Eastern Diamond Rattlesnake Could Become Protected, Endangered Species
May 15, 2012
The eastern diamondback rattlesnake may receive protection under the Endangered Species Act, according to information from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
After a petition filed last year by environmental groups claiming the snake’s population has declined, Fish and Wildlife said more in-depth review will begin to determine if warranted for the largest venomous snake in North America.
The eastern diamondback historically ranged along the coastal lowlands of the southeastern United States from North Carolina to eastern Louisiana, including all of Florida. But now the eastern diamondback is already an endangered species in North Carolina and scientists believe it has all but disappeared from Louisiana.
The decline is attributed to the disappearance of longleaf pine ecosystems in many places and hunting of the snakes for meat, skins and events like the Opp (Ala.) Rattlesnake Rodeo.
It could take the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service months or even years to gather information to make a decision on labeling the eastern diamondback rattlesnake as a protected endangered species.
The Endangered Species act does not preclude a person from acting in self defense to protect themselves or their family.
Local Students Are Winners At State SkillsUSA Competition
May 15, 2012
Several North Escambia area students were winners at the recent SkillsUSA state competition at the Pensacola Civic Center.
Florida SkillsUSA competitors faced off to showcase their technical trade talents and leadership abilities inconjunction with the Worlds of Possibilities Career Expo.
The Worlds of Possibilities Career Expo is showcasing businesses and vendors in technical and vocational career fields by engaging more than 3,000 local seventh- and eighth-grade students, and more than 2,000 high school and college students from throughout the state of Florida.
TECH PREP SHOWCASE EDUCATION AND TRAINING:
Team B – Tate High School Gold Medal Winners
(100% Pensacola State College scholarship awarded for each Gold winner)
Team B (Gold Medal):
- Courtney Graves
- Morgan Fillingim
- Miranda Franklin
Team A – Tate High School Bronze Medal Winners
(25% Pensacola State College scholarship awarded for each Bronze winner)
Team A (Bronze Medal):
- Morgan Bathurst
- Mandi Praytor
- Ainsley Xenos
Preschool Teaching Assistant:
- Elizabeth McMann, Tate High School, Bronze Medal Winner
George Stone Technical Center students and teachers:
Marine Service Technology Winners
- Silver – Drew Resmondo
- Bronze – Jason Pack
Mens Haircutting
- Silver – Hoang Nguyen
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
- Gold – Daniel Wallace
- Silver – Bryant Horne
Computer Maintenance Technology
- Gold – James Bauder
Pictured top: Students from Ernest Ward Middle School were among those that attended the recent SkillsUSA event at the Pensacola Civic Center. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hurricane Season: Insurers Plan For Worst, Hope For Best
May 15, 2012
With two weeks to go before the hurricane season officially begins, players in the multi-billion dollar property insurance market meet in Orlando Tuesday to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
With $17 billion in obligations, the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund could find itself about $1.8 billion short if it has to go to the bond market immediately following a particular devastating storm, according to an analysis prepared an upcoming workshop this week on the catastrophe fund.
But the state remains in strong financial position to weather a particularly bad storm if allowed to pay off claims within a two-year period, a scenario seen as much more likely.
“If the (CAT fund) can realize and use its estimated 12-24 month post-event bonding capacity of an additional $5 billion, it could meet its full initial season obligation and apply additional bonding amounts and fund balance accumulated during that period to subsequent season claims paying capacity,” according to an analysis compiled by Raymond James.
State CAT fund officials are scheduled to meet this week with insurance industry representatives for an overview of the state-backed fund.
In order to meet its mandatory level of just over $17 billion, the CAT fund would have to float about $8.8 billion in bonds. Conservative estimates of the current bond market, however, say the capacity for such bond sales would tap out at $7 billion, leaving the gap.
Jack Nicholson, chief operating officer of the fund, said the $1.8 billion estimate is merely an indicator telling private insurers what their potential re-insurance needs may be. For large companies able to string out their losses over a two year period, the gap in coverage will have little impact.
Smaller companies, however, may consider the figure and determine that they need additional re-insurance from the private market in case a severe storm hits.
“If a company can wait two years to tap into the fund, they are fine. But for some smaller companies, the lag may be a legitimate concern,” Nicholson said
The CAT fund does an analysis of its bonding capacity twice a year – in May and October – the May figure is used primarily as a gauge of the availability of bond investors. During the credit crisis of 2008, the state would have only been able to secure about $3 billion from the bond market, a far cry from the $13.3 billion in potential losses.
If the state can’t meet its obligation through traditional bonding, it can levy assessments on policyholders or can go to the bank lending market to make ends meet.
“However, complete certainty of funding for the FHCF can only be achieved by increasing the pre?event committed cash resources of the fund for example, by doing a prevent liquidity funding program or by decreasing the potential obligations of the fund – or both,” the analysis concludes.
By The News Service of Florida
Pictured: A satellite image of Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Courtesy NOAA for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Barons Beat Blue Wahoos 8-4 To Even Series
May 15, 2012
Birmingham plated five runs in the top of the second inning, including a grand slam from third baseman Corey Smith, to lead the Barons to an 8-4 win over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Monday night at Pensacola’s multi-use stadium.
After Pensacola took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first thanks to part to DH Cody Puckett’s seventh home run of the season, Birmingham grabbed a lead they would not relinquish with a big second frame. CF Jared Mitchell led off the inning with a solo shot to left before the Barons loaded the bases with two walks and a single from 2B Jose Castro, which set the scene for Smith. The third baseman slugged the first pitch he saw down the left field line to clear the bases and give the Barons a 6-2 advantage.
The Blue Wahoos brought home single tallies in the fourth and fifth frames with 1B Joel Guzman leaving the yard for his fifth longball of the year in the fourth, while CF Ryan LaMarre singled and then was driven in on SS Didi Gregorius’ run scoring triple in the following frame. Birmingham would then plate additional insurance runs in both the sixth and seventh frames to increase the margin to 8-4.
LaMarre (2-3, 2 R, 1BB) and Guzman (2-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI) accumulated two hits on the night for the Blue Wahoos, while no Barons hitters recorded a multi-hit effort.
Barons starting pitcher Pedro Hernandez (5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 9 SO) earned his fifth win in as many starts after allowing four earned runs on six hits in five frames, while relievers Brandon Kloess (3.0 IP, 5 SO) and Leroy Hunt (1.0 IP, 1 SO) combined for the four perfect innings in support of Hernandez. Pensacola starter Daniel Corcino (5.0 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 7 SO) suffered the loss after yielding six earned runs on five hits in his five innings pitched.
With the series now tied at 2-2, the Blue Wahoos and Barons will meet Monday evening for the rubber match with first pitch scheduled for 7:00 pm at Pensacola’s bayfront stadium. RHP Tim Crabbe is scheduled to take the hill for Pensacola, while Birmingham is expected to send LHP Jose Quintana.
By Andrew Green
One Killed In Multiple Vehicle Crash With A Horse
May 14, 2012
A Pensacola man was killed in a multiple vehicle accident involving a horse Sunday night in Molino.
James Cobb, 63, was pronounced deceased on the scene of the 8:27 p.m. crash near Victory Assembly of God, just south of Barrineau Park Road. His passenger, 56-year old Debra Cobb, was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola with minor injuries.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Cobb was southbound on Highway 29 in the left lane as a horse was running northbound in the left southbound lane. Cobb was unable to avoid the horse; the front of his 2007 Kia Sorrento hit the horse. Cobb’s vehicle continued across the median and across both northbound lanes, coming to rest on the shoulder of the road.
The horse came to rest in the southbound lane of Highway 29. At least two other vehicles struck the animal following the initial collision, and at least one other person was transported to a Pensacola hospital with non life-threatening injuries. As of early Monday morning, details on the additional vehicles and drivers had not been released.
None of the vehicles collided with any another vehicle; all collided with only the horse. The horse did not survive the accident.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Molino, McDavid and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS, LifeFlight and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Pictured top: The driver of this vehicle died after hitting a horse on Highway 29 in Molino Sunday night. Pictured inset: One person from this vehicle was transported by ambulance to a Pensacola hospital after running over the horse. Pictured bottom inset: The driver of this vehicle was not injured after colliding with the horse.Pictured below: Traffic was backed up by the accident. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No Serious Injuries In Car Versus Tree Wreck
May 14, 2012
There were no serious injuries in a Monday morning wreck when a woman struck a tree.
The accident happened about on Bratt Road just west of Camp Road about 10:15 a.m. An 84-year old woman was transported by ambulance to Jay Hospital with injuries that were not considered severe.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded to the wreck.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary Names Inspirational Hero, Student Of Year
May 14, 2012
Byrneville Elementary School has named their 2012 Cox Inspirational Hero and their Student of the Year.
Cox Inspirational Hero — Patton Goetter
Byrneville’s Cox Inspirational Hero is Patton Goetter, a fifth grader with cystic fibrosis that “let’s nothing get in the way of his dreams”, according to the school. “His warm smile, dedication, and hard work makes him a ‘her0′ to us,” his teacher, Jacke Johnston, said.
Student of the Year — Tanner Levins
Byrneville Elementary School’s Student of the Year is fifth grader Tanner Levins.
“Tanner is a dream student. He always gives 100% and is eager to learn new things. He is always wearing a smile and is always there to help another student out. He takes up for the kids who can’t take up for themselves. Tanner definitely is a role model in and out of school,” said Johnson, also Levins’ teacher.
Pictured top: Byrneville Elementary School’s Cox Inspirational Hero Patton Goetter and Student of the Year Tanner Levins. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Facing Felony Charge For Selling Stolen Puppy For $50
May 14, 2012
A Cantonment man is facing a second degree felony charge for allegedly selling a stolen pit bull puppy for $50.
Michael Bryant, age 54 of Lake Drive, was charged with dealing in stolen property. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on $2,500 bond.
He was arrested last week for an incident that occurred January 12. A resident of Robinson Street reported that her pit bull puppy — black in color with a white patch under his chin — had been stolen. The victim later located her puppy at a home on Washington Street. The person with the puppy claimed they had purchased it for $50 from Bryant, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report. The purchaser of the puppy told deputies that he wanted his $50 back.
Both parties agreed they wanted to press charged against Bryant, according to the report.
Eight Businesses Sell Alcohol To Minors
May 14, 2012
Employees at eight Pensacola businesses were charged with misdemeanors after they illegally sold alcohol to an underage buyer, according to the Pensacola Police Department.
Pensacola Police Vice and Narcotics officers supervised an undercover female police agent under the age of 21 who went into 20 stores during the 6-hour sweep and tried to purchase
alcohol. Employees who were charged with selling alcohol to a minor either didn’t check identification or checked it improperly, police said.
Employees at the following businesses were cited for improper sales:
- The Ticket Sports Bar, 820 E. Gregory St.
- BP gas station, One W. Cervantes St.
- Fleet Express gas station, 400 E. Gregory St.
- Circle K, 3013 E. Cervantes St.
- Circle K, 1201 E. Cervantes St.
- BP gas station, 2111 W. Garden St.
- Chicago Store, 2200 N. Davis Highway
- Short Stop Pantry, 707 N. Pace Blvd.
Pensacola Police said they are done with the underage alcohol sweeps; they plan more unannounced undercover operations to check compliance with alcohol laws.
LifeFlight Turns 35 (Photo Gallery From LifeFlight Over Flomaton, Century)
May 14, 2012
May 14 was the 35th anniversary of the first patient flight on LifeFlight.
In 1977, Baptist Hospital became the third hospital in the country to operate medical helicopter ambulance service. LifeFlight 2 was added in Mobile in 2004 and LifeFlight 3 was added in Evergreen in 2006.
For a photo gallery from LifeFlight over Century and Flomaton, click here.
Operating 24 hours a day, Baptist LifeFlight can be airborne within minutes of a call, traveling at speeds in excess of 150 miles per hour. This significantly reduces the transport time of critically ill patients, either from a transferring hospital or from the scene of an emergency.
The Baptist LifeFlight crew is highly trained and experienced in critical care. Registered nurses must have a paramedic certification, a minimum of three years in nursing with one year each of critical care and emergency department experience, and be certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). Paramedics are required to have a minimum of three years experience in a busy EMS service and must also have ACLS and PALS certifications. New crew members also receive extensive additional training from LifeFlight’s medical directors.
The helicopter operates on two Pratt & Whitney turbine engines. It has an empty weight of 3,208 pounds, and a maximum flight weight of 6,415 pounds. It has a maximum altitude of 10,000 feet, a cruise speed of 158 mph and climbs 25 feet per second.
For a photo gallery from LifeFlight over Century and Flomaton, click here.
Pictured top: LifeFlight at a wreck on Highway 29 near McDavid. Pictured inset: Looking down from LifeFlight at the Panhandle Restaurant in Century. Pictured below: The view from LifeFlight over Century looking north toward Flomaton. Northescambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
