Tate Senior Seth Ray Named National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Student
November 15, 2023
Tate High School senior Seth Ray has been named a Commended student in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program, Principal Laura Touchstone announced Tuesday.
A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®), which conducts the program, will be presented by the principal to this scholastically talented senior.
About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2024 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2024 competition by taking the 2022 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).
Those being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” commented a spokesperson for NMSC. “These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”
“I am immensely proud to see Seth’s hard work and dedication acknowledged at the national level, “Touchstone said. “This prestigious recognition is a testament to his outstanding intellectual abilities, tireless work ethic, and commitment to academic excellence. The National Merit Scholarship Program is highly competitive, and this achievement reflects Seth’s exceptional performance on the PSAT/NMSQT. This accomplishment is not only a reflection of Seth’s abilities but also a credit to the supportive and enriching academic environment fostered here at Tate High School.”
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Five People Injured In Chemstrand Road Crash
November 14, 2023
Five people are recovering following a wreck Monday night at the intersection of Chemstrand Road and Crooked Oak Drive.
Two vehicles were involved in a crash with one vehicle crashing into a ravine. Two passengers were extricated from a pickup truck while an additional 20 minutes was required to extricate the passengers from the vehicle in the ravine. Five patients were transported to area hospitals.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash.
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Cantonment Man Charged With The Aggravated Assault Of His Wife
November 14, 2023
A Cantonment mans is accused of the aggravated assault of his wife
Cedric Gray, 25, allegedly hit his wife in the face, causing injuries, and pointed a loaded firearm at the victim’s head.
He was charged with felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and misdemeanor battery
The victim had invited Gray over to dinner and woke up to Gray striking her in the face, according to an arrest report, while accusing her of having an affair with other guys before pulling a small pink or purple firearm from his pocket, the report continues.
Gray remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $26,500.
Free Thanksgiving Meal Distribution This Saturday In Beulah
November 14, 2023
Rep. Michelle Salzman and Beulah Church in partnership with Farm Share and other community partners are sponsoring a 30,000 pound Food Distribution and Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway on Saturday, November 18, starting at 7:30 AM while supplies last at the Beulah Church.
The food distribution will help those who may be struggling and going through a hard time to supplement their family Thansgiving. There will be full Thanksgiving meals for the first 300 families.
Salzman, Farm Share, Commissioner Steven Barry, Congressman Matt Gaetz, Kevin Stephens, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Ascend Cares, The Butcher Shoppe, International Paper, Florida Power and Light, Beulah Church, Escambia County Council PTA, Aaron Erskine, State Farm Tyler Kercher, Escambia County Council PTA, Thompson Trucking, & other community partners are joining in the effort.
Beulah Church is located at 7561 Mobile Hwy.
Vehicles may line up no earlier than 7 a.m., and there will be a designated area for walk-ups.
Century Correctonal Inmate Assaults Officer, FDC Says
November 14, 2023
A Century Correctional Institution inmate assaulted a correctional officer recently, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
Inmate Norris Hudson assaulted an officer assaulted by pushing their arms. Staff responded appropriately, and the inmate was subdued.
Hudson was serving a five-year sentence out of Lee County for theft and burglary.
Rain Likely Through Wednesday
November 13, 2023
Tuesday through Thursday looks soggy with widespread 2 to 4 inches of rain possible with locally heavier amounts. The heaviest rain will likely fall along the coast with less rain further inland.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Showers. High near 58. Breezy, with a northeast wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tuesday Night: Showers. Low around 51. Breezy, with an east wind around 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Wednesday: Showers likely, mainly before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 60. Windy, with an east wind 20 to 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Breezy, with a northeast wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. North wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 68.
West Florida HS Teacher Charged With Shooting Wife, Brother-in-law While In Tennessee For Wedding
November 13, 2023
A now-suspended West Florida High School English teacher is charged with shooting his wife and brother-in-law this past weekend in Tennessee.
Cody Wiggins, 29, is charged with two counts of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, aggravated domestic assault, and tampering with evidence. He was being held in the Williamson County, Tennessee Jail on a $3.5 million bond.
The incident happened about 9:30 p.m. Saturday at the Marriott Cool Springs in Franklin, Tennessee. Police responded to the hotel after receiving a call about an active shooter. They found the two gunshot victims who were transported to local hospitals; an update on their conditions was not provided. Local police said Wiggins had fled the area, but they found him a short distance away in a subdivision with a semi-automatic handgun.
Franklin Police haven’t said what led to the shooting. However, they said Wiggins and the victims were attending a wedding in that city.
The Escambia County School District said Wiggins has been suspended from his position while the investigation continues.
Several Inches Of Rain Possible This Week
November 13, 2023
Tuesday through Thursday looks soggy with widespread 2 to 4 inches of rain possible with locally heavier amounts. The heaviest rain will likely fall along the coast with less rain further inland.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast
Tonight: Showers, mainly after midnight. Low around 53. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tuesday: Showers. High near 59. Breezy, with an east wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tuesday Night: Showers. Low around 53. East wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Wednesday: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 62. East wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 71. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Monday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 71.
Chestnut Road Closes Thursday for Bridge Work
November 13, 2023
Chestnut Road between Chance and Barrineau Park roads will be closed to thru traffic beginning Thursday, Nov. 16, while construction crews perform structural work to the Chestnut Road Bridge. During this time, traffic will be detoured along Highway 29 from Barrineau Park Road to Chance Road in both directions. Chestnut Road is expected to re-open by December 2023.
Residents, pedestrians, local traffic and emergency vehicles will have access to properties within the work area at all times; however, there may be short periods when a driveway or entrance may be blocked temporarily as equipment and materials are moved during construction.
If other roadway closures are necessary or work is delayed, another notice will be issued.
The bridge, constructed in 1967, is about 16 feet long and spans Dry Creek.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Flomaton Police Cars Wrecked During Chase; Suspect Arrested on Drug Charges
November 13, 2023
Two of the Flomaton Police Department’s Dodge Charger patrol vehicles were damaged during a chase early Friday morning.
About 1 a.m. Friday, the Flomaton Police Department became involved in a chase with a suspect reportedly fleeing from the Brewton Police Department. The chase ended after one of the Flomaton Officers was able to perform a maneuver on the suspect’s vehicle disabling it on Sydney Manning Blvd in Flomaton.
Suspect Devante Knight was ordered from the vehicle but was noncompliant with the officers. Knight was Tased and arrested on multiple charges, police said.
Inside Knight’s vehicle, officers reported finding 74 grams of marijuana, 42 grams of crack cocaine, 43 grams of synthetic marijuana (spice), nine grams of powder cocaine, 34 grams of methamphetamine, 30 grams of MDMA, and four grams of LSD.
Knight was charged with :
- two counts of Felony Assault 2nd
- Felony attempting to elude
- Trafficking in Cocaine
- Trafficking in Methamphetamine
- Trafficking in Amphetamine
- 2 counts of Possession of a controlled Substance
- Possession of Marijuana 1st
- Possession of Drug paraphernalia
