Tate’s Indoor Percussion Unit And Chaparrals Color Guard Take The Gold In Saturday Show
April 3, 2022
Tate High School’s indoor percussion unit and Chaparrals color guard both took first place Saturday in the Gulf Coast Guard and Percussion Circuit Championship Show held at Tate. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Car Crashes Backwards Into Tree; Driver Is Ejected Into Beaver Pond
April 2, 2022
A woman’s car rear-ended a tree before she was ejected into a beaver pond Friday afternoon near McDavid.
The woman was eastbound on Highway 164 at Pine Barren Road when she lost control and ran off the road. Traveling backwards, the rear of her Honda Accord collided with a tree before the car rotated into another tree. The adult female driver was ejected through the driver’s side window and into a beaver pond.
A passerby stopped and pulled the woman out of the pond. She was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola with injuries that were not life-threatening.
The Florida Highway is investigating the crash. The McDavid Station of Fire Rescue also responded.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
EF-0 Tornado Confirmed In Gonzalez Near Chemstrand Road, Along With 13 Others In The Region
April 2, 2022
The National Weather Service has now confirmed that 14 tornadoes touched down in the region Wednesday night and early Thursday morning, including one in North Escambia.
At 12:25 a.m. Thursday, an EF-0 tornado was on the ground in Gonzalez for about one minute. With winds up to 80 mph, the tornado traveled from Chemstrand Road north of Bucyrus Lane to Caterpillar, across Hunters Creek Drive and Hunters Creek Lane before ending at Crystal Drive. The Gonzalez tornado traveled a total distance of about one-third of a mile with a path up to 50 yards wide.
There was no major damage reported, but the NWS final damage survey is not yet complete.
Other tornadoes were confirmed:
- Santa Rosa County, FL: two EF-1 tornadoes (one near Pace and the other near Avalon)
- Baldwin County, AL: two brief EF-0 tornadoes (one near Point Clear and the other near Rosinton)
- An 18+ mile long EF-1 tornado impacted the southern portion of Choctaw County AL with 110mph max winds.
- An EF-0 tornado moved into southwestern Perry County MS with 80mph max winds (continuation of the EF-2 track from Forrest County).
- An EF-2 tornado in the McLain area impacted parts of Perry and Greene Counties in MS with 115mph max winds.
- There were at least four tornadoes in Mobile County AL with two EF-0s in the Semmes community, one brief EF-0 that entered western Mobile County from Jackson County MS, and one EF-1 tornado in the Theodore/Tillmans corner area.
- A brief EF-0 tornado occurred in Baldwin County AL near Point Clear
NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report: Illegal Fish, Hunting Violations
April 2, 2022
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following recent activity:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Allgood received a trespassing complaint from a landowner. Officer Allgood met with the landowner to take the report. While speaking to the landowner, a golf cart drove up with a subject fitting the description of the trespasser. After a short interview, Officer Allgood was able to determine the individual was trespassing and setting steel traps on the landowner’s property. Officer Allgood also determined the trespasser and his father
had each harvested a deer this year and neither deer was logged within the 24-hour time frame to obtain a confirmation number. The appropriate citations were issued for failure to obtain confirmation numbers for harvested deer, setting steel traps without a permit, and trespassing on private property.
Officers responded to a hunting incident that occurred in McDavid. An individual was hog hunting on private property when he set his gun down against a tree. The gun fell over and discharged. The projectile struck the hunter in the nose and continued through his hat. He was able to walk to a nearby relative’s house and an ambulance was called. K-9 Officer Hutchison searched the area and was able to find the scene of the incident. FWC investigators documented the scene and collected evidence. Investigator Livesay will be completing the investigation.
Over a three-week period, Officer Allgood assisted Alabama Marine Resources regarding commercial fisherman in Alabama who were bringing fish from Alabama to Florida and illegally selling them directly to local seafood dealers. Officer Allgood received a call from Alabama Marine Resources informing him that a vessel was checked at a boat ramp in Alabama with approximately 1,000 pounds of commercially harvested mullet. After the inspection, the officer followed the fisherman to the Florida state line where Officer Allgood and Officer Manning were waiting. FWC officers followed the fisherman to his residence. The following morning, Officer Allgood and a NOAA officer followed the fisherman to a local seafood dealer and conducted an inspection. During the inspection, Officer Allgood located several freshwater game fish along with approximately 1,000 pounds of mullet he was attempting to sell. After a short investigation and interview, the fisherman admitted to harvesting the fish in Alabama and said he knew it was illegal to bring them to Florida and sell. While conducting his investigation, another commercial fisherman who was being investigated showed up to the business with approximately 500 pounds of mullet. After a short interview, he also admitted to catching the fish in Alabama and selling them in Florida. Both commercial fishermen returned to Alabama with their fish and Alabama Marine Resources issued the appropriate citations.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Lewis was on patrol when he passed by a game meat processor and observed a subject standing next to a truck with a large cooler in the bed of the truck. Officer Lewis spoke with the subject and asked him if he was dropping off a deer. The subject said he was and when asked what kind of deer the subject killed, he stated it was a small baby buck. Officer Lewis observed a quartered deer in the cooler. The cooler was not properly tagged with the required harvester information, there was no sex identification available for the deer, and the subject did not report the deer into the FWC Deer Harvest Reporting System. The subject subsequently Admitted that the deer was a doe he killed three days ago and showed Officer Lewis a photograph of it. Officer Lewis observed a corn pile next to the deer in the photo and ascertained that the subject’s feeding station was not maintained for six months prior to killing the deer over it, which Is prohibited. Officer Lewis issued the subject a Notice to Appear and was cited accordingly. The deer was seized.
Officers Jeter and Land were on patrol in Blackwater River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) when they encountered a hunter exiting the woods. The hunter was parked on a closed road, and he was using a centerfire rifle during the archery/muzzleloading gun season. The hunter gave consent for the officers to look inside his vehicle and drug paraphernalia was located inside. The individual was cited for the violations. Officers Jeter and Land were patrolling the Blackwater River to conduct fisheries inspections. They observed a vessel with fishing poles displayed and conducted a stop to inspect the fisherman’s catch. Upon conducting a fisheries inspection, the officers
located a spotted sea trout which is illegal to take during the month of February in the western panhandle. The individual was cited for the violation.
Here Are Next Week’s Road Construction Trouble Zones
April 2, 2022
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, April 3 through Saturday, April 9. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Drivers will encounter the following temporary intermittent lane closures:
- Inside lane closures and shifts between D and Q streets as crews perform median improvements, signalization installation, and construct curb and gutter and sidewalk.
- Outside intermittent lane closures will occur at various locations along West Cervantes, between Dominguez and A Streets, to allow crews to construct Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant sidewalk ramps and erect traffic poles.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the southbound side of the bridge as crews construct the northbound portion. Additionally, drivers may encounter intermittent temporary lane closures from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, April 4 through Friday, April 8, as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures Monday, April 4 through Friday, April 8, as crews place a watermain.
- Airport Boulevard (S.R. 750) Routine Maintenance from West of Palafox Street to Davis Highway – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures from west of Palafox Street to Davis Highway from 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. the week of Monday, April 4 as crews place asphalt on the roadway.
- Barrancas Avenue (S.R. 292) from Manchester Street to the Bayou Chico Bridge –Sidewalks between Live Oak Avenue and Manchester Street will be closed as crews begin work on the sidewalk improvements. Detours will be in place for pedestrians.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Pavement Markings at the Pensacola Weigh Station – Crews will perform striping operations at the westbound weigh station starting at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 2. During the operations, the westbound station and adjacent truck parking area will be temporarily closed.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, April 3 through Saturday, April 9. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Major roadway construction activities are currently underway. Improvements include widening the roadway from four to a six-lanes with a raised median, safety, and drainage upgrades, resurfacing S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) from U.S. 98 to Garcon Point Bridge, extending the existing shared-use path on the south side of U.S. 98 from Gondolier Boulevard, and new signage and pavement markings.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – The eastbound lane will remain reduced to one lane at the C.R. 191 Overpass Bridge (Exit 26) until work associated with bridge approach construction is complete. Motorists can also expect intermittent lane closures from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. the week of Monday, April 4 as crews perform construction activities.
- S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) Routine Utility Maintenance from San Jose Street to Del Monte Street – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, April 4 as crews perform utility maintenance.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Tate Baseball Drops To Pace, Northview Beats Pine Forest; Tate Softball Shuts Out Escambia
April 2, 2022
Here’s a roundup of Friday night high school scores:
BASEBALL
- Pace 5, Tate 2
- Pace 6, Tate 4 (JV)
- Northview 2, Pine Forest 1
SOFTBALL
- Tate 12, Escambia 0
- Tate 12, Escambia 0 (JV)
For a photo gallery from both the varsity and junior varsity Tate games, click here.
Photos by Laura Glodfelter for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fire At International Paper In Cantonment Friday Morning
April 1, 2022
Firefighters responded to a fire at International Paper in Cantonment Friday morning.
“This morning there was a fire at our Pensacola Containerboard Mill. The mill emergency response team responded immediately,” IP Communications Manager Whitney Fike said.
Firefighters responded at 9:33 a.m. and cleared the scene about an hour later. The fire was reportedly inside a building at the mill, but the structure itself was not involved.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. There were no injuries reported.
“We appreciate the immediate response of trained team members on-site to help control the fire and the quick response of local fire departments with their assistance,” Fike said.
Eight Escambia Fire Rescue units and Escambia County EMS responded to the incident. Further details have not been released.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Destruction Of Evidence After Traffic Stop
April 1, 2022
A Cantonment man is facing a felony charge after allegedly swallowing evidence following a traffic stop.
William Austin Thomann, 24, was charged with felony destruction of evidence and resisting arrest.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy stopped Thomann on South County Road 97 near Britt Road after he was clocked at 67 mph in a 45 mph zone in his Nissan pickup truck.
He jumped out of the vehicle, closed and locked everything inside the vehicle, and consented to a search of his person. The deputy located a small plastic bag containing two pills in his pocket and gave commands for him to place his hands behind his back, according to an arrest report.
The Sheriff’s Office said Thomann disobeyed the commands and resisted, finally able to slip his hand into his pocket. He was able to grab the small plastic bag and swallow it, the report continues.
He remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday with bond set at $6,000.
One deputy received minor scratches during the incident but did not require medical treatment.
License-Free Freshwater Fishing This Weekend In Florida
April 1, 2022
Freshwater fishing this weekend is license-free in Florida.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said license-free freshwater fishing days provide an excellent opportunity for those new to fishing without needing to first purchase a license. On these days, the fishing license requirement is waived for all recreational anglers, including residents and non-residents. All other rules including seasons, bag and size limits still apply.
Pictured: Fishing at Lake Stone near Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
West Florida Softball And Baseball Top Northview; Gulf Breeze Bests Tate Freshmen
April 1, 2022
SOFTBALL
West Florida 6, Northview 1
The West Florida Lady Jaguars defeated the Northview Lady Chiefs 6-1 Thursday in Bratt.
Sydney Scapin went seven innings for West Florida, allowing one run on two hits while striking out 14.
Emma Gilmore opened on the mound for Northview, giving up four runs and one hit while striking out three in three and two-thirds innings. Aubrey Stuckey tossed three and a third innings
Jamison Gilman and Kayla Dixon both had one hit to lead Northview.
Scapin, Mariah Golson, M. McAnally, Alesha Write and Brea Holley each had one hit for West Florida.
BASEBALL
West Florida 8, Northview 6
The Northview Chiefs fell to the West Florida Jaguars 8-6 Thursday night in Bratt.
Gavin King went five and a third innings on the hill for West Florida to earn the win, allowing six hits and five runs while tallying five strikeouts.
Northview’s Josh Landis allowed six hits and six runs in four innings, striking out one. Jamarkus Jefferson and Ethan Collier each allowed one hit, one run and had two strikeouts.
West Florida’s Grayson Phillips and Gage Dewsnap had two hits each.
Jefferson, Landis, and Wyatt Scruggs had two hits each for the Chiefs.
Gulf Breeze 12, Tate 8 (Freshmen)
The Gulf Breeze Dolphins defeated the Tate Aggies 12-8 Thursday in Freshman baseball.
Edgar Sheppard went two innings, allowing five hits, eight runs and striking out two for Tate. Taite Davis pitched three, allowing four runs, four hits, and striking out two.
Kaleb Posta and Nathan Ozuna had two hits each for the Aggies. Tyler Folmar and Kaydon Biggs both added a hit.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.