Body Found After Suspicious Fire
August 30, 2014
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating suspicious death following structure fire about 9 p.m. Friday.
An unidentified body was found in the vicinity after a suspicious structure fire in the first block of East Herman Avenue near a homeless camp, and homicide investigators were called to the scene.
At this time, the cause of death is undetermined and the victim has not been identified, the Sheriff’s Office sad. Investigators said early Saturday afternoon that they were looking for an orange or red two-door Pontiac bearing Florida license plate 318NTQ which was observed in the area at the time of the incident.
The vehicle was spotted being driven in an erratic manner Saturday afternoon near Davis Highway. Two black males reportedly fled from the vehicle after the driver stopped at Happy Nicks at 2499 North Palafox Street.
A manhunt followed, with one person taken into custody. That person was later released after it was determined that they had no part in the incident.
Anyone with any information should call the Escambia County Sheriffs Office at (850) 436-9620 or Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
ECUA Approves Rate Increases
August 30, 2014
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority customers will see rates increases on their bills after October 1.
The ECUA board has approved a 3 percent increase in water and wastewater rates. The board also approved a 3.5 percent, or 66 cent, increase in the sanitation rate, a direct pass-along of increased tipping fees at the Escambia County owned Perdido Landfill.
The water and wastewater increase will be used to cover the cost of over $50 million in capitol improvement projects.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Construction Activities Suspended For Labor Day Weekend
August 30, 2014
To promote safety and reduce congestion over the Labor Day weekend, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is suspending normal road construction activities on all major roads in Northwest Florida. There will be no work on state roads requiring lane restrictions from Friday through Monday. Work on projects requiring lane closures will resume Tuesday, September 2. All major roads will be open to normal traffic.
If an emergency situation occurs during the upcoming holiday weekend requires a lane closure, repairs will continue until that lane is reopened to the traveling public and all safety issues related to the traveling public have been addressed.
Motorists are reminded to use caution while traveling through work zones around barricades and equipment on current projects. Travelers can access Florida’s 511 service from cell phones, landlines, and at www.FL511.com to receive updates on travel in the area.
Flomaton Storms Past Jay 42-20 (With Photo Gallery)
August 30, 2014
A storm was brewing Friday night in Jay as the Flomaton Hurricanes beat the Jay Royals 42-20.
In a game that saw a 15-minute lightning delay at a packed Merle North Stadium, Flomaton’s Jamel Grace and Jamal Brown combined for three touchdowns with about 140 yards each. The Hurricane’s Tripp Vickery completed three passes to Andrew Cash for two touchdowns on a total of 109 yards.
Flomaton (2-0) will play their home opener next Friday night at 7:00 against Washington County (1-1) of Chatom, AL. The Jay Royals (0-1) will travel to Rocky Bayou (0-1).
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Beat West Florida Tech (With Photo Gallery)
August 30, 2014
The Tate High School Aggies had a little revenge on their minds Friday night as they beat West Florida in Cantonment 19-7, a far cry from last year’s 45-3 loss to the Jaguars.
Tate controlled the first half on the scoreboard, with a 10-0 lead at the half that they expanded to 17-0 with about eight minutes to go in the third. The Aggies were led by Alondo Thompkins with 35 yards, four of which came in the second half on a touchdown run.
The Aggies will head down to Pensacola High School next Friday night at 7:30, while West Florida will be at Milton.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos by Gary Carnley for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Animal Shelter Suspends Cat Adoptions Due To Infections
August 30, 2014
The Escambia County Animal Shelter has temporarily suspended the adoption of cats as a result of widespread upper respiratory infections in the shelter’s feline population.
Under the advice of the shelter’s medical staff, the public will not have access to the cats until the cats are treated and recover. The purpose of this effort is to reduce stress on the cats at the shelter and give them every opportunity to recover and have an opportunity to be adopted into a forever family.
Shelter staff will re-evaluate the situation on Tuesday, September 2. For more information, contact the Animal Shelter at (850) 595-3075.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Northview Rolls Past The Bozeman Bucks, 49-7
August 30, 2014
The Northview Chiefs rolled into Panama City Friday night and left the Bozeman Bucks behind with that deer in the headlights look as the Chiefs opened their season with a powerful 49-7 rout.
The Chiefs were first on the board with a play that left the Bucks standing in disbelief. Cameron Newsome called for a fair catch on a punt in the first quarter, but there was no whistle. Newsome then took off, scoring on a 70-yard run.
Northview expanded their lead to 14-0 with just a minute in the first with a 35-yard pass from Gavin Grant to Jacob Dunsford and a good kick from Chasen Freeman. The Chiefs added another 14 in the second quarter with a 40 yard pass from Grant to Dunsford, and an an 84-yard interception return from Newsome for a 28-0 lead at the halftime buzzer.
In the third, Grant found senior Nick Lambert with a 24-yard touchdown pass, and with a two-point conversion from Dunsford, the Chiefs were up 35-0. And to round out the third with no time on the clock, Keondrae Lett scored on a 10-yard pass, 43-0.
The Bucks added their only seven with 3:30 to go in the game on a two-yard run. And with just 30 seconds to go, the Chiefs scored again on a 55-yard kickoff return from Lett.
The Northview Chiefs (1-0) will play their home opener next Friday night in Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium at 7:00 against the Bulldogs of Marianna (0-0).
Wahoos Fall 1-0
August 30, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (27-40, 58-79) fell 1-0 to the Birmingham Barons (30-36, 59-77) at Regions Field Friday night. It was a game dominated by pitching with both starting pitchers going 7.0 innings.
RHP Tim Adleman started for the Wahoos and lowered his ERA as a starter to a miniscule 2.38. He pitched 7.0 strong innings and allowed just one run in the fifth. Adleman added five strikeouts and walked just one batter, but still took the loss for the seventh time this season. Rangel Ravelo led off the fifth inning with a triple to right field and Jason Coats followed it with an RBI single. It was all the Barons would need to prevail.
Birmingham did not leave a single runner on base and went 1-for-1 with runners in scoring position. By contrast, the Wahoos were 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left nine batters on base. Yorman Rodriguez, Ryan Wright and Kyle Waldrop were the only Wahoo players with hits and Waldrop had the only multi-hit game for Pensacola.
RHP Mike Recchia earned the win for the Barons and spun a gem. Recchia did not allow a run over 7.0 innings and surrendered just four hits in the contest. RHP Braulio Ortiz earned his first save of the season for the Barons. The Wahoos would once again put multiple runners on base in the ninth, but Ortiz got Brodie Greene to fly out to right field to end the contest.
RHP Drew Hayes pitched a perfect bottom of the eighth while striking out one Baron batter. He’s posted a 1.72 ERA during the month of August and hasn’t allowed a hit over his last 4.0 innings pitched.
Pensacola’s series continues with Birmingham on Saturday. The Blue Wahoos will look to take control of the series in game three at 6:30 p.m. Saturday night at Regions Field. The Blue Wahoos will send RHP Ben Lively (3-6, 3.76) to the bump on Friday. Terance Marin (0-1, 9.00) will start for the Barons.
by Joey Truncale
Vehicle Registration Fees Drop In Florida
August 30, 2014
Florida motorists will save on motor vehicle registration fees beginning Monday, September 1.
Floridians will save approximately $17 to $25 when renewing their registrations, depending on the size of vehicle. The fee reductions were proposed by Governor Rick Scott earlier this year and were approved by the Florida Legislature during the 2014 legislative session. While the reductions will save Floridians millions of dollars each year, it will not affect the level of service provided by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, officials said.
“This year, we set out to cut many taxes and fees on Florida families, and starting next week we are rolling back many of the 2009 tax increases on annual motor vehicle registrations. This fee cut will result in an annual savings of about $25 per typical motor vehicle. Families deserve to keep more of their hard earned money, and we will now be able to save Floridians $400 million, because it’s their money,” Scott said.
“The reduction in vehicle registration fees will benefit both individuals, as well as the Florida business community,” said DHSMV Executive Director Terry L. Rhodes. “There are more than 14 million registered vehicles here in Florida that are covered by these fee reductions and that is a lot of savings for the people of Florida.
Example reductions are as follows:
- Motorcycles — $17.05 reduction
- Autos/Trucks under 2,500 lbs — $18.55 reduction
- Autos/Trucks between 2,500-3,500 lbs — $21.55 reduction
- Autos/Truck more than 3,500 lbs — $25.05 reduction
The reductions will apply to vehicle registrations renewed on or after September 1, 2014.
Friday Night Finals
August 30, 2014
Here are final scores from around the North Escambia area Friday night:
- Northview 49 Bozeman 7 [Read more...]
- Tate 19 West Florida 7 [Read more, photo gallery...]
- Flomaton 42 Jay 20 [Read more, photo gallery...]
- Pine Forest 36 East Gasden 0
- Baker 30 Graceville 27
- Tallahassee Lincoln 31 Pensacola High 27
- Navarre 31 Catholic 21
- Niceville 55 Rutherford 7
- Choctaw 36 Pace 28
- Milton 28 Crestview 14
- W.S. Neal 27 Escambia County (Atmore) 6
- T.R. Miller 21 Tallassee 10
- Milton 28 Crestview 14
- Escambia Academy 21 Autauga 20