Beulah Middle FFA Parliamentary Procedure Team Wins First Place In Florida
June 15, 2024
The Beulah Middle School FFA Parliamentary Procedure Team won first place in the state Friday at the Florida FFA State Convention & Expo in Orlando. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sunny And Hot, Near 100 Degrees Saturday
June 15, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia forecast:
Saturday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Light east wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. East wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. East wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Juneteenth: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 73.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Blue Wahoos Fall 6-3 To Barons
June 15, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos slipped out of first place on Friday night, dropping game four of their series 6-3 to the Birmingham Barons.
After a 14-3 Montgomery Biscuits win over the Chattanooga Lookouts, the Blue Wahoos trail the Biscuits by 0.5 games in the first half South Division race with eight games to play.
M.D. Johnson (L, 2-4) allowed a season-high six runs over 5.0 innings, starting with a two-run homer to slugger Edgar Quero in the first inning. The Barons added four more in the third, highlighted by a two-run double from Tim Elko, to take an early 6-0 lead.
Birmingham starter Mason Adams (W, 5-3) stayed out of trouble until the fifth, when Cody Morissette hit a two-run homer and Paul McIntosh added an RBI single to cut the deficit to 6-3.
The Blue Wahoos loaded the bases in the sixth, but reliever Jake Palisch retired Harrison Spohn on a groundout as the potential go-ahead run to end the threat. Eric Adler (S, 3) served up loud contact in the ninth, but locked down the save to even up the six-game series at two games apiece.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Barons on Saturday. First pitch from Regions Field is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
New Safety Lighting Installed At Highway 29, Highway 196 Intersection
June 14, 2024
New safety lighting was installed Thursday at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 196 in Molino, the site of 66 traffic crashes in the past decade.
Of the 66 wrecks, three were fatal and three more left individuals with incapacitating injuries.. FHP said alcohol contributed to three of the wrecks.
Following a serious crash Tuesday that injured two people, Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry told NorthEscambia.com that he was coordinating the installation of additional lighting with Florida Power & Light. The lights were previously set to be installed in July but were fast-tracked to Thursday.
On January 26 of this year, 17-year-old Tate High School student Bradley Ellertson died when a semi-truck and a Kia Soul collided at the intersection. FHP said the driver of the Kia Soul, a 16-year-old female from Pensacola, was traveling eastbound on Highway 196 when she ran the stop sign at Highway 29 and collided with the oncoming semi-truck.
Overall control of safety measures at the intersection falls with the Florida Department of Transportation due to Highway 29. However, Highway 196 is a county road.
Barry said the January crash that killed Ellertson prompted him and the county to ask FDOT to evaluate the intersection for any safety improvements, including any need for a traffic light. He said previous state studies have shown a traffic light was not appropriate.
In the meantime, Barry said the county will install flashing LED lights on the Highway 196 stop signs to improve driver attention.
Pictured: New street lighting was installed Thursday at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 196 in Molino. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sunny And Hot, Upper 90s Today
June 14, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia forecast:
Friday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 96. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Light southeast wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Juneteenth: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Florida’s Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday Ends Today
June 14, 2024
The first of Florida’s two 14-day Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holidays end today, June 14. A second two-week disaster sales tax holiday will take place August 24 through September 6.
This year, Floridians are expected to save millions on vital disaster preparedness supplies such as pet supplies, tarps, batteries, generators and flashlights, which are all included in the list of items eligible to be purchased tax-free.
Below is a list of all qualifying items:
Selling for $10 or less
- Wet dog or cat food if sold individually or the equivalent if sold in a box or case
Selling for $15 or less
- Manual can openers
- Collapsible or travel-sized food or water bowls for pets
- Cat litter pans
- Pet waste disposal bags
- Hamster or rabbit substrate
Selling for $20 or less
- Reusable ice packs
- Leashes, collars, and muzzles for pets
- Pet pads
Selling for $25 or less
- Cat litter weighing 25 or fewer pounds
Selling for $40 or less
- Candles
- Flashlights
- Lanterns
- Pet beds
Selling for $50 or less
- Portable self-powered radios, two-way radios, or weather-band radios
- Gas or diesel fuel tanks
- Batteries, including rechargeable batteries, listed sizes only – a AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, 9-volt
Selling for $60 or less
- Nonelectric food storage coolers
- Portable power banks
Selling for $70 or less
- Smoke detectors or smoke alarms
- Fire extinguishers
- Carbon monoxide detectors
Selling for $100 or less
- Tarpaulins or other flexible waterproof sheeting
- Ground anchor systems
- Portable pet kennels and carriers
- Ratchet straps
- Tie-down kits
- Dry dog or cat food weighing less than 50 pounds
Selling for $3,000 or less
- Portable generators used to provide light or communications or to preserve food in a power outage
All-Star Softball, Baseball Games Are Tonight. See Who Made The Teams.
June 14, 2024
The Pensacola Sports High School All-Star Series baseball and softball games are tonight.
West teams are comprised of just-graduated seniors from Escambia County. East teams are players from Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties
Softball begins at 6 p.m. and baseball at 6:30 p.m. on June 14 at Pensacola State College. For each game, tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students from GoFan.
West Baseball
Head Coach: Johnathan Kent, Pensacola High School
Pine Forest — Colton Swiers SS/P
Pine Forest — Connor Baer LF/P
Catholic — Chris Rembert 2B/P
Catholic — Jackson Kohr P
Catholic — Brock Clayton C/OF
Catholic — Scott Sanderson 3B/P
Catholic — Carter Kerr OF
Pensacola — Julio Guzman P/SS/C
Pensacola — Terrance Bowens 3B/OF
Escambia — Isaac Bates P
Escambia — Ethan Pardue 3B/2B
Escambia — Jordan Luckie CF
Escambia — Caleb Lipscomb P
Escambia — Anthony Hall OF/P
Washington — Davis Sherman 3B/OF
Washington — Ricky Bucco OF/3B
West Florida — Jaxson Cramer SS/P
West Florida — Connor Powers 2B
West Florida — Jake Lawrence P
Tate — Clif Quiggins 3B/SS/OF
Tate — Bray Touchstone C
Tate — Conner Hassell OF
Tate — Neal Croom P
Tate — Ketch King OF/C
Northview — Wyatt Scruggs OF
Northview — Robbie Bodiford C
East Baseball
Head Coach: Justin Bruce, Niceville High School
Pace — Tanner Sauls P/OF/1B
Pace — Nate Caston P/OF
Navarre — Cole Crocker P/3B
Navarre — Ace Demotts P/3B/1B
Navarre — Ashton Sieg CF/P
Navarre — Ryan Ragan SS/OF
Baker — Judah Morse CF/P
Gulf Breeze — Jacob Thorn P/1B
Gulf Breeze — Gavin Quenneville OF
Crestview — Anthony St. Vincent P/3B
Crestview — Jaden Appleby OF
Central — Justin Smarr P/3B
Central — Dylen Houk SS/P
Central — Gavin Schmidt P/1B
Jay — Ethan McDonald OF/P
Jay — Wyatt Peaden 3B
Milton — Matt Simmons 3B/2B
Fort Walton Beach — Hunter Kidd SS/P
Fort Walton Beach — Avery Warren C/OF
Niceville — Jeremiah Blair C/P
Niceville — Evan Root P/1B
Laurel Hill — Benny Hudson INF
Laurel Hill — Omerion Hill P/C
Rocky Bayou — AJ Morgan SS/OF
Rocky Bayou — Chase Johnson 2B/P
East Softball
Head Coach: Ronald Sprague, Washington High School
Northview — Chloe Ragsdale C/1B/OF
Northview — Makayla Golson OF
West Florida — Sydney Scapin P
West Florida — Brea Holley C/3B
West Florida — Maddie Laubach 2B
West Florida — Lauren Allen 1B/3B
Pine Forest — Sarah Rudd Utility
Pine Forest — Alexzandria Holston 3B/INF
Pine Forest — Tiara Hall OF/INF
Pine Forest — LaToya Hall LF/1B
Escambia — Laney Moss 3B
Escambia — Halina Bell C/1B
Escambia — Olivia Bourgeois OF/P
Escambia — Kaylee Parker 2B/P
Catholic — Isabelle Little- Anoai 1B/P
Catholic — Titera Dukes Utility
Tate — Kate Balagbagan 2B/P
Tate — Olivea Latner OF
Tate — Kylea Gibbs OF
Tate — Elizabeth McVay OF
Washington — Ja’Kia Hollis CF
Washington — Cassidy Bardin INF/P
Washington — Brogan Dougherty 2B/P
Pensacola — Sydney Jernigan C/OF
West Softball
Head Coach: Dune Farrone, Rocky Bayou Head Coach: Dune Farrone, Rocky Bayou
Laurel Hill — Raelee McDonald C/1B
Gulf Breeze — Kenna King CF/OF
Gulf Breeze — Ava Chapman OF/1B
Gulf Breeze — Presley Hall C
Choctaw — Ellie Long P/OF
Fort Walton Beach — Ava Smith P/1B
Pace — Shelby Crooks Utility
Pace — Juliana Henderson LF/2B
Milton — Hallie Ueberroth 2B/SS
Milton — Gracie Bonds P
Milton — Kayla Willis 1B/P
Niceville — Mckenzi Toth 2B
Niceville — Kamryn Neely C/3B
Central — Brianna Martin LF/CF
Central — Gracie Jernigan RF/1B
Jay — Ella Nelson SS
Jay — Brooklyn Sorrells 2B
Baker — Carlie Hopps CF/SS
Baker — Hannah Twitty P
Rocky Bayou — Erica Losinger 2B/SS
Crestview — Mayson Feller OF
Crestview — Paige Deitz 3B/2B
Navarre — Calyn Rounsaville C
Escambia County Property Appraiser Chris Jones Will Not Seek Reelection
June 14, 2024
Escambia County Property Appraiser Chris Jones has announced that he will not seek reelection after serving since being appointed in 1995.
“After serving the people of this community for nearly 30 years, it is with a heavy heart that I announce I will not seek reelection. This decision was not made easily. After much thought and prayer, I have decided it is time to step back due to personal reasons that require my full attention,” Jones said. “It has been my honor and privilege to serve the citizens of Escambia County as their property appraiser.”
Jones said he tenure was marked by significant achievements, including leveraging technology to increase office efficiency, implementing year-round filing for homestead exemptions, and opening an office in Molino to better serve North Escambia residents.
Jones has endorsed his choice for a successor.
“I fully support the candidacy of Escambia County Property Appraiser Chief Deputy Gary ‘Bubba’ Peters. Bubba has been with the office for over 20 years, starting as a student and earning his way to the chief deputy position,” Jones said.”Bubba will continue providing quality public service, as well as proven leadership and professionalism that our citizens deserve. I urge my fellow Escambia County residents to support him.”
Peters officially filed to run for Escambia County Tax Collector on Thursday.
Bill Farinas Inducted As New Cantonment Rotary Club President
June 14, 2024
Bill Farinas was inducted this week as the new president of the Cantonment Rotary Club.
For the past year, the club was led by Cantonment native Dustin Vaughn, a banker and graduate of Tate High School who also attended PSC, UWF and the Studer Community Institute. During his tenure, the club led or participated in several local projects which included providing meals to over 1,000 Escambia County residents at Thanksgiving; food and financial support for the Rotary Youth Camp (for special needs students) and Rotary Youth Leadership; and endowed scholarships for over a dozen Pensacola State College students totaling over $30,000.
The Cantonment Rotary Club’s biggest project, largely coordinated by Farinas, was the implementation of the Josh the Baby Otter story books and storytime for over 1,000 local kindergarteners. The project increased awareness and provided tips on water safety for young children. During the next year , the club intends to build off the success of the Josh the Baby Otter project and possibly expand its mission of enhancing the lives, safety and welfare of area residents.
Farinas has been a member of Cantonment Rotary since 2019; he is a lifelong resident of Pensacola, a graduate of Pensacola High School, the University of West Florida, and attended the University of Florida. He is a retired educator and was a popular voice on WCOA radio with a weekly gardening program as well as an instructor at George Stone Vocational College. Farinas e is currently the president of the Pensacola Interstate Fair. He also sits on various boards and has chaired others.
Pictured: Bill Farinas was inducted as the president of the Cantonment Rotary Club during a meeting at the Pensacola Yacht Club. Pictured below: New board members also took office. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Here Are The Candidates That Qualified On Thursday To Run In 2024
June 14, 2024
Candidate qualifying continues Wednesday.
Several candidates also qualified on Monday, Tuesday. and Wednesday. Qualifying for the 2024 Primary and General Elections will run until noon, Friday, June 14, 2024.
The following local candidates had qualified for the 2024 ballot in Escambia County on Wednesday.
Property Appraiser – (Partisan)
- Gary “Bubba” Peters (REP)
Escambia County Commissioner – (Partisan)
- District 1 – Jesse Casey (REP)
Escambia County School Board – (Nonpartisan)
- District 4 – Earle McAuley
Town of Century – (Nonpartisan)
- Seat 2 – Henry Cunningham
The following candidates pre-filed for office today:
Santa Rosa Island Authority – (Nonpartisan)
- Thomas Campanella
Escambia Soil & Water Conservation District – (Nonpartisan)
- District 2 – Johnnie L. Odom
The following candidate has withdrawn as of today, June 13, 2024:
Supervisor of Elections – (Partisan)
- Carrie Young – (DEM)