Suspect Takes His Own Life After Cantonment SWAT Standoff
December 17, 2016
A suspect took his own life after a several hour standoff with SWAT in Cantonment this morning.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 100 block of Vaughn Avenue in reference to a suspect that had multiple felony warrants. Family members told deputies the man was armed with a handgun and making multiple statements about not going back to jail, according Major Andrew Hobbs, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The man left the scene and returned some time later, running back toward his house. SWAT and hostage negotiators were called in, believing the man was barricaded inside the home.
About four hours later, deputies were conducting a perimeter check when they found the man hiding underneath a neighboring home.
The man took his own life, according to Hobbs. No shots were fired by deputies.
The investigation is continuing. Further details, including the man’s name, have not yet been released.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Area Unemployment Rate Steady
December 17, 2016
The latest job numbers released Friday show the employment rate steady in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida, while falling in Escambia County in Alabama.
Escambia County’s seasonably adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 5.1 percent from October to November. There were 7,164 people reported unemployed during the period. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 5.2 percent.
“Pensacola businesses are working hard to create opportunities for area families, adding more than 3,000 new jobs in the last year. We will continue working to diversify our economy and create an environment for economic growth in Pensacola and across our entire state,” Gov. Rick Scott said.
Santa Rosa County unemployment rate remained steady at 4.6 percent from October to November. Santa Rosa County had a total of 3,475 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 4.5 percent.
In Escambia County, Alabama, unemployment dropped from 6.6 percent in October to 6.2 percent in November. That represented 923 people unemployed in the county during the month. One year ago, the unemployment rate in Escambia County, Alabama, was 6.5 percent.
Florida’s jobless rate increased slightly for the second consecutive month, according to numbers released Friday by the state Department of Economic Opportunity. The state posted a November unemployment rate of 4.9 percent, with the number going up by 0.1 percentage point in each of the past two months. The latest figure represented an estimated 482,000 Floridians out of work from a workforce of 9.88 million. The number of unemployed people grew by 10,000 from October to November, while the workforce increased by 64,000 in the same time, according to the state figures.
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 5.9 percent in November, was up from October’s rate of 5.7 percent and was below the year-ago rate of 6.2 percent.
The jobless numbers released by Florida and Alabama do not include persons that have given up on finding a job and are no longer reported as unemployed.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
Shop With A Cop: Deputies Take Needy Kids Shopping
December 17, 2016
Dozens of Escambia County children had the chance to “Shop With a Cop” Friday afternoon at Walmart on Highway 29.
Each of the 63 children received $200 to shop with a deputy from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. They were able to gift shop for family members and themselves.
The children were selected with the help of the Escambia County School District, and the shopping trips were make possible thanks to donors.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Gary Amerson and others, click to enlarge.
Central Takes Jay Tourney; Northview Tops Jay In OT Thriller
December 17, 2016
The Central Jaguar boys and girls won the Jay Christmas Tournament Friday night at Jay High School.
Boys Championship:
Central 62, PCA 61
Boys Consolation:
Northview 63, Jay 61
In the consolation boys game, the Northview Chiefs beat the Jay Royals 64-63 in an overtime thriller.
The game was tied 50-50 at the end of regulation. The Chiefs were down 61-58 with 16.2 seconds in the overtime period and were down 62-61 with 7.3 seconds remaining. After gaining a point on a free throw, the Royals were up 63-61. The Chiefs took the win on a buzzer-beating three pointer to take the tournament’s third place spot.
For a Northview over Jay photo gallery, click here.
Article continues below photo.
Girls Championship:
Central 42, Jay 27
Girls Consolation:
Milton 39, Northview 35
Milton dominated the first period to take a 15-5 lead over Northview, but the Chiefs answered with a strong second period to make it 19-18 at the half. The Panthers went on to take the win 39-34 Friday afternoon at Jay High School.
For a Milton vs. Northview photo gallery, click here.
FRIDAY results:
Girls
Central 51 Milton 29
Jay 57 Northview 19
Boys
Central 91 Northview 52
PCA 71 Jay 47
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle School Presents Christmas Program
December 17, 2016
Ernest Ward Middle School presented their annual Christmas program Friday morning.
For a photo gallery, click here.
On Christmas weekend, NorthEscambia.com will bring you a video from the program.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
East Tops West In OT At All Star Football Game
December 17, 2016
For the first time in five years, the East beat the West in the Pensacola Sports Association Subway All-Star football game Friday night.
The East, comprised of seniors from Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties, beat Escambia County’s West team 10-7 in overtime at the Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The first score came for the West on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Z’Khari Blocker (Escambia) to AJ Yates (Catholic).
The game was tied 7-7 headed into overturn when the West’s Jake Henry (Tate) threw an interception. That allowed the East’s Colton Norris (Rocky Bayou) to kick a field goal that made it through the upright’s despite a hands on touch from Antonio Moultrie (West Florida).
Martin McGhee (Escambia) was named West Offensive MVP, while Robert Reeves (PHS) was named West Defensive MVP). Offensive MVP for the East was Jordan Tinder (Niceville) and Braijon Carr (Niceville) to East Defensive MVP.
At a Thursday night banquet, Tate’s Raymond Freeman was awarded the Senior Scholar Athlete Award for the West.
Pictured top: Tate’s Jake Henry (#17) with pass for the West. Pictured inset: Northview’s Luke Ward reaches for a catch for the West. Pictured below: Northview’s Ohijie Elliot in pursuit for the West. Photos by Andrew Garner/Atmore Advance for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Get Help Wrapping Your Gifts From The Tate Band
December 17, 2016
The Tate High School band will provide gift wrapping services at the Walmart on Highway 29 in Ensley today from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. ; Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, December 20, 22, 23, 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.; and Saturday, December 24 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Pictured: Tate Band volunteers wrapping gifts last Christmas. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Shortage Of Reddi-wip, Other Whipped Creams Due To Cantonment Explosion
December 16, 2016
A nationwide shortage of canned whipped cream is being attributed to a fatal explosion in Cantonment in late August.
A local man was killed in the explosion of several nitrous oxide tanks in a loading bay at the Airgas plant near Ascend Performance Materials on Old Chemstrand Road.
The chemical is used as a medical anesthetic and as a propellant in foods like Reddi-wip and other canned whipped creams. There’s a priority for medical uses among the remaining nitrous oxide supply.
“Due to an industry-wide supply issue, there is currently a shortage of some whipped toppings, including Reddi-wip. We are proactively managing the production of Reddi-wip, and are doing the best we can to make it available to as many consumers as possible,” Reddi-whip spokesperson Lanie Friedman said. “To clarify, this is impacting any company that uses nitrous oxide in food, so not just our brand. Obviously, medical usage of nitrous oxide takes priority at this point.”
“In late August, an incident occurred at a production facility in Cantonment, Florida operated by Nitrous Oxide Corp, an Airgas company (“Airgas Nitrous Oxide”), that impacted production at the facility indefinitely as well as Airgas Nitrous Oxide’s supply of nitrous oxide in the short-term. Airgas Nitrous Oxide is making all possible efforts to remedy the situation as quickly as possible. Impacted customers, including those who manufacture whipped cream, have been notified directly,” said Sarah Boxley, a spokesperson for Airgas.
The canned whipped cream shortage should be short lived, at least for the Reddi-wip brand.
“We should have our full supply up and running by February. Again, we encourage shoppers to stock up early on Reddi-wip during our peak holiday season,” Friedman said.
Century Chamber Elects Outgoing Mayor McCall As New President
December 16, 2016
Thursday, outgoing Century Mayor Freddie McCall was elected president of the Century Chamber of Commerce, where he plans to continue to champion the best Century has to offer.
“I intend to visit all the businesses in Century, hit the pavement and see that they are on board with what we are trying to do,” McCall said. “A big purpose of the chamber of commerce is work for new business and help our existing businesses try to be the best that they can be. We will work together with our businesses for a better community.”
McCall said he will also work to bring new businesses and industries to Century. He pushed for economic development while serving the past nine years as mayor, but he expects to be more productive with “more time on his hands”.
McCall’s second term as mayor comes to an end on January 1 as his new volunteer position as chamber president begins. He currently serves as chamber vice president.
Also Thursday, the Century Chamber Board of Directors elected Mary Hudson Bourgeois, owner of Hudson’s Grocery, as vice president; re-elected Kim Godwin, Town of Century, as secretary and re-elected Angie Kelley, Penair Century branch manager, as treasurer.
Pictured top: The Century Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors held a special meeting Thursday afternoon at Nadine McCaw Park to elect new officers. The short meeting was held in the park because the chamber’s board room was being prepped for a Christmas open house. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
ECUA Facility Finds Northview Football Championship Ring In 165 Tons Of Recyclables
December 16, 2016
Finding a needle in a haystack might be easier.
But a very observant employee at ECUA’s Interim Materials Recycling Facility at the Perdido Landfill found a 2012 Northview High School state championship ring Thursday. The employee spotted the ring mixed in with 165 tons of recyclables.
The facility called the school, and a school official picked it up. The ring was engraved with the owner’s name, and it will be be returned to them.
The employee that found the ring, who works for an ECUA subcontractor, nor the football play have been publicly named.
Pictured: This 2012 Northview High School State Football Championship ring was located in the midst of 165 tons of recyclables at ECUA’s Interim Materials Recycling Facility. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.