Officials Say ‘Potential School Threat’ At Flomaton High Was Not Credible
September 9, 2024
A potential threat at Flomaton High School over the weekend was unfounded, according to the school district, but extra law enforcement will be at all Escambia County, Alabama, schools today.
“The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was contacted Saturday about a possible threat made that involved Flomaton High School,” Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson told NorthEscambia.com. “An in-depth investigation is still in going and there does not appear to be any legitimate threat at this time. As a precaution, All county schools will have an extra law enforcement presence on Monday morning. East Brewton police, Atmore Police, Flomaton Police, and the Brewton Police Departments are all aware and are providing extra coverage.”
Sunday, Escambia County (AL) School Superintendent Michelle Collier issued a statement about “a serious matter that occured over the weekend at Flomaton High School…we received notice of a potential school threat.”
School district officials and the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office investigated, and “no credible threat was found”, she said.
“However, we take these matters very seriously and only want to protect our school communities. As part of our response to this situation, we will be utilizing our metal detectors more thoroughly and frequently. Local law enforcement will be visible and monitoring our schools. These enhanced safety measures are in place to protect everyone on campus and provide peace of mind to our students, staff, and community,” the superintendent’s statement continued.
Pictured: An empty hallway during classes Friday at Flomaton High School. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Falling Oil Prices Equate To Lower Florida Gas Prices, AAA Says
September 9, 2024
Florida gas prices fell after a drop in the crude oil market, according to AAA.
Last week, the U.S. price for a barrel of oil fell to the lowest level since June 2023. The crude price plunge has reportedly been driven by concerns about both the U.S. and international economies, and the belief that global oil supplies could outpace global fuel demand by the end of the year.
On Sunday, Florida gas prices averaged $3.16 per gallon. That’s the lowest daily average price since February 12, 2024. Sunday’s state average is 15 cents less than last week, 24 cents less than last month, and 47 cents less than this time last year. The highest price so far this year was $3.64 per gallon. The all-time high was $4.89 per gallon – recorded in June 2022.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $2.95. North Escambia prices were as low as $2.77 on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while Pensacola prices dipped to $2.63 on East Nine Mile Road.
On Friday, domestic oil prices settled at $67.67 per barrel. That’s almost $6 per barrel (-8%) less than last week. Oil prices had been trading at more than $80 per barrel just one month ago.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Girls High School Golf: Tate Claims Victory; Northview’s Anna Kunkel Shoots 37
September 9, 2024
Tate High School emerged victorious in a girls’ varsity golf match recently at Cypress Lakes Golf Club against Pensacola and Northview high schools.
Tate’s team score of 193 secured the win. PHS was second with 213, while the Northview finished in third place with a total of 220.
Northview’s Anna Kunkel led the Chiefs with a score of 37. Talia and Jordan Smith of Tate both shot 46 to tie for third overall for the Aggies.
Tate Individual Scores By Position
3. Talia Smith: 46
3. Jordan Smith: 46
5. Kinzlee Biggs: 49
6. Alessa Lloyd: 52
7. Paige Raiter: 53
9. Lacy Wilson: 55
10. Kara Wine: 57
15. Destiny Owen: 63
Northview Individual Scores By Position
1. Anna Kunkel: 37
12. Bailey Burkett: 57
13. Presley Amos: 60
14. Payton Daw: 61
15. Kaylee Long: 63
15. Reena Lin: 63
Highway 21 Resurfacing In Atmore To Have Impacts South To Florida Line
September 9, 2024
A resurfacing project is underway in Atmore that will have impacts to the Florida line.
An Alabama Department of Transportation project will resurface Highway 21 (known as Main Street) in Atmore from the state line north to Sunset Drive, just north of Escambia County Middle School. The first phase of the project was from the railroad tracks in downtown Atmore north, and the second phase is ongoing from the railroad tracks south to Florida Highway 97 at the state line. Drivers can expect single lane closures, mostly nights and overnights.
Pictured: Resurfacing on Highway 21 near downtown Atmore recently. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Finish Off Road Series Win, Enter Final Week With Momentum
September 9, 2024
written by Carter Bainbridge
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (68-62) clinched a road series victory on Sunday with a 6-5 win over the Birmingham Barons (69-63). Sunday’s decision marked Pensacola’s first series win since August 6-11 at Mississippi.
The Wahoos fell behind early in their series finale. Behind lefthander Luis Palacios, Pensacola spotted the Barons a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Back-to-back run-scoring hits from catcher Weston Eberly and center fielder Matt Hogan helped plate an early Barons pair. The two runs would be all Palacios allowed across 4.2 innings of work.
Neither team scored again until the top of the fifth, when Blue Wahoos first baseman Josh Zamora smacked his first Double-A home run of the season off Barons righthander Riley Gowens to cut the Birmingham lead to 2-1. In the sixth, Zamora delivered again with a hard-hit RBI double that bounced off the top of the center field wall. Two batters later, Barons righthander Jordan Mikel (L, 4-2) threw a wild pitch to score right fielder Shane Sasaki from third base and give the Wahoos a 3-2 lead. Designated hitter Nathan Martorella then hit a sacrifice fly to score Zamora from third base and double the Pensacola lead. After six innings, the Wahoos led 4-2.
The Blue Wahoos tacked on additional insurance runs in the seventh and ninth innings. Birmingham broke through for three runs in the ninth, but righthander Woo-Suk Go held on to strand the tying run at first base and preserve a 6-5 win.
With its victory, Pensacola returns home for its final regular season series with an outside chance to qualify for postseason play. With six games remaining, the Blue Wahoos begin their final week 2.5 games behind the wild card-leading Biloxi Shuckers.
The Wahoos return home on Tuesday to begin their final regular season series versus the Montgomery Biscuits. First pitch from Blue Wahoos Stadium is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. CT,
Atmore Man Arrested After Pursuit Ended With Highway 29 Crash In Molino
September 8, 2024
An Atmore man was arrested on multiple charges after a pursuit last Saturday night in Molino.
A Florida Highway Patrol trooper observed an SUV fleeing from two marked Escambia County Sheriff’s Office cruisers. FHP confirmed that the deputies were in pursuit of a vehicle which was reported as driving recklessly, driving the wrong way against traffic, and was a possible DUI.
The deputies pulled to the outside lane allowing the trooper to take lead of the pursuit and utilize the PIT maneuver. The SUV rotated counter-clockwise into the median and overturned twice, until coming to stop upside down on its roof.
The driver, identified as 34-year old Derek Michael Coleman of Atmore, was transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital. After his release, Coleman was booked into the Escambia County Jail on charges of felony fleeing and eluding, felony possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and DUI. He was also cited for having an open container
Coleman remained in the Escambia County Jail Sunday afternoon with bond set at $11,000.
Pictured top: Dash cam image from the pursuing FHP trooper.
Fresh Produce on Wheels: Millie Mobile Market Visits Molino
September 8, 2024
The Millie Mobile Market recently stopped in Molino, and it will be back later this month with a variety of fresh produce.
Feeding the Gulf Coast launched the initiative this year that is designed to help people living in “food deserts”. Millie offers a variety of fresh produce.
During the Molino visit, Millie offered a menu of fresh produce that included cabbage, carrots, corn, garlic, onions, oranges, yellow squash, sweet potatoes and zucchini at below-market prices.
Millie will travel routes throughout Feeding the Gulf Coast’s Florida service area, addressing pockets of low food access (food deserts) where supermarkets are scarce, to provide community members the opportunity to buy affordable fresh produce and other nutritious foods at a significantly discounted rate. As the program progresses, the Mobile Market aims to become a SNAP-authorized retailer, enabling families to use their SNAP benefits for purchasing nutritious food.
“We are thrilled to launch this exciting new program as an extension of the food bank,” Michael Ledger, president and CEO of Feeding the Gulf Coast, said after the program was launched. “There are many obstacles to healthy food access within rural, hard to serve communities. This vehicle will help broaden the availability of nutritious and affordable food to those we serve, bringing hope and health to our Florida communities.”
Feeding the Gulf Coast collaborates with local farmers to purchase produce specifically for the Millie Mobile Market.
Millie will return to the Molino Branch Library on Highway 95A on Thursday, September 26 from 10 a.m. until noon. It will also be at the Jay Farmers Market on Friday, September 27.
Pictured: The Millie Mobile Market made a recent stop in Molino. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary School Names Students Of The Month
September 8, 2024
Byrneville Elementary School recently named their August Students of the Month.
They are:
- Kindergarten: Trusten Nall and Saga Waters
- 1st Grade: Ares Parish and Bailey Rogers
- 2nd Grade: Ava Culliver and Jacob Vollmer
- 3rd Grade: Adelina Sims and Sieanna Lambeth
- 4th Grade: Paislee Cash and Kolin Rogers
- 5th Grade: Jaxon Sparks and Marlee McElhaney
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
USS Richard M. McCool Jr. Commissioned At NAS Pensacola
September 8, 2024
Saturday, the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Richard M. McCool, Jr. (LPD 29) commissioned aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola.
Welcomed throughout the week, the crew, joined by the ship’s sponsor, Shana McCool, and McCool’s great-grandchildren, attended community events supported by local businesses, flyovers by the Navy’s Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron, a visit by the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, and ceremony host, Naval Air Station Pensacola. Participating in the ceremony were Marine Aviation Training Support Groups Two-One and Two-Three, Navy Training Wing Ten (VT-10) Wildcats, Navy Band Southeast, McGuire’s Pipe and Drum Band, and 350 Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps and Navy League Sea Cadets from Alabama, Arkansas, and Pensacola.
During the ceremony guest speaker, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro (pictured left), honored the ship’s namesake as they brought the ship to life, beginning its commissioned service. “Captain McCool’s leadership in the face of grave danger and his acts of heroism to save the crew and the ship our nation entrusted to him are indeed an example for all throughout.”
“I am proud that the Department of the Navy is pursuing the award of the Amphibious Multi-Ship Procurement Contract for a total of three San Antonio Class amphibious ships—just like USS Richard M. McCool Jr.—along with an America Class amphibious assault ship,” Del Toro continued. “I am proud to see these Sailors and Marines bring this incredible warship to life in service to our nation, much like this ship’s courageous namesake.”
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti also reflected on the importance of the Navy-Marine Corps team. “The LPD plays an essential role on our Blue-Green team as the workhorse of our Amphibious Fleet, and soon McCool will set sail and begin embarking, transporting, and landing elements of our Navy-Marine Corps team,” said Franchetti. “The commissioning of this warship puts another player with more capability on the field in America’s Warfighting Navy, providing more options to our Nation’s leaders to deter and if necessary, fight and win our Nation’s wars in this decade and beyond.”
“LPD 29 represents a shift in what an amphibious warship is,” said Gen. C.J. Mahoney, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps. “With the latest in integrated SPY-6 (air and missile defense radar system) and Next Generation Surface Search Technology, she enables reconnaissance and counter reconnaissance on the forward edge of the battlespace – making sense and decision space for the Fleet and Joint Force Commanders.”
Emphasizing the critical role of the integrated Navy-Marine Corps team in the event that deterrence fails, Gen. Mahoney concluded, “If the Marine Corps is a bullet to be fired by the Navy, the USS Richard M. McCool, Jr. – with the very crew you see here today – will pull the trigger.”
Commanding Officer Capt. Jeff Baker thanked family, friends, the commissioning committee, those who were not able to be present, the communities of Pascagoula and Pensacola, and Gulf Coast shipbuilders – electricians, machinists, pipe fitters, painters, riggers, welders, and more; everyone who helped to bring this ship to life
Echoing McCool’s words when receiving the Medal of Honor “Fight as a unit, not as an individual”, Baker talked about the importance of the crew. “I hope that we’ve made him proud. I hope that we have lived up to and will continue to honor his legacy. The remarkable warship moored behind me is ready for pictures but full of potential energy. It takes 330 officers, chief petty officers, and enlisted crew to sail her and make our warship ready for tasking. Manning these rails are the finest men and women this country has to offer. I couldn’t be prouder of them. The ship needs them all. I need them all. The Navy and our country need them all. Please thank them. They’ve got the watch.”
“LPD 29, Richard M. McCool, when deployed comes equipped with the most advanced weapons system ever produced. The weapons system with unlimited reach, lethality, and combat effectiveness. The only system known to mankind that cannot be defeated by any adversary anywhere in the world. The weapons system of the United States Marines Corps.”
LPD 29 is the 13th San Antonio-class LPD commissioned in the United States Navy, and the first U.S. Navy ship to bear this namesake.
The naming of LPD 29 honors U.S. Navy Capt. Richard M. McCool, Jr., Ret. who received the Medal of Honor in 1945 for the heroism he displayed after his ship, USS LSC 122, was attacked by kamikaze aircraft in the Battle of Okinawa. Despite suffering from shrapnel wounds and painful burns, he led efforts to battle a blazing fire on his ship and rescue injured Sailors.
McCool was a leader whose life and legacy revolved around service. In addition to USS LSC 122, he commanded the USS LSC 44 and served on the USS McKean (DD-784), USS Frank Knox (DD-742), and USS Leyte (CV-32), and at the University of Oklahoma, and Eighth Naval District, New Orleans, Louisiana. Attending Boston University in Massachusetts, he was redesignated as a public information officer with assignments as the deputy commander at the Armed Forces Information School at Fort Slocum, New York; and to Commander, Naval Base, Long Beach, California; Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington, D.C.; Commander, South Eastern Asia Treaty Organization, Bangkok, Thailand; Ninth Naval District at Great Lakes, Illinois; Commander, First Fleet; and Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, and Commander, Seventh Fleet, Japan. Retiring as a captain in 1974 after 35 years of active duty, he continued serving his community through engagement in local politics in the Bremerton, Washington, area. McCool died in March 2008 and is buried at Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, Maryland.
San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships are warships that embark, transport, and land elements of a landing force for a variety of expeditionary warfare missions. They provide the Navy and Marine Corps with modern, sea-based platforms that are networked, survivable, and built to operate in the 21st century, with the MV-22 Osprey, the upgraded Amphibious Assault Vehicle, and future means by which Marines are delivered ashore.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Man Indicted For Triple Homicide
September 8, 2024
An Escambia County grand jury has indicted a local man for his part in a triple murder back earlier this year.
Torrance Lamar Sumler, 23, was indicted on three counts of first-degree premeditated murder for his alleged involvement in a fatal shooting in Myrtle Grove
The incident occurred on April 28t at an adult party on West Jackson Street. According to authorities, Sumler opened fire on a parked car, killing three people. Two victims died at the scene, while the third succumbed to their injuries at a hospital.
Sumler is currently being held without bond at the Escambia County jail. If convicted, he faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison.