JV Aggies Top Pace; Monroe Academy Spoils Northview Opener
February 21, 2017
Tate 4 Pace 2 (JV)
The JV Tate Aggies topped Pace 4-2 in their season opener Monday. The JV Aggies will host Milton at 7:30 Tuesday night.
Monroe Academy 11 Northview 0
The Northview Chiefs lost 11-0 on the road at Monroe Academy in Monroeville, AL, Monday.
Monroe Academy took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning. After scoring two runs in the the second, Monroe Academy added five runs in the third inning and three more in fourth.
John Chivington, Chandler Lowery and Bailey Wilson each one hit for the Northview Chiefs during their season opener. The Chiefs will host Central Tuesday afternoon – JV at 4:00 followed by varsity at 6:30.
NASA Scientist Confirms Fireball, Boom Was Likely Meteorite
February 20, 2017
A NASA scientist has confirmed the source of a bright light and booms across the North Escambia area about 9:15 Saturday night was likely a meteorite dropper at least the size of a basketball.
“Took a look at the eyewitness reports – there is a lot of scatter, but I was able to use a software tool developed by a colleague to derive a ground track. The fireball first appeared to the NE of Mobile and moved westerly at about 56,000 miles per hour. The best reports indicate that it broke apart above U.S. 43 north of Mobile, and the reports of sound indicate it probably penetrated fairly low into the atmosphere before fragmenting, perhaps as low as 14 miles altitude,” Bill Cooke, lead of NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office located in Huntsville, AL, wrote in a Facebook post.
The object’s average brightness was about that of the full moon, with reports of it being seen as far away as extreme North Alabama and Arkansas.
“A search of the Doppler weather radar in the area may be helpful in determining if there were meteoritic particles falling to the ground,” he said.
NorthEscambia.com received reports of distant “shooting start” sightings from Saturday night Panama City to Pensacola, and more fireball-like descriptions from readers either side of a line from Bay Minette to Atmore to Bratt to Flomaton to Brewton. Many of those residents also reported a boom or explosion that rattle windows and shook their homes.
Pictured: A green glow that was reported along with the meteorite Saturday night as seen from Godwin Lane in Pensacola. NorthEscambia.com photo by Kelly Senft, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Closures For President’s Day
February 20, 2017
Below is a listing of Escambia County offices and departments closed Monday, Feb. 20 for Presidents Day. Normal operations resume Tuesday, Feb. 21.
- Escambia County Board of County Commissioners
- Escambia County Property Appraiser
- Escambia County Tax Collector
- Escambia County Area Transit administrative offices
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections office
- Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s office (Clerk’s Finance, Official Records and Clerk to the Board offices)
- Escambia County Animal Shelter
- West Florida Public Libraries (all locations)
Exceptions:
- ECAT buses will run on a modified holiday service every two hours. University of West Florida Trolleys will run regular weekday service. Route 59A and 64 Beach Jumper will have no service. Bus route departures will be as follows:
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- Route 58: Last bus departs downtown at 3:30 p.m.
- Routes 2, 32, 50 and 55: Last bus departs ECAT at 4 p.m.
- Route 59 Express: Last bus departs Naval Air Technical Training Center at 5:15 p.m.
- Route 60 Century: Will run weekday service, departs ECAT at 5 p.m.
- The Perdido Landfill will be open for normal business hours.
- The M.C. Blanchard Judicial Building, Theodore Bruno Building – Juvenile, Archives & Records and Century Courthouse will be open for normal business hours.
- Animal Control will be responding to emergency calls only.
Florida House Seeks Online Registry For Animal Abusers
February 20, 2017
Names and mug shots of individuals convicted of animal abuse would have their names published online by the state, under a proposal filed Friday in the Florida House.
The measure, sponsored by Spring Hill Republican Rep. Blaise Ingoglia, would require the Department of Law Enforcement to post in an online registry information about people convicted of felony animal cruelty, animal fighting or sexual activities involving animals.
Each individual’s information would remain on the site for two years, unless they are convicted of another instance of animal abuse. The names would be kept on the site for five years for any secondary conviction of animal abuse.
The proposal would also require the Florida Department of State to send letters to breeders’ associations urging members not to provide animals to people on the list. The measure also includes sanctions for pet dealers that sell to individuals on the registry. Pet dealers would face a second-degree misdemeanor for selling to an individual on the list. The charge would be increased to a first-degree misdemeanor on the second sale, and a third conviction would net the pet dealer three days in jail along with a $2,500 fine.
by The News Service of Florida
No Injuries In Classic Car Crash
February 20, 2017
The driver of a classic escaped serious injury in a single vehicle rollover accident Sunday night in Cantonment.
The accident happened about 10:30 p.m. on County Road 87 near Sherrilane Drive. The driver refused medical transport to the hospital.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Rain Is Moving In
February 20, 2017
A new record high of 81 was set in Pensacola on Sunday, breaking the previous record of 77 set in 2011. A new record of 83 was set in Mobile, topping the 2011 record of 80.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A chance of showers between midnight and 3am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3am. Patchy fog between 9pm and 4am. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a low around 60. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 71. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers before midnight. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 73. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 70.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 69.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 73.
Gun Season Is Over, But There’s Week Left To Deer Hunt
February 20, 2017
by Tony Young, FWC
General gun season is now over, but the local Zone D’s muzzleloader season extends deer hunting opportunity.
“What I love most about using a muzzleloader is the extra challenge it provides – you only get one shot and you better make it count,” said Howard Tiller, retired high school teacher and Chipley, Florida, native. “The late muzzleloading season gives us Zone D hunters more opportunities to hunt deer while the rut is still going on after general gun season ends. Plus, there are fewer hunters in the woods during that time, which means less pressure.”
Tiller, who was introduced to hunting by his father at a young age, said he never misses hunting Zone D’s late muzzleloading gun season. The season, which only occurs in Zone D, extends deer hunting by a week after general gun ends and runs Feb. 20-26 on private lands. It was established to give hunters the chance to hunt the rut, which runs from mid-January through February in northwest Florida.
A $5 muzzleloading gun permit is required to hunt during this season. On private land, hunters have the choice of using a muzzleloader, bow or crossbow. Of course, they’ll also need a hunting license, which costs residents $17 for an annual one – or folks might opt to purchase the five-year license for only $79.
In Zone D wildlife management areas, this post-season is referred to as the archery/muzzleloading gun season. Specific dates vary by WMA, so consult each area’s brochure. Hunters can use bows or muzzleloaders, but no crossbows – unless they possess a disabled crossbow permit. Hunters who choose to hunt with a bow must have the $5 archery permit, and those using a muzzleloader need the $5 muzzleloading gun permit.
Legal to take; bag limits
Deer and wild hogs are most commonly hunted during this season. Only legal bucks may be taken (even if you use a bow), and south of Interstate 10 in Deer Management Unit D1, one antler must have at least two points. North of I-10 in DMU D2, all bucks must have at least three points on a side or have a main beam of at least 10 inches long to be legal to take.
If you’re hunting deer, make sure you have the $5 deer permit. On private land, the daily bag limit is two. Season dates, bag limits and antler regulations for deer on WMAs can differ, so consult the area brochure before you hunt.
On private lands, wild hogs can be taken year-round with no bag or size limits. On most WMAs, there’s also no bag or size limit, and hogs are legal to take during most hunting seasons except spring turkey. On selected WMAs, specific bag and size limits do apply, so again, check the area’s brochure to make sure.
Hunting regulations
During the late muzzleloader season on private lands and archery/muzzleloading gun season on WMAs, dogs may not be used to hunt deer. However, you may use a leashed one to track a wounded deer if necessary. And it’s important to note that no turkeys may be taken during this season.
Bows and crossbows must have minimum draw weights of 35 pounds. Hand-held releases on bows are permitted. Broadheads used in taking deer must have at least two sharpened edges with a minimum width of 7/8 inch.
During this late season, the only muzzleloaders allowed are those fired by wheel lock, flintlock, percussion cap or centerfire primer (including 209 primers) that cannot be loaded from the breech. For hunting deer, muzzleloading rifles must be at least .40-caliber, and muzzleloading shotguns must be 20-gauge or larger.
Legal shooting hours are between a half-hour before sunrise and a half-hour after sunset. You’re allowed to take deer and hogs over feeding stations on private land, but it is illegal to use such feed on WMAs.
Public hunting opportunity
Twelve of the WMAs in Zone D have a February archery/muzzleloading gun season, and if you plan to hunt any of them, you must have the $26 management area permit. Those areas are Apalachicola, Apalachicola River, Beaverdam Creek, Blackwater, Chipola River, Choctawhatchee River, Econfina Creek, Escambia River, Perdido River, Point Washington, Tate’s Hell and Yellow River.
You can get all of the licenses and permits you’ll need at any retail outlet that sells hunting and fishing supplies, by calling 888-HUNT-FLORIDA or by going online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.
Two Killed In I-65 Crash
February 20, 2017
Two South Alabama residents were killed in a single vehicle rollover crash Sunday afternoon on I-65 about eight miles north of Atmore.
Samuel Louis Brown, 34, and Eugene Sanders Jr., 53, were both pronounced deceased at the scene of teh crash at 62 mile marker. Brown and Sanders were passengers in a 2003 Mitsubishi SUV that overturned several times after leaving the roadway.
The driver of the Mitsubishi was transported to an area hospital.
Further details have not been released as Alabama troopers continue their investigation.
Atmore Man Dies In Motorcycle Crash
February 20, 2017
An Atmore man was killed in a crash Sunday afternoon in a Baldwin County crash.
Orrie Hubert Bradford, 83, died when his 1999 Harley Davidson motorcycle struck a guardrail and crashed, according to Alabama State Troopers. Brandford was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The accident occurred at 1:35 p.m. on Highway 59 about a mile southeast of Stockton, AL. Further details have not yet been released as troopers continue their investigation.
Dennie Medlock
February 20, 2017
Dennis Medlock, 61, of Cantonment, FL passed away Wednesday, February 15, 2017.
Dennis worked for International Paper for 30 years and was a member of IBEW Local/1937. He loved to hunt, fish and play golf.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Carlton and Margaret Medlcok; and his sister, Karen Medlock Hayes.
Dennis is survived by his two sons, Rico Padilla and Chris Medlock (Alyssa); and grandchildren, Makenzee Medlock, Bethaney Padilla, Kaleb Padilla, Arryanne Padilla and Bree Padilla.
A gathering of friends was held Saturday, February 18, 2017, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.