Makeshift Residence Destroyed By Fire In Cottage Hill
December 27, 2022
Improperly used extension cords are being blamed for a fire that destroyed an makeshift residence in Cottage Hill Tuesday morning.
The fire was reported about 8:20 a.m. in the 1900 block of Smyers Road, north of Cottage Hill Road. Firefighters arrived to find what Escambia County Fire Rescue said was a “repurposed camper shell” burning. It was a total loss.
ECFR said someone was living in the structure, but they were able to escape without injuries.
According to ECFR, the fire was caused by extensions cord that were being used to power numerous items.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Wanted By ECSO For Stabbing Girlfriend In Chest, Stabbing Her Son 15 Times
December 27, 2022
UPDATE: This double stabbing suspect was arrested Thursday morning in Escambia County.
Previous story:
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for an attempted murder suspect that allegedly stabbed his girlfriend in the chest and stabbed her son 15 times.
Tamondo Derell Reuben, 48, is wanted for two counts of attempted murder, grand theft and kidnapping.
“We will find him, and he better not have the knife in his hand when we do,” Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said Monday as he described a “vicious” attack by Reuben.
Reuben stabbed his 47-year old girlfriend at a cemetery they were visiting with her son on Massachusetts Avenue on Monday, according to the ECSO. He then drove to a vacant lot on Fairfield Drive, took their phones and told them they “were going to die today”, the sheriff said. The woman then pepper-sprayed him while telling her 18-year old son to run. Reuben chased him, Simmons said, ultimately stabbing him 15 times in the chest, neck, arms and legs.
“Momma and son both fought like hell and continue to fight for their lives,” the sheriff said. “How horrible a person, how brutal, how vicious do you have to be to try and stab not one, but two people to death? This is the kind of individual that we are dealing with and the kind of individual that is roaming our streets.”
“Our message to you, Mr. Tamondo Reuben is this: Turn yourself in. We will not stop looking for you,” Simmons said Tuesday “You are a danger to our community and we will not stop until you are behind bars.”
Both victims survived and are being treated at a local hospital for serious injuries.
Reuben is described as a 6-foot tall black male, weighing about 252-pounds. Simmons said he is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call 911 immediately.
Reuben has 11 prior felony charges and six felony convictions.
Need To Get Rid Of A Real Christmas Tree? ECUA Will Pick It Up
December 27, 2022
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) is ready to help you dispose of that real Christmas tree.
Sanitation and recycling pickups won’t be delayed this week due to the holiday season; everything will be picked up on your regular day.
And if you are ready to dispose of your real Christmas tree, ECUA will turn into compost.
Place the real tree or wreath out by the curb on your regular pick-up day, and it will be picked up as part of ECUA’s regular yard waste collection. Just make sure that the natural tree or wreath is free of ornaments, tinsel and stands.
ECUA will compost the trees with other yard waste at their Biosolids Composting Facility.
Firefighters Responded To Electrical Emergency At Century Home
December 27, 2022
Firefighters responded to an electrical emergency at a home in Century Monday night.
A caller reported a live electrical line down and a possible fire at the home in the 7000 block of Jefferson Avenue.
Firefighters arrived on scene to find the service line on the ground and a small fire at the weatherhead (the service entry that rises above a home from the meter).
There was no major damage reported, and no injuries.
The Century, McDavid and Walnut Hill stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue, the Jay Fire Department and the Flomaton Fire Department were initially dispatched. Many of the units were canceled prior to arrival. Florida Power & Light was called to assist with the downed line.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
CSX ‘Spirit of our Law Enforcement’ Locomotive Travels Through Area
December 27, 2022
CSX Transportation’s “Spirit of our Law Enforcement” commemorative locomotive passed through the local area recently.
It was named to honor the nation’s police officers who dedicate their lives to serve their communities. It is part of a collection of Pride in Service locomotives launched in 2019 to honor those that serve, including law enforcement, first responders and the armed forces.
The locomotive was recently spotted by first responders at the James Road crossing in Nokomis, Alabama, just north of the Alabama-Florida state line.
“We had just finished responding to a medical emergency when we spotted this CSX tribute engine with a coal train,” Nokomis Fire Rescue Captain Jerry Gehman said. He and fellow firefighters Chief Tommy Pickern, Lt. Frisco Gehman, medic Danny Lowery, firefighters Brad Adams, Robert Grissett, Hannah Miliken, and Hunter Miliken stopped to pose for photos with the Spirit of Law Enforcement.
CSXT 3194 is painted primarily in black, blue and white, with the slogans “To Protect and Serve” and “Honoring Our Law Enforcement.” It also prominently features the CSX Transportation Railroad Police logo, as well as police, fire and emergency responder logos.
“The locomotives will remind everyone who sees them of the daily sacrifices made by the individuals who serve our nation and our communities, along with their families,” CSX said.
Photos by Jerry Gehman for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Yep. That Was a Peacock On The Highway 4 Escambia River Bridge.
December 27, 2022
Yes, that was a peacock on the Highway 4 Escambia River Bridge between Jay and Century.
Numerous NorthEscambia.com readers sent us photos and contacted us after seeing the peacock strolling along in the emergency lane of the bridge.
We are told the owner has been missing the colorful bird for a while. But when they tried to retrieve the peacock from the bridge, it flew into nearby trees. At last report, the peacock was not yet home.
Pictured: A peacock on the Highway 4 Escambia River Bridge between Century on Christmas Day. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Family Identifies Victim In Fatal Crash Into Flomaton High School; Investigation Continues
December 27, 2022
Family has identified the woman killed last week when her vehicle slammed into a building at Flomaton High School, as the investigation into the crash continues.
Family members said 21-year old Shaneal Schifano of Georgia has just recently moved to Atmore for a new job.
She was pronounced deceased on the scene by first responders. early Friday morning after her vehicle left Highway 31 and crashed into the school building. S
There were no passengers in her vehicle, and there were no other vehicles involved.
The Flomaton Police Department is continuing their investigation into the cause of the crash. The Flomaton Fire Department, D.W. McMillan EMS, and Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office also responded. The Century Station of Escambia County (FL) Fire Rescue was dispatched but later canceled.
AAA Predicting 6.3 Million Floridians Are Traveling For The Holidays
December 27, 2022
Tis the season to travel, and AAA estimates 6.3 million Floridians will journey 50 miles or more away from home from December 23 to January 2. That’s an increase of nearly 108,000 people over last year and a new record-high for the year-end holiday travel period in Florida.
National travel figures are also stronger than 2021, yet slightly lower than pre-pandemic levels. An estimated 112.7 million Americans are forecast to travel during the year-end holidays. That’s an increase of 3.6 million people compared to last year and the third busiest since AAA began tracking in 2000.
“Despite inflationary pressures, consumers remain resilient and dedicated to travel this year, and the holidays will be no different,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Americans are spending more on travel than any other time in the past two years. The good news is the cost for a holiday road trip will be less expensive than anticipated, now that gas prices are on the way down.”
In Florida, nearly 5.8 million residents will take at least one holiday road trip. That’s 110,000 more than last year and a 2% increase from 2019.
The most congested days on the road are forecast to be December 27 and 28, and on Monday, January 2.
This Christmas Was Super Cold, But It Wasn’t The Coldest Ever Here.
December 26, 2022
This Christmas was really bitterly cold in North Escambia. But it was not record-breaking cold.
The coldest Christmas on record in Escambia County was back in 1983 when the official thermometer at the Pensacola airport fell to 11 degrees. This year, the coldest temperature recording in North Escambia was 18 degrees at Northview High School in Bratt.
Pictured: A local resident took advantage of the cold temperatures to use a sprinkler to create this ice near West Roberts Road and Stallion Drive in Cantonment. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Winning $57K Fantasy Five Ticket Sold In Cantonment
December 26, 2022
Someone is over $51,000 richer today after purchasing a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket in Cantonment.
The quick pick ticket sold at the Mill Bar and Package on South Highway 29 was one of four winning tickets sold in Friday night’s drawing and is worth $51,638.17. The other winning tickets were sold in Orlando, Sanford and Ocala.
The 269 tickets matching four numbers won $123.50 each. Another 8,732 tickets matching three numbers are worth $10.50 each, and 88,006 ticket holders won a free ticket for picking two numbers.
Friday’s winning numbers were 4-15-23-24-29.