Chick-fil-A Files Plans to Relocate East Nine Mile Road Location
February 17, 2025
The Chick-fil-A on East Nine Mile Road is proposing to relocate nearly across the street to a new building.
Chick-fil-A at 1757 East Nine Mile Road has submitted plans to construct a new restaurant on the site of the former Dodge’s at 1710 East Nine Mile Road.
“Chick-fil-A proposes the relocation in order to help improve customer service, customer safety, and overall restaurant operations,” Jason Toole wrote in a letter last week to the Escambia County Development Review Services Department.
The Dodge’s Southern Style convenience store on East Nine Mile Road closed abruptly in early September 2024.
Chick-fil-A plans to demolish the existing convenience store and construct a new 5,249-square-foot restaurant with seating for 62 inside and an additional 14 seats on an outdoor patio. The new location will feature dual drive-thru lanes to increase vehicle stacking capacity, order point and meal delivery canopies, and expanded parking with 67 total spaces, according to an application filed with Escambia County.
The proposal, filed on February 14, is still in the pre-application stage and has not yet been scheduled for a public meeting.
Pictured below: The Dodge’s Southern Style convenience store closed abruptly on September 3, 2024.
NorthEscambia.com graphic and photo, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Presents Special Presidents’ Day Program (With Gallery)
February 17, 2025
Second grade students at Bratt Elementary School presented an educational and entertaining Presidents’ Day program last week.There were several presidents and special guests from American history in the program.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Highway 4 Escambia River Bridge: Lane Closures Possible Monday And Tuesday
February 17, 2025
Drivers may experience delays on the Highway 4 Escambia River Bridge between Century and Jay on Monday and Tuesday.
According to the Florida Department of Transportation, intermittent lane closures in both directions will occur from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days as crews conduct routine bridge maintenance.
Pictured: The eastbound approach from Century to the Highway 4 Escambia River Bridge. NorthEscambia.com file photo. Click to enlarge.
Guests Announced For Pensacon 2026
February 17, 2025
Pensacon will return for its 13th annual convention, February 20-22, 2026 in downtown Pensacola. Eight initial guests were announced during a press conference at the Pensacola Bay Center Sunday. They are:
- Comedian and actor Paul Reiser, star of hit movies like “Aliens” (which celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026) and “Beverly Hills Cop,” as well as iconic TV series such as “Mad About You,” “Stranger Things,” “The Boys” and “My Two Dads.”
- A reunion of stars from the seminal 1987 vampire film, “The Lost Boys,” featuring actors Jason Patric, Jamison Newlander, Billy Wirth and Chance Michael Corbitt.
- The iconic stars of the hit TV series “CHiPs,” Erik Estrada and Larry Wilcox.
- Actor Marti Matulis, known for his “Star Wars” work in “Skeleton Crew” and “The Mandalorian” as well as roles in “Star Trek: Picard,” “Star Trek: Enterprise,” “Teen Wolf,” “Evil,” “Smile,” “Sleepy Hollow,” “Red One,” “Westworld” and “Studio 666.”
For NorthEscambia.com photos from Pensacon 2025, which wrapped up Sunday, click here.
Charges Dropped Against Atmore Pastor In Prison Drug Smuggling Case
February 17, 2025
Charges have been dropped against an Atmore astor and prison drug counselor accused of trafficking synthetic drugs and bringing them to Fountain Correctional Facility.
The state alleged that Vincent Bishop was found with a “prison pack” containing drugs and cellphones taped under the rear bumper of his truck. However, Bishop’s attorney, Jerome Carter, argued that his client was set up.
Bishop, an Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) employee, was charged in December with trafficking flakka, first-degree possession of marijuana, attempting to commit a controlled substance crime, prohibited activities (cell phones in a correctional facility), possession of drug paraphernalia, and first-degree attempt to promote prison contraband. Flakka, according to the DEA, is a street drug commonly called bath salts.
“The lack of common sense that he would do all this fancy packaging and securing and put it in a hidden spot in the bumper of the car, he’s got to get out under surveillance, get it and then or leave it there for someone to come and get it from him that’s under video surveillance. It just doesn’t make common sense,” Carter told NBC 15.
The state declined to present its case at the preliminary hearing, leading the judge to drop the charges. However, the district attorney could still bring the case before a grand jury to seek an indictment.
Florida Gas Prices Decline Average Of 14 Cents In The Past Week
February 17, 2025
Florida gas prices declined 14 cents last week, according to AAA. Sunday’s state average was $3.03 per gallon. That’s the lowest daily average price since December, and 2 cents less than the previous 2025 low.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $2.89. A low of $2.71 was available on East Nine Mile Road in Pensacola. The low-price Sunday night in North Escambia was $2.79 at stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
“Oil prices are trading on the lower end of the range they’ve been in for the past few months,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “This has enabled gas prices to also slip to the lower end of the range they’ve recently been priced at. However, Florida gas prices have been erratic and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see an uptick this week.”
Fluoride In Drinking Water? ECUA Board Members Want Public Input
February 16, 2025
The debate on the addition of fluoride to drinking water is coming to the forefront once again, and at least two ECUA board members are looking for public input.
The ECUA board vote in 1998 to add fluoride to drinking water after 58% of Escambia County voters supported the addition in a referendum.
Now, ECUA District 5 board member Kevin Stevens wants to know what ECUA customers think about fluoride in the water as the board discusses the issue once again. He said Saturday that he’s spent a lot of time researching the issue and has heard from the pros and cons from both sides of the issue. He said he wants to know what the residents of the county, particularly District 5, think.
“I do agree that it is time,” Stephens said at the January ECUA board meeting about asking for public input. “It’s been 27 years ago since they had that input…I personally would like to see the public weigh in on this. Then, based on that, we make a determination.”
District 4 board member Dale Perkins, who was on the ECUA board when the fluoridation decision was made in 1998, said he agrees it would be good to have public input again. He suggested that those for, or against, try to get another referendum on an upcoming general election ballot.
“See what the general public think, and if there’s a strong desire to take it out, the look at that,” Perkins said, adding that he believes fluoride is beneficial based upon both personal experience and science.
“If the citizens of the county voted again in a referendum that they really want it out of the water, I’d really take that seriously. That would probably change my position on it,” Perkins added. “I would encourage and certainly not oppose a referendum.”
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been confirmed as President Donald Trump’s head of the Department of Health and Human Services, sparked debate after referencing a study that found an association between I.Q. levels and fluoridated drinking water.
Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo has advised local governments to stop adding fluoride to water supplies across the state. He even called it “public health malpractice.” He said fluoride “increases the risk of neuropsychiatric disease in children and reduces their IQ.”
ECUA Executive Director Bruce Woody said late last year that the while the EPA regulates the maximum level in drinking water, the agency does not require any minimum level.
“We depend strongly on recommendations that comes from the scientific community, the EPA, CDC and other bodies,” Woody said at a recent ECUA board meeting. ” So we will be very curious and watching very closely as they provide further guidance as this gets studied.”
The American Dental Association and the CDC still recommend fluoride in public drinking water to prevent tooth decay.
“Studies continue to show that widespread community water fluoridation prevents cavities and saves money, both for families and the health care system,” the CDC said. “Drinking fluoridated water keeps teeth strong and reduces cavities by about 25% in children and adults.”
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Cantonment Man Arrested for Alleged Felony Contractor Fraud
February 16, 2025
A Cantonment man has been arrested for allegedly committing fraud by taking payment for a construction service he never provided.
According to an arrest report, 41-year-old Jason Weiss entered into an agreement on June 13, 2023, to install sod at a residence in Escambia County. The homeowner wrote Weiss a check for $2,872, but after several months, the sod was never installed, and the money was not refunded, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The victim made multiple attempts to contact Weiss, who allegedly provided excuses but failed to deliver the service. On March 30, 2024, the victim sent a certified letter demanding a refund, but no response was received. The letter’s receipt and a copy of the demand were submitted as evidence.
Law enforcement reviewed the case and issued a warrant for Weiss’s arrest. The suspect did not respond to phone calls from investigator, the report states.
Weiss was charged with a third degree felony and released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
Beulah Ag, FFA Students Create 200 Valentine’s Arrangements For Nursing Home Residents
February 16, 2025
The agricultural students and FFA members at Beulah Middle School made Valentine’s Day a little happier for residents of two different nursing homes.
They created 200 floral arrangements to share with the nursing home residents Not only did they learn to share love, but they also learned about the floriculture industry, according to organizers.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Thousands Attend Pensacon (With Gallery)
February 16, 2025
Tens of thousands of people attended the first two days of the Pensacon Friday and Saturday at the Pensacola Bay Center.
The event will continue Sunday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Pensacon 2025 is an all-inclusive event that encompasses the many genres of pop culture and the fan community, including sci-fi, fantasy, horror, comics, anime, gaming, comedy, music and much more.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos by Perry Doggrell and Sheri Hendon for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
