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.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News

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.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

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.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

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.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

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.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

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.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Discarded Cigarettes Blamed For McDavid Fire That Sent One To The Hospital

October 8, 2023

Discarded cigarettes are being blamed for a McDavid house fire Thursday afternoon that sent one person to the hospital.

About 4:11 p.m., a passerby reported the fire on the front porch of the home in the 1800 block of Lambert Bridge Road, just west of Pine Barren Road.

The Florida Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigation determined the fire was sparked by discarded cigarettes on the porch. The home was a total loss.

The occupants of the home were able to escape. One person was transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital for evaluation. Two family pets could not be located and were believed to have perished in the fire.

The McDavid, Walnut Hill and Century stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue responded.

For additional photos, click or tap here.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

ECSO Seizes 14 Grams Of Fentanyl, Over 200 Pounds Of Marijuana

October 8, 2023

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office recently seized enough fentanyl to kill thousands of people along with over 200 pounds of marijuana in a series of search warrants in an active narcotics investigation.

The ECSO Narcotics and SWAT Team, along with the Mobile Police Department, served three search warrants at two storage units located on Blue Angel Parkway and Pine Forest Road, and at a house on the 4000 block of Guerlain Way. They located a total of 191 pounds of marijuana and approximately 14 grams of fentanyl between the three locations.

Between both agencies, 221 pounds of marijuana, over $100,000 in currency, and approximately 14 grams of fentanyl were located. Suspects in this case will be charged accordingly, the ECSO said.

Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

These Are The Road Construction Spots To Watch This Week

October 8, 2023

Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties this week as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.

Escambia County:

Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The truck parking lot at the Escambia County Interstate 10 Welcome Center, located at mile marker four, will be temporarily closed until the end of October as crews perform construction activities. The front and middle car parking lots are open.
Sorrento Road (State Road (S.R.) 292) Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road – A new traffic signal at the Doug Ford Drive-Sorrento Road intersection in Pensacola will be fully operational the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 10.

East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) Roadway Improvements from Chemstrand Road to east of Baldridge Drive – The bicycle lanes are temporarily closed to allow crews to widen the turn lanes and construct new five-foot bicycle lanes. In addition, the speed limit has been reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete this fall.

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 October as crews perform drainage improvements. Signage will be in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
Lillian Highway (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, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Monday, Oct. 9 through Friday, Oct. 13 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. as crews perform concrete work. In addition, drivers will encounter nighttime lane closures, between Fairfield Drive and Blue Angel Parkway, Sunday, Oct. 8 through Thursday, Oct. 12 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews perform paving work.
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/S.R. 95) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street (S.R. 10A) to Brent Lane (S.R. 296) – A portion of the right turn lane from northbound North Palafox Street to Brent Lane will be temporarily closed Monday, Oct. 9 through Friday, Oct. 13 as crews construct a retaining wall and pour concrete. Drivers will still be able to access most of the right turn lane.
U.S. 90 (West Cervantes Street) Routine Utility Maintenance at North C Street – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures Monday, Oct. 9 through Friday, Oct. 20 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for utility maintenance.
U.S. 98 (West Garden Street) Routine Utility Maintenance at U.S. 98 – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures Monday, Oct. 9 through Friday, Oct. 20 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for utility maintenance.
S.R. 292 (South Pace Boulevard) Routine Utility Maintenance at Street – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures Monday, Oct. 9 through Friday, Oct. 20 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for utility maintenance.
S.R. 295 (West Fairfield Drive) Routine Utility Maintenance at Market Street – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures Friday, Oct. 6 through Friday, Nov. 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for utility maintenance.
U.S. 90 Routine Utility Maintenance West of North Lloyd Street – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Wednesday, Oct. 11 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. for routine utility maintenance.
Pace Boulevard Routine Underground Utility Maintenance at Blount Street – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Tuesday, Oct. 10 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. for routine utility maintenance.
S.R. 87 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Yellow River – Motorists will encounter alternating lane closures south of I-10 Thursday, Oct. 12 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
U.S. 98 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Cantilever Sign Overpass – Motorists will encounter alternating lane closures at the S.R. 399 ramp Friday, Oct. 13 from 12 a.m. to 1 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.

Santa Rosa County:

I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 Avalon Boulevard to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists will encounter alternating daytime and nighttime lane closures Monday, Oct. 9 through Friday, Oct. 13 for stripping operations.
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 Point Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Tiger Park Lane and Bayshore Road Sunday, Oct. 8, through Friday, Oct. 13, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- Beginning Sunday, Oct. 8, motorists traveling eastbound will encounter a new traffic configuration from Whisper Bay Boulevard to east of Green Briar Parkway as lanes will be shifted slightly north to allow for crews to perform construction activities on the south side of the eastbound lanes.
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 Tuesday, Oct. 10 through Thursday, Oct. 12 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform pile cap construction work. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph throughout the work zone.

All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.

File photo.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News