Bratt Elementary School Names Students Of The Month
December 2, 2024
Bratt Elementary School recently named their November Students of the Month. They are Kaylyn Godwin and Emily Diller. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Court Appearance Postponed For Suspect In April Death Of Teen At Cottage Hill Party
December 2, 2024
A court appearance has been postponed for a now 20-year-old charged in the April 2024 fatal shooting of a 16-year-old at a party at a Cottage Hill home.
Ethan Alexander O’Brien remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond on charges of second-degree negligent manslaughter, tampering with evidence and improper exhibition of a firearm. He was due for a docket hearing on the day before Thanksgiving, but Judge John Simon granted a defense motion to continue without opposition from prosecutors. His next court date is now set for February 26.
The investigation determined that during a large gathering at the residence, O’Brien (pictured) was showing off his firearm at which time it accidentally discharged hitting 16-year-old Bryson Allen.
The incident happened about 11:30 p.m. Friday, April 12 at a home in the 600 block of Wishbone Road. Allen was pronounced deceased at the scene, and investigators said O’Brien fled the scene.
Pictured top: The scene on Wishbone Road in Cottage Hill late Friday night, April 12, after a teen was shot and killed. Pictured below: Crime scene still surrounded the home the following Saturday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
I-10 Traffic Shift Planned Near Highway 29 Interchange
December 2, 2024
This week, I-10 eastbound travel lanes will be shifted toward the median area of the roadway, from mile markers 8 to 10, near the Highway 29 interchange (Exit 10). The traffic shift will be a multiyear effort and allows crews to build a new alignment for I-10 at Highway 29.
The Florida Department of Transportation said the speed limit is reduced to 50 mph through the work zone, and nighttime temporary single-lane closures may occur on I-10 between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday. At least one travel lane will remain open at all times.
This work is part of a $236 million construction project designed to improve safety and capacity for the 62,000 drivers who travel the I-10 at Highway 29 interchange daily. The project is anticipated for completion in 2030.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Florida Gas Prices Hold Nearly Steady
December 2, 2024
Florida gas prices averaged $3.11 per gallon on Sunday. The state average was 1-cent less than the week before.
The average price per gallon Sunday night in Escambia County was $2.83. In North Escambia, the low price was $2.78 on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while $2.62 could be found at a few stations in Pensacola.
“Thanksgiving gas prices in Florida gas prices were slightly more expensive than a year ago, yet it’s doubtful that prevented people from taking a trip,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group.
The average price for gasoline on Thanksgiving Day in Florida was $3.13 per gallon. That’s 10 cents more than what holiday travelers paid a year ago. However, the average price during this year’s holiday was 30 cents less than what drivers paid on Thanksgiving Day 2022.
AAA will release its Year-End Holiday Travel forecast on December 11. This year’s actual Thanksgiving traveler totals will not be available until next year’s holiday forecast.
Escambia Animal Shelter Has Free Cat And Dog Adoptions Through December 17
December 2, 2024
Dog and cat adoptions are free at the Escambia animal shelter through Tuesday, December 17 during the “Empty the Shelters: Holiday Hope” event in partnership with the Bissell Pet Foundation.
Adoptions for all cats and dogs 1 year or older will be free. Puppies will be available for $50 and kittens will be available for $25. A $15 licensing fee will be applied to all adoptions for Escambia County residents. View all adoptable pets at the Animal Welfare and Adoption Center on 24petconnect.com.
The Escambia County Animal Welfare and Adoption Center is located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 12-5 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m
Retail Center With Two Restaurants, Coffee Shop Proposed For Nine Mile At Pathstone
December 1, 2024
A new shopping center with three businesses is proposed for Pathstone Boulevard at Nine Mile Road, possibly including two restaurants and a coffee shop.
Stoic Equity Partners of Daphne, Alabama, has proposed the 5,200 mixed used retail center at 8999 Pathstone Boulevard at Nine Mile Road, at the entrance to The Porte at Pathstone Apartments. The 1.33-acre property is currently unimproved and will have access from Pathstone Boulevard and East River Oaks Drive.
A preliminary site plan shows two quick serve restaurants, one with a drive-thru, and a “coffee user” with a drive-thru that wraps around the center. The businesses are not named.
The plan is set for pre-application meeting with the Escambia County Development Review Committee on Wednesday, December 4.
Cantonment Rotary Presents PSC Scholarships
December 1, 2024
The Rotary Club of Cantonment recently presented its annual scholarships to the Culinary Arts students at Pensacola State College, a tradition that dates back to 2001.
The culinary scholarship recipient was Rachel Rousseau, and the legal assistant recipient wss Jonathan Griner. Members of the Cantonment Rotary Club also enjoyed a delicious Mexican themed meal prepared by the students in the program.
Earlier this year, Cantonment Rotary presented $30,000 in scholarships to students in various programs.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Deputies Investigate Shooting Near Chumuckla
December 1, 2024
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting near Chumuckla Saturday morning.
SRSO deputies responded to reports of a disturbance on Sid Hayes Road. They arrived to find that one person had been shot.
The victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital where they underwent surgery and were listed in stable condition.
Investigators were working to develop a suspect and anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at (850) 437-STOP.
The SRSO said they do not believe that is any further threat to public safety.
Busy Month For Escambia County 4-H Horse Club (With Gallery)
December 1, 2024
by Skylar Gibbons, Escambia County 4-H Horse Club reporter
October was a busy month for Escambia County 4-H Horse Club. The club participated in the peanut butter challenge and donated 31 jars. The jars will be donated to local food banks, allowing the club members to take part in their community service. The club also designed Pensacola Interstate Fair booth entries, one for each of the three main age groups: junior (8-10); intermediate (11-13); and senior (14-18). Only the senior booth placed, winning 6th. They also entered crafts into the individual arts and baking contest.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ice Flyers Thrill Sellout Crowd Saturday With Dramatic OT Shootout Win
December 1, 2024
by Bill Vilona, Ice Flyers correspondent
The Ice Flyers began a defining week with only two wins for the season.
They picked up two in 24 hours, following a dramatic 4-3 overtime shootout win Saturday night against the Birmingham Bulls, sending a sellout crowd of 8,049 on a $5 ticket game at the Pensacola Bay Center into the chilly night air, warmed by a celebratory scene on the ice.
For a photo gallery, click here.
“It was especially a good win for our fans,” said Ice Flyers coach Gary Graham. “It’s been very frustrating to have big crowds and not be able to pay them back for all the support.
“Another amazing crowd and we keep getting them over and over again. Kudos to (Ice Flyers owner) Greg (Harris) and the front office and to the community for supporting us. Obviously, we have been in a bad funk. There’s been a lot of things that have gone wrong to start the season.”
A lot of things, however, went right this week. Even though the Ice Flyers dropped a 3-2 game Wednesday – the first of the twin $5 ticket nights – against the first-place Huntsville Havoc, the performance brought encouragement.
It carried into Friday’s road win at Macon. The team bus arrived around noon Saturday from that trip. Hours later, the Ice Flyers faced Birmingham in the Thanksgiving week’s finale.
“Obviously, it’s a great feeling,” said Ice Flyers assistant captain Ivan Bondarenko, who assisted on the team’s first goal of the game. “We’re starting to head in the right direction. Everybody is coming together. And we’re starting to play as a team and supporting each other. That is the key for us.
“Even when you’re tired you’ve got to push through it and enjoy it. That’s all we did and that’s how we came up out on top.”
The Ice Flyers tied the game 1-1 on Cayden Cahill power-play goal with 9:48 left in the period. They followed with consecutive goals in a 1-minute, 18-second span to take a 3-1 lead into the second intermission.
But the Bulls tied the game with a pair of goals in the first six minutes of the third period, sending a feeling a dread throughout the arena.
Ice Flyers goaltender Kevin Resop kept the score tied with saves later in the period. In the overtime, Resop saved the night for the Ice Flyers with a flurry of great saves in the final 90 seconds of the 5-minute OT. In the shootout, he was just as brilliant, thwarting Birmingham’s first four shooters to win the game.
“Kevin was the star of the game,” Graham said. “He made some tremendous saves in overtime to give us a chance to get to the shootout and for him to close the door like that in the shootout.”
The Ice Flyers’ fourth shooter, defenseman Tim Faulkner, broke the back-and-forth stops by both teams’ goaltenders with his wrist shot into the top corner.
“We practice the shootout every week and it’s sort of a running joke, but I do kind of score in the shootout, so coach (Graham) told me he might put me in,” Faulkner said. “I had a move in mind and it worked. It’s just one of those things I have done so many times.”
Hugo Koch followed with a simple deke and slid the puck smoothly through Bulls’ goaltender Hayden Stewart’s legs for the game winner.
“For Tim Faulker and Hugo Koch to be the ones that score for us, just tremendous for the group,” Graham said. “It has been very dark and gloomy around here. We have been trying to keep a positive mindset on it.
“The guys have been coming to work and buying in on the video sessions. We have some really unfortunate things happen, but it’s great to see them celebrating in there right now.”
The Ice Flyers played with four guys on injured reserve and Sam Dabrowski unable to play after getting an eye injury Friday against Macon. This is how it has been, unfortunately, for the Ice Flyers in their first 15 games of the season.
With that in mind, Bondarenko had an impassioned message for the fans afterward. In two games this week, one on the night before Thanksgiving, another on Saturday, the Ice Flyers had sellout crowds at the Bay Center.
“You all have been showing up day in and day out and supporting us,” he said, during a post-game interview. “We haven’t had the start that we wanted but you guys have not slowed down and you guys keep cheering us on and it’s unbelievable.
“A lot of this is thanks to you guys, so we appreciate your support.”
FIRST PERIOD
A scoreless opening period had its noteworthy moments.
Only seven seconds into the game, following a lengthy delay, the Ice Flyers had to send out a penalty kill unit. They were whistled for too many men on the ice in a strange sequence that came off the opening faceoff.
They kept the Bulls from a good shot and got the penalty kill. Later in the period Resop made his first big save on a point-blank wrist shot.
Ivan Bondarenko had the Ice Flyers best scoring chance with a wrap-around attempt with 6:13 remaining.
When the period ended, the Ice Flyers players remained on the ice for the ceremony saluting Jim Chestnut, the team’s equipment manager, who worked his 1,500th game in minor league, professional hockey.
For a photo gallery, click here.
SECOND PERIOD
Birmingham’s Tayor Brierley, blasted a one-timer past Resop following a faceoff with 14:47 left in the period.
Ice Flyers followed with three consecutive goals from Cayden Cahill, Cameron Cook and Adam Pilotte to take a two-goal lead into intermission.
For Cook, it was his sixth goal of the season. Bondarenko picked up his sixth assist. Koch had assists on two of the three goals before his game-winning heroics in the shootout.
THIRD PERIOD
Birmingham tied the game on a pair of goals that followed defensive mistakes in the Ice Flyers zone. It’s been the kind of thing Graham and the team have worked to try to avoid.
Offensively, the Ice Flyers had few chances and neither team had a power play. Resop finished regulation play and the five-minute OT having stopped 32 of 35 shots.
GAME NOTABLES
Ice Flyers owner Greg Harris addressed the crowd in the first intermission to honor Jim Chestnut. He was presented a glass enclosed frame with a personalized jersey. In addition, Harris announced a $1,500 gift card in honor of the 1,500 games.
Cameron Cook’s goal Saturday occurred on his 27th birthday.
The sellout pushed the Ice Flyers to a 6,000-plus attendance average for their first seven home games this season.
Four players remained on the injured list Saturday: Matt Wiesner, Tyler Adams, Sean Gulka. Graham said afterward that Gulka may have the best chance of returning soon.
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: Ice Flyers at Birmingham Bulls
WHEN: Thursday (Dec. 5), 7:05 p.m.
WHERE: Pelham Civic Complex, Pelham, Ala.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
