Local Students Gather For ‘See You At The Pole’ Worship Events
September 27, 2023
Students across the area took part in the annual See You at the Pole event Wednesday.
Students gathered as school began to pray in the non-denominational event. See You at the Pole is a national student-initiated, student organized, and student-led event. Students prayed for their school, friends, teachers, government and the nation.
At Tate High School, the SYATP is sponsored by First Priority and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Pictured: (top of page to bottom) See You at the Pole student-led events Wednesday morning at Tate High School, Northview High School, Ernest Ward Middle School and Byrneville Elementary School. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Elementary Briefly Placed On Elevated Security Status
September 27, 2023
Jim Allen Elementary was placed on an elevated security status Wednesday morning.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was called due to a suspicious person near campus.
The person was not armed and did not enter the campus, according to the ECSO; the security level was just a precautionary measure.
Century Rejects 280% Tax Increase, Can’t Approve A Budget
September 27, 2023
A nearly 300% property tax increase in Century failed Tuesday evening, leaving the town without a new budget. And what happens next was not immediately clear.
The town council had previously given unanimous tentative approval to a a property tax increase with a millage rate of .9204, which is 290.66% greater than the rolled-back rate of .2356 mills.
Because the tax increase is so high, the state required unanimous approval on a final vote Tuesday, but the millage rate failed on a 4-1 vote with council president Dynette Lewis dissenting.
“I’m just not in favor of an increase at all,” Lewis said. “That’s a 290% increase, and I’m just in not in favor.”
Without a tax rate, the council was unable to vote on an $8 million budget proposed by interim Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. The $8 million tentative budget is up more than $2 million (39%) over last year’s $5,8 million, mostly due to grant funds. It included a 3% raise for all employees, plus another $15,000 for the mayor to provide discretionary raises.
The town will head into the next fiscal year on October 1, but they will be able to spend funds under the tentative budget.
Town Clerk Leslie Howington attempted to call the town attorney by phone to find out what happens next on the millage rate but reached his voicemail.
It appears the town could be forced back to square one on a property tax rate with new advertising and new meetings.
Pictured top: Century Council president Dynette Lewis reviews the mayor’s budget Tuesday evening. Pictured below: A Century millage rate hearing. Pictured inset: No member of the public attended the meeting. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Defeates Blacksher 3-0
September 27, 2023
The Northview Chiefs defeated the J.U. Blacksher Bulldogs 3-0 Tuesday evening.
Northview took straight sets on their home court, 25-13, 25-20, 25-23.
Northview (8-3, 1-2) will travel to Jay (8-4, 4-1) at 5 p.m. Thursday.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
FWC Seeks Contracted Nuisance Alligator Trapper For Escambia County
September 27, 2023
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program is accepting applications for a contracted nuisance alligator trapper in Escambia County.
Applicants must pass a criminal history check, have no fish or wildlife law violations and possess a valid, working email address.
To learn more about becoming a contracted nuisance alligator trapper and to apply online, visit MyFWC.com/Alligator and click on “Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program.” Applications must be received by Monday, Octotber 2. For more information, email FWCGator@MyFWC.com.
Pictured:A nuisance alligator captured by a FWC contractor near Highway 4 in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
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Blue Wahoos’ Season Ends 10-3; Smokies Win Southern League Championship
September 27, 2023
The Blue Wahoos’ acclaim-filled 2023 season, which included several club records, ended Tuesday one last feat short of complete.
Unable to contain the Tennessee Smokies’ power-laden lineup, Pensacola’s quest to repeat as Southern League champions was dashed in the Smokies’ 10-3 win to sweep the short series at Blue Wahoos Stadium and claim their first league title in 45 years.
A year after the Blue Wahoos celebrated on the field at Smokies Stadium in Kodak, Tennessee to produce their first outright championship, the Smokies got their turn in Pensacola.
After the Blue Wahoos’ Nasim Nuñez lined out for the final out Tuesday, a sensational leaping catch by Smokies second baseman Matt Shaw – the Chicago Cubs’ top pick of the 2023 Draft just three months ago – the players rushed from the visitors dugout.
They took a picture in front of the pitcher’s mound, then huddled in the dugout for simultaneous sprays of champagne before carrying the party into the visitors clubhouse.
Tennessee won the first game 8-4 Sunday with a similar hitting show. The Smokies’ bats stayed hot after the bus ride to the Gulf Coast. In both games in this best-of-three series, they jumped to an early inning lead and kept expanding it.
The last time Tennessee hoisted a championship trophy, the 1978 team was named the Knoxville Sox, the affiliation was with the Chicago White Sox and Tony La Russa was manager, before his Hall of Fame managerial career in Major League Baseball.
It was a long time coming for the Smokies and they lingered on the field to savor it.
But the Blue Wahoos had a season to remember as well.
Their 79-57 record in the regular season was the best winning percentage (.581) in the team’s 11-season history. It included a franchise record 10-game winning streak.
The team set club records in seven offensive categories, including batting average (.250) and home runs (163) — the seventh-most homers in league history.
But against the Smokies this year, the Blue Wahoos ran into a formidable foe.
The Smokies began the post-season with 14 of the Chicago Cubs’ top 30 prospects – many of whom were added in the final month of the season. That talent was reflected in how they swept two playoff series, outscoring Chattanooga and Pensacola by a combined 26-9.
Tuesday night, Smokies starting pitcher Cade Horton was as dominant as advertised. The Cubs’ No. 2 overall prospect, their top draft pick in the 2022 MLB Draft from the Oklahoma Sooners, twirled five strong innings to pick up his second postseason win.
The 22-year-old righthander, who started the 2022 season as the Sooners’ third baseman before leading Oklahoma to a runner-up finish as pitcher in the College World Series, continued his strong season.
He gave up just one hit and one run with three walks and four strikeouts in five innings. Horton is a finalist for the Minor League Baseball pitching prospect of the year.
After Blue Wahoos starter Luis Palacios retired the Smokies lineup in order in the first inning, he was hit hard the rest of way. It was reminiscent of Sunday’s first game, when Evan Fitterer struggled with location and the Smokies pounced for big hits and rallies for a quick knockout.
Palacios, who had been strong in the last several starts, including a playoff win last week against Montgomery, lasted only three innings, giving up six hits and four runs. The biggest blow was a 3-run homer in the third inning by B.J. Murray after the Blue Wahoos had tied the game on a sacrifice fly by Norel González in the second inning.
Murray’s homer left the bat looking like the a flyout, but with the wind blowing out to right field, the ball carried over the wall and the hit triggered more run production the next several innings.
Five Blue Wahoos relievers followed. The Smokies blew open the game in the sixth inning, getting four runs against Dylan Bice and from that point the outcome seemed a formality.
The Smokies had 13 hits, including five for extra bases. The Blue Wahoos had just four hits in the game.
Many of the fans stayed and clapped as the players left the dugout and began the off-season. The focus now shifts to spring training in February and the 2024 season, which begins at home on April 5 against the Mississippi Braves.
by Bill Vilona
SEC Soccer Championship Returning To Ashton Brosnaham; Tickets On Sale Now
September 27, 2023
Several nationally-ranked Southeastern Conference soccer teams will be competing for the SEC Championship title from Sunday, Oct. 29, through Sunday, Nov. 5, at Ashton Brosnaham Soccer Complex off East 10 Mile Road.
Tickets are on sale at secticketoffice.com All-tournament passes are $40. Individual session tickets for first-round, quarterfinals and semifinals are $12 for adults and $7 for students/military. Tickets for the championship game on Sunday, Nov. 5, are $17 for adults and $12 for students/military. Taxes and service fees are included in the listed ticket prices. Kids 12 and under wearing a soccer jersey get in free with a paying adult on Sunday, Oct. 29, and on Tuesday, Oct. 31. A clear bag policy is in effect for this event. Free admission for children 4 and under at all games. Tournament pass sales end at 11:59pm on Oct. 27.
Join in the fun on Championship game day, Nov. 5, at the free Fan Fest from 11 a.m. until halftime of the championship game. There will be music, food trucks and interactive activities for all ages to enjoy.
This is the second year that Escambia County will host the tournament, setting SEC records for attendance. Ashton Brosnaham is scheduled to host through 2024 with an option to extend the agreement through 2026.
“We are thankful to Escambia County and Pensacola Sports for providing a tremendous venue to conduct our SEC Soccer Championship,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “Their commitment to this event promises to provide lasting memories for our student-athletes and an outstanding experience for SEC soccer fans from across the region.”
Over the last six years, the SEC has earned 44 NCAA Tournament bids – an average of more than seven per year – with all 14 member institutions making at least two appearances during that span. Eight different SEC teams have advanced to the Round of 16 since 2013 and the league has placed teams in the NCAA quarterfinals in each of the last nine seasons.
Pictured: SEC soccer championship action in 2022 as Ole Miss shut out LSU and Mississippi State beat Texas A&M. NorthEscambia.com photos by William Reynolds, click to enlarge.
Man Brandishing Gun Arrested In The Middle Of Davis Highway
September 26, 2023
A man was arrested after allegedly brandishing a gun in the middle of Davis Highway Monday afternoon.
It happened on Davis Highway near Atwood Drive, just north of I-10, shortly after 5 p.m.
Erwin Morales-Perez, 32, was charged with improper exhibition of a firearm, disturbing the peace, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and using a firearm under the influence. He remained in jail with bond set at $8,000.
Someone reported that Morales-Perez ran out of a nearby wooded area while claiming that someone was chasing him, and they reported hearing shots fired.
An armed Morales-Perez was taken into custody by multiple Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies in the middle of Davis Highway without incident.
Pictured top: A man identified as Erwin Morales-Perez can be seen on the left in a white shirt with his hands up as deputies approach. Image courtesy Josh Torres for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Bank Fraud, Grand Theft
September 26, 2023
A Cantonment man is charged with multiple felonies after allegedly depositing a counterfeit check and subsequently making withdrawals.
Travis Marchey Butler, Jr., 21, was charged with six felonies — bank fraud, grand theft, forgery, criminal use of personally identifiable information, uttering forged instrument, and using a two-way communications device to commit a felony. He was released on a $60,000 bond.
Butler allegedly deposited a counterfeit check at Gulf Winds Credit Union in the amount of $5,802.40 by mobile deposit and later withdrew $500 from an ATM, according to an arrest report. Authorities said he also made cash withdrawals of $200 and $400 from an ATM at a Cantonment Tom Thumb.
New 146 Lot Subdivision Planned For Highway 29, Quintette Road
September 26, 2023
A new 146 lot subdivision is proposed for the area of Quinette Road and Highway 29.
“Carrington Valley” would be located on 145.6 acres that front both Highway 29 and Quintette Road.
The development is being proposed by David W. Fitzpatrick for single family homes, according to Escambia County Development Review Committee (DRC) documents.
The proposal is in the initial staff internal review phase of the DRC process and has not yet been set for a public meeting.
This development is not related to a 134 lot subdivision proposed just to the south. Read more: New 134 Lot Subdivision Planned For Highway 29 Near Pinoak Lane
NorthEscambia.com graphics.