Escambia First Responders Complete Animal Rescue Training
March 7, 2023
Escambia County Fire Rescue and Escambia County Animal Services recently completed joint training focusing on large animal rescues and water rescues involving both animals and humans.
Ten employees, part of the Animal Research and Rescue Disaster Response Team, trained in large animal, swift water and flood water technical rescues, and boat operations.
The large animal rescue training took place at Escambia County Public Safety and the county’s Equestrian Center. The training mainly focused on horse and cow rescues from mud, ditches and injuries where there is limited access to the animal.
For more photos, click or tap here.
The water rescue portion of the training took place at the Navy Point Boat Launch and Wilson B. Robertson Boat Launch on the Perdido River. During the training, the scenarios involved small animal and human rescues, with personnel performing rescues by swimming to the victims and by utilizing a boat.
Recently, ECFR acquired two new boats for water-related rescues after receiving a $12,000 grant from the state. One boat is a 14-foot aluminum flat-bottom rescue craft with the second boat being a smaller inflatable craft.
ECFR’s Special Operations Team received the Animal Rescue Specialist FEMA designation, meaning they are qualified to serve in times of natural disaster as a state of Florida and FEMA asset.
The training was funded through a $50,000 ASPCA Disaster Response Grant to Escambia County Animal Welfare.
High Into The 80s Again; Slight Chance Of A Scattered Shower This Afternoon
March 7, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 3pm. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 83. West wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Patchy fog after 3am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 64. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
Wednesday: Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 80. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. East wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. South wind 5 to 15 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind around 10 mph.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Northwest wind around 10 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 76.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 65.
Escambia Team Wins Florida 4-H Food Challenge
March 7, 2023
Two Escambia County 4-H teams placed first in the inaugural Florida 4-H Food Challenge held at the Florida State Fair in Tampa.
The Flaming Clovers (pictured below) from Escambia County placed first in the intermediate age division (age 11-13).
In the senior division (ages 14-18), Oh Crepe and the Spice Girls (Pictured above) placed first. They will represent Florida at the National 4-H Food Challenge in Texas that will take place in the fall.
The Florida 4-H Food Challenge provides an opportunity for 4-H’ers to work in teams of three or four youth to create a dish using a predetermined set of ingredients and cooking utensil/equipment. Each team has 40 minutes to plan and prepare a randomly assigned dish (appetizer, side dish, main dish, or dessert) using a “mystery” ingredient while being judged on their food safety skills, teamwork, and ability to manage time and resources. Then youth present their finished dish, deliver a five-minute presentation, and answer questions about their dish from a panel of judges.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Woman Indicted On 13 Credit Card Fraud Counts In Escambia, Alabama
March 7, 2023
A grand jury has indicted a Brewton woman on 13 counts of fraudulent use of a credit card in Escambia County, Alabama.
Angel M. Boyd, 49, was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center before being released the following day on a $100,000 bond.
“The indictment was the result of a fraud complaint that was filed in reference to unauthorized purchases that had been made on a credit card that did not belong to Angel Boyd,” Sheriff Heath Jackson said. “This is still an active investigation and other charges are expected.”
Northview Chiefs Shut Out Central 15-0 In Five
March 7, 2023
Three pitchers threw a combined shutout Monday night as Northview beat Central 15-0 in five innings.
Tyler Shaw went for two innings for Northview, allowing no hits, no runs, and no walks while striking out five. Jayden White pitched an inning, allowing two hits, no run, no errors and no strikeouts. Brodie Rhodes went for two, allowing no hits, no runs, no walks and striking out five.
Rhodes, Grayden Sheffield, Josh Landis, Jayden White, Tyler Shaw, Trent Knighten and Tyler Riggs each had one hit for the Chiefs.
Northview will host Pensacola Christian on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Inmate Accused Of Assaulting Century Correctional Institution Officer
March 7, 2023
Inmate Scott W. Tubb assaulted an officer at Century Correctional Institution, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
Tubb, 44 is serving a one year, six months and 25 days sentence from Walton County for burglary and grand theft.
“Staff responded appropriately, and the inmate was subdued,” FDC said.
Special Election Watch: Century Candidates Report $380 To Begin Their Campaigns
March 7, 2023
The first financial reports are in for the four candidates seeking two seats on the Century Town Council in a March 28 special election.
Financial contribution totals reported by the candidates ranged from $50 to $130, and expenditures ranged from zero to $89.01 for the period February 18 through qualification deadline day on February 24.
Seat 3
- Shelisa McCall reported a $130 contribution to self. She did not report paying the $50 qualification fee for the office on her report. Instead, she showed zero expenditures and a balance of $130.
- Evelyn Webber reported a $50 contribution to self and paying the $50 qualification fee for a $0 balance.
Seat 4
- Edward Hammond reported total contributions to self of $100. He reported the $50 qualification fee, $20 to self for supplies and $19.01 to Tammy Hammond for business cards from an online company. That left a balance of $10.99.
- Alicia Johnson reported a $100 loan to self and paying the $50 qualification fee for a $50 balance.
Editor’s note: It is not unusual in local races for candidates to begin their campaigns with a contribution or loan to themselves in order to pay initial expenses.
James W. “Billy” Smith
March 7, 2023
James W. “Billy” Smith, age 84, passed away on March 5, 2023 at a local hospital after a brief illness. Billy comes from humble beginnings. He was born on May 8, 1938 to a full-blooded Creek Indian mother; Nunie McGhee Smith and father, Arthur A. Smith in the very small town of McDavid, Florida. He was one of nine children.
Billy loved his family and always took care of them and made sure they had what they needed. Billy is survived by his wife of 58 years, Faye Ledkins Smith of McDavid, Florida; Son, Darrin F. Smith of McDavid, Florida; one Grandson Dakota F. Smith, of McDavid, Florida; one Granddaughter, Makaya A. Smith, of McDavid, Florida; 5 Great Grandchildren; Kayden, Brayden, Bryson, Ava, and Baylor; one brother Ronnie (Mary Jo) Smith; two sister’s Eunice Nall and Judy (Robert) Amos and many Nieces and Nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur A., and Nunie McGhee Smith; two sisters, Joyce Boatwright, Margaret Rigby, three brothers Austin, Dudley, and Aubrey Smith, one Grandson, Dustin Blake Smith, one half-brother Edward Smith, two half-sisters Lorene Harrison and Inez Holden.
He graduated from Century High School in 1957. Billy served a brief time in the U. S. Army, June 14, 1957 until March 7, 1959, and received an honorable discharge for family hardship due his mother’s passing. Billy returned home and helped take care of his siblings.
Billy worked at various places such as Mid-Valley Construction at St. Regis Paper Co., American Cyanamid in Pace, FL, and retired from Georgia Pacific in Brewton, AL.
He was currently employed by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians as Manager of Magnolia Branch Wildlife Reserve; a position he held since 2006. He served on the Poarch Band of Creek Indians Tribal Council for 18 years; 10 of those years as Vice-Chairman. He served on the Wind Creek Casino Board for 17 years. He has been credited for naming the Casino’s “Wind Creek,” because he was of the Wind Clan. He was instrumental in starting the annual Poarch Band of Creek Indians Pow Wow’s. He was proud of his Tribe and gave his heart to everything he was asked to do with the Tribe for over 53 years.
Funeral service will be held at Petty- Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC., Atmore, Alabama on Friday, March 10, 2023 at 3:00 pm. With Reverend David Elliott officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm.
Overturned Truck, Lumber Block I-10 Ramp
March 6, 2023
An overturned semi-truck closed the entrance ramp from Pensacola Boulevard to I-10 Monday.
The truck driven by a 54-year old Pensacola man came to rest on its side, scattering its load of lumber.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a strap broke on the trailer, causing the truck’s load to shift.
The driver was not injured, and the ramp has since reopened.
Pictured top: An overturned truck that was hauling lumber shortly after an 11:40 a.m. crash on an I-10 entrance ramp. Pictured below: The lumber remained shortly after 5 p.m., but the truck and trailer had been removed.
Escambia To Consider OLF-8 Proposals In April. Right Now, $38 Million Is Top Offer.
March 6, 2023
Escambia County is set to consider offers for OLF-8 at an April 6 public meeting.
There are two offerson the table now for the 540 acre county-owned property on Nine Mile Road.
Breland Companies of Huntsville, Alabama, had made a $35 million cash offer for the property. Breland, according to the company, is a nearly 50-year old real estate development firm that has developed over 500 residential communities with over 30,000 units, plus multi-family, office and retail developments. Those developments have been anchored by companies that include BJ’s Wholesale, Starbucks, Chipotle, Outback, Deluth Trading, and others.
Homebuilder D.R. Horton made a $33 million proposal, but then upped it to $38 million after Breland’s offer.
A third company has expressed interest in submitting a proposal but at last report had not.
It is expected that Breland and D.R. Horton will make their proposals before the Escambia County Commission on April 6.
A master design plan approved by the commission is in place for the property with a combination of commerce, residential and amenities.
Breland said in their proposal that they would follow the master plan while D.R. Horton said they would write a master plan of their own.
The commission has formally acknowledged receipt of the offers and directed the county administrator and attorney and have non-exclusive negotiations with both parties and any other company that makes an offer.