Application Deadline Extended For Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Christmas Assistance
October 10, 2023
The application deadline has been extended for the Salvation Army’s 2023 Angel Tree Christmas Assistance program.
Applications will now be accepted online at www.saangeltree.org through Friday, October 13.
In person applications will be taken with an appointment at The Salvation Army, 1501 North Q Street. Appointments must be scheduled by call (850) 432-1501; walk ups will not be accepted.
For requirements, eligibility and other details, click or tap here for more information (pdf).
Firefighters Battle Brush Fire That Threatened Two Homes In Bratt
October 9, 2023
Firefighters battled a brush fire in Bratt Monday afternoon that threatened at least two homes.
The fire was reported just after 2 p.m. in the 3000 block of West Highway — between C.W. Caraway Road and the closed bridge over Canoe Creek. The fire consumed about four acres as firefighters worked for over an hour to contain it.
All of the structures were saved; none were damaged by the fire.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The Walnut Hill, Century and McDavid stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue and the Flomaton Fire Department were dispatched, along with the Florida Forest Service. The Forest Service used a bulldozer to place a containment line around the area.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Man Accused Of Battery Of His Mother During Burglary
October 9, 2023
A Century man is accused of the battery of his mother during a burglary related to a custody dispute, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Joshua Davon Tyus, 26, was charged with battery on a person 65 years of age or older, burglary with assault or battery, criminal mischief with property damage, and battery.
Tyus allegedly went to his mother’s home on Highway 4A, kicked the door open and struck his mother multiple times with a closed fist, according to an arrest report. Deputies said another woman in the home attempted to intervene, but Tyus pushed the 73-year old disabled woman to the ground.
The incident stemmed from a custody dispute involving multiple children that were in the home, according to an arrest report.
According to the ECSO, the incident was captured on cellphone video.
Tyus remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond after his bond was revoked in a previous case, according to jail records.
This Is Who Claimed A $22K Fantasy 5 Ticket Sold In Beulah
October 9, 2023
We now know who had a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket sold in Beulah.
The ticket sold at the SP Food Mart at West Nine Mile Road and Bridlewood Road was one of six winning tickets in the Wednesday evening drawing and was worth $22,614.39.
According to the Florida Lottery, the cash option on the winning ticket was claimed by Robert Kenneth Sapp of Robertsdale. The five other winning tickets were sold in Orlando, Palm Harbor, Fort Pierce, Port Saint Lucie and Miami.
The Wednesday evening winning numbers were 7-11-17-21-25.
It was the third winning Fantasy 5 ticket sold at the retailer this year. A Robertsdale woman won $18,317.59 in August, and a $36,427.41 winning ticket sold there February 6 expired without being claimed.
Photo Gallery: Tate Homecoming Court
October 9, 2023
The Tate Aggies celebrated a Glo-Co homecoming Friday night with a 58-41 win over West Florida.
Lexi Nelson was crowned homecoming queen. First runner-up to the queen was Taylor Bree Fitzgerald, and second runner-up was Synoma Perea.
For a homecoming court photo gallery, click here.
For a homecoming parade gallery, click here.
For a gallery with alumni cheerleaders, cheerleaders, fans and more, click here.
For a game action story and photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Commission Cancels COW Meeting Again
October 9, 2023
The Escambia County Commission has canceled the Thursday, October 12 planned Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting.
The COW is a workshop type meeting held for commission discussion, but no votes are taken.
Canceling the meeting has been the norm this year.
The BOCC will hold their regular meeting on Thursday, October 19 at 9 a.m.
It’s National 4-H Week In Escambia County
October 9, 2023
It’s National 4-H Week in Escambia County, as proclaimed by the Escambia County Commission.
According to the proclamation, “4-H has helped 5,604 youths in Escambia County to become confident, independent, resilient, and compassionate leaders”.
“National 4-H Week showcases the incredible experiences that 4-H offers young people, and highlights the remarkable 4-H youth in Escambia County who work each day to make a positive impact on those around them.”
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Are Slightly Lower Than Last Week
October 9, 2023
Florida gas prices are moving lower again after a brief increase last week. The state average surprisingly rose four cents by Wednesday, but those gains were quickly erased by the weekend. Now, Florida drivers are paying $3.48 per gallon, which is nearly two cents less than a week ago, and the lowest daily average price since July.
The average price per gallon Sunday night in Escambia County was $3.25, the cheapest metro area in the state. A North Escambia low of $3.25 was available at several Highway 29 gas stations in Cantonment, while Pensacola prices bottomed out at $2.89 at a handful of stations.
“Florida gas prices tried to swim upstream early last week, but were quickly knocked back down by week’s end,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Oil and gasoline suffered big losses in the futures market, which could enable pump prices to move lower. However, that could change depending on how the market responds to rising geopolitical tensions following the surprise attack by Hamas on Israel.”
While the Hamas attack on Israel reportedly did not directly impact global supplies, oil prices have risen over the weekend, due to the uncertainty of how things will unfold.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Free Standing Emergency Department Proposed For Highway 29 In Cantonment
October 8, 2023
A free standing emergency department is being proposed for Highway 29 in Cantonment.
An engineering firm has filed plans prepared for HCA Healthcare, which operates HCA Florida West Hospital, for a 10,860 square foot emergency department in the 400 block of Highway 29. The facility, if constructed, would be located on about 2.4 acres on the north side of Highway 29 between Anytime Fitness and Companion Animal Clinic, according to the plans filed with Escambia County. The lot is currently vacant.
Engineering firm Kimley Horn wrote that the free standing emergency department “will be 24-hour operational and will not serve as an overnight patient facility but will serve as a place to stabilize the patient prior to be transferred to the main hopital nearby”.
The plans are currently in a pre-application status with the Escambia County Development Review Committee and are set for a pre-application meeting on Wednesday.
“I can confirm we did purchase the land. We are always looking for ways to support our thriving community, and from time to time we purchase land for potential growth in the future. We don’t have any plans for the property at this time,” Kendrick Doidge, vice president of communications for HCA Florida West Hospital, told NorthEscambia.com late Friday afternoon.
NorthEscambia.com photos and map, click to enlarge.
Charges Dropped Against Cantonment Man Accused Of Battery, Assault With Deadly Weapon
October 8, 2023
Charges have been dropped against a Cantonment man accused of striking his estranged wife and son and threatening the son with a firearm.
Dale Wayne Simpson, 69, was charged with felony aggravated assault with deadly weapon and two misdemeanor counts of battery.
According to the State Attorney’s Office, the charges in the case were dropped October 4 because the victims declined to prosecute.
Simpson was accused of allegedly pushing his wife into a wall and striking her in the arm with a closed fist, according to an arrest report. He was also accused of pushing his son against his will, striking him in the mouth with a closed fist and pointing a semi-automatic handgun at his head, the report continued.
He put the magazine in the handgun and chambered round before pointing it at his son, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said.