Want To Volunteer In The Flood Relief Efforts?
May 9, 2014
As our community begins rebuilding and recovering from last week’s devastating flood, United Way of Escambia County is receiving calls from compassionate volunteers who are ready to help those in need. United Way is currently directing callers to the following organizations serving flood victims:
Operation Blessing
Where: Brownsville Assembly of God, 3100 W. Desoto St., Pensacola, FL 32505
When: Arrive at 8:00am to register and receive an orientation at 8:30am. The volunteer work crews will be in the field from 9:15am-4:30pm, Monday-Saturday.
Contact: You can also call to sign up at (757) 284-9183.
Details: Must be at least 18 years old.
American Red Cross
Where: 222 N. Baylen Street, Pensacola, FL 32502
Contact: LaDonna Spivey at ladonna.spivey@redcross.org.
Details: Include the days and times you are available.
Florida Baptist Disaster Relief Ministries
Hillcrest Baptist Church
Where: Heritage Hall, 800 East Nine Mile Rd, Pensacola, FL 32514
When: 8am-8pm
Contact: (850) 361-4717
National Association of Christian Churches
Where: New Faith Missionary Baptist Church, 223 Massachusetts Ave., Pensacola, FL 32505
When: May 9-11, 8am-5:30pm
Contact: Pastor Jose Ortega at 214-537-9627
What: Volunteers are needed to help with seven to eight projects with residents’ homes including laying sheetrock and gutting out. All equipment and supplies are provided.
Head Start/Community Action Program Committee
Where: Gibson Head Start Center, 710 North C Street, Pensacola 32501 (Located on Cervantes between C and B streets)
When: Wednesday, May 14 and Tuesday, May 20 from 8am-5pm.
What: Debris cleanup.
Contact: Sarah Sutton by email at s.gillette@capc-pensacola.org or Monday-Friday from 8am-3pm at 850.432.2992 ext 438.
Details: Some equipment will be available; however, if you have your own rakes, clippers or gloves please bring them.
Individuals seeking recovery assistance are asked to dial 2-1-1 for information and resource referrals. United Way’s 2-1-1 specialists are capturing victim needs in a database that is being shared with the Emergency Operations Center and local providers who are serving victims. This confidential collection of victim information is shared with FEMA to create an accurate reflection of victim needs and the flood’s impact. It is also shared with organizations that are helping to serve victims.
As volunteer needs continue to surface over the coming weeks, United Way will update the community and direct volunteer groups to organizations that are helping to meet those needs.
United Way encourages residents who would like to give financially, to donate now at www.helpNWFLrecover.org. Donations secured will be divided using the level of impact determined by Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) assessment of loss and impact. Funds will be disbursed by Northwest Florida’s United Ways to their local communities.
For more information on United Way’s involvement in flood recovery efforts, please call 850.434.3157 or visit www.unitedwayescambia.org.
Thomas: Escambia Students Will Not Make Up Missed Flood Days
May 9, 2014
Escambia School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said that he will propose not requiring students to make up the two days missed due to flooding.
Escambia students missed April 30 and May 1 due to extreme flooding in some areas.
Students won’t be required to make up the two lost days, as long as Thomas’s proposal is approved by the school board. He said there were sufficient instructional days remaining on the school calendar.
Wahoos Win Pitcher’s Duel
May 9, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos defeated the Chattanooga Lookouts, 3-2, on Thursday night in front of a sell-out crowd at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. The Wahoos (15-19) evened the series in a game in which the starting pitchers shined for both Pensacola and the Lookouts (14-19).
RHP Michael Lorenzen was fantastic in the start for the Wahoos. Each of the first four batters of the game reached for the Lookouts, but Lorenzen was able to work out of the jam and twirl a gem. Lorenzen retired twenty straight batters from the first inning into the seventh and struck out six Lookout batters during the process. The right-hander pitched 7.0 innings and gave up just three hits. RHP James Walczak pitched a perfect eighth inning and struck out one batter and earned his first win of the year.
The Wahoos had a tough time getting hits off of Lookouts starter Andres Santiago. Their first run in the contest scored on an error by second baseman Ryan Adams. Juan Silverio continued his hot hitting in the series, going 3-for-4 with three singles. Right fielder Juan Duran hit an RBI double into the left field gap to score Silverio all the way from first and give the Wahoos the lead in the eighth. Left fielder Steve Selsky added an insurance run with an RBI single to score Duran; Selsky went 3-for-4 with a double on the game.
Santiago had his longest outing of the season; he gave up 1 R/0 ER on five hits through 6.1 innings. Santiago added five strikeouts to his ledger. Reliever Pedro Baez took the loss for the Lookouts; the right-hander pitched 1.2 innings and gave up two runs on four hits.
Jeremy Hazelbaker led off the game with a triple down the right field line and later scored on a Brian Cavazo-Galvez single. Left fielder Scott Schebler had an RBI single in the ninth to cut the lead to one, but Shane Dyer struck out Chris O’Brien to end the game with the tying run at third. Despite allowing the ninth inning run, Dyer remained perfect in his four save tries.
RHP Mikey O’Brien (1-2, 4.24) will make his second start of the season for the Wahoos in the series finale on Friday. O’Brien pitched well in a spot start last week, giving up just 1 R/ER on three hits through 5.0 innings. The Lookouts will counter with RHP Garrett Gould (1-4, 6.41).
by Tommy Thrall
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos beat the Chattanooga Lookouts 3-2 at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium Thursday. Photo by Michael Spooneybarger/ Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Inspirational Student Heroes To Be Honored Tonight
May 8, 2014
The annual Inspirational Student Hero Awards were presented Thursday night at the University of West Florida.
Cox Communications recognized 45 students from Escambia County who have overcome extreme challenges in life, such as mental or physical disabilities, severe medical conditions, language barriers or family adversity.
The students were chosen by a committee of leaders at their school. During the event, Cox presented the students with an engraved medallion and certificates of honor from Cox. Congressman Jeff Miller’s office was also be on hand to recognize the students with a certificate.
“Each of the students being recognized is an inspiration to us all. They have shown enduring perseverance, inner strength and courage of character to rise above significant challenges and bring encouragement to others,” stated Jacqui Vines, senior vice president and general manager of Cox Southeast. “It is truly my honor to pay tribute to these student heroes.”
Listed below are the 2014 Cox Inspirational Student Heroes Award winners for Escambia County.
Bellview Elementary — Crystal Hassell
Bellview Middle — Samuel Lyons
Beulah Elementary — Lauren Williams
Blue Angels Elementary — Noah Anderson
Bratt Elementary — Leila Tuberville
Brown Barge Middle — DaJohn Jamison
Byrneville Elementary — Joseph Franklin
C.A. Weis Elementary — Gary Ford
Cordova Park Elementary — Kaleia Richard
Ensley Elementary — Rodnesha English
Escambia High — Josh Wilhelm
Escambia Charter — Brandon Grandison
Ferry Pass Elementary — Alexandra Ceballos
Ferry Pass Middle — Trenton Faulkner
Global Learning Academy — Mikel Jones
Hellen Caro Elementary — Anthony Fisher
Holm Elementary — Cole Oglesby
Jacqueline Harris Prep — Jordan Shipp
Jim Allen Elementary — Molly McArthur
Jim Bailey Middle — Fredricka Walker
Lincoln Park Elementary — Kewaun Hays
Longleaf Elementary — Trinity Smith
McArthur Elementary — James Gray
Montclair Elementary — JaBrea Darnes
Myrtle Grove Elementary — Maxim Houser
N.B. Cook Elementary — Alysa Larsen
Navy Point Elementary — Malachi Durant
Northview High — Kelsie Hudson
O.J. Semmes Elementary — Adrianna Hedrick
Oakcrest Elementary — Antoine Banks
Pensacola High — Samuel Waz
Pine Forest High — Tyler Brady
Pine Meadow Elementary — Alexander Nicholson
Pleasant Grove Elementary — LillyMae Goodman
R. C. Lipscomb Elementary — Hakeem McCreary
Ransom Middle — Kameron Armour
Scenic Heights Elementary — My Nguyen
Sherwood Elementary — Tay’Shun Lewis
Tate High — Logan Hunter
Warrington Elementary — Laniya Thompson
Warrington Middle — Tavaius Dawson
Washington High — Coco Atwood
West Pensacola Elementary — Tyson Reeves, Jr.
Woodham Middle — Brianna Ortiz
Workman Middle — Parker Darling
Navy Training Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing In Molino Field
May 8, 2014
A Navy training helicopter from Whiting Field made an emergency landing late Wednesday afternoon in Molino.
A warning light in the aircraft prompted the pilot to make a controlled landing in a field on Highway 97 across from Molino Park Elementary School. There were no injuries to the helicopter crew.
A witness said the helicopter made what appeared to be an ordinary, controlled approach and landing in the field.
A truck and trailer from Whiting Field was dispatched to retrieve the aircraft and the personnel.
Pictured top: A Navy training helicopter made an emergency landing in a field across from Molino Park Elementary School late Wednesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Former FDLE Chemist Arrested On More Drug Charges
May 8, 2014
Inspectors with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement rearrested former FDLE Pensacola crime laboratory chemist Joseph Graves on additional charges of drug trafficking today.
Investigators believe that Graves, while processing drug cases for FDLE’s Pensacola lab, stole prescription pain pills intended as evidence. He was charged with an additional 41 counts of trafficking in illegal drugs.
Graves bond is set at $1.025 million.
He was originally arrested February 4 on charges of grand theft, 12 counts of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence and nine counts of trafficking in illegal drugs. FDLE began the investigation in January, collaborating with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and State Attorney Bill Eddins, after prescription pain pills from the evidence room at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office went missing.
Investigators determined that each case involving missing drugs had been analyzed by Graves, who had been a crime lab analyst in Pensacola since 2005 and was promoted to supervisor in 2009. FDLE has been reviewing evidence from all the cases Graves handled to determine which ones could be compromised. He handled nearly 2,600 cases for 80 law-enforcement agencies spanning 35 counties and 12 judicial circuits.
Commissioner To Meet With Flood Victims Friday
May 8, 2014
District 5 Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry will hold two open house sessions Friday to meet with constituents to answer questions regarding the recent flood damage in the area, how to apply for FEMA assistance and more.
Times and locations are as follows:
- 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Pinewoods Presbyterian Church, 2198 Hwy 297A, Cantonment
- 1 to 5 p.m. – Milestone Baptist Church, 3800 Pine Forest Rd, Cantonment
For more information, contact Barry’s office at (850) 595-4950.
Escambia County: FEMA Application Updates, Disaster Assistance, Road Closures
May 8, 2014
Here is the latest flood recovery status update from Escambia County:
As of Wednesday morning, FEMA reported 903 applications for assistance received from Escambia County residents.
Estimates on damage to public infrastructure in Escambia County and the City of Pensacola has reached $27.5 million. As of 1 p.m. Wednesday, 28 residential homes within the County have been deemed destroyed. Other numbers will be updated as we continue damage assessments.
Beginning Thursday, Escambia County will launch Project Outreach, a program that will use field teams to provide aid to the most heavily impacted areas within Escambia County. The field teams will set up tents, distribute clean up kits, food, water and provide aid with the FEMA application process.
Two FEMA Disaster Survival Assistance Teams (DSAT) have been dispatched to Escambia County and are expected to begin work tomorrow.
The county is still working to determine a location for a static Disaster Recovery Center (DRC).
Due to the large number of residences impacted, significant wait times are expected at the DRC (once it is established). Applicants are encouraged to register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via their mobile device at m.fema.gov. FEMA will verify eligibility and need before assistance is offered.
Applicants will be asked for the following information:
- Social security number
- Address of damaged home or apartment
- Description of the damage
- Information about insurance coverage
- Current telephone number
- An address where they can receive mail
- Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds
Escambia County residents needing assistance may also call the following numbers to register:
- Toll-free telephone registration: (800) 621-FEMA (3362)
- Individuals who have a speech disability or hearing loss can use TTY: (800) 462-7585 directly
- Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS): (800) 621-3362.
If you do not have computer access, below is a listing of the West Florida Public Library locations, hours of operation and number of computers at each location offers for public use.
West Florida Public Library locations and hours:
- Main Library, 239 North Spring Street, Pensacola – 34 computers
- Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Sunday: 12 – 4 p.m.
- Century Branch, 7991 North Century Boulevard, Century – 7 computers
- Sunday – Monday: closed
- Tuesday and Thursday: 12 – 8 p.m.
- Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Genealogy Branch, 5740 North 9th Avenue, Pensacola - 34 computers
- Sunday – Monday: closed
- Tuesday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Molino Branch, 6450A Highway 95A, Molino – 9 computers
- Sunday: closed
- Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Tryon Branch, 1200 Langley Avenue, Pensacola – 22 computers
- Sunday: closed
- Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Southwest Branch, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola – 18 computers
- Sunday: closed
- Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday: 10a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Westside Branch, 1580 West Cervantes Street, Pensacola – 9 computers
- Sunday: closed
- Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Road Closure Update
The Escambia County Public Works Department is making progress on the transportation issues that have impacted roads and bridges across the County.
So far, approximately 700 damaged sites have been identified. These sites include damage to specific points on roads, bridges and storm water drainage systems. Some roadways have suffered damage at multiple points.
As of midday Wednesday, more than 100 damaged sites hadbeen addressed, either with temporary repairs or permanent fixes.
The Escambia County Public Works Department is also focusing its efforts on repairing and replacing storm damaged thoroughfares. Some neighborhood roadways may remain impassable due to flooding, however only three collector roads maintained by Escambia County remain closed:
- Dog Track Road
- East Johnson Avenue
- Old Corry Field Road
Emergency repairs to the Blue Springs Avenue and Crescent Lake area is actively underway. Work is progressing and flood relief efforts continue on the following streets:
- Surrey Drive
- Gulf Beach Highway
- Renee Terrace
- Fabiano Street
So far, Escambia County crews have pumped more than 4.5 million gallons of flood waters from roadways and properties.
Once the current cleanup and repair effort is completed, Escambia County will perform engineering studies for all areas that experienced significant flooding.
Residents in Escambia County who need non-emergency assistance can call the Citizens Information Center at (850) 471-6600.
West Florida Wins, Advances To State Championship Game (With Photo Gallery)
May 8, 2014
The West Florida Lady Jaguars are headed to the 4A state championship game on Thursday.
The Lady Jags beat defending state champions Gulliver Prep 3-0 Wednesday at Historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach. WFHS will play P. K. Yonge Thursday for the shot at West Florida’s first-ever softball state championship.
Korina Rosario pitched a two-hit shutout, striking out 12. For West Florida, Kristen Gunter was 2-2 with a RBI; Nachelle Watson was 2-3 with a RBI and run scored; Jordaine Watkins was 1-2 with a triple; Brianna Rogers was 1-2 with a triple and run scored. The Jags scored two in the first inning and one in second inning.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Gary Carnley, click to enlarge.
Escambia Extension Services Temporarily Relocated Due To Flooding
May 8, 2014
The Escambia County Extension Services office, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment, has been temporarily relocated due to flood damage.
Extension staff have been relocated to the following locations:
- 4-H and Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program Staff – Langley Bell 4-H Center, 4810 W. Nine Mile Road
- Agricultural Agent – Farm Bureau Building, 151 Highway 97, Molino, (850) 587-5404, ext. 3
- All other Extension staff has been moved to the Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Soil sample kits and staff are on hand at the Central Office Complex for questions regarding plants and insects. A Horticulture Technician can be reached at (850) 595-2405.
More information will be published as telephone service becomes available for other staff.