Sixth Red Bulb Added In Wreath Fire Safety Campaign
December 19, 2016
A fire on the 8300 block of Gardenia Circle represents the sixth red bulb on the “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety wreath. Escambia County Emergency Communications received a call for a multi-residential structure fire Friday, Dec. 16 at 9:32 p.m.
Crews arrived on scene to find light smoke showing from a kitchen fire in the single-story duplex. The fire was called under control at 9:55 p.m., with severe fire damage to the kitchen and some damage leading to the attic. No one was injured in the fire, but two adults were displaced. Escambia Fire Rescue Stations 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, NAS Pensacola Fire Truck 34 and EMS responded.
The “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign is a collaborative initiative with the city of Pensacola to promote fire safety during the month of December. During the month-long campaign, five-foot wreaths are on display at 18 county fire stations and five city fire stations, with wreaths also placed outside Escambia County’s Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building downtown, the Escambia County Public Safety Building, Pensacola City Hall and Cordova Mall near the food court entrance. Each time firefighters respond to a residential fire with damage, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in residential home.
Couple Defies Odds Of Survival; Thanks The Heroes That Saved Them
December 19, 2016
A couple that doctors say probably should not be alive took the time to say “thank you” to the first responders that helped saved their lives a year ago.
The morning of November 4, 2015, was a beautiful, blue sky kind of day. Cecil and Robin Carnley were traveling on Highway 29 just past Hoghway 95A when a pickup truck crossed the median and slammed into their 1999 Dodge Durango.
The firefighters from the nearby Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue were among the first on the scene. They were joined by the Ensley, Brent and Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and LifeFlight in a lengthy and extensive rescue effort. Mr. Carnley was trapped in his vehicle and required extensive extrication lasting nearly an hour.
The doctors gave them less than a three percent chance of survival. Mr. Carnley lost his leg and spent most of the past year in the hospital and rehabilitation. Both are still recovering and face a long road ahead.
There were handshakes, hugs and tears as the family brought the Carnley by the Cantonment fire station, a long with a thank you card and goodies.
“Thanks to we are able to live to celebrate our 1 year of life on 11-4-16,” a handwritten note said. “We are so grateful to call you our heroes. All our love.”
Courtesy and NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Driver Uninjured After Missing Bridge, Rolling Down Embankment
December 19, 2016
A driver was uninjured after driving his pickup truck off the roadway and rolling down an embankment next to a bridge.
The accident happened about 9 p.m. on Rockaway Creek Road just north Nokomis Road. First responders learned that the pickup truck driver had left the scene in a private vehicle. He reportedly suffered only minor injuries.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Atmore Ambulance also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
New Record: Navy Federal Donates 1,600 Toys For Christmas
December 19, 2016
Employees and members of Navy Federal Credit Union are helping make the holidays brighter for children in Escambia County. Recently, members of the United States Marine Corps Reserve visited Navy Federal’s campus in Beulah to collect more than 1,600 toys and a dozen bicycles.
“I am so proud of our employees and members for continuing their generous tradition of donating so more children in our community can benefit from their kindness,” said Debbie Calder, executive vice president of Navy Federal’s Greater Pensacola Operations.
Navy Federal has been collecting the new, unwrapped gifts since November 14. In addition to the toys that were collected, Navy Federal donated $1,500 to the Toys for Tots foundation.
“This effort is the highlight of the Christmas season for me and many of our team members,” said Donald Belcher, Navy Federal training supervisor.
The primary goal of the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program is to help less fortunate children experience the joy of Christmas. Once they are collected by the Marines, the toys are then distributed into the communities where the toys were collected.
In addition to its support of Toys for Tots, Navy Federal employees in Pensacola also donated more than 1,550 items to the Council on Aging’s “Adopt a Senior” program and employees are currently supporting the “Adopt a Family” program though the Escambia County School District.
Hermine, Matthew Damages Near $1.6 Billion
December 18, 2016
Hurricane damages in Florida have reached at least $1.59 billion from the two storms that hammered parts of North Florida and the East Coast this year, according to the latest numbers from the insurance industry and the state.
The numbers don’t include agricultural losses and some damages that local governments are handling without state assistance. Also, the director of the state’s Division of Emergency Management said the numbers remain preliminary and depend in part on future state funding.
Still, the costs tied to Hurricane Hermine and Hurricane Matthew, for which the state expects to receive substantial reimbursements from the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, are the highest for disasters since the much more expensive 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, Division of Emergency Management Director Bryan Koon told members of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday.
“That’s to be expected. Hurricanes are our most expensive disasters,” Koon said as he outlined damages to government entities.
Damages from Hurricane Hermine, which made landfall in a sparsely populated part of the Big Bend and swept through Tallahassee in early September, stand around $213.6 million. The total includes $147 million in individual property-damage claims that have been reported to the Office of Insurance Regulation.
The more-powerful Hurricane Matthew, which stayed offshore but caused damage Oct. 6 and Oct. 7 in Northeast Florida, clocks in at $1.376 billion.
By comparison the University of Florida’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research has placed damages from the 2004 hurricane season, in which four hurricanes hit the state, at $45 billion.
The Matthew total includes 112,000 individual property-damage claims, representing $729 million in value. Volusia, Duval, Brevard, St. Johns and Flagler counties represented most of the claims.
The Matthew figure also includes $430.8 million in damages to government facilities and structures, including damage to a 1.3-mile section of Florida A1A in Flagler Beach that caused Gov. Rick Scott to order expedited repairs.
Koon said the state’s share of storm-damage costs is expected to be offset by money from the federal government and local contributions.
Hermine is expected to directly cost the state about $9.6 million, from emergency protective actions to debris removal, with local government contributions reaching more than $5 million.
Matthew may require about $130.3 million from the state, a figure that includes $77 million being sought from the Legislature in 2017 for an estimated $217 million in beach, dune and park repairs from Duval through Indian River counties.
“First, we do want to focus on the immediate protections needed for structures, we want to look at projects that can be implemented in a timely manner,” said Alex Reed, program administrator for the Department of Environmental Protection’s Beach Management Funding Assistance Program. “The cost estimates are going to be refined as we get more data, and we identify the federal funding as local sponsors prepare their storm-repair plans.”
The state expects to receive $90 million to $100 million from the federal government for projects to harden infrastructure from future disasters, Koon said.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Two Injured In Highway 29 Rollover Crash
December 18, 2016
Two people were injured in a single vehicle crash late Saturday afternoon on Highway 29 in Molino.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 73-year old John Green of Cantonment was northbound on Highway 29 at Stout Road about 4:24 p.m. when he ran off the roadway to avoid a collision. He re-entered the roadway and lost control. His 1999 Chevrolet Suburban overturned and rolled into the median.
John Green and his passenger, 74-year old Walter Green of Pensacola, received minor injuries and were both transported by Escambia County EMS to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola. Both men were wearing their seat belts.
There were no charges filed in the accident.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge
Big On Christmas Spirit: Century’s Boats And Floats Parade (With Gallery)
December 18, 2016
The Century Area Chamber of Commerce’s 4th Annual Lighted Boats and Floats Parade may have been a little short in length Saturday night, but it was big on Christmas spirit. The parade traveled down North Century Boulevard from near the state line to Showalter Park where there was a free movie and other Christmas events.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Hundreds Take The ‘Journey Through Bethlehem’ In Bratt (With Gallery)
December 18, 2016
The First Baptist Church of Bratt presented a live nativity event Saturday evening — Journey Through Bethlehem.
Hundreds of people were able to walk the road through Bethlehem and experience the Christmas story come to life as they were able to see the shepherds in the field, learn from the villagers, be turned away by the innkeeper that had no room and see the Holy Family in the stable.
There were also the sights and sounds of a real blacksmith shop, bakery and other shops that were found in Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth. Children were able to participate in craft activities to make the event come to life for them.
The journey through Bethlehem ended with a stop by the manger with baby Jesus.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Wreaths Across America Honors Veterans
December 18, 2016
Thousands of wreaths were placed on graves at Barrancas National Cemetery on NAS Pensacola on Saturday.
The wreaths were placed as part of the national event “Wreaths Across America”, a tradition that began over 20 years ago at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington.
Pictured above and bottom: Wreaths placed at Barrancas National Cemetary in Pensacola Saturday morning. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Santa Makes Fire Truck Run Through Century (With Gallery)
December 18, 2016
Santa traded his sled for a fire truck Saturday for run through Century, Poplar Dell and Byrneville, compliments of the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue. Along the way, he tossed out plenty of candy and Christmas wishes.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
