ECUA Reports 1,000+ Gallon Sewage Spill On Hamilton Crossing Drive
March 20, 2023
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority reported a sewage spill over 1,000 gallons Sunday just north of East Kingsfield Road.
The sanitary sewer overflow at 2026 Hamilton Crossing Drive was due to a broken 4-inch PVC force main. The spill was over 1000 gallons and did enter a storm drain. ECUA said samples have been requested to determine if the flow did reach a body of water.
10,000 Pound Food Giveaway Tuesday Afternoon In Cantonment
March 20, 2023
The Cantonment Improvement Committee will hold a drive-thru 10,000 pound food giveaway Tuesday afternoon, March 21 at Carver Park on Webb Street.
The food distribution will begin at 3 p.m. and continue while supplies last for anyone in need of food. People should line up their vehicles, single file on Webb Street facing north; food will be loaded into vehicles. Identification is required.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
It’s Going To Be Cool On This First Day Of Spring
March 20, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 56. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 66. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 76. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind around 10 mph.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 80.
Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 81.
Kara ‘Bean’ Elizabeth Santorelli
March 20, 2023
Kara “Bean” Elizabeth Santorelli, 18, of Molino, FL passed away on March 17th, 2023. She was born in Morehead City, North Carolina on December 19th, 2004.
Kara was a senior at Northview High School and worked at a local restaurant in Molino.
She lived life to the fullest and her light shined bright. In her early years, Kara was an avid runner and ran her first half marathon at age eight, while living in Okinawa, Japan where she came in 4th place overall female. After her family moved to Florida, her favorite thing became spending time at the beach, laying out, boating, and making TikTok videos with her best friend, Hadassah Mascaro. Above all, she loved spending time with her family and her dog, Merlot.
She is preceded in death by her grandfather, Ronnie “Putter” Creech.
Kara is survived by her parents, Mark and Lacey McLaughlin; brothers, Luke, Lance, Travis, and Hunter McLaughlin and Le’ Marion Mixon; maternal grandmother, JaneAnn Creech; two sets of fraternal grandparents, Cathy Redgate and Claude McLaughlin, Deborah Strickler and Daniel Santorelli (Rayma); aunts, Regina Southard (Tony), Laura McLaughlin, Kelly McLaughlin, Corey Case, and Allee Santorelli; cousins, ReAn Silbernagel, Amber Southard, Devin Fuentes, Kennedi Fuentes, Claire Roetter and Camden McLaughlin; boyfriend, Diondre Cardreon; and friends throughout the world.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Kara’s memory by giving to the American Chesapeake Club Rescue. This is one way her legacy on Earth will continue giving to others. Donations can be made by sending a check to ACC Rescue at 12525 Main Street, Springfield, NE, 68059 or through PayPal at accresue@mail.com
Family and friends are invited to Kara’s Sunrise Celebration of Life on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at 6:30 a.m. at Park West on Pensacola Beach, 1235 Fort Pickens Road.
Northview High Names Students Of The Month
March 20, 2023
Northview High School recently named their Students of the Month for February. They are Marabelle Hamilton and Heath Parker. They are pictured with Principal Michael Sherrill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Kriseya Marie Wheeler
March 20, 2023
Our sweetest Kriseya Marie Wheeler, Eya Bean, departed this earthly world on March 8, 2023, at the age of 18. Kriseya was surrounded by her family: her mother, Jennifer Fazande Wheeler; her two brothers, ChrisJen Wheeler and Cloud Wheeler; her paternal grandparents, Marie and Lamar Wheeler; and her daddy, Christopher Wheeler when she departed. She was being constantly reminded of her awesomeness and how much she was appreciated and loved. Kriseya was preceded in departure by her maternal grandparents, Cheryl Cyrus and George Fazande. Kriseya left behind a host of family and friends to both mourn and celebrate her. Kriseya accomplished a great deal of achievements before and after her brain cancer diagnosis eight years ago. She faced cancer with such resilience and fortitude, to inspire all who knew of her story. She was known for her keen intellect, quick wit, and creative spirit. She was also an excellent public speaker and aspiring comedian. Kriseya won several academic awards including 2019-2020 Ransom Middle School and Escambia Co. Student of the Year, the prestigious Katherine Pomeroy Memorial Award, and 1st place in Escambia Co. History Fair, just to name a few. Kriseya was an accomplished, sometimes commissioned, artist in several mediums. Kriseya was an avid outdoorsman, amateur herbalist and mycologist. As part of her final wishes she lived completely off the grid, in a home she helped build, for the last year of her life. She documented many of her adventures on her family YouTube channel, Wheelers Way. To Kriseya, strangers were just friends she had not yet met. Her compassion, empathy, and unwavering concern for others served as an inspiration and support to many in need of love and guidance. She was easily recognized as having wisdom far beyond her years. She was a devout child of God who was most concerned with converting lost souls. A beautiful person who was truly too awesome for this world. Kriseya lived as a wonderful Christian, daughter, sister, and friend, and anyone who had the chance to meet her was truly blessed.
I don’t ask why He took her; I understand. I ask, why was I so blessed to have her?
Kriseya will be laid to rest in Cottage Hill Assembly of God Cemetery beside Jim Allen Elementary. Sidewalk chalk will be by her grave in hopes children will come draw her beautiful pictures.
Family requests donations be made to Faith Chapel Funeral Home to help pay funeral expenses.
Wayne Brewton
March 20, 2023
a lifelong resident of Pensacola, Florida, passed away on March 17th, 2023, at the age of 80. He was born on October 6th, 1942, in Ferry Pass, Florida, to I.D. Sr. and Edna Brewton. He graduated from Pensacola High School, class of 1960. He was married to his loving wife, Carolyn for 61 years.
He was a member of Gonzalez Methodist Church and was a former board member of Gonzalez Utilities.
He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers. Wayne is survived by his wife, Carolyn; daughter and son-in-law, Angela and Dewey Higley of Dolores, Colorado; grand-daughter, Grace Higley of Mesa, Arizona; sister, Claudia Ellis of Tallahassee, Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Cemetery at 1:00 PM on Friday, March 24th, 2023 with Pastor Andy Perry officiating. After the service, there will be a meal and time for family and friends at Gonzalez Methodist Church, 2026 Pauline St., Gonzalez, Florida.
The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff at Covenant Hospice Inpatient Pallative Care Center and for the many offers of help along the way.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 S. Highway 29 Cantonment, Florida 32533 is entrusted with arrangements. Y
Gas Prices Up Over The Last Week, But AAA Says A Decline Is Likely
March 20, 2023
Florida gas prices jumped 15 cents per gallon last week, but relief may soon be on the way. On Sunday, the state average for regular unleaded was $3.46 per gallon. That’s 12 cents less than this year’s high of $3.58 per gallon.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was over a quarter lower at $3.20. A low of $3.13 was available Sunday night at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while Pensacola prices were as low as $3 at a station on East Nine Mile Road.
“There were significant losses in the oil market last week which should enable gas prices to move lower again,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The failure of two U.S. banks raised concerns of a global recession that could eventually hamper fuel demand.”
The U.S. price of oil dropped 13% last week, for a total loss of 17% over two weeks. Friday’s settlement of $66.74 per barrel was the lowest since December 2021. Interestingly, the gasoline market did not take quite as big of a hit, likely because strong springtime demand coupled with refinery maintenance season and the switch to summer gasoline is serving as somewhat of a buoy. Regardless, gasoline futures dropped 24 cents through the past two weeks, which is an indicator that pump prices should move lower, unless fundamentals rebound this week.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Public Hearing Tuesday On $13 Million To Renovate Old Century High Gym, Fix Town Bridges
March 19, 2023
Century will hold a public hearing this week as they consider applying for grants of $10 million to renovate an old gym and $3 million for bridge and drainage repairs.
A $10 million grant award would be used to renovate or rebuild the old Century High School gymnasium for use as a multipurpose facility that could also serve as a hurricane or other disaster shelter. Century High closed over 25 years ago; the 16,500 square foot building was constructed in 1960.
The town will also seek $3 million to replace a failed bridge on Freedom Road that has been closed for three years, and make drainage improvements to two other bridges that suffered embankment erosion during Hurricane Sally.
The funding, if awarded, would be from Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Small Cities Hurricane Sally Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funding. through the Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program.
The town is currently soliciting public comment on the proposed projects by email to Kristina Wood at kwood@centuryflorida.us or by calling Century Town Hall at (850) 256-3208.The deadline is Monday. At 7 p.m. Tuesday, a public hearing will be held at Century Town Hall.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Freeze Warning! Lows Into The 20s Sunday Night
March 19, 2023
There is a freeze warning in effect for Sunday night into Monday morning. Lows will range from 28 across northern Escambia County, to about 27 in Molino, to 31 in Cantonment.
These conditions could kill crops, new plant growth and other sensitive vegetation. Take steps to protect tender plants and new growth from the cold.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 28. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 56. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 66. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 76. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind around 10 mph.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 80.
Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 81.