Homebuilder D.R. Horton Offers $33 Million Cash For County’s OLF-8 Property On Nine Mile Road
February 12, 2023
A homebuilder has made a $33 million cash offer for the entire OLF-8 property owned by Escambia County.
Saturday, Escambia County commissioners received the offer for 540 acres on Nine Mile Road from D.R. Horton, including a promise $1 million to be held in escrow during an inspection period.
In January 2019, Escambia County acquired the 636 acre OLF-8 helicopter field in a land swap with the U.S. Navy for property in Santa Rosa County at a total cost of about $18 million. A portion of the property was previously sold to Navy Federal to expand their campus.
“It’s a big deal for this area, and we will be nearly $20 million to the good,” Escambia County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh told NorthEscambia.com on Saturday.
A design plan is in place for the property with a combination of commerce, residential and amenities. It allocates 271 acres to commerce and industrial; 61 acres to residential including duplexes, townhomes and multifamily; 47 acres to a mixed-use center such as residential over retail and office over retail; and 45 acres to trails and public amenities such as a post office, school, day care and community garden.
D.R. Horton said the company “intends to incorporate multiple commercial and residential uses into its future master plan. (D.R. Horton) intends to approach a third-party developer with regard to the development of the commercial parcels.”
“I say we consider it,” Bergosh said. “I want to hear from my counterparts at a meeting. With $6.5 million per district, you could do a lot of good stuff.”
The February 10 offer letter requests a response within 10 days.
Pictured: Images from the OLF-8 Master Plan accepted by the Escambia County Commission in June 2021.
Century Youth Learn About Robotics
February 12, 2023
Youth in Century were introduced to robotics during a program recently at the Wesley Chapel CME Church.
Last fall, we told you about how the Century Blackcats youth football program is looking to change their playbook from football to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education during the off season.
From Ozobots that can be programmed with colored lines to computer-coded Sphero Balls, the youth had a chance to try their hands at robotics.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Organizers hope to have STEM programs in place for the youth this summer.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Inmate Serving Life Accused Of Assaulting Century Correctional Institution Officer
February 12, 2023
Inmate Ibraheem Jackson assaulted an officer at Century Correctional Institution, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
“Staff responded appropriately, and the inmate was subdued,” FDC said.
Jackson is serving a life sentence out of Broward County for a 2015 armed burglary, in addition to a long list of convictions for grand theft, burglary and related charges.
He was transferred after the assault to the Santa Rosa Annex.
Dry And Chilly Tonight, Low In The Mid 30s
February 12, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 35. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 66. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 72. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 75. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a chance of showers. Low around 43. South wind around 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 54.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 56.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.
Lane Closures Planned This Week For Bridges On Highway 29 And Highway 97
February 12, 2023
Motorists can expect potential delays for routine bridge maintenance this week on Highway 29 and Highway 97.
According to the Florida Department of Transportation the work will take place as follows:
Highway 29 over Canoe Creek — Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures on Highway 29 over Canoe Creek between Roach Road and Whirlpool Road on Sunday, February 12 and Monday, February 13 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Highway 29 over Mitchell Creek — Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures on Highway 29 over Mitchell Creek, just north of Highway 164 and the McDavid Fire Station on Thursday, February 16 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Highway 97 over Little Pine Barren Creek – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures on Highway 97 over Little Pine Barren Crear, near Wiggins Lake Road, on Thursday, February 16 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m
The work is weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Bratt Elementary Students Enjoying Gaga Ball In New Pit
February 12, 2023
Bratt Elementary School students are falling in love with gaga ball.
The Bratt Elementary School PTA recently purchased a gaga ball pit for the students.
Dubbed a kinder gentler version of dodge ball, the game is played with a soft foam ball, and combines the skills of dodging, striking, running, and jumping, while trying to hit opponents with a ball below the knees. Players need to keep moving to avoid getting hit by the ball.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Nancy Darlene Davis
February 12, 2023
Nancy Darlene Davis was born November 17, 1955, in Escambia County, Florida to Shirlene Law and the late Toby Davis. She passed away peacefully on February 4, 2023, at the Santa Rosa Health and Rehab Center in Pace, FL.
She spent her childhood in Bay Springs, FLm living with her grandparents Dorothy and Barney Lowery. In her teenage years, she moved in with her great-grandparents, John and Annie Bell Barlow and her Aunt Bethel. She graduated from Tate High School. After graduation she was self-employed as a courier. She was also employed as an attendant at the welcome center in Pensacola. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Dorothy and Barney Lowery; grandparents, Wheeler and Nell Barlow; her great-grandparents, John and Annie Bell Barlow; Aunt, Bethel Barlow; her brother, Randy Davis; her half-sister, Sharon Hicks; and her half-brother, Michael Fox.
Darlene is survived by her aunt, Louise Fore of Flomaton, Alabama; her aunt and uncle, Reita and Charles Lowery of Bratt, Florida; her sister-in-law, Faye Davis of Pensacola; her mother, Shirlene Law of Fort Lauderdale; her sister, Brenda Hicks, of Tampa; brother, Jeffery Fox; her friend, Gerald Pearson; and many other relatives and friends.
A memorial service will be held at Aldersgate United Methodist Church. The address is 6915 US-29, Molino, FL. The service will be held on Sunday, February 19 at 2 p.m.
Cold, Rainy, Dreary Kind Of Saturday Night
February 11, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 50 percent chance of rain, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 59. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 65. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming southeast after midnight.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 65. Southeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 74. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Breezy.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 57.
Escambia Extension Nutrition Educator Chinesa Sunday Recognized For 40 Years Of Service
February 11, 2023
Escambia County Extension EFNEP Educator Chinesa Sunday was recognized in Gainesville this week for her dedication, service, and outstanding work for 40 years at the University of Florida.
EFNEP, the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, is the nation’s first nutrition education program for low-income populations and remains at the forefront of nutrition education efforts to reduce nutrition insecurity of low-income families and youth today. EFNEP uses education to support participants’ efforts toward self-sufficiency, nutritional health, and well-being. EFNEP combines hands-on learning, applied science, and program data to ensure program effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gulf Breeze Tops Tate 77-64 For District Crown
February 11, 2023
The Gulf Breeze Dolphins claimed the 6A District 1 basketball championship Friday night with a 77-64 win over the Tate Aggies.
Lucas Williams had a game-high 21 points for the Aggies.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
