Highway 4 Bridge Has Officially Reopened
August 28, 2024
The Highway 4 bridge over Canoe Creek reopened Wednesday afternoon.
The estimated completion date for the nearly $4 million bridge had been delayed by weather until September 1. Contractors were able to finish construction in August, but the opening was then delayed by paint problems.
The new bridge replaces an 81-year-old structure that hat was closed on July 10, 2023, with traffic between Bratt and Century detoured.
We’ll have more on this story and more photos from over and under the new bridge on Thursday morning.
Pictured: The Highway 4 bridge over Canoe Creek on Friday afternoon, August 16. Northescambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ECUA Approves Water, Sewer And Sanitation Rate Increases
August 28, 2024
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority on Tuesday approved rate increases for water, wastewater and sanitation customers.
The board approved an ECUA Citizen’s Advisory Committee recommendation for 3% across the board increase for all three services.
The 3% increase for water and wastewater rate increases will be a moderate increase for most customers. For a typical mainland customer using 6,300 gallons, the increase would be 94 cents for water and $1.08 for wastewater, for a total of $2.02 per month. (Pensacola Beach water and wastewater customers pay a higher rate.)
District 5 board member Kevin Stephens said he was not necessarily opposed to the rate increases based upon staff recommendations and due to “our drastically failing infrastructure”.
A 3% increase or sanitation rates is also proposed.
For residential customers with a 90-gallon on smaller container, the rate will go from $29.82 to $30.56, increasing by 74 cents. The senior citizen rate with a 60-gallon container would increase 62 cents from $24.98 to $25.60.
“Other changes included an increase so the initial delivery charge for non-compaction rolloff containers in the commercial division, the resolution states. “The (fiscal year) 2024 budget included changes to commercial rates to become more competitive with the private sector.”
No member of the public spoke to the board Tuesday during a public hearing on the rate increases.
PPD Arrests Cantonment Man On Drug and Weapons Charges
August 28, 2024
The Pensacola Police Department recently arrested on Cantonment man on drug and weapon charges.
William Austin Thomann, 27, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released on a $9,500 bond.
A Pensacola Police Department officer got behind Thomann on Creighton Road and followed him to residence on house on Elaine Circle before initiating a traffic stop.
Thomann was extremely nervous, according to an arrest report, and admitted to not wearing a seat belt. An officer noted the faint smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle that was mostly masked by the “overwhelming smell of cigarette smoke.
Thomann claimed to have a medical marijuana card, but police said he could not produce it.
PPD said a search of the vehicle turned up 20 oxycodone pills, 16 grams of marijuana, a small glass pipe with residue, and 9mm semi-automatic handgun with a loaded 12-round magazine and one round in the chamber.
Police said the items were found wrapped in a shoebox for black Adidas size 11 tennis shoes.
“This was the same shoe the suspect wore on scene,” the report states.
Court records indicate Thomann has a prior third degree felony narcotics conviction.
Atmore Community Hospital Receives $2 Million Grant For Equipment
August 28, 2024
U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) has announced a $2 million congressionally directed spending grant for Atmore Community Hospital.
The hospital, operated by the Escambia County (AL) Health Care Authority will purchase critical medical equipment with the funding, which was secured by Britt in the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024.
The award was formally announced by the Department of Health & Human Services this week.
“Health care is critical for the wellbeing of Alabamians across our great state, and modernized equipment is key to providing the best care for patients. As a daughter of rural Alabama, I understand that every community has different needs, which is why I worked to ensure Atmore Community Hospital received $2 million to procure equipment that will help bolster the care they provide,” said Britt. “I’m proud to have secured these funds during the 2024 Appropriations process, and I look forward to continuing my work on the committee to invest further into our families, our state, and our future.”
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Scattered Showers and Thunderstorms Expected, Otherwise Hot
August 28, 2024
A mix of sunshine and scattered showers and thunderstorms are in store the few days. Temperatures will remain hot with highs reaching into the 90s.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Labor Day: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Escambia County Grant Funded Summer Kids College In Century
August 28, 2024
Escambia County provided funding this summer to help launch the Century Kids College.
The free summer camp programs for elementary students ages 6-12 was hosted by Pensacola State College and offered offered a variety of educational and engaging activities, including a sport, an art, and a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) camp, with a variety of hands-on activities for children.
A $15,000 Community Partner Funding grant from the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners allowed PSC to serve 60 students in the Century area for three weeks. The program aimed to provide a fun and enriching experience for children in a community with limited summertime opportunities.
“II’m very excited that we were able to support this program and provide an opportunity for these students to have a fun, engaging, and educational summer camp experience at no cost to their families,” said District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry. “Programs like this should be available to all students in our community, regardless of income level, and I’m very pleased that we accomplished that goal thanks to this exciting partnership with Pensacola State College. I’d like to thank PSC and every person who worked together to ensure these students had a fantastic summer camp experience.”
The funding from Escambia County covered the costs of program coordinators, teachers, classroom supplies, and lunches.
“We are very grateful for the financial support of Escambia County so we could make this educational opportunity available in Century.,” said Dr. Ed Meadows, Pensacola State College President.
This year marked the first time the Kids College program was offered in Century. The program has been running for 34 years and has been a valuable resource for students in the area.
For additional photos, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Sweeps Northview In Straight Sets (With Gallery)
August 28, 2024
The Flomaton Hurricanes dominated the Northview Chiefs in a volleyball match on Tuesday night, winning in three straight sets.
The final scores were 25-17, 25-20, and 25-21.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Flomaton victory comes on the heels of a 2-0 loss to Faith Academy on Monday. Northview, meanwhile, had defeated Pine Forest 3-1 Monday night.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Monteverde Magnificent As Blue Wahoos Win With One Hit Against M-Braves
August 28, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
The Blue Wahoos ended their season-high losing streak in a special way.
They received an unparalleled outing Tuesday night from starting pitcher Patrick Monteverde, then a shutdown performance by relievers Woo-Suk Go and Dale Stanavich to get a 1-0 victory against the Mississippi Braves, thus beginning their week-long homestand with a new mark in franchise history.
In ending their six-game slide, it became the first time the Blue Wahoos won a game despite getting just one hit. All 11 previous times they were one-hit in club history resulted in losses.
Monteverde, 26, a lefthander who helped the Blue Wahoos win their 2022 Southern League championship and was stellar last season, which led to being elevated to Triple-A Jacksonville this season, reproduced his dominant form.
He allowed just two hits in seven innings, no walks and 10 strikeouts. Monteverde didn’t hesitate when asked if this was his best performance of 2024.
“Yeah… finally,” he said, smiling. “It’s been a bit of a roller-coaster this year, but it’s always good to get another shutout under your belt, more more importantly help the team get back in the win column.”
When he exited, Woo-Suk Go and Stanavich followed in the eighth and ninth by not allowing a baserunner. It was the Blue Wahoos’ best overall pitching sequence of the season, holding the M-Braves to just two hits, no walks and racking up 12 strikeouts.
And it happened in a pivotal time as the Blue Wahoos (63-56 overall, 25-26 in second half) hope to stay in playoff contention. They had lost 11 of their past 13 games before Tuesday’s win.
“This series, coming off last week (against Tennessee Smokies), obviously we got swept and to be honest with you, we didn’t think we were out-teamed, if that makes sense,” Monteverde said. “We knew we have a good club here and we know what we’re capable of.
“So going into this week, I made it clear…not that I needed to, everybody in the clubhouse knows, this was a big week coming up. These guys (M-Braves) past us in the standings and we need to get back on the right track and win a series at our place.”
Neither team had a hit through the first four innings Tuesday. M-Braves starter Jhancarlos Lara had yielded five walks in that stretch, including two to begin the second inning, but the Blue Wahoos couldn’t take advantage.
The game’s first hit was a one-out single in the fifth inning by the M-Braves Adam Zabrowski – the first to reach base after Monteverde retired the first 13 batters he faced in order.
Monteverde then struck out the next two hitters and the Blue Wahoos manufactured a run in their half of the fifth inning.
Johnny Olmstead and Jakob Marsee had back-to-back walks with one out. On a double-steal attempt, Olmstead was throw out at third. But shortstop Jared Serna came through with a two out single after Olmstead got M-Braves shortstop Cal Conley to move out of position with aggressive baserunning.
From that point, the only M-Braves baserunner was thrown out on a steal attempt in the sixth inning. The rest of the way, the pitching was exceptional.
When it ended, Blue Wahoos catcher Joe Mack hugged Stanavich, then Mack gathered a water cooler bucket with Stanavich to dump on Monteverde while he was doing an on-field postgame interview.
“This clubhouse is great,” Monteverde said. “I look forward to coming to the ballpark every day. Nobody is pressing. We know we still have some time and can get rolling at any time.
“Sometimes, a game like this is when the offense (comes around). This wasn’t their best day, but they produced when they had to with timely hitting and (Tuesday) was one of those. Thankfully that was all it took. But the overall vibe and clubhouse atmosphere is great.”
This series brings some sentimentality. It is the final time the Blue Wahoos will play the Mississippi Braves in club history.
The M-Braves are moving to Columbus, Ga. in 2025 where they will play in remodeled stadium, Synovus Park (formerly Golden Park), located on the Chattahoochee River that separates the state line in Georgia-Alabama. A $50 million renovation is ongoing at the 98-year-old ballpark and the facility is on schedule to be ready for April 2025 when next season begins.
When the move happens, the Atlanta Braves will have all four of their top affiliates within the state of Georgia and all within a 2-hour plus drive of Atlanta with Gwinnett (Triple-A), Columbus, Rome, Ga. (High-A) and Augusta (Class A).
The second game of the series is set for Wednesday (6:05 p.m.) with the Blue Wahoos sending lefthander Luis Palacios on the mound against the M-Braves top pitcher Landon Harper (2-1, 1.46 ERA).
Warren Pierce Gilmore
August 28, 2024
Warren Pierce Gilmore was born in Milton, Florida on December 6, 1947 to his loving and devoted parents, the late Deacon James Franklin Gilmore, Sr. and Pollie Marie Walker Gilmore. Warren was a highly respected man of great character, strength, courage, dignity, and wisdom. On Tuesday, August 20, 2024, Warren moved from labor to reward when our Heavenly Father called him home to be with Him.
Warren joined Mt. Pilgrim African Baptist Church at an early age and subsequently accepted Jesus Chris as his personal Lord and Savior. During his teen years, his older sister, and “second Mom”, Marie Gilmore Dickerson, taught him to play the piano. He and Marie had a very special bond which extended throughout their adult lives and lasted until her death.
He was educated in the Santa Rosa County Public School System. He attended and graduated from T.R. Jackson School and was a proud member of the Class of 1965. It was at T.R. Jackson where he learned to play the percussions and became the percussion section leader during his senior year of high school. He was also on the track team and ran in long distance track events.
Warren enlisted in the United States Air Force June 1965 and was honorably discharged December 1968 from active duty. During his tenure, he was a Heating System Specialist. He continued to serve his country in the Air Force Reserve until June 1971 in Niagara Falls, New York. During his stay there, he married and from that union two children were born and three children were adopted – Warren Jr., Keisha, Anthony, Kim and Renee. He later moved back to Milton, Florida and found the job that he truly enjoyed at Whiting Field Naval Base where he worked as an Aircraft Mechanic until his retirement in 2003.
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After his return to Milton, he re-joined his home church, Mt. Pilgrim African Baptist Church. There he became a deacon and later accepted God’s Calling and truly became “A Man after God’s Own Heart”. Warren was licensed in the ministry in June 1988 and later ordained in September 1988. While at Mt. Pilgrim, Rev. Gilmore baptized an abundance of youth in the Milton community and most of them referred to him as “Pops”, “Uncle Warren” or “Unk”. Rev. Gilmore faithfully served Mt. Pilgrim until God called him to pastor James Street Baptist Church (JSBC), where he was installed in July 1993. Rev. Warren Gilmore (lovingly referred to as “Rev.”), cared deeply for all of his JSBC members. He made it his priority to check on them regularly to just make sure that they were “good”. He was an amazing pastor who loved teaching and preaching God’s Word to JSBC and surrounding churches. Rev. Gilmore also served the Milton Community as Vice President then President of the Fellowship Churches of Santa Rosa County. After serving God and God’s JSBC flock as Pastor, Rev. retired in October 2014. He subsequently received the honor and title of Pastor Emeritus.
Warren met Annie “Vinia” Dortch during a visit at Greater Union Baptist Church in Century, Florida. A couple years later, on March 30, 1996, they were married and to this union three children were born – Pierce, Jerard and Jermaine (the twins). He absolutely loved and adored his family. He and Annie were the best of friends and did everything together and still “courted” each other going on dates every Friday until he became too ill to do so.
Warren was the “coolest” and “most down to earth” Man of God one could ever meet. He loved to laugh as well as make others laugh. His jovial personality and hearty laugh were contagious. He was a jokester and if he knew anything funny about you, you would be reminded of it at almost every encounter with him, followed by the heartiest laugh ever. He loved different genres of music, but Gospel was his favorite. He loved to see the band “12Eleven” perform. His son, Pierce, is the drummer and he considered Pierce’s band mates (Daniel, Denver and Eric) his sons and they affectionately called him “Dad”.
In addition to his family, Rev. had a group of friends, called “The David’s Catfish Crew”. They would eat lunch weekly at David’s Catfish House in Milton. They would have the best time joking around with each other and were well known by the staff.
Warren was preceded in death by his parents, Deacon James Sr. and Pollie Gilmore; and all of his siblings: Carolyn, Willie, Mary, Erskin, Martha, Marie, Nellie and James, and best friends: Esic Rhodes, Murray Hamilton, Alfred Brewton and Donald Brown.
Warren left an exceptionally unique signature on life. He leaves to share pleasant memories and carry out his legacy – his wife, Annie (Milton, FL); five children: Warren Jr. (Tracey) and Keisha (Niagara Falls, NY), Pierce (Gulf Shores, AL), twins – Jerard and Jermaine (Milton, FL); three adopted children: Anthony and Kim (Niagara Falls, NY) and Renee (Illinois); fifteen grandchildren; sixteen great-grands and one great-great grand; one goddaughter: Juandalynn-aka Tamiko-Leverette (Atlanta, GA); five sisters-in-law; Dorothy M. Newton and Shelia Dortch (Century, FL), Clarissa (Buddy) Burt (Flomaton, AL), Karen (Minister Steve) Evans (Cincinnati, OH), and Linda Dortch (Atmore, AL); six aunts: Margaret Robinson (Marianna, FL), Lois White (Century, FL), Katherine Hastings (Marlboro, NY), Barbara White (Poughkeepsie, NY), Melinda Harris and Debra Edwards (Pensacola, FL); several nieces and nephews of which special bonds were formed with: Margo (Damian) Phillips (Concord, NC), Marlon Dickerson-aka-Bubba, (Little Rock, AR), Marque-aka-Keke (Benjamin) Lee (Chicago, IL), Keith (Francisca) Gilmore (Pensacola, FL), Krystal Gilmore (Milton,FL), Karen Gilmore (Douglasville, GA), Kim (Greg) Gibson (Chesapeake, VA), Krystal Gilmore and Lisa Johnson (Milton, FL), Pastor Vincent Dortch (Mableton, GA), Shana Barton (Milton, FL), Nerissa McKinney (Pensacola, FL), Rhonda Newton-King (Century, FL), Constance Madison (Flomaton, AL) and Brittney Dortch (Flomaton, AL – who greeted him by saying “Hey My Perfect Uncle” and he would respond “Hey My Perfect Niece”); best friends: Rev. Clifford Harris (Milton, FL) and Rev. Lonnie Bennett (Milton, FL); and a plethora of cousins, great nieces, nephews and friends whom he was very close with and ALL shared a very special place in his heart. Rev. Warren Pierce Gilmore was one in a million!
Highway 164 Widening Project Ahead of Schedule, Final Phase Begins
August 27, 2024
Escambia County’s ongoing project to widen portions of Highway 164 is progressing rapidly, with the final phase was to begin Tuesday, August 27.
The $1.25 million project, funded by Local Option Sales Tax, aims to improve safety along the dangerously narrow roadway by widening 2.16 miles. The first two phases were completed ahead of schedule, widening Highway 164 from Highway 97 to Green Village Road and from Green Village Road toward North Highway 29.
The current phase involves widening the stretch near North Pine Barren Road, which was originally scheduled to start in September. Traffic will be reduced to a single lane during construction. The entire project is expected to be completed by September 20.
The need for widening Highway 164 became evident after numerous near-miss accidents and sideswipes. With some sections as narrow as 8 feet, the road has been especially dangerous for larger vehicles, such as fire trucks from the nearby McDavid Fire Station.
Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the project, emphasizing its importance in improving safety and addressing the community’s concerns. He also vowed to continue advocating for additional widening projects along Highway 164 and other local roads.
Panhandle Grading and Paving, the lowest bidder for the project, was awarded the contract by the Escambia County Commission. According to county engineering data, the sections being widened experienced a high concentration of accidents between May 2018 and May 2023.
Pictured: Highway 164 just east of Highway 97 Monday afternoon, August 26. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
