Three Pedestrians Hit By Vehicle, One Dies
November 20, 2016
One of three pedestrians hit by a vehicle early Saturday morning in Escambia County has died.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 19-year old Bryant Zachidny was westbound on Navy Boulevard approaching Old Corry Field Road as three pedestrians were walking north across Navy Boulevard in a crosswalk. Zachidny’s 201 Chevrolet Lumina struck all three pedestrians at 12:05 a.m.
Nicholas Murphy, 19, later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at Baptist Hospital. Breona Mackoff, 18, and Zachary Meehan, 18, were also hit. Mackoff ws listed in critical condition at Baptist Hospital, while Meehan received injuries and was not transported to the hospital.
Any charges against Zachidny are pending the outcome of the FHP investigation.
Bratt Elementary School Names Students Of The Month
November 20, 2016
The following students (pictured above) were named Students of the Month for October at Bratt Elementary School.
Raegan Abbott
Desiray Bagwell
Ryleigh Barnes
Isaiah Boatwright
Alysa Bryan
Luke Bryan
Jaxon Byrd
Chloe Criswell
Colton Criswell
Noah Faulkner
Audrey Franklin
Brody Hall
Anthony Johnson
Noah Luker
Mikayla McAnally
Walker Morris
Hunter Parker
Jonathan Patrick
Reagan Peebles
Ally Richardson
Dakota Richardson
Cassie Stilwell
Jeremy Thomas
Bentley Van Pelt
The students pictured below, Cassie Stilwell and Chloe Criswell, were chosen to represent Bratt Elementary School as Escambia County Students of the Month for October.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Dodge Ram Driver Dodges Dog, Hits Tree
November 19, 2016
One person was injured when a vehicle hit a tree near Barrineau Park early Saturday morning.
The accident happened about 6:30 a.m. on Barrineau Park Road at Barrineau Lane. The driver said she attempted to dodge a dog in her Dodge Ram and collided with the tree in the process. She was transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital with injuries that were not considered life threatening.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Boat, RV Crash In Molino Slows Traffic For Hours
November 19, 2016
There were no injuries in an accident in Molino just before noon Friday involving an RV and a boat.
A driver lost control of an RV that was pulling a boat on a trailer, running off Highway 29 just south of Molino Road. The vehicle continued into a ditch, with the RV entering a wooded area. The boat broke free from the trailer, and passed the RV, coming to rest in the ditch.
The wreck slowed traffic on Highway 29 into the evening hours as large crane was brought in to remove the boat.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Scott: 3,500 New Area Jobs Added In Past Year
November 19, 2016
Governor Rick Scott announced Friday that the Pensacola area added 3,500 new private-sector jobs over the year in October. The area’s unemployment rate was 4.9 percent.
Scott said, “Thousands of families now have the opportunity to find new jobs in Northwest Florida thanks to the success and hard work of local businesses which have added 3,500 new jobs in the last year. A job is the most important thing to a family and that is why we will continue to help Florida businesses succeed by cutting taxes, diversifying the economy and making Florida more competitive for major jobs wins.”
The industry with the most job growth in the Pensacola area over the year was professional and business services with 900 new jobs. The Pensacola area had 4,468 job openings in October, which included 1,219 openings for high-skill, high-wage STEM occupations.
The state’s unemployment rate was 4.8 percent in October, as a result of the rapidly growing labor force which nearly doubled over the month. For the 55th consecutive month, Florida’s annual job growth rate of 3.3 percent is exceeding the nation’s rate of 1.8 percent. Nearly 38,000 Floridians were placed in jobs by CareerSource Escarosa and the state’s other 23 regional workforce boards.
Florida To Suspend Road Construction For Thanksgiving Holiday Period
November 19, 2016
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is suspending construction-related lane closures across Northwest Florida for the Thanksgiving holiday. There will be no work on the interstate or state roads requiring lane restrictions from Wednesday, November 23 through Sunday, November 27. All major roads will be open to normal traffic.
Although no construction closures are scheduled over the holiday weekend, existing state highway work zones will remain in effect and drivers may encounter construction workers and reduced speed limits. Motorists are reminded to use caution while traveling through work zones around barricades and equipment.
FDOT is encouraging drivers to allow extra travel time and to use extra caution in existing work zones along state highways. Drivers are urged to make sure they buckle up, along with their passengers. FDOT and other safety agencies also ask drivers to obey speed limits, get adequate rest before traveling, avoid distractions and never drink and drive.
Drivers also are urged to be prepared for unscheduled highway closures due to accidents, disabled vehicles or other events. Motorists should be alert to changing weather conditions while traveling.
Travelers can access Florida’s 511 service from cell phones, landlines, and online at www.FL511.com to receive updates on travel in the area.
Tate’s Road To State Ends With Loss To Navarre
November 19, 2016
The Navarre Raiders defeated the Tate Aggies Friday night 60-28 in the 6A regional semifinal.
It was the first playoff game hosted by the Aggies since 1977.
Navarre was on the board first with a 65-yard touchdown, 7-0 with 8:39 in the first. The Aggies quickly answered 16 seconds later with a 60-yard touchdown on a pass from Jake Henry to Shermari Jones, 7-7.
The Raider’s Michael Carter returned the kickoff nearly 100 yards, even knocking over a referee along the way, to give Navarre a 13-7 lead. Before the night was over, Carter racked up 330 plus rushing yards and had five touchdowns. He also had a 75-yard touchdown called back on a holding penalty.
With 8:56 to go in the half, Tate scored on a six-yard run from Corey Moorer. A good kick, and the Aggies were on top 14-13. But Navarre took the lead 19-14 on a Carter TD. Tate quarterback put the Aggie back on top with a 63-yard touchdown run with 2:42 remaining the second quarter. A 35-yarder from Carter made it 25-21 headed into the half.
By the end of three, Navarre was up 46-21.
With 7:24 remaining in the ballgame, Henry was in on quarterback keeper, 46-28. But Navarre went on to add a couple more touchdowns.
The Tate Aggies finished their season at 9-3.
Navarre (11-1) moves on to a road trip next week against the St. Augustine Yellow Jackets (11-1).
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Fourth Zika Case Reported In Escambia County
November 19, 2016
Friday, A fourth travel-related case of the Zika virus was reported in Escambia County by the Florida Department of Health
The Escambia County case was one of 11 new cases identified, bringing the state total to 1,188 cases. Six of the new cases involved people who were infected while traveling outside of Florida. Two of those cases were found in Miami-Dade County and two were in Volusia County, while Escambia and St. Lucie counties each had one of the cases.
Also, there were four cases in which Zika was transmitted in Florida, including three cases involving Miami-Dade County residents and one involving a non-Florida resident who traveled to Miami. The other new case involved a Florida resident who traveled to Miami but also to an area outside of Florida where Zika is prevalent, leading the state Department of Health to label the origin of the infection as undetermined.
The health department urges Floridians to drain standing water weekly, no matter how seemingly small. A couple of drops of water in a bottle cap can be a breeding location for mosquitoes. Residents and visitors also need to use repellents when enjoying the Florida outdoors.
Friday Night Playoff Final Scores
November 19, 2016
Here are Friday night playoff finals scores from around the North Escambia area.
FLORIDA
Navarre 60, Tate 28
Tallahassee Rickards 33, West Florida 30
Baker 21, Graceville 14
ALABAMA
Autauga 28, Escambia Academy 21
Forest Service Warns Against All Outdoor Burning
November 19, 2016
Over two months have passed since most of the area has seen significant rainfall and officials are warning of an increased fire danger level.
With a dry cold front predicted to pass through the area this weekend and humidity levels slated to drop into the 20 percent range, the Florida Forest Service is urging residents to hold off on burning any yard debris and be cautious with any other outdoor burning.
With these conditions in mind, the Blackwater Forestry Center has increased its Fire Readiness Level to a 3 through November 27 and will not issue burn authorizations through this weekend. Fire Readiness Levels are set by the district based on current predicted weather as well as potential fire behavior and severity.
At FRL3, all wildfires require two FFS firefighting crews (tractor/plow units) and an afternoon aerial patrol. Fire Readiness Levels range from 1 to 5, with 1 being the lowest and 5 the highest.
It has been 72 days since the last significant rainfall (more than .25 inches) in much of the area and the current Keetch-Byram Drought Index shows Blackwater’s mean rating at 626 which is in the Severe Drought category. Normal for this time of year is 241-420.
While there are no burn bans in place for Escambia, Santa Rosa or Okaloosa counties, the FFS is urging residents to not burn any yard debris until we receive a significant amount of rain or conditions improve. Burn bans typically are issued by individual counties.
A complete burn ban is in effect for the entire state of Alabama.