Time Change: Fall Back, Replace Smoke Alarm Batteries
November 5, 2022
Don’t forget to “fall back” and set your clocks back one hour night before heading off to bed Saturday night as daylight saving time comes to an end.
It’s time to make another potentially life saving change — replace the batteries in your smoke alarm.
“Most home fire fatalities occur overnight when most families are sleeping,” according to Escambia Fire Rescue. “Changing the batteries in your smoke alarms and performing other maintenance is a simple, effective way to reduce home fire deaths. Children and senior citizens are most at risk and a working smoke alarm can give the extra seconds needed to get out safely.”
In addition to checking smoke alarms, residents should plan “two ways out” and practice escape routes with the entire family. Families should also prepare a fire safety kit that includes working flashlights and fresh batteries.
Each year more than 3,000 people lose their lives in residential fires. The majority of these deaths are a result of unattended cooking. It is strongly recommended that someone always be present when cooking on top of the stove and that smoke alarms be located properly and in working order. Test the smoke alarm monthly and change the batteries at least every six months.
For information about obtaining a free home smoke alarm in Escambia County, call 850-595-HERO (4376).
High School Football Scoreboard
November 5, 2022
Here are Friday night football scores from around the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
- Northview 41, Bay 6 [Story, photos...]
- Washington 36, Tate 20 [Story, photos...]
- West Florida 14, Gulf Breeze 7
- Wewahitchka 16, Jay 10
- Escambia 35, Pensacola High 6
- Milton 56, Godby 32
- Niceville 35, Navarre 14
- Pace 48, Hollis Christian Academy 0
- Byes: Pensacola Catholic, Pine Forest
ALABAMA – Playoffs
- Chambers Academy 56, Escambia Academy 12
- T.R. Miller 41, Montgomery Academy 7
- W.S. Neal 27, Opp 13
Pictured: Northview Chiefs quarterback Kaden Odom hands off to Jamarkus Jefferson Friday night as the Chiefs routed Bay, 41-6. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Highway 4 Canoe Creek Bridge Set For Replacement; Detour Planned For 330 Days
November 4, 2022
Work is expected to begin in early 2023 to replace the Highway 4 bridge over Canoe Creek, about halfway between Byrneville and Bratt, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. A detour will be in place for nearly a year.
This year’s state budget included $3,837,105 to replace the structurally deficient bridge The bridge and roadway are owned by Escambia County, but the work will be done under a locally funded agreement with FDOT.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Thursday night, the Escambia County Commission approved a resolution to support a temporary road closure for Highway 4 and establish a detour for an estimated 330 days. The detour from Highway 4 to Bratt Road (the eastern end of Bratt Road closer to Century) to Pine Barren Road, to Highway 4 (near Northview High School).
The county said the road closure will reduce construction time and costs, minimize the purchase of rights-of-way or construction easements, and will minimize wetland impacts.
The portion of Highway 4 to be closed is 4.14 miles; the detour will be 5.67 miles. The average daily traffic count is 1,800 vehicles per day.
The bridge constructed in 1942 is 225 feet long and has wood supports, some of which were failing and were later reinforced with steel.
A start date has not been determined; we’ll update you here on NorthEscambia.com when it is announced.
A smaller bridge located just to the east of the Canoe Creek bridge is not set for replacement at this time.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man With Violent Past Accused Of Beating, Kidnapping Woman
November 4, 2022
A Cantonment man with a violent past is facing felony charges for allegedly beating a woman and holding her down to force her from running out of the house for help.
Thomas Kevin Allen, 37, was charged this week with battery domestic violence second or subsequent offense and false imprisonment.
The victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that Allen had been drinking the night before the incident.
“He became enraged and began striking her in the face, head, torso, and legs with his fists against her will for several hours. She tried to run away to get help, but he held her down and continued striking her,” an arrest report states.
“I observed massive bruising to her torso and leg area along with a great deal of swelling to her head along with dried blood that had been partially wiped off,” the deputy noted in the report. The deputy said Allen smelled strongly of alcohol and marijuana and had what appeared to be dried blood on his shirt and hands.
The Department of Children and Families was notified of the incident due to a child in the home.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Allen was convicted of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon in 2014 and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in 2019. He was released from state prison in February 2021.
Allen remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday morning with bond set at $10,000.
Tate High School Names Students Of The Month
November 4, 2022
Tate High School has named their Students of the Month for August and September.
For September, they are Anthony Neptune, Jr. and Jordyn Banks.
For August, they are Ryker Knudsen and Claire Diamond (photo not available).
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sunny Friday, Small Chance Of Showers On Saturday
November 4, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia forecast:
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 80. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 84. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 82.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.
Jay High Inducts Four Into Athletic Hall Of Fame
November 4, 2022
The second class was inducted into the Jay High School Athletic Hall of Fame Friday night.
The new members are:
- Truss Shell – Class of 1949
- Terry Diamond – Class of 1966
- Rick Weekes – Class of 1970
- Matthew Dobson – Class of 1987
The induction ceremony took place during halftime as Jay hosted Wewahitchka at 7 p.m.
Truss Shell was an educator for over 35 years. He coached baseball, football and basketball at Jay, including as head baseball coach from 1960-1965. He was Jay Elementary principal from 1965-1987. As a coach, parent and grandparent, he has attended over 1,500 Jay High School sporting events.
Terry Diamond taught and coached at Jay High School for 35 years and continued to support the school following his retirement. He coached baseball for 22 years, winning 11 district championships, five regional championships and made the Final Four five times. He was named the Class 2A Coach of the Year in 2007. He also coached softball for one year. In high school, he placed on six different district championship teams, and was all-area in football, basketball and baseball his senior year.
Rick Weekes retired and coached for 30 years, with 26 of those in Santa Rosa County. He was a member of the 1970 state championship baseball team and was all-conference in football, basketball and baseball. He played baseball from 1971 to 1973 for the University of South Alabama and in 1974 for the University of West Florida.
Matthew Dobson was on the cross country team for four years, basketball for a year and track for six years. Dobson has a long list of running accomplishments and accolades. He was the overall winner in more than 250 road, cross country, and/or track races with course records in over 35 of these races. He holds several records. He was the first American to win the Walt Disney World Marathon in 2004. In 2004, he was the 49th overall out of 20,000 runners, the 16th American, in the Boston Marathon. He was 38th overall in the 2004 Chicago Marathon out of 40.000 and the 18th American. His personal records are marathon: 2:27, 10K: 29:31, 5K: 14:24, and mile: 4:13.
All information provided by Jay High School.
Escambia County Man Gets Federal Prison Time For January 6 Capitol Breach
November 4, 2022
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to federal prison for his part in the January 6, 2021 beach at the U.S. Capitol.
Jesus Rivera, 38, was sentenced to eight months in federal prison followed by one year supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $500 in restitution.
He was found guilty of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a Capitol Building, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol Building.
According to federal court documents, Rivera uploaded to his Facebook account a five minute video showing a crowd of individuals in the U.S. Capitol crypt. Approximately 13 seconds into the video, Rivera changed the direction
of the camera toward the individual recording the video and Rivera’s face is clearly visible. The video ends with the individual recording the footage, Rivera, beginning to climb out of a window.
Rivera uploaded two other videos to Facebook that allegedly show Rivera approaching the U.S. Capitol and then on the U.S. Capitol grounds surrounded by individuals demonstrating or protesting. In the videos, Rivera states, “record numbers here in DC.”. Rivera late states, “hey guys, if you are on here, share this live because I am about to take my ass to the middle of the state Capitol and see what’s going on, where they are trying to jump in.”
Pictured: Screenshots from Facebook videos that allegedly show suspect Jesus D. Rivera of Pensacola inside the U.S. Capitol and on the Capitol grounds.
Here Is Tonight’s High School Football Schedule
November 4, 2022
It’s the last week of the regular season for Florida high school football, while the playoffs are underway in Alabama
Here is the North Escambia are high school football schedule for Friday night:
FLORIDA
- Bay at Northview
- Washington at Tate
- West Florida at Gulf Breeze
- Wewahitchka at Jay
- Escambia at Pensacola
- Milton at Godby
- Niceville at Navarre
- Hollis Christian Academy at Pace
- Byes: Pensacola Catholic, Pine Forest
ALABAMA – Playoffs
- Escambia Academy at Chambers Academy
- Montgomery Academy at T.R. Miller
- W.S. Neal at Opp
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs rolled over the Escambia County (Atmore) Blue Devils last Friday night in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Charged With Trying To Suffocate His Mother, 86, With A Pillow
November 3, 2022
An Escambia County man has been charged with attempting to suffocate his 86-year old mother.
Christopher Jerome Asmar, 54, is charged with two counts of attempted homicide and two counts of aggravated battery on a person 65 or older.
A health care employee called Pensacola Police to report that she observed unexplained bruising on her client that appeared to happen overnight after her other caregivers had left the home for the evening. The caregiver decided to return to the home after hours to check on her client. When she arrived, she could hear a disturbance inside the home and looked inside a window.
She observed Asmar yelling at his mother, calling her names, and striking her with a pillow. He then took the pillow and placed it over his mother’s face and used his body weight in an apparent attempt to suffocate her, according to police.
Police were called and entered the home to find the victim appearing to be overwhelmed and disoriented.
Asmar was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.