Escambia Estimates Over 3,300 Homes And Business Flood Damaged
May 6, 2014
Escambia County officials are estimating that over 3,300 homes and businesses were damaged in last week’s flooding, and Gov. Rick Scott is asking President Barack Obama to issue a major disaster declaration that would free up FEMA and other federal agencies to help local residents.
Escambia County estimates $20 million in damage to public infrastructure such as roads and drainage or storm water systems so far, but County engineers are continuing to assess damage and that figure is expected to rise.
In Escambia County, officials estimate:
- 1687 residential homes with major damage with 12 inches of water or more
- 1518 residential homes have received minor damaged with 12 inches or water or less
- 13 residential homes destroyed
- 117 commercial businesses have been majorly damaged with more than 12 inches of water
Is his letter to President Obama, Scott said economic losses could exceed $100 million in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
“We must do everything we can to ensure that these families can get back on their feet, and this declaration would support those efforts. I look forward to going back to the Panhandle later this week to further assess the progress of recovery operations,” the governor said.
A state of emergency in Escambia County has been extended for another seven days.
All Escambia County operations are functioning normally during their regularly scheduled business hours, however the Escambia County Central Booking facility is closed indefinitely and the Extension Wind Mitigation Building is closed until further notice.
All Parks and Recreation facilities in the County have been reopened, except Myrtle Grove Athletic Fields remain closed for repairs.
Road Closures
Residents are advised to find alternate routes for the following roads in Escambia County that remain closed:
- Ashland Avenue – flooding from Ashland Avenue to Ponderosa Drive
- Ashland Avenue – flooding from Ponderosa Drive to Croquett Street
- Bauer Road – construction from Sorrento Road to Gulf Beach Highway
- Blue Springs Drive – washout – all directions
- Burning Tree Road – bridge – all directions
- Dog Track Road – washout from Dog Track Road North to Lillian Highway
- Fannie Road – bridge from Campbell Road to Carnley Road
- High Pointe Drive – washout at Constantine
- Interstate Circle – bridge – all directions
- Johnson Avenue – bridge from East Johnson Avenue to East Olive Road
- Lloyd Street East – washout at 20th Street
- Main Street – washout from A Street to Devilliers Street
- Massachusetts Avenue – flooding at Kelly Avenue
- Meadowbrook Drive – bridge from Meadowbrook Drive to Scenic Hills Drive
- Maxam Street – flooding – both north and south bound
- Morningside Drive – washout both east and west bound
- Oak Valley Drive – washout – all directions
- Old Corry Field Road – bridge from Navy Boulevard to Idlewood Drive
- Piedmont Road – washout from Tronjo Drive to Hallmark Drive
- Pineville Road – bridge – both north and south bound
- Ponderosa Drive – flooding – from Ashland Avenue to Bowman Avenue
- Ronda Street – washout from Daniel to Rufus
- Scenic Highway –washout from Whimbledon Drive to Scenic Highway Circle
- Scenic Highway – washout from Bayview Way to Logan Drive
- Scenic Highway – washout from just north of Olive Road to Nine Mile Road
- Stillbrooke Road – bridge – all directions
- Tarragona Street – washout from Gadsden Street to Jackson Street
- Tarragona Street – from Blount Street to Alcaniz Street
- Winthrop Avenue – washout – all directions
Assistance
The Citizens Information Center (CIC) remains open for calls 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at (850) 471-6600.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
County Updates Status Of Jail Following Explosion
May 6, 2014
After last week’s explosion, Escambia County officials said the Escambia County Central Booking and Detention facility will be closed indefinitely.
The Escambia County Citizens Information Line has fielded more than 5,0oo phone calls about the status of inmates. The county is looking toward finding mid to long-term solutions for temporary housing of inmates. Officials said all inmates who were housed at Central Booking who asked for medical treatment have received care.
Booking of incoming inmates is being conducted at the Main Jail, 2935 North L Street, Pensacola; however video visitation is suspended until further notice.
A kiosk is available at the Main Jail so money can be deposited to inmate accounts and families may visit www.MyCarePack.com to purchase items for inmates including clothing, food items, phone cards and more by selecting “Florida” and “Escambia” on the home page.
Money orders may be sent to inmates at the Escambia County Road Camp, 601 Highway 297-A, Cantonment, and staff continues to work to establish commissary rights for those in the work release program and phone privileges.
For more information on the jail or the status of an inmate, call the Escambia County Citizens Information Line at (850) 471-6600 at 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Volunteer Meeting Tonight For Those That Seek To ‘Reimagine Century’
May 6, 2014
The Reimagine organization will hold a meeting tonight in order to continue plans on how to best meet the needs of Century.
Reimagine Century will be held on Saturday, September 13 at Showalter Park. A volunteer meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Ag Building on West Highway 4 in Century.
Organizer Linda English said the group is on a mission to serve those less fortunate, bringing together churches, business, community groups and individuals.
Reimagine has held similar events in Brownsville, Warrrington, Thomaston, GA, Santa Rosa County and Peru. Events have included clothing giveaways, free haircuts, free food, free health checks and displays from community organizations.
For more information, contact Linda at (850) 454-5280.
Pictured: Scenes from Reimagine Warrington. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay Royals Win Regionals, Headed To State
May 6, 2014
For the second time in three years, the Jay Lady Royals are headed back to the state softball tournament.
The Lady Royals beat Port St. Joe 6-5 Monday afternoon to claim the Region 2-1A championship.
Chassity McCranie pitched the win for Jay, allowing five runs, 10 hits, striking out seven and recording four errors in seven innings pitched.
For Jay (24-3) — Michaela Stewart 5-5, run, 2 RBIs, HR; Harley Taggert 2-4, RBI; Dana Blackmon 2-4, run; Emily Dodson 1-1, run, RBI; Taylor Moore 1-4, run, RBI, double. Stewart’s solo homer in teh third was over the fence — and through a truck’s back window.
The Lady Royals will play Bell in the state semifinals on Friday morning at 10:35 a.m. Eastern at Historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach.
Pictured: The Jay Lady Royals celebrate their 6-5 win over Port St. Joe for the Region 2-1A championship Monday in Jay. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Win Fourth Straight
May 6, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos defeated the Chattanooga Lookouts, 9-8, in the first game of the series on Monday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. The Wahoos (14-17) won their fourth game in a row, their longest winning streak of the season. The Lookouts (12-18) staged a big comeback scoring five runs in the seventh, but couldn’t score on the Wahoos bullpen over the final two innings.
RHP Daniel Corcino pitched well in the series opener, giving up 3 R/ER in 6.0 innings. Corcino allowed just four hits and had two strikeouts on the evening. RHP Shane Dyer earned his third save of the season giving up just one hit in the ninth inning.
The Wahoos had a huge night offensively and were led by Juan Silverio. The third baseman went 3-for-4 with a home run, double and two RBI. Silverio was just a triple shy of the cycle. Center fielder Beau Amaral drove in his second run at Double-A level and went 2-for-5 on the night. Rey Navarro hit the ball well all night and ended up going 1-for-3 with an RBI sacrifice fly. The Wahoos scored at least five runs so use the promo code WAHOOS and receive 50% off your entire order Tuesday at PapaJohns.com
Chattanooga’s Raydel Sanchez started his second game of the season and was chased from the game quickly by the Wahoos. The right-hander gave up 7 R/ER on six hits and made it just 3.2 innings. Nick Struck came on in relief in a Lookouts uniform for the first time this season and gave up 2 R/ER on five hits in 2.1 innings pitched.
O’Koyea Dickson led the charge and the comeback for the Lookouts; he hit two home runs, including a grand slam, and had a six-RBI night. Left fielder Jeremy Hazelbaker had a multi-hit night going 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored.
Minor League Baseball announced today that the Blue Wahoos were one of the top 25 teams in licensed merchandise sales for 2013. Minor League Baseball’s 160 teams combined for more than 55.4 million in retail sales last year.
The Wahoos will send RHP Robert Stephenson (2-2, 5.40) to the rubber for game two of the series on Tuesday. The Lookouts will counter with RHP Tyson Brummett (2-2, 0.61).
by Tommy Thrall
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos beat the Chattanooga Lookouts 9-8 Monday. Photos by (Michael Spooneybarger/ Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Poll: Florida Voters Are Ready For Medical Marijuana
May 6, 2014
Florida appears ready for medical marijuana.
A poll released Monday shows that 88 percent of Florida voters support allowing adults to legally use marijuana for medical purposes, bolstering the arguments of advocates who have placed a constitutional amendment on the November ballot seeking legalization.
The poll, conducted by Quinnipiac University, indicates widespread support across political and demographic lines — Republicans and Democrats, men and women, young and old — for legal medical marijuana if it is prescribed by physicians. The constitutional amendment needs approval from 60 percent of voters to pass.
“If Vegas were giving odds on medical marijuana becoming legal in Florida, the bookies would be betting heavily,” Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University poll, said in a statement released with the results.
Support for the idea has grown slightly since a Quinnipiac poll in November 2013 indicated 82 percent of voters approved of legalization. Since that poll, a group spearheaded by prominent Orlando trial lawyer John Morgan finished gathering enough petition signatures to place the issue on this year’s general-election ballot and also received a sign-off from the Florida Supreme Court.
Attorney General Pam Bondi and Republican legislative leaders wanted the Supreme Court to block the constitutional amendment, contending that the proposal was far broader than billed. For example, House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, described the proposal as being “about the Coloradofication of Florida, where the end game is a pot shop on every street corner.”
But the Supreme Court, in a 4-3 ruling, allowed the amendment to move forward, finding that the wording of the ballot title and summary would not mislead voters.
Despite the criticism of the ballot proposal, the GOP-dominated Legislature last week approved a bill aimed at making available a strain of marijuana that supporters say will help children who have a form of epilepsy that causes severe seizures. The substance, known as “Charlotte’s Web,” is low in euphoria-inducing tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, so users do not get high.
The Quinnipiac poll found that legal use of medical marijuana was supported by 93 percent of Democrats, 89 percent of independents and 80 percent of Republicans. It was supported by 92 percent of voters ages 18 to 29 and 84 percent of voters ages 65 and older.
Connecticut-based Quinnipiac frequently conducts polls in Florida and other states. It surveyed 1,413 registered Florida voters from April 23 to April 28, and the poll’s margin of error was 2.6 percentage points.
by The News Service of Florida
Walker Awarded Tommy Weaver Memorial Scholarship
May 6, 2014
Northview High School senior Lauryn Walker has been awarded the Tommy Weaver Memorial Scholarship.
She will receive $500 upon enrollment in college. Applicants were required to fill out a brief application and write an essay explaining why the scholarship was important to them and how it would make it possible for them to continue their education.
Walker was awarded the scholarship recently during the annual Northview DCT banquet. The scholarship fund was established in memory of Tommy Weaver, DCT/Ag instructor and assistant coach who passed away in March 2012.
Pictured top: Tommy Weaver Memorial Scholarship Lauryn Walker with Northview Principal Gayle Weaver. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Scott Asks Obama To Issue Major Disaster Declaration
May 6, 2014
Gov. Rick Scott has asked President Barack Obama to issue a major disaster declaration for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties because of storms and flooding that have inundated the western Panhandle since April 7.
“At this time, I request that only individual assistance be included within the major disaster declaration,” Scott wrote to the president Monday. “However, I anticipate a future request for a public assistance declaration. Also, I expect that additional counties will qualify for federal assistance under both the individual and public assistance programs.”
Scott added that economic losses could exceed $100 million.
Last week, Scott declared a state of emergency in 26 counties from Escambia to Alachua due to heavy rains and flooding.
“We must do everything we can to ensure that these families can get back on their feet, and this declaration would support those efforts. I look forward to going back to the Panhandle later this week to further assess the progress of recovery operations,” the governor said.
Three Injured In Nokomis Wreck; Cab Tore Off Pickup Frame
May 5, 2014
Three people were injured in a single vehicle accident in Nokomis Monday afternoon that tore the cab of a pickup truck off its frame.
The accident happened about 1:30 p.m. on Nokomis Road near Jakes Road, about three miles west of Highway 97. The driver of a Chevrolet Silverado Z71 pickup truck apparently ran off the roadway, over-corrected and then overturned several times.
Three people were transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital with injuries that were not considered serious.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol; further details have not been released. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Win Third In A Road, Takes Series Over Jackson
May 5, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos won the rubber match against the Jackson Generals on Sunday. The Wahoos (13-17) exploded offensively to win their third game in a row over the Generals (14-16). Brodie Greene led the game off with a home run in the top of the first inning and the Wahoos never looked back.
RHP Mikey O’Brien made his first start of the season for the Wahoos. O’Brien had his longest outing of the year; he went 5.0 innings and gave up just one run. The right-hander struck out four batters and surrendered three hits. LHP Fabian Williamson was fantastic in relief of O’Brien, pitching 3.0 innings and giving up just one hit.
Greene went 3-for-6 with three RBI, including his first home run of the year. Bryan Anderson once again was a key component to the Pensacola offense. He went 3-for-4 with three RBI and hit his second triple of the season. Juan Silverio bounced back after a tough start to the series; he went 2-for-5 with an RBI. The Wahoos scored at least five runs so use the promo code WAHOOS and receive 50% off your entire order Monday at PapaJohns.com
Jackson’s Tyler Olson made his first ever Double-A start and the Wahoos hit him hard. Olson made it only 4.0 innings, giving up 10 hits and 6 R/ER. Moises Hernandez came on relief and steadied the ship for the Generals; he went 3.0 innings and gave up 1 R/0 ER. Jackson’s third baseman Ramon Moria had the only RBI on the evening for the Generals, a solo shot off of O’Brien.
The Wahoos will return to Pensacola Bayfront Stadium Monday to take on the Chattanooga Lookouts for a five-game home stand. RHP Daniel Corcino (2-3, 4.26) will head to the bump for the Wahoos in the first game of the series. The Lookouts have yet to determine their starting pitcher for Monday.
by Joey Truncale