Fire Damages Garbage Truck
September 24, 2014
Fire damaged a garbage truck in Walnut Hill Wednesday morning. The fire was mostly contained to the air cleaner of the commercial truck operated by Creek Waste & Recycling.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue quickly extinguished the blaze, which was reported about 8:35 a.m. on Arthur Brown Road at Kansas Road. There were no injuries.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cop Impersonator Reported In North Escambia With Fake Traffic Stop, Chase
September 24, 2014
[EXCLUSIVE FIRST ON NORTHESCAMBIA.COM] Authorities are on alert after a police impersonator reportedly attempted multiple times to stop a local man on his way to work during the early morning hours Monday.
The victim told NorthEscambia.com that he turned off Highway 97 onto Nokomis Road about 3:45 a.m. When he stopped at the stop sign at Nokomis Road and Meadows Lane, he said pickup driven by a male was stopped on Meadows Lane even though there is no stop sign from that direction. The pickup driver turned on Nokomis Road and turned around behind the victim.
He said the pickup followed him for several miles, continually flashing his headlights “on my bumper”. At about Jakes Road in Nokomis, FL, the victim said he decided to stop.
“I began to think that maybe I had a flat tire or some other problem,” the victim said Tuesday afternoon. “So I stopped. He jumped out of his truck and told me he was an undercover cop and that he was going to write me a ticket. He said his blue lights were not working, and began to dig in his wallet for his badge…I knew something was not right, and I took off.”
The victim said he turned on Jakes Road, crossed the state line into Alabama and continued to Highway 31 and called 911.
“He caught up with me on Highway 31 and tried to pass me. I would not let him, but he eventually got around me and blocked Highway 31 with his vehicle twice,” the victim said. Eventually, the police impersonator continued east on Highway 31 toward Atmore.
The victim described the suspect as a white male of average height and build with a full black or dark-colored beard. He was driving a newer model, four-door Chevrolet 1500 pickup truck that was copper in color. The vehicle had an unknown Alabama license plate.
“He acted real funny, not like he had done anything like that before,” the victim told NorthEscambia.com. “I think he was on something…high. He never showed a gun or acted like he had one, and it was like he did not know what to do next if he was going to rob me.”
NorthEscambia.com confirmed Tuesday afternoon that when the victim dialed 911, he reached a cell phone tower that delivered his call to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office. The call was transferred by a Baldwin County dispatcher to the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office in Brewton because the victim was in Escambia County, AL, at that time.
Escambia County (AL) Chief Deputy Mike Lambert said his dispatchers received the call from Baldwin County at about 4:00 a.m. Monday, with the victim relaying the information about the alleged fake traffic stop and Alabama chase.
“We dispatched a deputy to Nokomis, but he was unable to find anything when he arrived,” Lambert said.
As on Tuesday afternoon, the victim had not filed a formal complaint with the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office in regards to the original stop and events in Florida, according to Sena Maddison, public information officer.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or their local law enforcement agency.
Pictured top: The intersection of Nokomis Road and Jacks Road. Pictured top inset: Jack’s Road. Pictured bottom inset: Nokomis Road and Meadows Road. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium To Be Dedicated At Northview Oct. 2
September 24, 2014
The football stadium at Northview High School will be formally dedicated as the Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium during a special ceremony at 6 p.m. on October 2. The dedication will include the unveiling of a Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium sign and a Chief statue with plaques donated by the Northview classes of 2013 and 2014.
The Escambia County School Board voted in May to rename the stadium.
Tommy Weaver was a longtime DCT and Ag instructor and assistant coach who passed away suddenly at the age of 61 in March 2012. The Chiefs’ entire 2012 state championship football season was dedicated to Weaver.
The public is invited to attend the dedication ceremony.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Chumuckla Redneck Christmas Parade Canceled, Has Become ‘Trashy Beer Fest’
September 24, 2014
The Chumuckla Redneck Christmas Parade has been canceled.
For years, the parade has been sponsored by the Chumuckla Athletic Association, with proceeds from parade entry fees and t-shirt sales used to purchase the gifts for needy children in the Chumuckla community. Each child received about $100 worth of gifts.
“The parade has gone from a wholesome family event to a trashy beer fest,” the Chumuckla Athletic Association posted on their Facebook page Tuesday night. “We hate to end what started as a family event but it has gotten out of hand over the years with the drinking, the trash people leaves (sic) all down the road tearing up the fields and vandalizing and disrespecting the property of others.”
But the Chumuckla Athletic Association is not giving up on fund raising to help needy kids at Christmas. They have scheduled the “Chumuckla Redneck Run” for November 1. “The run takes you through the beautiful countryside of downtown Chumuckla, Florida where you will find obstacles of walls, mud, low crawls, tire rolls and heavy chores no city folk are used to,” according to the run’s website at redneckrun.net.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Century, Jay Mayors Serve On Northwest Florida League Of Cities Board
September 24, 2014
The board of directors of the Northwest Florida League of Cities met recently in Jay. Century Mayor Freddie McCall (back row, second from left) and Jay Mayor Kervin Qualls (back row, third from left) are Board Members. The NWFLC is made up of municipalities from Escambia County to Jefferson County, just east of Tallahassee. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Firefighters Head To California Wildfires
September 24, 2014
With California facing wildfires amid a drought, Florida this week sent 40 firefighters to help with a major blaze east of Sacramento, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
.
Two crews made up of 34 Florida Forest Service firefighters deployed Tuesday to battle what is known as the King Fire. They will do such jobs as creating fire breaks around the blaze.
Also, six Forest Service workers will help in other positions related to controlling the King Fire.
“Thanks to our current low fire danger in Florida, we are able to offer our skilled firefighters to western states while continuing to provide for the safety of our citizens,” said Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, whose agency includes the Forest Service.
by The News Service of Florida
Highland Baptist Donates Paper To Molino Park Elementary
September 24, 2014
Highland Baptist Church, a Molino Park Elementary School Partner in Education, delivered 17 boxes of paper to the school this week. Each year, the church collects paper and school supplies at the beginning of the year to benefit Molino Park.
“We are so thankful for their continued support,” Principal Alice Woodward said. “Thank you to everyone that took part in this awesome donation.”
Pictured: Highland Pastor Brian Calhoun and Charles Woodward deliver a paper donation to Molino Park Elementary School. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
After ‘Permanent’ Repair, Highway 97 Shoulder Collapses Again Into 50-Foot Deep Gully
September 23, 2014
[Updated 2 p.m.] About two months after repairs were completed to a collapsed shoulder on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill, the heavily traveled state roadway is once again crumbling into a deep gully.
Back on May 15, the shoulder of Highway 97 about a mile south of Ernest Ward Middle School collapsed in an existing 50-foot deep gully after a drainage pipe separated and undermined the shoulder. About a month later, the situation worsened, with part of the paved shoulder falling into the hole, prompting temporary repairs by the Florida Department of Transportation.
Crews used sandbags to shore up the shoulder on temporary basis back on June 13, and what was suppose to be permanent repairs were completed by Scott Bridge, Inc. in late July for a total of $102,577. The FDOT did sign off on the repairs, and Scott Bridge was paid, according to Ian Satter, public information director for FDOT District Three.
But now the recently replaced slope into the gully has washed away, exposing the newly replace drainage pipe, and the paved shoulder of the road has once again collapsed into the deep hole.
The FDOT’s district maintenance contractor, Transfield Services, began making repairs Tuesday afternoon.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Yearbook Receives Top Columbia Scholastic Press Association Award
September 23, 2014
The Northview High School Tribal Spirit yearbook staff has been honored with a Gold Medal from the nationally recognized Columbia Scholastic Press Association, affiliated with Columbia University in New York City and the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism.
The book received 910 points out of a maximum 1000 points to place it well within the Gold category (800-1000 points.) Yearbooks are judged in three areas – reference, verbal, and
visual. In the visual category, Northview received 388 points out of a possible 400, earning them All-Columbian Honors for Visual.
This was the first year that they entered their yearbook for critique. The purpose of the critiques and medal awards is to direct students and advisers toward a better publication through growing in knowledge of correct journalism standards.
“It was a pleasure to read and critique the 2014 Tribal Spirit Yearbook. It was quite evident that you and your fine staff contributed countless hours to produce this commendable publication. You especially excelled in achieving a strong grasp of journalism standards, writing skills, and photography techniques,” the judges commented.
The Tribal Spirit yearbook staff and their adviser, Alison Robinson, attended the Columbia Scholastic Press Association Convention in New York City in 2011 and 2013.
“Being on yearbook staff teaches life skills and technical skills that are unsurpassed in any other course. The students on this staff learn manual photography, how to make sales, write copy and captions, create and properly use graphic design, but mostly how to take constructive criticism and use it to improve themselves,” Robinson, a 20-year veteran staff adviser, said. “They have seen the results of constantly designing pages and taking pictures over and over until they get those technical aspects right. This is an ongoing learning process. The staffers work together on every part of the book and learn to use each individual’s strengths to fortify the team. It is because of their grit and determination that they have reached the Gold Medal level.”
Tamara Green, a 2014 senior editor said, “Receiving this award means so much to me because I know that we all worked so hard throughout the school year. Not every day was easy, but with much hard work and determination, we created a yearbook that was definitely one to remember.”
Another senior editor for the 2014 book, Dalton Daniel, said “I know we all put forth 110% to our work, and that’s what got us this medal.”
Yearbook Staff members for the Columbia Scholastic Press Association award-winning 2014 edition were – editors Justin King, Anna Fischer, Dalton Daniel, and Tamara Green; and Kamryn Brock, Jessica McCullough, Haylee Weaver, Bethany Reynolds, David Thorpe, Jessica Amerson, Mitchell Singleton, and David Weber.
To order this school year’s Northview High School Tribal Spirit yearbook, click here.
Pictured: Current Northview Tribal Spirit Yearbook staff members David Weber (standing background), Bradley Van Pelt (white shirt)), Jordan Taylor (standing), Bethany Reynolds (standing, foreground), Kamryn Brock (seated at computer) and Jessica McCullough (with camera). Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Search Continues For Cantonment Carjacking, Attempted Rape Suspect
September 23, 2014
New details have been released about a man that is suspected of attacking two women in Cantonment last week.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office believes the man that carjacked a woman Thursday morning at the Raceway gas station at Highway 29 and Muscogee Road is likely the same man that pulled a female jogger into the woods and tried to sexually attack her minutes later.
The complete description of the suspect, as released Monday by the Sheriff’s Office is:
- dark-skinned black male, about 5-foot 8 inches to 5-foot 10 inches tall
- medium, thick build
- broad shoulders
- his skin had a “rough” texture (similar to acne scars)
- may or may not have a mustache (the first victim said he did, the second said he did not)
- short black hair
- last seen wearing a black semi-faded t-shirt with short sleeves and white writing or logo, and blue jeans
Ab0ut 8:15 last Thursday morning, a women reported that she pumped gas at the Raceway station and entered the store. While she was inside, the black male suspect entered her unlocked vehicle and concealed himself in the backseat. The victim did not see the suspect and drove away from the store.
The suspect confronted the victim once the vehicle was moving. He told her that he had a knife and to keep driving or he would “stick” her. She drove around randomly and eventually drove to a neighbor’s residence. Once there she honked the car’s horn in distress to get someone’s attention. The suspect struck her and pushed her from the vehicle.
He left in the car, heading back towards Highway 29. The victim was treated at the scene for minor injuries. Shortly afterward, the vehicle was located on Pine Street.
Less than 20 minutes later, deputies received a call about the attempted sexual battery of a female jogger on Rocky Avenue. The victim reported that as she was jogging when an unknown black male suspect grabbed her from behind and dragged her into a wooded lot. Once there he struck her in the face and attempted to remove her clothing but the victim fought back and was able to escape. The suspect fled deeper into the wood lot while the victim contacted authorities. The victim was transported to a local hospital where she was treated for minor injuries and released.
Due to the time and location of the incident, description of the suspect and the vehicle found at the location, investigators believe the incidents are connected.
“Please be aware of your surroundings,” said Sena Maddison, public information officer for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. “Don’t ever leave your vehicle unlocked, even for just a moment, while you run into a store.”
Anyone with information on either incident or the suspect is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.