Register To Vote Soon: Florida’s Deadline Is One Week Away For Primaries
February 11, 2020
Florida residents who are not registered to vote have a week remaining to register to vote in order cast a ballot in the March presidential primary election.
The voter registration deadline for the March 17 presidential primary is Tuesday, February 18.
Florida has closed primaries. If you want to vote in a party’s primary, you must be registered in that party by the registration deadline.
Voters can register online or register in person or by mail. For information on any of the registration methods, change parties or check your registration, visit escambiavotes.com.
Longtime Walnut Hill Volunteer Firefighter, County Supervisor Dennis Rigby Passes Away
February 11, 2020
Longtime Escambia County employee and volunteer firefighter Dennis Rigby, 60, of Oak Grove passed away Monday after an 18-month battle with pancreatic cancer.
During his 32-year career with the county, he most recently worked as fleet maintenance supervisor for Escambia County Solid Waste before his retirement last October. In 2018, he was honored by the Escambia County Commission for his long career.
Next month would have marked 40 years for Rigby as a volunteer for Walnut Hill Volunteer Department, and he also served as the department chief from 1988 to 1989. In 2012, he was named Officer of the Year (pictured below) and honored for his decades of service to the department.
“I am so sorry for the large contingent of family and friends that Dennis leaves behind,” Escambia County Commission Chairman Steven Barry said. “Dennis was a tremendous public servant, who served his community for many decades, with over 30 years with Escambia County, and 40 years with the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department. We should all aspire to have the positive impact on our neighbors that Dennis had on his.”
Rigby is survived by his wife of 41 years, Sherri Rigby; two children, Chad Rigby and Kristi Rigby Hughes; and two grandchildren, Devin and Dakota Hughes.
Visitation will be held Thursday, February 13 from 6-8 p.m. at Atmore Memorial Chapel. Funeral services will be Friday, February 14 at 11 a.m. at Atmore Memorial Chapel with a graveside service to follow at Oak Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department.
For the complete obituary, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos.
Tate High School Baseball Concession Stand Burglarized
February 11, 2020
Someone broke into the Tate High School baseball concession stand over the weekend.
A large brick was thrown through a window, and about $300 worth of food and drink were stolen, according to the baseball booster club.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Coach Karl Jernigan or Principal Rick Shackle at the school at (850) 937-2300.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview High School Names Students Of The Month
February 11, 2020
Northview High School has named Students of the Month for January. They are Jason Gurganus (left) and Chunqi Yang. They pictured with Principal Mike Sherrill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Highway 29, Highway 97 Crash
February 10, 2020
One person was seriously injured in a two-vehicle crash Monday afternoon in Molino.
The wreck happened about 3:30 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 and involved two passenger cars. An adult male in his 70s was transported by Escambia County EMS to West Florida Hospital.
The Florida Highway Patrol has not released any additional information as they conduct their investigation. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue rescue also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Gunfire Exchanged In Cantonment Street; Man Charged After Bullets Hit Vehicles
February 10, 2020
A Cantonment man allegedly involved in the exchange of a gunfire in a local street is facing charges after bullets hit two nearby vehicles.
Davonta Terrell Allen, 20, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for a deadly missiles weapons offense and criminal mischief with property damage.
On September 1, 2019, an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to the 100 block of Sheppard Street in Cantonment for a criminal mischief complaint. A resident told deputies that he found a bullet hole in the back rear window and the windshield of his Chevrolet S-10. His Isuzu SUV also had a bullet hole in the left rear fender well and backseat. He estimated the damage to both vehicles at $1,600.
The victim said several people exchanged gunfire near his home about an hour earlier. He told deputies Allen was one of those shooting and later identified him from a photo lineup.
Allen remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $15,000.
Crary Road Has Two New Names
February 10, 2020
Crary Road now has two new names — North Crary Road and South Crary Road.
Escambia County approved the name change at a recent county commission meeting after 69% of the property owners signed a petition in favor.
Crary Road, from Byrneville Road to the north end at Tedder Road, will be “North Crary Road”, and Crary Road, from Byrneville Road to the south end at North Century Boulevard will be “South Crary Road”.
The total cost to the county for the change will be $535.80 for five new street signs.
Pictured: The northern end of North Crary Road at Tedder Road. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ECSO Finds Fentanyl, Cocaine, Other Narcotics and Guns Inside Escambia Home
February 10, 2020
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office recovered fentanyl, heroin and a quantity of other narcotics and weapons after executing a search warrant recently.
The ECSO Narcotics Unit, High Intensity Patrol Unit, and SWAT team executed the search warrant at a home in the 6700 block of Flagler Drive, off Highway 95A north of Burgess Road. Inside the home, investigators found 125.6 grams of cocaine, 20 grams of heroin/fentanyl mixture, 116 grams of fentanyl, marijuana, and Ecstasy/MDMA tablets. Investigators also located three firearms and $382 in cash.
Jarvis DeMichael Andrews, 40, was charged with possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, possession of ammo by a convicted felon, possession of bulletproof vest while committing a controlled substance offense, trafficking cocaine, trafficking heroin, trafficking fentanyl, possession of Ecstasy/MDMA with the intent to sell, manufacture, and/or deliver, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Jarvis Andrews also had an outstanding warrant which was served at the jail.
Andrews remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $345,500.
Captain Ken Kercher Retires From Escambia Fire Rescue, Recognized By BOCC
February 10, 2020
The Escambia County Commission recently adopted a resolution recognizing Captain Ken Kercher upon his retirement from the volunteer service at the Beulah Station of Escambia Fire Rescue.
Kercher first volunteered in September 1993 at the age of 18.
“I hope I have done enough for my community and this county,” Kercher said. “I only wanted to help others. I just hope I made a difference.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High Chaparrals Take Second In Gulf Coast Color Guard Percussion Competition
February 10, 2020
The Tate High School Chaparrals finished in second place this past weekend in the Gulf Coast Color Guard Percussion Circuit hosted by Choctawhatchee High School. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.