Strong Winds, Possible Tornado, Cause Damage In Cottage Hill (With Photo Gallery)
October 14, 2014
A possible small tornado or straight line winds damaged caused damage in the Cottage Hill area Monday night
Preliminary information indicated that four homes were damaged but still liveable on McKenzie Road. The roofs of at least two barns or outbuildings were damaged, and several trees and power lines were downed.
For more daytime photos of the storm damage, click here.
There were no injuries reported.
Several residents in the area reported that they saw, or heard, what they believed to be a tornado.
Escambia County Emergency Management officials surveyed the damage Monday night. There is no official word so far if a minor tornado or straight line winds caused the damage. That determination will be made, likely on Tuesday, by the National Weather Service.
There was a tornado watch, but no warnings, in effect as the storm hit.
For more daytime photos of the storm damage, click here.
Editor’s note: The white circles in the photos below are caused by camera flash hitting large rain drops. These photos were taken in near total darkness due to power outages in the area.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Energy, ECUA CNG Partnership Generates Big Savings
October 14, 2014
A compressed natural gas program operated by ECUA and Pensacola Energy is delivering fuel cost and maintenance savings.
The program recorded fuel cost savings of $1.1 million for last year, a number expected to increase to $1.3 million this year. In addition, the CNG program has delivered over $350,000 in maintenance cost savings that are ultimately translated into additional cost-savings for ECUA customers.
ECUA Public Information Officer Jim Roberts recently highlighted the program’s successes during the American Public Gas Association Conference in Lake Tahoe. He said ECUA and Pensacola Energy have worked to establish a “utility-friendly” partnership that is now recognized as a model program for utilities across America to embrace.
In 2011, as part of a compressed natural gas (CNG) initiative spearheaded by Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward, ECUA orchestrated a ten-year CNG agreement with Pensacola Energy that includes building and developing public CNG fueling stations located at 6722 Pine Forest Road and 3320 Copter Road in the Ellyson Industrial Park.
While the national average for a gallon of diesel fuel wavers around $4.00, a diesel gallon equivalent of CNG at Pensacola Energy’s fueling station is currently priced at $2.05. CNG prices have remained stable over recent years as gasoline and diesel prices have risen steadily.
ECUA maintains and operates one of the most diversified CNG fleets in Florida with a current roster of 88 vehicles, a projected total of 100 vehicles by October 2014, and 130 vehicles by October 2015. Pensacola Energy currently operates and maintains the fueling stations. Fleet vehicles include Chevrolet and Ford pickup and utility trucks, Peterbilt semi’s and sewer vac trucks, Autocar Xpeditor roll offs, knuckle boom trucks and Autocar Xpeditor refuse ttrucks with McNeilus bodies.
Pictured: Escambia County’s first CNG filling station Wednesday on Pine Forest Road. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Scott, Crist Campaigns Still Have Millions In Cash To Spend
October 14, 2014
The campaigns of Republican Gov. Rick Scott and Democratic challenger Charlie Crist each entered the final month of the gubernatorial race with millions of dollars available to spend, newly filed finance reports show.
As of October 3, the Scott campaign had raised $9,171,288, while spending $2,891,464, leaving it with nearly $6.3 million. The Crist campaign, meanwhile, had raised $8,587,405, while spending $4,610,536, leaving it with nearly $4 million, the reports filed Friday show.
Those totals also don’t include money raised by two political committees — Scott’s “Let’s Get to Work” and “Charlie Crist for Florida” — that play pivotal roles in the campaign. As of October 3, “Let’s Get to Work” had raised $41,597,277, while spending $39,770,527. The Crist-backing committee had raised $22,702,031, while spending $20,561,633, the reports show.
by The News Service of Florida
Learn More About Escambia’s Library System, Take A Survey
October 14, 2014
Escambia County is asking residents to take another in a series of surveys — this one about the West Florida Public Library System.
The system libraries serve more than 300,000 people in Escambia County. With seven libraries, the WFPL has grown and adapted to meet the changing information needs of the community since its inception in 1938 at Old Christ Church with just 3,300 books.
CLICK HERE TO TAKE A BRIEF SURVEY ABOUT ESCAMBIA COUNTY LIBRARIES.
Today the WFPL offers hundreds of thousands of books and audio-visual materials. More than 137,000 people this year already have used the computers and free Internet connections to build their technology skills, research genealogy and job search. More than 1.5 million visits are made to the libaries per year and more than 2,700 people each month attend neighborhood meetings, seminars, civic forums and other opportunities to interact and share ideas with their fellow residents at library facilities.
Residents of Escambia County can receive a free library card. The library system has checked out 578,712 items to the residents of Escambia County so far this year alone, such as books, DVDs, CDs, magazines and more, all free of charge witha library card. In addition to books, the library card allows patrons to access online encyclopedias and databases, attend numerous programs for all ages or use free wireless internet and computers. Nearly 12,000 residents each month use the Internet on more than 150 WFPL computers.
Over $6.7 million in Local Option Sales Tax has funded six new library faculties and a Bookmobile:
- 2004 – Southwest Branch Library
- 2007 – Century Branch Library
- 2008 – Tryon Branch Library
- 2012 – Main Library
- 2012 – Molino Branch Library
- 2014 – Westside Branch Library at Legion Field
Additionally, Local Option Sales Tax has allowed $875,000 in upgrades to preexisting library facilities:
- Buildings – $209,807
- Radio Frequency ID System – $455,367
- System Software – $209,826
For more information, visit MyWFPL.com.
Escambia Schools Holding Giveaways To Promote National School Lunch Week
October 14, 2014
The Escambia County School District is hosting daily giveaways for prizes and gift cards to increase school participation this week, which is designated at National School Lunch Week. The week highlights the importance of healthy eating and physical activity for a balanced lifestyle.
“Research shows there is a direct connection between eating healthy meals at school and improved academic performance,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “This National School Lunch Week, we’re encouraging kids to eat right so they can succeed in the classroom and on the field.”
School meals are healthier than ever, Putnam said. Each child is offered whole grains, protein, vegetables, fruit and milk every single day.
Pictured top: This drawing shows the new cafeteria that students at Ernest Ward Middle School will enjoy by next year when a newly constructed school opens. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Volleyball: Pensacola High Tops Northview (With Gallery)
October 14, 2014
The Pensacola High Lady Tigers defeated the Northview Chiefs Monday afternoon
PHS topped Northview in three straight 22-25, 20-25, 17-25.
Northview travels to Central Tuesday, with the JV playing at 5:00 and varsity at 6:00.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Major Leaguer Caleb Gindl To Hold Baseball Clinic
October 14, 2014
Northview Baseball and Major Leaguer Caleb Gindl of the Milwaukee Brewers will present a fall baseball clinic for ages 9-17. Participants will receive professional instruction and on the field experience while supporting the Northview Chiefs baseball program.
The clinic will be held Saturday, November 8 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Northview baseball complex. The cost is $40 per participant. Pre-register by November 1 for a free clinic t-shirt.
For more information or to register, call the Northview Diamond Club at (850) 554-8594.
Pictured: The Milwaukee Brewer’s Caleb Gindl hits during a baseball clinic last year at Northview High School in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Husband Missing Since Wife’s Death Found, Will Be Charged With Murder
October 13, 2014
A man that had been missing since his wife’s body was discovered in the couple’s home has been found, and he will be charged with her murder.
Richard Kevin Kline, 44, was located over the weekend in Chattanooga, TN, and is currently in custody in Hamilton County awaiting extradition to Escambia County where he will be charged with first degree murder in the death of his wife, Jolena Kline.
Kline had been missing since October 8 when his wife’s body was discovered at their Pensacola home. Escambia Sheriff’s deputies forced entry into a Corrydale Drive home in search of 42-year-old Jolena Kline after family members became concerned that they had not seen or heard from her in several days. Her body was discovered inside the home, and investigators said the cause of death is undetermined and is pending a Medical Examiner’s report.
Man Ejected From His Overturning Pickup During Highway 29 Crash
October 13, 2014
A man ejected from his overturning truck onto the asphalt of Highway 29 near McDavid late this morning was reportedly walking around, talking and denying serious injury a short time later.
Cody Odom of Century was northbound on Highway 29 when lost control, ran off the road and his truck overturned into the median of Highway 29 just south of Bogia Road about 10:30 a.m.. The 26-year old was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Following his release from the hospital, Odom was arrested on an outstanding probation violation warrant, according to jail records. He was being held without bond.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Man Charged With Battery On His 87-Year Old Mother
October 13, 2014
A Molino man has been charged with attacking his 87-year old mother with a telephone handset.
The elderly woman called 911 to report that her son, 55-year old Conrad Lee Micari, was drunk and tearing things up in her residence on Straughn Road in Molino. The 911 dispatcher reported that the phone went dead after she heard a scuffle.
When deputies arrived, the victim told them that Micari heard her on the phone with the 911 operator, snatched the phone out of her hand and used it to strike her several times on her leg. Escambia County EMS was called to the home to evaluate the 87-year old, who told deputies that she felt like she was going to have a heart attack.
Micari was “extremely intoxicated” and refused to discuss the incident with deputies, according to an arrest report.
Micari was charged with felony battery on a person 65 year of age or older. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Monday with bond set at $10,000.