License-Free Saltwater Fishing Saturday In Florida
September 5, 2014
Florida residents and visitors are invited to participate in a saltwater license-free fishing day this Saturday, when the requirement to have a recreational saltwater fishing license is waived. All other regulations such as seasons, size limits and bag limits still apply on these license free days.
““The license-free fishing day is a great opportunity for families to enjoy the incredible saltwater fishing opportunities that Florida has to offer. Florida is the fishing capital of the world and a license-free day is the perfect opportunity to try fishing for the first time. I hope Florida’s families use this Saturday to enjoy our waters and great weather while catching some fish,” said Gov. Rick Scott.
Another license-free saltwater fishing day is set for the first Saturday after Thanksgiving (November 29). The first Saturday and Sunday in April (April 4-5, 2015) are the next license-free freshwater fishing days.
Camp Fire Century Presented With Community Pride Award
September 5, 2014
The Century Chamber of Commerce has named the Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center as the winner of the September Community Pride Award. The award was presented Thursday during at at-large chamber meeting at Lake Stone.
Pictured: Century Chamber President Don Ripley, Camp Fire Century Director Pamila Townson and Camp Fire Gulf Wind Council Director La-Vonne Haven. NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
BP Found ‘Grossly Negligent’ In Gulf Oil Spill
September 5, 2014
BP now stands to pay up to $17 billion in Clean Water Act fines after a judge on Thursday ruled the oil company was “grossly negligent” in its conduct leading up to the Deepwater Horizon explosion in 2010.
While the judge’s decision did not surprise groups such as the Environmental Defense Fund, the swiftness of the decision did, said Steve Cochran, director of the fund’s Mississippi River Restoration Project.
“People did not expect this to occur until sometime next year,” he said. “For those of us who work on restoration, the main thing we’re interested in is, ‘Let’s get this settled,’ so that the resources can flow to places like Florida.”
The finding of “gross negligence” means BP is liable for fines under the Clean Water Act of up to four times the established penalty per barrel of oil spilled. A trial is to begin in January to establish how much was spilled; the federal government estimates more than 4 million barrels, while BP insists the total is a little more than half that amount.
Ultimately, much of the money will go into the Gulf Restoration Fund, established by Congress to help manage the fines collected for projects to help repair damage from the oil spill. Beyond that, Cochran said, the judge’s ruling sends a clear message to other offshore drilling operations.
“This case says very clearly at this point, ‘If you don’t take your responsibility seriously, and you let something like this happen, you’re going to pay dearly for it,’ ” Cochran said.
Cochran and others said the ruling also increases the company’s liability for civil penalties under the Clean Water Act. BP said it strongly disagrees with the decision issued Thursday and will immediately appeal. The two other parties involved in the spill, Halliburton and Transocean, were ruled to be “negligent.”
by The Florida News Connection
Sports Association Launches New Local Running Info Website
September 5, 2014
A new website has been launched as a resource for the running community in Pensacola and surrounding areas.
RunningPensacola.com seeks to provide a one stop listing of all local running and endurance events, including 5Ks, 10Ks, 15Ks, half and full marathons, mud and obstacle runs, swims, bike rides/events, and tri and duathlons.
In addition to local residents looking for a run, the site is the perfect resource for sports tourists looking for a destination run or endurance event. Leisure or business travelers can also benefit from the site if they are visiting the Pensacola area and want to participate in an event while they are here.
Race directors can submit their events for posting free of charge. Visitors will be able to see the name of the event, date, event summary, and links to its website and Facebook page.
For more information or questions, visit the website at www.runningpensacola.com or call the Pensacola Sports Association office at 850-434-2800.
Volleyball: Freeport Downs Northview
September 5, 2014
Freeport defeated the Northview Chiefs in high school volleyball action Thursday in Freeport.
JV. 19-25, 21-25. Freeport wins
Varsity. 19-25, 5-25, 15-25. Freeport wins.
The Lady Chiefs will travel to Pensacola Monday before hosting Baker in Bratt on Tuesday. Games times Tuesday are 4:30 for JV and 5:20 for varsity
Man Charged With Two Counts Of Attempted Homicide, Home Invasion, Burglary
September 5, 2014
A man was been arrested for two counts of attempted murder after a home invasion early this morning in Escambia County.
Hector Adolfo Demontalvo, 20, was charged with two counts of attempted homicide, kidnapping, burglary and home invasion in an incident that began shortly after 4 a.m. in the 200 block of Donald Drive.
The injured victim,Zachary Scott Brown, 22, was found in a home with injuries later determined to be knife wounds.He was transported to a local hospital where he remains in critical condition at this time.
According to witnesses, Demontalvo, who was an acquaintance of Brown, appeared to be under the influence of narcotics. Demontalvo, fled the scene prior to the arrival of deputies, then broke into another house one block way on Henry Street in Pensacola where he attempted to kidnap a female victim, shoot a male victim and attempted to steal a vehicle from the home. He was taken into custody at the scene.
Demontalvo is being held without bond in the Escambia County Jail.
Suspicious Death Now Being Worked As A Homicide
September 4, 2014
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is now working a suspicious death last Friday night as a homicide.
A body was found in the vicinity of a suspicious structure fire in the first block of Herman Avenue. The Sheriff’s Office still has not released the victim’s identity, but investigators are working the case a homicide.
Investigators first asked for the public’s help in locating an orange or red two-door Pontiac in connection with the incident, but that vehicle has since been located.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Firefighter Training: Driver Trapped In Car Under School Bus
September 4, 2014
Dozens of North Escambia area volunteer firefighters received hands-on training with a variety of vehicle accident scenarios Wednesday night.
Members of the Walnut Hill, McDavid and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue held the joint training at the Walnut Hill Fire Station on Highway 97. Scenarios included trapped vehicle passengers after a car flipped into a wooded area, and a school bus rear-ended by a passenger car.
Firefighters learned techniques for stabilizing vehicles for the safety of both first responders and trapped occupants, the proper way to break and remove glass from a vehicle, and how to use the Jaws of Life properly.
In one exercise, a passenger car rear-ended a school bus, with the car and driver becoming lodged under the bus. In order to reach the driver, firefighters were forced to cut and remove the vehicle’s trunk, roof and seats, in order to rescue the passenger.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: Three Escambia Fire Rescue stations took part in vehicle extrication training Wednesday night in Walnut Hill. Pictured top: Firefighters watch as a team member uses the Jaws of Life to remove a seat and rescue a driver trapped under a bus. Pictured below: Firefighters stabilize a vehicle that flipped into a wooded area, trapping the occupant. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Company Seeks Help In Finding Crane Stolen From Molino
September 4, 2014
A Pace company is hoping tips from the public will help them find a crane stolen from a lot alongside busy Highway 29 in Molino sometime over the Labor Day weekeend.
The crane belonging to Ellis Crane Works was last seen Saturday parked at the Gulf Power substation on Highway 29 at Molino Road. By Tuesday, the crane was gone and reported stolen.
Anyone with information on the crane is asked to call Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Pictured: This crane was stolen over the Labor Day weekend from a lot on Highway 29 at Molino Road. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
What A Good Teacher Does At School: Dresses Snazzy, Smells Like Strawberries?
September 4, 2014
When first graders at Molino Park Elementary School were asked “what does a good teacher do at school?”, there were the usual answers about reading and recess, but there were a few surprises too. It is, after all, important that a good teacher “dresses snazzy” and “smells like strawberries and candy” (actual answers).
So what does a good teacher do at school? Here are actual answers from first grade teacher Sara Calhoun’s class at Molino Park Elementary School:
- makes sure everyone obeys the rules
- helps us learn to read
- their voice always sounds kind and nice with gentleness
- reads us stories on the rug
- takes us to recess
- cares and takes care of the kids
- smiles a lot
- gives good instructions for the playground
- dresses snazzy
- lets us have centers
- helps us to be rockstar readers
- let’s us get a treat from the birthday blessing box
- looks fancy and has pretty clothes
- sings “Who Let The Vowels Out”
- has lots of iPads and computers
- always feeds us lunch
- we can clip up if we make a good choice
- never yells or screams
- lets us have scissors and markers
- gives us stickers and candy
- we get cozy critters to sit on our desk if we are good
- teaches us to be ‘bucket fillers’
- teaches us our supplies are tools not toys
- helps us know how to be quiet in the hallway
- makes learning fun
- gives us treasure box
- tells us to add more details to our writing
- gives us a compliment party
- smells like strawberries and candy
- always lets the kids go to the bathroom
- teaches math
- sings silly songs
- lets us have a class pet
- reads “Pete the Cat” books
- gives lots of hugs