Escambia Public Schools Hosting ‘Podcastapalooza’ Today
February 1, 2025
The Escambia County Public Schools second annual ‘Podcastapalooza’ event is going on today from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Washington High School.
ECPS is inviting the public to learn more about the various resources, agencies and opportunities available to area families.
Guests will have the opportunity to browse vendor booths, each associated with a podcast episode. Families will receive information on scholarships, free tutoring, after care programs, tools for students, balancing out screen time, and a sea of other helpful ideas and resources.
Additionally, Animal Tales will give a live presentation complete with various animals and audience participation. Two graduates of West Florida High School, the owners of BAM! Snoballs will also be serving up their famous snow cones for attendees to enjoy.
There will be food trucks on site and a special live music performance by local group, Unicorn Wranglers.
One lucky guest will win a $250 Amazon gift card! Everyone will pick up fun prizes and great tips on how to help their child succeed in school.
Ice Flyers Rally Night Third Period Lead Evaporates In OT Loss Against Roanoke
February 1, 2025
by Bill Vilona, Ice Flyers correspondent
The Ice Flyers gained a point Friday, but left with an empty feeling.
They carried a 2-0 lead into the third period, but gave up a power play goal in the first five minutes, then had Roanoke tie the game with 1:14 left and the Rail Yard Dawgs followed with an overtime goal on their first puck possession for a 3-2 win at the Pensacola Bay Center.
It was the Ice Flyers fifth overtime loss this season, matching the most in the league. But this one occurred after the Ice Flyers had seemed to withstand a barrage of Roanoke scoring chances earlier in the game.
The loss left a crowd of 4,140 exiting with disappointment on Rally Foundation Night, sponsored by Gulf Winds Credit Union, that raised thousands of dollars. The organization is part of Rally Gulf Coast, which helps children with cancer, along with their families, who live along the Gulf Coast region.
Wearing specialty jerseys designed by some of the children battling cancer, the Ice Flyers started strong.
Nick Pryce scored just 2:17 into the game, a split-second before the Ice Flyers power play expired. Midway through the period Ivan Bondarenko provided a 2-0 lead that stood all the way into the third period.
The teams will rematch Saturday at the Bay Center on Mardi Gras Night, which always attracts a mass crowd.
In one of the rare times this season, the Ice Flyers were outshot by a wide margin, 40-26, but Ice Flyers goaltender Brody Claeys came up with big saves throughout the first two periods and several in the third.
The Ice Flyers were seeking their first three-game win streak of the season. Instead, they settled for getting at least one point in six of their last seven games.
Here’s a quick recap.
FIRST PERIOD
Just 17 seconds into the game, the Ice Flyers had a power play. Roanoke’s Carson Gallagher was whistled for tripping.
As he was set to break from the penalty box, Pryce got a pass from Michael Herrera, made a great deke in the crease area and slid the puck on a backhand past veteran SPHL goaltender Austyn Roudebush. The 31-year-old Roudebush is playing his seventh season in the SPHL, five of those with Roanoke.
Gallagher, meanwhile, wound up being the game’s No. 1 star after he scored the tying and winning goal.
Later in this period, Houston Wilson was one of four Ice Flyers to hit a post with his shot and have the puck carom away.
With 10:47 left, Bondarenko worked past a Roanoke defender, moved in on goal and flicked a shot into the upper corner to give the Ice Flyers a 2-0 lead.
With 6:29 left, Claeys made a pair of big saves in the same sequence to keep the score the same.
SECOND PERIOD
No scoring, but plenty of action.
The biggest occurred with 8:22 remaining when Cayden Cahill was awarded a penalty shot when he broke free and was tripped by Bryce Martin with a clear path to the net. On the penalty shot, Cahill made a great move, but Roudebush stretched his leg and thwarted the tap-in shot with his skate up against the goalpost.
That play would prove decisive.
The Ice Flyers were whistled for two separate penalties in the final seven minutes of the period.
THIRD PERIOD
Roanoke’s Austen Swankler scored his first goal with the team on a one-timer during a power play that was perfectly set up with a cross pass from Nick Ford that Swankler blasted into the net with 15:28 left.
It was one of the few times the Ice Flyers have allowed a power play goal on home ice. Their 90.2 kill percentage entering the game was the best in the league.
The Ice Flyers killed another penalty with 4:19 left, but less than 30 seconds later with 1:44 left, Gallagher tied the game. It happened at the same time Roudebush was skating off the ice for an extra attacker.
That deflating moment led into another for the Ice Flyers. They gained the face off in overtime, carried the puck into the Roanoke end, but once the Rail Yard Dawgs gained possession, their chance proved decisive when Gallager rifled a shot into the net just 52 seconds into overtime.
GAME NOTABLES
The Ice Flyers wore specialty Rally Foundation uniforms with the jerseys designed by kids involved with the Rally Gulf Coast and Rally Foundation. There was a live auction after the game on the arena concourse with game-worn jerseys.
In a special scene, kids involved with Rally Gulf Coast and parents sat on the benches during warmups as players greeted the kids during their pregame routines.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Ice Flyers
WHEN: Saturday, 7:05 p.m.
WHERE: Pensacola Bay Center
Danette Suzanne Odom
February 1, 2025
Mrs. Danette Suzanne Odom, age 65, passed away, Thursday, January 30, 2025 in Bay Minette, AL. She was born, April 4, 1959 in Pensacola, FL; and later in life moved to, Century where she owned her Flower Nursery.
In her cozy greenhouse, she spends delightful hours tending to her plants and trees, nurturing each one with care. The vibrant colors of her flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies, creating a lively scene that brings her joy. As she works, she often has the Hallmark Channel or Food Network playing softly in the background, filling the air with stories and delicious recipes. Cooking and baking are her passions, especially when she can share the results with her family. Her greatest joy comes from making special memories with her grandchildren, whether they’re helping her in the garden or enjoying a sweet treat together.
She is preceded in death by her husband, James Michael Odom, her parents, Gregory Julian (Margie Evelyn Simmons) Quina III.
She is survived by her three daughters, Margie Danette Odom, of Century, FL; Megan Suzanne (Tab) Jernigan, of Atmore, AL; Marissa (Gregory) Apple, of Germantown, OH; one brother, Gregory Julian Quina IIII, of Jacksonville, FL; two grandsons, Damon James Jernigan Dawson Tate Jernigan, other relatives and friends.
Funeral service will be held Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC. with Brother Keith Lisenby officiating.
Burial will follow at Flomaton Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 5, 2025 from 1:00 PM until service time at 2:00 PM at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC.
Pallbearers will be Tab Jernigan, Greg Apple, Mike Gunn, Charlie Brown, Johnny Busch, and DC Odom.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home, LLC Atmore, Alabama is in charge of all arrangements.
One Injured In Cottage Hill Rollover Crash
January 31, 2025
One person was injured in a single vehicle rollover accident Friday morning in Cottage Hill.
Escambia County EMS transported the victim to a local hospital with injuries not considered serious following the 9 a.m. crash. The vehicle rolled over and came to rest off the roadway in the 1400 block of Wishbone Road just south of Williams Ditch Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Atmore Debates Curfew, Seeks Solution To Increased Violent Crime
January 31, 2025
There were three murders in just three months in Atmore and shooting incidents with dozens of rounds fired into homes.
And Police Chief Chuck Brooks is looking for solutions.
“Y’all, I’m getting tired of this violence in my community,” Brooks told a crowd of over 100 people gathered at city hall Thursday evening. “And by the looks of it, y’all are too.”
The meeting with Brooks, the city council, city attorney and other officials was called to discuss actions that might include a curfew. Brooks was the only city official to speak, saying that he did not think the curfew would be a workable solution.
“You’ve got to be able to freely move about, do your business, eat, and go to work or whatever, so that’s out” Brook said about a general curfew, before also explaining the problem with a juvenile curfew. “Juveniles are some of the problem here, but our problems are looking at the age group of 20 to 25.”
“So, if I’ve got a juvenile that needs to go to school, if they’re in dual enrollment, if they’re doing something at the high school, but they can’t even go out to the college out at the interstate. That ain’t gonna work,” he said.
His department has added more patrols and is turning to technology in their fight against crime. He said officers have body cameras, and there are tag readers and other equipment that has proven invaluable, even leading to the arrest of a murder suspect.
And they are recovering numbers of firearms and are working to identify gang members. Brooks acknowledged that while they may not be the notorious gangs, there are gangs in his city.
The police chief said potential solutions include an active neighborhood watch, a program in which residents and businesses can share security camera footage with police, a Crime Stoppers program, and an anonymous tip line. That tip line is in place now — citizens can call the police dispatcher at (251) 368-9141 and ask for extension 1168, which is often answered by voicemail.
Community members in attendance were divided on implementing a curfew, with many saying it would simply restrict the movements of good citizens and infringe on basic civil liberties.
No official action was taken Thursday night on implementing a curfew.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Search Warrant Leads To Arrest Of Century Felon On Gun Charge
January 31, 2025
A convicted felon was arrested on a weapons charge after deputies served a search warrant in Century.
Edward Devon Johnson. Jr., 41, was charged with possession of a weapon by convicted felon. He remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $25,000.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a citizen complaint Wednesday afternoon at a home in the 100 block of Henry Street in Century. A woman told deputies that her driver’s license was suspended because she sold a car to Johnson, and he allowed the vehicle insurance to lapse.
When deputies approved the home, they could hear someone in the backyard. That’s where deputies made contact with Johnson holding a dark in color Smith & Wesson handgun in his hand, which he tried to hide, an ECSO report states. The deputy drew his weapon and ordered Johnson to put the gun down, and he complied. A deputy worked to determine if Johnson was a convicted felon and thus not legally allowed to own a handgun. Before the determination was made, deputies completed their business at the home and left.
The deputies immediately returned to the home when they learned of Johnson’s felony status, and he was detained.
Another party returned to the scene and told deputies that they had only seen a pellet gun in Johnson’s hands.
“(The witness) produced a black Marksman Repeater pellet gun that in no way resembled the gun I had seen in Johnson’s hands earlier,” a deputy wrote in his report. A search warrant was secured for the home and car. The warrant was executed Wednesday night.
During a search of the the trunk of a 2008 Honda, deputies located a dark in color Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun with one round in the chamber and seven rounds in magazine.
“It matched the handgun I had previously seen in Johnson’s hand,” the deputy stated in the report.
Florida Department of Corrections records indicate that Johnson served 15 months for a 2006 cocaine possession conviction.
Pictured above and below: Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies serve a search warrant at a mobile home on Henry Street in Century, where they reported finding a loaded handgun hidden in the trunk of a car (below). NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
New Community Park Coming Soon To Gonzalez
January 31, 2025
Thursday, Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry announced that a ribbon cutting will be held soon for the new Jennings-Gonzalez Park.
The small community park in Gonzalez is under construction at the site of the former Escambia Charter School at 319 90 & 9 Ranch Road, just behind Gonzalez Utilities on Old Chemstrand Road. The park is named in honor of the Gonzalez community and the Jennings family from the Gonzalez Baptist Church area.
“We don’t’ have the space for everything you see behind me,” Barry said at the ribbon cutting for the new Paper Park in Cantonment. “But it’s going to be great. It’s going to be a great amenity for those folks that live in that Gonzalez community.
RELATED STORY: New ‘Paper Park’ At Former IP Golf Course Is Now Open
Construction is continuing on the Jennings-Gonzalez Park. An exact opening date has not been announced.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sensory-Friendly Hours This Saturday At The Molino Library
January 31, 2025
The Molino Library will offer sensory-friendly browsing hours this Saturday, February 1.
Sensory Saturdays are designed to provide a safe and friendly environment for individuals who are neurodivergent and/or have special needs and their families.
The special hours will be on the first Saturday of the month at the Molino Library from 8-10 a.m. A sensory room will be open from 8-11 a.m. filled with comfortable seating, sensory activities, toys, engaging fidgets, and fun brain games. Users can come and go as they please.
The library opens for everyone as usual at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
Additionally, WFPL now has Sensory Tool Kits and Calm Corner kits available every day for patrons to check out.
The sensory hours will also be available at the Tryon Library on the second Saturday of the month and at the Bellview Library on third Saturdays.
Pictured: Children’s books at the Molino Library. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Celebrate Literacy Week: Bratt Elementary Hosts Family Literacy Night
January 31, 2025
It’s Celebrate Literacy Week at schools across Escambia County.
Thursday evening, Bratt Elementary hosted a Family Literacy Night. Students and parent took part in literacy activities, and students also received a book and learning activities to take home.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Unoccupied Home Near Davisville Burns To The Ground
January 31, 2025
An unoccupied home near Davisville burned to the ground Thursday morning.
Escambia County Fire Rescue was called to the 5000 block of Sandy Hollow Road, just south of West Highway 4 about 5:18 a.m. Firefighters arrived to find that the home had burned to the ground.
The home reportedly had not electricity or gas service.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known. There were no injuries.
The Walnut Hill, Molino, and McDavid stations of Escambia County Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.