Man Walking On Highway 29 In McDavid Killed In Hit And Run Early Monday Morning
January 31, 2022
A pedestrian walking on Highway 29 was struck and killed in a hit and run crash early Monday morning.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 42-year-old Pensacola man was killed about 2:45 a.m. on Highway 29 about one mile north of Champion Drive and the West Fraser Sawmill. For an unknown reason, the man was walking southbound in the inside lane when he was hit by an unknown southbound vehicle that fled the scene.
“At this time, FHP has no known witnesses to the crash or suspect information. The vehicle is believed to be a large pickup truck or semi truck and may have front end damage,” troopers said.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call *FHP.
The identity of the victim has not been released.
The McDavid Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
State Approves Ascend Air Operating Permits With No Increase In Emissions
January 31, 2022
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has issued, or is in the process of considering new and renewed air operation permits for the Ascend Pensacola Plant.
This facility is renewing its existing operating permit to account for new reporting requirements and rule changes and also working on a concurrent construction permit for maintenance and equipment upgrades. There are no increases in emissions in two of the permits, according to FDEP.
“These permit applications are standard five-year renewals of our existing air operating permits. No changes to air emissions are noted or requested,” an Ascend spokesperson said.
If an application is approved, another permit could result in insignificant dimethyl ester emissions, FDEP said.
The application “would authorize Ascend to upgrade and modernize the Dimethyl Ester (DME) production unit through various instrumentation changes and replacement of outdated equipment. It will also authorize Ascend to implement upgrades to the Hexamethylene Diamine (HMD) production unit and the Low-Pressure Diamine (LPD) unit to improve the effectiveness of these processes. The project is expected to result in an increase in DME production and facility-wide emissions could increase; however, the project will not result in a significant increase in emissions of any Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) pollutant. There will be an opportunity to provide public comment on this project when the department takes action on it,” FDEP told NorthEscambia.com in an email.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Railroad Crossing Closures Set To Begin In North Escambia, Including Quintette Road
January 31, 2022
There will be temporary closures of several CSX railroad crossings beginning today in the North Escambia area.
The temporary closures will be at the railroad crossings as follows:
- Quintette Road (detoured to Highway 90)
- Barth Road
- Brickyard Road
- Cottage Hill
- Fairground Road
- Daffin Road
“The roads above will be temporarily closed at different times throughout the closure period depending on maintenance schedule,” according to a news release from Escambia County. Specific dates and times have not been provided.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
You Can Get A Property Tax Discount If You Pay By Midnight Monday
January 31, 2022
The 2% discount of the payment of real estate and tangible personal property taxes ends today, January 31.
To receive the 2% discount, payments must be:
- made online by midnight, CST, Monday, January 31, at EscambiaTaxCollector.com;
- mailed with a January postmark; or
- left by midnight, CST, Monday, January 31, in a 24-hour drop box available at all locations.
Taxpayers are encouraged to visit the virtual office at EscambiaTaxCollector.com to pay online 24 hours a day. There is no additional fee to pay current taxes by eCheck. Online services allow customers to pay their taxes, search records, print receipts, renew vehicle and vessel registrations and many other services.
Tate High Girls Weightlifting Team Competes In Districts, Regionals
January 31, 2022
The Tate High School Girls weightlifting team recently attended the FHSAA Class 3A District 1 Championships at Niceville High School and the Class 3A Region 1 Championships at Flagler Palm Coast High School in Saint Augustine.
The following athletes qualified for regionals in snatch:
Ashley Beddell
Addyson Chinchar
Lanie Brown
Sidney Forst
Finley Sheffield
The following athletes qualified for regionals in bench with clean and jerk:
Ashley Beddell
Natiya Williams
Emily Mills
Sydney Eaton
Advancement to the state championships will be announced later this week. The Tate High School Girls weightlifting team is coached by Brittany Dunson.
Pictured top: Tate’s competitors at Flagler Palm Coast High School for Class 3A Region 1 championships (L-R) Emily Mills, Sydney Eaton, Finley Sheffield, Lanie Brown and Ashley Beddell. PIctured below: District competitors at Niceville High School with Coach Brittany Dunson. Pictured bottom: Tate High School Girls weightlifting team. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Man Facing Drug Charges After ECSO Executes Search Warrant
January 31, 2022
A Molino man is facing two felony drug charges after the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant.
Samuel Cooler, Jr., 30, was charged with possession of cocaine with the intent to sell, manufacture or deliver, and possession of marijuana with the intent to sell, manufacture or deliver.
Cooler was in an apartment on East Johnson Road where the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant, according to an arrest report.
According to the ECSO, 12.9 grams of powder cocaine, 8.2 grams of crack cocaine and 634.6 gram of marijuana were found inside the apartment, and an additional 21.1 grams of marijuana was located inside Cooler’s sweatshirt pocket.
Cooler was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
James “Jimmy” Arnold, Sr.
January 31, 2022
James “Jimmy” Arnold, Sr. age 86 of Gonzalez passed away Saturday, January 29, 2022.
Jimmy graduated from Tate High in 1953. He was a lifetime resident of the Gonzalez area and was very proud of this. Jimmy left Gonzalez only a short time while playing football for the University of Chattanooga. After college his love of cars ignited a passion for racing. During his racing years, he was known as a small town man going “Nowhere to Somewhere” fast with notable accolades: 1964 NHRA champion, 1965 NASCAR Stock Drag Race Champion with his well-known “Color Me Gone” Dodge, and held several state records. In September 2003, Jimmy “Color Me Gone” Arnold was inducted into the Drag Racers Hall of Fame.
As a single father he gave up racing to focus on family and his career with SERF. He retired from Pensacola Junior College as a welding instructor where he touched many lives and guided many futures. In 1991, he was honored by the American Welding Society with the District Educator Award.
Jimmy loved to help others in his community. He was honored in 2008 as a fifty-year Master Mason and belonged to the Hadji Shrine Antique Car unit- his love of cars never faded.
Jimmy was known as a man who lived life to the fullest, loved people, God and family. He loved to laugh and fellowship with friends. Jimmy never met a stranger. He was a loving father and “Poppy”, uncle, and friend. Of all the titles and honors given to Jimmy, these meant the most. Although his final race on earth has been won, his kindness, laughter and adventurous spirit will be greatly missed and never forgotten.
Survivors include his son, J. Douglas Arnold, Jr. and wife Kristin; his son Derrick Arnold; his daughter, Keri Arnold Litton; grandchildren: Jaime Arnold, Jaxon Arnold, Madison Arnold, Lauren Litton, Morgan Litton, Jayden Arnold, and Jagger Arnold; brothers, M.J. Arnold, Billy Arnold and wife Vivian; sister Sharon Steelreath; sister-in-law, Joan Arnold; several nieces and nephews and extended family: Greg Litton, Rachel Southworth Hughes, Gary Southworth, and Kristen Southworth Abbott.
Visitation service will be held at 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. with memorial service following at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, February 3, 2022 at Faith Chapel North.
Deborah K. Odom
January 31, 2022
Deborah K. Odom, age 67, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, January 30, 2022 with her family by her side.
She was born in Pensacola, FL on February 3, 1954. She was a retired bus driver for Escambia County School District, retiring after 30 years of service. Debbie or Mom as she was known by most people was an avid Alabama Fan and loved to fish and spend time with her grandkids, nieces and nephews. She was a strong woman who always put her family first.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard H. Jernigan; mother, Eleanore Silvia Odom Parkton; three brothers, Randy, Kenny and Mike Odom; sister, Michelle Odom; grandson, TeJay Godwin; and nephew, Randall Johnson.
Deborah is survived by her children, Karen (Link) Odom, Kevin (Lisa) Odom, Kellie (Matt) Odom Ramsey, Kim (Nolan) Lorenzana, Cole Sweeting and Orbin Albritton; grandchildren, Makayla, Wyatt, Emily, Bebe, Harlie, Tanner, Josh (Kaly), Kristen, Trista and Brody; great grandchildren, Bray, Rhett, Aubree, Grayson and Malayna; brother, Rickey (Beth) Odom; sisters, Kathy (David) Rogers, Betty (Tommy) Robbins and Tammy (Lonnie) Warpup; sister-in-law, Elaine (Tom) Jernigan; brother-in-law, Tony Jernigan; and numerous nieces, nephew, and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30PM on Saturday, February 5, 2022 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Pastor Robbie McLaney officiating. Burial will follow in New Hope Cemetery, Pensacola, FL. The family will receive from 5PM to 8PM on Friday, February 4, 2022 at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Kevin Odom, Rickey Odom, Matt Ramsey, Link Powell, Nolan Lorenzana, Josh Godwin and Orbin Albritton.
Florida Gas Prices Surge 12 Cents Over Last Week
January 31, 2022
Gas prices surged last week, rising an average of 12 cents per gallon in Florida.
Drivers are now paying an average price of $3.35 across the state, which is just a penny less than last year’s high. The 2021 high of $3.36 per gallon was the most expensive daily price since September 2014.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $3.34.
Sunday night, a low of $3.24 could be found at one station on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while prices were as low as $2.99 in Pensacola.
“The effects of rising oil prices are now beginning to be felt at the pump,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Crude oil prices have risen early and often in 2022. The price of crude has already surpassed last year’s highs, driven by ongoing concerns that global oil supplies will struggle to keep up with soaring demand in 2022. Unfortunately for drivers, it doesn’t seem that oil prices will see any significant relief anytime soon. Gas prices may only get more expensive as fuel demand increases because of spring break and summer road trips.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Low Tonight In The 40s
January 31, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday: Showers likely, mainly after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 68. Breezy, with a southeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 61. Southeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 70. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Thursday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 41. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 52.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.
