Photos: Intent Movement With Sidewalk Prophets

August 5, 2024

Christian music’s Sidewalk Prophets headlined the Intent Movement event Sunday night at the in Atmore.

Worship leaders were the Chapels and guest speakers were Josh Davis. who is the youth and children’s pastor at Atmore First Assembly, and Courtney McBride, who is the principal at Flomaton Elementary School.

A large crowd attended the worship event at the Poarch Cultural Arena.

For a photo gallery with the Sidewalk Prophets, click or tap here.

For a photo gallery with the rest of the Intent Movement, click or tap here.

For our NorthEscambia.com Sunday story and interview with David Frey, frontman of the Sidewalk Prophets, click here.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Hurricane Debby Makes Landfall In Florida’s Big Bend

August 5, 2024

THIS STORY IS OUTDATED AND EXPIRED.

Hurricane Debby made landfall Monday morning in the Big Bend of Florida with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph.

Debby strengthened into a hurricane Sunday night as it moved across the Gulf of Mexico.

Debbie was bringing a foot or more of rain to parts of north Florida.

There are no local impacts expected in Escambia or Santa Rosa counties, other than a high risk of rip currents and increased swells this week.

The latest details on Debby are in the graphic on this page.

Community Health Northwest Florida Celebrates National Health Center Week 2024

August 5, 2024

Every August, the National Association of Community Health Centers sponsors National Health Center Week to celebrate and increase awareness of America’s 1,400 Community Health Centers.

National Health Center Week (Aug. 4-10) is an opportunity to highlight the commitment and passion of Community Health Center staff, board members, and supporters who make it possible to provide quality, comprehensive healthcare services to more than 31.5 million patients across nearly 15,000 communities annually.

Community Health Northwest Florida is proud to be a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that improves the health and well-being of individuals by providing high quality, cost-effective, comprehensive health care services. As an FQHC, our mission is to provide a full range of health and wellness services to all who walk through our doors.

This year’s National Health Center Week theme, “Powering Communities Through Caring Connections,” focuses on empowering communities by connecting them with health centers and elected officials from all levels of government.

Since 1992, Community Health Northwest Florida (formerly Escambia Community Clinics) has served as a medical home for those most in need in our community. Today, we have grown from a small outpatient primary care clinic to 20 multi-service locations and pharmacies, providing access to affordable, comprehensive healthcare to more than 53,000 people throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

Community Health Centers serve as a beacon of strength, service, and care in their communities. In moments of pain and loss, they offer support and love. In moments of triumph, they offer hope and a vision for the future.
With a mission to make high-quality, affordable care available to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status, Health Centers save lives on the front lines of our community’s most pressing public health challenges.

“Community Health Northwest Florida is a critical piece of the healthcare systems and collaborate with hospitals, local and state governments, social health and business organizations to improve health outcomes for those who are medically vulnerable,” says Chandra Smiley, Chief Executive Officer. “In honor of National Health Center Week, we are grateful to be able to make a difference and ensure that everyone has access to the care and support they need to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.”

Follow Community Health Northwest Florida’s social media as we celebrate National Health Center Week and spread awareness about the importance of community health centers.

In North Escambia, Community Health operates locations at:

Cantonment Pediatrics
470 South Highway 29 Unit B, Cantonment, FL 32533 (850) 780-0111

  • Dental Care
  • Pediatric Care
  • Virtual Behavioral Health Counseling
  • Virtual Psychiatry

Century Adult and Family Care
6021 Industrial Blvd. (850) 724-4064

Departments: Dental – (850) 724.4064 Option 2

  • Adult & Family Care
  • Dental Care
  • Lab Services
  • Virtual Behavioral Health Counseling
  • Virtual Psychiatry

Century Pediatrics
501 Church Street (850) 724-4054

  • Pediatric Care
  • Virtual Behavioral Health Counseling
  • Virtual Psychiatry

For more information, other locations or to make an appointment, click or tap here.

Isolated Storms And Hot This Week

August 5, 2024

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4pm. Sunny, with a high near 91. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 75. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 94. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 76. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 77. West wind around 5 mph.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 96. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 77.

Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.

Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.

Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 92.

AAA: Florida Gas Prices Rose Six Cents Last Week

August 5, 2024

Florida gas prices increased a little more than 6 cents last week. The state average was $3.46 per gallon on Sunday.

In North Escambia.com a low of $2.95 was available Sunday on Highway 29 in Cantonment. Pensacola prices were as low as $289 at stations on Airport Boulevard and East Nine Mile Road.

“Although gas prices rose last week, fundamentals are moving lower,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Crude oil and gasoline futures prices finished the week sharply lower than the week before, which should enable gas prices to decline.”

The U.S. price for crude oil has declined the last four consecutive weeks. During that time, the price of oil fell about $10 per barrel (-13%). Friday’s closing price was $73.52 per barrel. That’s the lowest daily closing price since June 4.

“Futures prices reportedly fell after the latest jobs report triggered concerns of an economic slowdown,” Jenkins said.

NorthEscambia.com photo.

Blue Wahoos Sweep Sunday Pair At Chattanooga

August 5, 2024

written by Carter Bainbridge

The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (56-44) finished off a rain-marred week in Chattanooga versus the Lookouts (31-69) with a pair of wins on Sunday to close out an abbreviated five-game series.

In the day’s first game, the Wahoos completed a victory in a game that began Friday, continued Saturday, and concluded on Sunday. The action picked up with two outs in the top of the fifth and the Wahoos leading 6-4. Three combined fifth-inning RBIs from center fielder Andrew Pintar and first baseman Nathan Martorella (collected before Saturday’s weather postponement) proved to be the difference in the game. On Sunday, neither team scored throughout the game’s remaining innings. Pensacola lefthander Justin King (W, 2-0) pitched the fifth and sixth en route to a winning decision, while lefthander Dale Stanavich (SV, 1) finished out the ninth for his first professional Double-A save in a 6-4 Wahoos win.

Game 2 proved to be similarly hard-fought. New Pensacola lefthander Robby Snelling took the mound for his Blue Wahoos debut following his recent arrival via trade and impressed (5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 7 K), but ultimately took a no-decision. The Wahoos broke through in the second inning on a solo home run from designated hitter Nathan Martorella, but the Lookouts tied the game 1-1 in the third on an RBI infield single from designated hitter Francisco Urbaez that deflected off of Snelling.

The game stayed tied 1-1 into the sixth when Pensacola jumped back ahead. With the bases loaded and two outs, left fielder Jakob Marsee hit a check-swing ground ball that snuck into left field for a base hit, scoring center fielder Andrew Pintar and Martorella. In the bottom of the sixth, the Lookouts struck back against Wahoos lefthander Chandler Jozwiak, who allowed a two-run, game-tying home run to Chattanooga third baseman Nick Northcut.

Neither team scored in the seventh, sending the game to extra innings. In the top of the eighth and two outs, Pensacola shortstop Jared Serna stood in against Lookouts righthander Patrick Weigel (L, 0-1) with a runner at second and capped an extraordinary first week in Double-A (10-for-21, .476 AVG, five doubles, eight RBIs) with an RBI go-ahead double that put the Wahoos ahead 4-3. In the bottom of the eighth, righthander Tyler Eckberg (SV, 1) closed out the game and series without issue, notching his first career Double-A save. Recently-promoted Pensacola righthander Nigel Belgrave (W, 1-0) earned the victory after a scoreless seventh inning. The win gave the Wahoos four victories in five games over Chattanooga on the week.

The Wahoos continue their two-week road trip when they travel to Pearl, Mississippi to begin a six-game set against the Mississippi Braves. First pitch on Tuesday, August 6 from Trustmark Park is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. CT.

Sheila Donaldson

August 5, 2024

Sheila Donaldson, 68, of Atmore, passed away on August 2, 2024 in Pensacola, FL. She was born on April 12, 1956 in Atmore, AL to Harvey and Elma Lee Bradberry. She was a 1974 graduate of Ernest Ward High School. She was a retired loan processer at First National Bank & Trust. She was a dedicated Christian, mother and friend. She was a very talented pianist. She played the piano for Walnut Hill Baptist Church for over 20 years. She loved spending time with her family, especially her 6 grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her sons, Michael Donaldson (Beth Donaldson) of Daphne and Steven Donaldson (Lauren Donaldson) of Atmore; her brother, Harvey Bradberry of Walnut Hill, FL; 6 grandchildren, Paisley Donaldson, Ivey Donaldson, Christian Donaldson, Lux Donaldson, Silas Donaldson and Ellie Donaldson and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Ted Bridges officiating.

Interment will follow in Walnut Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Brandon Phillips, Shayne Godwin, Blake Godwin, Shawn Bradberry, Paxton Hobbs, Chris Harrison, Shawn Lassiter. Honorary pallbearers will be Christian Donaldson and Silas Donaldson.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 6, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. until service time at 10:00 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.

One On One With Sidewalk Prophets (Their Live Concert Is Tonight In Atmore For $5)

August 4, 2024

With four major studio albums, five No. 1 hits, eight top 5 songs and new music on the radio and streaming, Christian music’s Sidewalk Prophets will headline the Intent Movement Sunday night in Atmore.

General admission is just $5 or a VIP package for $25 with preferred floor seating. Cash, Venmo and Cash App will be accepted at the gate. The event will take place at the Poarch Cultural Arena at 6477 Jack Springs Road. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the event starts at 7 p.m.

Friday, NorthEscambia.com had a one-on-one phone interview with singer and songwriter David Frey, frontman of the Sidewalk Prophets.

“We’ve been around since 2001. I met my buddy Ben and now here we are 2024 and releasing our fifth studio album and we have a current single called ‘Hurt People’ on the radio right now,” Frey told us. “And we are really just blessed that we still keep on keeping on and excited that we have new music. We haven’t had new music since 2020. So it’s been quite some time. I became a dad twice since our last record came out and we’re just, living the dream.”

Sidewalk Prophets is more than just a music group; they are a family to make everyone feel love while sharing the love of Christ.

As the father of a 4-year-old, Frey currently spends a lot of time these days singing classic kids’ songs like “Wheels on the Bus”, “Skidamarink A Dink A Dink” (one of his daughter’s favorites) and host of Disney songs.

In May, the group released the lead track from their upcoming fifth studio album. “Hurt People (Love Will Heal Our Hearts)”. It was Sidewalk Prophets’ first new music since 2020.

Hurt People was actually written before the pandemic, but “the lyrics were just not quite right” and didn’t make the cut for the last album. Then there was a small tweak, and everything fell in place as the right song at the right time.


Hurt people, they hurt people
Is it ever gonna stop?
Hurt people, they hurt people
So give me everything you’ve got

“This is a time to release this song, and I feel like with the state of the world, state of our hearts and state of everywhere, you look around” Frey said. “There’s there’s a lot of hurt in the world, and it’s so easy to when you get hurt, man to pass that hurt on, maybe even hurt yourself, hurt those around you that don’t deserve it. But man, what an idea to know that Christ taking the cross looking after the very people that hurt him. That was the absolute example of how to stop hurt in its tracks and heal and change our hearts forever.”

The Sidewalk Prophets’ second song from the new album was released just over a week ago. “Come to Jesus” is a simple but powerful invitation. Written by Frey, Ben McDonald and Mitch Wong, the ballad encourages listeners to come just as they are to the Lord.

“It’s just a simple worship song,” Frey said. “As soon was we heard it, we knew it was tugging at our heartstrings with the idea that no matter what you’re going through, no matter what, the hopelessness or depression you’re facing; even on the best of days or the worst of days, just fall into the arms of Jesus. It’s such a powerful thing.”

“My favorite line in that song is ‘there’s kindness in his eyes’, and I think that so many times this day and age, we kick kindness around we minimize it and we, we think of it as a weak thing, but to have, to know that our God is a god of kindness. It’s a powerful thing. To now that you can always fall into the arms of our Savior who has kindness in his eyes is a powerful thing.”

The soon to be released title track of the new album is “Looking Up”, a collaboration with American Idol runner-up Megan Danielle.

“I don’t know how she didn’t just win everything because her voice is unbelievable,” Frey said. “When she walked into the studio as just this unassuming sweet Georgia girl, and then she sings and you are just floored. It’s this powerful Bonnie Raitt, Dolly Parton kind of mix. She’s got rock and roll in her too.”

He said “Looking Up” was inspired by the daily commute in Nashville and seeing people on the side of the road begging for change.

“It’s about our lives and how the smallest thing could put us at rock bottom. But there’s always a reason knowing how much Christ loves us, and we always have a reason to keep looking up. It’s a song about the goodness of God.”

The Intent Movement concert Sunday night in Atmore will feature some of those new songs.

“We’ll be rocking a lot of the new songs, but we’ll be playing songs you might have heard on the radio before.”

One of those classics will be “Come to the Table”.

He said come to the table
Come join the sinners who have been redeemed
Take your place beside the Savior
Sit down and be set free

“That’s one that really resonates with myself,” Frey told us.

While the song is about coming to the table with Jesus, the story of how it came to be might not be what most people expect. It’s what Frey called a “funny story”.

Come to the Table was written in a place with no internet, no Wi-Fi, just because the group needed to get away, and they flew in a group of writers from Nashville to this “log cabin-ish thing” All they had was a DVD player in a cabinet and it had the 1991 Robin Williams movie “Hook” in which young children are abducted by Captain Hook. Peter revisits a foggy past in which he abandons Neverland for family life, leaving the Lost Boys to fend for themselves.

“The Lost Boys were sitting at the table, and it just inspired us to think about all the people that would sit at the table with Christ. All this motley crew of misfits, that’s who is going to be sitting there when we get to heaven. Those are the people that Christ called when he opened his arms so wide.”

“That song definitely holds a dear place in our hearts.”

What on David Frey’s playlist right now?

A lot of Disney, and a lot of “Skidamarink A Dink A Dink” for his kids. For him, it’s 21 Pilots and a lot of a old-school singer songwriters like the Eagles and James Taylor. Tom Petty’s “Free Falling” is a favorite that his son also loves.

“You just roll the window down and sing and have a lot of fun.”

The Future of Sidewalk Prophets

What’s the future of the Sidewalk Prophets in five or 10 years?

“Man, I really hope to keep doing what we are doing and making records,” Frey said. “What floors me is when people say a song meant this to me, and I’m like I didn’t even think God could use it that way. I hope we can continue to see people’s hearts changed. Not because of us, but because God takes these things. If you marry your passion to God’s will, it is a powerful thing.”

“I am super grateful that this passion of mine God has allowed us to do for so long, and I just pray in five years we are releasing our sixth or seventh record and hopefully it’s still resonating with souls.”

About Sunday Night’s Performance In Atmore

“We’re going to have so much fun, and we are excited. I hope that people come that don’t know Jesus and they get swept up in what He’s doing, and I pray that friends and family and churches all come. I pray we can just sing about the love of God and watch people be moved in mighty ways because of him.”

Photos courtesy Sidewalk Prophets for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

No Injuries When Toyota Collides With Semi Truck On Highway 29

August 4, 2024

There were no injuries in a crash involving an 18-wheeler and a SUV Saturday afternoon near McDavid.

The crash happened about 12:35 p.m. on Highway 29 about two miles south of Bogia Road.

A Toyota Highlander collided with the semi as the truck was turning into a private dirt lane.

Two adults and two young children in the SUV, all properly restrained, were not injured and refused transport by Escambia County EMS.

The truck driver was also uninjured.

The Florida Highway Patrol investigated and has not released further details. The McDavid Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue responded.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Debby Likely To Become Hurricane; Local Impacts Not Expected

August 4, 2024

THIS POST IS OUTDATED. SEE NORTHESAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION.

Debby continues to move across the Gulf of Mexico toward a landfall sometime Monday to east in the Big Bend area of Florida.

It is expected to make landfall as at least a Category 1 hurricane while bringing a foot or more of rain to parts of north Florida.

There are no local impacts expected in Escambia or Santa Rosa counties, other than a high risk of risk currents and increased swells through early next week.

The latest details on Debby are in the graphic on this page.

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