Atmore Man Charged With Fleeing From Florida Deputies
March 27, 2023
An Atmore man is facing a felony charged after allegedly fleeing from Florida deputies on Pensacola Beach.
Stanley Maliek Griffin, 25, was charged with fleeing and eluding law enforcement with lights and siren activated.
While patrolling the area of Via De Luna Drive and Avenida 14, an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy reported that when he got behind a black Chevrolet Impala, it made an abrupt u-turn and began traveling west on Via De Luna before coming to a complete stop in the left lane of travel. The deputy’s blue lights and siren were not activated at the time.
The deputy turned on blue lights and siren, at which time Griffin drove away at about 30 mph before stopping just over a mile away at the Hampton Inn, according to an arrest report.
Deputies reported three open 12-ounce Big Wave Golden Ale beer bottles and one 750 ml Sunshine Bliss Grape Vine Wine bottle in plain view inside the vehicle.
In addition to the fleeing and eluding arrest, Griffin was also cited with possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle and for stopping on a highway.
Griffin was released on a $2,500 bond.
Escambia Man Gets Six Years For Beating Small Dog
March 27, 2023
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to six years in prison for beating a small dog.
Andrew Vetters was sentenced to aggravated animal cruelty and trespassing after previously pleading no contest.
According to investigators, Vetters entered his roommate’s private bedroom without her permission and abused her dog.
“This abuse was captured on a camera and the disturbing footage depicted the defendant as he violently beat the small dog on several occasions,” the State Attorney’s Office said.
Once released from prison, Vetters will be on probation for four years.
Florida Gas Prices Slip About A Dime
March 27, 2023
Florida gas prices are still responding to a big drop in the oil market that occurred two weeks ago, according to AAA.
The state average declined nine cents per gallon last week, with retail prices averaging $3.37 per gallon on Sunday. In Escambia County, the average was lower at $3.25. In North Escambia, gas prices bottomed at at $3.18 Sunday at a station on Muscogee Road, while in Pensacola a low of $3 a gallon could be found on Nine Mile Road.
After plunging 17% to a new 2023 low – two weeks ago - the U.S. price of oil recouped some of those losses last week, after rising 4%. That could limit how much further gas prices fall. Since it often takes two weeks for retail prices to adjust to movement in the futures market, it’s possible that retail gas prices fall a little further this week, before leveling out or inching higher next week.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Blue Jacket Jamboree, Easter Egg Drop And Livestock Show Held Saturday In Molino (With Photo Galleries)
March 26, 2023
Hundreds of people attended the Northview High School FFA Blue Jacket Jamboree in Molino Saturday.
The Easter Bunny was on hand for a big egg hunt. The event also included arts and crafts vendors, entertainment, a car show and more.
All proceeds from the Blue Jacket Jamboree will benefit Northview High School FFA students and their scholarship fund.
For a Blue Jacket Jamboree photo gallery (including egg hunt and car show), click or tap here.
The Blue Jacket Jamboree was held in conjunction with the Gulf Coast Agriculture & Natural Resources Youth Organization Annual Spring Livestock Show. For a photo gallery from the livestock show, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Celebration of Life Held At Pensacola Beach For 18-Year Old Kara Santorelli
March 26, 2023
A Celebration of Life took place early Saturday morning at Pensacola Beach for 18-year old Northview High School senior Kara Santorelli.
The sunrise was shrouded in fog as family, friends and classmates gathered to remember the life of the teen killed in head-on collision early the morning of March 17 on Highway 29 just south of Quintette Road.
She was an avid runner, running her first half marathon at age eight. During Saturday’s celebration, her numerous running medals were on display.
Flowers and flower petals were placed in the water’s edge by those in attendance as a final goodbye.
“We hold tight to beautiful memories that she had left with us. Her beautiful smile and kind spirit will continue to be in the hearts of her friends and classmates,” NHS said in a statement. “We also extend our condolences to her family, praying that they find comfort and strength in the midst of their grief.”
Kara worked at Jimmy’s Grill in Molino, which closed early Friday night and was closed through lunch on Saturday. A wreath (pictured above) hung on the front door of the popular restaurant in honor of Kara.
NorthEscambia.com photo and submitted photos, click to enlarge.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Down Areas
March 26, 2023
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, March 26 through Saturday, April 1 between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Crews will be performing paving operations and concrete curb repairs.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing Between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Drivers on U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) will encounter a lane shift and lane closures through April. The two U.S. 29 northbound travel lanes and the center turn lane will be closed between Hatties Boulevard and East Cottage Street. During the closure, one northbound and one southbound lane will remain open using the current southbound travel lanes. Signage will be in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The truck parking lot at the Escambia County Interstate 10 Welcome Center, located at mile marker four, will be temporarily closed until summer when the Welcome Center improvements are complete. The front and middle car parking lots are open.
- East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) Roadway Improvements from Chemstrand Road to East of Baldridge Drive – The bicycle lanes are temporarily closed to allow crews to widen the turn lanes and construct new five-foot bicycle lanes. In addition, the speed limit on this section of East Nine Mile Road has been reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles will share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete next summer.
- · Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) 296) to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, March 26 through Thursday, March 30 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway.
- Lillian Highway (S.R. 298) Resurfacing from North of U.S. 98 to East of Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727) and Lillian Highway at Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – Drivers will encounter nighttime lane closures on Lillian Highway, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Monday, March 27 to Friday, March 31 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Crews will be performing drainage and shoulder widening work.
- Navy Boulevard (S.R. 295) Resurfacing from North of the Bayou Grande Bridge to Gulf Beach Highway/Barrancas Avenue (S.R. 292) – Drivers will encounter outside lane closures on Navy Boulevard southbound, from Barrancas Avenue to the Bayou Grande Bridge, Friday, March 24 through Friday, March 31 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Crews will be working on curb, gutters, and sidewalks.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road - Crews will be performing concrete work near the right turn lane from Sorrento Road to Bauer Road southbound nightly between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. Flagging operations will be in place to direct drivers through the work zone.
- U.S 90 Routine Utility Maintenance at Sanford Street – Motorists may encounter intermittent eastbound lane closures Tuesday, March 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for routine utility maintenance.
- S.R. 95 (North Palafox Street) Routine Utility Maintenance from East Gonzalez Street to West Moreno Street – Motorists may encounter intermittent southbound lane closures Tuesday, March 28 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for utility maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, March 26 through Saturday, April 1 between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Crews will be performing paving operations and concrete curb repairs.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – Construction crews have temporarily shifted eastbound traffic to the westbound bridge over Simpson River. The shift is expected to be in place through April 2023. During this time, there will be two westbound lanes and one eastbound travel lane using the westbound bridge. Due to the traffic shift, there will not be dedicated bike lanes on the bridge. Drivers are urged to use extra caution as they will be temporarily sharing the bridge with cyclists. Drivers are also reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Point Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road Sunday, March 26, through Friday, March 31, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- Beginning the week of Monday, March 27, westbound travelers will encounter a new traffic configuration from east of Green Briar Parkway to west of Autumn Breeze Circle as lanes will be shifted slightly south to allow for widening activities on the outside lane.
- S.R. 87 Routine Utility Maintenance South of the East River Bridge – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Tuesday, March 28 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for routine utility maintenance.
- U.S. 98 Routine Maintenance West of S.R. 87 – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, March 27 through Thursday, March 30 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for paving operations.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
A Chance Of Rain Returns For Monday And Tuesday
March 26, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast
Tonight: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. North wind around 5 mph becoming east in the evening.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 72. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. North wind around 10 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Northeast wind around 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 77. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 81.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60.
Sunday: A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 78.
Florida Cotton Growers Association To Host Meeting Wednesday In Jay
March 26, 2023
The Florida Cotton Growers Association is hosting a series of meetings for cotton producers to learn more about policy, research, education and promotion of Florida cotton.
A meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 29 from 10 a.m. until noon at the Jay Community Center, 5259 Booker Lane in Jay.
Florida Cotton Growers Association is organized for promotional, educational, scientific and agricultural purposes:
- To promote and protect the interests of the Florida cotton industry.
- To unite all persons engaged or interested in the production, marketing, distribution, and utilization of cotton.
- To encourage the interest of federal, state, and local governments, experiment stations, and industry throughout the state to further promote educational and scientific projects which will aid the entire cotton industry in the state.
- To encourage proper cultural and cultivation practices and soil conservation in the production of cotton.
For more information, contact Madeline Wright at (850) 557-3871.
Northview Falls Short In W.S. Neal JV Tournament
March 26, 2023
The Northview Chiefs took part in a JV tournament Saturday at W.S. Neal High School in East Brewton.
For more photos, click or tap here.
W.S. Neal 6, Northview 3 (JV)
Northview took an early three point lead in the first inning against W.S. Neal but could not hold on.
Brooks started for Northview, going two innings, allowing one hit and no runs while striking out four.
Andalusia def. Northview
Andalusia High JV also defeated the Northview Chiefs on Saturday.
Photos by Ashley Rhodes for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Update: Boil Water Notice Lifted For Stacey Road
March 26, 2023
THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE WAS LIFTED THE AFTERNOON OF MARCH 29 AFTER TESTS SHOWED THE WATER IS SAFE TO DRINK.
THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE WAS LIFTED THE AFTERNOON OF MARCH 29 AFTER TESTS SHOWED THE WATER IS SAFE TO DRINK.
A precautionary boil water notice has Cottage Hill Water Works customers on Stacey Road from Quintette Road to Highway 95A.
The boil water notice was issued following a water main break.
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
The boil water notice was issued following a water main break.
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.