Molino Library Reopen Today Following Water Issues On Tuesday
December 28, 2022
The Molino Library will be open on Wednesday. The branch of the West Florida Libraries in the Molino Community Center on Highway 95A was closed Tuesday due to unspecified water issues.
Sunday: Closed
Monday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Tuesday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
House Fires In Bratt, Cantonment, Cottage Hill Add Red Bulbs In Safety Awareness Campaign
December 28, 2022
There are now 13 red bulbs in Escambia County’s “Keep the Wreath Green” December fire safety campaign, representing three recent residential fires. Each time firefighters respond to a residential fire with damage, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one in wreaths at fire stations across the county to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in homes.
State Investigating Bratt House Fire
The Florida Bureau of Fire, Arson & Explosives Investigations is investigating the cause of a fire that left a family without a home Friday evening in Bratt (pictured top). The fire was reported about 5 p.m. in the 4000 block of Still Road, about 1.5 miles south of West Highway 4. The double-wide mobile home was fully involved when the first firefighters arrived on scene. There were no injuries reported, but two dogs were pronounced deceased at the scene. The fire was the 11th red bulb in the wreath.
Christmas Morning Fire Damages Cantonment Home
About 6:25 on Christmas morning, ECFR responded to a house fire in the 700 block of West Roberts Road in Cantonment. The fire was in the attic, so smoke detectors did not alert the occupants. Due to damage in the attic, the residents were displaced until repairs can be made. There were no injuries. This was the 12th red bulb on the fire safety wreath.
Makeshift Residence Destroyed By Fire In Cottage Hill
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. This was the 13th red bub in the wreath.
NorthEscabia.com photo (top) and photo for NorthEscambia.com (lower) click to enlarge.
ECSO’s New K-9 Rigby Named For Constable Killed In Byrneville
December 28, 2022
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has a new K-9, and he is named in honor of a deputy that died 67-years ago in North Escambia.
K-9 Rigby is named for fallen deputy Constable WM. “Clint” Rigby.
Constable Rigby died on September 4, 1955, at Century hospital due to injuries he received just before midnight the prior day when his patrol car was hit head-on by another vehicle. He was responding to a call when another vehicle crossed the center line and caused the crash on Highway 4 just east of Byrneville.
All About Poinsettias From A Local Grower
December 28, 2022
They are simple and beautiful symbols of Christmastime—these plants with deep red leaves, contrasting with the green ones below–the colors of Christmas on full display. Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrina) are native to mountainous regions of Mexico, and there are countless varieties with different shades of red, pink, and white available now.
But how did these tropical Mexican plants become such a popular part of Christmas in the United States? To understand that, we should go back to their long history of association with the holiday. Dating back to the 17th century, early missionaries to Mexico used the plant in nativity services. The legend of the “flor de noche buena” (flower of Christmas Eve) tells the story of a small, impoverished child who wanted to bring a gift to church in celebration of Christmas. An angel appeared to the child, saying they should gather weeds at the roadside and bring them to the altar. A miraculous transformation then occurred, in which the plants became a deep red and green plant—the poinsettia we all know and love. This story has long served as an object lesson in giving simply and from the heart, and is told every year at Christmas time.
While Mexicans refer to the plant as the flor de noche buena, it is known as cuetlaxochitl (star flower) in the Aztec language. Aztecs used the plant as a fever reducer, and for producing purple-red dye. Other Spanish-speaking countries typically refer to it as the Flor de Pascua (Christmas flower). The common name poinsettia came from Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett, who served as the first U.S. Ambassador to Mexico. As a botanist, he was intrigued with the plant, and introduced it to the United States by sending cuttings back to America in the 1830’s.
Local nurseryman William Wendt is in his 29th year growing poinsettias in Santa Rosa County. He mentioned the poinsettia gets a bad rap as toxic to pets, telling me, “your cat would have to eat about 100 plants” to get dangerously sick. Botanically speaking, the red part of the plant is a bract, or modified leaf, while the actual flowers are the bright yellow parts in the center. While encouraging people to purchase and enjoy poinsettias through the holiday season, he did not recommend trying to plant them in the ground. They are cold sensitive and rarely grow well in our area except in a greenhouse. In tropical environments, however, poinsettias can grow into large bushes or small trees.
Pictured: Local nurseryman William Wendt has been growing poinsettias for nearly 30 years. Photo by Carrie Stevenson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Written by Carrie Stevenson, UF/IFAS Escambia Extension
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.