Florida, Alabama Forestry Officials Warning Of Dry Weather Fire Danger

September 29, 2019

Officials with the Florida Forest Service and Alabama Forestry Commission are coming together to warn residents of both states of increasing danger of wildfires because of a continued lack of rainfall. It has been more than a month since most of Alabama and Northwest Florida have seen significant rainfall, and there is little to no relief in sight.

“With the current weather patterns that we are experiencing, any outdoor burning has the potential for escaping and developing into a major wildfire, which could endanger lives and destroy property,” said Benji Elmore, Southwest Regional Forester with the Alabama Forestry Commission. “Prolonged drought, abnormally high temperatures, lower humidity and higher winds are all ingredients for a catastrophic fire event. Every wildfire that is prevented under these conditions could be someone’s life or home that is saved.”

Wildland firefighters in both states are on heightened alert and resources from other areas of the states have been prepositioned to help deal with the elevated fire activity in some areas and increased potential in others. Florida has pulled resources from the peninsula to Northwest Florida to combat increased fire starts while Alabama has shifted resources to the northeast portion of the state which has seen the most significant fire activity.

The two agencies – both responsible for wildfire suppression in their respective states – also are working together in areas along their roughly 200-mile border and elsewhere as needed to help each other fight fires as they occur.

“Our resources are ready to respond throughout the Florida Panhandle as well as nearby areas of Alabama if requested,” said Ken Weber, Florida Forest Service Deputy Chief of Field Operations for Region 1, which covers the area from the western Florida-Alabama line along the Perdido River east to the Aucilla River and Jefferson County line. “The partnership between Florida and Alabama is strong, and we’ve always been available to help each other when needed. As it gets drier and we see more fires, the Florida Forest Service will continue to aid in any way possible while still protecting our state.”

Alabama currently is under a statewide Fire Alert which allows the Forestry Commission to restrict the issuing of burn permits. During a Fire Alert, permits will be issued on an individual basis at the discretion of the State Forester to certified prescribed burn managers with adequate manpower and equipment. Anyone who burns a field, grassland or woodland without a burn permit may be subject to prosecution for committing a Class B misdemeanor.

The area most impacted by drought conditions in Florida is split between the Blackwater Forestry Center (serving Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties) and the Chipola Forestry Center (serving Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Walton and Washington counties). Authorizations for acreage burns will not be issued by the Blackwater Forestry Center, and pile burners must have adequate heavy equipment on scene.

NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

The Pumpkins Have Arrived At Cantonment Pumpkin Patch

September 29, 2019

It’s a sure sign of fall in Cantonment.

The pumpkins have arrived at the Allen Memorial United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch. Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes are available under the big tent on Highway 29 near Neal Road.

The Allen Memorial United Methodist Men have sponsored the Pumpkin Patch since 1995.

Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News

UWF Hosts State Of The University Address; Saunders Sets Big Goals

September 29, 2019

University of West Florida President Martha D. Saunders reflected on a year of extraordinary accomplishments before turning her attention to “big goals” during her 2019 State of the University address on Friday, Sept. 27.

Saunders noted that UWF placed top two in the Florida Board of Governors performance-funding model, scoring its highest point total in the six-year history of the metrics and finishing one point behind the University of Florida. UWF improved in each of the 10 metrics, highlighted by significant improvements in 4-year graduation and student retention rates.

“Nobody did this alone,” Saunders said. “Every single thing we do that matters at all, is a collaborative effort.”

Saunders pointed out that U.S. News & World Report awarded the University four Best Colleges award badges as symbols of excellence for ranking among the top regional universities in the South in the following categories: Regional Universities; Top Public Schools; Social Mobility; and Best Colleges for Veterans.
UWF welcomed its third consecutive class of National Merit Finalists this fall, for a total of nine finalists enrolled since Fall 2017. Saunders cited the UWF robotics team finishing second out of 41 teams in the annual Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers SoutheastCon hardware competition and UWF mechanical engineering students participating in ArgoTots, a program that assists young children with physical disabilities by creating modified vehicles, among notable student accomplishments. Additionally, the Florida Student Association elected UWF Student Body President Zenani D. Johnson to serve as chair for the 2019-20 academic year.

Saunders also highlighted the University’s accomplishment of expanding its downtown presence in her address. The UWF Center for Cybersecurity relocated in the spring and now operates out of a state-of-the-art facility in the Studer Community Institute Building. The Center for Global Online Learning and Development also established a presence in downtown Pensacola.

Saunders said UWF is primed to carry the momentum over to the new academic year. Her goals include continuing to improve the University’s 4-year graduation and student retention rates, along with increasing community efforts.

“We don’t need to stick close to shore. We can take on the big sea,” Saunders said. “We are not afraid to set big goals. The day before any major breakthrough, it was just a crazy idea.”

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Tate Boys Golf Wins Perdido Bay Match

September 29, 2019

The Tate High School boys golf team won a recent match at the Perdido Bay Country Club with a team score of 164 beating Washington, Pensacola and Escambia. Ethan Beaver posted the lowest score of 38. Jackson Penton shot a 39. Other scores: Jace Anthony 43 Trent Callahan 44 Caleb Banks 56, Peyton Caslow 54

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports

Brush Fire Burns Two Acres And Shed, Threatens House In Century

September 28, 2019

A brush fire ripped through about two acres, damaged a storage shed and threatened a house Friday afternoon in Century.

Residents say the fire on Elm Street near Jeter Lane moved quickly, jumping through a wooded area, burning the fence and igniting the shed.

There were no injuries reported. The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

The Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Flomaton Fire Department and Escambia County EMS responded. The Florida Forest Service also responded, cutting a line through the woods around the fire to keep it from spreading further.

For a photo gallery, click here.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

ECSO: Cantonment Man Charged With Child Abuse After Excessively Whipping Child

September 28, 2019

UPDATE: CHARGES IN THIS CASE WERE LATER DROPPED.

A Cantonment man has been charged after excessively whipping a child so hard with a belt that it left bruising, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.

Matthew Scott Reber, 35, was charged with felony child abuse.

The child said he had been whipped because he was bad, according to an arrest report, and complained that he had pain in his back and buttocks.

Reber admitted he whipped the child because he needed discipline, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report continues, and he stated “it’s not my fault he bruises easily”.

According to the ECSO, the child had what appeared to be the impression of a belt that started on the right side of the back, extended over the backbone area and towards the left side of the back, along with what appeared to be slight bruising on his buttocks.

The child was transported to the Gulf Coast Kid’s House for an interview and medical evaluation.

The report states the corporal punishment “was excessive due to the injuries”.

Reber was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $2,500 bond.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Flomaton Dominates Escambia County High 24-0 (With Photo Gallery)

September 28, 2019

The Flomaton Hurricanes dominated the Escambia County Blue Devils 24-0 Friday night in Flomaton.

“It was total domination from start to finish,” Flomaton head coach Doug Vickery said the homecoming win for the Hurricanes.

“Defensively, what a game plan. For our coaches and our players to put that game plan in, zero points on that bunch. They’re a great football team, they do. Domination, start to finish.”

For a photo gallery, click here.

Daquan “Money” Johnson cashed in with three touchdowns for the defending 3A state champion Hurricanes.

But those championship rings did not mean a thing headed into Friday night’s contest, according to Vickery.

“I know we are ranked; that doesn’t mean nothing, We need to be ranked No. 1 at the end of the season,” he said. “This bunch is the best bunch I’ve ever seen as far as being diligent, sticking to the plan, having effort and discipline. We did all those little things tonight.”

“We made a few crazy plays in the game, but that was just a great effort by our guys. I thought it was a total domination against a good 4A team. This is the biggest win of our season so far. We take it in one game at a time. We’re going to be back at Auburn this year. You can write it down.”

The Blue Devils had one touchdown, but it was called back due to holding. ECHS isnow 3-2 on the season and will be in their house next Friday night for Homecoming.

Flomaton (5-0) will travel to Bayside Academy in Daphne next Friday night.

For a photo gallery, click here.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports, TOP sports

Northview Wins In Panama City (With Photo Gallery)

September 28, 2019

The Northview Chiefs hit the road Friday night to Panama City and defeated North Bay Haven 36-25.

The North Bay Haven Buccaneers held a 13-0 lead over the Chiefs before Jamarcus Jefferson punched in for a few yards out and his first ever touchdown for Northview after being called up to make it 13-8.

Later in the second quarter quarterback Ben Wilson found Logan Bryan for a 65-yard Chiefs’ touchdown. Another two point conversion and the Chiefs were on top 16 Trent Peebles had jut over 200 yards on the night and couple of touchdowns of his own, and Aunterio Minor scored on a 70-yard kickoff return.

The Northview Chiefs (3-2) will be back in Bratt next Friday night for homecoming and their last home game of the season. Homecoming festivities begin a 6 p.m., and the kickoff against Walton (3-4) is at 7 p.m.

For a photo gallery, click here.

Photos by Lexie Kittrell for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.