Stovetop Fire Blamed For Causing Molino House Fire
June 2, 2025
Escambia County Rescue has determined that a Molino house fire last week originated on the home’s stovetop before moving quickly to the attic through a vent pipe.
The fire about 1:30 p.m. on May 29 in the 550 block of Cedartown Road, just off Highway 95A, left two people without a home.
Firefighter arrived to find heavy smoke pouring from the eaves and ridge vent of the single-story wood framed home. Firefighters found a fire in the kitchen that expanded to the attic. The home sustained significant damage to the attic and moderate damage to the kitchen and living room. The home can be tenable again with substantial repairs.
There were no injuries reported.
The American Red Cross assisted two adults who were displaced by the fire.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Photos: Tennessee Monument Honors Fallen No. 6 Blue Angels Pilot
June 2, 2025
It’s been nine years since Blue Angel No. 6 crashed, killing pilot Jeff Kuss in Smyrna, Tennessee.
U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Jeff Kuss, a native of Durango, Colorado, was a decorated pilot who joined the Blue Angels in 2014. Prior to the Blue Angels, he served in Afghanistan and had accumulated more than 1,400 flight hours and 175 landings on aircraft carriers.
On June 2, 2016, at the age of 32, Kuss tragically lost his life when his jet crashed during a practice one day before The Great Tennessee Air Show in Smyrna. A Blue Angel F/A-18C Hornet similar to the jet flown by Captain Kuss and on loan from the National Aviation Museum in Pensacola is on permanent display as part of the Captain Jeff Kuss Memorial. He is survived by his wife Christina, children Calvin and Sloane, parents Janet and Michael, and brother Eric.
Kuss is memorialized with a public monument at a park across the road from Smyrna airport, near the crash site. Local residents gathered in the park following the tragic crash, holding an impromptu vigil.
NorthEscambia.com took our cameras to the memorial recently.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The monument features a retired Blue Angel F/A-18 Hornet that is on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola. The “Freedom Playground” in the surrounding park has a Blue Angels color scheme and several features that were designed with the Blue Angels in mind.
The Blue Angels will perform this weekend, June 7-8 , during the The Great Tennessee Air Show in Smyrna.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Woman, 87, Airlifted After Highway 29 Rollover Crash In Molino
June 2, 2025
One person was seriously injured in a two-vehicle crash Sunday afternoon in Molino.
The crash occurred about 5:20 p.m. at the intersection of southbound Highway 29 and Chance Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a green pickup truck was stopped in the paved median on Highway 29 with a yield sign when the it pulled into the path of an oncoming southbound SUV.
The pickup truck overturned, come to rest on its side. The pickup’s driver, an 87-year-old female driver from Cantonment, was extricated by firefighters using the Jaws of Life before being airlifted by LifeFlight to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola. The SUV driver, a 64-year-old male from Cookeville, TN, and his passenger, a 59-year-old female also from Cookeville, suffered only minor injuries and were not transported to the hospital.
The crash closed southbound Highway 29 for about an hour, and the northbound lanes were closed for a brief period for the helicopter.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Molino, Cantonment, and McDavid stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue responded, along with Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
AAA: Florida Gas Prices Are Slightly Higher Than A Week Ago
June 2, 2025
Florida gas prices are slightly more expensive than last week, according to AAA. The state average on Sunday was $3.09 per gallon. A week ago, it was $3.075 per gallon.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County on Sunday night was $2.83. A North Escambia low price of $2.75 was available at two stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
“Oil prices have remained stable for the past two weeks,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “This should enable Florida gas prices to remain within the same 20-cent range they’ve cycled in for the better part of the past year.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Free Summer Lunch Program For Youth Begins Today At The Library
June 2, 2025
The free summer lunch program program for youth at West Florida Public Libraries began June 2 at all locations.
West Florida Public Libraries will be serving free lunch for youth 18 years of age and younger at all library locations Monday through Friday from noon until 1 p.m. A special rural grab-and-go version of the program will be available at the Century and Molino library locations during the same time period.
Disabled individuals 19 years of age and older who participate in a public or private non-profit program during the school year are also eligible to receive meals. This program is sponsored by Feeding the Gulf Coast.
Congratulations Class Of 2025! Celebrate With A Look Back At Hundreds Of Photos
June 1, 2025
Congratulations to the Class of 2025!
As we celebrate your successes, let’s look back at all the great photos.
NorthEscambia.com attended the graduation ceremonies for the three high schools located in North Escambia, publishing photo galleries with hundreds of photos and posting complete graduate lists for each of the schools.
Escambia Westgate School
The Escambia Westgate School Class of 2025 graduated May 19, and “you are champions” was the message from Escambia County Public Schools Deputy Superintendent Shenna Payne.
Tate High School
Over 500 members of the Tate High School Class of 2025 graduated on May 27 at the Pensacola Bay Center as valedictorian Talia Bethany Smith encouraged her classmates to “to truly embrace what is ahead, not with fear but with courage and curiosity”
- For the list of Tate High School graduates, click here.
- For a photo gallery from the Tate graduation, click here.
- For a second photo gallery from Tate, click here.
Northview High School
Northview High School Class of 2025 valedictorian told his 106 fellow classmates that “time is limited in this world; enjoy the time you get.; but most importantly, do something good with it.”
- For a list of Northview High School graduates, click here.
- For a photo gallery from the Northview graduation, click here.
- For a second photo gallery from Northview, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Elementary Names Students Of The Month
June 1, 2025
Jim Allen Elementary School named their May Students of the Month. They are Lyla Rae Bradley (pictured left) and Penelope Clyburn. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
It’s The First Day Of Hurricane Season. Here’s The List Of 2025 Storm Names.
June 1, 2025
June 1 was the first day of hurricane season, and Escambia County is urging residents to remain prepared before, during and after a storm during hurricane season by stocking up on seven days’ worth of supplies, otherwise known as being “One Week Ready.”
“Each hurricane season, we stress the importance of being ‘one week ready,’ meaning it’s important to have seven days’ worth of supplies to get you and your family through the aftermath of a hurricane,” said Emergency Manager Travis Tompkins. “Items should include bottled water, non-perishable food, spare batteries, flashlights, a hand-crank radio and other essential items.”
NOAA’s outlook for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which goes from June 1 to November 30, predicts a 30% chance of a near-normal season, a 60% chance of an above-normal season, and a 10% chance of a below-normal season.
Here’s a list of the 2025 Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Names
Escambia Man, 69, Charged With Molesting Two Santa Rosa Girls
June 1, 2025
A 69-year old Escambia County man is facing charges for allegedly molesting two underage girls in Santa Rosa County.
James Philmore Phillips, age 69 of Waterford Lane, was arrested May 23 in Escambia County before being transferred to the Santa Rosa County Jail.
Phillips is charged with two counts of molestation or a victim less than 12 years of age.
Phillips was observed on a living room security camera molesting two girls, according to an arrest report. The report notes that Phillips was regularly providing childcare for the girls. Investigators said the girls told deputies about other similar incidents in the past.
The report states Phillips denied the allegations, but deputies said his statement was “contradicted by the video.”
These Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Down Spots
June 1, 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:
- Garden Street (Business U.S. 98) Construction from Pace Boulevard to the Interstate 110 (I-110) Ramp – The week of Sunday, June 1, drivers may encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- Garden Street, between Pace Boulevard and N. Donelson Street, is reduced to two travel lanes (one in each direction), as crews perform construction activities on the south side of the street. This temporary traffic configuration will be in place through early 2026.
- Temporary side street closures south of Garden Street, from B Street to J Street, as crews perform utility and stormwater management enhancements.
- On-street parking is closed on the south side of Garden Street, between B Street and L Street. Additionally, periodic on-street parking closures will occur on Garden Street, between A Street and Alcaniz Street, for sidewalk and crosswalk improvements.
- Signage will be in place to direct drivers and pedestrians around the work zone.
- Michigan Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 296) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) – The week of Sunday, June 1, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Michigan Avenue, from Mobile Highway to North Palafox Street, between 7 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:
- Intermittent I-10 inside lane closures near the Nine Mile Road interchange, Sunday, June 1 through Thursday, June 5, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
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- Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps, Sunday, June 1 through Friday, June 6, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. 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 – The week of Sunday, June 1, drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- The U.S. 29 southbound turn lane access to the I-10 eastbound on-ramp will be temporarily shortened Monday, June 2 through Thursday, June 5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The reduced turn-lane length is required for daytime construction activities and will reopen nightly from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m.
- 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.
- I-10 Resurfacing from East of Shoal River Bridge to West of S.R. 285 – Drivers will encounter alternating nighttime lane closures west and eastbound between mile markers 59 and 70, Sunday, June 1 through Thursday, June 5 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Crews will be paving the roadway.
- Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – The week of Sunday, June 1, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures and periodic detours on Pine Forest Road, from Mobile Highway to Blue Angel Parkway, between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., for milling and paving operations. Signage will be in place to direct drivers around 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, June 1 through Thursday, June 5, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for shoulder work and placement of thermoplastic striping.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – Drivers on U.S. 90 may encounter intermittent lane closures over the Simpson River Bridge, Sunday, June 1 through Thursday, June 5, 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.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing, from south of East Bay Boulevard (County Road 399) to Vonnie Tolbert Road – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on S.R. 87, from East Bay Boulevard to Vonnie Tolbert Road, Monday, June 2 through Friday, June 6, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., for milling and paving operations.
- S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) Bridge Rehabilitation over Garcon Point Bridge – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, June 2 through Friday, June 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 a.m. for construction activities.
- 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, June 1, through Friday, June 6, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
- I-10 Resurfacing Eastbound near Exit 31 (S.R. 87) – Motorists will encounter intermittent eastbound lane closures between Miller Bluff overpass and Garnier’s Landing overpass on I-10 Sunday, June 1 through Thursday, June 5 from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. for paving operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.