6.5 million worth of crude oil rolled into a new crude oil transfer station in Walnut Hill, the largest such facility in the United States.
Genesis Rail Systems, LLC has complete phase one of the facility on 20 acres that fronts Corley Road near Arthur Brown Road. The property was chosen because it is at the intersection of an existing crude oil pipeline and the Alabama & Gulf Coast Railway. From the location, crude will flow primarily to a Shell facility near Saraland, Ala., and potentially to other refineries along the Gulf Coast.
By about 2:00 Monday afternoon, final adjustments were underway on the facility in anticipation of the first train — and 69,000 barrels of oil in 104 tanker cars. As the arrival time neared, workers stood around with excitement.
For a photo gallery, click here.
“I hear the train a comin’, It’s rollin’ ’round the bend.” -one worker sang those lines from a classic 1955 Johnny Cash song out loud as he waited. Then a quick cheer erupted when the locomotive horn blasted as the BNSF train approached the nearby Arthur Brown Road crossing.
It will take about 15 employees 36 hours to unload the first train. Tanker cars are positioned on two side tracks over 3,700 feet of 16-inch underground pipe. The area is covered with a thick liner to catch any spill. During the process, flexible pipes are first hooked to tanker cars, and then a pumping system offloads the crude.
A crude oil pipeline from Jay rises to the surface at the facility. The flow from oilfields in the Jay area is cut, and the crude from the Walnut Hill train is injected into the pipeline.
The process is simple enough, but it is controlled by a sophisticated computer system that monitors the operation and allows for an instant stop in the event of any problem.
Presently, the facility can inject 2,500 barrels per hour into the pipeline. That capacity will increase to about 5,000 barrels — almost a half million dollars worth — of crude oil per hour by January 2013 once a 100,000 barrel storage tank is completed.
“It’s a very safe process,” Terminal Manager Travis Baggett said Monday afternoon. “There are a lot of safety checks in place.”
Workers are required to wear fire suits and hydrogen sulfide alarms. Small amounts of hydrogen sulfide — a colorless and very poisonous gas — occur natural in crude oil and could be released from a tanker car. But any such release would be very small and would quickly dissipate into the atmosphere and pose no danger to those around the Walnut Hill Transfer Station, Baggett said.
Those around the plant will not be bother by noise or even light pollution as the facility runs 24/7. The offload process is almost silent from outside the facility, Baggett said. The pumps can’t be heard from outside the transfer station, but residents might here “little popping noises” from the springs on the rail tanker cars as crude oil is removed and the cars rise. At night, a modern LED lighting system ensure that bright lights won’t disturb neighboring homes.
The crude oil offloaded in Walnut Hill begins its four-day rail journey in North Dakota. The facility will eventually receive about one train of up to 118 tanker cars per day.
Back in June, an estimated 800 people stood in line for hours at the Walnut Hill Community Center in hopes of being hired for the oil transfer station. About 15 were hired, with the payroll expected to increase to about 30 people. The positions pay from $16 to $20 per hour.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: Workers watch as the first train load of crude oil arrives at a new transfer station in Walnut Hill Monday afternoon. Pictured top inset: The facility can process up to 118 tanker cars at a time. Pictured middle inset: Individual offload stations. The taller white pipes are used to bleed off any air in the system. Pictured bottom inset: The system is computer controlled. Pictured below: Pumps that offload crude oil from a train before it is injected into a pipeline. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Election Day Tips
August 14, 2012
The primary election is today in Escambia County. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Supervisor of Elections David H. Stafford is offering these Election Day tips:
- Confirm the location of your polling place: check your sample ballot, voter information card, EscambiaVotes.com, or call (850) 595-3900.
- Several precincts and polling places have changed due to redistricting and precinct consolidation, so be sure to know where to vote on Election Day.
- If you are unsure of your registration status, check EscambiaVotes.com, or call 595-3900.
- Photo and signature ID is required for all voters – if you do not present an approved form of ID, you may vote a provisional ballot.
- All registered voters, regardless of party affiliation, are eligible to vote in certain contests on the ballot, while other contests are restricted to voters in a specific political party or district — check your sample ballot to view the contests in which you can vote.
- Registration books closed on July 16 – new registrations and party changes for this election may not be made at the polls.
- You may not return your voted absentee ballot to your precinct on Election Day – it must be returned to the Elections Office by 7 p.m.
- If you requested an absentee ballot but chose not to return it and wish to vote at your polling place instead, please bring your unvoted ballot with you so it can be cancelled.
- Busiest times at the polls tend to be 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m., and 4:30 p.m. until the polls close at 7:00 p.m.
For further information, please contact the elections office by phone at (850) 595-3900, e-mail at soe@escambiavotes.com or visit EscambiaVotes.com.
Man Charged With Busting Through Window, Attacking Sleeping Man
August 14, 2012
A Walnut Hill man was arrested after allegedly breaking into a home near Bratt and attacking a sleeping man.
Dalton Justice, 22, was charged with felony burglary with assault and battery and criminal mischief property damage. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $50,500 bond.
About 3:30 a.m., Justice allegedly busted an outside window on a home in the 4000 block of Rigby Road. He entered the house and attacked a man sleeping in the room, an arrest report states. Justice had left the residence by the time Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived.
The victim had physical injuries but refused medical treatment. The victim told deputies that he is currently dating Justice’s former girlfriend, and he believed that to be the reason for the attack.
More Rain In Forecast
August 14, 2012
Here is your Election Day forecast for the North Escambia area:
- Tonight: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light after midnight.
- Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the morning.
- Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Light west wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
- Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Escambia County Could Regulate Chickens, Farm Animals
August 14, 2012
The morning crow of a rooster could one day be a thing of the past in some parts of Escambia County.
Monday, Escambia County commissioners discussed the potential of an ordinance that would regulate chickens and other farm animals in some residential areas, including “dairy animals”, poultry, and livestock such as cattle, goats,horses, sheep,and swine.
“Would a rooster trip the noise ordinance machine,” Commissioner Wilson Robertson jokingly asked during a commission meeting.
“It would depend, I think, on how close to the property line he’s standing,” Lloyd Kerr, director of county planning and zoning, replied.
Commissioners decided to not change the county’s animal ordinance for at least six to 12 months to see how a new ordinance in the city of Pensacola works.
Pensacola’s new ordinance requires coops, pens or enclosures with provisions for free range animals. Farm animals are not allowed with 30 feet of an adjacent dwelling, church, hospital, school, public building or park. The ordinance prohibits all roosters or more than eight chickens at a single residence.
Any farm animal ordinance would not likely not apply in agricultural and other rural zones.
Dish Network Customers Could Lose WEAR 3 On Thursday
August 14, 2012
Local Dish Network customers could loose ABC programming — an agreement between Sinclair Broadcasting and Dish Network is set to expire just after midnight Thursday.
If a new agreement is not reached before the deadline, Dish customers will no longer be able to watch WEAR 3. The companies are disagreeing over the contract that allows Dish to carry Sinclair programming and how much Dish Network pays for the programming.
“Although Dish and Sinclair have been negotiating for quite some time in an effort to reach a new agreement, at this time it does not appear that these efforts will be successful,” Sinclair said in a statement.
Sinclair also said the disagreement is not just about fees. “The inability to reach agreement with Dish is about more than just money, including what rights Dish will have with respect to the Sinclair signals.”
Dish Network said Monday that Sinclair is seeking “a massive price increase”.
“We carry more than 1,800 local broadcast stations nationwide. Sinclair is asking for more than any other station anywhere in the country,” said Dave Shull, senior vice president of programming for DISH. “This goes beyond pure corporate greed — it’s profoundly insensitive to the needs of the public.”
Scott Appears With Romney At Florida Rally
August 14, 2012
Gov. Rick Scott joined Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney at a campaign stop Monday morning in St. Augustine. While he continued to talk up Florida’s economy, he said his job would be easier if Romney were in the White House.
“We cannot afford another four years of Barack Obama, his policies have failed us,” Scott said in introducing Romney. “Our economy nationally is struggling … here in Florida, even though we have a president that is making it much, much more difficult to do well, in Florida our econ is getting better. Our unemployment has dropped faster than any state but one in the past 18 months, 127,000 private sector jobs. Just think if we had a president … and a vice president that knew that you build business, government doesn’t build businesses. Think what this state could do then, if we had the right president.”
Romney’s newly announced running mate Paul Ryan made his first solo campaign appearance at the Iowa State Fair.
“President Obama has given us four years of trillion dollar – plus deficits,” said Ryan. “He is making matters worse, and he is spending our children into a diminished future. We don’t have to stand for that; we’re not going to stand for that. And on November 6, we’re going to change that.”
President Barack Obama also campaigned in Iowa Monday, taking a jab at Ryan.
“Governor Romney’s new running mate, Paul Ryan, might be around Iowa the next few days,” said President Obama. “He is one of the leaders of Congress standing in the way. So if you happen to see Congressman Ryan, tell him how important this farm bill is to Iowa and our rural communities. We have got to put politics aside when it comes to doing the right thing for rural America and for Iowa.”
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
Gas Prices Take Huge Leap
August 14, 2012
Gas prices have shot up about 33 cents during the last month in the North Escambia area. In the Pensacola metro, the average stood at $3.52 Monday, up from $3.19 one month ago. The increase is being blamed partially on the partial loss of production at a refinery in California.
Pictured: A recent gas deliver at a station in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.