Tate Graduate Recognized As ‘Warfighter of the Day’ Aboard USS George Washington
March 19, 2024
Airman Evan Straight, a Tate High School graduate, was recognized as Warfighter of the Day aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, USS George Washington.
Warfighter of the Day is a command program where the ship’s captain personally recognizes an exemplary sailor for their accomplishments. Straight was selected by leadership for this honor. His motivation is always inspiring to his peers and represents the “Spirit of Freedom,” the ship’s nickname.
Straight, a 2022 graduate of Tate High School, joined the Navy over a year ago.
“I am proud of the hard work I’ve done to be able to get qualified in my job,” said Straight. “One day, I’d like to be a great role model for my kids.”
Aircraft carriers, such as USS George Washington, project power and presence worldwide by serving as the cornerstone of a Carrier Strike Group and launching and landing various types of aircraft.
George Washington is undergoing a refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipyard. RCOH is a multi-year project performed during a carrier’s 50-year service life that includes refueling the ship’s two nuclear reactors, as well as significant repairs, upgrades and modernization.
USS George Washington is named after the first president of the United States.
The ship’s motto is “First in War, First in Peace.”
Pictured: Airman Evan Straight, right, receives his Warfighter of the Day certificate from Capt. Brent Gaut, commanding officer of USS George Washington (CVN 73). US Navy Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
With Two Avery Stuckey Homers, Northview Blanks Escambia 15-0
March 19, 2024
With two home runs from Avery Stuckey, the Northview Chiefs blanked the Escambia Gators 15-0 Monday night in Pensacola.
Stuckey had a solo home run in the seond inning and had a three-RBI homer to left centerfield in the third inning.
Jamison Gilman started in the circle for the Chiefs, allowing two hits and no runs in two innings, striking out three and recording no walks. Mikayla McAnally threw an inning in relief, allowing no hits and no runs while striking out three.
Kyleee Langham went 3-3 at bat for the Lady Chiefs. Gilman, Chloe Ragsdale, and Riley Brooks each had multiple hits for NHS.
The Chiefs earned win in a run-ruled three innings.
Pictured above: Avery Stuckey hit two home runs for the Northview as the Chiefs beat the Escambia Gators 15-0 Monday night. Pictured below: Riley Brooks, who went 2-3, celebrates with Stuckey. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Beats Yukon, OK, Monday Night On Day One Of Aggie Classic
March 19, 2024
The host Tate Aggies earned one for the win column in their first game of the 29th Aggie Classic.
The Aggies beat the Millers of Yukon, Oklahoma, 5-2 in Cantonment.
Neal Croom earned the win on the mound for Tate, giving up four hits and a couple of runs in two innings while striking out five and recording no walks. Nate Conners collected the save in two innings, allowing one hit and striking out three.
Bray Touchstone and Madox Land each had two hits for Tate Ketch King,Clif Quiggins, Connor Hassell, and Brayden Beck each drove in one run for the Aggies.
In their second Game of the Aggie Classic, Tate will face the Maroons of Perry, Oklahoma, Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Cantonment.
W.S. Neal Defeats Northview 2-1 (With Gallery)
March 19, 2024
W.S Neal 3, Northview 2
The W.S. Neal Eagles of East Brewton pulled ahead late in the seventh inning to defeat the Northview Chiefs 3-2 on a cold night in Bratt.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
With feels-like temperatures in the middle 40s and winds gusting over 30 mph, Jackson Bridges was hot for the Chiefs on the pitcher’s mound, striking out 11 batters while giving up no hits and one run in five innings while walking four. Gayden Sheffiled took the loss for the Chiefs, allowing one hit and two runs while strikeout seven and walking four over two innings.
Brady Smith went 4-4 for the Chiefs at the plate with one RBI. Northview’s other run came on a sacrifice bunt from Colby Pugh. Sheffield, Wyatt Scruggs, Jase Portwood and Dane King each had a hit.
The Chiefs will host Pensacola Christian Academy on Tuesday.
Northview 7, W.S. Neal 1 (JV)
The Northview High School junior varsity defeated W.S. Neal 7-1 Monday afternoon in Bratt.
Gage Harrison earned the win for Northview in five innings. He allowed just one hit and one run while striking out 10 and walking one.
Will Strawbridge went 3-3 with three RBIs for the Chiefs with singles in the first, third and fourth innings. Harrison, Kobi Fiorenti, Tyer Gilmore and Jack Boutwell each added a hit for NHS.
The Chiefs will host Pensacola Christian Academy on Tuesday.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Asked For Nothing, Received Nothing In New State Budget. Last Year, It Was $1.885 Million.
March 18, 2024
During the 2023 session, the Florida Legislature appropriated nearly $2 million in funding for two major requests by the Town of Century. But the $117 billion 2024-25 state budget includes nothing specifically for the town after the mayor asked for nothing.
Last fall, local governments presented their state funding requests to the Escambia County Legislative Delegation — Sen. Doug Broxson, State Rep. Alex Andrade and State Rep. Michelle Salzman.
In October 2023, Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. addressed the delegation, thanking them for millions in state funding that has gone to projects in Century, including a bridge replacement, wastewater treatment plant repairs and repairs to a failed water well serving the state prison.
Gomez did not ask for any additional funding in the 2024 state budget. Instead, Broxson told Gomez that the town may need to be unchartered and taken over by Escambia County due to an ongoing problem of low tax base and needs that are “very great”.
Broxson said he had been dealing with Century during 14 years in the legislature, and the town’s tax base is low while needs are “very great”.
$1.885 Million Last Year
The town and then-mayor Ben Boutwell asked the local legislative delegation to fund two projects, one of which was fully approved and the other half-funded.
The 2023-24 state budget included $1.885 million for replacement of the Freedom Road Bridge in Century and half the money needed to replace a failed town water well serving the Century Correctional Institution.
The funding included $1,257,000 to replace a Town of Century bridge on Freedom Road with no required local matching funds.
On January 29, 2020, the town suddenly closed the bridge on Freedom Road, just east of Jefferson Avenue. Photos obtained by NorthEscambia.com a few days later showed the dangerous conditions that led to the emergency closure. Several pilings under the wooden bridge were no longer properly supporting the structure, and some of the pilings were split or had extreme deterioration.
The closure turned Freedom Road into a cul-de-sac with one way in and one way out for residents, including the Camellia Gardens apartment complex.
The 2023-24 budget included $628,500 to replace the Town of Century’s Well No. 3, which exclusively serves Century Correctional Institution, half of the $1.297 million that was requested.
After multiple problems, the well suffered a catastrophic failure during the summer of 2022 and no longer provided water to the prison for staff and inmates. A shaft shattered into a dozen or more pieces and fell to the bottom of the well.
Neither of the projects have been completed.
Scammers Targeting Owners Of Lost Pets, Claiming To Be Escambia Shelter
March 18, 2024
Scammers are targeting Escambia County residents with lost pets, claiming to be the county animal shelter and asking for money.
The Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare has received reports of fraudulent text and social media messages to the public from persons claiming to represent Animal Welfare staff. These messages are being targeted to citizens with lost pets, claiming their pet has been brought to the shelter and asking for money in order to retrieve the pet or asking for access to their virtual assistant devices.
“These messages are not legitimate and are not associated with Escambia County and the Department of Animal Welfare,” the county said.
Animal Welfare staff will never ask for funds to be sent digitally to redeem a pet or access to a personal item. Redemption fees will be calculated at the time of redemption and paid in person. A list of animal welfare service fees is available here.
If your pet is missing, check 24petconnect.com under your zip code and the “Escambia County Florida Animal Services” location. Please visit the shelter in person to identify your missing pet. The shelter is located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive and is open Monday-Friday, 12-5 p.m., and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Baseball This Week: It’s Time For The 29th Annual Aggie Classic
March 18, 2024
It’s time for the 29th annual Aggie Classic.
There will be over a dozen teams from across playing at five different host sites in two counties this week, all hoping to take home the Aggie Classic championship.
At 7 p.m. each evening, the host Tate Aggies will host Yukon, Oklahoma, on Monday; Perry Oklahoma at Tuesday; and Blanchard, Oklahoma on Wednesday.
The complete schedule for Monday through Wednesday is above for the entire tournament, just click to enalrge.
Daily entry fee is $7, or a tournament pass is $25. Cash and Venmo accepted at the gate. Regular season passed will not be acepted.
The winners will advance to games on Thursday.
In the past decade, the Aggies claimed the title in 2016, 2019 and 2022. (The tourney was canceled in 2020 and 2021.) Last year, the Pace Patriots claimed the Aggie Classic crown.
We will have coverage this week on NorthEscambia.com.
Traffic: Here’s Where To Expect Construction Delays This Week
March 18, 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:
- State Road (S.R.) 196 (Bayfront Parkway) Maritime De Luna Youth Duathlon – Drivers will encounter a road closure from Tarragona Street to Salamanca Street Sunday, March 17 from 7:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. for the Maritime De Luna Youth Duathlon.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Northbound and southbound traffic on U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) is shifted to one outside travel lane in each direction between Rudolph Street and Green Street. The shift will be in place through the spring as crews perform drainage improvements. Signage is in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- County Road (C.R.) 4 over Canoe Creek Bridge – C.R. 4, between Byrneville and Bratt, will be closed through fall 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.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (S.R. 296) – Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- The left turn lane from Pace Boulevard to Massachusetts Avenue is permanently closed. Signs are in place to direct drivers traveling on Palafox Street to Pace Boulevard.
- The left turn lane from Palafox Street northbound to Pace Boulevard and Massachusetts Avenue is permanently closed. Signage is in place to direct drivers traveling northbound on U.S. 29 destined for Massachusetts Avenue or Pace Boulevard.
- Scenic Highway (U.S. 90), from north of Interstate 10 (I-10) to Davis Highway –Drivers on Scenic Highway, between I-10 and Davis Highway, may encounter nighttime alternating lane closures Sunday, March 17 through Thursday, March 21 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews mill and pave the roadway. Flaggers will be present to safely guide drivers through the work zone.
- S.R. 297 Turn Lane Operations near Mandeville Lane – Motorists will encounter alternating lane closures Wednesday, March 20 and Thursday, March 21 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for turn lane operations.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- U.S. 90 Resurfacing from west of S.R. 281/Avalon Boulevard to east of S.R. 87/Stewart Street in Milton - Drivers may encounter right turn lane closures on U.S. 90 eastbound, between McDonalds and CVS, Sunday, March 17 through Thursday, March 21 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews widen the turn lanes.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Traffic Stop Outside Church Leads To Drug Arrest
March 18, 2024
A traffic stop led to the arrest of an Escambia County man on drug charges outside a local church.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies attempted a traffic stop at Pinestead Road and Pensacola Boulevard for a traffic violation. The driver pulled into a nearby church parking lot, but before deputies made contact, he tried to drive off. Deputies blocked the suspect’s car from leaving the lot, at which time the suspect fled the vehicle on foot.
After a short foot pursuit, deputies apprehended the driver, later identified as 34-year old Larry Ashley. During the apprehension, a bag containing methamphetamine was located. K-9 Hura then searched the suspect’s vehicle and located another bag of methamphetamine (totaling over 20 grams).
Ashley was arrested for trafficking methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a place of worship with intent to deliver the substance to another, tampering with evidence, resisting an officer without violence, and possession of marijuana.
Florida Gas Price Up An Average Of 10 Cents Over Last Week
March 18, 2024
Florida gas prices sprung higher last week. The state average rose 10 cents, setting a new 2024 high of $3.48 per gallon on Friday. Sunday’s state average was $3.47 a gallon.
The average per gallon price in Escambia County was $3.28. In North Escambia, a low of $3.19 could be found Sunday night at stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment. In Pensacola, the low price at $3.07 at one station on Pine Forest Road.
The U.S. price of crude rose 4% last week, reportedly due to concerns over Ukraine’s attacks on Russian refineries. Thursday’s closing price of $81.26/b was the highest since Halloween. Meanwhile, gasoline futures jumped 19 cents last week, finishing 11 cents higher than the previous 2024 high. The increase is reportedly driven by weekly domestic gasoline supply numbers that were lower than the market expected.