BP Oil Spill Settlement Approved; $70 Million For Escambia County
April 5, 2016
A final settlement has been approved for the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico at $20.8 billion, which includes the civil Clean Water Act penalties and additional funding for environmental damages and other claims by the five Gulf States, was granted final approval today. To view the Consent Decree, click here.
As part of the settlement, Escambia County is expected to receive about $70 million over 16 years in direct allocation from RESTORE. Escambia will also be eligible to apply for funding from other sources of oil spill funding, including Triumph and the Natural Environmental Resource Damage Assessment programs.
Chairman and District 4 Commissioner Grover Robinson was cautiously optimistic to see the process move forward after almost 6 years. He commented, “It appears that this is the final decision regarding the BP settlement and penalties. This order will begin to move monies associated with the BP settlement per the payment terms of that settlement. While the funding will never totally heal the damage done to our residents or our beaches, it will help us to continue to move forward and make a difference in Escambia County that has the potential to impact our community positively for generations.”
The settlement includes:
- $8.1 billion for natural resource damage
- $5.5 billion for Clean Water Act civil penalties
- Up to $700 million for future unknowns
- $350 million to reimburse state and federal assessment costs
- $250 million to reimburse response and removal costs
- The total restoration funds to the State of Florida includes $680 million in natural resource damage payments and $572 million in Florida RESTORE Act Allocations, which includes:
- $308 million for Direct Component (Pot 1) funds to the Florida Counties
- $242 million for the Spill Impact Component (Pot 3) funds to the Consortium of 23 Counties
- $22 million for the Centers of Excellence
Three More Pharmacies Burglarized
April 5, 2016
Three pharmacies were burglarized early Monday morning just hours apart, and the crimes appear to be related.
Kim’s Family Pharmacy in the 700 block of South Highway 29 in Cantonment was the first to be hit about 1:25 a.m., according to owner Kim Cadenhead. The thieves got in through the bottom of the front door and stole narcotics.
Burglars forced their way into the Jackson Pace Pharmacy on Nine Mile Road about 2:30 a.m., according to owner Steve Jackson, clearing shelves and dumping the drugs into trashcans for their getaway.
Then the Lee Drug Drug in Robertsdale, AL, was hit at 3:30 a.m. when two people wearing gloves, masks and long sleeves forced their way in, taking a large amount of pills and narcotics in trash cans.
The Robertsdale Police Department confirmed that photos from the Escambia County burglaries showed the same suspects as those in Robertsdale.
The burglaries came about three weeks after similar burglaries in Ensley and Jay, and few months after a similar pharmacy burglary in Molino.
Images courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
OK, So Where Does A Horse Go For A Good Espresso?
April 5, 2016
A passing motorist snapped this photo Monday afternoon of a couple of horses outside the Starbucks on Nine Mile at Pine Forest. There’s no word if they had triple espressos for a little extra horsepower, or if perhaps they ordered the triple soy vanilla latte with a barrel of oats. Reader submitted photo by Bill Pearson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Overturned Concrete Mixer Truck Snarls Traffic For Hours
April 5, 2016
An overturned concrete mixer truck snarled traffic for hours on Davis Highway and I-110 in Pensacola Monday afternoon.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 57-year old Arnold Prisco of Summerdale, AL, exited I-10 at Davis Highway. When he turned his 2001 model concrete mixed truck to the right and attempted to change lanes, he swerved to avoid traffic, causing the dump truck to overturn.
The overturned truck blocked two lanes of traffic, and additional lanes were blocked as a crane was used to right the wreckage.
Prisco was cited for violation of a traffic control device, according to the FHP.
4-H Members Plant First Pines At Molino Outdoor Education Center
April 5, 2016
Escambia County 4-H members recently planted the first pine trees as part of the 4-H Outdoor Education Center in Molino. Eventually, 10 acres of loblolly, long leaf and slash pine will be used for forestry demonstration on the property. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
UPDATE: Missing Girl Found Safe, Returned Home
April 4, 2016
UPDATE: THIS MISSING PERSON HAS BEEN FOUND SAFE IS BACK HOME.
Previous story:
Authorities are searching for a 12-year old girl missing from Schifko Road in the Barrineau Park area.
Faith Smith was last seen about 9 p.m. Friday. She left home with her black mini Schnauzer/poodle mix named “Shirley” and her laptop. She was last seen wearing a black hoodie and a carrying a white backpack with polka dots and her name “Faith” embroidered on it.
She is five-foot, four-inches tall, weighs 140 pounds and has a medium build with brown, shoulder length wavy hair and a fair complexion. Family members say she is in need of daily medication.
Smith is listed as a missing person by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call deputies at (850) 436-9620.
One Arrested In Murder Of Atmore Man
April 4, 2016
An Atmore man was shot and killed Friday, and one person has been charged with his murder.
About 11:15 Friday night, deputies responded to the 5800 block of Ross Road near Holman Prison where they found a man identified as 45-year old Waylon Daryl Mothershed on the ground, deceased from an apparent gunshot wound. The alleged shooter, 49-year old Jonathan Black Rager of Jackson, AL, was found by deputies sitting on the ground near the victim and a firearm.
According to the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office, the two men got into an argument, and witnesses said Rager shot Mothershed.
Rager was charged with an open count of murder and booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton.
Old Century High School To Be Demolished Due To Tornado Damage
April 4, 2016
The former Century High School and the football stadium on Hecker Road will be demolished due to tornado damage.
During the EF-3 tornado that struck Century on February 15, the main potion of the old high school was heavily damaged, with windows broken and window frames pushed inward. The football stadium, including the press box, was also structurally damaged.
Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said the district’s self insurance would likely pay for the demolition; however, the school district is negotiating with their insurance company on the damage to the football stadium and press box.
While windows have been removed from the main school building, which was constructed in 1937, a timetable for the complete demolition has not been set.
Pictured: The former Century High School on Hecker Road. NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High School Chaparrals Headed To Nationals This Week
April 4, 2016
The Tate High School Chaparrals recently competed in the WGI Southeastern Winter Guard Championships in Orlando.
There were a total of 65 color guards competing; 32 in Tate’s class.
The Chaparrals finished 14th in their class. The group includes seven juniors and seven underclassmen, but continues to compete alongside units from all over the country. They will compete in the WGI World Championships in Dayton, OH, on Thursday.
Members of the Tate High School Chaparrals are:
Caroline Bruns
Katie Dupre
Elizabeth Durazo
Celina Dyess
Breanna Langley
Carly Lawrence
Megan Leonard
Kendall Lombardo
Katy Luebke – Captain
Kayla Overbey
Madison Philley
Brenn Repine
Kelsey Strength
Makayla Tainter
Savannah VonStein
For Orlando performance photos, courtesy of Salle Dupre , click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview High Earns National Yearbook Design Recognition
April 4, 2016
Northview High School’s yearbook, Tribal Spirit, has been recognized for excellence and featured in the 2016 Jostens Look Book, celebrating the best-of-the-best in yearbook design and coverage. The Jostens Look Book is a collection of spreads and photos from outstanding yearbooks and their creative themes, cool covers, dazzling designs, relevant coverage, storytelling copy and action-packed photography.
Along with design excellence, the annually published Look Book honors the important role well-crafted yearbooks play in helping schools chronicle the experiences, stories and achievements most relevant to students and that academic year.
The Tribal Spirit was created by Co-Editors Jessica McCullough and Kamryn Brock along with staff members Bethany Reynolds, Jessica Amerson, Jordan Taylor, Bradley Van Pelt, David Weber, Destiny Watson, Elisabeth Amerson, Celeste North, and Haylee Weaver under the direction of Alison Robinson, Northview High School yearbook
The NHS Tribal Spirit yearbook was one of only 494 yearbooks selected from approximately 3,000. The 2016 panel of judges, comprised of nationally recognized scholastic journalism professionals and award-winning yearbook advisers, selected the best examples of yearbook spreads and covers to make up the 320-page 2016 Look Book.
“Yearbooks are unique, limited edition books created by students to capture the stories and events for all of the school’s students and Jostens is proud to celebrate the yearbook tradition and the 494 yearbooks selected for the 2016 Jostens Look Book, said Gary Lundgren, editor. “Today’s yearbooks are very sophisticated in terms of visual presentation and the relevant and inclusive content that is featured.”
Robinson and her yearbook staff received a copy of the 2016 Jostens Look Book and certificate from Jostens to recognize their outstanding achievement.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.