Driver’s License, Tag, Tax Collector Services This Week In Walnut Hill, Century
July 15, 2024
Driver’s license and other tax collector services will be available in Walnut Hill and Century this week.
The Escambia County Tax Collector will be at the:
Walnut Hill Community Center on Wednesday, July 17 from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 17 from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Walnut Hill Community Center.
- Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century on Thursday, July 18 from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
Mobile Licensing and Identification Office (MILO) is a fully functional tax collector office on wheels, offering a range of services. The mobile unit provides a convenient method to renew a driver license, obtain a replacement driver license, conversion/reciprocation of out-of-state license, change a name or address on a current driver license or identification card, and get a first-time identification card. In addition to licensing services, the mobile unit also provides an opportunity to renew or replace a vehicle registration, receive a parking placard, transfer a title, pay property taxes, and apply for a business tax receipt. Written and driving tests are not available from the MILO unit.
The Walnut Hill Community Center, also known as the “Ruritan Building”, is at 7850 Highway 97, just north of Ernest Ward Middle School and the fire department.
Pictured: The Escambia Tax Collector’s MILO at the Walnut Hill Community Center on June 11. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Hold Steady Over Last Week
July 15, 2024
Florida gas prices held steady on average over the last week.
Florida’s average was $3.51, unchanged from a week ago and up nearly a quarter over the last month.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $3.23, up a penny from one week ago. In Pensacola, a low of $3.02 was available Sunday night at a station on East Nine Mile Road, and North Escambia was as low as $3.05 at a station on South Highway 29.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Register Now For Northview Chiefs Football Camp
July 15, 2024
Northview Football will host a Youth Football Camp July 18-19 from 5-7 p.m. each evening.
Camp attendees will play and learn from Northview coaching staff and players.
Pre-registration is $50 or register day of the camp for $60. A t-shirt is included for all campers.
Activities Include:
- Position Drills – Learn proper technique for each camper’s position.
- Agility Drills – Learn different footwork, speed, and ball catching drills.
- Offensive/Defensive Groups – Learn how to run different formations and plays.
- Tackling – Learn blocking and safe tackling techniques.
- Chief Ball – Fun team competition at the end of camp.
Pre-register using Venmo to the NHS Quarterback Club @NarthviewHS-Chiefs
Cash or check payable to Northview High School accepted on the day of the camp.
Wahoos Drop Back-and-Forth Road Finale
July 15, 2024
written by Carter Bainbridge
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (49-37) fell to the Rocket City Trash Pandas (43-43) in a tightly contested road series finale on Sunday afternoon.
Riding the momentum of six consecutive wins, the Wahoos took an immediate first-inning lead. A two-out fielding error by Rocket City left fielder Orlando Martinez opened the door for Pensacola designated hitter Zach Zubia, who belted his second home run of the series to put the Wahoos ahead 2-0.
Pensacola struggled for additional offense against Rocket City starter Chase Chaney, who settled into a rhythm throughout a four-inning outing. Meanwhile, the Trash Pandas chipped away against Blue Wahoos starter Jonathan Bermúdez (6.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K). In the bottom of the third, a pair of Trash Panda singles and a passed ball set up second baseman Arol Vera, who hit a sacrifice fly to score center fielder Nelson Rada and cut the Wahoos’ lead to 2-1.
In the Rocket City fourth, two walks and a single loaded the bases for catcher Myles Emmerson, who swatted his second of four hits on the day to score two runs and give the Trash Pandas a 3-2 lead. Neither team would score again until the seventh when Pensacola third baseman Dalvy Rosario hit his first home run of the year off Rocket City righthander Brett Kerry (W, 1-0) to tie the game 3-3.
In the top of the ninth, Pensacola had an opportunity to take a late lead but stranded two runners aboard. In the bottom of the ninth, righthander Raffi Vizcaíno (L, 4-3) ran into early trouble. Rocket City third baseman Eric Wagaman led off the inning with a check-swing single into right, then advanced to second on a fielding error by Wahoos right fielder Jacob Berry. Right fielder Tucker Flint then reached base on a third-strike wild pitch. With runners at the corners and nobody out, Vizcaíno struck out the next two batters before allowing a walk-off single to Nelson Rada.
The 4-3 defeat snaps the Wahoos’ six-game winning streak and an 11-game winning streak at Toyota Field. Despite the loss, Pensacola ends the week with a 5-1 road series victory.
The Blue Wahoos return home on Friday, July 19 to face the Mississippi Braves. First pitch from Blue Wahoos Stadium is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
Walnut Hill Man Was The Boss Of The Pensacola Beach Air Show. Here’s A Behind The Scenes Look.
July 14, 2024
A Walnut Hill man was the boss of it all at the Pensacola Beach Air Show.
The air boss.
The air boss controls the schedule for all the aerial acts, mass formations, high-speed jet demonstrations and pyrotechnics at every show.
Air Boss Paul Entrekin has the primary responsibility for coordinating all air show operations within the demonstration area and plays a critical role in ensuring a safe, efficient, and entertaining air show every year. All of this while also meeting the latest standard air show regulations.
And he’s been doing it for 31 years.
“I’m sort of the ringmaster of the circus or the orchestra leader if you will. I’m the one that holds the baton while everyone else makes beautiful music,” Entrekin said from his home in Walnut Hill. “I’m the guy that’s responsible for the safety of flight of all the performers, making sure they’re safe in the air and that all our spectators are safe on the ground.”
“If everything goes smoothly and according to plan it’s very simple. But when we have unexpected issues, such as intruders in the air space, or any number of mechanical or physiological issues with the pilots, then things get ramped up a little bit and that’s where I have to earn my bacon as it were.”
“It’s fun. It’s a lot of fun. I’ve been doing it for such a long time now, it’s second nature, and I work with a really, really good cadre of individuals,” he said. “The civilian performers at the Santa Rosa Island Authority hires are top-notch folks, and of course, the Blues. Nobody does it better than they do.”
For the Pensacola Beach Air Show, he has a bird’s eye view of the beach right at the center of the show on a scissor lift about 30 feet in the air with a multitude of communications devices that allow him to talk to beach rescue responders, the Coast Guard or talk to the planes that are flying — except for the Blue Angels.
He said with both the Navy’s Blue Angels and the Air Force Thunderbirds, they operate on their own discrete UHF frequency.
“No one, and I mean no one including the air boss is allowed. We can monitor that frequency, but we’re not allowed to, to talk or say a single word on that frequency. If, if for example, I saw something that needed to be communicated to the boss, Number 8 (the events coordinator) and I are in very close proximity and I would tell Number 8 that we have a situation where I need for them to terminate maneuver. He would then relay that to the maintenance officer or Mo. And Mo is the only one that has direct calm with the boss. And he would say, hey boss, we’ve got this situation needs to be to terminate after this maneuver is safe and complete.”
“The exception to that is if I call a ‘knock it off’. A knock it off is a safety of flight issue that means stop what you are doing this very second. I would pass my knock it off to Number 8 who would pass it to the Mo,” he said. “They would stop what they’re doing, and they would orbit and then we talk it about it later.”
Even after three decades, there’s one special moment in the Blue Angels’ performance that is still his favorite.
“When they cross at center point where timing and altitude are absolutely critical. And they are their own worst critics. They scrutinize down to the nth degree, and there is no such thing as a perfect show. They are always striving to do it just a little bit better. When from my vantage point, when I see what’s an almost perfect hit, meaning that the solos have arrived at center point at exactly the same time at the perfect altitude.”
“When it looks like just a tremendously close call usually that makes me grin. I like that part of the show best, he said.
Interest in the Blue Angels is up this year following “The Blue Angels” movie on Amazon Prime. And Entrekin says it’s actually a great movie that accurately represents our hometown Blue Angels.
“”I thought it was great. (Producer) Greg Wooldridge was one of my favorite bosses of the teams back in the day and he was an executive producer for that, and I think he did a fantastic job,” he said about the movie. “His fingerprints were all over the thing, and you could really tell that an insider had steered the production of that film. And so, I thought it was very well done.”
A 1976 graduate of Auburn University, Entrekin was commissioned as a U.S. Marine Corps officer in 1977 and designated a Naval Aviator in 1980. During his military career he became carrier qualified, flying both rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft. He was an instructor pilot until leaving active duty in 1986 and then retained reserve status with the Defense Intelligence Agency as a clandestine operative until retiring after Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in 1991.
No stranger to the air show world nor pushing boundaries, Entrekin soon was nicknamed “The Bandit,” after becoming the first civilian pilot to own and fly a Russian MiG aircraft. He founded Entrekin Aviation as a full-time air show pilot in 1986. He holds multiple U.S. and world airspeed records and is recognized on the National Aviation and Space Exploration Wall of Honor.
Entrekin also flew for Delta Air Lines for 30 years before his retirement, and over the years has authored a number of books including, “Mighty Hands,” his bestseller “Mr. MiG,” and his most recent children’s book entitled, “Jasper and the Christmas Faeries” set at his Walnut Hill ranch.
Pictured top: Pensacola Beach Air Show Air Boss Paul Entrekin. Pictured below: Paul Entrekin and his wife Lisa discuss their book “Jasper and the Christmas Faeries” with NorthEscambia.com just before a recent Christmas holiday. NorthEscambia.com and submitted photo, click to enlarge.
Photos: Blue Angels Wow Crowds At Saturday Air Show
July 14, 2024
The Pensacola Beach Air Show was delayed by weather for about an hour Saturday afternoon.
The Blue Angels took the skies over the beach about an hour late due to threat of rain and lightning.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell and Nikki Purvis, click to enlarge.
Photos: Cat Cafe Kitten Adoptions Offered At Century Branch Library
July 14, 2024
The Century Library hosted a Cat Cafe Saturday with the Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare.
It was the e purr-fect opportunity for library patrons to meet several kittens a relaxed and welcoming environment.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Escambia animal shelter is offering free adoptions for cats and dogs one year or older through Wednesday, July 31. Puppies are available for $50 and kittens are $25. An $11 licensing fee will be applied to all adoptions for Escambia County residents. 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.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
These Are The Road Construction Spots To Watch This Week
July 14, 2024
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 – Scenic Highway will be closed just north of Manolete Street beginning at 6 a.m. Sunday, July 14 through Thursday, Aug. 1 as crews reconstruct a portion of the roadway. During the closure, drivers will be detoured using Langley Avenue, Spanish Trail and Summit Boulevard. Signage will be in place to direct drivers through the detour.
- Interstate Circle Bridge Over Eight Mile Creek – Interstate Circle is closed at the bridge over Eight Mile Creek through mid-2025 as crews replace the Eight Mile Creek bridge. Signage is in place to direct drivers around the work zone using Pine Forest Road, Longleaf Drive and Wymart Road.
- I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures on I-10 near the U.S. 29 interchange Sunday, July 14 through Thursday, July 18 between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Crews will be placing concrete barrier wall.
- I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) – Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts as crews perform paving operations, barrier wall installation and bridge demolition activities:
- Inside lane closures on I-10 near Exit 5, Sunday, July 14 through Thursday, July 18 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Outside lane closures on I-10 near Exit 5 Wednesday, July 17 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Inside lane closures on Nine Mile Road between the I-10 ramps, Sunday, July 14 through Thursday, July 18, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
- County Road (C.R.) 4 over Canoe Creek Bridge – C.R. 4, between Byrneville and Bratt, will be closed through late 2024 as crews replace the Canoe Creek bridge. Traffic is directed through a 5.6-mile detour using Bratt Road to Pine Barren Road, then back to C.R. 4.
- U.S. 98 (East Garden Street) Routine Maintenance at Intersection with North Tarragona Street – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, July 15 through Saturday, July 20 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for manhole repairs.
Santa Rosa County:
- State Road (S.R.) 89 Resurfacing, from north of S.R. 87 to C.R. 178 – Drivers will encounter intermittent daytime lane closures, between S.R .87 and C.R. 178, Monday, July 15 through Friday, July 19 as crews perform paving operations.
- 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, July 14, through Friday, July 19, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Wahoos Explode in Extras, Win Sixth Straight
July 14, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
It took 11 innings, but the Pensacola Blue Wahoos extended their winning streak to a season-high six games with a 7-3 win over the Rocket City Trash Pandas on Saturday night.
The Blue Wahoos scored two runs in the tenth and four more in the eleventh to remain undefeated in extra-inning games, improving to a perfect 7-0 when playing beyond regulation.
The game began as a pitchers’ duel, as Rocket City’s Sam Bachman twirled 7.0 shutout innings and Pensacola’s Tristan Stevens countered with 6.0 innings of one-run ball.
On the strength of an Eric Wagaman RBI fielder’s choice in the sixth inning, Rocket City held a 1-0 lead until the eighth. Jakob Marsee began the inning with a single off reliever Eric Torres, then advanced to second before stealing third and scoring on a wild pitch to tie the game 1-1.
Anderson Pilar and Matt Pushard contributed scoreless relief for the Blue Wahoos to send the game to extras, where the Blue Wahoos immediately capitalized to take their first lead. Dalvy Rosario sent an infield chopper to first base, but an errant throw allowed a run to score. Marsee followed with an RBI single to bring home Rosario, putting the Blue Wahoos ahead 3-1.
On for the save, new arrival Woo-Suk Go (W, 1-0) struggled to protect the Pensacola lead. The reliever allowed an RBI double to Nelson Rada and a game-tying squeeze bunt to Mac McCroskey, but dug deep and struck out back-to-back batters with the winning run at second base to send the game to the 11th.
The Pensacola offense wasted no time in reclaiming the lead, as Rosario singled home the go-ahead run off reliever Brady Choban (L, 1-2). Marsee added a sacrifice fly before pinch-hitter Diego Infante singled home two more for a four-run inning and a 7-3 lead. Tyler Eckberg quickly dispatched the Trash Pandas in the bottom half to seal the sixth consecutive Blue Wahoos win.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series against the Trash Pandas on Sunday. First pitch from Toyota Field in Madison, Alabama is scheduled for 4:05 p.m.
Panhandle Dynasty 7U Wins World Series
July 14, 2024
Panhandle Dynasty 7U recently won the 2024 World Series. The champions went undefeated over four days of baseball. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.