Register For Virtual 2021 Panhandle Row Crops Update Series
January 28, 2021
The annual spring UF/IFAS Extension Panhandle Row Crop meetings are moving to a virtual format for 2021.
To update growers with current research findings and provide pesticide safety CEUs to licensed applicators, the Panhandle Ag Team will offer a four-session virtual series to replace traditional regional meetings this year. Each meeting will be provided at no cost to participants and will have a specific focus: cotton, peanut, soybeans/corn, or precision agriculture.
To learn more about the programs and registration, click or tap here.
No Injuries When Driver Rear-Ends Bus With 20 Students On Board
January 28, 2021
There were no injuries when an Escambia County school bus with 20 students on board was rear-ended on Davis Highway.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 26-year old man in a Honda Civic rear-ended the bus on Davis Highway at Airport Boulevard. The school bus was transporting 20 students to Workman Middle School at the time of the collision.
There were no injuries.
Developers Make $16 Million Unsolicited Offer For OLF-8 Property
January 27, 2021
Developers have once again made an unsolicited offer for the county-owned property on Nine Mile Road in Beulah known as OLF-8.
Hemmer Consulting of Pensacola, and 68 Ventures of Spanish Fort, made the $16 million offer Tuesday to purchase about 400 acres for $40,000 cash per acre. Escambia County would retain about 130 of the 530 total acres for roads, government buildings, parks, schools and a dedicated commerce or business park.
The developers will, according to their proposal, follow design aspects guidelines set forth in a master plan once it is approved by the Escambia County Commission. DPZ Codesign has developed four master plan concepts for OLF-8 (click or tap here to see the plans in detail). The county commission has finalized a master plan.
If the sale were to take place, the Hemmer and 68 Ventures will construct a main boulevard from Nine Mile Road to the property retained by the county, and the county would be required to continue the roadway to Frank Reeder Road.
Hemmer Consulting and 68 Ventures also made an $18 million unsolicited offer for the full 530 acres in early 2019. At that time, County Attorney Alison Rogers told commissioners that they would be legally obligated to declare the property surplus and sell it to the highest bidder, rather than accepting an unsolicited offer.
In January 2019, Escambia County acquired the 636 acre OLF-8 helicopter field in a land swap with the U.S. Navy for property in Santa Rosa County at a total cost of about $18 million. A portion of the property was previously sold to Navy Federal to expand their campus.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle Launching After-School Tutoring Program (With Free Snacks)
January 27, 2021
Ernest Ward Middle School is launching a new after-school tutoring program for students that comes with free snacks.
The middle school in Walnut Hill is offering the program to 80 selected students per week on Mondays, Tuesday and Thursdays from 4-5 p.m. The selected students have received a letter indicating the day or days of the week and subject area or areas (math, science, language arts or civics) in which they are eligible for tutoring.
“Ernest Ward Middle School students have been presented with an awesome opportunity,” said Principal Nancy Perry. “Our district is funding a tutoring program at EWMS beginning next week through March 26.”
Parents or guardians must provide transportation home; bus transportation will not be available.
The tutoring sessions will not be for regular homework. They will be true tutoring sessions delivered by teachers based upon student need as indicated by their assessment data, according to the district.
Nutritious snacks will be provided through a USDA program at no charge to students taking part in the tutoring sessions.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Places In District Girls Weightlifting Meet; Six Headed To Regionals
January 27, 2021
The Tate High School Girls Weightlifting Team placed fourth in the recent District 1-3A meet.
The following Tate athletes qualified for the regional meet:
DISTRICT 1-3A
129 Pound Class
- Melanie Brown
139 Pound Class
- Haleigh Sluder
169 Pound Class
- Aaliyah Jordan
183 Pound Class
- Riley Williamson
199 Pound Class
- Morgan Warrington
Unlimited Pound Class
- Kayla Bennett
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview’s Heather Knowles Signs Softball Scholarship With Coastal Alabama
January 27, 2021
Northview High School senior Heather Knowles has signed a full softball scholarship with Coastal Alabama Community College in Brewton. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Council Moving Meetings To Larger Facility
January 27, 2021
Century Town Council meetings for the remainder of 2021 have been moved from the town hall to a community center for more social distancing space and to allow for more public participation.
“Because of COVID, the meetings have been moved from town hall, a smaller venue, to the community center to allow more elbow room,” Mayor Ben Boutwell said. “People don’t have to feel as anxious; they can feel more at peace if they come to our meetings.”
The council meetings will be held at the Century Community Center on West Highway 4, rather than in the small council chambers at town hall. Meetings are generally held on the first and third Mondays, but there are adjustments for Independence Day and Labor Day. The schedule was not adjusted for Presidents Day on February 15. Only one meeting is traditionally held in December.
A bill list review will be held at 6:45 p.m. to be followed by a regular council meeting at 7 p.m. on the following dates:
- February 1 and 15
- March 1 and 15
- April 5 and 19
- May 3 and 17
- June 7 and 21
- July 6 and 19
- August 2 and 16
- September 7 and 20
- October 4 and 18
- November 1 and 15
- December 20
Pictured: The Century Town Council’s first meeting of January was held at the community center on West Highway 4. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Four Teens Charged In Fatal Shooting Described As ‘Drug Rip Off’
January 26, 2021
Four teenagers — ages 14, 15 and two 17-year olds have been charged for the Friday night murder of a 61-year old Escambia County man in what the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office described as a “drug rip off ending in homicide.”
Those charged are:
- Javarius Cordell Henderson, 14, capital murder
- Jesse L’Amos Snowden, 15, capital murder and attempted homicide
- Cedric Antonio Young Jr., 17, capital murder, attempted homicide, escape and resisting without violence
- Calvin Barnard Williams, 17, homicide
The shooting occurred Friday night in the 900-block of Massachusetts Avenue.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office found a truck that had crashed into a power pole. Samuel Thomley was found deceased from an apparent gunshot wound inside the truck. A second gunshot victim was located and was taken to a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
Based on their preliminary investigation, ECSO Major Crime Unit investigators believe this incident was drug related.
“Sadly, this is another example of the type of drug related violence we battle here in Escambia County. These four arrests were made thanks to the hard work and dedication of the ECSO Investigators, who have spent tireless hours on this case,” said Sheriff Chip Simmons.
Quintette Road Railroad Crossing To Be Closed Wednesday; Pauline And Chemstrand On Monday
January 26, 2021
The railroad crossing on Quintette Road will be closed beginning Wednesday, and the crossings on Chemstrand Road and on Pauline Street will close next week, according to Escambia County officials.
With no quick detour, the Quintette Road closure will impact a large number of people in both Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The closest detour route is using Highway 90 across the Escambia River, about 30 miles from one side of the crossing to the other. Detouring across the river on the Highway 4 bridge through Century is some 60 miles.
CSX is conducting a crosstie replacement, and each crossing will be closed from two to three days. Work may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Traffic Shifted On Nine Mile Road At Highway 29 Overpass
January 26, 2021
There is a new traffic configuration on Nine Mile Road on both sides of the Highway 29 overpass.
The Nine Mile Road east and westbound lanes have been shifted to the inside of the roadway between Untreiner Avenue and North Palafox Street. That provides room to construct the new lanes on the outside of the roadway.
This new traffic configuration is expected to remain in place through the spring.
The work is part of the $49 million construction project to widen Highway 29 from four to six travel lanes and improve the Highway 29 and Nine Mile Road interchange. Work on Highway 29 is slated for completion this summer.
Pictured: The new traffic patterns on Nine Mile Road to the east of the Highway 29 overpass (above) and to the west (below). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
