Under The Sea: Danceworks Holds Recital
June 2, 2010
Heather Leonard’s Danceworks presented their annual recital “Under The Sea” recently at Ernest Ward Middle School.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Preschool :
Emma Gilmore, Madalyn Grimes, Ava Gurganus, Berklee Hall, Leah Hetrick, Meredith Johnston, Gracie Long, Mariana Minchew, Jordan Sanders, Aubrey Stuckey, Aleigh Thornton
5-6 year olds:
Bama Coburn, Sarah Margaret Hetrick, Jamison Janes, Makayla Minchew
7-8 year olds:
Shelby Bashore, Anna Grace Janes, Ansleigh Maholovich, Olivia Porter, Bailey Van Pelt
9-10 year olds:
Anna Belle Barberree, Karrie Gibson, Allison Johnson, Cassidy Murphy
11-12 year olds:
Jalyn Bodiford, Katie Born, Leah Fischer, RayAnn Free, Courtney Grim, Jenna Thornton, Brittney Ward
Teen:
Morgan Digman, Anna Fischer, Chloe Leonard, Jessica Lowery, Madi Minchew, Shelby Nielsen
Leonard started Danceworks in 1994. She has over 30 years of dance training, 25 years of teaching experience and serves as Danceworks’ director. The Danceworks students are instructed by Chelsea Sims, with 15 years of dance experience and five years as an assistant teacher. She is a former Northview High School cheerleader and Miss Northview.
Photos courtesy Ramona Fischer for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
First Day On The Job For New Atmore Principal
June 2, 2010
Today is the first day on the job for Joseph Dean, the new principal of Escambia County High School in Atmore.
Dean,38, is a native of Monroe County and most recently served as interim superintendent in Butler County, Ala. During a 15 year career in Butler County, he served as an assistant principal at Greenville High School, principal at Georgiana High School and principal at Butler County Magnet School. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Alabama State University and a master’s degree in education leadership from ASU.
Dean was hired unanimously by the Escambia County Board of Education to replace Harvey Means after the board failed to extend Means’ contract.
Hurricane Season Begins
June 1, 2010
Tuesday was the first day of hurricane season, and the National Weather Service is predicting an “active to extremely active” season for the Atlantic Basin this year.
Across the entire Atlantic Basin for the six-month season, which begins June 1, NOAA is projecting a 70 percent probability of the following ranges:
- 14 to 23 Named Storms (top winds of 39 mph or higher), including:
- 8 to 14 Hurricanes (top winds of 74 mph or higher), of which:
- 3 to 7 could be Major Hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of at least 111 mph)
“If this outlook holds true, this season could be one of the more active on record,” said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “The greater likelihood of storms brings an increased risk of a landfall. In short, we urge everyone to be prepared.”
The outlook ranges exceed the seasonal average of 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes. Expected factors supporting this outlook are:
- Upper atmospheric winds conducive for storms. Wind shear, which can tear apart storms, will be weaker since El Niño in the eastern Pacific has dissipated. Strong wind shear helped suppress storm development during the 2009 hurricane season.
- Warm Atlantic Ocean water. Sea surface temperatures are expected to remain above average where storms often develop and move across the Atlantic. Record warm temperatures – up to four degrees Fahrenheit above average – are now present in this region.
- High activity era continues. Since 1995, the tropical multi-decadal signal has brought favorable ocean and atmospheric conditions in sync, leading to more active hurricane seasons. Eight of the last 15 seasons rank in the top ten for the most named storms with 2005 in first place with 28 named storms.
“The main uncertainty in this outlook is how much above normal the season will be. Whether or not we approach the high end of the predicted ranges depends partly on whether or not La Niña develops this summer,” said Gerry Bell, Ph.D., lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. “At present we are in a neutral state, but conditions are becoming increasingly favorable for La Niña to develop.”
“FEMA is working across the administration and with our state and local partners to ensure we’re prepared for hurricane season,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. “But we can only be as prepared as the public, so it’s important that families and businesses in coastal communities take steps now to be ready. These include developing a communications plan, putting together a kit, and staying informed of the latest forecasts and local emergency plans. You can’t control when a hurricane or other emergency may happen, but you can make sure you’re ready.”
The president recently designated May 23-29, 2010, as National Hurricane Preparedness Week. NOAA and FEMA encourage those living in hurricane-prone states to use this time to review their overall preparedness. More information on individual and family preparedness can be found at www.Ready.gov and www.hurricanes.gov/prepare.
NOAA scientists will continue to monitor evolving conditions in the tropics and will issue an updated hurricane outlook in early August, just prior to what is historically the peak period for hurricane activity.
Cantonment Residents Die When RV Crashes 100 Feet Into Louisiana Swamp
June 1, 2010
Two Cantonment residents died Monday morning when their vehicle went over an interstate guardrail and a fell about 100 feet into a Louisiana swamp.
Joseph P. Ridgedell, 72, and Felisa B. Mullins, 68, both of Cantonment, were killed in the crash about 9:45 a.m. on I-55 south at the I-10 interchange near LaPlace, Louisiana, according to Louisiana State Police.
A preliminary investigation revealed that a 2003 Condor Motor Coach driven by Ridgedell was traveling on I-55 south when, for unknown reasons, it struck the left guardrail and crossed over the left and right lanes. The motor coach then struck the right guardrail and fell about 100 feet off the elevated portion of I-55 into a marshy area.
Ridgedell and Mullins were pronounced dead at the scene. Their bodies were recovered shortly after the crash, but crews with heavy-duty wreckers worked through the day Monday and into early Tuesday morning to recover the recreational vehicle and a car that was being towed.
“Speed and alcohol are not suspected as factors in the crash, however, toxicology results are pending,” according to a news release from the Louisiana State Police.
There were no other vehicles involved in the accident and no other injuries, according to authorities.
LaPlace, Louisiana, is about 30 miles west of New Orleans.
Pictured: Two Cantonment residents died Monday morning west of New Orleans when their RV careened over an interstate guardrail and fell 100 feet into a Louisiana swamp. Photo courtesy WWL-TV New Orleans for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New ECUA Sanitation and Recycling Programs Begins
June 1, 2010
Enhancements began Tuesday to the recycling and sanitation services offered by the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority.
The first change is the introduction of a bulk item collection to the recycling program. This service will allow existing recycling customers the ability to call-in and request a bulk pick-up of recyclable items once per month.
The pick-up will be made on the next recycling day following the request. It will include the pick-up of items such as tires, propane tanks, household electronics, appliances, batteries and large amounts of cardboard.
The second enhancement will be the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) curbside collection program. This service will allow all ECUA residential sanitation customers to call-in and request a pick-up of HHW items once-per-month.
The collection will be made on the first Saturday of the month and will include the pick-up of HHW items such as pool chemicals, household chemicals, paints, used cooking grease, lawn and garden chemicals, and used oil, to name just a few. These materials will be collected by ECUA crews at the customer’s doorstep and transported to an ECUA collection site.
The ECUA Recycling Program debuted the week of January 5, 2009, as part of the regular residential sanitation service. This program is being utilized by 38,000 households — about 52 percent of ECUA customers.
For more information on the ECUA Recycling and Sanitation Programs, or to sign-up for the recycling program, visit the ECUA website at www.ecua.org or contact their customer service center at (850) 476-0480.
Atmore Pool Now Open; Register Now For Swimming Lessons
June 1, 2010
The newly renovated city pool at Tom Byrne Park in Atmore reopened Tuesday, and registration for swimming and tennis lessons is underway.
Admission to the pool is just $1 for ages 17 and under and $1.50 for 18 and over. Swimming and tennis lessons are $35 for a three week session.
For complete swimming and tennis lesson information and pool hours, click here..
Photos: A Look Back At A Long North Escambia Weekend
June 1, 2010
Six People Escape Serious Injury In Five-Vehicle Crash
May 31, 2010
Six people — including a Cantonment man — escaped serious injuries in a five-vehicle crash on I-10 in Pensacola Monday morning.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Tara Orth, 20, of Pensacola, was entering I-10 eastbound at Scenic Highway when she lost control of her 2002 Toyota and traveled into the path of a 2009 Kenworth semi driven by Elwin Taylor, 42, of Dallas. Orth was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries; Taylor was not injured.
While Orth’s vehicle was spinning across the interstate, it was hit by a 2000 Chevrolet van driven by Jocelyn Slayton, 42, of Pensacola. Slayton and her passenger, Jennifer Sartaguda, 36, of Pensacola, were both transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries.
The first semi hit a 2007 Kenworth semi driven by James Lassiter, 61, of Robertdale. Lassiter was not injured. Lassiter’s semi hit and dragged the vehicle driven by Slayton under its trailer.
A 1991 Toyota driven by Russell Vick, 44, of Cantonment, was hit by Orth’s vehicle, sending Vick into a guardrail. He suffered minor injuries and was transported to Baptist Hospital.
Orth, the driver that lost control while entering the interstate, was charged with careless driving, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Three Escambia Firefighters Injured
May 31, 2010
Three Escambia County Fire Rescue firefighters were injured Monday morning when they received an electrical shock while investigating a fire alarm at a Pensacola business.
The incident happend about 10:30 this morning at Cavalier Telephone on North Pace Boulevard in the old Town & Country Shopping Center.
Fire crews had responded to a fire alarm at the building and during their investigation discovered smoke in the basement of the building. Three firefighters received an electrical shock from an unknown source as they entered a basement room. The three were treated at the scene and transported by ambulance to Baptist Hospital. Their injuries were not life threatening.
The incident is still under investigation.
The Ensley, Oceola and West Pensacola stations of Escambia Fire Recue responded to the call, along with Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Pictured. Three Escambia County firefighters were injured while investigating a fire alarm at Cavalier Telephone in Pensacola Monday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
McDavid Woman Found Floating In Escambia River Passes Away
May 31, 2010
A 48-year old woman found face down in the Escambia River Friday morning has passed away.
The victim was identified by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office as Sharon Annette Lambeth, 48, of Gunner Road, McDavid.
According to the Sheriff’s Office incident report, Lambeth was one of two passengers in a truck driven to the end of Gunner Road, which ends at the Escambia River. She told the vehicle’s male driver that she was going to walk toward the water. About three minutes later, the driver began to look for Lambeth, but could not see her so he walked to the edge of an embankment about 10 to 12 feet above the river, according to deputies. The man found the victim face down in the water.
The man told deputies that he jumped into the river, pulled the victim out and began to perform CPR. After performing CPR for some period of time, the man placed the victim in the truck and drove to a nearby home and yelled for the residents to call 911. The man continued to perform CPR until emergency personnel arrived on scene.
Lambeth was transported to West Florida Hospital by LifeFlight following the incident.
According to the Sheriff’s Office report, the man told deputies that Lambeth was unable to swim and had been drinking vodka prior to the incident.
Editor’s note: The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report identifies the victim as Sharon Annette Lambeth. Her obituary (click here) identifies her as Annette Lambeth Griffis.
Pictured above: The victim is loaded into an ambulance at a home on Gunner Road. Pictured below: LifeFlight lefts off with the victim from the McDavid Fire Station. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
