Northview Chiefs Fall To South Walton In Season Opener (With Gallery)
February 12, 2025
The 1A Northview Chiefs fell 17-0 in their season opener Tuesday night, to South Walton, last year’s 4A state runner-up.
The Seahawks, with roster that boosts several major league prospects that drew a small crowd of scouts to Bratt Tuesday night, took an early 5-0 lead in the first and never looked back.
Grayden Sheffield led the Chiefs with one hit in two at bats.
Jayden White opened on the mound for Northview, giving up three hits and 10 runs, four of which were earned, in two innings, striking out none while walking five. Dane King pitched one and a third innings, including through a moderate rain shower, giving up two hits and seven runs while waking four and striking out one. Brayt Mason closed two-thirds of an inning, surrendering one hit and striking out two.
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs played through moderate rain showers as they host the South Walton Seahawks Tuesday night in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Six Hour Armed Standoff In Atmore Ends With Hostage Freed, Suspect In Custody
February 11, 2025
A domestic violence call escalated into a six-hour armed standoff on Monday night in Atmore, ending with the suspect in custody and the victim safely rescued.
At about 5:45 p.m., Atmore Police Department officers responded to a domestic violence complaint at 103 Brown Street. As the first officer arrived, the suspect, later identified as 46-year-old Francis Blount stepped outside and fired 8 to 9 e rounds at the officer, who took cover and was not injured. Blount then barricaded himself inside the residence, holding his girlfriend hostage, according to APD Sgt. Darrell McMann.
For additional photos, click here.
The Atmore Police Department activated its special response team and called for assistance from multiple agencies, including the Baldwin County SWAT team, hostage negotiators with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), and state troopers. The Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office, Flomaton Police Department, and Poarch Tribal Police also helped secure the perimeter.
Hostage negotiators were able to successfully negotiate the release of the hostage at approximately 9:25 p.m. McMann said she was not seriously injured and was treated at the staging area by Medstar EMS.
After the hostage was released, negotiators continued speaking with Blount by cellphone, utilizing family members to assist. Around 11:40 p.m., SWAT officers deployed tear gas, prompting Blount to surrender without further incident.
Blount was arrested and transported to the Escambia County Detention Center. He faces multiple charges, including attempted murder, first-degree kidnapping, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and third-degree domestic violence harassment.
Photos by Andrew Garner/Atmore Advance and WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Three Candidates Qualify For Century Council Seat, Zero For Mayor
February 11, 2025
Three candidates qualified Monday to seek an open seat of the Century town council. but no one qualified to run for mayor.
Seat 4 on the council was left open in early January when Alicia Johnson was appointed interim mayor after Luis Gomez, Jr., resigned for health reasons.
- John Bass
- Kathryn Fleming
- Lizbeth “Sparkie” Harrison
Qualifying will continue through noon Wednesday at the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor, in Pensacola.
To qualify for the council seat, a candidate must be a registered voter in the Town of Century and pay an election assessment of 1% of the $3,715 annual salary, equal to $37.15, plus a $12.85 file fee for a total qualifying fee of $50.
To qualify for mayor, a candidate must have been a registered voter in the Town of Century for at least six months and pay an election assessment of 1% of the $10,132 annual salary, equal to $101.32 plus a $25 filing fee for a total qualifying fee of $126.32.
Unlike many other local offices, there is no option to qualify by petition.
The special primary election for the Town of Century will be held on Tuesday, March 18, and the special general election will be held on April 29.
Pictured top: (L-R) Century council candidates John Bass (submitted photo), and Kathryn Fleming and Lizbeth “Sparkie” Harrison (NorthEscambia.com photos).
Escambia Health Department Offering Free or Low-Cost Breast Cancer Screenings
February 11, 2025
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (DOH-Escambia) will host the 3D Mobile Mammography bus to provide free or low-cost mammograms to women in the community.
The mammograms will be available on Thursday, February 20 at the Health and Hop Clinic, 1718 East Olive Road in Pensacola.
Eligibility for Free Mammogram Screenings
Must meet each of the four criteria below:
1 Females ages 50-60
–(females ages 40-49 with a parent, sister, brother, or child that’s had breast cancer)
2. Have a household income that is less than or equal to 200% of the poverty level
3. Have no health insurance to cover the cost of a clinical breast exam, mammogram, or pap smear
4. Primary residence is in Florida
To see if you qualify for these screenings, call (850) 316-2706.
New Nine Mile Road Traffic Light At Ashland Avenue Becomes Active Today
February 11, 2025
A new traffic signal on Nine Mile Road at Ashland Avenue will be activated today.
The light has been in flash mode for the past week to allow drivers to become accustomed with looking for the light.
The traffic signal will be switched to standard red-yellow-green mode at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
NorthEscambia.com photo/graphic, click to enlarge.
Veterans Outreach Events Planned In Byrneville, Davisville, Molino
February 11, 2025
The Escambia County Veterans Services Office will hold three public meetings in North Escambia to give veterans a chance to discuss benefits with an accredited veterans services officer.
Assistance is provided on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge. No appointment is required.
Meetings will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the following dates at community centers in North Escambia:
- Friday, February 14: Byrneville Community Center, 1707 Highway 4A in Byrneville
- Friday, March 14: Davisville Community Center, 10200 Highway 97 in Davisville
- Wednesday, April 9: Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95A in Molino.
Escambia County Veterans Services Office staff members will be available to help with topics including reviewing VA benefits, filing a VA claim, and reevaluating VA disability.
For more information, contact the Veterans Services Office at (850) 595-2409 or email VSO@myescambia.com. Learn more about Escambia County’s Veterans Services Office at MyEscambia.com/veterans-services.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Rain Possible Thunderstorms Likely Now Through Thursday
February 11, 2025
Here is the complete North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind 5 to 10 mph. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 3pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 61. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before noon. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 69. North wind around 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. North wind around 10 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Low around 56. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31.
Washington’s Birthday: Sunny, with a high near 53.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.
Tate Lady Aggies Beat Escambia (With Gallery)
February 11, 2025
The Tate Lady Aggies defeated the Escambia Gators 15-0 in their preseason opener Monday night at Tate.
Kara Win went 3-3 for the Aggies with a double in the fourth, triple in the third and a single in the second inning. Jordan Smith was 2-2 at the plate. Tate also had one hit each from Peyton Womack, Aubree Jordan, Lacy Wilson, Amburleigh Laird, Madison Smilie, Kylie Mitchell, and MyKamia Padgett.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Jordan Smith earned the win in the circle for the Lady Aggies, allowing one hit and no runs in two innings while striking out six and walking none. Mykamia Padgett threw two innings of shutout ball for Tate in relief. She gave up no hits, striking out four and walking none.
The Lady Aggies will host West Florida at 6:30 Thursday in another preseason game.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
LaBetty Hardy Drew Singleton
February 10, 2025
LaBetty Hardy Drew Singleton was born August 13, 1934, and passed away February 1, 2025. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Benjamin Hardy and Hattie Phillips Hardy; her first husband, Joseph Carl Drew; her sisters, Lucille Zeringue, Lois Hall, Linda Garrick, and Lanette “Nett” Hardy; her brothers, Louie Hardy, Leslie Hardy, Lamar Hardy and Leonard “Pete” Hardy.
She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of thirty-four years, Gene Autry Singleton; her sons, Steve (Beth) Drew, Kelly (Jennifer) Drew, Keith Drew; stepchildren, Janet S. (Tim) McCraney, Janine S. (Charlie) Walker, Autry Singleton; her sisters, Latisha Phillips, Sarah Coon; her grandchildren, Sandi (Travis) Sims, Nicholas (Jocelyn) Drew, Jaime (Bruce) Smith, Joseph (Kasey) Drew, and her nine great grandchildren.
Betty was born in Atmore, Alabama and was a 1954 graduate of Escambia County High School. She was selected to the Azalea Trail Maids Court in Mobile her senior year. She soon married her beloved Carl in 1955. They enjoyed life and raised their sons with the same work ethic and conviction they exemplified. Betty took great pride in her work at Vanity Fair where she immensely enjoyed her friend groups. After Carl’s death, she married Gene Singleton in 1990. Both being retired, they traveled on many trips together, kept grandchildren, and enjoyed home life. Betty was gifted in cooking, a skilled seamstress, loved shopping, loved her coffee, and loved her weekly visits to the “beauty shop”.
Graveside services were held Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery with Pastor Mike von Keyserling officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Nicholas Drew, Joseph Drew, Travis Sims, Bruce Smith, Drew Sims and Asher Sims.
Boil Water Notice Issued For Ernie Road, In The 4000 Block Of Hwy 196
February 10, 2025
**The boil water notice has been lifted.**
Molino Utilities has issued a precautionary boil water notice following the repair of broken water main.
The notice is in effect until further notice for Molino Utilities customers on all of Ernie Road and customers between 4025 Highway 196 and 4460 Highway 196
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
For any additional information, contact the utility at (850) 587-5538.
This story will be updated with the boil water notice is lifted.