How You Can Help Hurricane Victims
October 14, 2018
A cross still stands this Sunday at a church in Lynn Haven, on the outskirts of Panama City, after Hurricane Michael heavily damaged the building and destroyed much around the church.
Here are several ways you can help Hurricane Michael victims:
Florida Disaster Fund
Florida Disaster Fund has been activated to help. Administered by the Volunteer Florida Foundation, the fund receives donations that go to disaster-relief efforts. To make a contribution, visit www.FloridaDisasterFund.org or text DISASTER to 20222 to make a one-time donation of $10 or DISASTER25 to 20222 to make a $25 donation. It is the state’s official fund for disaster response and recovery.
Volunteer To Help
To volunteer in the recovery efforts for Hurricane Michael visit VolunteerFlorida.org.
American Red Cross
The Red Cross has set up a fund specifically for Hurricane Michael victims. Click here to donate online and find information on how to donate by phone or mail.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has a web page dedicated to collecting donations for victims of Hurricane Michael. Donations can also be made my phone or through mail, click here for more information.
Donate Blood
OneBlood is urging anyone who is eligible to donate blood. Find a list of OneBlood locations and blood drives here. In Pensacola, visit the Pensacola Donor Center at 1999 East Nine Mile Road 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle Students Vote For Their Favorite Things
October 14, 2018
Over 400 Ransom Middle School students voted recently for their favorite things using official voter equipment from the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office. Students chose Chick-fil-A, hip hop music, football and P.E. class among their favorite things. Results were as follows:
Automaker
- Chevrolet 110
- Ford 90
- BMW 67
- Mercedes 55
- Nissan 34
- Honda 23
College
- Florida State 126
- Alabama 114
- Florida 84
- West Florida 67
- Auburn 29
- Florida A&M 4
Fast Food
- Chick-fil-A
- McDonald’s 53
- Subway 52
- Taco Bell 43
- Papa John’s 17
President
- Barack Obama 125
- Abraham Lincoln 111
- Donald Trump 63
- John F. Kennedy 29
- Ronald Regan 17
- Franklin D. Roosevelt 12
Music
- Hip-Hop 210
- Country 96
- Alternative 50
- Rock 47
- Jazz 15
- Classical 14
Sport
- Football 115
- Basketball 90
- Swimming 76
- Baseball 67
- Soccer 66
- Golf 5
School Subject
- P.E. 180
- Math 96
- History 65
- Science 35
- English 29
Flomaton Raises Money For Kelsie Padgett As She Battles Brain Cancer
October 14, 2018
The Flomaton community came together Saturday to raise money for Flomaton High School student Kelsie Padgett, 17, as she battles brain cancer.
The fundraiser included food, a car wash and dunking booth.
“Today was a true testament of love and compassion for a child”, Flomaton Fire Chief Steve Stanton said. “Thank you for everyone who made this possible.”
The fundraiser was sponsored by the Flomaton Fire Department and MedStar Ambulance.
Pictured top: Flomaton High cheerleaders lead a cheer for Kelsie Padgett. Pictured below: The event included a car wash. Pictured bottom: MedStar’s Donnie Brown cooks up burgers for the fundraiser Saturday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
EREC, Southern Pine Crews Helping With Power Restoration
October 14, 2018
Escambia River Electric Cooperative in Jay sent line crews to sister cooperative Gulf Coast Electric Co-op in Wewahitchka, Florida. Gulf Coast EC’s entire power system is down following Hurricane Michael.
“These power restoration efforts hit close to home,” says Clay Campbell, general manager/CEO. “Cooperatives within our generation and transmission power group were hit hard by this hurricane. These co-ops are an extension of our cooperative family, and we want to do all we can to help them get back on their feet.”
EREC will assist Gulf Coast with power restoration after Hurricane Michael’s devastation. EREC has also sent supplies such as bunk trailers, cots and ice to assist Gulf Coast EC as the rebuilding of their communities gets underway.
Southern Pine Electric Cooperative
Southern Pine Electric Cooperative, based in Brewton, sent several linemen and employees to Wiregrass Electric Cooperative in Hartford, AL, to help restore power on that system.
Pictured above: EREC crewmen (L-R) Kevin Macht, Ken Blair, Mark LeFlore, Doug Stewart, David Deese and Matthew Reynolds. Pictured inset: The EREC crews depart Jay. Pictured below: Southern Pine crewmen (front,L-R) Phillip Norsworthy, Christian Bodiford and Josh Lowery, (back ) Chad Morris, Nathan McCrory, Jake Salter, Tracy Emmons, Jimmy Wilson and Raymond Wiggins. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NWE Chiefs Wrap Up Regular Season At Poarch
October 14, 2018
The NWE Chiefs wrapped up their regular season Saturday at Poarch with the NWE Sophomores remaining undefeated.
Scores:
Freshmen
NWE (6-1) 30, Poarch 21
Sophomores
NWE (7-0) 42, Poarch 6
Juniors
Poarch 28, NWE (3-4) 6
Seniors
Poarch 39, NWE (4-3) 6
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
One Person Injured In Highway 4 Crash
October 13, 2018
One person was injured in a two-vehicle crash Saturday morning in Bratt.
The accident happened just before 8 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 4 and Bratt Road, just east of the Bratt First Baptist Church. The 21-year old driver of a Ford Escort was transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital with injuries that were not considered life threatening. The driver of a Chevrolet Cruze was not injured.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FHP Seeks Highway 95A Hit And Run Driver
October 13, 2018
Authorities were on the lookout for a hit and run vehicle after an early morning crash in Cantonment.
A large green or dark-colored GMC Yukon or similar SUV collided with the right-rear of a Buck Roadmaster on Highway 95 near Cedartree Lane shortly before 1 a.m before fleeing the scene. The hit and run driver left evidence behind, including the GMC emblem from their vehicle.
The SUV should have significant front-end damage, authorities said.
The driver of the car was not seriously injured.
The crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Anyone with information is asked to call the FHP at *FHP or (850) 484-5000.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Woman Facing Additional Drug Charges
October 13, 2018
A Walnut Hill woman free on bond after a drug arrest in August is back behind bars on October drug charges.
Helen Joann Whitman, 51, was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. She remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $6,000.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy watched a vehicle pull into the driveway and behind a vacant home in the 5000 block of Pine Forest Road, just west of Highway 97. Whitman was in the passenger seat of the vehicle, according to an arrest report.
When deputies searched the vehicle, they reporting finding a substance that tested positive for methamphetamine and two glass pipes with a residue, and a liquid substance believed to be a narcotic inside plastic container. All of the items were in the passenger seat or floorboard.
In August, deputies discovered methamphetamine and glass smoking pipes in Whitman’s purse at the Circle K on South Highway 29 in Cantonment, according to a Sheriffs Office Report. She was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was released the day after the August arrest on a $3,000 bond.
Escambia County Shelter Accepts Dogs, Cats Impacted By Hurricane
October 13, 2018
The Escambia County Animal Shelter is operating as a transport hub for animal shelters and welfare organizations in the Panhandle impacted by Hurricane Michael.
The shelter began the process of transferring local animals to other shelters this morning to make room for animals arriving from impacted areas, and accepted the first animals from Bay County this evening. The first group of Escambia County Animal Shelter dogs was loaded onto a transport van around noon and transported to the Michigan Humane Society, where they will be made available for adoption.
Matt Pepper, President and CEO of the Michigan Humane Society, said his team is eager to lend a hand to the communities along the Florida Panhandle.
“Any time you have a national disaster, or something like a hurricane of this magnitude, the boundaries don’t matter anymore. What matters is where can we help, and where can our resources and our expertise work to save lives?” Pepper said. “Any role we can play to relieve the pressure on the sheltering systems right there in the Panhandle will allow local communities to be a greater resource to their immediate communities in the days and months after the event.”
Once animals arrive from impacted counties, shelter staff will prepare the animals for transport by examining them and preparing a health certificate so the animals can be safely transported to partner shelters where they will be available for adoption.
Animal Services Manager John Robinson said using the Escambia County Animal Shelter as a transport hub will allow smaller trucks to transport animals out of impacted areas and let larger transport vehicles pick up at one location.
“Next time it could be us, and I think it’s just as important as anything else to be a good neighbor,” Robinson said. “Our team is really fantastic, and I’m really proud of what we’re doing here.”
Escambia County is collaborating with the Humane Society of the United States, the Pensacola Humane Society, the Michigan Humane Society, University of Florida Disaster Response and Greater Good to coordinate this effort.
Tate Falls To Escambia
October 13, 2018
The Escambia Gators defeated the Tate Aggies 37-32 Friday night in a District 1-6A game at Tate’s Pete Gindl Stadium.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The first quarter ended at 7-7, with Escambia adding two touchdowns in the second quarter for a 21-7 lead at the half.
The Gators added another TD with 8:16 to go in the third for a three-touchdown lead, 28-7. The Aggies added a field goal to round out the third behind 28-10.
After battling to 31-18, Tate scored on a 74-yarder from quarterback Hunter Riggan to Patrick Palmer with 7:44 to go in the third to make it 31-25. Escambia answered with another TD about a minute later, 37-18.
With about four minutes remaining, Timothy Pryer was in to cut Escambia’s lead to 37-32. But at under a minute in the ballgame, a Riggan pass intended for Spencer Ruiz was intercepted by Escambia to seal their victory.
With the win, the Gators improved to 6-1, 1-1.
The Tate Aggies (2-5, 1-1) will host Pace (4-3, 0-2) next Friday night.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
