Escambia County Urges Residents To Prep And Monitor Hurricane
October 8, 2018
A Hurricane Watch has been issued for the Florida Panhandle, including Escambia County due to Huricane Michael, which is forecast to become a major hurricane before landfall.
Here is the latest information from Escambia County:
It is still too early to determine what direct impacts the Hurricane Michael might have on Escambia County and Northwest Florida, but according to the National Weather Service in Mobile, strong winds, storm surge, flash flood conditions and deadly rip currents are likely across portions of the northern Gulf Coast. Impacts are dependent on the track of this system.
A high risk of rip currents and high surf advisory are in effect for the northern Gulf Coast through at least Thursday. Red flags are flying on Pensacola Beach and are expected through Thursday. Red flags represent high surf and/or dangerous currents, and there is no swimming or wading in the Gulf of Mexico in red flag conditions. Only experienced surfers with a surfboard and leash are allowed to enter the Gulf. Surf heights are forecast to increase to 3-5 feet today, 5-8 feet by Tuesday, and 8-10 feet by Wednesday, according to NWS Mobile.
Escambia County Emergency Management is closely monitoring this system, including participating in weather conference calls with the National Weather Service and state. Residents are urged to do the same by monitoring our local media for the most up-to-date forecasts several times a day. (NorthEscambia.com will have the latest storm information posted 24/7.)
Residents should also take the time now to double check their storm supplies and preparations so that if and when a confirmed threat develops, they are ready. The key to reducing the stress and impact on your family is to prepare by taking the following steps:
Review or make a family plan. This includes:
- Knowing your evacuation zone is one of the most important hurricane preparation steps you can take. It is very important that you look up your evacuation zone each year to find out if and when you should evacuate, even if you have looked it up in the past, as zones can change. Most importantly, don’t rely on previous storm experience. Just because you weathered the last storm, doesn’t mean you will weather this one. Look up your address online at myescambia.com/knowyourzone.
- Know where you will go. If you live in an evacuation zone, know where you will go and how you will get there. Will you go to a friend or relative’s home, a hotel, or as a last resort, a public shelter? It is always easier to go tens of miles, not hundreds. Find a list of shelters, including special needs and pet-friendly, here.
- Have a communication plan. Plan now how you will contact one another and where you will meet.
- Plan for those with special needs. Make arrangements in advance to accommodate those in your family with special needs like the elderly, children and pets. Always have at least an extra 3-10 days stock of medical supplies, medication and any other special items you may need.
- Understand Watch vs. Warning, the hurricane cone and what steps you need to take when. Learn more by clicking here.
- Take photos of important documents and your valuables. Save these to a secure cloud site, thumb drive or keep on your mobile device.
Get a kit - Your disaster kit should have at least three days of nonperishable food and three gallons of water for each person and pet in your home, along with other supplies. Click here to see our latest disaster guide shopping list.
Stay informed – A tropical system can develop very quickly. Be sure you take time every day to monitor the local media. Escambia County also has several tools available for our residents. Learn more here. Monitor local media and legitimate online and social media sources like Escambia County Emergency Management, US National Weather Service Mobile, NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center and Florida SERT.
Prep your yard – As we are entering hurricane season, it is also recommended that residents take a few minutes to inspect their home and yard. Check for, fix or remove loose items on your home and sheds. Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and down spouts. Trim trees and shrubs around your home. Learn more here.
ECSO: Two Arrested With Drugs And Counterfeit Cash
October 8, 2018
Two North Escambia men were arrested for allegedly possessing drugs and counterfeit cash.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a gas station on Michigan Avenue where they found Travis Winters asleep in the driver’s seat of a pickup truck at the gas pumps.
After deputies removed passenger Hunter Manning from the vehicle, the report states deputies located a syringe containing heroin in his pocked and a straw containing methamphetamine, according to an arrest report. Deputies also found marijuana and heroin inside a cigarette pack that they saw Manning reach for inside the vehicle.
The arrest report states Winters had been sitting on a bag containing counterfeit $100 bills and methamphetamine. They also reported finding a counterfeited $100 bill in his pocket.
Manning, age 26 of Cantonment, was charged with possession of methamphetamine, three counts of possession of heroin, possession of marijuana, three counts possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer and possession of counterfeit money. He was released on $13,500 bond.
Winters, age 21 of McDavid, was charged with possession of a methamphetamine and possession of counterfeit money. He remained jailed Monday without bond.
FWC Law Enforcement Report: Pet Deer, Palmetto Berry Pickers
October 8, 2018
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the period ending September 20 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officers Manning and Allgood patrolled offshore concentrating on fisheries enforcement utilizing the newly arrived Safe Boat in Pensacola. They found occupants from five different vessels in violation of federal fisheries regulations. Five federal citations were issued for charges including possession of triggerfish during closed season and for possession of red snapper in a closed season. The officers also charged one vessel operator with interference with an FWC officer for attempting to throw illegally harvested triggerfish and red snapper overboard.
Officer Allgood assisted FWC captive wildlife investigators with a subject who was attempting to keep a whitetail deer as a pet. Officer Allgood issued a citation to the subject who was keeping the deer in an enclosure. The individual had previously applied for a permit but was denied.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officers Hoomes, Roberson, Ramos, Hutchison and Pilot Tolbert have been working a ring of illegal palmetto berry pickers on Eglin Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The officers found evidence of the illegal activity and caught up with four subjects who had picked over 600 pounds of palmetto berries from Eglin WMA. All four subjects were cited for 13 misdemeanors which included harvesting live plants from a management area, entering a closed area, and no Department of Defense permit. One subject, who fled but was later located, was cited for resisting arrest without violence.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Molino Park Holds Community Helpers Day (With Photo Gallery)
October 8, 2018
Molino Park Elementary School held a “Community Helpers Day” Friday for students to learn about some of people that are hard at work, often behind the scenes, in the Molino area.
The event included personnel and equipment from Escambia County EMS, the K-9 unit from the Escambia Road Prison, the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, J. Miller Construction Company, the Florida Highway Patrol, Escambia Search and Rescue, UPS, Gilmore Services, the Florida Forest Service and more.
Students also dressed as their favorite community helpers, such as firemen, policemen, teachers, nurses and others.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Three Injured In Bristol Park Shooting
October 8, 2018
Three people were shot near Bristol Park Sunday afternoon.
Bristol Park is located off Michigan Avenue, not near Bristol Park Road in Cantonment.
The three adults were taken to a local hospital for treatment. There was no immediate word of any arrests in the shooting, which reportedly involved multiple vehicles.
Further details have not been released.
Bonus Gallery: Jay And Northview Bands, Cheerleaders And More
October 8, 2018
For game action photos, click here.
For homecoming court photos, click here.
For homecoming parade photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tent Revival Gets Underway
October 8, 2018
A tent revival opened Sunday night in Atmore.
The “Fire in the Field” event is going on each night at 7 p.m. through Thursday night with evangelist Ken Freeman and musicians Brandon and Jennifer Johnson.
The revival is sponsored by local churches in Escambia County.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Church Evacuated Due To Smell Of Smoke
October 8, 2018
A Cantonment church was evacuated Sunday morning due to the smell of smoke.
The odor was reportedly traced to a light ballast. There were no injuries and no damage reported.
Cantonment, Ensley, Belleview, Beulah, Ferry Pass and Bellview stations of Escambia Fire Rescue were dispatched to the call, along with Escambia County EMS.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Accident Claims The Life Of A Pedestrian On Highway 95A In Cantonment
October 7, 2018
A Cantonment accident claimed the life of a pedestrian Saturday night in Cantonment.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 31-year old Ronald Smedley of Milton was struck by a Ford Expedition on Highway 95A just south of Archer Road about 8:35 p.m. Smedley was walking in the roadway when he was hit by a Ford Expedition driven by 43-year old Charles Kimbel of Cantonment.
Smedley was pronounced deceased on scene by first responders. Kimbel and his passenger, 47-year old Brenda Kimbel of Cantonment, were not injured.
No charges were filed.
Highway 95A was closed for several hours following the accident.
This story will be updated when additional details are available.
File photo.
Photos: Century Blackcats Host The Frisco City Whippets
October 7, 2018
The Century Blackcats hosted the Whippets of Frisco City Saturday night.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Scores were not available at publication time.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
