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SBA Disaster Loans Available

Small businesses in the North Escambia area suffering financial losses following the Deepwater BP Spill in the Gulf of Mexico are eligible for low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available immediately in Escambia County, Fla., Escambia County, Ala., and Santa Rosa County to help meet the financial needs of qualifying small businesses following the oil spill.

“SBA is committed to taking every step we can to help small businesses deal with the financial challenges they are facing as a result of the Deepwater BP oil spill,” Administrator Karen Mills said. “These businesses are the foundation of local economies in communities along the Gulf Coast, including those fishermen down the coast who rely on the waters further out for their livelihood, and we know SBA’s economic injury loans can provide the working capital they need to drive economic growth and provide good-paying jobs.”

With the EIDL program, SBA is offering working capital loans up to $2 million at an interest rate of 4 percent with terms up to 30 years. Businesses in designated counties must demonstrate economic injury as part of their loan application. The loans may be used by small businesses that are unable to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. These loans can provide vital economic assistance to fishing and fishing-dependent businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. SBA encourages businesses to also file claims with BP. Borrowers may be required to use any claim payments to help repay these SBA loans.

Eligible small businesses include those engaged in shrimping, crabbing and oyster fishing in the waters affected by the closure (employees or crew members are not small businesses and are not eligible); small businesses dependent on the catching or sale of shrimp, crabs and oysters, suppliers of fishing gear and fuel; docks, boatyards, processors, wholesalers, shippers, retailers and other small businesses dependent on revenue from fishing, recreational and sports fishing small businesses, and coastal small businesses.

Understanding the financial challenges many of these business owners currently face, the SBA is also strongly encouraging its participating 7(a) lenders and Certified Development Companies (CDCs) to consider on a case-by-case basis deferment relief for borrowers with SBA-guaranteed 7(a) loans and 504 loans. Small businesses should call their lenders for information on possible loan deferments.

Small businesses in the area who are repaying SBA disaster loans may also be eligible for a deferment, on a case-by-case basis. For information on seeking a disaster loan deferment, call the SBA’s Disaster Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955.

The SBA will announce the location of several Business Recovery Centers in the affected communities within the next few days. SBA customer service representatives will be available at each center to meet with business owners to answer questions about the disaster loan program, issue applications and help them complete the forms.

Loan information and application forms can also be obtained by either calling SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the hearing impaired), e-mailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.

The declaration covers the primary Florida counties of Bay, Citrus, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gulf, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Levy, Manatee, Okaloosa, Pasco, Pinellas, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Taylor and Walton. The neighboring counties of Alachua, Calhoun, Charlotte, Desoto, Gilchrist, Hardee, Holmes, Jackson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Marion, Polk, Sumter, Wakulla and Washington in the state of Florida; the Alabama counties of Baldwin, Covington, Escambia and Geneva, and the adjacent Georgia counties of Brooks and Thomas are also included in this declaration.

McDavid Man Facing Drug Charges After Pensacola Traffic Stop

A McDavid man is facing a felony drug charge after a traffic stop in Pensacola.

Kyle Steven Hassen, 22, of Cotton Creek Road McDavid, was charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, a third degree felony; and possession of marijuana, a first degree misdemeanor. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on $3,000 bond.

An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy initiated a traffic stop on a 1998 Pontiac on Pine Forest Road just south of I-10 shortly before midnight Thursday. The driver, Brandon McKendrick of Pensacola, gave deputies permission to search the vehicle. A plastic bag with marijuana and a Xanax pill were found under the passenger seat occupied by Hassen, according to the arrest report. Two more Xanax were located in the center console.

Hassen was charged with possessing the drugs because they were under his seat and based upon a statement from McKendrick that the drugs did not belong to him, the report states.  The items will be processed for fingerprints to determine possession, according to the report.

McKendrick was charged with driving with a suspended license.

Unattended Generator Sparks Mobile Home Fire

An unattended generator caused a minor mobile home fire Friday afternoon on North Canoe Road, just off North Century Boulevard.

A small fire was reported about 2:10 p.m. in the outside wall of a double wide mobile home that was being installed. The fire was quickly extinguished when the first firefighters arrived on scene.

Authorities said a man working on the home was using a generator very near an outside wall. The man reportedly left the generator running while he went to a nearby store. The exhaust from the generator melted the home’s vinyl siding and started the minor fire.

There were no injuries and no major damage to the unoccupied home.

The Century, McDavid, Molino and Walnut Hill stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Flomaton Fire Department were dispatched to the incident.

Combined Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day Parade Today

A combined Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day parade will be held Saturday in Atmore.

The parade will honor those that have served, or are serving, in the armed forces.

The parade will form at the Atmore City Hall at 9:30 a.m. and begin at 10 a.m. It will follow a route from Main Street to Heritage Park, turn on Craig Street to Pensacola Avenue to the Atmore Area YMCA where a Memorial Day ceremony will be held about 11 a.m.

Several high school bands and ROTC units will participate, including Northview High and Ernest Ward Middle, and there will be several floats. Veterans are encouraged to wear their uniforms and walk, ride the VFW float or drive their own vehicle in the parade.

The combined parade was scheduled for Saturday, according to organizers, to allow as many people as possible to participate.

Free Health Fair Going On Today In Century

There will be a free Community Health and Resource Fair in Century on this Saturday — and even a free lunch.

Emerald Coast Hospice will sponsor the event from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. A free lunch with Benny Barnes’ famous BBQ from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

The health fair will include free health screenings, numerous vendors and door prizes. It will be held at the Century Community Center at 6001-A Industrial Boulevard (on Highway 4 next to Century Care Center).

Saturday’s Oil Spill Latest Information

Here is the latest Deepwater Horizon oil spill information specific to Escambia County for Saturday, May 15:

• According to the NOAA oil plume model, the oil spill is 80 miles southwest of Pensacola.
• No surface oil is expected on Escambia County shores within the next 72 hours.
• On Thursday, May 13, three, very small, dime sized tar balls were reported by the state in the Perdido Key area. The state reported these tar balls as a very minor incident and could not confirm that they were related to this incident. For more information, please contact the Northwest Florida Department of Environmental Protection Emergency Response at (850) 595-8300.
• Tar balls are fragments or lumps of oil weathered to a semi-sold or solid consistency, feel sticky, and are difficult to remove from contaminated surfaces. If you observe any evidence of oil on Florida’s coastline, report the incident to 1-866-448-5816.
• The Deepwater Horizon Incident Joint Information Center has reported that the half-dozen golf ball size tar balls that washed ashore on Dauphin Island beaches on Saturday, May 8, are believed to be from the Deepwater Horizon spill.
• No information has been provided on the tar balls reported on Gulf Shores beaches and No tar balls have been reported in Escambia County, Florida.

British Petroleum (BP)

• BP has reported 768 claims in the state with $194,000 paid to date to Floridians.
• To better serve our citizens with their claims, BP has moved the claims office to 3960 W. Navy Boulevard, Suite 16. The office is currently open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week, until further notice. Although completely functional, please be patient while the office is being fully developed.
• BP recommends anyone with a claim call 1-800-440-0858 to help expedite the process. By calling the claims number, adjusters at the claims office will have the information prior to your visit.
• The BP community outreach office is still open for citizens at 435 East Government Street. Representatives are available to answer any questions on volunteering, vessels of opportunity program, or any other oil spill related questions. The local phone number is (850) 912-8640 and the fax number is (850) 912-8755.
• The second training class for Vessels of Opportunity was held Tuesday for licensed charter boat captains. To pick up or deliver completed packets, visit BP’s Community Outreach office at 435 East Government Street. For information, call 281-366-5511.
• BP Vessels of Opportunity – see the master vessel charter agreement and vessel requirements checklist online www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com.
• Approximately 175,950 feet of boom has been placed out of the Pensacola and Panama City staging areas in support of Unified Command.
• BP officials request residents be wary of scam artists posing as BP contractors. Do not sign any documents in return from money from BP or anyone else until you know the extent of your loss. BP officials carry proper identification badges or business cards.
• BP does not use contractors to contact or solicit volunteers for cleanup. All training offered by BP is free. There are no fees for classes or registration.
• The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research who is contracted by BP to provide assistance to oiled wildlife. All rehabilitation efforts must be coordinated through the service and Tri-State. Specific safety and other requirements must be met before anyone will be allowed on-site for any participation. If you already have wildlife training, call BP at 1-866-557-1401.

Federal (NOAA)

• NOAA modified and expanded the boundaries of the closed fishing area to better reflect the current location of the oil spill, and extended the fishing restriction until May 17. See details.

State of Florida (DEP, FWC)

• Governor Crist announces U.S. Small Business Administration approval of disaster loan programs for Gulf Coast businesses. Economic Injury Disaster loans can help eligible small businesses meet the necessary financial obligations they could have met, had the disaster not occurred. Interest rates for businesses and small agricultural cooperatives are as low as four percent, and for non-profit organizations rates are as low as three percent, with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition. Loan applications for economic injury can be filed until the close of business on February 14, 2011. In response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Florida is providing video and audio Public Service Announcements. These items, available for download, can be used to educate the public on response, safety, coast watch and beach cleanup. See details.
• Report boom vandalism to the Florida State Warning Point (800) 320-0519 or dial #DEP from your cell phone.
• Governor Crist announced today the activation of the Florida Oil Spill Information line which will serve as another resource to provide Florida residents and visitors with up-to-date information on Florida’s response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The line will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week until further notice.
•   + Florida Oil Spill Information Line – 888-337-3569
• Governor Charlie Crist has issued an executive order creation an Economic Recovery Task Force to facilitate efforts by Florida businesses and industries in recovering from the loss of business and revenues due to the Deepwater Horizon incident.
• A Legal Advisory Council has been established to assess the impact the potential disaster could have on the state.
• DEP Guidelines for Protecting Shoreline from Oil Spill Impacts
•  Homeowners may be able to help prevent oil from reaching private property or damaging sensitive vegetation by utilizing sorbent booms.
•  Booming and alternative absorption measures should be coordinated through Escambia County as incorrect boom placement in navigable waterways can create a serious hazard.
•  Coordination with state and local entities is important to ensure that booming or alternative measures being used do not impede navigation and are not more harmful to the natural environment in the long-run.
•  If a boom is placed by a private citizen, that individual assumes responsibility for the boom, including the chance it could dislodge into the water or be harmful to wildlife.
•  Booms placed by private citizens that become impacted by oil are the responsibility of that individual and require special authorization for removal and proper disposal.
•  Do not place hay bales, sandbags or other unapproved devices along the shoreline, as the overall debris from disposal of such methods would increase and could cause serious long-term damage.
•  Do not attempt to clean impacted beaches or attempt to rescue oiled wildlife. Touching oil is a health risk and disposing of it improperly could cause additional environmental damage.
•  Authorized protective measures should be conducted in a manner that provides protection to, and does not disturb, native vegetation, species and their habitat.
•  Taking or capturing any species, nests or eggs listed as an endangered species is not permitted.
•  For more information on types of protective measures, contact BP’s community information line, 1-866-448-5816.
• The Florida Small Business Development Center Network is part of the state’s EOC Emergency Support Function as a responder for assistance in business recovery. The Mobile Area Commands are fully self-contained and staffed by SBDC Certified Business Analysts experienced in assisting businesses impacted by disasters, including assistance with federal and state disaster loan programs. MACs have been deployed in Escambia County. SBDC staff are meeting with area business leaders and available to provide technical assistance to local businesses. For more information, please visit www.floridasbdc.org/Special Programs/bcrm.asp
• The seafood off Florida’s coast in state waters are safe. There are no health alerts at this time.
• The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has temporarily suspended the restriction on use of purse seines landward of the COLRGEGS demarcation line in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
• Affected businesses should file a claim with BP via the hotline number, 800-440-0858. Additional guidance to help small businesses survive a disaster can be found at www.MyFloridaCFO.com or by calling 850-413-3089 or toll-free 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236).
• The state emergency operations center remains at a level 2 activation.

Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and Staff

• On inland waters (bays, bayous, estuaries, rivers), private property owners may install oil absorbent material, booms or fences on private property above the mean high waterline (MHWL) only. No material may be installed or sprayed below the MHWL.
• On gulf-front property, the use of silt fences, obstructions, hay bales, peat, surfactants or other material is not approved. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is the permitting agency for beaches and coastal systems. No obstructions to sea turtle nesting behavior is allowed.
• If citizens see anything unusual on the beaches they feel needs to be reported:
•  Contact the Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce at 850-492-4660 on Perdido Key
•  Report to the lifeguards on duty on Pensacola Beach
• Deflective boom – large floating barriers that help contain floating oil – has been deployed around sensitive shorelines.
• Boom has been deployed in all locations of the Local Action Plan and Addendum One. Staff continues to evaluate areas and is monitoring all deployed boom.
• To keep waterways open as long as possible, boom will be “wet staged” at some locations. When floating petroleum becomes an imminent threat, boom will be fully deployed. “Fully deployed boom” is described as boom anchored into a functional configuration.
• Environmental staff completed collecting sediment, water and oyster tissue samples and have sent them to a lab for analysis. Staff also completed pre-assessments on air quality.
• Escambia County is evaluating several operational options from contractors for coastal protection and recovery. The county is considering every viable proposal, coordinating with Unified Command and will share information as it is approved.
• A PowerPoint of oil spill response strategies is posted at www.escambiadisasterresponse.com.
• Pteropods, also known as the sea butterfly, have been reported washing ashore on gulf beaches. Pteropods are small, basically clear and sharply pointed larval snails. Although they are fairly sharp, they do not pose a threat to people. They are naturally occurring and not washing ashore due to anything oil-related.
• Residents and business owners with water access on their property should have pre-assessments prepared (photos, video, etc. documenting the current condition of the property).
• The brown foam seen on the beaches recently is not associated with the oil spill. This is a common natural occurrence, especially in the spring, when fish are spawning and there are hard winds, rain, and wave action.
• The EOC remains at level 2 activation. This is a minimal activation with only specifically involved agencies. Meetings of all essential local emergency support agencies are held daily.

Local Beaches

• Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key remain open. The water is clear and air quality is good.
• SRIA lifeguards continue patrolling beaches for oil from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• In the event beaches are impacted by the oil spill, it may be necessary to issue health advisories to protect health and safety.
•  The Florida Department of Health will issue advisories as they become necessary for the area of affected water and shoreline.
•  Beaches above the high tide line should remain open for sunbathing, walking, shopping and restaurants.
•  The exact area for the advisories will be determined at the time oil is reported.

City of Pensacola

• The City of Pensacola continues to coordinate with Escambia County officials.

Training Opportunities

• PEC Premier, a BP contractor, will begin free six-hour para-professional training classes in Pensacola on May 17. This is not volunteer training. This course is not a guarantee of employment, but provides credentials needed to be hired for spill cleanup work by BP contractors.
•  See the class schedule.
•  E-mail horizonresponse@pecpremier.com to register.
• The county has offered free volunteer orientation training for more than 900 citizens. If you completed the county’s training, your contact information has forwarded to the appropriate volunteer organizations. As the need for volunteers arises, you will be contacted.
• If you would like to be considered for future volunteer opportunities, contact the BP volunteer hotline at 1-866-448-5816.
• The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has determined volunteers cannot be used in any situation where they may come in contact with oiled shorelines or oiled wildlife.

Safety Information

• If you see a tar ball on the beach, DO NOT PICK IT UP. Report it to 1-866-448-5816.

Wildlife

• Do not attempt to rescue oiled or injured birds or wildlife. Doing so can cause additional injuries.
• If oiled, injured or dead wildlife are found, call the Oiled Wildlife Hotline at 1-866-557-1401. Please provide location of where the wildlife was sighted.
• Remember that May is the hatching season for many birds and reptiles.

Boats

• Boats should keep a safe distance from the booms. Do not drive boats over booms.
• Boat owners are urged to dry-dock boats.
• Do not drive your boat through slicks or sheens.

Beaches and Waterways

• Citizens should take precautions around waterways to avoid contact with oil substances.
• Officials are closely monitoring potential public health and environmental concerns.

Personal Safety (if areas are affected by oil)

• Avoid areas where oil can be seen or smelled. If you see or smell oil, leave immediately.
• Avoid direct skin contact with oil, oil-contaminated water and sediments.
• Do not swim or ski in areas affected by the oil spill, and if you travel through the area by boat, take precautions when hoisting the boat anchor. If you get oil on your skin, wash it off immediately with soap and water.
• Do not fish in the oil spill-affected waters.
• Do not harvest and eat dead fish, fish with oily residue or fish that have a petroleum odor.
• Young children, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems, and individuals with underlying respiratory conditions should avoid the area.
• Restrict pets from entering oil-contaminated areas.
• Those near Florida’s Gulf Coast may detect an odor because of the oil spill. Some people are more sensitive to these odors and may experience nasal irritation and feelings of nausea. In combination with seasonal allergies, such as sensitivity to pollen or pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma, some people may experience more severe symptoms.
• Individuals who have pre-existing medical conditions, such as asthma or other respiratory illness should contact their health care provider if feeling symptomatic.
• Report oiled shorelines to 1-866-448-5816.

Business Information

• Florida emergency management and economic development staff are gathering information from businesses impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Please complete their survey and help shape Florida’s response to this event. The survey will be updated periodically, so please check back, as your specific situation and information may change with time.
• BP has established a claim system and toll free number, 1-800-440-0858. This system will allow people to begin the process to recover lost income or recoup damage-related expenses.
• If you are not satisfied with BP’s resolution, call the Coast Guard at 1-800-280-7118.
• More information about what types of damages are eligible for compensation under the Oil Pollution Act as well as guidance on procedures to seek that compensation can be found at www.uscg.mil/npfc.
• Take detailed records of cancelled reservations. It is important that when these cancellations occur, the canceling party is questioned whether the cause is because of the oil spill. If the answer is yes, keep a record of the person’s name and contact information, and also the revenues lost as a result of the cancellation.
• Businesses, including shops, restaurants, sport fishing charters, watersports rental companies, etc. that may be negatively impacted, are asked to keep detailed profit and loss records should a claim need to be presented.
• Calculate estimated losses for a six-week period and be able to provide records, sales receipts and documentation to support your claim. One good option is to compare business to a five-year average of revenues between May and June, which can offer insight as to the damages incurred.
• Make a detailed list of assets, including non-structural, and include appropriate records to support the list. Example: if your hotel or restaurant is within walking distance to the beach and that beach has oil reach its shores, the business’s assets could be damaged even though there is no physical damage to the structure. It is important to record this depreciation.
• To register as a consultant, contractor, vendor or submit information on alternative response technology, services products or suggestions, call BP at 281-366-5511.

Citizen Information

• The Citizen Information Center line remains open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 850-471-6600.
• Florida Oil Spill Information Line is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week, 1-888-337-3569.

Unusual And Entertaining Sights Found In Local Oak Trees

Local oak trees are putting on a show this year. Loaded with thousands of flower tassels or catkins, some say that the pollen is as bad as they have seen. Look closely however, and you’ll see more than just a pollen-laden tree.

Green acrobatic caterpillars

If you’ve been walking or raking under local oaks, then you’ve probably noticed the small green caterpillars performing acrobatic moves on thin whips of silken thread. If you haven’t noticed them, then probably someone has had to pick a caterpillar off your shirt or out of your hair.

Hundreds of these little caterpillars are hanging from panhandle oaks. What are they? While many will call them inchworms after their characteristic looping gait, they are technically called oak leafrollers.

Oak leafrollers are the larval forms of an earthy-colored moth. The moth lays masses of 40 to 50 eggs at the base of large branches and rough bark patches on both tree trunks and limbs. These eggs begin hatching in early spring and the caterpillars begin eating the leaves.

While they can eat an abundance of oak leaves, don’t worry. A little defoliation will not seriously harm a large oak tree.

Galls galore

Abnormally large round growths can be seen on many leaves of local oaks. These swellings are known as galls. While a variety of living organisms, including insects, mites, bacteria, and fungi are capable of causing galls, oak galls are typically caused by insects called gall wasps.

The tiny gall wasp begins the gall making process in early spring by piercing a selected tree part with its egg laying device and depositing an egg inside the plant tissue. Fluids deposited with the egg cause the plant cell multiplication process to begin. The larva that hatches from the egg produces additional substances that maintain and control cell division. The larva develops within a cavity inside the gall, feeding on material produced in the cavity lining. At maturity, the larva transforms into a pupa, and later becomes an adult that chews its way out of the gall. By causing the tree to form a gall, the gall wasp has provided food and shelter for its offspring.

Most galls are not harmful to oak trees. A healthy tree can support numerous galls without being seriously harmed.

Blisters erupt

If the caterpillars and gall wasps aren’t enough, a disease is also causing some unattractive leaves on local oaks.

Oak leaf blister is caused by a fungus. Early in the spring as leaves begin to expand, the fungus causes small, rough (concave, convex) spots. Gradually, the spots thicken and become pale green in color. Older spots are generally brown to greenish brown. Several blisters may merge, forcing the leaf to curl and can cause premature defoliation.

Because the oak leaf blister does not seriously affect the overall health of the tree, chemical control measures are usually not recommended. Collecting and disposing of the leaves as they drop may be of some benefit in reducing the inoculum for the following spring.

Local oaks are offering several interesting sights. All of the above issues will typically only cause leaves to look strange or unattractive. The trees themselves are not usually harmed by these strange and entertaining sights.

For more information, contact Theresa Friday at 850-623-3868 or email tlfriday@ufl.edu.  Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.

Courtesy photos by Theresa Friday for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

NorthEscambia.com Photos: The Final Launch Of Space Shuttle Atlantis

Space shuttle Atlantis launched Friday afternoon on its final planned mission.

The STS-132 launch  put Atlantis in pursuit of its target, the International Space Station. Atlantis lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center right on time at 2:20 p.m. EDT, rising into a picture-perfect Florida sky and capping a relatively problem-free countdown.

“It was an amazing experience,” said Melissa Aiken Rawson of Cantonment who took the photos on this page for NorthEscambia.com. “It was great to be a part of that history.”

“Launch was just phenomenal,” said Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier during a postlaunch news conference. He cited the launch and processing teams’ hard work in preparing Atlantis for liftoff, even with a tighter timeframe after the vehicle’s rollout to Launch Pad 39A was delayed in late April due to weather.

“The teams stayed focused, they kept moving forward and they just did a great job,” Gerstenmaier added. “The vehicle looks like it’s in really good shape. We’re ready to go do the very challenging mission in front of us.”

Atlantis’ on-time liftoff followed a countdown remarkably free of problems. A small stress fracture spotted on an umbilical strut during the vehicle’s final inspection is not unusual, according to Mike Moses, chair of the prelaunch Mission Management Team. Moses also mentioned an issue that was brought up during the countdown’s final hold, concerning a ball bearing found days earlier in the shuttle’s payload bay. The bearing was determined to likely be a part of a camera system, and was ultimately ruled out as a concern.

And although weather is a frequent prelaunch topic at the Florida launch site, the day started out with a 70 percent “go” forecast, which improved to 90 percent “go” by launch time.

“It was a great launch today,” said Launch Director Mike Leinbach. “I’m very, very proud of the team. It’s the start of a good mission.

During the 12-day flight, Atlantis and six astronauts will fly to the International Space Station, leaving behind a Russian Mini Research Module, a set of batteries for the station’s truss and dish antenna, along with other replacement parts. Atlantis’ 32nd flight is scheduled to last 12 days and include three spacewalks and extensive robotics work.

Saturday, the six astronauts will survey the shuttle’s heat shield, checkout the spacesuits for the upcoming spacewalks and prepare for docking to the International Space Station on Sunday.

NASA astronaut Ken Ham commands an all-veteran flight crew: Pilot Tony Antonelli, and Mission Specialists Michael Good, Garrett Reisman, Piers Sellers and Steve Bowen.

Pictured top and inset: The final flight of space shuttle Atlantis lifts off from Kennedy Space Center Friday afternoon. Pictured below: The crew of STS-132 as they head toward the launch pad. NorthEscambia.com photos by Melissa Aiken Rawson, click to enlarge.

Jay Royals Win Regionals; Headed To State Final Four

The Jay Royals beat the Port St. Joe Sharks 15-7  Friday night for the Region 1-2A championship and a trip to the state final four.

Hunter Boutwell, Hunter Brown, Sawyer Gandy and Rush Hendricks all scored in the first four, with the Royals and the Sharks 4-4 in the bottom of the fourth. Port St. Joe managed to take a 6-4 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth. But the Royals rallied with a big three run, in-the-park homer from Kevin Stanton for a 7-6 Jay lead.

The Sharks managed a run in the top of the sixth to tie the ballgame 7-7. But the bottom of the sixth was all Jay as the Royals added eight runs for their 15-7 win. Overall, the Royals scored 15 runs on nine hits and committed just six errors.

Hunter Brown (8-4) took the win on the mound for the Royals. He pitched seven innings, allowing four hits, walking seven and striking out five.

Hitters for Jay included:  Hunter Boutwell 2-5, two doubles and one RBI; Hunter Brown 2-4, two doubles and two RBI’s; Rush Hendricks 2-4 with one RBI; Kevin Stanton 2-3, with three RBI’s; and Sawyer Gandy 1-2.

Friday night’s win sends the Royals to their second final four game in the last three years. The Florida High School Athletic Association State 2A Semifinals begin Monday, May 24 at Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie with the Jay Royals taking on Shorecrest Prep.

Port St. Joe had a dismal start to their season at 0-5, but then won 18 of their last 22 for a 18-9 record headed into Friday night’s game. The Royals were 17-7, coming off a 1-0 Regional win over the Northview Chiefs.

Pictured top:  Hunter Boutwell steps up the plate for the Royals. Pictured inset:  Hunter Brown up to bat. Photos courtesy WEAR TV for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Jay Man Seriously Injured In Highway 29 Crash (With Photo Gallery)

A Jay man was seriously injured in a two vehicle accident Friday afternoon in Century.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Harold Stewart, 67, of Jay, was southbound on North Century Boulevard at 2:35 p.m. when he turned across oncoming traffic toward East Highway 4. His 1991 Dodge Dakota was struck by a 2004 Chevrolet pickup driven by James T. Wampol, 54, of Wetumpka, Ala. Both drivers were wearing the seat belts.

Stewart was transported by LifeFlight helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola in serious condition.

According to the FHP, Stewart was charged with violation of right of way.

The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the wreck.

For a photo gallery from the scene, click here. Pictured: A Jay man, the driver of the gray pickup on the right, was transported in serious condition to Sacred Heart Hospital by LifeFlight following a Friday afternoon wreck in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

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