Flag Football: Tate Defeats Northview (With Gallery)
March 14, 2025
In girls flag football action on this week, the Tate Aggies defeated the Northview Chiefs 19-6 at Tate’s Carl Madison Field.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Up next after spring break, Tate will travel to Escambia on March 24, and Northview will be at Pensacola High on March 25.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate High School Hosts District Special Olympics (With Photo Gallery)
March 13, 2025
The 17th annual Escambia County Special Olympics Spring Games were held at Tate High School with 34 schools participating.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The day kicked off with the Special Olympics Torch Relay around Carl Madison Field in Pete Gindl Stadium. Tate senior Macy Jensen’s heartfelt rendition of the National Anthem set the tone for the events.
Over 650 Tate High students volunteered as “buddies”, paired with 460 student athletes.
For a photo gallery, click here.
New Aldi Store, A Converted Winn Dixie, Opens On Nine Mile Road (With Gallery)
March 13, 2025
A soft opening was held Wednesday for Escambia County’s new Aldi on Nine Mile Road, a converted Winn Dixie store that was purchased by the Germany-based grocery chain.
Excited customers were lined up waiting for the doors to open to be among the first to see the new store, which features hundreds of the company’s own brands and fresh items.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Heather Moore, vice president of Aldi’s Loxley Division, gave NorthEsambia.com a personal tour Wednesday morning, stopping along the way to explain the concept and culture of Aldi.
Why Aldi?
“So, I think what we say a lot of times is the price brings them in the door, and the quality brings them back,” Moore said. “So, the first thing that customers are going to notice we’ve never been in Aldi is how inexpensive the products are. So, we are going to save them a ton of money on the stuff they buy every day. Whether it’s fresh produce or fresh meat. We get that stuff in every day.”
She said all of the products will meet or beat the national brand, backed by a double quality guarantee. About 90% of the products are private-label, Aldi exclusive brands with about one-in-three products are award winning.
Don’t Forget A Quarter. And A Bag.
Then there’s the quarter thing.
Shoppers must insert a quarter, much like a rental, for a shopping cart. When the cart is returned, the quarter is returned, eliminating the need for employees to round up buggies in the parking lot.
During the grand opening, the store is providing quarters to those that need one. (And full disclosure — NorthEsambia.com couldn’t find a quarter in our vehicle on Wednesday, and Aldi provided us with one. We left the quarter behind with a cart to pay it forward for the next shopper.)
“We have plenty of quarters for anybody who forgets their quarter or doesn’t know about it. So, everything we do here is to bring those prices down and to stretch your grocery dollars further,” Moore said. “It’s one of those things that we’ve done to just bring those costs down, so you can save a few dollars when you grocery shop.”
If you want to bag your purchses, you’ll need to bring your own reusable bagsor purchase one of Aldi’s. A large reusable shopping bag is under a buck.
Winn Dixie Stores Converting to Aldi
The new Nine Mile Aldi currently employees 15 people, four of which were employees at the former Winn Dixie.
“It’s neat to see them come back into their new home and be really excited. We’ve had a lot of customers that remember them, and that means a lot too,” she said.
The new Aldi only uses about 20,000 square feet of the former Nine Mile Road Winn Dixie, leaving empty and available real estate next door. There are rumors about what may be locating there, but Moore said nothing is final.
Aldi operates two other stores in Escambia County — on Mobile Highway and Blue Angel Parkway, plus a location in Pace. The Aldi conversion process has just started at a former Winn Dixie in Milton. No other Winn Dixie stores have been identified for conversion as of now in Escambia or Santa Rosa counties.
Grand Opening Celebration
The new Nine 312 East Nine Mile Road Aldi will hold an official grand opening at 9 a.m. Thursday.
The first 100 customers Thursday will receive a gift bag filled with a sampling of Aldi exclusive products and a gift card. Shoppers can also register through the weekend for a $500 gift card.
The store will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
And Is This Aldi’s Best Tasting Product?
Moore has one absolute favorite Aldi product that she says in the best tasting in the store.
“That’s the Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad. It’s so good, you can just eat the whole tub. I love it.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured below: Louis Figueroa, store manager; Heather Moore, vice president of Aldi’s Loxley Division; and Lachelle McKinley, district manager check out fresh fruit at the new Aldi on Nine Mile Road on Wednesday, March 12. Also pictured: A soft opening for the store was held Wednesday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
$3.6 Million Interstate Circle Bridge Replacement Over Eight Mile Creek Continues
March 13, 2025
FDOT is replacing the Interstate Circle bridge over Eight Mile Creek in Escambia County. The $3.6 million project is aimed at increasing safety and improving traffic flow.
The existing bridge was built in 1970 and considered functionally obsolete. The new bridge is under construction and will accommodate two 10-foot travel lanes (one in each direction), flanked by 8-foot shoulders with traffic railing that meets current standards.
FDOT is reminding drives that Interstate Circle is closed at the Eight Mile Creek Bridge during construction. Signs are in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Pine Forest Road, Longleaf Drive and Wymart Road.
Project completion is currently estimated for mid-2025, according to FDOT.
Pictured: Interstate Circle bridge over Eight Mile Creek is seen in the foreground, next to I-10. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Saturday District One Food Distribution Postponed Due To Weather
March 13, 2025
A District One Food Distribution that was scheduled for Saturday at Jubilee Church has been postponed due to the threat of severe weather.
For the safety of our community members, volunteers, and all those involved, our team has made the difficult decision to delay the event. We always prioritize the well-being of those we serve and want to ensure a safe and successful distribution for everyone. Jennifer Harrisson in Rep. Michelle Salzman’s office said.
A new date for the District One Food Distribution will be announced soon, and we will announce it here on NorthEscambia.com.
File photo.
Tate Aggies Beat The Escambia Gators 8-2 (With Photo Gallery)
March 13, 2025
The Tate Aggies came alive with a six-inning fifth inning as they defeated the Escambia Gators 8-2 Wednesday night in Cantonment.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Zane Warrington earned the win for Tate, surrendering six hits and two runs in six and two-third innings on mound for Tate, walking three and striking out seven. Keelan Beasley closed in relief for one-third of an inning, striking out one.
Taite Davis led the Aggies with three RBIs as he went 2-2 for the night. Nathan Ozuna and Kaleb Posta also had hits for the Aggies. The Aggies recording six stolen bases, with two of those coming from Cal Foxworth.
The Aggies will host Fort Walton Beach Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Woman Gets 20 Years For Fatal 2023 DUI Crash On Davis Highway
March 13, 2025
A woman has been sentence to over 20 years in state prison for a December 2023 fatal DUI crash in Escambia County.
Jasmine Tashawri West was convicted of DUI manslaughter, two counts of DUI with serious bodily injury, one count of DUI with property damage, and one count of driving while license suspended. Under Florida’s DUI statutes, West must serve four years of the sentence day-for-day and she will have a lifetime driver’s license suspension.
On the afternoon of December 30, 2023, West was driving on North Davis Highway when she drove across two lanes into oncoming traffic before colliding head-on with an SUV that was occupied by a family of four.
Forensic analysis conducted by the Florida Highway Patrol found that West’s vehicle was traveling at more than 20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit when the crash occurred.
The driver of the SUV was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver’s wife, who was the front passenger, and their two juvenile daughters, both backseat, survived with significant injuries. An analysis of West’s blood showed her alcohol level to be almost twice the legal limit.
West’s license had previously been suspended, and she did not have a valid license at the time of the crash.
“West had no business driving that day. Her callous actions ended one life and forever harmed three others. A lengthy prison sentence is absolutely appropriate,” Christopher Patterson, prosecuting attorney, said.
Propane Tanker Truck Overturns Near Jay
March 12, 2025
A propane tanker truck overturned early Wednesday morning in Jay.
Country Mill Road was blocked at Neal Jones Road following the incident.
It appeared the vehicle left the roadway while making a turn and overturned into a ditch. No leak was reported.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
W
State Investigators Charge Century Woman With Felony Insurance Fraud
March 12, 2025
State authorities have charged a Century woman with insurance fraud for an alleged false storm damage claim made on her vehicle.
The Florida Department of Insurance Services Criminal Investigations Division charged 23-year-old Emma Rose Ulibarri with one count of third degree felony insurance fraud. She was released from jail on a $1,000 bond.
The Progressive Insurance Special Investigations Unit filed a complaint alleging Ulibarri filed a claim for damages that occurred prior to the policy date.
Ulibarri filed a claim for damages caused by tree limbs that fell during a storm on September 3, 2024, when the damage actually occurred prior to the August 22, 2024, inception date of her policy, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. She provided damage photos claiming the damage occurred on September 3, 2024, when the metadata of the pictures confirmed the pictures were taken on August 13, 2024, the affidavit states.
Progressive told investigators that the vehicle was uninsured on the actual date of the loss and had been uninsured for about a year.
Ulibarri told state investigators that she had been unable to afford insurance on the 2014 Honda CRV that was damaged at her residence on North Century Boulevard, and that she hoped the Progressive policy would pay for the damages of $2,000 to the roof and windshield.
Progressive reported the estimated damage to the vehicle ws $2,393.83, potentially exposing the insurer to a $1,642.83 loss after Ulibarri’s $750 deductible.
Community Calls For End To Vandalism At Cantonment Ballpark
March 12, 2025
Residents are calling for an end to ongoing vandalism at the Cantonment Ballpark.
The Escambia County-owned park on Well Line Road no longer hosts a local Cantonment league; the county says it is leased to the Molino Ballpark for overflow practices and travel ball.
Molino Ballpark and the travel ball teams invest time and money into maintaining the fields, ensuring they are ready for play. But recently, vandals damaged the field with four-wheelers, and someone broke building doors at the park.
“They put a lot of work into the park to get the fields ready, then they show up to find that the fields were damaged by four-wheelers,” Escambia County Parks and Recreation Director Mike Rhodes said.
Rhodes said the damage was reported to his department recently, and the county has installed security cameras and asked the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to patrol the park. He added that Molino Ballpark has been asked to lock gates to the fenced-in fields after practices to keep vehicles off the fields. However, the entrance to the park itself remains unlocked to allow public access to the county park.
Anyone with information can contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
