New 134 Lot Subdivision Planned For Highway 29 Near Pinoak Lane
September 25, 2023
A new 134 lot subdivision is proposed for Highway 29 near Cantonment.
“Turtle Creek” would be located on 31.45 acres east and northeast of Highway 29 near Pinoak Lane, across from the produce stand.
The development is being proposed by Garden Street Communities Southeast of Pensacola for single family homes, according to Escambia County Development Review Committee (DRC) documents.
The proposal is in the initial staff internal review phase of the DRC process and has not yet been set for a public meeting.
NorthEscambia.com graphics.
One Injured In ATV Rollover Crash
September 25, 2023
One person was injured in an ATV rollover Sunday morning near Walnut Hill.
The crash happened on Deer Lake Road about 8:15 a.m. An adult male was transported to an area hospital.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
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Early Deficit Too Large As Wahoos Drop Game One Of SLCS
September 25, 2023
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos dug themselves an early hole in Game One of the best-of-three Southern League Championship Series on Sunday evening, falling 8-4 to the Tennessee Smokies.
The Blue Wahoos will return to Pensacola, needing a win in Game Two on Tuesday night to keep their season alive and force a Game Three on Wednesday.
Evan Fitterer (L, 0-1) didn’t have his best command in his start for Pensacola, allowing six runs over 2.1 innings in the loss. He allowed the leadoff man to reach and score in all three innings in which he pitched.
In the first, he hit leadoff batter Matt Shaw on an 0-2 pitch before allowing an RBI double to BJ Murray and an RBI single to Owen Caissie. In the second, a leadoff walk to Pablo Aliendo came in on an RBI double from Ezequiel Pagan.
The Blue Wahoos got on the board with two singles and a Nasim Nuñez sacrifice fly against Brandon Birdsell (W, 1-0) in the top of the third, but the Smokies answered back with five runs in the bottom of the inning to put the game out of reach. Another leadoff walk was followed by an RBI double from Haydn McGeary before Fitterer departed.
Breidy Encarnación, who had worked 6.1 scoreless innings in his first taste of Double-A in the final weeks of the regular season, struggled to find the strike zone. After a bases-loaded hit batsman forced in a run, he allowed a Pagan sacrifice fly and RBI singles to Kevin Alcantara and Andy Weber to give the Smokies an 8-1 lead.
The rest of the Pensacola bullpen kept the Smokies off the scoreboard from the fourth inning on, but the Blue Wahoos were unable to get much going at the plate. Paul McIntosh lined a sacrifice fly in the eighth and Cody Morissette hit a two-run homer in the ninth, but it wasn’t nearly enough to erase the deficit.
After an overnight bus ride back to Pensacola, the Blue Wahoos will have Monday off and prepare for a must-win Game Two at Blue Wahoos Stadium on Tuesday night.
written by Erik Bremer/Blue Wahoos; photo Nick Grant/Smokies
Eighth-Ranked Argos Break Rivalry Trend, Blow Out West Georgia In GSC Opener
September 25, 2023
The oddest element of UWF’s eventful history with a football team has now become a footnote.
The Argos emphatically on Saturday made sure of it.
In their most dominant performance of September, the eighth-ranked Argos blew past West Georgia in a 49-21 victory at Pen Air Field, delighting a near capacity crowd of 5,048 and ending the trend of the home team never winning in the seven previous matchups.
The Argos (3-1) led 35-7 at halftime of their Gulf South Conference opener, then increased it to 49-7 after three quarters, which enabled starters to rest in the fourth quarter and mass participation much of the second half.
“Very excited with how our guys responded to the challenge,” said UWF first-year coach Kaleb Nobles, whose team next plays on the road against North Greenville on Sept. 30 in a 6 p.m. (CDT) game.
Obviously coming off a loss (last week at Division I member Florida A&M), it was something we really challenged the guys to improve and get better,” Nobles said. ”The (home team never winning in series) is something our guys told me about, and I never really thought about it much.
“We are trying to just win every game and be at our best, but it’s good to break a streak and get that monkey off our backs. But we have to play at a high level no matter who we play. (Game atmosphere) was electric. It was awesome and our guys feed off it.”
The game brought an emotional backdrop for Nobles, going against West Georgia coach David Dean, his former head coach at Valdosta State, who has built at 44-18 record at UWG.
Nobles played 23 games with Dean as Valdosta’s coach, before the quarterback transferred as a grad student to play his final year of collegiate eligibility in UWF’s 2016 inaugural series.
The two embraced at midfield following the game.
“We were really able to talk more before the game,” Nobles said. “We are good friends. I have great respect for him. He has done a lot for the GSC and won a lot of games and coached at high level.”
This game may have unfortunately been the last meeting between the teams.
West Georgia (2-2, 1-1 in GSC) announced earlier this year of its intention to become a Division I member, beginning in 2024, leaving the Gulf South Conference to play football in the United Athletic Conference and other sports in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
Some of the most memorable games in UWF’s football tenure have been against the Wolves.
This latest one was noteworthy for being UWF’s most points against West Georgia. The Argos racked up 416 yards total offense in three quarters, finishing with 479 yards.
Quarterback Peewee Jarrett led the offensive explosion by completing 20 of 27 passes for 298 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions before exiting prior to the fourth quarter.
Senior receiver John Jiles caught 11 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively, the Argos forced quick possessions in the first half and third quarter. Sophomore linebacker Walker Robinson, a Fort Walton Beach High graduate, led the defense with six tackles, helped contribute to one of UWF’s two quarterback sacks and broke up a pass.
Fellow linebacker Ralph Ortiz, a Leesburg native, had a pick-six interception return for score in the second quarter.
“We had a bad ending to the FAMU game and we had to prove ourselves this game,” Ortiz said. “We had to come out firing and keep the foot on the gas and that’s what we were able to do. The defensive was firing on our cylinders.”
The game’s defining sequence occurred in the first quarter. West Georgia swarmed UWF’s Jalen Bussy as he strived for more yards, then had a defender punch the ball loose. The Wolves Jeremy Smith returned the fumble 28 yards for a score that tied the game 7-7 with 2:15 left in the first quarter.
In two plays, UWF answered by regaining the lead. From his own 35-yard-line, Jarrett threw a perfect deep pass to Jiles, who caught the aerial in stride and was pushed out at the Wolves 1-yard line on the 64-yard completion. On the next play, C.J. Wilson rushed into the end zone.
It only took 37 seconds for UWF’s go-ahead score and the Argos never looked back.
“The whole plan was that we knew if there was a certain guy (defensive back) out there on the perimeter (for West Georgia), we were going to take advantage of him and we really did,” Jarrett said. “We executed the play well. I wish (Jiles) could have gotten into the end zone, but it was a great drive.
“I think the past couple games, when we had something (negative) happen in a game, we kinda sat on it for two or three drives and didn’t overcome it right away. But in that moment (Saturday) we were able to overcome really quick.”
In the second quarter, the Argos engineered an 81-yard scoring drive that Jarrett finished with a 9-yard TD pass to Caden Leggett. On the ensuing possession, Ortiz was sitting back in coverage when UWG quarterback Ben Whitlock was pressured and threw an errant pass right into Oritz’ arms that he turned into the interception for score.
The Argos defense then forced a stop with 1:24 left in the half and Jarrett quickly brought the Argos into position for a 25-yard touchdown pass to Jiles with 25 seconds left in the half.
“Our defense has played phenomenal,” Nobles said. “They have been phenomenal for four games. I have high expectations for them. They can create a lot of pressure and chaos for other teams.
“Anytime we score on defense it raises your chances of winning enormously.”
Nobles also showed his emotions on UWF’s first touchdown drive. After a reverse run, Nobles felt a West Georgia defensive player went low to try and take out Jarrett’s legs.
Nobles was furious, racing on the field and getting a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty. The Argos offense responded with a big-play pass from Jarrett back to the 1-yard line for C.J. Wilson’s first of two scores.
“Obviously I have been talking about penalties and I didn’t want to contribute to that, but we had a reverse called and defensively, you are not allowed to cut anybody on offense,” said Nobles, who had to be restrained by coaches instantly. ”I felt they went low on our quarterback and I wanted to let our guys know I got their back.
“The referees really didn’t have a good explanation for it and I wanted our guys know I’m trying to protect them. I’ve gone through battles with them, and I want to make sure everyone on our team knows that.
“I don’t want to get an unsportsmanlike conduct, but I want to make sure referees know we have to make the right call and protect guys.”
His players responded. They blew open the game before halftime and cruised to the ending.
by Bill Violona / photo Scott A. Miller
Florida Gas Prices Moving Lower; Pensacola Metro Cheapest In State
September 25, 2023
Florida gas prices are moving lower, down eight cents per gallon, last week.
Sunday’s state average was $3.61 per gallon. That’s 14 cents less than a month ago, 24 cents less than this year’s high of $3.85 – recorded on August 17th.
The Pensacola metro has the cheapest average in the state at $3.42. North Escambia prices were as low as $3.35 on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while a Pensacola low price of $3.15 was available Sunday night on East Nine Mile Road.
“The end of the summer driving season has resulted in lower gasoline demand, so far in September,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “This has enabled gas prices to move lower, even as the price of oil hovers at 2023 highs.”
The U.S. price of crude set a new 2023 high of $91.48 per barrel on Monday, then settled at $90.03 by the end of the week. Meanwhile, gasoline futures dropped nearly 20 cents per gallon, which should allow retail prices to move lower this week.
Firefighters Battle Woods Fire In Cottage Hill
September 24, 2023
Firefighters were battling a woods fire behind several homes in Cottage Hill Sunday afternoon.
Multiple stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue and the Florida Forest Service responded about 3:15 p.m. to the 1800 block of Williams Ditch Road, east of Parker Road.
There was no structural damage immediately reported, and no injuries.
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NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
K-9 Buster Is Working To Detect Weapons In Escambia Schools (With Gallery)
September 24, 2023
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Buster is now working at local schools to detect weapons.
Buster specializes in the detection of firearms and ammunition. Firearms are not permitted o Escambia County Public Schools campuses at any time.
Buster and his handler, deputy Katie Touchstone, are being used in the schools and at sporting events.
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“We are pleased and extremely fortunate to have such a positive relationship with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office,” said ECPS Superintendent Keith Leonard. “Any time we are able to bring trained law enforcement assets to bear in making our campuses more secure, we are grateful.”
“ECSO is committed to doing whatever it takes to make sure our students and community members are safe at school and sporting events,” said Sheriff Chip Simmons. “We want those in our community who would plan to cause problems at these events to know, with no uncertainty, that we will do everything we can to foil those plans and put you in jail.”
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Molino Park Students Collect Items For Ronald McDonald House
September 24, 2023
Molino Park Elementary students recently donated needed items for the Ronald McDonald House. The third grade won first place for the most items donated. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Accused In Theft Of $10K Worth Of Lawn Equipment
September 24, 2023
An Escambia County man has been charged with stealing over $10,000 worth of Stihl lawn equipment.
Rashaad Ramon Stafford, 28, was charged with three counts of burglaries and several counts of grand theft. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected.
The ECSO was investigating a recent string of burglaries where suspects were targeting businesses and vehicles. Last week, investigators were conducting surveillance and identified Stafford as a suspect. Stolen property was being stored at two residences and was recovered.
Stafford remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Photos courtesy ECSO for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Undocumented Flomaton Man Charged With Possessing Fake IDs At The Pensacola Airport
September 24, 2023
A man who claimed to be a Flomaton resident was arrested at the Pensacola airport with fake identification recently.
Joseph Manuel Alvarado, 30, was charged with two felony counts of possessing similitude id cards.
A Transportation Security Administration agent located a fake “U.S.A. resident card” and social security card in Alvarado’s luggage, according to a Pensacola Police Department report. The report stated the cards were obvious poor quality fakes.
Speaking through a TSA translator, Alvarado admitted he was undocumented and was seeking asylum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the report continues.
According to jail records, Alvarado provided an address in Flomaton when he was booked. He was being held on a $6,000 bond with an additional hold from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.