Pickup Truck Crashes Off Beulah Road Bridge
April 5, 2022
A pickup truck and utility trailer crashed off a bridge on Beulah Road sometime Tuesday.
About 1:15 p.m., a passerby discovered the Chevrolet 1500 pickup truck and a trailer with lawn equipment in a creek next to a bridge between Muscogee Road and the Perdido Landfill. The cab of the truck was mostly underwater, but it appeared the driver may have exited through a window.
There was no one found in the truck or downstream in or along the creek.
Authorities were unsure what time the accident occurred. Preliminary attempts to reach the owner of the vehicle by phone were reportedly unsuccessful.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Century Cancels Council Meeting
April 5, 2022
Century has canceled a regular council meeting that was set for Tuesday night due to weather concerns, according to Mayor Ben Boutwell.
The next regular council meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 19 at 7 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Located Safe: Missing, Endangered Man Last Seen On 10 Mile Road
April 5, 2022
UPDATE: THIS INVIDUAL HAS BEEN SAFELY LOCATED.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing and endangered man last see on 10 Mile Road
Joshua M. Ward, 49, was last seen on March 29 in the 600 block of East 10 Mile Road, the ECSO said Tuesday morning. There was no known clothing description at the time of his disappearance.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
ECSO Commander Hobbs To Attend National FBI Academy
April 5, 2022
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Commander Andrew Hobbs has been selected to attend the National FBI Academy. He is the first ECSO nomination in more than a decade.
“Commander Hobbs has spent a lifetime in service to his community. He will represent us well, and this type of training will further our quest to become the premier professional Law Enforcement agency in the state,” Sheriff Chip Simmons said.
The FBI National Academy is a 10-week program that offers advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training led by FBI Academy instructors, special agents, and other staff with advanced degrees. The academy is a professional course of study for U.S. and international law enforcement managers nominated by their agency heads because of demonstrated leadership qualities.
Hobbs is a career law enforcement officer with the ECSO Hobbs is currently assigned as the commander of the Community Relations division, including Public Information, Professional Standards, Traffic, Crime Stoppers, Community Policing, Fleet Services, Domestic Security, and recruitment.
When he graduates on June 9, he will join Simmons and Chief Deputy Tommi Lyter as graduates of this prestigious law enforcement executive program.
Northview Baseball Beats Flomaton; NHS Softball Tops Baker; Pace Over Tate Softball
April 5, 2022
Northview 10, Flomaton 4
The Northview Chiefs stormed past the Flomaton Hurricanes 10-4 Monday in Bratt.
Cason Burkett earned the win on the mound for the Chiefs, going three and a third innings while allowing three hits and one run while striking out four. Jamarkus Jefferson three two and two thirds innings, allowing three hits, three runs and striking out six.
Flomaton’s Will Smith gave up three runs and one hit in two-thirds of an inning. Caleb Silbernagel tossed five and a third innings, surrounding six hits, seven runs and striking out two.
Josh Landis and Kaden Odom led Northview at the plate with two hits each. Jefferson, Wyatt Scruggs and Trent Knighten each added one hit.
Nicholas Turner went 2-4 for Flomaton. Smith, Bradley Freeman, Will Rollin and C. Spann added one hit apiece.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
SOFTBALL
Northview 3, Baker 1
The Northview Chiefs beat the Baker Gators 3-1 Monday night in Baker.
The game was tied at one going into the top of the seventh when Northview’s Payton Gilchrist doubled on a 2-2 count to make it 3-1.
Jamison Gilman pitched a complete game for the Chiefs, allowing three hits and one run while striking out 10.
Kailyn Watson and Chole Ragsdale had two hits each to lead Northview at the plate. Gilchrist, Kaitlin Gafford and Gilman each had one hit.
Pace 6, Tate 0
Pace defeated the Tate Lady Aggies 6-0 Monday night.
Courtney Lundquist went seven innings for Tate, allowing six runs, 10 hits and striking out four.
The Aggies had no hits.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Anna Adams Named Miss NHS 2022 (With Photo Gallery)
April 5, 2022
Anna Adams was crowned Miss NHS 2022 at Northview High School.
Shelby Cotita was named first runner-up, while Presley Dortch was named second runner-up.
Other award winners were:
- Miss Congeniality: Anna Adams
- Miss Hospitality: Shelby Cotita
- Miss Physical Fitness: Anna Adams
- Miss Poise and Appearance: Nevaeh Brown
For more photos, click or tap here.
Pictured top: Anna Adams (center) was named Miss NHS. Presley Dortch (left) was second runner-up, and Shelby Cotita (right) was first runner up. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High Grad Jordan Chase Torrez’s Run On American Idol Comes To An End
April 5, 2022
Tate High School graduate Jordan Chase Torrez’s run on American Idol came to an end Monday.
He did not advance past Monday night’s episode and into the Top 24.
“When all this was going on I was in the darkest place of my life at the time and I prayed so hard for God to just give me a sign. I prayed so hard for God to give me someone that will honestly love me for me and truly believe in me and support me. And you know what God gave me he gave me a whole show FULL Of people who believe in me, love me support me, and they pulled me out of the darkest hole of my life I’ve ever been through,” Torrez wrote in a social media post Monday night.
“I didn’t audition for Idol to go in and win this whole thing I wanted to show the world the real Jordan Chase and showcase my style. And to meet amazing people so it sounds like a win to me.”
And during his American Idol journey, Torrez never forgot his hometown.
“I wanna say thank you to my hometown and my friends and family for pushing me and supporting me this far; you guys never let me down,” he said.
On Sunday night’s episode, platinum ticket winner Kenedi Anderson picked Torrez in American Idol’s “Duets Challenge” as they advanced to Monday night’s show.
Anderson said she picked Torrez because she was obsessed with his voice. The duo performed “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers, and they received a standing ovation from judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton’s Zeb Vickery Inks With UAB Football
April 5, 2022
Flomaton High School senior Zeb Vickery signed a letter of intent Monday to play football at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Vickery will play quarterback at UAB.
Vickery will become the third Flomaton Hurricane to actively play Division 1 football. Jackson Dullard is at Troy State, and Daquan Johnson is at Duke.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Killed In Fiery Highway 97 Crash
April 4, 2022
A Pensacola man was killed in a fiery high speed crash near Walnut Hill Sunday afternoon.
The 65-year old male driver of a black Dodge Challenger lost control while northbound on Highway 97 just north of Tungoil Road. The vehicle failed to negotiate a curve and left the roadway. The vehicle hit a culvert, went airborne for about 180 feet before crashing into a ditch. The Dodge then collided with a large pine tree about 12 feet off the ground. The gas tank was ruptured, and the vehicle burst into flames. It was fully engulfed when first responders arrived on scene.
There were no other passengers in the vehicle.
Witnesses told the Florida Highway Patrol and NorthEscambia.com that the vehicle was being driven recklessly at a high rate of speed prior to the crash.
For additional photos, click or tap here.
Pictured above: A Dodge Challenger burns after a crash on Highway 97 Sunday afternoon, before the first fire engine arrived on scene. Pictured below: The first water on the fire. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
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Family Offer Thanks: Driver Slams Into Downed Tree After Last Week’s Storms
April 4, 2022
Early last Thursday morning, Jim Harrison of Walnut Hill was headed to work. Severe storms had passed through the area before daylight.
His wife, Amanda, said the family had prayed for protection from the storm the night before, and they had made it safely through the worst of the weather.
They did not know that high winds had downed a tree on Pine Forest Road, not far from Highway 97. Jim was unable to see the tree, blinded by headlights from a vehicle that was turning around. His GMC Yukon Denali crashed into the tree.
“He hit it and then sailed through the tree debris and into the ditch,’ Amanda said. “Thankfully he walked away with a busted lip and soreness from the air bag and that’s it.”
“The state trooper asked who was driving and Jim said, ‘I was at first but then Jesus took the wheel. Thank you God for your protection over him,” Amanda added. “It’s definitely a witness to the fact that God had him.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
