Pedestrian, 79, Struck And Killed In I-10 Hit And Run
April 7, 2023
A pedestrian died in a hit and run crash on I-10 Friday morning.
About 5 a.m., a 79-year old man was in the eastbound lane on I-10 near mile marker 8, between Pine Forest Road and Pensacola Boulevard.
Troopers said an unknown vehicle struck the man and fled the scene. No vehicle description available
The Florida Highway Patrol said the man was pronounced deceased at the scene.
“If anyone knows of a vehicle and driver that may have been in the area this morning and possible crashed into this pedestrian, please call *247 (*FHP) or Crime Stoppers,” FHP Lt. Jason King said. “Anyone taking a car to the repair shop without a report or anyone you know that has reported damage to their vehicle and ‘don’t know what they hit’, any lead to assist with tracking down the individual responsible.”
Woman Shot In The Face Thursday Night During Cantonment Drive-by; Another Person Stabbed
April 7, 2023
A woman was seriously injured in a drive-by shooting and another person was stabbed in Cantonment Thursday night.
The woman was outside along Sheppard Street near Lincoln Street about 9 p.m. when she was shot in the face during the drive-by, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. She was transported by Escambia County EMS to a Pensacola hospital as a “trauma alert”.
Evidence markers at scene indicated that multiple shots were fired. Residents told us that vehicles were also struck by the gunfire.
About an hour later, one person was reportedly stabbed in the same neighborhood. The Sheriff’s Office said it was not immediately clear if the stabbing was related to the shooting.
At last report, no suspect had been named in the incidents.
Pictured: The scene in Cantonment Thursday night after a woman was shot in the face during a drive-by shooting and one person was stabbed. Photos contest WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia To Begin Purchase Negotiations With D.R. Horton For OLF-8
April 7, 2023
The Escambia County Commission has voted to negotiations with homebuilder D.R. Horton to purchase the OLF-8 property on Nine Mile Road for $42 million.
Commissioners approved taking that next step by a 5-0 vote during a meeting Thursday night .
D.R. Horton, which describes itself as “America’s largest homebuilder”, has teamed with commercial developer Stirling, a nearly 50-year old firm with $2.73 billion in development across eight southern states to create a plan for OLF-8.
The plan includes a mix of retail, restaurants, office space, townhomes, apartments and light industrial around a town center.
Commission Lumon May expressed concerns that the plan does not contain enough commercial development in the plan.
“You can always find land to build a school and residential,” May said. “There is no more industrial or commercial property close to Nine Mile Road. It is at the end; we have built out. We have to be very conscious that this (OLF-8) is the last opportunity for light industry in Escambia County. It is the best opportunity for commercial property.”
The commission will hold a special meeting on negotiations, including price and the development plans.
Pictured: D.R. Horton’s conceptual plan for OLF-8 as presented to the Escambia County Commission on Thursday.
Jay Shuts Out Northview; Navarre Tops Tate 8-3
April 7, 2023
Jay 10, Northview 0
Jay senior Jenna Toups pitched a complete game 10-0 shutout of the Northview Chiefs Thursday night in Bratt.
Toups allowed three hits and recorded four strikeouts.
For Northview, Emma Gilmore allowed no hits and one run walking one in two-thirds of an inning. Jamison Gilman threw six and a third innings, allowing 12 hits. nine runs and one walk while striking out three.
Caitlyn Gavin was 3-3 for Jay at the plate, Kassidy Nevels was 2-3, and Brett Watson was 2-5.
Makayla Golson was 2-3 for Northview at bat, and Chloe Ragsdale was 1-2.
Next Tuesday, Northview will travel to Baker and Jay will host Gulf Breeze.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Navarre 8, Tate 3
Navarre defeated the Tate Aggies 8-3 Thursday night.
Jordan Smith took the loss for the Lady Aggies, going four and two-thirds innings, allowing four hits and three runs while striking out three. Kate Balagbagan threw two and third innings, giving up five hits, five runs and striking out three.
Kara Wine, Amburleigh Laird and Peyton Womack each had one hit for Tate.
The Tate Lady Aggies will host Meade County of Brandenburg, Kentucky, Friday at 6:30 p.m.
Pictured: The Jay Royals shut out the Northview Chiefs Thursday night in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Easter Egg Hunts, Festivals Planned For Saturday. Here’s A List.
April 7, 2023
Multiple egg hunts and Easter festivals are planned for Saturday:
Molino Community Easter Festival
An Easter Festival will be held in Molino on Saturday, April 8 from 4 until 6:30 p.m. at the Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95A. Hosted by Highland Baptist Church, the event will have fun for the entire family. Bounce house, egg hunt, carnival games, hot dogs and more. The Parking Latte will also be there with coffees, teas and pastries.
Dogwood Park Baptist
Dogwood Park Baptist Church at 3301 Highway 97 will host an Easter Egg hunt and games on Saturday, April 8 from 10 a.m. until noon. Bring a basket and join the fun.
Community Easter Egg Hunt – Bratt
Shiloh FWB Church at 5400 North Highway 99 in Bratt will host a Community Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 8 at 11 a.m. Food, fun and an egg hunt.
Beulah Dash – Escambia County Equestrian Center
The annual Beulah Dash hosted by Marcus Pointe Baptist Church – Beulah is Saturday, April 8 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Escambia County Equestrian Center. The egg hunt begins at 11 a.m. for children fifth grade and under, along with a special needs hunt. Food trucks, inflatables and more.
Marine Corps League Egg Hunt — Pensacola
The Cpl. J.R. Spears Detachment of the Marine Corps League will hold its inaugural Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 8 at 10 a.m. at Admiral Mason Park, 200 South 9th Avenue, Pensacola. The event is free, and all children will receive entry to the egg hunt. Different local veterans and active duty resources will be available to connect the community. Snacks and water will be available for purchase. Over 2,000 prize eggs will be placed in cordoned off sections for children to find.
Egga-Wahooza — Community Maritime Park
Egga-Wahooza will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Community Maritime Park. Marcus Pointe Baptist will host the annual hunt with over 50,000 eggs. There will be multiple age categories from ages 0 to fifth grade, and a special needs hunt. There will also be food trucks on site.
Hadji Shrine Temple
Hadji Shrine Temple at 800 West Nine Mile Road will hold their annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 8. The event opens at 10 a.m., brunch is at 10:30 and the Easter egg hunt is at 11 a.m. The Easter bunny will arrive at 11:30 a.m. with games and goodies. This event is open to the public.
Flag Football: Northview, Pine Forest, PHS, Tate (With Gallery)
April 7, 2023
Here are high school girls flag football scores from Thursday:
- Pace 52, Tate 6
- Pine Forest 30, Pensacola High 0
- Pensacola high 6, Northview 0
- Pine Forest 28, Northview 7
For a photo gallery with Northview, Pine Forest and PHS, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Good Friday Holiday, Weekend Closures And Trash Info
April 7, 2023
The following closures have been announced for Good Friday and the Easter weekend.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Escambia County offices will be closed Friday, April 7:
- Escambia County Board of County Commissioners – all departments including:
- West Florida Public Libraries (all locations)
- Escambia County Property Appraiser
- Escambia County Tax Collector
- Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
- Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections
- Escambia County Extension Office
- Waste Services Administration
- ECAT administrative offices
Escambia County notes/exceptions:
- The Perdido Landfill will be open with regular hours Friday, April 7.
- ECAT buses will operate regular service Friday, April 7, and Saturday, April 8. ECAT buses and UWF trolleys will not run service on Easter Sunday, April 9. Regular service will resume Monday, April 10.
- The Department of Animal Welfare will resume regular hours Saturday, April 8
- West Florida Public Libraries will remain closed Saturday, April 8. All locations will resume regular hours Monday, April 10.
ECUA
- The ECUA Customer Service office will be closed on Friday, April 7, in observance of Good Friday. However, the drive-thru payment area and all ECUA business offices will be open. All residential and commercial sanitation collections for ECUA will be unaffected by the holiday and will be carried out as usual.
TOWN OF CENTURY
- Town of Century offices will be closed for Good Friday. However, Town Hall will open at 5:30 p.m. for a council swearing in ceremony at 6 p.m.
Although Behind Schedule, Officials Say Manufacturing Company Is Still Locating In Century
April 6, 2023
The startup date for a new industry in Century is running a little behind a previously announced schedule, but officials say the company is still committed to operations in the town’s industrial park.
In January, the 50-year old foreign company agreed to lease a building in the Century Industrial Park. The company will set up their first domestic manufacturing and warehouse distribution facility serving the oil and gas industry in what is commonly known as the Helicopter Technology Building.
“They are still working to establish their U.S. presence and we are being patient while they are moving forward,” FloridaWest Business Development Officer Danita Andrews said Wednesday. “We can confirm that they are moving forward and are still committed to Century.”
In January, officials said the company could begin warehouse operations by the end of February with a forthcoming expansion into manufacturing.
The company is working to establish their legal presence in the United States in order to execute a lease with the town, Mayor Ben Boutwell said.
The company has agreed to pay the appraised value of the building — $7.833.33 a month, totaling $188,000 the first two years. The lease will continue for five years with a 3% annual increase beginning in the third year. The company will accept the building “as-is” and pay all utilities, maintenance, insurance and taxes.
The town re-acquired the industrial building at public auction for less than $1 out of pocket back in August 2009, following the town’s foreclosure judgment against the now defunct Helicopter Technology company. The building has sat empty since then.
According to FloridaWest, the company plans to hire five people initially, with a goal of 10 employees by the end of the year with an average salary of $46,570 — the average wage in the Pensacola area.
The FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance is the economic development organization for Escambia County. Most details about the new company and their plans remain confidential during discussions, as is allowed and is standard in economic development in Florida.
Century’s $10 Million Application For Gym, Shelter Project Hits Another Snag
April 6, 2023
Century’s plans to seek a $10 million grant to turn the old Century High School gym into a multipurpose facility that could also serve as a hurricane or other disaster shelter has hit another snag.
The town does not own the old gym, which was constructed in 1960; it belongs to Pensacola State College.
The town council voted this week to continue with the grant application, contingent upon PSC giving transferring the building and property to the town. A long term lease, Council President Luiz Gomez said, is not an option.
As we previously reported, town consultant Robin Phillips, who is managing the grant submissions, said the gym is laden with asbestos and lead. It has been essentially abandoned for years, and is in poor condition. For those reasons, Phillips said an architect is recommending that the building be demolished and rebuilt.
A few weeks ago, the council considered PSC as a co-applicant for the grant, but that plan is off the table.
Phillips said she will write the grant as being contingent upon the ownership transfer. Otherwise, the town will withdraw the application.
Mayor Ben Boutwell said he spoke to the college president, but their board must approve the transfer. The PSC board’s next meeting is not until just after the April 14 grant application deadline.
The council discussed seeking the $10 million to build the multipurpose building and shelter elsewhere on town-owned property, including the industrial park. Phillips said there was not enough time before the deadline for a required public notice and comment period in order to change the location.
Century is also seeking a seperate $2,862,137 grant to replace a failed bridge on Freedom Road that has been closed for three years, and make drainage improvements to two other bridges that suffered embankment erosion during Hurricane Sally. The bridge and drainage grant will not be impacted by the continuation or withdrawal of the gym application.
The grant, if awarded, would be from Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Small Cities Hurricane Sally Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funding through the Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program.
Former Navy Federal Employee Charged In $357K Theft, Fraud Case
April 6, 2023
A former Navy Federal Credit Union employee has been arrested for grand theft and fraud in connection with over $350,000 in fraud from account holders.
Johnathan Toriana Coleman Jr., 28, of Delray Beach, was charged with one felony count each of bank fraud, grand theft and organized fraud.
The investigation showed that Coleman used his position while employed in Pensacola to supply customer account information to a third party, who would pose as the member and initiate unauthorized transfers of funds to mule accounts at the credit union.
Agents discovered that Coleman helped defraud 38 account holders out of a total of $357,491, and that, within three days of each illegal transfer made by the third party, Coleman received payments from the third party totaling nearly $30,000.
All of the affected account holders have since been notified by the credit union.
Agents with FDLE’s Miami Regional Operations Center, with assistance from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Coleman. Coleman was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on $115,000 bond. He will be extradited to Escambia County