Man Injured When Gunfire Strikes Home
August 17, 2012
One man was injured in a shots fired disturbance Thursday evening in Escambia County.
Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the area of Miller Street and Baars Avenue, near I-110 and Texar Drive, after dispatchers received calls about shots fired. They discovered that a house was hit by gunfire in the 3000 block of Miller Street.
An adult male who was at the house during the shooting received minor injuries. He was reportedly grazed in the eye by a bullet. He was treated on the scene and refused to be transported to the hospital.
The shooting remains under investigation. Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Escambia United Way Honors Key Partners And Volunteers
August 17, 2012
The United Way of Escambia County thanked special partners Thursday for a year that included $3.5 million that was leveraged into an $8.1 million impact in the local community.
“We couldn’t have done it without you. Your 30,000 hours of volunteer service and your generous giving means we can fund nine new programs. That combined with efforts of 2-1-1 and the 36 other funded programs will serve 212,000 citizens in Escambia County. Without you, we could never have leveraged our funds and efforts to the $8.1 million impact that will create opportunities for a better life in our community,” said local United Way President and CEO Andrea Krieger.
Special recognition was given to the following individuals and organizations:
DAY OF CARING VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: Dan and Connie Cassidy have demonstrated exemplary support and innovation in the creation of a Breakfast Committee that helps with donations to keep costs down and inspiration that builds participation.
VOLUNTEER GROUP OF THE YEAR: Gulf Power Resistors always answer the call and help multiple area non-profits. The Bay Area Food Bank and BRACE joined United Way in thanking this group comprised of John Hutchinson, Ron Robertson, Chris Edwards, Mark Davidson, Jeff Pike and Caroline Wilson… all from Gulf Power.
VITA VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: Nancy Taylor has served others for 20 years. With over 800 volunteer hours in 2012, she led 42 other volunteers who processed over 1,700 tax refunds for a $2.2M return to the community.
2-1-1 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: Denise Ables joined the 2-1-1 team in the fall of 2011 and quickly became one of our community’s most valuable resources. She directs callers to the best available resources and referrals.
EMERGING LEADERS SOCIETY MEMBER OF THE YEAR: Cherri Baker served as the Engagement and Volunteerism Chair for the 2012 ELS Steering Council. She led volunteer activities and drives for Early Learning Coalition, the CDAC Early Riser program and Bridges to Circles.
BOARD MEMBER OF THE YEAR: Linda Hoffman’s peers on the United Way Board praised her for her quiet willingness to help whenever and however needed. Her hours and guidance provided as Chair of the Community Impact Initiative resulted in the first United Way impact initiative to improve third grade reading scores through The Next Right Thing tutoring program at the Global Learning Academy.
STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR: Tom Hilton was praised a United Way’s “unsung hero.” He is a constant at United Way on the weekends and volunteered 427 hours to United Way and to other charities in our area. His expertise and willingness to lead is shared with United Way staff and other non-profits who need financial guidance. Tom is United Way’s CFO.
RAYELL IRISH – COLOR A BRIGHTER WORLD AWARD RECIPIENT: Donna Fassett has been serving our community since 1979. She has dedicated her life to serving those in our community with developmental disabilities. During her time as the Executive Director of ARC Gateway, she has achieved many milestones and has expanded the organization’s programs to serve more than 900 children and adults with developmental disabilities.
AGENCY PARTNER OF THE YEAR: Gulf Coast Kid’s House was recognized for their exceptional partnership in 2012. They conducted 6 presentations, 3 agency tours and 1 agency expo for the annual workplace campaign. They hosted meetings of the United Way Agency Director Association (UWADA) and their Executive Director served as Secretary. On all levels, they participated in volunteer and fundraising efforts to support the community, while at the same time serving 2,000 child victims of child abuse. In addition, they excelled at collaborative partnerships and expanded their advocacy and preventive through a new prevention coordinator who enabled the organization to serve 620 children and 95 adults in Escambia County.
DISTINGUISHED COMMUNITY BUSINESS PARTNER: Gulf Power had 129 employees volunteer in service to the community through United Way partnerships. They collaboratively donated 1,470 hours to United Way and 9 partner agencies. Employees donated over $209,959 to multiple local agencies including United Way, Council on Aging, American Heart Association, Communities Caring at Christmas, Ronald McDonald House, Cram the Van and the American Cancer Society…to name a few. The corporate match in 2012 increased this giving by another $47,239. Their volunteer hours and efforts alone represented another $31,443 in free labor that enabled area agencies to do more to serve others.
UNITED WAY SERVICE AWARD: Shannon Lands has been serving her community with passion in partnership with United Way for over 12 years. Her dedication and commitment is evident in all that she does and can be seen in her engaged pursuit of service. In 2012, she donated 183 hours in service to United Way and our community. She was present at agency trainings, volunteer trainings, tours and oral presentations without exception. She even coordinated use of her company’s board rooms for agency oral presentations. Currently, she also serves on the Human Resources committee and the strategic planning committee with United Way. She has served as the Youth Support panel chair, the Family Support panel chair, the Health Support At-Large member of the Full Committee, the Physical Health Conditions panel chair, the Funds Distribution Vice Chair and now as the Funds Distribution Chair.
DISTINGUISHED COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD: Quint and Rishy Studer’s commitment and impact in the field of human services impact the Pensacola community is inspirational. They demonstrate a true empathy and compassion which they readily share for the betterment of others. While they do daily good works under the radar, any quick perusal of local media or the internet will show broad and significant gifts of time and financial resources from this couple. They embody the goodness of “uniting” to serve others. From a baseball team conducting charity nights at a University Field starting in 2002 to gifting proceeds from selling the team their philanthropy has grown. Their $2.25M gift to the stadium and their leadership in bringing the Wahoos was the fuel that is igniting positive change that lifts our entire community. Wherever they have seen success, they have willingly and generously shared with others. This includes the annual lead gift they have maintained as members of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society for the last five years. They also share the resources of their businesses and the assistance of staff and personnel trained to assist with organizational management and personal spend hundreds of hours annually serving as leaders in various roles in our community. They inspire others to do the same and in 2010 alone supported their employee’s performance of more than 5,000 hours of volunteer service in the Pensacola community. They feel that giving back to one’s community is not just an option – but an obligation. We are lucky to have Quint and Rishy as committed community partners who are dedicated to serving others. They continually live the ideals of Distinguished Community Service and are well-deserving of this award.
Schools Hold Orientation Sessions
August 17, 2012
Ernest Ward Middle School held a sixth grade and new student orientation Thursday, one of many held at schools across Escambia County. School begins Monday in Escambia County. Pictured top: Principal Nancy Perry speaks to students and parents. Pictured below: A school tour. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Wahoos And BayBears Postponed In Mobile
August 17, 2012
Thursday’s game between the Blue Wahoos and Mobile BayBears has been postponed due to rain. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Friday beginning at 5:05 p.m.
Both games will be seven-inning contests. The second game will start approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one. RHP Kyle Lotzkar will start for the Blue Wahoos in the first game against Mobile RHP Brett Tomko. In game two, RHP Mark Serrano is scheduled to square off against fellow RHP Chase Anderson.
The Blue Wahoos’ next homestand begins on Sunday, August 19 at 4:00 p.m., with the Montgomery Biscuits.
Pensacola Wins $1 Million Hurricane Ivan Appeal
August 17, 2012
FEMA will reimburse the City of Pensacola another $1 million for costs associated with Hurricane Ivan.
The city incurred costs of $1,369,891 for the removal of debris from 64 city parks after the hurricane. Due to a disagreement over the reasonable cost for the work, FEMA reimbursed only $357,047. Appeals submitted by the previous City administration were denied, and the process stalled as FEMA closed the case in February 2010.
Shortly after taking office, Mayor Ashton Hayward traveled to Washington in March 2011 to renew the appeal, personally meeting with representatives from FEMA. Hayward also flew to Orlando to meet with Senator Bill Nelson about the appeal, and made regular calls to officials to ensure the appeal was on track.
FEMA approved another $1,012,389 for Pensacola.
“This is a huge win for the City of Pensacola,” said Mayor Hayward. “Immediately after taking office, I made pursuing these FEMA dollars a top priority. With our new form of government, one of the mayor’s duties is to truly advocate and fight for our city, whether it’s for jobs, investment, or federal dollars that we’re owed. I want to thank Senator Nelson, his chief of staff Pete Mitchell, as well as Congressman Jeff Miller for all of their support and hard work on this issue.”
“It’s incredibly important for a leader to leverage every relationship and have the tenacity and determination to get things done,” said City Administrator Bill Reynolds.
In a letter Thursday, FEMA Deputy Associate Administrator Elizabeth Zimmerman noted that FEMA’s initial denials were based on only collecting and hauling debris, and did not consider additional work performed by the City’s contractor, such as hazardous tree, limb, and stump removal. Finding that the city’s “requested funding … is a reasonable cost for the work performed,” Zimmerman determined that the city’s appeal should be granted in full. The determination represents the final decision on this matter.
Feds Sue Florida Prisons Over Kosher Meals
August 17, 2012
Arguing that prisoners’ rights have been violated, the U.S. Department of Justice this week filed a federal lawsuit aimed at forcing the Florida Department of Corrections to make available kosher meals.
The lawsuit, filed in Miami, says Florida abandoned serving kosher meals in prisons in 2007, except for a pilot program at the South Florida Reception Center.
“FDC’s (the Florida Department of Corrections’) denial of kosher meals substantially burdens the religious exercise of prisoners desiring to keep kosher, as consuming a kosher diet is a fundamental tenet of Judaism and other religions practiced by FDC prisoners,” the lawsuit says.
Before 2007, the lawsuit says prisoners who wanted to keep kosher could be sent to 13 prisons. It says an average of 250 prisoners a day took part in the kosher program. The lawsuit lists 13 prisoners who want kosher meals but are unable to get them at a variety of prison facilities.
By The News Service of Florida
Marine Aviation Tower Arrives In Escambia County
August 16, 2012
A motorcade with the Marine Aviation Memorial Tower traveled through North Escambia Thursday afternoon.
The 30-foot tall steel tower, commemorating 100 years of Marine Aviation and honoring all Marine aviators, arrived later at the Veterans Memorial Park in Pensacola. It will be dedicated during a ceremony Sunday at 11 a.m.
The motorcade included about 100 members of the Patriot Guard.
Pictured top: The Marine Aviation Memorial Tower speeds past the McDavid Mini Mart Thursday afternoon. Pictured inset and below: The tower was accompanied by the Patriot Guard as it rolled through McDavid under stormy skies. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge. Pictured bottom: A rendering of the tower in place at the Veterans Memorial Park in Pensacola.
Escambia Deputy Injured In Traffic Crash
August 16, 2012
An Escambia County deputy was taken to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries after he was involved in a traffic crash this morning.
The wreck occurred around 8:20 a.m. at the intersection of Q and Jackson streets.
Pensacola Police Department Officer Dan Bell said a 2006 Honda CRV driven by Mary Woolley, age 57 of Jackson Street, was facing south on Q Street when she pulled from a stop sign into
the path of a marked Escambia County Sheriff’s cruiser driven by Deputy William Hallford, 48.
Hallford was traveling west on Jackson Street approaching the intersection when Woolley pulled in front of the cruiser, Bell said. The deputy did not have a stop sign.
The cruiser then struck the left front of Woolley’s vehicle with its right front bumper. Woolley was cited for running a stop sign.
Man Shot When Answering His Door
August 16, 2012
A man was shot when he answered his door early this morning just off Nine Mile Road.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 2300 block of Copter Road about 2 a.m. where they found that 29-year old Daniel N. Lukers of Pensacola had suffered gunshots to his side. Lukers told deputies he heard someone knocking at his door, and he went to see who it was. Lukers said when he opened the front door, the suspect tried to gain entry into his home.
During the confrontation at the door, Lukers was shot. He was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Further details have not been released by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Ransom Middle Offering New Multimedia Academy
August 16, 2012
A new Multimedia Academy is slated to open this fall at Ransom Middle School, giving students the chance to learn industry certifications and high school credit.
The Ramsom Multimedia Academy will be available to all RMS students through a sixth-eighth grade course sequence that focuses on multimedia technologies.
Students will learn the use of Microsoft Office 2010, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Premiere Pro. During the eighth grade, students will use their creative skills for television production, fashion and interior design. Students will produce a daily live production will be streamed across the school intranet for viewing by students, faculty and staff.
The Ramsom Multimedia Academy instructor will be James Jackson.
For more information, contact the school at (850) 937-2220.