Tate Cheerleaders Get Big Send-Off As They Head To Defend State Championship
February 4, 2023
The reigning competitive cheerleading state champions departed Tate High School Friday morning to defend their title in Gainesville this weekend. The Tate Showband of the South led over 300 students from different sports and clubs to send the squad off in true Tate style.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos by Erica Langton and Avery Kreiser/Tate Yearbook for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fire, Explosion With Partial Collapse At Fortis Institute
February 4, 2023
An explosion tore through the Fortis Institute on East Olive Road at North 9th Avenue Friday afternoon.
The explosion was reported about 1:40 p.m. and left the building with partial collapse and a small fire. Multiple windows were also shattered.
Four patients were evaluated, but none were transported by Escambia County EMS.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the incident.
Escambia Woman Charged In Double Fatal Crash
February 4, 2023
A 19-year old Escambia County woman was arrested Friday in connection with a double-fatal head-on wreck in January 2022.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Sara Nicole Hudson, 19, is charged with two counts of vehicular homicide, two counts of driving with a suspended license causing death and two counts of possession of a controlled substance.
FHP said Hudson was traveling on Sorrento Road on January 16, 2022, when she crossed into the incoming lane at a high rate of speed. She crashed into a 2002 Toyota Tundra driven by Deborah Lee Winslett of Milton. Winslett and Hudson’s passenger, Christopher Lee Mills of Pensacola, were both killed.
Hudson’s bond was set at $230,000.
Photos: Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’ Tate High School
February 4, 2023
The Tate High School Drama Department’s presented the Disney’s The Little Mermaid Thursday through Saturday nights.
For a photo gallery, click to tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hazel Hadley Roberts
February 4, 2023
Hazel Hadley Roberts, age 88, of Lottie, AL passed away on February 2, 2023. She wasborn on June 9, 1934 in Perdido, AL to Clark and Evie Anderson Hadley. She was a faithful member of Perdido Church of God who loved talking about the Lord and served as a Sunday School Teacher for many years. She retired from Vanity Fair. Hazel was known for her excellent cooking and had a special talent of yodeling. She loved spending time with her family. She enjoyed gospel music, sewing, gardening, birds, reading, working beads for jewelry and special crosses.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Curtis Roberts; her son, Hank Roberts; her grandson, Justin Hadley; great grandson, Elijah Mallory; her siblings: Willie Hadley, Virginia Hubbard, Katie Hall, Mattie Mae Boatwright, Willard Hadley, Willis Hadley and niece, Trudie Hadley.
She is survived by her sons, Curtis “Dude” Roberts, Jr. of Perdido, AL and Donald (Ute) Roberts of Perdido, AL; her daughters: Hazel JoAnn Weekley of Bay Minette, AL, Beverly (Norman Lee) Newton of Bay Minette, AL, Sandra Hadley of Perdido, AL and Ashelynn (Shad) Coleman of Lottie, AL; her brothers, William “Buddy” (Mildred) Hadley of Bay Minette, AL and Wilburn (Shirley) Hadley of Bay Minette, AL; her sisters, Joyce Ann
Jackson of Poarch, AL and Dona Leah Johnson of Little River, AL; her grandchildren: Michelle, Brandi, Amy, Kristy, Randy, Stacey, Marisa, Anthony, Donna, Blake, Cody and Wade along with many great and great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Monday, February 6, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Perdido Church of God in Perdido, AL with Bro. Scott Brooks and Bro. Harrison Steege officiating. Interment will follow in Serenity Gardens in Atmore, AL.
Visitation will be held Sunday, February 5, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Perdido Church of God.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Perdido Church of God.
She will forever hold a special place in her family’s heart.
Kenneth J. Lambeth
February 4, 2023
Kenneth J. Lambeth, age 79, of Walnut Hill, FL passed away on February 1, 2023. He was born on December 5, 1943. Kenneth was of the Assemblies of God faith and a floor covering installer. He was an avid fisherman and he enjoyed spending time with his family. He is preceded in death by his parents and his son, Kenneth Wayne Lambeth. He is survived by his wife, Shelia Aaron Lambeth; his son, Tommy Lambeth of Pensacola, FL; his daughters, Catina (Scott) Francis of Walnut Hill, FL and Regina (Steven) Ross of Poarch, AL; his sister, Melba (Junior) Lambeth of Atmore, AL; eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, February 5, 2023 at 2:30 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Don Sanks officiating. Interment will follow in Pine Barren Baptist Church Cemetery in Davisville, FL.
Active pallbearers will be Tommy Lambeth, T.J. Lambeth, Scott Francis, Steven Ross, Trey Robinson and Dustin Foley.
Visitation will be held Sunday, February 5, 2023 from 1:30 p.m. until service time at 2:30 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Vehicle Rollover Crash Discovered Friday Morning
February 3, 2023
There was no immediate word on any injuries in a single vehicle rollover crash discovered Friday morning in Molino.
The vehicle was found with no one around on Highway 95A near Cantering Hills Lane.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated and has not released further details.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
David W. “Bill” Jordan
February 3, 2023
David W. “Bill” Jordan passed away Tuesday, January 31, 2023, in Pensacola, FL. Bill was born December 29, 1939, in Brewton, AL. Bill was retired from the United States Marine Corp and a member of American Legion #340.
Bill is preceded in death by his son, David Jordan; parents, Sam and Willie Mae Jordan; and 2 sisters, Pauline and Agnes.
Bill is survived by his wife, Shirley Pettis Jordan; daughter, Cheryl Smith (Farrell); sons, Billy Jordan, Dale Jordan (Denise); and Gary Jordan (Noni); 18 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; step daughters, Tracee Ingram (Tom) and Leslee Cura (Benjie).
Visitation will be Saturday, February 4, 2023, from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM, in theFlorida Room at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North. Graveside Service, with Military Honors, will be Monday, February 6, 2023, at Barrancas National
Cemetery. The Funeral Procession will meet at 10:30 AM at Olive Baptist Church– Warrington Campus, 103 West Winthrop Avenue, Pensacola, to go to Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola, FL.
WaWa Coming To Nine Mile Road In Beulah, Also Highway 98
February 3, 2023
Wawa convenience stores are coming to Beulah and one other Escambia County location, and there are plans for additional stores.
At a preview event Thursday, Wawa announced locations for West Nine Mile Road and Beulah Road and on HIghway 98 at North Blue Angel Parkway. Construction is planned for this year.
Wawa said there are three or four additional locations in Escambia County still under consideration, with a goal of 6-10 locations by 2025.
Last April, Wawa announced they were actively looking for potential sites for new stores in the Pensacola area, along with Panama City, Tallahassee and Mobile. Current plans are for Wawa to open up to 40 stores in these markets beginning in 2024.
In 2022, Wawa marked the 10th anniversary of the opening of its first Florida store. The store opened July 18, 2012, in Orlando across from SeaWorld. Since then Wawa has expanded rapidly throughout the state and opened its 250th store in Florida last year. Today, Wawa employs almost 10,000 associates across the Sunshine State.
DeSantis Announced $3 Million For Broadband In And Around Jay, Escambia County
February 3, 2023
Thursday, Gov Ron DeSantis announced $144 million in rewards through the Broadband Opportunity Grant Program to expand access to broadband internet for Florida’s underserved communities, including over $3 million in projects for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Speaking in Milton, DeSantis announced:
- Town of Jay; Fidelis, Berrydale, Cobbtown, and Unincorporated Santa Rosa County, ($2,363,937) — to deploy 103.7 miles of new fiber optic cable and provide FTTH services to 791 unserved locations within Santa Rosa County with download speeds of 300 Mbps and upload speeds of 10 Mbps. The funds will go to a Charter Communications project.
- Escambia County ($802,489) — to deploy 24.8 miles on new fiber optic cable and provide FTTH services to 206 unserved locations within Escambia County with minimum download speeds of 300 Mbps and upload speeds of 10 Mbps.
“I am proud to be in Santa Rosa County to announce the first awards through Florida’s Broadband Opportunity Program,” said DeSantis. “Broadband internet access creates jobs and enhances educational opportunities for Floridians. I look forward to continued investments through this program to ensure Florida families have access to important resources no matter where they live.”
“Broadband internet service is essential for workforce development, education, and healthcare. Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida has taken monumental steps to bring reliable, high-speed internet to all Floridians,” said Department of Economic Opportunity Deputy Secretary Ben Melnick. “There is no doubt that the projects awarded today will shape the future of broadband in Florida, and we look forward to supporting the Governor’s vision for a connected economy.”
Administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), the Broadband Opportunity Program funds the installation and deployment of broadband internet infrastructure in unserved Florida communities, providing access to telehealth, economic, educational, and workforce development opportunities.