Tate Cross County, Golf, Volleyball Named State Academic Team Champions
January 13, 2025
Several Tate High School teams were named to the Florida High School Athletic Association Fall Academic Team Champions lists.
The Aggies teams were:
- Boys Cross County – 3.317 GPA
- Girls Cross Country – 3.748 GPA
- Boys Golf – 3.358 GPA
- Girls Golf – 3.462 GPA
- Girls Volleyball – 3.493 GPA
The FHSAA Academic Team Champion recognition program honors teamwork not only in competition, but in the classroom as well. The program recognizes teams in each of the Association’s sanctioned and recognized sports based off GPA
Ransom Middle School Names Students Of The Month
January 13, 2025
Ransom Middle School recently named their November-December Students of the Month. They are Vida Moreno and Dorian Fuller, both eighth graders. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Widespread Frost, Low Around Freezing Tonight
January 13, 2025
Here is the complete North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Widespread frost, mainly after 4am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 31. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Widespread frost, mainly before 7am. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a high near 52. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Calm wind.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Calm wind.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 62. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: Showers likely, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30.
M.L.King Day: Partly sunny, with a high near 47.
Molino Man Accused Of Aggravated Assault Of Mother, Girlfriend With Ceiling Fan Blade
January 13, 2025
A Molino man is accused of assaulting his mother and girlfriend with a ceiling fan blade.
Timothy Bryan Jones, 46, was charged with aggravated assault on a person over 65-years-old, aggravated battery on a person over 65, aggravated assault, and battery — all domestic violence related.
Jones allegedly threatened his family with a knife and struck a parent with the blade from ceiling fan.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to find Jones in front yard of a home on Pilgrim Trail Way with music playing loud enough to be heard from inside a patrol vehicle.
“Jones appeared to be heavily intoxicated and refused lawful commands to keep his hands visible and get on the ground,” an arrest report states. Two deputies took Jones to the ground, handcuffed him, and placed him in a patrol vehicle.
Deputies located his 66-year-old mother on the floor inside the home with visible bloody injuries to her head, neck and face, the report states. She told deputies that he became drunk and enraged, pushing her onto the floor before threatening to kill her and his girlfriend with a knife.
He then allegedly pulled a blade off a ceiling fan and struck his mother in the face before pushing his wheelchair-bound girlfriend to the floor.
His mother was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital, while his girlfriend refused medical transport.
Jones remained in the Escambia County Jail Monday morning without bond.
These Are This Week’s Road Construction Traffic Delay Hotspots
January 13, 2025
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:
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) 296) – The week of Jan. 12, drivers may encounter intermittent daytime lane closures on North Palafox Street, from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane, as crews perform paving operations.
- Interstate Circle Bridge Over Eight Mile Creek Construction – Interstate Circle is closed at the Eight Mile Creek Bridge through mid-2025 while crews replace the bridge. Signage is in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Pine Forest Road, Longleaf Drive and Wymart Road.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions Sunday, Jan. 12 through Thursday, Jan. 16, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.:
- Intermittent I-10 inside lane closures near the Nine Mile Road interchange.
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- Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps. Law enforcement will be on site, and directional signage will be in place to guide drivers through the work zone.
- I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- Sunday, Jan. 12 through Thursday, Jan. 16, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. the I-10 eastbound outside travel lane will be closed intermittently between mile markers 8 and 10 as crews place barrier wall.
- North Palafox Street, between Hope Drive and Whitehead Drive, will have intermittent daytime lane closures. Signage will be in place to direct drivers safely through the work zone.
- I-10 between U.S. 29 and I-110, is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction.
- The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound.
- A new temporary on-ramp for U.S. 29 southbound drivers accessing I-10 eastbound is now open. Detouring traffic to the temporary ramp will allow crews to continue work to reconstruct the I-10/U.S. 29 interchange.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between S.R. 4 and the Alabama State Line – Drivers on North Century Boulevard, between S.R. 4 and the Alabama State Line, may encounter intermittent lane closures for paving operations. Signage will be in place to direct drivers safely through the work zone.
- S.R. 295 Routine Bridge Maintenance over U.S. 90 Overpass – Motorists will encounter intermittent northbound lane closures Tuesday, Jan. 14 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- S.R. 295 Routine Bridge Maintenance over U.S. 90 Overpass – Motorists will encounter intermittent southbound lane closures Wednesday, Jan. 15 from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- U.S. 90 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Marcus Creek – Motorists will encounter intermittent east and westbound lane closures east of S.R. 296 Wednesday, Jan. 15 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- U.S. 29 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Mitchell Creek – Motorists will encounter intermittent northbound lane closures north of S.R. 97 Thursday, Jan. 16 from 12 a.m. to 2 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- I-10 Routine Utility Maintenance near U.S. 29 (Exit 10A and 10B) – Motorists will encounter intermittent westbound lane closures Thursday, Jan. 16 from 11 p.m. to 12 a.m. for routine utility maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 90 Resurfacing from west of Avalon Boulevard to east of Stewart Street – Drivers may encounter intermittent U.S. 90 lane closures, between Avalon Boulevard and Stewart Street, Sunday, Jan. 12 through Thursday, Jan. 16, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for milling and paving operations.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – Drivers on westbound U.S. 90 may encounter intermittent lane closures over the Simpson River Bridge, Sunday, Jan. 12 through Thursday, Jan. 16 between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. as crews perform shoulder work. Drivers are 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 Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive, Sunday, Jan. 12, through Friday, Jan. 17, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- Beginning Monday, Jan. 13, motorists will encounter a new traffic configuration on S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) as lanes will be shifted slightly west to allow the contractor to perform permanent widening activities on the east side of the roadway.
- S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) Routine Bridge Maintenance over Garcon Point Bridge – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Jan. 13 through Friday, Jan. 17 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- U.S. 98 Routine Bridge Maintenance at the ramp to S.R. 399 – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, Jan. 12 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- S.R. 281 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Mulatto Bayou – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures north of I-10 Monday, Jan. 13 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Florida Gas Prices Break Even On The Week
January 13, 2025
Florida gas prices continue to yo-yo up and down. The state average went from $3.11 per gallon down to $3.06 mid-week, only to bounce right back up to $3.11/g by Sunday.
In Escambia County, the average was at $2.82 Sunday. In North Escambia, a low of $2.78 was available at a station on Muscogee Road. In Pensacola, a low price of $2.57 was at a station on Eat Nine Mile Road.
“Fuel prices have cycled within the same range for the past couple months, but a recent oil price hike threatens to bring upward pressure on prices at the pump,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Oil prices rose to multi-month highs on winter weather woes and U.S. sanctions on Russian petroleum. This could place upward pressure on prices at the pump.”
Ice Flyers Rally In Final Period Falls Short In Weekend Series Loss To Macon
January 13, 2025
by Bill Vilona, Ice Flyers correspondent
A weekend that began Friday for the Ice Flyers with such promise unfortunately ended with familiar frustration.
For the second straight night, the Macon Mayhem seized control of the game in the second period and Sunday held on for a 3-2 win against the Ice Flyers at the Pensacola Bay Center to claim the three-game series in three days between the teams.
“I feel bad for the guys,” said Ice Flyers coach Gary Graham. “I thought they deserved a better outcome. I felt we out-chanced them and outplayed them, but again they were opportunistic with their chances.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Ice Flyers pelted Macon goaltender Dysen Skinner with 43 shots on goal, outshooting the Mayhem 43-29, but after giving up three second-period goals, the Ice Flyers couldn’t get an equalizer.
“For us it has been about scoring timely goals the whole season,” Graham said. “It doesn’t matter who is the lineup, who’s not, we get great chances and we just can’t find a way to put the puck in the net. I thought their goalie made some unbelievable saves in the third (period).”
The Ice Flyers opened with this trio of games with a 3-1 win at Macon on Friday. They were tied 1-1 after the first intermission Saturday, but Macon again scored three unanswered goals and won that game 5-1. On Sunday, a chance to finish the weekend by netting a two-point gain on Macon in the standings went awry.
The Ice Flyers (8-19, 3 OT losses) are now five points behind Macon and mired in the bottom of the Southern Professional Hockey League standings. The Ice Flyers will host fourth-place Fayetteville for three straight games beginning Friday at the Bay Center.
“There’s no excuses anymore. We are not proud of what the results have been,” said Ice Flyers defenseman and team captain Jake Hamilton. “Even if the effort is great, it’s not enough. We have to have wins.
“We’ve got to find a way to go the full 60 (minutes),” he said. “I feel like we outplayed Macon most of the game, but we’re not getting that puck luck.
“And honestly as a group I don’t think we’re desperate enough. All of us need to block more shots and we’re missing that last little bit of desperation to truly have that winning culture.”
Trailing 3-1 after two periods, the Ice Flyers got a lift when Michael Herrera scored less than five minutes into the third period. The Ice Flyers outshot Macon 15-5 in this period, just missing on several chances.
But any hope the Ice Flyers had of getting an extra attacker on the ice in the final minutes ended when Jonathan Bartuccio-Periera was whistled for a major (5 minute) boarding penalty that caused injury with 2:09. The Ice Flyers pulled goalie Brody Claeys with 1:06 remaining, but that only meant an even strength situation.
To their credit, the Ice Flyers generated two scoring chances despite the adverse circumstances.
“We put a face-off play on. and we still ended up getting Herrera — our best skater on the breakaway — so we got a scoring chance out of that,” said Graham, referring to Herrera’s chance from the side thwarted by Skinner.
“And Cayden Cahill, when we got (Claeys) pulled, he gets a Grade-A look and just missed it high and right, so we were still able to get two amazing scoring chances in that situation.”
The two back-to-back losses followed two consecutive road wins that had the Ice Flyers feeling they were on way to building a surge.
“We got three home games this week,” Graham said. “We have a tough opponent coming in. There are no easy games this year for the Ice Flyers until we find a consistent way of playing hockey.”
A quick recap:
FIRST PERIOD
The Ice Flyers Greg Susinski scored his first professional goal with 1:47 left in the period. He was in perfect position on a kick-save rebound from teammate Cahill’s slapshot inside the blue line and wristed the puck in the open net.
The teams were tied 9-9 on shots and there was only one penalty whistled.
SECOND PERIOD
Macon tied the game just 1:51 into the period on a breakaway finished by Hugo Koch, following a great pass on his stick from teammate Justin Kelly.
Ten minutes later, Justin Kelley rifled a shot past Clayes from outside the faceoff circle that traveled through some raised sticks.
“I don’t know if that second goal was a high stick,” Graham said. “We all feel like we got hosed in that situation, and we didn’t handle the adversity well after that and that’s how they got the third goal.”
The third goal was scored with just 1:56 left in the period on a shot through traffic.
THIRD PERIOD
Five minutes into the period the Ice Flyers had two chances in a scramble in the crease area. A Macon player moved in and blocked two shots with Skinner away from area.
Later in the period, Doug Elgstam was robbed on a deflection on a rush to the net situation that Skinner toward.
The late penalty then gave Macon its own power play of the third period.
“It was tough to see BP (Bartuccio-Pereira) get that five-minute major at the end,” Graham said. “We really felt like if we could get the goalie pulled, that we had the momentum, we really liked our chances on what we were doing, but it wasn’t in the cards.”
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: Fayetteville Marksmen vs. Ice Flyers
WHEN: Friday through Sunday. Friday-Saturday games start at 7:05 p.m. and Sunday at 4:05 p.m.
WHERE: Pensacola Bay Center.
Gordon Eugene Everette
January 13, 2025
Gordon Eugene Everette was born in Atmore, AL on November 28, 1932 to the late Jessie Earl Everette, Sr. and Georgia Mae Turberville Everette. He attended Rachel Patterson Elementary School and Escambia County High School. He was a member of the Alabama National Guard and was mobilized during the Korean War while a senior in high school. He completed high school when he was discharged.
Gordon farmed for several years, then began work at Monsanto (formerly Chemstrand) in Pensacola, FL. He worked there for 31 years and lost an eye in an industrial accident while working there. He served 14 years on the Supervisory Committee of the Monsanto Credit Union. After retirement from Monsanto, he began work for the State Department of Corrections at Fountain Correctional Institute. He worked there for eleven years, retiring in 1998. He worked seven years for the Atmore Police Department as maintenance man.
He has been active in Woodmen Life (formerly Woodmen of the World) for many years, serving the local chapter as President, then Treasurer. He was State Jurisdictional President of Woodmen from 1991-1993. He enjoyed several years as a Gideon and loved speaking in churches until he lost his hearing and had to give it up. Gordon became a Christian at a young age and has been active throughout his life in Baptist Churches. Since moving to Daphne, AL several years ago he has been very active in Eastern Shore Baptist Church. His activity declined when he lost his eyesight in February 2018.
Gordon is survived by his wife of 66 years, Jettie L. Gulsby Everette, his daughters, Susan. E. (Gene) Fischer, of Bella Vista, AR, Melanie E. (Ken) Whitaker, of Marietta, GA, and son, Charles. E. (Gene), (Dawn) Everette of Fairhope, AL, six grandchildren, Ashley Vinson (Brian), Carter Fischer, Leslie Keith (Blake), Brian Whitaker (Robin), Kristie Freeman (Taylor), and Hali Everette, and seven great-grandchildren, Abbie, Libby, Tanner, Hunter Vinson, Walker Keith, Eden and Morrison Freeman.
In addition to his parents, Gordon was pre-deceased by his son, Gordon Michael Everette, sisters, Ouida Callender, Bobbie Spain, Alma Miles, and brothers, Joseph P. Everette, Williard O. Everette, Smith Everette, Jessie Earl Everette, Jr., and Grover Everette.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel in Atmore, AL with Dr. Stuart Davidson, and Rev. Jerry Caylor officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore, AL.
Pallbearers will be grandsons, Brian Whitaker, grand-sons-in-law, Brian Vinson, Blake Keith, Taylor Freeman, nephew, Scott Everette, and Tommy Kirksey.
Visitation will be held from 1:00 PM until service time at 2:00 PM at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in honor of Gordon E. Everette to the charity of your choice or Eastern Shore Baptist Church, PO Box 128, Daphne, AL 36526.
Community Remembers Beau Rodrique, Former Beulah Fire Deputy Chief
January 12, 2025
A funeral service will be held Tuesday for Beau Rodrique, former Beulah Volunteer Fire Department deputy chief. Beau lost his battle with cancer on January 5. He was 42.
Beau knew from a young age he wanted to follow his dad, Greg Rodrique, into fire service. He joined the Beulah fire department in 1998 as a junior firefighter and when he turned 18. In 2000, he completed his training to become a certified firefighter. His father Greg, after serving over 30 years with Beulah, retired from the deputy chief position in 2006.
Beau continued to serve the community of Beulah, and moved through the ranks at the firehouse until he reached the position of deputy chief in 2015. One of Beau’s final calls was in 2019 when Beulah Assistant Chief Dwain Bradshaw lost his life in the line of duty. Beau’s time with the Beulah Volunteer Fire Department ended in 2020 when he moved with his family to Walnut Hill.
Beau’s commitment to service extended to his career choice, where he worked for 15 years at Pensacola Naval Air Station before transitioning to Otis Elevator company. He thrived there for the past seven years and was recently promoted to the role of general manager, further demonstrating his strong work ethic and leadership.
Beau was known as the “Gentle Giant” because his kind and loving nature touched everyone he met.
He is survived by his wife Kirstie, daughters Kaylee Rodrique and Audrey Rodrique, son Wyatt Rodrique, and numerous other relatives and a large circle of friends.
The viewing and funeral service for Beau Rodrique will be Tuesday January 14t at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church, 6205 North W Street in Pensacola. Viewing will be 10 a.m. until known with the service immediately following. His final resting place will be Pensacola Memorial Gardens on Pine Forest Road.
For the complete obituary, click here.
Rustic Rooster: Deli And Market Planned For Highway 97 In Davisville
January 12, 2025
The owners of a planned deli, market and shop in Davisville have filed plans with the Escambia County Development Review Committee for their business.
The Rustic Rooster will be located at 10251 Highway 97, near the Davisville Community Center. The building was previously used for retail and as a restaurant.
According to a handwritten letter filed with the application, owners Dave and Carla Carlson, “Rustic Rooster will opening as a deli and small market and antique store”.
“We are rebranding what the previous use was and to bring back life to the beautiful building in the community,” the letter states. “We have cleaned and updated the interior and exterior to beautify the property.”
The 4,243 square foot building is located on 1.83 acres. Application materials show parking in the front and rear of the building.
The application is set for a January 15 pre-application meeting with the Escambia County Development Review Committee.
Pictured: The Rustic Rooster in Walnut Hill as seen Saturday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
