Transportation, Development Issues Dominate District 5 Town Hall Meeting
March 22, 2022
Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry held ann open forum town hall meeting Monday evening in Cantonment, with most of the comments or questions centered around transportation or development.
Residents complained about commercial truck traffic on East Kingsfield Road, which is designated with no-truck signs. Barry said he would reach out to Ascend Performance Materials and other area companies to ask them to remind haulers about the posted no-truck zone on Kingsfield.
Another resident sarcastically asked Barry if he’s heard about Escambia County’s newest drag strip — the residential Cricket Ridge Drive off East Kingsfield. Barry said a petition is in progress for speed bumps on the road.
A Century resident nudged Barry to request a traffic light on Highway 29 in Century, either at the intersection with West Highway 4 or Pond Street. Another asked for a traffic light at Nine Mile and Stefani Road. Barry said that’s not likely to happen, but he feels the Florida Department of Transportation will consider a traffic light at Nine Mile Road and Ashland Avenue.
A Barrineau Park resident expressed concern about a rezoning proposal for property on Gibson Road in Molino. The rezoning proposal is still in the Planning Board process; Barry said he would address it publicly once it reaches the county commission.
Pictured. Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry held a town hall open forum meeting Monday evening at the Langley Bell 4-H Center in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Update: ECSO Locates Missing, Endangered Century Man Last Seen Nearly A Week Ago
March 22, 2022
UPDATE: The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday morning that this missing and endangered man has been safely located.
Previous story:
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a missing and endangered man last seen nearly a week ago near Century.
Kenny Wayne Gordon, 71, was last seen on Wednesday, March 16 in the area of Poplar Dell Road and Highway 4A west of Century, the ECSO said Monday night.
He is five-foot, seven-inches tall and weighs 176 pounds. There was no available clothing description.
Gordon may be driving a gold in color Chevrolet Equinox with damage to the right side.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
No Serious Injuries Reported In Highway 29, Kingsfield Crash
March 22, 2022
There were no serious injuries reported in a two-vehicle crash Monday afternoon at Highway 29 and Kingsfield Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Ensley Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Century Man Accused Of Domestic Violence Battery, Child Neglect
March 22, 2022
A Century man is accused of the domestic violence battery of a female and child neglect.
Kyle Jordan Burkhart, 35, was charged with domestic battery by strangulation, battery and child neglect.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Burkhart became upset with the adult female victim , grabbed her, choked her until she was unable to breathe, threw her to the ground and kicked her in the head. All of this happened with a child nearby, according to an arrest report.
The victim told deputies that she had dropped Buckhart off at Atmore Community Hospital because he had injured his hand punching a wall.
Buckhart was released from the Escambia County Jail late Monday night on a $5,000 bond.
The relationship between Buckhart, the victim and the child was redacted from the arrest report.
Tate High’s Allison Baer Signs With Millsaps College Volleyball
March 22, 2022
Tate High School senior Allison Baer signed Monday to play volleyball at Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Strong to Severe Storms Becoming Likely This Afternoon Into Wednesday Morning
March 22, 2022
The risk of severe storms begins to increase Tuesday afternoon and evening into Wednesday morning.
Potential threats include winds capable of damaging trees, power lines, structures and crops; tornadoes; and large hail. Areas of flash flooding are possible.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4pm. Some of the storms could be severe and produce heavy rainfall. High near 75. Breezy, with a southeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could be severe and produce heavy rainfall. Low around 60. Southeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 68. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 45. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 71.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 44.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 71.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 47.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 76.
Northview Takes Early Lead, Tops Flomaton 7-5
March 22, 2022
The Northview Chiefs jumped out to a six-run lead in the first inning Monday at Hurricane Park on the way to a 7-5 win over Flomaton.
Josh Landis earned the win for the Chiefs, going four and two-thirds innings while giving up four runs on three hits. Jamarcus Jefferson took the mound in relief, going two and a third innings allowing on run on five hits while striking out four.
Kaden Odom led at the plate for Northview, going 2-3 with a run and an RBI. Landis, Ethan Collier and Trent Knighten also had hits for the Chiefs.
John Miller Steele pitched six innings for the Hurricanes, allowing one run on four hits and striking out five.
Will Smith knocked a homer for Flomaton, while Nicholas Turner and Ray Salazar led with two hits each at the plate. Caleb Silbernagel, Nolan Chavers and Wyatt Kent added one hit each.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Woman Killed In Crash Involving 3-Wheel Vehicle In Pace
March 21, 2022
A 46-year old Pace woman was killed Monday morning in traffic crash in Pace.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the woman was traveling south on Chumuckla Highway just north of Tunnel Road. Troopers said her three-wheel Vanderhall crossed the center line for an unknown reason and collided with the front of a tow truck. The driver of the truck, a 32-year old Pensacola man, was not injured.
Chumuckla Highway north of the five-points intersection was closed by the crash and subsequent investigation for several hours.
File photo.
Bluff Springs, Cotton Lake and Williams Lake Recreation Sites Closed Due To Flooding
March 21, 2022
The Northwest Florida Water Management District has closed three recreation sites in the Escambia River Wildlife Management Area due to flooding.
The Bluff Springs, Cotton Lake and Williams Lake sites are closed until further notice.
Pictured: Flooding at the Cotton Lake Recreation Area. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Threat Of Severe Weather For Tuesday
March 21, 2022
A potentially significant severe weather event is becoming increasingly likely across much of the region Tuesday through Tuesday night.All modes of severe weather will be possible: tornadoes (some may be strong), damaging winds in excess of 70 mph, and large hail up to golf ball size.
Along with the severe storm threat on Tuesday and Tuesday night will come a threat for heavy rain and potential for flash flooding as well. About 2-4 inches of rain, with locally higher amounts, is possible. Additionally, minor river flooding is expected, including the Escambia River.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Some of the storms could be severe and produce heavy rainfall. Cloudy, with a high near 75. Breezy, with a southeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could be severe and produce heavy rainfall. Low around 60. Southeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 68. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 45. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 71.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 44.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 71.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 47.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 76.