Kara Wine Homers As Tate Slips To Milton
March 29, 2025
The Tate Lady Aggies fell short 4-3 Friday night against the Milton Panthers in Milton.
Senior Kara Wine hit a solo home run to center field in the top of the fifth. On the night, Wine led Tate with two RBIs as she went 2-3. Kaylie Mitchell, Madison Smilie, and Jordan Smith added one hit each.
Jordan Smith took the loss for the Aggies in six innings, allowing four runs (two earned) on six hits, walking two and striking out five.
Next Week, Tate will travel to Crestview on Monday, before hosting Niceville on Thursday and West Florida in the Strike Out Cancer game on Friday at 7:00.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Conecuh Sausage Is Not Shutting Down Production, But They Are Moving
March 28, 2025
You may have seen the social media posts, and quite frankly it’s shocking to fans in North Escambia and beyond.
“Conecuh Sausage closing Conecuh processing plant” is the headline in the local weekly Evergreen Courant newspaper on Thursday. And a photo is blowing up on social media.
But the headline and small clipping shared on social media does not tell the whole story until you follow the “jump” — that’s the old style newspaper newspaper lingo “See Page 3″ thing.
The rest of the story, as Paul Harvey would say (since we are talking old school), is that Conecuh Sausage is moving their production a few miles down Highway 84 to Andalusia — which means Conecuh Sausage, will technically be made in Covington County not Conecuh County. And no, the name is not changing.
Let’s talk a little history first…Conecuh Sausage was first started n 1947 in downtown Evergreen, later moving to their current location at I-65 in 1986 before an expansion there in 2012. They later opened a gift shop at the I-65 location — with Conecuh Sausage ready on the roller to make your own Conecuh dogs.
So what is Conecuh Sausage?
If you have to ask, bless your heart, you must be kinda new in these parts. It is pronounced “cah-NECK-ah”, and it’s a southern as sweet tea, grits, Sundays at grandma’s, and humidity.
Conecuh Sausage is way of life in the South. Ask anybody ,and y’all will quickly find out the juicy hickory smoked goodness of Conecuh Sausage is a favorite — roasted, grilled, pan-fried and, if desperate, even microwaved.
It is a way of life.
It used to be a part of care packages sento family and real friends across the nation, but now it’s available most everywhere across the USA at the big box stores.
The are varieties including the red label, the blue label “Original”, cracked black pepper, spicy & hot, Cajun and even a MSG-free all natural. The Conecuh hickory smoked items include, turkey, hams, bacon and hot dogs. The hot dogs are good, but a pro-tip….throw some Conecuh on a the grill and serve it on a bun (some say a slightly less than fresh bun from the Piggly Wiggly is best) with grilled peppers and onions, and you’ll never go back.
Can we still buy it?
Yep. The gift shop in Evergreen will stay open, but the production plant will be moving to a brand new $58 million 120,000 square foot processing facility in Andalusia. The new plant will be about twice as large as the Evergreen facility. Once they are up an running, they’ll start making plants for a second retail location in Andalusia.
You’ll still be able to buy Conecuh at your favorite store before, during and after the move. And all of the employees in Evergreen have been offered jobs at the new plant, which ie expected to employ about 50 people.
Why are they shutting down the Evergreen plant?
The newer, larger facility in Andalusia will simply be better and safer. The Evergreen facility will close in early June, with production shifting to Covington County.
“The decision for facility closure was not made lightly,” the family-owned company said in a letter his week to the Evergreen mayor. “The new facility was originally expected to be an expansion as a secondary facility but in light of changes in the food industry and the age of the current facility, the management team at Conecuh Sausage determined a full facility shut down and relocation was the best decision. It is a company’s responsibility to maintain their facility in good working order and to recognize when an older facility is reaching the limits of its capability to be responsibly maintained.
“The new facility has been completely developed around the newest designs and technologies for current food safety standards. While the current facility has been well maintained and served well over the years, all good things change and improve over time.”After much thought, research, and discussion, it was determined that attempting to modify the current, older facility to meet new food safety designs is simply not an option.”
Celebration Of Life Service Today For Coach Hugh Fountain
March 28, 2025
Funeral service have been set for former Escambia Academy headmaster and head football coach, and current W.S. Neal coach Hugh Fountain. He passed away Monday at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
A celebration of life service will be held from 4-7 p.m. today, March 28, at W.S. Neal High School. The visitation will begin at the entrance to the fieldhouse and proceed onto the football field where condolences can be offered to the family. A service will follow at 7 p.m.
A private graveside service will be held on Saturday, March 29.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Coach Hugh Fountain Scholarship Fund, 702 Greenlawn Circle, Flomaton, AL 36441, to continue his legacy of helping student-athletes achieve their dreams.
For the complete obituary, click here.
State Fire Marshal Investigating Backwoods Road Fire
March 28, 2025
A fire that destroyed a structure near Century Thursday night us under investigation.
Escambia County Fire Rescue freighters arrived to find the structure fully involved in the 800 block of Backwoods Road. The structure, which was reportedly a residence, was already burned halfway to the ground.
The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office was caused to investigation. There were no injuries reported in the fire, which was reported at 10:19 p.m.
The Century and McDavid stations of Escambia County Rescue, the Florida Fire Department, Escambia County EMS, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Blue Jacket Jamboree, Easter Egg Drop And Livestock Show Are Saturday In Molino
March 28, 2025
The Blue Jacket Jamboree returns on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at the Escambia County 4-H Property in Molino. Running from 10:00 a.m. until 3 p.m., this family-friendly event, hosted by the Northview FFA Alumni & Friends, promises a day filled with entertainment, agriculture, and community engagement.
The Jamboree will feature about 25 vendors, offering a variety of crafts, and local goods. Attendees can also enjoy a car show, organized by Cruisers’ Unlimited, with an antique tractor displays this year. Kids will love the free egg drop (bring your own basket), beginning at 11 a.m., as well as the dedicated kids zone, which closes at 2:00 p.m.
The Blue Jacket Jamboree celebrates Northview FFA’s dedication to agricultural education and youth development, bringing together the community for a fun and educational experience.
Admission and parking are free. The Escambia County 4-H Property is located at 5701 Highway 99 in Molino, just south of Molino Road.
In conjunction with the Jamboree, the Gulf Coast Agriculture & Natural Resources Youth Organization Annual Spring Livestock Show. will take place Friday and Saturday, March 28-29, featuring youth exhibitors showcasing poultry, rabbits, pigs, steers, heifers, goats, and lambs. The show schedule includes:
Livestock – Friday, March 28
- 1:00 PM – Poultry Show
- 2:30 PM – Beef Breeding Show
- 5:15 PM – Poultry Skillathon
- 5:30 PM – Swine Skillathon
Livestock – Saturday, March 29
- 9:00 AM – Market Swine Show
- 10:00 AM – Rabbit Show
- 11:30 AM – Market Steer Show
- 1:00 PM – Goat & Lamb Show
- 2:30 PM – Preview Steer Show
- 4:00 PM – Poultry, Market Goat & Lamb Auction
- 5:00 PM – Steer & Swine Auction
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Stick It To Cancer: WFHS Lacrosse Gets Past Tate 7-6 (With Gallery)
March 28, 2025
The West Florida Jaguars girls lacrosse team defeated the Tate Aggies 7-6 Thursday night in a “Stick it to Cancer Game” in Tate’s Pete Gindl Stadium.
All proceeds — including ticket sales and concessions — will be donated to the American Cancer Society. There were also four gift baskets auctioned off to benefit the fight against cancer.
Up next, West Florida will be at Pensacola High on Friday at 6 p.m. Friday, and Tate will travel to PHS on Monday at 6:30 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Senior Night Win: Tate Surges Past Central 8-1 (With Gallery)
March 28, 2025
Thursday night at home, Tate surged with a seven-run fifth inning to beat the Central Jaguars 8-1 on Senior Night for the Aggies.
Senior Zane Warrington earned the win for Tate, giving up three hits and one run in a complete game seven innings, walking three and striking out eight.
Hunter Clayton led the Aggies at the plate, with two RBIs as he went 1-3. Kaleb Posta went 2-4, while Connor Dethlefs and Nathan Ozuna both added a hit.
For a photo gallery, click here. (Senior Night family images are at the end of the gallery.)
Up next, the Aggies will head across the state line to take on Robertsdale Friday at 6:30 p.m.
Before the game, the Tate Aggies honor their seniors:
- Brayden Beck
- Taite Davis
- Sheppard Edga
- Nate Ozuna
- Kaleb Posta
- Zane Warrington
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FDLE Charges Escambia Man With Transmitting, Possessing Child Sex Abuse Material
March 28, 2025
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has charged an Escambia County man with 32 felonies related to possessing and transmitting child sexual abuse material.
Michael Desmond Locke, 45, was charged with 30 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, one count for transmission of child sexual abuse material and one count for use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
FDLE said the investigation began on January 27 after agents discovered an online user who was sharing files depicting children being sexually abused. The investigation revealed the uploads originated from Locke’s residence.
On March 26, FDLE agents served a search warrant at Locke’s residence. During the search, two of his computers were located and a forensic preview of the computers located hundreds of child sexual exploitation files, some involving children as young as 3 years old, according to agents.
Locke was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
The case is being investigated by the FDLE Pensacola Regional Operations Center. FDLE’s Panama City Field Office, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents assisted in serving the search warrant. The investigation remains active.
In Four Overtimes, Northview Flag Football Beats The Escambia Gators
March 28, 2025
In four overtimes, the Northview Chiefs defeated the Escambia Gators 18-12 in flag football Thursday night in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Burglary Of An Occupied Dwelling
March 27, 2025
A Cantonment man has been charged with breaking into a residence, stealing a wallet, and damaging property before fleeing in a truck.
Roderick Ezell Purifoy, 35, was charged with unarmed burglary of an occupied dwelling, grand theft and criminal mischief with property damage.
The incident occurred on January 5, 2025, at a home on Woodbury Circle. According to the victim, he was startled awake around 10:30 a.m. to find a man standing over his bed after breaking in through a bedroom window. The victim recognized the suspect, who allegedly claimed he was there to collect a debt. Purifoy told the victim that he still owed $300 for transmission repairs made on a truck belonging to the victim’s dad, according to arrest report.
The suspect then reportedly took the victim’s wallet, which contained $100 in cash, an ID, a Social Security card, and a debit card, totaling $170 in value. Additionally, the break-in caused an estimated $350 in damage to a bedroom window, the victim reported. According to the report, the suspect was seen leaving through the same window and driving off in a dark-tinted Dodge pickup truck, allegedly causing an additional $500 in lawn damage.
Law enforcement officers responded to the scene around and later attempted to contact the Purifoy, who initially denied entering the home. However, Purifoy later admitted to being in the area and insisted that the victim still owed him $300, according to the arrest report.
The suspect reportedly hung up on investigators and turned off his phone when questioned further.
Purifoy was recently arrested on an outstanding warrant for the incident and released from jail this week on a $15,000 bond.