Back To School: Dressing For Cold Weather
January 7, 2025
Escambia County students head back to school on this cold Tuesday.
With our cold weather this week, it’s important to dress in layers, cover skin and limit time outside, according to the National Weather Service office in Mobile.
Here’s how to dress for cold weather:
Man, 19, Charged With Murder Last Week Near Pine Meadow Elementary
January 7, 2025
A 19-year-old Escambia County man has been charged with the shooting death of a man late last Wednesday night not far from Pine Meadow Elementary School.
Talan Darby Burnette is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond on charges of second-degree murder, tampering with evidence and firing a weapon.
The shooting happened about 11:45 p.m. January 1 outside a home on Tommy Street, just off Cove Avenue. The man was transported to any area hospital where he later died.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said he arrived at the property and an argument followed between a group of people. Investigators said Burnette then shot the 48-year-old man.
Burnette was located the following morning in Santa Rosa County, and he was charged with loitering and resisting arrest by Santa Rosa County deputies. Escambia County deputies questioned him in Santa Rosa County and obtained Escambia County warrants for his arrest. He was transferred to the Escambia County Jail on Monday.
DeSantis Appoints Five To UWF Board Of Trustees
January 7, 2025
Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced five appointments to the University of West Florida Board of Trustees.
None of them are UWF alumni, and none of them live in the Pensacola area.
The nominees, who must be confirmed by the Florida Senate, are:
Paul Bailey
Bailey is an Attorney for Welton Law Firm. Active in his community, he currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at Pensacola Christian College and is a Registered Instructor with the National Rifle Association. Bailey earned his bachelor’s degree in pre-law from Pensacola Christian College and his juris doctor from Regent University.
Gates Garcia
Garcia is the President and Chief Executive Officer at Pinehill Capital Partners. Active in his community, he currently serves on The Catholic University of America Busch School of Business Board of Visitors and was the recipient of the 2024 Richard and Jacqueline Lincoln Fellow for The Claremont Institute. Garcia earned his bachelor’s degree in media studies from The Catholic University of America and his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Florida.
Adam Kissel
Kissel is a Visiting Fellow on Higher Education Reform for The Heritage Foundation, a Senior Fellow for the Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy, and a Visiting Scholar for the Texas Public Policy Foundation. He previously served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Higher Education Programs with the United States Department of Education. Active in his community, he currently serves as the Chair of the West Virginia Professional Charter School Board and is a member of the Civics, History, & America’s Future Advisory Council for America250. Kissel earned his bachelor’s degree in English, American literature, and language from Harvard University and his master’s degree from the University of Chicago.
Scott Yenor, Ph.D.
Yenor is the Chairman of The Ambrose School Board, a Professor of Political Science at Boise State University, an Honored Visiting Graduate Faculty at Ashland University, and a Washington Fellow at The Claremont Institute’s Center for the American Way of Life. His research focuses on feminism, sexual liberation, and on dismantling the rule of social justice in America’s universities. He previously served as a Visiting Fellow on American Political Thought for The Heritage Foundation and a Fellow for the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. Yenor earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and his doctorate degree in political science from Loyola University.
Chris Young
Young is a founder and Senior Partner at Perry & Young Law Firm, Chief Operating Officer for Adcock Bros, Inc. and is owner and President of Adcock Transport and Adcock Direct. Active in his community he has served the Chipola Appreciation Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the ARC of the Bay. He currently serves on the Ascension Bay Medical Center Foundation Board of Directors and is active in other local charities and civic groups. Young earned his associate degree from Chipola College and his Juris Doctor from Louisiana State University.
Florida Bureau Of Fire And Arson Now Investigating Cause Of Church Fire In Molino
January 7, 2025
The Florida Bureau of Fire, Arson & Explosives Investigations is now investigating the cause of a Sunday afternoon fire that heavily damaged a church in Molino.
The fire was reported shortly after 3 p.m. at the New Hope Primitive Baptist Church in the 5600 block of Highway 95A, just north of Cedartown Road. Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke showing from the rear of the single-story wood-framed church.
There were injuries.
A portion of the building’s roof collapsed in the fire. Escambia County Fire Rescue says there was moderate smoke damage throughout the building, while fire damage was limited to the back. ECFR said the building can be reoccupied after extensive repairs.
For an earlier story, click here.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Molino, Cantonment, Ensley, McDavid, Osceola, Century, and Walnut Hill stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue responded as did a ladder truck from Pace, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and Escambia County EMS.
NorthEscambia.com and courtesy photos, click to enlarge.
Mayor, Two Council Members To Take The Oath Of Office Tuesday In Century
January 6, 2025
Century’s mayor and two council members will take the oath of office Tuesday for another four years.
Luis Gomez, Jr. will remain mayor, while Dynette Lewis (seat 1) and Henry Cunningham (seat 2) will serve another term. Each was elected last year with no challenger.
Gomez was appointed interim mayor after the resignation of Ben Boutwell, and Cunningham was appointed on an interim basis to the council seat vacated by Gomez. Both won the seats by default in 2023 when no one else ran in 2023. Lewis, who currently serves as council president, was elected in 2020 after defeating Ann Brooks.
Pictured top: Luis Gomez, Jr. (left) and Henry Cunningham. Pictured inset: Dynette Lewis. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
ECUA: Protect Your Pipes From Freezing Temperatures
January 6, 2025
There are steps that will protect household pipes from freezing temperatures forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday nights. External, exposed pipes are naturally the most likely to freeze. Here are tips from ECUA:
- Insulate pipes or faucets in unheated areas: Pipes located in unheated areas of your house, such as a garage or crawl space under the house or in the attic, are subject to freezing. If you have time to do this before freezing temperatures arrive, wrap these pipes with insulation materials made especially for this purpose. These materials can be found at most hardware stores or home improvement centers.
- Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses: Detach all hoses from faucets and allow them to drain. This prevents the water in the hose or pipe from freezing and bursting the faucet or pipe to which it is connected.
- Run a trickle of water: When forecasts call for sustained and/or severe freezing temperatures, run a thin trickle of water from the faucet furthest from the water line coming to your house. Usually, this is in a room at the back of the house or outside, in the yard. Allowing the water to circulate through your home’s plumbing helps to keep it from freezing. Some consider this a waste of water but the cost of the water used is extremely slight compared to repairing broken pipes and the resulting water damage.
- Remember the backflow preventer: Residents and business owners who have backflow preventers on their properties for water lines, fire lines, irrigation systems, and swimming pools need to protect their backflow preventers from freeze as well. Extended freezes can burst the body of the backflow assembly, rendering it useless. Wrap these pipes with insulation materials, made especially for this purpose. These materials can be found at most hardware stores or home improvement centers. If the device and the water line are not in use at this time (i.e., irrigation system or swimming pool lines), shut off the water supply line and drain the backflow device.
If the device and the water line are not in use at this time (i.e., irrigation system or swimming pool lines), shut off the water supply line and drain the backflow device.
Church In Molino Destroyed Twice By Fire Decades Ago Suffers Another Fire
January 6, 2025
A church in Molino that was destroyed by fire decades ago suffered heavy damage from another fire on Sunday afternoon.
The fire was reported shortly before 3 p.m. at the New Hope Primitive Baptist Church in the 5600 block of Highway 95A, just north of Cedartown Road.
A portion of the roof collapsed in the fire.
The church building was destroyed by fire blamed on arson on April 5, 1991. The church had previously burned down in fire sparked by electric heater on April 29, 1980, according to historical reports.
For photo gallery, click here.
There was no immediate word on the cause of Sunday’s fire. There were no injuries reported.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Delay Spots
January 6, 2025
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Scenic Highway (U.S. 90) Resurfacing from south of Interstate 10 (I-10) to south of Hyde Park Road – Drivers on Scenic Highway will encounter intermittent lane closures, from south of I-10 to south of Hyde Park Road, Sunday, Jan. 5 through Thursday, Jan. 9, from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., as crews perform milling and paving operations.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) 296) – The week of Jan. 5, drivers may encounter intermittent daytime lane closures on North Palafox Street, from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane, as crews perform paving operations.
- U.S. 98 (Gregory Street) Resurfacing from North Palafox Street to east of 14th Avenue – Drivers on Gregory Street, from North Palafox Street to east of 14th Avenue, will encounter alternating, intermittent lane closures Sunday, Jan. 5 through Thursday, Jan. 9, between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., for milling and paving operations.
- Interstate Circle Bridge Over Eight Mile Creek Construction – Interstate Circle is closed at the Eight Mile Creek Bridge through mid-2025 while crews replace the bridge. Signage is in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Pine Forest Road, Longleaf Drive and Wymart Road.
- I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions Sunday, Jan. 5 through Thursday, Jan. 9, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.:
- Intermittent I-10 inside lane closures near the Nine Mile Road interchange.
- Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps. Law enforcement will be on site, and directional signage will be in place to guide drivers through the work zone.
- I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
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- Sunday, Jan. 5 through Thursday, Jan. 9, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. the I-10 eastbound outside travel lane will be closed intermittently between mile markers 8 and 10 as crews place barrier wall.
- Beginning Tuesday, Jan. 7, drivers may encounter intermittent daytime lane closures on North Palafox Street, between Hope Drive and Whitehead Drive. Signage will be in place to direct drivers safely through the work zone.
- I-10 between U.S. 29 and I-110, is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction.
- The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound.
- A new temporary on-ramp for U.S. 29 southbound drivers accessing I-10 eastbound is now open. Detouring traffic to the temporary ramp will allow crews to continue work to reconstruct the I-10/U.S. 29 interchange.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between S.R. 4 and the Alabama State Line – Drivers on North Century Boulevard, between S.R. 4 and the Alabama State Line, may encounter intermittent lane closures for paving operations. Signage will be in place to direct drivers safely through the work zone.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 90 Resurfacing from west of Avalon Boulevard to east of Stewart Street – Drivers may encounter intermittent U.S. 90 lane closures, between Avalon Boulevard and Stewart Street, Sunday, Jan. 5 through Thursday, Jan. 9, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for milling and paving operations.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – The westbound travel lanes of the U.S. 90 bridge over Simpson River will be temporarily shifted the week of Sunday, Jan. 5, to allow crews to complete guardrail installation and shoulder work. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph throughout the work zone.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive, Sunday, Jan. 5, through Friday, Jan. 10, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- Beginning Monday, Jan. 6, motorists will encounter a new traffic configuration on S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) as lanes will be shifted slightly west to allow the contractor to perform permanent widening activities on the east side of the roadway.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
AAA: Florida Gas Prices In 2024 Were Slightly Lower Than 2023
January 6, 2025
Florida gas prices are beginning the near year slightly more expensive than this time in 2024. On Sunday, the state average was $3.11 per gallon. That’s four cents more than the same day in 2024.
“Although the daily average price is slightly more expensive, Florida gas prices remain within the same range they’ve been in for the past four months,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group.
On average, Florida drivers paid slightly less at the pump in 2024 than they did the year before. In 2024, Florida gas prices averaged $3.29 per gallon. In 2023, gas prices averaged $3.41 per gallon.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County Sunday night was $2.82. A North Escambia low price of $2.77 could be found on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while Pensacola prices were as low as $2.55 on West Nine Mile Road.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Demolition Of Old Beulah Fire Station Underway
January 6, 2025
Demolition is underway of the former Beulah Fire Rescue Station 2 on West Nine Mile Road.
The former station was constructed after fire destroyed the original Beulah Fire Station in 1977. It was replaced by a new $8.5 million state-of-the-art Bradshaw-McNair Beulah Fire Station that opened in July.
The new Bradshaw-McNair Fire Station pays tribute to two individuals who greatly contributed to fire service in the Beulah area. The late Escambia County Fire Rescue District Chief Dwain Bradshaw, 42, lost his life in the line of duty during the early morning hours of November 6, 2019, while on scene of a fatal crash on the Muscogee Bridge. He was a volunteer district chief at the Bellview Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, volunteer assistant district chief for the Beulah Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and lived a life of public service. Retired ECFR District Chief Steve McNair served the Beulah community as a volunteer firefighter for over 50 years. He also help construct the old fire station in 1977.
Submitted photo (above) and NorthEscambia.com photos (below), click to enlarge.
