Armed Standoff In Molino Ends Peacefully
June 30, 2012
A standoff in Molino between an armed man and Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies ended peacefully when he surrendered.
The incident began about 11:20 a.m. in the 5700 block of Shaag Road. The man was armed with a gun and threatened to harm himself or deputies. Deputies surrounded the man inside a brick home just south Omega Drive as they attempted to talk him into surrendering.
The man surrendered to deputies about an hour later, and deputies recovered a gun.
The man’s name has not been released by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. He was transported to West Florida Hospital for evaluation.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
19-Year Old Drowns In Perdido River
June 30, 2012
[Updated] A young man drowned in the Perdido River Friday evening near Cantonment.
The incident happened off River Annex Road near Adventures Unlimited about 7:30 p.m.
John Grace, 19, was wading across the river with his family when he apparently stepped into a deep spot and disappeared below the surface.
The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue were among those that responded and began a search for the Grace. Molino first responders launched boat from the Pipes Landing on Old Bridge Road. Their efforts to locate the him were unsuccessful.
Grace’s body was recovered by divers from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office just over three hours later.
Pictured top: A 19-year old’s body was recovered from the Perdido River Friday night, about three hours after he was last seen. Photo courtesy WEAR for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Forecast: Heat Advisory
June 30, 2012
The heat is on — and potentially dangerous — in the North Escambia area this weekend. Officials are urging caution as temperatures approach 100 and heat indices climb as high as 111 on Sunday.
There is a heat advisory in effect for Sunday afternoon.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 100. Heat index values as high as 111. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. West wind around 5 mph.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming southwest between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Independence Day: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming west between 5 and 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
- Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 94.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
- Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93.
Dangerous Heat Index Conditions This Weekend
June 30, 2012
With the high heat index values forecasted for the weekend, Escambia County Emergency Management urges residents to take safety precautions while trying to stay cool. Residents working outside should take frequent breaks and be sure to stay hydrated with plenty of water. Also, please remember to check on elderly neighbors and family members to make sure they are staying cool. Here are a few more reminders:
- Limit exposure to the sun and stay indoors. If you do have to work outside be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen and reapply as needed.
- Stay on the lowest floor in an air-conditioned structure. If air conditioning is not available, stay in shaded area.
- Eat well-balanced, light and regular meals. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.
- Drink plenty of water. Persons who have epilepsy or heart, kidney or liver disease; are on fluid-restricted diets; or have a problem with fluid retention should consult a doctor before increasing liquid intake.
- Limit intake of alcoholic beverages. None is best.
- Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible.
- Protect face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
- Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who spend much of their time alone.
- NEVER leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles.
- Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Use a buddy system when working in extreme heat and take frequent breaks.
- Pets should be kept out of direct heat, provided shade and water.
- Monitor NorthEscambia.com for the latest information.
FHP Crackdown Underway For The Fourth
June 30, 2012
The Florida Highway Patrol will be out in full force during the Independence Day holiday travel period, which began Saturday and extends through 8 a.m. July 5.
“The Florida Highway Patrol is committed to making the highways a safer place to drive, by intensifying our patrol efforts to reduce the number of crashes,” said FHP Director, Col. David Brierton. “Our troopers will be on the roadways taking appropriate enforcement action to ensure public safety for Florida motorists during the holiday travel period.”
All uniformed FHP personnel, including those normally assigned to administrative duties, will patrol interstates and other major state roads throughout the holiday period. The strategy aims to increase the FHP presence throughout Florida in an effort to deter traffic violations and to enhance services to motorists who break down while traveling or who need other assistance.
ECUA Trash Collection Schedules Changed Next Week
June 30, 2012
Trash pickup days will change next week for most North Escambia ECUA customers due to the upcoming Fourth of July holiday.
ECUA residential sanitation customers scheduled for collection on Tuesday will have their garbage, recycling and yard trash picked up on Monday. Collection for Wednesday customers will be on Tuesday. The collection routes for July 5 and 6 will remain on their regular schedule.
For more information, call ECUA at (850) 476-0480.
Gas Prices Slide Headed Toward 4th Holiday
June 30, 2012
Gas prices, which often spike in the summer around the Fourth of July, are instead dropping across Florida. Prices in Escambia County were as low as $3.04 Friday night, including stations in Cantonment and Molino. At some stations in South Alabama, gas has already dipped below $3 a gallon. At the Tom Thumb at West Roberts Road and Highway 29, the price of a gallon of regular unleaded was $3.05 Friday evening. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Today: Benefit Car Washes, Yard Sale For Molino, NWE Teams
June 30, 2012
Two area teams will be working hard to raise money for playoff trips with car washes today:
The Northwest Escambia 12U boys will hold a car wash today from 8 a.m. until noon at Marvin’s Home Improvement in Atmore to raise money for a trip to the state tournament beginning July 6 in Alexander City, Ala. Donations are accepted.
The Molino Majors will hold a car wash and yard sale today from 8 a.m. until noon at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino. The car was is a minimum $5 donation. The team is raising funds for a trip to Brooksville, Fla., on July 13 for the Florida Dixie Youth Baseball Tournament.
Lambeth VFD Yard Sale, Boston Butt Sale Today
June 30, 2012
The annual fundraiser for the Lambeth Community Volunteer Fire Department is going on today.
Boston Butts are $25, Ribs are $20, combos are $5 and sandwiches are $3. Homemade ice cream will also be available.
There is also a yard sale going on from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. Items include a table with four chairs, couch, jewelry, curio cabinet, baby items, clothes and other items.
The Lambeth Community Volunteer Fire Department is located at 4888 Upper Creek Road, north of Flomaton. For information or directions, call (850) 254-0079.
Congress Approves RESTORE Act
June 30, 2012
Florida and other Gulf states will share the bulk of any monies received from BP under the RESTORE act passed by Congress Friday.
The bill, which was part of a larger transportation measure, earmarks 80 percent of water pollution fines BP is expected to pay for restoration efforts in Gulf States, which bore the brunt of the damage from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010.
The company is facing fines of between $5 billion and $21 billion for violation of the federal Clean Water Act.
Voting against the measure in the House were Republican Reps. Sandy Adams, Bill Posey, Connie Mack, Richard Nugent and Dennis Ross. In the Senate, the Florida delegation split, with Democrat Bill Nelson voting in favor and Republican Marco Rubio voting against.
The RESTORE Act was included in a larger transportation bill. Also included in the bill was a continuation of low-interest rates loans for college students. The interest rates on guaranteed student loans were slated to double if no action was taken.
