EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Watch As Possible Tornado Begins To Form
March 10, 2011
NorthEscambia.com shot video of storm clouds swirling and rotating Wednesday morning in Walnut Hill. The video was shot on Highway 97 near, and almost directly over, Ernest Ward Middle School. Moments later, an Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy reported a funnel cloud on the ground near North Highway 99 and Mayhaw Road, about one mile away.
Within minutes, the storm with an unconfirmed tornado had damaged or destroyed several homes near McDavid.
If you do not see the video at the top of the page, it is because your home, work or school firewall is blocking external YouTube videos.
NorthEscambia.com exclusive video.
Three Years In Prison For McDavid Man That Sold Gun For $40 In Marijuana
March 10, 2011
A McDavid man was sentenced to three years in state prison Wednesday for selling a firearm to a 16-year old in exchange for $40 in marijuana, eventually leading to a shot being fired into a deputy’s tire.
David Dewayne Simmons, 49, was sentenced by Judge Ronald Swanson to three years in state prison for selling a firearm to a minor and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
In July, 2010, Simmons sold a .22 caliber handgun to Ladarrious Tamiraye Lett, 16, of Ivey Street, Century. Lett was later found guilty of possession of a firearm by a convicted delinquent under 24 years of age, tampering with evidence and culpable negligence. Lett was sentenced to nine months in the county jail.
The incident began at 3:23 a.m. on July 14, 2010, when Deputy Scott Rivkin conducted a traffic stop on a black Eagle Talon with no headlights near North Century Boulevard and Henry Streets. The driver of the vehicle was given a warning for failing to use his headlights. Lett was the passenger in the vehicle. Both left the area.
About five minutes later, Rivkin was traveling on North Century Boulevard in the same area as the traffic stop when when he heard what he believed to be a gunshot. Upon investigation, he discovered a .22 caliber pistol in the middle of North Century Boulevard. When the right rear wheel of the deputy’s cruiser rolled over the weapon, it had fired a round, flattening the tire. Next to the revolver, the deputy discovered one empty shell casing and five live rounds of ammunition.
While Deputy Rivkin was still parked on North Century Boulevard, he noticed the driver from the previous traffic stop and Lett approaching him on foot. The two were separated and questioned as the Flomaton Police Department responded for backup.
The driver told authorities that Lett had dropped the gun out of the vehicle’s window just prior to the traffic stop and that the pair had returned to the area to retrieve the gun. The 16-year old told deputies that he had purchased the gun from Simmons with a $40 bag of marijuana, and he provided a bill of sale. Lett admitted to dropping the gun out of the vehicle window, according to his arrest report.
Lett was originally charged as a juvenile in connection with the incident, but he was tried and convicted as an adult in Escambia County Circuit Court.
Storms Cause Injury, Damage In Santa Rosa County
March 9, 2011
The following is a summary of damage reported in Santa Rosa County as a result of Wednesday’s storms.
Structure Damage from high winds (The National Weather Service makes the determination if damage was caused by straight-line, microburst or tornadic activity):
- Damage to four homes in the 5000 block of Timber Ridge Drive off of Hamilton Bridge Road
- One home with major damage, approximately 50 percent of roof destroyed and water damage in the home, damaged estimates for structure approximately $100,000
- Three homes with minor roof damage
- Downed tree caused approximately $5,000 damage to a detached shed and above ground pool in the 4500 block of Teston Drive in Avalon.
Four fires were reported believed caused by lightning strikes as determined by fire departments:
- 8000 block of Molina Street in Holley-Navarre- residential fire
- 3900 block of Floridatown Road- residential fire
- 4900 Thoroughbred Drive- shed fire
- 5000 block of Persimmon Hollow Road- residential fire, lightning strike to propone operated stove
Other:
- One injury- Indirect lightning strike to a teenager at the Learning Academy, 5800 block of Stewart Street. The patient was touching a door handle when lightning struck nearby and was transported in stable condition to Santa Rosa Medical Center.
- Sporadic power outages, including several blocks of the downtown Milton.
- No official road closures.
After The Storm: What You Need To Know
March 9, 2011
After storms like Wednesday’s possible tornado in Molino, there are important next steps for those that have damage.
NorthEscambia.com has tips residents and business owners below. At the bottom of this page, you will find a list of important phone numbers to know.
Your Need To Know: Making The Claim
Contact your insurance agent as quickly as possible. Let them know about your losses. If you are relocated temporarily, provide the address and phone number. The claim process may begin in one of two ways. Your insurance company may send a claim form for you to complete or an adjuster may visit your home first, before you are asked to fill out any forms.
Most homeowners policies cover additional living expenses. Your insurance company should advance you money if you need temporary shelter, food and clothing because you can no longer live in your home and your clothes have been ruined. They will also advance you money if you need to replace major household items immediately to continue living there.
Keep receipts for everything you spend. Make sure the check for additional living expenses is made out to you and not your mortgage, the bank or other lender. This money has nothing to do with repairs to your home and you may have difficulty depositing or cashing the check without their signature.
Make only those repairs necessary to prevent further damage to your home or business. This must include covering breaks or holes in the roof, walls or windows with plywood, canvas or other waterproof material. Your insurance company will reimburse you for the costs of your repairs, so keep receipts for any materials you buy. Do not have permanent repairs made without first consulting your agent. Unauthorized repairs may not be reimbursed.
Avoid using electrical appliances, including televisions and stereos, which have been exposed to water, unless a technician has checked them.
If your car was damaged and you have “comprehensive” coverage in your auto insurance policy, you should also contact your auto insurance company.
Make as many photographs as possible of damage for documentation.
Your Need To Know: Preparing For The Adjuster’s Visit
An adjuster is a person professionally trained to assess the damage. The more information you have about your possessions the faster your claim can be settled. You should already have a complete inventory of the items in your home that includes a description of the item, model and serial numbers (if applicable) and the original cost and what it would cost to replace it.
Make a list of damaged items. Take photographs of the damage and put together a set of records for each item that includes any old receipts or bills. Don’t forget to list items such as clothing, sports equipment, tools, china and linens, etc.
Don’t throw away damaged furniture or other items because the adjuster will want to see them.
Identify the structural damage to your home and other buildings on your premises. Make a list of everything you want to show the adjuster when they arrive. In some cases, the adjuster may recommend hiring a licensed engineer or architect to inspect the property. You should also get the electrical system checked. Most insurance companies will pay for these inspections.
If possible, get written bids from reliable, licensed contractors on the repair work. This should make adjusting the claim faster and simpler.
Homeowners insurance policies usually don’t cover flood damage but they do cover other kinds of water damage. For example, they would generally pay for damage from rain coming through a hole in the roof or a broken window as long as the hole was caused by a hurricane or other disaster covered by the policy. You need a separate flood insurance policy to cover flood damage from any rising water. Contact your insurance agent regarding your coverage and the need for flood insurance.
If your home was severely damaged, you may have to rebuild sections in accordance with current building codes. In some cases, complying with the code may require a change in design or building materials and may cost more. Generally, homeowners insurance policies will not pay for these extra costs. Some insurance companies offer an endorsement that pays for a specified amount toward such changes.
Most insurance companies will pay for removal of trees that have fallen on your home but they will not pay to remove trees that have fallen and haven’t caused any damage to your home. Neither will they pay to replace trees or shrubbery that have been damaged by the storm.
Now is the time you should get an “insurance checkup”. Contact your insurance agent and make sure what your policy covers and doesn’t cover. After a disaster is not the time for surprises and finding out that you are not covered for losses.
Your Need To Know: Phone Numbers
- Emergencies: 911
- Gulf Power Company: 505-5711 or (800) 487-6937
- Escambia River Electric Cooperative: 1-877-OUT-EREC (1-877-688-3732)
- Frontier Communications: 611 or 587-5119 or (800) 476-4001 (611 will not reach Frontier from a cellular phone)
- ECUA: (850) 476-0480
- Bright House Cable: (866) 876-1872
- Energy Services of Pensacola (ESP): 474-5300
- DirecTV: (800) 494-4388
- Dish Network: (888) 284-7116
- Escambia County Sheriff: 436-9630
- American Red Cross: 432-7601
- Salvation Army: 432-1501
- Florida Department of Insurance: 800-22-STORM
- Florida Department of Agriculture: 800-435-7352
- Attorney General (Consumer Fraud): 850-414-3600
- Crisis Counseling & Referral: 888-532-4006
No Damage At Area Schools
March 9, 2011
There was no damage reported at any of the North Escambia area schools Wednesday morning as a possible tornado crossed the county just a few miles away.
Because a tornado warning had been issued by the National Weather Service, students were already in hallways and other safe locations.
The first report of a funnel cloud came from an Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy only about a mile from Ernest Ward Middle School.
Free Health Clinic To Provide Health And Hope For North Escambia
March 9, 2011
There will soon be help and hope for the uninsured and medically underserved in the North Escambia area.
Work is underway now to prepare for an April opening of the Health And Hope Northend Clinic in Century. The new clinic in Century will be an entirely volunteer and donor driven clinic established by the Pensacola Bay Baptist Association in order to help meet the need of the medically underserved population in Escambia County. The clinic will target patients who are without access to health insurance and with an income at or below 150-percent of the poverty level.
At the Century clinic, as well as an existing Health and Hope Clinic in Pensacola, doctors, mid-level providers, nurses, pharmacists, medical technologists, case workers, clerical workers, medical assistants, equipment specialists, encouragers and more volunteer side-by-side to provide Christ-centered health care.
The new Northend Health and Hope Clinic will be located in the former Escambia County Health Department building on Church Street in Century.
This past weekend, youth and adult leader volunteers gathered at the Century clinic to paint the building’s interior. Youth groups from Highland Baptist, the First Baptist Church of Century, the First Baptist Church of Bratt, Walnut Hill Baptist and Ray’s Chapel Baptist churches took part. For more photos, click here.
The Health and Hope Clinic is seeking volunteers, supplies and equipment for the Century clinic. For more information, click here or call (850) 479-4456.
Pictured: Youth groups from several North Escambia churches volunteered to paint the new Health and Hope Clinic in Century. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Court Rules Against Tiny Town In Mega Landfill Fight; Public Hearing Thursday
March 9, 2011
A public hearing on the proposed Conecuh Woods mega-landfill will go on as planned Thursday after a court ruling Tuesday against the tiny town of Repton, Alabama.
Repton, which sits adjacent to the proposed 5,100 acre landfill, filed suit this week against Conecuh Woods LLC and the Conecuh County (Ala.) Commission in an attempt to stop a permit from being issued for landfill. A judge denied the injunction sought by lawyers for the town of 280 residents.
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley has issued an executive order providing for a moratorium on new landfills in the state, but Thursday’s public hearing will go on as planned.
The public hearing for the Conecuh County Commission to consider approval for Conecuh Woods is set for next 9:00 Thursday morning at Reid State Technical College in Evergreen. The commission has until April 2 to make a decision on the proposal — if the governor’s moratorium does not stop the process.
Numerous counties and cities in the area have passed resolutions against the landfill forwarded to Conecuh commissioners and Alabama’s governor — including Escambia counties in Alabama and Florida, Baldwin County, Century, Atmore and Flomaton.
The Town of Century, which sits directly downstream from the proposed landfill, expressed concerns over potential water quality issues in the Escambia River as a result of the landfill.
Century Mayor Freddie McCall is encouraging as many area residents as possible to attend Thursday’s public hearing in Evergreen.
“Numbers count trying to influence the county commission up there,” McCall said. While he will not be able to personally attend the hearing due to previously scheduled medical tests, Town Clerk Leslie Gonzalez will officially represent the town at the hearing.
Reid State is located just off of I-65 at Exit #96, the northernmost Evergreen exit.
State Of The State: Scott Tries To Sell Lawmakers On Jobs Agenda
March 9, 2011
Just like the cold calls he says he makes to businesses that he wants to move to Florida, Gov. Rick Scott gave lawmakers in his first State of the State speech a sales pitch for a government-cutting agenda he promises will create jobs.
In his first true public overture to legislators, Scott on Tuesday evening urged lawmakers to join him in “making job recruitment a daily task.
“I want to encourage each of you to become a ‘Jobs Ambassador’ and direct new prospects to me, so we can work together to recruit potential job creators.”
Scott asked a Legislature that’s been skeptical so far to help him with his budget, assistance that the outsider governor has seemed up to now unconvinced he would need.
But Scott was firm, too, telling legislators that they would be wrong if they didn’t go along with his proposals, which he predicted insiders and “special interests” will try to thwart, and urged lawmakers not to blink in the face of criticism.
“My ‘jobs’ budget has plenty of critics,” Scott said. “Some critics are accustomed to big government and will fight to protect special interests, and there are others who agree on our policy but say that our agenda is too bold – that we need to trim the sails of our imagination and settle for small improvements.
“They’re wrong,” Scott said.
“I did not fight to become the 45th Governor of the greatest state in the nation to settle for a status quo that does not promote the enormous potential of our people,” Scott continued. “And I am completely committed to this mission. It is achievable.”
Scott made no new policy proposals that he hasn’t already rolled out, saying that focusing the state’s economic development and recruitment efforts would be the main thrust of his effort to lower the unemployment rate, along with cutting taxes and reducing regulations.
Even fellow Republicans in the Legislature have been cool to Scott, who has given little indication in his two months in office that he wants to share power with lawmakers.
But GOP legislative leaders have said this week they’re generally in agreement with Scott’s agenda.
“I think what is so important…is that his message in the campaign is his message as governor,” Senate President Mike Haridopolos said after the speech. “That is the kind of leadership that we need where you are focused on the job at hand. Too often people hear one thing at campaign time and something different as they govern. He is matching up his campaign theme with his legislative theme and I think he will be very effective.”
While mentioning the word “job” or “jobs” 31 times in the 27-minute speech, Scott did hit a couple of other themes in his speech, the traditional opener of the annual legislative session.
He acknowledged that school budgets will have to shrink, blaming “the exhaustion of one-time federal handouts,” but said there must still be commitment to make schools better.
He restated his support for teacher merit pay, saying that Florida should “end the practice of guaranteeing educators a job for life regardless of their importance.”
He also called for competition in schools, by expanding charter schools and vouchers for private education.
Scott also renewed calls for lowering unemployment taxes, making it harder to win lawsuits against businesses, and cutting costs in the Medicaid program that provides medical care for the poor and those in nursing homes, though without any new specifics.
But most of the speech focused on his effort to grow the number of jobs in the state. He said businesses were looking at the Capitol before deciding whether to make Florida home.
He pointed into the audience to recognize Dean Minardi, CEO of Bing Energy, who said when the company decided to move its headquarters to Tallahassee from California that while he had been talking to Tallahassee officials since before Scott was elected, the new governor’s proposal to eliminate corporate income tax was a clincher in the decision.
Companies “can locate anywhere,” said Scott. “They will be deciding whether to invest in Florida, based, in part, on our ability to work together to remove the obstacles to business success.”
Democratic critics mostly said Scott’s narrow focus on making the state friendly to businesses missed a larger picture in making the state the kind of place where people want to live.
“Gov. Scott has proposed a 10 percent cut in public school funding and major cuts to our colleges and universities,” said House Democratic Leader Ron Saunders of Key West. “Will businesses want to come to a state that does not properly fund the schools their employees’ children will attend or the colleges from which they will hire their employees?”
Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich of Weston said the recession was caused by largely deregulated “Wall Street insiders.”
“That’s the same kind of hands-off policy Gov. Scott is now seeking for corporations,” said Rich. “…Rather than make meaningful investments to turn around our economy and reduce our budget gap by getting people back to work, the Republican solutions pit health care against education: our seniors in nursing homes against elementary school students, our desperately ill against teachers, our transplant patients against school books and classrooms.”
Pictured: Gov. Rick Scott listens to applause during his first State of the State address Tuesday at the Capitol in Tallahassee. Photo by Colin Hackley for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
By David Royse and Lilly Rockwell
The News Service of Florida
Students Take Part In History Fair
March 9, 2011
Over 265 students took part in the Escambia County Florida History Fair competition, with several North Escambia area students placing.
These students Competed in a variety of categories including exhibits, web sites, performances, documentaries and historical papers. Each of these students advanced from their school level competitions.
North Escambia area students placing included: Abbie Johnson, Harmoni Till and Brittney Ward (Ernest Ward Middle), third place Junior Division, Historical Performance; Danielle Suggs and Penny Banda (Ernest Ward Middle), Junior Division, Historical Web Sites; Nick Krostag (Ransom Middle), first place, Historical Web Sites; Asia Cravens and Maya Crosby (Tate High) second place, Senior Group Division, Historical Exhibits.
The complete awards list included:
Historical Performance Awards:
Elementary Individual Division- 1st Bryce Harvey (NB Cook Elementary), 2nd Katie Shelnut (McArthur Elementary)
Elementary Group Division- 1st Delaney Pallas, Elizabeth Teets, Sarah Thomas, and Samantha Mumma (NB Cook Elementary); 2nd Nevada Wood, Will McDavid, Joshua Sourdif, and Sidney Nelson (NB Cook Elementary); 3rd Ginna Burton and Hallie Stephenson (NB Cook Elementary)
Junior Division- 1st Kael Madison(Woodham Middle); 2nd Blakeley Baker (St. Paul Catholic); 3rd Abbie Johnson, Harmoni Till and Brittney Ward (Ernest Ward Middle)
Senior Individual Division- 1st Amanda Patton (Pensacola High School); 2nd Kourtney Jones (Pensacola High School)
Senior Group Division- 1st Anthony Miller, Tyler Bryant, and Anthony Dickup (West Florida Technical High School); 2nd Jackie Oliveros, Mary Videau, Jerry Bustamante and Allie Hybart (Booker T. Washington High School); 3rd place Ellery Jones, Linda Wong, Clarissa, Gina Nguyen and Marlon Simmons (Pensacola High School)
Historical Web Site Awards:
Junior Websites- 1st Nick Krostag (Ransom Middle); three way tie for third place: 3rd Dylan Harris and Clayton Sallions (Bellview Middle); 3rd Danielle Suggs and Penny Banda (Ernest Ward Middle); 3rd place Austin Rothfeder and Michael Bearman (Creative Learning)
Senior Individual Website Division- 1st Robert Mines (West Florida Technical High School); 2nd Matthew Posner (Booker T. Washington High School)
Senior Group Website Division- 1st Jeffrey Grosso, Jr. and Justin Wilson (West Florida Technical High School); 2nd Taylor Martinez, Keimon Lewis, Colton Flanigam and Amanda Bibb (Booker T. Washington High School)
Historical Paper Awards:
Junior Division- 1st Brianna Leatherwood (Bellview Middle); 2nd Dante Navarro (Creative Learning); 3rd Elena Mayhugh (Bellview Middle)
Senior Division- 1st Caroline Fleischbauer (Pensacola High School); 2nd Ethan Landrum (Pensacola High School); 3rd Daphne Green (West Florida Technical High School)
Historical Documentary Awards:
Junior Documentary Division: 1st Maggie Byrd (Bellview Middle)
Senior Individual Division: 1st Rebecca Farr(Catholic High School); 2nd Aron Byrd (Pensacola High School); 3rd Greg Florian (Catholic High School)
Senior Group Division- 1st Dilani Patel, Jenny Clements and Andrea Dalilva (West Florida Technical High School); 2nd William Bond and Alex Anderson (Booker T. Washington High School); 3rd Kallie Erickson and Andrea Vargas (Catholic High School)
Historical Exhibit Awards:
Elementary Individual Division: 1stKennedy Roy (Lipscomb Elementary); 2nd Alexander Pope (Lipscomb Elementary); 3rd Sarah Puchner (Blue Angel Elementary)
Elementary Group Division: 1st Bryant Johnecheck and Alex Young (McArthur Elementary); 2nd Lucas Liseth and Prescott Moore (Lipscomb Elementary); 3rd Ryan Greene and Jonathan Suveges (McArthur Elementary)
Junior Individual Division: 1st Mary Jutras (Pensacola Christian); 2nd Joanna Deng (Bellview Middle); 3rd Kate Manning (St. Paul’s)
Junior Group Division: 1st Randolph Gibson and Matthew Alliss (St. Paul’s); 2nd Greer Coffey, Madison Mougey and Emma Hamrick (St. Paul’s); 3rd Skylar Peck, Jordan Riddle, and Elizabeth Shin (Bellview Middle)
Senior Individual Division: 1st Nick Gupta (Pensacola High School); 2nd Jalen Benson (Pensacola High School); 3rd Peter Jutras (Catholic High School).
Senior Group Division- 1st Jacob Sullivan and Daniel Dziadon (Catholic High School); 2nd Asia Cravens and Maya Crosby (Tate High School); 3rd Grace Synder and Katrina Ramos (Pensacola High School).
Let The Good Times Roll — Century Care Celebrates Mardi Gras
March 9, 2011
Residents at the Century Care Center celebrated Mardi Gras Tuesday in grand style with both a parade and a party.
The parade, held Tuesday morning, featured lots of throws, including Mardi Gras beads and other trinkets. Residents in Mardi Gras costumes paraded and rolled through the hallways in their wheelchairs to the delight of other residents watching the parade.
Pictured: Mardi Gras fun Tuesday at the Century Care Center. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.