Escambia Commission Approves Exclusive Two Week OLF-8 Contract Negotiations With Beulah Town Center
February 23, 2024
The Escambia County Commission voted unanimously Thursday to enter into two weeks of contract term negotiations with developer Beulah Town Center, LLC for 290 acres of OLF-8 on Nine Mile Road in Beulah.
During the meeting, Beulah Town Center’s Fred Hemmer introduced Rob Ahrens, a principal with Metro Development of Tampa.
“We know the quality of work that they do,” Hammer said of Metro, described as one of the largest master plan developers in the United States.
“We don’t do strip centers. That’s not how we are going to make a community successful,” Ahren said.
Ahearns said his firm focuses on communities following master plans along with providing amenities for residents.
The motion by District 1 Commissioner Bergosh was to give Beulah Town Center exclusively two weeks to bring back their best and highest final offer. To date, they’ve offered $20 million dollars for 290 of the 500-plus acres of land.
Another company, Precision Capital, has offered $21 million for 290 acres.
The county administrator and attorney can still receive any other offers during the two week period.
The commission is reserving ownership of 250 acres for economic development.
Northview Chiefs Beat Pensacola Catholic 12-2 (With Gallery)
February 23, 2024
With eight runs in the third inning, the Northview Chiefs easily defeated the Pensacola Catholic Crusaders 12-2 Tuesday night in Bratt.
Jamison Gilman earned the win for the Lady Chiefs, giving up one hit and two runs in five innings.
Kylie Langham had an over the fence homer for the Chiefs, and Mikayla McAnnally had an in-park home run.
Chloe Ragsdale, Jamison Gilman, Mary Clayton Dawson, and Daviona Randolph each had added a hit for Northview.
The Chiefs had no errors in the field.
Northview will host J.U. Blacksher of Uriah, Alabama, next Monday.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Farm Auction Is Saturday
February 23, 2024
The 47th Annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club Farm Equipment Auction will be held Saturday, February 24, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
The auction includes not only farm equipment, but also household items like tools and small equipment, lawn and garden items, antiques and more.
The sale takes place at the Walnut Hill Community Center, 7850 Highway 97, just north of Ernest Ward Middle School. The deadline for adding lots is 8:00 the morning of the auction.
This is an open, no reserve sale. Ten percent of the final price will be assessed to the buyer for all lots sold, with a $500 maximum. There is a $5 minimum fee per lot, and sellers must be present to “no sale” a lot. Settlement must be made the day of the sale with cash, check, cashier’s check or credit card. All sellers will be paid by a check in the mail.
For more information or consignments, call (850) 324-3358.
Pictured: Hundreds attended the annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club 2023 farm equipment auction. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Lady Aggies Down Navarre 2-1 On 2 RBI Kara Wine Homer
February 23, 2024
The Tate Aggiest defeated Navarre 2-1 in a Thursday night district game.
The Aggies were first on the board at Charlene Varnell Field in Cantonment with a center field home run from Kara Wine, scoring two runs.
Jordan Smith earned the win for Tate, allowing one hit and one run while striking out two and walking one over five innings. Kate Balagbagen threw a couple of innings in relief for the Lady Aggies, allowing no hits and no runs.
Olivea Latner went 2-3 forTate, while Tristen Showalter, Amburleight Laird, and Blakely Campbell had one hit each.
The Lady Aggies will be at Pine Forest on Friday.
Also Thursday night, Tate JV defeated Navarree 15-0.
Photo by Dellaina O’Donovan for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FFA Week: Drive Your Tractor To School Day (With Photo Gallery)
February 23, 2024
Jay High School held their annual “Drive Your Tractor To School Day!” on Thursday.
It’s an annual part of the Jay FFA’s celebration of National FFA Week.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Serious Injuries In North Highway 99 Crash
February 22, 2024
There were no serious injuried reported in a single vehicle wreck near Bratt Thursday afternoon.
The driveer of a sedan lost control and left the roadway on North Highway 99 south of Breastworks Road abotu 1:30 p.m. The vehicle then struck a tree.
Photo for NothEscambia.com, click to enalrge.
Two Found Murdered In Escambia County; ECSO Questioning Victims’ Grandson
February 22, 2024
UPDATE (3:29 PM): ECSO deputies have located the grandson and he has been taken into custody.
Two people were found murdered at a home in Escambia County Thursday afternoon. and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking to question the victims’ grandson.
Deputies responded to Greenbrier Boulevard near Sugar Creek Drive, just east of the intersection of Guidy Lane and East 10 Mile Road, about 12:40 p.m. and located a male and female deceased inside the residence.
“We are currently investigating this as a double homicide, and are looking to speak to the grandson, 24-year-old Jordon Dominique King. Please do not approach him, call law enforcement,” Sheriff Chip W. Simmons said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
No additional information has been released as a homicide investigation continues.
Cellular Outage Impacts Customers Across U.S.
February 22, 2024
Cellular customers nationwide are reporting Thursday that their service is down, according to DownDetector.com and national reports.
“Some of our customers are experiencing wireless service interruptions this morning. We are working urgently to restore service to them. We encourage the use of Wi-Fi calling until service is restored,” AT&T said in a statement.
“Verizon’s network is operating normally. Some customers experienced issues this morning when calling or texting with customers served by another carrier. We are continuing to monitor the situation,” Verizon said
“Our network is operating normally. Down Detector is likely reflecting challenges our customers were having attempting to connect to users on other networks,” T-Mobile said.
Residents in Escambia County who use AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, UScellular and Consumer Cellular may experience difficulty calling 9-1-1, the county said in a news release.
Residents are encouraged to use the following options to reach 9-1-1:
- Use a landline, if available.
- Try using another cell carrier, if available.
- Use Wi-Fi calling, if possible.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
High Speed Chase Ends With Car Crash On Molino Road (With Gallery)
February 22, 2024
A high speed chase ended with a crash on Molino Road Wednesday afternoon.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Florida Highway Patrol pursued a 2023 silver Audi S4 northbound on Highway 29 to Molino. The chase ended with a crash on Molino Road near Sunshine Hill Road about 2:45 p.m.
The incident began when an 18-year old from Wisconsin committed a hit and run crash on Highway 29 at Burgess Road, according to FHP Lt. Jason King, where trooper were invstigating a stolen car as a seperate incident. FHP sais troopers witnessed the crash.
As troopers attempted to catch up to the vehicle, a FHP aircraft followed it up Oleander Avenue to Palafaox to Highway 29. The vehicle traveled on and off I-10 twice to Nine Mile Road and Pinecone. During the pursuit, the Audi struck a vehicle on I-10, but there were no injuries.
The pursuit ended when troopers performed a PIT maneuver on Molino Road. King said the driver was taken into custody and was transported by Escambia County EMS to a local emergency room for evaluation.
A trooper reportedly crashed in the area of Sunshine Hill Road and Sunshine Hill Court during the pursuit but was not seriously injured.
Noel Almargo Petonquot, 18 of Rhinelander, Wisconsin, was charged with multiple offenses, including aggravated fleeing and eluding with injury or damage, multiple counts of hit and run, driving while suspended or revoked and reckless driving.
For more photos, click or tap here.
FHP said charges are pending.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Winning Fantasy 5 Ticket Worth Over $26,000 Sold At Nine Mile Road Publix
February 22, 2024
Someone is over $26,000 richer today after purchasing a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket at a Publix on Nine Mile Road.
The Quick Pick ticket sold at the Publix at the corner of Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road was one of two winning tickets in the February 20 midday drawing. The other winning ticket was sold in Sarasota.
The midday winning numbers were 4-20-25-26-28.