Fog Overnight; Heavy Rain Possible For Thursday
April 26, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a low around 65. East wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 10am. High near 75. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Thursday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 79. East wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind around 10 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 74. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 74.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 51.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 78.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 81.
Tate Gets Senior Night Shutout Of Escambia
April 26, 2023
The Tate High Aggies celebrated senior night Tuesday with an 8-0 shutout of Escambia.
Before the game, the Aggies honored seniors Cade Kelly, Ethan McAnally, Frank Randall, Jay Davis, Drew Reaves, Javin Floyd, Rilee Lowery, Michael Sardar, Aidan Byrd, Cam Patrick, Brayden Nobile, Tristin Lynn, and Jamil Sardar.
Complete game statistics were not available at publication time.
NorthEscambia.com game action photos by Brystal Rhodes, click to enlarge.
Northview Softball And Baseball Games Moved From Thursday To Wednesday
April 26, 2023
Northview High School softball and baseball games scheduled for Thursday have been moved to Wednesday due to weather.
Northview softball will host W.S. Neal, and Northview baseball will host Niceville. Both varsity games are at 6 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos.
Walks Haunt Wahoos In 6-4 Loss At Montgomery
April 26, 2023
Dax Fulton and the Pensacola Blue Wahoos pitching staff struggled to find the strike zone on Tuesday night, issuing a combined nine walks in a 6-4 defeat to the Montgomery Biscuits.
Fulton (L, 0-4) surrendered a career-high six walks, plus a two-run double to Evan Edwards and a two-run homer to Diego Infante, as the Biscuits built an early lead. The Blue Wahoos put up a fight, collecting RBI singles from Dane Myers and Will Banfield in the middle innings, but left the bases loaded in the sixth and two runners on in the eighth.
Biscuits starter Mason Montgomery was chased from the game in the fifth inning after a Griffin Conine double, but a bullpen effort from Michael Mercado, Enmanuel Mejia and Graeme Stinson (W, 1-0) kept the Blue Wahoos at bay.
Cristian Charle, Zack Leban and Jefry Yan combined to deliver 4.0 scoreless innings of relief for Pensacola in the defeat.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Biscuits on Wednesday morning at Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Gordon R. Creighton
April 26, 2023
, 88, of Cantonment, FL, passed away on April 23, 2023.
He was born in Pensacola, FL on February 27, 1935 to John R. Creighton and Edytha Forrest Hayes Creighton. He was married to B. Carolyn Garman Creighton for 60 years. Gordon had a career in Equipment Operation and Truck Driving for Southern Prestressed, Fred Rich, St. Regis, Himself, Pensacola Skid & Pallet and Schneider.
He was a member of Grace Open Bible Church in Cantonment, FL and had a passion for fishing in his younger days and trucking in his later years.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Creighton; son, Warren Creighton; and daughter, Cheryl Creighton.
Gordon was survived by his daughters, Carol Sealey and Teresa Woods; son, Clay Creighton; and many grand and great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 2:30PM on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Grace Open Bible Church with Pastor Carlos Jackson officiating. Burial will follow in Cottage Hill Community Cemetery.
The family will receive friends on Friday, April 28, 2023 from 5:00PM-7:00PM at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Pallbearers will be Myles Resmondo, Brett Adkisson, Bradley Woods, Zachery Woods, Avery Resmondo, and Joie Woods.
Catherine Tolbert Williams
April 26, 2023
Mrs. Catherine Tolbert Williams, age 79, passed away, Wednesday, April 26, 2023, in Millbrook, AL. She resided most of her life in Atmore, AL. She worked as a nurse in the healthcare field for many years.
Mrs. Williams enjoyed spending time with her family. She enjoyed going fishing, the outdoors gardening with both flowers and vegetables. She was very creative, loved to paint, especially oil paintings, and enjoyed making different things. She loved to travel…. “She was always ready to go”.
Mrs. Williams is preceded in death by her parents, Roy (Pauline Winham) Tolbert, husband, Albert F. Williams, one grandson, Anthony Stroud, eight siblings, William Tolbert, Joe Tolbert, Geraldine Pugh, Larry Tolbert, Imogene Burgess, Diane Tolbert, and Harry Tolbert.
She is survived by her one son, Albert Jason (Jacqueline) Williams, of Donaldsonville, LA; two daughter, Judy Williams (Jerry) May, of Millbrook, AL; Julia Williams (Tony) Stroud, of Summerdale, AL; one brother, Roy Lee Tolbert, of McCullough, AL; two sisters, Mattie Turner, of Goodway, AL; Sue Carol (David) Williams, of Goodway, AL; eight grandchildren, Jeremy (Teresa) May, Jennifer May, Jade (Ben) Salter, Tanner Williams, Caleb Fullurton, Christian Williams, Trinidy Williams, Gracie Williams, seven great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and other relatives.
Funeral services will be held Friday, April 28, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC. with Rev. Jerry May officiating.
Burial will follow at Poplar Springs Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Friday, April 28, 2023 from 10:00 AM until service time at 11:00 AM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Ben Salter, Tanner Williams, John Stephens, Adam Tolbert, Jason Williams, Brad Tolbert, and Jordan Tolbert.
Honorary pallbearers will be Christian Williams, and Caleb Fullurton.
West Florida Libraries Director Reports On Branch Usage, Possible Expanded Hours For Century
April 25, 2023
West Florida Public Libraries Board of Governance members heard a report Tuesday on just how many people are using the library branches and a possibly expanded hours in Century.
Over the last three months, the Downtown Library averaged over 500 people per day, Tryon over 300, Belleview about 300, Southwest about 150, and the Molino Library about 150 people per day, Library Director Todd Humble said during a board meeting Monday afternoon in Century.
The Century Library averages up to 90 people per day, he said.
Currently, the Century Library is open five days a week due to staffing. With the anticipated addition of a STEM educator, Humble said the Century branch could be open six days per week.
Pictured top: West Florida Public Libraries Director Todd Humble during a Board of Governance meeting Monday afternoon at the Century Branch Library. Pictured first below: Board members Robin Reshard (left) and Liza Campbell. Second photo below: Board member Blaine Wall. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Breakfast Honors Molino Park Elementary Volunteers, Partners And Mentors
April 25, 2023
Molino Park Elementary School held a “Breakfast of Champions” to celebrate volunteers, community partners and mentors. Collectively, they have logged over 3,400 hours this school year. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Wind Ensemble Earns Straight Superior Ratings At State
April 25, 2023
The Tate High School Wind Ensemble earned straight superiors at the Florida Bandmasters Association Concert Music Performance Assessment (MPA) in Tallahassee Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Viewpoint: Beulah’s OLF8 Development: A Huge Win for Everyone
April 25, 2023
Viewpoint written by Escambia County District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh.
A recent guest editorial and letter to the editor about OLF 8 contained strident opinions presented as facts and half-truths conflated with misstatements. Therefore, I feel obliged to add clarity to this important issue.
The OLF 8 acquisition, master planning, and marketing effort has been a 25-year evolution.
We’ve recently accepted an all-cash offer for OLF-8, allowing for the construction of restaurants, retail, a town-center, high-wage job areas, and other amenities for all Escambia taxpayers.
The bidder I favored–based upon better initially expressed intentions (Breland)—didn’t show up to the selection meeting held on April 6th. They were aware of the meeting and didn’t attend.
DR Horton, by contrast, attended the meeting, presented their plan, and modified their language indicating substantial compliance with the Board’s Master Plan. They’ll be teaming with Stirling properties for the commercial/light industrial portions of the field, and they upped their offer significantly—to $42 Million Dollars ($7 Million more than Breland’s highest offer).
Also-Horton/Stirling’s plan indicates a piece of the parcel for potential sale to the school board for a Beulah High School if that board wants that. Breland’s rendering had no school site. Horton/Stirling’s plan also has a town center; the Breland “rendering”has no town center.
Breland’s plan indicates miniscule retail portions, a tiny portion for job creation (light industrial) and the entire balance of the land residential. Importantly: Breland’s plan didn’t reflect the master plan conformity they assured the board in their initial purchase offer.
The Horton/Stirling plan remains much more strongly aligned with the agreed upon master plan than does Breland’s—look at initial renderings, side by side, below. Judge for yourself.
From the beginning of this acquisition process- as the county worked on creating high-paying, high tech jobs on OLF-8– I forcefully advocated against ANY residential on that field– a position with which most citizens in Beulah with whom I’ve spoken agree.
Pressure applied on the BCC by some area residents and a few politically connected special interests, however, pushed aside the original plan as solely a regional jobs generator.
That’s how we got here.
Over the next 60 days, we’ll hammer out an agreement that’ll result in between a $20-$27 million dollar “profit” for the taxpayers— proceeds that will be used county-wide to address legacy deficiencies in infrastructure and fund quality of life enhancements.
OLF 8 will also generate significant new property tax revenue for the county and the school board; this added revenue allows us to ensure FIRST RESPONDERS are paid competitive wages-assisting us with staffing challenges without raising property tax (millage) rates.
Therefore, I’d caution readers to always be wary in believing a few voices of discord who want you to believe they represent and speak for everyone.
Remember: these same voices have deftly transitioned and recalibrated their opposition as we’ve responsibly advanced this project. “They’ll never complete this land-swap!” naysayers first howled. “These commissioners are reckless—they’ll NEVER recoup this investment!” came next. Now it’s “Commissioners only care about the MONEY.”
It’s very rich how the goal posts move, the attacks change— but the faces of opposition remain the same.
We’ll never successfully hit the Goldilocks zone for these folks—where the porridge is “just right,” but we’ve tried. We engaged the community, compromised, and listened.
Now it’s time to act.
I’m upbeat, positive, and optimistic about the impending OLF8 sale/development.
With integrity and due consideration, we’ll close this deal to produce a huge win—-for everyone!
Viewpoint written by Escambia County District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh.