I-10 Pine Forest Road Exit Crash Slows Traffic
November 15, 2023
An afternoon wreck slowed traffic on I-10 near Pine Forest Road Wednesday afternoon.
The crash occurred about 12:40 p.m. on I-10 at the Pine Forest Road exit.
A 27-year-old Florida man was driving a dump truck pulling an excavator on a flatbed trailer traveling eastbound on Interstate 10 when he rear ended a box truck that was slowing for traffic. After this collision the dump truck entered the south shoulder of the roadway and collided with approximately 200 feet of guardrail before traveling down a grassy embankment where the trailer carrying the excavator overturned.
The driver of the box truck, a 29-year-old Mobile, Alabama man, was not injured.
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Escambia County 4-H Teams Place In Top 10 At Two Different National Contests
November 15, 2023
by Brian Estevez, Escambia County Extension
Escambia County 4-H is proud to announce that their food challenge team placed eighth at the National 4-H Food Challenge Contest and the meat judging team placed ninth at the National 4- H Meat Judging Contest. Both contests were held in October with the Food Challenge Contest being held in Dallas, TX and the meat judging contest being held at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS. Both teams won their respective state contests earlier in 2023 to earn the right to represent Florida.
The food challenge team was comprised of youth ages 14-18 and included Laney Clarke, Ryan Clarke, Aubrie Dillon, and Gracie Meredith and was named “Oh Crepe and the Spice Girls!” This contest provided an opportunity for 4-H members to work in teams of 3-4 youth to create a dish using a predetermined set of ingredients and cooking utensil/equipment. Each team had 40 minutes to plan and prepare a randomly assigned dish (appetizer, side dish, main dish, or dessert) using a “mystery” ingredient while being judged on their food safety skills, teamwork, and ability to manage time and resources. Then youth presented their finished dish, delivered a five-
minute presentation, and answered questions about their dish to a panel of judges. The National 4-H Food Challenge Contest was held in conjunction with the State Fair of Texas.
The meat judging team was composed of youth ages 14-18, including Laney Clarke, GracieMeredith, and Lilly Warne. Participants had to identify 30 retail cuts, place six retail, wholesale, and carcass classes, and give three sets of oral reasons. Through the competition process, the team has developed life skills through activities to understand the processing of beef, pork, and lamb, including retail identification, factors relating to meat quality, and cookery. Meat judging participants acquire knowledge and skills in meat identification and grading techniques and then apply those basic skills to the selection process. Participants then develop an understanding and
appreciation of the basic scientific principles involved in eating and cooking quality, nutritional value, and consumer appeal of meat. 4-H members on the team also learn life skills such as decision making, problem solving, and goal setting.
During the trip to the National 4-H Meat Judging Contest, the meat judging team toured the University of Missouri’s Animal Science complex and Meat Lab and also toured the Kansas State University Agricultural Education Department, Kansas 4-H, and the Kansas State University Animal Science Department. The National 4-H Meat Judging Contest was held in conjunction with the American Royal Stock Show in Kansas City, MO and the American Meat Science Association. These 4-H judging teams would like to thank the many sponsors that helped make this trip a reality, including the Escambia County 4-H Foundation.
Rainy And Windy For Your Wednesday
November 15, 2023
Tuesday through Thursday looks soggy with widespread 2 to 4 inches of rain possible with locally heavier amounts. The heaviest rain will likely fall along the coast with less rain further inland.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Rain. High near 61. Breezy, with a northeast wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Wednesday Night: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 56. Northeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42. North wind around 10 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 65.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 69.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 66.
ECUA Board Elects Chair, Vice Chair For Upcoming Year
November 15, 2023
The ECUA held its 2023-2024 organizational board meeting for Tuesday Officers were unanimously elected among the members to fill the positions of board chairman and vice-chair. Lois Benson, District Two, was re-elected to serve as Board Chair and Kevin Stephens, District 5 was re-elected to the vice-chairmanship. Also, by unanimous vote, Vicki Campbell, District One, was reelected to the chairmanship of the Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC) and Larry Williams, Sr., was reelected to serve as the CAC Vice-Chair.
The Board then appointed the following citizens to serve on the CAC:
- Ronald Rivera – District One
- Dean Kirschner – District Two
- Louis Brown, III – District Three
- Larry Walker, Ph.D. – District Four
- David Gaines – District Five
- Imelda Cromartie – At Large
- Louise Ritz – At Large
Tate Senior Seth Ray Named National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Student
November 15, 2023
Tate High School senior Seth Ray has been named a Commended student in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program, Principal Laura Touchstone announced Tuesday.
A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®), which conducts the program, will be presented by the principal to this scholastically talented senior.
About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2024 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2024 competition by taking the 2022 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).
Those being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” commented a spokesperson for NMSC. “These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”
“I am immensely proud to see Seth’s hard work and dedication acknowledged at the national level, “Touchstone said. “This prestigious recognition is a testament to his outstanding intellectual abilities, tireless work ethic, and commitment to academic excellence. The National Merit Scholarship Program is highly competitive, and this achievement reflects Seth’s exceptional performance on the PSAT/NMSQT. This accomplishment is not only a reflection of Seth’s abilities but also a credit to the supportive and enriching academic environment fostered here at Tate High School.”
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Five People Injured In Chemstrand Road Crash
November 14, 2023
Five people are recovering following a wreck Monday night at the intersection of Chemstrand Road and Crooked Oak Drive.
Two vehicles were involved in a crash with one vehicle crashing into a ravine. Two passengers were extricated from a pickup truck while an additional 20 minutes was required to extricate the passengers from the vehicle in the ravine. Five patients were transported to area hospitals.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash.
Photos for NOrthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With The Aggravated Assault Of His Wife
November 14, 2023
A Cantonment mans is accused of the aggravated assault of his wife
Cedric Gray, 25, allegedly hit his wife in the face, causing injuries, and pointed a loaded firearm at the victim’s head.
He was charged with felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and misdemeanor battery
The victim had invited Gray over to dinner and woke up to Gray striking her in the face, according to an arrest report, while accusing her of having an affair with other guys before pulling a small pink or purple firearm from his pocket, the report continues.
Gray remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $26,500.
Free Thanksgiving Meal Distribution This Saturday In Beulah
November 14, 2023
Rep. Michelle Salzman and Beulah Church in partnership with Farm Share and other community partners are sponsoring a 30,000 pound Food Distribution and Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway on Saturday, November 18, starting at 7:30 AM while supplies last at the Beulah Church.
The food distribution will help those who may be struggling and going through a hard time to supplement their family Thansgiving. There will be full Thanksgiving meals for the first 300 families.
Salzman, Farm Share, Commissioner Steven Barry, Congressman Matt Gaetz, Kevin Stephens, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Ascend Cares, The Butcher Shoppe, International Paper, Florida Power and Light, Beulah Church, Escambia County Council PTA, Aaron Erskine, State Farm Tyler Kercher, Escambia County Council PTA, Thompson Trucking, & other community partners are joining in the effort.
Beulah Church is located at 7561 Mobile Hwy.
Vehicles may line up no earlier than 7 a.m., and there will be a designated area for walk-ups.
Century Correctonal Inmate Assaults Officer, FDC Says
November 14, 2023
A Century Correctional Institution inmate assaulted a correctional officer recently, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
Inmate Norris Hudson assaulted an officer assaulted by pushing their arms. Staff responded appropriately, and the inmate was subdued.
Hudson was serving a five-year sentence out of Lee County for theft and burglary.
Rain Likely Through Wednesday
November 13, 2023
Tuesday through Thursday looks soggy with widespread 2 to 4 inches of rain possible with locally heavier amounts. The heaviest rain will likely fall along the coast with less rain further inland.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Showers. High near 58. Breezy, with a northeast wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tuesday Night: Showers. Low around 51. Breezy, with an east wind around 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Wednesday: Showers likely, mainly before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 60. Windy, with an east wind 20 to 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Breezy, with a northeast wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 68.