‘Our Community And Hearts Are Broken Today” — Molino Softball Coach Donnie Nicholson Passes Away
August 16, 2021
The North Escambia community is mourning the loss of another youth coach to COVID-19.
Longtime Molino Ballpark softball coach Donnie Nicholson passed away on Sunday. Coach Donnie and his wife Jackie were an integral part of softball at the Molino Ballpark and area travel ball for many years.
“Our community and hearts are broken today. Coach Donnie Nicholson has been called up to the big leagues. We can’t even tell you the number of lives touched by this great coach,” Molino Ballpark posted in announcing his passing.
Funeral services have not yet been released.
Tributes to Coach Donnie Nicholson filled social media Sunday. Here are just a few:
“Donnie was a character he never met a stranger either he was a wonderful man.”
“Coach Donnie will be missed! Softball won’t be the same!”
“Heartbroken, we will never forget this man and his lifelong devotion to softball.”
“‘Hey Girl!”! I can hear his Coach Voice now. He could never just drop in a store or concession stand without being heard then surrounded by so many who just liked being around him. Legend for sure.”
“Molino Ballpark will never be the same! Thank you for the life lessons and great memories.”
“My heart hurts today. Coach Donnie Nicholson was not only a one of a kind coach, but a one of a kind man as well. He believed in people with his whole heart and I am so lucky to have been one of his ballplayers. You will forever be missed coach Donnie, and softball lost its biggest fan.”
“You were someone who has made an impact on so many athletes and you spread your love for the game to all of us! ”
“There is a huge softball game going on right now in Heaven. They gained an amazing coach and man up there.”
Last week, Northwest Escambia (NWE) Chiefs Football and Cheer president and coach Greg Gibson passed away due to COVID-19.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Town Hall Closed For Three Days Due To COVID-19
August 16, 2021
The Century Town Hall will be closed Monday through Wednesday (August 16-18) due to a COVID-19 exposure.
A budget workshop, bill list review meeting and town council meeting that were scheduled for Monday night have been moved to Monday, August 23.
Century Town Hall will resume normal business hours on Thursday, August 19. Anyone with questions or needing immediate assistance can reach the town’s answering service by calling (850) 256-3208.
Last year, the Century Town Hall was shut down for professional cleaning at least three times by COVID-19.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Property Appraiser Suspends In-Person Services
August 16, 2021
The Escambia Property Appraiser has suspended in-person services to the public until further
The move was made “in an effort to minimize exposure to COVID-19 and help protect customers and employees,” the office of Property Appraiser Chris Jones said.
Offices will remain operational to employees at this time. Members of the public are encouraged to obtain needed services online, or by email or phone at (850) 434-2735.
Accommodations can be made on a case-by-case basis for a personal visit to the office by appointment only.
Average Gas Prices Slip A Penny Over The Last Week
August 16, 2021
Florida gas prices were down average of a penny last week to $3.01.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $3.03, while North Escambia drivers could find a low of $2.91 Sunday night on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
“Continued concerns about the spread of COVID-19 prevented gas prices from gaining any ground last week,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Crude oil and gasoline futures prices have fallen under downward pressure due to worries about how the delta variant could reduce global fuel demand. The lower futures prices should enable gas prices to trend lower in the coming week.”
Lindgren Throws Gem In Sunday Series Finale
August 16, 2021
Jeff Lindgren (4-8) turned in a quality start with six shutout innings against the Montgomery Biscuits while the offense never trailed in the Wahoos 4-2 series finale win Sunday afternoon at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Lindgren was in complete control for almost the entire duration of his outing. In five of his six innings of work, the right-hander retired the side in order, and finished the afternoon with seven strikeouts. The only trouble he ran into was in the top of the third; however, sparkling defense from Santiago Chavez and Chris Chinea remarkably kept the Biscuits off the board.
After a double from Ford Proctor and a base hit from Jim Haley, the Biscuits had runners on the corners with nobody out. With Jake Palomaki at the plate, Chavez back-picked Haley on a ball in the dirt for the first out of the inning. After the Wahoos brought the infield in, Palomaki smoked a groundball to Chinea, who picked it cleanly and threw out Proctor at the plate trying to score. Lindgren then induced a groundout from Xavier Edwards to end the inning. Those two baserunners were the only players to reach against Pensacola’s starter.
Offensively, Connor Justus led the way with a 3-for-3 day that included two RBI. With runners at second and third, Justus hit a ground rule double off Alex Valverde (L, 2-3) to left in the third inning that put the Wahoos ahead 2-0. Justus later scored in the fifth inning after the Wahoos pulled out a perfect hit-and-run with Jerar Encarnacion at the plate.
Encarnacion doubled to right-center, and the Wahoos led by three. Pensacola tallied their last and final run in the sixth, when the Wahoos played used a safety-squeeze bunt from Galli Cribbs Jr to score J.D. Orr, which made it 4-0 at the time.
The bullpen was excellent on the day as well, with the only blemish coming in the top of the ninth inning. Colton Hock surrendered a double to Edwards and then a two-out, two-run homer to Ruben Cardenas, which brought the score to 4-2.
Pensacola has Monday off before the 12-game homestand continues Tuesday. The Blue Wahoos will welcome the Biloxi Shuckers for six-games
Escambia County Schools Will Be Open On Monday, Santa Rosa Closed
August 15, 2021
Escambia County School District
Escambia County (FL) School District schools and offices will be open for normal operations on Monday, August 16, according to Superintendent Tim Smith. Santa Rosa County Schools will be closed.
ECSD will continue to work closely with the Escambia Emergency Operations Center to monitor the progress of Tropical Storm Fred.
Smith stated, “The safety of our students, families and staff continues to be our greatest concern.”
Any changes or updates will be posted here on NorthEscambia.com.
Pensacola Christian Academy
Pensacola Christian Academy will be open regular schedule Monday, August 16.
Pensacola Christian College has not yet started fall semester classes.
Pensacola State College
All Pensacola State College offices, classes and functions will continue as usual on Monday.
Santa Rosa County School District
All Santa Rosa County district schools will be closed Monday, and all after school activities are canceled.
Santa Rosa school officials made the determination based on a variety of factors, buses cannot safely transport students at winds greater than 35 mph. School and after school activities will be open on Tuesday.
Escambia County (AL) School District
Escambia County (AL) School District schools will be open on Monday. A decision on Monday’s after school activities will be made by noon Monday.
Escambia Man Sentenced To 10 Years Federal Prison On Meth Charges
August 15, 2021
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for his participation in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine ice.
According to court documents, 42-year old Cameron Alexander Michanowicz, distributed large amounts of methamphetamine ice from his residence and his business in Escambia County.
Federal prosecutors said many people from Baldwin County traveled to Pensacola to deal with Michanowicz and transported the drugs to Alabama for distribution. When federal agents obtained a search warrant for Michanowicz’s residence and business, firearms, drugs, several cellphones, computers, and cash were seized.
Michanowicz provided a statement to the agents after being advised of his Miranda rights in which he admitted his participation in the illegal distribution of drugs. Michanowicz was charged with the distribution of 10.4 kilograms of methamphetamine ice and one pound of heroin.
Chief United States District Court Judge Kristi K. Dubose imposed the 10-year sentence and ordered that Michanowicz would also serve five years on supervised release following his imprisonment. Michanowicz will also undergo testing and treatment for drug abuse, and he will be subject to a search of his person and premises upon reasonable suspicion during that time. No fine was imposed but Chief Judge Dubose ordered that Michanowicz pay $100 in special assessments.
The case was investigated by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, the Baldwin County Drug Task Force, and the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force.
Photos: Escambia Sheriff’s Office Holds Community Cookout In Beulah
August 15, 2021
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office hosted a community cookout in Beulah Saturday.
The free event included plenty of free food and family fun. Sheriff Chip Simmons, the K-9 Unit, the Mounted Posse, SWAT vehicle, high water rescue vehicle, and more were on hand to give Beulah area residents a look at some of the tools used by law enforcement.
The cookout was held at the Beulah Community Park.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos b Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Need Free Sand For Storm Prep? Here’s Where To Find It
August 15, 2021
Escambia County is offering free sand for residents living in flood-prone areas in advance of possible heavy tropical rain due to tropical system Fred. The sand is available on a first come, first served basis at the following locations:
- John R. Jones Jr. Athletic Park – 555 E. Nine Mile Road
- Don Sutton Park – 2320 Crabtree Church Road, Molino
- Travis M. Nelson Park - 4541 Highway 4, Bratt
- Equestrian Center – 7750 Mobile Highway
- Escambia County Road Department – 601 Highway 297A
- Brent Athletic Park – 4711 N. W St., Pensacola
- Ferry Pass Middle School -available on northwest corner of school property on Parazine Street
- Baars Field Athletic Park – 13001 Sorrento Road, Pensacola
Residents must bring their own sandbags and shovels. Sandbags are usually available for purchase at home improvement and hardware stores.
Pictured: Sand at Travis M. Nelson Park in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
These Are This Week’s Road Work Trouble Spots
August 15, 2021
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Monday, Aug. 16 through Saturday, Aug. 21 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Pensacola to Gulf Breeze) structure. Additional work will include installation of pier lighting.
- 17th Avenue Interchange construction – 17th Avenue southbound remains closed at Bayfront Parkway. Access to the Pensacola Visitor’s Center and boat launch remains open from 17th Avenue.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the northbound side of the bridge as crews work to replace the southbound portion of the structure. There will also be intermittent lane closures to allow crews to mobilize materials and equipment.
- U.S. 29 from South of Muscogee Road (County Road (C.R.) 184) to Atmore Highway (S.R. 97) – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, Aug. 15 through Friday, Aug. 20 as crews perform striping operations and signal work.
- West Cervantes (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project – The inside lane will be closed between North Pace Boulevard and J Street as crews perform median improvement work. Drivers are reminded the speed limit between Dominguez Street and A Street has been permanently reduced to 30 mph.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Pine Forest (S.R. 297) to U.S. 29 – Drivers will encounter intermittent east and westbound traffic shifts between Pine Forest Road and U.S. 29 as crews lay the final layer of asphalt.
- U.S. 90 (Nine Mile Road) Widening from Beulah Road to S.R. 297 (Pine Forest Road) – Drivers will encounter alternating and intermittent east and westbound lane closures and traffic shifts between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for paving operations and other construction activities.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at the Innerarity Point (C.R. 292A)–
Motorists can expect daytime shoulder closures the week of Monday, Aug. 16 as crews place a water main.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on U.S. 29, between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road, and on Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass.
Santa Rosa County
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Monday, Aug. 16 through Saturday, Aug. 21 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Pensacola to Gulf Breeze) structure. Additional work will include installation of pier lighting.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Crews continue utility relocations, clearing, excavation, drainage improvements, and pond construction. There are no traffic impacts currently.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures on the Blackwater River bridge 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, Aug. 16 through Thursday, Aug. 19 as crews perform paving operations.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.