Two Injured In Highway 97 Crash
December 15, 2019
Two people were injured in a two vehicle crash Saturday night on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill.
Both of the injured were transported to area hospital by Escambia County EMS following the crash just north of White Ash Road about 7:10 p.m.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Molino and Walnut Hill Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Toyz For Kidz Bike Ride Brings Santa To Needy Kids (With Photo Gallery)
December 15, 2019
Santa had some very special helpers Saturday as the LA Bikers rolled through Bratt, Flomaton and Atmore making sure that dozens of needy kids had presents for Christmas this year.
It was the 18th annual Toyz For Kidz Ride organized by the LA Bikers.
Dozens of children received new bicycles and helmets, clothes, shoes and lots of toys. Dozens of bikers took part in the event with stops at Bratt Elementary, Flomaton and the Atmore City Hall.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
All Eight Injured In NAS Pensacola Shooting Released From The Hospital
December 15, 2019
The last of eight people injured during the December 6 shooting onboard NAS Pensacola has been released from the hospital.
Joshua K. Watson, Mohammed S. Haitham and Cameron S. Walters were killed.
Naval Air Station Pensacola remains open for current DoD ID card holders only. The museum and lighthouse are only open to current DoD ID card holders.
UWF Argos Headed To National Championship Game
December 15, 2019
The UWF football team scored 21 unanswered points in the second half and forced six turnovers in a 28-14 win over previously unbeaten Ferris State at Top Taggart Field in the 2019 NCAA Division 2 National Semifinals Saturday.
UWF (12-2) finished beating an undefeated opponent with a long home winning streak for the third-consecutive week. Saturday’s win in 33-degree temperatures ended FSU’s 14-game home winning streak and was just the second loss by the Bulldogs in the last two seasons.
The six turnovers – including fumble recoveries on three-consecutive Bulldog drives in the second half – tied the school record set earlier this season at West Georgia. UWF scored 18 points off those miscues as they turned a 14-7 deficit into a 28-14 lead.
UWF finished with 366 yards of total offense as Austin Reed threw for 299 yards with three touchdowns. He completed passes to six players, led by seven to Tate Lehtio as the program’s all-time leading receiver had 118 yards, two touchdowns and caught a 2-point conversion.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Lehtio got the scoring started for UWF, hauling in a 34-yard reception by catching a ball over the helmet of a FSU defender on he game’s opening possession.
The Bulldogs tied it at 7-7 late in the first quarter on a Tyler Minor 6-yard run. But that was how it stayed at the half as the teams played field position football.
FSU came out to start the second half with seven-straight rushes that ended with a Dion Earls score from the 11.
After a 3-and-out by the Argos, the Bulldogs turned the ball over on downs near midfield. Austin Williams made the first of his two field goals eight plays later to pull UWF within 14-10.
Then the turnovers started. Ferris drove the ball 71 yards before Sharod Oliver punched the ball away from Xavier Wade at the one and watched it go through the end zone for a touchback. 72 yards later Williams made a 25-yarder to get within 14-13 early in the fourth.
After Ty Cox forced an Earls fumble on the next FSU play, Reed needed just two plays to find Lehtio for an 18-yard strike to put the Argonauts up 21-14 after the conversion.
Ferris rans three plays on its next possession before a bad snap hit the motion man and Trent Archie recovered it for UWF. With another short field the Argos used just three plays as Reed and Quentin Randolph connected from the six with 6:59 to play as UWF grabbed a 28-14 lead.
Ferris fumbled one more time in UWF territory as the Argos pounced on it for their sixth turnover.
FSU (12-1) totaled 378 yards with 255 on the ground. Marvin Campbell led the rushing attack with 104 yards on 23 carries.
UWF will now meet No. 4 Minnesota State (14-0) in the D2 National Championship Game next Saturday, Dec. 21 at McKinney ISD Stadium in McKinney, Texas.
UWF is making its second appearance in the national championship game after taking a similar path two years ago, winning four-consecutive road games over higher seeded teams. The program is 34-17 all-time after starting in 2016. The Argonauts are 8-1 in NCAA postseason games and regardless of the outcome next week, will have the highest winning percentage in D2 history among teams who have played a minimum of 10 playoff games.
UWF roads to McKinney has featured wins over No. 16 Wingate (38-17), No. 1 and defending national champion Valdosta State (38-35), No. 6 Lenoir-Rhyne (43-38) and No. 2 Ferris State. The wins over the Blazers, Bears and Bulldogs have ended the three longest home field winning streaks in Division 2.
Minnesota State advanced with a 58-15 win at No. 8 Slippery Rock (13-1).
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos Morgan Givens/ UWF Athletics for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wreaths Across America Held
December 15, 2019
Thousands of Christmas wreaths were placed on graves at Barrancas National Cemetery on NAS Pensacola and other area cemeteries on Saturday.
The wreaths were placed as part of the national event “Wreaths Across America”, a tradition that began over 20 years ago at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington. The wreaths were placed to remember and honor veterans through the laying of Remembrance Wreaths on the graves of our country’s fallen heroes and the act of saying the name of each veteran aloud.
Due to the recent shootings on NAS Pensacola, the event on the base was limited to current Dod ID card holders and groups that were previously approved.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Soccer Earns Saturday Win Over East Hill Christian
December 15, 2019
Tate Aggies Boys Soccer earned another win Saturday night 3-1 over East Hill Christian.
Scores were by senior Matt Johnson, junior Calen Arnevik and sophomore Chase Mills. Junior Nathan Bailey had two assists.
Tate (10-1) will host Navarre on Monday.
Pictured top: Senior Matt Johnson charging into the goal. Pictured below: Senior captain Josh Cagle pushing his team up the field. Pictured below> Junior Calen rnevik taking a shot on goal. NorthEscambia.com photos by Mitch Arnevik, click to enlarge.
Suspect Arrested For Piggly Wiggly Armed Robbery; Investigation Continues Into Grey Goose Holdup
December 14, 2019
The suspect in the armed robbery of a local Piggly Wiggly is in custody, and authorities are continuing to investigate the armed robbery of a nearby liquor store two days later.
Maurice Montraye Ervin, 26, was taken into custody by Atmore Police on a violation of probation warrant and booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton. He will be extradited back to Escambia County, Florida, to face an armed robbery charge for the December 4 holdup of the Piggly Wiggly on Highway 97 in Davisville.
Ervin allegedly entered the grocery store at closing time on on December 4 and pointed a pistol at an employee’s head while taking an undisclosed amount of cash, according to the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office.
The ECSO is continuing to investigate an armed robbery two days later about 1,000 feet away on Highway 97 at the Grey Goose Liquor Store. A black male wearing a camouflage jacket and a camouflage mask walked into the business on December 6 and demanded money, according to the ECSO.
Ervin has not been named a suspect in the Grey Goose robbery.
Also this week, two unrelated arrests were made in connection with an armed robbery in Atmore and the armed robbery of four convenience stores in Pensacola. The suspects were from Atmore and Flomaton. [Read more...]
Anyone with information on any of the robberies is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Winner Collects $94K For Lottery Ticket Sold On Pensacola Boulevard
December 14, 2019
We now know who purchased a winning Fantasy 5 ticket on Pensacola Boulevard this month.
The Florida Lottery says the December 5 ticket worth $94,200.2 was sold to Donna N. Koontz of Mobile at the Tom Thumb on Pensacola Boulevard at Airport Boulevard was one of two winning tickets sold for Thursday night’s drawing and is worth $94,200.32. The second winning ticket was sold in Ruskin.
The 217 tickets matching four numbers won $140 each. Another 7,410 tickets matching three numbers are worth $11 each, and 77,295 ticket holders won a Quick Pick ticket for picking two numbers.
The winning numbers in the December 5 drawing were 5-19-26-32-36.
Molino Park Second Graders Present Bug’z Christmas
December 14, 2019
Molino Park Elementary School second graders presented the musical Bug’z Christmas recently.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sixth Red Bulb Placed On Fire Safety Wreath For Another Residential Fire
December 14, 2019
The sixth red bulb representing a residential fire in Escambia County was placed on the “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety wreath on Friday.
The sixth fire occurred in the 100 block of S. 2nd St. on Friday, Dec. 13. ECFR arrived on scene and saw smoke coming from a residential structure. Units quickly confined the fire to the room of origin and extinguished it in 20 minutes. At the time, no occupants were home, but smoke alarms alerted the neighbors.
The firth red bulb was added to the wreath for a predawn fire Thursday in Byrneville. Escambia County Fire Rescue arrived on scene to find a fully involved residential fire in the 1500 block of West Highway 4. Everyone in the home escaped without injury due to working smoke alarms and the dog alerting the family.
The State Fire Marshal is also investigating the cause of both fires.
If your home does not have a working smoke detector, call Escambia County Fire Rescue at (850) 595-HERO (4376) or (850) 436-5200 for city of Pensacola residents.
Pictured: A residential fire early Thursday morning in Byrneville. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
