Escambia Children’s Trust Holds Town Hall Meeting In Molino
August 13, 2023
The Escambia County’s Children’s Trust held a series of three town hall meetings last week in Escambia County.
An early Tuesday afternoon meeting at the Molino Community Center was attended by just a couple of people not affiliated with the ECT or one of its partner agencies.
During the Molino meeting, attendees were asked for input on how to make the ECT more effective as they craft a future strategic plan. Additional meetings were held Wednesday evening in Brownsville and Thursday afternoon at the Tryon Library.
In November 2020, 61% of participating voters in Escambia County supported the creation of the Children’s Trust to be funded by an increase in ad valorem taxes of up to a maximum of 0.5 mil. The Children’s Trust will provide early childhood education, safety, developmental, preventative, health, and well-being services, including after school and summer enrichment programs.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Five People, Including Children, Injured In Highway 168 Head-on Wreck
August 12, 2023
Five people were injured in a head-on crash Friday evening east of Bratt.
It happened about 7 p.m. on Highway 168 at the Reedy Creek bridge, about a half mile west of Wawbeek Road. The driver of a Ford sedan reportedly crossed into the path of a Dodge Caravan. The vehicles collided head on, and both came to rest against guardrails.
An adult female was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, and a pediatric patient was transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital. Another adult and other juveniles were reportedly headed to a hospital by private vehicle.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash, which closed Highway 168 for about three hours.
The Walnut and Century stations of Escambia County Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Low Saturday In The Upper 70s
August 12, 2023
There is an excessive heat warning in effect for Saturday with a heat index reaching up to 117 degrees.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 78. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Heat index values as high as 114. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 78. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Light west wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 78. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. West wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 73.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 96.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 96.
Two Escambia Men Killed After BMW Crashes Into Rear Of Semi Trailer On I-10
August 12, 2023
Two Escambia County men were killed in a crash Friday afternoon on I-1o in Santa Rosa County.
The men, ages 48 and 27, were in a silver BMW that collided with a rear portion of a flatbed semi-trailer, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Both were pronounced deceased at the scene.
The driver of the semi, a 26-year old man from Chicago, was not injured.
The FHP investigation is continuing. Names were not released.
Here Are The Road Work Construction Spots To Watch Next Week
August 12, 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:
- 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 fall when the Welcome Center improvements are scheduled to be 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 has been reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete later this summer.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Northbound and southbound traffic on U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) is shifted to one outside travel lane in each direction between Hatties Boulevard and East Cottage Street. The shift will be in place through August as crews perform drainage improvements.
- Sorrento Road (State Road (S.R. 292) Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road - Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures, between the Theo Baars Bridge and Bauer Road, Sunday, Aug. 13 through Thursday, Aug. 17 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews place pavement markings on the roadway. In addition, drivers will encounter daytime lane closures on Doug Ford Drive near Sorrento Road Tuesday, Aug. 15 beginning at 7 a.m. The closure is planned for one day. During the closure, the entrance to the Perdido Bay Country Club Estates neighborhood will be closed. The exit lanes from the neighborhood will be divided so traffic can enter and exit from the south side of the median. Drivers exiting the neighborhood to Sorrento Road westbound will use the “right turn only” lane. Traffic destined for Sorrento Road eastbound will also use the “right turn only” lane and make a U-Turn at the first opportunity west of the intersection.
- 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 alternating daytime lane closures on Lillian Highway, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Sunday, Aug. 13 through Thursday, Aug. 17 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. as crews perform drainage work.
- County Road (C.R.) 4 over Canoe Creek Bridge – C.R. 4, between Byrneville and Bratt, will be closed through fall 2024 as crews replace the Canoe Creek bridge. Traffic is directed through a 5.6-mile detour using Bratt Road to Pine Barren Road, then back to C.R. 4.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29/S.R. 95) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street (S.R. 10A) to Brent Lane (S.R. 296) – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures between Cervantes Street and Brent Lane Sunday, Aug. 13 through Thursday, Aug. 17 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Crews will be performing sidewalk work.
- S.R. 296 (Bayou Boulevard) Routine Maintenance from Springhill Drive to North Davis Highway – Motorists will encounter intermittent westbound lane closures Monday, Aug. 14 through Thursday, Aug. 17 for tree trimming operations.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Aug. 13 through Saturday, Aug. 19 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews work on the lighting system. On Tuesday, Aug. 15, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 (S.R. 30/Gulf Breeze Parkway/Navarre Parkway) Resurfacing of specific areas from Abercrombie Road to Calle De Palencia Street - Drivers on U.S. 98 (Navarre Parkway), between S.R. 87 and Calle De Palencia Street, may encounter intermittent lane closures from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform construction activities.
- 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 Tiger Park Lane and Bayshore Road Sunday, Aug. 13, through Friday, Aug. 18, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- I-10 Resurfacing from S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to east of S.R. 87 – Motorists will encounter nighttime east and westbound lane closures Monday, Aug. 14 and Thursday, Aug. 17 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for paving operations.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – The outside (right) lane of U.S. 90 eastbound on the Simpson River Bridge will be closed Monday, Aug. 14 and Thursday, Aug. 17 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Crews will be placing concrete for the new bridge. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
- U.S. 98 Turn Lane Construction West of Tiger Lake Drive – Motorists will encounter intermittent southbound lane closures Monday, Aug. 13 through Sunday, Aug. 27 for the constructing of a new turn lane.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. \
PSC Student Tiffany Daniels Missing For 10 Years
August 12, 2023
Saturday marked 10 years since 25-year old Tiffany Daniels went missing, last seen leaving Pensacola State College where she worked as a theater technician.
Her 1999 Toyota 4Runner was found August 20, 2013, in a parking lot of Park West, near Ft. Pickens, on Pensacola Beach. Her bicycle and phone were in the vehicle. Extensive searches were conducted in the area near where her vehicle was found.
“It’s like she literally vanished,” her mother Cindy Daniels said at the time.
Daniels is 5-feet 7-inches tall with blond hair and blue eyes. She has tattoos of plants growing from seeds on the top of both feet. Anyone who may have information on Daniels’ location, or her activities before, during and after her disappearance are asked to contact the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1900 or their local law enforcement agency.
Wahoos Fall 12-7 In Fourth Straight Loss
August 12, 2023
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos dropped their fourth in a row on Friday night, falling 12-7 to the Chattanooga Lookouts.
Nasim Nuñez was 2-for-4 with a stolen base and an RBI, doubling to begin the ballgame and extending his hitting streak to a team-record 17 games.
Nuñez came around to score on a Victor Mesa Jr. double to give the Blue Wahoos an early 1-0 lead, but the rest of the night would be dominated by the Lookouts. M.D. Johnson (L, 1-5) allowed three runs in the second and three more in the third before departing.
José Devers got the Blue Wahoos back in the game with a two-run single in the third inning, but Lookouts starter Thomas Farr was effectively relieved by Eddy Demurias (W, 1-0) and Michael Byrne as the Chattanooga offense stretched out their lead in the middle innings. Pensacola reliever Jake Walters allowed five runs, four earned, in 2.0 innings of work and departed with the Lookouts leading 11-5 after five innings.
Bennett Hostetler added a solo homer for the Blue Wahoos in the eighth inning, his ninth of the year, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the early deficit. Andy Fisher finished off the 12-7 Lookouts win with a spotless ninth inning.
The Blue Wahoos have lost four straight for only the second time this year, and have not lost five in a row since late in the 2022 season. They turn to returning lefty Patrick Monteverde, who remains the Southern League Leader in wins and ERA despite spending the past two weeks with Triple-A Jacksonville, as they try to stop the skid on Saturday.
written by Erik Bremer
Photo Gallery: Northview’s Meet The Chiefs (And The Blackcats)
August 12, 2023
Northview High School held “Meet the Chiefs” before a large crowd on a hot Friday evening.
Fans were introduced to the Northview Chiefs football team, cheerleaders and Tribal Beat band. The football teams and cheerleaders from the Northwest Escambia Chiefs and Century Blackcats were also introduced.
For a photo gallery with the Northview Chiefs, cheerleaders, band, NJROTC, and fans, click here.
For a photo gallery from the NWE Chiefs and Century Blackcats, click here.
The Chiefs will host Baker on Friday, August 18 at 6 p.m. in a pre-season game. The regular season opens August 28 as Northview travels to Flomaton at 7 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Employee Dead, One Arrested After Shooting Inside Escambia County Home Depot
August 11, 2023
A female employee is dead and one person is in custody following a shooting Friday afternoon at an Escambia County Home Depot.
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said law enforcement responded to a reported active shooter at Home Depot on Davis Highway at Brent Lane about 1:30 p.m. Officers arrived to find one female deceased inside the store; the victim appeared to be a Home Depot “contract employee”, he said.
“It was reported that two other people suffered minor injuries and this shooting wasn’t random. The suspect knew the victim,” the ECSO said.
The suspect has been identified as 20-year old Keith Eric Agee of Calvert, Alabama. Simmons said he called police from the Mellow Mushroom on Bayou Boulevard and surrendered. He is charged with first degree premeditated murder and aggravated battery using a deadly weapon, according to jail records. He is being held without bond.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Pensacola Police Department, Florida Highway Patrol and multiple other agencies quickly surrounded the store following the shooting.
Pictured: The scene at Home Depot on Davis Highway shortly after a shooting that left one person dead Friday afternoon. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Superintendent Heads Back To School With Big Goals For The Year
August 11, 2023
Escambia County interim School Superintendent Keith Leonard started his first day of school by visiting several schools across the North Escambia area.
And, like hundreds of parents Thursday morning, he spent time waiting in a car rider line. Leonard used the time trying to reach a parking space at Northview High School making phone calls to make sure everything was going smoothly across the county.
Making it inside before the first period bell at Northview, Leonard said he has three big goals for the district this year.
“We’ve got three priorities that we’re going to really be focused on early,” he said. “That’s going to be behavior, positive behavior with our students. Attendance; when we have students in school I want to have them in school acting right so that they can learn. And then morale, stability, recruit, retain…being a good place each and every day. And I think that’ll only lead to academic improvement and success in school and in life.”
Last year was the first year of the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) testing in the state’s schools, and Leonard said that will be a big focus for the district this year.
“We’ll be doing quarterly reports to be able to review where all of our students are academically. There will be Individual Education Plans (IEPs) set up for our students so that they can continue to improve. And also when I use the word stability, make certain that people feel good and feel valued if know that we care about them and we love them. That we’re really all in this together.”
Leonard said that he is looking forward to the year in the interim superintendent position.
“We have a really good team that we have assembled. They are all experts in their own fields, letting them do their jobs. Then what I will do as a leader is provide them support where they need that support.”
Pictured top: Escambia County interim School Superintendent Keith Leonard (right) speaks with Northview High Principal Michael Sherrill and Dean Somer Bridges Thursday morning. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.