Cantonment Drive-By Shooting Under Investigation
July 27, 2015
A drive-by shooting late Sunday night in Cantonment is under investigation.
About 11:20 p.m., Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 200 block of Sheppard Street, between Booker and Washington streets, for a reported drive-by shooting.
A resident was outside locking up his vehicle when he said an older model Jeep drove by his residence.
An unidentified suspect was standing up in the back of the Jeep and began firing at his residence. The victim took cover and the Jeep fled from the area. Neither the victim nor the two occupants located inside of the residence were injured by the gunfire.
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Molino Man Charged With DUI After Crash With Deputy
July 27, 2015
A Molino man was jailed for DUI after causing a traffic accident with an Escambia County Sheriff’s sergeant Monday morning in Cantonment.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 24-year old Douglas Joseph Hadley was traveling east on Muscogee Road in a 1996 Ford Windstar van when he made a wide right turn onto Highway 29 and into the path of a marked Escambia County Sheriff’s Office 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe.
Sgt. Marc Dewees received minor injuries in the crash. Hadley was not injured. Both were wearing their seat belts.
Hadley was charged with DUI and possession of a controlled substance by the Florida Highway Patrol and booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $4,000.
A spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Dewees was “doing fine” and that his injuries were not severe.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Early Morning Fire Destroys Century Home
July 27, 2015
A fire that destroyed a home on Jefferson Avenue in Century this morning is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The small wood-frame home was a total loss following the fire, which was reported about 5:35 a.m.
The home’s resident had previously passed away, and most furniture had reportedly been removed from the structure. The house was fully involved in flames when first responders arrived on scene. There were no injuries reported.
The Century, McDavid and Walnut Hill stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Flomaton Fire Department, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the blaze.
The fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview, West Florida High Schools Ranked Among Best In Country
July 27, 2015
Northview and West Florida high schools were ranked among the best in the nation in a report released by U.S. News and World Report. Both received a national bronze medal from the publication.
The U.S. News rankings include data on more than 21,000 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. Schools were awarded based on their performance on state assessments and how well they prepare students for college. The awards were based upon student-teacher ratios, college readiness, mathematics proficiencies and reading proficiencies.
In Florida, there were 31 high schools with gold medals, 105 with silver medals and 69 with bronze medals.
No other Escambia County high school was awarded a national medal by U.S. News. In Santa Rosa County, Milton High School and the Santa Rosa Virtual Franchise received bronze medals. In Escambia County, AL, both Flomaton and W.S. Neal High School received bronze medals.
Mostly Sunny And Hot
July 27, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. Calm wind.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Heat index values as high as 108. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the morning.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. Calm wind.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88.
Recovered: Atmore Stolen Vehicle Recovered In Century
July 27, 2015
UPDATE: This stolen vehicle was recovered just after 5 a.m. in Century was reported to be “intact”.
Local authorities are searching for a unique truck stolen sometime early Sunday morning from a driveway in Atmore
The pickup truck is a silver 2013 Ford DRW super duty, according to Atmore police. It also has a large tool box and welding rig in the custom-made back.
Family members say the truck was the owner’s source of income.
Anyone with information on the truck is asked to call the Atmore Police Department at (251) 368-9141 or their local law enforcement agency.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Health Department Urges Protection Against West Nile Virus
July 27, 2015
The Florida Department of Health is urging Floridians and visitors to protect themselves against West Nile Virus. The Department of Health today confirmed the first case of West Nile virus illness in Florida for 2015 in an adult female resident of Walton County. West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne virus that causes mild to severe illness, and there have been 38 other states with confirmed cases in 2015.
“I encourage Floridians and visitors to take steps to prevent mosquito bites that can lead to illness,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “Stay safe by draining any standing water near or in your home, making sure that screens are intact, and keeping your skin covered with clothing and mosquito repellent.”
Most people with West Nile virus infections, approximately 80 percent, have no symptoms. In those people who develop them, most experience a mild illness with conditions like headache, fever, pain and fatigue. These typically appear between two and 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.
People over the age of 50 and individuals with weakened immune systems, especially transplant recipients and HIV-infected individuals, seem to be at increased risk for severe disease. There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus, and most mild infections are typically overcome with little or no medical intervention within a matter of weeks. Those experiencing severe side effects should seek medical attention immediately.
The department continues to conduct statewide surveillance for mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile virus infections, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, Malaria and Dengue.
Local National Guard Unit Deploys
July 27, 2015
A deployment ceremony was held Sunday morning in Pensacola for the Florida Army National Guard’s 1st Squadron, 153rd Cavalry Regiment. Almost 100 members of the squadron are deploying to the Horn of Africa in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Gov. Rick Scott was on hand to wish the troops well, along with families, friends, dignitaries and military leaders from the Florida National Guard.
After leaving Pensacola Sunday, the soldier traveled to Ft. Bliss TX, for additional training prior to the overseas deployment for the estimated year-long mission.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Injured In County Road 97 Crash
July 27, 2015
One person was injured in a single vehicle crash Sunday night on County Road 97, just south of West Kingsfield Road, when they left the roadway and struck a tree. Further details have not been released by the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Drop Series To Biloxi
July 27, 2015
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos started off the first inning by scoring a run against the Biloxi Shuckers for the fourth time in the five game series.
Shuckers pitcher Jorge Lopez allowed the run on a double by Blue Wahoos shortstop Zach Vincej and an RBI-single by Jesse Winker to start the game and tie it at 1-1.
However, Pensacola would not get another hit off Lopez until 14 batters later in the fifth when Blue Wahoos catcher Yovan Gonzalez singled to left field.
Biloxi would go on to pull out a, 10-2, victory on 14 hits and win the last three games of the series over Pensacola in front of 4,173 Sunday at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The Shuckers improved its record to 11-4 in three series against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos—its best record against a Southern League team. The Shuckers are also 11-4 against the Jacksonville Suns.
Lopez, who entered the game 1-1 against Pensacola, improved to 9-4 with a 2.72 ERA after surviving the first inning. The 22-year-old righty retired 11 in a row through the fourth inning. The Milwaukee Brewers No. 15 prospect has not allowed more than three earned runs in his last nine starts dating back to June 2.
Pensacola Manager Pat Kelly said Biloxi’s starting rotation impressed him this series.
“It came down to starting pitching,” Kelly said. “We just got outpitched this series.”
Although Kelly said he likes his rotation and bullpen, he’s interested in seeing the pitchers the Cincinnati Reds may send Pensacola’s way following its trade of starter Johnny Cueto to the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.
The Shuckers improved to 14-15 (57-40) in the second half of the Southern League South Division. The loss dropped Pensacola to 17-13 (42-56) in the second half and they remained tied for second with the Mississippi Braves.
Zach Vincej led Pensacola at the plate, going 1-2 with a double to center field, earning two walks and scoring a run. He has hit .348 in July (23-66) — his best month this season — to raise his season average to .264.
Against Pensacola, Shuckers left fielder Victor Roache extended his on-base streak to 11 games. Roache tore up Pensacola pitching, hitting .474 (9-19), including a two-out, three-run homer Sunday in the third inning that put Biloxi up, 4-1.
“We didn’t pitch him very well,” Kelly said of Roache. “When we made a mistake, he didn’t miss, that’s for sure.”
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos start a five-game series against the Minnesota Twins Double-A affiliate the Chattanooga Lookouts, followed by a five-game series against the Miami Marlins Double-A affiliate the Jacksonville Suns. The Blue Wahoos next home game is scheduled at 6:35 p.m. Friday Aug. 7 with the Chicago White Sox Double-A affiliate Birmingham Barons.