Cantonment Church Evacuated Due To Smell Of Smoke
October 8, 2018
A Cantonment church was evacuated Sunday morning due to the smell of smoke.
The odor was reportedly traced to a light ballast. There were no injuries and no damage reported.
Cantonment, Ensley, Belleview, Beulah, Ferry Pass and Bellview stations of Escambia Fire Rescue were dispatched to the call, along with Escambia County EMS.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Scott Declares State Of Emergency, Urges Storm Prep
October 7, 2018
Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency Sunday for Northwest Florida as a potential hurricane threatens to hammer the region in the middle of the week.
Scott issued an executive order declaring an emergency in the Panhandle and the Big Bend — generally areas surrounding Tallahassee — because of Tropical Storm Michael headed toward the Gulf of Mexico.
The National Hurricane Center said nearly “all of the intensity models bring the cyclone to hurricane strength over the Gulf of Mexico in two to three days, and the NHC forecast follows suit.”
For the latest forecast on the storm, click here.
“There is an increasing risk of dangerous storm surge, rainfall and wind impacts over portions of the northern Gulf Coast by mid-week, although it is too soon to specify the exact location and magnitude of these impacts,” the hurricane center advisory said. “Residents in these areas should monitor the progress of this system.”
Scott also focused on preparedness in a statement released by his office Sunday morning, saying Floridians “know just how quickly the path of a storm can change, and that’s why we all must be vigilant and get prepared today.”
“With the National Hurricane Center forecasting Tropical Depression 14 to strengthen and impact Florida’s Panhandle as a hurricane, families need to get prepared.” Scott said in the statement. “Today, I will be declaring a state of emergency in counties in the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend and directing the State Emergency Operations Center to activate. Later today, I will receive a full update and briefing on the forecast and potential impacts of the storm from federal, state and local emergency management officials. Our state understands how serious tropical weather is and how devastating any hurricane or tropical storm can be.”
by The News Service of Florida
Accident Claims The Life Of A Pedestrian On Highway 95A In Cantonment
October 7, 2018
A Cantonment accident claimed the life of a pedestrian Saturday night in Cantonment.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 31-year old Ronald Smedley of Milton was struck by a Ford Expedition on Highway 95A just south of Archer Road about 8:35 p.m. Smedley was walking in the roadway when he was hit by a Ford Expedition driven by 43-year old Charles Kimbel of Cantonment.
Smedley was pronounced deceased on scene by first responders. Kimbel and his passenger, 47-year old Brenda Kimbel of Cantonment, were not injured.
No charges were filed.
Highway 95A was closed for several hours following the accident.
This story will be updated when additional details are available.
File photo.
Tropical Storm Michael Forms
October 7, 2018
Tropical Storm Michael formed Sunday morning. Complete details are in the graphics on this page.
The area of low pressure is centered just east of the Yucatan Peninsula, about 120 miles south of Cozumel, Mexico this evening. The system should slowly move northward and emerge into the southern Gulf of Mexico late Sunday night into Monday morning. A northward motion should continue across the east-central Gulf of Mexico through Tuesday, before a gradual northeastward turn is possible late Tuesday into Wednesday. The future track of the system remains highly uncertain. It is important to note that all of the northern Gulf Coast from southeast Mississippi to the western Florida Panhandle remains within the forecast cone.
Rain chances will be on the rise next week. A high risk of rip currents begins Monday and surf will also begin increasing early next week.
The system could bring storm surge, rainfall, & wind impacts to the northern Gulf Coast by mid-week depending on the track of the system. It is still too soon for specifics.
![[Image of probabilities of 34-kt winds]](https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/AT14/refresh/AL142018_wind_probs_34_F120+png/024012.png)
Rain Chance Return With Michael
October 7, 2018
For the latest on the tropics, click here.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Columbus Day: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. East wind around 10 mph.
Wednesday: Tropical storm conditions possible. Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a high near 83. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: Tropical storm conditions possible. A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. North wind around 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 81.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 80.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.
Photos: Century Blackcats Host The Frisco City Whippets
October 7, 2018
The Century Blackcats hosted the Whippets of Frisco City Saturday night.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Scores were not available at publication time.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Car Buyers Can Now Shift Sales Tax Money To Hope Scholarship Contributions
October 7, 2018
Florida auto dealers were required Monday to begin carrying out part of a new law that will allow car buyers to help fund the controversial “Hope” scholarship program.
Under the law, car buyers can voluntarily shift up to $105 from the sales taxes they would normally pay on vehicle transactions to the Hope scholarship program. The scholarships, approved during this year’s legislative session, will allow students who are victims of bullying or other violence to receive public funding to move to private schools.
Opponents have argued, in part, that the bullying issue is being used to expand school vouchers to thousands of students. If vehicle buyers want to make contributions, they have to fill out a form designating the money to go to the scholarship program, according to information posted on the Florida Automobile Dealers Association website.
Dealers then will send the money to the non-profit group Step Up for Students, which helps administer the program.
by The News Service of Florida
Escambia County Farm Family Recognized For Environmental Leadership
October 7, 2018
Two Escambia County farmers and ranchers were recently honored for their environmental stewardship with a County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship (CARES) award.
Recipients honored were Jimmy and Jerry McElhaney of McElhaney Farms. They grow cotton, corn and peanuts using recycled water to irrigate more than 1,400 acres. Through best management practices, they have reduced fertilizer use by 50 percent.
The CARES program was established by Florida Farm Bureau and the Suwannee River Partnership in 2001 to recognize superior natural resource conservation by agricultural producers. The program relies on action by farmers and ranchers to implement state-of-the-art natural resource management systems, or Best Management Practices, on their properties.
McElhaney Farms been in operation in Escambia County for nearly 100 years. Today, Jimmy and Jerry McElhaney grow cotton, peanuts and corn on 1,400 acres. In 2016, they enrolled in Best Management Practices with the goal of reducing water use, nutrient use and improving water quality on their family farm. Some of the BMPs implemented include installing two soil moisture sensors to better determine irrigation needs as well as a surface water pond to capture and recycle water. In order to reduce nutrient use, they use GPS and variable rate applications for spraying and fertilizing applications.
These two BMPs alone have helped them reduce their fertilizer use by 50 percent, and reduced their their use of lime. Planting cover crops, using conservation tillage and terracing their fields all work together to prevent soil erosion, increase crop yields and improve soil health.
Pictured top: (L-R) James McElhaney, Judi McElhaney, Gleda McElhaney, Jerry McElhaney and Florida Farm Bureau President Federation President John Hoblick during the Escambia County Farm Bureau’s annual meeting at Molino Park Elementary School. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
High School Volleyball Teams ‘Dig Pink’ For Breast Cancer Awareness
October 7, 2018
Five area high schools took part in a “Dig Pink” volleyball tournament Saturday at W.S. Neal High School in East Brewton. Teams from Northview, Flomaton, Central, Milton, and W.S. Neal took part in the breast cancer awareness event. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Priest Dragnet, And You’re A Liar
October 7, 2018
FLORIDA PRIEST DRAGNET
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has launched a statewide probe into sexual abuse by Catholic priests, following a Pennsylvania grand jury report this summer that found more than 1,000 children were molested over decades by hundreds of priests whose wrongdoing was covered up by church leaders.
Bondi, whose office is investigating all seven Catholic dioceses in Florida, said Thursday she launched a tip site “to allow victims and anyone with information about priest abuse to report what they know.”
“Any priest that would exploit a position of power and trust to abuse a child is a disgrace to the church and a threat to society,” she said during a Tampa press conference.
Victims or people with information about past abuse can contact Bondi’s office through a special hotline or submit information on the internet.
“Please share your story with us. Even if you’ve previously reported it to the church, to anyone, report it to us now,” Bondi urged.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is assisting Statewide Prosecutor Nick Cox with the probe, and Bondi’s assigned five lawyers to the case.
Bondi said she ordered the Florida statewide inquiry after the August release of the Pennsylvania grand jury’s chilling report of decades of child sexual abuse by priests whose crimes were protected by church leaders.
Several bishops issued statements expressing support for Bondi’s inquiry.
“This has been a very painful period for all Catholics. I hope the outcome of this investigation and other acts of transparency by the dioceses in Florida will bring about greater trust in the Church. Our goals are similar — to ensure the safety of all children and vulnerable adults and to prevent perpetrators of abuse from serving in active ministry,” Bishop Felipe Estévez, who heads the Diocese of St. Augustine, said.
YOU’RE A LIAR! NO, YOU’RE A LIAR!
In a matchup mirroring the deep partisan divide engulfing the nation, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and Gov. Rick Scott bickered about red tide, guns, immigration and a controversial Supreme Court nomination in their first debate before next month’s election.
Nelson, a Democrat, and Scott, a Republican winding up his last year as governor, reached almost no consensus during the hour-long Telemundo debate Tuesday.
Instead, Nelson accused his opponent of lying, and Scott painted the incumbent as a partisan do-nothing who’s accomplished little in his nearly 20 years in the Senate.
Proposals backed by Nelson and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Andrew Gillum will “kill the economy,” Scott said.
“They like high taxes,” he said.
“The governor keeps coming out with one whopper after another. Apparently, you never got your mouth washed out with soap after telling a lie because you keep on going on, on every part of my record,” Nelson shot back, according to a transcript released by Telemundo.
The two also tangled about Brett Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee who vehemently denies allegations by Christine Blasey Ford and at least two other women who have accused him of sexual misconduct while in high school or college.
Nelson said he intends to vote against Kavanaugh, adding that he tried repeatedly in vain to meet with the appellate judge. Nelson praised Ford’s “compelling” testimony when she and Kavanaugh appeared separately before the Senate Judiciary Committee last week.
But Scott rebuked Nelson for having decided to vote against Kavanaugh even before the hearing, accusing Nelson of saying he would reject whoever was nominated.
“The way the U.S. Senate has handled this, it’s a circus. It’s more like a Jerry Springer show,” Scott scolded, calling Kavanaugh and Ford “just pawns in some political game.”
STORY OF THE WEEK: Attorney General Pam Bondi announced she has launched a statewide probe into sexual abuse by Catholic priests.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “As far as how widespread this is, frankly we have no idea right now. We love the Catholic religion, the Catholic church. We love youth organizations and we love schools. But abuse is abuse.” — Attorney General Pam Bondi, after announcing the investigation Thursday.