No Injuries In Classic Car Crash
February 20, 2017
The driver of a classic escaped serious injury in a single vehicle rollover accident Sunday night in Cantonment.
The accident happened about 10:30 p.m. on County Road 87 near Sherrilane Drive. The driver refused medical transport to the hospital.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Rain Is Moving In
February 20, 2017
A new record high of 81 was set in Pensacola on Sunday, breaking the previous record of 77 set in 2011. A new record of 83 was set in Mobile, topping the 2011 record of 80.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A chance of showers between midnight and 3am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3am. Patchy fog between 9pm and 4am. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a low around 60. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 71. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers before midnight. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 73. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 70.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 69.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 73.
Gun Season Is Over, But There’s Week Left To Deer Hunt
February 20, 2017
by Tony Young, FWC
General gun season is now over, but the local Zone D’s muzzleloader season extends deer hunting opportunity.
“What I love most about using a muzzleloader is the extra challenge it provides – you only get one shot and you better make it count,” said Howard Tiller, retired high school teacher and Chipley, Florida, native. “The late muzzleloading season gives us Zone D hunters more opportunities to hunt deer while the rut is still going on after general gun season ends. Plus, there are fewer hunters in the woods during that time, which means less pressure.”
Tiller, who was introduced to hunting by his father at a young age, said he never misses hunting Zone D’s late muzzleloading gun season. The season, which only occurs in Zone D, extends deer hunting by a week after general gun ends and runs Feb. 20-26 on private lands. It was established to give hunters the chance to hunt the rut, which runs from mid-January through February in northwest Florida.
A $5 muzzleloading gun permit is required to hunt during this season. On private land, hunters have the choice of using a muzzleloader, bow or crossbow. Of course, they’ll also need a hunting license, which costs residents $17 for an annual one – or folks might opt to purchase the five-year license for only $79.
In Zone D wildlife management areas, this post-season is referred to as the archery/muzzleloading gun season. Specific dates vary by WMA, so consult each area’s brochure. Hunters can use bows or muzzleloaders, but no crossbows – unless they possess a disabled crossbow permit. Hunters who choose to hunt with a bow must have the $5 archery permit, and those using a muzzleloader need the $5 muzzleloading gun permit.
Legal to take; bag limits
Deer and wild hogs are most commonly hunted during this season. Only legal bucks may be taken (even if you use a bow), and south of Interstate 10 in Deer Management Unit D1, one antler must have at least two points. North of I-10 in DMU D2, all bucks must have at least three points on a side or have a main beam of at least 10 inches long to be legal to take.
If you’re hunting deer, make sure you have the $5 deer permit. On private land, the daily bag limit is two. Season dates, bag limits and antler regulations for deer on WMAs can differ, so consult the area brochure before you hunt.
On private lands, wild hogs can be taken year-round with no bag or size limits. On most WMAs, there’s also no bag or size limit, and hogs are legal to take during most hunting seasons except spring turkey. On selected WMAs, specific bag and size limits do apply, so again, check the area’s brochure to make sure.
Hunting regulations
During the late muzzleloader season on private lands and archery/muzzleloading gun season on WMAs, dogs may not be used to hunt deer. However, you may use a leashed one to track a wounded deer if necessary. And it’s important to note that no turkeys may be taken during this season.
Bows and crossbows must have minimum draw weights of 35 pounds. Hand-held releases on bows are permitted. Broadheads used in taking deer must have at least two sharpened edges with a minimum width of 7/8 inch.
During this late season, the only muzzleloaders allowed are those fired by wheel lock, flintlock, percussion cap or centerfire primer (including 209 primers) that cannot be loaded from the breech. For hunting deer, muzzleloading rifles must be at least .40-caliber, and muzzleloading shotguns must be 20-gauge or larger.
Legal shooting hours are between a half-hour before sunrise and a half-hour after sunset. You’re allowed to take deer and hogs over feeding stations on private land, but it is illegal to use such feed on WMAs.
Public hunting opportunity
Twelve of the WMAs in Zone D have a February archery/muzzleloading gun season, and if you plan to hunt any of them, you must have the $26 management area permit. Those areas are Apalachicola, Apalachicola River, Beaverdam Creek, Blackwater, Chipola River, Choctawhatchee River, Econfina Creek, Escambia River, Perdido River, Point Washington, Tate’s Hell and Yellow River.
You can get all of the licenses and permits you’ll need at any retail outlet that sells hunting and fishing supplies, by calling 888-HUNT-FLORIDA or by going online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.
Two Killed In I-65 Crash
February 20, 2017
Two South Alabama residents were killed in a single vehicle rollover crash Sunday afternoon on I-65 about eight miles north of Atmore.
Samuel Louis Brown, 34, and Eugene Sanders Jr., 53, were both pronounced deceased at the scene of teh crash at 62 mile marker. Brown and Sanders were passengers in a 2003 Mitsubishi SUV that overturned several times after leaving the roadway.
The driver of the Mitsubishi was transported to an area hospital.
Further details have not been released as Alabama troopers continue their investigation.
Atmore Man Dies In Motorcycle Crash
February 20, 2017
An Atmore man was killed in a crash Sunday afternoon in a Baldwin County crash.
Orrie Hubert Bradford, 83, died when his 1999 Harley Davidson motorcycle struck a guardrail and crashed, according to Alabama State Troopers. Brandford was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The accident occurred at 1:35 p.m. on Highway 59 about a mile southeast of Stockton, AL. Further details have not yet been released as troopers continue their investigation.
Dennie Medlock
February 20, 2017
Dennis Medlock, 61, of Cantonment, FL passed away Wednesday, February 15, 2017.
Dennis worked for International Paper for 30 years and was a member of IBEW Local/1937. He loved to hunt, fish and play golf.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Carlton and Margaret Medlcok; and his sister, Karen Medlock Hayes.
Dennis is survived by his two sons, Rico Padilla and Chris Medlock (Alyssa); and grandchildren, Makenzee Medlock, Bethaney Padilla, Kaleb Padilla, Arryanne Padilla and Bree Padilla.
A gathering of friends was held Saturday, February 18, 2017, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.
Angelia Hanks Nelson
February 20, 2017
Mrs. Angelia Hanks Nelson, 47, passed away on Saturday, February 18, 2017, in Jay, Florida.
Mrs. Nelson was a native of Century, FL and has resided in Jay most of her life. She was a die hard Auburn, Pittsburgh Steelers, Notre Dame and NASCAR fan. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She attended the Ebenezer Assembly of God Church. She is preceded in death by her father, Thomas C. Hanks.
She is survived by her mother, Betty Hanks of Jay, FL; husband, Devon Nelson of Jay, FL; one son, Paul T. Black of Milton, FL; two daughters, Candace Black (Tarrance Wright) of Century, FL and Courtney Black of Jay, FL; one brother, Matt (Sam) Hanks of Flomaton, AL; five grandchildren, Taryanna Wright, Tarrance Wright, Jr., Tylen Wright, Aiden Black and Thomas Devon Black; two brothers-in-law, Keith (Dana) Nelson of Elberta, AL and Wendell (Pamela) Nelson of Addison, TX; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Buddy and Marjorie Nelson of Century, FL.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, February 21, 2017, at 2 p.m. at the Ebenezer Assembly of God Church with Rev. Bobby Carnley officiating.
Burial will follow at the Ebenezer Cemetery in Jay, Florida.
Pallbearers will be Johnny Wayne Griffis, William Inman, Chris Fowler, Jimmy Daniel Wood, Matt Hanks and Allen Inman.
Honorary pallbearers will be Keith Nelson and Wendell Nelson.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Don Cravey Morris
February 20, 2017
Don Cravey Morris, 87, peacefully went to be with the Lord on February 19, 2017. He was a lifelong resident of Pensacola/Cantonment and attended Tate High School. He was a longtime active member of Pinewoods Presbyterian Church and loved his church family. He loved fishing and was always able to catch enough for family fish fries and to share with friends. He instilled his love for the Gulf Coast into all of his children. He also enjoyed having a large garden and loved sharing his vegetables with friends and family. He was a great story teller and took great joy in making others laugh. He will be missed.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Evelyn Fay (Eve) Morris; son, Carey Matthew (Matt) Morris; grandson, Taylor Grantham Goff; parents, Carey and Maude Oma Morris; brother, Ray Morris and; and sisters, June Sherrill and Fay Palin.
He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Louise Morris; three sons, Donald Shea Morris (Sherry), Michael Pindel (Josette) and Scott Pindel (Terri); daughter, Donna Morris Goff; sisters, Nell Kennedy and Beth Morris Cyr (Leo); six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Friday, February 24, 2017, from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. at Faith Chapel North with service to follow immediately at 2 p.m.
Interment to follow at Bayview Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.
Unexplained Fireball, Boom Rattle Residents
February 19, 2017
There’s no official word so far as to what caused a large boom and a bright light across a portion of the North Escambia area Saturday night.
About 9:15 p.m., the first of hundreds of reports began to arrive in the NorthEscambia.com newsroom describing the boom — shaking houses and rattling windows — in a swath from Baldwin County in Alabama, across northern Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida and Escambia County in Alabama.
Many that were outdoors at the time also reported a big light or fire streaking across the sky….leading many to theorize the the boom was from a meteorite. (Well, technically a meteoroid that entered the atmosphere, a meteorite if any part managed to survive and hit the ground.)
Other media outlets also received numerous reports of the fireball and boom.
There were no reports of any explosions and anything unusual from emergency services or area airports.
Pictured: A sample image of a meteor and fireball. Courtesy NASA for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
February 19, 2017
Drivers will encounter traffic variations on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
· Fairfield Drive (State Road (S.R.) 727/295) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (S.R. 10A) to North Pace Boulevard (S.R. 292) – Traffic on Fairfield Drive will encounter lane restrictions, a shift, and temporary detour from 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18 to 6:30 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 19 as crews perform paving operations. The westbound inside, left lane will be closed just east of Ruby Avenue and traffic shifted to the outside lane. New Warrington Road Spur under the Fairfield Drive overpass, will be temporarily closed and traffic detoured to Mobile Highway, south to the on ramp leading back to New Warrington Road. Drivers traveling eastbound on Fairfield Drive will encounter a lane shift just west of the overpass over the New Warrington Road Spur. Traffic will be transitioned to the westbound travel lanes to bypass the overpass, transitioning back to the eastbound lanes at Ruby Avenue. Law enforcement will be on site to assist with traffic control. In addition, intermittent and alternating lane closures continue between Mobile Highway and North Pace Boulevard between 8:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. as crews perform paving operations.
· I-10/ U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I- Crews will shift traffic and require the following lane and ramp closures from 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19 to 6 a.m. Monday, Feb. 20:
§ Alternating lane closures on I-10 westbound near U.S. 29 (Exits 10A and 10B) and the I-10 westbound ramp to U.S. 29 north.
§ The U.S. 29 north to I-10 westbound ramp will be closed. Traffic will be detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street to access I-10 westbound.
o Paving operations will require the following lane and ramp closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the week of Monday, Feb. 20
§ Alternating lane closures on I-10 westbound near U.S. 29 (Exits 10A and 10B) and the I-10 westbound ramp to U.S. 29 north.
§ The U.S. 29 north to I-10 westbound ramp will be closed. Traffic will be detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street to access I-10 westbound.
· Chase Street (S.R.30) Underground Utility work between 9th Avenue and 10th Avenue- Eastbound center and southern most lanes will be closed from 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20 to 6 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21 as crews perform sewer rehabilitation work.
· Interstate 10 (I-10), I-110 and U.S. 98 Routine Maintenance- Crews will perform sign maintenance at the following locations. Motorists can expect lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. from Monday, Feb. 20 through Friday, Feb. 24.
o I-10 between the Escambia Bay Bridge and U.S. 29
o U.S. 98 between N. Pace Boulevard and Fairfield Drive
o I-110 between Burgess Road and U.S. 98
· Perdido Key Drive (S.R. 292) Resurfacing from the Alabama State line to the ICWW (Theo Baars Bridge) – Lane closures will be in effect 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20 through Saturday, Feb. 25 as crews perform paving operations between the Alabama State line and the ICWW (Theo Baars Bridge). Drivers can expect delays.
· I-10 Widening from Davis Highway (S.R. 291) to the Escambia Bay Bridge- Alternating lane closures on Scenic Highway (U.S. 90), south of the I-10 ramps, 8:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. the week of Monday, Feb. 20 as crews install a drainage pipe beneath the roadway. One lane will remain open at all times.
· U.S. 29 (S.R. 95) Widening from I-10 to Nine Mile Road- For the next two weeks, there be alternating lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road and on 9 Mile Road near the U.S. 29/9 Mile Road overpass as crews perform drainage operations.
· Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) Widening from Pine Forest Road (S.R.297) to U.S. 29- A new detour configuration has been implemented on Nine Mile Road between Stefani and Waring roads as crews construct a box culvert under Nine Mile Road. Alternating lane closures continue on Untreiner Avenue as crews perform jack and bore operations. The speed limit throughout the construction zone has been reduced to 35 MPH.
Santa Rosa County:
· S.R. 87 Widening from County Road 184 to north of the Yellow River Bridge- Intermittent lane closures between Hickory Hammock Road and the Yellow River Bridge from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. the week of Monday, Feb. 20 as crew perform paving operations.
· I-10 Resurfacing from east of S.R. 87 to the Okaloosa County Line- Intermittent and alternating inside lane closures between the S.R. 87 interchange and the Okaloosa County line from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 19 through Thursday, Feb. 23 perform construction activities. Motorists are reminded the speed limit is reduced to 60 MPH within the lane closure.
Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through the construction zone, and to pay attention for workers and equipment entering and exiting the work area. All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather