Special Commission Meeting Set To Consider $25 Million John R. Jones Park Bond Issue, $1.1 Million Beach Gateway
June 16, 2025
During a special meeting Friday, the Escambia County Commission will consider over $26 million in tourism related projects.
The meeting will be held at 9 a.m., June 20 at the Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building.
$25 Million TDT Note For John R. Jones Complex Upgrades
The commission will consider approval of Tourist Development Tax (TDT) Revenue Note not exceeding $25,100,000 for capital improvements at the John R. Jones Park and Sports Arena. The county will then enter into a loan agreement with Synovus Bank (the purchaser of the note). The annual debt service for the bank loan will be paid from Escambia County TDT with a structured level annual debt service of approximately $2.495 million over an approximate 15-year period which ends on October 1, 2039.
The project was approved by the commission in May; Thursday’s vote will finalize approval for the bond issue.
The $25 million for upgrades, including artificial turf, for the John R. Jones complex on East Nine Mile Road with a focus on sports tourism. The TDC approved the recommendation at their April 15 meeting.
The John R. Jones complex currently has 18 baseball and softball fields, plus two rectangular multi-use fields for sports such as football, lacrosse, soccer, cheerleading and more.
According to the proposal, the new facility will attract hundreds of teams, players and fans for tournaments and be competitive with similar facilities in nearby communities such as Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Panama City, Fort Walton Beach, Daphne and more.
There are 23 hotel properties within seven miles, and it is about 15 minutes from the Pensacola International Airport.
The Nine Mile Road facility will have the capacity to host 39 weekend tournaments plus 12 full week tournaments during the summer, creating over $2.3 million in revenue subject to the tourist development tax.
The $25 million will fund:
- $20 million – Artificial turf for 20 Fields
- Approx. $1 million per field
- 18 multi-dimensional diamond fields,
- Plus, two rectangular multi-use fields
- $500,000 – Landscaping & Common Areas
- Flower beds and aesthetic landscaping
- $1.2 million – Sidewalks & Parking Upgrades
- Entryway and sidewalk connectivity
- $1 million – Fence, Shade & Dugout Work
- Overall fence work, shade areas & dugout upgrades
- $1.5 million – Concessions & Building Upgrades
- Remodeling and upgrading buildings.
- Miscellaneous Expenses – $400,000
- Various Aesthetic Upgrades
- Design – Permits or Consulting Fees – $400,000
- Potential fees for design or consulting
$1.1 Million For Pensacola Beach Gateway Improvements Design
The commission will consider approval of $1.1 million to Jacob’s Engineering Group for Pensacola Beach gateway improvement designs.
The Escambia County Engineering Department, in collaboration with the Santa Rosa Island Authority, requested 100% construction plans to be developed for an improved northern gateway to Pensacola Beach. The new gateway design will piggyback a new tolling system structure that is currently being designed by Jacobs Engineering. The new gateway will include a welcome structure, new landscaping, a new shared multi-use path, and pavement improvements to be located between the south end of the Bob Sikes Bridge and the north end of the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) water storage tanks. The existing toll booth facility visually cues motorists to stop in spite of the signage to the contrary, increasing traffic congestion. These changes seek to improve traffic efficiency entering the island while collecting the toll and providing an aesthetic greeting to Pensacola Beach.
Escambia County Renews Emergency Response Agreement With Century Prison
June 16, 2025
Escambia County recently renewed a contract to provide fire suppression and rescue services for the Century Correctional Institution.
A 2022 agreement with the Florida Department of Corrections was renewed for five years for Escambia County Fire Rescue to continue providing fire services when the need arises.
Century Correctional is located on Tedder Road, a short distance from the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue. In the event of a fire or other emergency, other surrounding ECFR stations may also respond.
ECFR agreed to provide the following on an as-needed basis 24 hours a day, seven days a week:
- Fire suppression and fire equipment;
- Fire investigation;
- Contact for ambulance and emergency medical services; and
- Rescue of inmates/persons who may have become trapped.
- There are no financial obligations between the parties.
Pictured: An Escambia County EMS ambulances exist the Century Correctional Institution. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Morristown Road Closing From Highway 4 To Dykestown
June 16, 2025
Morristown Road in northern Santa Rosa County will be closed from Highway 4 to Dykestown Road Tuesday through Thursday for roadway improvements, weather permitting.
Residents will have access to their property.
Signage will be placed at each end of the roadway to inform drivers of the closure.
Drivers should seek an alternate route until the roadway reopens. Drivers can utilize Dykestown Road to Ebenezer Church Road as a detour to the west and Shell Road to Nelsontown and Nelson Roads as a detour to the east.
Map courtesy Santa Rosa county.
FHP: Century Man Flips Car, Flees Ambulance, Drives Home, Arrested For DUI
June 16, 2025
A Century man fled a DUI crash and drove home, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Willie Eugene Cottrell, 67, was charged with DUI and leaving the scene of a crash with property damage.
Cottrell veered off the road, overturned his Nissan Versa, and hit a wire fence on Highway 4A near Bass Road, according to troopers. The vehicle made at least one rotation before coming to final rest back on its tires. Cottrell then called 911, and Escambia County Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded.
He became verbally abusive to EMS personnel in the back of the ambulance and fled through the rear doors, according to an arrest report, before getting back in his Nissan and driving home about 1.5 miles to his residence on Backwoods Road.
A trooper responded to his residence, noting he smelled strongly of alcohol and was slurring his words. He refused a field sobriety test, but the trooper said his impairment from alcohol “was extreme and obvious” and placed him under arrest. Cottrell later provided two breath samples, both showing a breath alcohol content of 0.164, over twice the legal limit of 0.08, according to the arrest report.
AAA: Florida Gas Prices Face Upward Pressure From The Israel-Iran Conflict
June 16, 2025
Florida gas prices are the lowest in a month, but face upward pressure heading into this week, according to AAA.
Sunday’s state average was $2.95 per gallon. That’s down 14 cents from a week ago and the lowest since $2.92 a gallon on May 12.
In Escambia County, the average was $2.90. A low of $2.72 was available Sunday at several stations in Escambia County. The low price in North Escambia was $2.84 on Sunday night at station on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
“Escalating tensions between Israel and Iran drove oil prices higher last week,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “As a result, U.S. gas prices are expected to rise this week. The extent of the increase is uncertain, but drivers could begin seeing gas prices move higher on Monday.”
The U.S. price for crude oil rose 13% last week. Friday’s closing price of $72.98 per barrel was $8.40/b more than the week before, and the highest daily settlement since February 11, 2025.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Alderman, Ortiz-Mayr Power Wahoos To Father’s Day Win
June 16, 2025
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (32-31) capped their road trip with a 5-2 series-finale victory over the Rocket City Trash Pandas (24-37) on Sunday.
After a scoreless first two frames, Pensacola struck first in the top of the third inning. Following a one-out hit by pitch and a walk, designated hitter Kemp Alderman hit a towering three-run home run to left field off lefthander Sam Aldegheri (L, 2-4) to put the Wahoos ahead 3-0. The blast traveled an estimated 471 feet and is the longest Pensacola home run of the season to date, beating out catcher Spencer Bramwell’s 469-foot homer hit just three days prior.
The early offense allowed righthander Orlando Ortiz-Mayr (W, 4-2) to cruise through five effective innings. Ortiz-Mayr did not allow a hit over his outing and struck out six Trash Pandas on the afternoon.
Rocket City’s offense awoke in the bottom of the sixth inning against the Blue Wahoos bullpen. Following a leadoff single by center fielder Nelson Rada against lefthander Justin King, Trash Panda shortstop Denzer Guzman hit a two-run home run to cut the Pensacola lead to 3-2.
Pensacola grabbed back momentum in the top of the seventh inning. The Wahoos brought seven men to the plate and tacked on two runs on RBI singles from right fielder Grant Richardson and first baseman Josh Zamora. After seven innings, Pensacola led 5-2.
In the bottom of the ninth, Rocket City rallied against righthander Alex Williams (S, 1). Back-to-back one-out singles brought the tying run to the plate, but Williams induced a pair of outs to finish off a 10-out save and a 5-2 Pensacola victory.
With the win, Pensacola split its road trip at Rocket City at three games apiece and concluded its regular-season series with the Trash Pandas. The Wahoos went 7-5 in two series against Rocket City.
The Blue Wahoos return home on Tuesday, June 17 when they begin a six-game series against the Montgomery Biscuits to close out the Southern League season’s first half. First pitch from Blue Wahoos Stadium is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
Century Man Sentenced For Felony Weapon Possession, Wildlife Violation
June 15, 2025
A Century man has been sentenced to nearly a year in the county jail on state wildlife violations and a felony charge brought by state officials.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) charged 50-year-old Alex Alexander Burt with a misdemeanor violation of Florida administrative code and felony possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon. Last week, he pleaded no contest and was sentenced by Judge John Miller to 11 months and 30 days in jail for the felony and 60 days for the wildlife code violation. He will also be on supervised probation for a year after his release.
On January 23, 2025, FWC officers were patrolling when they observed a pickup truck parked adjacent to an abandoned house off Salters Lake Road in Century on property that is adjacent to the Escambia River Wildlife Management Area. It is an area FWC said has heavy foot and vehicle traffic to enter the management area. Officers were aware of an area being baited with a large amount of corn within the management area directly in front of a hunting blind atop a permanent wooden stand. Officers entered the area and announced their presence as state police.
And individual with an air gun and Burt with nothing in his hands exited the blind, according to an arrest report. Burt told FWC officers that he was hunting and identified a shotgun that was still in the blind in his, and he also had two shotgun shells in his pocket, an arrest report states. FWC said Burt had additional shells in a purple Crown Royal bag, for a total of 20 12-gauge shotgun shells.
The other individual with Burt in the hunting blind was also issued multiple citations.
Escambia County Seeks Appointees For Mass Transit Advisory Committee
June 15, 2025
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Appointee Sought for Mass Transit Advisory Committee
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to be considered for the County Administrator’s appointment to the Escambia County Mass Transit Advisory Committee.
Escambia residents interested in serving on the Escambia County Mass Transit Advisory Committee are asked to submit a resume by 5 p.m. Monday, June 23. Resumes should be emailed to boardapply@myescambia.com or mailed to:
Jose Gochez, County Administration Operations Manager
Escambia County Board of County Commissioners
221 Palafox Place
Pensacola, FL 32502
Resumes submitted to a BCC agenda for consideration will become part of the official minutes and are subject to public records requests.
The board, in its regular meeting on Oct. 1, 2009, adopted a resolution establishing the MTAC. The MTAC meets quarterly, typically on the second Wednesday of the month from 3-5 p.m.
The duties of the committee include the following:
Establishing a set of benchmarks to periodically evaluate the service and management of existing public mass transit systems operating in Escambia County;
Setting short-range and long-range goals for increasing ridership, expanding routes and instituting new mass transit services;
Assisting the Board of County of Commissioners, the county administrator and Escambia County Area Transit management in developing partnerships with industry groups and employers to foster economic development; and
Identifying opportunities for inter-governmental or regional transportation alliances with entities both within Escambia County and outside of Escambia County.
Troublewide Saloon? Development Planned For Highway 95A At Highway 29
June 15, 2025
A development application has been filed for a property on Highway 95A at Highway 29 in Cantonment, but the exact details are a bit unclear.
A handwritten application filed by Robert Carlson states the project name is BDR Towing/Troublewide at 160 North Highway 95A. The application states the estimated parcel acreage is 2.3. According to Escambia County Property appraiser records, the parcel is 1.1365 ares — a lot with about 646 feet of road frontage that ranges in depth between 72 and 100 feet located near the intersection.
Associate drawings filed with the county show a 24×36 modular office building that will be placed at the southwest corner of an existing foundation next to a 22×46 shop and a variety of other development including some sort of train, parking that appears to back out into Highway 95A, a gravel path for truck and RV parking or storage and food trucks.
A rendering filed with the county also shows a two-story building labeled “Troublewide Saloon” and train cars. One page of the application also contains an unexplained logo for “Outlaw Country Music Festival”.
No other details were provided in the count application, but county staff did notate “possible code enforcement case” on the application.
The proposal is set for a pre-application meeting this Wednesday with the Escambia County Development Review Committee.
(Immediately above: NorthEscambia.com graphic.)
Read With A Dog Tuesday At The Century Library
June 15, 2025
Zofie from the West Florida Public Libraries’ Read With a Dog program will make a special appearance this week at the Century Library.
Zofie will be at the Century Library on Tuesday, June 17 at 1 p.m. Children can visit the library and, as the program name suggests, read with Zofie.
The Century Library is located at 7991 North Century Boulevard, next to the Century Town Hall.
Stock image.