Tate Boys Golf Wins Perdido Bay Match
September 29, 2019
The Tate High School boys golf team won a recent match at the Perdido Bay Country Club with a team score of 164 beating Washington, Pensacola and Escambia. Ethan Beaver posted the lowest score of 38. Jackson Penton shot a 39. Other scores: Jace Anthony 43 Trent Callahan 44 Caleb Banks 56, Peyton Caslow 54
Brush Fire Burns Two Acres And Shed, Threatens House In Century
September 28, 2019
A brush fire ripped through about two acres, damaged a storage shed and threatened a house Friday afternoon in Century.
Residents say the fire on Elm Street near Jeter Lane moved quickly, jumping through a wooded area, burning the fence and igniting the shed.
There were no injuries reported. The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
The Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Flomaton Fire Department and Escambia County EMS responded. The Florida Forest Service also responded, cutting a line through the woods around the fire to keep it from spreading further.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ECSO: Cantonment Man Charged With Child Abuse After Excessively Whipping Child
September 28, 2019
UPDATE: CHARGES IN THIS CASE WERE LATER DROPPED.
A Cantonment man has been charged after excessively whipping a child so hard with a belt that it left bruising, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Matthew Scott Reber, 35, was charged with felony child abuse.
The child said he had been whipped because he was bad, according to an arrest report, and complained that he had pain in his back and buttocks.
Reber admitted he whipped the child because he needed discipline, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report continues, and he stated “it’s not my fault he bruises easily”.
According to the ECSO, the child had what appeared to be the impression of a belt that started on the right side of the back, extended over the backbone area and towards the left side of the back, along with what appeared to be slight bruising on his buttocks.
The child was transported to the Gulf Coast Kid’s House for an interview and medical evaluation.
The report states the corporal punishment “was excessive due to the injuries”.
Reber was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $2,500 bond.
Friends Of The Library Big Fall Book Sale Is This Weekend
September 28, 2019
It’s time to stock up on books, CDs, and DVDs at the Friends of West Florida Public Library Big Fall Book Sale on Saturday and Sunday.
Books are sorted into different genre categories to make it easier to find favorites.
The regular sale will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. On Sunday it’s the Bag Sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – all the books that will fit into a paper grocery bag for just $5.
Credit Cards will be accepted. The event supports the West Florida Public Libraries’ efforts to build community and improve literacy.
The book sale is at the Main Library at 239 Spring Street in downtown Pensacola.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Dominates Escambia County High 24-0 (With Photo Gallery)
September 28, 2019
The Flomaton Hurricanes dominated the Escambia County Blue Devils 24-0 Friday night in Flomaton.
“It was total domination from start to finish,” Flomaton head coach Doug Vickery said the homecoming win for the Hurricanes.
“Defensively, what a game plan. For our coaches and our players to put that game plan in, zero points on that bunch. They’re a great football team, they do. Domination, start to finish.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
Daquan “Money” Johnson cashed in with three touchdowns for the defending 3A state champion Hurricanes.
But those championship rings did not mean a thing headed into Friday night’s contest, according to Vickery.
“I know we are ranked; that doesn’t mean nothing, We need to be ranked No. 1 at the end of the season,” he said. “This bunch is the best bunch I’ve ever seen as far as being diligent, sticking to the plan, having effort and discipline. We did all those little things tonight.”
“We made a few crazy plays in the game, but that was just a great effort by our guys. I thought it was a total domination against a good 4A team. This is the biggest win of our season so far. We take it in one game at a time. We’re going to be back at Auburn this year. You can write it down.”
The Blue Devils had one touchdown, but it was called back due to holding. ECHS isnow 3-2 on the season and will be in their house next Friday night for Homecoming.
Flomaton (5-0) will travel to Bayside Academy in Daphne next Friday night.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Hot, Dusty And Dry Weather Continues Into Next Week
September 28, 2019
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 70. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the morning.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 70. Calm wind.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the morning.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 70. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 93.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 93.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 93.
Northview Wins In Panama City (With Photo Gallery)
September 28, 2019
The Northview Chiefs hit the road Friday night to Panama City and defeated North Bay Haven 36-25.
The North Bay Haven Buccaneers held a 13-0 lead over the Chiefs before Jamarcus Jefferson punched in for a few yards out and his first ever touchdown for Northview after being called up to make it 13-8.
Later in the second quarter quarterback Ben Wilson found Logan Bryan for a 65-yard Chiefs’ touchdown. Another two point conversion and the Chiefs were on top 16 Trent Peebles had jut over 200 yards on the night and couple of touchdowns of his own, and Aunterio Minor scored on a 70-yard kickoff return.
The Northview Chiefs (3-2) will be back in Bratt next Friday night for homecoming and their last home game of the season. Homecoming festivities begin a 6 p.m., and the kickoff against Walton (3-4) is at 7 p.m.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos by Lexie Kittrell for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Flomaton Homecoming Parade
September 28, 2019
The Flomaton Hurricanes held their annual Homecoming Parade Friday afternoon.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Friday Night High School Football Finals
September 27, 2019
Here are Friday night’s high school finals from around the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
- Northview 36, North Bay Haven 25
- Baker 41, Jay 13
- Escambia 22, Milton 15
- Pine Forest 60, Pensacola High 0
- Niceville 20, Navarre 7
- Washington 33, Pace 7
- Choctaw 44, West Florida 28
- Tate – Open
- Gulf Breeze – Open
- Catholic – Open
ALABAMA
- Flomaton 24, Escambia County (Atmore) 0
- Escambia Academy 35, Patrician 7
- T.R. Miller 31, Hillcrest 21
- W.S. Neal – Open
Pictured: The Flomaton Hurricanes beat the Escambia County Blue Devils Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Mistakes May Force Century To Try Again To Approve Property Tax Increase
September 27, 2019
Due to several oversights or mistakes, the Town of Century may be forced to try again to approve their property tax rate for the fiscal year that begins October 1.
Last Monday night, the town council approved a millage rate of .9204, which is about 10% greater than the rolled-back rate of .8361.
The levy of property taxes in Florida are governed by the Truth In Millage (TRIM) Act that dictates numerous steps that must be strictly followed. Improper steps can result in all state revenue being withheld for the fiscal year.
After NorthEscambia.com became aware of several possible violations of the TRIM statutes, we reached out to Interim City Manager Buz Eddy with the concerns earlier this week. Town staff contacted the Florida Department of Revenue (FDOR).
The concerns included:
- The tax increase was approved by the Century council at a meeting on Monday, September 23 . That was the same day the Escambia County Commission held their final budget meeting, but Florida law states “the hearing dates scheduled by the county commission and school board shall not be utilized by any other taxing authority within the county for its public hearings.”
- A “Notice of Proposed Tax Increase” noticed published in the Tri-City Ledger incorrectly listed two different proposed tax levy amounts.
- The “Notice of Proposed Tax Increase” newspaper ad was the missing the statement “A FINAL DECISION on the proposed tax increase and the budget will be made at this hearing” as required by the FDOR.
In addition, the town discovered in conversation with the Florida Department of Revenue that they may be required to hold another meeting since there were only three council members in attendance at the meeting last Monday, according to Eddy.
“We may need to readvertise and hold another meeting since there were only 3 council members in attendance,” Eddy wrote in an email to council members and NorthEcambia.com “We were advised by Mr. (Wyatt) Peters (FDOR) that we should submit our documents to his office for review. He will comment and advise as to other action that needs to be taken.”
“We are following up and we will let you know what adjustments are required,” Eddy concluded.
Pictured: Century council members Ann Brooks (left) and Sandra McMurray-Jackson await the arrival of councilman Luis Gomez in order to conduct a budget hearing Monday night. Gomez was running only about threes minutes late, and the council proceeded with three of five members at the table. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.