West Florida Students To Research Gulf Oil Patties
February 25, 2014
West Florida High School’s Marine Science students have been given an opportunity to engage in hands-on research that is as meaningful as it is fun thanks to a new initiative called Project Gulf Oil Observations (GOO). The research consortium Deep Sea to Coast Connectivity in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico (Deep-C) developed Project GOO which trains teachers and students to be effective citizen scientists and puts their new-found knowledge to use during visits to Gulf beaches in search of oil patties.
After months of collaboration and training in the classroom, WFHS students will get a chance to apply their skills in the field this Fridaywith a trip to Perdido Key. Amelia Vaughn and Danielle Groenen, members of the Deep-C consortium, along with Dr. Chris Reddy and assistant Catherine Carmichael from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, will participate with Shawn Walker’s WFHS Marine Science honors students. The goal is to apply scientific protocols in the retrieval of tar-patties that have washed up on the beach.
“I’m very excited about the opportunity to engage my students in the process of science, the relevancy of Project GOO, and the collaboration with such highly regarded educators and scientists,” shared Shawn Walker, Marine Science Instructor at West Florida High School.
“Talk about compounding interest. Put together scientists and teachers who are passionate about their work with students who are eager to help with ongoing research and watch as excitement fuels student engagement, sparks career interest, and feeds enthusiasm the of all. And as a side bonus, research is conducted more efficiently in both time and cost. That’s a pretty good return on investment.”
“I cannot think of better vehicles to engage students than getting their hands dirty and learning how the world, in particular the ocean, works,” said Dr. Christopher Reddy, a Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) marine chemist and scientist with Deep-C.
Pictured top: Educator Amelia Vaughan oversees the students in Shawn Walker’s class as they test out one of their oil clean-up methods. Pictured inset: High school teacher Shawn Walker and Chris Reddy of WHOI are deep in discussion about sample analysis. Pictured below: Catherine Carmichael, a research associate at WHOI, shows teacher Shawn Walker that taking detailed notes is essential when collecting data. Courtesy photos by Danielle Groenen for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Chiefs Split Softball Games With Holmes County In Bonifay
February 25, 2014
The junior varsity Northview Chiefs improved to 4-0 with a 11-3 win Monday afternoon over Holmes County in Bonifay. The varsity Lady Chiefs lost to Holmes County 5-3.
The varsity Chiefs will host Catholic at 5:00 Tuesday before taking part in the TR Miller Tournment February 28-March 1. The varsity and JV Chiefs will travel to Jay on March 4.
Pictured: the JV Northview Chiefs beat Holmes County Monday in Bonifay. Photo by Karen Ging for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bennie Mason
February 25, 2014
Mr. Bennie Mason, 69, passed away on Monday, February 24, 2014, in Huxford.
Mr. Mason was a native and lifelong resident of Huxford. Mr. Mason was a US Army Veteran where he served in Germany. He loved to farm and he attended the Huxford Baptist Church. An infant daughter; his brother, Glenn Mason; and sister, Mary Sue Walker precede him in death.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Sandra P. Mason of Huxford; two sons, Josh (Sirissa) Mason of Mobile and Judd Mason of Huxford; one brother, Jerry Mason of Atmore; and three grandchildren, Mikey Mason, Kari Mason and Jarren Mason.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, February 26, 2014, at 10 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Jimmy Dukes and Rev. Roger Grandstaff officiating.
Burial will follow at the Oak Hill Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Glen Dreadin, Joe Coker, Charles Steadham, Johnny Mac Steadham, Tony Wooten and Ricky Herraro.
Honorary pallbearer will be Henry Wiggins.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Benjamin M. Lynn
February 25, 2014
Benjamin M. Lynn, age 80, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Monday, February 24, 2014, of a broken heart among other health issues. Raised in the Pensacola area, he retired from Monsanto but continued to work in his wood shop building rockers and swings. He was a man of strong faith who shared that with all that he met.
To cherish his memory, he left behind his daughter, Bonnie (Rocky) Peebles; granddaughters Kristy (Rusty) Hunt and Brandie (Robert) Ratcliff; seven great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Omalee; parents, Benjamin R. and Patra Lynn; sons, Bobby and Michael; and daughter, Tammy.
Visitation will be held at Faith Chapel North on Wednesday, February 26, 2014, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.
Services will be Thursday, February 27, 2014, at 11:30 a.m. at Faith Chapel North with Dr. Ted Traylor officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Olive Baptist Church Mission Services or the Building Fund.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Flomaton At Northview Baseball Canceled
February 24, 2014
This afternoon’s Flomaton at Northview baseball game has been canceled due to wet conditions on Northview’s field. If conditions approve, Northview is still scheduled to host Pensacola High School on Tuesday.
The Northview softball team will travel to Holmes County in Bonifay as scheduled for a JV game at 4:00 and a varsity game at 6:00.
Train Wreck Acid Spill Cleanup Continues With Long Term Testing Plans
February 24, 2014
Work is continuing today to clean up as much as 30,000 gallons of corrosive acid from a McDavid creek following a train derailment during a rare ice storm near McDavid, and plans are being made for long term water monitoring of Cotton Creek and the Escambia River.
At about 7:10 p.m. on January 28, 23 cars derailed off a bridge. Four cars containing 96 percent concentration phosphoric acid derailed into Fletcher Creek which feeds into Cotton Lake and the Escambia River. Three of the cars were breached, one catastrophically. Phosphoric acid is used in fertilizer production, pharmaceuticals, detergents, food products, beverages and other products.
Workers at the site are currently conducting water quality monitoring at a total of 25 monitoring stations at the surface and lake bottom at Cotton Lake and the Escambia River. Water quality parameters being testing include pH (acid level), total phosphorus and dissolved oxygen.
Beginning March 3, long term monitoring sampling will begin with long-term monitoring equipment to be installed.
All of the phosphoric acid contaminated water has been removed from Fletcher Creek, and restoration is underway on the dry creek bed.
Cleanup crews are continuing to transport liquid waste off-site. As of Saturday, 444,128 gallons of liquid waste had been generated, with 411,915 gallons shipped off-site. An additional 1,858 tons of sediment waste has also been removed.
Documents show 62,137 kilograms of elemental phosphorus mass was released at the site. Mass dissolved phosphorus weighing 2,934.99 kilograms was removed with 155,464 gallons of surface water.
Pictured inset: The west side restoration of Fletcher Creek. Pictured below: The creek bed restoration on the east side of the derailment site. Pictured bottom: The site in early February with multiple train cars derailed in the Fletcher Creek.
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High About 70 This Afternoon; Rain Tuesday Then Colder
February 24, 2014
Here is your official North Escambia are forecast:
- Tonight: Patchy fog after 3am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Calm wind.
- Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Patchy fog before 7am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. Calm wind.
- Tuesday Night: Showers, mainly after midnight. Low around 48. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
- Wednesday: Showers likely, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 56. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 61. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70.
Man Charged In Four-Wheeler Hit And Run Crash
February 24, 2014
A local man has been charged in connection with a four-wheeler crash in Molino on February 15.
Richard John Langley, 26, was charged by the Florida Highway Patrol with hit and run failure to stop and remain and at a crash involving injury, hit and run leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage and reckless driving causing seriously bodily injury.
A 27-year old female was transported to an area hospital by ambulance following the accident about 12:15 a.m. February 15 on Jahaza Road near Cedartown Road in Molino. Her injuries were not considered life threatening. Langley was allegedly the driver of the four-wheeler and fled the scene following the accident, leaving in the injured female behind, according to the FHP.
Jay Meeting To Discuss Garbage Franchise In Northern Santa Rosa
February 24, 2014
Santa Rosa County is looking to franchise the collection of residential waste in the non-incorporated areas of Santa Rosa County north of the Yellow River.
A meeting will be held tonight at 6:00 at the Jay Community Center, 5259 Booker Street, to discuss the plan and hear public input. The proposal will not impact residents within the town limits of Jay.
Similar meetings were previously held in East Milton and Pace.
Ernest Ward Names Students Of The Month
February 24, 2014
Students of the month for January have been named for Ernest Ward Middle School. They are (left to right) Cloe Smith, sixth grade; Kaylin Glenn, seventh grade; and Tyanna Magee, eighth grade. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.