Driver, 18, Killed In Head On Crash On Highway 4 In Santa Rosa County
February 17, 2025
A head on crash involving a semi-truck Monday afternoon claimed one life on Highway 4 in Santa Rosa County.
The Florida Highway Patrol said an 18-year-old female from Baker died in the crash 1:30 p.m. on Highway 4 near Hurricane Lake Road when her car and a tractor trailer collided. The driver of the truck, a 56-year-old man from Milton, sustained only minor injuries.
FHP Traffic Homicide and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement are continuing to investigate to determine the cause of the crash.
Water Main Break Leads To Boil Water Notice On Glenna, Gainey Lanes
February 17, 2025
A precautionary boil water notice has been issued for Cottage Hill Water Works customers on Glenna Lane and Gainey Lane following a water main break Monday.
The water main break occurred on William Ditch Road, but water was rerouted to maintain service and Williams Ditch Road is not included in this notice.
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water on Glenna and Gainey lanes 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 the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
This story will be updated with the boil water notice is rescinded.
Chick-fil-A Files Plans to Relocate East Nine Mile Road Location
February 17, 2025
The Chick-fil-A on East Nine Mile Road is proposing to relocate nearly across the street to a new building.
Chick-fil-A at 1757 East Nine Mile Road has submitted plans to construct a new restaurant on the site of the former Dodge’s at 1710 East Nine Mile Road.
“Chick-fil-A proposes the relocation in order to help improve customer service, customer safety, and overall restaurant operations,” Jason Toole wrote in a letter last week to the Escambia County Development Review Services Department.
The Dodge’s Southern Style convenience store on East Nine Mile Road closed abruptly in early September 2024.
Chick-fil-A plans to demolish the existing convenience store and construct a new 5,249-square-foot restaurant with seating for 62 inside and an additional 14 seats on an outdoor patio. The new location will feature dual drive-thru lanes to increase vehicle stacking capacity, order point and meal delivery canopies, and expanded parking with 67 total spaces, according to an application filed with Escambia County.
The proposal, filed on February 14, is still in the pre-application stage and has not yet been scheduled for a public meeting.
Pictured below: The Dodge’s Southern Style convenience store closed abruptly on September 3, 2024.
NorthEscambia.com graphic and photo, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Presents Special Presidents’ Day Program (With Gallery)
February 17, 2025
Second grade students at Bratt Elementary School presented an educational and entertaining Presidents’ Day program last week.There were several presidents and special guests from American history in the program.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Today Is Voter Registration Deadline For Century Special Primary Election
February 17, 2025
Today is the final day for Town of Century residents to register to vote in the March 18 special primary election for a vacant Seat 4 on the Century Town Council.
The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office is closed today for the federal Presidents’ Day holiday; however, residents within the town limits of Century can still register to vote today.
According to Deputy Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Sonya Daniel:
- Voter registrations can be hand-delivered today by placing them in a drop box on the front door of the SOE office at 213 Palafox Place, 2nd Floor, in downtown Pensacola.
- Registrations can also be submitted online.
Seat 4 became vacant in early January when Alicia Johnson was appointed interim mayor after Luis Gomez, Jr., resigned for health reasons. The candidates for the position are:
- John Bass
- Kathryn Fleming
- Lizbeth “Sparkie” Harrison
Polls will be open on March 18 from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. at the Billy G. Ward Century Courthouse at 7500 North Century Boulevard in Century. The election is nonpartisan.
If you wish to receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the Town of Century primary and/or general election, you must contact the Supervisor of Elections office by phone at (850) 595-3900, by email at votebymail@escambiavotes.gov, by fax at (850) 595-3914, or by using the online form at EscambiaVotes.gov/vote-by-mail. Requests must be received by 5 p.m. on March 6.
Highway 4 Escambia River Bridge: Lane Closures Possible Monday And Tuesday
February 17, 2025
Drivers may experience delays on the Highway 4 Escambia River Bridge between Century and Jay on Monday and Tuesday.
According to the Florida Department of Transportation, intermittent lane closures in both directions will occur from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days as crews conduct routine bridge maintenance.
Pictured: The eastbound approach from Century to the Highway 4 Escambia River Bridge. NorthEscambia.com file photo. Click to enlarge.
Patchy Frost, Middle 30s Tonight
February 17, 2025
Here is the complete North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Patchy frost after 3am. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a low around 35. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph after midnight.
Tuesday: Areas of frost before 7am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 61. East wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Showers, mainly after midnight. Low around 45. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Wednesday: Showers before noon. High near 55. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 44. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 23. North wind around 10 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph after midnight.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 54.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 66.
Guests Announced For Pensacon 2026
February 17, 2025
Pensacon will return for its 13th annual convention, February 20-22, 2026 in downtown Pensacola. Eight initial guests were announced during a press conference at the Pensacola Bay Center Sunday. They are:
- Comedian and actor Paul Reiser, star of hit movies like “Aliens” (which celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026) and “Beverly Hills Cop,” as well as iconic TV series such as “Mad About You,” “Stranger Things,” “The Boys” and “My Two Dads.”
- A reunion of stars from the seminal 1987 vampire film, “The Lost Boys,” featuring actors Jason Patric, Jamison Newlander, Billy Wirth and Chance Michael Corbitt.
- The iconic stars of the hit TV series “CHiPs,” Erik Estrada and Larry Wilcox.
- Actor Marti Matulis, known for his “Star Wars” work in “Skeleton Crew” and “The Mandalorian” as well as roles in “Star Trek: Picard,” “Star Trek: Enterprise,” “Teen Wolf,” “Evil,” “Smile,” “Sleepy Hollow,” “Red One,” “Westworld” and “Studio 666.”
For NorthEscambia.com photos from Pensacon 2025, which wrapped up Sunday, click here.
Charges Dropped Against Atmore Pastor In Prison Drug Smuggling Case
February 17, 2025
Charges have been dropped against an Atmore astor and prison drug counselor accused of trafficking synthetic drugs and bringing them to Fountain Correctional Facility.
The state alleged that Vincent Bishop was found with a “prison pack” containing drugs and cellphones taped under the rear bumper of his truck. However, Bishop’s attorney, Jerome Carter, argued that his client was set up.
Bishop, an Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) employee, was charged in December with trafficking flakka, first-degree possession of marijuana, attempting to commit a controlled substance crime, prohibited activities (cell phones in a correctional facility), possession of drug paraphernalia, and first-degree attempt to promote prison contraband. Flakka, according to the DEA, is a street drug commonly called bath salts.
“The lack of common sense that he would do all this fancy packaging and securing and put it in a hidden spot in the bumper of the car, he’s got to get out under surveillance, get it and then or leave it there for someone to come and get it from him that’s under video surveillance. It just doesn’t make common sense,” Carter told NBC 15.
The state declined to present its case at the preliminary hearing, leading the judge to drop the charges. However, the district attorney could still bring the case before a grand jury to seek an indictment.
Florida Gas Prices Decline Average Of 14 Cents In The Past Week
February 17, 2025
Florida gas prices declined 14 cents last week, according to AAA. Sunday’s state average was $3.03 per gallon. That’s the lowest daily average price since December, and 2 cents less than the previous 2025 low.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $2.89. A low of $2.71 was available on East Nine Mile Road in Pensacola. The low-price Sunday night in North Escambia was $2.79 at stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
“Oil prices are trading on the lower end of the range they’ve been in for the past few months,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “This has enabled gas prices to also slip to the lower end of the range they’ve recently been priced at. However, Florida gas prices have been erratic and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see an uptick this week.”