OLF-8 Developer Wants County To Keep 160 Acres, Lower Price By $15 Million
March 23, 2026
A developer who purchased the OLF-8 property on Nine Mile Road wants Escambia County to keep nearly 30% of the property and lower the selling price.
Last year, the Escambia County Commissioners approved the $42.5 million sale of 540 acres of OLF-8 to Tri-W Development and Chad C. Henderson Enterprises of Pensacola.
Now, Henderson wants the county to keep 160 acres and lower the purchase price to $27.5 million.
He said the plan would create a partnership with the county, giving it more control of job creation in an Employment Technology Innovation District. He said the county is in a position to secure funding, grants, or even Triumph money.
“We believe that coming together and partnering on the ETI district will allow us to have access to other financing aspects, grants, even Triumph, — where we can make sure we can develop this project the right way on the front end,” Henderson said.
He added, “540 acres is a large enough piece of property where you can curate the experience and feel of different aspects of real estate, making it all come together the way it should be.”
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Traffic Stop Leads To Felony Drug Charges For Woman
March 23, 2026
A routine traffic stop by the Flomaton Police Department resulted in a woman’s felony arrest and the seizure of various narcotics this week.
During the stop, officers developed probable cause to search the vehicle, uncovering five different types of controlled substances. Police identified the suspect as Latanya Jones, who was taken into custody without incident.
Jones was charged with five counts of possession of a controlled substance for each of the following: morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, Suboxone, and Xanax.
Jones was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton.
Pickup Truck With No Windshield Leads To Felony Drug Charges In Century
March 23, 2026
A Century man is facing multiple charges after an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy spotted him driving a truck without a windshield.
According to an arrest report, a deputy was patrolling the area of North Century Boulevard and State Line Road when they observed a maroon 1995 Ford Ranger traveling southbound. The vehicle was missing its entire windshield and did not have a license plate attached.
The driver, Juluis Ray Harris, pulled the truck into the Southern Pit Stop on North Century Boulevard, where he was immediately detained. The deputy had previously stopped Harris just one day prior and issued him a citation for driving with a suspended license.
During a search following the arrest, deputies discovered two plastic baggies in Harris’ pocket. One baggie contained approximately two grams of a white crystal substance that tested positive for methamphetamine, while the second contained 1.2 grams of a substance identified as synthetic cannabinoid, commonly known as “spice”, according to an arrest report.
A search of the truck yielded no other contraband, though deputies noted the passenger door could not be opened. Harris’ vehicle was left at the scene with a friend at his request.
Harris, 61, was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance without a prescription (methamphetamine), felony possession of synthetic cannabinoids, and misdemeanor driving while license suspended or revoked (second conviction). He was released on a $3,500 bond.
Ernest Ward Middle School Names Students Of The Month
March 23, 2026
Ernest Ward Middle School recently named their February Students and Employee of the Month.
Pictured (L-R) with Principal Tyvanna Boulanger, they are: Baylee-Ann Barcinas, eighth grade; Michael Flowers, seventh grade; Leila Statam, sixth grade; and Lindsay Merritt, Civics teacher.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
These Are This Week’s Road Construction Trouble Spots
March 23, 2026
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Brent Lane/Bayou Boulevard (State Road (S.R.) 296) Resurfacing, from Davis Highway (S.R. 291) to Baisden Road – Drivers may encounter the following traffic disruptions, Monday, March 23 through Thursday, March 26, between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., for paving operations and placement of thermoplastic striping:
- Intermittent lane closures on Brent Lane/Bayou Boulevard, from Davis Highway to Baisden Road.
- On-street parking closures on Bayou Boulevard, between 12th Avenue and Baisden Road.
- Ninth Avenue (S.R. 289) Resurfacing from Creighton Road (S.R. 274) to Olive Road – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Ninth Avenue, between Creighton Road and Olive Road, Sunday, March 22 through Thursday, March 26, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for placement of thermoplastic striping.
- S.R. 296 (Michigan Avenue) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) – The week of Sunday, March 22, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Michigan Avenue, from Mobile Highway to North Palafox Street, between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., for paving operations and placement of thermoplastic striping.
- Business U.S. 98 (Garden Street) Construction from Pace Boulevard to the Interstate 110 (I- 110) ramp – The week of Sunday, March 22, drivers may encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- Garden Street, between Pace Boulevard and N. Donelson Street, is reduced to two travel lanes (one in each direction) as crews perform construction activities on the north side of the street. This temporary traffic configuration will be in place through late 2026.
- On-street parking is closed on Garden Street, between B Street and L Street.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – The week of Sunday, March 22, drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- I-10 is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction between U.S. 29 and I-110.
- I-10 travel lanes are shifted away from the median area of the roadway, near the U.S. 29 interchange.
- The U.S. 29 southbound access to the I-10 eastbound on-ramp has been reduced.
- The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive, Sunday, March 22, through Friday, March 27, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
No Injuries Reported In Pickup Crash Near Molino
March 23, 2026
There were no injuries in a single pickup truck crash on Sunday afternoon near Molino.
The crash happened on Highway 95A near Adams Lane.
The driver of a pickup truck lost control, left the roadway and struck a tree.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
AAA: Florida Gas Prices Rose 22 Cents Last Week, Fastest Rate In Years
March 23, 2026
Florida gas prices are climbing at the fastest rate in four years. AAA reports that escalating conflict with Iran has disrupted the global oil supply chain, triggering a sharp spike in crude oil prices and rapidly driving up the cost of gasoline.
Since the conflict began, oil prices have surged by roughly 45 percent in just three weeks. That increase has directly raised the cost of producing gasoline and pushed Florida’s average gas price up $1.07 per gallon. Drivers have watched prices rise from $2.88 per gallon to $3.95 per gallon in a matter of weeks.
For the average driver, that jump translates to real dollars. Filling a typical 15-gallon gas tank now costs about $16 more than it did earlier this month.
Price increases show no sign of slowing. Last week alone, Florida’s statewide average rose by 22 cents. Sunday’s average of $3.95 per gallon marks the highest daily gas price Florida has seen since July 2022.
The low price Sunday night in North Escambia was $3.69 at a station on on South Highway 29 in Cantonment. In Pensacola, a station on West Nine Mile Road was at $3.49 Sunday night, and the warehouse clubs were at $3.53.
“Global events can hit drivers’ wallets quickly, and that is exactly what we are seeing right now,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “When oil prices spike this fast, refineries pay more for fuel, and those costs reach consumers almost immediately. Unfortunately, Florida drivers should expect continued volatility as long as global supply concerns remain unresolved.”
‘Lack Of Interest’ – The 2026 Sawmill Day In Century Has Been Canceled
March 22, 2026
Historically, the Sawmill Day Festival and Car Show is one of the largest events in Century, but it has been canceled for 2026.
Citing “lack of interest and participation,” the organizer, Alger-Sullivan Historical Society, announced on Saturday that the annual event has been canceled.
The day traditionally includes entertainment, free history museum tours, grilled food, arts, crafts, free exhibits, a car show, and more and draws hundreds of people.
For a large photo gallery from the 2025 event, click here.
Pictured: The 2025 Sawmill Day in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Student Honored For Essay ‘Snow House Memories’
March 22, 2026
A Bratt Elementary student is being honored by a state educators group for her essay. Maggie Lee wrote an essay entitled “Snow House Memories”, sharing how her Gammaw and Pop impacted her life.
The essay was entered in the Florida Retired Educators Association fifth grade writing contest and was selected as the winning essay for the district. She will be recognized at the FREA banquet and will receive a monetary award.
The essay is below, along with photos from the “Snow House.”
Ah, the frantic packing of Christmas morning! On Christmas morning, after everyone wakes up, we open presents. Then we go to Pop’s house and eat breakfast, and also open presents there. After all that, we hop on the road and go straight to the snow house. Spending time with my grandparents is always fun, but my favorite experience with them is the week after Christmas. Every year my whole family leaves on Christmas morning, and it is always the craziest day of the year! My grandmother, Gammaw, would search for the perfect house to sleep 20 people. It had to have a hot tub, game room, plenty of yard, and way more! The snow house is a huge part of my family’s life. It has been going on for more than twenty-five years! Pop and Gammaw have been running the snow house since it started. They are the reason the snow house is a thing.
Pop always had a favorite thing about the snow house. Every year we visit a park. The morning before, he would make sandwiches and put our names on them. At the park there was a volleyball net, and our whole family would play the most intense game of volleyball I’ve ever seen! Pop’s main reason for wanting to do this is spending time in nature. He wanted everyone to enjoy the creek and see who could skip the rock farthest. Pop is the absolute biggest role model you would want as a grandfather.
Gammaw always made sure we did one particular thing every year at the snow house. We would take a big group picture. The place we took the picture was beside a huge tractor. Every year the tractor picture was so important to her. She would always look back to see how much everyone grew throughout the years. She also loved the apple orchard. We would always get a whole bag of apples of any kind we wanted. We would also get apple pies and take them home. When I grow up, I want to be as good as a grandma as Gammaw was. She always valued family, and has taught us that, throughout the years.
The snow house is amazing to me because I get to stay with family for a week straight. My favorite part of the snow house is the new adventures we have every year. One year we did a polar plunge and another year we did zip lining. One of my ultimate favorite memories is game night. My family is very competitive, so it is extra fun!
Gammaw has been gone for a couple of years now. Pop has not let the snow house tradition die, and I promise I will not either. The snow house is the highlight of my whole family’s year thanks to Pop and Gammaw. They have taught me to cherish every single second with family, and to be grateful for everything in life. The snow house is more than just a house to us. It represents family.
What Is Your Church Doing For Easter? Share Your Events With Our Readers
March 22, 2026
What is your church or nonprofit doing for Easter?
NorthEscambia.com will provide free promotion for churches in North Escambia or North Santa Rosa counties in Florida, or Atmore or Flomaton in Alabama. If your church is having a special Holy Week, Good Friday and/or Easter service, or any other special service or event like an egg hunt, let us know!
We will share your information with thousands of readers across the area. We will list the services on our Events page free of charge, and we’ll be publishing a special story before Good Friday. Please try to keep your announcement for our events page to 75 words or less.
Send your announcement to news@northescambia.com or click here for our contact page. We will also be happy to publish photos after your event; email the photos to news@northescambia.com.
Pictured top and below: An Easter morning “Sonrise Service” at Pensacola’s Maritime Stadium. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.