Cantonment Woman Seriously Injured In Overnight Motorcycle Crash
March 22, 2023
A Cantonment woman was critically injured in a motorcycle wreck early Wednesday morning.
The 29-year old woman was northbound on Mobile Highway near the fairgrounds when she drove into the center median and struck a sign, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. She fell from the motorcycle, but the bike continued for a “significant” distance of about 200 yards, FHP said.
Troopers said she was not wearing a helmet.
Escambia School Board Rejects Return To An Elected Superintendent
March 22, 2023
The Escambia County School board voted down a proposal to return to an elected superintendent during a Tuesday night meeting.
Board member Kevin Adams brought forward a resolution to officially request a referendum to switch superintendent back to an elected job. The Escambia County Commission would then would have considered a resolution asking the legislature to place the question on the ballot during the presidential preference primary on March 19, 2024.
Adams and board member Paul Fetsko voted in favor of putting the elected superintendent back on the ballot for voters, while Patty Hightower, Bill Slayton and David Williams voted against.
In 2018, Escambia County voters narrowly approved a ballot referendum for an appointed superintendent, with 50.36 voting yes and 49.64 percent voting now. This was the sixth time voters had considered the idea of an appointed superintendent in the county; all of the other attempts failed.
The term of then superintendent Malcolm Thomas ended in 2020, and Dr. Tim Smith was appointed as the new school district boss.
FPD: Driver Was Intoxicated, Traveling 71 Mph Before Fatally Crashing Into Flomaton High School
March 22, 2023
A vehicle was traveling 71 mph moments before an intoxicated driver fatally crashed into Flomaton High School, according to an investigation made public Tuesday by the Flomaton Police Department.
Shaneal Schifano, 21, was pronounced deceased at the scene of the single vehicle crash about 12 a.m. on December 23, 2022. Family members said she was from Georgia but had just recently moved to Atmore for a new job.
The Flomaton Police Department said the driver’s blood alcohol level was 0.148% at the time of the crash. The legal limit in Alabama is 0.08%.
FPD executed a search warrant and retrieved the vehicle’s event data recorder, which was sent to the Alabama Department of Public Safety for analysis. According to police, the vehicle was traveling 71.1 mph four seconds before the fatal crash and hit the wall of the high school at 44.4 mph.
Schifano was not wearing a seat belt.
The crash was the fourth fatal wreck in Flomaton in two months. With another fatality on Old Atmore Road at Community Church Road on March 15, Flomaton has now had five traffic fatalities since October 2022, according to FPD. The causes of the other crashes have not been released.
“Our condolences go out to all the families involved. We appreciate the help of ALEA troopers who assisted with some of these traffic fatality investigations,” Flomaton Police Chief Johnny Wilson said Tuesday “ I encourage all drivers to please pay attention, slow down, buckle up and don’t drink and drive. We now have a full time Traffic Enforcement Officer that will hold drivers accountable to the speed limits. Traffic Enforcement is paramount and our number one goal is to keep the citizens safer on the highways while traveling.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Man Charged With DUI Manslaughter Of 19-Year Old Pensacola Christian College Student
March 22, 2023
A 59-year old Pensacola man has been charged with striking and killing a 19-year old Pensacola Christian College student Tuesday afternoon.
Oscar Daniel Martin was charged with DUI manslaughter and booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
About 3:40 Tuesday afternoon, a pickup truck driven by Martin was eastbound when it “drifted” onto the Airport Boulevard sidewalk west of Memory Lane, according to Florida Highway Patrol. The pickup truck collided with a Pensacola Christian College student who was cleaning up around a college facility, troopers said.
The 19-year old was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
Impact 100 Announces Nearly $1.2 Million In Grants To Be Available
March 22, 2023
Impact 100 Pensacola Bay Area has announced 1,192 members for 2023. In October, the women’s philanthropic organization will award a total of $1,192,000 as 11 project grants of $108,364 each to nonprofit organizations serving Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
“What a joy it is to live in a wonderful, giving community! The spirit of philanthropy is alive and well among us as demonstrated by the 1,192 women who have chosen to be a part of Impact 100. Through our collective giving, we have contributed over $16 Million to the Pensacola Bay Area. Together, we can make a bigger difference,” said Kristin Longley, president of Impact 100 “The women of Impact 100 Pensacola Bay Area continue to help our nonprofit organizations launch truly transformative projects that benefit thousands of people, young and old, in our communities.”
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Varsity, JV Beat PCA By Combined 31-3; Tate Beats Fort Walton 12-4
March 22, 2023
The Northview Chiefs varsity and junior varsity beat Pensacola Christian by a combined 31-3 Tuesday, while Tate downed Fort Walton 12-4.
Northview 20, Pensacola Christian 0
Three Northview Chiefs pitchers combined for a 20-0 shutout win over Pensacola Christian in four innings Tuesday night in Pensacola.
Kaden Odom, Jamarcus Jefferson and Cason Burkett gave up no hits, no runs and no errors while tallying eight total strikeouts.
Ethan Collier led Northview at bat, going 2-4, Odom, Burkett, Trenton Knighten, Rustin Pope, Josh Landis, and G Sheffield had one hit each.
Northview 11, Pensacola Christian 3 (JV)
The Northview Chiefs junior varsity beat Pensacola Christian 11-3 in a no hitter.
B. Rhodes went two innings on the hill for Northview, allowing no hits and one run while striking out five. T. Gilmore, J. White and B. Mason closed in relief.
C. Pugh went 2-2 for the Chiefs. Rhodes, Mason and J. Bridges each added a hit for Northview
For more JV photos, click or tap here.
Tate 12, Fort Walton 4
With a seven-run sixth inning, the Tate Aggies defeated Fort Walton Beach on the road 12-4 Tuesday night.
Ethan McAnally earned the win for the Aggies, giving up one run on six hits and striking out one in three and third innings. Aiden Byrd, Colton Swiers, Rilee Lowery and Tristin Lynn entered in relief.
Tops at the plate for the Aggies was Javin Floyd at 2-3. McAnally, Frank Randall, Clifton Quiggins, Brayden Touchstone, Drew Reaves, and James Davis each added one hit for Tate.
Pictured: The junior varsity Northview Chiefs defeated Pensacola Christian 11-3 Tuesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ashley Rhodes, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Catholic Tops Northview; Pace Outscores Tate
March 22, 2023
Pensacola Catholic 9, Northview 4
Pensacola Catholic defeated Northview 9-4 Tuesday night.
Emma Gilmore went two and two thirds innings, giving up six runs on six hits and striking out five. Aubrey Stuckey entered the circle in relief for three and a third innings, giving up six hits and three runs while sitting down five.
Rylee Brooks led at the Plate for Northview, going 2-4. Gilmore, Keeli Knighten, Jamison Gilman, and Mary-Clayton Dawson each added a hit.
Pace 9, Tate 1
The Pace Patriots defeated the Tate Aggies 9-1 Tuesday night in Pace.
Jordan Smith went six innings for the Lady Aggies, allowing 13 hits and nine runs while recording three strikeouts.
Lacy Wilson, Kara Wine and Charli Vinson each had a hit for Tate.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Escambia Fire Rescue Responds To Brush Fire In Cottage Hill
March 21, 2023
Escambia County Fire Rescue responde a brush fire in Cottage Hill Tuesday afternoon.
The fire was reported off McKenzie Road west of Chavers Road about 3:40 p.m. Reports indicated the fire was less than an acre in size and was quickly extinguished.
There were no structures damaged and no word on the cause of the fire.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
FHP: School Bus Driver Turned Into Path Of Car; 60 Students Uninjured
March 21, 2023
The Florida Highway Patrol said a school bus driver turned into the path of a car Tuesday afternoon in Cantonment, causing a crash.
The crash happened about 3:22 p.m. on Highway 29 at Archer Road. FHP said the 62-year old male bus driver turned from Archer Road onto northbound Highway 29 and into the path of a car driven at a high rate of speed by a 19-year old male.
“The school bus failed to yield to oncoming traffic while turning left as a result both vehicles collided,” FHP said.
There were no injuries on Escambia County bus 28-17, which was transporting 60 Tate High School students at the time.
Students on the bus were transported off the highway to the nearby parking lot of Faith Chapel Funeral Home to be released to their parents or transported home.
The driver of the car was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries.
For additional photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Plans Up For Final Approval For Fourth North Escambia FPL Solar Farm South Of Bratt Road
March 21, 2023
A Florida Power & Light proposal for a fourth solar farm in North Escambia will go before the Escambia County Development Review Committee for final consideration on Wednesday.
The “Mitchell Creek Solar Energy Center” would be located on 1,282 acres between Camp and Cox Roads, just south of Bratt Road and the Escambia County Road Department North Camp, according to plans obtained by NorthEscambia.com.
The proposed location is just northwest of the First City Solar Energy Center, located along Holland, Cox and Roach roads in McDavid. It went online February 1 with more than 223,000 photovoltaic panels and a planned output of 75 megawatts.
The 300,000 solar panels at the Cotton Creek Solar Energy Center on Bogia Road near McDavid have been in operation since early 2022 and were officially dedicated in March 2022. It produces. enough electricity to power about 15,000 homes.
The Sparkleberry Solar Energy Center is fully permitted for 553 acres south of the end of Pilgrim Trail. According to FPL, over 200,000 solar panels will generate nearly 75 megawatts — enough energy to also power 15,000 homes.
If approved by the Development Review Committee, developers would next need to obtain building permits before starting construction on the new Mitchell Creek Solar Energy Center
Pictured top: Map of the proposed Mitchell Creek Solar Energy Center NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge. Pictured below: The Florida Power and Light First City Solar Energy Center near McDavid went online February 1. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
