Alabama Troopers Work To ID Fiery Fatal Crash Victim
December 1, 2019
Authorities are working to positively identify a person that died in a fiery crash near Atmore.
The crash was reported about 3:30 a.m. Friday near Brushy Creek on Deere Creek Road, just north of Alabama-Florida state line.
The driver was only person found inside the burned vehicle.
Alabama State Troopers are still investigation the crash as they seek a positive identification.
Active Hurricane Season Comes To A Close
December 1, 2019
The 2019 Atlantic hurricane season came to an end Saturday.
Escambia County’s most recent brush with tropical weather came in October when short-lived Tropical Storm Nestor passed to our south in the Gulf on the way to a landfall on St. Vincent Island near Apalachicola. The worst for Escambia County was the cautionary cancellation of activities including Friday night football.
The season produced 18 named storms, including six hurricanes of which three were “major” (Category 3, 4 or 5). NOAA’s outlook called for 10-17 named storms, 5-9 hurricanes and 2-4 major hurricanes, and accurately predicted the overall activity of the season.
This year marked the fourth consecutive above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. The only other period on record that produced four consecutive above-normal seasons was 1998-2001. Also this year, five tropical cyclones formed in the Gulf of Mexico, which ties a record with 2003 and 1957 for the most storms to form in that region. Of those, three — Barry, Imelda and Nestor — made landfall in the U.S.
The three major hurricanes this season were Dorian, Humberto and Lorenzo. Hurricane Dorian is tied with three other hurricanes — the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane, 1988’s Hurricane Gilbert and 2005’s Hurricane Wilma — as the second strongest hurricane on record in the Atlantic basin in terms of wind (185 mph). In all, four storms made landfall in the U.S. during the 2019 season: Barry, Dorian, Imelda and Nestor.
An average season has 12 named storms, six hurricanes, and three major hurricanes.
UWF Knocks Off No. 1 Valdosta State 38-35 In Last Six Seconds
December 1, 2019
Anthony Johnson, Jr. scored from a yard out with 6.9 seconds remaining to lift 20th-ranked UWF to a 38-35 win over.No. 1 ranked Valdosta State in the second round of the 2019 NCAA Division II Playoffs at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium Saturday.
Johnson’s score came following VSU scoring three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to take a 35-31 lead with 2:12 to play.
Quarterback Austin Reed and the school’s all-time leading receiver Tate Lehtio connected on four-consecutive plays, including a 15-yarder on fourth-and-eight near the start of the drive. A pass interference call put the ball at the nine before two incompletions made it third down. A pass to Lehtio, who had 140 receiving yards on a school-record 14 receptions, put the ball at the 1-foot line after his dive for the endzone was stopped inches shy of the goal. Both teams called timeout with 10 seconds left, setting up the final fourth down play.
UWF (10-2) improved to 6-0 all-time in road playoff games and snapped VSU’s Gulf South Conference record 25-game winning streak. The Blazers also had their 13-game home streak ended.
“Our guys believed and fought and to get our guys to go that last drive,” UWF head coach Pete Shinnick said. “Tate (Lehtio) was unbelievable and just said ‘I’m not going home; I’m not losing’ and to go and be able to make that happen was just phenomenal.
“I’m so happy for our guys, happy for our senior class to find a way to beat number one in the country. Just a great game.”
On Saturday, UWF scored first when Austin Williams made a 27-yard field goal 5:28 into the contest. The Blazers answered four plays later on a 69-yard touchdown pass from Rogan Wells to Lio’undre Gallimore.
UWF put together two scoring drives of 5-plus minutes in the second quarter, scoring on a Johnson 1-yard run early in the period and a 33-yard Austin Reed to Ka’Ron Ashley 12 seconds before halftime for a 17-7 lead.
Coming out of the intermission, the Argonauts extended their lead to 24-7 in the third quarter when they capitalized on a Blazer fumble that Andre Duncombe, Jr. returned 44 yards to the VSU 22. Jervon Newton carried the ball three times and scored from a yards out.
Each team scored on their next possessions – Seth McGill on a 12-yard run and Johnson on 4-yard rush – to set up the Blazers’ 21-unanwered points that led up to UWF’s final drive.
Reed was 25-for-37 for 298 yards and completed passes to six different receivers. In addition to Lehtio’s effort, Quentin Randolph had 72 yards receiving and Ashley had 52 to lead UWF.
UWF ran for 136 yards and was spearheaded by Johnson’s 73 yards on 18 carries with three touchdowns.
VSU (10-1) outgained UWF 501-to-434 and had 335 passing yards.
The Argos defeated the Blazers for the first time in five meetings by controlling the time of possession, using a strong ground game for 35:13 of the clock, including 20:15 in the first half alone.
The Argonauts advance to next week’s Super Region 2 title game against No. 6 ranked Lenoir-Rhyne (13-0) at Moretz Stadium in Hickory, N.C. Kickoff time will be announced in the coming days.
NWE Wins National Turkey Bowl Championship
December 1, 2019
The NWE 6U Chiefs defeated Team Pensacola Saturday to win the Battle of the South Youth National Turkey Bowl Championship. The NWE 6U Chiefs have been invited to play for the National Youth Football Championship later this month in Atlanta. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
‘Keep The Wreath Green’ Fire Safety Campaign Kicks Off Sunday
December 1, 2019
Escambia County Fire Rescue, in collaboration with the Pensacola Fire Department, kicks off the annual “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign Sunday. While a joyous time of year, cold weather, holiday decorations and festivities can create serious fire dangers. Firefighters hope to reduce the number of fires by promoting simple, lifesaving holiday safety tips each day in December.
During the month-long campaign, five-foot wreaths will also be on display at 18 county fire stations and five city fire stations, with wreaths also be placed outside Escambia County’s Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building downtown, the Escambia County Public Safety Building, Pensacola City Hall and Cordova Mall near the food court entrance. Each time firefighters respond to a residential fire with damage, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in residential home. In 2018, eight bulbs were changed to red on county wreaths, and the city had two red bulbs.
According to the United States Fire Administration, fires occurring during the winter claim the lives of over 900 people and cause over $2.1 billion in damage. Nationally, cooking is the leading cause of home winter fires, with 5 to 8 p.m. being the most common time for a fire to occur.
A working smoke detector cuts the chances of dying in a reported fire in half. For information about obtaining a home smoke detector, call Escambia County Fire Rescue at (850) 595-HERO (4376) or (850) 436-5200 for city of Pensacola residents.
Pictured below: One of the December 2018 fires in Escambia County was this mobile home fire on Ivey Street in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo.
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Suspects Crash Into Tree After Drive-by Shooting In Cottage Hill
November 30, 2019
Two fleeing drive-by shooting suspects crashed their pickup truck into a tree Saturday morning in Cottage Hill.
The drive-by shooting was reported about 3:40 a.m. in the area of Handy Road and Williams Ditch Road. No one was hit or injured by the gunfire, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
A short time later the suspect vehicle crashed into a tree on Highway 95A near McKenzie Road. Firefighters had to extricate at least one of the individuals from the truck.
The adult and juvenile transported to a local hospital in serious condition. Once they are released, they are expected to be charged in connection with the drive-by shooting, according to the ECSO.
A gun was recovered from the pickup.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
FHP Enforcement Ramped For The Holiday Weekend
November 30, 2019
The Florida Highway Patrol ramped up enforcement for the Thanksgiving weekend.
The FHP is reminding motorists that they can arrive alive by buckling up, eliminating distractions and never driving impaired.
“Remember there are FHP troopers and law enforcement officers statewide spending the holiday working to keep Florida’s roadways safe,” said FLHSMV Executive Director, Terry L. Rhodes. “Do your part by always buckling up and never driving impaired.”
In 2018, preliminarily, there were 9,896 crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday period, with 79 resulting fatalities. According to AAA – The Auto Club Group, 2.6 million Floridians are forecast to be driving during the Thanksgiving holiday, leading to higher volumes of traffic on roadways. From November 25 to 29 all available FHP troopers, along with FHP reserve and auxiliary members, will be patrolling the roads to help ensure safe travel.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Indicted For Sexual Abuse Of Child In Escambia County, AL
November 30, 2019
A Perdido man has been charged with the sexual abuse of of a child under 12 in Escambia County, Alabama.
Dustin Ray Gates, 32, was indicted by a grand jury for the sexual abuse of a child under 12 years of age and enticing a child for an immoral purpose.
An investigation involving Gates was launched after the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the Alabama Department of Human Resources with allegations of sexual abuse by Gates on a child under 12, according to Sheriff Heath Jackson.
Multiple People Injured In Highway 196 Crash
November 30, 2019
Three people were injured in a wreck Friday afternoon near Molino. The tw0-vehicle crash occurred on Highway 196 near Jacks Branch Road. None of the injuries were life threatening. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Sacred Heart to Provide Free Flu Shots Across The Area
November 30, 2019
Sacred Heart will provide free flu shots at locations across the area during December for the poor, elderly or uninsured.
The schedule is as follows:
- Dec. 2 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church, 320 Valencia St., Pensacola.
- Dec. 3 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Beulah Senior Center, 7425 Woodside Dr., Beulah.
- Dec. 4 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Jay Community Center, 5259 Booker Lane, Jay.
- Dec. 5 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Marie K. Young Wedgewood Community Center, 6405 Wagner St., Pensacola.
- Dec. 10 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Holley Navarre Senior Center, 8476 Gordon Goodin Lane, Navarre.
- Dec. 11 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Century Senior Center, 6020 Industrial Blvd., Century.
- Dec. 12 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Milton Community Center, 5629 Byrom St., Milton.
- Dec. 14 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Quintette Community Center, 2490 Quintette Lane, Cantonment.
Flu shots are limited to persons 18 or order. For more information, call (850) 416-7826.