Tate High School’s Jacob Wallace Wins Superintendent’s Choice Art Award
May 7, 2025
Tate High School senior Jacob Wallace is the winner of this year’s Superintendent Choice Art Award.
His piece will hang in the Superintendent’s Gallery at the Vernon McDaniel Building alongside past years’ winners.
His art instructor at Tate is Elerene Walters.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Miller, Zamora Star In 6-1 Wahoos Road Series Opener Over Shuckers
May 7, 2025
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos continued their season-long 12-game road trip on Tuesday night, opening up a series against the division-rival Biloxi Shuckers with a 6-1 win.
Jacob Miller (W, 1-2) became the first Pensacola pitcher to complete 7.0 innings this season, scattering three hits and one run to earn his first win.
The Blue Wahoos jumped ahead early in the first inning, rallying with two outs against Biloxi starter K.C. Hunt (L, 2-3). Two walks and a single loaded the bases for Mark Coley II, who singled through the left side for an RBI single and a 1-0 lead.
The Pensacola lead grew to 3-0 in the third, as Nathan Martorella lifted a sacrifice fly and Josh Zamora lined an RBI double. Zamora went 4-for-5 on the night, notching the second four-hit game of the season for the Blue Wahoos.
After the Shuckers scratched across a run in the third on a Cooper Pratt RBI single, Miller locked in. The Pensacola righty got through his remaining 4.0 innings without allowing a hit, completing 7.0 innings for just the third time in his professional career and the first time at Double-A.
A solo home run from Johnny Olmstead in the fourth inning stretched the lead back to three runs, and the Blue Wahoos got two more in the sixth inning on a Sam Praytor RBI double and Shane Sasaki RBI single.
After Miller departed, relievers Jesse Bergin and Ricky DeVito contributed hitless innings of relief to close out a 6-1 win.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series Wednesday morning against the Shuckers.
Boil Water Notice Lifted For Stacey Road Area
May 6, 2025
THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE WAS LIFTED ON MAY 10.
A precautionary boil water notice has been issued for Cottage Hill Water Works members and meters on Stacey Road south of Quintette Road to Highway 95A. The notice was issued after a water main break due to construction on Quintette Road at Stacey Road that resulted in a disruption of water service.
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water in the area that is used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
This story will be updated when the boil water notice is rescinded.
Atmore Woman Killed In Single Vehicle Crash
May 6, 2025
Troopers have identified an Atmore woman that was killed in a single-vehicle crash Monday afternoon in the Booneville community of Escambia County, Alabama.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said 63-year-old Debra S. Albritton was fatally injured when the 2007 Toyota Camry she was driving left the roadway and struck a tree. The crash happened about 3:25 p.m. on Booneville Road near Long Hollow Road, about 13 miles northeast of Atmore.
Troopers are continuing their investigation into the crash.
File photo.
One Injured When Log Truck And ECUA Trash Truck Collide on Highway 97
May 6, 2025
An Emerald Coast Utilities Authority employee was injured in a crash involving a trash truck and an empty tractor-trailer log truck Tuesday morning in Walnut Hill.
The crash happened around 7:45 a.m. on Highway 97 at Howell Road.
The ECUA truck was stopped in the northbound lane of Highway 97 when he turned left onto Howell Road when the log truck driver, a 32-year-old male from Brewton, attempted to pass in a clearly marked passing zone.
The front right corner of the semi collided with the left front of the ECUA truck, ripping away the left side and front of the trash truck. The 35-year-old male passenger in the ECUA truck was ejected, essentially fell out of the truck, according to witnesses. He was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS with not life-threatening injuries.
The 35-year old male driver of the ECUA truck and the driver of the log truck were not injured. The log truck came to a stop on Highway 97 north of intersection.
The Florida Highway Patrol cited the ECUA driver with failure to yield while turning left while lawfully being passed on the left.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue and Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash, which closed the southbound lane of Highway 97 for about an hour.
ECUA confirmed the truck was hauling yard debris. None of the cargo spilled.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
New Century Library Manager Focusing on Community Connection and Growth
May 6, 2025
The new branch manager of the Century Library, Stevie Thomas, is aiming to strengthen the library’s connection with area residents and expand its services.
Thomas previously served as a senior librarian and systemwide youth services coordinator for the West Florida Public Libraries (WFPL).
“I want to see the library grow and connect with the community,” she said. “I’m looking for ways to do that.”
She is working to increase the number of library programs, ranging from book-related events to educational classes.
The library’s annual Summer Reading Program for children begins May 27 and runs through early August. The Century Library will also participate in the WFPL system’s free summer lunch program, sponsored by Feeding the Gulf Coast.
The Summer Reading Challenge 2025: Color World will launch in late May and feature a full schedule of events, including a community drum circle, the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, a magical variety show, Art of the Wild, an interactive musical experience, dog puppets, an artist workshop, the popular Reno’s Reptiles, the Pensacola Museum of Art, a Moogician, Sunset Wildlife Connection, and Pensacola Little Theatre.
Thomas is also building partnerships with Pensacola State College, Camp Fire USA, along with Century Health and Rehabilitation.
“I want to see the Century Library be a part of the community,” said Thomas, who lives in the area.
Although located next to Century Town Hall and sharing a parking lot with it, the Century Library is a branch of the West Florida Public Libraries and is not affiliated with the Town of Century. The library is funded by Escambia County taxpayers.
Pictured: New Century Library Branch Manager Stevie Thomas adds a DVD to the library’s extensive collection and shelves books in the children’s area. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sheriff’s Movie Night Set to Feature “Chicken Run” At Molino Park Elementary
May 6, 2025
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Escambia County Sheriff Foundation, will be hosting a community “Sheriff’s Movie Night” on Friday, May 9, at Molino Park Elementary. The event, scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., will offer areal families a fun evening out, complete with food and a popular animated film.
The evening will kick off at 5:30 p.m. with the serving of hotdogs and hamburgers before the main feature.
As dusk settles, the focus will shift to the big screen for the featured presentation: DreamWorks and Aardman’s stop-motion animated comedy, “Chicken Run.” The film tells the story of a group of chickens on a 1950s British egg farm, led by the determined hen Ginger. Their lives are under threat when the cruel farmer, Mrs. Tweedy, decides to turn the farm into a chicken pot pie factory. Desperate to avoid this fate, Ginger and her fellow chickens plot an elaborate escape, enlisting the help of Rocky Rhodes, a roguish American rooster who claims he can fly. Together, they face numerous hilarious and nail-biting challenges as they work together to achieve their dream of freedom.
The family-friendly movie is sure to provide entertainment for all ages, with its blend of humor, adventure, and themes of teamwork and perseverance.
Sheriff Chip W. Simmons and the Escambia County Sheriff Foundation encourage all local families to attend this free community event for an evening of food, fun, and film.
Tate High’s Innovative FAST Fest Works To Improve Scores For Over 1,000 Students
May 6, 2025
Tate High School recently hosted its second annual FAST Fest, an two-day academic celebration that engaged over 1,000 ninth and tenth grade students in a dynamic and interactive review of English Language Arts skills in preparation for Florida’s statewide FAST (Florida Assessment of Student Thinking) test.
The event, held on campus, transformed test prep into an exciting experience thanks to the dedication of 16 enthusiastic teachers and 60 12th-grade student volunteers who lead activity stations over the course of two days. Each station offered standards-based games, skill-building challenges, and opportunities for students to earn prizes—all designed to reinforce key English concepts in a fun, low-stress environment.
“FAST Fest was created to help students feel confident and ready for the FAST test, and it exceeded our expectations,” said the event’s organizer, a Tate High School teacher, Kristin Maum. “Not only did students enjoy themselves, but we’ve already seen measurable learning gains, with many students improving their scores from last year—some showing double-digit growth.”
Student feedback following the test echoed the event’s success. Many participants described FAST Fest as “fun” and said it “definitely helped” them perform better. One student said, “The hands-on activities really helped my memory recall for the test.” The combination of game-based learning and supportive teacher involvement proved to be both effective and inspiring.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Applications Open Wednesday For Escambia County Habitat Homes
May 6, 2025
Applications open Wednesday for 14 Escambia County Habitat homes.
Pensacola Habitat, in partnership with Escambia County, is selling the homes to eligible byers at or below 80% area median income. These homes will be selected and sold to buyers in order of approved applications.
With limited inventory, these homes are expected to sell quickly. Applications for these homes will open on Wednesday, May 7 at 8 a.m.
How to Apply:
- Applications for this program will be available beginning May 7 at 8 a.m. Click here for a list of documents that you will need to include in your application. Your application will not be complete or reviewed until all required documents are submitted. It’s a good idea to have these items ready before the application opens so you can submit quickly.
Next Steps:
- Prep for Launch: Create an account on the application portal to save that extra step on May 7. Habitat may close the application portal if it reaches capacity quickly, so be sure to apply early beginning on May 7 at 8 a.m.
- Home Selection: Once your application is submitted, you’ll have the opportunity to tour the homes and select your preferred property from available options. Remember – these homes are first come, first served, so apply early to make sure that the property you’re interested in is still available for selection. View the 14 homes, their specs and locations on the Pensacola Habitat website.
Additional Information:
As part of the application, buyers must provide proof of home mortgage pre-qualification of $150,000 from a SHIP Approved Lender (Click here for SHIP Lender list). Click here for Buyer Qualifications for SHIP Homebuyer Program.
These homes are completely separate from Pensacola Habitat for Humanity’s Homebuyer Program. If you have already started or submitted an application for a Pensacola Habitat for Humanity program, you will need to complete a new, separate application for one of these 14 homes. Application and Program requirements are different.
Buyers for these homes are not required to complete “sweat equity” or other Pensacola Habitat Homebuyer Program requirements, such as background and credit screenings. However, homebuyers for these homes will be required to attend an 8-Hour Pre-Purchase Homebuyer Workshop. Pensacola Habitat Program Staff will process applications and confirm income and assets per the agreement with Escambia County SHIP Program.
Escambia Man Charged With DUI After Crashing Into Deputy’s Patrol Vehicle
May 6, 2025
An Escambia County man was arrested after crashing his vehicle into a deputy’s vehicle.
Michael Joseph Turpin, 44, was charged with DUI with property damage by state troopers.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Turpin failed to maintain a single lane while traveling east of and I-10 ramp to I-10. Troopers said the car struck the right rear of the marked Escambia County Sheriff’s Office SUV traveling in the same direction. There were no injuries.
“During the crash investigation, there were signs of impairment observed from the driver of the sedan,” FHP said.
Turpin was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $2,500 bond.