One Injured In Highway 29 Rollover Accident
February 16, 2015
One person was injured in a single vehicle rollover crash on Highway 29 near Power Line Boulevard in Cantonment Sunday night. The vehicle came to rest upright, partially blocking the roadway. The female driver suffered an ankle injury and refused medical treatment from first responders, opting instead to go to the hospital in a private vehicle following the 7 p.m. crash. Reader submitted photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Beats Washington
February 16, 2015
The Tate Aggies shut out Washington 7-0 in their season opener Fri night. Tate scored four runs, led by third baseman Hunter Worley, who slammed a single and double to drive in three runs. Junior Sawyer Smith had a single and a triple for the other RBI.
Branden Fryman and Mark Miller each hit .500 to help Tate’s efforts. Junior pitcher Trace Penton took the win for Tate, with Jessie Gunter and Sawyer Smith making appearances on the mound.
Washington had three hits.
“Tate baseball has a rich tradition in Escambia County, and we look forward to the 2015 season in our newly renovated facility carrying on that proud legacy. We invite the community to come see what’s going on at the new field and to support our players, school, and community,” said Tate Head Coach Greg Blackmon.
Tate’s next games are February 18 at Escambia High and at home on February 19 against the West Florida Jaguars, both starting at 6:30 p.m. Junior Varsity games begin at 4:00 on both dates.
Pictured: Senior third baseman Hunter Worley led the Tate Aggies to a 4-0 victory over Washington in their season opener Friday night. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wildfire Consumes Over 500 Acres
February 15, 2015
Firefighters from Alabama and Florida battled a massive wildfire Saturday about eight miles north of Flomaton, AL. By dark, the fire had consumed over 500 acres and continued to burn.
Several structures were threatened by the fire, but none were damaged thanks to the efforts of first responders, officials said.
Firefighters from multiple departments in Alabama were aided by firefighters from Century, McDavid and Jay into the night. Late Saturday night, the Alabama Division of Forestry was still on the scene working with bulldozers to containthe wildfire.
There were no injuries reported.
Pictured: A massive wildfire consumed about 500 acres near Flomaton, AL, Saturday, with the fire continuing to burn into Saturday night. Photos by Flomaton Fire Department, Jay Fire Department, April McCullough, Robert Egee and others for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sweethearts Take On Chief Challenge 5K (With Photo Gallery)
February 15, 2015
Over 70 runners — many of them couples starting off their Valentine’s Day — took part in the annual Chief Challenge 5K Run/Walk Saturday morning at Northview High School in Bratt.
The top overall male runner was Aaron Dees (pictured left) with a time of 19:25, and the top overall female was Cora Long with a time of 22:26.
The Fast Couple Award went to Carita and Tim Battles (top left couple) with a time of 26:55. The Cutest Couple Award was presented to Madalyn Coon and Logan Weber (top right couple).
For more photos, click here. The Chief Challenge was sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com.
Complete results were as follows:
Male Elementary School
- Emett Battles 27:35
- Gage Eicher 29:42
- Jack Weber 30:45
Male High School
- Aaron Dees 19:25
- Josh Borelli 23:46
- Dustin Bethea 28:16
- Adrian Long 28:16
- Triston Long 30:4
Adult Male To Age 29
- Durrell Martin 30:01
- Colton Sims 33:13
- Dakota Walker 34:10
- Paul Gilley 36:59
- Randall Massey 39:47
- David Landis 40:20
Adult Male 30-39
- Ross Parham 21:29
- James Busch 24:42
- Jason Weber 30:46
- Kenneth White 39:44
Adult Male 40-55
- Dusty Adams 21:02
- Doug Darby 22:56
- Tim Battles 26:56
- Conrad Weber 30:15
- Steve Gibson 30:23
- James Hare 41:01
Adult Male 56+
- Karl Robinson 21:33
- Alan Ash 25:12
- Bert Rice 25:14
- Hugh Long 34:04
- Billy Holk 38:01
- William Thortis 53:00
Female Elementary School
- Katelyn Harrison 28:49
- Kayla Yoder 40:45
Female Middle School
- Hannah McGahan 36:22
Female High School
- Moriah McGahan 29:46
- Maddison Weber 30:00
- Dana Hursh 40:20
Female Adult to Age 29
- Cora Long 22:26
- Daleshia Lemon 31:45
- Shelby Thomas 31:52
- Susie Watson 33:12
- Lauren Nall 36:50
- Brooke Shaughessy 39:46
Female Adult Age 30-39
- Lacey Lee 25:07
- Carita Battles 26:55
- Janice Yoder 27:30
- Kristy Gibson 30:23
- Courtney Hull 32:00
- Angie Gilley 36:59
Female Age 40-55
- Michelle Peebles 29:45
- Amy Knight 30:03
- Robyn Borelli 32:44
- Alison Robins 34:07
- Elaine Holk 38:02
- Melissa Ward 37:59
Female 56+
- Debra Parker 26:56
- Emily Pollard 51:36
- Carolyn Thortis 53:00
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Vehicle Strikes Horse
February 15, 2015
A driver was not injured Saturday night when his vehicle struck a horse in Beulah.
The accident happened on Frank Reeder Road near Jay Road. The horse was critically injured and had to be put down, according to witnesses.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details have not been released.
Senate Panel To Consider Key Gun Bills
February 15, 2015
A Senate committee is slated to take up controversial bills that deal with guns on college campuses and people carrying firearms during mandatory emergency evacuations.
The bills Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker, and by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, are scheduled to be heard February 16 by the Criminal Justice Committee, according to a meeting notice. Evers is the chairman of the committee.
Evers’ bill would allow people with concealed-firearms licenses to carry guns at colleges and universities. The issue has received added attention after a shooting incident in November at Florida State University that left three people wounded and the gunman killed by police. Brandes’ bill meanwhile, would allow Floridians to carry concealed weapons without licenses during times of mandatory emergency evacuations. Brandes proposed a similar bill last year, but it failed to pass after heavy debate.
by The News Service of Florida
Motorcyclist Crashes On Bridge Over Perdido River
February 15, 2015
A motorcyclist was injured when he crashed on a bridge over the Perdido River Saturday afternoon.
The accident happened just before 4 p.m. on the Barrineau Park Bridge at the state line between Escambia County, FL, and Baldwin County, AL. The motorcyclist was transported from the scene by private vehicle before the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue arrived; his condition was not known.
Officials determined that the crash occurred in Alabama; the accident is under investigation by Alabama State Troopers.
Bratt Assembly Of God Children Get Colorful While Helping Missionaries
February 15, 2015
The childrens’ ministries at the Bratt Assembly of God have worked hard to make a difference this year, including raising over $1,500 to help support the efforts of the Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge worldwide. All funds raised through BGMC go to meet critical needs around the world such as feeding programs, water wells, Bible schools, curriculum, and other missionary needs around the world.
As a reward for exceeding their goal for the year, the Bratt AG children were given the opportunity to color the hair of their pastors, Rick and Deborah MaHarrey, and their children’s leader, Elaine Godwin.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Have news to share from your church? Email news@northescambia.com
Study: Northwest Florida Behind In Work Skills, Education
February 14, 2015
The University of West Florida Haas Center recently completed research that suggests metro areas in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Bay counties have workforces that trail their counterparts around the country in skills and education.
The Haas Center’s findings are presented in its new Job Skills Index, which ranks metro areas by how well they attract and retain educated and other highly skilled workers.
“This is one thing that can affect migration of skilled workers to a region,” said Soheil Nadimi, the Haas Center economist who conducted the analysis. “In areas that rank highly on the skills index, educated workers would be part of a cluster of skilled workers where it is more likely that they could develop professionally.”
Some key Haas Center findings:
- The Pensacola area, which includes Escambia and Santa Rosa \counties, placed 11th among of 22 Florida metropolitan statistical areas. The Pensacola area barely beat the average index score for metro areas in the state, but fell short of the average index score for metro areas around the country.
- The Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin area ranked ninth on the list of Florida metro areas, beating both the average state and national index scores.
- The Panama City area came in 15th on the list, with an index score below both the state and national averages.
“Maintaining high average wages is an increasing challenge for Florida,” said UWF economist Rick Harper, who oversees the University’s Office of Economic Development and Engagement. “Some of our fastest business growth has been in meeting the needs of tourist and retiree customers, and these sectors tend to have lower-than-average wages. That doesn’t create the labor force that will draw high-tech, high-wage businesses to the state. We have a pressing need to build skill sets that will earn enough to support families.”
College-educated and other skilled workers generally earn more than their low-skill counterparts. In addition, they tend to raise incomes in the areas in which they reside by creating jobs and convincing firms that employ skilled workers to relocate or expand in the region.
A dearth of jobs requiring a college education or special skill set can create a situation in which skilled workers who want to stay in an area must accept lower pay or take positions that aren’t commensurate with their skill level. Faced with that kind of choice, such workers might choose to migrate to areas that provide better jobs and a larger professional community.
“This is one thing that can affect migration of skilled workers to a region,” said Soheil Nadimi, the Haas Center economist who conducted the analysis.
Click data chart to enlarge.
Molino Park Elementary Holds Donuts For Dads (With Photo Gallery)
February 14, 2015
There were plenty of dads at Molino Park Elementary School Friday morning as the school held its annual Donuts with Dads event. Donuts with Dads gives dads a chance to stop by and be involved with their children and find out the latest school information. The school holds a similar “Muffins for Moms” event.
Pictured: Donuts for Dads Friday morning at Molino Park Elementary School. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
