Fire Marshal Confirms Jail Explosion Was From Natural Gas
May 10, 2014
The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has confirmed that their on-scene investigation into the the April 30 explosion at the Escambia County Jail “determined that the explosion was the result of a natural gas release into the facility”.
“The on-scene phase of our investigation may be complete, but there is still much to be learned,” said Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jeff Atwater. “Our investigators will continue to work day and night with the ATF and the State Attorney’s Office to uncover all of the answers victims and their families deserve to know.”
The State Fire Marshal’s Office and the ATF will continue their investigation along with the State Attorney’s Office to answer the many remaining questions related to the events preceding the explosion. Further details have not been released, but a full reported will be released at the conclusion of the investigation.
Meanwhile, Fire Marshal has returned control of the Escambia County Central Booking and Detention Center to the county.
The Fire Marshal’s Office and the ATF took control of the property following an April 30th explosion that killed two inmates and injured 184 inmates and corrections staff.
Fire Marshal Investigator Joseph Steadham said in a letter to the Escambia County Commission that the building is continuing to deteriorate, reaching a point that it’s no longer safe for investigators to go inside. However, Steadham noted that the investigation into the cause of the explosion is continuing.
A fence is being constructed around the building to keep people out.
Flooding: Project Outreach Sites Opening Directly In Impacted Areas
May 10, 2014
Escambia County has launched Project Outreach, a disaster relief program that uses field teams to provide aid to the most heavily impacted areas within Escambia County. These sites will be operational from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. tomorrow, May 10, and Sunday, May 11. The field teams have set up tents at the following eight locations:
- Bristol Park*, 10100 Bristol Park Rd
- Crescent Lake*, 6105 Fairview Drive
- Damascus Road Mission Baptist Church, 8198 Untreiner Avenue
- Innerarity Point, Perdido Bay United Methodist Church, 13600 Innerarity Point Road, across from Ace Hardware
- Lake Charlene*, Corner of 6815 Kitty Hawk Circle
- Legion Field, 1301 West Gregory Street
- Piedmont Area*, Roger Scott Tennis Center, 2130 Summit Boulevard
- Wedgewood Community Center*, 6405 Wagner Road
*FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Team (DSAT) will be on site Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Each location also has free tarps for flood victims.
The Escambia County Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) opens Sunday, May 11, at the Brownsville Community Center, 3100 West Desoto Street, Pensacola. Applicants may go to a Disaster Recovery Center for information about FEMA or other disaster assistance, or for questions related to your case.
The hours of operations are:
- Sundays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Mondays – Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Free Food Distribution Today At Ransom Middle For Flooding Victims
May 10, 2014
In response to the local flooding that has impacted Escambia County, Farm Share and State Rep. Clay Ingram will host a free food distribution today from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ransom Middle School, 1000 West Kingsfield Road, Cantonment.
District 5 Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry, State Sen. Greg Evers, Superintendent Malcolm Thomas and District 5 School Board Member Bill Slayton will join the volunteer efforts to distribute food to assist families in need.
Families will be provided with Farm Share food bags free of charge with a variety of fresh, in season produce along with water, blankets and other needed goods.
Farm Share is a nonprofit organization working to alleviate hunger and malnutrition by recovering fresh, nutritious food and distributing it to those who need it across Florida.
Pictured: The Farm Share truck arrived early this morning at Ransom Middle School. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Come From Behind For 4-2 Win Over The Lookouts
May 10, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (16-19) came from behind to win the rubber match against the Chattanooga Lookouts (14-20), 4-2. First baseman Travis Mattair’s two-run double capped a three-run eighth, which gave the Wahoos the lead and eventually the win.
RHP Mikey O’Brien made his second start of the season for the Wahoos. O’Brien, starting in the place of injured RHP Carlos Contreras, pitched well going 5.0 innings and giving up just two runs on three hits. Justin Freeman pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth while striking out three Lookout batters to earn the win for the Wahoos.
Shortstop Devin Lohman continued his hot series against the Lookouts with a solo home run in the second that cut the Lookouts lead to just one. Juan Silverio came up with a big RBI single in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game at two before Mattair put the Wahoos ahead with his double.
RHP Garrett Gould had his best start of the season for the Lookouts, going a season-high 6.0 innings with a season-high nine strikeouts in the series finale. Gould gave up 1 R/ER on four hits and took a no decision. Gould allowed two runs or less for the third straight start. Juan Noriega took the loss for the Lookouts; the right-hander gave up 3 R/1 on three hits.
Chattanooga’s first baseman O’Koyea Dickson homered for the third time this series. Dickson’s first inning home run gave the Lookouts a quick 2-0 lead. It was the fourth time in the series that the Lookouts scored in the first inning.
The Wahoos will head to Birmingham to begin a five-game series starting Saturday evening. RHP Daniel Corcino (3-3, 4.35) will get the start for the Wahoos, while RHP Nick McCully (2-2, 6.33) will go for the Barons.
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos beat the Chattanooga Lookouts 4-2. Photo by (Warren Thompson/ Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
by Tommy Thralll
Escambia Disaster Recovery Center Opens Sunday
May 9, 2014
The Escambia County Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) opens Sunday, May 11, at the Brownsville Community Center, 3100 West Desoto Street, Pensacola. Applicants may go to a Disaster Recovery Center for information about FEMA or other disaster assistance, or for questions related to your case.
The hours of operations are:
- Sundays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Mondays – Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Services will include:
- Guidance regarding disaster recovery
- Clarification of any written correspondence received
- Housing Assistance and Rental Resource information
- Answers to questions, resolution to problems and referrals to agencies that may provide further assistance
- Status of applications being processed by FEMA
- Small Business Administration (SBA) program information if there is a SBA Representative at the Disaster Recovery Center site
Applicants may also register by calling FEMA at (800) 621-3362 or TTY (800) 462-7585. If you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call (800) 621-3362. Operators are multilingual and calls are answered seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT. You also can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by smart phone or tablet at m.femagov.
Tate Falls In State Semifinals
May 9, 2014
The Tate High School Lady Aggies were defeated 5-0 by St. Thomas Aquinas in the state 7A semifinals this afternoon in Vero Beach.
Jay Lady Royals Win 1A Semifinal Game
May 9, 2014
The Jay Lady Royals won their 1A state semifinals game 14-8 over Bell in seven innings this afternoon. The Royals earned a 13-0 advantage in the first inning before going on for the win in Vero Beach.
Jay will face Chiefland at 10:05 central time Saturday morning for the 1A state championship..
Flash Flood Watch: Heavy Rains Possible
May 9, 2014
There is flash flood watch in effect for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida through Sunday afternoon. From one to three inches of rainfall is expected on already saturated ground. Local totals of 5-7 inches are possible where thunderstorms repeatedly move over the same locations.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight Showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Low around 66. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
- Saturday Showers and thunderstorms likely. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Cloudy, with a high near 80. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Saturday Night A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Sunday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. South wind 5 to 15 mph.
- Sunday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Monday Partly sunny, with a high near 87. South wind 5 to 15 mph.
- Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Tuesday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. South wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday Night A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Southwest wind around 10 mph becoming north after midnight.
- Wednesday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.
- Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 54.
- Thursday Sunny, with a high near 83.
- Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 58.
- Friday Sunny, with a high near 84.
Obama Excuse Not Good Enough For Judge In Case Of Drunken Century Man
May 9, 2014
An excuse involving President Barack Obama wasn’t good enough to keep a Century man from being convicted for a drunken disturbance in the middle of a local street.
John Henry Shiffner, now 19, was charged convicted of aggravated battery and disorderly public intoxication. He was sentenced by Judge Michael Jones to time served and 12 months probation.
Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a public disturbance in the intersection of Mayo and Front streets in Century in October 2013 After deputies arrived, they reported Shiffner pacing back and forth in an agitated manner and cursing loudly. Deputies determined the disturbance was only verbal and sent Shiffner back to his home in the 7500 block of Mayo Street, accompanied by his 30-year old girlfriend.
After the couple rounded the corner, deputies could hear a loud disturbance. They responded, at which time Shiffner was detained in the back of a patrol car. Deputies reported the disturbance was loud enough that neighbors were gathering on their porches to watch.
Shiffner’s girlfriend, who is two and a half months pregnant with his child, said he had pushed her, causing her to land on her back on the ground. She refused medical treatment.
When deputies tried to question Shiffner in the back of their patrol vehicle, he began yelling at his girlfriend. When deputies explained her claim that he had pushed her, “he stated he did not touch her and then began rambling on about how Obama is right,” deputies reported.
“Obama said cops always listen to women,” Shiffner said, according to his arrest report.
Deputies were not able to determine where Shiffner, 18-years old at the time of the crime, had obtained alcohol. His mother, according to the report, denied purchasing alcohol for him.
Rotary Academic All-Stars Named From Four Area Schools
May 9, 2014
The Atmore Rotary Club recognized about 150 area high school students as Academic All-Stars Thursday night.
The Academic All-Star program is open to students who attend Northview High School, Atmore Christian School, Escambia County High School or Escambia Academy. To be named an Academic All-Star, a student must have maintained at least a B average in every subject for each grading period of the school year, with at least one A for each grading period.
Those who have maintained this status from the 9th through the 12th grades, were honored as Four-Year Academic All-Stars (pictured top). Each senior received a $500 scholarship, while Four-Year Academic All-Stars received a $750 scholarship.
The following students were recognized Thursday night as Atmore Rotary Academic All-Stars:
(Four-Year Academic All-Starts are denoted with asterisks)
ATMORE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Tenth Grade
- Madelyn Boatwright
- Christopher Gehman
- Ethan Heller
- Nathan Jurjevich
Eleventh Grade
- Caleb Hochstetler
- Wesley Hostetler
- Darren Landis
Twelfth Grade
- Durrell Martin
- Travis Smith ***
ESCAMBIA ACADEMY
Ninth Grade
- Kallie Byrd
- Brandon Durant
- Jessica Franco
- Eli Godwin
- Paolo Gorme
- Bailey Lancaster
- Trae Lee
- Morgann McDonald
- Sarah Elizabeth McGill
- Abby Smith
Tenth Grade
- Noah Blue
- Saige Garrett
- Todd Lamb
- Kennedy McGhee
- Kajal Patel
- Mikayla Spruill
Eleventh Grade
- Claire Dawe
- Garrett Kirk
- Natalie Lassiter
- Auden Lassiter
- Anna Catherine Sasser
- Nate Smith
- Lindsey Weatherford
Twelfth Grade
- Abby Akins ***
- Tucker Boatwright
- Grayson Emmons
- Tristan McAnally
- Peyton Snider
- Sarah Weatherford ***
- Allison Woods
ESCAMBIA COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
Ninth Grade
- Jayla Janae Adams-Davis
- Jade Alexandria Adams
- Deandre Cordale Barron
- Anthony Beckham
- Chille’ Devonta Ford
- Tydaiza Lacute Gamble
- Stephen David Gehman
- Tyranie Alyvia Henderson
- Derik Andrew Kidd
- Triston Jamal Knott
- Melea Sierra Dawn McGhee
- Maliyah Dashe Milton
- Justin Wayne Pearson
- Ariel Nichole Whatley
- Derrion Dequan Williams
Tenth Grade
- Daniel Allen Currie III
- Devante Raekwon Dailey
- Daniel Tyler Weaver
Eleventh Grade
- Dominique Beckham
- Alexis Clark
- Ashley English
- Rodrick Felder
- Robert Henderson
- Lyricia Johnson
- Raven Lewis
- Christin Simpkins
12th Grade
- Malcolm Black
- Tristen Boothe ***
- Vanessa Cuenca
- Alexis Moorer
- Annah Nichols ***
- Larry Pugh
- Matthew Quimby ***
- Moeshia Salter
- Davontae Walker
NORTHVIEW HIGH SCHOOL
Ninth Grade
- Autumn Grace Albritton
- Alyssa Brianna Borelli
- Peighton Danielle Dortch
- Jewel Regina Garner
- Emily Michelle Heard
- Adrian Daniel King
- Brandon Edward Korinchak
- Kaitlyn Nicole Pugh
- Mitchell James Singleton
- Brianna Morgan Smith
- Jessica Lauren Stacey
- Jada Mona Tucker
- Chelsea Ann Waters
- David Conrad Weber
- Hadley Marie Woodfin
Tenth Grade
- Jessica Kathryn Amerson
- Lawrence CW Douglas
- Leah Grace Fischer
- Jordan Noelle Helmken
- Abbie Elizabeth Johnson
- Trevor Dale Levins
- Moriah Renee’ McGahan
- Jason Andrew Perritt
- Bethany Cheyenne Reynolds
- Savanna Brianne Roux
- Jordan Caroline Taylor
- David Franklin Thorpe
- Harmoni Faith Till
- Haylee Alease Weaver
- Madison Paige Weber
- Courtney Bryce Weekley
Eleventh Grade
- Penny Nicole Banda
- Joshua Joseph Borelli
- Tristan Taylor Brown
- Megan Paige Bryan
- Kristen Renae Byrd
- Kendal Brooke Cobb
- Holly Merlice Cofield
- Austin Blake Cunningham
- Kyndall Lauren Hall
- Julie Beth Hester
- Adrianna Dawn Lee
- Jessica Leigh McCullough
- Aaron Thomas McDonald
- Mallory Mason Ryan
- Rachel Caroline Sepulveda
- Samantha Elizabeth Sharpless
- Rickey Heath Smith
- Kelton Joe Wooten
Twelfth Grade
- Madison Brooke Arrington
- Kevin Matthew Barrow
- Kasie Lee Braun ***
- Skye Lynn Brown
- Audrey Leigh Byrd
- Katelynne Nicole Calloway
- Kira Nerys Cartwright
- Lana Leigh Clayton
- Mashama Ashaki-Kai Codrington
- Morgan Nicole Digmon
- Anna Elizabeth Donald ***
- Anna Elizabeth Fischer
- Marina Nikol Gray
- Tamara Maria Green
- Rebecca Lynn Grim
- Courtney Lynn Jones
- Chloe Vanessa Leonard
- Alexandria Nicole Martin
- Tiffani Nichole Pritchett
- Caitlyn Christine Rigby
- Hilery Danielle Scott
- Courtney Yvonne Solari ***
- Lauryn Elizabeth Walker
- Courtney Alexandra Weaver ***
- Victoria Anne Wright ***