‘A Great Day For North Escambia’ — Fiber Internet Buildout Begins
June 2, 2023
Fields of corn line Bratt Road, not far from the power substation where nearby two new grain bins glisten brightly in the sun.
It’s the community of Bratt, home to Bratt Elementary and Northview High schools.
There’s a caution light at the four-way stop by the corner store. There’s often a good game of hoops going on, or people just walking, at the park — the Travis M. Nelson Park –built where Travis Nelson played as a child. The U.S. Marine was killed in Afghanistan a few years back.
It’s the slow life in rural North Escambia. And the internet, well, that’s even slower.
But in the next months, Bratt will be home to something else. New internet service, pretty much the fastest residential service available anywhere in Escambia County.
Escambia River Electric Cooperative (EREC), owned by the residents of Bratt, Walnut Hill, Jay — and the other communities in North Escambia and northern Santa Rosa County — has partnered with Conexon Connect to bring high speed fiber internet with speeds reaching 2 Gig up and down. Some of the fastest residential service in the county.
Over the past week or so, crews have started work, pulling fiber cable and attaching it to the power poles in Bratt. It will connect, and branch out to homes and businesses, from the power substations in Bratt and Walnut Hill. The first customers are expected to be connected by fall.
The price will range from about $50 to $100 a month for the fastest speed. A real game changer.
“We are very excited about this project,” Ryan Campbell, CEO of EREC, said Thursday. “It represents a tremendous commitment from EREC that will benefit members for generations to come.”
The member owned electric cooperative will spend north of $35 million on over 1,000 miles of fiber to every home and business in their service territory. Even where the houses are spaced out by miles down dirt roads.
Last week, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced $2.6 million from the Broadband Opportunity Program for the fiber buildout. Escambia County has contributed $6.3 million from American Rescue Plan funds for the estimated $24 million for the 600 miles of fiber in Escambia County. (Escambia will, at a future date, contribute additional American Rescue Plan funds for a fiber project in the remainder of the county.) EREC will provide broadband internet service and additional “dark” fiber (without internet service) for all county owned facilities within the EREC footprint for two years at no additional cost to the county.
“I’m ecstatic to see the work begin, and could not be more thankful to my board for supporting the initiative, and for our tremendous partners EREC and Conexon for really hitting the ground running,” Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said. “It’s a great day for North Escambia County.”
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NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Reel In Florida Fun On License-Free Fishing Weekends In June
June 2, 2023
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) invites Florida residents and visitors to go fishing during two license-free weekends: June 3-4 for saltwater and June 10-11 for freshwater.
License-free fishing weekends offer a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and experience the many fishing opportunities the Fishing Capital of the World has to offer. The FWC encourages everyone to take advantage of these weekends to spend time enjoying the beautiful Florida waters.
“Fishing is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and experience Florida’s abundant fishing opportunities,” said Roger Young, FWC’s executive director. “License-free fishing weekends allow Floridians and visitors to get outdoors, connect with nature and create lasting memories with family and friends.”
During the license-free weekends, all bag limits, size limits and fishing regulations still apply. Anglers must also follow all other fishing rules, such as gear restrictions, seasons and closures. To help ensure a fun and safe fishing experience, the FWC encourages all anglers to review the regulations before heading out on the water.
Escambia Man Gets 10 Life Sentences For Sexually Abusing Child
June 2, 2023
An Escambia County man received 10 consecutive life sentences for sexually abusing a child over a period of several years.
Larry Steve Snipes was arrested in August 2020 for sexually abusing a child between July 2017 and April 2020. Prosecutors said he would drug the child before the assaults.
Snipes was sentenced on four counts of sexual battery of victim under 12, four counts of sexual battery of a victim under 18, one count of cruelty toward a child, one count of obscene material distribution to a minor and four counts of lewd or lascivious battery.
Be ‘One Week Ready’ During Hurricane Season
June 2, 2023
Are you ready to be self-sufficient for a week following a hurricane?
Escambia County is urging residents to remain prepared before, during and after a storm during hurricane season by stocking up on seven days worth of supplies, otherwise known as being, “One Week Ready”.
Hurricane season began Thursday and continues until November 30.
Residents are encouraged to follow these steps in preparation for this hurricane season:
- Know Your Zone. Familiarize yourself with evacuation zones and routes. In 2018, Emergency Management released a “Know Your Zone“ website for residents to look up their evacuation zone. You can look up your address to see if your home is in evacuation zone A, B, C, D, E or none as well as view the impacts of storm surge in your neighborhood. Knowing your evacuation zone is one of the most important hurricane preparation steps you can take. It is very important that you look up your evacuation zone each year to find out if and when you should evacuate, even if you have looked it up in the past, as zones can change. Most importantly, don’t rely on previous storm experience.
- Know Your Home. Is your home prepared for a hurricane? Your safest place may be at home instead of a shelter. Pack an emergency supply kit. It should contain one week of clothes, nonperishable food, pet food, water and a battery operated radio and flashlight with extra batteries. Also include a first-aid kit with items such as gloves, adhesive bandages and prescription medications. Find a printable disaster shopping list here. Please remember “Get One Week Ready.” Citizens should be equipped to provide for themselves, their families and their pets for at least one week following a major hurricane. During the 2023 Florida Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday, stock up on qualifying disaster preparedness supplies exempt from tax.
- Know Your Plan. Plan how you will assemble your family and loved ones, and anticipate where you will go for different situations. Get together with your family and agree on the best ways to contact one another in an emergency. Inform out-of-town family and friends of your emergency plans and stay in contact. Plan your evacuation route and destination before an evacuation order is issued. Anticipate where you and your family will go for different situations. Be sure to make preparations for pets and family members who made need special accommodations, such as a wheelchair ramp, oxygen tank or specific medications.
- Stay Informed. Know where to go for trusted sources of information during a hurricane event. Sign up for alerts from your local emergency management office so notifications, including evacuation orders, go directly to your phone and email. Monitor local news for hurricane watches and warnings in your area and follow directions of local officials. Make sure you have a battery-operated or hand-crank radio available should the power go out. Review and sign up for the different types of information/notifications available directly from Escambia County. Also, ensure your iPhone or Android device has critical alert notifications enabled. Find out how to enable critical alerts on your phone here.
Blue Wahoos Rally Late For Win Over Shuckers
June 2, 2023
For the second night in a row, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos overcame a late deficit to beat the Biloxi Shuckers on Thursday. Trailing three different times, the Blue Wahoos scored eight runs in the final four innings on their way to a thrilling 8-6 win.
After tying the game twice on home runs from Dane Myers and Norel González in the sixth and seventh innings, the Blue Wahoos took the lead for good with a three-run eighth. Will Banfield delivered the eventual game-winning hit, a go-ahead two-run single with two outs in the inning.
Pensacola starter Evan Fitterer labored through 4.0 innings, allowing nine hits and a walk, but only allowed three runs. Tristen Lutz and Ethan Murray went deep in the second inning to give the Shuckers an early 3-0 lead.
The Blue Wahoos managed just a single over their first five innings against Biloxi starter Christian Mejias, but broke through in the sixth when Myers launched a game-tying three-run homer off the batter’s eye in center field.
Biloxi quickly responded to claim the lead back in the bottom of the sixth, as Carlos Rodriguez scored on an Isaac Collins double play grounder. Norel González tied the game back up in the seventh at 4-4 with a solo homer, his second in as many nights, but once again Biloxi pushed a run across in the bottom of the seventh on a Lutz RBI single against Cristian Charle (W, 2-1) to claim a 5-4 edge.
The Blue Wahoos got a pair of baserunners in the eighth as Zach Vennaro (L, 1-2) issued walks to Nasim Nuñez and Victor Mesa Jr. José Devers tied the game with a two-out RBI double, and Banfield delivered the big blow with his two-run single.
Troy Johnston added some insurance with an RBI single in the ninth, and Zack Leban (S, 1) struck out the side in order in the ninth to lock down the save.
The Blue Wahoos increased their lead in the South Division to 6.0 games ahead of second-place Biloxi and Montgomery with 21 games to play in the first half.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Shuckers on Friday.
written by Erik Bremer
Lane Closures To Last Another Month On $4.7 Million Highway 29 Project In Century
June 1, 2023
Work on a $4.7 million Highway 29 construction in Century remains delayed weeks discovery of an unmapped water pipe that must be relocated.
Early this year, two northbound travel lanes and the center turn lane were closed between Hatties Boulevard and East Cottage Street with traffic shifted into just two lanes. The Florida Department of Transportation said a normal four-lane traffic pattern would return by the end of April, but that was put on hold until about the end of May. And now, FDOT says the target date has been pushed out to the end of June to reopen all four lanes.
The total project has an anticipated completion target date in January 2024. FDOT will also upgrade traffic signals, drainage structures, pavement markings, and driveways, while also improving curb ramps and sidewalks to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.
What the Florida Department of Transportation termed an “unknown Town of Century water main” was discovered under the roadway during excavation. Century’s engineer said the problem pipe is a 2-inch water main, and there were no service disruptions anticipated during the work.
Pictured: Highway 29 traffic in Century remains at two lanes in a construction zone. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Had Psychedelic Mushrooms During Traffic Stop, ECSO Says
June 1, 2023
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said a Cantonment man has psychedelic mushrooms in his possession during a traffic stop.
Sheldon Lee Blackburn, 43, was charged with possession of a Schedule I narcotic (psilocybin), possession of drug paraphernalia and knowingly driving with a suspended license.
A deputy stopped Blackburn for an expired tag at a convenience store on Highway 29 at West Roberts Road. K-9 Ray was deployed and positively alerted on the vehicle.
A backpack containing 9.9 grams of mushrooms that field tested positive for psilocybin was found in the vehicle, according to an arrest report. Deputies said a digital scale with presumptively positive cocaine residue was also in the vehicle; the powder was submitted for further testing.
Blackburn told deputies he does not use psychedelic mushrooms “and that he doesn’t even eat mushrooms on his pizza”, the ECSO report states. He said the backpack and mushrooms were not his and that the backpack had been used by his roommate.
Blackburn remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday morning with bond set at $4,500.
From Arlene To Whitney, These Are The 2023 Hurricane Names
June 1, 2023
Hurricane season began Thursday, and the National Weather Service is predicting a near-normal hurricane season in the Atlantic basin.
The 2023 tropical cyclone names are:
- Arlene
- Bret
- Cindy
- Don
- Emily
- Franklin
- Gert
- Harold
- Idalia
- Jose
- Katia
- Lee
- Margot
- Nigel
- Ophelia
- Philippe
- Rina
- Sean
- Tammy
- Vince
- Whitney
Rosters Announced For All-Star Softball, Baseball Games. See Who Made The Teams.
June 1, 2023
The Pensacola Sports High School All-Star Series baseball and softball team rosters have been announced.
West teams are comprised of just-graduated seniors from Escambia County. West teams are players from Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.
Softball begins at 6 p.m. and baseball at 6:30 p.m. on June 8 at Pensacola State College. For each game, tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students from GoFan.
West Baseball
Head Coach: Justin O’Quinn, Washington High
Zachary Beaver — Pine Forest — SS/P
Allen Beasley — Pine Forest — 1B
Tate Sanders — Escambia — 1B/3B
Tait Anderson — Escambia — C/OF
Jacob Smith — Escambia — RHP
Chandler Gither — Escambia — RHP/C
Blake Clonts — Escambia — 2B/3B/OF
Drew Reaves — Tate — SS/RHP
Frankie Randall — Tate — 2B
Rilee Lowery — Tate — RHP
Ethan McAnally — Tate — 1B/RHP
Jay Davis — Tate — OF/RHP
Tyler Pinney — West Florida — 1B/P
Gavin King — West Florida — 3B/2B
Jay Henderson — West Florida — CF
Anthony Longo — Washington — C
Avanti Anderson, Jr. — Washington — 3B/2B
Mike Smith Jr. — Catholic — CF/OF
Will Barter — Catholic — C
Zack DeJesus — Catholic — LF/OF
Will Krehely — Catholic — P/OF
Jonah Cook — Catholic — P/1B
Rustin Pope — Northview — C
Kaden Odom — Northview — SS
Jamarkus Jefferson — Northview — 3B/1B
East Baseball
Head Coach: George Sands, Rocky Bayou High
Brock Marello — Niceville — SS/OF
Kai Bailey — Niceville — 1B
Jackson McKenzie — Pace — 1B
Alex McCranie — Pace — SS/2B/P
Ty Humphreys — Pace — RF/1B
Matthew Musgrove — Pace — C
Josh Senterfitt — Laurel Hill — 1B
Javin Shoemaker — Crestview — C/SS
Bryson Martin — Crestview — OF/RHP
Robby Kopp — Crestview — OF
Aiden Justice — Crestview — CF
Eli Lowry — Jay — P/OF
Kade Gilbreath — Jay — 2B/SS
Brayden Dykes — Milton — RHP
Deyton Powell — Milton — OF
Hudson Bartolomei — Rocky Bayou — OF/P
Ben Cline — Rocky Bayou — CF/OF
Donovan Monsees — Choctaw — RHP/1B
Ashton Wasielewski — Choctaw — C/RHP
Alex Kruse — Fort Walton Beach — P/CF/1B
Josh Noll — Fort Walton Beach — P
Troy Coughlin — Gulf Breeze — 1B/2B
Seth Frantz — Gulf Breeze — RF/CF
Jacob Pinardo — Gulf Breeze — C/2B
Quinton Renfroe — Gulf Breeze — 1B/P
West Softball
Head Coach: Holly Brown, Catholic High
Alissa White — Pine Forest — OF/INF
Patrice Rudolph — Pine Forest — SS/3B
Rheanna Bourgeois — Escambia — SS
Abbie McNair — Escambia — 2B/OF
Trinity Brown — Escambia — OF
Belle Clark — Escambia — OF/1B
Leah Smith — Escambia — OF
Aubrey Stuckey — Northview — P/1B
Emma Gilmore — Northview — P
Mariah Golson — West Florida — OF
Karah Barajas — West Florida — Utility
Amissa McDaniel — West Florida — 3B
Charli Vinson — Tate — 1B/3B
Mackenzie Cook — Tate — 3B/2B
Caitlyn Cameron — Washington — P/1B
Kelly Cameron — Washington — 1B/P
Rachael Ludwig — Catholic — P/1B
Victoria Bruder — Catholic — 3B/1B
Kimsey Lawrence — Pensacola — 2B/SS
East Softball
Head Coach: Chelsea McGehee, Gulf Breeze High
Morgan Kronlage — Gulf Breeze — 1B/OF
Kaylee King — Gulf Breeze — SS/3B
Erika Earl — Gulf Breeze — CF/OF
Kamille Lucas — Milton — OF/P
Audrey Luedtke — Milton — C/1B
Ashley Leach — Laurel Hill — SS
Riley Forbes — Pace — OF/CF/LF
Bethany Dean — Pace — 2B/OF
Mary Owens — Niceville — 3B/C
Grace Langston — Niceville — CF/SS
Halaigh Sallee — Niceville — 3B/P
Alaynah Smith — Baker — P/RF
Jolee Sloan — Baker — SS
Caitlyn Gavin — Jay — 2B/SS
Kassidy Nevels — Jay — RF/OF
Jenna Toups — Jay — P/1B
Cailyn Cooke — Navarre — C/OF
Harmony Stafford — Navarre — SS/OF
Jessi Farrer — Navarre — OF/P
Alyanni Enriquez — FWB — SS/2B/OF
Tess Tolliver — FWB — 1B/3B
Alex Carrol — Crestview — C
Riley Bowles — Crestview — CF
Late Homers Lift Blue Wahoos To 4-3 Win Over Shuckers
June 1, 2023
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos got back in the win column on Wednesday night, beating the Biloxi Shuckers 4-3 thanks to some late heroics.
Trailing 4-3 in the eighth, Will Banfield led off the inning with a game-tying homer against Robbie Baker (L, 2-1) and Norel González followed with a go-ahead blast to put Pensacola ahead for good.
The home runs made a winner out of Luis Palacios (W, 3-1), who set new personal Double-A highs with 7.0 innings and eight strikeouts. The lefty allowed three runs, two earned, to tie Pensacola’s longest start of the season.
Biloxi took a 1-0 lead in the second as Lamar Sparks doubled and scored on a Nasim Nuñez fielding error. Pensacola answered back in the top of the third, as Dane Myers walked, stole second base, and scored on a Victor Mesa Jr. double. Mesa’s liner deflected off the head of Shuckers starter Tobias Myers, who finished the inning but made an early departure from the game.
Troy Johnston led off the fifth with a solo homer, his team-leading ninth of the year, but the Shuckers responded in the bottom of the fifth on an Isaac Collins RBI single.
Felix Valerio gave the Shuckers a brief 3-2 lead with a two-out RBI single in the seventh, but Palacios wriggled out of any further trouble by stranding two runners in scoring position with a strikeout of Biloxi outfielder Jackson Chourio.
After Pensacola’s two homers in the eighth, Sean Reynolds (S, 
got the final six outs to earn his league-leading eighth save.
The Blue Wahoos increased their lead in the South Division to 5.0 games ahead of second-place Biloxi with 22 games to play in the first half.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Shuckers in Biloxi.
written by Erik Bremer, photo/Blue Wahoos