Lightning Strike Damages Homes; Sparks Pole Fire; Thousands Lose Power
December 4, 2016
A lightning strike caused damage at two homes on Chippewa Way Sunday morning and sparked a utility pole fire in Molino as thousands lost power in North Escambia.
Lightning apparently struck a home in the 11000 block of Chippewa Way just before 9:30 a.m. causing minor damage. The next door neighbor’s home also suffered damage to electronic items such as televisions.
There were no injuries reported.
Lightning also believed to be responsible for a transformer and utility pole fire on Molino road near the fire station about 10:15 Sunday morning. Gulf Power reported just four customers left without power as a result. About 10:45 Sunday morning, over 2,000 Gulf Power customers lost power in the Molino, Barth and Quintette areas due to another lightning strike.
Sunday afternoon, about 250 Escambia River Electric Cooperative customers lost power between two outages in Bratt and Nokomis for up to about three hours.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
December 4, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 72. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Patchy fog before midnight. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then showers and thunderstorms after noon. High near 70. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday Night: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 3am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 3am. Low around 60. South wind around 10 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 57.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 45.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 27.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 50.
Suspect On The Run After Shooting At Police Officer
December 4, 2016
Pensacola Police are searching for a man who shot at an officer and then ran from the scene late Friday night.
The officer – Matthew Mercado – was not injured in the incident, which occurred in the area of Torres Avenue and Tunis Street.
The incident occurred during a Violent Crime Suppression Operation, which had additional officers saturating known problem areas. Since September, the city has experienced an increase in gun related crimes.
Around 10:30 p.m. Friday, officers responded to Highland Drive after a male confronted a resident while armed with a handgun. The woman said the male approached her vehicle after she backed out of a driveway, and confronted her while holding the gun. Fearing for her safety, she accelerated her vehicle to escape and the man fled. Mercado found the suspect on Sixth Avenue near Tunis Street.
The suspect turned toward Mercado, fired one shot and fled the area on foot.
Sgt. Stephen Bauer, who is coordinating the operation for the department, said the suspect is wanted for attempted murder on the officer and aggravated assault. The suspect was described as a black male, thin build and wearing dark pants and a dark jacket with a hood.
During a K-9 track for the suspect, officers smelled marijuana coming from a residence in the 3000 block of North Torres Avenue.
A search of the home resulted in the seizure of six firearms – one of which was stolen – and approximately 425 grams of marijuana. One person was arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to sell and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Also during the operation, officers saw several people gambling in the area of the Fricker Center, 900 North F St. Two males were charged with possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana and gambling.
The suspect in the shooting was not located.
The Violent Crime Suppression Operation lasted approximately 11 hours, and will continue for the foreseeable future.
Anyone having information on the attempted murder of the police officer is asked to contact the Pensacola Police Department at 435 – 1900 or Crime Stoppers at 433 – STOP. Callers can remain anonymous.
Firefighters Battle Two Wildland Fires Near Cantonment
December 4, 2016
Firefighters from multiple department battled two wildland fires in the Cantonment area Saturday night.
The Florida Department of Forestry estimated the first fire off Quintette Road to be 15 acres. The forest service had a tractor/plow on the ground by 7:30 p.m. and reported to have control of the fire by 7:53. The fire was contained by8:38 p.m.
The fire burned in an area bordered roughly by Quintette Road, the eastern end of South Chipper Road and Frank Ard Road.
The second fire on Branch Cross off River Annex Road burned about two acres. Firefighters from Escambia Fire Rescue brought the fire under control, while the Florida Division of Forestry plowed a line around the blaze.
There was no word on what sparked either blaze. There were no injuries, and no structures were damaged. A burned-out pickup truck was found in the woods following the first fire.
Pictured top and below: A wildland fire burn about 15 acres Saturday night in a wooded area off Quintette Road in Cantonment. Pictured below: A truck found burned out in a wooded area. Pictured bottom: Firefighters stand by to protect several home on Frank Road. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge. Pictured inset: A wildland fire burns on River Branch Saturday night. Reader submitted photo by Crystal Croll, click to enlarge.
Molino Holds Annual Christmas Parade (With Photo Gallery)
December 4, 2016
The annual Molino Christmas Parade was held Saturday morning on Crabtree Church Road. After the parade, Santa Claus met with lots of good boys and girls at the Molino Ballpark.
Sponsored by the Molino Recreation Association, proceeds from the parade are used to benefit needy children in the Molino area during the Christmas season.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: The annual Molino Christmas Parade Saturday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino’s Parker Wins Snowball Derby Pro Truck Race
December 4, 2016
Jarrett Parker of Molino took the win in the Snowball Derby Beef O’ Brady’s Pro Truck 50 Saturday night at 5 Flags Speedway. Saturday night was Parker’s 10th start of the year and fourth and largest win.
Parker’s #46 Grocery Advantage truck sports a “NE/NorthEscambia.com” logo by each door.
Pictured: Jarrett Parker (left) wins the Snowball Derby Beef O’ Brady’s Pro Truck 50 Saturday night. Photo courtesy 5 Flags Speedway for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Superheroes, Firefighters Hold Annual Toy Drive
December 4, 2016
The heroes of the Atmore Fire Department has a little superhero help Saturday for the their Annual Firefighters Christmas Toy Drive at Walmart. The firefighters, along with the likes of Batman, Superman and Captain America were even joined by the Grinch in collecting toys for needy children this Christmas. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Volunteer Firefighter Assaulted, Bit On Face At Accident Scene
December 4, 2016
A volunteer firefighter, who also works as a corrections officer at the county jail, was assaulted early Saturday morning as he stopped to render aid at a traffic accident.
The volunteer, Kurtis Clark, was near the accident on Mobile Highway and Fairfield Drive when it was dispatched. First on scene, Clark arrived to find a man assaulting a women. The man, later identified as 25-year old David Danyel Lawrence, allegedly bit Clark on face.
Lawrence was transported to a local hospital before being arrested on charges of battery on an officer, resisting an officer, aggravated battery on a firefighter and DUI. He remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $59,500.
Clark was treated for minor injuries at an urgent care facility.
Work Underway At Cantonment Sportsplex, Baseball Registration Open
December 4, 2016
Cantonment Baseball is looking forward to a great spring season. Work is underway on field improvement at the Cantonment Sportsplex, and online registration is now open.
To register, click here for the Cantonment Baseball website.
Pictured: Volunteers worked on baseball field improvements Saturday at the Cantonment Sportsplex. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Robert Jarrod Peebles
December 4, 2016
Robert Jarrod Peebles was born August 10, 1979, in Atmore and passed away suddenly December 3, 2016.
He was preceded in death by his mother Donna Peebles, maternal grandparents Bobby and Joyce Benefield, and paternal grandfather Wilborn Peebles.
Survivors include his wife Jean Peebles; three daughters, Gabbie, Dakota, and Becca, and Tori Grammer, who was like a daughter to him; his father and stepmother Ricky and Becka Peebles; his brother Jason and Jennifer Peebles; his paternal grandmother Dorothy Peebles; many aunts and uncles; and a host of other close family members and friends.
Jarrod was very active in youth sports with NWE little league and softball, Ernest Ward football, and loved sharing the outdoors with his children and younger cousins.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, December 7, 2016m, at noon at the Shiloh Baptist Church with Rev. Kevin Stotts and Rev. Delbert Redditt officiating.
Burial will follow at the Godwin Cemetery.
Visitation will be Tuesday, December 6, 2016, from 6-8 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Nick Harper, Dustin Harper, Tim Kast, Nooch Segers, Josh Edwards and Tristen Segers.
Honorary pallbearers will be Coy Peebles, Brian Burkett, Johnny Green and Brett Roberson.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.