Waterspout, Tornado Skip Through Escambia County
May 13, 2012
An apparent tornado skipped about a portion of southwest Escambia County Saturday evening.
There were no reports of any serious damage and no injuries reported.
A strong storm sparked a waterspout south of Johnson’s Beach, becoming a tornado as it moved onshore. That prompted a tornado warning for the southern portion of the county from about 7:45 until 8:30 p.m.
Members of the public, first responders and Navy personnel aboard NAS Pensacola reported seeing the apparent twister as it touched down and lifted numerous time over about a 10 minute period as it moved north at about 10 mph.
Brief touchdowns were reported during that period, with the only reported damage to a fence and mailbox at a home on Fenceline Road.
Pictured: Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com of an apparent waterspout and tornado Saturday night in Escambia County.
Leroy Dashes Flomaton’s Championship Dreams
May 13, 2012
The Flomaton Hurricane’s hopes for a state championship were dashed by Leroy Saturday as they completed a best two out of three series at Hurricane Park.
The Leroy Bears beat the ‘Canes 16-6 Saturday to advance to the Class 2A championship game. Friday afternoon, Flomaton beat Leroy 2-1, while Leroy turned around to beat Flomaton 2-1 in the nightcap.
The game was tied 6-6 at the end of four, but the Bears jumped out with five in the fifth, three in the sixth and another two in the seventh for the win.
Leroy plays a best two of three for the state championship Wednesday and, if necessary, Thursday in Montgomery against Mars Hill.
For more photos from both Friday and Saturday play, click here.
Pictured top: Leroy defeated Flomaton Saturday. Submitted photo by Alisa Hart for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mother’s Day Times 5: Tate Juniors Were Florida’s First Quintuplets
May 13, 2012
Mona Baker went from no children to mother of five in about 90 seconds back in 1995. Now, on this Mother’s Day, she’s still facing the trials and the joys of being the mom of Florida’s first surviving quintuplets.
“It’s expensive,” was Baker’s first answer about being what it’s like being the mother of quintuplets. It’s also very time consuming. Our interview was scheduled at her first free time of the day — 10:30 p.m., just before she headed out from the family home near Cantonment to Walmart for a late night grocery run.
Marcus, Ian, Elizabeth, Tristan and Evan Baker were born January 30, 1995, about 10 weeks premature, at Sacred Heart Hospital. The first few weeks of life were rough for some of the quints, including Elizabeth, born at 1 pound, 12 ounces. She was the last to leave the hospital nearly six months later.
Now, the five are juniors at Tate High School, where they all just recently attended their prom. Prom costs times five — there was that expensive comment again. The five kids did raise about half the money needed for prom doing odd jobs like babysitting and yard work.
The early years were filled with all the usual expenses and parenting jobs like diapers, multiplied by five.
“But the challenges now are more intellectual, where they used to be more physical,” Baker, a single mom for the past 11 years, said. “They are at five different stages of learning.”
There’s homework most nights from five different math books and five different math courses, ranging from integrated math to calculus. There’s homework from five different courses, and the challenges of making sure each has ample driving practice time behind the wheel.
The five get along remarkably well, Baker said. And the four brothers are protective of their sister.
“Elizabeth says she is so special that God sent her four bodyguards and four servants to take care of her,” she said. “But seriously, they are all very loving, very affectionate children.”
Baker said she owes a lot of their church, Lathram Chapel in Barrineau Park. “They have really done a lot for us over the years.”
On this Mother’s Day, Baker said she is proud to be the mother of one of just few sets of quintuplets in the entire state.
She’s also facing a senior year, and the realization that her five children could fly away from the nest next year after graduating Tate. But she anticipates that she won’t be alone, with at least a couple of the children considering local college options.
Despite the challenges, Baker said she would have changed only one thing about having quintuplets — she would have wanted them all born on time and without the health problems associated with being weeks premature.
Other than that, she’s a proud mom of five.
“I’ve never known anything different,” she said. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
Pictured top: All dressed up for the recent Tate High School prom are the Baker Quints — (L-R) Marcus Baker, Ian Baker, Elizabeth Baker, Tristan Baker and Evan Baker. Pictured top inset: Mom Mona Baket with the quints. Pictured bottom inset: The Bakers were the first surviving quintuplets in Florida. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: A Dancing Circus
May 13, 2012
Young dancers from across the North Escambia area took to the stage Saturday afternoon at Flomaton High School.
“A Dancing Circus” was the annual spring recital for Heather Leonard’s Danceworks.
The recital marked the culmination of months of practice each week at the Byrneville Community Center.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the recital, click here.
Pictured: “A Dancing Circus” Saturday at Flomaton High School. NorthEscambia.comp photos, click to enlarge.
Pedestrian Signal Improvements Coming To 23 Intersections
May 13, 2012
Pedestrian signal improvements will be made at 23 intersections in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Work begins this week at five of the locations:
- Chemstrand Road at Kingsfield Road
- Hwy 95A at Hood Drive
- Hwy 29 at Hood Drive
- Hwy 95A at Ensley Street
- Hwy 29 at Detroit Boulevard
Improvements will include one or more of the following: pedestrian signals, pushbuttons, sidewalk, curb ramps and crosswalks. The projects will create minor traffic delays due to lane closures and speed reductions.
TORNADO WARNING
May 12, 2012
Tornado Warning for Escambia [FL] till 8:30 PM CDT …AT 812 PM CDT…A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH STRONG ROTATION AND LIKELY PRODUCING A TORNADO WAS LOCATED NEAR MYRTLE GROVE…OR 9 MILES SOUTHEAST OF CANTONMENT…MOVING NORTHEAST AT 20 MPH.
Leroy Takes Playoff Series From Flomaton, 2 Games To 1
May 12, 2012
The Flomaton Hurricanes and the Leroy Bears split a doubleheader Friday in Flomaton, setting up a winner takes all third game Saturday morning a in the Class 2A baseball playoffs. Leroy took the series with a Saturday win, 16-6 over the Hurricanes.
Flomaton 2 — Leroy 1 (Game 1)
In game one, Zack Watson pitched his 10th complete game of the season, striking out seven, to lead the Flomaton Hurricanes to a 2-1 win over the Leroy Bears.
Watson allowed just four hits in the game at Flomaton’s Hurricane Park.
A single from Nick Sutton drove in Jacob Newton and Cody Nolan in the second for Flomaton (30-5). Leroy managed to score one in the fourth.
Leroy 2 — Flomaton 1 (Game 2)
In game two, Leroy turned the tables on Flomaton with a 2-1 Bears victory.
Leroy scored two times in the fourth inning with back too back singles, while the Hurricanes scored once in the inning.
Leroy 16 – Flomaton 6 (Game 3)
Leroy took Saturday’s deciding game 16-6 over Flomaton. Game details will be published Sunday morning.
Pictured: Flomaton takes on Leroy Friday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos by Alisa Hart, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Highway 29 Crash Near Molino
May 12, 2012
One person was injured in a two vehicle crash Saturday morning on Highway 29 near Barth Road north of Molino.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 20-year old Connor McDonald of Pensacola was northbound in a 1996 Honda when he crossed the median and struck a Ford F350 pulling a cattle trailer, causing the truck and trailer to jackknife.
McDonald was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola in serious condition. Charges against McDonald are pending, according to FHP.
The driver of the pickup, 66-year old Denis Snodgrass, and passenger, 66-year old Jo Ann Snodgrass, both of Clopton, Ala., received only minor injuries.
Escambia County EMS, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Schools Forced To Purchase New Football Helmets
May 12, 2012
The Escambia County School District is expected next week to approve the purchase of 451 high school football helmets for $60,885.
The purchase is necessary, according to the district, because a new national policy adopted by the Florida High School Athletic Association does not allow any helmet over 10 years old to be reconditioned. All helmets in the county are currently reconditioned and recertified each year for player safety. The rule was enacted over concerns about concussions and lasting injuries.
High school football programs typically pay for their own new helmets in Escambia County. But due to the high per school cost, the district will purchase the Riddell brand helmets and allow schools to repay the money in equal payments over three years.
At Northview High School, 28 of 64 total helmets will be replaced for a cost of $3,780. For the Tate Aggies, 55 of 464 helmets will be replaced for $7,425. At West Florida High School, the total cost will be $11,205 for the replacement of 83 of 129 football helmets.
Across the district, 46 percent of helmets are over 10 years old and will be replaced. The Escambia School District will piggyback on an Orange County Public Schools contract, saving an estimated $40,590 over the non-bid replacement cost.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Century Correctional Recognizes Officers, Employees
May 12, 2012
This was National Correctional Officers and Employees Week, and Century Correctional Institution celebrated with numerous events at the main prison and satellite facilities.
Employees received tokens of appreciation that included a water bottle holder, ID holder, badge clip and ink pen. There was a pizza day with slices for everyone, and there was a Mayfield ice cream day. On Thursday, employees were recognized for their years of service at a hamburger and hot dog luncheon.
Pictured: Century Correctional Institution celebrated National Correctional Officers and Employees Week with numerous events. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
