Truck Snags Wires, Bringing Down Utility Poles And Closing North Century Boulevard
March 22, 2022
A semi truck snagged wires and snapped two utility poles in Century Tuesday afternoon.
It happened about 4:55 p.m. on North Century Boulevard (Highway 29) just south of the Florida-Alabama state line when the truck attempted to turn into the Food Giant parking lot.
The downed lines closed all lanes of the roadway for about 35 minutes. By 5:30 p.m., two lanes were reopened — one northbound and one southbound. At 6 p.m., the roadway was completely reopened to traffic.
At 7:33 FPL was reporting 130 customers without power as they work to make repairs. That includes the grocery store and other businesses in the area.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
American Idol: Tate Grad Jordan Chase Torrez Is Going To Hollywood
March 22, 2022
Tate High School graduate Jordan Chase Torrez is going to Hollywood.
Torrez is on the 20th season of American Idol, and he received three yes votes from judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan.
“I love y’all so much and thank you everyone who has supported me this far,” Torrez said in making the announcement Tuesday afternoon.
Unfortunately for local fans, Torrez said his audition will not air, but stay tuned for Hollywood Week on American Idol.
Torrez is a 2019 graduate of Tate High School.
Update: Bomb Threat Cleared At Pine Forest High School
March 22, 2022
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The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has cleared a bomb threat at Pine Forest High School.
Pine Forest was placed on a “Code Red” lockdown Tuesday morning during the bomb threat.
By about 10 a.m., the bomb threat had been determined to be unfounded, according to the ECSO.
Nearby Longleaf Elementary, George Stone, and Success Academy were also placed on alert during the incident.
No further details were released.
Pictured: the scene outside Pine Forest High School Tuesday morning. Reader submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
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.
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.