‘May God Be With All Of Us’ – Army Combat Photographer Shares Michael’s Small Town Damage
October 14, 2018
“My home, the city of southern charm, has been laid to waste. Honestly the pictures do not do the destruction, justice. May God be with all of us.”
Those were the words of U.S. Army combat photographer SPC Scott Hagan after seeing the devastation of Hurricane Michael in his hometown of Marianna.
“I am fortunate as an active duty soldier stationed in California, whose career field happens to be combat camera; that I was allowed to come home on Emergency Leave to not only help my family and friends from this monstrosity, but to document this truly historic, disheartening, and immense event,” he said.
Some of the news we’ve seen following Hurricane Michael has centered on Panama City and Mexico Beach. While the devastation there is catastrophic, residents of small towns like Marianna and Blountstown are hurting. They are the little communities that do not want to be forgotten.
“The destruction is hard to describe. It’s as if a huge tornado hit the entire county. The majority of trees are down or snapped in half. No one was left untouched, no one. Half the homes in (Jackson County) are in ruins.”
“The damage to businesses in my community are just as bad. The hospital, the sheriff station, and even Walmart all are without roofs. Historic downtown is heartbreaking. Monuments and buildings from the late 1800s are no longer standing.”
To see more of Hagan’s pictures, click here.
Pictured top: “The pic of the storm right here,” Hagan said. Pictured below: Historic downtown Marianna. Picture further below: What is left of the inside of a Hibett Sports store, the old train depot in Marianna and a damaged home downtown. Hagan said about half the homes in the area sustained heavy damage. Pictured bottom: The historic St. Luke Baptist Church, founded in 1867, did not survive Hurricane Michael. Photos by SPC Jeffrey Scott Hagan for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Early Voting Site Added At UWF
October 14, 2018
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David H. Stafford has added a ninth early voting location for the General Election at the University of West Florida, the county’s second on a college campus. Stafford is partnering with UWF to provide the early voting location, open to all Escambia County voters, in Building 90 on the main campus. Escambia County has operated an early voting site at the Genealogy Branch Library on the campus of Pensacola State College since 2006.
All nine early voting locations will be open for 13 consecutive days, October 22 through November 3 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. This is the most days and locations ever offered to Escambia County voters.
The nine General Election early voting locations include:
- Supervisor of Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor
- Main Library, 239 Spring Street
- Molino Community Center, 6450-A Highway 95A, Molino
- Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 B, 9th Avenue
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
- Mobile Hwy/Pine Forest Rd Early Voting Center, 6675 Pine Forest Road
- Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto Street
- University of West Florida, Building 90, Campus Lane
Sunny And A Little Warmer Today, Rain Chances Returning Monday
October 14, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 86. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 64.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81.
How You Can Help Hurricane Victims
October 14, 2018
A cross still stands this Sunday at a church in Lynn Haven, on the outskirts of Panama City, after Hurricane Michael heavily damaged the building and destroyed much around the church.
Here are several ways you can help Hurricane Michael victims:
Florida Disaster Fund
Florida Disaster Fund has been activated to help. Administered by the Volunteer Florida Foundation, the fund receives donations that go to disaster-relief efforts. To make a contribution, visit www.FloridaDisasterFund.org or text DISASTER to 20222 to make a one-time donation of $10 or DISASTER25 to 20222 to make a $25 donation. It is the state’s official fund for disaster response and recovery.
Volunteer To Help
To volunteer in the recovery efforts for Hurricane Michael visit VolunteerFlorida.org.
American Red Cross
The Red Cross has set up a fund specifically for Hurricane Michael victims. Click here to donate online and find information on how to donate by phone or mail.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has a web page dedicated to collecting donations for victims of Hurricane Michael. Donations can also be made my phone or through mail, click here for more information.
Donate Blood
OneBlood is urging anyone who is eligible to donate blood. Find a list of OneBlood locations and blood drives here. In Pensacola, visit the Pensacola Donor Center at 1999 East Nine Mile Road 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle Students Vote For Their Favorite Things
October 14, 2018
Over 400 Ransom Middle School students voted recently for their favorite things using official voter equipment from the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office. Students chose Chick-fil-A, hip hop music, football and P.E. class among their favorite things. Results were as follows:
Automaker
- Chevrolet 110
- Ford 90
- BMW 67
- Mercedes 55
- Nissan 34
- Honda 23
College
- Florida State 126
- Alabama 114
- Florida 84
- West Florida 67
- Auburn 29
- Florida A&M 4
Fast Food
- Chick-fil-A
- McDonald’s 53
- Subway 52
- Taco Bell 43
- Papa John’s 17
President
- Barack Obama 125
- Abraham Lincoln 111
- Donald Trump 63
- John F. Kennedy 29
- Ronald Regan 17
- Franklin D. Roosevelt 12
Music
- Hip-Hop 210
- Country 96
- Alternative 50
- Rock 47
- Jazz 15
- Classical 14
Sport
- Football 115
- Basketball 90
- Swimming 76
- Baseball 67
- Soccer 66
- Golf 5
School Subject
- P.E. 180
- Math 96
- History 65
- Science 35
- English 29
Flomaton Raises Money For Kelsie Padgett As She Battles Brain Cancer
October 14, 2018
The Flomaton community came together Saturday to raise money for Flomaton High School student Kelsie Padgett, 17, as she battles brain cancer.
The fundraiser included food, a car wash and dunking booth.
“Today was a true testament of love and compassion for a child”, Flomaton Fire Chief Steve Stanton said. “Thank you for everyone who made this possible.”
The fundraiser was sponsored by the Flomaton Fire Department and MedStar Ambulance.
Pictured top: Flomaton High cheerleaders lead a cheer for Kelsie Padgett. Pictured below: The event included a car wash. Pictured bottom: MedStar’s Donnie Brown cooks up burgers for the fundraiser Saturday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
EREC, Southern Pine Crews Helping With Power Restoration
October 14, 2018
Escambia River Electric Cooperative in Jay sent line crews to sister cooperative Gulf Coast Electric Co-op in Wewahitchka, Florida. Gulf Coast EC’s entire power system is down following Hurricane Michael.
“These power restoration efforts hit close to home,” says Clay Campbell, general manager/CEO. “Cooperatives within our generation and transmission power group were hit hard by this hurricane. These co-ops are an extension of our cooperative family, and we want to do all we can to help them get back on their feet.”
EREC will assist Gulf Coast with power restoration after Hurricane Michael’s devastation. EREC has also sent supplies such as bunk trailers, cots and ice to assist Gulf Coast EC as the rebuilding of their communities gets underway.
Southern Pine Electric Cooperative
Southern Pine Electric Cooperative, based in Brewton, sent several linemen and employees to Wiregrass Electric Cooperative in Hartford, AL, to help restore power on that system.
Pictured above: EREC crewmen (L-R) Kevin Macht, Ken Blair, Mark LeFlore, Doug Stewart, David Deese and Matthew Reynolds. Pictured inset: The EREC crews depart Jay. Pictured below: Southern Pine crewmen (front,L-R) Phillip Norsworthy, Christian Bodiford and Josh Lowery, (back ) Chad Morris, Nathan McCrory, Jake Salter, Tracy Emmons, Jimmy Wilson and Raymond Wiggins. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NWE Chiefs Wrap Up Regular Season At Poarch
October 14, 2018
The NWE Chiefs wrapped up their regular season Saturday at Poarch with the NWE Sophomores remaining undefeated.
Scores:
Freshmen
NWE (6-1) 30, Poarch 21
Sophomores
NWE (7-0) 42, Poarch 6
Juniors
Poarch 28, NWE (3-4) 6
Seniors
Poarch 39, NWE (4-3) 6
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
One Person Injured In Highway 4 Crash
October 13, 2018
One person was injured in a two-vehicle crash Saturday morning in Bratt.
The accident happened just before 8 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 4 and Bratt Road, just east of the Bratt First Baptist Church. The 21-year old driver of a Ford Escort was transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital with injuries that were not considered life threatening. The driver of a Chevrolet Cruze was not injured.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FHP Seeks Highway 95A Hit And Run Driver
October 13, 2018
Authorities were on the lookout for a hit and run vehicle after an early morning crash in Cantonment.
A large green or dark-colored GMC Yukon or similar SUV collided with the right-rear of a Buck Roadmaster on Highway 95 near Cedartree Lane shortly before 1 a.m before fleeing the scene. The hit and run driver left evidence behind, including the GMC emblem from their vehicle.
The SUV should have significant front-end damage, authorities said.
The driver of the car was not seriously injured.
The crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Anyone with information is asked to call the FHP at *FHP or (850) 484-5000.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.