Take A Guess: How Far Away Was This Cool Cloud?
July 18, 2013
A rather unique looking “mushroom cloud” was visible across the North Escambia area just before sunset Wednesday. It was the only major cloud in the skies, visible from Walnut Hill (above, NorthEscambia.com photo) and even from Mobile (below, National Weather Service photo).
How far away do you think this cloud was? Scroll down the page for the answer.
As shown on this radar image from the National Weather Service is Mobile, the cloud was actually about 40 miles from the location of the top photo taken in Walnut Hill. It was about 80 miles away from the bottom photo taken by the National Weather Service in Mobile.
Gas Prices Climb
July 18, 2013
Gas prices are headed back up following the long Independence Day weekend, the busiest summer holiday travel period. The price for a gallon of regular retail gasoline jumped 15 cents in the Pensacola metro over the past week.
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded was $3.57 Wednesday, up from $3.42 one week ago. The per gallon price on year ago in the Escambia area was $3.20 on average.
The Florida average price was $3.59 on Wednesday, up from $3.45 a week ago.
Today’s national average price for regular unleaded gasoline is $3.61 per gallon. Although this price is fractions of a penny less than one month ago, it is 14 cents more expensive than one week ago and 22 cents higher than the same day last year. The national average has now increased for eight days in a row, but remains 18 cents lower than the peak price this year of $3.79 on February 27.
Pictured: Regular unleaded was $3.55 per gallon Wednesday evening in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Chloe Channell Advances To NYC On ‘America’s Got Talent’
July 18, 2013
Chloe Channell of Pace has moved on to the next round of “America’s Got Talent” in New York City.
Chloe, just 11 years old, covered the Reba McEntire song “Turn on Your Radio” is Las Vegas to earn her ticket to the Big Apple.
“I want to go to the live show in New York City more than I want to catch a 100 pound snapper, and that is a lot,” she explained Wednesday night on national television before her performance.
After performing “Turn on Your Radio”, a classic country break up song, celebrity judge Howie Mandell asked Chloe if she understood the song, and if she’s had break-ups.
“My dad says boys are the devil,” she said in a confident voice. “Your dad is a very smart guy,” judge Howard Stern said.
Chloe has been a regular around the Pensacola area for years, becoming a full-time member of The Sawmill Band at the Chumuckla Farmer’s Opry at the age of seven.
“I’m so thankful to GOD for giving me this wonderful opportunity and to all of you for all the support and I promise u in NY!! I’m gonna bring it!! I can’t share but totally love the song I’m getting to do!! So please when it’s time vote for me and thank u all so much!!”, she wrote on her Facebook page after Wednesday’s show.
The next episodes of American’s Got Talent will air next Tuesday and Wednesday from Radio City Music Hall. There’s no word yet on which night Chloe will appear.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Daily Rain Chances Continue
July 18, 2013
Pictured: A farmer fertilizes cotton at sunset Wednesday in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning.
- Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
- Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92.
- Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
- Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
Storm 10U Majors Place 2nd In Global World Series
July 18, 2013
The Pensacola Storm 10U Majors baseball team placed second in the recent USSSA Global World Series Tournament in Orange Beach.
After two days of tournament action, the Pensacola Storm was 4-0 with a No 1. seed as one of the top eight teams in the 35-team tourney. The Storm beat the Texas Punishers 5-2 but then lost to the Arkansas Express Jaggers. They cam beack and battled hard for a 4-2 win over the Germantown Giants from Tennessee. After a lengthy rain delay, they went on to beat the Twin City Outlaws of Texas 11-5 and 14-1. The Pensacola Storm then lost the championship game to the Arkansas Express Jaggers.
The Pensacola Storm finished the season with a 48-15 overall USSSA record and an impressive eight first place and four second place standings out of 15 USSSA tournaments.
Pictured: (front, L-R) Jackson Penton, Tanner Rouchon, Aaron Noack, Josh Turner, Trenton Norton, Jordan Jarman, (back) Jordan Peacock, Jordan McCants, Hunter Pierson, Ian Ladieu, Damarius McGhee and Coleman Dorsett. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Senate, House Leaders Want Out Of School Testing Consortium
July 18, 2013
Senate President Don Gaetz and House Speaker Will Weatherford said Wednesday they want to pull out of a multi-state educational consortium that has been developing new tests, saying they want a “Florida Plan.”
The legislative leaders sent a letter to Education Commissioner Tony Bennett that said they are “troubled by serious issues” connected to the consortium known as the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, or PARCC. The consortium is developing tests that are part of the national move to Common Core Standards.
But Gaetz, R-Niceville, and Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, pointed to issues such as the PARCC assessments increasing the amount of testing time for students, while reducing instructional time.
“Florida has a rich history of student-centered education reform,” the letter to Bennett said. “Florida’s strong education policies have made us a model for the nation and have resulted in extraordinary gains in student achievement. Too many questions remain unanswered with PARCC regarding implementation, administration, technology readiness, timeliness and utility of results, security infrastructure, data collection and undetermined cost.”
Bennett issued a statement that said, in part, Gaetz and Weatherford “raise critical issues that deserve serious consideration as I make a decision in the coming days.”
Department spokeswoman Cheryl Etters said Bennett remains committed to carrying out Common Core during the 2014-15 school year, as scheduled.
Scott Confirms 480+ New Jobs At West Fraser In McDavid, Pensacola Call Center
July 18, 2013
Gov. Rick Scott confirmed Wednesday morning that dozens of new jobs are coming to McDavid as the West Fraser sawmill reopens after sitting idle for four years, and he also announced over 400 new jobs at an expanded CHCS Services and the iGATE call center in Pensacola.
West Fraser Restart
As NorthEscambia.com first reported last week, West Fraser is looking to fill over 80 openings for their newly reopened McDavid Mill on Champion Drive. The company has turned to Workforce Escarosa for assistance in filling a long list of positions, which are both hourly and salaried. The company plans to eventually hire up to 100 people.
“We are pleased to be able to restart our McDavid sawmill,” said West Fraser Vice President of U.S. Lumber Operations Sean McLaren.“We are looking forward to training staff who will be working with us and investing capital to improve the mill’s operations.”
Requirements and qualifications vary by position type. All of the jobs are full time with a benefits package.
In late 2008, the West Fraser McDavid mill was closed, putting about 75 people out of work. The company also closed a mill in Citronelle in 2008, cutting about 100 jobs.
The McDavid mill produces Southern Yellow Pine lumber and has an annual production capacity of about 200 million board feet. At the time it was closed in 2008, the mill was running just one shift, producing about 75 million board feet.
During the first quarter of 2013, West Fraser reported earnings of $67 million or $1.57 per share on sales of $863 million. During the same quarter in 2012, the company lost $19 million.
To view complete job descriptions and apply for available positions, visit www.employflorida.com. Or to complete an application in person, visit the Workforce Escarosa Century One-Stop at 8120 North Century Boulevard from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday-Thursday.
iGATE Expansion
iGATE owns CHCS Services, a longstanding local information technology company that will be expanding its corporate headquarters in the downtown Pensacola area and hiring as many as 385 full time employees.
“Our center in Pensacola is one of our three delivery hubs in the U.S.,and we are pleased with the talent available in the region,” said Dr. Srinivas Kandula, EVP and Global Head of Human Resources for iGATE.“We are happy that our efforts have contributed to the Chamber’s vision as we look to invest further in the region and continue to create jobs across our locations in the U.S.”
Chamber Tops 2015 Goal
The Greater Pensacola Chamber said Wednesday morning that the new jobs in McDavid and Pensacola has surpassed its Vision 2015 goal of creating 3,000 high wage jobs–two years earlier than anticipated.
“Today’s announcement of more than 480jobs being created in Pensacola is great news for the families living in the area and further proof that the policies we’ve put into place over the last two years are working,”said Governor Scott. “I would like to thank iGATE and West Fraser for taking notice of Florida’s improving business climate and making a tremendous investment that will get more than 480 Floridians the chance to pursue their dreams in Florida.”
Senate President Don Gaetz (R Niceville) said Wednesday marked a momentous occasion, not only for the state, but also for the residents of Escambia County and Northwest Florida. “The leadership of Governor Scott and the persistence and dedication of the business community have created a stable and predictable business environment,”said Gaetz. “As a result, more and more great companies are planting their roots and investing their futures in our Northwest Florida communities.”
Pictured: Gov. Rick Scott announces the restart of the West Fraser McDavid Sawmill Wednesday morning in Pnesacola. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Interim Director Of South Alabama Economic Alliance Named
July 18, 2013
Dr. John A. Johnson has been named Interim Executive Director of Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Alliance (CGEDA) by the CGEDA Board of Directors, effective July 15. The position became vacant after former Executive Director Jim Searcy stepped down. Searcy took a position as Executive Director of The Economic Development Association of Alabama.
“On behalf of Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Alliance, it is my pleasure to announce that Dr. John Johnson has been selected by the Board of Directors to serve as the Interim Executive Director for the Alliance,” said Larry Woods, Chairman of the CGEDA. “He has the necessary economic development experience and knowledge of the region to lead the organization,” said Woods.
Johnson said he would move forward with the projects the alliance has been working on and seek solutions and new opportunities. “I wish to express my gratitude to the Board of Directors of the Alliance for allowing me this opportunity to grow jobs for the Coastal Gateway region,” said Johnson. “Over the coming days, I will continue to recruit the projects which we are currently working and visit members of our existing industry. I am delighted to have another opportunity to spend my days working to make the region a better place to live and work.”
Johnson, Director of consulting group North Star Associates, LLC. , was founding Executive Director of the Monroeville/Monroe County Economic Development Authority. Also, he currently serves as Vice President and Alabama Director of Community and Economic Development at The Montgomery Institute, a private, non-profit organization committed to upbuilding the region of West Alabama and East Mississippi.
Dr. Johnson serves on the Board of Directors of CGEDA, representing George F. Landegger and Parsons and Whittemore, Inc., and also serves on the Board of Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Council (SAWDC).
Dr. Johnson currently serves as Secretary of the CGEDA board and previously served as Vice-Chair. Dr. Johnson has chaired the executive director search committee, initiated Coastal Gateway as an EDPA Community Partner, and advocated for establishment of a regionwide, existing industry program coordinated with local economic development agencies. Dr. Johnson was President of Alabama Southern Community College for 20 years, leading it to be recognized as one of the premier community colleges in the nation, ranking in the top 20 of over 1200 community colleges.
The job announcement and search process for the new Executive Director will be announced at the next CGEDA board meeting on July 24.
Part 4: Inside Century Correctional – Medical And Dental
July 18, 2013
Today, we continue our look inside the Century Correctional Institution with a look inside the medical and dental operation. Our series will continue Monday inside the prison’s most secure housing unit and more.
Need a cleaning? A filling? Dentures? Just $5 from your inmate account will get you fixed up in Century Correctional Institution. Inmates can get a cleaning about every six months, and there’s no charge for emergency dental services.
The Medical Department at CCI includes medical, dental and psychological services with a total staff of 28 and annual budget around $2 million. The facility includes a doctor’s office, dentist and urgent care clinic rolled into one. Inmates line benches in the waiting room, facing windows away from the front desk. They sit quietly, no television and no magazines. There’s a dentist on staff. There’s always at least an LPN or RN present, allowing CCI to operate an infirmary. Inmates that are transported to a hospital for services not provided are able to return to the infirmary for recovery.
Heading to the clinic is not an easy out from a prisoner’s cell — there’s a copay from their prison accounts unless it’s a medical emergency. Century CI houses and cares for inmates up to medical grade 3 and psych grade 2. That means no wheelchairs and no inmates on continuous psychiatric drugs (those inmates are transferred to the Santa Rosa Correctional Institution).
The State of Florida is in the process of privatizing prison health services, leaving current medical department employees uncertain about their future at the prison.
Our series “Inside Century Correctional Institution” continues Monday on NorthEscambia.com.
Pictured top: The medical facility inside Century Correctional Institution. Pictured inset: Dental facilities. Pictured below: A medical exam room. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
South Tops North 6-0 In Southern League All-Star Game
July 18, 2013
The North Division was held to just one hit in the South Division’s 6-0 win in the Southern League All-Star Game at Bragan Field at the Baseball Ground of Jacksonville on Wednesday night.
Blue Wahoos pitchers Tim Crabbe and Shaun Ellis both got in the game in successive innings. Crabbe worked a scoreless fifth allowing just a hit. Ellis shut out the North Division in the sixth inning with a strikeout and a walk.
Jackson’s James Jones had the only hit for the North Division, a double in the fifth. Offensively, the game belonged to the South. The Wahoos’ division blasted 11 hits resulting in six runs. Mobile’s Mike Freeman was one of three South squaders with a pair of hits. He also scored a pair of runs. Montgomery’s Cameron Seitzer, who was the home run derby champ earlier in the evening, delivered a pair of hits and a run batted in. Mississippi’s Jaime Pedroza had the other dual-hit game for the South squad.
The BayBears’ Justin Greene was awarded MVP for his RBI triple to get the scoring started in the bottom of the first. With the one-hit shutout thrown by the South Division, that run proved to be the game-winner.
This is the second straight All-Star Game win for the South. David Holmberg, also from Mobile, earned the win. He started and worked a perfect first inning with a strikeout.
The Blue Wahoos will return to action on Thursday night at home as they open up a series against the Huntsville Stars at 7 p.m. Daniel Renken (3-6, 3.91) is the scheduled starter for the Wahoos while Huntsville has not yet named a starter.
by Kevin Burke