State Warns Of Excessive Lead In One Escambia County (AL) Water System
September 27, 2020
An Escambia County, Alabama, water system is being required by the state to warn customers about elevated levels of lead.
Laboratory analysis for the monitoring period between June – September 2020 found that lead levels at three homes on the McCall Water System. Sampling at 21 homes found levels of no detectable lead at some, while others were up to nearly five times the acceptable level.
On August 7, the McCall Water System, Inc.’s laboratory reported that all three confirmation samples collected on July 28 did not exceed the EPA action level for lead. At this time, there is no evidence of lead in the water sources being used locally, nor are there any known lead service lines in the system, according to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM)
ADEM directed the McCall Water System to prepare a corrosion control report, conduct water quality parameter and source monitoring, to continue monitoring 20 sites every six months, and provide educational materials to customers and other consumers. The department will be working closely with McCall to return the system to compliance as soon as possible.
“Anytime that a lead action level is exceeded is a concern, particularly for young children and pregnant women,” said ADEM Director Lance LeFleur. “Until the McCall Water System is able to demonstrate lead levels that are in compliance, there are steps residents can take to reduce exposure.”
ADEM advises McCall Water Systems customers who are concerned regarding potential lead in their plumbing to take the following steps:
- Run the water for 15-30 seconds to flush lead from plumbing prior to using the water.
- Use cold water for cooking and preparing baby formula. Hot water in contact with the pipes can leach more lead, so using cold water can reduce exposures.
- Consider bottled water as an alternative source. Additionally, filters available for home use that will remove lead. NSF International maintains a list of filter products certified to remove lead.
- Boiling water does not remove lead.
- Bathing and showering should be safe, even if the water contains lead over EPA action
- levels. Human skin does not absorb lead in water
Escambia Writes Directly To Trump Seeking Individual Assistance
September 26, 2020
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners, the City of Pensacola Mayor and local state delegation members have sent a letter to the President of the United States requesting FEMA Individual Disaster Assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Sally. The Florida Panhandle was hit with a Category 2 hurricane on Sept. 16, 2020 with over 105 mph sustained wind, gusts up to 123 mph, over 30 inches of rain and water inundation as high as 15 feet in the Perdido Key area.
President Trump has declared a major disaster exists in Florida from Hurricane Sally, including Escambia County, Florida, for all public assistance, including direct federal assistance, for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. Individual assistance is still under review. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state as warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
Escambia County residents that have sustained damage to their home or business are asked to email photos of the damage, along with their address or neighborhood and a brief description of the damage (200 words or less) to hurricanesally@myescambia.com. Include the address or neighborhood in the subject line.
To read the letter to Trump, click or tap here.
Drop-Off Locations Available for Residential Vegetative Hurricane Debris
September 26, 2020
In addition to curbside removal of debris for residents, drop off sites in Escambia County are accepting vegetative debris only generated by Hurricane Sally.
Drop off locations are available from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.
- Escambia County Equestrian Center at 7750 Mobile Highway
- John R. Jones Athletic Complex at 555 East Nine Mile Road
- Oak Grove Convenience Center at 745 North Highway 99
- Baars Field at 13020 Sorrento Road
- Lexington Terrace at 900 S Old Corry Field Road
- Park East at 1233-1235 at Fort Pickens Road
These are free sites for Escambia County residents with identification or proof of residency. These locations are only for private residential use only; no commercial debris will be accepted. Construction and demolition debris, household hazardous waste and bulky waste should be left at the curbside for right of way pickup.
Pictured: The Oak Grove Convenience Center. (Note that the fees listed on the sign do not apply to Hurricane Sally Debris)
Cleaning Up This Weekend? Here’s How You Separate Hurricane Debris
September 26, 2020
Curbside removal of Hurricane Sally debris removal in now underway in Escambia County.
Escambia County residents, that can safely do so, are asked to place any storm-generated debris on the public right of way (the area of residential property that extends from the street to the sidewalk, ditch, utility pole or easement.)
Debris that was generated by Hurricane Sally should be placed and sorted on the area immediately adjoining the road in front of your home. The county has divided its jurisdiction into three zones and contracted with three separate companies to accomplish the debris removal in 90 days.
Residents are urged to separate the debris as follows:
- Vegetative Debris (whole trees, tree stumps, tree branches, tree trunks and other leafy material)
- Construction and Demolition Debris (damaged components of buildings and structures such lumber and wood, wall board, glass, metal, roofing materials, tile, furnishings and fixtures)
- Appliances and White Goods (refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, heat pumps, ovens, ranges, washing machines, clothes dryers and water heaters)
- Electronic Waste (computers, televisions, office electronic equipment, etc.)
- Household Hazardous Waste (materials that are ignitable, reactive, toxic or corrosive such as paints, cleaners, pesticides, etc.)
- Only loose debris will be collected; bagged debris should not be placed on the public right of way. Make every attempt to avoid stacking debris below low hanging power or utility lines.
Do not place debris within four feet of:
- Mailboxes
- Water meters
- Fire hydrants, or any other above-ground utility
- Only debris placed on the public right of way will be eligible for collection until further notice.
If all debris is not picked up during the initial pass, please continue to push remaining debris to the right of way for collection on subsequent passes.
Northview Chiefs Open Season With 39-6 Win Over Holmes County
September 26, 2020
The Northview Chiefs opened their pandemic shortened season with a 39-6 win over the Holmes County Blue Devils on their home turf Friday night in Bratt.
In the debut for new Northview Head Coach Wes Summerford, the Chiefs were first on the board 6-0 with a Logan Bryan touchdown.
After a couple of strong runs from senior Jayden Jackson, Jamarcus Jefferson was in for another Chiefs TD. Also on deck for the Chiefs scoring was quarterback Kaden Odom on a 67-yard touchdown pass to Jefferson topped off with a two-point conversion from Jackson. Odom also had an 8-yard touchdown run in the fourth.
Next Friday night, the Chiefs will head north to Canoe to face the Cougars of Escambia County at 7 p.m.
For a photo gallery, click here. (Includes game action, band and cheerleaders.)
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sunny And Warm Saturday; Turning Cooler Next Week
September 26, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind around 5 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 74. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 76.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 80.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 76.
Friday Night Football Finals
September 26, 2020
Here are North Escambia area high school football scores:
FLORIDA
- Northview 39, Holmes County 6 [Click for photos, story]
- Flomaton 42, Jay 0
- Tate at Washington (1pm Saturday)
- West Florida at Escambia (2pm Saturday)
- Pine Forest at Pensacola Catholic (7pm Saturday)
ALABAMA
- Escambia County 35, Monroe County 6
- Escambia Academy 28, Tuscaloosa Academy 13
- Flomaton 42, Jay 0
- W.S. Neal 44, New Brockton 25
- UMS Wright 21, T.R. Miller 12
Pictured: In Escambia County’s only game Friday night, the Northview Chiefs defeated Holmes County 39-6. The other Escambia County teams will play Saturday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Saturday Hurricane Relief: Supply Distribution Scenic Hills; Free Yard Sale Day Milestone
September 26, 2020
Two churches will hold hurricane relief events on Saturday.
Scenic Hills Hurricane Relief
The Scenic Hills Church of Christ will hold a Hurricane Sally Relief event Saturday from 10 a.m. until supplies are distributed. Relief supplies including food, water, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene supplies and more will be provided one order to each vehicle at 1295 East Nine Mile Road. No walk up service.
Milestone Giveaway Day
Saturday is Giveaway Day at the Church of Christ at Milestone from 9 a.m. until 11 p.m. Organizers say it is like a yard sale, but everything is free. The church is located at 4051 Stefani Road in Cantonment.
Murphy McGhee
September 26, 2020
Mr. Murphy McGhee, age 70, passed away on Monday, September 21, 2020, in Pensacola, Florida.
Mr. McGhee was a native of Atmore, AL, spent most of his adult life in Pensacola, FL (45 years) with his sister, Norma and had resided in Poarch, AL for a number of years. He was a member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and attended the Atmore Apostolic Church. He is preceded in death by his parents, Leonard McGhee, Sr. and Eula McGhee; step-mother, Erdeal Pennington; one brother, Hollie McGhee and three sisters, Margaret Owens, Norma Arnette and Clemie McGhee.
He is survived by one brother, Leonard McGhee, Jr. of Foley, AL; two step-brothers; two step-sisters; two nieces; five nephews; seven great nieces; 10 great nephews and a host of cousins and other family.
Funeral services were held Thursday, September 24, 2020, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. David McNairn and Rev. Ray Ward officiating.
Burial was at the New Home Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Bryan McGhee, Robert Gafford, Jamie Gafford, Matthew McGhee, Melvin McGhee and Jerrell Hollinger.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Man Charged With Making Mass Shooting Threats Against UWF
September 25, 2020
A Pace man has been arrested for allegedly making numerous threats to commit a mass school shooting at the University of West Florida.
Shane Rei Davis, 23, was arrested by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the FBI after they acted on a confidential tip. He was charged with intimidation sending a written threat to conduct mass shoot and booked into te Santa Rosa County Jail with bond set at $1 million.
“The threats were very specific in nature and were taken extremely seriously by law enforcement,” SRSO Sgt. Rich Aloy said.
The threats were made while Davis talked to other gamers in the video game Valorant, described as a character based tactical shooter game.
According on a arrest report, Davis made the following comments via an in-game chat that was visible to other online players:
“I just have to get 34 kills to be a legend”
“But I calculate around 50″
“You will see the biggest school shooting”
“I’ll carry more ammo than these unprepared r******”
“I will be a legend”
“You will all feel my pain.
“Surprising Asian Americans are always the top of school shooters, right?”
“The University took immediate action and is cooperating with authorities to the fullest extent of the law,” UWF said in an email to students. “The safety of the campus community is the University’s top priority.”