2016 In Photos: August
January 3, 2017
Today, we continue our look back at the year 2016 in photos with a look at August.
One person was killed during an explosion at the Airgas plant in Cantonment.
The Tate Aggies hit the road for a season opener win against Biloxi.
The Northview Chiefs opened their season with a loss on the road to Crestview.
Century Mayor Freddie McCall announced that the town was applying for $1.3 million in housing and tornado recovery grants.
The Florida Department of Transportation installed signage on two dangerous curves in Century.
ECUA and Escambia County held a held a kick-off ceremony to mark the opening of ECUA’s Interim Materials Recycling Facility, or IMRF, at the Perdido Landfill.
The State Attorney charged four members of a Century Citizens Advisory Task Force with a non-criminal Sunshine Law violation.
“We Back The Blue” yard signs aooeared across the North Escambia area to show support for local law enforcement. This sign was on Mayo Street near Hecker Road in Century.
It was announced in August that many historic homes would be repaired or rebuilt following a February tornado.
Students headed back to class in the North Escambia area.
Free backpacks and school supplies were distributed in Century to hundreds of children in need, thanks to a family honoring the memory of one of their own, in a program called “Dedria’s Gift”
Fire destroyed a mobile home near Walnut Hill.
An open house was held at the new Century Academy, a private, non-profit K-12 school that will specialize in teaching children diagnosed with autism and other related learning disabilities.
The City of Atmore officially signed off on an agreement with Hunstville-based Brown-Precision that will bring 100 new jobs and a multi-million dollar investment to a new industrial park. And officials say they hope it is just the beginning of the job announcements in a new aerospace corridor.
A thunderstorm brought heavy rains, flooding the Highway 29, Highway 97 intersection.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office held a “Milkshake With A School Resource Officer” event at Chick-fil-A on Nine Mile Road.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Car Strikes Downed Tree In Cantonment
January 2, 2017
The driver of a vehicle struck a tree as it fell on Highway 95A behind Faith Chapel Funeral Home in Cantonment this afternoon. The person was not injured.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
An individual with a large truck had pulled the tree out of the roadway prior to these photographs. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Pineville Road, Occie Phillips Bridges Flooded
January 2, 2017
A small number of residents of South Pineville Road in northern Escambia County are nearly stuck at home tonight due to the flooding of two bridges on two different access routes to their area.
The Brushy Creek Bridge on South Pineville Road is complete impassable due to flood waters (pictured top), while a second route to the area on Occie Phillips Road (below) is also flooded at Brushy Creek.
Unless the dirt Pineville Road floods or becomes impassable, the residents do have a lengthy detour to Arthur Brown Road to leave their homes.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Recovery Begins After Sunday Storms
January 2, 2017
Recovery efforts were underway Sunday afternoon after a damaging thunderstorm blew through the Old Chemstrand and Ten Mile Road areas about 4 a.m.
For a recovery effort photo gallery, click here.
For a storm damage photo gallery, click here.
Here’s the latest information on Sunday’s storm in the Ensley area:
Damage/Injuries
- The American Red Cross completed their needs assessment of the impacted area. They are providing short term housing assistance to six families living in the most severely damaged homes.
- Gulf Power reports that all of their feeder lines in the area have been repaired.
- An estimated 30 homes are expected to have some level of damage in the Ensley area. A more accurate damage assessment will be available as assessments are complete.
- Ashton Brosnaham Park is closed until further notice. Two buildings sustained roof damaged, several fields have fence and bleacher damage, and the fields are unsafe due to debris.
- Lipscomb Elementary School was observed to have damage to the building.
- No injuries have been reported.
Road Closures
- All roads are now open.
- If you see standing water, do not drive through it. Turn around, don’t drown. Standing water creates a serious road hazard, even when only a portion of the roadway is flooded. Motorists should always avoid crossing flooded streets and should never attempt to cross flooded bridges.
Reader submitted and NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Driver Runs Off Bridge
January 2, 2017
There were no serious injuries reported when a driver ran off a bridge on Beulah Road in Cantonment Sunday. The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details have not been released. Photos courtesy Fletcher’s Towing for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Cheerleaders March In London New Year’s Day Parade
January 2, 2017
Three local cheerleaders took part in the New Year’s Day parade in London on Sunday.
Pictured above (L-R) are Autumn Albritton, Northview High School; Mallory Gibson, Northview High School; and Kamryn McGinty, Pine Forest High School.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Impacted By The Storm? Here’s What You Need To Know
January 2, 2017
If you were impacted by Sunday’s severe weather in Escambia County, here’s information you need to know:
Building Permits
Building permit information can be found online at https://myescambia.com/our-services/building-services/inspections. Please remember a permit is required for, but not limited to:
- Roofing repairs more than four squares
- Electrical repairs or replacement
- Water line or gas line repairs or replacement
- Air conditioner/heating repairs or replacement
- Soffits, fascia and siding replacement
Building Inspections
Residents needing to schedule a building inspection may do so using the following methods:
- Email Inspection requests to buildinginspections@myescambia.com;
- Log in and/or register with BID’s 24/7 Online Citizen Access (ACA) at www.myescambia.com to schedule, cancel and review permit activity online; or
- Schedule through the 24/7 Automated IVR System by calling (850)471-6640; enter 16-digit Permit Tracking Number located on your permit and follow the prompts.
Hiring a Contractor
- If you had damage to your home from the storm, it’s important that the work is done properly and that the person you hire is properly licensed. Contractors can easily be checked out by contacting the Escambia County Building Inspections Department by email at buildinginspections@myescambia.com or call (850) 595-3509. Also, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation can verify licenses at www.myfloridalicense.com or call (850) 487-1395.
- Escambia County residents should report suspected unlicensed or unpermitted work by emailing buildinginspections@myescambia.com or by calling (850) 595-3509.
Insurance
- Residents impacted by the storm are encouraged to contact their homeowner or renter’s insurance carrier as soon as possible.
- Florida Division of Consumer Service offers a toll-free hotline that connects consumers across Florida with insurance experts who can answer questions about what may or may not be covered under a specific home or auto policy. They can also connect consumers with the appropriate contact information for their specific carrier and help to mediate any issues that may arise when communicating about a claim. Helpline experts are available Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST by calling 1-877-693-5236. More at http://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/Consumers/contactus.htm
New Cough Medicine Laws To Stop Minors
January 2, 2017
A new law took effect Sunday in Florida that prohibits people under 18 years old from buying certain over-the-counter cough medicines.
SB 938 prohibits the sale of cough medicines containing the synthetically produced dextromethorphan to people under 18 years of age and requires identification from those presumed to be under 25.
Dextromethorphan is found in many cough medicines, including Robitussin, Alka Seltzer Plus, Tylenol Cough & Cold and Vicks NyQuil.
The proposal, sponsored by Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers, and former Rep. Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze, was proposed after reports of teenagers using cough medicine to get cheap highs. Broxson has since been elected to the Senate.
Side effects of such intoxication, according to a Senate staff analysis, include loss of coordination, slurred speech, sweating, hypertension and involuntary spasmodic movement of the eyeballs.
The American Association of Poison Control Centers reported six deaths in 2014 related to dextromethorphan use.
The law doesn’t require stores to alter placement of the products but prevents local governments from imposing their own restrictions.
2016 In Photos: July
January 2, 2017
Today, we continue our look back at the year 2016 in photos with a look at July.
Molino Utilities announced the upgrade of just over a mile and a half of water main along Highway 95A.
A missing teen was found inside the First Baptist Church of Century.
LifeFlight lifts from Highway 29 in Bluff Springs following a traffic crash.
Congressional candidate Rebekah Bydlak of Cantonment was full steam ahead in her efforts to be the only congressman every elected from North Escambia.
July rain clouds as seen from Gobbler Road in Walnut Hill.
The school resource officer at Ernest Ward Middle School, Senior Deputy Ronnie Gill, was named Florida’s School Resource Officer of the Year by Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Hundreds of area residents walked in Atmore to show unity in the community.
A reptile demonstration was held at the Century Branch Library.
Century and Flomaton celebrated the Fourth of July with a fireworks show in Century.
Afternoon storm clouds approach Showalter Park in Century.
One Injured In Highway 97 Crash With Utility Pole
January 1, 2017
One person was injured in a Highway 97 crash with a utility pole Sunday afternoon.
The driver of a southbound vehicle lost control on Highway 97 just south of Highway 164 and struck the pole,snapping it nearly in half. The vehicle rotated and came to rest in a ditch.
The passenger was transported to Atmore Community Hospital with injuries that were not considered severe.
The crash did not immediately cut power to the area, but about 250 EREC customers lost power in the Davisville area when pole repairs were made.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
