Cause Of ‘Major’ Fire At Ascend Remains Under Investigation
December 23, 2024
A large column of thick, dark smoke could be seen for miles Sunday evening from when what was described by local officials as a “major” fire broke out at Ascend Performance Materials in Gonzalez, according to local officials.
Multiple Escambia County Fire Rescue units responded to the plant on Old Chemstrand Road to assist Ascend’s staff firefighters, according to Davis Wood, Escambia County Fire Rescue public information office
Wood said no evacuations were ordered, and there was no immediate danger to surrounding neighborhoods.
“A fire was reported in one of our operating units,” Osama Khalifa, director of corporate communications and government affairs told NorthEsambia.com Sunday evening. “Our on-site fire department responded to the scene. Additionally, we called the Escambia County Fire Rescue for assistance responding. The fire was contained and no injuries were reported. All Ascend personnel have been safely accounted for.”
Khalifa said there was no immediate threat to the nearby community. He said the company was still working to determine the cause of the fire.
Additional information obtained by NorthEscambia.com indicated that the fire was in a multi-story building. After the fire was declared to be out, ECFR cews have remained on scene for follow-up and clean-up operations.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Letters To Santa From Byrneville Elementary Second Graders
December 23, 2024
NorthEscambia.com asked second and third grade students at Byrneville Elementary School to write letters to Santa. The letters have already been forwarded to Santa to make sure he knows all their special wishes.
Today, we are publishing letters from Hope Linton’s and Susan Moorhead’s second grade classes. We will publish the third grade letter on Tuesday.
For all the second grade letters, click here.
The wishes included: Xbox, a big doll house (and dolls), a drone with cameras, paint and craft supplies, teddy bears, Legos, bikes and more.
NorthEscambia.com, images, click to enlarge.
Fire Destroys Mobile Home Being Used For Storage Near McDavid
December 23, 2024
Fire destroyed a mobile home being for storage Sunday afternoon near McDavid.
The fire in the 200 block of Cox Road, just west of Highway 29, was reported just before 4 p.m.
Escambia County Fire Rescue was able to keep the fire from spreading to a nearby occupied home. There were no injuries, and no immediate word on the cause the fire.
The McDavid, Century, Cantonment and Walnut Hill stations of ECFR were dispatched to the fire.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Photos: Gingerbread House Day At Lipscomb Elementary
December 23, 2024
Students at Lipscomb Elementary School recently took part in Gingerbread House Day.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Students put their creativity to the test, building the most colorful and festive gingerbread houses that they could imagine. From icing-covered rooftops to candy cane fences, every house was a masterpiece
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle Band And Chorus Perform At Winter Concert
December 23, 2024
The Ernest Ward Middle School band and chorus recently presented their winter concert. Both the chorus and band performed a selection of Christmas favorites for a large crowd. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century’s Small Town Christmas Parade Turns Out Small With Four Entries, No Santa
December 22, 2024
The Century Area Chamber of Commerce promoted it as a “Small Town Christmas Parade”, and Saturday morning’s parade lived up the “small” billing.
The parade lineup was just three mostly undecorated, unmarked passenger vehicles followed by Engine 5 from the Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue. There were no floats and none of the usual entries from the Town of Century, and no Santa Claus.
Children were happy to collect candy tossed from vehicles and by volunteer firefighters. At some point around Pond and Jefferson streets, the three ordinary vehicles threw in the towel and left the fire truck alone as the parade abruptly ended without finishing the planned route to Anthony Pleasant Park.
But wait, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
But the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue will come to the rescue on Tuesday with a Santa Claus run of their own. Santa will make a last minute Christmas Eve ride through Century on a fire truck. We’ll have the route and more info posted on Monday and Tuesday here on NorthEscambia.com.
Pictured: The Century Christmas Parade Saturday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Second Annual Cottage Hill Neighborhood Christmas Parade
December 22, 2024
The second annual Cottage Hill Neighborhood Christmas Parade was held Saturday afternoon, complete with a visit from Santa and the Grinch.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Proceeds from entry fees were donated to a local family in need in coordination with a local school.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Facing Multiple Charges After Escambia County Shooting
December 22, 2024
An man is facing multiple charges after a shooting Friday night in Escambia County.
Thomas Lamar Gulley, 28, was charged with aggravated battery using a deadly weapon, firing a weapon in public, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, using or display a weapon during the commission of a felony, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana,, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said the shooting happened about 10:30 p.m. in the area of Truman Avenue and Warehouse Lane. Baptist Hospital notified deputies that a gunshot wound victim had arrived from that area.
The victim’s injuries were believe to be non-life threatening.
Flomaton Host Free Family Movie Night
December 22, 2024
The Town of Flomaton hosted a movie night with a showing of the animated “The Grinch” in downtown Flomaton on Saturday night.. The cold night started with free food before the movie. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Cheerleaders Win Top Spots In Gulf Breeze Competition
December 22, 2024
The Tate High School Cheerleaders took several top spots during the Gulf Breeze Fins Up Cheerleader Competition on Saturday.
The teams placed as follows:
VARSITY
- Traditional — 1st place
- Gameday — 1st place
JV
- Traditional — 1st place (in an all VARSITY division)
- Gameday — 1st place
- Overall Traditional Grand Champions
- Best pyramid
FRESHMEN
- Traditional — 1st place
- Gameday — 1st place
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.