Barrineau Park Bridge Has Reopened
January 3, 2025
The Barrineau Park Bridge over the Perdido River reopened Thursday afternoon being closed earlier this week due to water over the road and bridge following weekend rains.
It’s common for water to flow across the roadway and bridge when the river rises.
The Perdido River near Barrineau Park reached 11.8 feet on Tuesday night, just shy of minor flood stage of 13 feet. By Thursday night, the river was down to 5.5 feet.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Self-Storage, RV Storage Facility Proposed For Central Commerce Park
January 3, 2025
A new self-storage facility is proposed for the Central Commerce Park in Cantonment.
The Power Boulevard Storage project would be located on Power Boulevard, according to an Escambia County Development Review Committee application filed this month by Hammond Engineering on behalf of owner Ryan Sieg.
The project would include an 18.300 square foot climate-controlled self-storage building that would include an 800 square foot office, four miscellaneous size standalone self-storage buildings and a milled asphalt lot with a 5,000 square foot covered pavilion for the additional parking of recreational vehicles.
The development includes two parcels totaling five acres at 1521 and 1531 Power Boulevard, across from ESA South and Custom Control Solutions. The lots are currently wooded and undeveloped. The facility would be connected to Power Boulevard by two new asphalt driveways.
The property, according to property appraiser records, belongs to Power Drive Development, Inc.
The proposed development has not yet been set for a Development Review Committee meeting.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Homicide Investigation Continues After Man Shot Near Pine Meadow Elementary
January 3, 2025
A homicide investigation is continuing after a man was shot and killed late Wednesday night in not far from Pine Meadow Elementary School.
The adult male was shot about 11:45 p.m. outside a home on Tommy Street, just off Cove Avenue. The man was transported to any area hospital where he later died.
No arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Additional details have not been released.
File photo.
Cantonment Man Charged With Fentanyl Trafficking After Traffic Stop
January 2, 2025
A Cantonment man was arrested by police with multiple drug charges including fentanyl trafficking after a traffic stop.
Cole Peyton Johns, 28, was charged with trafficking four or more grams of fentanyl, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, resisting arrest without violence, possession of a drug paraphernalia, and driving with a suspended license.
On Christmas Eve, a Pensacola Police Department officer stopped Johns for suspended license on K Street. PPD said Johns provided his name and date of birth because he did not have his driver’s license. An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 responded and alerted on the vehicle.
During a search, officers located a backpack in the vehicle, and Johns fled on foot, according to an arrest report. He was apprehended by police at the corner of West Gregory and North K streets.
Inside the backpack, PPD officer reported finding four pipes with fentanyl residue, along with 31.4 grams of powder in plastic baggies and a pill bottle that tested positive for fentanyl. The report states officers also found nine and one-quarter Alprazolam pills, multiple small baggies, two scales with suspected fentanyl residue and a handgun with seven unspent rounds in the magazine.
According to the report, Johns confessed he owned the backpack and told police that the narcotics were heroin but offered a “silent acknowledgement ” when told the field test showed fentanyl. He also admitted to police that he sold narcotics and that the firearm belonged to him.
Johns was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $32,500 bond.
After 578 Days, Longest Resident Ever At Animal Shelter Goes Home
January 2, 2025
The longest resident ever at the Escambia County animal shelter found a home just in time for the holidays.
Daisy spent 578 at the shelter.
She was adopted in time to spend her best Christmas ever with her new family.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weather Service Confirms EF-1 Tornado Hit Barnett Crossroads With 100 MPH Winds
January 2, 2025
The National Weather Service has confirmed that it was an EF-1 tornado that caused damage in the Barnett Crossroads community north of Flomaton on December 28.
A NWS survey found that the tornado was on the ground for 2.22 miles with winds up to 100 mph.
There were no injuries reported.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Meet The New Year’s Baby At Pensacola’s Ascension Sacred Heart
January 2, 2025
Ascension Sacred Heart in Pensacola welcome their New Year’s Baby early Wednesday morning.
Everly was one of at least seven babies born at the hospital on New Year’s Day.
Everly was born to Maegan Mapoles and Brian Allen of Pensacola at 12:09 a.m.
Maegan went into labor on New Year’s Eve, which just happens to be her birthday.
New Red Light Cameras Now Active At These Pensacola Intersections
January 2, 2025
New red light cameras are now active in Pensacola, and police will soon be issuing tickets.
The cameras are located at:
- 9th Avenue & Bayou — north, south, east, and west approaches (near Cordova Mall)
- 9th Avenue & Airport — north, south, east, and west approaches (also near Cordova Mall)
- 9th Avenue & Fairfield Drive — east and west approaches
- Davis Hwy & Fairfield Drive — east and west approaches
- 9th Avenue & Gregory Street — west approach
These intersections were chosen based on traffic crash data collected over several years and have historically been sites of Pensacola’s most major crashes., Pensacola Police said. In the past two years alone, these five intersections have accounted for 377 vehicle crashes.
There’s a grace period in place for now. After February 1, each violation will be reviewed by a Pensacola Police officer, and citations will be issued. These citations will n
Escambia County Value Adjustment Board Seeks Volunteers
January 2, 2025
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an appointment to the Value Adjustment Board. The VAB provides for the hearing of all petitions, complaints, appeals and disputes concerning taxable assessment of properties. The term of office is one year.
Escambia County residents interested in serving on the Value Adjustment Board are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve by 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9. Resumes and letters should be submitted via email to boardapply@myescambia.com or by mail to:
Jose Gochez, Program Manager
Escambia County Board of County Commissioners
221 Palafox Place, Suite 420
Pensacola, FL 32502
Resumes submitted for consideration are subject to public records requests and are included in Escambia County Commission meeting information, including the agenda and official meeting minutes.
The Board of County Commissioners’ VAB appointee must meet the following requirements to be eligible to serve:
Must own homestead property in Escambia County.
Cannot be a member or employee of any taxing authority.
Cannot represent property owners in any administrative or judicial review of property taxes.
The VAB meets for approximately 30-40 minutes twice a year, usually in August and December.
Escambia County Attempted Homicide Suspect Arrested
January 2, 2025
An attempted homicide suspect wanted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office since last week is now behind bars.
Terrance James Franklin, 45, is charged with an attempted homicide that occurred after an argument on Christmas Day in the 3000 block of Michael Drive. He allegedly shot someone in the chest and leg with a shotgun. The victim was expected to survive.
Franklin was charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, and possession of a weapon or ammo by a convicted felon. He remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond.