A Very Special Night To Shine (A Valentine’s Story)
February 14, 2021
It’s been a special friendship and a love for each other since elementary school for Bryant McDonald and Hannah Hardy, and Friday night was their “night to shine”.
A Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation for people with special needs. The program looked a little different this year due to the pandemic as people across the world honored and served those with disabilities.
And it was an perfect night for Bryant, a 19-year old senior at Tate High School, and his girlfriend Hannah as they were named prom king and queen.
For a photo gallery, click here.
“Hannah made sure last night was planned to a ‘T’. She asked Bryant to pick out which dress he liked the best on her,” Bryant’s mother Tracey McDonald said. “They exchanged boutonniere and corsage, had Chick-fil-A, and she even picked out his tie. She chose the tie with X’s and O’s for hugs and kisses.”
Those that attended the Pensacola area event were invited to a drive-thru parade in Gulf Breeze. Despite the weather, there were costumed characters and plenty of people cheering them on and wishing them all a fabulous night.
“I liked when Elsa (from Frozen) blew snow all over us. She tried to freeze us,” Bryant said.
“They were treated like royalty and had the biggest smiles on their faces and giggles and laughter filled the car,” Tracey said.
And what’s a prom without a dance?
Hannah and Bryant had their own at-home prom dance.
Bryant said his favorite part of the date was “when Hannah and I danced the Cha-Cha Slide together at home,” and Hannah said she loved dancing with Bryant, her ‘Sugar Bear”, in his stand-up walker.
It was a Night to Shine for Bryant and Hannah.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: Bryant McDonald and Hannah Hardy’s Night to Shine prom date. (The first photo below was Hannah’s favorite.) Photos courtesy Beth Lees and Tracey McDonald for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECSO Seeks Two On Outstanding Warrants
February 14, 2021
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for two men on active warrants.
James Lee Purifoy Jr., 28, is wanted for failure to appear for driving with a suspended license, possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, possession of drugs with intent to sell and violation of probation. Purifoy’s last reported address was Robinson Street in Cantonment.
Tyler Colston, 24, is wanted for failure to appear for resisting arrest without violence, possession of marijuana over 220 grams, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, trafficking cocaine and possession of drug equipment. Colston’s last reported address was 50th Avenue in Pensacola.
If you have any information, call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
New Testing Requirement To Renew Expired Florida Driver’s License
February 14, 2021
There’s a new law in Florida that will impact drivers whose license has expired for an extended period of time, according to Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford.
Effective Monday, February 1, drivers who have allowed their driver’s license to expire for one year or more will be required to complete the written and vision exams before renewing their driver’s license.
Situations subject to retest requirements include:
- Customers who have completed the Class E knowledge exam but have not had it applied to an issuance within one year of the exam date;
- Customers who downgraded from a driver’s license to an ID card and the driver’s license has been expired for one year or more;
- Customers who did not apply to renew their driver’s license within the one-year delinquent renewal period; and
- Customers applying for a Florida driver’s license and their out-of-state driver’s license has been expired for one year or more
“Class E licenses may be renewed up to 18 months before expiration. I encourage everyone to renew early to avoid retest requirements,” said Lunsford. “Applicants who wish to study for the exam may access the official Florida Driver’s Handbook through our website.”
Deployed military personnel whose license will expire soon may be eligible for an extension. Visit www.EscambiaTaxCollector.com/military for more information.
A Class E license is the standard driver’s license in Florida.
Here Are The Traffic Delays To Expect This Week
February 14, 2021
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 98 (Pensacola Bay Bridge) Replacement – The intersection of North 17th Avenue and Bayfront Parkway will remain closed until spring 2021 as construction continues for the new 17th Avenue interchange. The Visitor’s Center remains accessible from 17th Avenue. In addition, the ramp from 17th Avenue to East Gregory Street remains open. Eastbound drivers on Bayfront Parkway should use North 14th Avenue and Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) as a detour route.
- New Warrington Spur (State Road (S.R.) 295) Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation over Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) – There will be alternating northbound lane restrictions from 11 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14 to 5 a.m. Monday, Feb. 15 for bridge repair and rehabilitation work.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation over Marcus Creek – The westbound outside lane will be closed from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14 for bridge repair and rehabilitation work.
- · East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Safety Project from North Palafox Street to Chemstrand Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent right turn lane closures beginning Monday, Feb. 15.
- · North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Soil Testing at the intersection of East Cross Street– Traffic on East Cross Street will be reduced to one lane at the intersection of North Palafox Street from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15 as crews perform soil testing.
- · I-10 Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation over U.S. 29 – Westbound traffic will encounter intermittent and alternating lane closures from 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16 for bridge repair and rehabilitation work.
- · Pace Boulevard (S.R. 292) Asphalt Repairs at West Strong Street Intersection– Motorists will encounter lane closures from 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15 to 6 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16 as crews replace pavement at the sewer main.
- I-10 Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation over Perdido River Bridge – Motorists will encounter nighttime lane closures beginning the week of Monday, Feb. 15. Drivers will also encounter a 36-hour lane closure with pacing (slow moving) operations beginning at 6 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16. Traffic will be temporarily slowed to a safe speed by a pilot vehicle to allow crews to perform construction activities. Advanced signs will be in place to alert drivers of the operations.
- U.S. 29 Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation as Canoe Creek – Northbound traffic will encounter intermittent and alternating lane closures from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17 for bridge repair and rehabilitation work.
- U.S. 29 Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation over Mitchell Creek- Southbound traffic will encounter intermittent and alternating lane closures from 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18 to 5 a.m. Friday, Feb. 19 for bridge repair and rehabilitation work.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive- Early construction activities including utility relocations, clearing, excavation, and drainage improvements have begun. Clearing and excavating of areas for the stormwater ponds are currently underway. There will be no traffic impacts associated with the construction of the ponds, but nearby residents and businesses may experience some noise. Access to residences and businesses will be maintained. Major roadway construction activities are anticipated to begin summer 2021.
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – The bridge is closed
- U.S. 90 Turn Lane Construction West of Bell Lane in Pace– Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. until Thursday, Feb. 18 as crews construct an east and westbound turn lane for the New Discount Tire Store.
- S.R. 89 North, S.R. 87 North and S.R. 89 Bypass Roadway Maintenance Operations- Drivers may encounter intermittent lane restrictions until Sunday, April 25 as crews perform roadway maintenance activities along the corridors. Off duty law enforcement will be on-site to assist with traffic control.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Pictured top: A worker is saw-cutting existing temporary asphalt on Nine Mile road near Pine Cone Drive. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Ordinance Under Consideration To Allow Countywide Sunday Morning Alcohol Sales
February 13, 2021
A new Escambia County ordinance under consideration will allow stores to sell alcohol on Sunday mornings across the entire county.
Escambia County’s current hours for sale or purchase of alcoholic beverages were established in 1989, allowing sales between 6 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. each day except Sunday. The current ordinance bans retail alcohol sales on Sundays between 2:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. countywide, with an exception for Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key where it is legal to sell alcohol at retail stores on Sundays after 7 a.m.
If approved, the new ordinance will allow alcohol sales between 6 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. each day of the week (still prohibiting sales between 2:30 a.m. and 6 a.m., seven days a week).
The Escambia County Commission will hold a public hearing on the ordinance on Thursday, February 18 at 9:01 a.m.
If approved, the ordinance will become effective when it is filed with the Florida Department of State.
File photo.
Flags At Half Staff Sunday For Marjory Stoneman Douglas Remembrance Day
February 13, 2021
Flags across Florida will be flown at half staff on Sunday to mark Marjory Stoneman Douglas Remembrance Day.
“On February 14, 2018, Nikolas Cruz opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Seventeen innocent lives were lost. Students, teachers, and faculty showed great courage in the face of danger. The sacrifices of these heroes, as well as the brave actions of first responders, will never be forgotten,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said.
DeSantis has ordered flags to be flown at half staff at a local and state government buildings, installations and grounds in Florida from sunrise to sunset on Sunday.
Pictured: The flag at half staff on February 14, 2020, at Bratt Elementary School to mark Marjory Stoneman Douglas Remembrance Day. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Century Library Still Closed For Remodel; Some Services Available On Saturdays
February 13, 2021
The Century Branch Library is currently closed for an extensive interior remodel, but there are a few services available on Saturdays.
The remodel will feature an expansion of the children’s area by reducing on-site storage. There will also be improvements to the public service desk for increased accessibility, an improved adult reading area, new carpet, new paint, new lighting and new furnishings.
An additional sidewalk, benches, bicycle area and tables have already been added outside the library.
While the library will be closed, Feeding the Gulf Coast youth meals will be available for the week each Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Library materials that have been reserved through the library’s website will also be available each Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Borrowed items can be returned during the closure by using the outdoor book drop on the south side of the building.
Pictured: Some of the outside improvements at the Century Branch Library. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jay High’s Kaden Roberson Signs With Huntingdon College
February 13, 2021
Jay High School’s Kaden Roberson has signed a football scholarship with Huntingdon College. Roberson is pictured with his family. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Code Enforcement Officer Threatens Woman, Holds Her Against Her Will, SRSO Says
February 13, 2021
An Escambia County Code Enforcement officer has been charged in Santa Rosa County for allegedly threatening a woman and holding her against her will in Milton.
Ethan Lee Brown is charged with simple assault and kidnapping false imprisonment.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic disturbance and found Brown standing in the front yard, smelling of alcohol and with an empty gun holster on his hip, according to an arrest report. A woman told deputies Brown threw a mirror and nightstand, and punched a hole in a door, the report states.
The woman tells deputies she told Brown he frightened her and asked him to leave when he held her down on the bed with his body weight, the report says. When she tried to leave, Brown stood between her and the front door.
When deputies arrived, they found the damaged items and two firearms on the coffee table and couch. The report states Brown made choking motions close to the woman’s head like he was about to commit the act.
Under Florida law, Brown’s mugshot was not available due to his status as a code enforcement officer.
An Escambia County spokesperson said Brown has worked as a code enforcement officer with Escambia County since 2019.
Chumuckla Tom Thumb Temporarily Closed Due To COVID-19
February 13, 2021
Tom Thumb said Friday that they closed their store at 9393 Chumuckla Highway after a team member informed them of a positive COVID-19 test.
The store was closed to be cleaned and sanitized by an industrial cleaning crew. The store will reopen in the next few days.
“We are grateful to all our customers for your patience and understanding during this time,” Tom Thumb said. “We are making every effort to provide the affected Team Member and our broader team with the necessary resources and support.”
File photo.