Escambia Fire Rescue Responds To Brush Fire In Cottage Hill
March 21, 2023
Escambia County Fire Rescue responde a brush fire in Cottage Hill Tuesday afternoon.
The fire was reported off McKenzie Road west of Chavers Road about 3:40 p.m. Reports indicated the fire was less than an acre in size and was quickly extinguished.
There were no structures damaged and no word on the cause of the fire.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
FHP: School Bus Driver Turned Into Path Of Car; 60 Students Uninjured
March 21, 2023
The Florida Highway Patrol said a school bus driver turned into the path of a car Tuesday afternoon in Cantonment, causing a crash.
The crash happened about 3:22 p.m. on Highway 29 at Archer Road. FHP said the 62-year old male bus driver turned from Archer Road onto northbound Highway 29 and into the path of a car driven at a high rate of speed by a 19-year old male.
“The school bus failed to yield to oncoming traffic while turning left as a result both vehicles collided,” FHP said.
There were no injuries on Escambia County bus 28-17, which was transporting 60 Tate High School students at the time.
Students on the bus were transported off the highway to the nearby parking lot of Faith Chapel Funeral Home to be released to their parents or transported home.
The driver of the car was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries.
For additional photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Plans Up For Final Approval For Fourth North Escambia FPL Solar Farm South Of Bratt Road
March 21, 2023
A Florida Power & Light proposal for a fourth solar farm in North Escambia will go before the Escambia County Development Review Committee for final consideration on Wednesday.
The “Mitchell Creek Solar Energy Center” would be located on 1,282 acres between Camp and Cox Roads, just south of Bratt Road and the Escambia County Road Department North Camp, according to plans obtained by NorthEscambia.com.
The proposed location is just northwest of the First City Solar Energy Center, located along Holland, Cox and Roach roads in McDavid. It went online February 1 with more than 223,000 photovoltaic panels and a planned output of 75 megawatts.
The 300,000 solar panels at the Cotton Creek Solar Energy Center on Bogia Road near McDavid have been in operation since early 2022 and were officially dedicated in March 2022. It produces. enough electricity to power about 15,000 homes.
The Sparkleberry Solar Energy Center is fully permitted for 553 acres south of the end of Pilgrim Trail. According to FPL, over 200,000 solar panels will generate nearly 75 megawatts — enough energy to also power 15,000 homes.
If approved by the Development Review Committee, developers would next need to obtain building permits before starting construction on the new Mitchell Creek Solar Energy Center
Pictured top: Map of the proposed Mitchell Creek Solar Energy Center NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge. Pictured below: The Florida Power and Light First City Solar Energy Center near McDavid went online February 1. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Update: Service Location Changed To Park West For Northview Senior Killed In Highway 29 Wreck
March 21, 2023
A location change has been announced for a Celebration of Life Service for Northview High School senior that passed away last week in a tragic head-on crash on Highway 29.
Kara Santorelli, 18, lost her life when her vehicle was struck by a wrong-way driver on Highway 29 near Quintette Road at 12:41 a.m. last Friday.
Due to another event, the service location has been moved from the Pensacola Beach Pier to Park West on Pensacola Beach.
The service will be held at 6:30 a.m. Saturday at Park West 1235, Fort Pickens Road (click for map). (Turn right at the light on Pensacola Beach, continue west 2.5 miles until you see the pavilions on the left. Parkin is across the street.) Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or beach towel. In the event of rain, the service will be held under the pavilions.
(For the complete obituary, click here.)
“Kara had the most beautiful smile and the sweetest soul. Everyone that knew her, loved her,” the GoFundMe reads. “She was looking forward to graduating in May and her future was bright! Kara loved spending time at the beach or on the boat and with friends and family. Kara worked at the local restaurant, Jimmy’s Grill, in Molino. She will be greatly missed.”
Family members have also established a GoFundMe help to help with final expenses. To donate, click or tap here to visit GoFundMe.
All proceeds will go directly to her family, according to a GoFundMe spokesperson.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
County Canvassing Board Will Judge Century Special Election, Not The Candidates
March 21, 2023
Two of the four candidates in next week’s special election for the Century Town Council won’t be tasked with judging the fairness of the election.
In a typical Florida election, a group composed of the county supervisor of elections, the chair of the county commission and a county court judge serve as what is called the “canvassing board”. And there are provisions to replace them with alternates if they are seeking, or they support someone seeking, election.
The Century charter — the document that establishes and governs the town — states, “The council shall be the judge of the election…”.
Century Attorney Matt Dannheisser rendered an opinion that the council was thus bound to serve as the de facto canvassing board and “judge” the election, as inadvisable as that might seem to be a conflict of interest.
Two candidates — Shelisa McCall and Alicia Johnson — are currently serving as appointed interim town council members. Each is facing opposition from another candidate. At a recent council meeting, all four candidates and the three other council members agreed that “judging” the election by two candidates would be wrong.
Now, Dannheisser has decided the town should follow the recommendation of the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office and use the county canvassing board.
In an email to the Escambia County Attorney’s Office, Dannheisser wrote:
“In the numerous communications that subsequently occurred, I have not seen any mention of a statute which mandates application of county canvasing board requirements to municipal elections. I remain hopeful that you can demonstrate the existence of such a statute as it would put this entire matter to rest.”
“The foregoing notwithstanding, you have stated your opinion that ‘It is our position Florida Statutes sec. 100.3605 tracking the same language as used in the Interlocal Agreement controls due to “the absence of an applicable special act, charter or ordinance provision“ regarding election conduct.’ From that statement I take it that the Supervisor’s position is that the County canvassing board is required to canvass the Town’s upcoming special election. In an effort to resolve the underlying concerns, the Town is prepared to rely on your position and have the election held on that basis,” Dannheisser concluded.
A county canvassing board has now been appointed. Their first official action will be logic and accuracy testing of the voting and tabulating equipment at 3 p.m. Thursday at the Supervisor of Elections Warehouse and Training Facility at 3201 West Navy Boulevard in Pensacola.
Canvassing board members are:
- County Judge Barry E. Dickson, Jr., Chair
- Supervisor of Elections David H. Stafford
- County Commissioner Robert Bender
Alternate members are:
- County Judge Scott Ritchie
- Elizabeth Kissell (Escambia County grants and special projects manager)
The Blues Angels Are Back! Here’s The 2023 Practice Schedule.
March 21, 2023
The Blue Angels returned home to Pensacola Monday, and they have announced their practice schedule.
The schedule is as follows:
- March 28, 29
- April 4, 5*, 11, 12*, 18, 19*, 25, 26*
- May 2, 3*, 9, 10*, 16, 17*, 31*
- June 6, 7*, 13, 14*, 20, 21, 27, 28*
- July 11, 12, 25, 26*
- August 1, 16*, 22, 23*, 29
- September 6*, 12, 19
- October 18*, 24, 25*
* Indicates Blue Angels autograph sessions in the museum following the practice.
The National Naval Aviation Museum will open the flight line behind the museum to view Blue Angels practice flight demonstrations. Gates will open at 9:30 a.m. on practice days and the Blues are scheduled to take to the skies at 10:30 a.m.
The museum and the practices are open to DoD ID card holders and their guests who can access NAS Pensacola. The practices can be seen from other locations off-base, including Fort Pickets and the Target or Walmart parking lot on Blue Angel Parkway.
Escambia School Board Members Taking To The Road For Town Hall Meetings
March 21, 2023
The Escambia County School Board will hold a series of town hall meetings, along with Superintendent Tim Smith, beginning next week and concluding in early May.
The meetings will be held at 6:00 pm at each site as follows:
- March 27 – District 3 member David Williams at Pensacola High auditorium
- March 28 — District 2 member Paul Fetsko at Escambia High media center
- April 4 — District 4 member Patty Hightower at Washington High auditorium
- April 11 — District 1 member Kevin Adams at Pine Forest High media center
- May 8 – District 5 member Bill Slayton at Tate High cafeteria
All of the town hall meetings are open to the public.
Pictured: The Escambia County School Board holds a workshop meeting Monday.
Beulah Middle Ag Students Explain Growing Program To School Board
March 21, 2023
Students from the Beulah Middle School Agriscience Technology Academy shared the latest about their growing program with the Escambia County School Board during a Monday workshop.
Under the leadership of their instructor, Leanne Jenkins, students Mikayla Salvadora, Jayden Williams and Harrison Vernier addressed the board.
“Without agriculture, these things would not be possible,” Salvadora said after asking board members if they had consumed meat or vegetables Monday, or if they were wearing clothes. “Everything we have, everything we consume, starts on a farm.”
Williams, who is the first Beulah Middle student to pass the program’s industry certification test this year, explained that the program looks to share important values with students. For instance, produce grown in the program becomes a bit of a life lesson after it is harvested.
“Giving away our produce, we promote compassion and healthier eating options. But when not giving away that food, we give it to our students who have grown it and let them cook it so they get to taste what they have grown,” Williams said.
“Technology within agriculture changes every single day,” academy student Vernier told the board. “With our growing population, the need for improvement is crucial. We use technology in our classroom on a daily basis and constantly talk about the every-changing technology in the agriculture industry.”
“We are blessed to have such a dynamic program in classrooms at Beulah Middle,” Superintendent Tim Smith said.
All three students said they hope to continue their agricultural education after high school.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview’s Luke Bridges Signs To Play Football At Millsaps College
March 21, 2023
Monday, Northview High School senior Luke Bridges signed to play football at Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi.
According to NHS head football coach Wes Summerford, Bridges recorded 353 career tackles on defense for the Chiefs, including 19 tackles for a loss. On offense, he scored 19 touchdowns and averaging “a stunning 24 yards every time he touched the football”.
Bridges took a moment to thank his family during the signing ceremony.
“My dad taught me how to love the game and what it meant to be a football player on and off the field…and my mom for being my biggest supporter…and then my little brother for being by my said through it all,” he said. Bridges also thanked his teammates and coaches.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Students, Community Mourn 18-Year Old Killed In Highway 29 Wrong-Way Crash
March 20, 2023
Northview High School students and the North Escambia community are mourning the death of NHS senior Kara Santorelli.
Santorelli, 18, was killed in a head-on crash early last Friday morning on Highway 29.
Extra counselors were at Northview Monday to assist staff and students with the tragic situation.
“Today, with sad hearts, we welcome back our students after spring break. We are deeply sorry for the tragic loss of our senior Kara Santorelli. We hold tight to beautiful memories that she had left with us. Her beautiful smile and kind spirit will continue to be in the hearts of her friends and classmates,” NHS said in a statement. “We also extend our condolences to her family, praying that they find comfort and strength in the midst of their grief.”
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a white Chevrolet sedan was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of Highway 29 just south of Quintette Road at 12:41 a.m.
A burgundy Nissan SUV driven by Santorelli was northbound at the time, and the vehicles collided head-on.
The Chevrolet sedan caught fire with the driver still inside. Troopers said the sedan driver has not yet been identified.
Both drivers were pronounced deceased at the scene.
Pictured: Kara Santorelli was a senior member of the Northview High School homecoming court last fall. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.