Forest Service Issues Words Of Warning About Outdoor Burning
March 5, 2022
The Florida Forest Service’s Blackwater Forestry Center is issuing words of warning for anyone considering any outdoor burning activities in the coming day — use extreme caution.
It has been almost a month since much of Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties have seen rainfall and wildfire activity is on the rise. Add to that a forecast calling for winds ranging from 15 to 25 mph and fire officials are braced for a potentially busy weekend.
“We’re seeing conditions that are more like late March, early April – the peak of our fire activity,” said David Smith, Operations Administrator for Blackwater. “Unseasonably warm days and a lack of rain have made most of our coverage area susceptible to wildfires earlier than usual.”
Firefighters have responded to a dozen wildfires in the past week with little relief in sight.
Residents should always be prepared for the possibility of a wildfire as Florida experiences a year-round fire season that typically peaks from April to June in our area.
Pancake Dinner Raises Over $7,250 To Benefit Family Critically Injured In Wreck
March 5, 2022
Friday night’s “Grace for the Grants” pancake dinner at Byrneville Elementary School raised over $7,250 to benefit a local family injured in a car crash.
The community turned out in a big way for the pancake plates that were complete with sausage or bacon and drink. The event directly raised $4,754, and Modern Woodman donated another $2,500.
All proceeds will benefit the Grant family. In January, Brian Grant and his three children were critically injured in a traffic crash on Highway 31 in the Wawbeek community between Atmore and Flomaton. The wreck also claimed the life of another driver.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Students Learn About Ag During ‘Fresh From Florida’ Event (With Gallery)
March 5, 2022
Hundreds of local elementary school students attended the annual Northview High School FFA “Fresh From Florida” agricultural advocacy program Friday morning at the school in Bratt.
Formerly known as the “Food For America program”, the event gave students a chance to learn about agriculture first hand, up close and personal with farm animals, farm equipment and more to learn how food gets from the farm to their tables. Students were even able to make and enjoy eating their own fresh butter.
The Northview High School FFA “Fresh From Florida” program has been honored as the number one program in the state multiple times, and the chapter was also named one of the best in the United State by the National FFA Organization.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Woman Injured In Highway 99 Rollover Wreck
March 5, 2022
A woman was injured in a single vehicle rollover crash Friday night near Molino.
The driver lost control and overturned into a ditch just after 9:15 p.m. on Highway 99 near Luth Road, just north of Crabtree Church Road.
The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded, and the woman was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released additional information.
Escambia Discontinuing COVID-19 Dashboard Tracking
March 5, 2022
Escambia County is dropping their COVID-19 dashboard Saturday as COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to decline.
As of Friday, there were 48 people hospitalized for COVID-19 in Escambia County.
“Just like previous occasions when we have discontinued the dashboard, we will continue to monitor COVID-19 with our local healthcare partners,” said Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore. “As long as we remain under 50 hospitalizations, Escambia County will discontinue the COVID-19 dashboard effective March 5.”
A Very Special Mardi Gras Parade (With Photo Gallery)
March 5, 2022
A very special Mardi Gras parade was held Friday morning for the special needs students of Escambia Westgate School.
With plenty of beads, trinkets and smiles, the parade rolled through the school parking lot for students that might not otherwise be able to attend a regular Mardi Gras parade.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos courtesy ECSO, Escambia Westgate and Kevin Adams for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Highway 29, Highway 97 Crash Claims One Life
March 4, 2022
The Florida Highway Patrol said a crash Thursday night in Molino claimed one life.
A semi-truck and a pickup truck collided about 7:45 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97.
A 19-year old Molino man was driving a Ford F150 northbound on Highway 29 when he attempted to turn onto Highway 97. He “failed to maintain awareness of southbound traffic” and turned into the path of the semi driven by a 30-year old Pensacola man, troopers said.
One passenger in the truck, a 20-year old man from Atwater, Minnesota, was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital where he passed away. The pickup driver and another passenger, a 23-year old from Glendale, Arizona, were both transported to the hospital in serious condition.
The semi-truck driver received minor injuries.
After the collision, the truck jackknifed into the Tom Thumb parking lot and came to rest against the business’s sign.
The Florida Highway Patrol is continuing their investigation.
The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Students Prepare 60,000 Meals Of Hope (With Photo Gallery)
March 4, 2022
The Tate High School FFA and volunteers will worked Thursday morning to package about 60,000 meals for the community.
They exceeded their goal of feeding 50,000 with the Meals of Hope project.
All the packaged meals will be distributed to families in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Pictured: Tate High FFA students and volunteers work assembly line fashion to package 60,000 meals Thursday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Gov. Ron DeSantis Announces First Lady Casey DeSantis Is Cancer Free
March 4, 2022
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced that his wife, first lady Casey DeSantis is cancer free.
“After going through both treatment and surgery for breast cancer, she is now considered cancer free,” he said. “All of you who have given thoughts and prayers to my family and my wife, thank you. It’s lifted her spirits and made a tremendous difference. For all the women out there who are going through breast cancer right now – you can overcome this. I know it’s very difficult, but my wife is proof positive, and this is the exact type of news we had hoped for. She still has more to do, but I’m confident she’s going to make a full recovery. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. God Bless you all.”
“There are no words to express how truly blessed, grateful and humbled I am to hear the words cancer free,” said Casey DeSantis. “To those who are in the fight, know there is hope. Have faith and stay strong.”
Casey DeSantis was diagnosed with breast cancer last October.
The Governor and first lady DeSantis are parents to daughter, Madison, 4; son, Mason, 3; and daughter, Mamie 18-months, who is the first baby born in the Governor’s Mansion in more than 50 years.
A native of Troy, Ohio, she is a three-time National Champion equestrian, as well as a runner-up Division I NCAA Champion. She worked for the PGA Tour as a producer and on-air host. She earned an Emmy for on-air talent while working in Jacksonville.
Since becoming Florida’s first lady, DeSantis has launched four major initiatives, including “Hope Florida — A Pathway to Prosperity, Economic Self-Sufficiency and Hope.”
Pictured top: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, first lady Casey DeSantis and their three children (left to right) Mamie, Madison, and Mason
Northview Varsity Tops Lighthouse; NHS JV Shuts Out Lighthouse
March 4, 2022
Northview 13, Lighthouse 3
The Northview Chiefs beat Lighthouse Christian 13-3 Thursday night in Bratt.
Jamarcus Jefferson earned the win for the Chiefs, giving up no runs on four hits in four innings, striking out seven. Collier and Burkett closed in relief.
Rustin Pope led at the plate for Northview, going 4-4. Kaden Odom had two hits for the Chiefs. Jefferson, Wyatt Scruggs and Logan Misenar added one hit each. Luke Bridges and Misenar had two stolen bases for Northview; Scruggs had one.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Northview 15, Lighthouse 0 (JV)
Clay Allen threw a no-hitter as the Northview Chiefs JV shut out Lighthouse Christian JV 15-0 Thursday at Northview.
Allen walked one and recorded 10 strikeouts.
Allen was also hot at the plate, going 3-3 to lead the JV Chiefs. Jayden White was 2-4, Kenny Sanders was 2-2, Colby Pugh went 2-3 and Jacob Spence was 2-2.
Pictured: The Northview Varsity Chiefs defeated Lighthouse Christian 13-3 Thursday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
