Man Sentenced To Jail For Breaking Into Cantonment Camper
September 26, 2019
A man has been sentenced for breaking into a camper trailer in Cantonment.
Jonah Richard Harris received 200 days in the county jail for third degree felony burglary of an unoccupied structure, petit theft and simple assault.
Last January, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to Plaza Road after a resident discovered a man later identified as Harris inside a camper. Harris fled the scene, according to the Sheriff’s Office, but was arrested a short time later.
He later threatened a woman that he made contact with as he was fleeing the area, deputies said.
Fire Alert Issued For State Of Alabama
September 26, 2019
The Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) has upgraded a recent fire danger advisory to a statewide fire alert. While the state is under a fire lert, permits for outdoor burning will be restricted and issued on an individual basis at the discretion of the state forester.
Anyone who burns a field, grassland, or woodland without a burn permit may be subject to prosecution for a misdemeanor, according to AFC.
The forest commission said burning restriction is being issued because of the current drought situation, continued lack of precipitation, and high probability of fuel ignition. With this extremely dry weather, conditions are such that any fire can quickly spread out of control, not only resulting in damage to forests but also threatening lives and destroying property.
Over the last week, AFC wildland firefighters have responded to 182 wildfires across Alabama, burning approximately 2,608 acres. This does not include numerous fires suppressed by volunteer fire departments (VFDs) across the state.
This Fire Alert will remain in effect until rescinded by the state forester, at which time conditions will have changed sufficiently to reduce the occurrence and frequency of wildfires. To report a wildfire, call the Alabama Forestry Commission at (800) 392-5679.
In the North Escambia vicinity, the City of Atmore is under a total burn ban.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Police Chief Resigning, His Successor Is Named
September 26, 2019
The Flomaton Police Chief has submitted his resignation and his successor has been named.
The last day on the job for Chief Bryan Davis will Friday, October 4 after six years on the job He has accepted another position.
The Flomaton Town Council voted Wednesday to name Capt. Chance Thompson III as Davis’ replacement effective Saturday, October 5. The council approved his appointment on a 4-1 vote as recommended by Mayor Dewey Bondurant. Council member Buster Crapps cast the lone negative vote.
Pictured top: Flomaton Police Chief Bryan Davis (left) and incoming chief Chance Thompson. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NY Mets Honor Former Tate Baseball Standout Jet Butler
September 26, 2019
The New York Mets have named a former Tate High School baseball standout as the winner of one of the organization’s Sterling Awards.
The Mets honored Area Scouting Supervisor Jet Butler as recipient of the 2019 Scout of the Year Award. The presentation was made at home plate of Citi Field prior to the Mets vs. Marlins game earlier this week. He has been a member of the Mets amateur scouting staff since 2014 and supervises Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas.
Butler was selected by the Mets in the 2010 MLB Draft out of Mississippi State University. He helped lead the Tate Aggies to the 2005 Florida High School Class 4A State Championship and a ranking of 13th in the nation by Baseball America, and was the starting shortstop on the 2007 Mississippi State College World Series team.
After a four-year professional playing career, he spent one season as an assistant coach for the Florida State Seminoles before returning to the Mets.
Butler had a huge impact on the Mets’ successful 2019 Draft, signing the All Time SEC hits leader Jake Mangum, pitcher Nathan Jones, LSU All Time hits leader Antoine Duplantis, and 32nd round pick Cole Gordon, who last month received the BC Powder Outstanding Relief Pitcher Award. The Escambia County native currently resides in Brandon, Mississippi with his wife Kristen, and their two children, Jetta Marie and Knox.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Boys Golf Team Wins Sixth Match Of Season
September 26, 2019
The Tate High School boys golf team won its sixth match of the season beating Escambia and Pine Forest in the nine hole match. The team posted a score of 173. The team plays again Thursday at Perdido Bay.
Ethan Beaver led all scorers with a 39. Jackson Penton finished second with a 41.
Courts Closed Monday For Rosh Hashanah
September 26, 2019
The courts of the First Judicial Circuit will be closed Monday, September 30, in observance of Rosh Hashanah. Regular operations will resume on Tuesday, October 1.
The First Judicial Circuit is comprised of Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton Counties
Still Time To Get A Special Edition Toy Story 4 Library Card
September 26, 2019
West Florida Public Libraries are offering a special edition library card during September in honor of Library Card Sign-up Month.
The special edition card features Disney-Pixar’s “Toy Story 4” characters joining the American Library Association on an adventure to promote the value of a library card.
While library cards are always free for Escambia County residents, the usual $3 replacement fee for lost or damaged cards will be waived during the month of September as part of the celebration.
September was designated as Library Card Sign-up Month by the ALA in 1987, after then Secretary of Education William J. Bennett issued a challenge. The challenge was for a national campaign encouraging every child to obtain and regularly use a library card.
Escambia County residents can find information about getting a library card or sign up at mywfpl.com/borrow/card.
Local Students Gather For ‘See You At The Pole’ (With Photo Gallery)
September 25, 2019
Students gathered to pray at their schools across the area Wednesday morning during the annual See You at the Pole event.
Students gathered as school began to pray in the non-denominational event. See You at the Pole is a national student-initiated, student organized, and student-led event. Students prayed for their school, friends, teachers, government and the nation.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: See You at the Pole events Wednesday morning at schools across the North Escambia area. NorthEscambia.com and submitted photos, click to enlarge.
Century Hiring Firm Now To Avoid Late Audit For Sixth Straight Year
September 25, 2019
The Town of Century is exercising a contract option to hire an auditor to avoid late filing for a sixth straight year.
They are engaging Warren-Averett to perform the town’s fiscal year 2018-2019 audit. The fiscal year does not end until September 30, and Interim Town Manager Buz Eddy said the town is getting ahead of the game to avoid being late with the audit that is not due to the state until June 30, 2020.
Warren-Averett will charge the same $30,000 fee as their 2017-2018 audit for the town. The fee was increased from $21,000 in the 2016-2017 fiscal year because due to concerns over the utility billing cycle, concerns noted in a grand jury report, incorrect information provided that required multiple adjustments in the previous audits and a failure to follow an audit timeline.
The town’s audit has been late in violation of state law for the past five years.
Pictured: Mayor Henry Hawkins listens as auditor Kristen McAllister presents her 2018-2019 findings during an August 2019 meeting. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Crews To Replace Highway 29 Railroad Crossing In Cantonment This Weekend
September 25, 2019
Crews will replace the Highway 29 railroad crossing at International Paper in Cantonment this weekend, and that will lead to traffic delays.
North and southbound Highway traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction south of Muscogee Road in Cantonment from 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27 to 6 a.m. Monday, Sept. 30 as crews replace the CSX railroad crossing. During the crossing work, crews will stop traffic in two intervals for approximately 15 minutes to move the new rails into place.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.