Fire Destroys Pickup Parked Next To Home
October 30, 2018
Fire destroyed a pickup truck Tuesday afternoon in the driveway of a home on Warbler Terrace, south of Old Chemstrand Road. Firefighters were able to keep the fire from spreading to a nearby home and privacy fence. There were no injuries reported. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Fire Destroys Storage Shed In Cantonment
October 30, 2018
Fire destroyed an outside storage shed on Old Novak Road in Cantonment Tuesday afternoon. The cause of the fire was not immediately released. There were no injuries reported. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
FDOT Awards $2.7 Million Contract To Replace Bratt Road Bridge
October 30, 2018
The Florida Department of Transportation has awarded a $2.7 million contract to replace a bridge on Bratt Road that has been closed for nearly 11 months.
The $2,727,550.12 contract was awarded to low bidder Murphree Bridge. The second lowest bid submitted by Roads, Inc. was about $69,000 more. Two other bids were $3.12 and $3.16 million.
Once construction begins, it will take up 90-120 days to install a temporary bridge and open it to traffic. Once the temporary bridge is opened, construction will begin on a new permanent concrete bridge. Murphree will have 210 days from the start date to complete the project.
The bridge averaged 425 vehicles per day prior to closure. It was constructed in 1956.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Inmate Stabbed During Altercation At Century Prison
October 30, 2018
An inmate was stabbed at the Century Correctional Institution over the weekend.
The inmate was involved in an apparent inmate on inmate altercation Saturday afternoon, according to Patrick Manderfield, press secretary for the Florida Department of Corrections.
The inmate, whose name has not been released, was transported to a Pensacola hospital for treatment. Further details have not been released.
The incident is currently under investigation by the Florida Department of Corrections Office of the Inspector General.
Community Mourns Flomaton High Student Kelsie Padgett
October 30, 2018
Flomaton area residents are in mourning today after the loss of a local high school student.
Flomaton High School student Kelsie Padgett, 17, passed away Monday after a battle with brain cancer.
“Please say a prayer for The Padgett Family and Our Community… today our Sweet Kelsie gained her angel wings… We love you Kelsie and will miss you,” the Flomaton High School Quarterback Club posted on Facebook Monday night.
Pictured above: Flomaton High School student Kelsie Padgett. Pictured below: Members of the Flomaton High School cheerleading squad cheer for Kelsie during a fundraiser earlier this month at the Flomaton Fire Department. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Do We Set Our Clocks Back, Or Are We Stuck On Daylight Saving Time?
October 30, 2018
Florida residents will still need to set their clocks back one hour this weekend, even though Gov. Rick Scott signed a billed to keep daylight saving time year round.
The Legislature passed the bill that Scott signed earlier this year. But the change ultimately requires Congressional approval.
If Congress approves, Northwest Florida would be one hour ahead of neighboring Alabama during part of the year, including winter. For example, on Christmas Day if it were 10 a.m. in North Escambia, it would be 9 a.m. in Atmore. The idea of year-round daylight-saving time has been promoted as a way to help the state’s tourism industry, as people would be able to stay out later with the additional sunlight. Hawaii and most of Arizona currently don’t participate in switching from standard time to daylight-saving time and back. They stay on standard time throughout the year.
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced legislation, the Sunshine Protection Act, that would make Daylight Saving Time (DST) permanent across the country. He also introduced the Sunshine State Act, which would give Florida approval to establish permanent DST within its boundaries.
FHSAA Approves New Classification Proposal On 12-3 Vote
October 30, 2018
The Florida High School Athletic Association Board of Directors voted 12-3 Monday to approve a new FHSAA classification proposal Wednesday that would reduce the number of classes and change playoffs for sports not including football.
The proposal would not make any changes to the current 1A rural classification (including Northview and Jay).
The new two-year classification cycle begins with the 2019-20 school year. The board also reduced the classifications in the following sports to six classes plus rural (rural is not affected): baseball, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, softball and girls volleyball.
District tournaments will remain and be seeded by MaxPreps rankings released at the end of the regular season. However, schools are no longer required to play regular-season district contests.
Following district tournaments, the regional playoff brackets for Class 2A-7A (1A rural playoff structure remains the same) will consist of four regions per class and four districts per region. District champions now automatically qualify for the playoffs, with the top four seeds in each region being seeded by MaxPreps. Following the top four automatic qualifiers being seeded, teams 5-8 will receive at-large bids via their MaxPreps rankings. Higher seeds would host. All regional MaxPreps rankings will combine schools’ regular season and district tournament results.
Click graphic to enlarge.
A Couple More Warm Days; Rain For Thursday
October 30, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A slight chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 75. South wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 68. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. West wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 68.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 47.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 73.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 53.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.
Photo Gallery: Century Library Holds ‘Haunting Halloween’ Program
October 30, 2018
The Century Branch Library held a “Haunting Halloween” program recently with a spooky story, arts and crafts and more.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Trick Or Treats; Trunk Or Treats, Fall Festivals, Halloween Baseball
October 30, 2018
Several Halloween and fall festival events are scheduled in the North Escambia area:
Victory Assembly of God Fall Festival
Victory Assembly of God will host their annual Fall Festival on Wednesday, October 31, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. The free event includes carnival games, trunk-or-treat, chili and hot dogs, inflatables, a bull ride, and much more. The church is located at 1895 Victory Road in Cantonment.
Highland Baptist Church Trunk-or-Treat
Highland Baptist Church will hold a Trunk-or-Treat event on Wednesday, October 31, from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. There will also be inflatables for the children to play on! A snack supper will be provided free of charge. In case of inclement weather, festivities will be moved indoors in the fellowship hall. This is a free event and everyone is invited. The church is located at 6240 N Highway 95A n Molino.
First Baptist Cantonment Trunk or Treat
Trunk or Treat at First Baptist Church of Cantonment Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. Hot dogs, candy, a hayride and the Bloodmobile.
New Life Assembly Trunk or Treat
New Life Assembly at 8450 Highway 97 in Walnut Hill will host a Fall Festival Trunk or Treat on Wednesday from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m.
Heritage Baptist Fall Festival/Trunk or Treat
Heritage Baptist Church will hold a Fall Festival/Trunk or Treat on Wednesday from 6-8 p.m.
Flomaton Annual Fall Festival – Canceled
The Town of Flomaton has canceled their annual Fall Festival/Trick or Treat in the Street that was set for Thursday night.
Pictured: Tate Aggie Halloween baseball.