Tate High Wrestler Lahela Turnquest Places At State For The Second Year
March 13, 2023
Tate High School sophomore Lahela Turnquest placed seventh in the 120 division of the Florida High School Athletic Association state championships.
Turnquest is a two-time district champion and two-time regional runner up. Last year, she placed seventh in the 115 division at state.
Turnquest was the only Tate High wrestler to qualify for state this year.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: How To Sweep A Bridge? And Why.
March 13, 2023
So how to you sweep a bridge? And why?
Our cameras recently caught a contractor cleaning the Highway 4 bridge between Century and Jay.
The bridge has small holes along the retaining wall for drainage. Cleaning away the debris keeps those holes from becoming clogged so water does not accumulate when there is heavy rain.
The crew was using a large “jet” blower pulled by a truck, backpack blowers and shovels.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Woman Allegedly Stole Pickup From Her Ex In Florida Before Running Out of Gas In Alabama
March 13, 2023
An Atmore woman allegedly stole her ex-husband’s truck near Walnut Hill and ran out of gas on an Alabama interstate before stealing a good Samaritan’s vehicle, according to authorities.
Toni Marie Gibson, 27, was charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle for a 2017 Ford F250 reported stolen on March 4 from the 6000 block of West Highway 4 near Walnut Hill.
The following day, she returned to the residence in a Kia Soul and said the truck ran out of gas somewhere along I-65, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Another individual reported he was traveling southbound on I–65 in his Kia Soul when he noticed the truck sitting in the middle of the interstate. He stopped to assist Gibson and called the Alabama State Troopers. When the trooper arrived, Gibson jumped into the Kia Soul and fled, according to the report. The Kia Soul was then reported stolen.
The stolen truck was towed to Atmore and later recovered by the owner.
Gibson remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $7,500. She was also charged with battery by a person detained in a jail for an unspecified incident after she was booked.
To date, she has not been charged with the alleged vehicle theft in Alabama.
Chilly Nights Return
March 13, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40. North wind around 10 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. North wind around 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 64. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 41. North wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 72. East wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. South wind around 10 mph.
Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 60.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 59.
PTA Provides Bratt Elementary Students With A Free Book For Spring Break
March 13, 2023
Each Bratt Elementary School student has a new book to enjoy over spring break this week.
The Bratt Elementary PTA gave students a chance to pick out a free book from the school’s book fair.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Michael (Squirrel) Holland
March 13, 2023
Michael (Squirrel) Holland, 78, of Molino, FL, passed away Saturday, March 11, 2023. He was born in Pensacola, FL, on December 8, 1945, to David and Definel Holland. He was married to Sherry for 34 years. Mike was in Corrections for Escambia County Road Prison for 33 years. He was a member of Highland Church. Mike had a passion for hunting and fishing.
Mike is preceded in death by his father, David Holland and his mother, Definel Holland.
Mike is survived by his wife, Sherry Holland; daughter, Irish Houlihan; grandson, Zachary Rink; grandson, Noah Rink; granddaughter, Marissa Rink; brother Edward (Maude) Holland; sister, Edna Jean (Lee) Pollitt, and a host of nieces and nephews, and many lifelong friends.
Visitation will be Wednesday, March 15, 2023, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. A Celebration of Life will follow at 3:00 PM. Ron Gilley will be officiating.
Florida Gas Prices Rise Slightly Over Last Week
March 13, 2023
Florida gas prices were up nine cents over the last week, according to AAA.
The average statewide price per gallon Sunday was $3.31. In Escambia County, the average price per gallon was lower at $3.24.
In North Escambia, the low price Sunday night was $3.18 at stations on Highway 29 and on Muscogee Road. In Pensacola, the warehouse clubs were at $3.01.
“Despite last week’s jump at the pump, Florida gas prices are still 27 cents per gallon less than this year’s high, which was recorded at the end of January,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Price hikes like these are common this time of year as spring vacations drive-up gasoline demand, while refineries conduct seasonal maintenance due and switch to Summer gasoline.”
Hazmat Team Responds To Reported Rail Car Leak In Molino; Incident Determined To Be ‘Normal Operations’
March 12, 2023
Escambia County Fire Rescue and their Hazmat team responded to a reported train incident in Molino Sunday afternoon.
According to Escambia County Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore, it was determined that two rail tanker cars were venting as part of “normal operations” due to atmospheric pressure.
Two CSX tank cars containing liquid carbon dioxide had an obvious vapor venting from the top. According to online government databases, it is non-flammable, non-poisonous gas that is not dangerous outside of immediate physical contact that can cause severe frostbite.
The cars were located on a side track south of the Fairground Road crossing, adjacent to River Bend Road. Multiple railroad crossings in the area were closed due to the stopped train.
There were no evacuations, and no injuries were reported.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Food Distribution Benefits Hundreds Of Families (With Photo Gallery)
March 12, 2023
Hundreds of people received a helping hand Saturday during a food distribution in Gonzalez.
Rep. Michelle Salzman, Farm Share, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Commissioner Steven Barry, Congressman Matt Gaetz, Kevin Stephens with ECUA District 5, International Paper, the Marine Corps League, Gonzalez United Methodist Church, Aaron Erskine, Thompson Trucking, and other community partners made the event possible.
The food distributions are held in North Escambia on a quarterly basis.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed getting out into the community and being able to help our friends in District 1 get what they need”, said Rep. Michelle Salzman. “Along with Farm Share and the Gonzalez United Methodist Church, these events have become an amazing asset to help us provide food once every quarter to this part of the county that needs it so much. Especially with prices rising as they have been, it’s comforting to know that we’ve helped ensure some food on their tables every few months.”
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
‘“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did it to me.’,” said Gonzalez United Methodist Church Pastor Andy Perry, quoting Matthew 25:40. “As a Church, we cannot live isolated from our community. Rather, what Jesus and even the season of Lent reminds us of is that we are to be truly engaged in caring for those who do not have the means that many others have. Being involved in this food distribution allows us to engage and connect with the people in North Escambia county in a very real and tangible way, as the hands and feet of Jesus to help our neighbor. This is truly an opportunity to fulfill the commandment: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Rain And Thunderstorms Continue Sunday Night
March 12, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then a slight chance of showers between 1am and 4am. Low around 48. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming north in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Monday: Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 64. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40. North wind around 10 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. North wind around 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 64. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 41. North wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 72. East wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 57.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 60.