NHS Chiefs Beat Holmes County 34-19 In District Game
September 27, 2008
The Northview Chiefs picked up a big win Friday night in their first district game of the season, 34-19 over the Blue Devils of Holmes County.
Northview held a commanding 21-7 halftime lead on the road at Bonifay.
Senior Jay Jackson had an impressive night with 16 carries, 221 yards and three touchdowns…including a 74 yard touchdown pass. Jackson was seven for 13 passing against the Blue Devils.
Kevin Cottrell, a senior, returned a kickoff with an 81 yard touchdown run.
Junior Austin Reid had a dozen tackles for the Chiefs. Brian Long had 11 tackles; Cole Gandy had ten. Jake Clayton had eight tackles on the night.
The Chiefs are off next Friday night. They will be on the road again in two weeks in a district game against Baker.
For a photo gallery from the game, click here.
Pictured above: Northview beat Holmes County in Bonifay Friday night 34-19. Submitted photos by Heather Leonard for NorthEscambia.com.
Jay Shutout By Port St. Joe; Other Area Scores
September 27, 2008
The Jay Royals were shutout by Port St. Joe Friday night, 27-0.
Port St. Joe was on the board early with a three-yard touchdown early in the first quarter. By the second, Port St. Joe was up 20-0, including a interception that returned 58 yards for a touchdown.
Pine Forest 31 Tate 13
T.R. Miller 17 Clarke County 14
Wilcox Academy 34 Escambia Academy 20
Escambia County 25 Baldwin County 20
W.S. Neal 57 Calhoun 6
Video: Two People Dead Following Murder-Suicide In Atmore Dirt Cheap Store
September 27, 2008
NorthEscambia.com video from Friday’s murder-suicide at Dirt Cheap in Atmore, AL. Click the video to play.
For the complete story and a photo gallery from the scene, click here.
(If you do not see the video, it is because your system administrator is blocking videos.)
Fire Departments Respond To Brush Fires; Red Flag Warning Today
September 27, 2008
Firefighters responded to several small grass fires along Highway 97 Friday afternoon.
The fires were reported about 1:30 along Highway 97 near Mason Road south of Walnut Hill. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fires.
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department and the Molino District Fire Department responded to the scene. A supervisor for the Florida Division of Forestry was in the area and also responded to the call.
The cause of the fires was not known.
A Red Flag Warning is in effect for North Escambia for Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Outdoor burning of any kind is discouraged; the combination of warm temperatures and low humidity will cause explosive fire growth potential.
Fire Damages Gandyville Storage Building
September 27, 2008
Fire damaged a small building near the Gandyville community Friday afternoon.
The fire in the concrete block storage building was reported about 2:30 Friday afternoon. It is located on Highway 4A, about a half mile from Broomes Road.
The cause of the blaze was not known. There were no injuries reported.
The Century District Fire Department and the Flomaton Fire Department responded to the call. Several other fire departments across North Escambia were dispatched to the scene, but they were canceled prior to arriving.
Pictured above: Firefighters work at the scene of a fire on Highway 4A in the Gandyville community Friday afternoon. Pictured below: A firefighter with an axe (left) begins to work to vent the roof of the building. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Firemen Discover Car In Soybean Field Early Friday Morning
September 26, 2008
Firefighters returning from a medical call early Friday morning discovered a wrecked vehicle in a Highway 97 soybean field, but they were unable to locate the driver or any passengers of the car.
Walnut Hill Volunteer firefighters were southbound on Highway 97 just north of Kansas Road about 3:15 Friday morning when they noticed the white Buick LaSabre in a soybean field to the west of the roadway. The car had overturned at least once after leaving a curve on Highway 97.
Firefighters and Atmore Ambulance personnel conducted a thorough search of the thick field but were unable to located anyone. A thermal imaging camera was used to assist in the search.
An empty infant carrier, baby formula and other items suggested the possibility that an infant might have been in the car.
The vehicle’s registration indicated that it belonged to someone out of Pensacola.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Pictured above: Passing firemen discovered this car in a soybean field near Highway 97 and Kansas Road early Friday morning. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
County Approves Fire Department Unification Plan
September 26, 2008
The Escambia County Commission approved the final plan to unify the county’s fire departments at a Thursday morning meeting.
The county’s 15 separate departments will be joined together as one unified department on October 1.
The revised plan allow firefighters without Firefighter I certification, the state’s most basic course level, to continue in their current positions until April 1, 2009, with exemption letters signed by their chiefs. The first draft of the plan would have demoted those firefighters to the level of firefighter trainee on October 1 and kept them from entering a fire zone. After April 1, firefighters will be required to complete a Firefighter I training course.
The plan also allows firefighter officers that do not meet the minimum job requirements for the position they hold to continue in that position for up to three years, giving them time to meet those certification and training requirements.
“We’ve come together on a good unification plan that involves both the career and volunteer side,” Troy Johnson, chief of the Bellview Fire Department said. Johnson was one of several firefighters from the south half of Escambia County to encourage the commission to pass the unification plan.
“I think this is good for the citizens to see the spirit of what we can do,” Commissioner Grover Robinson said, “to improve services and the efficiency of those services…I’m excited about the future of fire services in Escambia County.”
“I do believe too that it is time for a celebration,” Commissioner Marie Young said. “We look forward to having a celebration of one fire department in Escambia County.”
The plan passed 4-0, with Commissioner Gene Valentino absent. The approval was followed by a standing ovation from commissioners and audience members.
Escambia County Eagles Over Ernest Ward Golden Eagles, 26-6
September 26, 2008
The Escambia County Middle School Eagles downed the Ernest Ward Middle School Golden Eagles Thursday evening in Walnut Hill.
The Big Green ended the game with a 26-6 win over EWMS in a hard fought battle of the Eagles.
Atmore hit the score board first early in the first quarter, returning a Ernest Ward punt for a touchdown. Kevin Bell stopped the two point conversion in the backfield for the Golden Eagles.
Escambia County added another half dozen with 5:46 in the second quarter of play on a long pass, and they made the two point conversion for a 14-0 lead.
In the third, the Golden Eagles recovered an Atmore fumble on their 40 yard line, but the Golden Eagles fumbled on the very next play. Atmore regained possession on the Golden Eagle’s 45 yard line.
Atmore then completed about a 40 yard pass to about the two yard line, but a frustrated Escambia County player realized he had caught the ball while standing out of bounds.
But Escambia County scored on a quarterback keeper on the next play. They missed another two pointer, holding a 20-0 advantage with 4:52 to go in the third.
With 45 seconds on the clock in the third, Escambia County crossed the goal line on an almost 90 yard quarterback keeper. But the TD was not good, and it was back to the 20 yard line for Atmore’s Eagles with a holding flag on the play.
Early in the fourth, LaDerious Franklin hit pay dirt for Ernest Ward, putting them on the scoreboard for the first time. The Golden Eagles missed a two point attempt, making the score 20-6.
Escambia County went on to add another half dozen to the board, making the final 26-6.
In a seventh grade single quarter scrimmage prior to the regular game, Escambia County downed Ernest Ward 6-0.
For a complete photo gallery from both games, including the band and cheerleaders, click here.
Pictured above and below: Action from Ernest Ward versus Escambia County in Thursday evening middle school football action in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Beats South Walton In District Volleyball
September 26, 2008
Northview’s varsity volleyball team picked up its first district win Thursday night, taking three from South Walton on the road.
The Chiefs downed South Walton 25-15, 26-24, 25-12.
Sophomore Shawna Montgomery had four kills, five aces and dig for the Northview. Senior Brittney Thompson had 10 kills and three aces. Junior Angela Rodriguez had four kills and an ace for the Chiefs, and Caitlin Hall, also a junior, had 19 assists, a couple of aces and a couple of blocks.
The Chiefs are now 5-5, 1-2 in the district.
West Nile Case Confirmed
September 26, 2008
A confirmed case of West Nile virus has been diagnosed in Escambia County, Alabama, Alabama’s Department of Public Health said Thursday. Two cases of the virus had previously been reported in Escambia County, Florida.
That, health officials say, means that residents in North Escambia should be especially careful not to be bit by mosquitoes that could be carrying the virus.
The Escambia County (FL) Health Department says everyone in North Escambia and surrounding areas should follow the “5 D’s of prevention”.
The 5 D’s of Prevention
• Dusk and Dawn: Do not go outdoors when mosquitoes are seeking blood during the
twilight hours of dusk and at dawn.
• Dress: Wear clothing that covers most of your skin.
• DEET: When the potential exists for exposure to mosquitoes, repellents containing
DEET are recommended. Check labels before using a product on infants and children. If
an infant is too young to wear repellent and must be outdoors, a parent should place
mosquito netting over the infant’s carrier. Picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus are other
repellent options for individuals who cannot wear DEET.
• Drainage: Check around your home to rid the area of standing water, which is where
mosquitoes can lay their eggs. Elimination of breeding sites is one of the keys to
prevention.
• Screens: Make sure window and door screens are in good condition, without any tears
or holes that allow mosquitoes to enter your home. Place screens on open windows.
Eliminate Mosquito Breeding Sites
• Clean out eaves, troughs and gutters.
• Remove old tires or drill holes in those used in playgrounds to drain.
• Turn over or remove empty plastic pots.
• Pick up all beverage containers and cups.
• Check tarps on boats or other equipment that may collect water.
• Pump out bilges on boats.
• Replace water in birdbaths and pet or other animal feeding dishes at least once a week.
• Change water in plant trays, including hanging plants, at least once a week.
• Remove vegetation or obstructions in drainage ditches that prevent the flow of water.
What is West Nile Virus?
• West Nile virus is a potentially serious illness – about one in 150 people infected with
WNV will develop severe illness.
• The severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor,
disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness
and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may
be permanent.
• Mild Symptoms in Some: Up to 20 percent of the people who become infected have
symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes
swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. Symptoms can last
for as short as a few days, though even healthy people have become sick for several
weeks.
• No Symptoms in Most People: Approximately 80 percent of people (about 4 out of 5)
who are infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all.