Ransom Middle Students Get Hurricane Lesson From Tate Grad Hurricane Hunter From The Middle Of Storm
September 11, 2018
Students at Ransom Middle School had a lesson in hurricanes Monday — directly from a Tate High Graduate Hurricane Hunter aircraft in the middle of a hurricane.
Maj. Christopher Dyke is n aerial reconnaissance weather officer (ARWO) in the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, better known as the “Hurricane Hunters”.
“Major Christopher Dyke, a former student, called and had me put my phone on speaker so he could talk to my current students about what he and his crew were doing. He called a few different times, and absolutely brought hurricane science to life,” Ransom Middle science teacher Louis O’Rear said.
“He called from the plane, on satellite phone, while they were flying in the middle of a hurricane,” O’Rear exclaimed about the call from his former student. The Hurricane Hunters were in the middle of a 10.5 hour mission into Hurricane Olivia over the Pacific Ocean and headed toward the Hawaiian Islands.
Dyke, who’s flown 337 sorties and has more than 1,200 flight hours, said the 53rd WRS is a good match for his love of weather, because it’s rewarding to contribute information that improves forecasts and storm warnings, which helps to ensure public safety.
“As an ARWO, we act as a mission director for the weather reconnaissance missions,” said Dyke, who is one of 22 ARWOs in the Air Force. “We work with the National Hurricane Center to gather the data they need, and we work with the aircrew to match our capabilities to those requirements.”
The squadron conducts primarily two types of tropical cyclone missions: low-level invests and fix missions. A low-level invest mission is flown at 500 to 1,500 feet to determine if there is a closed circulation. Once a close circulation exists, they fly at higher altitudes, ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 feet. Aircrews fly through the eye of a storm four to six times per mission to locate the low-pressure center and circulation of the storm. During these missions, the aircrews transmit the weather data by satellite to the NHC.
Dykes and his family moved to Cantonment when he was 13.
Before he became part of the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters, Dyke served as a meteorologist in the Air Force from 2005 to 2008. His first assignment was at Keesler. He reported to the Weather Officer Course, with his first month being one many on the Gulf Coast he will never forget — Hurricane Katrina.
“It was a nightmare,” he said. “You could hear howling in Wolfe Hall where we were sheltered, and some of the stairwells started taking on water. We spent a week in the shelter, and I was responsible for a security detail after the storm.”
He eventually left the base, reporting to Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, where he completed his weather training and began his first permanent duty assignment.
When Dyke isn’t flying, he is also the Air Force Reserve Command interim weather career field manager. He manages the weather specialists’ career paths, and is also responsible for organizing, training and equipping weather units.
Whether he is working issues to improve the unit or flying into the world’s most powerful storms to gather life-saving data, Dyke has a passion for his profession.
“I’m not the kind of person who can sit in front of a computer all day, every day; so this provides me the opportunity to get out, be hands-on, and at the same time doing a job dealing with a topic I love,” said Dyke.
Editor’s note: Olivia was downgraded to a tropical storm late Monday.
Century Approves Lower Budget, Higher Property Tax
September 11, 2018
The Century Town Council gave preliminary approval Monday night to a $3.43 million budget for the next fiscal year and a property tax higher than the rollback rate.
The budget is $1.17 million lower than the town’s previous year budget.
The council also approved a tentative millage rate of .9204, which a 7.3 percent increase over the rollback rate of 0.8578. The rollback rate is the tax rate that would generate the same amount of property tax revenue as approved for the prior year.
Before becoming final, the 2018-2019 Century budget faces another public hearing on Monday, September 17 at 5:01 p.m., prior to a regular council meeting at 7:00.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Councilman’s Religious Values Could Jeopardize Sunday Liquor Sales In Flomaton
September 11, 2018
The possibility of Sunday alcohol sales in Flomaton could be in jeopardy due to the religious values of one town council member.
Last month, the council voted 5-1 for an ordinance asking the Alabama Legislature to approve a bill that would allow Sunday alcohol sales in Flomaton.
Mayor Dewey Bondurant Jr. told the council Monday night that he spoke with State Rep. Alan Baker, who said the council actually needed to pass a resolution, not an ordinance. The mayor said he was told by Baker that the local legislative delegation would not consider a bill without the full unanimous support of the council.
Councilman Roger Adkinson, who voted against Sunday alcohol sales in August, said he would once again vote no because it goes against his Christian values.
“I will refuse to vote against my values,” remarked Adkinson, a deacon in the First Baptist Church.. “I cannot do that and maintain my Christian values.”
Other council members did not take issues with Adkinson’s beliefs; rather, they took issue with Baker’s request that the vote be unanimous.
“We have a right to our opinion,” council member Buster Crapps said. “Have many times have I gone against the whole council?”
The Flomaton Sunday alcohol sale resolution passed with a dissenting vote cast by Adkinson. If the local delegation should sponsor a bill for Flomaton, it would not go before the Alabama Legislature until their next session in 2019.
A similar state law went into effect March 25 legalizing alcohol sales after 10 a.m. on Sundays in Atmore at the request of the Atmore City Council. Sunday alcohol sales are already legal just across the state line in Escambia County, FL
Pictured top: Flomaton council member Roger Adkinson Monday evening. Pictured below: Council member Buster Capps (right). NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
9/11 Commemoration LifeFlight Training Class Held With Escambia Fire Rescue
September 11, 2018
Dozens of Escambia Fire Rescue members took part in a special LifeFlight landing zone class Monday night in commemoration of September 11.
The training was held at Klondike Baptist Church with firefighters from the Beulah, Bellview, Ferry Pass, Myrtle Grover and Innerarity Point station of Escambia County Fire Rescue.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Scattered Thunderstorms On This September 11th
September 11, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast on this September 11th:
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Calm wind.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 71.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 92.
Broad Street To Close At Highway 29 Intersection
September 11, 2018
Broad Street will be closed on the east side of the Highway 29 intersection from 8 p.m. Friday through 6 a.m. Monday as workers widen the intersection. Motorist can detour on Pittman Avenue and Detroit Boulevard. All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Escambia County Names September Employee Of The Month
September 11, 2018
Anthony Quiles, a Parks and Recreation maintenance technician, has been named the Escambia County Employee of the Month for September 2018.
He joined the county as a temporary employee in November 17 and promoted. ”
He has taken ownership of his position and has proven in short term to be a team player. Mr. Quiles has taken initiative to learn new skills to help him be successful in his role and is willing to do whatever it takes to get the job completed,” according to a proclamation presented to him at a recent county commission meeting.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Church Hosts 9/11 Appreciation Breakfast For First Responders
September 11, 2018
Little Escambia Baptist Church in Flomaton hosted a 9/11 Appreciation Breakfast Tuesday morning for first responders, law enforcement officers, EMS personnel and military personnel from both Alabama and Florida. Photos for NorthEcambia.com, click to enlarge.
Frances Melton Doyle
September 11, 2018
Frances Melton Doyle passed away Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018 in Pensacola, FL.
Frances was born Dec., 5, 1925, to the late Henry and Velmer Jolly in South Carolina. She completed her registered nurse training at Sacred Heart Hospital School of Nursing.
She is predeceased by her late husband of 44 years, James “JT” Thomas Melton; parents; and three brothers.
Frances is survived by her husband, Bunn E. Doyle; three sons, William M. “Mike” (Marion) Stephens, David D. “Buzz” Stephens, and Edward Thomas Melton; two daughters, Jamie Melton; and Gayle (Richard) Kuhhirte; 10 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and one sister, Joan Smith of Newberry, SC.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wed., Sept. 12, 2018 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Bro. Bill Flannigan officiating. Burial will follow in Bayview Memorial Park Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at 9:30 a.m. prior to service.
State Attorney Rules Shooting Death Of Walnut Hill Man Was Justified
September 10, 2018
The State Attorney’s Office has determined that the shooting death of a Walnut Hill man last month was justified and no charges will be filed.
Mark Anthony Singleton, 55, was shot in his neck on Juniper Street, crashed his pickup truck about 10 miles away on Highway 97 and died from the gunshot wound a short time later at a Pensacola hospital.
“It has been determined that it was a justified shooting and no arrests will be made,” Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille told NorthEscambia.com Friday afternoon. It was determined that the Singleton pulled a gun and attempted to shoot another person, but the gun fired during an altercation, striking Singleton in the neck.
Singleton drove away before crashing his truck.
The investigation revealed Singleton was in his red Ford Ranger pickup truck at a block party at the dead end of Juniper Street attempting to solicit sex and drugs despite being asked to leave the area repeatedly by residents. A young adult female told deputies that Singleton offered her $100 for sex or marijuana. She refused, making him angry.
Witnesses said Singleton was known to them because he frequently visited the area, “harassing the young girls for sexual favors and for drugs”, according to a Sheriff’s Office report.
After moving his truck a few times, Singleton put his pickup in reverse and sped backwards, almost striking a 26-year old man that had asked him to leave. He told investigators that he avoided injury by pushing off the tailgate and jumping from the street.
The uncle of the man nearly hit by the pickup and his uncle’s son asked Singleton again to leave the area, but Singleton grabbed a gun and pointed it at the man. The son yelled “gun”, and the man then pushed the gun away at which point the gun fired. The man held onto the gun as Singleton drove away.
The man fled the area out of fear that he would be arrested. He contacted deputies and met with them a few hours later at the ECSO’s Century Precinct. When he arrived, he opened his trunk and provided deputies with the .40 caliber weapon from the shooting. The man said that during the struggle for the gun, it fired, but he did not realize Singleton had been shot.
A records check revealed Singleton had purchased the gun in 2011 from a store in Pensacola.
Another witness told investigators that a red Ford Ranger pulled in front of him on Highway 97, and it appeared that it was being operated by an intoxicated driver. He said the truck ran off the road several times and the driver around and headed northbound before crashing near Howell Road about 10:25 p.m.
The vehicle left the roadway, traveled through a fence, across the corner of a field, through another fence, across a driveway and through a third fence into a pasture.
Singleton died in the hospital about two hours later.
Multiple witnesses corroborated the information on the incidents on Juniper Street and Highway 97, according to the report.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
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