Overturned Dump Trucks Spills Hot Asphalt, Shuts Down Miles Of Highway 29
December 19, 2025
An overturned dump truck hauling hot asphalt closed nearly seven miles of northbound Highway 29 for hours on Friday.
The driver of the Roads, Inc. dump truck lost control on Highway 29 northbound, left the roadway, overcorrected, and overturned just over a mile south of Bogia Road in McDavid. The driver was not injured.
The truck’s entire load of hot asphalt spilled across northbound Highway 29 and into the median. First responders were initially able to divert a few northbound vehicles around the accident via the shoulder, but a second dump truck became stuck, forcing a complete closure.
Traffic was diverted from northbound Highway 29 onto Highway 97 in Molino for several hours. The roadway has since reopened.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed In 2024 Log Truck, Propane Truck Crash That Killed Molino Girl
December 19, 2025
One year after 12-year-old Sofia Bennett of Molino died in a multi-vehicle crash in Pace, a wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against several companies involved in the wreck.
Sofia’s mother, Sandra Bennett-Tidwell, and John Tidwell filed the lawsuit against Timber Contractors Trucking, Parker Gas Company, Inc., and J.E. Estes Wood Company, Inc.
The crash happened about 10:35 a.m. December 18, 2024, on Quintette Road at Tunnel Road in Pace, just east of Five Points. The wreck involved a log truck, a propane delivery truck, and two passenger vehicles, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
According to the FHP report, the crash claimed the life of Sofia Bennett, who was a passenger in an SUV driven by a 50-year-old woman. The woman suffered serious injuries and was taken to an area hospital. The log truck driver, a 47-year-old Bay Minette woman, was also seriously injured. The driver of the propane delivery truck and the driver of the second SUV were not injured.
“One year ago today, a young life was taken in a crash that never should have happened,” Attorney Rachael Gilmer of the Levin Papantonio law firm said Thursday. She is representing the plaintiffs in the civil action. “No verdict, no settlement, and no courtroom can return a daughter to her family, but accountability is the only way we honor her memory and ensure that this kind of negligence does not claim another life.”
According to the complaint filed Thursday morning in Santa Rosa County Circuit Court, Sofia was traveling in the front seat of the vehicle her mother was driving on Quintette Road in Santa Rosa County. Chadwick Daniels was operating a semi-truck as an employee of Parker Gas, and Kathryn Shiver was operating a semi-truck as an employee of Timber Contractors. The complaint also states defendant J.E. Estes was handling logistics for the delivery of timber from Timber Contractors.
The lawsuit alleges that, “without cause or warning,” Shiver rear-ended Bennett-Tidwell’s vehicle, which then collided into the Parker Gas truck and became sandwiched between it and the Timber Contractors truck. The Parker Gas truck was allegedly stopped and waiting to make an illegal turn onto Tunnel Road.
The plaintiffs allege that as employers of Shiver and Daniels, Timber Contractors Trucking and Parker Gas Company breached their duty of care, and J.E. Estes negligently breached its duty of care.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Woman Crashes Into Highway 168 Ditch
December 19, 2025
A woman was not seriously injured when she crashed into a ditch Thursday afternoon in Bratt.
The woman lost control on Highway 168 just east of North Highway 99. Her Chevrolet Malibu traveled through a ditch, struck a concrete culvert and landed in a residential driveway.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated the 3:15 p.m. crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Beulah Christmas Parade Is At Noon Saturday
December 19, 2025
The annual Beulah Christmas Parade will be this Saturday, December 20 at nooon.
The parade will begin at Windy Hill Baptist Church on Rebel Road. It will then travel south on Rebel Road, to West Nine Mile Road, to Beulah Road, to Helms Road, to Mobile Highway, continuing through Vintage Creek, Tower Ridge, and Frank Reeder, and then return to Windy Hill Baptist on Rebel Road. For a map provided by organizers, click here.
The parade was rescheduled from December 6 due to weather.
Pictured: The 2024 Beulah Christmas Parade. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Farm Share Christmas Food Distribution Saturday In Walnut Hill
December 19, 2025
Justified Incarcerated Ministries will host a Farm Share Food Giveaway in Walnut Hill on Saturday.
The Christmas distribution will begin at 9 a.m. and continue while supplies last at Bradberry Park, 4760 Highway 99A.
Pictured: A 2024 food distribution in Walnut Hill. File photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Santa Visits Molino Library
December 19, 2025
Santa made a special visit to the Molino Library on Thursday.
Children were able to take photos with him and share their Christmas wish lists before making Christmas crafts.
For a photos gallery, click here.
Santa has one more library store this year — Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the Main Library on Spring Street.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
‘Holiday With The Horses’ (And Santa) Will Be Saturday In Cantonment
December 19, 2025
Santa Claus recently paid a surprise visit to the horses at the Panhandle Equine Rescue in Cantonment and he’ll be back on Saturday for “Holidays with Horses.”
The event is free and open to the public, taking place at PER, 3099 East Chipper Road in Cantonment from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
During the event, photos with Santa will be available with a suggested donation of $20.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged As ‘Super Speeder’ For 102 MPH On Highway 29
December 18, 2025
A 21-year-old Cantonment man was charged under Florida’s “super speeder” law after troopers say he was clocked at 102 mph in a 45 mph zone on Highway 29.
Andrew Thomas Heck was charged with operating a vehicle exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 mph.
A Florida Highway Patrol trooper was northbound on Highway 29 near Nine Mile Road when he met a red passenger vehicle that was traveling at 102 mph in the posted 45 mph zone, according to an FHP report. The trooper conducted a traffic stop just north of Nine Mile Road.
He was immediately placed under arrest. Heck, according to the report, told the trooper that he had “no reason to be going that fast.”
Ascend Cares Delivers Christmas Magic To Escambia Westgate Students
December 18, 2025
The Pensacola Ascend Cares teams took part in a Christmas Parade for the very special students at Escambia Westgate School.
The volunteers brought holiday light and laughter, along with a gift for over 130 students from their personal wish lists. Each gift was hand-delivered with love from Santa, and Mrs. Claus.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Commemorative 250th U.S. Anniversary License Plates Available In Florida
December 18, 2025
In honor of the United States’ 250th anniversary on July 4th, 2026, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has announced a new America 250 commemorative license plate.
“The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is honored to give Floridians a meaningful way to participate in our nation’s 250th anniversary,” said Executive Director Dave Kerner. “This commemorative plate reflects our shared pride in America’s history and is a symbol of our state’s connection to America’s past.”
Unlike specialty plates, the America 250 plate serves as an alternative to the standard Florida license plate, with all regular fees applying. Motorists may request the America 250 license plate at the time of vehicle registration or renewal. The plate will be available through multiple channels, including local tax collector offices and authorized tag agencies.