New Ordinance Requires County Employees To Quit Before Running For County Commission
March 7, 2022
Escambia County has approved an ordinance that requires county employees to resign before running for the county commission.
The commission backed away from previous discussion of an ordinance that would require a resignation to run for any political office and settled on just candidates for the five commission seats. On a motion from Commissioner Doug Underhill, the ordinance passed 5-0.
The ordinance applies to employees of the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners, but not the commissioners themselves as they don’t work for the BOCC.
Free Soup Day Held At Century Park
March 7, 2022
St. Luke’s Missionary Baptist Church held a Free Soup Day, Saturday at Nadine McCaw Park in Century. There was free cooked soup, crackers and soda for everyone in attendance. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Jim Allen Elementary Holds Annual Heart Run
March 7, 2022
Jim Allen Elementary School held their annual Heart Run last Friday.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Vehicle Rolls Over On Jacks Branch Road
March 7, 2022
There were no serious injuries in a rollover wreck late Sunday afternoon on Jacks Branch Road in Cantonment
The driver of a Lexus lost control, ran off the roadway and overturned near Green Tree Circle, about a mile off Muscogee Road. The vehicle came to rest upright.
The Florida Highway Patrol website listed the wreck as a hit and run crash, but there were no further details provided.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FHP Seeks Fatal Hit And Run Crash Suspect
March 7, 2022
The Florida Highway Patrol is looking for a hit and run driver that fled a fatal crash Saturday night off Navy Boulevard.
A 68-year old man was walking eastbound upon the westbound travel lane of Patton Drive when he was struck by an eastbound vehicle, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The vehicle fled the scene, heading eastbound on Patton Drive toward Navy Boulevard. Troopers said the suspect vehicle is possibly an older model with front end damage to a glass headlight. No further description is known.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Florida Highway Patrol at *FHP or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Florida Gas Prices Race Toward Record Highs
March 7, 2022
Florida gas prices skyrocketed last week to the highest levels in a decade. Prices at the pump rose an average of 44 cents per gallon in the last five days, reaching an average price of $3.97 on Sunday.
The average price per gallon Sunday night in Escambia County was $3.98. To date, the highest ever average price in Escambia County was $4.03 in July 2008.
A North Escambia low of $3.99 could be found at two locations on Highway 29 in Cantonment. Several North Escambia stations moved past $4 per gallon on Saturday.
“Unfortunately, more price hikes are on the way and drivers may soon begin to see record high prices at the pump,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Gas prices are being dragged higher by sky high oil prices, which are surging in response to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Sanctions and regulations against Russia has limited its ability to sell its oil on the global market, thus intensifying global supply concerns in what was already a very tight market due to the pandemic.”
The U.S. price of oil surged 26% last week, rising a little more than $24 per barrel. An increase of that magnitude translates to a 60 cent increase at the pump. So far, the state average has increased 44 cents since last week, which means another 10-15 cent hike is possible. If that happens, the state average would eventually surpass the previous all-time high, moving toward around $4.12 per gallon. The current record high price for regular unleaded gasoline in Florida is $4.08 per gallon, which was set on July 16, 2008.
On Sunday, the national average price for gasoline reached $4 a gallon for the first time since July 2008.
Rainy Pattern Continues All Week
March 7, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday: Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible. High near 79. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Monday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Tuesday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Tuesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. East wind around 5 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 67. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Wednesday Night: Showers likely, mainly before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 56. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 75. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 51.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 29.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 58.
Beef Cattle & Forage Bootcamp Held In Molino
March 7, 2022
The fourth annual Escambia County Beef Cattle & Forage Bootcamp provided a hand-on learning opportunity for producers involved with cattle or forage management Saturday in Molino.
State and local professionals were present to discuss current research and production strategies. This year, the Northwest Florida Cattlemen’s Association partnered with UF/IFAS Extension to promote education relating to beef and forage best practices. Presenters provided current information on cattle reproduction, nutrition and management along with information focusing on increasing forage productivity.
The event was held at the Escambia County 4-H Ag & Outdoor Learning Center on Highway 99 in Molino.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mrs. Doris Troutman Cooper
March 7, 2022
Mrs. Doris Troutman Cooper, age 88, passed away, Saturday, March 5, 2022 peacefully at her home in Bratt, FL; surrounded by her family. She has resided most of her life in Bratt, FL. She was a member of Bratt First Baptist Church. She owned and operated Coopers Grocery in Bratt for fifty-four years.
Mrs. Cooper valued her time she got to spend with her family and grandchildren. She enjoyed gardening, cleaning and maintaining her yard and the store front. She enjoyed going to church.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Carl (Maggie Mason) Troutman, husband, Lawrence Cooper, one son, Carl Cooper, one grandson, Bryant Cooper, two brothers, Fredrick Troutman, Leon Troutman, two sisters, Margaret Lockwood, and Mary Mayson.
She is survived by her one son, Marion Cooper, of Bratt, FL; one daughter, Judy (Robert) Gilmore, of Pensacola, FL; one sister, Ouida McGill, of Atmore, AL; four grandchildren, Leslie Cooper, Lindsay Hale, Austin Cooper, Blake Gilmore, five great-grandchildren, Kendall, Bentley. Mia, Eli, Veyda, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 10:00 AM at First Baptist Church of Bratt, FL; with Rev. Josh Long officiating.
Burial will follow at Godwin Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 9, 2022 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Mark McGill, Steve McGill, Bryan McGill, Austin Cooper, Blake Gilmore, and Greg Vaughn.
Myrtice L. O’Dell
March 7, 2022
Myrtice L. O’Dell, a native of Pensacola, Florida passed away on March 6, 2022 at the age of 83. She was an active member of the Baptist faith. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Sacred Heart Hospital Critical Care and Hospice of Sacred Heart.
She was born April 7, 1938, in Santa Rosa County, Florida to the late Willie Mae Agerton and Jesse McNally. She married Bob O’Dell on November 7, 1958 in Pensacola, Florida.
She is survived by her children, Vicki (Jim) Kelnhofer, Lisa Brisson, Danny (Edna) O’Dell, David (Marion) O’Dell and Mike O’Dell. 7 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob O’Dell; a grandson, Robert O’Dell and her parents.
A funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North. The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. prior to the service.
Pallbearers will be: Austin South, Kristopher Wiggins, Corey O’Dell, Justin Wiggins, Ryan Seibold, Andrew O’Dell. Honorary pallbearer will be: James McNally