Grateful To God: Deputy Swept Under Highway By Floodwaters Recounts His Story
June 28, 2023
An Escambia County deputy is thanking God for saving him after he was swept under a highway by raging floodwaters on June 16.
As torrential rain fell, Deputy William Hollingsworth was on patrol along Highway 98 where there was a lot of flooding and stranded vehicles. Deputies were stopping to check on motorists, going car to car to make sure no one was in danger.
He found a woman inside a vehicle with an open passenger door; she said her male passenger got out.
That man was Davis Boss. He was helping another person with their nearby submerged vehicle.
“I went over to kind of shout and talk to him from across the road because the water was between us,” Hollingworth said. “I wondered if he could make his way to me, and we kind of started going towards each other, and then he was wading.
“Then he started swimming, and then he just disappeared under the surface. I went to where I saw him go under, and I jumped in. And that’s when I found out why he disappeared so quickly under the surface. The suction on the drain culvert was very strong and grabbed me by the legs and pulled me in.
“At first I thought, I’m in trouble, this is pretty bad. I kept the presence of mind to not try to stop myself, not that I could anyway just because of how fast the water was going I just kind of let it take me. And just hope and pray that it’s going to spit me out somewhere where there was some air. I just just tried to remain calm and hold my breath.”
In reality, Hollingsworth was underwater for about 30 seconds as he traveled about 100 feet under Highway 98. But it seemed more like an eternity.
“It did not not feel good being in the dark, underwater, underground.”
Hollingsworth emerged to see David a short distance away. Neither was injured.
“We were both shaken up definitively, but very grateful that God saw us through that. I’m always grateful to God for the things that he has given me, particularly a wonderful family that I get to see again. I was just extra thankful for my life that night.”
Hollingsworth has not yet watched the whole video all the way through, calling it “surreal”.
“I am just thankful that we both made it out okay. That fact that David was out there helping somebody else whenever I saw him – I think that says a lot about Escambia County residents. They are willing to help each other out whatever calamities happen.
“Two strangers willing to get out in the elements and help each other.”
The bodycam video is available on the NorthEscambia.com Facebook page.
Dangerous Heat Continues Today
June 28, 2023
Dangerous heat will continue over the next several days. Another heat advisory is in effect with heat index values (the “feels like” temperature) expected to range from 107 to 112 degrees on Wednesday and increase to 115 degrees by Thursday.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values of 107 or higher. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. West wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Heat index values as high as 109. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 76. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 60%
Man Charged With Battery Of His Ex-Girlfriend
June 28, 2023
A Century man is accused of battery against his ex-girlfriend.
Jeremy Clint Hatfield, 32, was charged with felony domestic battery by strangulation.
Hatfield pushed the victim after they got into an argument over money before grabbing her by the neck and choking her, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report. The victim told deputies that she scratched Hatfield before hitting him with pan on his left arm.
Hatfield remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday morning with bond set $7,500 on the battery charge, but jail records indicated he was also wanted in Escambia County, Alabama.
Tate High Student Named Escambia County’s Sunshine State Scholar
June 28, 2023
Synoma Perea, an incoming senior at Tate High School, was named the Sunshine State Scholar for Escambia County. This honor is in recognition of outstanding achievement in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Perea plans to major in mechanical engineering in college. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century, Flomaton Split Cost For Paving ‘Alley 5′ On The State Line
June 28, 2023
Century and Flomaton split the cost for the recent paving of a dirt road named Alley 5.
Alley 5 runs east off Old Flomaton Road at the state line. Part of the road is in Florida, and part is in Alabama.
Flomaton surfaced the roadway as several other streets were paved in that town. Century’s share of the paving cost was $35,369.55.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
The red line depicts the state line along Alley 5. NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.
Molino 5U Wins Gospel Projects T-ball Tournament; NEP Takes Runner-Up
June 28, 2023
Molino 5U won the Gospel Projects T-ball World Series tournament Tuesday. NEP Gold claimed the tournament runner-up spot. Pictured: Molino 5U above, NEP Gold below. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NEP 7U, 8U And 15U Baseball Take First In Gulf Coast Rec Classic, 10U Second
June 28, 2023
Three NEP teams finished on top at the recent Gulf Coast Recreation Classic. NEP 7U baseball, NEP 8U baseball, and NEP 15U Baseball took first, while NEP 10U took second placed in the Gulf Coast Recreation Classic. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Third Atmore Man Charged In Wallace Lake Road Murder In Pace
June 27, 2023
A third Atmore man was arrested Tuesday for a fatal shooting June 19 in Pace.
Joseph Liebe, 24, was in the area of Wallace Lake Road off Quintette Road and was shot while driving away. His vehicle crashed into a nearby wooded area.
The third and final suspect, 20-year old Ty’jerrious Keon Malone of Atmore, was arrested for first degree murder Tuesday afternoon. He remains in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center awaiting extradition to Santa Rosa County.
Last week, Ja’cobey Quartise James, 20, was charged with first degree murder, and Marcus Terel Dickinson, 29, was charged with second degree murder. Both have been extradited to Florida and are in the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond.
Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson said last Thursday that a definite motive is not known, but investigators believe it was a robbery. Johnson said there was no evidence of any drug activity, but it is believed the suspects had some sort of contact with Liebe earlier in the day and knew he might have been carrying money.
Shortly after the murder, deputies received a basic description of the suspect vehicle as a maroon Tahoe. That vehicle was later traced to Atmore, where search warrants were served on the vehicle and at the residences of James and Dickinson.
Johnson said that social media rumors that this was some sort of gang activity are not true.
“There is no gang activity,” the sheriff said. “We don’t have any evidence to link this to gang activity.”
Century Water System Experiences Lower Pressure After Contractor Hits Water Main
June 27, 2023
A large part of the Town of Century water system experienced a drop in water pressure Tuesday after a contractor hit a water main on the north side of town.
Century Water Supervisor Heath Burkett said the contractor hit a water main on State Line Road that goes to a booster pump, lowering the pressure.
The water department was able to valve-off the area, restoring pressure by early afternoon.
Burkett said the pressure did not drop low enough to mandate a boil water notice; the water remained safe to drink.
Mayor Ben Boutwell praised the department for their quick response while working in Tuesday’s extreme heat.
Reminder: District 5 Cottage Hill Neighborhood Cleanup Day Is Wednesday
June 27, 2023
Residents of Cottage Hill will have the opportunity to dispose of yard debris and other items free of charge on Wednesday, June 28 during a District 5 Neighborhood Cleanup.
During neighborhood cleanups, Escambia County departments team up to bring services to residents in an effort to keep local neighborhoods clean and safe. Participating is easy: Residents in the cleanup area simply leave eligible items at the curb to be disposed of free of charge by Escambia County and partnering agencies.
All debris must be at the curb directly in front of residences in the area by 7 a.m. on the day of the cleanup. Tires and paint cans should be separate from all other debris. Debris piles should not be placed under low-hanging lines or near poles, fences or mailboxes. All items, including containers, will be collected.
Only residents in the designated cleanup area are able to participate in the neighborhood cleanup. Items left at the curb outside of the cleanup area will not be collected. The collection area is east of Highway 95A, between the side streets north of McKenzie Road to Eden Road and to the east of Williams Ditch Road (see map above).
Items eligible for removal include:
- Household appliances and electronics
- Household junk and debris
- Bicycles and toys
- Old furniture and mattresses
- Barbecue grills
- Household hazardous waste (old paint, motor oil, chemicals, batteries)
- Tires (limit 10 per household)
Items NOT eligible for removal include:
- Building materials (concrete, bricks, blocks, roofing, drywall or lumber)
- Explosives or ammunition
- Auto parts
- Dirt or sod
- Vehicles or vessels
- 55-gallon drums of fluids
The neighborhood cleanup initiative involves an aggressive cleanup effort, targeting different neighborhoods throughout the county, with crew members and volunteers picking up a variety of debris and waste, including electronics, furniture and household items.
Since 2016, more than 5,898 tons (11,796,000 pounds) of debris were collected and disposed of through the Community Redevelopment Agency’s Safe Neighborhood Program.