Plans Approved For Escambia County’s First Wawa Store At Nine Mile, Beulah Road Intersection
October 26, 2023
Wawa is headed to Beulah.
Plans were approved this week by the Escambia County Development Review Committee.
The popular convenience store chain submitted plans for a 6,119 square feet location at the corner of Beulah Road and Nine Mile Road.
Initial plans were filed with the Escambia County Development Review Committee for the store to be located on 17.37 acres. Plans show limited access only from westbound Nine Mile Road and full access from Beulah Road.
Another store is planned this year for HIghway 98 at North Blue Angel Parkway. Wawa said there are three or four additional locations in Escambia County still under consideration, with a goal of 6-10 locations by 2025.
Last April, Wawa announced they were actively looking for potential sites for new stores in the Pensacola area, along with Panama City, Tallahassee and Mobile. Current plans are for Wawa to open up to 40 stores in these markets beginning in 2024.
In 2022, Wawa marked the 10th anniversary of the opening of its first Florida store. The store opened July 18, 2012, in Orlando across from SeaWorld. Since then Wawa has expanded rapidly throughout the state and opened its 250th store in Florida last year. Today, Wawa employs almost 10,000 associates across the Sunshine State.
Drought Changes Little; Severe to Extreme Intensity Holds Strong Across The Region
October 26, 2023
The central Gulf coast continues to be in the grips of high intensity drought. The local area sees severe to extreme drought conditions with points to our west, over southwest MS and much of the state of LA, seeing exceptional drought. The latest drought information information is in the graphic above.
Much of the local area experienced no change in the drought intensity compared to the past week.
Many local streams/rivers remain in low flow and stage at below or much below normal levels. Typically, deeply submerged objects will likely be closer to the water’s surface or in some cases exposed presenting a waterway hazard for recreational boating and
commercial navigation.
The risk of significant wildfire remains above normal
Increase in air-borne allergens likely to create problems for respiratory sensitive groups.
Sunny, Middle 80s For Highs Into The Weekend
October 26, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 84. East wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 60. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 83. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 85. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 83. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51. North wind around 10 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 60.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 63.
Emergency Evacuation Drills To Continue Friday Evening at International Paper
October 26, 2023
International Paper in Cantonment is conducting their annual Emergency Mill Evacuation Drill Friday evening
On Friday, alarms will sound at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.
The Cantonment Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue will take part in the exercises.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Friday Night Football Schedule
October 26, 2023
Here is the schedule of high school football games from around the North Escambia area Friday night.
FLORIDA
- Tate at Escambia
- Pine Forest at Washington
- Walton at Pensacola,
- Jay at Wewahitchka
- Gulf Breeze at Navarre
- Milton at Pace
- West Florida at Pensacola Catholic
- BYE: Northvew
—
- Monroe County at Flomaton
- Fort Dale Academy at Escambia Academy
- Escambia County (Atmore) at Orange Beach
- T.R. Miller at St. Michael Catholic
- Excel at W.S. Neal
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
State Senator Suggests De-Chartering Century, Letting Escambia County Take Over The Town
October 26, 2023
Thursday night, Florida State Sen. Doug Broxson told interim Century Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. that the town may need to to consider de-chartering and letting Escambia County take over.
Broxson’s comments came during a meeting of the Escambia County Legislative Delegation — Sen. Doug Broxson, State Rep. Alex Andrade and State Rep. Michelle Salzman — Thursday night in Pensacola. Gomez had addressed the delegation, thanking them for millions in state funding that has gone to projects in Century, including a bridge replacement, wastewater treatment plant repairs and repairs to a failed water well serving the state prison.
‘I’ve been dealing with Century for 14 years,” Broxson told Gomez. “I know you’ve had tremendous challenges there. Your tax base is very low, and your needs are very great. I can tell you this delegation has doubled down on trying to help Century.”
“We are praying for you, we know you have a big challenge, we want you to do well,” Broxson continued. “But we know you are in tough circumstances. I would hope that at some point if things continue where it’s a challenge to meet your budget, that you would consider de-chartering Century so you could come under the umbrella of Escambia County and let them take their resources and help you with some of your major problems. I’ve watched it, “I know you’ve tried, but we really need a bigger hand to help you get to where you need to be.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
International Paper Conducting Emergency Evacuation Drills Friday Evening
October 26, 2023
International Paper in Cantonment is conducting their annual Emergency Mill Evactional Drill Thursday and Friday.
There will be alarms that sound Thursday at 9 a.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. On Friday, alarms wlll sound at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.
The Cantonment Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue will take part in the exercises.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Escambia School Choice Expo to be Held Thursday, Nov. 2
October 26, 2023
This year’s Escambia County Public Schools School Choice Expo will be held on Thursday, November 2nd, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Booker T. Washington High School.
Representatives from ECPS Career Academies and Choice Schools will be on hand to greet guests and answer questions about their programs. Typically, the Expo welcomes in excess of 1,000 guests. Tables for career academy displays will be set up inside the Booker T. Washington High School gym and cafeteria. Local vendors will provide items for gift bags for attendees.
“The school district is excited to once again be offering our School Choice Expo to the community,” stated Coordinator of Enrollment Services Chris McFarland. “This is a great opportunity for our students to experience all of the awesome programs and school choice transfer options available to our students in one venue. We look forward to once again seeing everyone there!”
The School Choice Expo precedes the middle and high school open enrollment period, which runs from October 30 – December 8, 2023. The open enrollment period for elementary schools runs from January 29 – March 8, 2024.
For questions about open enrollment, please contact Chris McFarland, Coordinator of Enrollment Services at (850)469-5580. For questions about career academies, contact Steven Harrell, Director of Workforce Education, at (850)469-5357. Families are encouraged to apply while attending the School Choice Expo, as technology to apply will be made available.
File photo.
Pedestrian Killed In Escambia County
October 25, 2023
A 54-year old pedestrian is dead following a crash Wednesday night in Escambia County.
The crash happened about 8 p.m. near the intersection of North Palafox and John Gray Road. The Florida Highway Patrol said the man cross the roadway in front of a SUV. The pedestrian was struck by at least two other vehicles that fled the scene.
No other information was released as the Florida Highway Patrol investigation continued.
File photo.
Woman Gets 2.5 Years In Prison For Deadly Pit Bull Attack
October 25, 2023
An Escambia County woman has been sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for a deadly pit bull attack last February.
Kathleen Ann Taylor, 36, entered a plea of no contest to second-degree manslaughter.
The dog attack happened the night of February 24 on Norris Avenue.
A 63-year old man died at the scene following the attack by three pit bulls belonging to Taylor. “His injuries were horrific” with bites to the head and torso, according to Sheriff Chip Simmons.
The sheriff said she failed to secure her home, kennels, or other enclosures designed to keep her dogs from running free. He said she has a long history of violations and fines from Escambia County Animal Control for free-roaming dogs.
“Multiple neighbors tell us of these dogs roaming and biting people on bikes, and they told her and advised her how dangerous these dogs were,” Simmons said. “But still no action.”
After the attack that resulted in the man’s death, the sheriff said Taylor took one of her dogs and left rather than rendering aid to the victim.
“She wasn’t concerned about the safety of this individual, she was only concerned about getting her dog,” he said.
One of the dogs was shot at the scene, the second was captured the following day, and Taylor later surrendered the third dog.
