‘Keep The Wreath Green’ Fire Safety Campaign Kicks Off Sunday
December 1, 2019
Escambia County Fire Rescue, in collaboration with the Pensacola Fire Department, kicks off the annual “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign Sunday. While a joyous time of year, cold weather, holiday decorations and festivities can create serious fire dangers. Firefighters hope to reduce the number of fires by promoting simple, lifesaving holiday safety tips each day in December.
During the month-long campaign, five-foot wreaths will also be on display at 18 county fire stations and five city fire stations, with wreaths also be placed outside Escambia County’s Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building downtown, the Escambia County Public Safety Building, Pensacola City Hall and Cordova Mall near the food court entrance. Each time firefighters respond to a residential fire with damage, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in residential home. In 2018, eight bulbs were changed to red on county wreaths, and the city had two red bulbs.
According to the United States Fire Administration, fires occurring during the winter claim the lives of over 900 people and cause over $2.1 billion in damage. Nationally, cooking is the leading cause of home winter fires, with 5 to 8 p.m. being the most common time for a fire to occur.
A working smoke detector cuts the chances of dying in a reported fire in half. For information about obtaining a home smoke detector, call Escambia County Fire Rescue at (850) 595-HERO (4376) or (850) 436-5200 for city of Pensacola residents.
Pictured below: One of the December 2018 fires in Escambia County was this mobile home fire on Ivey Street in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo.
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Suspects Crash Into Tree After Drive-by Shooting In Cottage Hill
November 30, 2019
Two fleeing drive-by shooting suspects crashed their pickup truck into a tree Saturday morning in Cottage Hill.
The drive-by shooting was reported about 3:40 a.m. in the area of Handy Road and Williams Ditch Road. No one was hit or injured by the gunfire, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
A short time later the suspect vehicle crashed into a tree on Highway 95A near McKenzie Road. Firefighters had to extricate at least one of the individuals from the truck.
The adult and juvenile transported to a local hospital in serious condition. Once they are released, they are expected to be charged in connection with the drive-by shooting, according to the ECSO.
A gun was recovered from the pickup.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
FHP Enforcement Ramped For The Holiday Weekend
November 30, 2019
The Florida Highway Patrol ramped up enforcement for the Thanksgiving weekend.
The FHP is reminding motorists that they can arrive alive by buckling up, eliminating distractions and never driving impaired.
“Remember there are FHP troopers and law enforcement officers statewide spending the holiday working to keep Florida’s roadways safe,” said FLHSMV Executive Director, Terry L. Rhodes. “Do your part by always buckling up and never driving impaired.”
In 2018, preliminarily, there were 9,896 crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday period, with 79 resulting fatalities. According to AAA – The Auto Club Group, 2.6 million Floridians are forecast to be driving during the Thanksgiving holiday, leading to higher volumes of traffic on roadways. From November 25 to 29 all available FHP troopers, along with FHP reserve and auxiliary members, will be patrolling the roads to help ensure safe travel.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Indicted For Sexual Abuse Of Child In Escambia County, AL
November 30, 2019
A Perdido man has been charged with the sexual abuse of of a child under 12 in Escambia County, Alabama.
Dustin Ray Gates, 32, was indicted by a grand jury for the sexual abuse of a child under 12 years of age and enticing a child for an immoral purpose.
An investigation involving Gates was launched after the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the Alabama Department of Human Resources with allegations of sexual abuse by Gates on a child under 12, according to Sheriff Heath Jackson.
Multiple People Injured In Highway 196 Crash
November 30, 2019
Three people were injured in a wreck Friday afternoon near Molino. The tw0-vehicle crash occurred on Highway 196 near Jacks Branch Road. None of the injuries were life threatening. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Sacred Heart to Provide Free Flu Shots Across The Area
November 30, 2019
Sacred Heart will provide free flu shots at locations across the area during December for the poor, elderly or uninsured.
The schedule is as follows:
- Dec. 2 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church, 320 Valencia St., Pensacola.
- Dec. 3 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Beulah Senior Center, 7425 Woodside Dr., Beulah.
- Dec. 4 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Jay Community Center, 5259 Booker Lane, Jay.
- Dec. 5 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Marie K. Young Wedgewood Community Center, 6405 Wagner St., Pensacola.
- Dec. 10 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Holley Navarre Senior Center, 8476 Gordon Goodin Lane, Navarre.
- Dec. 11 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Century Senior Center, 6020 Industrial Blvd., Century.
- Dec. 12 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Milton Community Center, 5629 Byrom St., Milton.
- Dec. 14 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Quintette Community Center, 2490 Quintette Lane, Cantonment.
Flu shots are limited to persons 18 or order. For more information, call (850) 416-7826.
NWE Freshmen Playing For Turkey Bowl Championship
November 30, 2019
The NWE Freshmen defeated the Northwest Florida League champions Wedgewood 6-0 Friday. NWE will play in the Battle of the South Youth National Turkey Bowl Championship on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Magee Field, 2422 Davis Highway in Pensacola. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Playoffs: Escambia Wins; Baker, T.R. Miller Lose
November 30, 2019
Here are Friday night’s high school football playoff scores from around the North Escambia vicinity:
FLORIDA
6A State Semifinal
Escambia 45, Gaither 21
1A State Semifinal
Blountstown 21, Baker 13
ALABAMA
3A State Semifinal
Mobile Christian 41, T.R. Miller 21
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Fire Destroys Landmark Skate Center On Navy Boulevard
November 29, 2019
A two alarm fire destroyed the former Landmark Skate Center at 1002 Navy Boulevard early Friday morning.
Multiple units from Escambia Fire Rescue, the Pensacola Fire Department and the Navy were dispatched at 3:12 a.m. and remained on scene for hours working to extinguish the blaze. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
North Escambia fire units from Molino and Cantonment were alerted and shifted southward to other fire stations to provide standby coverage.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Major Water Leak Near ECUA Well On 10 Mile Road Leads To Boil Water Notice
November 29, 2019
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority crews worked for hours Friday to contain a major water leak near a well on East 10 Mile Road.
Crews started work on the repairs about 5:30 a.m. and had restored pressure to all but a few addresses on 10 Mile Road in the immediate area by 2 p.m. A precautionary boil water notice was issued for 10 Mile Road between Highway 29 and 40 10 Mile Road.
Water flowed and was standing in areas over a quarter mile away. East 10 Mile Road was closed between Highway 29 and North Palafox Street by the leak.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
