Semi Truck Hauling Nitric Acid Burns In Century; Prompts Evacuations (With Gallery)
April 30, 2022
A tanker truck hauling nitric acid burned this morning in Century, prompting an evacuation of the surrounding area.
The truck burned upon the canopy of the closed Panhandle gas station at the corner of Highway 29 and East Highway 4.
The cab of the truck was destroyed, but the tank of nitric acid was not compromised. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire and keep the tank cooled.
There was damage to the gas station canopy from the fire.
Surrounding businesses were evacuated, and both Highway 29 and Highway 4 were closed closed. The Panhandle Restaurant, Marathon station and Whataburger were evacuated. Other businesses in the area were not open at the time, and there were no residences in the evacuation zone.
Train traffic was also halted temporarily; CSX’s line through Century was just feet away.
The driver, who was able to escape without injury, told authorities that he was southbound on Highway 29 when the turbo locked on his diesel engine. He was able to turn east on Highway 4 and pulled into the gas station lot before the truck stopped.
An Escambia County Fire Rescue Hazmat team; the Century, McDavid Walnut Hill, Molino, Cantonment and Ensley stations of Escambia Fire Rescue; Flomaton Fire Department; Jay Fire Department, Escambia County EMS; and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge. Top photo courtesy Joley Griffis for NorthEscambia.com.
Several Pets Shot With Arrows Across Atmore
April 30, 2022
Several pets, mostly cats, have been shot with arrows in the past several days across Atmore.
Milo Rae, a black and white cat, was shot on Fernway Drive.
“My 3- year old niece was playing outside with my great-aunt when their missing cat wandered up to them and had been shot through the head with an arrow,” Taylor Ware told NorthEscambia.com about Milo Rae. They were forced to put the cat down.
Atmore Police said the pet shootings have occurred across town — on Fernway Drive, Fridge Drive off McRae Street, the Rockaway Creek Road area, and on Swift Street.
Ware asked, “If it’s happening to pets like sport, how long is it until it moves on to children?”
Anyone with information is asked to call Atmore Animal Control at (251) 368-0859 or the Atmore Police Department at (251) 368-9141.
Pictured top: Milo Rae. Pictured below: The arrow that was used to shoot Milo Rae. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ashley Slade Named Byrneville Elementary Teacher Of The Year
April 30, 2022
Ashley Slade has been named Byrneville Elementary School Teach of the Year.
Slade, described as a “rock star kindergarten teacher” with “one of the biggest hearts”, was surprised with the news on Friday.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Scattered Storms Possible This Weekend
April 30, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.
Fowler Avenue Now ‘No Trucks’, Speed Limit Lowered On Barrineau Lane, No Parking On Woodbridge, Pinebrake
April 30, 2022
The Escambia County Commission recently implemented several new traffic restrictions.
The speed limit on Barrineau Lane was lowered from 35 to 25 mph.
Fowler Avenue was restricted as “no trucks” with a weight limit of 10,500 pounds from West Nine Mile Road to West Nine and One Half Mile Road. “No truck” signs were previously placed in the area, but the commission’s recently action officially set the weight limit on the record.
“No truck” restrictions with a weight limit of 10,500 pounds were also established on Sun Valley Drive from Michigan Avenue to Rainbow Avenue, on Pipeline Road from Michigan Avenue to Rainbow Avenue, and on Pipeline Road from Rainbow Avenue to Commerce Park Circle
No parking zones were established on the right of way of Woodbridge Drive and Pinebrake Lane off University Parkway.
Tate Ends Regular Season With Win Over Gulf Breeze; Playoffs Begin Monday
April 30, 2022
The Tate Lady Aggies defeated Gulf Breeze 4-2 Friday evening.
Jordan Smith went seven innings for Tate, allowing two runs and 10 hits while striking out four.
Sophia Jones, Courtney Lundquist, Kara Wine, Lacy Wilson and Michayla Kent each had one hit for the Lady Aggies.
The No. 4 Lady Aggies (11-13, 3-4) will host No. 5 Crestview (7-16, 0-8) at 6 p.m. Monday as the 1-6A playoffs begin.
Pensacola Bay Bridge Walking, Cycling Pathway Now Reopened To The Public
April 30, 2022
The Pensacola Bay Bridge multiuse path has reopened. allowing people to walk, run or cycle between Pensacola and Gulf Breeze.
The 10-footvwide lighted path includes six scenic overlooks, each equipped with shaded seating areas that provide panoramic views of Pensacola Bay. The path is intended for bicyclists and pedestrians. Motorized vehicles and fishing are not permitted on the path.
The three-plus mile path sustained significant damage during Hurricane Sally and had been closed for repairs and improvements since the storm made landfall in September 2020.
Construction continues on the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure. The entire project is currently estimated for completion later this year.
Wahoos Blank Biloxi 4-0 Friday Night
April 30, 2022
Eury Pérez struck out a career-high 12 batters over 5.0 one-hit innings as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos blanked the Biloxi Shuckers 4-0 on Friday night.
Pérez (W, 1-1) earned his first Double-A win, and allowed only four batters to put the ball in play over his dominant outing. Only a third inning double from Biloxi’s Gabe Holt prevented the Shuckers from being no-hit.
The Blue Wahoos turned a Paul McIntosh leadoff walk in the second inning into the game’s first run, thanks to a stolen base and a Luis Aviles Jr. RBI groundout. McIntosh stole two bases on the night and the Blue Wahoos swiped four, both high water marks for the team this season.
In the third, Ray-Patrick Didder went deep with a solo homer, his second of the year. That would be all the damage done against Shuckers starter Nick Bennett (L, 1-2), who took the tough-luck loss despite completing 6.0 innings for a quality start.
Josh Simpson, Andrew Nardi and Eli Villalobos struck out six more batters over 4.0 hitless innings of relief, giving the Blue Wahoos staff 18 strikeouts on the night. A seventh-inning RBI single from Hayden Cantrelle and an eighth-inning wild pitch added late insurance for a 4-0 final.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Biloxi Shuckers on Saturday night.
Rev. Hurston Leo Kent
April 30, 2022
Rev. Hurston Leo Kent, age 85, passed away, Thursday, April 28, 2022 at his home in Canoe, AL; surrounded by his family at his bedside. Leo was a lifelong resident of Atmore, AL. He was part owner of NAPA of Atmore for many years. Leo was ordained in the ministry in 1998 and has pastored Little Rock Pentecostal Church since that time. He assisted in establishing the Escambia Academy School and served on the board for many years. He also operated Century Auto Parts from 1992 until 2004.
Mr. Kent valued the time he got to spend with his family and friends. He enjoyed riding horses, calf roping, and horseshows.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Herman (Aline Gohagin) Kent, one daughter, Dana Kent, one grandson, Tra Odom.
He is survived by his loving wife of sixty-three years, Verba Kent, of Atmore, AL; one daughter, Cheryl Kent (John) Browning, of Atmore, AL; one brother, Claude (Lanette) Kent, of Atmore, AL; one sister, Barbara (GW) Ford, of Atmore, AL; one grandson, Nick Johnson, of Atmore, AL; one great-granddaughter, McKenna Johnson, of Atmore, AL; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, May 1, 2022, at 2:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC with Rev. Glenn Sullivan and Rev. Faron Wilson officiating.
Burial will follow at Little Rock Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Saturday, April 30, 2022 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Chad Kent, Wade Kent, Marty Kent, Danny Kent, Brian Ford, Michael Ford, and Kevin Ford.
Riding Lawn Mower Lady, Two Other Burglary Suspects Identified By Police
April 29, 2022
Police have identified three suspects in the case of “Lawn Mower Lady” in Flomaton.
Flomaton Police said Madonna Barnhill, Michael Adams and Jonathan McKinley are wanted for burglary third degree and theft of property fourth degree.
The lawn mower, trailer and items in the trailer seen in the photo above were all stolen from a local residence. The University of Alabama “A” in the trailer is also stolen, police noted. The items were taken during an April 24 burglary of a residence on Ringold Street in Flomaton; police said entry was made using a bolt cutter type tool to break a lock.
Barnhill allegedly drove the lawnmower down several streets in Flomaton and ultimately into Century. The lawn mower has not been recovered, Flomaton Police Chief Charles Thompson told NorthEscambia.com Friday afternoon.
The suspects were identified, according to Thompson, after investigators watched surveillance video that covered a span of several days.
“She appears to be wearing possible apple bottom jeans, looks like slides with no fur. The whole Town of Flomaton is looking for heeerr,” Flomaton Police posted on Facebook.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspects is asked to call the Flomaton Police Department at (251) 296-5811 or email crimetips@flomatonal.org.
