New Cellphone Policy Begins Monday At Ransom Middle School

March 22, 2019

There will be a new cellphone policy in effect when students return to Ransom Middle School after spring break.

Beginning Monday, March 25, cellphones can only be used between classes and during lunch. Students must put their phones away before entering classrooms, according to the school.

Tate Wins Aggie Classic Championship (With Photo Gallery)

March 22, 2019

The Tate Aggies won the their third Aggie Classic championship in four years Thursday night with a 5-3 victory over Choctaw, OK.

The Aggies were down by three in the top of the of the fifth when Raymond Lafleur homered on a 3-1 count.

Brantley Culbertson earned the win for the Aggies. He allowed four hits and zero runs over four and a third innings while striking out three. Darrien McDowell started on the mound for Tate, allowing five hits and three runs over two and two-thirds innings while striking out two.

The Aggies recorded no errors.

For a photo gallery, click here.

Pictured top: The Tate Aggies won the Aggie Classic championship Thursday night. Pictured below: Raymond Lafleur rounds the bases after a go-ahead homer in the fifth. Photos by Crystal Tolbert for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

What’s Burning? Residents Report Lots Of Smoke, Falling Ash

March 21, 2019

There are several large controlled burns today in the North Escambia area, prompting residents to report lots of smoke and falling ash.

The largest is just over 200 acres of ECUA property in the area south of Becks Lake Road (burn map above). We’ve received multiple reports of ash falling in the Old Chemstrand Road area from that fire. Escambia County Fire checked the complaints out and determined the ash was from the controlled burn off Becks Lake Road.

There are other controlled burns as follows:

  • Just south of Highway 196 near Jacks Branch Road
  • 210 areas around Highway 97A and Waters Ferry Road (map below)
  • Near South Pineville Road and Highway 97A
  • Northwest of Morgan Road and South Highway 99
  • Northwest of Nokomis Road and Rockaway Creek Road

Winds are generally out of the north about 10-20 mph, pushing smoke to the south from each burn area.

Molino Man Accused Of Forcing His Way Into Home Of Ex-wife

March 21, 2019

A Molino man was arrested by Pensacola Police after allegedly forcing his way into the home of his ex-wife and pushing her.

Fletcher Allan McCullough, 50, was charged with felony burglary with assault or battery and misdemeanor batter after the incident.

The victim told police that she had been separated from McCullough for about 2.5 years, and he was not allowed at her residence. She stated he appeared at her front door, and she tried to hold the door closed with her body. She said Fletcher forced his way through the front door, pushing her out of the way, according to an arrest report.

The victim said she told Fletcher numerous times that he was not allowed in the home, but Fletcher kept saying “I know he’s in there,” the report states. A man inside the home told officers he did not see the incident but heard everything.

During a later interview, according to the report, Fletcher state he was attempted to mend his relationship with his ex-wife but believed she was involved with the man that was inside the home.

Fletcher remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday night without bond.

Bright Idea: New Lighted Stop Signs Installed In Northern Santa Rosa County

March 21, 2019

There’s something new about several stop signs in northern Santa Rosa County, and local residents say it’s a bright idea.

The Florida Department of Transportation has provided four radar-activated, LED illuminated, solar powered stop signs that were installed by Santa Rosa County Public Works at two intersections — Highway 178 and Highway 89 south of Jay, and Munson Highway and Highway 4 in Munson.

The concept is simple. As vehicles approach, the LED lights on the signs illuminate to increase intersection awareness and safety.

Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Tate Beats Noble Oklahoma To Advance To Aggie Classic Championship Game

March 21, 2019

The Tate Aggies have advanced to the championship game of the 2019 Aggie Classic. Tate will host top seed Choctaw, OK, at 7 p.m.

The Aggies defeated Noble, OK, 3-1 Wednesday night under a rising outfield supermoon (pictured left).

Cole Fryman earned the win for Tate in six innings, allowing no runs and two hits while striking out eight and walking one. Easton Sidner threw one inning in relief, recording the last three outs to earn the save.

Darrien McDowell went 2-3 with a run, while Mason Land was 2-4 with a RBI. Also for Tate: Hunter McClean 1-3, R; Raymond Lafleur 1-3, RBI; Chase Tolbert 1-4, RBI; Michael Potts R.

Pictured: The Tate Aggies defeated Noble, OK, Wednesday night. Photos by Crystal Tolbert for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Board Of Adjustment Decision Postponed On New Molino Road Cell Phone Tower

March 21, 2019

Wednesday, the Escambia County Board of Adjustment postponed action until next month on a conditional use request for a cell phone tower in the 4300 block of Molino Road.

The delay was at the request of Integrisite as they seek approval for a tower to be located on just less than an acre subsection of a 12.61 acre lot.

Most properties within the 500-foot buffer of the property are used as single-family residences or agricultural land. One single family dwelling is located on the parcel and is located less than 500 feet from the tower.

County staff  found the parcel does not meet 100-foot width requirement of the rural residential zoning designation and only has 60 feet of frontage on Molino Road.

If the Board of Adjustment should approve the plan at their next meeting on April 17, Integrisite would be required to submit a formal application to the Escambia County Development Review Committee.

Pictured: The area of the 4300 block of Molino Road. NorthEscambia.com graphic.

T.C. Venom’s Home Opener Is Saturday Night In Century

March 21, 2019

The new  T.C. Venom minor league football team will open home play this Saturday night in Century against the Birmingham Steel City Raptors.

The game will kickoff at 7 p.m. at Anthony Pleasant Park. Admission is $10 with kids 12 and under admitted free.

The Venom will play three additional  homes games in Century as the newest team in the Amateur to Professional Development Football League, the AFDFL:

Sat Mar 30 — Crescent City Kings — Century, 7 p.m.
Sat Apr 6 — Greater Pensacola Jets — Century, 7 p.m.
Sat May 11 — Florida Phoenix — Century, TBD

The APDFL is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to the promotion and advancement of adult minor league football teams throughout the Southeast, according to their website. Players are between the ages of 18 and 30 looking to obtain a second chance of reaching their college or professional football dreams. The APDFL provides these athletes a place to improve their football skills and a platform to showcase their talents by attracting scouts from the collegiate and professional levels.

Escambia County Property, Tangible Taxes Due

March 21, 2019

Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford is reminding local residents that 2018 unpaid real estate and tangible property taxes become delinquent April 1. Penalties of three percent for real estate taxes and one and one-half percent for tangible taxes will be assessed. Over $24.8 million remains unpaid, representing approximately nine percent of the tax roll. To avoid the penalty, payment must be made by March 31.

Payment options include:

  • online by midnight CDT, March 31, at EscambiaTaxCollector.com;
  • mailed with a March postmark;
  • left by midnight CDT, March 31 in a 24-hour drop box available at all locations; or
  • by phone at (850) 438-6500, ext. 3252 by close of business March 29.

Since the deadline falls during the weekend, when all offices are closed, customers can make their payment in person without penalty on current 2018 taxes at any tax collector office on Monday, April 1.

Taxpayers are encouraged to visit the tax collector’s virtual office at EscambiaTaxCollector.com to pay online 24 hours a day. Online services allow customers to pay their taxes, search records, print receipts, renew vehicle and vessel registrations and many other services. Customers who decide to visit one of four offices can join the line online at EscambiaTaxCollector.com and manage their time their way. Citizens select an office location and type of service, receive a message with approximate service time and then continue their regular activities until the service time approaches.

Customers can visit the payment center at EscambiaTaxCollector.com to check the status of property taxes, pay online or print a receipt. Taxpayers are encouraged to contact the tax collector’s office by email ectc@EscambiaTaxCollector.com or by phone with any questions.

Pictured: The Escambia County Tax Collector office in Molino. NorthEscambia.com file photo.

Spring Sunshine Sticks Around

March 21, 2019

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 69. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 43. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 71. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 45. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 74. North wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. South wind around 5 mph.

Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 75.

Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.

Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 67.

NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

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