Escambia Sheriff’s Deputy And Mechanic Honored For Hurricane Sally Flood Rescues In Bristol Park
November 3, 2020
Attorney General Ashley Moody has presented Back the Blue Awards to Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Captain Jeremy Small and mechanic Chris Leverett for their efforts in rescuing nearly 120 people from Hurricane Sally flooding in Bristol Park.
Small responded to an emergency call to assist a family that had fled to the roof of their home to avoid the rapidly rising flood waters, and Leverett assisted.
Small and Leverette responded in the Sheriff’s Office high water rescue vehicle. While traveling to the Bristol Park Subdivision, they encountered multiple hazards including partially downed power lines, trees across the roadway, and an occupied vehicle that was stuck in rising water. As they approached the bridge that spans over Eleven Mile Creek, the bridge was not visible due to rising water rapidly flowing over it.
At Bristol Park, Small and Leverette were met with downed trees and a rapidly flowing current that was four-foot-deep and flowing through residences within the neighborhood. Small and Leverette immediately began assisting families from their homes. During these rescues, Leverette lost his footing, and the current caused him to fall backwards, and pulled him under for a few tense seconds. Leverette was ultimately able to make it back to the truck.
Small and Leverette located a tow strap and a floating kayak, and used these items to assist with continued rescues within the subdivision.
During the course of their rescues, Small and Leverette encountered a family of five that were already in a boat. The family was contemplating using the boat to escape the rapidly rising waters. They assisted the family into the high-water rescue vehicle. The high-water rescue vehicle was full to capacity and they decided to take the flood victims to higher ground so that additional families could be rescued.
Their vehicle suddenly became inoperable. As time passed, the rapidly flowing water continued to rise, to the point that it was entering the cab of their vehicle. At that moment, there was a deep concern for the safety of the families they had just rescued. Fearing that the water may continue to rise, coupled with the fact that there were no other rescue personnel on scene, a decision was made to use the boat to get the flood victims to higher ground.
Small used a kayak as a makeshift bridge to get to the roof of an SUV, where he jumped to another vehicle, and ultimately waded through chest deep water to retrieve the boat. Small maneuvered the boat off the trailer and navigated his way to the high-water rescue vehicle. They began loading the flood victims onto the boat, while fighting fierce winds, heavy rain, and a racing current. All the flood victims were eventually removed from the high-water rescue vehicle and transported to higher ground. They continued using the boat to make multiple rescues within the subdivision throughout the morning.
“Thank you, Captain Jeremy Small and Chris Leverett, for your courageous efforts, risking your own lives to save the lives of others. Capt. Small is a shining example of what it means to be a Florida law enforcement officer, putting service over self to protect your community. Mr. Leverett also showed true courage in the face of danger volunteering to assist on this dangerous job and backed the blue by supporting law enforcement in this rescue mission,” Moody said.
“I am incredibly proud of Capt. Small, Mr. Leverett and the good Samaritan who offered his boat to carry nearly 120 people to safety as Hurricane Sally ravaged the panhandle. This story has many heroes and is a testament to the strength, resiliency and sense of community shared among the people of this great state. No matter what challenges we may face, I know Floridians can weather any storm when we come together,” the attorney general continued.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also awarded the Medal of Courage and Life Saving Award to Small, and the Civilian Service Medal to Leverett.
Sheriff David Morgan said, “The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is honored that Attorney General Moody would recognize the heroic actions of Captain Jeremy Small and Chris Leverett. Their actions responding in the midst of Hurricane Sally are only indicative of the courage of all the men and women at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.”
Blue Angels Local Flyover Wednesday To Be The Last Before Transition To Super Hornets
November 3, 2020
The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, will conduct a final flight on the F/A-18 A/B/C/D “Legacy” Hornets on Wednesday from 4-4:30 p.m. over parts of Escambia, Santa Rosa and Baldwin counties.
The final flight of the Legacy Hornets signifies the official transition of the Blue Angels to the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet platform.
The final flight will take-off and land at NAS Pensacola and will last about 30 minutes. Flyover locations (map below) include, but are not limited to:
- Ferry Pass
- Pensacola Beach
- Perdido Key
- Community Maritime Park
- Palafox Street in downtown Pensacola
- Navarre Beach
- Orange Beach
- Gulf Shores
- Fort Morgan
The Blue Angels will be visible from many locations throughout the Pensacola area and along this route.
“We are incredibly honored to have the opportunity to salute those teams who have flown, maintained and supported this platform for over three decades of service,” said Cmdr. Brian Kesselring, U.S. Navy Blue Angels commanding officer and flight leader. “We deeply appreciate the expertise and operational knowledge Blue Angels past and present have brought to the team and we look forward to enhancing our operations as we fully transition to flying the Super Hornet.”
The 2020 show season marked the end of the service life of the aircraft the team has flown for 34 years. The 2021 show season will be the Blue Angels’ first year flying the Super Hornet platform as well as the 75th anniversary of the team.
“Undoubtedly, 2020 presented the team with unprecedented challenges. That said, the unique nature of this year also allowed our team to deepen our interaction with past teams, in particular, those teams that transitioned to new aircraft during their tenure,” said Kesselring. “This engagement has helped us lay the foundation for a safe and effective transition for our team’s pilots, support, and maintenance personnel as well as postured us to take on the high operating tempo of the team’s highly anticipated 2021 air show season and 75th anniversary.”
The Blue Angels are scheduled to begin their winter training syllabus over NAS Pensacola beginning Nov. 16. The team will return to its winter training facilities in El Centro, CA in January. Training will continue through April in preparation for the 2021 show season
Since 1946, the Blue Angels have performed for more than 500 million fans.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge. Click map below for a larger version.
Ronald Peebles Sworn In As Atmore Fire Chief
November 3, 2020
Ronald Peebles was sworn in as chief of the Atmore Fire Department Monday afternoon.
Peebles, a resident of Bratt, had served as acting fire chief since July 2015.
He was promoted from captain to acting fire chief after the retirement of then chief Gerry McGhee. Peebles has served with the Atmore Fire Department for about 20 years.
Pictured: Ronald Peebles was sworn in as Atmore fire chief Monday afternoon. He had served as acting chief since 2015. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Elementary Names Students Of The Month
November 3, 2020
Jim Allen Elementary School has named their Students of the Month for September. They are Jordan Everett (pictured left) and Haylee Everett. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FEMA Mobile Assistance Centers Now Offer Document Scanning For Applicants
November 3, 2020
FEMA mobile registration centers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties will provide additional services to Hurricane Sally survivors, allowing them to have supporting documents scanned into their records.
Survivors who have been asked by FEMA to provide additional documentation should read their FEMA letter carefully and make sure they have everything they need when they arrive at the centers. Applicants do not have to visit a center to submit documents to FEMA – they can mail, fax or submit documents online as well. Information on these options can be found in their FEMA letter.
FEMA mobile centers offering registration and document scanning are located at:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Escambia County Equestrian Center
7750 Mobile Highway
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Document scanning: Nov. 2-14
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Gulf Breeze Community Center
800 Shoreline Drive, Gulf Breeze
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Closed Nov. 3 (election polling site)
Document scanning: Nov. 2, Nov. 4-14
Pensacola State College
5988 U.S. 90, Milton, FL
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Document scanning: Nov. 2-14
The centers operate under COVID-19 protocols to ensure visitors and FEMA personnel are safe. Distancing and face coverings are required.
It is not necessary to visit a center to register with FEMA. Disaster survivors with uninsured losses can also apply by:
- Visiting DisasterAssistance.gov;
- Downloading the FEMA App; or by
- Calling 800-621-3362 (800-462-7585 TTY). Multilingual operators are available. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week.
The deadline to register is December 1.
One Month Remaining To Apply For Hurricane Sally FEMA Assistance
November 2, 2020
Florida Panhandle residents who have uninsured losses resulting from Hurricane Sally have until December 1 to register with FEMA for disaster assistance. One month after residents in five counties became eligible for federal disaster assistance, more than $94 million has been approved in federal grants, loans and flood insurance payments.
As of October 29:
- FEMA has approved $19.2 million to 4,554 individuals and households.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved $25.9 million in disaster loans for 653 homeowners, renters and businesses.
- The National Flood Insurance Program has received 4,383 claims and paid $49.7 million.
December 1 is also is the deadline to apply to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for low-interest disaster loans for physical property damage. The deadline for working capital applications is July 2, 2021.
Cantonment Man Charged With Burglary After Hurricane Sally
November 2, 2020
A Cantonment man has been charged with burglarizing storage building after hurricane Sally.
Jacob Dakota Boswell, 24, was charged with felony burglary and petit theft.
Boswell allegedly took items including a welder, air powered tools, side grinders, electric wrench, drill and a torch with hoses from a detached storage shed on River Annex Road. Boswell then tried to sell some of the items to a neighbor, admitting that he took them, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report.
Boswell then returned some of the items to the owner, saying he had found them, the report continues.
When approached by deputies, Boswell said the victims’ grandson and he had a “worked out a deal” about getting a torch and hoses, the report says. Boswell says a few days after Sally, he saw the victims’ garage door open and went inside to take the items because of his arrangement with their grandson.
The victim told deputies there was not any agreement made.
Boswell remained in the Escambia County Jail Monday morning with bond set at $7,000.
Stefani Road Speed Limit Lowered North Of 10 Mile Road
November 2, 2020
The Escambia County Commission has lowered the speed limit on a portion of Stefani Road.
The commission voted to lower the 40 mph speed limit to 35 mph on Stefani Road from West 10 Mile Road to West Roberts Road. The change was made after complaints from residents and subsequent studies.
The change created a consistent speed limit on Stefani Road in a residential community. The speed limit on Stefani Road south of West Roberts Road was already 35 mph.
Pictured: The speed limit was already 35 mph on Stefani Road south of 10 Mile Road, such here just south of 9 1/2 Mile Road. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
EREC Crews, Fresh Off Local Power Restoration, Head To Mississippi To Help With Hurricane Recovery
November 2, 2020
Fresh off power restoration at home, line crews from Escambia River Electric Cooperative are working to restore power in coastal Mississippi following Hurricane Zeta.
The EREC crews are assisting Coast Electric Power Association in Gulfport.
Zeta left 65,000 of Coast EPA’s 83,000 members without power.
“Our cooperative finished power restoration to our membership on Friday following Hurricane Zeta,” said CEO Ryan Campbell. “But we have fellow cooperatives still working to rebuild their damaged power systems. Once our linemen had a chance to rest from working around the clock restoring power to our members, they volunteered to go help fellow cooperatives hit by this devastating storm.”
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gas Prices Decline To Lowest Level Since June, AAA Says
November 2, 2020
The statewide average gas price in Florida is at its lowest level since June, according to AAA.
The state average dropped 4 cents last week to an average price of $2.05 per gallon. Gas prices are on a 29-day streak of declines, and It appears that trend will continue this week.
The state average is 41 cents less than this time last year, and 15 cents less than what the price was on the last presidential election in 2016.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County Sunday night was above the state average at $2.09. The lowest price to be found Sunday night in cantonment was $2.05 on Muscogee Road, while two Pensacola stations bottomed out at $1.83.
Crude oil prices are tumbling - dropping 10% last week and another 3% overnight. The market is concerned that global fuel demand will continue to struggle thanks to rising COVID-19 cases both domestic and abroad.
“Gas prices are declining as Floridians prepare to drive to the polls this Tuesday,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Although drivers in some metro areas are already paying sub-$2 gas prices, the latest round of crude price drops could drag the state average below $2 for the first time since early June. The state average could eventually sink to $1.90 per gallon, unless wholesale gasoline prices recover.”