Commission To Consider Land Use Changes For Two Molino Retail Properties
December 10, 2025
The Escambia County Commission will hold a public hearing on Thursday concerning the adoption of an ordinance amending the future land use categories for two parcels on Highway 29 near Molino Road, including a property where work began months ago to remodel a small shopping center.
The first parcel is 3.75 acres located at 6505 North Highway 29, at the corner of Highway 29 and Molino Road. The parcel, which fronts both Highway 29 and Molino Road, includes a 10,346 square foot shopping center that is being remodeled. According to Escambia County, the work was started by a previous owner without a land use change. The property sold in June to 29 & Molino Rd Development, LLC. There is also a 55-year-old mobile home located behind the shopping center, according to county property records.
Scott’s Pharmacy is currently located on the south end of the shopping center, which has been home to numerous businesses over the years, including thrift stores and a grocery store since it was constructed in 1970.
Escambia County Code Enforcement issued a cease and desist order for land clearing on the property on September 9, 2025, according to county records, and a land and tree management permit was issued September 11. The after-the-fact permit did not authorize additional clearing until a development order was obtained.
The second parcel, located to the north of the first and separated by Dollar General, is 3.321 acres and contains the Molino Food Mart and a tire store.
The ordinance under consideration will, if approved, change the Future Land Use category of both parcels from Rural Community (RC) to Mixed-Use Urban (MU-U), which allows residential, retail, professional office, light industrial, recreational facilities, and limited agriculture. Surrounding properties are classified as Rural Community (RC), which allows agriculture, silviculture, residential, recreational facilities, public and civic, and compact traditional neighborhood supportive commercial.
The public hearing is set for 5:45 p.m. Thursday during a regular Escambia County Commission meeting.
NorthEscambia.com photos and graphic, click to enlarge.
New Disc Golf Course Now Open At Ascend Community Park
December 10, 2025
Local residents looking for a fun outdoor activity now have a new option. Ascend Community Park has officially opened a new 9-hole disc golf course that circles the wooded area around the children’s playground.
The course was installed by Ascend employee volunteers and designed with guidance from Ryan Vann of Flight Factory Discs.
Funding came from the Ascend Cares Foundation — a charitable foundation supported by donations from Ascend Performance Materials employees and the company itself. From planning to installation, a team of Ascend volunteers rolled up their sleeves to bring the course to life, installing baskets, tee pads and signage throughout the wooded layout.
“I’m extremely proud of the work our team did to get input on the course design, order the materials, and help with installation,” said Sam Brown, a reliability engineer at Ascend who led the disc golf project. “”We had a great team of people working together on this project. The course is open to everyone, and disc golf is something anyone can do and enjoy. We are excited to have the course completed and share it with our community.”
The disc golf course and park are open to the public from dawn until dusk at 3098 Old Chemstrand Road in Cantonment.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County, Alabama, Voters Approve Health Care Tax
December 10, 2025
Escambia County, Alabama, voters on Tuesday approved a property tax earmarked for hospital funding and health care.
Tuesday’s referendum passed with 1,647 (54%) in favor and 1,396 (46%) against.
The 4-mill tax is expected to generate and estimated $1.8 million for health care facilities, according to the Escambia County Healthcare Authority. The authority’s services include D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital in Brewton, Atmore Community Hospital, D.W. McMillan EMS, Atmore Community Home Care, Atmore Med Plus, ACH Family Physicians, ACH Primary Care, Atmore Therapy Services, D.W. McMillan Home Medical Equipment, D.W. McMillan Home Health and the Flomaton Medical Center
Preliminary unofficial results by precinct, were as follows:
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Sunny And Nice, Mid 60s Today; Back In The 30s Tonight
December 10, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 64. Light and variable wind becoming west 10 to 15 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 57. North wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 38. Calm wind.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 69. Light south wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 58.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 61.
Tate Moves To 5A, Northview Remains In Rural In New FHSAA Classifications
December 10, 2025
The Florida High School Athletic Association has released its new tentative classifications for 2026-28, and it sees several area teams moving down a class.
The Tate Aggies moved down from 6A to 5A, as did Pace and Navarre. Pine Forest went down to 3A, while Gulf Breeze and Milton were reclassified into 4A.
The changes are because FHSAA voted in November to drop Class 7A.
Northview, Jay, and Central remained in the Rural Classification.
Schools have until December 15 to appeal the changes, and teams cannot begin their scheduling until the final classifications are released on December 17. The remaining flass sport classifications will be released in the spring.
Here are local classes and districts are aligned:
Class 5A, District 1
- Tate
- Crestview
- Navarre
- Niceville, Pace
Class 4A, District 1
- Escambia
- Gulf Breeze
- Milton
- Washington
- Choctawhatchee (Fort Walton beach)
- Fort Walton Beach
Class 3, District 1
- West Florida
- Pensacola
- Pine Forest
- South Walton
- Bay
Rural
The Rural class does not have regions or districts. Area teams in the Rural Class are Northview, Jay, and Central.
Pictured: The Tate Aggies hosted the Pace Patriots on October 10, 2025. Both teams moved down from 6A to 5A in new tentative classifications released by the FHSAA. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Approves $2,000 Donation To Local Historical Society
December 10, 2025
At their last meeting ,the Century Town Council recently voted to donate $2,000 to the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society (ASHS).
Named after the lumber mill that established a company town around 1901, ASHS maintains a museum, a historic park with other buildings and the Old 100 steam locomotive, and organizes the annual Sawmill Day bringing locals and visitors to town each May. The group also provides museum tours and educational outreach events.
ASHS member Russell Brown said the group is facing rising costs for maintain facilities, including repairs, utilities, and a failed HVAC system.
From their annual donation budget, the town previously donated $1,000 per year to the historical society for utilities. Brown said the organization’s utility bills are not about $2,400 per year.
The Alger-Sullivan Historical Society will provide utility bill documentation to the town on a reimbursement basis up to $2,000 per year.
The Alger-Sullivan Leach House Museum on Fourth Street is open on the first and third Saturday of each month.
Pictured: Russell Brown of the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society shows a ledger book from their Leach House Museum collection. THe leger book documents early housing records from just after the turn of the 20th century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Softball Holds Winter Wonderland Little Aggies Camp
December 10, 2025
On a cold Tuesday night, the Tate Aggies Softball hosted its Winter Wonderland Little Aggies Camp.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Charles Elmer Sessions
December 10, 2025
Charles E. Sessions (84) passed away peacefully in his home on December 18, 2025, surrounded by his loving wife of 64 years, his children and family. Today, he is celebrating in the arms of Jesus. Charles’ testimony is a life well lived, centered in Christ, and in his love for family. He was born in Pensacola, Florida on January 13, 1941, to the late Hamilton and Exie Belle Sessions. He was one of nine children and grew up working in construction with his father and brothers.
He married the love of his life, Elizabeth, in 1961 in Pace Assembly of God Church, where they were members for over 50 years, and later became members of First Assembly of God in Pensacola. Together they raised three children, Greg, and twins Ken & Kim. Charles loved the Lord with all his heart, and he put Christ first in his life and in his home. He was devoted to his church, church family, and the missions of Rev. Avon Fowler and Rev. Ralph Roberts. He was baptized in the Jordon River in Israel by the Rev. Glyn Lowery in 1985, as they followed the footsteps of Jesus through the holy land.
Charles, a long-time and multi-generational resident of Pace, Florida worked at Pace Lumber Company when he and Elizabeth were married, making just $40 per week. He went on to work at Whitney Motors, Bob Salter Automotive and Monsanto. In 1979, he opened A&A Motors on Highway 90 in Pace. His career was centered around automobiles; he loved classic cars and was meticulous about restoration and engines. Though his passion was cars, Charles was a renaissance man, as he could do or fix anything. He always had side jobs working on houses, real estate, going across country to pick up classic cars, and serving his community and church. He was recognized as the inaugural Pace Pioneer by the Pace Chamber of Commerce in 2004 for his contributions to his hometown. Charles was the epitome of hard work and did whatever it took to provide for his family.
Charles also loved hunting, fishing, and traveling. He and his father-in-law traveled to Lemon Dam, Colorado to hunt elk for over 20 years in a row; and Charles and Elizabeth were always fishing and camping and took their young family throughout the USA. Then, after retirement, Charles and Elizabeth traveled in a motorhome caravan with dear family and friends for many years, with Alaska being their favorite destination.
Charles E. Sessions had a life well lived. He was richly blessed, and his fervent daily prayer was answered as God’s goodness and mercy followed him all the days of his life.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Hamilton and Exie Belle Sessions; in-laws, Allen M. Fowler and Lois Davies; his brothers, James Thomas (JT), and Winston Sessions; sister, Laquita Hollingsworth; and brothers-in-laws, Allen Lynn Fowler, and Gerald Stephens.
Charles is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Elizabeth, who has cared for him with deep and abiding love through his long battle with Parkinsons Disease. His children, Greg (Terri) Sessions, Kim (Greg) Brown, and Ken Sessions. Two grandchildren, Chloe (Josh) Lynam and Brandon (Autumn) Sessions; two step-grandchildren, Greg (Jennifer) Brown and Kirsten (Dan Marzano) Brown; and great-grandchildren. His brother and sisters, Jerry (Rita) Sessions, Glenda Stephens, Sandra (Fred) Kirkland, Sharon (Archie) Collum, Margaret Grubb; and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at Pensacola First Assembly of God, 4301 Bayou Boulevard, Pensacola, Florida 32503, with visitation from 10:00-11:00 a.m. and service at 11:00 a.m. Reverends Glyn Lowery, Ralph Roberts, and Lee Tate officiating. Interment will follow at Elizabeth Chapel Cemetery. Charles will be accompanied by friends with classic cars to his final resting place.
Pallbearers are Charles’ dear friends, William Askew, Harry Harris, Eddie Knowles, Kelly Pardue, Ray White, and Roy White; and his grandsons, Brandon Sessions and Josh Lynam.
Lewis Funeral Home, Milton, is entrusted with arrangements.
We wish to extend special thanks to University of Alabama, Birmingham (UAB) department of Neurology and Emerald Coast Hospice for their care of our beloved.
Jesus said, I am the resurrection, and the life, he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. John 11:25-26
Carlton R. Singleton
December 10, 2025
Carlton R. Singleton, age 92, of Pensacola, FL, passed away on December 3, 2025. Carlton was born on March 18, 1933, to Jonah Cleve Singleton and Mattie Jane Hix Singleton in Quincy, FL. Carlton was a proud veteran who served in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He was an Engineer with NAS Pensacola, retiring with over thirty years of service. He was a man of Faith and loved his family. Carlton is preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Cleveland Singleton, Homer Singleton, and Curtis Singleton; his sisters, Esther Flemming and Ethel Maulden; and his son-in-law, Keenan Peaden.
Carlton is survived by his wife of 70 years, Virginia McLain Singleton of Pensacola, FL; his son, Darryl (Kimberly) Singleton of Pensacola, FL; his daughters, Debra Peaden of Milton, FL and Brenda Forehand of Milton, FL; his grandchildren, Brandon (Amanda) Forehand, Blake Forehand, Matthew Forehand and Sterling Peaden; his great grandchildren, David Forehand, Emma Forehand, and Carter Forehand, along with a host of family and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Darryl Singleton officiating. Interment will follow in McCullough Cemetery in McCullough, AL.
Active pallbearers will be Sterling Peaden, Blake Forehand, Anthony Magaha, Rufus Phillips, Mikey Dykes, and Nickolas Churill.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until service time at 11:00 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in Atmore, AL.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
County Considers Expansion Of Highway 4A Safety Improvement Project To $2.36 Million
December 9, 2025
This week, the Escambia County Commission will consider expanding a Highway 4A safety improvement project.
In August, the commission approved a $1.8 million roadway safety improvements project for Highway 4A from Byrneville to near Century. The approved project limits are from Highway 4, at the traffic light near the Byrneville Community Center, and continuing for 3.5 miles, about a half-mile past Broomes Road..
On Thursday, the commission will vote on a change order for $554,890.20 to extend the current project from 3.5 to 4.8 miles of roadway safety improvements. The new project limits, if approved, on Highway 4A will be from Highway 4 at the light in Byrneville to State Line Road, and include pavement reconstruction at the State Line Road intersection. The new project total will be $2,362,863.20.
The planned roadway improvements include widening and overlaying the existing lanes. The project also includes the relocation of mailboxes, and the reinstallation of traffic signs to county specifications. The guardrails within the project limit will be upgraded to current Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) standards.
The project also includes minor drainage modifications to accommodate road widening.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
