Update: Escaped Alabama Work Release Inmate Recaptured
February 15, 2020
UPDATE: This escaped inmate was recaptured Saturday afternoon.
Previous story:
Authorities are searching for an inmate that escaped early Saturday morning in Escambia County, Alabama.
Hunter Craig Madden, 33, escaped from the work release barracks behind the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton, according to Sheriff Heath Jackson.
He is described as being 6-foot tall, 185-pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. Madden was being held on charges of failure to appear, possession of a forged instrument, attempting to elude and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Jackson said Madden is not considered dangerous.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office at (251) 809-0741 or 911.
Early Morning Fire Near Atmore Claims One Life, Injures Child
February 15, 2020
A woman died in in an early morning fire north of Atmore early Saturday morning.
The fire was reported at 1:12 a.m. on Martinville Loop, just east of Highway 21. The wood frame home was fully involved when the first firefighters arrived on scene.
After the fire was knocked down, the body of an adult female was found, officials told NorthEscambia.com. Four other people escaped the blaze, including a small child that suffered minor burns that were not considered serious. The name of the victim has not yet been released.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Alabama Fire Marshal’s Office.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Saying Goodbye To Longtime Firefighter Dennis Rigby (With Photo Gallery)
February 15, 2020
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”
Family, friends and fellow firefighters bid farewell Friday to Dennis Rigby, 60, of Oak Grove. He passed away February 10 after an 18-month battle with pancreatic cancer.
On Friday, he was laid to rest with full firefighter’s honors at the Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.
Rigby’s flag-draped reclaimed barnwood casket was carried to the cemetery on the back of a 1946 Mack fire truck, passing under a large American flag flying high above North Highway 99 from an Escambia Fire Rescue ladder truck.
An Escambia Fire Rescue honor guard presented his widow Sherri Rigby with the American flag.. His daughter, Kristi Rigby Hughes, was given his helmet, and son Chad Rigby received his badge.
Next month would have marked 40 years for Rigby as a volunteer for Walnut Hill Volunteer Department, and he also served as the department chief from 1988 to 1989. In 2012, he was named Officer of the Year and honored for his decades of service to the department.
During his 32-year career with the Escambia County, he most recently worked as fleet maintenance supervisor for Escambia County Solid Waste before his retirement last October. In 2018, he was honored by the Escambia County Commission for his long career.
Donations in Rigby’s honor can be made to the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
A Very Special Mardi Gras Parade (With Photo Gallery)
February 15, 2020
A very special Mardi Gras parade was held Friday morning for the special needs students of Escambia Westgate School.
With plenty of beads, Moon Pies, stuffed animals and smiles, the parade rolled through the school parking lot for students that might not otherwise be able to attend a regular Mardi Gras parade.
Grand marshal of the parade was Escambia Westgate teacher Rhonda Martin (pictured below). She was one of the founders of the parade 27-years ago, and Friday was her last parade as a teacher because she is retiring.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Celebrates Tornado Recovery With Tree Giveaway
February 15, 2020
The 4th Annual Tree Giveaway and Tornado Remembrance was held Friday in Century.
Attendees were able to choose two free trees –either red maple, Shumard oak or flatwoods plum trees. A crepe myrtle tree was planted in front of the Ag Building on West Highway 4 in remembrance of the tornado.
The program was sponsored by the Town of Century, Escambia County and the Florida Forest Service. It marked the fourth anniversary of an EF-3 tornado that struck Century on February 15, 2016.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge
ECUA Sewage Spills: 307,000 Gallons Into A Swamp; 8,000 Gallons Into A Stream
February 15, 2020
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority had a 307,000 gallon sewage spill into a swamp and a seperate spill that resulted in 8,000 gallons of raw sewage into a stream, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
307,000 Gallon Spill
An estimated 307,000 gallons of raw sewage spilled into a swampy area near Boiling Brook Circle. ECUA responded to a sewer odor complaint in the 200 block of Boiling Brook Circle. When they arrived on scene, they found sewer smell was coming from a remote swampy area north the address, between the address and I-10.
Once they were able to get into the swampy area to assess they situation, they discovered a damaged sewer main and an overflowing manhole. Crews were able to successfully stop the sewage flow by plugging the manhole at the south end of Coronet Drive and installing a holding tank.
The damaged main is being repaired by an approved contractor, and bacterial monitoring was initiated.
In accordance with standard operating procedure, the ECUA notified the State Warning Point, the Escambia County Health Department and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
8,000 Gallon Spill
On Friday a contractored bored through a sewer force main at 1876 East Nine Mile Road, near University Parkway. Approximately 8,000 gallons of raw sewage entered a nearby stream, according to a FDEP report.
Crews cleaned up the remaining spill and applied biocide to the area.
Winning $68K Fantasy Five Ticket Sold On Nine Mile Road
February 15, 2020
Someone is over $68,000 richer this morning after purchasing a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket at a Nine Mile Road convenience store.
The ticket sold at the Beulah Texaco at 6500 West Nine Mile Road was one of three winning tickets sold for Friday night’s drawing and is worth $68,640.92. Other winning tickets were sold in Orlando and Jacksonville.
The 347 tickets matching four numbers won $95.50 each. Another 10,263 tickets matching three numbers are worth $9 each, and 97,135 ticket holders won a Quick Pick ticket for picking two numbers.
Friday’s winning numbers were 2-7-8-25-28.
Six People Charged In Escambia County Valentine’s Day Drug Bust
February 15, 2020
Six people were busted in a drug operation on Valentine’s Day in Escambia County.
On Friday, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit and SWAT team executed a search warrant at a home located in the 100 block of Concordia Boulevard. Inside the home, deputies found 984.8 grams of spice, 13.6 grams of methamphetamine, and small amounts of heroin, fentanyl and crack cocaine. Deputies also located a firearm and $3,671 dollars in cash.
Jacob Brill, Kathleen Taylor, and Sarah Cox were arrested and charged with trafficking in synthetic cannabinoids, possession of heroin, possession of methamphetamine and possession of cocaine.
Russo Vincent was arrested and charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, trafficking in synthetic cannabinoids, possession of heroin, possession of methamphetamine and possession of cocaine.
Josey Brill and Faith Custer were arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Photos: Jim Allen Elementary Holds Valentine’s Day Heart Run
February 15, 2020
Jim Allen Elementary School held their annual Heart Run on Valentine’s Day Friday.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flags Fly At Half Staff In Florida To Mark Parkland Shooting Anniversary
February 15, 2020
Friday was Marjory Stoneman Douglas Remembrance Day in Florida.
The day marked two years since the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered flags flown at half staff at all government buildings in the state.
Pictured: The flag at half staff on Friday at Bratt Elementary School. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.