Semi Truck Hauling Nitric Acid Burns In Century; Prompts Evacuations (With Gallery)
April 30, 2022
A tanker truck hauling nitric acid burned this morning in Century, prompting an evacuation of the surrounding area.
The truck burned upon the canopy of the closed Panhandle gas station at the corner of Highway 29 and East Highway 4.
The cab of the truck was destroyed, but the tank of nitric acid was not compromised. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire and keep the tank cooled.
There was damage to the gas station canopy from the fire.
Surrounding businesses were evacuated, and both Highway 29 and Highway 4 were closed closed. The Panhandle Restaurant, Marathon station and Whataburger were evacuated. Other businesses in the area were not open at the time, and there were no residences in the evacuation zone.
Train traffic was also halted temporarily; CSX’s line through Century was just feet away.
The driver, who was able to escape without injury, told authorities that he was southbound on Highway 29 when the turbo locked on his diesel engine. He was able to turn east on Highway 4 and pulled into the gas station lot before the truck stopped.
An Escambia County Fire Rescue Hazmat team; the Century, McDavid Walnut Hill, Molino, Cantonment and Ensley stations of Escambia Fire Rescue; Flomaton Fire Department; Jay Fire Department, Escambia County EMS; and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge. Top photo courtesy Joley Griffis for NorthEscambia.com.
Ashley Slade Named Byrneville Elementary Teacher Of The Year
April 30, 2022
Ashley Slade has been named Byrneville Elementary School Teach of the Year.
Slade, described as a “rock star kindergarten teacher” with “one of the biggest hearts”, was surprised with the news on Friday.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fowler Avenue Now ‘No Trucks’, Speed Limit Lowered On Barrineau Lane, No Parking On Woodbridge, Pinebrake
April 30, 2022
The Escambia County Commission recently implemented several new traffic restrictions.
The speed limit on Barrineau Lane was lowered from 35 to 25 mph.
Fowler Avenue was restricted as “no trucks” with a weight limit of 10,500 pounds from West Nine Mile Road to West Nine and One Half Mile Road. “No truck” signs were previously placed in the area, but the commission’s recently action officially set the weight limit on the record.
“No truck” restrictions with a weight limit of 10,500 pounds were also established on Sun Valley Drive from Michigan Avenue to Rainbow Avenue, on Pipeline Road from Michigan Avenue to Rainbow Avenue, and on Pipeline Road from Rainbow Avenue to Commerce Park Circle
No parking zones were established on the right of way of Woodbridge Drive and Pinebrake Lane off University Parkway.
Tate Ends Regular Season With Win Over Gulf Breeze; Playoffs Begin Monday
April 30, 2022
The Tate Lady Aggies defeated Gulf Breeze 4-2 Friday evening.
Jordan Smith went seven innings for Tate, allowing two runs and 10 hits while striking out four.
Sophia Jones, Courtney Lundquist, Kara Wine, Lacy Wilson and Michayla Kent each had one hit for the Lady Aggies.
The No. 4 Lady Aggies (11-13, 3-4) will host No. 5 Crestview (7-16, 0-8) at 6 p.m. Monday as the 1-6A playoffs begin.
Pensacola Bay Bridge Walking, Cycling Pathway Now Reopened To The Public
April 30, 2022
The Pensacola Bay Bridge multiuse path has reopened. allowing people to walk, run or cycle between Pensacola and Gulf Breeze.
The 10-footvwide lighted path includes six scenic overlooks, each equipped with shaded seating areas that provide panoramic views of Pensacola Bay. The path is intended for bicyclists and pedestrians. Motorized vehicles and fishing are not permitted on the path.
The three-plus mile path sustained significant damage during Hurricane Sally and had been closed for repairs and improvements since the storm made landfall in September 2020.
Construction continues on the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure. The entire project is currently estimated for completion later this year.
Wahoos Blank Biloxi 4-0 Friday Night
April 30, 2022
Eury Pérez struck out a career-high 12 batters over 5.0 one-hit innings as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos blanked the Biloxi Shuckers 4-0 on Friday night.
Pérez (W, 1-1) earned his first Double-A win, and allowed only four batters to put the ball in play over his dominant outing. Only a third inning double from Biloxi’s Gabe Holt prevented the Shuckers from being no-hit.
The Blue Wahoos turned a Paul McIntosh leadoff walk in the second inning into the game’s first run, thanks to a stolen base and a Luis Aviles Jr. RBI groundout. McIntosh stole two bases on the night and the Blue Wahoos swiped four, both high water marks for the team this season.
In the third, Ray-Patrick Didder went deep with a solo homer, his second of the year. That would be all the damage done against Shuckers starter Nick Bennett (L, 1-2), who took the tough-luck loss despite completing 6.0 innings for a quality start.
Josh Simpson, Andrew Nardi and Eli Villalobos struck out six more batters over 4.0 hitless innings of relief, giving the Blue Wahoos staff 18 strikeouts on the night. A seventh-inning RBI single from Hayden Cantrelle and an eighth-inning wild pitch added late insurance for a 4-0 final.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Biloxi Shuckers on Saturday night.
Riding Lawn Mower Lady, Two Other Burglary Suspects Identified By Police
April 29, 2022
Police have identified three suspects in the case of “Lawn Mower Lady” in Flomaton.
Flomaton Police said Madonna Barnhill, Michael Adams and Jonathan McKinley are wanted for burglary third degree and theft of property fourth degree.
The lawn mower, trailer and items in the trailer seen in the photo above were all stolen from a local residence. The University of Alabama “A” in the trailer is also stolen, police noted. The items were taken during an April 24 burglary of a residence on Ringold Street in Flomaton; police said entry was made using a bolt cutter type tool to break a lock.
Barnhill allegedly drove the lawnmower down several streets in Flomaton and ultimately into Century. The lawn mower has not been recovered, Flomaton Police Chief Charles Thompson told NorthEscambia.com Friday afternoon.
The suspects were identified, according to Thompson, after investigators watched surveillance video that covered a span of several days.
“She appears to be wearing possible apple bottom jeans, looks like slides with no fur. The whole Town of Flomaton is looking for heeerr,” Flomaton Police posted on Facebook.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspects is asked to call the Flomaton Police Department at (251) 296-5811 or email crimetips@flomatonal.org.
Pickup Overturns On Highway 97 Early Friday Morning
April 29, 2022
There were no serious injuries when a pickup truck rolled over on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill early Friday morning.
The driver lost control about 12:10 a.m. and his pickup truck overturned, coming to rest upright in the southbound lane of Highway 97 just south of Arthur Brown Road. The wreckage and debris from the truck’s cargo block southbound Highway 97.
There were no other vehicles involved.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded.
The crash was about one mile south of another single vehicle rollover crash Thursday afternoon on Highway 97.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NAIA Men’s Lacrosse Invitational Coming To Ashton Brosnaham Park
April 29, 2022
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Men’s Lacrosse Invitational is coming to the North Escambia area through 2024.
The tournaments will be played at Escambia County’s Ashton Brosnaham Athletic Park off East 10 Mile Road May 11-14. Eight teams will compete in a single-elimination tournament starting Wednesday, May 11. The semifinals will take place Thursday, May 12 and the championship game will be Saturday, May 14.
“Lacrosse is a growing sport and Pensacola is the ideal backdrop for hosting the NAIA Men’s Lacrosse Invitational,: said Ray Palmer, President and CEO of Pensacola Sports. “This gives us an opportunity to showcase the Pensacola community and our beautiful sugar-white beaches to these student-athletes, coaches, support teams, and fans.”
“I’m so excited to welcome the best Men’s Lacrosse teams in all of the NAIA to our Ashton Brosnaham complex In Escambia County. I hope all of the players, coaches and their friends and family enjoy themselves immensely, and make many return trips to our fantastic community in the future,” said Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry.
Ashton Brosnaham will also host the Southeastern Conference Women’s Soccer Tournament through 2024.
FHP: Molino Man Suffered Medical Condition Before Fatal Wreck
April 29, 2022
A 39-year old Molino man was pronounced dead after a traffic crash Thursday afternoon in Escambia County.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the man was traveling west on Jackson Street approaching Benson Place when he ran off the roadway and collided with a utility pole and street sign.
“The driver suffered from a medical condition which caused the collision,” FHP said in their report. He was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
FHP no longer releases the names of traffic crash victims.