Fire Rips Through Large Detached Garage In Cantonment (With Gallery)
January 21, 2020
Fire destroyed a large detached garage in Cantonment Tuesday morning.
Fire was already through the roof of the building in the 2300 block of South Highway 97 near Lake Suzanne Drive when the first firefighters arrived on scene.
The cause of the 8:45 a.m. fire remains under investigation, but the property owners said a wood stove may be to blame. There were no injuries reported.
South Highway 97 was closed by the fire with traffic detoured around the scene on Argle Road.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The fire was the second detached structure fire of the morning in Cantonment. Firefighters were wrapping up work on a shed fire on Welcome Road at the time of dispatch to South Highway 97.
Pictured above: Firefighters prepare to battle a detached garage fire in Cantonment Tuesday morning. Pictured below: Fire burns through the roof of the building before the first fire trucks arrive. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Century Man Passes Away Following December Wreck
January 21, 2020
A Century man has passed away from injured he received in a wreck just before Christmas.
Richard Davis, 61, lost control of his Nissan Frontier on Highway 4A near Tulip Road about 7:15 p.m. on December 22. The pickup left the roadway and slammed into two trees.
Firefighters used the Jaws of Life to free Davis. He was transported by Escambia County EMS as a trauma alert to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. He passed away on Saturday, January 18.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Ballpark Won’t Have Organized Ball This Spring
January 21, 2020
“Play ball!” won’t be echoing through the Cantonment Ballpark on an Opening Day this year. There were be no league organized youth baseball or softball this spring at the Cantonment Ballpark, but county officials say they are working to make sure the park won’t be totally silent this spring.
The Cantonment Youth Sports Association recently announced they won’t be playing “due to unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances” that were not explained in brief social media announcement. The league told the county the decision was made due to a lack of participation and not enough players to field the teams necessary.
“The ballpark is a great asset, and we are still going to make it available to the community,” Escambia County Parks and Recreation Director Mike Rhodes told NorthEscambia.com. He said the park is available for team practices, travel leagues and tournaments.
Rhodes is urging Cantonment area parents to sign their children up for tee ball, baseball and softball at another county park near Cantonment. Registrations are underway at Northeast Pensacola (NEP), Molino Ballpark, Northwest Escambia (NWE) and other county parks. For more information, visit each ballpark’s website or call Escambia Parks and Recreation at (850) 475-5220.
Rhodes said work is underway to make sure organized youth ball returns to the Cantonment Ballpark in the future.
Pictured: Opening Day 2019 last March at the Cantonment Ballpark. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Flooded Escambia River Pushes Log Jam Against Highway 4 Bridge
January 21, 2020
Floodwaters have pushed a large log jam in the Escambia River against the Highway 4 bridge between Century and Jay. There has not been any reported damage to the bridge from the log jam, and the Florida Department of Transportation said midday Tuesday that a maintenance team has been dispatched to remove the debris.
The Escambia River was at about 17.75 feet at the time of these photosMonday, just above flood stage of 17 feet.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Women’s Sewing Group Quilt Donation Keeping Escambia Westgate Students Warmer
January 21, 2020
Students in wheelchairs at Escambia Westgate are a little warmer and cozier on cold days thanks to a donation this school year. The Beulah Baptist Church Women’s Sewing Group created quilts for the students. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Another Freeze Tonight, Down In The Middle 20s
January 21, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 24. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 52. Wind chill values between 15 and 25 early. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight.
Thursday: Showers likely, mainly after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 58. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: Showers. Low around 48. East wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 61. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 61. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 61.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 63.
Tate High School Curriculum Fair Is Tuesday For Incoming And Current Students
January 21, 2020
There will be a curriculum fair for incoming freshmen and current Tate High School students on Tuesday.
The curriculum fair will be held from from 5:30-7:00 p.m. in the Tate cafeteria. Attendees will be able to discover academic opportunities, meet teachers, view available courses, visit the school’s six academies and explore extracurricular activities.
Florida Gas Prices On The Decline Again
January 21, 2020
Florida gas prices are declining again after jumping 7 cents last week.
Florida drivers are paying an average of $2.52 at the pump. The state average is 4 cents more than a week ago, 10 cents more than a month ago, and 29 cents per gallon more than this time last year. Despite the recent volatility at the pump, drivers are still paying nearly 30 cents per gallon less than last year’s high of $2.80.
The average price per gallon Monday night in Escambia County was $2.43, while two gas stations in Cantonment were at $2.32.
“The sudden, but brief jump at the pump came as a surprise, considering wholesale prices remained low last week,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Gasoline supplies are soaring, reaching the highest level in almost a year. That combined with low fuel demand should help restore downward pressure on prices at the pump.”
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Quick Tips: How To Be Safe If Using Space Heaters
January 21, 2020
With the return of cold winter weather, it’s important to remember a few safety tips if using space heaters.
Jacqueline “Jackie” Anita Howington Jackson
January 21, 2020
Mrs. Jacqueline “Jackie” Anita Howington Jackson, 59, of McCurdy Street Flomaton, Ala. passed away Sat. Jan. 18, 2020, in a Pensacola, Fla. hospital after a brief illness. She was a native and former resident of Conecuh County, Ala. and a long time resident of Flomaton, Ala. Mrs. Jackson was of the Assembly of God Faith. A 1978 graduate of Repton High School, a former travel nurse and was an RN at Covenant Home Health. She loved her family, her job, and her patients.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Otha and Katie Lou Owens Howington: two brothers, Shelton Howington and James Howington; a sister, Doris Booker.
She is survived by her son, Joey (Brandi) Williams of Excel, Ala; her daughter, Kelly Williams (Wayne) Coleman of Atmore, Ala; a step-daughter, Ashley (Wayne) Jackson of East Brewton; three sisters, Ann (Fred) Balkcom of Brewton, Judy (Mack) Baggett of Excel, Ala. and Betty Burch of Flomaton; five grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Wednesday night Jan. 22, 2020 from 6PM until 8PM at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.
Funeral Services are scheduled for Thur., Jan. 23, 2020, at 11AM at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Doug Darby officiating.
Interment will follow in the Flomaton Cemetery, Flomaton, Ala., with Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Brewton directing.