Part Of I-10 Renamed For Deputy Killed 33 Years Ago
April 6, 2022
A portion of I-10 in Escambia County has been renamed for an Escambia County deputy killed in the line of duty over 30 years ago.
On December, 3, 1988, Deputy Donald Ray Cook was on his way to an off duty job in his patrol car. While monitoring his police radio, Cook learned of a high speed pursuit of armed robbers on I-10 headed into Escambia County from Santa Rosa County.
Cook responded to I-10 where he set up a roadblock in the west bound lane between the off ramp to Highway 29 and the I -10 spur near the railroad trestle. Cook exited his vehicle and the pursuit continued toward the roadblock where he was struck and killed. The suspect were taken into custody several miles away after their vehicle was disabled.
Cook was a five-year veteran of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
“His name is engraved on the Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington D.C., and he is recognized at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, but we have reached a point in time where our citizens need to be reminded daily of the sacrifice our officers make, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. One way we could do this is to name an appropriate section of Interstate 10 in memory of Deputy Donald Ray Cook,” retired FDLE Agent Ed Hudson of McDavid wrote in an email to Senator Doug Broxson’s Office asking for the renaming.
A formal ceremony was held Tuesday with Cook’s family.
Tate High Names Students Of The Month
April 6, 2022
Tate High School recently announce their January Students of the Month. They are Caden Graham and Alyssa Daniels. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bluff Springs, Cotton Lake and Williams Lake Recreation Sites Closed Due To Flooding
April 6, 2022
The Northwest Florida Water Management District has once again closed three recreation sites in the Escambia River Wildlife Management Area due to flooding or anticipated flooding.
The Bluff Springs, Cotton Lake and Williams Lake sites are closed until further notice.
Pictured: Flooding at the Cotton Lake Recreation Area. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
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.
