Candidate Petition Deadline Passes; Here’s Who Had The Required Number Of Petitions
May 19, 2024
The deadline has past for local candidates to meet petition requirements. The following candidates in Escambia County received the required number of petitions:
County Commissioner
- District 1 – Jeff Bergosh
- District 1 – Steven Stroberger
- District 3 – Lumon May
- District 4 – Charles Mitchell
- District 4 – Ashlee Hofberger
- District 4 – Walker Wilson
- District 4 – Ron Helms
- District 5 – Steven Barry
ECUA
- District 1 – James Faxlanger
- District 1 – Vicki Campbell
School Board
- District 4 – Richard Holzknecht
- District 5 – Thomas Harrell
- District 5 – Joshua Luther
Candidates can also be placed on the ballot by paying a qualifications fee. Potential Town of Century candidates do not have the option to qualify by petition.
Candidates can begin submitting qualifying papers on Monday, May 27. The official qualifying period runs from noon June 10 to noon June 14.
These Are This Week’s Road Construction Trouble Spots
May 19, 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:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures on I-10 near the U.S. 29 interchange from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, May 19 through Thursday, May 23 as crews place barrier wall.
- I-10 Welcome Center – A $6.5 million project to improve parking areas at the I-10 Welcome Center in Escambia County is complete. In addition to resurfacing entrance and exit ramps and parking areas, project enhancements included constructing windshield washing stations, replacing the wildlife perimeter fencing, constructing new sidewalks, upgrading drainage and installing new signage and pavement markings.
- I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) – Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts as crews perform median work and barrier wall installation:
- Inside lane closures on I-10 near Exit 5, Sunday, May 19 through Thursday, May 23 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Traffic on I-10 is shifted to the outside lane and will be in place until early 2025.
- Traffic on Nine Mile Road has shifted to the inside and will be in place until mid-2024.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – 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. Signs are 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 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.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (State Road (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 I-10 to Davis Highway – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on Scenic Highway, Sunday, May 19 through Thursday, May 23 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Traffic flaggers will be present to safely guide drivers through the work zone.
Santa Rosa County:
- S.R. 87 from Hickory Hammock Road (C.R. 184) to Technology Avenue – A $3.1 million project to mill and resurface a 1.6-mile segment of S.R. 87 is complete. Additional project improvements included turn lane and radius widening at Hickory Hammock Road, drainage upgrades and new signs and pavement markings.
- I-10 Westbound over Blackwater River Resurfacing Project – Drivers may encounter intermittent I-10 westbound lane closures, from the Ward Basin Road on-ramp (Exit 28) to the east end of the Blackwater River Bridge, Sunday, May 19 to Thursday, May 23, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for crews to install rumble strips and place thermoplastic striping.
- 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, May 20 through Friday, May 24 as crews perform paving and earthwork operations.
- U.S. 90 Resurfacing from west of Avalon Boulevard to east of Stewart Street - Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, May 19 through Thursday, May 23 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform roadway widening and sidewalk reconstruction work.
- 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, May 19, through Friday, May 24, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- U.S. 90 Turn Lane Operations West of Tamarind Drive – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, May 20 through Friday, May 24 from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. for turn lane operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
MedStar Conducts Helicopter Safety Training At Walnut Hill Fire Station
May 19, 2024
Medstar Air Care 2 recently conducted landing zone and helicopter safety training at the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Wait Out Rain, But Biscuits Win 4-3
May 19, 2024
written by Erik Bremmer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Montgomery Biscuits endured a long mid-game rain delay on Saturday night, but it was the Biscuits who emerged victorious with a 4-3 win to take sole possession of first place.
Each team’s shortstop had a multi-homer game. Pensacola’s Harrison Spohn tied the game twice with a two-run homer in the fifth and a solo homer after the delay in the seventh, but Montgomery’s Carson Williams followed up a solo shot in the first with a go-ahead blast in the bottom of the seventh that proved to be the game-winner.
M.D. Johnson allowed three runs, two earned, over 5.0 innings in his start for the Blue Wahoos. After Williams opened the scoring with his home run in the first, Mason Auer circled the bases on a double, stolen base and obstruction call in the second to give the Biscuits a 2-0 lead.
Spohn’s two-run homer in the top of the fifth was the only blemish for Montgomery starter Ian Seymour, who finished a career-high 6.0 innings while striking out seven. With the game tied 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth, the Biscuits got back-to-back doubles from Dominic Keegan and Kenny Piper to take a 3-2 lead.
The game was halted just before the top of the seventh as severe weather rolled through downtown Montgomery. After waiting 2 hours and 12 minutes, Spohn’s game-tying homer in the seventh off Sean Hunley (W, 4-0) brought the score to 3-3. The tie game would only last a few moments, however, as Williams launched a solo homer of his own against Chandler Jozwiak (L, 1-1) to put the Biscuits up for good. The pair of homers gave Williams seven on the season, putting the Rays prospect atop the Southern League leaderboards just ahead of Spohn.
The Blue Wahoos couldn’t manage a hit in the final two innings, going down quietly against Keyshawn Askew and Austin Vernon (S, 2).
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series in Montgomery on Sunday afternoon. First pitch from Riverwalk Stadium is scheduled for 3:33.
Record Crowds Attended Northview Regional Softball Game
May 18, 2024
The numbers are now in. A record, or near record, crowd attended Tuesday’s Region 1-1A final in Bratt Tuesday night.
There were 309 tickets sold for the contest, and fans from both sides filled the bleachers and lined the fence to the outfield.
During the game, the Northview Lady Chiefs fell to Holmes County 7-2.
For a game recap and photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Class of 2024 Holds Senior Breakfast
May 18, 2024
The Tate High School Class of 2024 had their Senior Breakfast Friday morning.
The seniors enjoyed a Whataburger biscuit, viewed a senior class video, and received their caps and gown.
The Tate High School Class of 2024 will graduate at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 23, at the Pensacola Bay Center.
Photos by Tate High School Yearbook for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Westgate School Class of 2024 Graduates (With Photo Gallery)
May 18, 2024
The Escambia Westgate School Class of 2024 graduated Friday.
Escambia Westgate school serves the needs of pre-K, elementary, middle, and high school students with varying exceptionalities.
“They faced challenging circumstances and overcome. The lessons they have learned his at Westgate will serve them well as they are graduates,” Superintendent Keith Leonard said.
“We could not have achieved this milestone without you,” graduate Ta’Javion Omar Johnson told family, friends, and faculty during the ceremony at the school. “We must continue to believe in ourselves and never give up.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Escambia Westgate Class of 2024 graduates were:
- Garrett Ryan Bass
- Turner Patrick Cudworth
- Erick Maurice Davidson
- Christian Elijah Douglas
- Marcus Ja’berius Drain
- Emily Rose Easter Forbes
- Joseph Alin Greer
- Colton Jeffery Hillebrand
- Ta’Javion Omar Johnson
- Amaya Gabrielle Katumba
- Angel Gabriel Larios
- Austyn Isiah McDowell
- Jeniah Brenae Whittaker
The class also remembered classmate Antwanyia Edwards who passed away in 2024 at age 18.
Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Alabama Proposes Shortening Deer Season By Five Days
May 18, 2024
The Alabama Conservation Advisory Board has proposed reducing the length of the 2024/25 White-Tailed Deer hunting season by 5 days, due to “calendar change.”
This change would apply to all zones in Alabama.
Under the proposal, this year’s gun/stalk season would open on November 23, the Saturday before Thanksgiving. That’s five days later than the 2023 opening date on November 18.
The closing date would remain February 10, 2025.
The advisory board will consider the proposal at an upcoming meeting
Photo: Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Escambia Deputies Find Wanted Man Hiding Inside Clothes Dryer
May 18, 2024
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a 31-year-old man Friday after finding him hidden inside a clothes dryer.
David Jerome Jackson had been wanted since March for charges of shooting into a dwelling, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, damage to property, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Friday, deputies received a tip that Jackson was inside a home off Edgewater Drive. With the assistance of our warrants unit, deputies entered the home and began to search for Jackson.
“After an extensive search, deputies proceeded to the laundry room, where they finally discovered Jackson, folded, not so neatly inside a remarkably small dryer drum. The look on his face, a combination of guilt, embarrassment, and warm hosiery,” ECSO said. “He was pulled from the dryer one limb at a time, as he clung to his tumble-ready hideout. Outside the dryer, deputies removed three dryer sheets, two mismatched socks, and a crumpled-up tissue from his surprisingly wrinkled Star Wars shirt.”
Jackson was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond at $120,000.
Photos courtesy ECSO for NortEscambai.com, click to enlarge.
Baccalaureate Ceremonies Sunday For Tate And Northview
May 18, 2024
Baccalaureate ceremonies have been schedule for Tate and Northview high schools.
The Tate High School Class of 2024 Baccalaureate Ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 19 at Hillcrest Baptist Church at 800 East Nine Mile Road.
The Northview High School Baccalaureate Ceremony will be held Sunday, May 19 at 5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Atmore.