Texas Man Killed In Double Semi Crash On Highway 87
November 28, 2024
A double semi-truck crash early Wednesday morning on Highway 87 near Allentown claimed the life of a Texas man and injured another driver from South Carolina.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the crash occurred at approximately 2:10 a.m. near Allentown Road. A 36-year-old male driver from Dallas, Texas, operating a tractor-trailer was traveling southbound when his vehicle drifted into the northbound lane of the two-land highway. The truck collided head-on with another tractor-trailer driven by a 62-year-old male from Sumter, South Carolina.
The Dalla man was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the second truck sustained minor injuries and was transported by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment. Troopers said both drivers were wearing their seat belt at the time of the crash.
The FHP investigation is continuing.
Highway 87 was closed for over seven hours by the crash, opening by about 9:45 a.m.
File photo.
ECSO Investigating Shooting At Escambia County Bar
November 28, 2024
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an early Wednesday morning shooting at an Escambia County bar.
The shooting was reported about 1:15 a.m. at Mugs & Jugs at 12080 Scenic Highway.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said a man was transported to an area hospital with a gunshot wound to the left side.
Further details have not been released.
AAA Predicting 4.5 Million Floridians Will Travel Over Thanksgiving Weekend
November 28, 2024
AAA expects record-setting travel numbers for Thanksgiving. More than 4.5 million Floridians are forecast to travel 50 miles or more for the holiday. That’s an all-time high for Thanksgiving and nearly 112,000 more travelers than last year.
National travel numbers are also expected to set new records with an estimated 79.9 million travelers. The 2% growth equates to 1.7 million more people than the previous record set last year, and 2 million more than in 2019.
These record-setting traveler numbers are being driven by economic growth, declining inflation, and strong income gains, which is expected to boost consumer spending by 4.6% compared to this time last year.
“We expect to see record travel numbers across the board,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “With more people taking to the roads, skies, rails, and sea; travelers should expect congested roads and longer lines at transportation terminals. AAA encourages travelers to develop their plan now and consider travel insurance, which provides compensation for flight cancellations, delays, and lost luggage.”
Automobile travel will set new records nationwide and in Florida. AAA projects more than 4.1 million Floridians will take a road trip over Thanksgiving – that’s 101,000 more travelers than the previous record set last year.
Thanksgiving air travel is also expected to set a new record. Nationally, AAA projects 5.84 million people will fly domestically this holiday. That’s an increase of 2% compared to last year and a nearly 11% increase over 2019.
Domestic airfares are up 3% this year, according to AAA booking data, while the number of bookings are similar to last year. International flight bookings are up 23% compared to last Thanksgiving, in part because the cost to fly internationally is down 5%.
Other modes of transportation increased 9% from last year. Nationally, nearly 2.3 million people are expected to travel by various transportation methods including buses, cruises, and trains. This category is seeing an 18% jump over 2019, in large part due to the popularity of cruising.
Ice Flyers Third Period Rally Falls Short Against Huntsville (With Gallery)
November 28, 2024
by Bill Vilona, Ice Flyers correspondent
Playing with a roster quickly rearranged and two players short, the Ice Flyers still gave themselves a chance Wednesday night against the league’s first-place team.
The effort in the Ice Flyers’ 3-2 loss against the Huntsville Havoc, amid a sellout crowd on $5 ticket night at the Pensacola Bay Center, provided encouragement for the immediate future.
“I really loved our effort and the total buy-in,” said Ice Flyers coach Gary Graham. “We had 14 skaters (Wednesday). A very difficult lineup to play against a veteran, seasoned, deep team like Huntsville. And I thought they all bought in and did a good job.
“We had three new forwards that literally just came in the last 24 hours, and we were playing with five defensemen. We generated a ton of scoring chances, enough to win the game.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
After a scoreless first period, the Havoc scored the game’s first goal in the opening minute of the second period. The Ice Flyers answered with Cory Dennis scoring late in the period to make it 1-1 entering the final frame.
Huntsville took a 3-1 lead in the third period, but Ivan Bondarenko’s goal with 7:06 left re-energized the arena. The Ice Flyers pulled goaltender Kevin Resop with 1:38 remaining and had a scoring chance in the final minute that was thwarted by Havoc goaltender Brian Wilson, who stopped 33 shots in the game.
“Overall, I can’t believe I’m saying this (with the team) in dead last (in standings), but I actually really enjoyed watching (my team) Wednesday,” Graham said. “They competed. They bought in.”
Now, the challenge is to find success.
The Ice Flyers will spend Thanksgiving Day together in Pensacola before leaving early Friday morning for a five-to-six-hour bus trip to Macon, Georgia, to face the Macon Mayhem. The Mayhem are six points ahead of the Ice Flyers at the bottom of the SPHL standings.
After that game, it’s back to Pensacola for the second $5 night Saturday against the Birmingham Bulls, which promises another packed arena.
“What a great first impression for the three new guys to see how this place could be rocking,” Graham said. “It’s just disappointing for our fan base to not get a win. That falls on my shoulders first and foremost.
“But we’re doing everything we can behind the scenes to improve the roster, improve our team. Bailey (Walker) is working her tail off as (team) trainer to get these guys (on the injured list) back and healthy, so I am very optimistic about the future here, even though it looks pretty gloomy right now.
“But you don’t miss or make the playoffs in November. There’s a lot of season left. What we need to do is get this group healthy, come together, and start finding the right way to win hockey games. I think (Wednesday) was a step in the right direction.”
FIRST PERIOD
A scoreless first period was not without scoring chances. The Ice Flyers created more, aided by the only power play of the period, leading to a 16-10 edge in shots over the Havoc.
The Ice Flyers got their first shot on goal with just over four minutes expired. A minute later, Shane Bull got a close-range shot that Havoc goaltender Wilson thwarted.
Later, Greg Smith and Cayden Cahill had opportunities inside the faceoff circle but were turned away. The nearest goal occurred during a power play after Havoc enforcer Cole Reginato was whistled for slashing with 5:59 left.
Sam Dabrowski rifled a wrist shot that clanged off the crossbar, echoing through the arena, but no goal celebration followed.
SECOND PERIOD
The period began in a deflating way for the Ice Flyers but ended well.
Just 44 seconds in, Matt Allen scored for the Havoc, receiving a perfect pass from Jack Jaunich on a 2-on-1 rush. Allen skated across the crease, deked goaltender Kevin Resop, and flicked the puck into a wide-open net.
The Ice Flyers faced a two-man disadvantage after penalties to Tim Faulkner (hooking) and Cayden Cahill (slashing) left them in a 5-on-3 situation for over 90 seconds. However, the penalty-kill unit and Resop excelled, keeping the game at 1-0.
That defensive stand was followed by Cory Dennis tying the game with 3:02 remaining in the period. Dennis received a pass from Greg Smith on a 2-on-1 rush and rifled a wrister into the top corner of the net.
THIRD PERIOD
With Greg Smith in the penalty box, the Havoc nearly scored, hitting the post.
Huntsville took a 2-1 lead with 12:57 left when Jaunich scored the first of his two goals on a one-timer past Resop. Minutes later, Jaunich capitalized on a turnover, slipping past the Ice Flyers’ defense to extend the lead to 3-1.
The Ice Flyers cut the deficit to 3-2 when Bondarenko scored off a faceoff and pass from Dennis with 7:06 left.
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: Ice Flyers at Macon Mayhem
WHEN: Friday, 6 p.m. (CST)
WHERE: Macon Centreplex, Macon, Ga.
Jerry Davis Receives Florida Farm Bureau’s Highest Service Award
November 27, 2024
Area agriculturists Jerry Davis has been recognized with Florida Farm Bureau’s highest service award for his service to agriculture.
The Distinguished Service Award honors Florida agriculturists for their overall contributions to farming at the local or state level. The award was presented at the Florida Farm Bureau State Annual Meeting at the President’s Awards Banquet.
Davis has been a Farm Bureau member for more than 30 years, serving as the Santa Rosa County president for 21 years. During his time as president, Davis instituted a scholarship program for young people to pursue agriculture as a career. He established an educational farm tour for Escambia and Santa Rosa County legislators to bring awareness to the farming community and its impact to the local economy.
Davis has advocated for the cotton industry by serving on numerous state and national boards, including the Florida and Southeastern Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation, helping to eradicate the boll weevil. He continues to be a strong advocate for agriculture. Distinguished Service Award honors Florida agriculturists for their overall contributions to farming at the local or state level.
Pictured: Jerry Davis (right) was awarded the 2024 Distinguished Service Award by Florida Farm Bureau President Jeb S. Smith at the organization’s state annual meeting. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Kitten Rescued From Drainage Pipe
November 27, 2024
Escambia County Animal Welfare rescued a kitten from inside a drainage pipe this recently after receiving a call from Escambia County Sheriff’s Office employees who heard the kitten meowing for help.
The kitten, now named “Pipes” by his rescuer, lost his way in a drainage pipe. ECSO Master Deputy Liddell heard the kitten’s cries and called Escambia County Animal Welfare for assistance since she was unable to find the kitten.
Lead Animal Welfare Officer Sgt. Merideth Roberson responded to the call and also struggled to find the kitten at first, but then she heard his meows echoing in the drainage pipe. After unsuccessfully trying to set a humane cat trap, Sgt. Roberson began playing videos of a mother cat calling for her babies in an attempt to lure the kitten closer.
“I could hear it loudly, but I still couldn’t see it,” Sgt. Roberson said. “I played mama cat noises again, then I saw his beady little eyeballs way at the end of the tunnel.”
Sgt. Roberson decided her best chance at catching the kitten would be to go into the drain herself, so ECSO deputies retrieved a ladder and gave her a walkie talkie to stay connected during her rescue attempt.
“I started crawling down the tunnel, and the kitten takes off running,” Sgt. Roberson said. “I go to turn back around and leave, because I don’t think I’m going to be able to catch it – but then I turned back around and saw it was trapped at the end of the tunnel. I was able to snatch him up and then army crawl back to the ladder.”
Sgt. Roberson emphasized that the kitten rescue was a team effort, made possible with the help of ECSO Master Deputy Liddell, Senior Deputy Faunce, and Security Screener Jones. Sgt. Roberson said her training in animal search and rescue as part of Escambia County Animal Welfare’s ASAR team also contributed to the positive rescue outcome.
“I was a little scared crawling down in there,” said Sgt. Roberson, who estimates that she crawled about 50 yards through the drainage pipe. “I’m just super thankful that I’ve had the opportunity to do things like this and that I’ve received training to do my job the best that I can do.”
Other than being a bit underweight and seeming distressed from the underground adventure, Sgt. Roberson said “Pipes” the kitten appeared to be in good health overall. Pipes was evaluated by Escambia County Animal Welfare’s veterinarian and given a clean bill of health, and he is expected to be available for adoption at the Escambia County Animal Shelter soon.
“I am super thankful we were able to get him out and help give him a second chance at life,” Sgt. Roberson said. “Hopefully Pipes will get adopted and find a good home.”
Escambia County Animal Welfare Director John Robinson said this is just another one of many examples of his team’s dedication to helping animals every day.
“I’m so proud of our team for constantly going above and beyond to care for animals in our community, whether it’s helping them find forever homes or performing rescues like this,” Robinson said. “Sgt. Roberson did not hesitate to jump into action, putting her own comfort aside to help this kitten in distress. Through her actions along with help from the Sheriff’s Office, Pipes the kitten now has a chance to find a loving family to care for him.”
Jim Allen Elementary Names Students Of The Month
November 27, 2024
Jim Allen Elementary School recently announced their October Students of the Month. They are Cory Seymour and Aspen Neels. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cold Front Brings Rain Chance Thanksgiving Day
November 27, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southwest wind around 10 mph.
Thanksgiving Day: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a temperature rising to near 71 by 9am, then falling to around 61 during the remainder of the day. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming north in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 55. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday Night: Widespread frost, mainly after 3am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 33. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Widespread frost, mainly before 7am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 56. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. Calm wind.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 57. Light north wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 56.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 57.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.
The Ensley Chiefs Are Now The Ensley Hurricanes
November 27, 2024
The Ensley Chiefs have a new name — the Ensley Hurricanes.
“Once a popular destination for parents and their children, youth recreation sports in Escambia County have faced challenges in recent years, leading to several parks closing their programs Recognizing the need for change, the board, coaches, parents, and children all agreed that a new direction was necessary,” Ensley Sports president Tony Vance said.
“Our new look reflects the passion and ambition that drive our community to create exceptional experiences for our football and cheerleading programs,” Vance said.
Ensley Sports offers programs that include football, cheerleading and flag football. at the John R. Jones Athletic Complex on Nine Mile Road.
Image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Homicide Suspect Surrenders At County Jail
November 27, 2024
A wanted homicide suspect has surrendered at the Escambia County Jail.
Arrington Marcellas Moultrie, 35, turned himself in Tuesday after appearing in media reports and was booked at 1:42 p.m.
He is charged with homicide, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and obstruction of justice-evidence tampering. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond
Moultrie was charged for his alleged involvement in a homicide November 16 in the 6600 block of Hampton Road about 6 p.m. EMS transported the gunshot victim from a nearby Raceway station on Pensacola Boulevard. The victim’s name has not been released.