Jim Allen Elementary ‘Superheroes’ Celebrate Literacy Week
January 28, 2024
Students at Jim Allen Elementary School unleased their inner superheroes as they celebrated Litaracy Week last week.
For more photos, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Teen Killed In Highway 29, Highway 196 Crash
January 27, 2024
A teen was killed in a crash involving a SUV and semi-truck Friday night near Molino.
A 17-year old male from Arizona in a Kia Soul was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. At least two other people in the Kia were reportedly injured.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the driver of the Kia Soul, a 16-year old from Pensacola, was traveling eastbound on Highway 196 when she stopped at the stop sign at Highway 29 but failed to yield to an oncoming semi-truck. The driver and a 16-year old passenger from Gulf Breeze were seriously injured.
The crash happened just before 9 p.m. on Highway 29 near Highway 196. Both vehicles left the roadway and came to rest in the woodline. The semi truck hit a utility pole, bringing power lines down across the truck’s trailer. Florida Power & Light reported that nearly 200 customers lost power as a result.
The truck driver was not injured.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Former Beulah Elementary Custodian Gets 16 Years For Possessing Child Porn Images And Videos
January 27, 2024
A former Beulah Elementary School custodian has been sentenced to just over 16 years in state prison for possessing child pornography images and videos.
Deantonio Jackson pleaded no contest to 15 counts of possessing photos of child sexual performance. He received 195 months 10 years of sexual offender probation. He also received 10 years probation to run concurrently on additional counts. He received 538 days credit for time served.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children CyberTipline reported to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that two child sexual abuse video files were uploaded to a pornography website and two child sexual abuse images were uploaded to Google Photos.
The uploading IP address was traced to Jackson and his residence at 5829 Last Big Tree Lane. A search warrant was executed at the residence, where at least one child pornography images was found on a memory card concealed in his bedroom.
Jackson was quested at Beulah Elementary School. He stated that he did view child sexual abuse materials one time, allegedly on accident. He told investigators that he viewed adult pornography daily, and also watched adult pornography while siting in his vehicle at the elementary school, his arrest report states.
An analysis of Jackson’s cellphone found over 200 child porn images, “some of which depicted infants, toddlers, and children under the age of five”, the report states.
Investigators said thumbnails on his Google Drive account showed adults engaged in sexual acts. Those images were uploaded from Beulah Elementary School.
Traffic: Here’s Where To Expect Construction Delays Next Week
January 27, 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:
- U.S. 98 Pawdi-Gras Parade Downtown Pensacola – Motorists will encounter a road closure on east and westbound Garden Street and southbound Palafox Street Sunday, Jan. 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the 3rd Annual Pawdi-Gras Parade.
- 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 will be in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- Lillian Highway (State Road (S.R.) 298) Resurfacing from north of U.S. 98 to East of Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727) and Lillian Highway at Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – Drivers will encounter daytime lane closures and intermittent nighttime lane closures, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Monday, Jan. 29 through Friday, Feb. 2 as crews perform concrete and striping work.
- County Road (C.R.) 4 over Canoe Creek Bridge – C.R. 4, between Byrneville and Bratt, will be closed until 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.
- Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Resurfacing from Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) to west of Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) – Drivers may encounter daytime lane closures, between Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road, Monday, Jan. 29 through Friday, Feb. 2 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 3 and Sunday, Feb. 4 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., as crews pave the roadway.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29/S.R. 95) from Cervantes Street (S.R. 10A) to Brent Lane (S.R. 296) – Massachusetts Avenue westbound, between Pace Boulevard and Palafox Street, will be closed permanently beginning Sunday, Jan. 28 as crews begin reconstruction of the area to accommodate a new traffic pattern. Signage will be in place to direct drivers traveling northbound on U.S. 29 destined for Massachusetts Avenue or Pace Boulevard. This closure is part of the new traffic configuration planned for the Massachusetts Avenue/North Palafox Street/North Pace Boulevard intersection.
- U.S. 90 (West Cervantes Street) Routine Underground Utility Maintenance from North Devilliers Street to North Barcelona Street – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Jan. 29 through Saturday, Feb. 10 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for routine underground utility maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- S.R. 87 City of Milton Mardi Gras Parade – Motorists will encounter a road closure between Raymond Hobbs Street and Elva Street Sunday, Jan. 28 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for the City of Milton Mardi Gras Parade.
- 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, Jan. 28, through Friday, Feb. 2, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- Drivers exiting S.R. 281 South will encounter a new traffic configuration as the northbound exit lanes and eastbound exit lanes will be closed at night to perform necessary utility improvements between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 28. This nighttime lane closure will remain in effect for approximately five days. This lane closure will allow crews to install new drainage structures and perform utility improvements. S.R. 281 South will be open during daytime hours. Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians will exit S.R. 281 South via Tiger Park Lane during these nighttime operations. Businesses may experience noise, vibrations, and dust during daytime hours as part of this drainage improvement effort.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River - The outside (right) lane of U.S. 90 eastbound on the Simpson River Bridge will be closed Monday, Jan. 29 through Thursday, Feb. 1 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform construction activities for the new bridge. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph throughout the work zone.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing from Hickory Hammock Road (C.R. 184) to Technology Avenue – Drivers may experience intermittent S.R. 87 single-lane closures, between Hickory Hammock Road and Technology Avenue, Monday, Jan. 29 through Friday, Feb. 2 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. for turn lane construction and paving operations.
- I-10 Westbound at Blackwater River Resurfacing – Drivers will encounter intermittent single-lane closures on I-10 westbound, from the Ward Basin Road on-ramp (exit 28) to the Blackwater River Bridge eastern approach, Sunday, Jan. 28 to Thursday, Feb. 1 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for milling and paving operations. Additionally, the I-10 westbound travel lanes have been shifted slightly toward the inside of the roadway. This configuration is expected to remain in place through February 2024 while crews work in the construction zone behind the barrier wall.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Fatal Ensley Hit And Run Vehicle Recovered
January 27, 2024
The Florida Highway Patrol has recovered the vehicle from a hit and run wreck that claimed the life of a scooter driver at West 9 1/2 Mile Road and Omar Avenue in Ensley Friday night, just west of Highway 29.
Trooper said the vehicle was a 2008 Toyota Prius that was traveling west on 9 1/2 Mile Road when it struck a 34-year old male on an electric scooter. The Prius stopped briefly before fleeing the scene west on 9 1/2 Mile Road.
Troopers did not say if an arrest was made.
FHP has released a possible suspect vehicle photo (above).
Reader submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Cheerleaders Win Regional Championship, Jay Takes Runner-up; Both Advance To State Finals
January 27, 2024
The Tate High School Cheerleaders won the Region 1 Championship and will advance to the state finals on Saturday, February 3 in Lakeland.
Tate took first place in the FHSAA Region 1 Small Varsity division at Port St. Joe High School.
The Jay Royals cheerleaders were named the Region 1 Runner-Ups and will also advance straight to the FHSAA State Finals in Lakeland.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Winning Fantasy 5 Ticket Worth Over $120,000 Sold In Molino
January 26, 2024
Someone is over $120,000 richer today after purchasing a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket in Molino.
The ticket sold at the Molino First Stop on Highway 95A at Molino Road was the only winning ticket in the Thursday evening drawing and is worth $122,318.87
The Thusday evening winning numbers were 1-17-23-26-36
DeSantis Appoints Commissioner Robert Bender as Escambia County Supervisor of Elections
January 26, 2024
Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed county commissioner Robert Bender as Escambia County Supervisor of Elections.
Bender, of Pensacola, is an Escambia County Commissioner, representing District 4. Active in his community, he is a current member of the Florida Association of Counties Board of Directors, the Gulf Consortium Board of Directors, and is the Secretary and Treasurer of the Institute for County Government. Bender earned his bachelor’s degree from Rhodes College and his master’s degree in business administration from Emory University.
Former Escambia County Supervisor Of Elections David Stafford stepped down effective January 15 after 19 years in office to join the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency as an Election Security Advisor
Stafford asked DeSantis to consider appointing his Chief Deputy Supervisor Sonya Daniels to fill the final year of his term.
Rep. Matt Gaetz Announces 2024 Service Academy Nominations
January 26, 2024
Thursday evening, .S. Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL-01) announced his 2024 Service Academy Nominations for Florida’s First Congressional District at Navarre High School, including students from Northview and Tate High schools.
During the event, Rep. Gaetz nominated the following students to the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy:
UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY
- Jesse Burks, Great Mills High School (MD)
- Megan Corcoran, Florida Virtual High School
- Reeve Dwyer, Fort Walton Beach High School
- James Ervin, St. Mary’s Ryken High School (MD)
- Bailey Gable, Choctawhatchee High School
- Benjamin Johnson, Navarre High School
- Jacob Lawrence, West Florida High School
- Benedict Josef Maranon, AFNORTH International School (Netherlands)
- Edward O’Brien, Tate High School
- Alexis Parker, Pace High School
UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY
- Akadian Campbell, Baker High School
- Jhonatan Cardenas, Niceville High School
- Darrell Dunham, Trinitas Christian Academy
- Katelynn Johnson, Navarre High School
- Elizabeth Killman, Niceville High School
- Gabriel Mallard, Vilseck High School (Germany)
- Tanushri Maskar, Northview High School (GA)
- James Olman, Snowshine Homeschool
- Roman Romero, Zama High School (Japan)
- Clayton Root, Perdido Key Home Academy
- Wyatt Scruggs, Northview High School (FL)
- Zachary Simon, Pace High School
- Ryan Stevenson, Stuttgart High School (Germany)
- Griffin Woodley, Niceville High School
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY
- Jackson Arthaud, Ramstein High School (Germany)
- Lauren Bage, Choctawhatchee High School
- Emory Carroll, Pace High School
- Rafael Garcia, Gulf Breeze High School
- Matthew Jackson, Niceville High School
- Davin McArty, Crestview High School
- Rayne Mendez, Niceville High School
- Nathaniel Nocher, Crestview High School
- Alexander Porter, Fort Walton Beach High School
- Noah Scopac, Niceville High School
- Sarah Stillman, Gulf Breeze High School
- Carter Tobik, Fort Walton Beach High School
UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY
- Van Carter, Niceville High School
- Kain Doebele, Crestview High School
- Austin Klidy, Choctawhatchee High School
- Jesse Lee, Navarre High School
- Michael Mancuso, Gulf Breeze High School
- Brenner Mavity, Navarre High School
- Samantha McCraney, Niceville High School
- Andrew Nettles, Gulf Breeze High School
- Anna Roth, Stuttgart High School (Germany)
- Gennaro Smith, Navarre High School
Alabama Executes Inmate With New Nitrogen Gas Method At Atmore Prison
January 26, 2024
Kenneth Eugene Smith was the nation’s first execution by nitrogen hypoxia Thursday night at Holman Prison in Atmore.
Smith was sentenced to death for the 1988 capital murder of Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett in Colbert County.
Smith’s last words, according to media witnesses, included: “Tonight Alabama causes humanity to take a step backwards…. Thank you for supporting me. Love all of you.” Whne the nitrogen as began to flow, Smith smiled and nodded toward his family and signed “I love you.”
According to al.com, “Witnesses saw Smith struggle as the gas began flowing into the mask that covered his entire face. He began writhing and thrashing for approximately two to four minutes, followed by around five minutes of heavy breathing.
His official time of death was 8:25 p.m.
“On March 18, 1988, 45-year-old Elizabeth Sennett’s life was brutally taken from her by Kenneth Eugene Smith. After more than 30 years and attempt after attempt to game the system, Mr. Smith has answered for his horrendous crimes,” Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said.
““The execution was lawfully carried out by nitrogen hypoxia, the method previously requested by Mr. Smith as an alternative to lethal injection. At long last, Mr. Smith got what he asked for, and this case can finally be put to rest.
“I pray that Elizabeth Sennett’s family can receive closure after all these years dealing with that great loss.”