Boil Water Notice For Virecent Road Virecent Drive After System Upgrades
February 26, 2025
A precautionary boil water notice has been issued for Cottage Hill Water Works customers located on Virecent Road and Virecent Drive that are south of Eden Lane. The notice was issued after scheduled upgrades Wednesday morning on the south end of Virecent Road that resulted in the disruption of water service.
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water in the area that is used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
This story will be updated when the boil water notice is rescinded.
Suspect Claimed He Fatally Shot Man ‘Out of Fear’ In McDavid Drug Deal
February 26, 2025
The suspect in a fatal shooting last week on Main Street in McDavid claimed that he shot the victim out of fear, but the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says it was murder.
Investigators charged 25-year-old Antonio Marshone DeSoto with murder for the shooting on Main Street, just east of Highway 29. During a hearing Tuesday, February 25, Judge John Simon ordered DeSoto held in the Escambia County Jail without bond. He has pleaded not guilty.
The victim, according to an arrest report we obtained on Tuesday, was identified at Charles Black.
Black was found lying in Main Street directly in front of the McDavid Post Office about 8:40 p.m. on February 18 suffering from two gunshot wounds. He was just a few feet away from the driver’s door of his Chevrolet SUV that remained in the roadway.
After he was shot, Black was able to call 911 and tell dispatchers that DeSoto was the perpetrator, according to an arrest report. He was no longer able to speak to deputies after they arrived on scene. He was transported by Escambia County EMS to the nearby McDavid Fire Station before being airlifted by Medstar AirCare helicopter to a Pensacola hospital where he later died.
Deputies receive a tip that DeSoto had fled following the shooting to a residence in the 100 block of Highway 164, just west of Highway 29 and Driver Road, about a half mile from the shooting scene. Deputies searched the home and found nothing. ECSO said the homeowner said she had been allowing DeSoto to stay in a room inside the house, but she had not seen him since earlier in the afternoon, according to an arrest report. She told deputies that she had been advised by her daughter that she heard gunshots from down the road, but she did not see DeSoto after that.
For more photos from the scene, click here.
Another resident told deputies that he was driving when he saw DeSoto at the intersection of Highway 164 and Highway 29, and he offered him a ride home. He said DeSoto declined, stating that he would come home later, the report states. He said he arrived back at his residence and saw ECSO vehicles with their emergency activated as they responded to the scene, and then he observed DeSoto running into the woods behind their house.
DeSoto was later taken into custody after he walked out of the woods behind the home on Highway 164 where he was taken into custody without incident.
According to deputies, DeSoto said he met Black to buy a quarter pound of marijuana for $400.
“He (DeSoto) stated that he walked up to the vehicle and met with Black. He stated Black told him to get in the passenger seat,” the arrest report states. “He walked over to the passenger side and got in the vehicle but stated that he really didn’t want to get in the car and this made him nervous. He stated that he asked to see the marijuana and when he reached out to grab it, Black became aggressive with him. He stated that at this point, Black grabbed his shirt. He stated that by Black doing this he felt scared that something was going to happen to him. He then stated that at this point he pulled his gun from his waistband and shot Black twice.”
DeSoto told deputies that he did not plan to rob Black, later adding that one of his “home boys” was going to send him money using Apple Pay, but that he did not have any money on his person at the time he met Black, according to the report. He also told deputies that he threw the firearm in the woods before stating that he threw it under a camper in the front yard of the home on Highway 164. He also provided conflicting details about where he put the marijuana, saying it was the woods then that maybe he put in the house, the report continues.
A 9mm handgun was located under the camper, and two 9mm casing were recovered from Black’s vehicle, investigators said. Deputies found a plastic gallon bag containing marijuana in a trash can a short distance from the fire arm.
In their report, the ECSO summarized the reasons why DeSoto was charged with murder:
“Desoto met up with Black to purchase narcotics, later met with Black with a firearm in his waistband and no money to pay for the narcotics. He then shoots and kills Black and takes the narcotics from Black’s possession and flees the area and later flees from law enforcement. Desoto did not render any aid to Black and passed multiple residences on the way back to his home and did not notify anyone that he had just shot someone and ask for medical assistance. He had a cellphone in his possession and did not attempt to call 911 to get medical help for Black. He disposed of the narcotics that he took from Black and disposed of the firearm that he used to shoot Black. He also arrived to meet with Black wearing a mask on his head. These facts show that Desoto did not shoot Black out of fear.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Defeat Northview In Flag Football (With Photo Gallery)
February 26, 2025
The Tate Aggies defeated the Northview Chiefs 34-7 Tuesday night in Bratt.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Up next, the Aggies will host Pine Forest on Thursday. Northview’s next schedule game in March 11 against Pensacola High School.
Northview and Tate will meet again on March 12 at Tate.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Canceled: Controlled Burn Today On Pate Street Near UWF, FPL
February 26, 2025
The Florida Forest Service has canceled the 45-acre prescribed burn on University of West Florida property along Pate Street, which was originally scheduled for today, Wednesday, Feb. 26.
The Florida Forest Service plans to reschedule the prescribed burn at a later date
Offices said the burn will only be initiated under proper weather conditions including a south or southwest wind component to steer smoke toward the Escambia River. Forest Service firefighters will be executing the burn and will have equipment such as brush trucks and bulldozers on hand. Crews also will monitor and patrol the area keeping a close eye on any potential smoke impacts during the burn.
The burn is part of an ongoing plan and partnership between the university and Forest Service to not only reduce hazardous vegetative fuels and the wildfire risk in the area but also help restore the property to its native state officials said. Prescribed fire mimics the natural fire regime that once was part of Florida’s landscape. Local plants and animals thrive in prescribed burn areas thanks to the new growth and additional nutrients left behind post burn.
Tate Tennis Boys And Girls Defeated Escambia 7-0
February 26, 2025
The Tate High Aggies boys and girls tennis teams defeated Escambia High 7-0 Tuesday. Next up, Tate will take on Crestview on Friday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mystic Springs Road Railroad Crossing Closing For Two Days
February 26, 2025
The Mystic Spring Road railroad crossing will be closed Wednesday and Thursday, according to signage that was posted at the crossing near McDavid.
The closure will block 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.
CSX has not provided any information about the closure. We made Escambia County officials aware of the closure Tuesday night.
Pictured: A closure sign at the Mystic Springs Road railroad crossing. Reader submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle JV Volleyball Advances To County Championship
February 26, 2025
The Ernest Ward Middle School JV volleyball team had advanced to the county middle school volleyball JV championship Thursday.
Ernest Ward will face the Beulah Academy of Science at 5:30 p.m. in Fryman Gym at Tate High School. That game will be followed by the county varsity middle school championship game.
Pictured: The EWMS JV volleyball Tuesday evening. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Scores: Tate Baseball, Softball And Lacrosse; Northview Baseball
February 26, 2025
SOFTBALL
Pace 8, Tate 0
Defending 6A state champions Pace defeated the Tate Lady Aggies 8-0 Tuesday night.
Kara Wine was 1-2 at the plate to lead the Aggies.
Thursday night, Tate will host Northview.
Navarre 6, Northview 3
With seven runs in the sixth inning, Navarre softball defeated Northview 9-3 Tuesday night in Navarre.
Addysen Bolen led Northview with two RBIs, and she went 2-3. Bailey Burkette also scored two hits for the Lady Chiefs.
Next, Northview will travel to Tate on Thursday.
BASEBALL
West Florida 12, Tate 2
The West Florida Jags defeated the Tate Aggies 12-2 Tuesday night.
Taite Davis and Connor Dethlefs each had two hits and one RBIs to lead the Aggies at bat. Dethlefs also recorded two stolen bases.
Up next, the Aggies will travel to Crestview on Thursday.
LACROSSE
Navarre 20, Tate 3
In girls lacrosse, the Navarre Raiders defeated the host Tate Aggies 20-3 Tuesday night
Tate will host Fort Walton Beach Thursday before traveling to West Florida on Friday.Both matchups are set for 6 p.m.
Two Injured In Crash Involving Van, ECUA Truck In Cantonment
February 25, 2025
Two people were injured in a Tuesday afternoon crash involving a van and a sanitation truck in Cantonment.
The crash happened on South Highway 97 near Sawyers Ridge Road about 1 p.m.
A van operated by a mobile pet grooming business overturned after the collision with an Emerald Coast Utilities Authority truck. The van came to rest on its side on Highway 97, while the ECUA driver moved the truck to Sawyers Ridge Road.
Two occupants of the van, an adult female and a juvenile, were transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital with injuries that were not considered severe.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not yet released the cause of the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Continuing Community Center, Bridge Projects In Century
February 25, 2025
Escambia County is continuing to move forward with implementing millions of dollars in state grant projects on behalf of the Town of Century that will fund a community center and bridge improvements.
In August 2024, the state terminated millions in grants with Century.
The state terminated $12.8 million in grants with the town for two bridges and a hurricane shelter that will double as a community center and multi-purpose building. However, the state funds were awarded to Escambia County and the projects will continue.
Escambia County has received the $12,877,137 grant for the community center/shelter and for Jefferson Avenue and the Alger Road bridges. According to Escambia County, the status of those projects is as follows:
- Community Center: This project is currently in the early stages and is being managed by our facilities department. The land on Hecker Road was transferred from Pensacola State College to Escambia County at no cost to the county, under the conditions that it must remain a community center/shelter. Phase I will include an environmental study. From there, they will bid for design and move forward with the process. Approximately $10 million was awarded for this project. The environmental review has been advertised and a consultant has been selected. Negotiations are ongoing.
- Jefferson Avenue/Alger Road Bridge: This project will be a rehabilitation of a pipe culvert along Jefferson Avenue and a bridge replacement on Alger Road. Freedom Road was initially included in the scope, but it was later revised out as Century had secured separate funding (see below) to replace that structure. The environmental review has been advertised, a consultant has been selected, and negotiations are ongoing. The deadline was last week for design solicitations. The project is funded by $2,862,137 in grant funds.
A $3.255 million grant for a community center on Jefferson Avenue is essentially gone. The town council approved an amendment making the original grant just a simple planning grant, removing all construction and cutting funding from $3.255 million to $514,650. The just over a half million dollars awarded will pay for the work completed by an engineer, architect, and the grant administrator. Under the agreement with FloridaCommere accepted by the council, there is no money whatsoever for construction of the community center on Jefferson Avenue. The funds were taken back by the state and no part of the money awarded to Escambia County.
FloridaCommerce cuts the state grants due to “due to financial and fiscal solvency issues the Town is facing”, opting to have Escambia County continue the Jefferson Avenue/Alger Road bridge project and the community/shelter project.
A legislative appropriation to the town for replacement of a failed bridge on Freedom Road remains in place.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.