Vehicle Rollover Crash Discovered Friday Morning
February 3, 2023
There was no immediate word on any injuries in a single vehicle rollover crash discovered Friday morning in Molino.
The vehicle was found with no one around on Highway 95A near Cantering Hills Lane.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated and has not released further details.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
David W. “Bill” Jordan
February 3, 2023
David W. “Bill” Jordan passed away Tuesday, January 31, 2023, in Pensacola, FL. Bill was born December 29, 1939, in Brewton, AL. Bill was retired from the United States Marine Corp and a member of American Legion #340.
Bill is preceded in death by his son, David Jordan; parents, Sam and Willie Mae Jordan; and 2 sisters, Pauline and Agnes.
Bill is survived by his wife, Shirley Pettis Jordan; daughter, Cheryl Smith (Farrell); sons, Billy Jordan, Dale Jordan (Denise); and Gary Jordan (Noni); 18 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; step daughters, Tracee Ingram (Tom) and Leslee Cura (Benjie).
Visitation will be Saturday, February 4, 2023, from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM, in theFlorida Room at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North. Graveside Service, with Military Honors, will be Monday, February 6, 2023, at Barrancas National
Cemetery. The Funeral Procession will meet at 10:30 AM at Olive Baptist Church– Warrington Campus, 103 West Winthrop Avenue, Pensacola, to go to Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola, FL.
WaWa Coming To Nine Mile Road In Beulah, Also Highway 98
February 3, 2023
Wawa convenience stores are coming to Beulah and one other Escambia County location, and there are plans for additional stores.
At a preview event Thursday, Wawa announced locations for West Nine Mile Road and Beulah Road and on HIghway 98 at North Blue Angel Parkway. Construction is planned for this year.
Wawa said there are three or four additional locations in Escambia County still under consideration, with a goal of 6-10 locations by 2025.
Last April, Wawa announced they were actively looking for potential sites for new stores in the Pensacola area, along with Panama City, Tallahassee and Mobile. Current plans are for Wawa to open up to 40 stores in these markets beginning in 2024.
In 2022, Wawa marked the 10th anniversary of the opening of its first Florida store. The store opened July 18, 2012, in Orlando across from SeaWorld. Since then Wawa has expanded rapidly throughout the state and opened its 250th store in Florida last year. Today, Wawa employs almost 10,000 associates across the Sunshine State.
DeSantis Announced $3 Million For Broadband In And Around Jay, Escambia County
February 3, 2023
Thursday, Gov Ron DeSantis announced $144 million in rewards through the Broadband Opportunity Grant Program to expand access to broadband internet for Florida’s underserved communities, including over $3 million in projects for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Speaking in Milton, DeSantis announced:
- Town of Jay; Fidelis, Berrydale, Cobbtown, and Unincorporated Santa Rosa County, ($2,363,937) — to deploy 103.7 miles of new fiber optic cable and provide FTTH services to 791 unserved locations within Santa Rosa County with download speeds of 300 Mbps and upload speeds of 10 Mbps. The funds will go to a Charter Communications project.
- Escambia County ($802,489) — to deploy 24.8 miles on new fiber optic cable and provide FTTH services to 206 unserved locations within Escambia County with minimum download speeds of 300 Mbps and upload speeds of 10 Mbps.
“I am proud to be in Santa Rosa County to announce the first awards through Florida’s Broadband Opportunity Program,” said DeSantis. “Broadband internet access creates jobs and enhances educational opportunities for Floridians. I look forward to continued investments through this program to ensure Florida families have access to important resources no matter where they live.”
“Broadband internet service is essential for workforce development, education, and healthcare. Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida has taken monumental steps to bring reliable, high-speed internet to all Floridians,” said Department of Economic Opportunity Deputy Secretary Ben Melnick. “There is no doubt that the projects awarded today will shape the future of broadband in Florida, and we look forward to supporting the Governor’s vision for a connected economy.”
Administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), the Broadband Opportunity Program funds the installation and deployment of broadband internet infrastructure in unserved Florida communities, providing access to telehealth, economic, educational, and workforce development opportunities.
Benefit To Help Daughter Of Escambia Deputy Killed By Alleged Drunk Driver
February 3, 2023
A fundraiser and benefit concert will be held later this month for the family of an Escambia County deputy killed by an alleged drunk driver last October.
Off-duty Master Deputy Kevin Ray of Cantonment was killed in the crash that seriously injured his 15-year old daughter Lauren on Highway 85 just east of Laurel Hill, Florida. Ray had been a member of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office family for over 20 years. He has been assigned to courthouse security for over 10 years.
The benefit will begin at 1 p.m. on February 25 at the AmVets FL Post 292 on Dog Track Road in Pensacola.
Proceeds will assist the family in offsetting the cost of long-term health care for Lauren Ray.
Call LeAnn (850) 554-7764 or Eddie Namyslowski at (901) 690-5638 for more information.
$1.7 Million Replacement Of Dawson Road Bridge Begins
February 3, 2023
A $1.7 million bridge replacement project on Dawson Road just south of Century is now underway.
The Florida Department of Transportation will pick up about $1.2 million of the cost, while Escambia County will be responsible for the rest of the cost for the bridge over Pritchett Mill Creek.
The current county-owned wooden-support bridge was constructed in 1965. It will be replaced with a 76-foot long concrete structure. The project will also include replacement of about 270 feet of roadway, curb and gutter, guardrail improvements and ditch grading. The bridge work is being coordinated with utility companies due to a 3-inch water main and a 3/4 inch Town of Century gas main.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
High In The Mid 50s, Low Friday Night Near Freezing
February 3, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Gradual clearing, with a high near 55. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 32. Wind chill values between 25 and 30. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 59. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 65. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 71. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 73.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 72.
Dog Adoptions Are Free Through Saturday At The Escambia Animal Shelter
February 3, 2023
The Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare is waiving the adoption fees on all dogs in the shelter through Saturday.
Adoption fees include spay or neutering services, microchips, heartworm tests and the initial vaccinations including rabies vaccinations. A separate $11 licensing fee will be required at the time of adoption for all county residents.
“We currently have about 90 dogs available at our Animal Welfare and Adoption Center” said Animal Welfare Director John Robinson. “We are confident we can help match you and your family with the perfect pet. You can see our available pets online by visiting 24petconnect.com and entering your zip code, or come by in person to meet our pets. If you aren’t able to adopt right now, we encourage you to become a foster or volunteer to help make a difference in the life of a pet.”
The Escambia County Animal Welfare and Adoption Center, located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive, is open Monday-Friday from 12-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Man Charged With Fleeing From Traffic Stop
February 3, 2023
A Cantonment man is accused of fleeing from deputies attempting a traffic stop.
Skyler Anthony Kauffman, 19, was charged with fleeing and eluding.
A deputy tried to stop Kauffman on Pensacola Boulevard near Walmart for no tag on his Dodge Challenger. When the deputy activated his emergency lights and siren, the Challenger made a u-turn, entered the Walmart parking lot and accelerated to a high rate of speed, according to an arrest report. The deputy discontinued the attempted traffic stop.
A few minutes later, deputies located his Dodge Challenger with front end damage in a ditch on 9 1/2 Mile Road and Palafox Street. Kauffman was placed under arrest.
Kauffman remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday with bond set at $5,000.
New FPL Solar Farm In McDavid Is Now Online. It’s The Second Of Three In North Escambia.
February 2, 2023
The new Florida Power and Light First City Solar Energy Center near McDavid went online Wednesday.
FPL brought nine other solar farms online Wednesday across the state, including the Blackwater River Solar Energy Center in Santa Rosa County.
The new First City Solar Energy Center, located along Holland, Cox and Roach roads, has more than 223,000 photovoltaic panels with a planned output of 75 megawatts — enough to power about 15,000 homes. It is the second of three FPL solar farms in North Escambia.
For more photos, click or tap here.
The 300,000 solar panels at the Cotton Creek Solar Energy Center on Bogia Road near McDavid have been in operation since early 2022 and were officially dedicated in March. It produces enough electricity to power about 15,000 homes.
The Sparkleberry Solar Energy Center is planned for 553 acres south of the end of Pilgrim Trail. According to FPL, over 200,000 solar panels will also generate about 75 megawatts. At last report, construction was expected to commence in the summer.
Pictured: The Florida Power and Light First City Solar Energy Center near McDavid went online Wednesday. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
