‘Monster’ Fire Destroys Historic Atmore Home
June 12, 2016
A massive fire Sunday morning destroyed a historic turn of the century home in downtown Atmore.
The fire was reported about 6:35 a.m. at 311 South Main Street, at a two story, 4000 square foot home built in 1900. Flames were shooting skyward from the second floor as the fire firefighters arrived on scene.
“It was a real monster,” Atmore Fire Chief Ronald Peebles said of the fire.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
The resident of the home was reportedly not at home at the time of the blaze. A family dog was miraculously found alive and doing well on the first floor of the home nearly two hours after the blaze began. Click here to read more about the dog.
Firefighters were hampered by heat and humidity as they fought the blaze, but there were no immediate reports of any injuries. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Alabama State Fire Marshal.
Smoke from the fire was visible as far away as Ernest Ward Middle School on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill.
The Atmore, Poarch and Flomaton fire departments from Alabama and the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue in Florida, Atmore Ambulance, the Atmore Police Department and the Poarch Creek Tribal Police responded to the fire.
“We are real blessed that we have that ladder truck, and we are grateful that these other departments responded to prevent this from becoming a lot worse,” Atmore Mayor Jim Staff said.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Dog Miraculously Found Alive Hours After Massive House Fire
June 12, 2016
In what is being call a miracle of sorts, a family dog was found alive and doing well inside historic home in Atmore about two hours after a massive blaze began to rip through the home.
The dog was discovered by firefighters in a first floor room of the home, well after the roof had collapsed, sending flames exploding 30 feet or more into the air.
“It was a miracle for the little guy,” Atmore Fire Chief Ronald Peebles said. “I don’t know how he survived.”
The soaking wet dog, shivering with fear, was evaluated by Atmore Ambulance, dried off and given some much need water.
For more on the fire, including a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Video: Atmore Historic House Fire
June 12, 2016
NorthEscambia.com video of Sunday morning house fire in Atmore. For the story, click here.
If you do not see the video above, it is because your home, work of school firewall is blocking YouTube videos.
NorthEscambia.com video.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
June 12, 2016
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 29 – Intermittent and alternating lane closures continue within the town of Century and north beginning at Champion Drive.
- Interstate 10 (I-10)/U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements – The following traffic impacts will occur Sunday, June 12 through Thursday, June 16 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. to allow crews to install barrier wall and prepare for bridge widening work:
- Alternating lane closures on I-10 near U.S. 29 (exits 10A and 10B).
- The U.S. 29 south to I-10 eastbound ramp will be closed. Traffic will be detoured south to make a U-turn at Diamond Dairy Road.
- The U.S. 29 north to I-10 westbound ramp will be closed. Traffic will be detoured north to make a U-turn at Broad Street.
- I-10 Widening – Intermittent and alternating lane closures on I-10 eastbound, between Davis Highway (Exit 14) and Scenic Highway (Exit 17), from 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. the week of June 13 as crews install guardrail.
- I-110- Minor delays between the Maxwell Street ramp and the I-10 overpass from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, June 12 through Thursday, June 16. A slow moving vehicle will be used to place reflective pavement markers along the roadway.
- U.S. 98 east of Naval Hospital – FHP DUI Checkpoint, Friday, June 10, anticipate eastbound outside lane closures.
Santa Rosa County:
- I-10 Widening – Alternating lane closures, between the Escambia Bay Bridge and State Road (S.R.) 281 (Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22), from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 12 through Thursday, June 16 as crews continue widening work. In addition, alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard near the I-10 interchange for bridge work.
- I-10 Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Rest Area –Resurfacing entry/exit ramps of rest areas in Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties continues through Friday, June 17. Lane closures will be in effect 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Only one rest area in each county will be closed during paving operations. Variable message boards and the I-10 Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) will be used to alert drivers of the temporary closure.
- S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard)- Intermittent lane closures and slow moving operations from U.S. 98 to the toll bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. continuing through Thursday, June 30 as crews perform striping operations. There will be no work performed Friday through Sunday.
- S.R. 87 and S.R. 89 from S.R. 4 to the Alabama line – Intermittent and alternating lane closures and slow moving operations from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. continuing through Friday, July 15 as crews perform striping operations.
- U.S. 98 – Crews will perform striping operations and install raised pavement markers (RPMs) from the Pensacola Bay Bridge to Central Parkway (approximately nine miles) Sunday through Thursday nights through Thursday, June 30. Motorists may encounter minor traffic delays from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- S.R. 399 over U.S. 98 – Overnight repairs to the S.R. 399 southbound overpass over U.S. 98 will be in place from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. throughout the project. U.S. 98 will be reduced to one lane in each direction from Shoreline Drive to just east of S.R. 399 to allow westbound U.S. 98 traffic to be diverted to eastbound U.S. 98. Westbound U.S. 98 access to S.R. 399 will be closed. An on-site detour will direct traffic to turn left on Daniel Street, left on Shoreline Drive and then right on eastbound U.S. 98 to access S.R. 399 via the at grade on ramp.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling in a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Century, Flomaton To Present Annual Fireworks Show
June 12, 2016
The annual fireworks show presented by the towns of Century and Flomaton will return again this year. The show has been scheduled for Sunday night, July 3.
The show alternates each year between the two towns…this year’s show will be at Showalter Park in Century at “dark”.
The $5,000 show cost is split between the towns. The show is being held on July 3, according to Century Mayor Freddie McCall, because it would have cost $10,000 if held on the July 4 holiday.
Pictured: Last year’s fireworks show in Flomaton. NorthEscambia.com file photos by Ditto Gorme, click to enlarge.
Congressional Delegation To Get Zika Update
June 12, 2016
Florida’s congressional delegation will hold a meeting this week in Washington to receive presentations about the Zika virus.
Panelists are expected to include Tom Frieden, director of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Democrat Alcee Hastings and Republican Vern Buchanan, who are co-chairmen of the delegation, announced Wednesday that the meeting will be held June 15. The meeting comes as Congress remains deadlocked on funding to address the mosquito-borne virus, which emerged last year in South America and is particularly dangerous to pregnant women.
As of Tuesday, Florida had totaled 133 Zika cases that didn’t involve pregnant women, including one in Escambia County.
Also the state has monitored 38 cases in which pregnant women showed symptoms of Zika or met a definition of having the virus, according to the Florida Department of Health website. All of the Florida cases were contracted by people who traveled elsewhere, but state health officials worry that the disease could spread in Florida as mosquitoes thrive in the warmer summer months.
by The News Service of Florida
Market In The Park
June 12, 2016
The Atmore chamber held their first in a series of “Market in the Park” events Saturday morning at Heritage Park on South Main Street.
The market featured local produce, baked goods, breads, handmade furniture and more.
Additional Market in the Park events are set for June 25, July 9 and August 13 from 7:30 until 11 a.m. For more information or to register as a vendor, call the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce at (251) 368-3305.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Barrineau Park Road Crash
June 12, 2016
One person was injured in a single vehicle crash Saturday on Barrineau Park Road near Barrineau Lane.
The accident was reported just after 9 a.m. The driver of a passenger car apparently lost control and crashed into a guardrail; the driver was transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital with injuries that were not considered critical.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Yard Sale Helps Tate Showband Raise Funds For Hawaii Trip
June 12, 2016
The Tate High School Showband of the South held an indoor multi-family yard sale in the school’s Fryman Gym Saturday. All proceeds will benefit the band’s upcoming trip to Hawaii. The Tate Showband is raising funds to perform in Hawaii in a mass band to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 2016. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Extension Services To Host Field Corn Day
June 12, 2016
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Escambia County Extension will host its annual Field Corn Day Tuesday, July 19 from 10 a.m. to noon at the UF/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center, located at 4253 Experiment Road, Highway 182 in Jay.
The event will feature 27 replicated corn varieties and more than 15 corn variety demonstration plots, with varieties from Dyna-Gro, Monsanto-Dekalb, Croplan, Syngenta, Pioneer, Terral and Augusta Seed. Several company representatives will be on hand to provide overviews of their products, and attendees will take a field tour to see how the corn varieties are working at the West Florida Research and Education Center.
Topics for the Field Corn Day include:
- Corn variety trial and demonstration
- Environmentally Smart Nitrogen and urea blends
- Application timing for corn production
Lunch will be provided. For meal planning purposes, call the Jay Extension Office at (850) 675-3107 or the Escambia Extension Office at (850) 475-5230.
File photo.