Amy Sorrells
February 3, 2022
Amy Sorrells, age 29, peacefully went home to be with her Lord and Savior on January 30, 2022, in Pensacola, Florida.
She is survived by her Father, Red Sorrells; Mother, Donna Sorrells; Sister, Ginny Sorrells, Nieces; Selena, Aimee, and Bella; Several Aunts and Uncles, as well as many cousins and close friends.
Amy was born and raised in Pensacola and lived every day to the fullest. She touched the lives of so many and will be dearly missed by all.
She was a precious soul, far too kind for this world. Gentle and caring in everything she did and spoke. Amy was very close to her mother and father, always there to help when she was needed. She was a very special person and a great role model to her nieces as well. She spoiled the girls, but oh how they adored her.
Amy had so many good friends that it would be hard to name them all. Her absence from this world will leave a hole in everyone’s heart. She was a big-hearted friend, who loved to laugh, and she will forever be remembered that way.
She loved her cats so much as if they were her own children. She gave them so much unconditional love and spoiled them so much, especially with food. She always scolded people, jokingly, when they called her cats fat and she said they were just chubby and liked to eat. She always took them outside to play even when though they always started eating the grass. Her cats love her unconditionally, just like she did them and they will definitely miss her.
We know that the Lord needed her more than we did and while we may never know why we do know that we will see her again.
Amy, even though you’re gone, you will continue to shine like gold in all of our memories. We’ll never forget what an amazing person you were.
Services will be:
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Faith Chapel North in Cantonment
Visitation – 1:00-2:00
Service – 2:00
Please note that there will not be a reception afterward
An Early Spring? North Escambia Weather Ducks Miss Shadow
February 2, 2022
On Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney Phil, the world famous groundhog, saw his shadow and predicted six more weeks of winter up in Pennsylvania. But our local weather guys, the NorthEscambia.com Weather Ducks, missed their shadow on an overcast Wednesday morning and predicted an early spring for the North Escambia area.
Folklore says that if the groundhog sees his shadow on Groundhog Day, it means six more weeks of winter. We did not have a groundhog handy for a photo, but we did have the NorthEscambia.com Weather Ducks
The North Escambia Weather Ducks have been offering their Groundhog Day predictions for spring for over a decade, and they say their record is just as good, or better, than that famous groundhog. They’ve become an annual reader fun favorite tradition.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
McDavid Solar Energy Site Now Producing Enough Power For 15,000 Homes
February 2, 2022
The 300,000 solar panels at the Cotton Creek Solar Energy Center in McDavid are now producing enough electricity to power up to 15,000 homes.
At about 500 acres, the site has the capacity to generate 75 megawatts. The solar center is in an area north of West Bogia Road between South Pine Barren Road and Highway 29, just west of Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church.
According to Florida Power & Light, the facility has been generating electricity since December 31. It is one of eight new solar energy centers put into service recently across the state.
“This important milestone for FPL is the product of our dedication to delivering cost-effective clean and reliable energy to our customers across the Sunshine State,” said Eric Silagy, president and CEO of FPL. “This time last year, we had 33 solar energy centers in operation. To now reach 50 solar energy centers is proof of our tireless pursuit of a cleaner energy future for today and future generations.”
Construction is underway on the First City Solar Energy Center, also in North Escambia. Similar in size and capacity to power another 15,000 homes, First City is located off Holland, Cox and Roach roads in McDavid.
The FPL new solar energy centers recently placed into service across Florida are:
- FPL Cotton Creek (Escambia County)
- FPL Blue Springs (Jackson County)
- FPL Ghost Orchid (Hendry County)
- FPL Sawgrass (Hendry County)
- FPL Elder Branch (Manatee County)
- FPL Sundew (St. Lucie County)
- FPL Immokalee (Collier County)
- FPL Grove (Indian River County)
Together, the eight new solar energy centers are capable of generating 596 MW of quiet, emissions-free energy. That’s enough to power 120,000 homes annually and reduces carbon emissions equivalent to taking 112,000 cars off the road each year.
The eight new solar energy centers add approximately 2 million panels to FPL’s portfolio. Recently, FPL announced it is now expecting to complete its goal of installing 30 million solar panels across Florida five years early – by the end of 2025.
Pictured: The Cotton Creek Solar Energy Center in North Escambia. Photo by Jeff Amerson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Decision Postponed On Rezoning 376 Acres In Molino
February 2, 2022
On Tuesday, the Escambia County Planning Board first denied, then postponed a final decision on a proposed large scale zoning change for 376 acres in Molino.
The wooded and undeveloped acreage is on five parcels along or near either Gibson Road or Crabtree Church Road in Molino (map below). The parcels are owned by Thomas Henry of Thomas Homes in Cantonment.
The current agricultural zoning on the property is agriculture, which allows for a maximum residential density of one dwelling unit on each 20 acres. Henry is proposing a future land use change to agricultural residential, which would allow a maximum of one residence per four acres.
According to Escambia County’s Comprehensive Plan, the agricultural residential zoning designation is allowed along highways, federal and “major county roads” as identified in the Escambia County Future Land Use Map.
(Story continues below graphic.)
The comprehensive plan does not offer a definition of “major county road”. The county’s development maps do show Gibson Road or Crabtree Church Road as major county roads.
County staff will seek clarification and the planning board will reconsider the proposal in April.
Several dozen citizens, mostly from Molino and Barrineau Park, attended Tuesday’s four-hour long planning board meeting. Speakers against the rezoning cited their opinions about inadequate infrastructure. They claimed that area roads and bridges, schools and emergency services are not adequate for added growth.
A county staff analysis of the rezoning application found that adequate infrastructure does exist.
Pictured: A portion of the property in question along Gibson Road in Molino. Pictured lower inset: Local resident Craig Exner addresses the Escambia County Planning Board Tuesday morning. Pictured below: Developer Thomas Henry speaks to the board. Pictured bottom: Map showing the area. NorthEscambia.com photo and images, click to enlarge.
Tate High Cheerleaders Win State Championship
February 2, 2022
The Tate High School cheerleaders are state champions.
They won the 2022 FHSAA Small Varsity competitive cheerleading championship.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Here’s The Latest Schedule For CSX Crossing Closures; Quintette Is Next Week
February 2, 2022
We have more information today about temporary CSX railroad crossing closures in North Escambia this week and into next week.
The schedule below may change due to weather and other unforeseen delays. NorthEscambia.com will publish any updates that are provided.
As of now, it looks like Quintette Road will be scheduled for Monday or Tuesday.
Here is the complete schedule:
Closed as of Tuesday
- North Barth Road — scheduled to open Wednesday
- Brickyard Road (first crossing) — awaiting asphalt
- Bamer Holley Lane — awaiting asphalt
Closed Wednesday
- Brickyard Road (second crossing)
- Barth Road
Closing Wednesday or Thursday
- Daffin Road
- Fairground Road
Closing possibly Thursday, if not Monday
- North Chipper Road
Monday or Tuesday (tentative)
- Quintette Road
Wednesday or Thursday (tentative)
- McKenzie Road
- Williams Ditch Road
- Cottage Hill Road
There are also a small number of private roads that cross the tracks in the area. These residents will be notified when their road will be closed by a person knocking on their door or leaving a door hanger.
CSX is replacing tracks through the area and replacing the roadway at each crossing.
Atmore Man Charged In Connection With Stolen UTV Found In Walnut Hill
February 2, 2022
An Atmore man was arrested in connection with a stolen UTV found in Walnut Hill.
Michael Cleveland Rolin, 45, was charged with felony dealing in stolen property.
In 2020, Rolin was charged in Baldwin County with stealing a 2015 Kubota RTV900 utility vehicle worth $8,500.
The UTV was located on Highway 97A in Walnut Hill, parked in plain view. The resident told deputies that he had purchased it from Rolin for $1,500. The victim stated he had paid $800 of that amount under a payment plan to Rolin. The purchaser identified Rolin from his Baldwin County Jail photo, according to an arrest report.
A Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office investigator took possession of the UTV to return it to the rightful owner.
Rolin was arrested in Escambia County, Florida, this week after he was released from the Baldwin County Jail, where had been since July 2020 on charges of receiving stolen property, and third degree burglary.
He then posted a $7,500 bond to be released from the Escambia County Jail in Pensacola.
Flomaton Sailor Serving About USS Harry S. Truman
February 2, 2022
Machinery Repairman 2nd Class Travis Odom is serving aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman in the Mediterranean Sea.
The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to maintain maritime stability and security, and defend U.S., allied and partner interests in Europe and Africa
Odom is pictured using a drill to make a key in the repair shop aboard the USS Harry S. Truman.
Photos by U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist Seaman T’ara Tripp for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rain Continues Through Friday
February 2, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 62. Southeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. High near 73. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Thursday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 46. South wind around 10 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Friday: Showers likely, mainly before noon. Areas of fog before 9am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 50. North wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. North wind around 10 mph.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 50. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 30. North wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 58. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 55.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.
Matthew James Hecht
February 2, 2022
, age 32, passed away unexpectedly Monday, January 31, 2022, after a brief illness.
Matt recently relocated to Jonesborough, TN with his family. He was born in Fort Worth, Texas and grew up in Pensacola.
He attended R.C Lipscomb, Ransom Middle School and graduated from Tate High in 2008. He also completed the PALS program at Pensacola State College in 2016.
Matt loved hockey, reading his Bible, doing artwork, riding his hand cycle, and fishing. He was a dedicated Pensacola Ice Flyers and Tampa Bay Lightning fan. He also enjoyed the several years that he played in the Miracle League of Pensacola.
Matt had a bright smile and a kind heart and will be missed dearly by his family and all who knew him.
Matt is survived by his parents Steve and Barbara Hecht, and his brothers Andy and Chris.
A celebration of Matt’s life will be performed at a later date.