Hazardous Materials Awareness Week Begins Sunday
February 11, 2015
The District 1 Local Emergency Planning Committee, the West Florida Regional Planning Council and local governments are observing Hazardous Materials Awareness Week, February 15-21. This year’s focus is on sheltering in place for chemical emergencies. For information on sheltering facts, visit www.wfrpc.org/programs/shelter-place.
The agencies recognize the importance of protecting communities from both accidental and deliberate releases of hazardous materials, and carry out state and federal duties to publicly promote statewide hazardous materials safety.
“The safe use of hazardous materials is essential to citizens, business, industry, and local governments to maintain economic stability and the public health,” said Kathy Ahlen, regional planner and staff to emergency planning and the LEPC at WFRPC.
District 1 LEPC encompasses Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington and Bay counties.The LEPC prepares the regional hazardous materials emergency plan, which identifies facilities that use, produce and/or store hazardous substances in northwest Florida. WFRPC maintains public records on hazardous materials and chemicals in the community in compliance with the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). For more information, call , 800-226-8914, ext. 210.
Free Computer Classes Begin Thursday At Century Branch Library
February 11, 2015
Two free computer classes are scheduled for February at the Century Branch Library:
Introduction to the Internet – Thursday, February 12, 6 p.m.
Participants will learn the basics of exploring the internet, navigation, browsers and internet safety.
Facebook Basics – Thursday, February 26, 6 p.m.
This workshop is designed for beginners who would like to learn how to create a Facebook profile, add and remove friends, upload photos, share posts and more.
For more information, contact the Century Branch Library, 7991 North Century Boulevard, at (850) 256-6217.
Narcotics Search Warrants Net Three Arrests In Century
February 10, 2015
Three people were arrested after the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit and a SWAT team executed two search warrants in Century.
One search warrant was served in the 7000 block of Hadley Lane. Deputies reported finding Henry Brown of Century inside the residence along with 75 grams marijuana, a hydrocodone pill, 6.6 grams of cocaine, about six grams of crack cocaine, 8.7 grams of oxycodone pills, two grams of alprazolam, 10.4 grams of methadone and a digital scale with cocaine residue. Deputies also seized about $1,080 in cash from Brown’s front pocket.
Brown was charged with possession of cocaine with the intent to sell, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of marijuana with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $26,000 bond.
Officers reported finding 47-year old James Lewis Carnley of Cantonment in a detached shed in the backyard of the Hadley Road home with several hypodermic needles on the floor around him that he said he used to inject cocaine. He was charged with possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Carnley remained in the Escambia County Jail Tuesday morning with bond set at $12,000.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit and a SWAT team executed a second search warrant on West Pond Street where they reported finding 28-year old Brian Keith Sanders inside the residence along with over 100 Lortab pills, small bags of marijuana, crack cocaine ad various drug paraphernalia. Inside Sanders’ Monte Carlo outside the residence, deputies reported finding a digital scale with cocaine residue and a loaded .45 caliber pistol. The pistol and vehicle were seized.
Sanders was charged with trafficking in a controlled substance (hydrocodone), possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of marijuana with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia. Sanders was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $29,500 bond.
Atmore Man Killed In Fiery Crash Near State Line
February 10, 2015
An Atmore man has been identified as the victim in a single vehicle accident early Sunday morning that claimed one life.
The accident happened just inside Alabama near the Alabama/Florida on Highway 90 about 2:30 a.m. According to Alabama Law Enforcement Agency troopers, Cameron Joseph Turner, 24, was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash.
His 2015 Mazda left the roadway, struck a signpost and a tree, and overturned into a wooded area. Turner, who was not wearing a seat belt, was reportedly ejected. The vehicle caught fire after the crash.
State troopers are continuing their investigation. The Beulah Station of Escambia (FL) Fire Rescue and the Seminole (AL) Volunteer Fire Department also responded to the crash.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
RadioShack Bankruptcy: Century Losing Franchise; Three Escambia Stores Likely Closing
February 10, 2015
Electronics retailer RadioShack has announced that it is filing bankruptcy and will close 1,500 to 2,400 stores. Three Pensacola RadioShack stores are on the potential closure list, and Century will lose its franchise location.
S & K Communications has operated a RadioShack franchise on North Century Boulevard for about 12 years, according to Shelby Spears, one of the store’s owners. The RadioShack franchise and branding will be gone as after February 28, but it will otherwise be business almost as usual for the underlying S & K Communications company.
“We will no longer have RadioShack,” Spears said. “We will however carry much of same products that we have all along from other vendors. We are still ‘here’.”
Three Pensacola RadioShack locations are are set for possible store closures, according to a list released by the company. Those stores are located at 8936 Pensacola Boulevard in Ensley, 7000 North Davis Highway and the store inside Cordova Mall.
Pictured: S & K Communications in Century will continue to operate without their RadioShack franchise after February 28. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Paving Operations Continue On Highway 4 In Santa Rosa County
February 10, 2015
Westbound traffic on Highway 4 between County Road 87A (Market Road) and the Cold Water Creek Bridge in north Santa Rosa County will continue to encounter alternating daytime lane closures Tuesday through Friday of this week from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. as crews perform construction activities along the roadway. Flagmen will be on site to safely direct traffic through the work zone.
All planned construction activities are weather dependent and may be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Motorists are reminded to obey the posted speed limit and pay attention to traffic flaggers when driving through work zones, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Lipscomb Elementary Holds Gallery Night
February 10, 2015
The hallways of Lipscomb Elementary School were converted into Escambia County’s newest art gallery for a very special night of the arts Monday.
Each student contributed work inspired by lessons about art from different time periods to art inspired by studying well-known masterpieces. Visitors found a variety of art styles from interpretations of Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring,” to attempts to recreate VanGogh’s “Starry Night.” Also, there was art inspired by history and flights of fancy, like fire breathing flying dragons.
Also during the Lipscomb Gallery Night, the Ransom Middle School Jazz Band and Opera Society held special performances. Local artists also joined in the night’s events to demonstrate their techniques.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Schools To ‘Load Test’ Computer Network
February 10, 2015
The Escambia County School District will test its computer network Wednesday to make sure it earns a passing grade before students take statewide exams in a few weeks.
The test is designed to address concerns about the technology requirements of the Florida Standards Assessment testing window. The goal of this load test is to replicate the computer needs of the statewide testing. The test will involve all desktop and laptop computers that will be used for the actual assessments.
“The goal is to test the capability of the school district’s network and the speed of our connection to the internet. The load test should reveal any overload issues we might have with the state’s assessments, now, while there is time to identify solutions,” said Tom Ingram, Escambia County School District’s director of Information Technology.
Escambia Extension To Hold Certified Arborist Training
February 10, 2015
On February 27, a workshop will be held at the Escambia County Extension Office for those desiring to become certified arborists. The workshop will cover about 60 percent of the material that is covered on the certification exam. Attendees will also have the opportunity to take the exam on Saturday, February 28.
Becoming a certified arborist shows that the tree care worker or arborist has a basic knowledge of tree care. To maintain certification, arborists must continue their learning by earning continuing education credits (CEU). This helps them keep up to date with the latest information on tree care as well as broadening their knowledge base. This training is recommended for private and public arborists, foresters, professional landscapers, nursery professionals and tree surgeons.
The workshop will be taught by Sam Hand, ISA certified arborist and forestry agent with FAMU Extension; Stan Rosenthal, Leon County Extension forestry agent; Beth Bolles, Escambia County Extension horticulture agent and Cathy Hardin, Escambia County forester with the Florida Forest Service.
Preregistration for this training is required by February 12 by clicking here. The cost is $125.
The Friday workshop and the Saturday exam will take place 8:30-5:00 at the Escambia County Extension Office, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment. To register for the exam, click here. Contact Beth Bolles at (850) 475-5230 or bbolles@ufl.edu for more information.
Four Homeless Following Afternoon House Fire
February 9, 2015
Four people were left temporarily homeless after a house fire off East Kingsfield Road Monday afternoon.
The fire was reported a brick home in the 2700 block of Blackwood Drive about 5 p.m. The first firefighters to arrive on scene reported heavy black smoke from around the home and flames out windows. The first was quickly brought under control.
The residents were not at home at the time of their fire, and there were no injuries reported.
The blaze appears to have started in the master bedroom. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office. The American Red Cross was called to provide temporary assistance and housing for two adults and two children following the blaze.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.