Lower Chance Of Weekend Storms
July 15, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 85. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
‘Stupid Mistake’ — Motorcyclist Charged With Fleeing From Traffic Stop In Cantonment
July 15, 2022
A motorcyclist has been charged with fleeing from a traffic stop in Cantonment.
Brandon Martin Spivey, 34, was charged with fleeing and eluding an officer in a marked patrol vehicle with lights and sirens activated, and knowingly operating a motor vehicle with a suspended driver’s license.
Earlier this week, an Escambia County deputy was behind a blue motorcycle with no license plate on Jacks Branch Road near Green Tree Circle. The deputy activated the emergency lights on his marked patrol vehicle as the motorcycle turned onto Green Tree.
Spivey accelerated, coming back out onto Jacks Branch Road and turned down Fargo Road as the deputy followed, according to an arrest report. The deputy was able to follow the tire tracks on Fargo Road to locate the motorcycle behind a house. When backup arrived, the deputy knocked on the front door. Spivey immediately walked out and and was taken into custody.
“Spivey was apologetic and said he made a stupid mistake,” the arresting officer wrote in his report.
He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $1,500 bond.
Escambia County Fire Rescue Welcomes 14 New Firefighters
July 15, 2022
Escambia County Fire Rescue has 14 new state certified firefighters.
The new recruits received over 200 hours of classroom lectures and hands-on training during a five week course.
“ECFR is proud of our recent fire cadets that have transitioned to certified firefighters,” said Deputy Fire Chief Paul Williams. “These firefighters went on to receive more than 200 hours of training that is beyond the minimum standards requirement. Our training division coordinated and scheduled an excellent training curriculum consisting of numerous ECFR instructors. These officers are the best at what they do and provide invaluable insight and training to these recruits. Rest assured, these firefighters have been prepared for the next leg of their journey. We hope they spend their career with us and realize this job requires that you continue to train and learn the entire time.”
The new firefighters have each been assigned to fire stations across the county.
“It’s always a good day when new faces join the team. It was a long road for them to get certified, and they put in a lot of effort and dedication,” said Fire Chief Jason Catrambone. “The learning has not stopped for them as they have chosen a career that requires constant training. They are now part of a family that will continue to support their journey and guide them to success.”
The newly-certified firefighters are:
- Brett A. Boudreaux
- Connor J. Creel
- Jordan R. Ewing
- Kenneth M. Fike
- Niels H. Frage
- Joseph M. Graczyk
- Eli O. Jackson
- Donovan J. Murphy
- Brent A. Nesmith
- Channin P. O’Connor
- Joshua M. Reeves
- Nicholas B. Speer
- Jacob F. Stevenson
- Jonathan T. Welch
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sister Mary Stella McGhee Gibbs
July 15, 2022
Sister Mary Stella McGhee Gibbs, age 86, of Atmore, AL passed away on July 11, 2022 in Pensacola, FL. She was born on April 15, 1936 in Atmore, AL to Kinzie and Ethel McGhee. She and her husband pastored over 50 years at United Pentecostal Church of Atmore, AL. Upon the death of her husband, she co-pastored at First Pentecostal Church of McCullough until her passing. She was a member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Rev. Fred Gibbs; her siblings: Raymond McGhee, Willie Lois Fore, Joe Frank McGhee and Carolyn Rackard; her great grandson, David Landon White.
She is survived by her son, David (Patricia) Gibbs of Atmore, AL; her daughter, Rosemary Powell of Atmore, AL; her sister, Betty Ruth (Gene) Sheppard of Dothan, AL; her granddaughters: Ashley (Chad) White, Lindsay (Michael) Wood, Stacey (Kevin) White and LaRose (Mark) Watson and her great grandchildren: Hayden, LaReya, Bryson, Marcus, Huxley, Brayden, Kinzie, Kylie, Hadley and Khloe.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 16, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Atmore Memorial Chapel with Rev. Alton Lister, Rev. Steve Breceda and Rev. J.B. Sims officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Cecil Corey, Ken McGhee, Chet McGhee, Jason Rackard, Jeremy Rackard and Tony Emily.
Visitation will be held Friday, July 15, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Atmore Memorial Chapel.
Wahoos Get 7-3 Win Over The Lookouts
July 15, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos scored seven early runs headed to a 7-3 victory over the Chattanooga Lookouts on Thursday night, their fourth win in a row.
Jeff Lindgren (W, 4-1) was dependable as always, allowing three runs over 5.2 innings to earn the win.
After a pregame 90-minute rain delay, the Blue Wahoos jumped on Chattanooga starter Connor Curlis (L, 2-8) right away in the first inning with four quick runs. With two outs, a two-run single from Bubba Hollins was followed by a two-run double from Cobie Fletcher-Vance for an early 4-0 lead.
The Blue Wahoos added three more in the second on a two-run double from Troy Johnston and run-scoring out from Griffin Conine, more than enough for Lindgren. The righty allowed a pair of home runs to Allan Cerda for the only Chattanooga runs of the night, striking out eight batters and falling just one out shy of his eighth quality start.
Though the Blue Wahoos did not score after the first two innings, a strong bullpen effort from Dylan Bice, Zack Leban and Colton Hock kept the Lookouts at arm’s length.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Chattanooga Lookouts on Friday.
ECUA Issues Boil Water Notice For Part Of Woodrun Subdivision
July 14, 2022
UPDATE: THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE HAS BEEN LIFTED.
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority has issued a precautionary boil water notice for a portion of the Woodrun Subdivision off Nine Mile Road due to a broken 3 -inch water main.
The boil water notice is in effect for 9015 to 9229 Woodrun Road, along with Woodrun Circle, Woodrun Lane, Woodrun Place and Woodrun Court.
Residents located in the specified boil water notice area are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use eight drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water, for water to be used for drinking or cooking purposes. Two independent bacteriological samples have been initiated and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible. This process routinely takes 48 hours and the notice will be rescinded at that time.
ECUA crews have completed the repairs and flushed out the lines. Residents within the area and nearby are advised that there is a possibility of discolored water as a result of the utility work, and to flush their home’s plumbing by running their taps for a few minutes. If problems persist, customers are asked to contact ECUA Customer Service at (850) 476-0480 for assistance.
Precautionary boil water notices are issued as a part of the standard protocol following any loss of water pressure, whether as a result of planned maintenance activities or unscheduled repairs.
Escaped Work Detail Inmate Back In Custody
July 14, 2022
A work release inmate that escaped Tuesday is back in custody.
Escambia County said 48-year old Matthew David Shelters was taken into custody about 1:10 Thursday afternoon. He was charged with escape.
Shelters escaped Tuesday from a work detail on Colby Lane and Feldor Drive in Myrtle Grove.
Shelters was previously jailed in December 2021 on a burglary charge.
Update: Escambia County Phone Service Restored
July 14, 2022
UPDATED – Phone service has been restored.
Both Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are reporting phone issues this afternoon.
Escambia County said all county offices were having phone issues due to an AT&T outage.
Officials in Santa Rosa County said Verizon issues were causing some problems and preventing some Verizon customers from reaching 911. “For Verizon customers dialing 911, if the call does not go through, call again. Verizon is aware of the issue and is working to correct it as soon as possible,” Santa Rosa County said.
Escambia 911 was working, according to a county official. All Escambia County offices were without phone service, including:
- Escambia County Board of County Commissioners (all departments)
- West Florida Public Libraries (all locations)
- Escambia County Tax Collector
- Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare
- Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
- Escambia County Extension Office
- Waste Services Administration
- Supervisor of Elections Office
- Escambia County Area Transit
There was no estimated time for repairs.
Greg Evers Way, Clay Ingram Drive At 4-H Center Honor Former State Leaders
July 14, 2022
Two road names at the Escambia County 4-H property in Molino pay homage to two former members of the state legislature.
“Greg Evers Way” and “Clay Ingram Drive” are within the boundaries of the property on Highway 99.
“The naming of the roads at the 4-H property was a joint agreement between involved stakeholders and (Escambia County) Commissioner Steven Barry to provide recognition to (former) Sen. Evers and Rep. Ingram for their contributions towards the purchase of the new 4-H land and support for Escambia 4-H,” said Nick Simmons, Escambia Extension director.
Escambia County 4-H moved into their new property in Molino in 2014 after the sale of their previous 240 acre site on Nine Mile Road to Navy Federal Credit Union.
Evers served in the Florida Senate from 2010 to 2016 following nearly a decade in the Florida House. He passed away in an August 2017 traffic crash near his home in Baker.
Ingram served in the Florida House from 2010 to 2018.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Offering Free Sand For Flood Prep
July 14, 2022
Escambia County has free sand available for residents living in flood prone areas.
The sand is available on a first come, first served basis at the following locations:
- John R. Jones Jr. Athletic Park – 555 E. Nine Mile Road
- Don Sutton Park – 2320 Crabtree Church Road, Molino
- Travis M. Nelson Park - 4541 Highway 4, Bratt
- Equestrian Center – 7750 Mobile Highway
- Escambia County Road Department – 601 Highway 297A
- Brent Athletic Park – 4711 N. W St., Pensacola
- Ferry Pass Middle School -available on northwest corner of school property on Parazine Street
- Baars Field Athletic Park – 13001 Sorrento Road, Pensacola
Residents must bring their own sandbags and shovels. Sandbags are usually available for purchase at home improvement and hardware stores.
Pictured: Sand at Travis M. Nelson Park in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.