EREC Linemen Helping Restore Power Following Florida Hurricane
September 3, 2016
Escambia River Electric Cooperative has sent a crew of linemen to aid the Tri-County Electric Cooperative with the restoration of electric service following Hurricane Hermine. The hurricane caused significant damage to the TCEC power system, with over 10,000 customers without power in Jefferson, Madison and Taylor counties in Florida. EREC linemen Kent Calloway, Jeremiah Daughett, Tony Moody, Jake Moye, Thomas Nall and Matthew Reynolds departed Friday afternoon. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Beats West Florida (With Photo Gallery)
September 3, 2016
For the third consecutive year, the Tate Aggies defeated the West Florida Jaguars Friday night.
West Florida jumped out to a 14-0 lead by the end of the first quarter. In the second, Tate’s Corey Moorer, a senior, scored the first of his three touchdowns with 8:29 to go in the half. Moorer added his second TD with 1:59 in the second to tie it up at 14-14.
The Aggies added another touchdown from Moorer with 39 second to go in the half for a 21-14 lead.
In the second half, the Aggies Ladarryl Paige scored twice in the third quarter for a 35-21 Aggie advantage headed into the fourth. Tate added one more touchdown with a quarterback keeper from Jake Henry with 9:30 to go in the ballgame.
The Tate Aggies will host West Gadsden next Friday night for homecoming.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Rubio, Murphy Agree To Senate Debate
September 3, 2016
Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and Democratic challenger Patrick Murphy have agreed to debate in late October, Leadership Florida and the Florida Press Association announced Thursday. Rubio and Murphy, a U.S. House member, easily defeated primary challengers Tuesday in the race for Rubio’s seat. The one-hour debate is scheduled Oct. 26 at Broward College. Florida Public Radio will simulcast the debate, which also is expected to be broadcast on TV stations throughout the state.
by The News Service of Florida
Friday Night Football Scores
September 3, 2016
Here is a look at final scores from tonight’s high school football games across the North Escambia area.
FLORIDA
Northview 21 Escambia Academy 14
Tate 42 West Florida 28
Resurrection Catholic 46 Jay 0
Pine Forest 46 Choctaw 10
Navarre 36 Washington 20
Niceville 30, Escambia 6
Pace 36 PHS 19
Gulf Breeze 36, Catholic 21
Milton 26 Lake Area New Tech 25 OT
Baker 21 Blountstown 18
South Walton 12 Walton 6
ALABAMA
Northview 21 Escambia Academy 14
Hillcrest Evergreen 19, Flomaton 13
UMS Wright 54 Escambia County 0
Thomasville 26 W.S. Neal 20
T.R. Miller 55 Cottage Hill Christian 27
Mother Of Murdered Toddler Charged With Child Abuse
September 3, 2016
An Escambia County woman whose boyfriend was charged with homicide after her son died last month has also been arrested.
Mary Riddle, 25, was charged with two counts of child neglect with great bodily harm.
Her boyfriend – Alonzo Thompkins, 26, of the same address – was arrested August 8 after Riddle called police when she returned home and found the two-year-old boy was not breathing. Thompkins had been left alone with the child.
Riddle was charged after detectives responded to the residence and determined two children living there – a five-year-old male and a 10-month-old female – were not receiving proper medical care and supervision for medical conditions.
Thompkins was charged on August 8 with one count of aggravated child abuse. A second charge of aggravated child abuse was placed on him August 9 after an investigation determined a three-year-old child in the residence had multiple bruises on her body and a broken collar bone.
One of the aggravated child abuse counts on Thompkins was upgraded on August 12 to homicide based upon a preliminary autopsy report on the two-year-old boy. The three children were removed from the residence and placed in protective custody where they are receiving proper medical attention.
Airgas Explosion Victim Loved Life, Dirt Track Racing
September 2, 2016
Funeral services were held Friday for the man killed in a massive explosion Sunday at a Cantonment manufacturing plant.
Jesse Graham Folmar, 32, had been married just three short years to the love of his life, Katie Sullivan Folmer. He is survived by his brother and twin brother, his parents, his mother-in-law and father, and a host of other family and friends.
Family members said he grew up playing baseball, hunting and fishing. His favorite passion of all was racing an an area dirt track in his #38. They said he will be remembered by his humor, quick wit and his love of life.
Folmar was employed at the Airgas plant near Ascend Performance next to the Ascend Performance Materials plant on Old Chemstrand Road in Cantonment. He was working just after noon Sunday when authorities say nitrous oxide tanks in a loading bay exploded. Investigators still don’t know why the explosion occurred.
First responders reported a major explosion with an area of significant structural collapse. The area was described a “mini-war zone”.
As emergency workers, assisted by an Ascend response team, secured the area made sure there was no risk of an additional explosions, it was determined that one Airgas employee, Folmar, was missing. After an extensive search, his body was recovered after 6 p.m.
Reader photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Murder Suspect Walks Out Of Escambia Jail As Free Man
September 2, 2016
An Escambia County man charged with murder walked out of the Escambia County Jail Thursday afternoon as a free man.
Jarrod Blackmon was found not guilty for the shooting death of Tabius Huff.
Huff’s body was found outside a convenience store on Jackson Street in June 2014.
Second Grader Wins Ride To School On Fire Truck
September 2, 2016
Second grader Gavin Bramblett and his brother Aiden got the ride of a lifetime from their home to Jim Allen Elementary School Thursday morning — on an Escambia Fire Rescue ladder truck.
Gavin won the ride to school on a fire truck during the West Florida Library’s Summer Reading Club by reading more than 50 hours during the summer.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Laurel Hill Defeats Northview (With Gallery)
September 2, 2016
Laurel Hill earned a 3-0 win over Northview Thursday evening in Bratt in varsity volleyball action.
Varsity 12-25, 17-25, 24-26 Laurel Hill wins
Laurel Hill also defeated Northview in junior varsity action.
JV 22-25, 25-22, 8-15 Laurel Hill wins
The Lady Chiefs are on the road next Tuesday against T.R. Miller, and back home next Thursday as they host Jay.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge
Century Chamber Plans October Fall Festival, Vendors Needed
September 2, 2016
The Century Area Chamber of Commerce is planning a Fall & Craft Festival & Car Show for Saturday, October 15 at Showalter Park.
The event will feature craft booths, family fun, food, a car show and entertainment featuring The Horseshoe Halo Band and Michael Peterson.
The chamber is currently seeking vendors, entertainment and sponsors for the event. For a vendor booth application, click here. For sponsorship or other information, call Kim at (850) 256-3208 or email kgodwin@centuryflorida.us.
The festival is sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com.
Pictured: A Wednesday lunch meeting of the Century Chamber of Commerce membership. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
