Couple Defies Odds Of Survival; Thanks The Heroes That Saved Them
December 19, 2016
A couple that doctors say probably should not be alive took the time to say “thank you” to the first responders that helped saved their lives a year ago.
The morning of November 4, 2015, was a beautiful, blue sky kind of day. Cecil and Robin Carnley were traveling on Highway 29 just past Hoghway 95A when a pickup truck crossed the median and slammed into their 1999 Dodge Durango.
The firefighters from the nearby Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue were among the first on the scene. They were joined by the Ensley, Brent and Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and LifeFlight in a lengthy and extensive rescue effort. Mr. Carnley was trapped in his vehicle and required extensive extrication lasting nearly an hour.
The doctors gave them less than a three percent chance of survival. Mr. Carnley lost his leg and spent most of the past year in the hospital and rehabilitation. Both are still recovering and face a long road ahead.
There were handshakes, hugs and tears as the family brought the Carnley by the Cantonment fire station, a long with a thank you card and goodies.
“Thanks to we are able to live to celebrate our 1 year of life on 11-4-16,” a handwritten note said. “We are so grateful to call you our heroes. All our love.”
Courtesy and NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Today Was The Coldest Day Of Christmas Week
December 19, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
onight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. Light northwest wind becoming north 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61. East wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 69.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 55.
Christmas Day: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 73.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58.
Monday: A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 72.
Today Is Tornado Damage Assistance Application Deadline
December 19, 2016
The deadline assistance application deadline is here for those impacted by the February tornadoes in Century or Ferry Pass.
The deadline to apply for funding commitments for tornado assistance from the State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIP) in Escambia County is today December 19. The deadline was December 31, but it was moved to December 19 in order to comply with state requirements.
Many Century and Ferry Pass homes were severely damaged or totally destroyed in the tornadoes. To provide relief to tornado survivors, the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners entered into an agreement with Northwest Florida Community Housing Development Corporation Inc. to provide up to $50,000 in SHIP disaster funding per property to help fund replacement housing for eligible homeowners.
NFCHDC has recently broken ground on the first of several replacement homes for low income survivors of the Feb. 15 tornado that hit Century. So far nine clients from that storm have been approved by the county under the SHIP program to work with NFCHDC. Three of the SHIP sites have been cleared and are ready for construction.
Additionally, NFCHDC has partnered with the Escambia County Housing Finance Authority to provide replacement housing for tornado survivors who could not qualify under the SHIP program. Two clients have been approved for housing to date.
This project is a significant collaboration between Escambia County, the town of Century, Legal Services of North Florida, the Escambia County Housing Finance Authority, the Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies, NFCHDC, World Renew, United Way, Pensacola Habitat for Humanity and many other volunteer organizations. These agencies have collectively provided financing, facilitated applicant intake, served as the case managers, worked on legal issues to help owners gain a clear title and now are providing construction oversight and labor.
To apply for SHIP funding you must:
- Be the owner occupant of the property
- Meet income eligibility guidelines
- Have property that was impacted by the February 2016 tornadoes
For more information or to apply for the program, please contact the Escambia County Neighborhood Enterprise Division at (850) 595-3011.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Driver Uninjured After Missing Bridge, Rolling Down Embankment
December 19, 2016
A driver was uninjured after driving his pickup truck off the roadway and rolling down an embankment next to a bridge.
The accident happened about 9 p.m. on Rockaway Creek Road just north Nokomis Road. First responders learned that the pickup truck driver had left the scene in a private vehicle. He reportedly suffered only minor injuries.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Atmore Ambulance also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century To Hold Drainage, Housing Workshops Tonight
December 19, 2016
The Town of Century will hold two public workshops prior to a council meeting tonight.
The first public workshop will be held at 6:15 to discuss a possible amendment to a Community Development Block Grant drainage improvement project. The second public workshop will be held at 6:30 to review and receive public input on proposed revisions to a housing assistance plan.
Both workshops will be held prior to a 7:00 council meeting at the Century Town Hall, 7995 North Century Boulevard. The meeting and workshops are open to the public.
Traffic Delays Today On Nine Mile, Pine Cone Drive
December 19, 2016
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on Nine Mile Road as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Traffic will be reduced to one lane on Pine Cone Drive Monday, Dec. 19 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. as crews relocate utilities in preparation for roadway widening. Traffic flaggers will be on site to safely direct drivers through the work zone. Drivers will be provided access to Pine Cone Drive at all times.
New Record: Navy Federal Donates 1,600 Toys For Christmas
December 19, 2016
Employees and members of Navy Federal Credit Union are helping make the holidays brighter for children in Escambia County. Recently, members of the United States Marine Corps Reserve visited Navy Federal’s campus in Beulah to collect more than 1,600 toys and a dozen bicycles.
“I am so proud of our employees and members for continuing their generous tradition of donating so more children in our community can benefit from their kindness,” said Debbie Calder, executive vice president of Navy Federal’s Greater Pensacola Operations.
Navy Federal has been collecting the new, unwrapped gifts since November 14. In addition to the toys that were collected, Navy Federal donated $1,500 to the Toys for Tots foundation.
“This effort is the highlight of the Christmas season for me and many of our team members,” said Donald Belcher, Navy Federal training supervisor.
The primary goal of the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program is to help less fortunate children experience the joy of Christmas. Once they are collected by the Marines, the toys are then distributed into the communities where the toys were collected.
In addition to its support of Toys for Tots, Navy Federal employees in Pensacola also donated more than 1,550 items to the Council on Aging’s “Adopt a Senior” program and employees are currently supporting the “Adopt a Family” program though the Escambia County School District.
Charles William Kimberl
December 19, 2016
Charles William Kimberl, 93, native and resident of Pensacola, Florida passed away on Friday, December 16, 2016. Charles was born on August 8, 1923, in Pensacola, Florida to James and Annie Lou Kimberl. He graduated from Pensacola High School when it was still located on Palafox Street across from Lee’s Square. He came from a family of bakers and grocery owners.
Soon after WWII began, Charles joined the US Navy, completed aviation mechanic’s school, and was sent to a number of south Pacific islands as a flight engineer on PBY Catalina and TBM Avenger. He became crew chief and left the Navy, after the war ended, at the rank of Petty Officer First Class. He then met the love of his life, Mable Milsted, on a blind date. They married on Oct. 12, 1947, and Charles converted to Roman Catholicism. Charles and Mable were founding members of St. Paul’s Catholic Church. They celebrated 67 years together until Mable’s passing in January, 2015.
In his efforts to provide a better life for his family, he joined the Pensacola City Fire Department. He also became a certified building contractor and established a successful vending machine business. Charles retired from the fire department as the Assisted Chief. He built the family home his children were raised in and cherished the many hours he spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Every summer, Charles and Mable vacationed with their children around the country. In his 93 years he traveled extensively visiting virtually every area of the United States, the Holy Land and four continents.
Charles was very involved with his church as a Eucharistic Minister and parish volunteer. He was an active member of many organizations including the Krewe of Laffite (crowned king), Knights of Columbus (president and fourth degree), Serra Club, and the Civil Airs. He also volunteered with the Boy Scouts, and went to various organizations and clubs to teach CPR and fire safety. Whether through work, with his family, or in the community he was continually teaching others the many skills he had learned throughout his life. He was always looking for ways to give back.
Charles is preceded in death by his wife, Mable Kimberl; brothers, J B Kimberl (Tish), and Jimmy Johansen (Mary); brother-in-law, Dudley Milsted and sister-in-law, Delores Kane (Jimmy).
He is survived by his children, Steve (Cindy) Kimberl, Katherine (John, dec) Parish, Sandy (Donald) Brewer, Joe (Karin) Kimberl, Julie (Bryan) Webb, Mark (Mary) Kimberl, and Chris (Jeanne) Kimberl; his 17 grandchildren; and his 15 great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Bill Milsted (Peggy), Reverend Fr. Gordon, David Milsted (Beverly); sisters-in-law, Ellen Contarino (Len) and Joan Milsted.
The family would like to express a special “thank you” to the staff of Summer Vista Assisted Living Facility for their love and care during his residency and to Covenant Care Hospice for their care during his illness.
Donations may be made to Covenant Care in Charles memory.
Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 21, 2016, at Faith Chapel on Beverly Parkway.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 22, 2016, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church on Hyde Park Rd with Reverend Fr. Gordon Milsted as Celebrant and Reverend Fr. Doug Halsema, con-celebrant.
Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery on 12th Avenue.
A reception at St. Paul’s Church will follow the interment.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home South is entrusted with arrangements.
Hermine, Matthew Damages Near $1.6 Billion
December 18, 2016
Hurricane damages in Florida have reached at least $1.59 billion from the two storms that hammered parts of North Florida and the East Coast this year, according to the latest numbers from the insurance industry and the state.
The numbers don’t include agricultural losses and some damages that local governments are handling without state assistance. Also, the director of the state’s Division of Emergency Management said the numbers remain preliminary and depend in part on future state funding.
Still, the costs tied to Hurricane Hermine and Hurricane Matthew, for which the state expects to receive substantial reimbursements from the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, are the highest for disasters since the much more expensive 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, Division of Emergency Management Director Bryan Koon told members of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday.
“That’s to be expected. Hurricanes are our most expensive disasters,” Koon said as he outlined damages to government entities.
Damages from Hurricane Hermine, which made landfall in a sparsely populated part of the Big Bend and swept through Tallahassee in early September, stand around $213.6 million. The total includes $147 million in individual property-damage claims that have been reported to the Office of Insurance Regulation.
The more-powerful Hurricane Matthew, which stayed offshore but caused damage Oct. 6 and Oct. 7 in Northeast Florida, clocks in at $1.376 billion.
By comparison the University of Florida’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research has placed damages from the 2004 hurricane season, in which four hurricanes hit the state, at $45 billion.
The Matthew total includes 112,000 individual property-damage claims, representing $729 million in value. Volusia, Duval, Brevard, St. Johns and Flagler counties represented most of the claims.
The Matthew figure also includes $430.8 million in damages to government facilities and structures, including damage to a 1.3-mile section of Florida A1A in Flagler Beach that caused Gov. Rick Scott to order expedited repairs.
Koon said the state’s share of storm-damage costs is expected to be offset by money from the federal government and local contributions.
Hermine is expected to directly cost the state about $9.6 million, from emergency protective actions to debris removal, with local government contributions reaching more than $5 million.
Matthew may require about $130.3 million from the state, a figure that includes $77 million being sought from the Legislature in 2017 for an estimated $217 million in beach, dune and park repairs from Duval through Indian River counties.
“First, we do want to focus on the immediate protections needed for structures, we want to look at projects that can be implemented in a timely manner,” said Alex Reed, program administrator for the Department of Environmental Protection’s Beach Management Funding Assistance Program. “The cost estimates are going to be refined as we get more data, and we identify the federal funding as local sponsors prepare their storm-repair plans.”
The state expects to receive $90 million to $100 million from the federal government for projects to harden infrastructure from future disasters, Koon said.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Two Injured In Highway 29 Rollover Crash
December 18, 2016
Two people were injured in a single vehicle crash late Saturday afternoon on Highway 29 in Molino.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 73-year old John Green of Cantonment was northbound on Highway 29 at Stout Road about 4:24 p.m. when he ran off the roadway to avoid a collision. He re-entered the roadway and lost control. His 1999 Chevrolet Suburban overturned and rolled into the median.
John Green and his passenger, 74-year old Walter Green of Pensacola, received minor injuries and were both transported by Escambia County EMS to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola. Both men were wearing their seat belts.
There were no charges filed in the accident.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge
