Update: State Prison Inmate Recaptured After Escape From Atmore Prison
May 31, 2022
The U.S. Marshals have recaptured an inmate that escape from Fountain Correctional Facility in Atmore Tuesday morning.
Corey Daniel Gable, age 31 of Mobile, was serving a 20 year sentence for first degree assault. The Alabama Department of Corrections said he left Fountain about 10:30 a.m.
ADOC said he was recaptured in Prichard.
Jay Teen Shot And Killed Father With A Shotgun During An Argument, SRSO Says
May 31, 2022
More details have been released in the case of a Jay teen charged with second degree murder for allegedly shooting and killing his father Saturday afternoon in Jay.
Jaden Simmons, 16, shot and killed 43-year old Jonathan Simmons, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. Jaden Simmons shot his father in the chest with a shotgun loaded with buckshot, according to an arrest report. Jonathan Simmons was pronounced deceased at the scene in the 3000 block of Highway 4.
Another person in the home stated that Jaden and his father were verbally arguing in the living room. She told deputies that Jaden walked away, and his father followed. She said she heard more verbal arguing and a gunshot, but did not witness the shooting.
“Jaden walked away from the argument and intentionally grabbed a shotgun,” the arrest report states.
All of Jaden Simmons’ statements to law enforcement were redacted from the arrest report obtained by NorthEscambia.com.
Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson said the shooting was not a “Stand Your Ground” case because Jaden Simmons had an exit from the situation and the father was not armed.
“He could have left, but he did not choose to leave,” Johnson said. “And the father was not armed at the time he shot and killed him.”
Jaden Simmons was booked as a juvenile, but is expected to be charged as an adult.
Smoke Plume From Controlled Agricultural Burn Seen For Miles
May 31, 2022
A large plume of smoke Tuesday afternoon could be seen from Davisville, Bratt, Walnut Hill, Atmore.
It was 160 acre agricultural controlled burn of a field post-harvest in the area of Greenland Road and Dortch Road.
Pictured: A smoke plume from the controlled burn of a field could be seen for miles. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
At 104, Local Pearl Harbor Survivor Frank Emond Breaks His Own World Record
May 31, 2022
Pearl Harbor survivor Frank Emond of Cantonment, age 104, broke his own world record Monday.
Emond held the Guinness World Record as “World’s Oldest Conductor” for leading the U.S. Air Force Band’s Airmen of Note in Glenn Miller’s iconic “In the Mood” at the American Veteran Center’s “America Valor: A Salute to our Heroes”. He set the previous record at age 103 last November in Washington, D.C.
Monday night, he led the Pensacola Civic Band in the seventh annual Pensacola Memorial Day Concert at the Community Maritime Park amphitheater.
“I’m so happy that I’m still able to do this. It was my life’s work conducting, so once or twice a year when I get a chance, it’s always good,” Emond said. “I’m real happy I still have the physical strength to do this.”
Related: Local Pearl Harbor Survivor Frank Emond Turns 104
Originally from Rhode Island, Emond enlisted in the Navy in 1938 as a musician. He played the French horn for the ship’s band and even got to perform at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York before he was assigned to the USS Emond, CWO4 USN (RET.), spent his naval career as a musician and band director. He was on the stern of the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) getting ready to play morning “Colors” on his French horn when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Emond then walked to the conductor’s stand, picked up the baton and proceeded to direct the band in “Stars and Stripes”.
After seven years of playing horn, he became a Navy bandleader, retiring in 1968.
He remained a music man; sometimes leading the music at Gonzalez Methodist and performing with the Pensacola Civic Band.
Pictured: At 104, Pearl Harbor survivor Frank Emond of Cantonment broke his own Guinness World Record as “World’s Oldest Conductor” Monday at the Pensacola Memorial Day Concert. Images courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Reno’s Reptiles Will Visit Local Libraries This Week
May 31, 2022
Reno’s Reptile will visit a West Florida Public Library near you this week.
The animal show-and-tell with alligators, tortoises, snakes and more will be at the library as follows:
- Tuesday, May 31, 10:30-11:30 a.m. – Westside Library
- Tuesday, May 31, 3-4 p.m. – Tryon Library
- Wednesday, June 1, 3-4 p.m. – Genealogy Library
- Thursday, June 2, 10:30-11:30 a.m. – Molino Library
- Friday, June 3, 10:30-11:30 a.m. – Century Library
- Friday, June 3, 3-4 p.m. – Pensacola Library
- Saturday, June 4, 10:30-11:30 a.m. – Southwest Library
Pictured: Reno’s Reptiles visits the Molino Library in 2018. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Driver’s License Services, Vehicle Registration Event Returns To Century In June
May 31, 2022
The Florida Licensing On Wheels (FLOW) mobile office is returning to Century.
FLOW is a standalone mobile office with technology to provide most motorists’ needs. The mobile unit provides a convenient method to renew a driver license, obtain a replacement driver license, conversion/reciprocation of out-of-state license, change a name or address on a current driver license or identification card, and get a first-time identification card. In addition to licensing services, the mobile unit also provides an opportunity to renew or replace a vehicle registration and apply, renew or replace disabled parking placards. Written and driving tests are not available from the FLOW unit.
Vehicle registrations can be renewed up to three months and driver licenses up to 18 months in advance of expiration.
The FLOW mobile office will be at the Billy G. Ward Century Courthouse, 7500 North Century Boulevard on Wednesday, June 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Citizens using the FLOW services are encouraged to visit EscambiaTaxCollector.com and click the “What Do I Bring” button for information on what is needed for these services. Staff from the tax collector’s office will be on hand to answer all FLOW service questions and questions concerning all other tax collector services such as property tax, business tax receipts, concealed weapons licensing, etc.
Pictured: The Florida Licensing On Wheels (FLOW) mobile office at the courthouse in Century in January 2020. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Academy Head Football Coach, Headmaster Hugh Fountain Moves To Pike Liberal Arts
May 31, 2022
Monday, Escambia Academy Head Football Coach and Headmaster Hugh Fountain was named the new head football coach and athletic director at Pike Like Arts School in Troy, effective immediately.
Fountain led the EA Cougars to six consecutive football championship games and two Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) state championships during his tenure. He spent 11 years as a football coach at Escambia Academy, compiling a 94-31 record.
Prior to his time at Escambia Academy, Fountain coached at Charles Henderson High School for 16 years, plus W.S. Neal and Evergreen high schools.
Pike Liberal Arts was a member of the AISA for over 50 years, but they transitioned to play under the Alabama High School Athletic Association this fall.
Driver Passes Away Following Walnut Hill Railroad Crossing Crash
May 31, 2022
The Florida Highway Patrol has confirmed that a man has passed away after hitting a railroad crossing gate post Sunday afternoon in Walnut Hill.
The 42-year old male from Walnut Hill was driving his Honda Accord eastbound on Arthur Brown Road near Corley Road about 4 p.m. when he crossed over the center line and struck the crossing gate post. The vehicle continued across the tracks, left the roadway, crossed back over Arthur Brown Road and came to rest in a field. The crossing post tore into the engine compartment of the vehicle and pierced the windshield.
The adult male was airlifted to the USA Medical Center in Mobile by Air Care helicopter where family says he passed away Sunday night.
The crossing sign, lights and gate were destroyed in the crash.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEsambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Chance Of Scattered Afternoon Showers And Thunderstorms Tuesday
May 31, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph after midnight.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 91. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 92.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 70.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 91.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 92.
Jim Allen Elementary Names Students Of The Month
May 31, 2022
Jim Allen Elementary School recently named Students of the Month. They are Trevor Wilson-Crews and Weston Frantz. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.