Two Century Town Council Members Sworn In; First Fully Elected Council In Six Months
April 8, 2023
Good Friday was a good day for the Century Town Council. For the first time in over six months, there is a full house of five elected members on the town council.
Shelisa McCall and Alicia Johnson took their oaths of office and were sworn into office Friday evening.
MCall, in Seat 3, and Johnson, in Seat 4, had served on an interim basis since January and were both elected by a clear majority in a recent special election.
In late September 2022, Leonard White resigned from Seat 3 on the council, citing time constraints due to his job as correctional officer at the local prison. By the end of the year, the term of Seat 4 member James Smith expired. No one ran for two seats during the 2022 election, leading to the interim appointments and ultimately the special election last month.
The oaths of office were given on the Good Friday holiday because the town charter requires that council members be sworn in 10 days following a special election.
Pictured: Shelisa McCall (black dress) and Alicia Johnson (light-colored blouse) were sworn in to the Century Town Council Friday evening. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Missing, Endangered Man Last Seen Near McDavid
April 8, 2023
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was searching for a missing, endangered last seen early Saturday morning near McDavid.
Benjamin Haritos, 34, was last seen in the 10,000 block of North Highway 29, near Cotton Creek Road. He was wearing a white t-shirt, and black and red jogging pants. He is 5-feet, 7-inches tall and 155 pounds.
Anyone with information is asked to call the ECSO at (850) 436-920.
Mostly Cloudy And Cooler For The Remainder Of The Weekend
April 8, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Northeast wind around 10 mph.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 67. Northeast wind around 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 73. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. Northeast wind around 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. East wind around 10 mph.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 75.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 78.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.
Local Leader Of Drug Conspiracy Sentenced To Federal Prison
April 8, 2023
The U.S. Attorney’s Office says the local leader of an “alprazolam conspiracy” has been sentenced to federal prison.
Jason C. Martinez, 46, was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for leading a local conspiracy aimed at distributing and possessing with intent to distribute alprazolam after previously pleading guilty on January 10.
“Our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners work tirelessly to keep us safe and serve a critical role in our efforts to remove addictive, and all too frequently deadly, controlled substances from our communities,” said Jason R. Coody, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. “These sentences demonstrate our commitment to support their efforts through the investigation and vigorous prosecution of criminals distributing drugs in North Florida.”
Between November 1, 2020, and March 11, 2022, Martinez, and his two co-conspirators, Chad E. Dennison, and Tina P. Rahn, conspired to distribute alprazolam throughout Pensacola. On March 11, 2022, law enforcement executed multiple residential search warrants to conclude its nearly one-and-a-half year-long investigation into the alprazolam distribution conspiracy.
During the investigation, law enforcement intercepted over 100 parcels traveling through the U.S. Mail. Upon execution of the search warrants, law enforcement discovered pharmaceutical grade pill presses, pill counting machines, a full body suit and respirator, drug ledgers, and packaging products, amongst other items. Martinez received his orders from unknown co-conspirators via the dark web, and he then mixed, pressed, and packaged the pills as well as labeled them for distribution. Martinez then relied on his co-conspirators to deliver the packages to various post offices throughout the Pensacola area for distribution all over the country.
Martinez’s co-conspirators previously pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute alprazolam. The sentences imposed for all defendants were as follows:
- Jason C. Martinez, 46, of Pensacola, 8 years in federal prison, followed by 2 years’ supervised release;
- Chad E. Dennison, 44, of Pensacola, 48 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years’ supervised release; and
- Tina P. Rahn, 53, of Pensacola, 24 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years’ supervised release.
“The resolution to this investigation demonstrates the hard work and collaboration of our law enforcement partners. The leader of this extensive drug distribution network will now spend significant time behind bars,” said Juan Vargas, Inspector in Charge of the Miami Division, U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “Martinez and his co-conspirators plagued their communities with illicit drugs. This investigation is a great example of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s commitment to eliminating illicit drugs from the mail and protecting our communities.”
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service with the assistance of local law enforcement to include the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Highway Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer H. Callahan prosecuted the case.
Poarch Creek Indians Starting Construction On Meat Processing Facility In Atmore
April 8, 2023
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians are beginning construction on a meat processing facility in Atmore. Scheduled to open in the Spring of 2024, it will have the capacity to process up to 125 cattle per week and is expected to create 10-15 full-time jobs.
The tribe is investing $15 million in the state-of-the-art facility as part of its long-term goal to create a model for sustainable food production that will serve tribal members and the general public.
“Alabama cattle producers have expressed the need for additional meat, slaughter and processing facilities for some time,” said Alabama Agriculture and Industries Commissioner Rick Pate. “The opening of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians processing facility will not only help address food supply chain issues but also greatly benefit Alabama cattle producers.”
The Tribe has owned and operated Perdido River Farms since 1992. It is one of the largest cattle farms in Alabama and has plans to expand their production when this new facility is completed.
The project will allow the tribe to harvest and process beef and pork for both livestock producing customers and for retail and wholesale business.
“Like so many other local meat producers, we have had to send the cattle that we raised at Perdido River Farms out of state for processing,” said Stephanie A. Bryan, Poarch Band of Creek Indians chairwoman and CEO. “During the pandemic, we came to see just how unsustainable that model is, and we made a commitment to provide those critical resources close to home. We are excited that our new facility will give us and our neighboring farmers the ability to process locally-raised beef and pork in Atmore. That will make it easier and more cost-effective to bring a wonderful product to market, and it will give Alabama producers an opportunity to be part of the ‘farm to table’ movement that is so important to both consumers and local agriculture.”
Pictured: The current Poarch Band of Creek Indians owned Perdido River Farms. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Football Getting New Video Scoreboard
April 8, 2023
A new video board is coming to Tate High School’s Carl Madison Field in Pete Gindl Stadium.
In addition to scores and game information, the board can be used to display hype videos before the games, senior interviews, and more.
The video board is privately funded by football boosters. It is expected to be in operation by the first kickoff in August.
NorthEscambia.com photos/graphics, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Drop Opening Day Game To The Biscuits
April 8, 2023
The Montgomery Biscuits used speed to spoil the Blue Wahoos’ first game back from a championship.
Seven stolen bases led to four runs and the Blue Wahoos had few opportunities at the plate in a 6-1 loss to the Biscuits in the team’s season opener Friday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
A sellout crowd of 5,038 saw the night begin in a celebratory way with the Blue Wahoos’ returning players getting presented championship rings by selected season-ticket holders. The first 2,000 fans received replica rings, completed with the team logo, in a promotion sponsored by Hill-Kelly Dodge.
The game featured the same starting pitching matchup as late September, back when these teams last met in the deciding game of the Southern League divisional series.
Blue Wahoos lefthander Dax Fulton, who entered the season ranked as the Miami Marlins’ No. 4 prospect, left with one out in the fifth inning and absorbed the loss. He threw 87 pitches, giving up two hits, two runs, issuing two walks with six strikeouts.
The Biscuits’ Mason Montgomery worked three innings, giving up the Blue Wahoos’ lone run on a two-out single in the third inning by José Devers, who had two of Pensacola’s four hits and reached base all four times.
After a clean first inning, Fulton yielded a one-out walk in the second, which turned into the first run. Tristan Peters stole second and scored on Blake Hunt’s two-out single.
Greg Jones led off the third by reaching on a fielding error. He stole second, then stole third and scored on catcher Will Banfield’s throwing error on the play.
The Biscuits expanded their 3-1 lead after six innings by scoring three runs in the ninth off reliever Sean Reynolds to put the game away.
The teams will continue the three-game series Saturday with the Blue Wahoos throwing Eury Perez – the Miami Marlins No. 1 prospect, number 13 overall by MLB Pipeline – against Montgomery’s Anthony Molino.
Written by Bill Vilona, photo by Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
Here Are Next Week’s Road Construction Trouble Spots
April 8, 2023
Take note — drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities next week.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, April 9 through Saturday, April 15 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews perform paving operations. On Tuesday, April 11, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing Between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Drivers on U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) will encounter a lane shift and lane closures through April. The two U.S. 29 northbound travel lanes and the center turn lane will be closed between Hatties Boulevard and East Cottage Street. During the closure, one northbound and one southbound lane will remain open using the current southbound travel lanes. Signage will be in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The truck parking lot at the Escambia County Interstate 10 Welcome Center, located at mile marker four, will be temporarily closed until summer when the Welcome Center improvements are complete. The front and middle car parking lots are open.
- East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) Roadway Improvements from Chemstrand Road to East of Baldridge Drive – The bicycle lanes are temporarily closed to allow crews to widen the turn lanes and construct new five-foot bicycle lanes. In addition, the speed limit on this section of East Nine Mile Road has been reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles will share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete next summer.
- · Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) 296) to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, April 9 through Thursday, April 13 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway.
- Lillian Highway (S.R. 298) Resurfacing from North of U.S. 98 to East of Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727) and Lillian Highway at Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – Drivers will encounter shoulder closures and daytime lane closures on Lillian Highway, between U.S. 98 to Blue Angel Parkway, Monday, April 10 through Friday, April 14 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Crews will be performing drainage and shoulder construction.
- Navy Boulevard (S.R. 295) Resurfacing from North of the Bayou Grande Bridge to Gulf Beach Highway/Barrancas Avenue (S.R. 292) – Drivers will encounter outside lane closures on Navy Boulevard southbound, from Barrancas Avenue to the Bayou Grande Bridge, Friday, April 7 through Friday, April 14 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Crews will be working on curb, gutters and sidewalks.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, April 9 through Saturday, April 15 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews perform paving operations. On Tuesday, April 11, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – Construction crews have temporarily shifted eastbound traffic to the westbound bridge over Simpson River. The shift is expected to be in place through April 2023. During this time, there will be two westbound lanes and one eastbound travel lane using the westbound bridge. Due to the traffic shift, there will not be dedicated bike lanes on the bridge. Drivers are urged to take extra caution as they will be temporarily sharing the bridge with cyclists. Drivers are also reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Point Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road Sunday, April 9, through Friday, April 14, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- S.R. 87 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Coldwater Creek – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures south of S.R. 4 Tuesday, April 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- U.S. 98 (Navarre Parkway) Routine Utility Maintenance from Herons Nest Drive to Costa Verde Court – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, April 10 form 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Utility maintenance.
- U.S. 98 Routine Turn Lane Maintenance West of S.R. 87 – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, April 10 through Thursday, April 13 form 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for paving operations.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
John Robert Coleman
April 8, 2023
John Robert Coleman, 68 of Byrneville, FL passed away on April 6, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Atmore, AL. to the late John Bob and Mae Lyvonne Davis Coleman on March 26, 1955. He was a retired machine operator from Stone Container Corporation. He was a lifetime member of Poplar Dell Baptist Church, an avid fisherman, Alabama Football Fan and Nascar Fan. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Patricia Coleman Jernigan.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years Peggy Tabers Coleman of Byrneville, FL; one son John Bob (Crystal) Coleman of Byrneville, FL; one daughter Freedom Key (Brian Piechocki) of Atmore, AL. Three brothers Glen (Charlene) Coleman of Brewton, AL; Donald (Margaret) Coleman of Byrneville, FL; Daniel (Becky) Coleman of Milton, FL and one sister Cathy (Milton) Ray of Wichita Falls, TX. Four grandchildren John, Elizabeth, Gabriel and Grayson.
Funeral services will be held Monday, April 10, 2023 at 2 p.m. at Poplar Dell Baptist Church with Bro. Mitch Herring officiating. Interment fill follow in Poplar Dell Baptist Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Michael Key, Brian Piechocki, Glen Coleman, Mike Beals, Jeffery Morris and Eddie Goodwin.
Visitation will be held Monday, April 10, 2023 from 1 PM until service time at 2 p.m. at Poplar Dell Baptist Church.
Pedestrian, 79, Struck And Killed In I-10 Hit And Run
April 7, 2023
A pedestrian died in a hit and run crash on I-10 Friday morning.
About 5 a.m., a 79-year old man was in the eastbound lane on I-10 near mile marker 8, between Pine Forest Road and Pensacola Boulevard.
Troopers said an unknown vehicle struck the man and fled the scene. No vehicle description available
The Florida Highway Patrol said the man was pronounced deceased at the scene.
“If anyone knows of a vehicle and driver that may have been in the area this morning and possible crashed into this pedestrian, please call *247 (*FHP) or Crime Stoppers,” FHP Lt. Jason King said. “Anyone taking a car to the repair shop without a report or anyone you know that has reported damage to their vehicle and ‘don’t know what they hit’, any lead to assist with tracking down the individual responsible.”