Final BP Claims Protocols Released After Deluge Of Last Minute Filings
November 25, 2010
BP claims administrator Ken Feinberg on Wednesday released the set of protocols for final payment of damages following a deluge of last-minute emergency claims that came in prior to the November 23 deadline.
Saying that the Gulf Coast Claims Facility has already paid $2 billion to 125,000 recipients of emergency claims, Feinberg said the rush of last-minute requests will take until Dec. 15 to process. After that, the facility will turn its attention to making final payments from the $20 billion BP fund over the next three years.
Feinberg said the next round of final payments will compensate individuals and businesses for future losses in exchange for agreements by the claimants to end legal action against the company. Under the voluntary program, claimants must sign a release to waive any rights to sue BP and any other potentially liable parties.
Claimants not ready to make that commitment can still collect interim payments for past losses up until August 2013. Businesses and individuals unsatisfied with the compensation package can also take their claims to court.
Some business groups located inland or in other parts of the state also say the spill hurt their businesses as tourists canceled or cut short businesses to Florida destinations, some of which were hundreds of miles away from the tar balls and sheen the came ashore in Florida’s Panhandle.
Under the Federal Pollution Control Act of 1990, proximity to actual oil exposure is a “major requirement for a valid legal claim, according to a 48-page memorandum of law penned by Harvard Law Professor John Goldman. The memorandum goes on to say that businesses not directly affected by the blobs of oil will likely not fare well if they take their cases to court.
Feinberg has said repeatedly that proximity alone will not be the sole determinant for whether claims are valid, but affected businesses and individuals must provide credible evidence that any loss of business was attributable to the spill.
“The GCCF will be much more generous than current Federal or State Law,” Feinberg said in a statement. “Proximity is not a bar to a GCCF claim, but damage must still be proven.”
Thanksgiving Travel: Pensacola Airport Expecting 2,700 Travelers Per Day
November 25, 2010
No major problems were reported Wednesday at the Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport, which was expecting about 2,700 people per day to travel through the terminal during the Thanksgiving holiday period.
Security delays were reported to be minor at the Pensacola airport, which does not have the new full-body scanners that have been installed at some airports.
Pictured above: The passenger lines at the Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport were short early Wednesday afternoon. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Farm-City Week Recognizes Importance Of Local Agriculture
November 25, 2010
Before sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner, the Florida Farm Bureau would like everyone to remember that the meal they will enjoy is made possible by Farm-City partnerships.
National Farm-City Week, celebrated annually on the week leading to and ending on Thanksgiving Day, recognizes the importance of this cooperative network to the success of America’s agricultural industry.
The following was submitted by Dorthy Cunningham from the Escambia County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee.
This Thanksgiving Day, as we gather with family and friends to count our blessings, let’s give thanks for the bounty we enjoy not just on this holiday, but every day. The safe, plentiful food that is available to us, and the products used to produce the clothing, housing, medicines, fuel and other products we use on a daily basis, didn’t just appear in a store. They got there thanks to a tremendous partnership of farmers and rancher, processors, brokers, truckers, shippers, advertisers, wholesalers and retailers.
In appreciation of this farm-city partnership, the President of the United States annually proclaims the week leading up to and including Thanksgiving Day as National Farm-city Week.
Rural and urban residents are “Partners in Progress” who produce the products, consume the products, and make them readily available through an efficient production and marketing chain. Farmers and ranchers are just the beginning of that chain. Farm workers, researchers, processors, shippers, truck drivers, inspectors, wholesalers, agribusinesses, marketers, advertisers, retailers and consumers all play important roles in the incredible productivity that has made our nation’s food and fiber system the envy of the world.
This week, as we celebrate Thanksgiving, let’s remember the vital farm-city partnerships that have done so much to improve the quality of our lives. Rural and urban communities working together have made the most of our rich agricultural resources, and have made significant contributions to our health and well-being and to the strength of our nation’s economy. For this, we can give thanks.
Dorothy Cunningham
Chair, Women’s Committee
Escambia County Farm Bureau
Pictured top: Wheat is one of the crops produced in North Escambia. Pictured inset: Escambia Grain in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
James Richard “Jim” Carroll
November 24, 2010
James Richard “Jim” Carroll, age 53 of Pensacola, passed away Tuesday, November 23, 2010 at his home after a long and very courageous battle with cancer surrounded by his family. He was a native of Pensacola; graduate of Tate High School, Class of 1975. Jim was an avid drag car racer and fishermahis CB name was Hustler and most recently “The Judge”.
He had a zest for living life.
He was employed at NES in Pensacola; he was often referred to by many as the best welder in town.
He is preceded in death by his brothers, John Carroll III and Johnny Carroll.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 21 years, Teena E. Carroll; two daughters, Kristyn Carroll and Kaitlyn Carroll; parents, John and Patsy Carroll; two sisters, Linda Kelly and Ann Simmons (Mervyn); three nieces, Ginger, Heather and J.B.; six great nieces and nephews, Brandon, Cody, Bentley, Lola, Bailey and Hunter; one great-great-niece, Bree; and many extended family and loving friends.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Jim’s name to Sacred Heart Medical Oncology Group, with a special thanks to Dr Thomas Sunnenberg and Dr. John Gage.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 27, 2010 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 Hwy 29S, Cantonment, FL. Interment will follow at Whitmire Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, November 27, 2010 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Manhunt For Man After Bail Bondsman Gives Chase
November 24, 2010
A manhunt turned up empty Wednesday evening for a local man wanted on a felony failure to appear warrant.
Deputies searched over two hours for a suspect identified as Tabarin Oneil Wesley, 30, by Chris Welborn, public information officer for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Wesley was described as being a black male, last seen wearing a red shirt and blue shorts with no shoes.
The manhunt was centered around Showalter Park and the old Century Elementary School.
A bail bondsman reported to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office about 4:50 Wednesday afternoon that he had located Wesley in Showalter Park. The bail bondman gave chase and last reported seeing Wesley as he scaled a fence behind the school.
A K-9 unit from Century Correctional Institution arrived in the area bout 5:30 p.m. to assist in the search. The search was called off about 7:15 p.m.
Anyone that knows the whereabouts of Wesley should call the Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Pictured: Tabarin Oneil Wesley in April of 2010. Escambia County Jail photo.
Murder Suspect Now Behind Bars
November 24, 2010
Escambia murder suspect Aaron Cornelius Mitchell is now behind bars.
Mitchell turned himself in Wednesday afternoon to Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigators, according to Chris Welborn, public information officer for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. . Aaron Mitchell is accused murdering Prentiss Mitchell Friday night. The two were not related.
Escambia Deputies responded to a shooting call at at the Moorings Apartments on Old Spanish Trail about 9:20 p.m. Friday. Upon arrival, deputies discovered Prentiss Mitchell in the parking lot suffering from gunshot wounds. The victim was pronounced deceased a short time later.
After Aaron Mitchell was named as a “person of interest” in the homicide, a 1998 Honda registered to him was found at an address near West Brainerd St. and North S Street in Pensacola at around 4:00 pm on Monday. Upon locating the vehicle investigators found damage to the exterior which appeared to be bullet holes, Welborn said.
On Tuesday afternoon, investigators officially named Aaron Mitchell as a suspect and a felony murder warrant for his arrest was issued.
Aaron Mitchell is currently being held in the Escambia County Jail with no bond.
Della White Griffis
November 24, 2010
Mrs. Della White Griffis, 83, of North Century Boulevard in Century passed away Wednesday morning November 24, 2010, at her residence after an extended illness.
Mrs. Griffis was a native and former resident of Perdido, Ala., before moving to Century 60 years ago. She was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include four sons, Billy Griffis, Marty Griffis, Keith Griffis and Rodney Griffis, all of Century; one sister, Estelle Hayes of Robertsdale; seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Saturday November 27, 2010, from 6 until 9 p.m. at Flomaton Funeral Home Inc.
Funeral services for Mrs. Della White Griffis are scheduled for Sunday November 28, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Robert Barrow and Rev. James Peacock officiating. Interment will follow in Mount Carmel Cemetery in Jay with Flomaton Funeral Home directing.
Updated Thanksgiving Forecast
November 24, 2010
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight…Mostly cloudy. Areas of fog in the late evening and early morning. Patchy dense fog late in the night. Lows in the mid 50s. South winds 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast after midnight.
- Thanksgiving Day…Mostly sunny. Areas of fog in the morning. Isolated rain showers in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s. South winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of showers 20 percent.
- Thursday Night…Warmer. Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers and slight chance of thunderstorms. Near steady temperature in the upper 60s. South winds 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.
- Friday…Cooler…cloudy. Chance of rain showers and slight chance of thunderstorms in the morning…then slight chance of rain showers in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 60s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.
- Friday Night…Much colder. Partly cloudy in the evening then clearing. Lows in the lower 30s. North winds 5 to 10 mph.
- Saturday…Sunny. Highs in the lower 60s.
- Saturday Night…Clear. Lows 30 to 35.
- Sunday…Sunny. Highs in the mid 60s.
- Sunday Night…Mostly clear. Lows 42 to 47.
- Monday…Mostly sunny in the morning becoming mostly cloudy. Slight chance of rain showers. Highs in the lower 70s. Chance of showers 20 percent.
- Monday Night…Warmer…cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 50s. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.
- Tuesday…Cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 60s. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.
- Tuesday Night…Colder…cloudy. Chance of rain. Lows in the lower 40s. Chance of rain 40 percent.
- Wednesday…Cooler…sunny. Highs in the upper 50s.
Police: Man Hit By Truck After Stealing Bottle Of Wine From Store
November 24, 2010
An Atmore man is recovering after being hit by car after allegedly stealing a bottle of wine from a local convenience store.
The Atmore Police Department released more information Tuesday about the accident about 7:15 Friday night that injured Marvin L. Russell, 34. Police said Russell entered the Kangaroo Express store at Main and Howard streets where he attempted to purchase a bottle of wine but did not have enough money. He returned to a cooler and then exited the store with the bottle of wine hanging out of his jacket pocket. Atmore Police said he did not pay for the wine.
Russell then ran east into the path of a 2005 Ford F150 driven by Eric V. Lewis, 38, of Atmore who was traveling south of North Main Street.
Russell was transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital and then transferred by LifeFlight to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola with serious injuries. He has since been released from the hospital.
Atmore Police did not say if Russell was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.
Sports Roundup: High School Basketball And Soccer
November 24, 2010
Here’s a roundup of basketball and soccer action from around the North Escambia area Tuesday.
(Don’t see you team? Make sure your coach or stats person emails us after each of your games!)
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Tate 43 PCA 30
The Lady Aggies of Tate defeated Pensacola Christian Academy Tuesday, 43-30.
Courtney Brown paced the Aggies with a team-high 15 points.
Tate— Courtney Brown 15, Ali O’Brien 2, Alex Loomis 3, Marina Cobbs 8, Jasmine Baldwin 4, Jarden Ward 3, Katie Clark 4, Showni Colony 4.
Tate 17 11 8 7 – 43
Catholic 9 6 3 12 – 30
BOYS BASKETBALL
South Walton 50 Jay 44
The Jay Royals lost their season opener to South Walton, 50-44.
Todd Laney led the Royals with 23 points. The Royals will be in action again on November 30 at Pace.
Jay (0-1) — Chandler Burgess 3, Tate Upton 2, Conner Weekes 9, Tyler Prescott 7, Todd Laney 23.
Catholic 65 Tate 63
It was a close loss for the Tate Aggies Tuesday, 65-63 to Catholic High School
Tate — Rhodes 4, Griffin 3, Jones 18, Gray 14, Wilson 8, Anderson 14.
Tate 13 2 25 23 – 65
Catholic 14 16 12 23 – 63
GIRLS SOCCER
Tate 8 Pine Forest 0
Tate (4-4) — Goals: Ashley Marquer 2, Ashton Mayne 2, Jessica Wiggins 2, Miranda Gonzalez, Madison Leonard. Assists: Gonzalez 2, Leonard 2, Marquer 2. Saves: Kelly Ewing 0, Laura Jennings 0.