Deadline Nears To Help With Care Packages For Iraq
June 15, 2010
Time is running out to help a Molino woman that is working to send care packages to American troops serving in Iraq for the Fourth of July.
Katie Hilburn’s fiancee, Spc. Ben Piatt, also of Molino, is about eight months into his tour of duty as a combat engineer in northern Iraq. He is scheduled to be in Iraq until October.
After hearing about the soldiers’ needs, Hilburn decided to send the care packages to Piatt’s unit in Iraq during the Christmas season last year, collecting several boxes of items.
“I received e-mails from different soldiers telling me how much it meant to receive packages from back home, so I want to keep supporting them,” she said. “It’s our job to take care of our soldiers and to remember them.”
The supplies will be collected at veteran-owned Cole’s Barbershop in Molino until Wednesday, June 16. They will then be shipped to Piatt, 21, and his unit in Iraq. Cole’s Barbershop is located next to Fran’s Country Grill on Highway 29.
Items being collected include:
Body Care
Toothpaste
Bottled body soap (for men)
Sunscreen
Germ X
Shampoo
Baby wipes
Q-tips
Shaving cream
Razors
Foot powder
Chap stick
Food
Ramen noodles (in the cup)
Propel powder
Small coffee creamer
Small sugar
Sunflower seeds
Apple sauce
Tuna fish and cracker packages
Beef jerky
Cereal bars
Peanuts
Cookies
Popcorn (microwavable)
Saltine crackers
Peanut butter
Fruit cup
Miscellaneous
Playing cards
DVD’s
Magazine’s (hunting, fishing, guns, sports)
Games
Pictured top: Katie Hilburn and her fiancee Spc. Ben Piatt prior to his deployment to northern Iraq. Pictured inset: Spc. Piatt in Iraq. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Arrested With Stolen Car; Deputy Finds His Dad’s Stolen Stuff
June 15, 2010
In a strange twist, an Escambia County deputy investigating a burglary and vehicle theft reportedly discovered power equipment taken from his own father.
Friday afternoon, deputies responded to an address in the 1400 block of Chippendale Road in Cantonment to investigate a stolen vehicle. A citizen told deputies that she was called by neighbors that reported her fence was open at a vacant home she owned. In the garage of the home, she found a vehicle, a motorcycle and several other items that did not belong to her, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report. She told deputies that she found her son asleep inside the home, and then she called 911.
Responding deputies discovered that the 2005 Cadillac Seville parked in the garage was stolen earlier in the day from 700 block of Jacks Branch Road.
While in the garage, one Escambia deputy reportedly noticed a generator and power washer that appeared from their brand and condition to be like those owned by his father. When the deputy called his father, the father discovered that the items had indeed been stolen.
Jason Ray Welch, 18, of Pensacola, was charged with vehicle theft and felony criminal mischief after he admitted to deputies that he stole the Cadillac, the motorcycle, a generator, tiller, and other items found in the garage, according to an Escambia Sheriff’s Office arrest report.
The Cadillac was damaged on the front, according to the report, but the owner said it was not damaged at the time it was stolen.
Welch is due to appear in court on July 2.
Hiking Spain: Century Resident Continues Journal
June 15, 2010
We are continuing to follow the journals of Century resident Terri Sanders as she hikes 500 miles across Spain this summer.
As Terri hikes from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France, she will file dispatches from her journal and send pictures when possible for NorthEscambia.com as she hikes the Camino de Santiago — the Way of St. James — to the Atlantic Ocean.
For her first entry, click here, for her second entry, click here, and for the third entry, click here.
June 2 2010
Start; Roncesvalles
Destination; Cizur Menor
Six o’clock this morning our hosts walked up and down the aisles singing a song about the Pilgrims to us. Of course it was all in Dutch since they were volunteers from Holland, but it sounded better than any alarm clock I have ever heard. Then I heard someone say it was raining. Well that is just great! Our second day out here and we get rain. It was at least a light drizzle and it took my mind off of how bad everything hurt.
The last few nights I have had trouble falling asleep. Wine, Tylenol PM, a sleeping pill has done nothing. Of course my body is still on American time.
The book says that you may be feeling stiff after yesterdays climb over the Pyrenees. Ha! What an understatement that is. Feeling stiff would be a welcome feeling over how I feel right now.
The trail today was a gentle downhill across fertile plains. The Rio Erro flows southward to join the Rio Ebro. There was more shade today and plenty of water fountains to quench the thirst of the tired, dry Pilgrim which what we are called. We are repeatedly told “Have a Buenos Camino” which means good hike. We had a steep descent on this relatively flat trail into the town of Zubiri (population 500) which is where I caught the taxi from.
I had sat here for over an hour and I knew the food smelled good. We went inside, took off our packs and went upstairs to the restaurant. We have had very few meals with carbohydrates which causes our energy level to be low. When you go into a restaurant here you are not put at a table by yourself but rather are seated at whatever table has empty chairs.
The pilgrim next to us had a bowl of lentil soup that looked delicious and I knew it was loaded with carbohydrates. Served with the always present slices of bread and a bottle of wine it was a most delicious meal. I believe the Spanish serve wine with every meal whether you want it or not.
We continued on after lunch taking in the rows of beautifully shuttered homes made famous by Ernest Hemmingway. The path today has been mostly made up of natural pathways, and offering more shade. I try to keep sunscreen on my lips but they have blistered anyway. I have had to put duct tape on a few hot spots but have had no actual blisters. Y
esterday I sneezed all day long and I was hoping it was just allergies. Today my head is stopped up, my nose is pouring and on top of being sun burnt I am running a fever. We passed a grocery store where I went in and tried my best sign language to ask the clerk if she had anything for a runny nose. She pointed me down the aisle and I searched high and low without any luck.
Finally Lou came in and got the same directions from her. He looked up and down but had no luck either. The clerk finally got frustrated with us, came marching down the aisle and pulled out a 12 pack of tissue boxes and stuck them under our nose. We left shortly after that so I would not give her a piece of my mind! The rain cleared up after lunch and the sun came out with a vengeance. We wonder if we will ever not hurt again.
The albequer was full tonight so we went on down the road to a hotel. It was more of a bed and breakfast though.
Tonight’s Pilgrim supper was a choice of fish, pork or stew. The inn keeper spoke no English and to get the point across about the pork he would snort! I was all I could do not to laugh out load. Our fellow Pilgrims spoke a little more English so we could carry on somewhat of a conversation. When they would lose us, the look on our face would tell then we were lost and they would slow down. I felt really bad all day today.
The trail was not that hard but it was hard for me to hike and try to breathe at the same time. I made the remark at the table I sure wished I could find someone who could get me an antihistamine. One of our fellow Pilgrims called the waiter over and the next thing I knew he was setting a glass in front of me with a little pack of something to pour in the water. I could recognize part of the word of propion. I figured all it could do was kill me and I felt so bad dying would have been a great improvement. It tasted just like an Alka-Seltzer. He would not take any money for it. I climbed up to the room and collapsed on the bed. I woke up one time to go to the restroom.
Miles 17
Florida Traffic Fatalities Fall To Record Low Last Year
June 15, 2010
The level of a traffic fatalities fell to a new low in Florida during 2009, according to an announcement Monday from the Florida Department of Transportation and the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Based on an analysis of vehicle miles traveled in 2009, Florida’s fatality rate dropped to 1.3 fatalities per 100 million miles traveled, the lowest rate ever reported in the Sunshine State.
Safety officials pointed to the recent passage of the primary safety belt law, as well as numerous education and awareness campaigns, and the strategic enforcement efforts of law enforcement throughout the state. This marks the fourth consecutive year in which both the number of traffic fatalities and the fatality rate have declined.
“The safety of our residents and visitors is a top priority, and reducing fatalities on our roadways is a step in the right direction,” said Florida Governor Charlie Crist. “I commend our safety advocates and law enforcement officers who ensure that Florida remains a safe place to work and play.”
FDOT Secretary Stephanie Kopelousos and DHSMV Executive Director Julie Jones also noted the positive effect of educational campaigns such as those targeting motorcycle safety and teen drivers, as well as law enforcement’s strategic approach to enforcing DUI and other traffic laws.
Part Of History: Barrineau Park 4-H Club
June 15, 2010
The Barrineau Park 4-H Club has been honored as being the oldest continuing 4-H Club in Florida, and the club has made a special presentation to ensure its history will be preserved.
During Saturday’s Blueberry Jamboree, club members presented a commemorative gavel, book, certificate and other items to the Barrineau Park Historical Society. The historical society will preserve the items in their museum located in the Barrineau Park Community Center.
The Barrineau Park 4-H Club was founded as an agricultural club in 1914 and organized as a 4-H Club in 1917. The club started with a small group of boys under the supervision of the local agricultural agent with about a dozen members. Lewis Floyd of Barrineau Park was one of the early members, remaining in the club until he turned 18 in 1922; he then became one of the club leaders.
Dorothy Gindl Casey remembers her early days in the club. “When I joined, it was a boys’ club and a (separate) girls’ club in the 1930’s,” she said.
Longtime member Francis Gindl has been a member or involved with the leadership of the Barrineau Park club for 47 years.
“They were all good 4-H’ers,” he said of his memories of the club’s early days. “They didn’t get in trouble being in 4-H.”
Gindl’s son Bobby Gindl serves as the modern-day leader of the Barrineau Park 4-H Club, following in the footsteps of his father.
“It has made a huge impact on my life,” the younger Gindl said. “I ended up becoming an agricultural teacher.”
The Barrineau Park 4-H Club meets at 2 p.m. on the third Sunday of the each month at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church at 3015 St. Elizabeth Street, near the intersection of Barrineau Park Road and Jacks Branch Road.
The 4-H Club is a community of six million young people across America learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills.
Pictured top: Former 4-H Leader Francis Gindl, Barrineau Park 4-H Club Leader Francis Gindl, and former member Dorothy Gindl Casey. Pictured below: Current Barrineau Park 4-H Club President Austin Dodd, 13, and Inspirational Leader Emily Boutwell, 8. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
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.