Rollover Wreck Injures One, Cuts Power For Hundreds In Molino
April 12, 2019
One person was injured in a single vehicle rollover accident involving a utility pole in Molino Friday afternoon.
The accident happened in the 400 block of Molino Road near the Molino Post Office about 4 p.m. The vehicle came to rest on its side. The driver was transported to an area hospital.
About 300 Gulf Power customers lost power as a result of the crash.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Two Teens Charged In Alleged Sexual Battery At Pine Forest High School
April 12, 2019
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has concluded their investigation into an alleged sexual battery of a 15-year old at Pine Forest High School on April 9.
“The investigation revealed that no force was proven in the incident,” the ECSO stated Friday afternoon.
The two alleged assailants are age 16 and 17. Due to their ages, the ECSO said charges of lewd and lascivious behavior is being brought.
The investigation was conducted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit, in conjunction with the State Attorney’s Office.
Escambia County Fire Insurance Rating Improves, Will Likely Mean Savings For Property Owners
April 12, 2019
An improved rating for the Escambia Fire Rescue will likely translate into an insurance cost savings for many Escambia County Residents.
The Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating for Escambia County has improved from a 5/5x to 4/4X, putting Escambia County in the top 30% of fire departments nationwide. The rating is countywide, regardless if the property is urban or rural.
Structures that are within five miles of a fire station (full-time or volunteer) and within 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant have now have an ISO 4 rating, while structures within five miles of a fire station but more than 1,000 feet from a fire hydrant are rated at 4X. Properties located more than five miles from a fire station are rated an ISO 10, which is a class assigned to distant properties anywhere in the country, not just in Escambia County.
The five-mile criteria can also apply to Escambia County residents located within five miles of an out of county fire station that would be dispatched to their property under a mutual aid agreement, such as residents in Escambia County, FL, that are within five miles of the nearest Atmore fire station.
ISO is an independent party that provides, among other things, risk assessment information to insurance companies. For fire protection, ISO assigns fire ratings to a community between 1 and 10; 10 being the worst rating and 1 being the best fire protection coverage.
The program rates different elements of local fire protection. These include water supply, communications/dispatch effectiveness, and the operations of the fire department. Home and business property insurance premiums are partially based on program ratings.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Six Candidates In The Running For Escambia County Administrator
April 12, 2019
There are six names on list of candidates to be interviewed for the Escambia County administrator position. They are:
- Craig Coffey from Flagler Beach, FL. County administrator in Flagler County from 2007-2019, has 20 years experience as a city/county manager with extensive Florida county government experience and 11 years additional local government experience.
- Patrick Thompson from Woodbury, MN. County administrator in St. Croix County, WI. Over 36 years local government experience.
- David Strahl from O’Fallon, MO. County administrator in City of O’Fallon, MO. 30 plus years local government administration experience, none in county government.
- Christopher Martin from Gulf Breeze. He served as the commanding officer of Pensacola Naval Air Station and spent 27 years in the Navy.
- Janice Gilley from Molino. She has held the position of vice president of External Affairs at the University of West Florida for 10 years. She served one year as the national policy director for the Foundation for Excellence in Education, one year as deputy chief of staff for the Florida House of Representatives and served as policy director and deputy policy director for year in the Executive Office of the Governor in Florida. She served as an Escambia County commissioner from 2002-2004.
- Cedric Alexander from Pensacola. He has 13 years government experience including deputy chief in the Office of the Mayor in Rochester, NY, public safety director in Dekalb County, GA, and a federal security director for the Department of Homeland Security.
Coffey, Thompson and Strahl were on a list compiled by the Florida Association of County Managers, hired by the county for $5,000 to create a short list from the 120 plus applicants
Michael Renshaw from Winder, Georgia, was the third name on the original list but pulled his name from consideration on Thursday after watching a BOCC Committee of the Whole meeting. In an email he said:
“I had an opportunity to view the live meeting of the Committee of the Whole this morning (April 11) pertaining to the County Administrator selection process. Please withdraw my name from any further consideration in this process. I wish you well in your future endeavors, and please extend my thanks to the members of FACM. If possible please advise your local media of my decision to withdraw as soon as possible, and confirm your receipt of this email.”
Renshaw was a county administrator in Barrow County, Georgia with nine years local government administration experience.
On Thursday, commissioners added Martin, Gilley and Alexander to the list. If they add any more candidates, they should be named by April 16.
The commission plans to interview candidates on April 29. Commissioners will meet individually with candidates one-on-one before conducting interviews in a public meeting.
Kenneth Griffin from Williamsburg, Virginia, was an alternate on the original list and withdrew his name after he accepted another position. He is a consultant and principal engineer at a private firm with five years experience as an assistant county administrator in Hillsborough County, FL.
Three Earthquakes Rattle The Area On Thursday
April 12, 2019
Three earthquakes struck Thursday in the North Escambia area, making eight earthquakes in the area in just over a month.
The US Geological Survey says a magnitude 2.6 earthquake struck at 10:51 p.m. near Upper Creek Road south of Sardine Road in Escambia County, AL, or about nine miles northwest of Century.
A 2.8 earthquake occurred at 3:11 p.m. a short distance away near Little Escambia Creek in Escambia County, AL. And another quake, a 2.5 magnitude, occurred in about the same area at 11:33 a.m.
NorthEscambia.com received multiple reports of shaking from the Flomaton, Pollard and Century areas.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the North Escambia area sits on the Bahamas Fracture Seismic Zone (the BSZ). Several earthquakes have occurred along this zone in recent years, but most are too weak to be felt by residents. A significant earthquake is not considered likely in the area.
NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.
Be Weather Alert This Weekend, Risk Of Severe Storms
April 12, 2019
Be weather alert this weekend. There is a slight risk (level 2 of 5) of severe storms this weekend, and the National Weather Service says the enhanced risk area (orange in the map) may be expanded.
The chance severe storms is Saturday night through midday Sunday. The greatest threats will be damaging winds, tornadoes and large hail.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
This Afternoon: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. South wind around 10 mph.
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A slight chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1pm. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Breezy, with a southeast wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Low around 68. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1pm. Some of the storms could be severe and produce heavy rainfall. Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 73. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 79.
Work Zone Awareness Week: Bill Will Rename Part Of Highway 29 For Worker Killed In McDavid
April 12, 2019
It is National Work Zone Awareness Week as a bill continues makes its way through the Florida Legislature to rename a portion of Highway 29 after a worker struck and killed last year.
“When traveling through an active work zone, drivers are entering the ‘office’ of those working on the project and must be focused and eliminate all distractions,” said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin Thibault. “From moving equipment to directing traffic, there is a lot of activity in these areas, and motorists need to be mindful. Safe work zones are a top priority for the Department, and we will be working with our law enforcement partners to ensure a safe environment.”
A bill introduced by Sen. Doug Broxson would designate Highway 29 between Cox Road and Sigler Road as “Maceo Perkins Parkway”.
Maceo A. Perkins, 41, was with a group of workers employed by Broad Spectrum working on Highway 29 near Siglar Road. Just after noon on April 6, 2018, he was hit by a vehicle driven by 60-year old Sharon Odom of Century. The Florida Highway Patrol said Odom’s 2006 Ford Mustang traveled off the roadway onto the west shoulder, colliding with Perkins and the workers’ unoccupied Dodge Ram truck.. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Odom passed away at her Century home four days after the crash.
Recent statistics from the National Highway Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) show (from 2016 to 2017) a two percent increase in total work zone fatalities and increase from 668 to 710 total work zone crashes. Those startling statistics further demonstrate the importance of spreading awareness of work zone safety and participating in NWZAW to spread the message that we all play a role in getting roadway workers home safely.
“We know that everyone wants to get home to their families, pets and personal lives at the end of the day, and our FDOT workers and contractors are no different.” said FDOT District 1 Secretary LK Nandam, P.E. “Please slow down and use extra caution when driving through a work zone so that everyone gets home safely.” Whether you work in an office or on nation’s roadways, everyone deserves to get home safely.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Mira Awards Honor Escambia’s Most Creative High School Seniors
April 12, 2019
Escambia County’s most creative high school seniors were honored Thursday night during the 2018 Mira Creative Arts Awards Banquet.
Mira Creative Arts Awards recipients were nominated for the award by their high school teachers and received commemorative engraved medallions and Congressional recognition.
Recipients of the 2019 Mira Creative Arts Award are listed below a photograph from each school:
Tate High School
Cecilia Bleam — Band
Lauren Brown — Orchestra
Amber Covalt — Theatre
Christopher Helt — Theatre
Rilee Hempfling — Choral Music
Riley Middleton — Journalism/Yearbook
Mia O’Hara Studio — Art 2D
Brooklynn McCoy — Ceramics/Pottery
James Shufelt — Choral Music
Nic Talley — Band
Northview High School
Shelby Bashore — Drama
Gabrielle Kline — Graphic Arts
Maxwell Odom — Drums
Zachary Prosser — Creative Writing
Delaney Reynolds — Yearbook
Charles Ian Williamson — Visual Arts
West Florida High School
David Berthod-Perez — MultiMedia
Sophia Blouin Visual — Fine Arts
Paul Jesse Bumann — Orchestra
Isabel Cauley Visual — Fine Arts
Jackilyn “Cheyenn” Coates — Band
Raelin Domingue — Orchestra
Isabella Gardner — Theatre/Directing
Summer Holland — Journalism/Photography
Jordan Randall — Journalism/Graphic Design
Madison Wood — Journalistic Writing
Pine Forest High School
Wyatt Gill — HBA Green Construction
Adam Hardwick — Wagner Culinary Arts
Glenda Javier — Design Services
Jeana Lawry — Chorus
Gavin McCollum — Band
Marianellie Ortiz — Journalism
Ashlynn Rhodes — Orchestra
Jason Wells — TV Production
Skylar Wilson — Visual Arts
Escambia High School
Laramie Cupp — Sculpture
Keosha Davis — Drawing
Wesley Delware — Strings
Braden Guillory — Jazz
Alyssa Norman — Band
Kearsten Rice — Dance/Colorguard
Bailee Robbins Schumacher — Theatre/Dance/Chorus
Margaret Smartt — Drama/Photography
Kaitlyn Speegle — Chorus
Sara Wooden — Sculpture
Pensacola High School
Andre Archer — Yearbook
Ahna Cecil — Journalism
Liam Chau — Orchestra
Lucy Hu — Instrumental Music
Mia Hughes-Keanon — Instrumental Music
Natalaie Maul — Theatre
Cameron Michles — Theatre
Andrew Penton — Instrumental Music
Kendall Uslan — Theatre
Ifasade White — Choir
Booker T. Washington High School
Adin Kind Josef Ballard — Orchestra
Brooke Gardner — Visual Arts
Olivia Johnson — Theatre
Kody Kimberl — Band
Ola Lewis Choral — Music
Madeline Markham — Band
Hannah Grace Sepe — Visual Arts
Caleb Simmons — Choral Music
Benjamin Spears — Theatre
Devin Thomas — Orchestra
NorthEscambia.com photos.
Baseball Wins For Tate, Northview, Pine Forest; Softball Wins For Tate, Northview
April 12, 2019
Tate 6, Pace 2
The Tate Aggies defeated Pace 6-2 Thursday night.
Darrien McDowell pitched three and two-thirds innings, allowing one hit, one run and striking out six. Jace Dunsford went for one and one-third inning allowing one hit, one run and striking out one. Brantley Culbertson went two innings with one hit and striking out one.
Mason Land, Jadon Fryman and Sam Shackle had one hit each for the Aggies.
The teams will face each other again Friday night at Tate.
Northview 13, Chipley 3
The Northview Chiefs beat Chipley 13-3 Thursday night in Chipley.
Tanner Levins earned the win for the Chiefs in six innings, surrendering seven hits and three hits while striking out one.
Seth Killam went 4-4 for the Chiefs. Nick Venable, Jacob Bryant, Adam Aliff, Ben Wilson and Levins each had two hits for Northview.
Pine Forest 5, Washington 0
The Pine Forest Eagles flew past Washington 5-0 Thursday night.
Tekoah Roby pitched the win for Pine Forest, going seven innings with two hits, no runs, one walking and nine strikeouts.
Timmy Williams led the Eagles at the plate going 2-3.
SOFTBALL
Tate 6, Escambia 3
The Tate Lady Aggies defeated Escambia 6-3 Thursday night.
Abbie Burks pitched the win for the Aggies, giving up three runs on six hits while striking out three over seven innings.
Avery Beauchanie went 3-for-3 at the plate for the Aggies.
Northview 1, Paxton 0
The Northview Chiefs beat Paxton 1-0 in Paxton Thursday night.
Tori Herrington pitched the win with nine strikeouts. She also went 1-4 with a homerun.
Also for Northview: Makayla Jeneske 2-2, Aubree Love 1-3, Ashley Ragsdale 1-4.
Pictured: Tate beat Pace 6-2 Thursday night. Photos by Crystal Tolbert for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Beat The Jumbo Shrimp
April 12, 2019
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos used more excellent starting pitching and late timely hitting on their way to a 4-3 win over the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp on Thursday evening at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Brusdar Graterol, the top pitching prospect in the Minnesota Twins organization, showed off his 100-mile-per-hour heat while earning his first Double-A win, throwing 5.2 shutout innings and allowing just three hits while striking out four.
In their first six games of the season prior to tonight, Pensacola’s offense has scored first in each contest. Tonight was no exception, as Jordan Gore led off the home half of the first with a single and came around to score following a single by Luis Arraez, a walk to Jaylin Davis, and an RBI base hit by Mitchell Kranson.
With a one-run lead, Graterol locked into a pitching duel with the Jacksonville staff. Jumbo Shrimp starting pitcher Robert Dugger was knocked out of the game in the first inning when Arraez’s single up the middle deflected off his shoulder. Called into early relief, Kolton Mahoney and Parker Bugg combined to throw 5.0 shutout innings out of the bullpen, allowing just three hits while striking out four.
After cruising through five innings, Graterol allowed a base hit to lead off the sixth. He bounced back by striking out the next two hitters, ending his outing with a 99-mile-per-hour fastball past John Silviano for strike three. As reliever Tyler Jay entered the game, Graterol left to a standing ovation from the home crowd.
Jay stranded the runner in the sixth before allowing two runs in the seventh (only one earned).
Clinging to a one-run lead, the Blue Wahoos pushed across an important insurance run in the bottom of the seventh. With Davis at first base and Gore at third and two outs in the inning, Jacksonville reliever Jeff Kinley attempted a pick off throw to first base. The throw drilled Davis in the shoulder as he returned to the bag and caromed away, allowing Gore to score from third and putting the Wahoos up 4-2.
Jacksonville took a run back in the eighth, using a lead-off triple by Justin Twine and an RBI groundout to pull within one run. With the tight lead, reliever Dusten Knight recorded the final six outs to earn his second save of the year, preserving the win for the Blue Wahoos, and capping the night by doing his signature back flip on the mound.
The win improves Pensacola’s record to 5-2 on the year, while Jacksonville falls to 3-4. The two teams will continue their five-game set at Blue Wahoos Stadium Friday.