New Tax Collector Brentwood Office Opens, Replacing Marcus Pointe Location
November 20, 2024
The new Escambia County Tax Collector Brentwood location opened Tuesday, replacing the now-closed Marcus Pointe location.
The new Brentwood office is at 5045 North Palafox Street. Tax Collector Scott Lunsford said the Brentwood office will provide the same services as the Marcus Pointe office, with significant enhancements and modernized facilities designed to improve efficiency and customer experience. Driving tests will be offered on a walk-in basis only beginning Thursday, November 21.
Pictured: The new Escambia County Tax Collector Brentwood office that will open on November 19. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Boys, Girls Sweep Atmore Christian (With Gallery)
November 20, 2024
The Northview Chiefs swept two from Atmore Christian School Tuesday night in Bratt.
The Northview boys defeated Atmore Christian 55-42, while the Chiefs girls beat ACS 53-8.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Up next, Northview will hot Pensacola Christian Academy Thursday — girls at 5:03 p.m. followed by boys action.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate’s Jordan Smith Signs With New College Of Florida
November 20, 2024
Tate High School’s Jordan Smith has signed to play softball for New College of Florida.
Smith is four-year starter for Tate varsity softball and has been on the Tate golf team for three years. She has a 4.9 high school GPA and a 3.68 college GPA with 47 credit hours as a dual enrollment student at Pensacola State College. She has been dual enrolled at PSC since her junior year at Tate and is a member of the National Honor Society.
A few fun facts about Jordan Smith: She is a twin, she coached a 10u softball team recently and will graduate with her AA from PSC before she graduates high school.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Instagram Worthy Photo Op: 4-H Hay Bale Decorating Contest Winners
November 19, 2024
The results are in from the 2024 Escambia County 4-H Hay Bale Decorating Contest. And you have a chance to check out the winners (and snap a few great Instagram photos too).
First place went to the Barrineau Park 4-H Club, second place to the Perdido Bay 4-H Club, and third place to the Blockheads 4-H Club. Other entries were from the Escambia County Horse, NAS Pensacola, Discovery, Clever Clovers, Beulah, Northview, and Emerald Achievers 4-H clubs.
There is a QR code with each display — stopy by and vote for the people’s choice award.
The hay bales are on display at the corner of Stefani Road and 9 1/2 Mile Road, the first intersection south of the Escambia County Extension Service.
For photos of all of the entries, click here.
Pictured: First place went to the Barrineau Park 4-H Club (top), second place to the Perdido Bay 4-H Club (first below) and third place to the Blockheads 4-H Club (third below). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Credit Union Location Planned On Nine Mile Road At Milestone
November 19, 2024
A new credit union has been proposed for Nine Mile Road at Milestone.
The Champions First Credit Union project includes the construction of a 4,208-sf single-story credit union/bank building with a drive-thru on two parcels on Littleton Street at Nine Mile Road, the current site of a car wash.
According to an application filed by Hamilton Engineering, most of the car wash improvements would be removed if the project is approved. The project would be located on two parcels that total just under one acre with access from Littleton Street.
A pre-application meeting on the project is set for Wednesday with the Escambia County Development Review Committee.
According to their website, Champions First Credit Union currently has Pensacola location on North Pace Boulevard and Holsberry Road.
Food Distributions At Walnut Hill, Marcus Pointe And The Fairgrounds
November 19, 2024
Several food giveaways are planned beginning today and over the next week in Walnut Hill, and at the fairgrounds and Marcus Pointe.
Michelle Salzman Thanksgiving Meal And Food at Marcus Pointe
Rep. Michelle Salzman in partnership with Sheriff Chip Simmons, Farm Share and other community partners are sponsoring a Food Distribution and Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway on Saturday, November 23rd starting at 7:30 AM and continuing while supplies last (minimum of 300 families) at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church.
What: District One, Rep. Michelle Salzman, Food Distribution and Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway
When: Saturday, November 23, 2024, 7:30 am (cars can line up at 7:00 am) while supplies last
Where: Marcus Pointe Baptist Church, 6205 North W Street, Pensacola, FL 32505
Walnut Hill Food Distribution
Justified Incarcerated Ministries will hold a Thanksgiving Food Giveaway on Friday, November 22 beginning at 9 a.m. and continuing while supplies last at the Walnut Hill Community Center. The Feeding the Gulf Coast distribution is sponsored by Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry.
What: Walnut Hill Thanksgiving Food Giveaway
When: Friday, November 22 beginning at 9 a.m.
Where: Walnut Hill Community Center, 7850 Highway 97, Walnut Hill
Watson Firm’s Annual Community Thanksgiving Grocery Giveaway
The Watson Firm, together with local businesses and entrepreneurs, will be serving their neighbors at their Annual Community Thanksgiving Grocery Giveaway at Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds located at 6655
Mobile Highway. This year’s turkey dinner giveaway will accommodate the first 1,000 families. The feast will include a whole frozen turkey or ham, and a variety of sides. Gather early in front of the parking lot at the Fairgrounds.
What: Watson Firm’s Annual Community Thanksgiving Grocery Giveaway
When: Monday, November 25 at 10 a.m.
Where: Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds
File photo. Food items may vary by location.
Operation Christmas Child Collections This Week At Highland Baptist, First Baptist Bratt
November 19, 2024
Highland Baptist Church in Molino and the First Baptist Church of Bratt are Operation Christmas Child collection sites again this year.
Children in need are being blessed this Christmas season through the Samaritan’s Purse project, Operation Christmas Child. Individuals, families and groups have the opportunity to pack a shoebox gift filled with fun toys, school supplies, and personal care items and drop them off now during National Collection Week through Monday, November 25.
Operation Christmas Child has been collecting and delivering shoebox gifts to children worldwide for more than three decades. In 2024, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoeboxes to reach another 12 million children. The project of Samaritan’s Purse partners with local churches across the globe to deliver these tangible expressions of God’s love to children in need. Find a step-by-step guide on the How to Pack a Shoebox webpage.
Churches can drop off their OCC boxes during the times below for them to be packed for processing.
Highland Baptist Church
- Wed, Nov. 20: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- Thu, Nov. 21: 10:00 a.m. – noon
- Fri, Nov. 22: 10:00 a.m. – noon
- Sat, Nov. 23: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Sun, Nov. 24: 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
- Mon, Nov. 25: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
The church is located at 6420 Highway 95A North in Molino. For more information, contact the church office at (850) 587-5174.
First Baptist Church of Bratt
- Wed, Nov. 20: 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Thu, Nov. 21: 10:00 a.m. – noon
- Fri, Nov. 22: 10:00 a.m. – noon
- Sat, Nov. 23: 10:00 a.m. – noon
- Sun, Nov. 24: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Mon, Nov. 25: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
The church is located at 4570 West Highway 4 in Bratt.
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 220 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
The William Carey University Spirit of Carey Performs For Tate Showband Of The South
November 19, 2024
The William Carey University Spirit of Carey performed Monday for members of the Tate High School Showband of the South in Tate’s Fryman Gym. Spirit of Carey is a high-impact indoor marching winds, percussion, and auxiliary ensemble. This auditioned ensemble performs in gyms, parades, and other locations. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Cowboys 14U Named Grand Champions At Emerald Coast Cheer Competition
November 19, 2024
The 14U Cantonment Cowboys cheerleaders took first place, grand champions and overall high score at an Emerald Coast Cheer Association competition on Saturday. The Cowboys 6U cheerleaders took first place, 8U won second place and 11U placed third. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Former Treasurer Indicted On 36 Felony Counts For Allegedly Stealing From NWE Youth Sports
November 18, 2024
The former treasurer of Northwest Escambia Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill has been indicted in Alabama on 36 felony charges for alleged fraud and theft from the organization.
Paula Star Pugh, 50, was indicted by a grand jury in Escambia County, Alabama, on one count of theft by deception first degree, one count of theft of property first degree, 25 counts of fraudulent use of a credit or debit card and nine counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument third degree. All 36 charges are felonies.
Pugh was originally charged in Escambia County, Alabama, in April 2023 with two felonies — grand theft and fraud. According to court documents, the Office of the State Attorney First Judicial Circuit of Florida dropped prosecution in the case for “jurisdiction reasons” in early June 2023. The Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office then turned their investigative files and evidence over to the Atmore Police Department.
Day later, Atmore Police charged Pugh with nine counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument third degree, and one count each of theft by deception first degree, and theft by deception second degree. All of the charges are felonies.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Pugh was the elected treasurer/bookkeeper since 2017 for NWE with the alleged thefts taking place from July 26, 2021, until December 9, 2022.
“During this time Pugh wrote checks on NWE’s account which she cashed for personal use, completed unauthorized debit transactions for personal use, and completed numerous ATM withdrawals for personal use,” the ECSO investigator wrote in his report, noting that Pugh had no receipt or explanation for the transactions.
According to a Florida warrant affidavit, the transactions included numerous cash ATM withdrawals from an Atmore bank; purchases from Shell Oil and Papa John’s Pizza in Tampa, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Home Goods Online; and eight checks payable to Cash that were signed by Pugh totaling $9,226. The transactions are detailed in the image below.
NWE first reported the misuse of funds to law enforcement on December 20, 2022, and an investigation was launched by the ECSO. Over the next several weeks, an ECSO investigator and ballpark officials examined the league’s financial records and built a ledger of transactions attributed to Pugh with no receipt or explanation, the report states. Deputies said the NWE board attempted at least twice to meet with Pugh and obtain receipts, but the attempts were unsuccessful.
The investigation also indicated that a ball tournament completed on June 13, 2022, yielded receipts/cash profit of $10,012.66. According to the warrant affidavit: Pugh sent a text message on June 13 that a deposit of $2,690 would be made the following day. On June 14, a deposit was made at NWE’s bank in Atmore for $1,557.10. “The difference in the amount to be deposited and the amount actually deposited could not be explained,” the report notes.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said numerous attempts were made by phone and in person by the investigator to contact Pugh with no result, until she returned contact on March 7, 2023. Pugh’s statements to law enforcement were redacted from the warrant affidavit.
Florida authorities alleged the following transactions were fraudulent, according to court documents. Pugh is not currently charged with all of these transactions.
Editor’s note: Northwest Escambia Bradberry Park is not affiliated with, Little League, Northwest Escambia (NWE) Football & Cheer at Bradberry Park.
