World Gym Proposes New Cantonment Location
March 4, 2025
World Gym is proposing to construct a facility in Cantonment.
Developers have proposed a 30,000-square-foot commercial building on an undeveloped 18.8 acre site. The building at 1275 North Highway 29 will house World Gym’s heath and fitness building along with two other spaces that will be leased with 103 parking spaces. The facility’s parking lot with 103 spaces will be accessible from both Neal Road and Highway 29.
The proposal was filed with Escambia County last week and has not yet been scheduled for a Development Review Committee public meeting.
World Gym currently operates a 6,583 square foot gym in a building constructed in 1945 at 110 South Highway 29, at the railroad cross and across from International Paper. The company has not announced if that location will close if the new facility is constructed. There is a second Escambia County location of the international brand on North Ninth Avenue.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Driver Leaves Scene After Pine Forest Road Rollover
March 4, 2025
A driver left the scene after a rollover crash on Pine Forest Road in Walnut Hill Monday afternoon.
A passerby discovered an overturned F-150 about a mile southwest of Highway 97 just before 5 p.m. with both the driver’s and passenger side door windows broken out and the radio still playing.
The vehicle had left the roadway for an unknown reason and drove along an embankment before overturning.
Law enforcement located the driver and the vehicle owner at a residence about 1.5 miles away. The driver was not injured.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Band Holds MPA Preview Concert (With Gallery)
March 4, 2025
The Northview High School’s Tribal Beat band held an MPA Preview Concert Monday evening in the school theater.
The concert was a preview of the band’s Concert Music Performance Assessment (MPA) coming up on Thursday.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Borrow Pit Proposed For Rocky Branch Road Near Gun Club
March 4, 2025
A 127-acre borrow pit is being proposed on Rocky Branch Road, adjacent to the Escambia River Gun Club.
The proposal for the HHH Borrow PIt was filed with Escambia County last week by Hammond Engineering. The owner, according to the proposal, is HHH Construction of Bella Pine Lane in Pensacola.
The proposal was filed with Escambia County last week and has not yet been scheduled for a Development Review Committee public meeting.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
New Charges Filed Against Man Charged In Century Hit And Run That Injured Five
March 3, 2025
New charges have been filed against a Panama City man for a hit and run crash February 1 in Century that injured five people, including children.
Following the crash, Dexter Ivey Smith, 35, was charged by the Florida Highway Patrol with felony hit and run for failure to stop or remain on scene at a crash with injury, along with misdemeanor battery and driving with a revoked license. According to court records, Escambia County Judge Kristiana Lightel found that no probable cause existed, the charges were dropped, and Smith was released from custody.
Last week, Smith was charged multiple updated charges. He was charged with five counts of felony hit and run for failure to stop or remain on scene at a crash with injury, driving with a revoked license, and misdemeanor battery. Court records show a careless driving citation against Smith is also still pending.
The crash happened just before 8 p.m. February 1 on Highway 29 near the southern town limits.
The driver of a northbound pickup truck was struck by a northbound SUV driven by Smith approached at a high rate of speed, according to troopers. The pickup truck overturned multiple times, coming to rest on the shoulder just north of Salter’s Lake Road. Smith’s SUV rotated into the paved median of Highway 29.
The 38-year-old female driver of the pickup truck and her passengers — a 45-year-old male, 18-year-old male, 13-year-old male and a 6-year-old female — all sustained minor injuries and were transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS.
A witness told troopers that a white male in his mid-thirties with short black hair and a long nose fled from the scene. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office later received a report of a man matching the description outside a nearby home. The witness identified Smith as the driver that fled the scene of the crash.
FHP said Smith was charged with battery for throwing a flashlight at the passenger of the second vehicle.
He is due back in court in June.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tesla Dealership Under Construction On Nine Mile Road
March 3, 2025
A new Tesla sales and service center is in the works on NIne Mile Road.
The business is located in the former Virginia College, adjacent to Ollie’s a new Aldi that will open next week.
[RELATED STORY: Grand Opening Date Set For Nine Mile Aldi Store]
According to documents filed with Escambia County, the Drake Service and Sales facility will be 42,208 square feet, with a majority of the building will be used for servicing, preparing, and selling new and used vehicles. The building will have a small showroom and lounge for potential customers to inspect vehicles and speak with salespeople regarding electric vehicles, solar panels and batteries.
Documents state that there will be no body work or paint conducted on the property, and no batteries will be stores on site.
An opening date for the dealership has not been announced.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century To Consider Creating Town Administrator Position
March 3, 2025
This week, the Town of Century will consider hiring town administrator.
According to a council agenda, the town administrator “would serve as the sole professional administrative officer assisting the mayor with municipal operations, personnel management, and financial oversight”. The position’s duties would also include the financial oversight responsibilities typically assigned to a financial services director—”ensuring budget preparation, fiscal accountability, grant management, and procurement compliance”.
The town administrator would report directly to the mayor, but also provide regular updates to the town council while taking direction from the council and mayor. The person, according to a proposed ordinance creating the new position, could be a contract employee, a regular employee or a company.
A salary for position, if approved, has not yet been discussed by the town council, which will discuss creating the position at their regular council meeting Tuesday evening.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
FWC Hunter Safety Courses Set For Molino, Cantonment, Jay, Milton
March 3, 2025
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering free hunter safety internet-completion courses in Molino, Cantonment, Jay and Milton. Hunter safety courses are designed to help students become safe, responsible and knowledgeable hunters and learn about conservation.
Participants must take the online course before attending a class.
All firearms, ammunition and materials are provided free of charge. Students should bring a pen or pencil and paper. An adult must accompany children younger than 16 at all times.
Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course and have a hunting license to hunt alone (unsupervised). The FWC course satisfies hunter-safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.
The two-day events will be held as follows, and you must have completed an online hunter safety course and have a copy of the completion certificate or field day voucher prior to taking a Field Day.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
- March 10, 6 p.m. and March 29, 9 a.m. — Molino Community Center
- April 7, 6 p.m. and May 3, 9 a.m. — Escambia County Extension, Cantonment
- April 14, 6 p.m. and May 3, 9 a.m. — Molino Community Center
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
- March 17, 6 p.m. and March 29, 9 a.m. — Jay United Methodist Church
- March 24, 6 p.m. and March 29, 9 a.m. — Santa Rosa Extension, Milton
- April 21, 6 p.m. and May 3, 9 a.m. — Jay United Methodist Church
- April 28, 6 p.m. and May 3, 9 a.m. — Santa Rosa Extension, Milton
Those interested in attending a course can register online and obtain information about future hunter safety classes or by calling FWC safety coordinator Jeff Schumacher at (850) 767-3612 for more information or email.
Florida Average Gas Price Slips A Few Pennies
March 3, 2025
Florida’s average gas price declined 3 cents last week, according to AAA. Sunday’s state average was $3.07 per gallon.
Florida gas prices were $3.10 last week, $3.07 per gallon a month ago, and $3.35 per gallon this time last year.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $2.89. In Pensacola Sunday night, a low of $2.65 could be found at a station on Kenmore Road. In North Escambia, the low price was $2.85 at two stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
EREC, Walnut Hill Post Office Remain Closed Due To Mold
March 2, 2025
The Escambia River Electric Cooperative Walnut Hill Office remains closed, but it is expected to open later this year.
In early August 2024, the post office on Highway 99a next to Ernest Ward Middle School was closed.
EREC CEO Ryan Campbell said recently that the post office and the power cooperative office were closed due to mold.
“I know it is inconvenient to everybody, but we are not willing to put employees in harm’s way,” Campbell said. “It will be an EREC office again, and we plan to open the post office.”
As EREC works with their contractor, there’s no timetable for the reopening.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
