Tate Aggies Head To Playoffs With Win Over Escambia (With Gallery)
October 17, 2015
The Tate High School Aggies are headed to the playoffs after a 35-14 win against Escambia Friday night.
The District 1-6A champion will be determined October 30 when Tate takes on the Pine Forest Eagles.
For the Aggies, quarterback Sawyer Smith found Jake Henry for three lengthy touchdowns of 73, 90 and 75-yards. Alondo Thompkins had two TD’s for Tate on an 80-yard pass and a 4-yard run.
For more game action photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Keith Garrison, click to enlarge.
Volunteers Lend A Hand During Day Of Caring
October 17, 2015
Over 1,375 volunteers from nearly 100 companies were hard at work Friday across Escambia County as part of the United Way’s annual Day of Caring on 84 projects at nonprofit agencies and schools.
In the North Escambia area, volunteers from the United Way’s “Loaned Executive” program volunteered at Bratt Elementary School. The group, comprised of executives from a number of companies and agencies, cleaned a huge number of donated books, looked them up and assigned “Accelerated Reader” (A/R) points for students to each book. Most of the boxes of books were donated to the school when an area daycare closed.
At Byrneville Elementary School, volunteers from Gulf Power worked with students on reading, math and science projects, and they rearranged storage areas. Volunteers from Publix worked on various projects at Tate High School, and Ascend Performance Materials volunteers worked to clean up the nature trail behind the school.
Day of Caring volunteers provided an estimated 8,725 hours of service valued at $201,286. Additionally, donations of materials, supplies and collections for wish-list drives will combine for several thousand more when added to the effort, according to organizers.
Pictured: Day of Caring volunteers clean, sort and label donated books at Friday morning at Bratt Elementary School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Earns Playoff Spot With Win Over Jay (With Gallery)
October 17, 2015
The Northview Chiefs earned a 1A playoff berth Friday night with a 7-0 win over the Jay Royals.
Now it comes down to one game against the Baker Gators October 30 at Northview to decide the District 1-1A title.
“It has been a difficult year for us,” Northview head coach Sid Wheatley said. “I am not used to this; I know the kids are not use to this, and our community is not use to this.”
With a season that opened against 6A teams, the Chiefs are 2-5 overall, but they are that all important 1-0 in the district after topping Jay.
“But how sweet and how great would it be….you’ve got all that you could ask for right now. Two weeks from tonight, we will be playing at home for a district championship. And if you can’t get excited about that….our record, you can throw that out the window. It’s all about district play, getting into the playoffs and just having a good shot.”
The only score of the night Friday came with 2:01 to go in the first quarter on a 15-yard run from Northview’s Gavin Grant. With a good kick from Seth Killam, the Chiefs took a 7-0 lead.
The Royals’ Victor Mishoe crossed the goal line with 1:34 to go in the fourth quarter on a five-yard quarterback keeper, but the score was called back due to a flag for a block in the back.
“For our defense to get a shutout was just tremendous,” Wheatley said, pointing out that the Royals scored 58 points last week against Cottondale.
Northview will be on the road next Friday night at Defuniak Springs to take on undefeated 4A Walton. Meanwhile, the Royals (1-7, 0-2) will travel to Rocky Bayou Christian.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
EREC Customers Warned Of Potential Telephone Scam
October 17, 2015
Escambia River Electric Cooperative is warnin members about a telephone scam.
A caller impersonates an EREC employee and says the member’s power will be disconnected for nonpayment if a credit card number is not provided for immediate payment.
EREC said employees will not call a member at home to obtain any personal information or ask for money while visiting a residence. EREC employees care identification badges with their pictures, name and the EREC logo.
Members may call at (850) 675-4521 or (800) 238-3848 with any questions regarding the identity of an EREC employee or representative.
Gulf Power company has also reported a similar scam.
Gulf Power advises their customers that:
• Gulf Power employees will never call a customer at home seeking any personal information, including credit card numbers.
• Gulf Power representatives will never ask a customer for money when they visit a residence.
• All Gulf Power representatives carry badges with picture identification that includes the employee’s name and the company’s name and logo.
Gulf Power customers should call the company at (800) 225-5797 if they have any questions about the identity of anyone representing Gulf Power.
Bratt Elementary Students Learn About Fire Safety
October 17, 2015
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue presented a fire safety program Friday at Bratt Elementary School. The students also had a chance to sit in a fire truck and ask questions about equipment. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Low To Mid 40’s Tonight
October 17, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 42. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 73. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 73. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph after midnight.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. East wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
October 17, 2015
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
- State Road (S.R.) 294 (Chief’s Way) from Corry Field Road to S.R. 295 (New Warrington Road) in Escambia County will be temporarily closed through Friday, Oct 23. The temporary closure will allow crews to perform shoulder construction and remove concrete pavement and replace with asphalt. Corry Field Road, West Navy Boulevard and New Warrington Road will be utilized as a detour route. Variable message boards are in place to alert drivers of the change in traffic pattern.
- U.S. 98 between Live Oaks Village shopping center and the Gulf Breeze Zoo in Santa Rosa County. Alternating lane closures from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Friday, Oct. 16, through Thursday, Oct. 22. Crews will be placing the final layer of asphalt on the roadway and completing work list items.
- U.S. 98 (Pensacola Bay Bridge) from Bayfront to south of the bridge the outside southbound lane will be closed from 7:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15 for a 5K run.
- U.S. 90 (Mobile Highway) between Nine Mile Road and Edison Drive in Escambia County. Intermittent lane closures at the intersections and turn lanes from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 18 through Wednesday, Oct. 21 as crews refurbish pavement markings. Traffic flaggers will be on site to assist with traffic control.
- I-10 (Escambia Bay Bridge). Alternating lane closures on the bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 18 through Tuesday, Oct. 20 as crews remove and replace pavement markers.
- Nine Mile Road from west of I-10 to Heritage Oaks Drive in Escambia County. Eastbound lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. beginning Monday, Oct. 19 through Friday Oct. 23 as crews perform construction activities.
- S.R. 727 (Fairfield Drive) between Mobile Highway (S.R. 10A) and N. Palafox (S.R. 95/U.S. 29) in Escambia County. The right and center turn lanes will be closed intermittently from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 19 through Friday, Oct. 23 as crews refurbish pavement markings in the intersection. Traffic flaggars will be on site to assist with traffic control.
- I-10 east and westbound between the Escambia Bay Bridge and S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) in Santa Rosa County. Alternating lane closures Sunday, Oct. 18 through Thursday, Oct. 22. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews place concrete barrier wall and striping.
- I-10 at the I-110 overpass in Escambia County. East and Westbound intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21 to 5 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 22 as crew perform routine maintenance work.
- U.S. 98 between the Gulf Breeze Zoo and Okaloosa County line in Santa Rosa County. Striping operations began Thursday, Oct. 8. Motorists may encounter minor delays and intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Friday, Oct. 30 as crews restripe side roads, major intersections, and the mainline. Slow moving vehicles will be used to perform the work.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge. Alternating lane closures will take place in the east and westbound lanes, Monday, Oct. 19 through Wednesday, Oct. 21 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. as crews repair lighting.
- ECUA will inspect their sanitary sewer system on Garden Street beginning Sunday, Oct. 18. Lane closures will take place the following dates and locations from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 18 to Tuesday, Oct. 20 the westbound outside lane closed between Devillers Street and Spring Street. Tuesday, Oct. 20 to Wednesday, Oct. 21 the eastbound outside lane closed between Devilliers Street and Baylen Street. Wednesday, Oct. 21 to Thursday, Oct. 22 the eastbound inside lane closed at the Rues Street crossover. Thursday, Oct. 22 to Friday, Oct. 23 the eastbound outside lane closed at Baylen Street.
Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone.
All planned construction activities are weather dependent and may be re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Friday Night Finals
October 17, 2015
Here is a look at Friday night’s high school football finals from across the North Escambia area.
FLORIDA
Northview 7, Jay 0 [Read more, photos...]
Tate 35, Escambia 14 [Read more, photos...]
Pine Forest 52, Washington 21
Arnold 21, PHS 20
West Florida 25, Bay 21
Taylor Co. 35, Catholic 26
Baker 45, Chipley, 27
Navarre 35, Milton 0
ALABAMA
Escambia Academy 36, Pike Liberal Arts 7
St. Paul’s Episcopal 38, Escambia County (Atmore) 8
Flomaton 33, at St. Luke’s Episcopal 28
W.S. Neal 32, Satsuma 21
50’s Tonight, Mid 70’s Saturday
October 16, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 51. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 76. North wind 5 to 15 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 74. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph after midnight.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 71. East wind around 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. East wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 81.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.
Arrest Made In Case Of Man Found Dead At Confederate Monument
October 16, 2015
A homeless man who strangled another homeless man in Lee Square in August has been arrested.
A warrant was served on Brandon Brown, 44, no permanent address, in the Escambia County Jail Thursday afternoon. He was charged with homicide, and is being held without bond.
Detective Amy Parsons said Brown was developed as a suspect in the August 9 strangulation death of Larson Brake, 50, no permanent address. Parsons said the two men got into an argument and that Brown placed Brake in a “sleeper hold.”
Brown then placed Brake on a bench in the park where an officer discovered him around 9:35 a.m. that day. Parsons said the medical examiner’s office recently notified the police department that Brake’s death was a homicide. After police consulted with the State Attorney’s Office, the charge was brought.
Brown has been in the Escambia County Jail since he was arrested around 8:15 a.m. on August 9 after he chased and threw a brick at a bicyclist in the 700 block of North Palafox Street near where the homicide occurred. Police found him hosing himself off outside a house near Lee Square.
Brown was charged with aggravated assault, trespassing, petit theft, and resisting an officer for that incident.