Driver Runs Off Bridge
January 2, 2017
There were no serious injuries reported when a driver ran off a bridge on Beulah Road in Cantonment Sunday. The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details have not been released. Photos courtesy Fletcher’s Towing for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Cheerleaders March In London New Year’s Day Parade
January 2, 2017
Three local cheerleaders took part in the New Year’s Day parade in London on Sunday.
Pictured above (L-R) are Autumn Albritton, Northview High School; Mallory Gibson, Northview High School; and Kamryn McGinty, Pine Forest High School.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Impacted By The Storm? Here’s What You Need To Know
January 2, 2017
If you were impacted by Sunday’s severe weather in Escambia County, here’s information you need to know:
Building Permits
Building permit information can be found online at https://myescambia.com/our-services/building-services/inspections. Please remember a permit is required for, but not limited to:
- Roofing repairs more than four squares
- Electrical repairs or replacement
- Water line or gas line repairs or replacement
- Air conditioner/heating repairs or replacement
- Soffits, fascia and siding replacement
Building Inspections
Residents needing to schedule a building inspection may do so using the following methods:
- Email Inspection requests to buildinginspections@myescambia.com;
- Log in and/or register with BID’s 24/7 Online Citizen Access (ACA) at www.myescambia.com to schedule, cancel and review permit activity online; or
- Schedule through the 24/7 Automated IVR System by calling (850)471-6640; enter 16-digit Permit Tracking Number located on your permit and follow the prompts.
Hiring a Contractor
- If you had damage to your home from the storm, it’s important that the work is done properly and that the person you hire is properly licensed. Contractors can easily be checked out by contacting the Escambia County Building Inspections Department by email at buildinginspections@myescambia.com or call (850) 595-3509. Also, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation can verify licenses at www.myfloridalicense.com or call (850) 487-1395.
- Escambia County residents should report suspected unlicensed or unpermitted work by emailing buildinginspections@myescambia.com or by calling (850) 595-3509.
Insurance
- Residents impacted by the storm are encouraged to contact their homeowner or renter’s insurance carrier as soon as possible.
- Florida Division of Consumer Service offers a toll-free hotline that connects consumers across Florida with insurance experts who can answer questions about what may or may not be covered under a specific home or auto policy. They can also connect consumers with the appropriate contact information for their specific carrier and help to mediate any issues that may arise when communicating about a claim. Helpline experts are available Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST by calling 1-877-693-5236. More at http://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/Consumers/contactus.htm
New Cough Medicine Laws To Stop Minors
January 2, 2017
A new law took effect Sunday in Florida that prohibits people under 18 years old from buying certain over-the-counter cough medicines.
SB 938 prohibits the sale of cough medicines containing the synthetically produced dextromethorphan to people under 18 years of age and requires identification from those presumed to be under 25.
Dextromethorphan is found in many cough medicines, including Robitussin, Alka Seltzer Plus, Tylenol Cough & Cold and Vicks NyQuil.
The proposal, sponsored by Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers, and former Rep. Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze, was proposed after reports of teenagers using cough medicine to get cheap highs. Broxson has since been elected to the Senate.
Side effects of such intoxication, according to a Senate staff analysis, include loss of coordination, slurred speech, sweating, hypertension and involuntary spasmodic movement of the eyeballs.
The American Association of Poison Control Centers reported six deaths in 2014 related to dextromethorphan use.
The law doesn’t require stores to alter placement of the products but prevents local governments from imposing their own restrictions.
2016 In Photos: July
January 2, 2017
Today, we continue our look back at the year 2016 in photos with a look at July.
Molino Utilities announced the upgrade of just over a mile and a half of water main along Highway 95A.
A missing teen was found inside the First Baptist Church of Century.
LifeFlight lifts from Highway 29 in Bluff Springs following a traffic crash.
Congressional candidate Rebekah Bydlak of Cantonment was full steam ahead in her efforts to be the only congressman every elected from North Escambia.
July rain clouds as seen from Gobbler Road in Walnut Hill.
The school resource officer at Ernest Ward Middle School, Senior Deputy Ronnie Gill, was named Florida’s School Resource Officer of the Year by Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Hundreds of area residents walked in Atmore to show unity in the community.
A reptile demonstration was held at the Century Branch Library.
Century and Flomaton celebrated the Fourth of July with a fireworks show in Century.
Afternoon storm clouds approach Showalter Park in Century.
One Injured In Highway 97 Crash With Utility Pole
January 1, 2017
One person was injured in a Highway 97 crash with a utility pole Sunday afternoon.
The driver of a southbound vehicle lost control on Highway 97 just south of Highway 164 and struck the pole,snapping it nearly in half. The vehicle rotated and came to rest in a ditch.
The passenger was transported to Atmore Community Hospital with injuries that were not considered severe.
The crash did not immediately cut power to the area, but about 250 EREC customers lost power in the Davisville area when pole repairs were made.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Strong Storms Cause Damage In Chemstrand, 10 Mile Area
January 1, 2017
UPDATE: The National Weather Service says the damage early Sunday morning was caused by powerful straight line winds, not a tornado.
Strong storms left a path of moderate damage in the Chemstrand and East 10 Mile Road area of Escambia County early this morning. Authorities now estimate 30 homes have some level of damage.
The storms about 4 a.m. downed trees and power lines and tossed small items, blocking roads. Trees were down on a few homes, causing minor damage to those structures. One home had a “storage pod” trailer tossed onto its roof.
Ashton Brosnaham Park is closed until further notice. Two buildings sustained roof damaged, several fields have fence and bleacher damage, and the fields are unsafe due to debris. (Photos in our photo gallery.) Lipscomb Elementary School was observed to have damage to the building.
Escambia County Emergency Communications received the first call at 3:55 a.m. reporting a possible tornado passing through their back yard in the 600 block of Emu Lane.
About 2,000 Gulf Power customers in the area were without power. There have been no reports of any injuries.
Authorities will work later today to determine if the damage was from strong winds or a possible small tornado.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Damage, with at least large limbs and trees down, was reported on Chemstrand Road, Ray Street, Country Ostrich Drive, Patriot Place, Emu Lane, Rhea Lane, East Kingsfield, Wakefield Drive, Tara Dawn, Betmark Road and surrounding areas.
All roads are now open. Residents are asked to be careful/stay home and out of the area if possible as the Escambia County Road Department clears the roads and Gulf Power clears any downed power lines. Sight-seeing is highly discouraged.
First responders were working from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Mobile Command Center set up at Ray Street and Country Ostrich Drive. Residents are asked to be careful and stay home/out of the area if possible as the Escambia County Road Department clears the roads and Gulf Power clears any downed power lines. The National Weather Service in Mobile will make the determination to what type of wind event took place. Escambia Fire Rescue, EMS, Emergency Management, Road Department, Sheriff’s Office and Gulf Power responded.
More information will be posted as soon as it becomes available.
Submit your photo to news@northescambia.com.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
North Escambia’s Top 16 Stories Of 2016
January 1, 2017
Here our picks for the Top 16 North Escambia Stories of 2016. The list was compiled to include those stories that were “big news”, had a great influence on the North Escambia area, had the most views on NorthEscambia.com or had the community talking most during 2016.
(Scroll down below each photo)
16. Century Church Arson
A fire that destroyed a Century church building early one Sunday morning in October was ruled a case of arson. Neighbors reported hearing an explosion before looking outside to see the Wesley Chapel Church on Jefferson Avenue fully involved in flames. The building was a complete and total loss. There were no injuries reported. The church building had sat empty since a February 15 EF-3 tornado ripped through Century, causing significant damage to the building.
15. What Are The Odds?
After selling an $80 million Powerball ticket in 2015, the State Line Gift Shop on Highway 97 once again proved to be North Escambia’s luck lottery spot in 2016. During the year, the store sold three different winning Fantasy 5 tickets worth about $55,000, $90,000, and $66 thousand.
14. Smithsonian Exhibit in Molino
“The Way We Worked,” a Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition was on display in Molino at the Lillian F. King Museum. The exhibit celebrated the history of American workers.
13. Northview High FFA National Awards
The Northview High School FFA chapter was named one of the very best in the nation, and the Northview High School FFA Alumni received a national bronze award. The Northview High School FFA’s “Fresh From Florida Advocacy Program” was also named the second best program in 2015 and 2016 and was previously honored as the best in Florida for three consecutive years.
12. Teacher Of The Year
Kristy Imhof, the new Escambia County Teacher of the Year, received a surprise visit in her seventh grade language arts classroom at Ransom Middle School in February. She was named Escambia County’s Teacher of the Year and received the official crown and flowers from Superintendent Malcolm Thomas.
11. Century Council Member Passes Away
Century Town Council member Annie Carter Savage passed away unexpectedly at age 75. Savage was appointed to the council in August 2011 to fill the unexpired term of Nadine McCaw who had passed away. She was reelected in 2011 for a term ending January 2017, and recently reelected without opposition for another four-year term that would have began in January.
10. IP Pensacola Mill Celebrates 75 Years Of Operations
The International Paper Pensacola Mill in Cantonment celebrated 75 years of operation in October. The front lawn of the plant transformed into a day of fun for retirees, employees and their families with games, kids activities, arts and crafts, music, food and more. The Pensacola Mill started operations with one paper machine on a 600 acre site in 1941.
9. Educator Alice Woodward Retires
Molino Park Elementary School Principal Alice Woodward retired after 30 years in local education. She started her teaching career in 1986 at Barrineau Park Elementary School. She moved into administration as the curriculum coordinator and then served as a principal intern splitting her time between Barrineau Park and Molino Elementary while the new Molino Park Elementary School was under construction. Molino Park opened in the fall of 2003, and Woodward stepped into the role of principal in the fall of 2006.
8. New Mayor For Century
Former council member Henry Hawkins was elected Century’s new mayor, ousting two-term incumbent Freddie McCall.
7. Donald Trump
President elect Donald Trump made three campaign stops in Escambia County during 2016. Trump offered his thoughts on a couple of key local issues — the Blue Angels and the Pensacola Bay Bridge. “We will ensure the Blue Angels continue to inspire. I love those guys, I love the Blue Angels,” he said. He also said the Pensacola Bay Bridge should be replaced. Trump said he loves the Pensacola area. “It’s a great honor to be with you tonight. It’s a great area. This is an amazing area,” Trump said.
6. Tate High School Showband To Hawaii
The Tate High School Showband of the South joined in a special performance in Hawaii on December 7 to mark the 75th anniversary of the attack on Peal Harbor.
5. Florida’s Superstar SRO
Senior Deputy Ronnie Gill, school resource officer at Ernest Ward Middle School, was named the top SRO in Florida, and was awarded the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Meritorious Service Medal for the crucial role he plays in breaking down the barriers between law enforcement and youth.
4. Airgas Explosion
A massive explosion in August claimed the life of one person at the Airgas facility next to the Ascend Performance Materials plant in Cantonment.
3. Goodbye To Our Blue Angel
North Escambia considers the Blue Angels just as much ours as Pensacola does. And we mourned with the rest of the nation as our Number 6, Capt. Jeff Kuss, died in a Tennessee crash.
2. Recycling Returns
ECUA and Escambia County held a held a kick-off ceremony in August to mark the opening of ECUA’s Interim Materials Recycling Facility, or IMRF, at the Perdido Landfill The collaborative effort between ECUA and Escambia County is a state-of-the-art facility that will have the capacity to recycle up to 40,000 tons of materials per year. The opening of the facility meant the return of recycling for ECUA customers.
1. Century’s Darkest Day
February 15 saw an EF-3 tornado damage and destroy a large area of Century, dominating the headlines for the rest of the year as Florida’s poorest town struggled toward recovery.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bicyclist Struck By Car
January 1, 2017
A bicyclist was struck by a car early Saturday night on Highway 95A near West Roberts Road. The bicyclist was transported to an area hospital by ambulance in unknown condition . The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further information has not been released. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Century Burger King Closes Its Doors
January 1, 2017
The Century Burger King has apparently closed its doors, leaving an unknown number of employees without a job.
Employees say they were told Friday night that the store was closing for good and that they were out of a job. Workers were reportedly on site Saturday, removing signage and other items from the store.
Attempts to contact the franchise owner on Saturday for comment were unsuccessful.
File photo, click to enlarge.