Escambia Agencies To Assist With Hurricane Milton; Local Shelter Opens
October 9, 2024
Escambia County agencies are preparing to deploy and assist during and after Hurricane Milton, and Escambia County is opening doors at home to Hurricane Milton evacuees.
Escambia County Deploying Resources Ahead of Hurricane Milton
Escambia County is mobilizing and deploying resources to assist areas of the state expected to be impacted by Hurricane Milton, standing ready to help neighboring counties and the state with storm preparation and recovery.
Escambia County Emergency Management has already deployed to Levy County to support emergency operations ahead of Hurricane Milton, working in the Levy County Emergency Operations Center in Bronson, Florida. The county’s mobile command unit, THOR, will deploy after Hurricane Milton makes landfall to support rescue and recovery efforts in Central/South Florida, with the location to be determined by the state depending on the storm’s impact. Santa Rosa County Emergency Management will also deploy with THOR to assist impacted areas.
“We are always ready to respond to the call for help when our neighbors need us, and this storm is no different,” Escambia County Emergency Manager Travis Tompkins said. “Hurricane Milton is expected to remain an extremely dangerous hurricane through landfall, and we will continue to be here to help impacted communities before, during, and after the storm. As always, it is an honor and a privilege to be there for our sister counties during difficult times like this.”
The American Red Cross opened a shelter for Hurricane Milton evacuees at the Pensacola Bay Center Tuesday night. The shelter is pet-friendly, with Escambia County Animal Welfare providing assistance with managing pet sheltering operations. The Pensacola Bay Center is located at 201 E. Gregory St. in downtown Pensacola.
Escambia County’s Animal Search and Rescue, or ASAR, team is also standing by for deployment. The ASAR team has members from Animal Welfare and Escambia County Fire Rescue who are trained to respond to disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes or other large-scale animal rescue incidents.
The Escambia County Equestrian Center is accepting equine and small livestock evacuees from Hurricane Milton on a first come, first served basis. For more information, contact the Equestrian Center at 850-941-6042 or 850-554-1155, or email equestrian@myescambia.com.
Escambia County EMS and Escambia County Fire Rescue are also standing by and are ready to deploy if requested by the state.
“Escambia County will continue to provide any resources we can to assist those impacted by Hurricane Milton,” Escambia County Administrator Wes Moreno said. “It’s times like this when it’s imperative that we all come together to support our neighbors, and I am incredibly proud of our team for always being ready and willing to answer the call for help. We will continue to pray for the safety of everyone in the path of Hurricane Milton, and Escambia County will remain ready to help them in any way we can during this difficult time.”
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Preparing to Assist
Once again, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is preparing to help those in the path of Hurricane Milton.
Having only been back for a week after providing law enforcement assistance and helping with cleanup from Hurricane Helene, the ECSO’s Hurricane Response Team is prepared and ready to help our neighbors who will be affected by Hurricane Milton. The ECSO’s Hurricane Response Team is comprised of Escambia County Sheriff’s Office employees who have volunteered to respond to disaster areas.
The team will assist the residents of affected areas as they work to recover from the hurricane’s impact. The team will also assist in clearing the trees and debris blocking roadways that could prevent first responders and citizens from getting assistance.
The team is completely self-sufficient and equipped with chainsaws, generators, sleeping quarters, showers, full cooking facilities, skid steer to help clear roads, ATVs, high water rescue vehicles, and other equipment that can be used to assist in search and rescue operations along with law-enforcement duties.
“Despite the considerable challenges, our team remains fully committed to supporting their fellow Floridians. I commend these employees who have volunteered. They represent the sheriff’s office and Escambia County well” said Sheriff Chip W. Simmons.
Man Wanted For Attacking Woman In Flomaton Is Now Jailed
October 9, 2024
A suspect on the run since mid-September is behind bars for allegedly attacking a woman in Flomaton, not far from the Alabama-Florida state line.
Christopher Moody, 38, was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton without bond on charges of assault third degree, kidnapping second degree, theft of property third degree, and robbery third degree.
Flomaton Police Chief Dereck Lowry said a woman had pulled to the side of the road the afternoon of September 17 near a railroad trestle in the area of Railroad Street and Martin Luther King Drive when Moody approached.
“After she stopped, she cracked her door open and he came out of nowhere,” the police chief said last month. He said Moody assaulted the woman and attempted to rob her before fleeing. A K-9 team responded for a manhunt, but they were hampered by a sudden downpour.
The area of the alleged crime is about 1,200 feet north of the Alabama-Florida state line. The Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office also took part in the search for Moody after the incident. Flomaton Police later released undated screenshots of Moody from a video recorded at the Nadine McCaw Park on North Century Boulevard in Century (pictured below).
FPD previously released an image from a surveillance video of Moody (pictured bottom) in a Flomaton convenience store the day before the incident.
Moody was described by police as a being a homeless individual from Mobile.
Rehearsals Begin Thursday For Tri-City Children’s Choir; Join Now
October 9, 2024
Rehearsals are beginning for the Tri-City Children’s Choir, a program of the Pensacola Children’s Chorus.
Young singers in the Century, Jay, Flomaton, and surrounding areas in grades 1-6 are invited to join now.
Weekly rehearsals begin on October 10 from 4-5 p.m. at the First Pentecostal Church Century Campus at 8451 North Century Boulevard.
Financial assistance is available for those who qualify, with rates as low as $25 per month.
To learn more and register, visit www.TriCityChoir.org or contact program director Holley Driver at (850) 324-6182.
Holly Driver has more than 15 years experience in music lessons, including piano. She grew up playing and singing at First Pentecostal Century and has taught in the Escambia County School District for over 15 years. She also served as the choral director at Aldersgate Methodist Church in Molino for nine years during which the choir grew under her direction and leadership.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Sheriff’s Office: Woman ‘Bit A Large Chunk’ Off Cellmate’s Eyebrow
October 9, 2024
An Escambia County Jail inmate has been accused of biting off a “large chuck” of another inmate’s eyebrow, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The ECSO said the victim has been in a cell with the suspect, 27-year old Asia Simone Harvey of Orlando, for three days.
“Those three days proved difficult for the victim as Harvey began acting irrationally,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “Ultimately, Harvey began throwing toilet water at the victim, grabbing her by the hair, and punching her. Harvey then jumped on top of the victim, bit her in the arm, and then bit a large chunk of her eyebrow off.”
Corrections officers were able to pull Harvey off the victim, who has not been identified.
Harvey was charged with felony aggravated battery. She was already being held on a charge of misdemeanor battery for an unrelated incident. She remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $10,000.
Fiery I-10 Crash Claims One Life In Escambia County
October 9, 2024
A driver died in a fiery single vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon on I-10, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers said the witnesses reported the small SUV was traveling west in the inside lane of I-10 near the Ninth Avenue overpass before veering to the right and colliding head-on with a large oak tree. The vehicle then burst into flames.
Escambia County EMS pronounced the driver deceased at the scene at 3:05 p.m.
As of Tuesday night, FHP had not identified the driver.
Fresh Produce on Wheels: Millie Mobile Market Thursday Morning In Molino
October 9, 2024
UPDATE: Millie Mobile Market was unable to make the stop on Thursday, October 10.
The Millie Mobile Market is scheduled to be in Molino Thursday morning with a variety of fresh produce.
During the Molino visit, Millie will offer a menu of fresh produce that includes cabbage, carrots, corn, garlic, onions, oranges, yellow squash, sweet potatoes and zucchini at below-market prices.
Millie travels routes throughout Feeding the Gulf Coast’s Florida service area, addressing pockets of low food access (food deserts) where supermarkets are scarce, to provide community members the opportunity to buy affordable fresh produce and other nutritious foods at a significantly discounted rate. As the program progresses, the Mobile Market aims to become a SNAP-authorized retailer, enabling families to use their SNAP benefits for purchasing nutritious food.
Feeding the Gulf Coast collaborates with local farmers to purchase produce specifically for the Millie Mobile Market.
Millie will be at the Molino Community Center/Molino Branch Library on north Highway 95A from 9-11 Thursday morning. Millie will be in Jay from 9-10 a.m. Friday at the Jay Gazebo Park at Highway 4 and Calfree Street and from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at 14047 Alabama Street.
This week’s menu is below. Debit or credit card only; no cash.
Pictured top: The Millie Mobile Market made a recent stop in Molino. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
High School Golf: Tate, Northview, Jay Results
October 9, 2024
Here are recent high school golf results from around the North Escambia area.
Tate High Claims Victory in Girls Golf Tournament Over Pace and Northview
Tate High School’s girls golf team secured a win on Tuesday at the Cypress Lakes Golf Club, finishing with a team score of 190 to edge out Pace, who finished with 200, and Northview, who ended with 241.
Tate finished with a final score of 190, while Pace scored 200 and Northview scored 241.
Leading the way for Tate were seniors Kara Wine and Talia Smith, both tying for first place with an impressive score of 46.
Jordan Smith and Kinzlee Biggs also played key roles, each tying for fifth place with scores of 49. Paige Raiter rounded out Tate’s top performers, finishing eighth with a score of 53. Alessa Lloyd shot a 57, while senior Lacy Wilson shot a 59.
For Northview, Bailey Burkette led the Chiefs with a score of 58, placing her in 11th overall. Teammate Presley Amos followed closely, shooting a 59. Other notable performances for Northview included Payton Daw and Amberly Dunn, both shooting 60.
Tate Boys Defeat PHS, Washington
In boys golf on Monday, Tate scored 174 to defeat Pensacola with 193 and Washington with 194 at the AC Read Golf Course.
Freshman Mason Williams and junior Nolan Satterwhite led the Aggies, each carding an impressive 43 to tie for first among their teammates. Freshman Cooper Halfacre and junior William Goforth followed closely behind with matching scores of 44. Drake Morris, a junior, shot a 46 for fifth place.
Jay Edges Northview In Girls Golf
In girls golf Monday at the Atmore Country Club, Jay earned a team score of 204 to narrowly edge Northview with 206. Central shot a +31..
Northview sophomore Bailey Burkette led the charge, finishing with a score of 50, for third place. Following closely behind, senior Payton Daw recorded a solid score of 51. Sophomore Presley Amos finished with a score of 52, while fellow Chiefs sophomores Annberly Dunn and Kaylee Long both tied with scores of 53.
Jay’s Presley Hawthorne, a sophomore, led the way for the Royals at 49, earning second place overall. Senior Kaitlyn Cooley closely trailed with a score of 50, securing third place. Other standout performances included senior Natalie Hendricks, who scored 52, and seniors Layla McCullough and junior Emily Burgess, who both tied with scores of 53, finishing in a tie for eighth place.
Loa Day, an eighth grader, shots a 48 for first individually.
Pictured: The Northview High School boys golf team recently at the Atmore Country Club. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bay Center Opening As Hurricane Milton Evacuee Shelter; Equestrian Center For Livestock
October 8, 2024
Shelters are opening in Escambia County for Hurricane Milton evacuees — both people and animals.
The American Red Cross will open a shelter for Hurricane Milton evacuees at the Pensacola Bay Center today, Tuesday, October 8, at 6 p.m. The shelter will be pet-friendly, with Escambia County Animal Welfare providing assistance with managing pet sheltering operations. The Pensacola Bay Center is located at 201 E. Gregory St. in downtown Pensacola.
The Escambia County Equestrian Center is accepting equine and small livestock evacuees from Hurricane Milton on a first come, first served basis. For more information, contact the Equestrian Center at 850-941-6042 or 850-554-1155, or email equestrian@myescambia.com.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
McDavid Man Charged With Attempted Theft Of $30,000 Tractor
October 8, 2024
A McDavid man has been charged with the attempted theft of a $30,000 tractor.
James Eric Nichols, 35, was charged with attempted grand theft between $30,000 and $100,000. criminal mischief less than $200.
Nichols allegedly hotwired the ignition of a $30,000 Kubota tractor on Morgan Road near Bratt and moved the tractor from the rear of the property to the driveway next to a residence. The damage to the ignition was estimated by the owner to be about $100.
The incident occurred in June, with Nichols recently arrested on an outstanding warrant that was later issued.
Fields of Faith: Community Worship Service Wednesday Night At Tate High
October 8, 2024
Tate High School’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes will host Fields of Faith Wednesday on Carl Madison Field in Pete Gindl Stadium.
The program will feature a a student-led worship band and guest speaker Mike Valarezo.
Admission if free for the event that begins at 6 p.m. with free food (while supply lasts) and games. The devotion begins at 6:30 p.m.
Valarezo brings a wealth of experience from 25 years in amateur evaluation and over 20 years of coaching, including the last 15 with FitPerform Athletics. His professional journey also includes 12 years in scouting for prestigious organizations like the Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, and Chicago Cubs. Coach Mike also has three years of college coaching experience at the Division I level with Jacksonville State in Alabama, as well as stints at Huntingdon College and Lurleen B. Wallace Junior College. His high school coaching career includes two years at Milton and Choctaw High Schools. A proud 1997 graduate of Huntingdon College and LBW in 1993, Coach Mike also boasts a storied athletic career. He’s a 1991 graduate of Tate High School, where he was a two-year letter winner in football and helped lead his baseball team to the Final Four in 1990. Currently, Coach Mike serves as the Positive Behavior Coordinator at Bellview Elementary, where he’s dedicated to building programs and developing young people both on and off the field.
Fields of Faith is an interdenominational national event where thousands gather on over 500 athletic fields across the country to share their faith. It is a national student-led initiative where students are meeting and organizing the event. Students invite their peers, teammates, families and the local community to meet on the school’s athletic field to worship, pray, be challenged to read the Bible, and follow Jesus Christ.