Today Is The 5th Anniversary Of EF-3 Tornado That Ravaged Century
February 15, 2021
Monday marks the fifth anniversary of an EF-3 tornado that ripped through Century.
The tornado first touched down southwest of Lambert Bridge Road southwest of McDavid at 3:32 p.m. on February 15, 2016. The first EF-2 intensity damage was on Holland Road where a workshop was destroyed. As it moved into Century, the tornado reached peak intensity with widespread EF-2 damage with isolated EF-3 level damage that destroyed numerous homes and businesses, according to the National Weather Service.
The tornado continued to track across the state line into Alabama with EF-2 damage on Old Fannie Road east of Flomaton. The tornado continued toward Pollard, AL, where it weakened and lifted at 3:55 p.m.
The EF-3 tornado was on the ground 16.5 miles with a path up to 300 yards wide.
The photos on this page and in the first gallery below were taken just by NorthEscambia.com just minutes after the tornado touchdown in Century. In the top photo seen around the world, neighbors and first responders came together to rescue a woman that as trapped in her overturned mobile home.
For a photo gallery from February 15, 2015, click here.
For a photo gallery featuring the Century UMC, click here.
For an additional damage photo gallery, click here.
For a photo gallery from Gov. Rick Scott’s visit to Century, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Explosion And Fire Destroys Five ECUA Trucks At Natural Gas Fueling Station, Damages Others
February 15, 2021
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority says the fire and explosion Sunday afternoon at compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station on Pine Forest Road destroyed at least five sanitation trucks.
Spokesperson Nathalie Bowers told NorthEscambia.com that damage to another 2-3 trucks is being evaluated, and about a half dozen have other damage such as broken windshields.
There are about 50 CNG powered sanitation and recycling trucks in the ECUA fleet.
Bowers said there will be no impacts to ECUA collections on Monday on Pensacola Beach, and likely no serious impacts to Tuesday collections in the North Escambia area or service for the rest of the week.
The CNG fueling station is operated by Pensacola Energy.
There were no injuries.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Charged In Fatal Stabbing
February 15, 2021
An Escambia County man is charged with a fatal stabbing Saturday night in Escambia County.
Corey Ruben Bates, 32, is charged with homicide.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said he is accused of stabbing a 50-year old man about 10 p.m. on Esperanto Drive in Bellview. The man was transported to an area hospital were he passed away from his injuries.
Bates was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Firefighters Battle Brush Fire South Of Century
February 15, 2021
Escambia Fire Rescue battled a brush fire Sunday evening south of Century.
The Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the area of Highway 29 and Dawson Road about 5:30 p.m. The fire was reported to be about 2.5 acres.
There were no injuries and no property damage reported.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Gas Prices Slip A Couple Of Cents, Still Up A Quarter Since January 1
February 15, 2021
Florida gas prices took a little step back last week. The average price for a gallon of gasoline declined two cents, but is still up about a quarter since January 1.
The year began with gas prices averaging $2.20 per gallon. Now, Florida drivers are paying an average price of $2.46. That raises the cost of filling a tank of gas by $4 (based on a 15-gallon fuel tank).
The lowest North Escambia price Sunday night was $2.38 at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while in Pensacola $2.24 could be found at a store on Barrancas Avenue.
“Unfortunately, the recent jump at the pump may not be over yet,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA — The Auto Club Group. “Pump prices could eventually reach $2.60 per gallon in the coming weeks, as refineries prepare to switch to summer blend gasoline. Summer gasoline typically costs more to produce, because it contains more additives, which work to reduce smog during the hotter months.”
Explosion, Fire At Compressed Natural Gas Fueling Station On Pine Forest Road
February 15, 2021
An explosion felt for miles and vehicle fires were reported Sunday afternoon at a compressed natural gas fueling station on Pine Forest Road.
The incident happened about 2:35 p.m. at the Pensacola Energy Natural Gas Fueling (CNG) Station at 6722 Pine Forest Road, across from the Walmart Neighborhood Market at Pine Forest Road and Mobile Highway.
RELATED: Explosion, Fire Destroys Five ECUA Trucks At Natural Gas Fueling Station, Damages Others
Five ECUA sanitation trucks were destroyed by fire at the fueling station. The natural gas supply was quickly cut off to the fueling station as first responders arrived.
There were no injuries reported.
Bystanders and others were evacuated from the immediate area, and the traffic in the area was shut down. Pine Forest Road was reopened to traffic by 4 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com received reports of people that felt or heard the explosion from as far away as Cantonment and Pace.
The CNG fueling station is operated by Pensacola Energy.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge. Top photo from security video at Gary Sapp Automotive.
FHP: Woman Killed When Hit By Driver Trying To Fix Child’s Seat Belt
February 15, 2021
A wreck Saturday in Santa Rosa County claimed one life.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 32-year old Milton man was traveling west on Sterling Way when he attempted to refasten the safety belt on his 6-year old child passenger. As a result, he crossed the centerline and collided with a vehicle driven by a 61-year old Pace woman.
The 61-year old woman was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where she passed away from her injuries.
The man and child in the first vehicle were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in serious condition.
The FHP no longer releases the names of traffic crash victims.
A Very Special Night To Shine (A Valentine’s Story)
February 14, 2021
It’s been a special friendship and a love for each other since elementary school for Bryant McDonald and Hannah Hardy, and Friday night was their “night to shine”.
A Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation for people with special needs. The program looked a little different this year due to the pandemic as people across the world honored and served those with disabilities.
And it was an perfect night for Bryant, a 19-year old senior at Tate High School, and his girlfriend Hannah as they were named prom king and queen.
For a photo gallery, click here.
“Hannah made sure last night was planned to a ‘T’. She asked Bryant to pick out which dress he liked the best on her,” Bryant’s mother Tracey McDonald said. “They exchanged boutonniere and corsage, had Chick-fil-A, and she even picked out his tie. She chose the tie with X’s and O’s for hugs and kisses.”
Those that attended the Pensacola area event were invited to a drive-thru parade in Gulf Breeze. Despite the weather, there were costumed characters and plenty of people cheering them on and wishing them all a fabulous night.
“I liked when Elsa (from Frozen) blew snow all over us. She tried to freeze us,” Bryant said.
“They were treated like royalty and had the biggest smiles on their faces and giggles and laughter filled the car,” Tracey said.
And what’s a prom without a dance?
Hannah and Bryant had their own at-home prom dance.
Bryant said his favorite part of the date was “when Hannah and I danced the Cha-Cha Slide together at home,” and Hannah said she loved dancing with Bryant, her ‘Sugar Bear”, in his stand-up walker.
It was a Night to Shine for Bryant and Hannah.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: Bryant McDonald and Hannah Hardy’s Night to Shine prom date. (The first photo below was Hannah’s favorite.) Photos courtesy Beth Lees and Tracey McDonald for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECSO Seeks Two On Outstanding Warrants
February 14, 2021
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for two men on active warrants.
James Lee Purifoy Jr., 28, is wanted for failure to appear for driving with a suspended license, possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, possession of drugs with intent to sell and violation of probation. Purifoy’s last reported address was Robinson Street in Cantonment.
Tyler Colston, 24, is wanted for failure to appear for resisting arrest without violence, possession of marijuana over 220 grams, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, trafficking cocaine and possession of drug equipment. Colston’s last reported address was 50th Avenue in Pensacola.
If you have any information, call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
New Testing Requirement To Renew Expired Florida Driver’s License
February 14, 2021
There’s a new law in Florida that will impact drivers whose license has expired for an extended period of time, according to Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford.
Effective Monday, February 1, drivers who have allowed their driver’s license to expire for one year or more will be required to complete the written and vision exams before renewing their driver’s license.
Situations subject to retest requirements include:
- Customers who have completed the Class E knowledge exam but have not had it applied to an issuance within one year of the exam date;
- Customers who downgraded from a driver’s license to an ID card and the driver’s license has been expired for one year or more;
- Customers who did not apply to renew their driver’s license within the one-year delinquent renewal period; and
- Customers applying for a Florida driver’s license and their out-of-state driver’s license has been expired for one year or more
“Class E licenses may be renewed up to 18 months before expiration. I encourage everyone to renew early to avoid retest requirements,” said Lunsford. “Applicants who wish to study for the exam may access the official Florida Driver’s Handbook through our website.”
Deployed military personnel whose license will expire soon may be eligible for an extension. Visit www.EscambiaTaxCollector.com/military for more information.
A Class E license is the standard driver’s license in Florida.