Update: Gonzalez Teen Missing For A Month Has Been Located
January 12, 2021
UPDATE: The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has located Gonzalez teen that was missing for a month before someone called them to file a report.
The Sheriff’s Office said 14-year-old Jordan Winfield Smith was safely located but did not provide any additional information.
He was last seen on December 8 in an area along Jack Kaufman Lane in Gonzalez, just east of Ashton Brosnaham Park. No one reported the teen missing until last Thursday, January 7.
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Located Safe: Missing Endangered Man Last Seen In Cantonment Area
January 11, 2021
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday afternooon a missing endangered adult last seen in Cantonment has been located safe.
Patrick Edward Wilkes, 36, was last seen in the 2000 block of Winners Circle off East Kingsfield Road about 7:30 a.m. Monday.
The Sheriff’s Office did not provide any additional details.
Gulf Power To Begin Construction On Huge North Escambia Solar Farm Soon; Second Solar Farm Planned Nearby
January 11, 2021
Gulf Power will begin construction on a huge solar farm near McDavid in the next few months, and NorthEscambia.com has learned plans are in the works for a second solar facility in the same area.
At 74.2 megawatts, the Cotton Creek Creek Solar Energy Center will generate enough electricity to power 15,000 homes annually, according to Gulf Power. The Escambia County Development Review Committee granted approval for the Cotton Creek solar farm in November 2020.
“We are excited to announce that construction will begin on Cotton Creek in the late part of the first quarter of this year or early part of the second quarter,” Gulf Power spokesperson Kimberly Blair said. “However, you may see some site preparation work being done before the start of construction. Our anticipated completion date is the end of 2021.”
NorthEscambia.com was first to report in December 2019 that facility was planned for West Bogia Road. Documents show the project to be about 640 acres, only 353.18 acres of which will be disturbed. The development is planned for an area north of West Bogia Road between South Pine Barren Road and Highway 29, just west of Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church.
And now Gulf Power is seeking the necessary permits for the First City Solar Energy Center off Holland, Cox and Roach roads in McDavid. It will be 74.5 megawatts, also enough to power another 15,000 homes annually.
“We are in the early stages of developing the proposed First City Solar Energy Center on our company-owned property in North Escambia,” Blair said. “We are currently applying for permits to construct the 74.5 megawatt site. We won’t have a construction start date for First City until the permitting is approved.”
The First City Solar Center will encompass about 554 acres with about 458 acres to be disturbed for approximately 300,000 solar panels.
Both projects are expected to create 200-250 jobs during peak construction.
Pictured top: Plans for the First City Solar Energy Center. Pictured below: Plans for the Cotton Creek Solar Energy Center. NorthEscambia.com graphics.
Crash Claims Life Of Escambia County Woman
January 11, 2021
An Escambia County woman died in an early morning crash Sunday.
It happened about 2 a.m. on Navy Boulevard near Chaseville Street.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 35-year old woman was travel east on Navy Boulevard when she lost control and ran off the roadway. Her SUV struck a business sign before colliding with a concrete pole. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Florida Highway Patrol no longer releases the names of traffic accident victims.
Florida Gas Prices Up By About A Dime In The Past Week
January 11, 2021
Florida gas prices increased by more a dime last week. Florida drivers are now paying $2.30 per gallon at the pump on average.
The state average is 11 cents more than last week and 16 cents more than last month. Even still, Florida drivers are paying 21 cents per gallon less than this time last year.
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in Escambia County was $2.25. The lowest price in North Escambia Sunday night was $2.17 at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
“Florida drivers are now finding some of the highest prices at the pump since March 2020,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Prices are still being propped up by continued optimism in the fuel market, because of the long-term hopes that a vaccine will help struggling demand recover. Also motivating the market is Saudi Arabia’s agreement to cut crude oil production, which helped drive oil prices to an 11-month high.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Habitat Closes On 29 Homes In 2020
January 11, 2021
Amid the great local need for affordable homeownership, Pensacola Habitat finished up the year with 29 closings despite the pandemic and challenging hurricane season.
Though delays and setbacks had occurred with less than average volunteer participation due to COVID-19 safety precautions, the 29 closings took place. Three of them were on December 16, just in time for Christmas.
“The experience with [Pensacola] Habitat was an amazing adventure. There was some good and not necessarily bad, just setbacks”, said Danielle Johnson, one of the three homeowners who closed on their home in December.
Johnson, a single mother of three, put forth the sweat equity hours, attended the required classes and paid her down payment to complete the program and purchased her own affordable home. She and her children were able to spend their first Christmas in their brand-new house in Northeast Pensacola.
“It can be frustrating; however, the good side is it always came out good. We have to remember that God has perfect timing. To have something of my own for my children is amazing. I’m so thankful for everything. The thing that tops it all is that my kids have their own rooms!” Johnson continued.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggie Cheerleaders Win Regional Championship
January 11, 2021
The Tate High School Aggie Cheerleaders won the FHSAA Region 1 Championship for the Medium Varsity All-Girl Division over the weekend, their fourth regional championship in a row.
The Aggie cheerleaders will advance to the state finals in two weeks. In December, the squad earned a bid to nationals.
The Tate varsity cheerleaders are:
- Kyndell Ammons
- Landry Bellard
- Lanie Brown
- Jaiden Bryant
- Lauren Freeman (co-captain)
- Hagyn Helton
- Erin Johnson
- Karigan Kowal
- Paige McKinney
- Emily McNair
- Ashlyn NeSmith (Captain)
- Lainey Patrick
- Emma Romero
- Alyssa Roye
- Angelena Tamoria
- Morgan Warrington (co-captain)
Last school year, the Tate Aggie cheerleaders won a state championship and placed fifth in the nation.
Photo for NorthEsambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Asking The Florida Legislature To Fund Three Utility Projects
January 10, 2021
The Town of Century has prioritized three projects for funding requests to the Florida Legislature.
The three utility projects are:
1. Highway 29 Construction Utilities
The Florida Department of Transportation completed design on a project to improve portions of Highway 29. The town will be required to adjust the height of existing valves and manholes, and make changes to natural gas lines, water lines and sewer lines in one part of the project. Construction is expected to begin in 2022.
2. Water Meter Replacement Project
The town wants to replace all existing commercial and residential water meters with electronic meters than can be read remotely. They are asking for the funding needed to replace the meters, along with new software and training for a complete radio system.
3. Well And Water Plant Rehabilitation
The town is requesting funding to rehabilitate three existing water wells and water treatment plants. Work has already been done on the well located at the Century Correctional Institution and the well on Henry Street, but the well on Blackmon Street still needs repairs. The electrical and treatment equipment at all three wells needs to be rehabilitated, with much of it needing complete replacement. Each well house building needs cosmetic work, and the well located at the prison needs a permanent standby generator.
The requests will go to Rep. Michelle Salzman and Sen. Doug Broxson to be submitted for consideration during the upcoming legislative session.
Pictured: Century Town Hall. NorthEscmabia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tate High’s Owen Jacobs Commits To Play Soccer At Belhaven University
January 10, 2021
Tate High School senior Owen Jacobs has committed to play soccer at Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi.
Owen is the son of Brett and Merike Jacobs of Cantonment. Born in Pensacola, Owen has spent much of his life living abroad as an Air Force dependent. He competed in England with the Cambridge United and Norwich Soccer academies, the Gulf Coast Texans in Pensacola and Tate High School.
Owen, who was born completely deaf, is also on the roster with the U.S. Mens Deaf National Soccer Team.
He plans to study political science and Constitutional law with the goal of becoming a Constitutional lawyer. Owen will be joining his brother Brady, a 2018 Tate graduate, who also plays for the Belhaven men’s soccer team.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Arbor Day Tree Giveaway In Molino, Art Contest Announced
January 10, 2021
UF IFAS Extension and the Escambia County Natural Resources Department will hold a drive-through tree giveaway from 9 to 11 a.m., or until supplies last, on Saturday, January 23.
The event will be held at the Escambia County 4-H Camp and Livestock Facility located at 5701 Highway 99 in Molino. The giveaway begins promptly at 9 a.m., and attendees will need to follow instructions from volunteers related to entry and route. To keep everyone healthy, attendees will be asked to stay in their vehicles and wear a mask when approached by volunteers. Each vehicle will receive two free native 1 gallon trees. Species available include overcup oak, willow oak, sweetgum and Savannah holly.
Participants and anyone interested in tree care are encouraged to watch a free online seminar at noon on January 21 entitled, “Tree Planting: More than Digging a Hole,” to learn proper tree planting and care techniques. The presentation will go over the types of trees being given away, as well. Registration for the webinar can be found at: https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0gfLeX5SRpGCvJmbD_Qo0w
Arbor Day Mail Art Contest
Escambia County Extension will also host their 4th annual Arbor Day Mail Art Contest this year. To participate, mail a drawing, painting, photograph or mixed media artwork with the theme, “Renew, Regrow, and Reforest” to Arbor Day Art Contest c/o Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment, FL 32533. Please include your name, age, and contact information on the back of your artwork. Contest entries must arrive by mail or be dropped off by January 25.
First place winners of the art contest will receive prizes including a seven-gallon tree, a shovel and a tree book. Second place winners will receive a tree book and third place winners will receive gardening supplies. Categories include children (12-under), teen (13-18) and adult (over 18). Winners will be announced via Facebook Live on January 29, and prizes given out by appointment. Resource Management Services provided support for the art contest.