Thousands Attend Pensacon (With Gallery)
February 16, 2025
Tens of thousands of people attended the first two days of the Pensacon Friday and Saturday at the Pensacola Bay Center.
The event will continue Sunday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Pensacon 2025 is an all-inclusive event that encompasses the many genres of pop culture and the fan community, including sci-fi, fantasy, horror, comics, anime, gaming, comedy, music and much more.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos by Perry Doggrell and Sheri Hendon for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Students Take Home Awards in Escambia County History Fair
February 16, 2025
The recent Escambia County History Fair showcased entries from students who had advanced from school-level competitions. These entries spanned various categories, including exhibits, websites, performances, documentaries, and historical papers.
The Junior League of Pensacola sponsors the J. Earle Bowden Young Historian Award for Outstanding Senior Entry which was presented to Sarah Tanveer of PHS, for her historical paper titled, “From Atrocity to Accountability: The Doctors’ Trial Impact on Medical Humanitarian Law.”
The Katherine Pomeroy Memorial Award for Outstanding Junior Entry in 2025 was awarded to Avery Smith (Beulah Elementary) for her website, “IDEA: Bridge to Academic Equality.”
The first- and second-place winners in the junior and senior categories (listed below) will advance to the state history fair competing this May.
Historical Exhibit Awards
Elementary Group Division
3rd place “Sorosis: of Women, by Women, for Women,” Harper VanLandingham and Austyn Hoxworth (Beulah Elementary)
Junior Individual Division
3rd place “The Montgomery Bus Boycott,” Jackson Loyed (Beulah Academy of Science)
Junior Group Division
2nd place “The Rights and Responsibilities of the Titanic,” Darby Walker and Kinsley Lukas (Ransom Middle School)
3rd place “The Great Emu War,” Emery Truitt, Brayden Scales, and Weston Wagner (Ransom Middle School)
Senior Individual Division
1st place “China’s One Child Policy,” Brandy Li (Pensacola High School)
2nd place “Teacher Unions: Who’s Responsible for the Rights of Educators?” Jude Poller (Booker T. Washington High School)
Senior Group Division
1st place “Bhagat Singh Thind v. US Supreme Court (1932),” Sudhishna Gampa and Hasini Kandala (Pensacola High School)
2nd place “The Chicago Tylenol Murders of 1982,” Virain Nanda and Naren Yerramsetty (Pensacola High School)
Historical Documentary Awards
Senior Individual Documentary Division
1st place “The Montreal Protocol: Environmental Movements that Work,” Lark Keckler (Pensacola High School)
2nd place “The Right to Education,” Myles Robinson (Booker T. Washington High School)
Senior Group Documentary Division
2nd place “America’s Bombing of Japan; A Turning Point in History,” Berkeley Henderson and Michael O’Brien (Pensacola High School)
Historical Paper Awards
Senior Division
1st place “From Atrocity to Accountability: The Doctors’ Trial Impact on Medical Humanitarian Law,” Sarah Tanveer (Pensacola High School)
2nd place “Informed Consent from Shloendorff to Canterbury: The Patient’s Right to Know and the Doctor’s Responsibility to Inform,” David Knoblock (Pensacola High School)
3rd place “History of Vaccine Mandates,” Roxanna Boland (Pensacola High School)
Historical Website Awards
Elementary Division
1st place “IDEA: Bridge to Academic Equality,” Avery Smith (Beulah Elem)
Junior Group Division
2nd place “Prohibition Era,” Micah Doyle, Hunter McLaughlin, and Isaiah McHenry (Ransom Middle School)
Senior Individual Websites
1st place “ Book Bans in Schools: Turning the Page on Censorship,” Lillien Williams
(Pine Forest High School)
2nd place “Breaking the Pace, Beyond the Finish Line: Katherine Switzer and the Boston Marathon” Sarah Boyles (Pensacola High School)
3rd place “Sati: Sacred Tradition to Social Revolution” Shrinithi Sridhar (Pensacola High School)
Senior Group Websites
1st place “The West Virginia Coal Wars: The Hardships for Unionizing And Labor Rights,” Michala Holland and Alexia Wilcox (Pine Forest High School)
2nd place “Rights and Responsibilities – Bill of Rights,” Jordan Dahms and Audreyanna Price (Pine Forest High School)
Historical Performance Awards
Elementary Individual Division
1st place “Title IX,” Callie Griffith (NB Cook Elem.)
2nd place “Rosa Parks: An Amazing Civil Rights Activist,” Gunner Knight (NB Cook Elem.)
Tie 3rd place “Susan B. Anthony,” Bellamy Lobley (NB Cook Elem.)
Tie 3rd place “Jackie Robinson: Breaking the Color Barrier in the MLB,” Jayden King (NB Cook Elem.)
Elementary Group Division
1st place “Miranda Rights and How They Affect You,” Balian Gregory, Casey Herzberg, Roark Robledo, and Liam Van Horn (NB Cook Elem.)
2nd place “Ruth Bader Ginsberg: Rights and Responsibilities,” Olivia Yasunaga, Victoria Owens, Major Johnson, and Riley Durre, (NB Cook Elem.)
3rd place “Women’s Voting Rights: A Difficult Fight” Peighton Schmidtke, Sloane Genest, and Kalani Thompson, (NB Cook Elem.)
Senior Individual Performance
1st place “A Court for the Creeks: How Seven Men Set in Motion a 150-Year Battle,” Aya Prince (Pensacola High School)
2nd place “Alice Paul and the Struggle for Women’s Rights,” Sydney Burkey, (Booker T. Washington HS)
Escambia County Seeks Volunteer for Planning Board Appointment
February 16, 2025
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an at-large appointment to the Escambia County Planning Board.
At-large members serve a two-year term of office and attend one meeting per month (generally the first Tuesday of the month). Meetings are generally from 8:30 a.m. to no later than noon; however, occasionally may go beyond noon depending upon the agenda. No travel is involved unless the Planning Board members decide to view a particular property for informational purposes. Financial disclosure is required.
Escambia County residents interested in being considered for a possible appointment to the Escambia County Planning Board are asked to submit a resume indicating their desire to serve by close of business on Tuesday, February 25. Letters and resumes should be submitted to Rachel Whitmire; 3363 West Park Place; Pensacola, FL 32505; or emailed to rwhitmire@myescambia.com.
The term for this vacancy is February 16, 2023 until February 16, 2025.
All submittals are subject to public records requests.
Patricia Powell Freeman
February 16, 2025
Patricia Powell Freeman, age 77, of Atmore, AL passed away on February 13, 2025. She was born on February 5, 1948, in Bratt, FL to Johnnie and Mary Gay Powell. Patricia was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. She was an avid Alabama fan and loved fishing. She enjoyed gardening and doing yardwork. She took pride in her yard and flowers and hated potato vines. Patricia was a perfectionist!
During her employment life, Patricia held many titles. She was employed at Elmore’s 5 & Dime, Bonner Printing, Dr. St. Amant’s Office, a Manager of Movie Gallery, a Bookkeeper with Freeman Builders Construction Company, a Lab Tech with Greenlawn Hospital, and a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant.
Patricia loved her grands and great-grands with her whole heart. She followed the grandkids to ALL of their sporting events, can’t ever remember her missing an event. Patricia was the “Boss” of the family, the “Backbone” of the family. She was everyone’s “go-to” person, family lawyer, family doctor, and family counselor before her health declined.
Patricia is preceded in death by her parents, Johnnie Powell and Mary Gay Powell; her brother, Wayne Powell; her grandson, Stephen Breyden Freeman; great-niece, Anna Grace Stanley; and her brothers-in-law, Shorty Tyree and Damon Bell.
Patricia is survived by her husband of almost 60 years, Bobby Freeman; her son, Steve Freeman of Atmore, AL and her daughter, Kathy (Hub) Wilson of Bratt, FL; her grandchildren, Trent (Jessica) Freeman, Alex (Harrison) McDonald, Brannon (Grayson) Freeman, Aaron (Lacey) McDonald, Chasen (Hannah) Freeman, and Tyler (Marissa) Wilson; her great-grandchildren, Leighton Freeman, Parker Freeman, Sawyer Freeman, Knox Freeman, Miles Freeman and one on the way; her sisters and brother, Mary Alice Turner of Saraland, AL, Glenda Bell of Atmore, AL, Linda (Tony) Wooten of Atmore, AL, Billy Powell of Atmore, AL, and Rita Powell of Atmore, AL; special best friends, Dr. Frances D. Salter and Diane Jerkins; numerous nieces and nephews, and a host of family and friends.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, February 16, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Larry Beauchamp and Bro. Michael Roley officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery in Atmore, AL.
Active pallbearers will be Trent Freeman, Brannon Freeman, Aaron McDonald, Tyler Wilson, Chasen Freeman, and Harrison Kase.
Visitation will be held Sunday, February 16, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. until service time at 2:00 p.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
William Joseph (Bill) Brewster
February 16, 2025
William Joseph (Bill) Brewster, a solitary man, died on 13 February 2025, as a result of a fall one year earlier, in which he broke his hip and never recovered.
Bill was born in 1947, the second year of the Baby Boomers, at Pensacola’s Baptist Hospital and grew up “in the country” in and around Cantonment, Florida, long before it became a bedroom community of Pensacola. Bill was the middle son of his late parents, Robbye Lee Estes Brewster, 1916-1999 and Joe McCall Brewster, 1914-1985.
Bill and his brothers learned early in life the lessons of hard labor and striving for perfection from their father, who put them to work on the homestead every Saturday morning. Bill grew up, and was baptized in, Gonzalez United Methodist Church, where his mother taught an adult Sunday School class for many years.
He graduated Tate High, Class of 1965, then graduated as a cadet from Marion Military Institute (est. 1842), Class of 1967, during the height of the Vietnam War. He then attended the University of Florida where he had too much fun and then he transferred to, and graduated from, William Carey University. He remained a true Gator fan until his death.
After working in retail for a number of years, he returned to the University of West Florida, where he earned his third college degree. Thereafter, he ran his own lawn and landscape company, as a one-man operation. Later, he taught as a substitute teacher for a while and then returned to working in retail.
He is survived by his two brothers, Tom E. Brewster (and wife Pam) of Pensacola Beach, James R. Brewster of Tallahassee, three nephews and two nieces, along with numerous Estes cousins. His brothers and sister-in-law, Pam, visited him often while he was in rehab for nearly a year; and Pam cared for, and comforted, him when he was on his death bed. His brothers said their goodbyes to Bill, face to face, on the Saturday preceding his death.
No services are currently planned. The disposition of the body is being handled by Faith Chapel Funeral Home. The family thanks all of the care-givers involved in treating Bill. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Gentiva Hospice or the charity of your choice.
Severe Storms Likely Early Sunday Morning
February 15, 2025
There is now an enhanced (level 3 of 5) risk of severe storms late Saturday night into early Sunday morning for the entire area.
Damaging winds of 70 mph or more are possible, along with a few strong (EF2 or greater) tornadoes. The storms may reach the extreme northwestern corner of Escambia County, Florida, (including Walnut Hill, Bratt and Nokolis) before midnight, but the storms are likely between 1 a.m. and 6 a.. for most of the county.
There is a wind advisor in effect through 6 a.m. Sunday with strong winds ahead of a cold front, gusting to 45 mph. There is also a gale warning at the coast.
Did you know? We post live updates during weather warnings on our Facebook page.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Overnight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9pm and midnight, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Some of the storms could be severe. Low around 57. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a temperature rising to near 62 by 11am, then falling to around 55 during the remainder of the day. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33. North wind around 10 mph.
Washington’s Birthday: Sunny, with a high near 56. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph after midnight.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 61. East wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: A chance of showers, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 47. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Wednesday: Showers, mainly before noon. High near 59. East wind 10 to 15 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 46.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 26.
One Performances Remains Of The Addams Family Musical: School Edition At Tate High (Photo Gallery)
February 15, 2025
There is one remaining Tate High School productions of The Addams Family Musical: School Edition.
There is an afternoon show on Sunday at 2 p.m. in the school cafeteria.
Admission is $10 at the door, cash only.
For a photo gallery, click here.
CAST
Gomez Addams – Gavin Bramblett
Morticia Addams – Jacelyn Seals
Wednesday Addams – Sofie Domulot
Uncle Fester – Gabriella Hardy
Pugsley Addams – Kristyne Yelverton
Grandma Addams – Teagan Brown
Lurch – Drew Crutchfield
Mal Beineke – Jax Hardnack
Alice Beineke – Hannah Doodeman
Lucas Beineke – Jackson Kwiatkowski
Ancestors:
Alyssa Hullett, Ariana Jorge, Lily Dacy, Natalie Concilio, Lauralai Scheper, Sophia Secchiari, Genevieve McIntosh, Micah Frazier, Ray George, Angelina Figueroa, Elise Welch, Marley Jensen, Chloe Killebrew, Amy Thomas, Aminah Burton, Chloe Lofton, Amaya Nelson, Spencer Williams, Riley Rudd, Ava Jacobi, Gabriel Rogers, Christian Bassham, Addison Jackson, Grace Keen, Alyssa Stefanko, Briana Lakian, Karys McGee, Leslye Hardnack, Jaxson Buchanan, Kevin Wolever, Jonah Lacario, Delaney Panici, Lily Cross, Daniel Fernandez, Izzy Killebrew.
CREW
Stage Manager – Lily McArthur
Assistant Stage Manager – Keith Wolever
Set Designer – Drew Crutchfield
Head of Set Construction – Jax Hardnack
Choreographer – Cahjae Day
Assistant Choreographer – Izzy Killebrew
Light Designer/Operator – Zoe Welch
Sound Operator – Hailey Floyd
Costume Designer (Leads) – Dani Parker
Costume Designers (Ancestors) – Kaitlyn Buck, Jade Trevino
Makeup Designer – Radience Colon
Costume/Makeup Crew – Nessa Stewart, Laylah Conyers
Props Master – Kailei Hart
Set/Props Crew – Addy Druhl, Aiayah Lee, Gracie Ferlo, Kira Kimmons, DJ Moore, Julius Soto, Gloria Wagner, Jax Hardnack, Amaya Nelson
Publicity/House Manager – Adrianna Moore
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Here Are Next Week’s Road Construction Spots To Watch
February 15, 2025
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Resurfacing from Creighton Road (S.R. 274) to Olive Road – The week of Sunday, Feb. 16, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Ninth Avenue, from Creighton Road to Olive Road, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for milling and paving operations.
- U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway) Resurfacing from south of Interstate 10 (I-10) to south of Hyde Park Road – Drivers on Scenic Highway will encounter intermittent lane closures from south of I-10 to south of Hyde Park Road, Sunday, Feb. 16 through Thursday, Feb. 20, from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for milling and paving operations. Law enforcement will be on site and traffic flaggers will direct drivers safely through the work zone.
- U.S. 98 (Gregory Street) Resurfacing from North Palafox Street to east of 14th Avenue – Drivers on Gregory Street, from North Palafox Street to 17th Avenue, will encounter alternating, intermittent lane closures Sunday, Feb. 16 through Thursday, Feb. 20, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for milling and paving operations.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (S.R. 296) – The week of Sunday, Feb. 16, drivers may encounter intermittent daytime lane closures on North Palafox Street, from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane, as crews place thermoplastic striping and perform traffic signalization work.
- Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – The week of Sunday, Feb. 16, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Pine Forest Road, from Mobile Highway to Blue Angel Parkway, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for milling and 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. Signs are 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, Feb. 16 through Thursday, Feb. 20, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.:
- Intermittent I-10 inside lane closures near the Nine Mile Road interchange.
- 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:
- 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. 292 Routine Underground Maintenance from Barrancas Avenue to Manchester Street – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Feb. 17 through Thursday, Feb. 20 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for maintenance on underground utilities.
- S.R. 4 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Escambia River – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures east of U.S. 29 Monday, Feb. 17 and Tuesday, Feb. 18 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- S.R. 4 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Big Juniper Creek – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures west of County Road 191 Wednesday, Feb. 19 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- I-10 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Blackwater Bridge – Motorists may encounter intermittent east and westbound lane closures Sunday, Feb. 16 and Monday, Feb. 17 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- 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, Feb. 16 through Thursday, Feb. 20, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for milling and paving operations.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – Drivers on U.S. 90 westbound may encounter intermittent lane closures over the Simpson River Bridge, Sunday, Feb. 16 through Thursday, Feb. 20 between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. as crews perform bridge construction 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, Feb. 16, through Friday, Feb. 21, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) Bridge Rehabilitation over Garcon Point Bridge – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Feb. 17 through Friday, Feb. 21 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for construction activities.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Ballots Mailed For Upcoming Century And Congressional Special Election
February 15, 2025
The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office has sent out vote-by-mail ballots for two upcoming special elections.
A batch of ballots for the upcoming March 18 Century special primary election were mailed Friday.
Supervisor of Elections Robert D. Bender said 890 ballots were sent out to military and overseas voters for the April 1 2025 special general election. Domestic voters who have an active vote-by-mail request on file will have their ballots mailed out next week.
Any voter has the option to vote-by-mail. Requests must be made for each new election cycle. If you have not already made a request and wish to receive your ballot in the mail, visit EscambiaVotes.gov/vote-by-mail or call (850) 595-3900. The request deadline is Thursday, March 20 for the April 1 special general election and March 6 for the Century special primary.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Padgett and Wine Homer As Tate Beats West Florida 11-4
February 15, 2025
The Tate Lady Aggies beat the West Florida Jags 11-4 on Friday night in their final preseason game.
Mykamia Padgett and Kara Wine both hit homeruns for the Aggies during an eight run third inning. Padgett’s dinger was to center field to score two runs and Wine homered to center field to score three runs.
Padgett earned the win for the Aggies in the circle, giving up two hits and one unearned run in three innings while walking one and striking out three. Peyton Womack three four innings in relief, allowing three hits and three runs (one earned) while waking six and striking out two.
Wine went 2-4 for the Aggies with her three RBIs. Padgett, Madison Smillie, Lacy Wilson, and Womack each had two hits for Tate.
Next, the Lady Aggies will take on Crestview on Thursday.
Pictured above: Mykamia Padgett (left) and Kara Wine both had homeruns to center field in the third inning Friday night. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.