No Major Injuries In Major Looking Cantonment Wreck

July 31, 2018

Two people walked away with no major injuries after a major looking wreck in Cantonment Tuesday afternoon.

The accident happened just before 5:00 on Highway 29 at Morris Avenue and involved a Dodge Ram and a Buick Regal.

The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County Fire Rescue’s Cantonment Station also responded.

NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.

Mail Burns As Rural Mail Carrier’s Vehicle Destroyed By Fire

July 31, 2018

A rural mail carrier’s vehicle – and much of the mail they were delivering – burned near McDavid Monday.

The Kia Rio was fully involved in fire when firefighters arrived on scene on West Bogia Road about a mile west of Highway 29. The mail carrier escaped the vehicle without injury. But most of the mail inside was destroyed or heavily damaged.

Officials from the U.S. Postal Service collected the damaged mail from the vehicle.

“The Post Office will deliver the mail that is still deliverable and will send letters to the customers on the route informing them of the fire,” Postal Inspector Adel Valdes said.

Residents can also call (850) 256-5141.

The McDavid and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the fire. The exact cause of the fire was not immediately known.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Deputies Help Elderly Cantonment Marine Corp Veteran In Need

July 31, 2018

Deputies from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office cleaned up the yard of an elderly Cantonment resident after recognizing that he was in need.

Deputies completed a welfare check on the 87-year old man near Tate High School after neighbors had noticed a change in his home since he lost his wife to cancer.

“Someone was concerned about the resident of this house. When we got here, we saw immediately how it was overgrown,” Deputy Jake Bandurski said.

“After talking to him, we realized there was a little more to it. He was a 24-year Marine Corp veteran,” he said. “About five years ago, he lost his wife to cancer. Ever since then, his house really hasn’t been the same. His  neighbors had noticed that ever since his wife passed away, he really hasn’t had the willingness to take care of himself, or his house, or his yard.”

Deputies from the Ensley and Warrington precincts used their own lawn equipment and tools to get his yard back into shape.

“Every one of them showed up today just very willing, every one open to helping out someone that was wasn’t physically able or mentally able to help themselves,” he said.

“Pretty much what ever people could bring…riding mowers, hand tools, pressure washers….whatever people could bring, they did bring.  Even if they didn’t have any tools and all they could bring is their hands and a pair of gloves, they are out here helping out.”

“If you see someone in your community…that looks like something hasn’t been right, if their yard is overgrown, just try and talk to them.  These are your neighbors. Everyone has a story,” Bandurski said.

Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

High School Football Teams Open Practice

July 31, 2018

High school football practices got underway in Florida Monday. The practices are non-contact for the first five days. Pictured: The Northview Chiefs on the first day of practice Monday. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

A Very Wet Tuesday And Wednesday

July 31, 2018

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 89. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 86. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms. Low around 71. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Calm wind.

Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Calm wind.

Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.

Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.

Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.

Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.

No Injuries In Hwy 297A, Kingsfield Crash

July 31, 2018

Six people involved in a two vehicle crash Monday night in Cantonment were not injured.

The accident happened about 9:13 p.m. at Highway 297A and West Kingsfield Road.

The crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded.

NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.


Wahoos Stop Skids With 6-3 Win Over The Shuckers

July 31, 2018

Tony Santillan (W, 4-0) struck out a season-high 11 over 5.2 shut-out innings, and the Wahoos rattled off 13 hits in their 6-3 win over the Shuckers Shuckers, Monday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

Despite allowing baserunners in each of the first four innings, he held the Shuckers to three hits and racked up seven strikeouts as he entered the fifth. That is where he got his first 1-2-3 inning and finished off the frame by striking out Troy Stokes Jr. and Keston Hiura for his eighth and ninth of the game. After his 97th and final pitch, Santillan exited the game with 11 strikeouts and walked off the mound to a standing ovation. He retired the final six batters he faced, five on strikeouts.

The Wahoos struck quickly against Jon Perrin (L, 0-2) who was making a spot start for the Shuckers after Kodi Medeiros was traded to the White Sox last week. In the first inning, Aristides Aquino singled to right to score Jose Siri, giving the Wahoos a quick 1-0 lead. The Wahoos didn’t waste any time extending their lead adding four runs in the bottom of the second. Jose Siri and TJ Friedl both had RBI singles, pushing the lead to 3-0. Siri scored on a throwing error after swiping his third stolen base of the game. Taylor Featherston continued his hot start with the Wahoos with an RBI single in the inning to make it 5-0. Featherston and Siri led the way offensively for the Wahoos, combining for six hits and three runs driven in. Siri scored three runs of his own to go along with his three stolen bases.

The Wahoos will look to even up the series on Tuesday. RHP Daniel Wright (6-6, 3.70) will take the mound for the Wahoos against Shuckers starter, LHP Cameron Roegner (0-0, 0.00).

Future Gulf Power Owner Completes Gas Company Purchase

July 31, 2018

NextEra Energy, Inc., said Monday it has completed the purchase of Florida City Gas as part of a multibillion-dollar package announced in May that includes NextEra buying Gulf Power Company.

Florida City Gas has about 110,000 commercial and residential natural-gas customers in Miami-Dade, Brevard, St. Lucie and Indian River counties, according to NextEra, which is also the parent company of Florida Power & Light.

The deal announced in May, totaling $6.475 billion, includes NexEra buying Florida City Gas, Gulf Power and interests in two power plants from the Atlanta-based Southern Company. The Gulf Power purchase is expected to close during the first half of 2019, NextEra said in May. Gulf Power is the largest electric utility in Northwest Florida.

by The News Service of Florida

Atmore, Other South Alabama Airports Receive Grants

July 31, 2018

The airport in Atmore and seven others in Southwest Alabama were awarded federal Department of Transportation grants.

The Atmore Municipal Airport was awarded $72,000 to construct a fuel farm and update their Airport Master Plan Study.

“Having a well-maintained and quality airport is critical in terms of economic development and helping bring new jobs to our region,” Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL) said. “These grants will be put to good use to help improve our infrastructure in Southwest Alabama.”

In addition to Atmore, other grants awarded were:

  • The Bay Minette Municipal Airport was awarded $45,000 to update their Airport Master Plan Study, and $55,000 to remove obstructions.
  • The Jack Edwards National Airport in Gulf Shores was awarded $150,000 for runway safety improvements.
  • The Monroe County Aeroplex was awarded $506,105 to rehabilitate the runway.
  • The Jeremiah Denton airport on Dauphin Island was awarded $149,400 to rehabilitate the runway.
  • The Foley Municipal Airport was awarded $259,149 to construct a taxiway.
  • The Mobile Regional Airport was awarded $1.1 million to improve airport drainage, acquire friction measuring equipment, and update airport mast.
  • The Brewton Municipal Airport was awarded $300,000 to rehabilitate runway lighting.
Pictured: The Atmore Municipal Airport. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Suspect On The Run In Jay

July 31, 2018

One person was taken into custody during a manhunt Monday evening in Jay as a second suspect remained on the run at last report just before 8 p.m.

The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office sad the two were in a vehicle that had been reported stolen.

The suspect still on the run was described as a black male, thin-build and wearing a red shirt by Sgt. Rich Aloy, spokesperson for the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. He said the suspect is about 24-years old.

A witness told NorthEscambia.com that she saw three deputies pulling over an older white SUV near the tractor dealership on Highway 4 near Smith Tractor Company. She said the SUV then fled south.

Further details have not been released.

Photos by Jennifer Ashworth for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

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