Rescue Clear: Escambia Emergency Dispatcher Retires After 30 Years
August 10, 2019
A voice that has been on the other end of 911 in Escambia County for 30 years retired Friday afternoon.
William “Bill” Jordan has answered and dispatched thousands upon thousands of 911 calls in Escambia County.
His three decades of service was to come to an end with one last radio call. He turned to the microphone and paused. Then he turned his head way, laughed and turned back to the microphone.
“This is Escambia County Fire Rescue Communications Center, Pensacola, Florida. The following dispatcher is out of service. 2826 (his radio number). Clear, Rescue clear at at 16:57.”
He leaned back in his chair. “Alright,” he said with a sigh. Three decades were over. So he thought.
“Squad 3 Escambia.”
“Squad 3,” Bill answered.
“Godspeed.”
He stood up, walked away and then turned to look back at the dispatch desk. And the radio calls kept coming from fire stations across the county.
“Ladder 13 Escambia.”
“Ladder 13,” he replied.
“Good luck. Thank you for your service.”
Engine 17. Ladder 13. Engine 14. The radio calls continued with best wishes.
“I really wasn’t expecting all this,” he said to those in the dispatch center.
“1803 Escambia.”
“1803?”
“Thank you for you service. Enjoy your retirement sir.”
“901 Escambia.”
“All units standby,” Bill said. He looks at the dispatch computer. A structure fire call on Creighton Road was coming in.
“Let’s do it,” Bill said as he hit the dispatch tones that alerts fire stations needed for the call. Like a ship’s captain at the helm, he settled into his chair, and soon begin to dispatch fire engines to the fire.
“….commercial structure fire,” Bill said as he went back work serving Escambia County’s citizens.
Pictured top: William “Bill” Jordan on his last shift, ending a 30-year career as an Escambia County dispatcher. Pictured inset: Bill reacts as he signs off the last time. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Smokey Bear Celebrates 75th Birthday
August 10, 2019
Friday, the Florida Forest Service joined the nation in celebrating 75 years of Smokey Bear, the face of the longest-running public service advertising campaign in United States history, continuing his legacy of bringing awareness to unwanted, human-caused fires.
“Wildfire prevention remains one of the most critical issues in our state,” said Jim Karels, state forester and director of the Florida Forest Service. “Florida’s climate creates a unique challenge for our year-round wildfire season, making it imperative for us to educate Floridians and visitors alike on the importance of Smokey Bear’s message.”
Smokey Bear’s wildfire prevention campaign has had a dramatic impact since its introduction in 1944. Progress continues today with an approximate 14 percent reduction in the average number of human-caused wildfires from 2011-2018, compared to the previous 10 years.
While his work has been successful, more than 75% of all wildfires in Florida are caused by human carelessness, which means Smokey’s message remains relevant. Since January, the Florida Forest Service has responded to 1,295 wildfires that have burned over 87,200 acres in our state.
Pictured: A 75th birthday party for Smokey Bear Friday at the Blackwater Forestry Center. Escambia County is part of the Blackwater district. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton PD: Two Arrested With Spice During Warrant Service
August 10, 2019
The Flomaton Police Department on Friday reported the arrest of two people on spice-related charges.
Flomaton Police completed several warrant executions from the Flomaton Municipal Court Thursday night.
The department said as a failure to appear warrant was served on Jonathon Rabon of Flomaton, they discovered he and 30-year old Nakisha Hadley were in possession of synthetic cannabinoids, commonly known as spice, and drug paraphernalia.
Both were charged and booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center.
Photos: Flomaton Police Department.
Escambia Man Gets Life In Prison For Tying Up Woman, Cutting Her Throat
August 10, 2019
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to life in prison for tying up a woman and cutting her throat.
Michael Wade Locke was sentenced by Judge Shackelford to life in prison. He qualified for an enhanced sentence as a prison releasee reoffender, habitual violent felony offender, and a habitual felony offender.
Michael Wade Locke previously entered a no contest plea last month to the charges of attempted second degree murder with a weapon, aggravated battery with permanent disfigurement with a weapon, robbery with a deadly weapon, tampering with a victim involving the investigation or prosecution of a first degree felony, false imprisonment and grand theft auto.
The charges involved an incident which occurred on October 10, 2018. Locke went to victim’s residence and an argument began. Locke then pushed the victim into her closet and punched her in the mouth. He then proceeded to cut the victim’s throat at least two times.
He also tied the victim’s hands and feet behind her back with a belt and cords from a hairdryer and straightener. Locke took cash, a cell phone, and vehicle keys belonging to the victim from her purse.
Locke then locked the house and fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle. Law enforcement responded to a 911 call that there was a woman yelling for help. Law enforcement located the victim bound and bleeding heavily from lacerations to her neck. She identified Michael Locke as her attacker. The victim was rushed to Baptist Hospital and she was treated for her injuries.
Later that same night, law enforcement responded to a burglary in progress and found Michael Wade Locke present with the victim’s stolen vehicle. Locke was taken into custody and was in possession of a black folding pocket knife. Later testing revealed that this knife contained the victim’s DNA on the blade.
Locke’s prior criminal record included multiple felony convictions and prison sentences which ultimately led to the enhanced sentence by Judge Shackelford.
Weekend Gardening: August To Do List
August 10, 2019
Here are gardening tips for the month of August from the UF/IFAS Extension program:
What to Plant
- Bedding Plants: The hottest days of summer limit planting now to heat tolerant vinca, gaillardia, bulbine, and coleus.
- Bulbs:Aztec lily, butterfly lily, walking iris, and spider lily can be planted any time of the year, even late summer.
- Herbs: Herbs that can be planted from plants (not seeds) include bay laurel, ginger,Mexican tarragon, and rosemary.
- Vegetables: This month starts the fall planting season. Many cool season crops can be planted now, including a final crop of warm-season vegetables such as pepper. Tomato can be planted for the fall garden.
- Lawn problems: Damaged areas can be the result of insects, disease, or irrigation problems. Be sure to determine the cause so the proper remedy is used. Use a sharp mower blade and only remove 1/3 of grass blade to reduce stress on the lawn.
- Palms: If older fronds are yellowing, you may have a magnesium or potassium deficiency. Apply an appropriate palm fertilizer.
- Poinsettias: Pinch back poinsettias and mums before the end of the month to allow time for buds to form for winter bloom.
- Ornamental Plants: Rapid growth and leaching rains may result in nutrient deficiencies in some plants. Fertilize those plants that show signs of deficiencies.
- Bedding Plants: Remove spent blooms, cut back, and fertilize flowering annuals and perennials to extend the bloom season into the fall months.
- Adjust irrigation based on rainfall.
- Deadhead flowers to encourage new blooms.
- Monitor the garden for insects and disease.
- Plant trees, shrubs, and perennials and water until established.
Fuel Tanks At Old School Being Removed; Groundwater Monitoring Well To Be Installed
August 9, 2019
A groundwater monitoring well will be installed and two old fuel tanks removed from the site of a former school bus fueling area in Century using grant dollars.
The property, about one-third of an acre in size, is located directly off Hecker Road, at the southeastern entrance to the former Century High School. The small parcel is still owned by the Escambia County School District.
Ground penetrating radar has been used to locate the underground fuel tanks. A small building on the site will be demolished. A diesel pump located inside the building will be removed and donated to the Alger Sullivan Historical Society
A groundwater monitoring well will be installed in the right of way along Hecker Road just outside the property.
“We have residents that still have well water,” said town council member Ben Boutwell, who said the monitoring well is an important step.
Town Planner Debbie Nickeles said all of the testing on the property so far has come back clean, and monitoring well will make sure no contaminants are outside the property.
The environmental site assessment is being funded with a 2016 EPA Brownfields Assessment grant the town received in 2016.
NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Selects OLF-8 Master Plan Design Firm
August 9, 2019
The Escambia County Commission on Thursday chose a design firm to create the master plan for the OLF-8 site on Nine Mile Road.
The commission voted to select DPZ CoDESIGN of Miami from a list of three previously ranked firms.
DPZ CoDESIGN’s accomplishments include the Perdido Key Corridor Master Plan, Pensacola Community Redevelopment Area Form Based Code, the Orange County Code and Comprehensive Plan, Reinvent Phoenix (AZ), Seaside in Fort Walton, and the Southtowne Apartments in Pensacola.
Escambia County has advertised an associated project manager position for the project that is expected to be on board in about a month.
In January Escambia County acquired the 636 acre OLF-8 in a land swap with the U.S. Navy for property in Santa Rosa County. The land exchange provided Escambia County with property that can accommodate a wide variety of residential and light industrial development options.
The other two design firm finalists were Associated Space Design dba ASD|SKY of Atlanta and the Pensacola office of Atkins North America.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Tate Aggies Hold Chowdown; Announce Crimson And Blue Bowl
August 9, 2019
Over 300 people attended the Tate Football Chowdown Thursday night.
Football players and their families enjoyed a meal provided by the Church of Christ at Milestone as head coach Jay Lindsey previewed the upcoming season.
The Crimson and Blue Bowl was announced for October 5. It will be a big rivalry game between the Cantonment Cowboys and the Ensley Chiefs in Pete Gindl Stadium.
It was also announced that “53″ Aggie Strong shirts honoring Sean Banks will be sold in the Aggie Shack during games. Proceeds will benefit a football scholarship.
Pictures: Scenes from the Tate Aggie Chowdown Thursday night. Photos by Jennifer Repine for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sex Offender Compliance Operation Conducted In Escambia County, AL
August 9, 2019
Federal, state and local law enforcement teamed up this week for “Operation Summer Sweep” — compliance checks on registered sex offenders in Escambia County, Alabama
Operation Summer Sweep was a joint operation conducted by the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office to verify all registered sex offenders within the county.
Over a three-day period beginning Monday, about 30 law enforcement officers checked the compliance of 97 sex offenders identified as living in Escambia County, Alabama, with the Sex Offender Registration Act, and officers assessed each offender’s possibility of becoming a reoffender. There were no arrests, according to Sheriff Heath Jackson.
The Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office was joined by the U.S. Marshals Southern District of Alabama, Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles, Atmore Police Department, Brewton Police Department, East Brewton Police Department, Flomaton Police Department and Escambia County (AL) Community Corrections.
To search the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency sex offender database, click here.
NOAA Increases Chance For Above Normal Hurricane Season
August 9, 2019
NOAA says conditions are now more favorable for above-normal hurricane activity since El Nino has now ended. Two named storms have formed so far this year and the peak months of the hurricane season, August through October, are now underway.
Seasonal forecasters with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center have increased the likelihood of an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season to 45% (up from 30% from the outlook issued in May). The likelihood of near-normal activity is now at 35%, and the chance of below-normal activity has dropped to 20%.
The number of predicted storms is also greater with NOAA now expecting 10-17 named storms (winds of 39 mph or greater), of which 5-9 will become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or greater), including 2-4 major hurricanes (winds of 111 mph or greater). This updated outlook is for the entire six-month hurricane season, which ends Nov. 30.
NOAA is also announcing today that the current El Nino in the Pacific Ocean has ended and neutral conditions have returned. “El Nino typically suppresses Atlantic hurricane activity but now that it’s gone, we could see a busier season ahead,” said Gerry Bell, Ph.D., lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. “This evolution, combined with the more conducive conditions associated with the ongoing high-activity era for Atlantic hurricanes that began in 1995, increases the likelihood of above-normal activity this year.”
On average, the Atlantic hurricane season produces 12 named storms, of which six become hurricanes, including three major hurricanes. NOAA’s hurricane season outlook is for overall seasonal activity and is not a landfall forecast. Landfalls are largely determined by short-term weather patterns, which are only predictable within about a week of a storm potentially reaching a coastline.