Azerbaijan Visitors Learn About Escambia Extension – And The Gator Chomp
August 21, 2019
A group from Azerbaijan learned a little about football culture during a Cantonment visit Tuesday.
The group is part of the International Visitor Leadership Program and the Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council. They learned about the programs offered byUF/IFAS Escambia County Extension on Stefani Road in Cantonment, and they also learned how to do the University of Florida Gator chomp.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Clothes Dryer May Have Started Fire That Destroyed Gonzalez Garage
August 20, 2019
UPDATE: A clothes dryer may be to blame for a fire that destroyed a four-bay detached garage in Gonzalez Tuesday afternoon.
Firefighters arrived about 2:30 p.m. to find heavy fire in the structure on Golden Rod Road, near the former Escambia Charter School site. It took about 70 minutes to bring the fire under control, according to an Escambia County spokesperson.
An investigation determined that the fire was accidental and possibly caused by a clothes dryer.
There were no injuries reported.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Truck Driver Hit By Vehicle, Critically Injured In Santa Rosa County
August 20, 2019
A semi truck driver from Cantonment that stepped out of his truck into a north Santa Rosa County highway was hit by another vehicle Tuesday morning.
Curtis Hazard, age 52 of Cantonment, was traveling east in his semi on Highway 182 near Hickory Flatts Road between Chumuckla and Allentown. He stopped his semi in the roadway, stepped out of the vehicle and hit by a Chevrolet pickup truck driving in the opposite direction at 6:01 a.m., according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Hazard was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition.
The driver of the pickup, 61-year old Joseph L. Trawick of Milton, was not injured.
The FHP is continuing their investigation and any charges are pending.
File photo.
Flomaton Approves Sunday Alcohol Sales As Leaders Discuss Christian Values
August 20, 2019
The Flomaton Town Council voted Monday afternoon to legalize Sunday alcohol sales as council members and the mayor stressed they were still holding to their Christian values.
“We got a mayor that says he’s a Christian; we got a councilman that he said he’s a Christian,” said councilman Buster Crapps, “and that’s good. I want to make it clear that I am too. And I don’t feel like I’m going to hell in a handbasket by voting this in because this is to help the community. We might as well get tax off of it as anybody across the (state) line gets tax.”
Council members said they want to keep tax money from Sunday alcohol sales in Flomaton instead of watching it go to Century or Atmore, all of which have legal Sunday sales.
“If Century is selling, Brewton is selling, all our people is going to do is to go to these places and buy it,” council member Lillian Dean said. “So why not us get the revenue from what the others are already selling. So we are not saying this is bad thing. This is a good thing because it is bringing revenue to this town. And we need the revenue. We absolutely do. If you as a consumer is going to another town to buy it why not just go down the street in the town that you live in and purchase it. And I see that as a good thing,” Dean said.
The council has considered Sunday sales before, with a vote failing in August and September of 2018 to ask the Alabama Legislature to approve a bill to that effect. That effort failed due to no-votes from Councilman Roger Adkinson, a deacon at the First Baptist Church. He said it went against his Christian values.
Mayor Dewey Bondurant noted that he is a Christian but said Flomaton needs tax revenue before pausing for a personal story.
“Probably nobody in this room hates alcohol more than me. I grew up in it; I saw what it can do to families,” Bondurant said. “When we get together for a reunion, which we do once a year, some of the kids I know grew up in it just like I did. And they’ve had a bad time growing up because of alcohol. That’s the reason I hate it so much. I hate smoking the same way.”
“In the meantime, we need more revenue for this town,” Bondurant said with major emphasis. “We need income. We just need income.”
The ordinance approved Monday by the council also bans alcohol consumption in public except on the premises of a licensed retailer. It also places restrictions on alcohol consumption on private property in some instances.
“It shall be unlawful for any person to consume or drink any alcoholic or malt or brewed beverage on private property or premises where the general public has access and which is open and accessible to the use and accommodation by the general public such as parking lots and other private areas which are customarily used by the public,” the ordinance states.
Pictured top: Flomaton Mayor Dewey Bondurant relates a personal story about alcohol during a special meeting of the Flomaton Town Council Monday afternoon. Pictured inset: Council member Lillian Dean. Pictured below: Council member Buster Crapps. Pictures bottom: The Flomaton Town Council votes on a Sunday alcohol sales ordinance. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No Serious Injuries In Century Rollover Crash
August 20, 2019
There were no serious injuries in a two vehicle crash Monday night in Century.
The vehicles collided on Hudson Hill Road just west of Highway 29 about 10:20 p.m. One driver was treated at the scene for minor injuries, but no one was transported to the hospital.
The crash brought down power lines, leaving nine Gulf Power customers without electricity until early Tuesday morning.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High Army JROTC Cadets Attend Camp
August 20, 2019
Thirty-three of Tate High School’s Army JROTC cadets attended JCLC at Camp Rudder on Eglin Air Force Base recently.
The Cadet Leadership Challenge provided experiences including first aid and survival skills, physical training, rappelling, rock wall climbing, land navigation, and leadership and team building activities. Cadets Eva Miller and Winfred Allgyer were recognized for their outstanding performance.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NorthEscambia.com Publisher Named ‘Media Person Of The Year’; PR Group Presents Other Awards
August 20, 2019
NorthEscambia.com Publisher William Reynolds was named Media Person of the Year by Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) Pensacola Chapter.
The group has a long standing tradition of recognizing a local media professional as Media Person of the Year, an award that expresses appreciation for the vital relationships public relations professionals have with members of the media to bring news stories to light. It is based on nominations from chapter members.
Escambia County School District Superintendent Malcolm Thomas (pictured top right), was awarded Community Influencer of the Year. This first-time award for the Pensacola Chapter is intended to recognize a community leader (not in public relations) who excels in communications internally with their organization and externally with the public and/or media.
Santa Rosa County Public Information Officer Brandi Bates (pictured bottom right) was awarded Communicator of the Year. This award is given to a public relations professional, whether a member of FPRA or not, who demonstrates outstanding skills in any of the following categories: communicator for a non-profit/government organization, communicator for a for-profit organization or crisis communicator.
Several FPRA Pensacola Chapter members were honored with special awards. Kim Stefansson, Escambia County School District, received the President’s Award, while Lindsey Steck, Visit Pensacola, received the Member of the Year award.
Pictured top: Superintendent Malcolm Thomas receives his award. Pictured below: Santa Rosa County Public Information Officer Brandi Bates (right) receives her award. Not pictured: William Reynolds. Photos for NorthEscambia.com click to enlarge.
Speed Limit Reduced For Repairs On Highway 297A Bridge Over Eleven Mile Creek
August 20, 2019
A reduced speed limit is in effect on the Highway 297A bridge over Eleven Mile Creek due to repairs.
A 25 mph speed limit will be in effect for southbound motorists through 5 p.m. Friday while crewss make repairs along the southbound lane of the bridge. Repair crews will be staged behind the guardrail on the west side of 297A while making repairs beneath the bridge approach and to the west concrete ditch.
Drivers are reminded to use caution in the area and observe updated speed signs and traffic signage.
File photo.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
August 20, 2019
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the period ending August 1 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Specialist Clark was on patrol when he attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle for careless driving. The vehicle’s driver did not stop and continued to drive at a high rate of speed through residential neighborhoods. He stopped pursuing but continued to search for the vehicle. Officer Long assisted with the search and while driving through the neighborhood, located a vehicle fitting the description of the vehicle that fled. Officer Clark arrived on scene and confirmed it was the vehicle in question. A neighbor told Officer Long that the person driving the vehicle drove through the neighborhood at a high rate of speed, parked and ran inside the house. Officers tried to contact the driver but he would not answer the door. The driver was identified through arrest net and confirmed by the neighbor and Officer Clark as the subject. The vehicle was towed, and a warrant activated for Flee/Elude Officer /Disregard Safety of Others, a second-degree felony. Bond was set at $25,000.
Officer Specialist’s Clark, Cushing, Corbin, Investigator Pifer, Officer’s Long, Lugg and Wilkenson participated in a Targeted Enforcement Action for boating under the influence in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. The enforcement effort lasted two days and officers checked over 65 vessels and contacted more than 168 users. The results of the TEA included 20 boating safety warnings, four resource warnings, 19 uniform boating citations, six resource citations, two BUI arrests, seven misdemeanor arrests and one search and rescue.
Officer Long and Officer Specialist Clark were conducting resource and license checks at the NAS Pensacola East seawall. One dead undersized Spanish mackerel was found in a bucket and four undersized and mutilated Spanish mackerel were discovered in a crab trap while inspecting the catch of two individuals. The largest of the catch measured seven inches long. The subjects admitted to using the mackerel as bait and stated that they were unaware that they were committing a crime. The individuals were educated on current regulations and cited accordingly with a misdemeanor citation for possession of undersized Spanish mackerel and a warning for not landing their catch in whole condition.
Officer Long, Officer Specialist Clark, and Investigator Pifer observed a vessel actively engaged in fishing on the Northeast side of the Three Mile Bridge channel. They conducted a resource and safety inspection and Officer Long discovered an undersized and mutilated spanish mackerel. The fish was missing the tail portion, and the captain of the vessel admitted to using the mackerel as bait. Current Florida law requires regulated fish to be landed in whole condition. The captain was cited accordingly.
Officers Corbin and Cushing were on patrol in Bayou Chico when they saw a vessel with fishing equipment displayed. A vessel stop was conducted for a resource inspection. An undersized gag grouper and a triggerfish were in a fish box. The two subjects claimed responsibility for the violations and were issued citations accordingly.
Officers Corbin and Cushing were on water patrol when they saw a vessel returning to the Pensacola Pass with fishing equipment displayed. The vessel was a charter and a resource inspection was conducted. During the inspection two filets and three undersized vermillion snappers were located. The captain of the vessel stated the filets were from a triple tail. The captain of the vessel was issued a citation.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Mullins saw a subject fishing from the bank while on patrol on the Escambia River. The subject had multiple lines out for catfish. While checking the subject it was discovered that he was illegally using bream as bait on a bush hook line, failed to tag his line, and was fishing without a license. The subject was issued a notice to appear for the violations.
Officers Lugg and Wilkenson canvassed a neighborhood in Gulf Breeze educating the residents on bears and informing them on the laws referencing attractants and bears. The officers visited approximately 100 homes speaking with residents and passing out educational material on living with bears in Florida. This effort will be followed up with law enforcement patrols of the neighborhood to ensure compliance with the law due to recent bear complaints.
This report represents some events the FWC handled during the time period; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely Today
August 20, 2019
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Today: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 70%.