Propane Tanker Truck Overturns Near Jay
March 12, 2025
A propane tanker truck overturned early Wednesday morning in Jay.
Country Mill Road was blocked at Neal Jones Road following the incident.
It appeared the vehicle left the roadway while making a turn and overturned into a ditch. No leak was reported.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
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State Investigators Charge Century Woman With Felony Insurance Fraud
March 12, 2025
State authorities have charged a Century woman with insurance fraud for an alleged false storm damage claim made on her vehicle.
The Florida Department of Insurance Services Criminal Investigations Division charged 23-year-old Emma Rose Ulibarri with one count of third degree felony insurance fraud. She was released from jail on a $1,000 bond.
The Progressive Insurance Special Investigations Unit filed a complaint alleging Ulibarri filed a claim for damages that occurred prior to the policy date.
Ulibarri filed a claim for damages caused by tree limbs that fell during a storm on September 3, 2024, when the damage actually occurred prior to the August 22, 2024, inception date of her policy, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. She provided damage photos claiming the damage occurred on September 3, 2024, when the metadata of the pictures confirmed the pictures were taken on August 13, 2024, the affidavit states.
Progressive told investigators that the vehicle was uninsured on the actual date of the loss and had been uninsured for about a year.
Ulibarri told state investigators that she had been unable to afford insurance on the 2014 Honda CRV that was damaged at her residence on North Century Boulevard, and that she hoped the Progressive policy would pay for the damages of $2,000 to the roof and windshield.
Progressive reported the estimated damage to the vehicle ws $2,393.83, potentially exposing the insurer to a $1,642.83 loss after Ulibarri’s $750 deductible.
Controlled Burn Planned Today On Pate Street Near UWF, FPL
March 12, 2025
Today, the Florida Forest Service is planning to conduct a 70-acre prescribed burn on University of West Florida property along Pate Street, near the FPL Clean Energy Center
The burn will only be initiated under proper weather conditions including a south or southwest wind component to steer smoke toward Escambia River. Florida Forest Service firefighters will be executing the burn and will have equipment such as brush trucks and bulldozers on hand. Crews also will monitor and patrol the area keeping a close eye on any potential smoke impacts during the burn.
This burn is part of an ongoing plan and partnership between the university and Florida Forest Service to not only reduce hazardous vegetative fuels and the wildfire risk in the area but also help restore the property to its native state. Prescribed fire mimics the natural fire regime that once was part of Florida’s landscape. Local plants and animals thrive in prescribed burn areas thanks to the new growth and additional nutrients left behind post burn. Many of Florida’s native species are not only fire adapted – meaning they have learned to live with fire – but some are fire dependent and these routine, low-intensity fire is essential to their survival.
Community Calls For End To Vandalism At Cantonment Ballpark
March 12, 2025
Residents are calling for an end to ongoing vandalism at the Cantonment Ballpark.
The Escambia County-owned park on Well Line Road no longer hosts a local Cantonment league; the county says it is leased to the Molino Ballpark for overflow practices and travel ball.
Molino Ballpark and the travel ball teams invest time and money into maintaining the fields, ensuring they are ready for play. But recently, vandals damaged the field with four-wheelers, and someone broke building doors at the park.
“They put a lot of work into the park to get the fields ready, then they show up to find that the fields were damaged by four-wheelers,” Escambia County Parks and Recreation Director Mike Rhodes said.
Rhodes said the damage was reported to his department recently, and the county has installed security cameras and asked the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to patrol the park. He added that Molino Ballpark has been asked to lock gates to the fenced-in fields after practices to keep vehicles off the fields. However, the entrance to the park itself remains unlocked to allow public access to the county park.
Anyone with information can contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sunny Today; Showers And Thunderstorms Thursday
March 12, 2025
Here is the complete North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 73. Light west wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 57. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1pm and 4pm, then a chance of showers after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 76. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 79. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Low around 57. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers before 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 73.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 66.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 41.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 73.
Navy Officer Recognized for His USS Indianapolis Ransom Middle History Project
March 12, 2025
Hunter Scott was a 12-year-old Ransom Middle School student whose National History Day project changed U.S. Navy history.
Scott gained national attention for his research into the sinking of the USS Indianapolis. As a 12-year-old Ransom student, Scott embarked on a National History Day project after being inspired by a scene from the movie Jaws. His dedication to uncovering the truth led him to interview nearly 150 survivors of the sinking and review over 800 documents. Scott’s findings exonerated Indianapolis Captain McVay, who had long been blamed for the tragedy, and played a crucial role in the United States Congress reopening the case and ultimately exonerating him posthumously.
Then-Pensacola Congressman Joe Scarborough introduced legislation in October 2000, successfully lobbying Congress to award the Naval Unit Commendation to the ships final crew.
On July 30, 1945, the USS Indianapolis CA-35 fell prey to a Japanese submarine and was sunk after delivering the first operational atomic bomb to the island of Tinnian. Of the 1,196 men aboard only 317 were pulled from the water after the sinking. It was greatest single loss of life at sea in the history of the U.S. Navy.
Tuesday, now Cmdr. Hunter Scott, executive officer of Consolidated Brig Miramar, was the guest speaker on Tuesday during a special ceremony honoring the legacy of the USS Indianapolis at the National Aviation Museum.
Pictured top: Cmdr. Hunter Scott, speaks at a National Naval Aviation Museum-sponsored USS Indianapolis observance on Tuesday at museum. Pictured below: A museum visitor looks at the project Scott made while a student at Ransom Middle School. Pictured second below: A photograph of USS Indianapolis taken 20 days before sinking. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Softball: Northview Beats Miller, Tate Slips To Niceville
March 12, 2025
Northview 8, T.R. Miller 1
The Northview Lady Chiefs defeated the T.R. Miller Tigers 8-1 Tuesday evening in Bratt.
Jamison Gilman went 3-3 at the plate for Northview, while Addysen Bolen and Mikayla McAnally both tallied two RBIs.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Gilman opened in the circle for the Chiefs, allowing one run and four hits in four innings while walking none and striking one two. Mikayla McAnally threw three scoreless innings in relief, giving up one hit, walking one and striking out three.
The Lady Chiefs stole five bases during the game, with two.
Northview will hit Highway 4 Thursday with road game against the Baker Gators.
NorthviewEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Niceville 9, Tate 2
The Tate Lady Aggies fell 9-2 on the road at Niceville Tuesday evening with the Raiders Racking up six runs in the third inning.
Mykamia Padgett took the loss for Tate in two-and two-thirds innings, giving up eight unearned runs on three hits while walking three and striking out five. Jordan Smith was in the circle for three and one-third innings in relief for Tate, giving up six hits and one run as she recorded three strikeouts and one walk.
Kara Wine wen 1-2 with one RBI for the Aggies.
Tate will travel to Navarre on Thursday.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Baseball: Tate Earn Walk-Off Win; Northview Suffers Walk-Off Loss
March 12, 2025
In baseball action, the Tate Aggies earned a walk-off win Tuesday night, while the Northview Chiefs suffered a walk-off loss.
Tate 7, Crestview 6
The Tate Aggies beat Crestview 7-6 in a walk-off.
The matchup at Tate was tied at six in the bottom of the seventh when Griffin Cook singled.
The first score for Tate came in the first on a two-run homer to center field by Nathan Ozuna.
Kaleb Posta earned the win for Tate, giving up three hits and one run in three innings while striking out two and walking one. Sheppard Edgar was first up on the hill for Tate, surrendered six hits and five runs (one unearned) in four innings, recording six strikeouts and one walk.
First baseman Ozuna led the Aggies at the plate with two RBIs as he went 2-4 on the night. Tate had two hits each from Griffin Cook, Lance Brady, Ozuna and Kaden Posta.
Tate will host Escambia on Wednesday and Fort Walton Beach on Thursday. Both games are at 7 p.m.
Tate 8, Crestview 1 (JV)
In JV action Tuesday, Tate handily beat Crestview 8-1.
Tate’s Chandler St.Aman gave up six hits and one run in five and one-third innings, striking out four and walking none.
Bryant went 2-for-3 at bat with three RBIs for the Aggies.
Walton 3, Northview 2
The Walton Braves earned a home walk-off win over Northview Tuesday night 3-2.
Starting pitcher Jackson Bridges surrendered three hits and no runs in five innings with three walks and six strikeouts. Northivew’s Grayden Sheffield took the loss in one inning, allowing three runs on three hits, walking two and striking oout none.
Luke Chavers led the Chiefs with one RBI. Cole Davis and Brady Smith each had one hit.
Northview will host Flomaton on Thursday and T.R. Miller on Friday, with both games at 6:30 p.m.
Former Santa Rosa County School Administrator Charged With Grand Theft
March 12, 2025
A former Santa Rosa County School Administrator has been charged with grand theft by state authorities.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested 57-year-old Kelly Rae Short of Milton. She is the former treasurer of the Santa Rosa County Association of School Administrators (SRCACA) and the former director of in-service and instructional technology for the Santa Rosa County school district.
The investigation began on Aug. 14, 2024, after the Santa Rosa County school district contacted FDLE with the results of an independent financial audit of the SRCASA’s account which indicated that Short may have committed criminal activities during her tenure as SRCASA treasurer. Short’s responsibilities as the SRCASA treasurer included collecting members’ dues, purchasing awards and gifts, writing checks for SRCASA payments and reimbursements, and maintaining the annual SRCASA account reports.
The investigation found that the Short doctored bank statements and stole approximately $3,498.07 from the account. Short wrote eight checks to herself from the SRCASA account and she added the SRCASA bank account to her personal Venmo to divert monies from the business account to her personal bank account.
The case is being investigated by the FDLE Pensacola office, and the investigation remains active.
Short was released from Santa Rosa County Jail Monday on $5,000 bond.
She was a finalist for the 2016 Florida Innovative Principal of the Year during her tenure as Jay Elementary School principal.
McArthur Elementary Custodian Celebrated For Saving A Student’s Life
March 11, 2025
It’s no secret that Mr. Anterio at McArthur Elementary School is an angel.
And last week, custodian Anterio Minor was truly an angel for a student that was choking. Anterio is credited with saving the student’s life by performing the Heimlich maneuver.
On Monday, the entire McArthur Elementary family came together to celebrate Anterio as a hero.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
