Tate Fall Comedy ‘Saturday The 14th’ On Stage Through Saturday
October 29, 2014
Get ready for “Saturday the 14th” — a parody of the “Friday the 13th movies” nightly through Saturday at Tate High School.
It made all the headlines 30 years ago. Only one camp counselor was found alive the next morning, and she hasn’t spoken a word since. They closed Camp Slippery Floors. Everybody wanted to forget what happened that night… except Mason. Mason never forgets! Now Camp Slippery Floors in going to open again and Mason is waiting in “Saturday the 14th”.
The comedy will be presented through Saturday at 7:00 each evening in the Tate High Cafeteria. Tickets are $7 at the door.
Pictured: The Tate High School production of “Saturday the 14th”. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
UF: Floridian’s Consumer Confidence Falls Slightly
October 29, 2014
Consumer confidence among Floridians dropped a point in October to 82, the first decline in the index since May, according to a monthly University of Florida survey.
“This decline is not likely indicative of a trend,” said Chris McCarty, director of UF’s Survey Research Center in the Bureau of Economic and Business Research, which conducts the survey. “Given that the stock market has improved late in the month and the decline was only a point, we don’t view the drop as significant.”
Of the five components used in the survey — three declined, one increased, and one stayed the same. Survey-takers’ overall perception whether their personal finances are better now than a year ago fell four points to 71, while their expectations of being better off financially one year from now fell one point to 82.
The survey shows that confidence in the national economy over the coming year fell one point to 78, but it rose a point to 82 when respondents were asked to consider U.S. economic conditions over the next five years.
Finally, respondents’ perception as to whether it is a good time to buy big-ticket item, such as a washing machine, stayed the same at 96.
Afternoon Fire Damages Nine Mile Road Business
October 28, 2014
Fire damaged a Nine Mile Road business this afternoon. The fire was reported about 3:30 p.m. at “A Quality Tree Service” in the 2000 block of West Nine Mile Road, near New Market Street. Firefighters believe the fire may have been sparked by a water heater. There were no injuries reported. Reader submitted photos by Jon White, click to enlarge.
Overturned Camper Closes Quintette Road
October 28, 2014
An overturned camper closed Quintette Road for a while this morning. The driver of a pickup apparently lost control and slammed into a tree, with their camper overturning across the highway. A short time after the 10:45 a.m. accident, traffic was allowed to pass the wreckage on the shoulder. There were no injuries reported. The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Two Shot In Escambia County
October 28, 2014
Two people were shot off Massachusetts Avenue in Escambia Count last night.
Just after 10 p.m., the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 1200 block of Rio Grande Circle. They found two males with apparent gunshot wounds — one in a yard and the other inside a vehicle. Both were transported to the hospital as trauma alerts.
The investigation is continuing and further details have not been released.
Critical Need For Blood Donations
October 28, 2014
There is a currently a critical need for O Negative, B Negative and A Negative blood types, according to Betty Roberts of OneBlood.
Donors are encouraged to visit the blood centers at 1999 East Nine Mile Road and 2209 North 9th Avenue, or a an upcoming Bloodmobile stop.
North Escambia area Bloodmobile Drives are scheduled as follows:
- Thursday, October 30 — Ascend Materials, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Sunday, November 2 — Hillcrest Baptist Church, 8 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
- Saturday, November 8 — Walnut Hill VFD Fish Fry, 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
In Depth: Six Months After Escambia County’s Flood
October 28, 2014
It’s been six months since the devastating April floods in Escambia County, and the effects are “staggering”, according to the county.
One resident lost her life when she drowned along Highway 29 near Burger King in Cantonment. Hundreds were displaced from their homes and entire neighborhoods were torn apart by the rising waters. As of the end of September, 466 Escambia County residents are still displaced from their homes as a result of the devastating floods. In all, the floods caused an estimated $90 million in damage to the county’s infrastructure and facilities.
The science tells the story. The National Weather Service estimates show that more than 25 inches of rain fell in 24 hours – the highest amount of rainfall recorded since 1879. The heaviest rains soaking the urbanized areas of the county, south of Well Line Road. An astounding six inches of rain was recorded in a single hour at the airport in the southeast area of the City of Pensacola between 9 and 10 p.m.
Today, Escambia County is hard at work repairing roads and bridges so that they are better and stronger than they were before the storm. Almost 80 percent of the 2,318 infrastructure damage sites identified after April’s flood have already been addressed or repaired. An additional 17 percent of the damage sites are currently under design or repair.
County official credit the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) with allowing Escambia County to move quickly to return streets, parks and facilities to near-normal conditions without having to wait for federal assistance. The county commission was able to authorize a $10 million interest-free loan from the LOST III Fund to the Disaster Recovery Fund to kick-start recovery efforts.
From past experience, county leaders said they knew that a substantial portion of the recovery costs would come due prior to receipt of any reimbursements from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) or State Department of Emergency Management (DEM). In preparation for these necessary expenses, the Board approved the interfund loan this past July to help in covering the large costs associated with ongoing recovery. To finance the recovery, the cash will be transferred from the LOST III Fund when needed and repaid when FEMA and State DEM reimbursements are made.
The April floods impacted nearly all aspects of our community, from individuals and families to businesses, the economy, parks, public buildings and infrastructure. In turn, the recovery process has required an extraordinary effort from the whole community. The county is working to shape these efforts into a cohesive long-term strategy for recovery that:
- Incorporates immediate needs and the long-term vision of the community.
- Incorporates “lessons learned” to reduce potential impacts from future disasters.
- Uses available technical and financial resources to reach the desired outcomes.
The flood extracted a great toll on infrastructure throughout the area. Transportation,utilities and public facilities were all significantly impacted. In total, the damage assessment area covers approximately 175 square miles (not including 23 square miles located in the City of Pensacola). For a disaster of this size, scope and complexity, recovery requires a multi-faceted approach. To this end, the county:
- Focused initial efforts on restoring basic services through infrastructure repair, both temporary and permanent.
- Worked to establish multiple points of contact with representatives from FEMA to assist residents in obtaining immediate financial assistance.
- Joined with the City of Pensacola to establish a storm water task force to create a multi-disciplinary approach to storm water recovery that includes engagement from technical experts and representatives from all constituencies to identify and institute mitigation and resiliency initiatives.
- Is working with the owners of Forest Creek Apartments and FEMA to potentially relocate the apartment complex due to repetitive flooding. The property would then be absorbed into the adjacent Jones Creek watershed.
- Conducted more than $60,000 in emergency pumping projects to remove storm water from several neighborhoods that continued to hold flood waters for up to two weeks post-event due to their topography. Neighborhoods receiving this type of assistance included:
- Ponderosa Drive and Surrey Drive near Nine Mile Road
- Gulf Beach Highway near Nassau Street
- 73rd Street at Fabiano Street
- Investigated and identified more than 2,300 sites where infrastructure was damaged.
- Permanently or temporarily addressed or repaired 1,837 of the damaged sites and currently working on another 402 sites. More than $6.6 million has been encumbered to fund project contracts, with $2.8 million expended. Among these projects are:
- Blue Springs Drive/Crescent Lake Repairs: Substantial storm water run-off washed out segments of Blue Springs Drive and private property over a 2,000-foot pathway between East Shore Drive and Clearwater Avenue. Roadway washouts exceeded 10 feet in depth and cut off access to approximately 30 homes. Escambia County Public Works, working jointly with contractors and local utility crews, were able to provide temporary access as quickly as two weeks after the storm. Within five weeks, temporary roadway and utility repairs were complete. More than $400,000 has been spent on emergency repairs and construction of $560,000 in permanent repairs is underway.
- Johnson Avenue Repairs: The east end of Johnson Avenue near Olive Road was washed out at a major culvert crossing, leaving a 20-foot deep gap in the roadway. Design and construction of temporary repairs was completed within 12 weeks post-event at a cost of $500,000, providing access to the nearly 5,000 vehicles that use this portion of the road each day.
- Galvin Avenue Repairs: An overwhelmed storm water system at Galvin Avenue in the Springdale Forest area washed out, cutting off access to 28 properties and destroying one home. More than $45,000 in temporary roadway and utility repairs were completed within three weeks of the flood, providing property owners with access to their homes. Construction of permanent repairs will commence shortly.
- County Storm Water Pond Repair: Repair work to the more than 110 retention pond locations with reported damage began the day after the flood, with 50 sites repaired by county crews at a cost of more than $475,000. An additional 30 sites are currently under contract for approximately $600,000 in engineering design and repair work.
Pictured top: This photo was taken by the occupants of a vehicle in the Highway 29 flood waters looking back toward Burger King, near the time one woman drowned in the flood waters. Pictured top inset: Rain fell so rapidly that it flooded the I-10 bridge over Escambia Bay. Pictured below: Possessions lined Bristol Park Road after the floodwater receded. NorthEscambia.com and reader submitted photos, click to enlarge.
Charges Dropped Against Cantonment Burglary Suspect
October 28, 2014
Charges have been dropped against Flomaton man arrested after his girlfriend posted a “selfie” Facebook photo that the victims believed to show stolen goods in the background.
All charges in the case were dropped against Colby Wayne Satterwhite, 22, according to the State Attorney’s Office. at the request of the victims.
Residents of a home in the 300 block of Jacks Branch Road reported that their home had been burglarized sometime during a two day period in which they were gone. They returned home to find a exterior door pushed open, and missing items including $200 in cash, a large collection of collectable coins, a camera, a Mossberg shotgun in a tan case and ammunition. The total estimated value of missing items was $15,060.
Acting on a tip, the burglary victims checked the Facebook page of Satterwhite’s girlfriend and spotted what they believed to be her shotgun case in the background of one of the girlfriend’s “selfie” photographs.
But now, the State Attorney’s Office said, the victims no longer believe Satterwhite was involved in the crime. They have instead raised allegations against another individual who has not been charged.
Register Now: Major Leaguer Caleb Gindl To Hold Baseball Clinic
October 28, 2014
Northview Baseball and Major Leaguer Caleb Gindl of the Milwaukee Brewers will present a fall baseball clinic for ages 9-17. Participants will receive professional instruction and on the field experience while supporting the Northview Chiefs baseball program.
The clinic will be held Saturday, November 8 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Northview baseball complex. The cost is $40 per participant. Pre-register by November 1 for a free clinic t-shirt.
For more information or to register, call the Northview Diamond Club at (850) 554-8594.
Pictured: The Milwaukee Brewer’s Caleb Gindl hits during a baseball clinic last year at Northview High School in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Argument Over A Dollar Lands Man Behind Bars
October 28, 2014
A dispute over a dollar payment that involved fake coins for cigarettes ended with an Escambia County man behind bars.
John Henry Hardy, 73, was charged with two counts of aggravated assault, one count of aggravated battery, and one count possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. at Attucks Court. Pensacola Police Lt. Chuck Mallett said two women, both aged 24, got into an argument this morning with Hardy after one of them bought a couple of cigarettes from him Sunday night and paid for them with fake coins.
This morning, Hardy saw the 24-year-old woman who had paid him with the fake money at a store, argued with her and then returned to his apartment where he retrieved a shotgun. As the two 24-year-old women walked past his apartment, he confronted them again and one of the women gave him a real dollar in payment.
Mallett said the women then realized Hardy had a shotgun and fled the scene. He fired one time, and a pellet grazed a 19-year-old bystander on the arm. She drove herself to a hospital for treatment.
Hardy left the area in his car but turned himself in around 11 a.m. at police headquarters. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $15,000.