Theme Is ‘Light Up The Night’ For Friday’s Northview Playoff Game
November 29, 2022
The theme for this Friday night’s Northview Final Four playoff football game will be “Light Up the Tigers”.
Fans are asked to wear necklaces, bracelets or anything that lights up.
Northview (12-0) will host the Fightin’ Tigers of Union County High (8-2) at 7 p.m. Tickets are $9 and are available at GoFan.co.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Escambia Man Gets 15 Years For Attempted Murder, Robbery, Grand Theft
November 29, 2022
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to 15 years in state prison on multiple charges including attempted murder.
Ernest Lamar Finklea, 20, previously pleaded guilty to attempted second degree murder, robbery with a deadly weapon, grand theft auto, grand theft of a firearm and criminal mischief for the 2021 incident.
Finklea punched and stabbed the victim before telling him “I will kill you”, according to persecutors. He smashed the victim’s phone and electronic watch, and stole his handgun, wallet and car keys.
After being released from the hospital and getting his phone repaired, the victim discovered that Finklea’s social media account was logged in on the victim’s phone. The victim was able to view messages sent by the Finklea as well as videos of him driving the stolen car and with the stolen gun.
Deadline Is Wednesday For Discount On Real Estate, Tangible Property Taxes
November 29, 2022
A 4% discount on payment of real estate and tangible personal property taxes ends Wednesday, November 30, according to Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford.
To receive the 4% discount, payments must be:
- mailed with a November postmark;
- left by midnight, November 30, in a 24-hour drop box available at all locations; or
- made online by midnight, November 30, at EscambiaTaxCollector.com.
Taxpayers are encouraged to visit our virtual office at EscambiaTaxCollector.com to pay online 24 hours a day. Online services allow customers to pay their taxes, search records, print receipts, renew vehicle and vessel registrations and many other services. There is no additional fee to pay current taxes by eCheck. Customers who decide to visit tax collector offices can drop off their payment in the drive thru or in a dropbox.
To check the status of your taxes, pay online or print a receipt, visit the payment center at EscambiaTaxCollector.com. Taxpayers are encouraged to contact the tax collector’s office by email ectc@EscambiaTaxCollector.com or by phone with any questions.
Pictured: The Escambia County Tax Collector Office in Molino. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Fourth Inmate Death Of The Year At Century Prison Under Investigation
November 29, 2022
The death of an inmate at the Century Correctional Institution is under investigation — the fourth inmate death reported at the facility this year.
“We can confirm the Office of Inspector General is currently investigating an incident which resulted in the death of an inmate at Century Correctional Institution on Friday, November 25,” the Florida Department of Corrections told NorthEscambia.com in an email.
FDOC would not specifically confirm if the death was believed to be the result of foul play, but did say that “inmates who cause harm to others are held accountable for their actions”.
The name of the inmate and additional details were not released due an ongoing investigation.
Other inmate deaths were reported this year on April 17, May 14 and July 14. The cause of death remains pending in each, and names have not been released.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Fourth North Escambia FPL Solar Farm Planned South Of Bratt Road
November 28, 2022
Florida Power & Light is proposing a fourth solar farm in North Escambia.
The “Mitchell Creek Solar Energy Center” would be located on 1,282 acres between Camp and Cox Roads, just south of Bratt Road and the Escambia County Road Department North Camp, according to plans obtained by NorthEscambia.com.
The proposed location is just northwest of the First City Solar Energy Center, located along Holland, Cox and Roach roads in McDavid. It is on track to go into operation in early 2023. The site will have more than 223,000 photovoltaic panels with a planned output of 75 megawatts.
The 300,000 solar panels at the Cotton Creek Solar Energy Center on Bogia Road near McDavid have been in operation since early 2022 and were officially dedicated in March. It produces. enough electricity to power about 15,000 homes.
The Sparkleberry Solar Energy Center is fully permitted for 553 acres south of the end of Pilgrim Trail. According to FPL, over 200,000 solar panels will generate nearly 75 megawatts — enough energy to also power 15,000 homes.
The new Mitchell Creek Solar Energy Center is just entering the Escambia County permitting process.
Pictured top: Map of the proposed Mitchell Creek Solar Energy Center NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge. Pictured below: Construction is at about the halfway point for the First City Solar Energy Center in McDavid. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Collect $58K Each For Fantasy 5 Tickets Sold In Davisville, Pensacola
November 28, 2022
Two people have cashed in winning Fantasy Five tickets bought in Davisville and Pensacola on November 15. The tickets were worth $58,371.34 each.
William H. Stinson of Saraland purchased his winning ticket at the State Line at the State Line Gift Shop at 11208 Highway 97 in Davisville, in the Piggly Wiggly shopping center. Joseph Edward Bush of Chipley purchased a second Escambia County winning ticket at the Publix at 1100 East Cervantes Street in Pensacola.
A third winning ticket was sold in Miami.
The 326 tickets matching four numbers won $86.50 each. Another 8,424 tickets matching three numbers are worth $9 each, and 77,584 ticket holders won a free ticket for picking two numbers.
The November 15 winning numbers were 10-18-20-22-24.
Student Athletes Honored At FCA Go The Distance Banquet
November 28, 2022
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes Going the Distance Awards were presented recently at a banquet hosted by the First Baptist Church of Pensacola.
Athletes from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties were honored for their participation in cross country, golf, swimming and volleyball. The winners were chosen by their teammates based upon their integrity, dedication, character, and FCA values.
Volleyball
- Jordyn Dunaway — West Florida
- Layna Lowry — Jay
- McKenna Simmons — Northview
- Piper Sealey — Central
- Abby Price — PHS
- Alyx Zapatka — Washington
- Kaleigh Windham — Pace
- Alyssa Moodie — Tate
- Grace Tenniswood — East Hill
- Jacque Martin — West Florida
- Amber Yates — Catholic
- Madi Shane — Gulf Breeze
- Emma Carroll — PHS
- Abbie McNair — Escambia
- Riley Gates — Milton
Swimming
- Dylan Sigley — Catholic
- Davan Webster — Gulf Breeze
- Emi Gato — Gulf Breeze
- Kevin Herr — Gulf Breeze
- Sheridan Albanesi — Milton
- Noah Day — Milton
- Dominica Estes — Pine Forest
- Emilio Watts — Pine Forest
- Andrew Oestman — Navarre
- Claire Sczesny — Navarre
- Emily Lyons — Tate
- Korbin Menser — Tate
Golf
- Chase Guillot — Lighthouse
- Edgardo Zane Estrada — Escambia
- Jason Paynter — West Florida
- Jocelyn Vickery — Escambia
- Alex Sweeney — Catholic
- Jaden Gray — Pace
- Aiden Czarnecki — Milton
- Adyson Illian — Tate
- Isabella Ortiz — Pace
- Keller Fairchild — Washington
- Jack Patrick — Gulf Breeze
- Gabby Branning — Gulf Breeze
- Kayla Willis — Milton
- Ben Amjad — PHS
- Elizabeth Owens — Catholic
- Mia Brown — West Florida
- Jayda Pandes — Navarre
- Sarah Rudd — Pine Forest
- Sidney Lane — Washington
- Landon Ray — Tate
- Gabrielle Hultstrand — PHS
Cross Country
- Kada Beihl — Navarre
- Gavin Anthony — Navarre
- Jody Godwin — Jay
- Katelyn Harrison — Jay
- Ronen Lim — Gulf Breeze
- Zella Tavai — Gulf Breeze
- Jayla Rudolph — Pine Forest
- Chrisshaun Terrell — Pine Forest
- Marcelo Owens — Catholic
- Emma Thompson — Catholic
- Gretchen Dedolph — Milton
- Victoria Dela Cruz — East Hill
- Austin Metheny — East Hill
- Alithiah Sturdivant — Escambia
- Isaiah Sgarlata — Escambia
- Jack McAuley — West Florida
- Charlotte Nesmith — West Florida
- Victoriah Reed — Washington
- Hal Tubbs — Washington
- Sydney Smiga — Pace
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
GoFundMe Established For Teen Killed In Chumuckla Highway Wreck
November 28, 2022
A GoFundMe has been established for a teen who died in a Santa Rosa County wreck.
Destinee Wade, 17, died in the two-vehicle crash November 17 on Chumuckla Highway while on her way to school.
Destinee was a senior at Central High School and an employee at the Waffle House in Pace where her father Casey is the manager. Her stepmom, Trinity, is a child caregiver at the Santa Rosa Christian Learning Center.
To contribute, click or tap here.
According to Claudia Curiel, regional spokesperson for GoFundMe, the fundraiser created to honor Wade’s memory and cover her final expenses.
Florida Gas Prices Fall Over The Last Week
November 28, 2022
Florida gas prices have slipped to $3.39 per gallon on average.
In Escambia County, the average price per gallon was $3.06. In North Escambia, drivers could find a low of $2.89 on Highway 29 in Cantonment Sunday night, and a Pensacola low of $2.81 on Nine Mile Road.
The state average is now on a 17-day streak of declines, dropping a total of 19 cents during that time.
“Gas prices are being pressured lower by steep drops in the price of oil, and strong gains in domestic gasoline supplies,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Unless there’s a shift in fundamentals, the state average could sink even lower this week, with the potential of dipping below $3.30 per gallon in the next week or two.”
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Books Are $1 At Bookstore Inside The Bellview Library
November 27, 2022
There is a bookstore inside the new Bellview Library, and all of the books are just $1 each.
Payment is cash only with exact change (funds are deposited into a payment slot). They are available on a first come, first served basis.
The bookstore is open during regular library hours and is a project of the Friends of the West Florida Public Library.
The Bellview Library is open 10a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturdays at 6425 Mobile Highway.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
