Escambia County Deputies Involved in Shooting After Armed Suspect Opens Fire
November 11, 2024
Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies were involved in an officer-involved shooting late Saturday night after responding to reports of gunfire in a residential neighborhood. The incident unfolded around 10:37 p.m. on the 800 block of Amberway Drive, where multiple callers reported a man firing a gun in his front yard.
When deputies arrived, the suspect, armed with an AR-15 rifle, fired at the officers, ECSO said. None of the deputies were struck by the gunfire. Deputies ordered the man to drop his weapon several times. When he refused to comply, deputies were forced to fire, injuring the suspect. The man was transported to a local hospital for treatment, and both an AR-15 rifle and a pistol were recovered from the scene.
As per Escambia County Sheriff’s Office protocol, the deputies involved have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has been notified and will conduct a thorough review of the shooting.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Pine Meadow Elementary Honors Veterans (With Gallery)
November 11, 2024
Pine Meadow Elementary School held a special program to honor local veterans.
The veterans also participated in a parade through the school as students cheered to show their appreciation for the veterans’ service and sacrifices.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lipscomb Elementary School Honors Local Veterans (With Gallery)
November 11, 2024
Lipscomb Elementary School honored local veterans last week.
The veterans also participated in a parade through the school as students cheered to show their appreciation for the veterans’ service and sacrifices.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary School Honors Local Veterans (With Gallery)
November 11, 2024
Bratt Elementary School held a special program to honor local veterans. They shared heartwarming patriotic songs and information about why it is important to honor veterans.
The veterans also participated in a parade through the school as students cheered to show their appreciation for the veterans’ service and sacrifices.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NO. 17 UWF Earns Sixth Straight Win
November 11, 2024
The way September ended placed UWF’s football team in a precarious position.
Ever since, however, the Argos have earned their way into a welcome opportunity.
With their defense as the main force, the No. 17-ranked Argos won their sixth consecutive game in a resounding 35-14 victory against North Greenville in the season’s final home game on Senior Day at PenAir Field.
It puts UWF (7-2) into a defining moment when facing unbeaten, No. 1 ranked Valdosta State (9-0) next Saturday in a game at Valdosta, Ga. that will determine a league champion and shape the NCAA Division II playoff picture for teams in the South region.
“As a coach, when you grow up around football like I have since I was born, this is what you coach for,” said UWF coach Kaleb Nobles, who played his final season in 2016 at UWF after transferring from Valdosta State. These are the games you coach for. We are going to put everything in front of us and try to play our best football. We know a victory against a really good Valdosta team would be sweet as sugar, so we are excited to have an opportunity.”
The Argos seized on opportunities Saturday for a fast start against North Greenville (4-5), which has often played UWF tough. The Argos have twice won games decided by just three points against the Trailblazers in the past four seasons.
On the game’s second play Saturday, UWF junior defensive lineman Collin Shaw knocked the ball free from North Greenville quarterback Dylan Ramirez. The Argos Donovan Barnes scooped up the fumble and raced 25 yards for a touchdown just 49 seconds into the game.
Just a minute later, on a 3rd-and-1 play, the Argos defense again forced a fumble, this time recovered by sophomore linebacker Kode Lowe at the North Greenville 35. An excessive celebration penalty pushed the ball back to midfield.
But no matter, the Argos went up 14-0 on a 10-play, 50 yard drive that T.J. Lane finished with 2-yard run for the first of his two rushing touchdowns.
“It’s really big (to get that kind of start), because it shifts the momentum of the game and once that happens, then anything can happen at any time. And we’re on top of the game.”
The momentum shifted midway through the second quarter when UWF quarterback Marcus Stokes was intercepted by North Greenville’s R.J. Glasgow, who returned it 40 yards for a touchdown to halve the deficit.
It began a stretch of four touchdowns in the final seven minutes of the half.
The Argos opened a 21-7 lead following a 69-yard kickoff return by Jay Sharp to the Trailblazers 31. Four plays later, Stokes made a nice underneath pass to Da’Mani Brown for a 28-yard score.
On that ensuing kickoff, the Trailblazers Jerrick Foster returned the kick 99 yards for a score to again cut the deficit to seven points.
Another strong kickoff return, this one by Anthony Ballard put UWF in business again at the Trailblazers 29.
The game’s biggest play then ensued. On a third-and-16, Stokes found Corey Scott slashing across the end zone for a touchdown with 17 seconds left in the half.
It was easily Stokes’ biggest play on a day where he had some struggles with completions, going just 10 of 23 for 125 yards.
From that 28-14 halftime lead, the UWF defense was suffocating in the second half, barely allowing North Greenville a first down.
The Argos yielded just 74 yards of total offense on 47 plays and just six first downs against the Trailblazers in the entire game.
They limited North Greenville’s ultra-talented wide receiver, Dre Williams, one of the nation’s best D-2 receivers, to just three catches for 22 yards.
“Number one for them (Williams) is one of the best players in the country and so we were trying to keep him in check… and they’ve got a lot of really good players so we did a good job limiting them,” Nobles said.
“Our defense rose to the challenge again,” he said. “They are doing a great job of chasing the football. What I am excited about is that there’s a lot of depth… guys that didn’t get as much playing time earlier in the year and now they are getting a lot of playing time.”
Lane gained 71 yards as UWF’s top rusher and Sharp had 69 yards plus the kickoff return. Collin Shaw led UWF’s defense with six tackles.
After a 1-2 start that included an overtime home loss to West Alabama and a road loss at Grand Valley State in Michigan, the Argos have rallied back.
“Since we got off the plane from Michigan, I told them that every game is a playoff game,” Nobles said. “We have no choice. Our backs are against the wall. We knew this game coming up against Valdosta would be a big one all season, so in order to make this a big game, make it a playoff game, then every other game was a playoff game. We came back from Michigan. Revaluated a lot of things. I’m proud of the coaches for coming up with a lot of good ideas, changing practice, changing things. Our players have done a phenomenal job of buying in.”
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: UWF Argos vs. Valdosta State Blazers
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 16, 6 p.m. (Central Time)
WHERE: Bazemore-Hyder Stadium, Valdosta, Ga.
Photo: Emily Miller/UWF for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill VFD Honors Firefighters, Community Members During 55th Annual Fish Fry (With Photo Gallery)
November 10, 2024
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department honored members of the community and the department during their 55th annual fish fry Saturday.
Andrew Peters (pictured above with Chief Kein Mininger) was named Officer of the Year and recognized for his service to the department. Susie Davis (pictured first below) was named Firefighter of the Year, an award chosen by her fellow firefighters.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Walnut Hill Ruritan Club received the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department’s Community Service Award for outstanding and dedicated service to the community. The Ruritan Club has supported the fire department with donations including a much-needed pressure washer and community service projects such as wheelchair ramps for local residents and clearing paths to allow fire department access to area homes
There were hundreds of $12 catfish and grilled chicken plates sold. Plates included a choice of grilled catfish, fried catfish or grilled chicken, plus baked beans, coleslaw, homemade bread and homemade desserts. There were also drawings for door prizes throughout the event.
The Big Red Bus was also on hand for blood donations.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Cheerleaders Win At UCA Regionals, Earn Bids To Nationals
November 10, 2024
The Tate High Cheerleading program earned several awards in the UCA Regionals competition in Mobile on Saturday.
Varsity
- Traditional- 1st place and a bid to nationals
- Gameday- 3rd place and a bid to nationals
Junior Varsity
- Traditional- 2nd place and a bid to nationals
- Gameday- 1st place and a bid to nationals
Freshmen
- Traditional- 3rd place
- Gameday- 5th place
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Person Shot In Atmore Saturday
November 10, 2024
One person was shot Saturday morning in Atmore.
Shortly before 8 a.m. Saturday, a woman called the Atmore Police Department to report that her brother had been shot on Brooks Lane.
Officers arrived to find a male victim with two gunshot wounds to the lower body, according to Atmore Police.
“Atmore Police believe the suspect(s) fired from a moving vehicle due to the shell casings found in the roadway,” Atmore Police Chiefs Chuck Brooks said in a statement. The name of the victim has not been released.
As the investigation continues, Atmore Police are asking anyone with information to call them at (251) 368-9141.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Northview Band Members Perform On UWF High School Band Day
November 10, 2024
Three Northview High School Triabl Beat Band members took part in the University of West Florida’s High School Band Day 2024 on Saturday.
Area high school students participated in UWF game day traditions, took part in the halftime show and cheered on the UWF Argos team to victory.
Last weekend, several Northview Tribal Beat members performed with the University of South Alabama Jaguar Marching Honor Band in Mobile.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Veterans Day Closures
November 10, 2024
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
In observance of Veterans Day, the following Escambia County offices will be closed Monday, November 11:
- Escambia County Board of County Commissioners (all departments)
- West Florida Public Libraries (all locations)
- Escambia County Property Appraiser
- Escambia County Tax Collector
- Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare
- Escambia County Extension Office
- Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
- Waste Services Administration
- Escambia County Area Transit Administration and Customer Service
Escambia County Notes:
- The Perdido Landfill will be open with regular hours Monday, November 11.
- ECAT buses and the UWF trolleys will not run service Monday, November 11. Regular service will resume Tuesday, November 12
ECUA
The ECUA Customer Service office will be closed on Monday, November 11, in observance of Veterans’ Day. However, the drive-thru payment area and all ECUA business offices will be open. All ECUA residential and commercial sanitation collections will be unaffected by the holiday and will be carried out as usual. The customer service department will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday,, November 12.
CENTURY
The Town of Century will be closed on Monday, Nover 11 for Veterans Day and will reopen as usual on Tuesday, November 12.