2015 In Photos: August And September
January 3, 2016
Today, we continue our look back at the year 2015 in photos with a look at August and September.
Put on a ring on it: Tate’s state champion softball team received their rings during an August Friday night football game.
The Tate Aggies opened their first season under new coach Jay Lindsey with a big 38-7 win over Biloxi.
The 6A Crestview Bulldogs defeated the 1A Northview Chiefs in Crestview.
Between 12,000 and 15,000 pounds of food were distributed in cooperation with Pensacola Caring Hearts and the Bay Area Food Bank at the Abundant Life Assembly of God Church in Century.
Ernest Ward Middle School beat Jay.
There were no injuries when a driver crashed into a house on Highway 29 near Cox Road in McDavid.
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A rainbow over International Paper in Cantonment during August.
The Escambia County School voted to name the gymnasium at Ransom Middle School as the “Joseph E. Murphy Gymnasium” in honor of Joseph E. Murphy.
The Cantonment Improvement Committee provided free school supplies at Carver Park.
A prayer walk was held before the start of school at Byrneville Elementary.
The annual back to school Prayer Walk was held at Molino Park Elementary School. Students and adults from Highland Baptist Church prayed for the Lord’s blessings on the upcoming school year.
Volunteers from the Ensley Lowes and the local community came together in August to spruce up the Atmore Area YMCA.
A double rainbow in Barrineau Park.
Free school supplies were available in August in Century for hundreds of children in need, thanks to a family honoring the memory of one of their own, in a program called “Deidra’s Gift”.
A driver slammed his pickup truck into a home on Tara Dawn Circle off East 10 Mile Road in September. There were no injuries.
Retired Veterans Affairs Service Officer Mike Hanks was honored with a retirement reception by VFW Post 7016 and the American Legion Post 90 at the American Legion Hall in Atmore.
A bat house moved to the 4-H property in Molino has enough space for 50,000 bats.
Molino Park Elementary School held a Fifth Grade Grandparents breakfast.
The Northview High School Tribal Beat Band during a Friday night performance.
Escambia Fire Rescue Walnut Hill District Chief Chris Brown was credited for saving a man’s life during a mobile home fire near Century.
The Northview Chiefs defeated Van Cleave, MS, in Bratt.
Teams meat for the coin toss at Northview High School as the sun sets in the west.
Ernest Ward Middle School defeated Jay.
September was time for high school volleyball.
The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office was called to investigate this vehicle fire near Bratt.
A Barrineau Park Community Gathering was held at the community center on Barrineau Park School Road. Residents of Barrineau Park were joined by friends, family and neighbors for a day of family fun.
Hundreds of students gathered to pray at their schools in across the area during the annual See You at the Pole event.
The Century Town Council approve a property tax increase during September.
Award winning country music group The Band Perry made a surprise visit to Escambia County High School in Atmore.
Alli Bell was named the 2015 Homecoming Queen at Tate High School.
A Cantonment man was arrested peacefully after shooting at a deputy and an armed standoff .
District 5 Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry held a town hall meeting in Walnut Hill.
The University of West Florida held their first-ever football scrimmage in September.
With feats like crushing concrete and bending steel, the Strength Team brought their strong inspirational messages to Highland Baptist Church, Molino Park Elementary and Jim Allen Elementary.
The Tate High School Drama Department presented “110 Stories”, a powerful look back at the September 11 attacks through the eyes of those that were there.
World renowned organist Tom Helms performed at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino, his boyhood home.
The Tate Aggies beat West Florida High School 17-3 at Woodham Middle School.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Lawmakers Seek ‘Pay For Success’ Program
January 3, 2016
Two Republican lawmakers have filed bills that would create a program — dubbed “pay for success” — that would involve private investment money being used to pay for government services.
Rep. Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, filed a House version (HB 1049) this week, and Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, has filed a similar Senate bill (SB 1200).
The measures will be considered during the legislative session that starts Jan. 12. Under the proposals, the state could enter into contracts with non-profit organizations to provide targeted services. The non-profits would get private funding to pay for the services. Under the contracts, the state would ultimately make payments to the non-profits based on whether they meet “performance outcome measures,” according to the bills.
A news release from Sprowls’ office said private investors would receive a return on their investments only if there are “proven results” and that other states also are developing similar programs.
“This legislation uses private funding to solve social issues and allows for service providers to test alternatives to the status quo,” Sprowls said in the release. “On top of that, it exposes taxpayers to zero risk while holding those private entities accountable for outcomes.”
by The News Service of Florida
60 Arrested, Including Two Murder Suspects, In ECSO Warrants Sweep
January 3, 2016
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office recently announced the results of a three-day warrant sweep that was held December 15-17.
A total of 75 warrants were served, and 60 people were arrested Many of the charges included drug possession, grand theft and sexual assault.
Two of those arrested, Vanessa and Troy Meeker, were wanted on outstanding Tennessee warrants for murder. After being arrested in Escambia County, they were extradited back to Sevier County, TN, to face those charges.
Pictured: Those arrested during an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office warrants sweep, click to enlarge.
One Airlifted Following Two Vehicle Highway 29 Crash
January 2, 2016
One person was seriously injured in a two vehicle crash Saturday afternoon at the intersection of Highway 29 and Barrineau Park Road in Molino.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 60-year old Lawrence H. Shenk of Cantonment was stopped at a stop sign facing west on Barrineau Park Road when he pulled his pickup into the path of a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer headed north on Highway 29 about 2:15 p.m.
After striking the SUV, Shenk’s 2001 Dodge Ram pickup overturned and struck a stop sign and street sign before hitting a power pole and coming to rest on its left side. Shenk was airlifted with serious injuries by LifeGuard helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
The SUV also overturned. Driver Victor J. Rushing, Jr. received minor injuries and was not transported to the hospital. His passengers, 27-year old Carrena Rushing and two children were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries.
Charges against Shenk are pending the results of blood tests, according to the FHP.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Update: FHP Returns Lost Items To Owner
January 2, 2016
Here’s an update to a story NorthEscambia.com reported a few days before Christmas. The Florida Highway Patrol found a box on Highway 29 near Becks Lake Road in Cantonment that contained several new items that may have been intended to be Christmas presents.
Now, we are told that the box was returned to its rightful owner.
In-Person Registration Begins Today For Cantonment Softball, Baseball
January 2, 2016
Registration begins today for baseball and softball at the Cantonment Sportsplex.
In-person registration dates will be every Saturday in January (including this today, January 2) and the first two Saturdays in February from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Teams will be available for ages 3-14. The registration fee will be $85.
Online registration is available at www.cantonmentbaseball.org/Register.
Donations of new and gently-used equipment will be accepted on registration Saturdays.
2015 In Photos: June
January 2, 2016
Today, we continue our look back at the year 2015 in photos with a look at June.
Brent Brummet, principal of Ransom Middle School, and John Spolksi, principal of Fort Walton Beach High School, stopped by the office of Rep. Jeff Miller in Washingto to discuss education policy.
A Little Free Library was made available in Carver Park in Cantonment.
The winners of the $25,000 Century Business Challenge were named at the Century Business Center. Judges decided to split the $25,000 prize — with $20,000 going to East Hill Academy to be used toward a special needs school in Century and $5,000 to the Abundant Life Children of Hope Center childcare center.
Gov. Rick Scott wrapped up a whirlwind seven-city “tax cut victory tour” with a stop in Pensacola, touting a tax-cut package that he signed into law last week.
A member of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit with a one-pot meth lab discovered during a traffic stop in Century.
A brush and grass fire consumed a few acres west of Century on a June afternoon.
A new Healthy Start location opened in Century.
Benjamin Michael Stott of Bratt was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout, the Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank.
Magical Poodles performed at the Century and Molino libraries as part of their Summer Reading Clubs.
FWC freshwater fisheries researchers and herpetologists recently caught an alligator gar, alligator snapping turtle and an American alligator while conducting different studies at the same time on the Escambia River.
The Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center held a VPK graduation ceremony.
A June sunset in Walnut Hill.
The Tate High School Class of 2015 graduated in June at the Pensacola Bay Center.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County Schools and Escambia County Fire and EMS conducted a joint training exercise at Woodham Middle School.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Holiday Road Construction Break Continues In Florida
January 2, 2016
New Year’s Day may be over, but Florida drivers will continue to get a break from road construction just a little longer.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has suspended highway construction projects on major roadways across Northwest Florida. There will be no work on state roads requiring lane restrictions through Monday, January 4 . 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. 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 the Internet at www.FL511.com to receive updates on travel in the area.
2015 In Photos: July
January 2, 2016
Today, we continue our look back at the year 2015 in photos with a look at July.
Afternoon temperatures approached 100 degrees in late July.
A deployment ceremony was held in Juy in Pensacola for the Florida Army National Guard’s 1st Squadron, 153rd Cavalry Regiment. Almost 100 members of the squadron are deploying to the Horn of Africa in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
The Town of Century completed a $176,000 paving project on several streets.
A July North Escambia sunset.
Traffic on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill was transitioned to a temporary roadway and bridge, part of the replacement of a 75-year old bridge over Little Pine Barren Creek.
The Town of Century held budget workshops to prepare for their new fiscal year.
The Pensacola State College youth gymnastics team flipped, tumbled and entertained during a display at the Century Branch Library as part of their Summer Reading Series.
Fire destroyed this mobile home south of Century on North Canoe Road during July.
Darrin Smith of Byrneville caught this huge flathead catfish on the Escambia River near Bluff Springs using a rod and reel. The fish weighed in at 50.5 pounds — 4.5 pounds short of the state record.
The Blue Angels did not disappoint during their annual show on Pensacola Beach.
Fat Albert was also a hit during the annual airshow during July at Pensacola Beach.
Fireworks let up the sky during a show sponsored by Century and Flomaton at Hurricane Park.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Hit And Run Driver Kills Bicyclist In Escambia County
January 1, 2016
[Updated 2:30 p.m.] A bicyclist was killed by a hit and run driver early Friday morning, becoming Escambia County’s first traffic fatality of the new year.
About 12:05 a.m., an unknown vehicle eastbound on Mobile Highway at Green Street struck the bicyclist, later identified as 52-year old Eddie Ray Hunt, and did not stop, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The bicyclist was traveling against the flow of traffic when he was hit.
The vehicle is believed to be white with damage to the front or right side. Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call the Florida Highway Patrol at (850) 484-5000.