County, Sheriff’s Office Again Warning About Those Toll Scam Text Messages
February 23, 2025
The county and sheriff’s office are once again warning residents about fraudulent toll messages.
Escambia County and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office have received reports of fraudulent text messages targeting the public from persons claiming to represent SunPass.The messages are requesting prompt payment to avoid fees and contain a link to a fraudulent website in an attempt to collect information.
Escambia County or Sunpass does not send text messages to SunPass or Pensacola Beach Annual Pass holders seeking information or action regarding their account balances or fees owed.
SunPass does not ask customers via text to make a payment or to take immediate action on their account. Messages from SunPass will come from the following email address or text number:
- Email: customerservice@sunpass.com or noreply@sunpass.com
- Text: 786727
Pace Walks Off With A Win In Saturday Game Against Tate
February 23, 2025
The Pace Patriots walked off with a 4-3 win Saturday afternoon over the Tate Aggies. The game in Pace was tied in the bottom of the ninth when the Patriots hit a solo home run.
Nathan Ozuna and Kaden Posta both had two hits for the Aggies. Posta, Nathan Connors, and Evan Taylor each recorded and RBI.
Zane Warrington went eight and two-thirds innings for Tate, giving up four runs (three earned) on six hits, walking one and striking out one.
The Aggies will hit the road this week, with games at West Florida on Tuesday, Crestview on Thursday and Fort Walton Beach on Friday. Tate won’t be back at home until a March 4 game against the Milton Panthers.
Thunderbolts Defeat Ice Flyers In Shootout
February 23, 2025
In Saturday night’s rematch against Evansville, the Ice Flyers forced overtime, but the Thunderbolts claimed victory in a shootout.
Myles Abbate opened the scoring with a quick shot past goaltender Ricky Gonzalez, who was making his first start as an Ice Flyer.
Sam Dabrowski and Bronson Adams energized the home crowd of 6,829 when they dropped the gloves at center ice to close out the first period.
For more photos, click here.
Matt Wiesner evened the score with a hard-fought second-effort shot off a deflection from Eimantas Noreika.
Logan Vande Meerakker restored the Thunderbolts’ lead five minutes into the third period.
Nick Pryce tied the game again with a snipe from the faceoff circle late in the period.
After a scoreless overtime, Evansville’s Scott Kirton and Aidan Litke secured the win in the shootout.
Nellie Ree Burkett
February 23, 2025
Mrs. Nellie Ree Burkett, 79 years old, passed away peacefully at her home on February 23, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. A lifelong resident of Atmore, Alabama, Mrs. Burkett was a dedicated member of Calvary Baptist Church. Her warm spirit and caring nature will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Mrs. Burkett was a warm-hearted woman who cherished her time with family, especially her grandkids. She loved being at home, where she could cook delicious meals like homemade biscuits, rice and eggs, and spaghetti. In her younger days, she enjoyed fishing, but as she got older, her hobbies shifted to crafting and watching QVC. Mrs. Burkett also had a passion for playing cards, especially Rummy, and spent twenty years working as a seamstress at Vanity Fair, where she honed her skills and creativity. Her home was always filled with love, laughter, and the wonderful taste of her cooking.
She is preceded in death by her parents, James (Iva Estelle Rutherford) Smith; husband, Tommy Burkett; brothers, A.G. Smith, Ed Smith, and Bruce Smith; sisters, Dellie Roberts and Susie Stewart.
Mrs. Burkett is survived by her only son, Danny (Tracey) Burkett of Atmore, Alabama; grandchildren, Victoria Burkett, Nick Mills, Asleigh Norris, Raven Weaver and Colby Burkett; great-grandchildren, Jax Brown, Emily Brown, Lizzie Stewart, Knox Norris, Collins Norris, River Norris, Greyson Maughon, Nova-Lee Maughon, Presley McCardy and Parker Burkett.
Funeral service will be held Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC.
Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 26, 2025 from 1:00 PM until service time at 2:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Colby Burkett, Nick Mills, Tim Albritton, Olan Albritton, Rodney Sanspree & Roger Scott
Honorary pallbearer will be William Stewart
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements
Cantonment Cold Case: 1981 Murder Remains Unsolved
February 22, 2025
It was just over 44 years ago on the afternoon of January 2, 1981, that 9-year-old Kenneth Deshun Underwood and three companions went bird hunting in the woods near their Cantonment home. Everyone returned home that afternoon except for Underwood.
When Underwood was still not home around 6 p.m., Escambia County Search and Rescue personnel were called. The area where Underwood was last seen alive was canvassed. His body was discovered about 5:45 the next morning –apparently murdered — in an area near Booker Street. His cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma.
The case remains unsolved, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for help because they believe someone in our area still has information about Underwood’s death.
If you know anything about the death of Kenneth Deshun Underwood, 9, you are asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (850) 436-9580 or Crime Stopper at (850) 433-STOP (7867).
Pictured above: The fourth-grade photo of murder victim Kenneth Deshun Underwood of Cantonment. Pictured below: The highlighted area in this map shows where the body was found. Courtesy images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High Students Place In Regional HOSA Competition
February 22, 2025
Tate High School Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) students competed at regionals and had numerous first place winners and qualifiers for the state competition in April.
They were:
Kaylyn Weiss: First Place – Behavioral Health
Dalila Whalen: Second Place – Behavioral Health
Jax Hardnack: First Place – Clinical Nursing
Aiden Ledbetter and Bode Smith – Third Place – Forensic Science
Alysen Garske – Second Place – Medical Law and Ethics
Lily Treick – First Place (third year in a row) – Nursing Assisting
Emma Nigam – First Place – Occupational Therapy
Caelynne Walter – First Place – Research Poster
Talia Smith – First Place – Vet Science
Friends Of The Library Winter Book Sale Going On Through Sunday
February 22, 2025
The annual Friends of the West Florida Public Library’s Winter Book Sale is continuing through Sunday in downtown Pensacola.
The book sale, which benefits libraries across the county, will be open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday with all book prices half-off.
On Sunday, the sale will be open from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. with a $7 bag sale — all the books that will fit in a provided bag for just $7.
The book sale is at the Friends of the Downtown Pensacola Library at 239 North Spring Street.
File photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Lady Chiefs Beat Blacksher 17-2
February 22, 2025
The Northview Chiefs beat the J.U. Blacksher Bulldogs of Uriah, Alabama, 17-2 in three innings on a frigid night in Bratt.
Kylee Langham drove in five runs with two hits.
The Northview Chiefs powered to a big lead in the bottom of the first with seven runs on five hits for a 7-1 advantage. During the first, Kylee Langham drove in three runs.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Senior Jamison Gilman earned the win for the Lady Chiefs, giving up four hits and two runs over the three-inning game, walking two and striking out two.
Daviona Randolph and Langham both had two hits for Northview. Gilman, Riley Brooks, Mikayla McAnally, Avery Stuckey, Bailey Burkette, and Aubrey Hadley each added one hit.
The Lady Chiefs will play two on the road next week — Tuesday at Navarre and Thursday at Tate.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Over 1,000 Ballots Mailed For Upcoming Special Election
February 22, 2025
April 1 special general election vote-by-mail ballots were mailed Friday to 14,283 voters that requested them. Voters can expect to receive their ballots within the next week. The special election is open to all voters of all parties.
Florida law requires the mailing of civilian ballots between 40 days and 33 days prior to election day.
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.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Upper 50s For Saturday; Chance Of A Sunday Shower
February 22, 2025
Here is the complete North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 57. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Calm wind.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Calm wind.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42. Calm wind.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 73. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the morning.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 74.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.