Northview Shuts Out Atmore; Tate Beats Crestview
February 28, 2025
Northview 12, Escambia County (Atmore) 0
The Northview Chiefs beat the visiting Escambia County High School Blue Devils of Atmore 12-0 Thursday night. All 12 runs came in the first inning.
Starter Jase Portwood earned the win for Northview, giving up one hit and no runs in three innings while walking one and striking out six. Jackson Bridges threw two scoreless innings in relief for NHS, striking out six.
Portwood led the Chiefs at bat with two RBIs. Brady Smith had two hits, while Kelan Jury and Braynt Mayson each had one.
Dallas Owen was 1-1 to lead ECHS at the plate. Jamarrion Hooks took the loss for the Blue Devils, allowing four hits and 12 runs in one-third of an inning while waking three and striking out none. Jamarion Robinson was on the mound for three and two-thirds innings, allowing no hits and no runs while walking four and striking out nine.
Friday night, Northview will travel to Pensacola Christian Academy.
Tate 4, Crestview 3
The Tate Aggies beat the Bulldogs of Crestview 4-3 Thursday night in Crestview.
Zane Warrington gave up four hits and three runs in a complete game seven innings, walking one and striking out eight to earn the win for the Aggies.
Nathan Ozuna led the Aggies at bat with two RBIs as he went 1-4. Kaleb Posta went 2-3. Connor Dethlefs, Kaden Posta, Taite Davis, Griffin Cook and Nathan Connors each added one it for the Aggies.
Tate will travel to Fort Walton Beach Friday night to face the Vikings.
Tate 14, Crestview 4 (JV)
The junior varsity Tate Aggies beat Crestview 14-4 on Thursday.
Starter Cooper Halfacre surrendered one hit and no runs while walking one and striking out two over two innings. Kannon Ham and Mason Bryant both pitched relief.
Aydan Nigam, Kannon Ham, and Beau Bryant each had two RBIs for Tate.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
CSX Reopens Mystic Springs Railroad Crossing
February 28, 2025
CSX on Thursday completed a two-day project to upgrade their railroad crossing on Mystic Springs Road near McDavid.
The closure blocked the only way in and out for a few residences along Mystic Springs, Gunner and Worley Roads, along with campgrounds and the Mystic Springs Boat Ramp.
Midday Thursday, the McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue assisted by wetting down the hot asphalt so that the crossing could open faster.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Ransom Varsity, Beulah Academy JV Claim County Middle School Volleyball Championships
February 28, 2025
The Ransom Middle School Tigers Beat Workman Middle School. in three set to win the varsity Escambia County Middle School volleyball championship Thursday night at Tate High School.
Beulah Academy of Science defeated the Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles to claim the county JV championship in two sets.
For action photos from both matchups, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Cantonment Crash
February 27, 2025
There were no injuries in a Cantonment crash that slowed traffic Thursday afternoon.
The three-vehicle crash happened shortly before 2 p.m. at Highway 29 and Well Line Road. All occupants refused transport to the hospital by Escambia County.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released the cause of the crash. The Cantonment Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue.
Reader submitted photo by Melody Johnson, click to enlarge.
Grand Opening Date Set For Nine Mile Aldi Store
February 27, 2025
A ribbon cutting has been set for the new Aldi store at 312 East Nine Mile Road.
Aldi will cut the ribbon on Thursday, March 13 at 9:30 a.m. — 30 minutes before opening time. Customers will be allowed to enter the store immediately following the ceremony. The store will also have giveaways and other grand opening perks.
Aldi will be open for shopping on Wednesday, March 12 for a sneak peak.
In March 2024, the Germany-based Aldi completed the purchase of all Winn Dixie stores, recently selling about 170 Winn-Dixie and Harvey’s locations back to Southeastern Grocers.
The former Nine Mile road Winn-Dixie store closed for renovations in late September.
Aldi said earlier this month that expects to open 225 new stores in the U.S. during 2025, partly by converting some of the Winn-Dixie and Harvey’s locations.
Escambia County Corrections Department Receives State’s Highest Level Of Accreditation
February 27, 2025
The Escambia County Corrections Department has been awarded the Excelsior Status, the most prestigious achievement in Florida accreditation, for the third consecutive time by the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission.
The Escambia County Corrections Department has been an accredited agency for over 20 years, having obtained its initial certification in October 2003. Accreditation is a voluntary independent review process that demonstrates the agency’s commitment to complying with FCAC’s 261 accreditation standards.
Excelsior Status is the FCAC’s highest form of recognition for continued excellence in the field of corrections accreditation. To achieve Excelsior status, a Florida agency must have achieved initial accredited status and then achieve five successful re-accreditation assessments without conditions. Assessments are conducted at three-year intervals; therefore, the Excelsior process takes approximately 15 years for an agency to acquire.
“Maintaining the high standards of accreditation is an accomplishment in itself,” Escambia County Corrections Chief William R. Powell said. “However, the dedication and devotion that staff demonstrate in upholding these high standards are what truly matters. Congratulations to all Escambia County Corrections staff in this achievement. It could not be accomplished without everyone’s commitment to excellence.”
Appeals Court Overturns State Ethics Commission Finding Against Doug Underhill
February 27, 2025
Florida’s First District Court of Appeal on Wednesday overturned Florida Commission on Ethics decisions that former Escambia County District 2 Commissioner Doug Underhill be removed from office after allegations that he misused his office and that he owned $35,000 in penalties for alleged ethics violations.
In 2022, the Ethics Commission found that Underhill misused his position by publicly sharing or publishing confidential transcripts, including minutes from Escambia County Commission shade meetings. A $10,000 fine was imposed for this offense. The Commission also recommended a fine of $6,250 for each of four ethics violations for soliciting donations from a county vendor or lobbyist, and gift disclosure laws involving a GoFundMe page seek donations towards his personal legal expenses.
The appeals court found that the commission “erred” in the interpretation of the law, and “the ordinary meaning of that subsection—set out above—compelled a different result for Underhill.”
“A GoFundMe page is not a mass send out to thousands of recipients or even to one specific recipient. There was no evidence presented that Underhill sent it directly to anyone. In fact, the Commission’s interpretation of ’soliciting’ would have the effect of prohibiting any public officer or employee from posting a passive GoFundMe page. And a public officer or employee who posts a GoFundMe page will likely never know whether a prohibited donor has even visited the site,” the court found.
NorthEscambia Publisher Named One Of Escambia County’s Most Influential People
February 27, 2025
The Pensacola Independent News has released their 2025 Inweekly Power List — their ranking of the most powerful and influential people in Escambia County.
Only one person that works primarily in the North Escambia area was named to the list — NorthEscambia.com publisher William Reynolds for the 13th consecutive year.
Belle Bear, co-founder of IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay and champion of numerous nonprofits and causes, tops this year’s list.
To view this year’s Inweekly Power List edition, click here.
Pictured: Belle Bear was at the top of the 2025 Inweekly Power List. Courtesy image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local Elementary Schools Shine In Annual Science Olympiad
February 27, 2025
The 7th Annual Elementary Science Olympiad was held Saturday at Washington High School. Teams of students from 20 Escambia County elementary schools competed in 10 different events.
For a photo gallery of North Escambia area winners, click here.
The winners were:
A is for Anatomy:
- 1st: Bratt
- 2nd: Pine Meadow
- 3rd: Kingsfield
- 4th: Hellen Caro and Scenic Heights
- 6th: Montclair
CodeBusters:
- 1st: Pine Meadow
- 2nd: Hellen Caro
- 3rd: Scenic Heights
- 4th: Kingsfield
- 5th: Molino Park
- 6th: McArthur
Grasp a Graph:
- 1st: Kingsfield
- 2nd: NB Cook
- 3rd: Pleasant Grove
- 4th: Oakcrest
- 5th: Molino Park
- 6th: Sherwood
Mystery Powders:
- 1st: Hellen Caro
- 2nd: NB Cook
- 3rd: Pleasant Grove
- 4th: Kingsfield
- 5th: Scenic Heights
- 6th: Molino Park
Robotics Task:
- 1st: Pine Meadow
- 2nd: Hellen Caro
- 3rd: Bellview
- 4th: Sherwood
- 5th: Scenic Heights
- 6th: Molino Park
Robotics Pathways:
- 1st: Beulah
- 2nd: Bratt
- 3rd: Lipscomb
- 4th: Longleaf
- 5th: Hellen Caro
- 6th: Oakcrest
Rock Hound:
- 1st: Oakcrest
- 2nd: Scenic Heights
- 3rd: Global Learning Academy
- 4th: Beulah
- 5th: Bratt
- 6th: Pine Meadow
Science Bowl:
- 1st: Pine Meadow
- 2nd: McArthur
- 3rd: Jim Allen
- 4th: Hellen Caro
- 5th: Kingsfield
- 6th: Ferry Pass
Tower Challenge:
- 1st: Pine Meadow
- 2nd: Molino Park
- 3rd: Warrington
- 4th: Scenic Heights
- 5th: Bratt
- 6th: McArthur
Write It, Do It:
- 1st: Hellen Caro
- 2nd: Molino Park
- 3rd: Pine Meadow
- 4th: Oakcrest
- 5th: Longleaf
- 6th: Beulah and Scenic Heights
Overall:
- 1st: Pine Meadow
- 2nd: Scenic Heights
- 3rd: Hellen Caro
Spirit Award:
- NB Cook
Pictured top: Pine Meadow Elementary School took first place overall in the 7th Annual Elementary Science Olympiad. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
This Is Who Claimed A $35K Fantasy 5 Ticket Sold In Molino
February 27, 2025
We now know who had a winning $35,000 Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket sold in Molino.
The Quick Pick ticket sold at the Molino First Stop at 6530 North Highway 95A in Molino was one of three winning tickets in the February 24 evening drawing and is worth $35,513.70. The other winning ticket were sold in Oakland Park and Miami.
According to the Florida Lottery, the cash option on the winning ticket was claimed by Todd Bryon Powell of Pace.
The winning numbers were 7-17-28-29-35.