New Auditorium In The Works For Tate High School
June 27, 2025
The Escambia County School Board has taken the first steps toward a new performing arts auditorium for Tate High School.
The board approved $1.091 million for Sam Marshall Architects to design the auditorium, based on plans for a new $20 million auditorium recently approved for Escambia High School (pictured).
The $20 million EHS facility will be about 24,000 square feet and will seat about 800. The plans will be adapted to fit the location and needs for Tate High School, with the auditorium having a similar number of seats and capable of seating an entire class of students at Tate.
The anticipated construction budget for the Tate auditorium is $14.5 million and must be approved by the school board at a later date.
Construction on the EHS facility is expected to being in July with about 16 months to completion. There is no firm timetable yet for the auditorium at Tate.
Pictured: Renderings of a new auditorium recently approved for Escambia High School. A new auditorium at Tate High School will have a similar design. Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Three Indicted For Murder Of Man Found Dead In Vehicle In Ensley
June 27, 2025
This week, an Escambia County grand jury indicted three men on charges of first degree felony murder.
Michael Polnitz, Kaleb Bonner, and Antonio Larkins were each charged and arrested.
The indictment stems from the shooting death of 20-year-old Andrew Sanders, which occurred on April 24, 2025. Sanders’ body was discovered with a fatal gunshot wound in a vehicle on Currier Place in Ensley.
Polnitz’s next court date is scheduled for July 2, while Bonner and Larkins will appear in court on September 2.
All three remain in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Amateur Radio Field Day Is This Weekend, Free Demonstration At Ashton Brosnaham Park
June 27, 2025
Amateur Radio’s biggest annual event is this weekend.
Local ham radio operators will gather in Escambia County this weekend for the 2024 American Radio Relay (ARRL) League Field Day.
ARRL Field Day is an opportunity for thousands of amateur radio enthusiasts throughout the U.S. and Canada to set up temporary communications stations and make contact with like-minded people. Licensed radio operators, often called “hams,” spend the weekend practicing community outreach, emergency preparedness and technical skills.
Local hams participate in providing emergency communications during hurricanes and other disasters when normal communications are disabled and during local events like triathlons, bikeathons, parades or wherever real time communications are needed.
The Five Flags Amateur Radio Association will begin operations beginning at 6 a.m. Saturday and operate continuously until 4 p.m. Sunday at Ashton Brosnaham Park, 10370 Ashton Brosnaham Drive, off East 10 Mile Road.
“We are looking forward to having you join us and participate if you are interested,” Eugene Bannon (KB4HAH) said. “We will have a specific station dedicated in to getting folks on the air (Get-On-The-Air GOTA).”
“Come see how we amateur radio operators plan on operating our emergency communication equipment during any emergency that we may be called on to participate in,” he added.
The Escambia County Commission recently proclaimed June 23-30 as “Amateur Radio Week” in the county to recognize the key role amateur radio plays in our community.
Editor’s note: The Southern Amateur Radio Union will not hold a Field Day this year at Travis Nelson Park in Bratt as they have in previous years.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Todays Is The Last Day Of The Donut Strike For Manna. Here’s Where To Donate.
June 27, 2025
Area first responders will take part in the Donut Strike for Manna again this afternoon.
During the Donut Strike, first responders will be stationed at grocery stores across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties from 3 to 6 p.m. to collect food and monetary donations.
In the North Escambia area on Friday, first responders will be at:
- Winn Dixie — 1550 South Highway 29, Cantonment
- Publix — 8684 Beulah Road (Nine Mile at Beulah)
- Publix — 2180 West Nine Mile Road (Nine Mile at Pine Forest)
- Publix — 9251 University Parkway (Nine Mile at University)
Participating agencies include the Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Gulf Breeze Fire Rescue, Gulf Breeze Police Department, Midway Fire District, Pace Fire Rescue District, Pensacola Fire Department, Pensacola Police Department, and Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
For the complete list of locations across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties for Friday, click here.
Pictured: Escambia County Fire Rescue firefighters collect donations during the Donut Strike for Manna at the Winn Dixie on Highway 29 in Cantonment on Thursday afternoon. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton/Century Joint Fireworks Show Set For July 5
June 27, 2025
The Flomaton/Century Fireworks display will return on Saturday, July 5.
The towns split the cost of the fireworks show and alternate hosting the event. Century made a $6,500 payment to the Town of Flomaton for Pyro Shows earlier this month.
The fireworks show will be held at dark on Saturday, July 5, at Dewey J. Bondurant, Jr. Park in Flomaton—that’s the former Hurricane Park across from Flomaton High School. The day will begin about 3 p.m. with food and ice cold lemonade from Pucker Up Lemonade, The Riff Raff Mobil Restaurant, and Stephens Hotdog Wagon and More.
Vendors will be set up throughout the afternoon.
A rain date, if needed, has not been announced.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Red-Hot Wahoos Continue Offensive Surge, Win 10-6
June 27, 2025
written by Willie Phaler
After a 10-6 win Thursday night, the Blue Wahoos have continued to put up runs in bunches during their road trip in Chattanooga. With a 9-6 win on Wednesday and a 9-8 win Tuesday, the Wahoos have scored nine or more runs in three consecutive games for the first time since July 7-9, 2023.
The offense got things going against Lookouts starter Ryan Cardona, as Nathan Martorella picked up a bases-clearing double with two outs in the third after sneaking a chopper by first baseman Cam Collier. Kemp Alderman added on in the fifth for Pensacola with his league-leading fourth triple of the season. After legging out the three-bagger, Alderman was awarded home on a balk by Cardona.
After four innings of one-run ball from Ike Buxton in his second Double-A start of 2025, the Lookouts chased him in the fifth on the way to a five-run frame. Sal Stewart sent a three-run home run out to left-center while Noelvi Marte and Austin Callahan each picked up an RBI. Buxton was charged for three runs, while two were charged to Alex Williams (W, 3-0), ending his scoreless streak at 19.1 innings.
The offense continued to come flying in for the Wahoos with a two-run sixth. Third baseman Tony Bullard picked up an RBI with a double to right while Shane Sasaki drove in a run of his own.
The seventh inning was the cherry on top toward the massive offensive output. Grant Richardson gave Pensacola the lead for good by clobbering a three-run home run to right. Richardson’s drive left the bat at 111 mph and helped chase Chattanooga righthander Brandon Komar (L, 1-2). Catcher Spencer Bramwell added the tenth run with an RBI single to solidify the Blue Wahoos lead.
Left fielder Michael Snyder also shone through for the Blue Wahoos at the plate, tying a team record with four walks. Snyder is the first Wahoo to pick up four free passes since outfielder Jakob Marsee on May 8, 2024.
To pair with Buxton’s 4.1 innings, Williams provided length after taking over in the fifth as he finished the ballgame with 4.2 strong innings in a 10-6 Wahoo win.
The Blue Wahoos will continue their series against the Lookouts as they play game four of the series on Friday night. First pitch from AT&T Field in Chattanooga is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. EDT/ 6:15 p.m. CDT.
No Serious Injuries In Quintette Road Rollover Crash
June 26, 2025
There were no injuries in a single vehicle rollover Thursday afternoon on Quintette Road.
The crash happened a little before 5:30 p.m. on Quintette Road, just off Highway 29.
The female driver was able to exit the vehicle before first responders arrived on scene.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Second Suspect Arrested In Fatal Atmore Double Shooting
June 26, 2025
A second Evergreen man has been charged with murder and attempted murder for an early Tuesday morning shooting in Atmore.
Javarius Watkins (pictured top left), 24, turned himself in Wednesday night and has been charged with murder and attempted murder. Tyler Hall (pictured bottom left and top), 22, is being held without bond in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center, and Atmore Police Sgt. Darrell McMinn said additional arrests are forthcoming.
Around 1:50 a.m. Tuesday, the Atmore Police Department responded to Atmore Community Hospital for reported gunshot victims. They discovered 17-year-old Gabriel Elijah Hooks of Atmore had passed away due to his injuries, and a second victim was flown to a trauma center with injuries that appeared to be non-life threatening. Police have not released the name or age of the second victim.
Officers determined the shooting occurred on Carver Avenue near 18th Avenue during a drag race, and they recovered “dozens” of spent shell casings. The investigation is continuing.
Escambia County High School in Atmore is offering counseling services Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tate High School Revs Up New Automotive Service Academy, Seeks Mechanic Teacher
June 26, 2025
Tate High School’s new Automotive Service Academy is set to open in the fall, but the program is still looking for a teacher who is an experienced mechanic with ASE certification.
Last October, Triumph Gulf Coast voted to award a grant of up to $617,227 to Escambia County Public Schools to re-establish the Automotive Service Academy at Tate High School and to renovate and equip the former Auto Body building with modern equipment and a hands-on lab.
Academy Teacher Needed
“The instructor we are looking for does not need a college degree. We need a teacher who has experience in working on cars,” said Steve Harrell, Workforce Director for Escambia County Public Schools. “They need to have at least two years of full-time experience as a mechanic. Additionally, the new instructor needs to have ASE certification. They don’t need to have ASE Master Mechanic, but they do need to have passed at least four ASE certifications (such as brake, electrical, suspension and steering, etc.).”
“We value experience over all else,” he added.
The salary range is $48,300 to $52,100 for a 10-month position and includes benefits and access to training.
“We can move a new applicant up a little on the salary schedule if they have experience,” Harrell said. “I hope that everyone who sees this job posting realizes that comparing a teaching job to another job is difficult. The rewards that come from giving young people the skills they need to be successful in a career are immeasurable.”
Additionally, a “Classroom Heroes” grant can potentially pay up to $4,000 in sign-on bonus for veterans.
Automotive Service Academy
“This program is a reimagining of our previous Automotive Service program that closed down ages ago,” Harrell said. In the years since the program closed, the space that once was an auto service program became a storage facility and a pottery classroom.
With the Triumph grant and matching funds from the school district, just over $1 million has been invested in the program. The building has undergone a complete makeover with power door lifts, an epoxy floor, two classrooms, a locker room, and even a laundry room to wash coveralls that will protect student clothing. Before school starts, tool rooms and vehicle lifts will be installed.
The academy is also being outfitted with complete Snap-on tool sets.
Students will troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair vehicles, as well as provide routine maintenance on a variety of modern automobiles. This project will have a classroom academic component, but the primary learning environment will be the academy’s automotive service shop and will guarantee completion of 225 Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certificates by the end of the 2029-2030 academic year.
Pictured: Work is underway to complete the interior of Tate High School’s new Automotive Service Academy. Equipment such as vehicles lifts, tool cribs and classroom furniture will be installed in the the coming days. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Approves Casey’s Plans For New Convenience Store At Highway 29, Highway 97 In Molino
June 26, 2025
The Escambia County Development Review Committee on Wednesday gave final approval to plans for a new convenience store at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino.
Casey’s received approval for a 4,569 square foot convenience store, a dozen fueling stations, and 14 parking sparces on the 8.13 acre parcel. According to the plans, there will only be right turn in and right turn out access on Highway 29 and a full access connection to Highway 97 with a turn lane Casey’s will be on the northwest corner of the intersection, across Highway 97 from the existing Tom Thumb.
Casey’s is the third largest convenience store and fifth largest pizza chain in the United States. Last year, Casey’s announced the acquisition of Fikes Wholesale, owner of CEFCO Convenience Stores, in an all-cash transaction for $1.145 billion for 198 stores.
According to DRC documents, Casey’s will still need approval from the Florida Department of Transportation for access to Highway 29 and Highway 97, both state roads. Building permits from the county will also be required.
NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.
