Commission Pledges $8 Million To Help Lure ST Aerospace To Pensacola
March 7, 2014
The Escambia County Commission has voted to pledge $8 million in local option sales tax funds to help bring ST Aerospace to the Pensacola airport. The Singapore-based aerospace company that employees 1,300 in Mobile, plans to hire 300 in Pensacola.
The county will loan $3.2 million directly to the City of Pensacola for the project and add another $4.8 million in contributions.
District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry voted against the plan, express concerns over insufficient collateral from the city’s pledged Communications Service Tax. He said the city has already pledged too much of the tax, and the legislature may cut the tax during their current session.
“I’d don’t think the Communications Services Tax is secure enough,” Barry said. “I’d like to have a second revenue source that’s pledged.”
Pictured: Commissioner Steven Barry addresses ST Aerospace during a Thursday morning meeting.
Florida To Join Multi-State Lawsuit Over Gulf Oil Disaster
March 7, 2014
Florida expects to be added to a multi-state federal lawsuit against BP over “widespread” damages from the Deepwater Horizon disaster, after spending nearly three years unsuccessfully trying to resolve the matter on its own.
On Wednesday, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Panama City about the environmental impacts from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil-spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Department of Environmental Protection spokeswoman Kendra Parson said the state anticipates the suit will be added to an ongoing federal lawsuit against BP in the Eastern District of Louisiana by Alabama, Louisiana and other plaintiffs.
In April 2011, the state rejected a chance to join the federal lawsuit, with Gov. Rick Scott saying at the time he wanted to ensure Florida was “treated fairly” in terms of receiving reimbursement from BP.
Officials with the Attorney General’s Office said at the time that a settlement could be reached without litigation as early as the summer of 2011 unless the oil company refused to cooperate.
Parson said attempts to reach a settlement have been unsuccessful and that discussions related to the case remain confidential.
Scott, when asked Thursday about plans to join the federal lawsuit, said it’s the “right time to hold BP accountable for doing harm to our state.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi said state attorneys continue to work with BP “to do the best we can.”
She added that the change in the state’s legal approach is “a necessary step to begin to restore Florida’s vital resources and the tremendous damage Florida suffered because of this oil spill. We are a tourism state.”
The 17-page complaint doesn’t estimate the extent of damages to Florida.
“While the full extent of the Deepwater Horizon spill and the environmental damages may not be known for years, the impacts to date have been widespread and severe, damaging the organisms, habitats and ecosystems in Florida waters and to Florida’s coastline,” the suit states. “The damages include, but are not limited to, damages to Florida’s sandy beaches, salt marshes, wetlands, estuaries, submerged aquatic vegetation, deepwater communities and coral reefs as well as injuries to numerous wildlife species and aquatic species including fish, sea turtles, oysters, birds, and manatees.”
Geoff Morrell, BP senior vice president for U.S. communications and external affairs, said in an email that BP is reviewing Florida’s lawsuit and highlighted the actions the company has taken since the Deepwater Horizon accident.
“To date, BP has spent more than $26 billion to help restore the Gulf, including more than $14 billion on response and clean-up and more than $12 billion on claims paid to individuals, businesses and government entities,” Morrell said. “To accelerate environmental restoration, BP voluntarily agreed to spend up to $1 billion on early restoration projects and has reached agreement or agreements in principle with the trustees on approximately $698 million in projects.”
Florida’s suit also names Anadarko Petroleum Company, Anadarko E&P Company, Transocean Ltd., Transocean Holdings, Transocean Offshore Deepwater Drilling, Transocean Deepwater Inc., and Triton Asset Leasing.
The suit is separate from one filed last April by Florida against BP and contractor Halliburton seeking to recoup at least $5.48 billion in lost state revenue because of the Deepwater Horizon rig explosion and oil spill.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Pictured: Oil washed onto Pensacola Beach following the BP spill. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Century CI Employees Read Dr. Seuss To Elementary Students
March 7, 2014
Century Correctional’s Assistant Warden Hutchins and Officer Tony deGraaf read to a kindergarten class at Jay Elementary School as part of Read Across America Day. They read the popular Seuss book The Foot Book, gave each student a special treat and helped with a special assignment. They also expressed the importance of learning to read and of a good education.
Read Across America Day, the signature program of the National Education Association, focuses on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships and reading resources. It’s held annual on or near Dr. Seuss’ birthday.
Pictured: Century Correctional Institution Officer Tony deGraaf and Assistant Warden Hutchins (in tie) read to a kindergarten class at Jay Elementary School. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lt. Col. Charles Andrew Lambert
March 7, 2014
Lt. Col. Charles Andrew Lambert, 76, born in Vocation, Ala., on June 27, 1937, passed away March 1, 2014, in the Covenant Hospice Wing at West Florida Hospital. He was a graduate of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Perkinston, MS and Florida State University. He also graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff School. He was employed by Gulf Power Company for 25 years (Public Relations), Pensacola News Journal, Historic Pensacola Preservation Board and the Playground Daily News in Fort Walton Beach. He was a Lt. Colonel in the Army Reserves, 361st Brigade for 30 years. He was assigned to the Pentagon for various tours of duty.
He was active in Boy Scouts of America for many years. He would proudly say all three of his sons excelled to become Eagle Scouts. He was also a past president of the American Cancer Society, Pensacola Chapter, Pensacola Chamber of Commerce and Florida State Alumni Booster Club.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Lilla Lambert; youngest son, Todd Anthony Lambert; and sister, Joyce Westmark.
He is survived by his loving wife, Linda J. Lambert; sons, Dr. Mark Andrew and his wife, Pamela and their daughter, Isabella; Charles Douglas Lambert and his wife, Karen and their daughter, Sarah Elizabeth.
Charles lived in Molino, on Sunny Hill Farm, a horse farm with his wife, Linda, for 30 years. He faithfully attended Hillcrest Baptist Church. He was an avid Florida State football fan. He like to run/walk and he accomplished the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC on November 1, 1981.
The three loves in his life were: God first, family second and his country third; however, a very close first would have to be his Florida State football team. He lived just long enough to see the Seminoles reclaim the BCC Natinonal Championship.
Honorary pallbearers will be Ernest Spiva, Ed Addison, Gordon Van Mol, Jodey Harper, Steve Salter, Don Patterson, Tommy Cushing, Wayne Westmark, Jay Westmark, David Westmark and Dale Powell.
Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at NAS Chapel with Pastor Jim Reece and Pastor Pat Mobley officiating.
Interment will follow at 2 p.m. at Barrancas National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Covenant Hospice, West Florida Care Center, 3 North, 8383 North Davis Hwy, Pensacola, FL 32514 or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.
David Allen Wingard
March 7, 2014
David Allen Wingard, 63 of Atmore, passed away Wednesday, March 5, 2014 in Talladaga, Ala. He had worked at Wingard’s Jewelry Store as a jeweler. He was born in Atmore on June 29, 1950, to John Graham and Margaret Garrett Wingard. He was a graduate of Escambia County High School.
He is preceded in death by his father, John Graham Wingard; and sister, Linda Siders.
Survivors include his mother, Mrs. Margaret Wingard Banks of Atmore; two sons, John David Wingard of Jacksonville, FL and Cody Wingard of Fort Collins, Colorado; one daughter, Michelle Wingard of Milton; and one brother, John Larry Wingard of Albaster, AL.
Services will be Sunday, March 9, 2014, at 2 p.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mike Grindle officiating.
Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Family will receive friends, Sunday March 9, 2014, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 1 p.m. until service time.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Volunteers, Officials Team Up To Save Rescued Horse
March 6, 2014
Volunteers, family, friends, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County Animal Control and the ingenuity of the Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue came together Wednesday afternoon to help a rescue horse in need in Cantonment.
The horse, named Ebony, is being housed by Escambia County at Panhandle Equine Rescue in Cantonment after being seized about a week ago from the 400 block of Crowndale Court. Ebony was severely malnourished when seized, according to PER President Diane Lowery. A second horse seized from the property was put down by a veterinarian due to its state of malnourishment.
But volunteers have been working, almost literally around the clock, to save Ebony.
Tuesday night, she fell in her stall, requiring numerous volunteers to get her back to her feet. She went down again Wednesday, with volunteers unable to lift her….until the crew of Cantonment’s Fire Rescue Engine 419 put their training and brainpower to work. The firemen designed a sling and used a ladder, chains, straps and a come-along to lift her. Once she was upright, a veterinarian was able to administer IV fluids.
“A lot of people have invested a lot of time, labor and emotions into this horse,” Lowery said. “I just oh so want to see her live.”
About 11 p.m. Wednesday, Lowery was preparing to begin watch over Ebony to make sure she remained upright and warm during the night.
“There’s thunder and it’s raining,” she said. “But I’ve got to go out there and check on her.” Lowery said she had IV fluids, plus a group of volunteers and the Cantonment firemen on standby in case she needed help during the night.
“We can’t say that nobody tried for Ebony,” she said. “Everyone has gone above and beyond.”
Lowery said the owner of Ebony and the horse that was put down are expected to face felony charges. The case is currently under investigation.
Pictured above: Escambia County Animal Control, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County Fire Rescue’s Cantonment Station and volunteers use a makeshift sling to lift Ebony Wednesday afternoon. Pictured below: Ebony, a malnourished horse seized about a week ago by Escambia County, was unable to get on her feet in her stall Tuesday night. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rain Tonight; Sunny By Saturday
March 6, 2014
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: A 50 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a low around 39. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 61. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
- Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.
- Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
- Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 73.
- Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.
- Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 74.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.
- Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 66.
Sacred Heart: Door To Door Children’s Book Sales Are A Scam
March 6, 2014
Someone may be going door to door selling children’s books saying that proceeds will benefit Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital, but hospital officials say it is a scam.
The individuals selling books door-to-door may identify themselves as working for “Experience Sales”, but Sacred Heart said they have no affiliation whatsoever with the group.
Anyone solicited with such an offer should call their law enforcement agency.
Fannie Road Near Century To Close Next Week For Bridge Replacement
March 6, 2014
Crews will begin construction activities on Fannie Road just outside Century next week.
The $1.8 million project will replace the bridge on Fannie Road over Dead Lake with a new concrete structure consisting of two 12-foot wide travel lanes and eight foot shoulders. Fannie Road will be closed during construction and traffic detoured on to Highway 4 and Highway 29 in Florida and Highway 29 and Old Fannie Road in Alabama. Restrictions will remain in effect through fall 2014.
All activities are weather dependent and may be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Man, 76, Dies After Home Invasion Beating
March 6, 2014
A family is looking for answers after a 76-year old man was found beaten to death inside his home late Tuesday night on Lakeview Avenue in Pensacola.
Family members say Ben Stallworth was beaten in the head and robbed. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says they found him on his couch with obvious injuries. He was transported by ambulance to a local hospital were he was pronounced deceased.
Further details have not yet been released.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.