Sunday Morning Fatal Stabbing Under Investigation
October 21, 2019
A fatal stabbing Sunday morning in Escambia County is under investigation.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said an altercation led to the stabbing about 7 a.m. in the area of 62nd Avenue and Fairfield Drive.
Demarko Franzaron Weather was transported to Baptist Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
There has been no word of any suspects or arrests. Additional details have not been released.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Trouble Spot Alerts
October 21, 2019
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of Muscogee Road (County Road/C.R. 184) to Atmore Highway (State Road /S.R. 97) – Northbound motorists may encounter day and nighttime lane closures on U.S. 29 as crews continue paving operations. Northbound and southbound traffic may encounter intermittent daytime lane restrictions as crews perform median work. Motorists are reminded to watch for crews and heavy equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A)– Drivers will experience the following impacts to traffic the week of Sunday, Oct. 20:
- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass: Alternating east and westbound lane shifts as crews construct the new southbound bridge, end bend, and center pier.
- U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and 9 ½ Mile Road may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
- · U.S. 98 (Pensacola Bay Bridge) Replacement- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, Oct. 20.
- · U.S. 98 Resurfacing from S.R. 298 (Lillian Highway) to west of S.R. 173 (Blue Angel Parkway)- There will be intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20 to 5:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 21 as crews complete striping operations.
- · State Road (S.R.) 10/U.S. 90A (Nine Mile Road) Widening from S.R. 297 (Pine Forest Road) to U.S. 29- The westbound, inside left-turn lane on Nine Mile Road at the intersection of Pine Forest Road will be closed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, Oct. 21 and Tuesday, Oct. 22 as crews install traffic delineators between the turn lane and the eastbound travel lane. Eastbound traffic will be shifted toward the shoulder area to expand the work zone for the safety of the workers.
- · S.R. 295 (W. Fairfield Drive) Pavement Coring Operations from the Bayou Grande Bridge to S.R. 292 (N. Pace Boulevard) – There will be intermittent and alternating lane restrictions from the Bayou Grande Bridge to N. Pace Boulevard from 9 a.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 21 and Tuesday, Oct. 22 as crews take core samples from the roadway.
- · 9th Avenue Utility Operations at the intersection of Cervantes Street- There will be intermittent lane restrictions on 9th Avenue at the intersection of Cervantes Street from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23 and Thursday, Oct. 24 as utility crews replace a power pole.
- · U.S. 29 Pavement Coring Operations from S.R. 296 (Brent Lane) to south of I-10- There will be intermittent and alternating lane restrictions from Brent Lane to south of I-10 from 9 a.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 21 through Wednesday, Oct. 23 as crews take core samples from the roadway.
- · S.R. 750 (Airport Boulevard) Pavement Coring Operations from west of County Road (C.R.) 95A to S.R. 291 (Davis Highway)- There will be intermittent and alternating lane restrictions from west of C.R. 95A to Davis Highway from 9 a.m. to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23 and Thursday, Oct. 24 as crews take core samples from the roadway.
- · C.R. 168 Bridge Replacement over Unnamed Branch in Northwest Century- All piles have been driven and pile caps poured for the new bridge. Crews are currently working on placing rebar reinforcement for the bridge deck in preparation of pouring concrete for the deck slab. Traffic will remain shifted on the temporary diversion until construction of the new bridge has been completed.
- · Hanks Road Bridge Replacement over Breastworks Creek- Construction activities continue. The roadway is temporarily closed during construction. Drivers on Hanks Road, west of the bridge, will be detoured to C.R. 99 and C.R. 4. Drivers east of the bridge will utilize Pine Barren Road. The project is anticipated to be complete late 2019.
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- Intermittent east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola, between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement Bridge- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, Oct. 20.
- Intermittent east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola, between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- S.R. 87 Pavement Markings Replacement- Traffic will encounter alternating and intermittent minor delays between Nicholas Lake Road and Vonnie Tolbert Road from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday until Tuesday, Dec. 31 as crews remove and replace pavement markings in the roadway. Law enforcement will be on site to direct traffic
Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
October 21, 2019
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings this week:
Tuesday, October 22
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place (Agenda)
Escambia County Health Facilities Authority – 4 p.m., 1019 N. 12th Ave.
Wednesday, October 23
October Coffee with the Commissioner – Jeff Bergosh, District 1 - 6:30 a.m., McDonald’s, 5 S. Blue Angel Parkway
Visit Pensacola Board of Directors – 10:30 a.m., 600 S. Palafox St.
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Human Relations Commission – 4 p.m., Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto St. (Agenda)
Santa Rosa Island Authority Committee – 5 p.m., 1 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach (Agenda)
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Need A Pumpkin? Check Out This Cantonment Pumpkin Patch
October 20, 2019
Looking for a pumpkin?
Plenty of pumpkins are available again this year at the annual Allen Memorial United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch. Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes are available under the big tent on Highway 29 near Neal Road.
The Allen Memorial United Methodist Men have sponsored the Pumpkin Patch since 1995.
Pictured: Shoppers choose the perfect pumpkins Saturday at the Allen Memorial Pumpkin Patch on Highway 29 in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Grad North Completes Basic Military Training
October 20, 2019
U.S. Air Force Reserve Airman 1st Class Celeste B. North graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
North is the daughter of Catadro and Kimberly North of Atmore.
She is a 2018 graduate of Northview High School.
Tate Drops Fierce Battle With Washington (With Photo Gallery)
October 20, 2019
The Tate Aggies lost a fierce battle with the Washington Wildcats 51-31 Saturday afternoon in a game postponed a day by Tropical Storm Nestor.
The Wildcats took an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter before the Aggies tied it at seven all on a Keaton Solmonson touchdown and a good kick from Matt Johnson.
With a field goal through the uprights from Johnson, the Aggies then took a 10-7 lead over Washington.
The Aggies had touchdowns from Keontral Culpepper, Kesean Williams and second from Solmonson to round out the afternoon.
The Tate Aggies are now 1-7 on the season, while the Washington Wildcats improved to 8-0.
Next Friday night, the Aggies will host Tallahassee Chiles (4-3) for Senior Night in Pete Gindl Stadium. The were also be a representation of the homecoming court.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Man Charged With Choking His Son
October 20, 2019
A Molino man is facing a felony charge for allegedly choking his adult son.
Robert Alan Salter, Sr, age 56, was charged with felony battery by strangulation after he choked his son to the point which he “temporarily lost the ability to breathe,” according to an arrest report.
Deputies responded to his home after receiving a report that he was armed with a knife during a disturbance, but Salter had left the scene prior to the arrival of law enforcement.
Salter was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $100 bond.
No. 24 West Florida Rains On West Georgia, 30-2
October 20, 2019
The UWF defense recorded a school-record six turnovers and held West Georgia to 147 yards of total offense in a 30-2 win amid the deluge of Tropical Storm Nestor at University Stadium Saturday.
The win propelled 24th-ranked UWF (5-1, 4-0 Gulf South Conference) to its fifth-consecutive victory and best start in conference play since starting football four years ago.
UWF turned defense into offense all game long, scoring all four touchdowns as a result of UWG turnovers.
Jervon Newton recorded his second 100-yard game of the year with 100 yards on 21 carries to lead the Argos. UWF finished with 184 yards on the ground.
But the game started about as poorly for the Argonauts as the last regular-season visit to UWG – a 16-0 first quarter deficit in 2017. On Saturday, Austin Reed threw an interception on the second play of the game and the next time UWF got the ball, a fourth down snap got past punter Dawson Hamlin and into the end zone for a safety, spotting the Wolves a 2-0 lead.
Both teams struggled to move the ball in the first quarter as they figured out how to play in the heavy downpour on the natural grass surface.
But it was the Argos who figured it out. Following a missed field goal, UWF forced a UWG miscue when Kedrick Bradley stripped Chauncey Williams. Three plays later Jaden Gardner scored on a 17-yard run to put UWF ahead 7-2.
On the ensuing possession, UWF recovered a Willie Candler fumble at the UWG 16-yard line. Three players later, Reed completed a 23-yard pass to Kevin Grant with just over a minute left in the half to give UWF a 14-2 lead.
The Wolves got the ball to start the second half and fumbled on the third play when Candler was sacked by Gael Laurent. Three plays later Reed barreled in from 15 yards for another touchdown.
The Argos recorded their record-setting sixth turnover on the next possession when Bradley intercepted Candler and returned in 21 yards to the UWG 34. Reed pushed his way into the end zone again on a 13-yard rush for a 28-2 edge.
UWF forced four turnovers in the span of 16 Wolf plays from the end of the first half through early in the second half.
After trading punts, Hamlin pinned the Wolves on their own four with a 54-yard kick. Ian Bush then recorded a safety for the Argos when he tackled Jaevan Ward in the end zone for a 6-yard loss on a pass play.
Gael Laurent had a monster game to lead the Argos with seven tackles, three-and-a-half for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles.
UWG (4-3, 2-2) had just 78 rushing yards after entering the game with 189 yards per game.
The Argos compiled 227 yards of total offense with 184 of those on the ground. The wet conditions aided in the 43 passing yards on 2-of-15.
UWF improved to 3-2 all-time in the series with the road team winning every game.
UWF will return to action next Saturday in the Third Annual Coastal Classic, traveling to Melbourne, Fla. to face Florida Tech (3-4, 1-3). The game featuring the only two Division 2 football-playing schools in the state of Florida will kickoff at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time at Palm Bay High School’s Florida Tech Panther Stadium.
Photo: Morgan Givens
Tayler Mills Named Tate High Homecoming Queen; Alex Moorhead Named King
October 20, 2019
Tayler Mills was named the 2019 Tate High School homecoming queen Saturday night, and Alex Moorehead was named homecoming king.
First runner-up was Avery Young, and second runner-up was Baylor Phillips.
After the school district canceled all activities Friday due to Tropical Storm Nestor, the presentation of the homecoming court was rescheduled for Saturday night during the homecoming dance. School officials said they will recognize the homecoming court during next Friday night’s Senior Night so they will have the opportunity to walk the field with their parents. Exact details were still being finalized Saturday night.
Photos by Jennifer Repine for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Unemployment Rate Drops Half A Percentage Point In Escambia And Santa Rosa
October 19, 2019
The latest job numbers just released by the state show a half percentage point drop in the unemployment rate in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Escambia County’s unemployment rate dropped from 3.5% in August to 3.0% in July. There were 4,379 people were reported unemployed during the period. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was also 3.3 percent.
Santa Rosa County’s unemployment rate decreased from 3.2% in August to 2.7% in September. Santa Rosa County had a total of 2,222 persons still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 3.0 percent.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.2 percent in September 2019, down 0.1 percentage point from the August 2019 rate, and down 0.1 percentage point from a year ago. The U.S. unemployment rate was 3.5 percent in September.
The jobless numbers released by the state do not include persons that have given up on finding a job and are no longer reported as unemployed.