Local Hams Take To The Airwaves For Amateur Radio Field Day To Practice Emergency Communications
June 28, 2021
The Five Flags Amateur Radio Association will hold their annual field day this weekend during “Amateur Radio Week” in Escambia County.
“Field Day started out as kind of a civil defense thing back in the early, early days,” said ham operator Gene Bannon, call sign KB4HAH. “And then it kind of mushroomed it into an operation, practice drill, and a now it’s a contest. The whole goal for the amateurs is to basically go out where you normally don’t have your towers and equipment all set up and run on preferably emergency power.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
And for 24 hours this pst weekend, they did just that at Ashton Brosnaham Park.
Club member set up their amateur radio equipment — ranging from 1960s tube radios that literally glow in the dark to modern digital gear and satellite communications. With a generator and portable antennas, including a wire antenna running some 300 feet through the trees, they were soon communicating with ham operators across the United States and Canada. The goal was to reach another ham operator in Canadian province and U.S. state, including Alaska and Hawaii.
“You just basically practice emergency communications of course, and, by the way, make a contest out of so people will actually do it. Give them something to look forward to, even if it’s nothing more than bragging rights. Nobody gets a brand-new car out of the deal or anything.”
There were six amateur stations operating this year. Last year, during COVID-19, there were nine.
Local hams participate in providing emergency communications during hurricanes and other disasters when normal communications can be knocked out of service.
The amateur radio operators have their own equipment inside the Escambia County Operations Center, ready to provide needed communications during local emergencies. That room is being named for Rudy Hubbard, WA4PUP, a ham operator that passed away May 29.
“He was a major instrumental factor to amateur radio from the mid 80s to the early 2000s. He was the coordinator for a lot. He was one of the instrumental people when Katrina hit Louisiana and the Gulf Coast — Mississippi, Alabama, South Alabama, South Mississippi and North Florida. He combined people together who could go over to Louisiana and help.”
For more information, visit the Five Flags Amateur Radio Association webpage.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sheriff Adds Additional Patrol Deputies To Molino, Perdido Precincts
June 28, 2021
In February, Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons opened precincts in Molino and Perdido with the intent to upgrade patrol in both communities.
“The reason we reopened the precincts was to bring more resources to specific areas,” Simmons told NorthEscambia.com.
“We didn’t just want to reopen them; that was phase one. Now I’ve been able to hire enough deputies to have two deputies for the Molino and Perdido precincts on a flex schedule. It was not just an empty promise, but an actual plan, an effort. We wanted to increase our enforcement in those areas.”
“We really want to go our best to get the resources where we need it,” the sheriff said.
Pictured: Inside the recently reopened Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Molino Precinct. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
District 5 Commissioner Barry To Hold Town Hall Meeting In Molino Tonight
June 28, 2021
Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry will host a town hall meeting Monday at 5:30 p.m. at the Molino Community Center.
Residents are invited and encouraged to attend the open forum event.
The Molino Community Center is located at 6450 Highway 95A.
Pictured: Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry at February 2019 town hall meeting at the Molino Community Center. NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Lower Rain Chance Today, But Still Scattered Summer Storms Possible
June 28, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Independence Day: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 84.
Prices Were Steady This Week; Independence Day Gas Prices Set To Be Most Expensive in Seven Years
June 28, 2021
Florida gas prices have held relatively steady over the past week, averaging $2.94 per gallon, but Independence Day prices are set to big the highest in seven years.
The average price in Escambia County was $2.97. The lowest price Sunday night in North Escambia was $2.80 at three cantonment stations, while a low of $2.73 could be found at two Pensacola warehouse clubs.
“This will be the most expensive Independence Day at the gas pump in seven years,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Gas prices have shot up this year, as global fuel demand recovers from the pandemic faster than supplies. Even still, Americans are eager to travel and higher gas prices are unlikely to deter them from taking a trip. If anything, it’s likely that travelers will offset the added expense by budgeting less on lodging or dining out.”
The price this Independence Day will be nearly a dollar more than last year. Pump prices last year were severely depressed due to low demand because of the pandemic. In 2019, holiday travelers paid an average price of $2.68.
Stewart Struggles, Blue Wahoos Thumped In Series Finale Against Barons
June 28, 2021
The Blue Wahoos road trip in Birmingham ended with a thud, after a 10-3 loss Sunday against the Barons in the series finale at Regions Field.
Just as they did in Pensacola in mid-May, the Barons won four of the six games. Birmingham is the only team in the Double-A South to have series’ wins against the Blue Wahoos.
The Blue Wahoos (28-20) returned home Sunday night and will regroup for a big holiday week homestand that begins Tuesday against the Biloxi Shuckers at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Blue Wahoos pitcher Will Stewart, making his second start in the series, had his roughest outing of the season. He was rocked for seven runs on four hits in 2.2 innings and walked six batters among the 19 hitters he faced.
It was stark contrast to his stellar performance Tuesday night in the series opener, where he worked into the sixth inning and gave up just two runs, one walk, to pick up the win in Pensacola’s eventual 4-3 victory.
Birmingham (27-20) jumped on Stewart with four runs in the first inning, after Stewart walked the bases loaded. Carlos Perez followed with a two-run single. First baseman J.D. Osborne committed a throwing error after a ground out, allowing another run to score and Jameson Fisher’s one-out single produced the fourth run.
The Barons’ Micker Aldofo then did damage in the second and third innings. He hit a two-out, RBI double in the second. He followed in the third inning with a grand slam off reliever Tyler Mitzel to give Birmingham a 9-2 lead.
The Blue Wahoos had cut the deficit in the top of the third with Jhon Nunez’ two-run homer, following a leadoff single by Nick Lovullo.
The Blue Wahoos got their other run in the seventh on Lovullo’s single. He had two of the Blue Wahoos’ four hits in the game and raised his average to .319.
Edgar Levon Croley
June 28, 2021
Mr. Edgar Levon Croley, age 90, passed away Saturday, June 19, 2021, at his Century, FL residence. He was born in Atmore, AL and was a lifelong resident of Century, FL. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He loved working as a Yard Foreman and Switchman with L&N/CSX Railroad for a number of years prior to his retirement. He loved his family very much and enjoyed spending time with them. Mr. Croley attended Pineview Pentecostal Holiness Church.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Delia Croley; a son, David Levon Croley; five brothers and one sister.
He is survived by a daughter, Angela Croley of Century, FL; one granddaughter, Cheryl (Wayne) Ward of Century, FL; three great-grandchildren, Hayley, Lainey, and David.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, from the chapel of Flomaton Funeral Home with Bro. James Peacock and Bro. Al Bethea officiating.
Interment was in Flomaton Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Joey Croley, Patrick Henderson, Sean Henderson, Clint Lowery, David Ward, Tim Johnson
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Gideon’s International at gideons.org
Dorothy Ann Dorriety
June 28, 2021
Dorothy Ann Dorriety, also known as “DeeDee” or “Dot”, age 79, passed away on June 16, 2021 in Atmore, AL. She was born on June 17, 1941, in Huxford, AL to the late W.C. “Jack” and Luverne Parker Dorriety. May you rest in peace in the arms of angels. You are loved and will be dearly missed.
She was a wonderful mother, beloved aunt and sister. She was a hard worker and had a sense of humor like no other. She has been a true friend to so
many and has enriched the lives of many nurses and coworkers throughout the years. During her registered nursing career of many years, she proudly served in the United States Army from 1959 until 1962. She worked as the Director of Nursing for Atmore Community Hospital and the Alabama State Prison System, Holman and Fountain. She also was employed with The University of South Alabama Burn Unit and at the same time
worked as the Director of Health Services at the Albert P. Brewer Development Center in Mobile, where she retired.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her son, Mark Anthony Carlquist; two brothers, Winston Dorriety and Herston Dorriety, her sister-in-law, Kathy Dorriety and her great niece, Elizabeth Dorriety.
She is survived by her brothers, John (Joyce) Dorriety of Atmore, AL and Roy Dorriety of Attalla, AL; her nieces (girls), Jonice Dorriety Casey, Caroline Prater and Catherine Casey; nephews, great nieces and great nephews, Jimmy Dorriety; John David (Candace) Dorriety; Davison Dorriety and Findley Dorriety; Greg (Donna) Dorriety; Will Dorriety; Allison (Jay) Newman; Miles Newman, Alexander Newman and William Newman; her sister-in-law, Gwen Dorriety and her beloved Stella.
Graveside services were held Wednesday, June 23, 2021, at Oak Hill Cemetery with Father Gordon Milsted officiating.
Interment was at Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore, AL.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Cantonment Homeowner Shoots Suspected Car Thief, Two Others At Large
June 27, 2021
A Cantonment homeowner shot a man trying to steal his car early Sunday morning as two other suspects remained at large.
The homeowner witnessed the suspect, later identified as A’kobie Fountain, taking his vehicle in the 2500 block of Southern Oaks Drive in Cantonment about 3 a.m., according to Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Melanie Peterson.
The homeowner grabbed his gun, ran into the street and confronted the driver. When Fountain got out of the vehicle, the homeowner shot him in the leg, Peterson said.
Fountain was transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries..
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office surrounded the neighborhood in a search with K-9’s for two additional suspects that were believed to have stolen another vehicle. Both remained on the run midday Sunday.
The two suspects were described only as black males.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and are eligible for a cash reward.
Escambia County’s Mobile Command Center Headed To Miami Condo Collapse
June 27, 2021
Escambia County’s Emergency Mobile Command Center, nicknamed “THOR,” is headed to the Miami area for 10 days to assist after the condominium building collapse in Surfside.
The state requested use of the vehicle as a command post to use the search and recovery efforts. One Escambia County employee will accompany the vehicle.
“The situation in which we have to use this resource is very unfortunate,” said Interim Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore. “We are proud to assist our partners in any way we can.”
The THOR command post trailer expands to offer 1,000 square feet of interior working space. It is equipped with a 44-kilowatt generator with 72 hours of fuel onboard, and here are dual 5-ton air conditioning units.
It allows for wireless communications, including cellular, satellite, VOIP phones and radio equipment. It has a 52-foot mast with antennas an high resolutions cameras, a video distribution system for off-air television, satellite television and computer system. There is a four-position communication room and office space with printers, scanners, office supplies, mini-fridge, microwave and a coffee maker.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
