Storms Down Trees, Power Lines
June 14, 2010
Monday afternoon storms in the North Escambia area downed trees and power lines, but no major damage was reported.
The line of storms moving from the west to the east was responsible for numerous power outages. Trees were also reported down, including one on State Line Road between Century and Flomaton at the Flomaton Funeral Home.
Some Escambia River Electric Cooperative customers on Pineville road were reportedly still without power after 10 p.m. Monday.
Fire Briefly Shuts Down International Paper Mill
June 14, 2010
Dozens of firefighters battled a powerhouse fire that shut down the International Paper plant in Cantonment Monday afternoon for about two hours.
The fire was reported at 3:22 p.m. in a fourth floor No. 4 powerhouse boiler area. The fire then spread to a tree bark storage are, according to Jessica Morris, spokesperson for IP.
The fire was reported to be out about 5:25 p.m. There were no injuries reported.
“It did shut the mill down for a brief period,” Morris said moments after the fire was reported out. “We are in the process of an orderly startup to get running again.”
At least 40 firemen and 12 units from the Cantonment, Molino, Ensley, McDavid, Century, Beulah, Ferry Pass, Brent and Myrtle Grove stations of Escambia Fire Rescue initially responded to the call. Two Escambia County EMS units also responded.
Firefighters were hampered by Monday’s extreme heat prior to afternoon rain.
Pictured top: Firefighters on scene of Monday’s fire at International Paper in Cantonment. Pictured inset: An Escambia County EMS unit on standby. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Obama Visits Gulf Region (With Remarks From Ala. And Miss.)
June 14, 2010
President Obama traveled to the Gulf Coast region Monday for the fourth time since the BP oil spill began in April. He will spend Monday night in Pensacola before heading to Pensacola Beach Tuesday morning.
The President began his trip in Gulfport, Mississippi, where he met with National Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen and local officials to discuss efforts to fight the BP oil spill. Later, the President had lunch with business owners in Gulfport, Mississippi, to discuss the impact the oil spill is having on tourism, fishing and other industries in the region.
Later in the afternoon the President traveled to Theodore, Alabama where he met with state and local officials and toured one of the 16 staging locations throughout the region that provide support for the ongoing cleanup efforts. The President delivered remarks in Theodore before boarding a ferry to Ft. Morgan, Alabama. The President began his remarks by assuring residents of the Gulf Coast region that their way of live would be preserved for future generations:
Now, what I’ve heard from a number of local officials during my trip today is what I’ve heard from folks on each of the four visits that I’ve made to this region since the Deepwater Horizon explosion happened in April. There’s a sense that this disaster is not only threatening our fishermen and our shrimpers and our oystermen, not only affecting potentially precious marshes and wetlands and estuaries and waters that are part of what makes the Gulf Coast so special — there’s also a fear that it can have a long-term impact on a way of life that has been passed on for generations.
And I understand that fear. The leaders and the officials who are with me understand it. Governor Riley understands it. He has been a regular presence on our daily coordinating calls, and a relentless advocate for Alabama throughout this process. And we are absolutely committed to working with him and all the local officials who are behind us to do everything in our power to protect the Gulf way of life so that it’s there for our children and our grandchildren and our great-grandchildren.
The President also addressed concerns about the safety of seafood from the Gulf of Mexico:
Dealing with the aftermath of this spill also means protecting the health and safety of the folks who live and work here in Theodore, here in Alabama, and here on the Gulf Coast. As part of this effort, I’m announcing a comprehensive, coordinated, and multi-agency initiative to ensure that seafood from the Gulf of Mexico is safe to eat. Now, I had some of that seafood for lunch and it was delicious. But we want to make sure that the food industry down here as much as possible is getting the protect — the protection and the certification that they need to continue their businesses. So this is important for consumers who need to know that their food is safe, but it’s also important for the fishermen and processors, who need to be able to sell their products with confidence.
So, let me be clear: Seafood from the Gulf today is safe to eat. But we need to make sure that it stays that way. And that’s why, beyond closing off waters that have been or are likely to be exposed to oil, the FDA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are increasing inspections of seafood processors, strengthening surveillance programs, and monitoring fish that are caught just outside of restricted areas. And we’re also coordinating our efforts with the states, which are implementing similar plans.
The President concluded his remarks by assuring the residents of the Gulf Coast region that the Administration would not rest until their lives and livelihoods had been returned to normal.
Now, I can’t promise folks here in Theodore or across the Gulf Coast that the oil will be cleaned up overnight. It will not be. It’s going to take time for things to return to normal. There’s going to be a harmful effect on many local businesses and it’s going to be painful for a lot of folks. Folks are going to be frustrated and some folks are going to be angry. But I promise you this: that things are going to return to normal. This region that’s known a lot of hardship will bounce back, just like it’s bounced back before. We are going to do everything we can, 24/7, to make sure that communities get back on their feet. And in the end, I am confident that we’re going to be able to leave the Gulf Coast in better shape than it was before.
Pictured President Barack Obama, joined by Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, delivers remarks following a briefing at Coast Guard Station Gulfport in Gulfport, Miss. Monday morning. White House photo by Chuck Kennedy for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Portion Of Barrineau Park Road To Be Widened And Resurfaced
June 14, 2010
Escambia County has awarded a nearly $1.2 million contract to widen and resurface a portion of Barrineau Park Road.
The $1,193,868.75 project was awarded low bidder Roads, Inc. of NWF. Barrineau Park Road will be both widened and resurfaced from the Penasula Creek Bridge east to Highway 29. The project will also include culvert extensions and guardrail improvements.
The improvements will be funded with Local Option Sales Tax funds.
Roads, Inc. will be required to keep two-way traffic open during all non-working hours and close one lane at a time during working hours.
Three other companies bid on the project: APAC Mid-South, Inc. at $1,330,480.91; Panhandle Grading and Paving at $1,417,775.67; and Gulf Atlantic Constructors, Inc. at $1,549,062.05.
No One Claims Their Quarter Million Dollars – Yet
June 14, 2010
It’s been over two months since someone became a quarter million dollars richer after buying a lottery ticket in Davisville, but so far no one has stepped forward to claim their prize.
As of Friday, the Florida Lottery said no one had claimed the $244.468.47 winning Fantasy 5 ticket that was purchased April 9 at the State Line O’Yes Lotto at 11331 Highway 97. Lottery officials said the ticket was a “Quick Pick” with numbers randomly chosen by the lottery machine.
Only one ticket matched the winning numbers: 13-21-25-28-36. According to the Florida Lottery, the owner of the winning ticket must claim their prize within 180 days.
There were 287 tickets with four matching numbers worth $137 each. There were 9,650 tickets matching three numbers that were worth $11 each, and 100,219 had two numbers for a free Quick Pick ticket.
Traffic Watch: Resurfacing Begins On Highway 95A
June 14, 2010
Work is under way on the milling and resurfacing of Highway 95A (Old Palafox Road) between East Roberts Road and Nine Mile Road.
The contractor is expected to complete the work in approximately five weeks. During this time there will be intermittent and alternating daytime lane closures on Highway 95A (Old Palafox Road). One lane of traffic will remain open at all times and flagmen will be available to direct traffic during lane closures, according to Escambia County officials. Drivers are urged to use caution in the construction zone and obey the posted speed limit.
This work is weather dependent and may be rescheduled or delayed in the event of inclement weather.
Escambia County is funding this project with 2009 federal stimulus dollars.
Editor’s note: As reported in a previous story, work was scheduled to being last Thursday but was delayed.
Coed Softball Tournament, Fish Fry To Benefit Cancer Patient
June 14, 2010
A coed softball tournament and fish fry this Saturday will benefit a Molino woman as she battles cancer.
The ball tournament and fish fry will begin Saturday at 8 a.m. at the Molino Ballpark to benefit Sonja Luker.
Teams and volunteers are needed. For more information, contact Christa Wilson at (850) 698-8491.
NWE Wins Beach King Of Swing Tourney
June 14, 2010
Northwest Escambia recently won the Beach King of Swing USSSA Baseball Tournament in Orange Beach.
NWE play four games in one day on their way to the championship.
In the first game, NWE beat the Redstick Braves from Baton Rouge La. 25-0. Daulton Tullis pitched for the Eagles, allowing just runners on base the entire game. Tullis went 3 for 4 at the plate. Brannon Freeman hit a lead-off home run to start the scoring. Dalton Daniel went 3-4 as did Jody Bonner, Chasen Freeman, Reid Bell and Blake McCall. Wade Jernigan went 2-4.
In the second game NWE defeated the Saraland (Ala.) All-Stars 4-0. Jordan Coon pick up the win with a strong performance from the mound. Reid Bell and Blake McCall led the hitting going 3-4 with 2 RBI’s each.
The third game was a close pitching duel as NWE came out on top of the Pace Renegades of Pace 1-0. Blake McCall pitch a spectacular game allowing on one hit and one walk in seven Innings. NWE scored in the bottom of the seventh when Blake McCall hit a single up the middle with the bases loaded. Chasen Freeman hit a double in the fifth inning for the first hit of the game by either team.
In the championship game NWE beat the Gulf Coast Storm from Pensacola 13-11. Reid Bell started off pitching giving NWE four strong innings before being relieved by William Andriolli in the fifth inning. Leading tnwhe hitting again was Dalton Daniel going 3-4 with a triple and 2 RBI’s in the fourth. Brannon Freeman and Jody Bonner each went 2-4.
The tournament win qualifies NWE to play in the USSSA World Series Tournament later the month.
NWE has a record of 32 wins, four loses and one tie for the season. The Eagles are coached by Manager Matt Reynolds and coaches Trent Freeman and Matt Walker.
Pictured: Members of the NWE baseball team: Dalton Daniel, Daulton Tullis,Brannon Freeman, Chasen Freeman, Reid Bell, Blake McCall, Jody Bonner, Jordan Coon, Wade Jernigan and William Andriolli. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Food Bank Provides Help In North Escambia, Santa Rosa
June 14, 2010
North Escambia and Santa Rosa residents that need assistance putting food on the table can find the help they need close to home.
Manna Pantries provides a short-term emergency food source for those in need in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Food is distributed at seven locations in the two counties, including Century, Molino and Jay.
Nearly 75% of people served in the Emergency Food Program are persons referred to Manna from another program or agency, the majority of whom are in the process of applying for and being certified to receive food stamps. To qualify for food from Manna, people should bring:
- a written referral from the referring agency
- a contact phone number for the worker making the referral
- identification for every member of their household that establishes them in the residence
People who are not receiving or applying for food stamps may also be eligible for Manna’s Emergency Food Program. A person may seek food from Manna by providing proof(paid bills, notice of lay off or termination, decrease in income) of the claimed situation. Identification such as a Social Security card, birth certificate, or report card is required for all claimed members of the household.
For more information about Manna, visit www.mannafoodpantries.org.
MANNA Pantry Locations and Hours of Operation
Molino Pantry (Mobile Pantry Site)
Aldersgate United Methodist Church
6915 N. Hwy. 29
Mondays 10:00 – 12:00 p.m.
Jay Pantry
First Baptist Church
214 South Alabama Street
Tuesdays 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Century Pantry
7470 N. Century Blvd.
Intersection of Hwy 29 and Hwy 4W
Thurs – Sat. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Gonzalez Pantry
Gonzalez Baptist Church
1590 Pauline Street
850.377.0792
Tuesdays 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Pensacola Main Pantry
116 E. Gonzalez Street 32501
850.432.2053
Monday – Friday 2 – 4:30 p.m.
Myrtle Grove/West Pantry
904 North 57th Avenue 32506
(inside Felix Miga Senior Center)
850.377.3970
M/W/F 10 a.m. – noon
Ensley Pantry
St. Peter’s Baptist Church
7761 Kershaw St. 32534
850.477.0118
Thursday 9 – 11:30 a.m.
Milton Pantry
Community of Christ Church
110 Raymond Hobbs Road 32570
Mon & Wed. 9 a.m. – noon
Friday noon – 3 p.m.
Former Flomaton Police Chief Succombs To Injuries From May Traffic Accident In Century
June 13, 2010
A Jay man has died from injuries he received in a May 14 traffic accident in Century. Harold L. Stewart, 66, passed away Friday night, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The FHP said Stewart — the former police chief in Flomaton — was southbound on North Century Boulevard at 2:35 p.m. when he turned across oncoming traffic toward East Highway 4. His 1991 Dodge Dakota was struck by a 2004 Chevrolet pickup driven by James T. Wampol, 54, of Wetumpka, Ala. Both drivers were wearing seat belts.
After the accident, Stewart was transported by LifeFlight helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola in serious condition. According to the FHP, Stewart was charged with violation of right of way.
Wampol was not injured in the accident.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a traffic homicide investigation is being conducted.
For a photo gallery from the scene, click here.
Pictured: Harold L. Stewart of Jay, the driver of the gray pickup on the right, passed away June 11 from injuries received in this May 14 accident. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
