Fire Destroys Two RVs And A Vehicle, Damages Shed
April 12, 2021
Fire destroyed two recreational vehicles and a passenger vehicle while damaging a shed Sunday in the Quintette area.
The fire was reported about 12:20 p.m. Sunday in the area of North Chipper Road and Rocky Branch Road. The fire was brought under control with an hour.
There were no smoke alarms in the occupied RV, and there were no injuries reported, according to Escambia Fire Rescue.
Escambia Fire Rescue determined the fire started in the occupied RV and spread to the surroundings. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Boil Water Notice Lifted For Walnut Hill; It Was Issued After Lightning Strike Destroyed Water Main
April 12, 2021
A precautionary boil water notice that was in effect for much of the Walnut Hill area was lifted Monday after tests showed the water is safe to drink.
Several hundred residences in the Walnut Hill lost water service as a result of Saturday morning’s storms. A lightning strike destroyed a primary water main at Escambia River Electric Cooperative’s water tower adjacent to their Walnut Hill Office and Ernest Ward Middle School. The leak was isolated, and water service was restored to the area from a second EREC water tower located on Highway 97 across from Ernest Ward.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Disabled Man On Scooter Struck And Killed By Vehicle
April 12, 2021
A disabled man riding an electric scooter was struck and killed by a vehicle in Escambia County early Monday morning.
The crash happened about 12:10 a.m. on Muldoon Road south of Cerny Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol reported a silver Ford Focus traveling northbound on Muldoon Road near Cerny Road struck the rear of an electric scooter traveling in the same direction. The scooter did not have lights or reflectors.
“At this time the male on the scooter has not been identified, but he is an approximately 50-year old year old white male with no hair and was a paraplegic,” FHP said.
The 21-year old female driver of the Ford and her 22-year old male passenger were not injured.
Cantonment Man Charged With DUI After Backing Into ECSO Vehicle, FHP Says
April 12, 2021
A Cantonment was charged with DUI after backing his vehicle into an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle.
Kenneth Lee Murphy, 28, was booked into the Escambia County Jail Sunday on a charge of driving under the influence. He was later released on a $1,000 bond.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to 6232 Tributary Street in Bellview for a report of an unknown white Chevrolet sedan sitting in a front yard.
“The sheriff’s office responded and attempted to make contact with a male who was asleep in the driver seat,” according to the Florida Highway Patrol. “The male woke up and began reversing his sedan causing the back bumper to collide with the front push bar of the deputy’s patrol car.”
The Florida Highway Patrol took Murphy into custody. He was later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $1,000 bond.
There were no injuries.
Highway 29: Delays With Lane Closures In Cantonment And Molino; Utility Work In Century
April 12, 2021
Drivers can expect possible delays due to lane closures on Highway 29 this week in Century, Cantonment and Molino as follows.
Cantonment and Molino Areas
During the entire week, drivers can expect delays for paving operations:
- Intermittent lane closures 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the Cantonment area.
- Intermittent lane closures 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. between Neal Road, north of Cantonment, and north of Highway 97 in Molino.
Century Area
- 7251 North Century Boulevard — Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures at 7251 North Century Boulevard, just south of West Highway 4, between 8 p.m. Monday, April 12 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, April 13 as crews install a utility pole.
Pictured: Highway 29 in Cantonment looking north toward Well Line Road. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Fire Marshal Investigating Fire That Destroyed Walnut Hill Mobile Home
April 12, 2021
The state fire marshal is investigating a fire that destroyed a mobile home in Walnut Hill Sunday morning.
The single-wide was fully involved when firefighters arrived on scene off North Cypress Street. It appeared the mobile home was abandoned.
There were no injuries reported.
The Walnut Hill, McDavid and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Atmore Fire Department responded.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
UWF Cheerleading Team Wins National Championship
April 12, 2021
The UWF Cheerleading team captured a national championship at the NCA College Nationals.
The Argos were in first place after the preliminaries and took advantage of that lead in the finals.
This is the first time UWF has competed in this prestigious competition. Head coach Brooke Ciolino knew this team had the potential to bring home a title from one of the biggest and best competitions out there.
“I look over and there’s a five-foot trophy sitting in my room and it’s awesome,” said Ciolino.
The championship winning team overcame all kinds of obstacles on their way to a crowning achievement.
Ciolino and assistant coach Shantell Taylor had to hold virtual tryouts due to COVID restrictions. The squad did not meet until September, and even then only half of the members could practice during a session. The team worked in shifts like this until October.
The team also battled numerous injuries along that way.
And Taylor had to help coach the squad via Zoom exclusively after her husband was transferred away from Pensacola. In fact, she choreographed the championship winning routine virtually.
Taylor and Ciolino were college teammates. This championship win is the fulfillment of a dream.
“It’s honestly surreal,” Ciolino said. “Since we started coaching together we’ve always talked about how wonderful it would be to do this.”
UWF took top honors in the NCA College Nationals Game Day Open – which simulates the atmosphere of cheering at a live sporting event. The West Florida squad consists of 26 cheerleaders, with 11 returning members and 15 new to the team. Many of the new members have never cheered on a college sideline before.
Ciolino points to the squad’s quickly developed chemistry as a driving force.
“There’s just something special about this team,” Ciolino added. “They never stopped pushing.”
The UWF coaches saw the opportunity to focus on training for competition with no sports to cheer for in the fall and winter of 2020. They also saw the talent, drive and determination this team possessed.
Florida Gas Prices Level Off After Three Week Decline
April 12, 2021
Florida gas prices have leveled off after a three week decline, according to AAA.
Florida’s average price for gasoline has declined for nearly three consecutive weeks. However, the state average inched up by a penny over the weekend to $2.84 per gallon.
Florida drivers are now paying 7 cents less than the highest price (so far) this year of $2.91 per gallon - recorded on March 21.
The lowest price in North Escambia Sunday night was $2.63 a gallon at three stations in Cantonment, while $2.59 could be found at a few stations in Pensacola.
“The downward trend at the pump appears to have stalled out for now,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “It’s possible that strong springtime gasoline demand is helping to keep a floor on falling prices. However, current fundamentals point toward additional declines in the near future. Retail prices have not fully adjusted to recent drops in the wholesale price of gasoline. Meanwhile, market speculators remain worried about global demand, amid reports of lockdowns in Europe and surging cases of COVID-19 in Brazil and India.”
Picture: Regular unleaded was $2.63 per gallon Sunday at this station on Highway 29 at Muscogee Road. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Keeping The Power On – It’s National Lineman Appreciation Day
April 12, 2021
Today is Lineman Appreciation Day.
“Today, Escambia River Electric Cooperative honors the dedicated men and women who often work in challenging and dangerous conditions to keep the lights on. We proudly recognize all lineworkers for the services they perform
around the clock to keep power flowing and protect the public’s safety,” said Escambia River Electric Cooperative spokesperson Sabrina Owens. “A career as a lineman is not for everyone. But most of those who have chosen this line
of work could not see themselves doing anything else. It’s hard work, requires commitment and sacrifice, but creates a brotherhood bond like no other.”
File photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cypress Lakes Golf Club Damaged By High Winds, Closed For Repairs
April 11, 2021
The Cypress Lakes Golf Club in Cantonment was damaged as a line of storms moved through the area early Saturday morning.
High winds caused damage both inside and outside the clubhouse at the course on Old Chemstrand Road.
It’s not known yet how long Cypress Lakes will be closed for repairs.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
