Schools Are Open Today Across The Area
September 25, 2024
Yes, schools are open today in Escambia County in Florida, Escambia County in Alabama and Santa Rosa County.
Each of the districts will monitor the progression of the storm and issue and updates as required for Thursday. Any updates will be posted here on NorthEscambia.com
There is one announced change in Escambia County. The Navarre at Tate High School football game that was schedule for Thursday has been postponed until Friday night at 7:00.
The school districts released the following statements Tuesday afternoon:
Escambia County (FL) Schools
Escambia County Public Schools is in constant contact with the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center and National Weather Service as we monitor the progress of Tropical Storm Helene.
We will continue to monitor this storm as it progresses across the Gulf and will update our families as the need arises. The safety of our students and staff remains our number one priority, and any weather-related decisions we make will reflect that.
Santa Rosa County Schools
Our District Officials have been in close contact again (Wednesday) with the Santa Rosa Emergency Management Office and National Weather Service of Mobile.
Based on today’s updates and progression of this storm now trending further east, school WILL BE in session Wednesday, September 25. We will provide another update (Wednesday) regarding decisions for school on Thursday, September 26. Please know, the safety of our students and staff continues to be our top priority…We hope you and your family stay safe during this time!
Escambia County (AL) Schools
Escambia County School in Alabama did not release a specific statement Tuesday, but did not announce any closures of cancellations.
Escambia Commission Delays Action On Pending OLF-8 Offers For Now
September 25, 2024
The Escambia County Commission on Tuesday discussed two pending offers for portion of the county-owned OLF-8 property on Nine Mile Road, but didn’t not make any final decisions for now.
Commissioners authorized county staff to continue to talk regarding two offers on the table. They also said that there may be a third offer forthcoming.
Several members of the public said they would like to see the commission postpone any decisions until after the November election.
The county has two unrelated letters of intent for different parcels from two unnamed companies. Both are on the agenda for the Escambia County Commission to discuss at their Tuesday morning meeting.
Unnamed Companies? Why the Mystery?
The companies making offers for the OLF-8 parcels remain “secret”. Most details about the new companies and their plans remain confidential during discussions, as is allowed under state law. It’s standard in economic development across Florida.
Project Dynamo
Another letter of intent with the codename “Project Dynamo” was submitted August 23 with an expiration just six days later on August 29. The offer was submitted by KBC Advisors, a nationwide real estate advisory firm.
The offer is for 24.79 acres for $2.479 million with $25,000 in refundable earnest money with a 210-day contingency period. During that period, the purchaser would determine at their “sole discretion whether the Property is suitable for Purchaser’s intended use”.
“At any time prior to the expiration of the Contingency Period, Purchaser may, in its sole discretion, terminate the Agreement for any reason and receive back the Earnest Money,” the offer states.
While the exact project remains secret, there are some clues that have become public.
According to minutes from a June 25 Pensacola-Escambia Promotion and Development Commission (PEDC) meeting, then-FloridaWest CEO Brian Hilson explained this project will be a distribution center occupying an industrial building of 100,000 square feet.
“Mr. Hilson shared insights about a prospective OLF8 candidate that requires 20 acres of land. The company’s timing requires construction and occupancy by the fall of 2025 with employment up to 125 workers. Revisions to the OLF8 master plan and installation of water, sewer and road infrastructure must be expanded,” the PEDC minutes sate.
Project Meridiem
The latest offer is under the codename “Project Meridiem”. The letter of intent is for about 12 aces located along Frank Reeder Road at $100,000 per net useable acre, or about $1.2 million.
The company is offering a $25,000 refundable deposit applicable to the purchase price with a 90-day due diligence period that could be extended if an environmental study is required for development. The sale would close within 30 days of the end of the due diligence period.
The company is asking the county to provide some infrastructure for the project: “Seller shall be responsible for providing any required access roads up to the boundaries of the Property as well as providing all utilities to the site including but not limited to water/sewer, power, and high-speed network infrastructure. The Seller shall also be responsible for installing appropriate drainage infrastructure surrounding the Property as well as providing regional detention that will satisfy all requirements for the subject Property.”
The letter was submitted on behalf of the unnamed company from JLL, is a worldwide commercial real estate and investment company. The offered terms expire September 27, 2024.
What’s next for the two offers?
Both letters of intent are on the agenda for discussion at the Escambia County Commission meeting on Tuesday, September 24 at 9 a.m. The commission could decide to take action to accept or reject either letter of intent, continue negotiations, table action or simply do nothing.
What about the rest of OLF-8?
There are two outstanding offers outstanding. One is from Tri W Development for $36 million for the entire property, and one is from Beulah Town Center for 290 acres at $25 million.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
ReImagine Cantonment Returns In October At New Location With Free Food, Clothing And More
September 25, 2024
The annual ReImagine Cantonment outreach will return next month at a new location.
The event will be held Saturday, October 19, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Florida Children’s Home at 1000 Chemstrand Road.
The faith-based event will include a 20,000 pound food giveaway, lunch, fishing lessons with free fishing rods, free tablets, baby diapers, HIV testing, clothing, free laundry detergent and more. Absolutely everything is free. There will also be free children’s activities, including train rides, inflatables, face painting, games, popcorn, and a coloring contest with three participants winning a new bicycle.
ReImagine Cantonment is a project of Doers of the Word Ministry and is sponsored by numerous churches and other organizations, including NorthEscambia.com. Previously, it was held at Carver Park in Cantonment.
Pictured: A previous ReImagine Cantonment event at Carver Park. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely Through Thursday
September 25, 2024
This story is outdated. See NorthEscambia.com for the latest information.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: A chance of showers, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Light northeast wind becoming east 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 69. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Thursday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Breezy, with a northeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. North wind around 15 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 84. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 84.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 84.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 83.
Free Sand For Storm Prep Still Available In Escambia County
September 25, 2024
Escambia County has still has free sand available for residents living in flood prone areas due to to Helene.
The sand is available on a first come, first served basis 24 hours a day at the following locations:
- Don Sutton Park – 2320 Crabtree Church Road, Molino
- Travis M. Nelson Park - 4541 County Road 4, Pensacola
- Equestrian Center – 7750 Mobile Highway, Pensacola
- John R. Jones Jr. Athletic Park – 555 E. Nine Mile Road, Pensacola
- Escambia County Road Department – 601 Highway 297-A
- Ferry Pass Middle School – 8355 Yancey Lane, Pensacola (NW cornerschool property on Parazine Street)
- Baars Field Athletic Park – 13001 Sorrento Road, Pensacola
- Brent Athletic Park – 4711 N. W St., Pensacola
Residents must bring their own sandbags and shovels. Sandbags are typically available for purchase at home improvement and hardware stores.
Pictured: Sand at Travis M. Nelson Park in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Sheriff’s Disaster Response Teams Readies To Help Other Floridians After Helene
September 25, 2024
Members of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office spent Tuesday readying their Disaster Response to help other Floridians recover from Hurricane Helene.
The team currently plans to leave on Friday to provide assistance in other parts of the state.
Photos for NorthEsambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lonnie Patrick “Pat” Reynolds
September 25, 2024
Mr. Lonnie Patrick “Pat” Reynolds passed away peacefully with family by his side on Friday, September 20, 2024, at Stones River Manor in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Pat was born August 19, 1948, in Greenville, Alabama, to the late Lonnie and Katie Rae (Phelps) Reynolds. He was a 1966 graduate of Greenville High School.
He married his beautiful bride Willene on December 14, 1968.
During his career, Pat worked in the retail industry, insurance sales, and in sales and service at Norman-Blackmon Motor Company in Greenville.
After retirement, he enjoyed time with his beautiful wife of 55 years Willene and other family and friends.
Pat was preceded in death by his parents, Lonnie and Katie Rae Reynolds, his sister Kathy (Reynolds) Starr, brother-in-law Jack Starr, and infant sister Nelda Kate Reynolds.
Pat is survived by his wife Willene; son William (Jane) Reynolds; daughter Christy (Michael) Wilson; grandchildren Ashley Maheu (Zack), Bethany Landis (Darren), Delaney Orem (Hunter), Matthew Shivers, Caleb Wilson (Elizabeth), Joshua Wilson, Matthew Wilson; and great-grandchildren Caden Maheu, Madilyn Maheu, and Emma Landis.
Funeral Services
Funeral services were held Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at Woodfin Funeral Chapel at 200 North Lowry Street in Smyrna, Tennessee. Graveside services followed at Mapleview Cemetery in Smyrna, Tennessee, at noon.
Elaine Tripp Lutheran
September 25, 2024
Elaine Tripp Lutheran passed away on September 17, 2024. She was born June 5, 1955, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry L. Tripp and Doris L. Tripp, son, Danny L. Mauk, a brother Philip T. Tripp, sisters Shirley F. Harrison and Donna J. Powell.
She leaves behind her husband, Ronald D. Lutheran of Milton, Florida, a daughter, Felicia E. Floyd and husband Chris with grandson Breydon of Pensacola, Christopher E. Lutheran of Milton. Additionally, her sisters Patricia Brasch of Pensacola, Carol Cox and husband of Gallatin, Missouri, Harry L. Tripp and wife Charlotte of Cantonment. Janet Holley of Mobile, Alabama, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Her dad was a veteran, and it allowed Elaine to travel throughout the US and Germany. She attended school at Brownville Middle and Escambia High.
She was outgoing and comical even though friends didn’t always get her jokes. Her stories and tales would get friends’ attention, always saying they were “true.” She did not like crossing high bridges and always hid on the floorboard of the car.
She loved yard sales and flea markets. She loved all the things about nature and the heavens, from gardening to flowers. Learning about her genealogy was her passion and dearly loved animals including her dogs, Spartacus and Wagner.
Late in life, she learned about our God, Jehovah, and associated with the Milton Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses wanting to be baptized. Now she awaits the hope of the Bible, Paradise, and the Resurrection.
Tate Football Game Postponed Until Friday Night
September 25, 2024
Due to weather uncertainty, Thursday night’s Navarre at Tate game has been postponed to Friday night.
The Aggies will host the Raiders at 7 p.m. in Pete Gindl Stadium.
The Aggies will head into the game with a perfect 5-0 record.
Northescambia.com photo.
Search For Missing Woman Shuts Down Bradberry Park In Walnut Hill
September 24, 2024
A search for a missing woman shut down Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill Monday afternoon.
Family members became concerned for the adult female’s wellbeing after her locked car was found along the wood line in the park. The car was parked in an overgrown grassy area off a dirt drive that goes from the main parking lot to the football field.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Atmore Police Department, searched for the woman for, unsuccessfully at first. She eventually called family members at the park using her cell phone, telling them only that she was okay. At first, she refused to divulge her location.
By about 5:30 p.m., the woman told family that she was at a white church on Highway 97, and a deputy was able to locate her outside the church. She was not injured.
Due to the search, Northwest Escambia Football and Cheer canceled all Monday practices at the park. NWE practices will resume on Tuesday.
NorthEscambia.com, photos, click to enlarge.
