Lightning Strikes McDavid Home
August 11, 2019
A McDavid home was struck by lightning late Saturday afternoon.
It happened about 5:30 p.m. at a two story home on Lambert Bridge Road near Pine Barren Road.
The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded and found evidence of a lightning strike, but no fire. There were no injuries reported.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Haas Center Conducting Century Survey, Holding Focus Group Meetings Tuesday
August 11, 2019
The University of West Florida Haas Center will hold focus group sessions Tuesday to survey Century area residents on community goods and services needed in the area, and an online version of the survey is also available.
The survey is available now at Haas.uwf.edu/CenturySurvey. The focus group meetings will be held at 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. at 4400 Hecker Road.
The survey is part of a $24,500 marketing study funding by the Escambia County Commission.
Back To School: What Time Does Your Child’s School Start And Release?
August 11, 2019
School begins Monday, August 12 in Escambia County.
For a printable school start and release time schedule, click here. The schedule includes complete details such as drop off times, bus departure schedules and early release times.
Crary Road Bridge Replacement Project Completed
August 10, 2019
Work is now complete on a $776,874 Florida Department of Transportation project to replace the current bridge on Crary Road over Pritchett Mill Creek near Century.
The work involved replacing the current bridge structure with a box culvert, paving the roadway approaches, and improving drainage. Crary Road had beenen closed between Tedder and Byrneville roads since November 2018 for construction.
NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Back To School: Here Are Printable School Supply Lists
August 10, 2019
School begins Monday, August 12 in Escambia County. Here are the school supply lists for elementary and middle schools:
For the Escambia County elementary school supply list, click here.
For the Escambia County middle school supply list, click here.
(High schools do not have a general supply list. Students are advised of their supply needs in each class.)
Rescue Clear: Escambia Emergency Dispatcher Retires After 30 Years
August 10, 2019
A voice that has been on the other end of 911 in Escambia County for 30 years retired Friday afternoon.
William “Bill” Jordan has answered and dispatched thousands upon thousands of 911 calls in Escambia County.
His three decades of service was to come to an end with one last radio call. He turned to the microphone and paused. Then he turned his head way, laughed and turned back to the microphone.
“This is Escambia County Fire Rescue Communications Center, Pensacola, Florida. The following dispatcher is out of service. 2826 (his radio number). Clear, Rescue clear at at 16:57.”
He leaned back in his chair. “Alright,” he said with a sigh. Three decades were over. So he thought.
“Squad 3 Escambia.”
“Squad 3,” Bill answered.
“Godspeed.”
He stood up, walked away and then turned to look back at the dispatch desk. And the radio calls kept coming from fire stations across the county.
“Ladder 13 Escambia.”
“Ladder 13,” he replied.
“Good luck. Thank you for your service.”
Engine 17. Ladder 13. Engine 14. The radio calls continued with best wishes.
“I really wasn’t expecting all this,” he said to those in the dispatch center.
“1803 Escambia.”
“1803?”
“Thank you for you service. Enjoy your retirement sir.”
“901 Escambia.”
“All units standby,” Bill said. He looks at the dispatch computer. A structure fire call on Creighton Road was coming in.
“Let’s do it,” Bill said as he hit the dispatch tones that alerts fire stations needed for the call. Like a ship’s captain at the helm, he settled into his chair, and soon begin to dispatch fire engines to the fire.
“….commercial structure fire,” Bill said as he went back work serving Escambia County’s citizens.
Pictured top: William “Bill” Jordan on his last shift, ending a 30-year career as an Escambia County dispatcher. Pictured inset: Bill reacts as he signs off the last time. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Smokey Bear Celebrates 75th Birthday
August 10, 2019
Friday, the Florida Forest Service joined the nation in celebrating 75 years of Smokey Bear, the face of the longest-running public service advertising campaign in United States history, continuing his legacy of bringing awareness to unwanted, human-caused fires.
“Wildfire prevention remains one of the most critical issues in our state,” said Jim Karels, state forester and director of the Florida Forest Service. “Florida’s climate creates a unique challenge for our year-round wildfire season, making it imperative for us to educate Floridians and visitors alike on the importance of Smokey Bear’s message.”
Smokey Bear’s wildfire prevention campaign has had a dramatic impact since its introduction in 1944. Progress continues today with an approximate 14 percent reduction in the average number of human-caused wildfires from 2011-2018, compared to the previous 10 years.
While his work has been successful, more than 75% of all wildfires in Florida are caused by human carelessness, which means Smokey’s message remains relevant. Since January, the Florida Forest Service has responded to 1,295 wildfires that have burned over 87,200 acres in our state.
Pictured: A 75th birthday party for Smokey Bear Friday at the Blackwater Forestry Center. Escambia County is part of the Blackwater district. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton PD: Two Arrested With Spice During Warrant Service
August 10, 2019
The Flomaton Police Department on Friday reported the arrest of two people on spice-related charges.
Flomaton Police completed several warrant executions from the Flomaton Municipal Court Thursday night.
The department said as a failure to appear warrant was served on Jonathon Rabon of Flomaton, they discovered he and 30-year old Nakisha Hadley were in possession of synthetic cannabinoids, commonly known as spice, and drug paraphernalia.
Both were charged and booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center.
Photos: Flomaton Police Department.
Escambia Man Gets Life In Prison For Tying Up Woman, Cutting Her Throat
August 10, 2019
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to life in prison for tying up a woman and cutting her throat.
Michael Wade Locke was sentenced by Judge Shackelford to life in prison. He qualified for an enhanced sentence as a prison releasee reoffender, habitual violent felony offender, and a habitual felony offender.
Michael Wade Locke previously entered a no contest plea last month to the charges of attempted second degree murder with a weapon, aggravated battery with permanent disfigurement with a weapon, robbery with a deadly weapon, tampering with a victim involving the investigation or prosecution of a first degree felony, false imprisonment and grand theft auto.
The charges involved an incident which occurred on October 10, 2018. Locke went to victim’s residence and an argument began. Locke then pushed the victim into her closet and punched her in the mouth. He then proceeded to cut the victim’s throat at least two times.
He also tied the victim’s hands and feet behind her back with a belt and cords from a hairdryer and straightener. Locke took cash, a cell phone, and vehicle keys belonging to the victim from her purse.
Locke then locked the house and fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle. Law enforcement responded to a 911 call that there was a woman yelling for help. Law enforcement located the victim bound and bleeding heavily from lacerations to her neck. She identified Michael Locke as her attacker. The victim was rushed to Baptist Hospital and she was treated for her injuries.
Later that same night, law enforcement responded to a burglary in progress and found Michael Wade Locke present with the victim’s stolen vehicle. Locke was taken into custody and was in possession of a black folding pocket knife. Later testing revealed that this knife contained the victim’s DNA on the blade.
Locke’s prior criminal record included multiple felony convictions and prison sentences which ultimately led to the enhanced sentence by Judge Shackelford.
Weekend Gardening: August To Do List
August 10, 2019
Here are gardening tips for the month of August from the UF/IFAS Extension program:
What to Plant
- Bedding Plants: The hottest days of summer limit planting now to heat tolerant vinca, gaillardia, bulbine, and coleus.
- Bulbs:Aztec lily, butterfly lily, walking iris, and spider lily can be planted any time of the year, even late summer.
- Herbs: Herbs that can be planted from plants (not seeds) include bay laurel, ginger,Mexican tarragon, and rosemary.
- Vegetables: This month starts the fall planting season. Many cool season crops can be planted now, including a final crop of warm-season vegetables such as pepper. Tomato can be planted for the fall garden.
- Lawn problems: Damaged areas can be the result of insects, disease, or irrigation problems. Be sure to determine the cause so the proper remedy is used. Use a sharp mower blade and only remove 1/3 of grass blade to reduce stress on the lawn.
- Palms: If older fronds are yellowing, you may have a magnesium or potassium deficiency. Apply an appropriate palm fertilizer.
- Poinsettias: Pinch back poinsettias and mums before the end of the month to allow time for buds to form for winter bloom.
- Ornamental Plants: Rapid growth and leaching rains may result in nutrient deficiencies in some plants. Fertilize those plants that show signs of deficiencies.
- Bedding Plants: Remove spent blooms, cut back, and fertilize flowering annuals and perennials to extend the bloom season into the fall months.
- Adjust irrigation based on rainfall.
- Deadhead flowers to encourage new blooms.
- Monitor the garden for insects and disease.
- Plant trees, shrubs, and perennials and water until established.