Hazmat Team Stationed In Cantonment, Ensley Gets New Response Vehicle
October 27, 2018
Escambia County’s Hazmat team, which is stationed between the Ensley and Cantonment fire stations, has a new response unit.
The vehicle was donated by the Okaloosa County via the Ocean City Wright Fire Department. The new apparatus allows the Hazmat team to transport up to six Hazardous Materials Technicians and a wide variety of equipment for detection and mitigation to an incident all in one vehicle, which greatly reduces response time.
The 2000 model Pierce hazardous material response unit is equipped with a command and research area, power generator, scene lighting and compressed air for responders. Previously, the HAZMAT team used multiple utility pick-up trucks and trailers to respond with similar equipment. By decreasing the time needed to arrive on scene and being equipped with a more capable response unit, the county will be able to reduce the exposure and impact to citizens and the environment during a hazardous materials incident.
““We are ecstatic about this acquisition. Our Special Operations Teams will now be more effective than ever, as we continue to make Escambia County one of the safest places to live, work, and visit. Escambia County Fire Rescue is very grateful to both the Okaloosa and Escambia County Commissions for making this possible for our team and region,” Escambia Fire Rescue Chief Rusty Nail said.
Strategically located between the interstate, railways and many industrial companies, Escambia County’s Hazmat team is housed at the Ensley and Cantonment Stations. With at least eight hazardous materials technicians on duty 24 hours a day, Escambia County has the capability and equipment to decontaminate, treat and transport victims of chemical or biological exposure. The team can respond to a wide variety of calls from household propane gas leaks, rail or transportation accidents involving chemicals, industrial leaks of materials like acid, gasoline, or chlorine; spills caused by a natural disaster like a hurricane, to an act of terrorism like dangerous biological materials found in the mail. When not responding to or training for hazardous materials emergencies, team members respond to day-to-day fire and medical emergencies.
Escambia County Fire Rescue’s Hazmat team is a state regional asset and is one of only 20 in Florida qualified to respond to Type 1 and Type 2 hazardous materials incidents. This means they are appropriately equipped and trained to handle all industrial chemical and weapons of mass destruction hazards in any form such as liquid, aerosol, powder, solids and vapor or gas.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
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Bratt Elementary Holds Field And Fine Arts Day (With Gallery)
October 27, 2018
Bratt Elementary School held their first ever Field and Fine Arts Day Friday.
Students enjoyed a dance demonstration, storytelling from a pirate, a photography lesson, hands-on drumming and a pottery demonstration in addition to traditional outdoor field day events.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pine Forest Beats Tate
October 27, 2018
The Pine Forest Eagles defeated the Tate Aggies 35-20 Friday night. Pine Forest (6-3, 3-0) clinched the district title with the win.
Pine Forest cruised to a 21-0 lead before Tate’s first score of the game on a quarterback keeper from Hunter Riggan.
Tate (2-7, 1-2) will host Elba, AL (7-1, 4-1) next Friday night at Pete Gindl Stadium.
For more photos, click to enlarge.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
Tate FFA Horse Judging Team Named 5th Best In The Nation
October 27, 2018
The Tate High School FFA Horse Judging Team was named fifth in the nation Friday.
Victoria Kelson was also named as the high individual overall, and Kaelin Brinker was named as 10th high individual. Other team members are Raven Hollis and Molly Graham. Advisors are Erin Lawall, Melissa Gibbs and Austin Courson.
The event was held in conjunction with the 91st National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. The top 10 individuals and the national winning team members received cash prizes to recognize their success in the event.
The National FFA Horse Evaluation CDE is a competitive event that tests students’ ability to select and evaluate horses. Event components include eight selection classes consisting of four halter classes and four performance classes. Students also give four sets of oral reasons with two sets coming from each evaluation class. Teams also work together to complete practical activities and a team presentation. Each team competed at local and state levels for the privilege of representing their state at the National FFA Convention & Expo.
he event, held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, is one of many educational activities at the national convention in which FFA members apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations.
strong>Pictured: The Tate High School FFA Horse Judging Team Frida in Indianapolis. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Church Pumpkin Patch Open In Cantonment
October 27, 2018
Looking for a pumpkin? The Allen Memorial United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch has sold hundreds of pumpkins so far this year, and they have a selection remaining at the corner of Highway 29 and Neal Road in Cantonment. Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes are available, with some priced as low as 50 cents.
The Allen Memorial United Methodist Men have sponsored the Pumpkin Patch since 1995.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Debra Elaine Shields
October 27, 2018
Debra Elaine Shields, 56, of Molino, Florida passed away on Wednesday, October 24, 2018. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 30, 2018 from 3:00-4:00pm with a service following at 4:00pm at Grace Open Bible Church, 1701 N. Highway 95A, Cantonment, Florida 32533.
Myrtle Louise Peacock Gilmore
October 27, 2018
Myrtle Louise Peacock Gilmore, 105, passed away peacefully October 22, 2018, surrounded by her loving family. She was born December 15, 1912, in the Dry Springs Community of Pineville, Florida, to Luman and Lena Hollingsworth Joiner. Myrtle was one of five children.
Myrtle married Conard Cleveland Peacock in 1931. Together, they reared six children, Barbara, Bonnie, Voncile, Bernell, Wayne, and Tyrone. Their 50 years together included adventures such as working for the Forestry Service during World War II. Conard fighting fires, and Myrtle manning a 120 foot fire tower, triangulating fires and serving as a plane spotter during the war. After the war, they started the New Deal Café near the railroad depot in Flomaton, where soldiers could enjoy Myrtle’s good food on the way home from a long war. Later, they owned a small neighborhood store in Little Rock, Alabama. The family moved to Pensacola, where Conard worked for Bass Furniture, and Myrtle for Pleezing Grocery. Conard passed in 1981, shortly after their 50th wedding anniversary.
Several years later, Myrtle was courted by life long friend, Fred Gilmore. Their short, but delightful romance was a joy to watch, and Myrtle gained another daughter, Pat Bonner. Fred passed in 1991, after being married only five short years.
Born the daughter of a Holiness Circuit Preacher, Myrtle had a long history of serving others. Myrtle served the church as treasurer, Sunday School teacher, prayer warrior, and faithful member. As an elderly woman herself, she would provide rides for the older ladies of the church, meals for the sick and homebound, and make nursing home visits on a regular basis.
Myrtle loved the Lord, life, and family. Twice, Myrtle has celebrated five living generations, 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren and most recently six living generations with the birth of her first great- great-great-grandchild, Johnathan Curtis Marti. And a sister Estelle Funk of Fairhope, AL. She is preceded in death by two daughters, Barbara Parker and Voncile Hughen.
Myrtle was well known for her many “Myrtle-isms”, such as, “I’m not a wealthy old lady, but I’m a healthy old lady”, “We shouldn’t judge others, but we can be fruit inspectors”, “The old gray mare, ain’t what she used to be”, “Don’t go get into any trouble, they won’t let me out to come get you”, and of course, “When you get home, call and let it ring one time. Then I’ll know you made it home ok”.
The family would like to thank Solaris Healthcare, the staff and residents who loved and cared for her, and shared their lives with her. Especially Sharon, Joy, Heather, Tina, and Mary. Also Emerald Coast Hospice, especially her nurse Robin, and volunteers Diane and Cindy, and long time friend Liz Richards. All of you helped to make her life richer to the very end. It was impossible to know her and not love her, and never doubt that she loved you right back.
A Celebration of Life was held at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home on Friday October 26, 2018.
Interment was in Little Rocky Creek Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ Cemetery.
Active Pallbearers were Terry McCall, Steven Peacock, Justin Morrell, Corey McCall, Parker Hudson, and Richie Tucker.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Kerry Eugene Harris
October 27, 2018
SSG Kerry Eugene Harris of Century FL, age 63, passed away October 26, 2018, at West Florida hospital. He graduated from Lake Weir HS in Fl 1973, enlisted US Army where he served as a wheel vehicle mechanic and retired and went to
Work for Dept of Defense as a logistics specialist, retiring aging in February of 2018. He served five deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. He met his wife Connie Sue Dinwiddie and they wed in 1973, to this union they had two wonderful sons. Ryan Eugene Harris Ryan married Jennifer Nicole Kennedy, they have three sons between them, Jesse Kennedy, Nicholas Kennedy and Jaxton Harris; sonm Christopher Paul Harris, who Married Melissa Berringer and they had a son, Russell Harris.
Kerry also leaves behind a brother, William Paul Milam and wife Bev of Ca and his sister Priscilla Via of California as well as a host of nieces and nephews, and dear friends.
His twin brother, Jerry Guy Harris; mother, Maureen Milam; step-father, Paul B. Milam; and biological father, Bruce Oscar Harris precede him in death.
Kerry was known as a people person, never meeting a stranger, to his wife Connie he was a social butterfly, the love of her live. Those left behind in grief, mourn this great man and know he is no longer suffering, flying with his angel
wings, fly high and free. One day be re-united.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Friday Night Finals
October 26, 2018
Here are tonight’s North Escambia area high school football finals:
FLORIDA
- Pine Forest 35, Tate 20
- Northview 56, Snook Christian 0
- Jay 30, Freeport 26
- West Florida 21, Pensacola 0
- Escambia 35, Washington 12
- Pace 21, Milton 14
- Navarre 40, Gulf Breeze 12
ALABAMA
- Escambia Academy 48, Fort Dale 13
- Flomaton 20, T.R. Miller 13
- UMS-Wright 29, W.S. Neal 0
- Flomaton 20, T.R. Miller 13
- Williamson 7, Escambia County 2 (Thurs pm)
With $674 In The Bank, Century’s Gas Dept. Scrambles To Pay $33.6K In Past Due Bills
October 26, 2018
With just $674 in the bank, the Century Gas Department was scrambling for a way to pay $33,602 in mostly past due bills.
At an emergency town council meeting Thursday afternoon, the council voted to zero out a $11,030 reserve account and transfer $25,000 from a special revenue account in order to make payments that include health insurance premiums for workers and the actual natural gas sold to consumers.
The past due bills include $7,816 from BP Energy for natural gas, $1,200 to City Services and $912 to Florida Gas Utility due about 45 days ago. Another $10,638 is also 15 days past due to those companies. A $1,250 payment to the town’s financial auditor, Warren Averett, is 46 days past due, and $504 to Consolidated Pipe & Supply is at 50 days. Health insurance premiums of $2,567 to United Healthcare for gas department employees is 28 days past due.
Other “emergency” bills are less than a week past due – $236 to Verizon Wireless, $615 to Purchase Power, $30 to Louverne Starkie. One bill for $85.44 to Century Auto Parts was not past due as of Thursday; it has a Saturday due date.
Century Mayor Henry Hawkins said the emergency meeting was called for Thursday afternoon because “our bills would have been late”, and the town did not know if any service might be suspended before the next regular council meeting in two weeks.
“I called an emergency meeting; we got to get these checks out,” the mayor said. When asked if the town has every paid bills late before, he said, “we are breaking that habit”.
“We have lost our health insurance before. We ain’t going to do that again,” Hawkins said.
Council member Ann Brooks was out of town and did not attend Thursday’s meeting, and Louis Gomez was absent due to an appointment.
NorthEscambia.com will look at some of the other issues faced by the Century Gas Department in future stories.
Pictured: Accountant Robert Hudson (left) explains the Century Gas Department financial situation to town council members Sandra McMurray-Jackson, Ben Boutwell and Gary Riley Thursday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.