All Escambia Facilities Closing At 5 PM
September 11, 2024
All Escambia County facilities, including libraries, will close at 5 p.m. today due to the potential for severe weather.
Escambia County Parks and Recreation has advised youth athletic leagues to postpone activities scheduled for this evening at county parks.
Essential employees such as first responders will remain available.
Regular activities and schedules are expected to resume Thursday.
Escambia County Fire Rescue Honors 9/11 Victims with Stair Climb
September 11, 2024
Escambia County Fire Rescue members joined others in a poignant tribute to the fallen heroes of the September 11th attacks.
The 11th Annual 9/11 Stair Climb took place Wednesday morning in Navarre Beach, where firefighters from across the region donned full gear and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) to climb 11 floors 10 times, symbolizing the 110 floors of the Twin Towers.
ECFR firefighters participated in the grueling event to honor the first responders who lost their lives on that fateful day. The climb is a physically demanding challenge that requires both strength and endurance, mirroring the tasks faced by firefighters on 9/11.
The 9/11 Stair Climb is a nationwide event that brings together firefighters, law enforcement officers, and community members to remember the victims of the attacks and to support the families of those who were lost.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hurricane Francine: Here Is The Local Impact Info You Need To Know
September 11, 2024
Hurricane Francine continues on a path towards a Louisiana landfall late Wednesday afternoon or early Wednesday evening.
The track of Francine is forecast to remain west of our local area, but any shift in the forecast track to the east could result in increased impacts.
In the North Escambia area:
- There will be an increased tornado threat across the area, especially across locations near the coast. It currently appears that the tornado threat will be greatest Wednesday night into Thursday. Be sure to stay alert and have multiple ways to receive warning information.
- Heavy rainfall and flooding concerns increase Wednesday and Wednesday night.
- Escambia County will experience strong, gusty winds Wednesday into Thursday afternoon.
- There is a chance of widespread power outages.
- At the coast, storm surge up to two feet is possible.
The latest details are in the graphic above from the National Hurricane Center.
Escambia (FL) Schools In Class Today; All After-School Activities Canceled This Afternoon, Evening
September 11, 2024
Escambia County (FL) Public Schools had canceled all practices, games, and extracurricular activities for Wednesday and Wednesday evening, due to Hurricane Francine. All schools will be in session as usual on Wednesday; it’s only the after-school activities that are canceled.
George Stone Technical College will hold classes as scheduled on Wednesday evening.
“With the safety of our students and staff in mind, and due to the potentially dangerous weather approaching our area, we are canceling all after-school events on Wednesday, September 11,” said Superintend Keith Leonard. “We will continue to monitor this weather system and encourage our ECPS family to do the same.”
ECPS will continue to receive updates from the Escambia Emergency Operations Center, which collaborates with the National Weather Service, as the approaching weather system develops a landfall likely on the Louisiana coast.
At this time, it is projected that all school functions and classes will continue as planned on Thursday, September 12.
Hundreds of Families Receive Food Assistance in Cantonment (With Gallery)
September 11, 2024
Light rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of those in need or the dedicated volunteers at a special food distribution held Tuesday afternoon at Carver Park. The event, held in partnership with the Cantonment Improvement Committee and Feeding the Gulf Coast, aimed to address food insecurity in the community.
September is Hunger Action Month, a national campaign raising awareness of the ongoing hunger crisis. Winn-Dixie hosted nine food distributions across its five-state service area, providing thousands of families with access to nutritious food.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Over 500 bags of groceries were distributed at the Cantonment event, offering much-needed assistance to local residents. Following the successful distribution, Winn-Dixie presented Feeding the Gulf Coast with a generous $10,000 check. The contribution will support the organization’s ongoing efforts to alleviate hunger in Escambia County and neighboring communities.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Free Sand For Storm Prep Available In Escambia County
September 11, 2024
Escambia County has free sand available for residents living in flood prone areas in advance Francine.
The sand is available on a first come, first served basis at the following locations:
- Don Sutton Park – 2320 Crabtree Church Road, Molino
- Travis M. Nelson Park - 4541 County Road 4, Pensacola
- Equestrian Center – 7750 Mobile Highway, Pensacola
- John R. Jones Jr. Athletic Park – 555 E. Nine Mile Road, Pensacola
- Escambia County Road Department – 601 Highway 297-A
- Ferry Pass Middle School – 8355 Yancey Lane, Pensacola (NW cornerschool property on Parazine Street)
- Baars Field Athletic Park – 13001 Sorrento Road, Pensacola
- Brent Athletic Park – 4711 N. W St., Pensacola
- Residents must bring their own sandbags and shovels. S
Residents must bring their own sandbags and shovels to one of the following locations. 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.
Escambia Firefighter Charged With Felony Child Abuse
September 11, 2024
A now-suspended Escambia County Fire Rescue firefighter has been charged with felony child abuse for an incident unrelated to his job.
Zackary Adam Polk, 33, was charged with felony child abuse without great bodily harm. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $20,000 bond.
On August 21, Polk committed child abuse in a domestic violence situation by striking the child with the back of his left hand, causing him to fall to the ground, according to an arrest report. The report states Polk continued to strike the child five more times, causing an injury to his elbow.
Polk’s ex-wife alleged that Polk had been abusing the male child and, and another child had unknowingly recorded a video of the incident with her tablet.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the video shows the female child hit the male child with her left arm before Polk approached and struck the victim with the back of his left hand. The child raised his arms to protect his face, at which point Polk advanced towards the boy and pushed him out of the camera view, the report continues.
“I heard (the victim) crying and screaming, and I heard what appeared to be Zackary Polk hit (the victim) five more times,” the deputy wrote about the conclusion of the video in the arrest report.
The ECSO was provided with photos that allegedly showed bruising on the child’s torso, neck and shins, and a busted lip.
Polk was taken into custody without incident at the West Pensacola Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue on W Street. Officials say he has been suspended from ECFR pending the outcome of the case.
Polk told deputies that he did not recall an incident on August 21, and denied striking the child, the report states.
Editor’s note: Polk’s jail mugshot was exempt from release by Florida law.
Pictured: ECFR firefighter Zackary Polk rests following a July 2017 fire at a mattress business on West Fairfield Drive. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Northview Lady Chiefs Fall To Jay (With Photo Gallery)
September 11, 2024
The Jay Lady Royals defeated the Northview Lady Chiefs Tuesday in Bratt.
Jay took the four-set victory by scores of 25-17, 30-28, 25-21, and 25-17.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The second set was a thrilling nail-biter as Northview and Jay went back and forth, fighting fiercely for every point on a scoring run that went from 23-23 to a final win for Jay of 30-28.
On Thursday, Northview will host the Hoboes of Laurel Hill at 5 p.m., and Jay will host Rocky Bayou Christian at 6 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Hurricane Francine Means Rain, Storms Gusty Winds Wednesday Into Thursday
September 11, 2024
For the latest specific forecast and local impacts for Francine, click here.
There is a flood watch in effect for today.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Showers likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 10am. High near 75. East wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Wednesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 70. Breezy, with a southeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 2 and 3 inches possible.
Thursday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 1pm and 4pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. High near 81. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7am, then a chance of showers between 7am and 10am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 10am. Sunny, with a high near 86. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68. Calm wind.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Calm wind.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
Baker Defeats Ernest Ward Middle (With Gallery)
September 11, 2024
The Baker Gators blank the Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles 28-0 on a soggy Tuesday night in Walnut Hill.
Click here for a photo gallery.
The Eagles will look to bounce back in their next game against W.S. Neal on September 17.
They will then face a three-game road series against Baker, Escambia County Middle School of Atmore, and T.R. Miller. Ernest Ward’s season will conclude under the leadership of Coach O’Darius Williams with a home game against ECMS on October 15.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
