Photobomb: Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Newest K-9 Zurki
February 16, 2015
These are the newest members of the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Team — Deputy Doug Burgett and K-9 Zurki.
Burgett and Zurki recently completed a 480-hour, Florida Department of Law Enforcement approved K-9 training course. The course consisted of searches, apprehensions and obedience. In order to complete the course, each deputy was required to demonstrate proficiency in these areas along with passing a final examination.
Burgett transferred to the K-9 team after being the patrol unit after being selected for the position last year.
Photo courtesy SRSO for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDOT Bringing Out The Snow Plows For Tuesday
February 16, 2015
The Florida Department of Transportation is bringing out the snow plows for Tuesday — but it’s just an exercise.
FDOT will conduct a winder weather exercise on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.
Motorists may notice an increased number of FDOT vehicles on state routes during the drill as FDOT field maintenance and operations department staff simulate a winter storm. FDOT crews will react to simulated icy weather conditions and deploy snow plows, chemical spreaders and various ice and snow removal equipment throughout the area.
The training exercise is designed to deal with snow and ice removal during inclement weather, coordinate FDOT personnel and equipment and monitor safety and efficiency of operations in the event of winter storm. FDOT’s winter weather plan is being developed to keep Florida’s highway system safe and operational in all types of weather conditions.
All planned activities are weather dependent and may be re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather, according to FDOT.
Pictured: An impassable Highway 29 south of Century littered with jack-knifed 18-wheelers following an ice storm in January 2014. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County President’s Day Closures
February 16, 2015
Below is a listing of Escambia County offices and departments closed on Monday, February 16, for the President’s Day holiday. Normal operations resume on Tuesday, February 17.
- Escambia County Board of County Commissioners
- West Florida Public Library System
- Escambia County Property Appraiser
- Escambia County Tax Collector
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections
Exceptions:
- 911 Dispatch, EMS and Fire Services will all be open
- Perdido Landfill, excluding the administrative offices, will be open
- Escambia County Clerk of the Court & Comptroller:
- Only Official Records and the Finance Offices of the Clerk and Comptroller, will be closed
- All other Clerk of Court offices and operations will be open
- Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT):
- Administrative offices closed
- UWF Trolleys will run regular weekday service
- Buses will run modified holiday
- Route 59A and 64 Beach Jumper – No Service
- Route 58 – last bus departs downtown at 3:30 p.m.
- Routes 2, 42, 50 and 55 – last bus departs ECAT at 4 p.m.
- Route 59 Express- last bus departs NATTC at 5:15 p.m.
- Route 60 Century will run weekday service and departs ECAT at 5 p.m.
Lady Aggies Improve To 5-0 With Win Over Tally Lincoln
February 16, 2015
The Tate High School Lady Aggies improved to 5-0 Saturday as they traveled to Niceville Saturday to take on Tallahasee Lincoln. The Aggies won 11-1 on a 10-run rule decision.
Tate was led by pitcher Tori Perkins, who pitched a complete game with eight strikeouts, Casey McCrackin (3-3, HR), Rachel Wright (2-3, walk off HR), Lauren Brennan (2-3) and Izzy Werdann (2-3).
The Tate Lady Aggies will travel to West Florida to take on their cross-town rival Jaguars at 6:30 Friday night.
One Injured In Highway 29 Rollover Accident
February 16, 2015
One person was injured in a single vehicle rollover crash on Highway 29 near Power Line Boulevard in Cantonment Sunday night. The vehicle came to rest upright, partially blocking the roadway. The female driver suffered an ankle injury and refused medical treatment from first responders, opting instead to go to the hospital in a private vehicle following the 7 p.m. crash. Reader submitted photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Beats Washington
February 16, 2015
The Tate Aggies shut out Washington 7-0 in their season opener Fri night. Tate scored four runs, led by third baseman Hunter Worley, who slammed a single and double to drive in three runs. Junior Sawyer Smith had a single and a triple for the other RBI.
Branden Fryman and Mark Miller each hit .500 to help Tate’s efforts. Junior pitcher Trace Penton took the win for Tate, with Jessie Gunter and Sawyer Smith making appearances on the mound.
Washington had three hits.
“Tate baseball has a rich tradition in Escambia County, and we look forward to the 2015 season in our newly renovated facility carrying on that proud legacy. We invite the community to come see what’s going on at the new field and to support our players, school, and community,” said Tate Head Coach Greg Blackmon.
Tate’s next games are February 18 at Escambia High and at home on February 19 against the West Florida Jaguars, both starting at 6:30 p.m. Junior Varsity games begin at 4:00 on both dates.
Pictured: Senior third baseman Hunter Worley led the Tate Aggies to a 4-0 victory over Washington in their season opener Friday night. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ronda Ann Kittrell
February 16, 2015
Ronda Ann Kittrell, age 48, of Cantonment, passed away suddenly on February 13, 2015. She will be terribly missed by her family and friends.
She is survived by her loving husband Dale; cherished daughter, Erica Leanne (Kellan Martin) Kittrell; beloved granddaughter, Ember Rose Martin; mother, Trudy Perry Rawson; sister, Beth Rawson Flannigan; and brothers, Lance Rawson and Ronny Madron.
Ronda is preceded in death by her father, Ronald James Rawson and brother, Ricky Dale Perry.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, February 16, 2015, at Faith Chapel North. Friends are welcome to visit one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Burial will follow at Farm Hill United Methodist Church Cemetery in Cantonment.
Open House Monday At New Ernest Ward Middle School
February 16, 2015
An open house will be held Monday for parents and community members to tour the new Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill. The school will be open to the public from noon until 4 p.m. Monday is a teacher workday; students are not in class.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Rain By Monday Afternoon
February 15, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight
Cloudy, with a low around 45. East wind around 5 mph.
Washington’s Birthday
Showers, mainly after noon. High near 67. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday Night
Showers before midnight, then a chance of rain after midnight. Low around 39. South wind around 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tuesday
A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. North wind around 10 mph.
Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 49. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph.
Wednesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 23. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 46. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 30.
Friday
A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 56.
Friday Night
A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Saturday
A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65.
Wildfire Consumes Over 500 Acres
February 15, 2015
Firefighters from Alabama and Florida battled a massive wildfire Saturday about eight miles north of Flomaton, AL. By dark, the fire had consumed over 500 acres and continued to burn.
Several structures were threatened by the fire, but none were damaged thanks to the efforts of first responders, officials said.
Firefighters from multiple departments in Alabama were aided by firefighters from Century, McDavid and Jay into the night. Late Saturday night, the Alabama Division of Forestry was still on the scene working with bulldozers to containthe wildfire.
There were no injuries reported.
Pictured: A massive wildfire consumed about 500 acres near Flomaton, AL, Saturday, with the fire continuing to burn into Saturday night. Photos by Flomaton Fire Department, Jay Fire Department, April McCullough, Robert Egee and others for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
