Hot Spot: Jay Hits 104; More 100+ Temps Today
June 23, 2009
Our early summer heat wave continues today with another heat advisory in effect for the North Escambia area. Today’s forecast high is once again 99-102 with a heat index of 103 to 108.
Highs Monday across the North Escambia area were:
- Bratt 98
- Century 102
- Cantonment 99
- Jay 104
- Molino 99
- Walnut Hill 100
The National Weather Service offers the following advice for today’s heat:
Persons planning on being outdoors for an extended time are urged to consume plenty of liquids, especially water, wear light colored and loose fitting clothing. and to take frequent breaks from the heat in an air-conditioned room. The best time to perform outdoor activities is during the early morning before 10 a.m., or during the early evening hours after 6 p.m. The intake of alcoholic and caffeinated beverages should be restricted.
Children should be watched for signs of heat exhaustion if playing outdoors, and check up on relatives and neighbors. The elderly should frequently be checked on as well. Pets should be provided plenty of fresh water and shade and be monitored frequently.
Making Rainbows: Dry Weather Irrigation Creates Colorful Masterpieces
June 23, 2009
Dry weather has forced area farmers to turn to center pivot irrigation systems to save their crops. The overhead sprinkler systems can create rainbows that can sometimes been seen for hours . The wheeled towers with the sprinklers are advanced slowly in a circular pattern around a center pivot. A nearby well provides the water supply for each irrigation system.
For more photos of the irrigation rainbows, click here.
Pictured above : A rainbow formed beneath an irrigation system in a Walnut Hill field. Pictured below: The water paints a rainbow. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Pet Hurricane Shelter Planned For Molino Park
June 23, 2009
Plans are moving forward for Escambia County’s first pet-friendly hurricane evacuation shelter to be located at Molino Park Elementary School.
While there are over 1,500 local hotel and motel rooms that will accept pets, the county determined the need for a pet-friendly shelter as a last resort for those unable to evacuate their pets elsewhere or simply will not evacuate without their pets. The domestic pets would be housed in the 3,158 square foot area of the school’s gym, about 100 feet from the man building.
The county says the gym will house between 148 to 350 pets in pet carriers or cages. The main school building, which has previously served a hurricane shelter, can house 2,200 people under the supervision of the American Red Cross.
The shelter would be for household cats and dogs only, with no other pets or animals allowed. Pet owners would be responsible for providing their own food, water, medicine and cleanup supplies.
Owners would not be allowed to shelter with their pets in the pet area, nor would pets be allowed in the people shelter area of the school.
The gym floor will be protected with plastic and mats. A contractor will be used to sanitize the school and spray for fleas before students are allowed to return.
The plan has been approved by the Escambia County School Board and must now be approved the by the Escambia County Commission.
Gulf Power Offers Hot Weather Tips For Saving Money
June 23, 2009
As temperatures soar throughout Northwest Florida, Gulf Power has released handy tips for saving money on your electric bill:
Set your thermostat and leave it
During the summer, your air conditioner is the biggest user of electricity. For many homes, it accounts for more than half of the summer electric bill.
- Set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher and leave it there. For every degree below that setting, you’ll use 3 to 5 percent more electricity.
- Set the thermostat even higher when at work or away from home for long periods of time, but no more than five degrees higher.
- Change or clean your air conditioner filter regularly. Dirty filters restrict airflow and reduce efficiency.
- Use your ceiling fan for more comfort. Only turn it on when you’re in the room. Ceiling fans only cool people, not rooms.
- Clear outside AC units of plants or brush so they can run more efficiently.
Insulate
- Increase attic insulation, which can save up to 30 percent on cooling and heating costs.
- Insulation is measured in R-value, which is a measure of resistance to heat flow. So the higher the R-value, the better the insulation value.
- Experts recommend you use an R-value of R-30 in ceiling areas.
- Check your windows and doors for air leaks. Install weather stripping or caulking if needed.
Kitchen
- Whenever possible, cook a lot of meals at the same time. This uses less energy than when you cook each meal separately.
- If you’re baking, avoid opening the oven door. This lets out 20 percent of the heat. Use a cooking timer instead.
- Use pots and pans that match the size of the burners on your stove. This allows more heat to the pan and less heat will be lost to surrounding air.
- Try to use the range instead of the oven. Better yet, turn on the microwave or use a pressure cooker. Both use less power than a standard electric range.
Refrigerator
- Choose the right size refrigerator for your needs. Larger models use more energy. Open and close the refrigerator door quickly. Know what you want before opening the door.
- Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Check it by closing a piece of paper in the door, half in and half out. If you can pull the paper out easily, you may need to make some adjustments or replace the seal.
- Keep your food covered. Moisture buildup in the refrigerator makes the air inside harder to cool.
Dishwasher
- Run the dishwasher, dryer and the stove after the sun has gone down to avoid adding heat to your house.
- When using the dishwasher, turn off the drying cycle if you don’t need dishes right away.
- Wait until the dishwasher is full before running it. Partial loads can use just as much water and power as a full load.
- Scrape dishes before loading them into the dishwasher so you don’t have to rinse them. If they need rinsing, use cold water.
Lighting
One of the best ways to save energy is to turn off lights that aren’t in use.
- Use fluorescent lighting or CFLs when possible. They last about 10 times longer than incandescent lamps. And they can produce four times more light than standard incandescent lamps, for the same amount of energy.
- Use one large bulb instead of several small ones in areas where bright light is needed.
- Use smaller lamps in work areas, like sewing areas and computer desks, so you don’t light the entire room.
- Lighter-colored walls, drapes, blinds and upholstery reflect light. Dark colors absorb heat and require more artificial light.
Gulf Power customers can call 1-877-655-4001 or visit www.gulfpower.com for summer money-saving tips. Customers can also do their own Energy Check Up online — a 5-minute EZ Check Up or more detailed 20-minute Full Check Up is available to help identify low cost and no cost ways to make your home more energy efficient.
Fire Danger Remains High
June 22, 2009
Officials with the Florida Division of Forestry’s Blackwater Forestry Center are advising the public that great caution should be used when outdoor burning, disposing of smoking materials, or any activity which could result in accidentally starting a fire.
“Every day without rain increases the chance for a wildfire. Our drought index will go above 500 today and is the highest in the state. Extremely high temperatures make it easier for a fire to start, and even though it’s summertime, there’s still plenty of fuel, in fact, we are responding to small fires in our district almost every day now,” According to Ben Wolcott, operations administrator for the Division of Forestry. “Use extra caution if burning outdoors, or wait until we’ve had some rain.”
Florida has approximately 5,000 wildfires annually which burn an average of 100,000 acres across the state, and most occur as a result of escaped debris burning or arson.
For more information about outdoor burning rules, contact the Florida Division of Forestry at 850-957-6145 or www.fl-dof.com.
Century Convenience Store Robbed At Gunpoint; Robber Runs With Register
June 22, 2009
Authorities are looking for robbery suspect after he took the register at gunpoint from a Century convenience store Sunday night.
Deputies say the black male entered the Southern Pit Stop on North Century Boulevard about 10:25 Sunday night. He displayed a black semi-automatic handgun and ran off with the register. He was last seen running –with the cash register — across North Century Boulevard near the offices of Ann Brooks, CPA as he headed toward Jackson Street. The cash register was recovered a short time later on Zion Street.
The suspect was described as being about 5-foot six-inches tall and weighing about 130 pounds. He was wearing a red shirt and black pants or shorts. The store clerks told deputies that he had a white shirt made of a silk-like fabric, wrapped around his head to conceal his identity.
Multiple agencies including the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Department and the Flomaton Police Department responded to the call.
The officers created a perimeter around the area while tracking dogs from the Century Correctional Institution were used in an attempt to locate the suspect. As of early Monday morning, the suspect was still on the loose.
There were no injuries reported in the incident.
This was not the first time in the past year the store has been robbed. During a robbery last July, the suspect did not display a weapon.
Further details were not immediately available early Monday morning.
Pictured above: The Southern Pit Stop in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Unemployment Jumps To 10 Percent; 13,225 Without Jobs In Escambia
June 22, 2009
Florida’s unemployment rate has surpassed 10 percent for the first time in 34 years.
At 10.2 percent, Florida’s jobless rate in May was up from 9.7 percent in April and higher than the national level of 9.4 percent. The 10.2 unemployment rate represents 943,000 Florida residents out of a job. The last time the unemployment rate was higher than May 2009 was October 1975 when it was 11.0 percent.
Escambia County’s unemployment rate was up to 9.4 percent, or 13,225 people jobless. That was up from 9.1 percent in April.
In Santa Rosa County, the unemployment rate was up to 8.6 percent, or 5,919 people out of work. That was an increase from 8.2 percent in April.
The downturn started with declines in construction jobs, but has now spread to most all other major industries. Experts say Florida’s jobless rate could remain high for up to two years while employers play it safe — making sure that things really area better before hiring new workers.
Seniors Can Enjoy Low Cost Meals Daily
June 22, 2009
Seniors can enjoy a low-cost, nutritious meal and a little social time each weekday from the Council on Aging at one of several locations in the North Escambia area.
Council on Aging of West Florida operates 17 congregate meal sites throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties, including Century, Cantonment and Jay. Congregate meals is a neighborhood-based program that offer those 60 and older the opportunity to share a hot, nutritious, balanced noon meal and socialize with others their age.
Though a $2 donation is suggested, there is no cost for the meals. However, reservations must be made in advance by calling the senior center.
Council on Aging of West Florida provides regularly scheduled recreation and activities at their centers each weekday. There is no cost to participate.
North Escambia area sites are listed below, along with the phone number to call for meal reservations, meal serving times and activity hours:
- Century Senior Center, 6025 Industrial Boulevard, 256-1012. Serving time: 11:00 a.m. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Cantonment Senior Center 132 Mintz Lane, 968-6259. Serving time: 11:30 a.m. Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Jay Community Center, 5259 Booker Lane, 675-0810. Serving time: 11:00 a.m. Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
For a complete list of sites, visit www.coawfla.org or call 432-1475.
Molino Mom Pleads Not Guilty Of Child Abuse, Battery On Husband
June 22, 2009
A Molino woman accused of hitting her child in the head with a plate and slapping her husband has entered a plea of not guilty in Escambia County Circuit Court.
Tina Louise Ferrell, 46, was charged May 21 with one count of aggravated child abuse and one count of aggravated battery in connection with an incident at a mobile home on Duxbury Avenue off Highway 29 in Molino.
She is due back in court for a jury trial on August 19. She remains in the Escambia County Jail on $10,000 bond. If she makes bond, she was also ordered to submit to monitoring through the pre-trial release program, submit to random urine and breath testing and consume no alcohol or non-prescription drugs.
Ferrell was also ordered to have no contact with the children at the Duxbury Avenue address where the incident occurred. The court ordered a public defender be appointed for Ferrell.
Ferrell and her husband were asleep about 7 p.m. on May 21 when her 10-year old child tried to wake her to get help with a one-year old child in the home, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department. When Ferrell refused to help with the infant and went back to sleep, the 10-year old tried to wake her again with drops of water sprinkled in her face. That’s when Ferrell slapped her husband and threw a plate a him, deputies said. The plate missed the husband and struck a three-year old in the head.
The three-year old was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola with injuries that were not serious. The 10 and one-year old were not injured.
Elton Gilmore Retires After 32 Years With Forestry
June 21, 2009
After 32 years of service in the Florida Division of Forestry, Elton Gilmore of McDavid is retiring.
Gilmore was honored at a dinner in Pensacola Saturday night. Ben Wolcott, operations administrator for the Blackwater District for the Florida Division of Forestry, provided a little insight into “Gray Bear’s” service.
In June of 1977, Gilmore was hired as a forest ranger at the Molino Tower at the same rate of pay he had made as the assistant manager of an IGA grocery store — $5.50 an hour. He was promoted to Senior Forest Ranger in January 1986 and was promoted to Forest Area Supervisor in February 1997. He spent a total of 32 years in Forestry fire control.
Wolcott said Gilmore’s personnel file is about two and a half inches thick, “full of letters of thanks, appreciation and commendations for things he’s done, from assigning the resources to helping clear an elderly lady’s driveway after Hurricane Ivan, to leading fire crews from Virginia to Texas to Oregon, to helping organize the McDavid Volunteer Fire Department and serving as captain, assistant chief, and chief.”
“It’s a file that reveals the career of a man who’s been dedicated to his family, to the profession he chose, to the community where he raised his family and very much to his fellow workers,” Wolcott said.
Working as the District Training Officer, Gilmore helped many other firefighters in a three-county area grow in their careers, Wolcott said. Gilmore worked with Beulah Fire Chief Bobby Nigh to start the first Division of Forestry district-level Wildland Fire Training Conference, a concept that has been repeated and will continue to grow, he said.
“Elton, just like an old Colorado grizzly bear, you’ve made your mark on the tree, and it won’t be easy for anyone to reach higher than you have,” Wolcott said. “I’m proud and mean it when I say that you deserve to have great days ahead, and I’m thankful to have played with you on the Blackwater team.”
Gilmore’s official last day with the Division of Forestry is June 30.
Pictured top: Ben Wolcott (right), operations administrator for the Blackwater District for the Florida Division of Forestry, presents a plaque to Elton Gilmore Saturday night honoring him for his 32 years of service. Pictured below: Gilmore and his retirement gift — a new gas grill. Submitted photos by Bill Eubanks for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
