Authorities Receive Report Of Possible Tornado in Walnut Hill
May 21, 2012
There was no sign of any damage after a possible tornado was reported to Escambia Fire Rescue Monday afternoon in Walnut Hill.
Residents reported a possible tornado in the area of Eubanks Road off North Highway 99, and a member of a local fire department reported seeing a possible rotation trailing from the clouds (pictured above).
There was a severe thunderstorm warning in effect at the time of the report.
Pictured above: This trailing rotation from a thunderstorm prompted reports of a possible tornado near Walnut Hill Monday afternoon. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning Escambia, Santa Rosa
May 21, 2012
The National Weather Service in Mobile has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for…
northeastern Escambia County in northwest Florida…
Santa Rosa County in northwest Florida…
* until 615 PM CDT
* at 519 PM CDT…a line of severe thunderstorms capable of producing
quarter size hail and damaging winds over 60 mph were located along
a line extending from 7 miles southeast of Flomaton to 2 miles
northeast of century…and moving southeast at 15 mph.
* Locations impacted include…
Whiting Field… Whitfield… Wallace…
Skyline… Point Baker… Pea Ridge…
Mount Carmel… Floridatown… Fidelis…
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
This is a dangerous storm. Prepare for damaging winds. People outside
should move inside a strong building but away from windows.
Ernest Ward, Tate, WFHS Top Escambia County Writing FCAT Scores
May 21, 2012
Despite the negative news last week about the ramped up FCAT 2.0 scores, the news was actually pretty good at Ernest Ward Middle, Tate High and West Florida High.
With this year’s tests, the state upped the standards for passing the writing portion of the FCAT in fourth, eighth and tenth grades, with students need needing a 4.0 or better on a 6-point grading scale, up from 3.0 last year. Also, the state made other changes, including placing more emphasis on writing basics such as punctuation, capitalization and grammar.
But the test results showed a huge drop in the number of students across the board meeting the standards. With FCAT scores affecting such sensitive issues as school grades, the state Board of Education moved quickly to call an emergency meeting. Board members agreed to dial back the passing score to 3.0 this year, despite some reluctance.
When the dust settled, there was cause for celebration at Ernest Ward, Tate and West Florida as they took the top scoring spots in the Escambia County School District.
Ernest Ward Middle School eighth graders tied with the Beulah Academy of Science with the highest average score in Escambia County — with a mean FCAT writing score of 3.4. Ernest Ward also had the only eighth grader in Escambia County to score a perfect 6.0 on the test, and one of three in the county to score a 5.5.
Ernest Ward also had the highest percentage of eighth grade students in the county scoring a 4.0 or above — the original grade level score before it was lowered by the State Board of Education. A total of 80 percent of EWMS eighth graders made the adjusted grade level score of 3.0 or higher, second only to the Beulah Academy of Science at 86 percent.
“Considering the state change the rules in the middle of the game, I think we did great,” Ernest Ward Principal Nancy Perry said. “The teachers, students, and parents did an awesome job; keep up the good work.”
At the high school level, West Florida was tops in the district with 48 percent of students scoring a 4.0 or more, while Tate was second with 47 percent. At West Florida High, 93 percent of tenth graders were at the readjusted grade level of 3.0, and Tate had 88 percent at the level.
The highest average score among tenth graders in the district was at West Florida High with 3.7, and Tate was second at 3.6.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Storm Brings Hail To Bratt And McDavid
May 21, 2012
A thunderstorm brought reports of small hail from the area of Northview High School in Bratt south through McDavid Monday afternoon.
Pictured above and below: Small hail this afternoon in the McDavid area. Pictured inset: Hail at Northview High School. Submitted photos by Ashley Jacobi and Kiani Okahashi for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Old Stinky Is ECUA Environmental Success Story
May 21, 2012
“Old Stinky” is coming down at significant savings to the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority, thanks to low-bidding demolition company with an eye for recycling.
The former downtown ECUA Main Street Wastewater Treatment Plant, dubbed “Old Stinky”, has emerged as an environmental success story. The plant was originally designed and constructed in 1937.
Now replaced by the Central Water Reclamation Facility in Cantonment, the former Main Street plant continues its transformation from a community eyesore into an environmental lesson on construction and demolition (C&D) material recovery, a recycling process that achieves lower costs than disposal at a landfill, resulting in significant cost-savings and the elimination of associated environmental impacts.
The 19 acre downtown site underwent numerous expansions in the 1970s and mid-1990s before it was officially taken off-line in April 2011.
Sustainable reuse of the MSWWTP property includes a defined effort to reduce the environmental impact by reusing and recycling materials recovered during the present demolition process.
Chuck Gray, Cross Environment Services (CES) demolition general manager said, “In just a few short months, the site will be leveled with sod and grass, and will be a welcomed addition to the Pensacola landscape.”
To successfully dismantle the former MSWWTP facility, brick-by-brick, cement block-by-cement block, piece-by-piece of steel and aluminum, CES of Crystal Springs was chosen to skipper the project. The “eco-friendly” contractor was the lowest project bidder, posting a winning bid of $734,617 –considerably less than the projected 3 million dollar demolition price tag.
According to Jeff Hester, CES demolition supervisor, “The lower pricing will be offset by revenue generated from recyclables. Typical recyclable materials such as; aluminum, steel, copper, ductile iron pipe, are currently being sold to buyers locally, domestically, and internationally.” Hester added, “The boiler was sold to a company in North Carolina, the air tanks went to Seattle, the switch gears found a home in Oklahoma, and the pumps were shipped to Chattanooga, Tennessee.”
Gray added, “The project has come in above average on the amount of salvage we estimated for the job.”
As of May 4, 2012, 545 pieces of material have been recovered, totaling 8,283,455 pounds of recyclables. Items recycled include 8,006,336 pounds of ferrous matrials, 145,119 pounds of aluminum, 1,929 pounds of brass, 55,671 pounds of copper and 277,119 pounds of stainless steel.
Local Man Juggles His Way Onto Good Morning America (With Video)
May 21, 2012
A local man juggled his way onto national TV over the weekend, appearing Saturday on ABC’s Good Morning America.
Joe Salter, 31, has made the national news for completing a recent triathlon — while juggling (video below). Salter juggled three balls while swimming a quarter mile, juggled two balls in one hand while biking 17 and ran another four miles still juggling. And he did it all in the respectable time of 1 hour and 57 minutes for a world record.
Salter, the son of Rita and Mickey Salter of Flomaton, started juggling at age eight. He trained about 10 months for “joggling” (jogging and juggling tossed together) through a complete triathlon.
He finished the entire running and biking portion of the triathlon without dropping a ball. Swimming was not so smooth, as he dropped the balls three times. But they float, so no time lost in the retrieval.
Salter’s world record attempt came during the recent Flora-Bama Mullet Man Triathlon to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Florida.
Pictured top: Joe Salter joggles his way toward the finish line of a triathlon and a world record. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Highway 97 Traffic Shifted For Hwy 29 Turn Lane
May 21, 2012
Traffic has been shifted on Highway 97 at Highway 29 as a construction project gets underway to add a new turn lane at the intersection.
Anderson Columbia will construct a right turn lane from southbound Highway 97 to southbound Highway 29. For the next three months, drivers can expect delays, intermittent lane shifts and closures, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. However, no lane closures will be permitted between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.
“Drivers are reminded to pay attention to the speed limit when traveling through the construction area, and to use caution, especially at night when driving in work zones,” according to Tanya Sanders Branton, public information specialist for FDOT.
Pictured: Lanes have been shifted as part of the construction of a turn lane from Highway 97 to south Highway 29 in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Jacksonville Comes Back, Downs Pensacola Wahoos 4-3
May 21, 2012
The Jacksonville Suns overcame a 3-0 deficit to beat the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 4-3 and even the series at two games apiece at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville on Sunday afternoon.
Joel Guzman continued his hot hitting at his former stomping grounds with an RBI double in the top of the second to put Pensacola ahead 1-0. The Wahoos added to it when Ryan LaMarre singled home Mark Fleury in the seventh to make it 2-0. In the sixth, the fish added another insurance run on a suicide squeeze by Stephen Hunt scoring Brodie Greene from third.
Daniel Corcino had retired 11 straight batters heading into the bottom of the sixth before Danny Black singled to open the inning. His hit was quickly followed by two-run homer by Donnie Webb, his first of the season.
Corcino was finished after six. He allowed just the two runs on only four hits. He struck out a season-high nine batters.
A pinch-hit double from Shawn Bowman drove home the tying run in the bottom of the seventh. The Suns plated the winning run the next inning when Kyle Jensen doubled to deep left field scoring Kyle Skipworth from first base. Clayton Tanner (0-3) gave up the game-winning hit and was saddled with the loss after working 1.1 innings. Evan Reed (3-1) held the Wahoos scoreless over the game’s final two innings to earn the win. Pensacola threatened with runners at the corners and only one out in the top of the ninth, but pinch hitter Yordanys Perez grounded into a game-ending double play.
The two teams will wrap up the series on Monday morning when the Blue Wahoos send right-hander Tim Crabbe (1-2, 4.24) to the mound against Suns righty Omar Poveda (3-1, 5.05). First pitch is set for 10:05 a.m. central time.
By Tommy Thrall
Pictured: Daniel Corcino struck out a season-high nine batters over six innings Sunday for the Blue Wahoos in Jacksonville. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
2-Week Click It Or Ticket Seat Belt Campaign Begins Today
May 21, 2012
The Florida Highway Patrol, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies have began a two-week “Click It or Ticket” crackdown designed to increase seat belt use and decrease motor vehicle fatalities across the county. The campaign will run day and night.
“While Florida reached a record high last year for safety belt use, we still see many drivers and passengers who fail to buckle up. All too often it ends in tragedy,” said FHP Director, Col. David Brierton. “One of our goals is to save lives through education and enforcement campaigns such as Click it or Ticket.”
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2010 nationally, 61 percent of the 10,647 passenger vehicle occupants who were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes overnight (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.) were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the fatal crash, compared to 42 percent during the daytime hours.
“While Florida reached a record high last year for safety belt use, we still see many drivers and passengers who fail to buckle up. All too often it ends in tragedy,” said FHP Director, Col. David Brierton. “One of our goals is to save lives through education and enforcement campaigns such as Click it or Ticket.”
Democratic Leader: Battered Women Not Protected By ‘Stand Your Ground’
May 21, 2012
Incoming Senate Democratic Leader Chris Smith has ratcheted up criticism of Florida’s “stand your ground” law, pointing to a loophole that could endanger some women, rather than protect them.
Smith’s remarks came in response to a recent case in which a Jacksonville woman was sentenced in a domestic assault case.
Smith said the law – which allows people to shoot back when threatened without a duty to retreat – could actually end up making domestic violence victims more vulnerable.
Smith, an attorney, said the “stand your ground” law affords domestic violence victims fewer rights than they had before it was passed in 2005 – unless they have an injunction for protection.
“An invited guest is considered a ‘resident’ under the law,” he wrote in a recent analysis. “This means that as soon as a woman invites her ex-husband to pick up their children at her home, she is powerless to defend herself, even if she holds sole title to the property. Given that most attacks happen at home, by relatives or individuals known to the victim, this loophole in the law is unconscionable.”
While the Trayvon Martin killing that has brought the stand your ground self defense law into new focus in Florida involved two young men, Martin and shooter George Zimmerman, some of the focus on the need for a lenient self defense law has begun to focus on the needs of women.
Incoming Senate President Don Gaetz and his son, Rep. Matt Gaetz, both Republicans, made that claim in a recent editorial headlined: “Calls to repeal Stand Your Ground are anti-woman.:
“Consider an elderly woman in a dimly lit parking lot or a college girl walking to her dorm at night,” they wrote in the May 2 Northwest Florida Daily News in Fort Walton Beach. “If either was attacked, her duty was to turn her back and try to flee, probably be overcome and raped or killed. Prior to Stand Your Ground, that victim didn’t have the choice to defend herself, to meet force with force.”
Both Gaetz senior, R-Niceville, and Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala and House sponsor of the measure, dismissed concerns by Smith that for other women, the law makes things worse.
“Sen. Smith’s been working too hard,” said Baxley. “He needs to let the Citizen Safety and Protection Task Force, which has a lot of smart people on it, complete their work before he starts proposing changes to statute.”
The Citizen Safety and Protection Task Force was appointed by Gov. Rick Scott to review the “stand your ground” law following Martin’s death Feb. 26 in Sanford in a case that has drawn international attention.
Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, entered a not-guilty plea after remaining free for five weeks – until the case had become a national controversy.
Now, after an organizational meeting earlier this month, the Scott task force is slated to hold its first public hearing in Sanford on June 12. Baxley is a member of the panel, which has been criticized for including him and two other lawmakers who voted for the “stand your ground” law – plus a fourth, Jason Brodeur, who was elected in 2010 and sponsored last year’s law banning doctors from asking patients about guns in their homes.
The panel’s chair, Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll, also voted for “stand your ground” while a House member. There are no known gun-control advocates on the panel.
Smith did not wait for Scott to name his panelists before creating a separate, South Florida-based task force that recommended changes to “stand your ground” last month. These included grand jury involvement, public education, and a self-defense claims tracking system.
On Friday, Smith also said a domestic violence exemption should be part of the overhaul.
He said he was “very surprised” to discover the domestic violence provision last week after 31-year-old Marissa Alexander of Jacksonville was sentenced in an assault case for firing a shot at her husband during a dispute in their home when she said she was under attack.
Using a “stand your ground” defense, Alexander rejected a plea bargain, lost her case and received a 20-year sentence under a mandatory minimum law for gun crimes.
“I immediately thought how Gaetz and others are talking about poor, helpless women defending themselves,” said Smith. “More women are attacked in their homes than in the Publix parking lot.”
The Gaetzes wrote that “[i]mposing a duty-to-flee (puts) the safety of the rapist above a woman’s own life. In fact, until Stand Your Ground was passed, criminals were suing victims because victims, in protecting themselves, were allegedly using excessive force against the criminals.”
Gaetz senior called Smith a good friend and a good lawyer.
“If he believes that there’s a way that we can strengthen Second Amendment protections for battered women, I’m all ears, and I can’t wait for him to introduce the legislation,” Gaetz said.
The discussion comes as Republicans and Democrats are locked in a national debate about which party better supports women.
In the case of Marissa Alexander, Jacksonville Congresswoman Corrine Brown, a Democrat, called on the U.S. Department of Justice to study whether “stand your ground” is applied fairly.
Meanwhile, the Gaetzes also saw a role for stand your ground in the national debate.
“Riding the extreme rhetoric of Al Sharpton and encouraged by the ‘concerns’ of U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, anti-gun groups have already declared ['stand your ground'] guilty of murder and sentenced it for repeal by the Florida Legislature,” wrote the Gaetzes in their op-ed.
Baxley said other laws might be more applicable to domestic violence cases than “stand your ground.”
“I think what we’re figuring out is – case by case – sometimes it applies and sometimes it doesn’t.
“I am going to continue to be very cautious about doing anything to ["stand your ground"] that would diminish law-abiding citizens from defending themselves,” he said.
By The News Service of Florida