Casey’s Seeks Variance For New Molino Convenience Store At Highway 29, Highway 97
January 11, 2025
Developers of a new Casey’s Convenience Store at Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino are seeking a code variance for additional signage.
We first reported the new Casey’s store plans for Molino back in November. According to an application recently filed with the Escambia County Board of Adjustment Casey’s is seeing a variance request for two pylon signs with a height of almost 33 feet and wall signs.
In their application, Casey’s noted that the existing Tom Thumb across the road has a freestanding sign that exceeds the code allowance of 10 feet.
After evaluation, county staff is recommending that the variance be approved.
“Granting of the variance will be consistent with the general intent and purpose of the Land Development Code and will not be injurious to the area or otherwise detrimental to the public welfare,” the staff wrote, finding that the signage would be reasonable when compared to similar convenience stores in the county.
Casey’s, the third largest convenience store and fifth largest pizza chain in the U.S. Casey’s Director of Communications Katie Petru told Northescambia.com. She said the timetable for opening is not yet known since the project moves forward.
Casey’s is a Fortune 500 company operating over 2,600 convenience stores. According to a July press release, Casey’s announced the acquisition of Files Wholesale, owner of CEFCO Convenience Stores, in an all-cash transaction for $1.145 billion for 198 stores.
Plans show the Casey’s in Molino to be 4,360 square feet with parking lot access from both Highway 29 southbound and Highway 97 north of the Crabtree Church Road intersection. The plans, which contain just one small low-quality image, appear to show six pumps in front of the store.
Plans were filed for a convenience store in the same location back in 2017 and 2019 by an Atmore company, but those projects were never finalized. The new store will be across Highway 97 from an existing Cumberland Farms store that is still operating under Tom Thumb branding.
The Escambia County Board of Adjustment will meet at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 15 at the Escambia County Central Office Complex.
NorthEscambia.com photo and graphics, click to enlarge.
FWC Aims To Make Florida Boating Safer With Free DECKEE App
January 11, 2025
For years, waterway users in Florida have had to juggle multiple sources of information to plan, prepare and navigate safely to enjoy their time on the water. Understanding weather forecasts, finding local boat facilities, official warnings and notices, waterway zones, and safety equipment requirements often required using several apps, websites and publications, leading to uncertainty about where and when to go, what to do and how to fully enjoy a range of water activities safely.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has announced a new initiative in collaboration with the National Safe Boating Council to pilot interactive safety content through a free mobile app called DECKEE. The app is designed to keep boaters safe and informed. FWC says the DECKEE app unifies everything Florida’s water enthusiasts need for their next day on the water.
Over 1 million boat owners in Florida now have access to the following benefits and safety features in the free DECKEE app:
Plan your next adventure on the water with detailed maps, facility information, official warnings, aids to navigation and community insights.
Access personalized equipment checklists, boating forecasts, regulations and resources from the FWC to ensure you are always ready for the ideal weather window.
Automatically log your activities while on the water and share your live location to give friends and family peace of mind.
The FWC and the National Safe Boating Council will collaborate on the pilot program to seamlessly integrate safety content into the DECKEE app. This will help boaters plan, prepare and enjoy their activities on the water, and gain insight into how the campaigns are influencing overall boater behavior.
The pilot program will introduce a personalized boating forecast targeted to the user’s watercraft and plans, which will give meaning to the information and help users make sense of it.
“Our goal is to create a safer boating environment for everyone in Florida,” said Brian Rewinkel, FWC Boating Safety Education Coordinator. “This pilot program will measure the effectiveness of delivering safety information directly to boaters in an engaging and accessible manner. This initiative represents a significant step forward in our commitment to protecting our waterways and those who enjoy them.”
FWC encourages Florida boaters to explore the new safety capabilities in the free DECKEE app, available from the Apple App Store, Google Play Store
Escambia (Alabama) Schools Report Student Info Portal Cyberattack
January 11, 2025
The Escambia County (AL) school district has announced a cybersecurity incident involving a student information portal.
In a statement issued late this week, Escambia County (AL) Schools said:
“Escambia County Schools was notified on January 7, 2025, of a recent cybersecurity incident involving PowerSchool, a widely used education software provider that provides our district’s student information system. On December 28, 2024, PowerSchool identified unauthorized access to specific customer information through its PowerSource portal. The company has assured us that the incident is contained, and there is no evidence of ongoing unauthorized activity or operational disruptions. Affected data may include sensitive personal information such as names and email addresses. Social security numbers were not involved. PowerSchool has implemented enhanced security measures, deactivated the compromised credentials, and offers credit monitoring and identity protection services for specific impacted individuals.”
The district said more information will be released when available.
Byrneville Elementary Names Students Of The Month
January 11, 2025
Byrneville Elementary School recently named their November Students of the Month.
They are:
- Kindergarten: Remy Levins and Baylor McNeil
- 1st Grade: Tatum Boutwell
- 2nd Grade: Liam Steadham and Liam Price
- 3rd Grade: Rickey Tedder and Suzi Pope
- 4th Grade: Conner Fowler and William Maxwell
- 5th Grade: Harper Brinkman and Tatum Godwin
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Driver’s License, Tag, Tax Collector Services Next Week In Century
January 11, 2025
Driver’s license and other tax collector services will be available in Century next week.
The Escambia County Tax Collector will be at the:
- Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century on Thursday, January 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Mobile Licensing and Identification Office (MILO) is a fully functional tax collector office on wheels, offering a range of services. The mobile unit provides a convenient method to renew a driver license, obtain a replacement driver license, conversion/reciprocation of out-of-state license, change a name or address on a current driver license or identification card, and get a first-time identification card. In addition to licensing services, the mobile unit also provides an opportunity to renew or replace a vehicle registration, receive a parking placard, transfer a title, pay property taxes, and apply for a business tax receipt. Written and driving tests are not available from the MILO unit.
The Billy G. Courthouse is at 7500 North Century Boulevard.
Pictured: The Escambia Tax Collector’s MILO at the Walnut Hill Community Center. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Early Morning Crash Claims Life Of Motorcyclist In Escambia County
January 10, 2025
A motorcyclist was killed in an early Friday morning crash in Escambia County.
A motorcycle, driven by a 20-year-old male, was westbound on Commerce Park Circle, west of Pipeline Road about 12:20 a.m. when the driver failed to negotiate the curve to the right and collided with the curb.
The motorcycle continued into the wood line, throwing the rider from the motorcycle.
He was transported from the scene by ambulance to a local trauma center, where he was pronounced deceased.
Minor Injuries In Three Vehicle Crash Involving School Bus In Cantonment
January 10, 2025
Minor injuries were reported in a crash involving a school bus partially loaded with Tate High School students and two other vehicles Friday morning in Cantonment.
The crash happened on Highway 95A south of Jim Allen Elementary School about 8:13 a.m. Troopers said the bus was stopped picking up a student. The driver of a Buick had stopped behind the bus. The driver of a second Buick failed to stop and rear-ended the first Buick, pushing it into the back of the bus.
Two of the 16 students on the bus were transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS for evaluation, along with the driver of one of the Buicks. The other driver was injured, but refused transport by ambulance.
The parents or guardians of the students on the bus were contacted by the school system.
Multiple Escambia County EMS units, Cantonment Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash and has not yet released further details.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Escambia Commissioners Pick Developer And $50 Million Offer For OLF-8
January 10, 2025
in a deal years in the making, the Escambia County Commission Thursday night selected a developer for the OLF-8 property on Nine Mile Road in Beulah.
With a unanimous vote, the commission selected Beulah Town Center (BTC) and a revised bid of $50 million for the for the complete 540 acres using a DPZ Master Plan approved in 2021 as a restrictive deed. The county attorney and staff were tasked with negotiating a final sale agreement within 30 days.
“I want to thank you,” Fred Hemmer of Beulah Town Center said. “We’ve been working on this for five or six years. I know it’s been very frustration to all of you. us, the people behind us. Thank you for your patience, and we look forward to delivering.”
The 5-0 approval came after a previous motion to select BTC failed and another developer pulled out and left the meeting.
Earlier in the meeting, District 1 Commissioner Steve Stroberger made a similar motion seconded by Mike Kohler to negotiate with BTC for $50 million The motion failed with Lumon May, Ashlee Hofberger and Steven Barry voting against BTC.
Hofberger then offered a motion seconded by Barry to negotiate with Chad Henderson and TRI-W Development for 30 days for an amount not to fall below their $42.5 million offer.
May and Kohler said they could not turn down $50 million and vote for $7.5 million less and wanted to hear a hard number from TRI-W.
“Knowing what you know now, where are you at?” Hofberger asked Henderson. He said the group would negotiate an amount higher than the $42.5 million, but they wanted to make a final offer based upon negotiations.
“I can tell you I will be competitive with those offers through a negotiation of understanding the entire aspect of a purchase and sale agreement,” he said. When commissioners continued to press for a dollar figure, Henderson rescinded their offer and the group walked out.
A third offer for $45 million was on the table from Ryan Bell and Beulah Ranch, LLC.
In January 2019, Escambia County acquired OLF-8 in a land swap with the U.S. Navy for property in Santa Rosa County. The county hired DPZ CoDesign to develop the best plan for OLF-8, and the firm presented four plans ranging from a commerce park based concept to designs with a mix of commerce, residential and green space on the 500 plus acre site along Nine Mile Road in Beulah.
The final DPZ master plan approved in July 2021 is a combination of commerce, residential and amenities. It allocates 271 acres to commerce and industrial; 61 acres to residential including duplexes, townhomes and multifamily; 47 acres to a mixed-use center such as residential over retail and office over retail; and 45 acres to trails and public amenities such as a post office, school, day care and community garden.
Click graphics to enlarge.
Escambia County’s Graduation Rate Increases As State Breaks Record
January 10, 2025
Florida graduation rates for the 2023-2024 school year were announced Thursday. Florida’s high school graduation rate rose to 89.7%, and most Escambia County high schools exceeded that improved number.
The 2023–2024 statewide high school graduation rate represents the highest rate in Florida history, with the exception of the pandemic school years in which graduating classes were exempt from statewide, standardized assessment requirements stipulated in state law.
The overall graduation rate for Escambia County Public Schools was 84.2%, up from 80.5% in 2022-2023 and 78.4% in 2021-2022.
Graduation rates by school for the 2023-2024 school year and compared to 2022-2023:
- Tate High School — 93.3%, up from 91.3%
- Northview High School — 92.3%, up from 90.3%
- West Florida High School — 98.6%, up from 98.4%
- Escambia Westgate — 86.7%, down from 93.8%
- Escambia High School — 94.1%, up from 94%
- Pensacola High School — 87.9%, up from 78.1%
- Pine Forest High School – 85.4%, up from 80.9%
- Washington High School — 86%, down from 86.9%
- Success Academy — 78.4%
- Escambia Virtual — 100%
- Pensacola State Charter — 100%
Pictured: With 460 graduates, Tate High School had the largest graduating class in Escambia County for the 2023-2024 school year. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Sheriff’s Office Updates Cruiser Paint Scheme
January 10, 2025
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has updated the paint scheme on patrol vehicles.
The new cruisers will be all white, while the old design was white with dark green. The vehicles arrive white, so dropping the green is expected to save the ECSO about $2,500 per vehicle for painting. The cruisers will also be in service months faster.
Pictured top: The new all white paint scheme on an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle in the ECSO shop. Pictured: The previous old dark green and white design. NorthEscambia.com photo, courtesy photo, click to enlarge.
