Play Ball! Saturday Was Opening Day For A Growing Century Blackcats Ball Program
March 9, 2025
Saturday was opening day for the spring ball season at several local ballparks including NEP, Century Baseball Association at Showalter Park and the Molino Ballpark.
Due to a threat of rain, opening ceremonies were canceled at Molino and moved to an earlier time in Century.
Organizers say they are excited about the growth of the Century Blackcats program at Showalter Park.
“We’ve almost reached capacity to still have a place to practice,” David Burkett, Century Baseball Association president, said.
He said there are 198 players on 16 teams this year at Showalter.
“It’s exciting,” Burkett said. “It’s the most players this park has seen in a longtime.”
Saturday, the Blackcats hosted teams from Jay and Gospel Projects.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Driving Tests Available During Spring Break In Escambia County
March 9, 2025
First-time drivers in Escambia County can take advantage of special spring break driving test appointments from March 17-21 at the Escambia County Tax Collector Warrington Office. The appointments are available exclusively for Escambia County residents taking their first driving test.
The Escambia County Tax Collector’s Office encourages eligible drivers to secure their slots early by booking online at EscambiaTaxCollector.com.
ECAT Launches New Microtransit Pilot Program
March 9, 2025
Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) is launching a new microtransit pilot program called FlexTransit. FlexTransit will provide service to currently underserved and unserved residents, using smaller ADA-compliant vehicles in expanded service areas.
FlexTransit’s soft launch is scheduled for Tuesday, April 1, initially serving existing ECAT paratransit customers before fully launching to the public in fall 2025. Once fully implemented, riders will have access to FlexTransit services that will combine and work with ECAT’s fixed route to most efficiently get them to their destination.
This program is not intended to replace paratransit services; however, the Microtransit Pilot Program will reduce the need for paratransit services by bridging gaps and connecting riders with the fixed route services during regular fixed route service hours.
Once fully operational, the Microtransit Pilot Program will be available to all county riders and will not be restricted by paratransit eligibility requirements.
Service must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance and no more than 7 days in advance, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. by calling 850-471-6657. Riders also have the ability to schedule trips through the FlexTransit Application or online portal as well as leaving a voicemail for the reservationists.
The average contractual cost for a one-way trip using the Transportation Disadvantaged Program in fiscal year 2023-2024 was $42.44, making ECAT’s fixed-route bus service a much more cost-effective option for Escambia County. Individuals who are able to use the service pay a fare of $3.50 (ADA) or $2.50 (TD), each trip.
FHP Identified Pedestrian Killed By Tractor Trailer As Flomaton Man
March 9, 2025
The Florida Highway Patrol has identified a pedestrian struck and killed by a tractor trailer last Wednesday as a 42-year-old Flomaton man.
FHP said 57-year-old Palm Coast man was traveling east on Highway 98 approaching Skyhawk Drive when his truck struck a man walking in the middle of the roadway just after 9 p.m.. Troopers said he was unable to see the pedestrian.
FHP has not released the man’s name or said why he was walking in the road.
The tractor trailer driver was not injured.
Over 850 Explore A Night of Nature In Cantonment
March 9, 2025
Over 850 people attended the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center “Night of Nature” Friday night in Cantonment.
The free, family-friendly event offered a chance to explore the wonders of the natural world after dark.
Attendees were able to enjoy live birds of prey, night hikes through the woods, stargazing with telescopes, and meeting nocturnal creatures.
Roy Hyatt Environmental Center, located at 1300 Tobias Road in Cantonment, is an Escambia County Public Schools facility. It first opened to students in 1968.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Westgate’s Very Special Mardi Gras Parade (With Photo Gallery)
March 8, 2025
Let the good times roll!
The annual Mardi Gras parade was held Friday morning at Escambia Westgate School — a very special parade for the school’s special needs students.
With plenty of beads, trinkets and smiles, the parade rolled through the school parking lot for students with sensory issues that might not otherwise be able to attend a regular Mardi Gras parade.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Honors Leaders Of The Month
March 8, 2025
Bratt Elementary School recently celebrated their February Leaders of the Month, taking advantage of a warm day to enjoy a pizza party and storytime. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Students Learn About Ag During NHS ‘Fresh From Florida’ Event (With Gallery)
March 8, 2025
About 650 local elementary school students attended the annual Northview High School FFA “Fresh From Florida” agricultural advocacy program Friday morning at the school in Bratt.
Formerly known as the “Food For America program”, the event gave students a chance to learn about agriculture first hand, up close and personal with farm animals, farm equipment and more to learn how food gets from the farm to their tables. Students were even able to make and enjoy eating their own fresh butter.
The Northview High School FFA “Fresh From Florida” program has been honored as the number one program in the state multiple times, and the chapter was also named one of the best in the United State by the National FFA Organization.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
SRSO Seeks One For Questioning After Suspicious Death In Munson
March 8, 2025
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a man wanted for questioning in a suspicious death near Munson.
Michael Glenn Davis, 60, was found deceased in the rural Munson area on Thursday. An autopsy is underway to determine the cause of death.
The SRSO is asking for the public’s help in locating Johnny Drew Mobley, who is wanted for questioning in the suspicious death investigation and has an active first-degree warrant for narcotics trafficking.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 983-1190 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 437-7867.
Mobley is pictured in a 2018 mugshot.
Northview Gets Senior Night Shutout Of Pensacola Christian (With Gallery)
March 8, 2025
The Northview Chiefs celebrated Senior Night with a 14-0 shutout of the Pensacola Christian Academy Warriors in Bratt.
Jayden White earned the win for Northview, giving up no hits and no runs in four innings, walking one and striking out nine. Grayden Sheffield took to the mound for one inning in relief, allowing no hits, walking one and striking out three.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Brady Smith went 3-4 for Northview . Kelan Jury, Jase Portwood and White each had two RBIs for the Chiefs, with Dane King and Grayden Sheffield recording multiple hits.
Before the game, the Chiefs honored seniors Jayden White, Kelan Jury, Colby Pugh and Brady Smith.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
