Escambia County Seeks Volunteer for Planning Board Appointment
February 16, 2025
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an at-large appointment to the Escambia County Planning Board.
At-large members serve a two-year term of office and attend one meeting per month (generally the first Tuesday of the month). Meetings are generally from 8:30 a.m. to no later than noon; however, occasionally may go beyond noon depending upon the agenda. No travel is involved unless the Planning Board members decide to view a particular property for informational purposes. Financial disclosure is required.
Escambia County residents interested in being considered for a possible appointment to the Escambia County Planning Board are asked to submit a resume indicating their desire to serve by close of business on Tuesday, February 25. Letters and resumes should be submitted to Rachel Whitmire; 3363 West Park Place; Pensacola, FL 32505; or emailed to rwhitmire@myescambia.com.
The term for this vacancy is February 16, 2023 until February 16, 2025.
All submittals are subject to public records requests.
Here Are Next Week’s Road Construction Spots To Watch
February 15, 2025
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Resurfacing from Creighton Road (S.R. 274) to Olive Road – The week of Sunday, Feb. 16, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Ninth Avenue, from Creighton Road to Olive Road, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for milling and paving operations.
- U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway) 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, Feb. 16 through Thursday, Feb. 20, from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for milling and paving operations. Law enforcement will be on site and traffic flaggers will direct drivers safely through the work zone.
- U.S. 98 (Gregory Street) Resurfacing from North Palafox Street to east of 14th Avenue – Drivers on Gregory Street, from North Palafox Street to 17th Avenue, will encounter alternating, intermittent lane closures Sunday, Feb. 16 through Thursday, Feb. 20, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for milling and paving operations.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (S.R. 296) – The week of Sunday, Feb. 16, drivers may encounter intermittent daytime lane closures on North Palafox Street, from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane, as crews place thermoplastic striping and perform traffic signalization work.
- Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – The week of Sunday, Feb. 16, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Pine Forest Road, from Mobile Highway to Blue Angel Parkway, between 8 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. Signs are in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Pine Forest Road, Longleaf Drive and Wymart Road.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction related traffic disruptions Sunday, Feb. 16 through Thursday, Feb. 20, 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:
- North Palafox Street, between Hope Drive and Whitehead Drive, will have intermittent daytime lane closures. 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.
- S.R. 292 Routine Underground Maintenance from Barrancas Avenue to Manchester Street – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Feb. 17 through Thursday, Feb. 20 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for maintenance on underground utilities.
- S.R. 4 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Escambia River – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures east of U.S. 29 Monday, Feb. 17 and Tuesday, Feb. 18 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- S.R. 4 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Big Juniper Creek – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures west of County Road 191 Wednesday, Feb. 19 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- I-10 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Blackwater Bridge – Motorists may encounter intermittent east and westbound lane closures Sunday, Feb. 16 and Monday, Feb. 17 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- 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, Feb. 16 through Thursday, Feb. 20, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for milling and paving operations.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – Drivers on U.S. 90 westbound may encounter intermittent lane closures over the Simpson River Bridge, Sunday, Feb. 16 through Thursday, Feb. 20 between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. as crews perform bridge construction work. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through 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, Feb. 16, through Friday, Feb. 21, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) Bridge Rehabilitation over Garcon Point Bridge – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Feb. 17 through Friday, Feb. 21 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for construction activities.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Ballots Mailed For Upcoming Century And Congressional Special Election
February 15, 2025
The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office has sent out vote-by-mail ballots for two upcoming special elections.
A batch of ballots for the upcoming March 18 Century special primary election were mailed Friday.
Supervisor of Elections Robert D. Bender said 890 ballots were sent out to military and overseas voters for the April 1 2025 special general election. Domestic voters who have an active vote-by-mail request on file will have their ballots mailed out next week.
Any voter has the option to vote-by-mail. Requests must be made for each new election cycle. If you have not already made a request and wish to receive your ballot in the mail, visit EscambiaVotes.gov/vote-by-mail or call (850) 595-3900. The request deadline is Thursday, March 20 for the April 1 special general election and March 6 for the Century special primary.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Padgett and Wine Homer As Tate Beats West Florida 11-4
February 15, 2025
The Tate Lady Aggies beat the West Florida Jags 11-4 on Friday night in their final preseason game.
Mykamia Padgett and Kara Wine both hit homeruns for the Aggies during an eight run third inning. Padgett’s dinger was to center field to score two runs and Wine homered to center field to score three runs.
Padgett earned the win for the Aggies in the circle, giving up two hits and one unearned run in three innings while walking one and striking out three. Peyton Womack three four innings in relief, allowing three hits and three runs (one earned) while waking six and striking out two.
Wine went 2-4 for the Aggies with her three RBIs. Padgett, Madison Smillie, Lacy Wilson, and Womack each had two hits for Tate.
Next, the Lady Aggies will take on Crestview on Thursday.
Pictured above: Mykamia Padgett (left) and Kara Wine both had homeruns to center field in the third inning Friday night. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Beat The Walton Braves 12-1
February 15, 2025
The Northview Chiefs beat the Walton Braves 12-1 Friday night in Bratt.
Grayden Sheffield earned the win on the mound for Northview, giving up three hits and one run (unearned) in four and two-thirds innings, while walking four and striking out nine.
Brady Smith led the Chiefs at the plate, going 2-3 with three RBIs.
Up next, Northview will travel to W.S. Neal on Monday.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
DeSantis Appoints Four To Pensacola State College Board Of Trustees
February 15, 2025
Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed four people on Friday to the Pensacola State College District Board of Trustees. They are Dr. Joel Rudman, Edward Fleming, Andrew Hobbs, and Zachary Smith.
Dr. Joel Rudman
Dr. Rudman is the Family Practice Physician at Dr. Joel D. Rudman, M.D. Active in his community, he was previously elected to the Florida House of Representatives representing District 3 and was the Staff Physician for NASCAR at the Daytona International Speedway. Rudman earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Mississippi.
Edward Fleming
Fleming is the Founding Partner of McDonald Fleming Attorneys At Law. Active in his community, he is a Commissioner on the First District Court of Appeals Judicial Nominating Commission. He has been named as one of Pensacola’s 100 Most Influential residents by a local newspaper. Fleming earned his juris doctor from the University of Georgia.
Andrew Hobbs
Hobbs is the Chief Deputy of Administration for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Active in his community, he is a Board member for Manna Food Pantries, Mr. Robbins’ Neighborhood, and the Escambia County Sheriff Foundation. Hobbs earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration from Columbia Southern University and is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy.
Zachary Smith
Smith is a Senior Legal Fellow and Manager of the Supreme Court and Appellate Advocacy Program at the Heritage Foundation. Active in his community, he is a Commissioner on the First Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission and previously served as the Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. Smith earned his bachelor’s degree in history and political science, his master’s degree in political science, and his juris doctor from the University of Florida.
Escambia Schools In Session Monday As Snow Make Up Day
February 15, 2025
Escambia County Schools will be in session on Monday as a make up for one of the snow days that was missed in January.
Initially, teachers and and staff were scheduled to work February 17 as a professional development day, and students were scheduled to to be out of school. Now Monday, February 17 will now be a full instructional day for students.
“No one could have predicted four days off for ice and snow in Escambia County,” said Superintendent Keith Leonard. “In order to be sure our students are receiving optimal instructional time, we will use February 17th as a make-up day.”
All schools and offices will operate on normal schedules, to include transportation and food services for students.
Pictured: Snow covers the Tate High School campus in Cantonment on January 21. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Teen On Electric Bike Critically Injured In Highway 29 Crash
February 14, 2025
A 17-year-old on an electric motorized bicycle was critically injured in a crash on Highway 29 Friday afternoon.
The teen male was southbound on a Highway 29 within the northbound bicycle lane about 1:35 p.m. near East Roberts Road when as a Lincoln sedan was exiting a private driveway, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
“The driver stopped at the edge of the travel lane, not seeing the electric bicycle traveling against the flow of traffic,” FHP said the bicyclist collided with the front corner of the sedan.
The teen was airlifted to an area hospital as a trauma alert by LifeFlight . The 52-year-old female driver of the Lincoln was not injured.
Escambia Voters May Again Be Asked If The School Superintendent Should Be Elected Or Appointed
February 14, 2025
Voters in Escambia County could once against be asked to decide if the school superintendent should be elected or appointed.
In 2018, Escambia County voters narrowly approved a ballot referendum for an appointed superintendent, with 50.36 voting yes and 49.64 percent voting now. This was the sixth time voters had considered the idea of an appointed superintendent in the county; all of the other attempts failed.
Now. District 5 school board member Tom Harrell wants to put the issue back on the ballot in 2028.
Harrell proposed a resolution for next week’s board meeting to place it on the ballot in 2026, later changing that to 2028 during a Thursday school board workshop.
Harrell said she as he was campaigning for office last year, he heard an overwhelming majority of people in the district wanted a return to an elected superintendent. He said that was no reflection on current Superintendent Keith Leonard, noting that Leonard has done an outstanding job and will hopefully be in office for some time to come.
“I feel very strongly about this,” Harrell, who campaigned on a return to an elected superintendent, said. “The county, I think, feels very strongly. There’s never anything wrong with letting the people decide. When you have a democracy, it’s all about people making decisions.”
“Deep down in my heart, having been here in this district for 60 years, that’s what the people of this district want,” Harrell added. “It’s the right time; it’s the right thing to do.”
Leonard said he would run the district the same whether elected or appointed.
“Would I change how I do business if I were appointed or elected? No,” Leonard said. “I would do business exactly the same way.”
District 3 school board member David Williams said he will not support the referendum because the district is currently doing well with an appointed superintendent, a sentiment echoed by District 4 member Carissa Bergosh.
District 2 member Paul Fetsko said he would support the referendum if it coincided with the 2028 Presidential Primary with an anticipated higher turnout that midterms will bring in 2026. And District 1 member David Adams also voiced his support; Adams made a similar proposal in 2023, but it was rejected by the board 3-2.
“We can’t have it both. Either we are happy with the appointed, and everybody’s up here praising the appointed right now,” Williams said after the discussion. “But yet we are voting to go elected. I just don’t understand that.”
The school board attorney will work on the resolution to return to the school board in April. If the school board approves the referendum proposal to allow voters to again choose between and elected or appointed school superintendent, it will be sent to the Escambia County Commission to be placed on the ballot.
Ag Officers Seize $264,000 Worth Of Cocaine In Escambia County Traffic Stop
February 14, 2025
State law enforcement seized over 29 pounds of cocaine worth over a quarter million dollars during an Escambia County traffic stop.
Officers with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE) seized over 29 pounds of cocaine after stopping a white cargo van that bypassed an agricultural interdiction station in Escambia County. The street value of the seizure is $24,000 per bundle, with a total street value of $264,000.
“Florida’s Agricultural Law Enforcement officers serve as a first line of defense against criminal activity and threats to our state,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “This significant drug seizure is a testament to the critical role our Agricultural Law Enforcement officers play in keeping Florida safe. I’m proud of the work our Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement – and the men and women who put their lives on the line every day – to intercept criminals and illicit contraband that endanger our communities.”
A large cargo van was observed bypassing an FDACS agricultural interdiction station, prompting officers to initiate a traffic stop. Upon inspection, officers discovered a crate holding a large plastic box filled with spray foam that had not yet solidified. Upon further investigation, officers found 11 bricks of cocaine – with a total weight of 29.2 pounds – concealed beneath the foam. The crate had been picked up from a storage unit in El Paso, Texas, and was destined for a location in South Florida.
OALE investigators are working with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on this ongoing investigation.
The state did not provide any arrest information.
