Tate High Wind Ensemble Selected To Perform At Prestigious Troy Clinic
August 1, 2014
The Tate High School Wind Ensemble has been selected to perform at the Southeastern United States Concert Band Clinic at Troy University.
The event will be held February 5-7, 2015. The musical event will feature a variety of activities including concerts, rehearsals, scholarship auditions, and clinics.
Vacation Bible Schools Are A Summertime Tradition (With Aldersgate UMC Gallery)
August 1, 2014
Vacation Bible School is a summertime tradition for hundreds of area children — arts, crafts, food, songs and theme focused lessons usually all geared toward a worship theme. This week marked the end of VBS at most area churches.
At Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino, dozens of children have taken part in their “Workshop of Wonders” VBS this week. It will continue from 5:30 until 8:30 tonight for children three years old through fifth grade.
For more photos from Aldersgate’s VBS, click here.
Pictured: Vacation Bible School Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Dengue, Chikungunya Fevers Confirmed In Escambia County
August 1, 2014
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (DOH-Escambia) has confirmed that a county resident contracted both chikungunya fever and dengue fever. The resident was most likely exposed to both viruses while recently traveling in the Caribbean islands.
These diseases are spread by bites from infected mosquitoes. If a person is infected and bitten by a mosquito, that mosquito may later spread the infection by biting another person.
“Avoiding mosquito bites is the key to preventing infection with chikungunya fever, dengue fever, West Nile virus, and other mosquito-borne diseases,” said DOH-Escambia Director, Dr. John Lanza. “We encourage everyone to take precautionary measures to help reduce the chance of being bitten. Remember to drain and cover.”
Symptoms of chikungunya include sudden onset of high fever (>102⁰F), severe joint pain mainly in the arms and legs, headache, muscle pain, back pain and rash. Symptoms appear on average three to seven days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
The principal symptoms of dengue begin four to seven days after a mosquito bite and include high fever, severe headache, severe pain behind the eyes, joint pain, muscle and bone pain, rash, easy bruising, and mild bleeding (e.g., nose or gums bleed). Generally, younger children and those with their first dengue infection have a milder illness than older children and adults.
Most people experiencing symptoms of chikungunya or dengue infection feel better after a few days or weeks, however, some people may develop long-term effects. Complications are more common in infants younger than a year old, those older than 65, and people with chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.
If you experience symptoms of chikungunya or dengue, consult with your health care provider immediately and protect yourself against further mosquito bites. Avoiding mosquito bites while you are sick will help protect others from getting infected.
Escambia’s Murzin Makes Public Service Commission Short List
August 1, 2014
An Escambia County man is among those still in the running for two seats on the Florida Public Service Commission.
A nominating panel Thursday decided to interview 16 candidates from 32 applicants for the upcoming vacancies, including former Rep Dave Murzin (pictured), who now works as an aide to state Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker.
Along with Murzin, those on the shortened list include current PSC member Julie Brown and state Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City.
The terms of Brown and Commissioner Eduardo Balbis will expire in January. After conducting interviews, the council will recommend finalists to Gov. Rick Scott, who will make appointments to four-year terms on the commission.
Lively Flirts With No-Hitter In Wahoos 6-4 Win
August 1, 2014
Blue Wahoos starter Ben Lively (W, 1-5) took a no-hitter into the eighth inning as he earned his first Double-A win on Thursday night at Smokies Park. It was the furthest a Blue Wahoos pitcher has taken a no-hitter since Daniel Corcino and Wilkin De La Rosa no-hit the Mobile BayBears in 2012. Despite Lively’s strong start, Pensacola still had to hold on for a 6-4 win to open the five-game series with Tennessee.
Lively walked Smokies catcher Luis Flores leading off the third inning, and that was the only base runner he allowed until Christian Villanueva singled through the left side of the infield with one out in the eighth inning to break up the no-hitter. The walk was quickly erased on a double play a batter later allowing him to face the minimum until Villanueva’s single. Jonathan Mota singled behind Villanueva to chase Lively from the game. He was finished after 7.1 innings with just the two singles allowed, one walk and six strikeouts.
Pensacola scored early and often against Smokies starter Felix Pena (L, 0-1), who was making his Double-A debut. Pensacola took a 1-0 lead with three hits in the first inning. Ross Perez doubled home two more runs in the third before Seth Mejias-Brean and Juan Duran hit back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning. Pena was charged with the loss after allowing 5 R/ER over 4.0 innings.
Perez paced the Wahoos offensively with a 3-for-4 game and four RBI. Yorman Rodriguez also had a big day with a 3-for-5 night and three runs scored.
The Smokies rallied for all four of their runs against Blue Wahoos relievers Drew Hayes and Ben Klimesh in the eighth after Lively exited the game. Shane Dyer (S, 13) was able to restore order with a scoreless ninth inning to preserve the win and earn the save.
Pensacola will go for their third straight win in the second of the five-game series with Tennessee on Friday night. The Wahoos will send RHP Daniel Corcino (9-9, 4.44) to the mound against Smokies RHP Corey Black (5-2, 2.93). First pitch is set for 6:15 p.m. CT from Smokies Park.
by Tommy Thrall
Florida DEP Revokes Rolling Hills Pit Permit, Will File Suit Against Operators
July 31, 2014
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is revoking the permit for the Rolling Hills Construction and Demolition Debris Disposal Facility in Escambia County and will file suit against the operators.
The Notice and Order of Revocation issued to South Palafox Properties, LLC alleges that compliance issues at the Rolling Hills Construction and Demolition Debris Disposal Facility located at 6990 Rolling Hills Road in Pensacola constitute violations of Florida law. Such compliance issues include the facility operating outside permitted dimensions and failure to implement the Remedial Action Plan approval order issued by the department on July 3, 2013.
“We are committed to taking any and all regulatory and enforcement action available to us to ensure the ongoing compliance issues at the Rolling Hills Construction and Demolition Debris Facility are addressed,” said Northwest District Director Shawn Hamilton. “We have worked diligently with the facility in an effort to address the issues, and despite our attempts, the noncompliance continues. Revoking the permit and filing the lawsuit will prevent further violations and compel the facility to address compliance issues and implement corrective actions as required.”
The department will file a lawsuit against South Palafox Properties, LLC seeking a judgment that will order the company to resolve compliance violations and comply with department orders.
Motorcyclist Wrecks Near Bay Springs
July 31, 2014
A motorcyclist refused medical treatment after a wreck late this morning near Bay Springs.
The male in his 50’s lost control of his motorcycle on Highway 99 south of Highway 97, ran off the roadway and flipped. The accident was investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Walnut Hill and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Atmore Ambulance and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the the 11:10 a.m. crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Arrested After Four Hour SWAT Standoff
July 31, 2014
An Escambia County man is behind bars today after a SWAT stand off Wednesday night.
Just after 7 p.m. Wednesday, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shots fired disturbance in the 1000 block of North 57th Avenue where they discovered 61-year old Dennis Scott Dunbabin had allegedly fire a handgun at two people. There were no injuries.
Dunbabin entered a residence, and when repeated attempts to make contact with him failed, the SWAT team responded.
Abourt four hours later, Dunbabin was taken into custody and charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, discharging a weapon in public and aggravated assault. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
UWF Campus Network Hacked; Students, Visitors Should Change Passwords
July 31, 2014
University of West Florida network users are being urged to change their passwords after the campus network was hacked. Officials say the information for at least 160 people, both students and non-students, may have been compromised.
UWF said unauthorized activity by individuals on certain portions of the Pensacola main campus network has been discovered.
It is believed that individuals attacked the network to intercept UWF ArgoNet usernames and passwords for approximately 90 people, as well as usernames and passwords for non-UWF systems (Facebook, Twitter, Hotmail, etc.) for approximately 70 people. These affected users will receive a separate notification from UWF by close of business this Friday, according to the university.
UWF said further steps have been taken secure their network from further attacks.
At this time, the university believes those most at risk are those who have used the network in the following UWF main campus buildings within the last 12 months: the John C. Pace Library, Building 4 (Science & Engineering) and UWF residence halls.
The university is strongly urging all individuals with UWF ArgoNet accounts to change their ArgoNet passwords as soon as possible.
In addition, this network attack may affect members of the general public who have utilized services of the John C. Pace Library within the last 12 months. For that reason, UWF is strongly urging anyone who has accessed online accounts by using computers or the network in the John C. Pace Library during this time to change passwords for those accounts as soon as possible.
Escambia County, ECUA Reach Potential Recycling, Garbage Agreement
July 31, 2014
A potential garbage and recycling agreement between Escambia County and the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority is on the table for discussion.
The agreement was brokered and announced by State Rep. Clay Ingram after a series of meeting with both sides.
“Like many of my constituents, I am both an Escambia County taxpayer as well as an ECUA rate-payer and see this proposed partnership as a true win-win scenario. If adopted, the partnership will protect the financial well-being of the Escambia County Solid Waste Enterprise Fund, help control ECUA’s costs, and will result in the creation of 120-220 new jobs,” Ingram said. “This partnership would also have the positive effect of bringing to a halt the involvement of the courts in matters between Escambia County and ECUA.”
After the flooding, closure and bankruptcy of West Florida Recycling in Pensacola, ECUA recently entered into a two year agreement with the Infinitus Energy Park (IREP) in Montgomery. ECUA earns $10 per ton for single stream recyclables trucked to Montgomery — enough for the transportation and a net profit of a few dollars per ton.
The potential agreement brokered by Ingram would see a private company construct a similar facility in Escambia County — both the county and ECUA have acknowledged the lack of financial capacity to build and operate such a facility themselves.
Under the draft agreement:
- ECUA and Escambia County would work to reach the state’s 75 percent recycling goal reducing disposal costs and solid waste collection and extend the life of the Perdido Landfill.
- The regulatory and permitting authority over sold waste in Escambia County would remain with the county and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
- Escambia County and the ECUA would agree to eliminate or drop all legal challenges and regulatory and operational impediments via action by the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) and/or the ECUA Board.
- A public/private partnership will be developed utilizing the most viable technology to advance the practice of recycling in Escambia County and the surrounding region via an advanced mixed materials recycling facility (AMMRF). The AMMRF would be located in Escambia County, along with the 120-220 jobs it will provide.
- The selected private vendor would determine the most feasible and economically advantageous site on which to construct the AMMRF within Escambia County. Sites will be suggested by the county and ECUA, and the final site will be selected by the private contractor based on sound business considerations.
- Escambia County and the ECUA agree to allow the project to proceed without legal challenges. The facility would be entirely funded by the private vendor, with no capital, operating or property acquisition expenditures from the county or ECUA. This means there would be no cost to either the County or the ECUA. The estimated $35-$50 million investment for the property and the AMMRF will be the sole responsibility of the private vendor.
- Escambia County and ECUA agree that monies required for Escambia County programs that were previously funded through tipping fees at the Perdido Landfill would be provided through operating cost savings at the Perdido Landfill, host fees paid by the vendor for all tonnage delivered to the AMMRF for processing, the economic benefits from property taxes and jobs created at the facility, and a reasonable increase in the existing commercial waste franchise fees and/or a new franchise fee on residential solid waste collection.
- An appropriately sized Perdido Landfill would continue to be operated by Escambia County to accept residue from the AMMRF, bulk waste, special waste, and other materials that cannot be processed at the AMMRF.
- There will be an interlocal agreement between Escambia County and the ECUA to support the public/private partnership. The county would remain responsible for disposal of solid waste; the ECUA would be responsible for collection of solid waste, and the private company would be responsible for construction, operation and all of the costs associated with the AMMRF. The ECUA and the county would guarantee their waste streams would be delivered to the AMMRF for processing. Any residue would be disposed of at the Perdido Landfill.
- The private sector partner will be selected and the contractual details negotiated as expeditiously as possible.
- Other agencies in adjoining counties and states would be encouraged to utilize the facility with a host fee applied to the tonnage that is processed at the facility. The host fee would be received by Escambia County.
The proposed agreement is expected to go before the Escambia County Commission on August 12 and the ECUA Board on August 28.
“Speedy adoption of the proposal is imperative as interests from outside of the region have shown intent to build a recycling facility here without participation from either party, which would have a devastating financial impact on our community. I am excited about the spirit of cooperation exemplified by both parties for the good of our community and look forward to working together to seeing the project completed,” Ingram said.