A Magical Miracle League Christmas Night At Tate High School
December 8, 2018
It was a magical Christmas night Friday at Tate High School for some very special guests.
Several groups held a Christmas party for the players of the Miracle League. There were games that include an indoor snowball fight, crafts, visits with Santa, two Christmas skits, and dinner.
The event was sponsored by the Tate High Beta Club with help from the yearbook staff, Diamond Girls, ASL (American Sign Language) Club, STUCO, Drama Club and Community Care Givers.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Found Not Guilty In Double Murder Case
December 8, 2018
An Escambia County man was found not guilty in the murder of two people and the shooting of a third.
Gideon Elias Fussner, 19, was charged with two counts of second degree murder and one count of aggravated battery for the shooting deaths of 17-year old Julius Lewis and 19-year old Raymond Martinez and the wounding of Ranlondis McDowell about 11:15 p.m. December 11, 2017, on Weis Lane.
Fussner claimed the shootings were self defense.
Farm Hill Utilities Rescinds Boil Water Notice For Large Part Of System
December 8, 2018
Farm Hill Utilities in Cantonment has rescinded a boil water notice that was in place for a large part of their system due to a water main break.
The notice was issued Tuesday afternoon for South County Road 97 south of West Kingsfield Road, West Kingsfield Road and all side roads south of Kingsfield including Pinebrook and Carmody Hill.
The utility said bacteriological survey showed the water is safe to drink.
100-Year Old Cantonment Survivor, Tate High Participate In NAS Pearl Harbor Programs
December 8, 2018
A Cantonment Pearl Harbor survivor was recognized, and Tate High School took part in remembrance ceremonies on Friday at Naval Air Station Pensacola.
Pearl Harbor survivor retired U.S. Navy Chief Warrant Officer 4 Francis “Frank” Emond, age 100, attended Pensacola-area Chief Petty Officer’s Association Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony Friday morning at Barrancas National Cemetery.
“Sometimes things happen, and you have to recover. You have to stand up again and get started again. You just can’t let adversity hold you down too long,” Emond said.
“I was in Navy Band Number 8, a musician, and we lost all our friends, Navy Band 22 on the Arizona. And I keep thinking of them a lot. It’s a shame they were so young and their lives were cut off at a very very early age. So I just can’t forget them,” he said.
Originally from Rhode Island, Emond enlisted in the Navy in 1938 as a musician. He played the French horn for the ship’s band and even got to perform at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York before he was assigned to the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) in Hawaii in the summer of 1941. The day before the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Emond and fellow Navy musicians played at a dance and band contest. His band won the contest against other bands from the USS California (BB-44) and USS Arizona (BB-39). His band later donated the trophy they won in memory to the men from the Arizona. As the sun rose on Dec. 7, 1941, Emond was preparing for morning colors and the raising of the American flag.
That’s when Emond noticed the hundreds of Japanese planes that filled the sky followed by the sound of a torpedo striking a ship docked behind his battleship. In addition to being a musician, Emond was trained as a stretcher bearer and with the general alarm sounding along with the sound of gunfire and explosions; he began retrieving injured and dead Sailors aboard the Pennsylvania.
Following the war, Emond remained in the Navy until he retired in 1968 in Pensacola. He is currently married and has two sons, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. His 100-year-old brother still lives in Rhode Island.
Also Friday, the Tate High School Wind Ensemble and Chorus performed at a Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony at the Naval Aviation Museum.
Pictured top: Pearl Harbor survivor Frank Edmond of Cantonment speaks during a Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony Friday at Barrancas National Cemetery. Pictured below: The Tate High School Wind Ensemble perform during a Pearl Harbor ceremony at the Naval Aviation Museum. Pictured bottom: The Tate Wind Ensemble with Florida Sen. Doug Broxson. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Hides In Septic Tank After Burglarizing Grandmother’s Trailer, Setting Fires
December 7, 2018
Deputies arrested a man found hiding in a septic tank after he allegedly set multiple fires inside his grandmother’s vacant mobile home near Gonzalez.
Jacob Blake Aeppli, 24, was charged with second degree felony arson, felony first degree burglary and petit theft.
Aeppli allegedly broke into the trailer on Packwood Drive, just off East Kingsfield Road and started several fires that damaged the floors and ceilings. He as also accused of stealing a hand truck from the property.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 found Aeppli, nearby hiding in a septic tank wearing camouflage waders with a survival knife on his hip. The hand truck was close by, with his backpack attached to it.
The fire was extinguished by neighbors using a garden hose. The trailer sustained minor damage.
Aeppli remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday with bond set at $28,500.
One For The Hurricane History Books: Flomaton Hurricanes Win 3A State Championship (With Photo Gallery)
December 7, 2018
The Flomaton Hurricanes beat Piedmont 23-12 to win the Class 3A state championship Thursday afternoon in Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium.
It was the first trip to the state championship in the 94-year history of the Flomaton football program.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Hurricanes were first on the board with a 25-yard field goal from Da’Shun Odom with just over a minute to go in the first quarter.
Piedmont intercepted on fourth and goal and returned it 60 yards to the Flomaton 36 yard line, setting up a 3-yard touchdown run for Piedmont and a 6-3 Bulldog lead.
After a Flomaton interception, Daquan Johnson found Quincie McCall for a 48-yard gain for the Canes. On the next down, Johnson connected with Samuel Smith on a 14-yard touchdown pass. Flomaton was back on top, 9-6.
Piedmont’s Kaedon Jenkins carried for a 75-yard touchdown. With a failed 2 point conversion, the Bulldogs were leading 12-9.
With 50 seconds in the third, Johnson gave Flomaton a 16-12 advantage with a 2-yard touchdown run. Flomaton expanded their lead to 23-12 on another touchdown run from Johnson.
Johnson was named the game MVP.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: Daquan Johnson over a Piedmont defender (Trent Penny/Anniston Star). Pictured left inset: Quincie McCall gains yardage for Flomaton (AL.com/Dennis Victory). Pictured below: The Hurricanes celebrate their first ever state championship (Trent Penny/Anniston Star). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo gallery game photos courtesy Trent Penny/Anniston Star, Dennis Vickery/AL.com, Mark Almond/AL.com; fan photos from Alisa Hart and numerous Flomaton fans.
Banks, Heard Named Tate High Students Of The Month
December 7, 2018
Tate High School has named Sean Banks and Raliegha Heard as Students of the Month for October. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Superheroes, Firefighters To Hold Toy Drive Saturday
December 7, 2018
The Atmore Fire Department will hold their second toy drive of the season Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. at the Atmore Walmart on North Main Street. Superheroes from Causeplay Gulf Coast will be on
hand. The donations will be for local children in need and children impacted by Hurricane Michael. Pictured: A November 10 Atmore Firefighter Toy Drive. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Animal Shelter Offering Special Adoption Rates
December 7, 2018
The Escambia County Animal Shelter is offering a special reduced adoption fee of $50 for all dogs and puppies and $20 for all cats and kittens during the month of December. Adoption fees include altering of the animal (spay or neutering services), microchip, heart worm test and the initial vaccinations, including rabies vaccinations. Escambia County residents will be required to purchase a license at the time of adoption. This is an additional $11 over the adoption fees and is paid separately.
While Escambia County Animal Shelter staff want every pet to have a home for the holidays, they highly discourage giving pets as presents, especially surprise presents. The shelter recommends if your friend or loved one has expressed interest in pet adoption, consider wrapping a food bowl and treats to put under the Christmas tree and coming to the shelter together to pick out a lifelong pet that’s right for their lifestyle, family and budget.
The Escambia County Animal Shelter is located at 200 West Fairfield Drive and is open Monday-Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact the shelter at (850) 595-3075.
Creek Indian Enterprises Purchase Atmore Holiday Inn Express
December 7, 2018
