Here’s What Went Viral On North Escambia During 2023
January 1, 2024
Here’s a look at the NorthEscambia.com stories that went “viral” on social media in 2023.
They are not necessarily the biggest local stories of the year. Rather, these are the stories that gained the most views on social media. All of the stories listed below had at least a 100,000 reach on Facebook.
The most viral story of 2023 was a big boom felt and a fireball seen across the Gulf Coast in late May as a Space X AX-2 capsule entered the atmosphere and landed in the Gulf of Mexico off Panama City. Our quick coverage reached over a half million people on Facebook.
- January – top stories on social media included plans for Amtrak’s return to the Gulf Coast, an Arbor Day tree giveaway, the reopening of the Ascend Community Park and the Tate cheerleaders winning regionals.
- February — We broke the story of WaWa coming to Nine Mile Road, lanes reopened on the Pensacola Bay Bridge, and those Tate cheerleaders took third at state on the way to nationals where they took third place. Another big story was more problems found on two other Century bridges as the Freedom Road bridge sat closed for three years.
- March — NAS Pensacola opened to the public for a weekend, a sci-fi movie was filmed in Molino and all the lanes opened on the Pensacola Bay Bridge while North Escambia had tennis ball sized hail.
- April — The Pensacola Airport warned travelers to arrive early due to TSA upgrades, and winning $1 million lottery tickets were sold in Beulah and Cantonment.
- May – There was the SpaceX return. NAS Pensacola opened to the public seven days a week; it was high school baseball season and Nine Mile growth saw us break stories about WaWa, Panera Bread and Chipotle plans for the area. It was also big news about high school graduations.
- June – A Pensacola Police officer shot and killed a man during an altercation in Cantonment; an Escambia County deputy and a citizen were sucked about 100 feet through a drainage pipe under a 4-lane road with both surviving.
- July — July on the Gulf Coast means the Blue Angels at Pensacola Beach, and we ran multiple photo galleries. Two pedestrians were killed crossing North Century Boulevard in a construction zone, and big development was announced for Molino with thousands of homes and apartments.
- August — Residents learned that their local Winn Dixie stores will be sold to Aldi; a new Waffle House was proposed for Beulah and more winning lottery tickets were sold in North Escambia.
- September — D.R. Horton withdrew an offer for OLF-8 and high school football got into full swing.
- October – It was time for homecomings, plans were approved for a WaWa store in Beulah, and a semi truck careened through a Highway 97 mobile home in Walnut Hill. IP announced they would permanently cease operation on one local production machine at their Cantonment plant.
- November - November saw the Blue Angels homecoming weekend; a dog adopted after 300 days in the county animal shelter and the opening of the new Navy Federal Recreation Center.
- December – big stores included Christmas lights with goats in pajamas in Bratt; graduate number 100,000 walked the stage at UWF, a high speed FHP chase and crash on Highway 29, and the return on the Molino Christmas parade.
Pictured above: A SpaceX Dragon capsule streaks across the night sky above Highway 164 between McDavid and the Christian Home community Tuesday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge. Photos below courtesy SpaceX.
New Year Kicks Off With $810 Million Powerball Prize
January 1, 2024
The Powerball jackpot has rolled into the New Year. With no winner Saturday night, the jackpot has grown to an estimated $810 million for the next Powerball drawing on New Year’s Day. The jackpot has an estimated cash value of $408.9 million.
The estimated jackpot for the Jan. 1 drawing ranks as the fifth-largest Powerball jackpot and tenth-largest U.S. lottery jackpot.
The winning numbers drawn for Saturday’s $760 million jackpot were: 10, 11, 26, 27, 34 and red Powerball 7. The power play was 4.
Powerball tickets are sold for $2 each.
After A Holiday Break, Road Construction Delays Return Tuesday
January 1, 2024
After a long holiday break, road construction lane closures return on Tuesday in Florida.
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:
- Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Resurfacing from Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) to west of Pine Forest Road (State Road (S.R.) 297) - Drivers may encounter nighttime lane closures, between Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road, Wednesday, Jan. 3 and Thursday, Jan. 4 from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway.
- 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 Rudolph Street and Green Street. The shift will be in place through the end of the year as crews perform drainage improvements. Signage will be in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- 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 intermittent daytime and nighttime lane closures, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Wednesday, Jan. 3 through Friday, Jan. 5 as crews perform signing and striping work.
- County Road (C.R.) 4 over Canoe Creek Bridge – C.R. 4, between Byrneville and Bratt, will be closed until 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.
- Scenic Highway (U.S. 90), from north of Interstate 10 (I-10) to Davis Highway - Northbound traffic, between Pelican Lane and Scenic Ridge Drive, is shifted to the inside so crews can perform construction activities. The shift will remain in place until the work on the shoulder is completed. During construction, one lane of traffic will remain open in each direction and left turns will be permitted.
Santa Rosa County:
- 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 Wednesday, Jan. 3 and Thursday, Jan. 4 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform construction activities for the new bridge. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph throughout 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 Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive Tuesday, Jan. 2, through Friday, Jan. 5, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing from Hickory Hammock Road (C.R. 184) to Technology Avenue – Drivers may experience intermittent S.R. 87 single-lane closures, between Hickory Hammock Road and Technology Avenue, Wednesday, Jan. 3 through Saturday, Jan. 6 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. for turn lane construction and paving operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Glenda Bell Named Ernest Ward Middle School Teacher of the Year
January 1, 2024
Glenda Bell is the Ernest Ward Middle School Teacher of the Year.
NorthEscambia.com is wrapping up 2023 by honoring the Teachers of the Year from North Escambia schools over the next several days. Escambia County’s overall Teacher of the Year will be named in February.
ECUA Trash Collection On A Normal Schedule For The Rest Of The Week
January 1, 2024
ECUA will collect all residential customers on their normal day for the remainder of the New Year’s holiday period.
The New Year’s Day, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 collection was made on Sat. Dec. 30.
All other ECUA offices and the drive-thru window will be open Tuesday.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Happy New Year! Clear And Cold Monday Night
January 1, 2024
Happy New Year!
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 30. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 56. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly after 3am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 36. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Showers. High near 49. Northeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 52. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 32. North wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 58. East wind 5 to 15 mph.
Friday Night: Showers likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 46. Breezy, with an east wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before noon, then a slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 61. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 61.
Ice Flyers Unable To Hold Off Bulls In Front Of Franchise Record Crowd
January 1, 2024
by Bill Vilona, Ice Flyers Correspondent
The Ice Flyers set a record crowd Saturday night and created an unprecedented holiday weekend setting.
What missed, however, was a celebratory outcome in the game.
The Birmingham Bulls scored a trio of power play goals, including twice with just two seconds remaining in the man advantage, and produced a 4-2 win that quieted a crowd of 7,159 at the Pensacola Bay Center. The win followed first place Birmingham’s 4-3 victory Friday on the Bulls home ice and brought a sweep of three games in five days this holiday week against the Ice Flyers.
The near-sellout crowd in the building was the Ice Flyers’ largest in their 15-year franchise history for a game that didn’t occur on the annual $5 ticket weekend. Saturday was Military Appreciation Night and it led into a special atmosphere.
“Excellent crowd. The crowd was unreal,” said Ice Flyers coach Gary Graham. “Too bad they had to see us shoot ourselves in the foot countless times. That was disappointing.”
The Ice Flyers scored the game’s first goal when Garrett Milan tipped in a shot less than five minutes into the period. But once Birmingham tied the game less than two minutes later, the Bulls never trailed again.
Playing with only five defensemen due to injuries, the Ice Flyers were further challenged by having to try and kill six power play chances for the Bulls while committed eight infractions in the game.
“I thought we had a timely start, getting the first goal, which was good for our group,” Graham said. “We are dealing with some chemistry issues… little tired on the back end, guys have been battling and that has definitely been an issue for us as of late.
“But again, we have not had discipline issues all season and now they are starting to rear their ugly head. And that’s something I am not going to tolerate one bit.
“The carelessness of how we tried to execute on our game plan against a team that has been sitting atop of the league and to think we can do that type of stuff and have success is just mind numbing.”
Birmingham scored a go-ahead goal on a power play with 1:43 left in the first period on a wrist shot by Ryan Romeo from inside the blue line.
The Bulls went up 3-1 in the second period, after the Ice Flyers nearly killed off a 5 on 3 disadvantage situation. They played with two men down for 53 seconds, got that killed off, but the Bulls’ Carson Rose scored with 6:36 left and Malik Johnson ready to come out of the penalty box.
“We knew going in with five defensemen against best team in the league, here is a certain way you have to play to manage that type of environment,” Graham said. “And taking penalties and putting yourself shorthanded is the worst thing you can do for those defensemen. It just wears them down.”
The Ice Flyers energized the crowd when Ivan Bondarenko scored with 21.2 seconds left in the period by pouncing on a favorable bounce off the back boards and getting the puck past Birmingham goaltender Drennen Atherton.
That momentum carried into intermission and the Ice Flyers had a chance for a tying goal when Birmingham was whistled for a holding penalty with 11:17 left.
With 4:38 remaining Lucas Herrmann was called on a cross-checking penalty just before the Ice Flyers had killed off an earlier penalty. In this case, the Bulls Drake Glover scored 23 seconds later for a two-goal lead and the crowd began to exit.
“We just have a lot of guys underperforming right now. I think every team deals with it throughout a year. I think there has been some complacency that has been festering and we are starting to see it, ” said Graham.
“When you play the top team in the league three straight games you are either going to sink or you are going to swim and I think we are seeing what direction we are going.”
With their trio of wins in a week, Birmingham (17-4, 3 OT losses, 27 points) heads into the New Year with a two-point lead over Fayetteville atop the SPHL standings. The Ice Flyers (13-11) dropped into a fifth-place tie.
The Bulls now have a 5-3 lead in the season series.
Graham promised some hard practices and adjustments before the Ice Flyers next game on Jan. 4 at home against Peoria.
“There will be a lot of working going on behind the scenes, that’s for sure,” he said.
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: Peoria Rivermen vs. Ice Flyers
WHEN: Thursday (Jan. 4), 7:05 p.m.
WHERE: Pensacola Bay Center
Thomas Clayton Ward Jr
January 1, 2024
Mr. Thomas Clayton Ward Jr. age 80 passed away at his residence in Century FL. Wednesday December 13, 2023.
Mr. Ward was a life-long resident of Century FL. and was of the Baptist faith. He was a retired owner/operator of Thomas Ward Trucking, and retired Veteran of The United States Army where he served during the Vietnam era, serving alongside his late brother James L. “Booter” Ward.
In his spare time, Mr. Ward enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his grandchildren which his love was unsurpassed.
He is survived by his wife of 15 years Kathy Ward of Century FL; stepson Scotty Hagan of Pensacola FL; daughters Debbie (Dennis) Finegan of Green Cove Springs, FL. Karen (Andy) Layton of Milton FL; brother Bennie (Jenny) Ward of Cantonment FL; Sisters Delois Brown of Bratt FL. Joyce Burkett of Byrneville FL. Barbara (Donnie) Kilcrease of Byrneville FL; grandchildren that were the light of his life Andrew (Taylor Hendrieth) Howell, Christina Finegan, Wesley (Brooke) Layton, Ashley Finegan, Delaney Hagan, Ian Hagan; several nieces and nephews, and a friend like family Jeff (Junia) Fisher of Flomaton, AL.
Mr. Ward is preceded in death by his father and mother Thomas Clayton Ward Sr. and Ruby Flowers Muse; first wife Margeret Ann Ward: brothers Byron “Bit” Martin, James L. “Booter” Ward.
Visitation will be held Sunday December 17, 2023, from 1P.M. until 2 P.M. service time at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel.
Funeral services for Mr. Thomas Clayton Ward Jr. will be held Sunday afternoon December 17, 2023, at 2 P.M. from the chapel of Flomaton Funeral Home with Brother Tim Floyd officiating. Interment will follow in Byrneville Cemetery with Flomatn Funeral Home Directing.