ECAT Rolls Out Three Buses, Free Rides For Students
February 8, 2023
Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) rolled out three new transit buses Tuesday — the first full-size new buses in nearly a decade.
The three new 2022 Gillig buses are the first buses to be added to the fleet since 2014. Equipped with seated capacity for 23 riders and additional hand straps for riders to safely stand, has wi-fi, contains automatic passenger counters, and can accommodate two wheelchairs and two bicycles.
ECAT is also promoting the Student Transit Empowerment Pass (STEP) Program that provides free rides for students under age 18. STEP pass applications will be available online or in person at ECAT customer service offices. Applications must be completed by a parent or legal guardian and are valid until the end of the school year.
Pictured: Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May speaks in front of a new transit bus during an ECAT event Tuesday afternoon. Image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Convicted Felon Accused Of Stealing Relative’s Truck And Shotgun In Molino
February 8, 2023
A convicted felon from Molino is accused of stealing a relative’s truck with a shotgun inside before returning both to the scene of the crime.
Robert Dale Stockstill II was charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and armed burglary.
Stockstill allegedly stole a GMC 1500 work truck from a relative’s driveway on Bet Raines Road in Molino. The victim had returned home from hunting and placed a Remington shotgun in the driver’s seat before going to a nearby store for about 20 minutes. When he returned home, the truck was gone.
The victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that Stockstill later returned with the truck, and a verbal altercation followed before Stockstill left in his own vehicle before deputies arrived.
The business owner told deputies that he wished to pursue charges for theft of the truck. The shotgun was still in the truck when it was recovered.
“Due to the shotgun being moved into the passenger’s seat, Stockstill should have known a firearm was within the vehicle and known not to enter due to being a convicted felon,” an arrest report states.
Stockstill remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday with bond set at $15,000.
Escambia County Commission Cancels Their COW
February 8, 2023
The Escambia County Commission has canceled Thursday’s planned Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting.
The COW is a workshop type meeting held for commission discussion, but no votes are taken.
The January COW meeting was also canceled.
Escambia (Alabama) Sheriff Receives $1.2 Million Radio Grant From Rep. Jerry Carl
February 8, 2023
The Escambia County (Alabama) Sheriff’s Office has received a $1.2 million grant to upgrade their radio system.
Alabama Congressman Jerry Carl presented the $1,204,277.52 grant to Sheriff Heath Jackson Tuesday in Washington, D.C.
The grant will allow for towers and equipment to upgrade the agency’s communication to digitally encrypted P25 equipment, similar to what is utilized in neighboring Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida.
According to Carl’s office, the radios will “assist first responders in performing their job more efficiently and safely and to deliver an inbound and outbound communication structure to Escambia County, which will tie the East end of Escambia County to an already structured West end of the county, thus closing the gap in radio communications”.
“We will still have to come up with the money to buy radios for vehicles and belts, but this is the major step,” Jackson told NorthEscambia.com from Washington Tuesday afternoon. “I really appreciate the congressman’s help.
“I also want to thank Senator Katie Britt for her help pushing this grant across the finish line,” he added.
Other law enforcement agencies and first responders across Escambia County, Alabama, will have the opportunity to move to the new digital radio system.
Pictured: Alabama Congressman Jerry Carl (pictured top, left and below, right) presented a $1,204,277.52 communications grant to Sheriff Heath Jackson Tuesday in Washington, D.C. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Registration Underway For Tri-City Children’s Choir
February 8, 2023
Registration is underway for the Tri-City Children’s Choir (TCCC), a regional initiative of the Pensacola Children’s Chorus.
TCCC welcomes young singers in grades 1-6 who reside in Century, Flomaton, Jay and the surrounding areas in Florida and Alabama.
The choir will one again be under the direction of Holley Driver, a Century-based music teacher.
Singers will meet weekly at 4:30 on Thursdays beginning March 9 at Century First United Methodist Church, 530 Church Street. TCCC is a tuition-based program and costs from $15 to $65 per month. Families may choose the weekly amount that works best for their household finances, and scholarships are also available.
For more information on joining the choir, or make a contribution, visit www.tricitychoir.org.
Driver taught music in the Escambia County School District for over 15 years, served as the choral director at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino for nine years, and teaches in her own studio.
If you need more information, call or text Driver at (850) 324-6182.
Pictured: A May 2022 performance by the Tri-City Children’s Choir. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Stadium To Host Tate, Northview In High School, College Series
February 8, 2023
High school and college baseball are returning to Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The high school baseball schedule at Blue Wahoo Stadium will begin on Saturday, February 25 when Baker High will take on Pensacola High, followed by West Florida High and Milton on March 9. The high school series will return March 23 through March 27, including Tate and South Walton High on March 23 at 7 p.m., Northview versus Jay on March 24 at 4 p.m., and Tate versus Arnold at 7:00 on March 24.
Eight teams will take part in a 29 game college series between March 14 and March 23. The tournament will feature UW-Whitewater (Wisconsin), Spalding University (Kentucky), Carroll University (Wisconsin), Edgewood College (Wisconsin), UW-Platteville (Wisconsin), Grinnell College (Iowa), Hendrix College (Arkansas), and Birmingham Southern College (Alabama).
“Blue Wahoos Stadium is a community ballpark and we’re thrilled to provide local high school players a full professional baseball experience under the lights as well as showcase our beautiful community to collegiate athletes from across the country,” general manager Steve Brice said. “We can’t wait to have the best fans in baseball back at Blue Wahoos Stadium throughout February and March as we prepare for Blue Wahoos Opening Day on April 7.”
Pictured: The Tate Aggies beat Navarre 12-4 at Blue Wahoos Stadium in March 2022. NorthEscambia.com photos by Laura Glodfelter and by Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Malnourished Horses, Pony Removed From Century Property During Investigation
February 7, 2023
An animal cruelty case near Century is under investigation.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a complaint Saturday in the 7600 block of Killam Road, between Highway 4 and Highway 4A.
According to the ECSO, the investigation involves animals including horses, a small pony and a goat.
“The owners moved away sometime last year,” said ECSO spokesperson Morgan Lewis. “They would then sometimes stop by and feed them.”
Lewis said the horses and pony both appeared to be malnourished.
According to ECSO, charges in the case are pending the outcome of the investigation.
Two horses and the pony were removed from the property, according to Panhandle Equine Rescue (PER) President Diane Lowery. One of the horses, she said, did not survive the night.
The only horse rescue in Escambia County, the non-profit Panhandle Equine Rescue was founded by a small group of concerned citizens with a mission to rescue, rehabilitate and provide adoption services for abused, neglected and abandoned equines. PER is authorized by the court system to investigate equine cruelty cases in Escambia County.
For more information on Panhandle Equine Rescue and how to donate to the organization visit www.panhandleequinerescue.org. The group is specifically seeking donations to help with the care of the surviving horse and pony.
Pictured top: A malnourished pony is fed after being removed from a property near Century. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Winning $36K Fantasy Five Ticket Sold On Nine Mile Road
February 7, 2023
Someone is over $36,000 richer today after purchasing a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket on Nine Mile Road.
The quick pick ticket sold at the SP Foot Mart On West Nine Mile Road at Bridlewood Road was one of five winning tickets sold in Monday night’s drawing and is worth $36,427.41. The other winning tickets were sold in Orlando, Hollywood, Miami and Vero Beach.
The 373 tickets matching four numbers won $78.50 each. Another 10,700 tickets matching three numbers are worth $7.50 each, and 89,577 ticket holders won a free ticket for picking two numbers.
Monday’s winning numbers were 3-7-9-21-26.
Leaking Propane Tanker Truck Shuts Down I-10 Weigh Station
February 7, 2023
A leaking propane tanker truck shut down the weigh station on I-10 eastbound near Beulah Monday afternoon.
Escambia County Fire Rescue, including a hazmat team, responded and was able to close a leaking valve on the tanker without incident.
There were no injuries reported.
Pictured top: A traffic camera shows two ECFR Hazmat team members approaching the truck. Pictured below: Escambia County Fire Rescue at the scene. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Seriously Injured In Molino Wreck Involving Two Vehicles, Tree
February 7, 2023
One person was seriously injured in a two vehicle crash Monday afternoon in Molino.
The driver of a vehicle reportedly struck the rear of a SUV before the SUV crashed into a large tree on Highway 95A near Chipper Road.
The Florida Highway is investigating and has not released their determination on the cause of the 2:30 p.m. crash.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.