Escambia County Deploys Command Center To Bay County Wildfire
March 6, 2022
Escambia County has deployed the “THOR” mobile command center to assist in the battle against a 1,000 acre wildfire in Bay County.
“Escambia County is always ready to assist other counties whenever we are called upon,” said Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore.
The THOR command post trailer expands to offer 1,000 square feet of interior working space. It is equipped with a 44-kilowatt generator with 72 hours of fuel onboard, and has dual 5-ton air conditioning units.
It allows for wireless communications, including cellular, satellite, VOIP phones and radio equipment. It has a 52-foot mast with antennas an high resolutions cameras, a video distribution system for off-air television, satellite television and computer system. There is a four-position communication room and office space with printers, scanners, office supplies, mini-fridge, microwave and a coffee maker.
North Escambia Gas Prices Top $4 A Gallon
March 6, 2022
Gas prices jumped over $4 a gallon Saturday afternoon at several stations in the North Escambia area.
At the Tom Thumb in Molino (pictured above), the price for a gallon of regular unleaded had moved to $4.09.
The price increased to $4.29 per gallon at the Marathon on Highway 97 in Davisville (pictured below).
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Firefighters From Alabama And Florida Battle Multiple Brush Fires Near Flomaton
March 6, 2022
Firefighters from Florida and Alabama battled brush fires across the area Saturday, including four fires near Flomaton.
One fire burned about eight acres and threatened several structures near Highway 31 east of Flomaton.
An individual on Old Fannie Road thought his trash fire was out, but it caught about 100 tires on fire, according to Flomaton Fire Chief Stanton. The fire entered a wooded area just over a mile north of Alabama-Florida state line and jumped over Highway 31 and Twin Bridges Road.
The fire sent flames 40 or more feet high through a wooded area, closing Highway 31.
“It burned right up to a barn, but no structures were damaged,” Stanton said. There were no injuries reported.
There were also fires in the Barnett Crossroads area, a 20 acre fire on Pineview Cemetery Road and a two acre fire on Old Atmore Road.
The Century, Walnut Hill, McDavid and Molino stations of Escambia County (FL) Fire Rescue and the Jay Fire Department joined Alabama firefighters in battling the wildfires.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
‘Donnie Nicholson Field’ Dedicated In Honor Of Longtime Molino Ballpark Coach
March 6, 2022
“Donnie Nicholson Field” was dedicated Saturday on Opening Day at the Molino Ballpark.
Longtime Molino Ballpark softball coach Donnie Nicholson passed away in April 2021 due to COVID-19. Coach Donnie and his wife Jackie were an integral part of softball at the Molino Ballpark and area travel ball for many years.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Air Force Identifies Airman Killed In Highway 29, Highway 97 Molino Wreck
March 6, 2022
The Air Force has identified an airman killed in wreck Thursday night in Molino.
Cannon (New Mexico) Air Force Base Airman 1st Class Ethan Lilleberg, an Air Traffic Controller apprentice of the 27th Special Operations Support Squadron passed away following the crash, according to the 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs Office.
Lilleberg, age 20 of Atwater, Minnesota, had just arrived in Pensacola and was traveling to Molino to attend a weekend wedding, according to friends.
“Ethan was a deeply loved member of the Wizard family,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Hardwick, 27th Special Operations Support Squadron commander. “He was a bright and funny person, known as the preeminent jokester, who lit up every room he entered. You can’t replace the joy Ethan brought to our organization. He will be profoundly missed. Our prayers and thoughts go out to his family and friends.”
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of life within our Air Commando family,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Terence Taylor, 27th Special Operations Wing commander. “Our hearts are with Ethan’s family and friends for this irreplaceable loss. Our focus now is to take care of Ethan’s family, friends and fellow Airmen, ensuring those affected by his loss are supported during this difficult time.”
The wreck happened about 7:45 p.m. Thursday at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97.
A 19-year old Molino man was driving a Ford F150 northbound on Highway 29 when he attempted to turn onto Highway 97. He “failed to maintain awareness of southbound traffic” and turned into the path of the semi driven by a 30-year old Pensacola man, troopers said.
Lilleberg, a passenger in the vehicle, was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital where he passed away. The pickup driver and another passenger, a 23-year old from Glendale, Arizona, were both transported to the hospital in serious condition.
The semi-truck driver received minor injuries. After the collision, the truck jackknifed into the Tom Thumb parking lot and came to rest against the business’s sign.
The Florida Highway Patrol has not released the names of the others involved.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Missing, Endangered Man Found Safe
March 6, 2022
A missing and endangered Molino man has been safely located.
Saturday evening, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said 69-year old Peter Frederick Schrier was last seen on Friday in the 6800 block of Sunshine Hill Road driving a 2021 Kia.
A short time later, ECSO reported that he had been found safe.
Forest Service Issues Words Of Warning About Outdoor Burning
March 5, 2022
The Florida Forest Service’s Blackwater Forestry Center is issuing words of warning for anyone considering any outdoor burning activities in the coming day — use extreme caution.
It has been almost a month since much of Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties have seen rainfall and wildfire activity is on the rise. Add to that a forecast calling for winds ranging from 15 to 25 mph and fire officials are braced for a potentially busy weekend.
“We’re seeing conditions that are more like late March, early April – the peak of our fire activity,” said David Smith, Operations Administrator for Blackwater. “Unseasonably warm days and a lack of rain have made most of our coverage area susceptible to wildfires earlier than usual.”
Firefighters have responded to a dozen wildfires in the past week with little relief in sight.
Residents should always be prepared for the possibility of a wildfire as Florida experiences a year-round fire season that typically peaks from April to June in our area.
Pancake Dinner Raises Over $7,250 To Benefit Family Critically Injured In Wreck
March 5, 2022
Friday night’s “Grace for the Grants” pancake dinner at Byrneville Elementary School raised over $7,250 to benefit a local family injured in a car crash.
The community turned out in a big way for the pancake plates that were complete with sausage or bacon and drink. The event directly raised $4,754, and Modern Woodman donated another $2,500.
All proceeds will benefit the Grant family. In January, Brian Grant and his three children were critically injured in a traffic crash on Highway 31 in the Wawbeek community between Atmore and Flomaton. The wreck also claimed the life of another driver.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Students Learn About Ag During ‘Fresh From Florida’ Event (With Gallery)
March 5, 2022
Hundreds of local elementary school students attended the annual Northview High School FFA “Fresh From Florida” agricultural advocacy program Friday morning at the school in Bratt.
Formerly known as the “Food For America program”, the event gave students a chance to learn about agriculture first hand, up close and personal with farm animals, farm equipment and more to learn how food gets from the farm to their tables. Students were even able to make and enjoy eating their own fresh butter.
The Northview High School FFA “Fresh From Florida” program has been honored as the number one program in the state multiple times, and the chapter was also named one of the best in the United State by the National FFA Organization.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Woman Injured In Highway 99 Rollover Wreck
March 5, 2022
A woman was injured in a single vehicle rollover crash Friday night near Molino.
The driver lost control and overturned into a ditch just after 9:15 p.m. on Highway 99 near Luth Road, just north of Crabtree Church Road.
The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded, and the woman was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released additional information.