Fourth North Escambia FPL Solar Farm Planned South Of Bratt Road
November 28, 2022
Florida Power & Light is proposing a fourth solar farm in North Escambia.
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 is on track to go into operation in early 2023. The site will have more than 223,000 photovoltaic panels with 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. 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.
The new Mitchell Creek Solar Energy Center is just entering the Escambia County permitting process.
Pictured top: Map of the proposed Mitchell Creek Solar Energy Center NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge. Pictured below: Construction is at about the halfway point for the First City Solar Energy Center in McDavid. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Collect $58K Each For Fantasy 5 Tickets Sold In Davisville, Pensacola
November 28, 2022
Two people have cashed in winning Fantasy Five tickets bought in Davisville and Pensacola on November 15. The tickets were worth $58,371.34 each.
William H. Stinson of Saraland purchased his winning ticket at the State Line at the State Line Gift Shop at 11208 Highway 97 in Davisville, in the Piggly Wiggly shopping center. Joseph Edward Bush of Chipley purchased a second Escambia County winning ticket at the Publix at 1100 East Cervantes Street in Pensacola.
A third winning ticket was sold in Miami.
The 326 tickets matching four numbers won $86.50 each. Another 8,424 tickets matching three numbers are worth $9 each, and 77,584 ticket holders won a free ticket for picking two numbers.
The November 15 winning numbers were 10-18-20-22-24.
Student Athletes Honored At FCA Go The Distance Banquet
November 28, 2022
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes Going the Distance Awards were presented recently at a banquet hosted by the First Baptist Church of Pensacola.
Athletes from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties were honored for their participation in cross country, golf, swimming and volleyball. The winners were chosen by their teammates based upon their integrity, dedication, character, and FCA values.
Volleyball
- Jordyn Dunaway — West Florida
- Layna Lowry — Jay
- McKenna Simmons — Northview
- Piper Sealey — Central
- Abby Price — PHS
- Alyx Zapatka — Washington
- Kaleigh Windham — Pace
- Alyssa Moodie — Tate
- Grace Tenniswood — East Hill
- Jacque Martin — West Florida
- Amber Yates — Catholic
- Madi Shane — Gulf Breeze
- Emma Carroll — PHS
- Abbie McNair — Escambia
- Riley Gates — Milton
Swimming
- Dylan Sigley — Catholic
- Davan Webster — Gulf Breeze
- Emi Gato — Gulf Breeze
- Kevin Herr — Gulf Breeze
- Sheridan Albanesi — Milton
- Noah Day — Milton
- Dominica Estes — Pine Forest
- Emilio Watts — Pine Forest
- Andrew Oestman — Navarre
- Claire Sczesny — Navarre
- Emily Lyons — Tate
- Korbin Menser — Tate
Golf
- Chase Guillot — Lighthouse
- Edgardo Zane Estrada — Escambia
- Jason Paynter — West Florida
- Jocelyn Vickery — Escambia
- Alex Sweeney — Catholic
- Jaden Gray — Pace
- Aiden Czarnecki — Milton
- Adyson Illian — Tate
- Isabella Ortiz — Pace
- Keller Fairchild — Washington
- Jack Patrick — Gulf Breeze
- Gabby Branning — Gulf Breeze
- Kayla Willis — Milton
- Ben Amjad — PHS
- Elizabeth Owens — Catholic
- Mia Brown — West Florida
- Jayda Pandes — Navarre
- Sarah Rudd — Pine Forest
- Sidney Lane — Washington
- Landon Ray — Tate
- Gabrielle Hultstrand — PHS
Cross Country
- Kada Beihl — Navarre
- Gavin Anthony — Navarre
- Jody Godwin — Jay
- Katelyn Harrison — Jay
- Ronen Lim — Gulf Breeze
- Zella Tavai — Gulf Breeze
- Jayla Rudolph — Pine Forest
- Chrisshaun Terrell — Pine Forest
- Marcelo Owens — Catholic
- Emma Thompson — Catholic
- Gretchen Dedolph — Milton
- Victoria Dela Cruz — East Hill
- Austin Metheny — East Hill
- Alithiah Sturdivant — Escambia
- Isaiah Sgarlata — Escambia
- Jack McAuley — West Florida
- Charlotte Nesmith — West Florida
- Victoriah Reed — Washington
- Hal Tubbs — Washington
- Sydney Smiga — Pace
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
GoFundMe Established For Teen Killed In Chumuckla Highway Wreck
November 28, 2022
A GoFundMe has been established for a teen who died in a Santa Rosa County wreck.
Destinee Wade, 17, died in the two-vehicle crash November 17 on Chumuckla Highway while on her way to school.
Destinee was a senior at Central High School and an employee at the Waffle House in Pace where her father Casey is the manager. Her stepmom, Trinity, is a child caregiver at the Santa Rosa Christian Learning Center.
To contribute, click or tap here.
According to Claudia Curiel, regional spokesperson for GoFundMe, the fundraiser created to honor Wade’s memory and cover her final expenses.
Florida Gas Prices Fall Over The Last Week
November 28, 2022
Florida gas prices have slipped to $3.39 per gallon on average.
In Escambia County, the average price per gallon was $3.06. In North Escambia, drivers could find a low of $2.89 on Highway 29 in Cantonment Sunday night, and a Pensacola low of $2.81 on Nine Mile Road.
The state average is now on a 17-day streak of declines, dropping a total of 19 cents during that time.
“Gas prices are being pressured lower by steep drops in the price of oil, and strong gains in domestic gasoline supplies,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Unless there’s a shift in fundamentals, the state average could sink even lower this week, with the potential of dipping below $3.30 per gallon in the next week or two.”
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Books Are $1 At Bookstore Inside The Bellview Library
November 27, 2022
There is a bookstore inside the new Bellview Library, and all of the books are just $1 each.
Payment is cash only with exact change (funds are deposited into a payment slot). They are available on a first come, first served basis.
The bookstore is open during regular library hours and is a project of the Friends of the West Florida Public Library.
The Bellview Library is open 10a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturdays at 6425 Mobile Highway.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
UWF Argos Beat Statesmen 38-27 In NCAA Second Round
November 27, 2022
The UWF football team continues to cause Delta State fits at McCool Stadium.
Last year it was a 20-point halftime deficit for a come-from-behind win. And on Saturday, the Argos erased a 14-point hole in the fourth quarter with 28 points and the game-winning score with 30 seconds left for a 38-27 win in the Second Round of the 2022 NCAA Division II Football Championship.
Third-seeded UWF (11-1) rushed for 336 yards in the game, including 55 on the final drive that saw the Argonauts go 75 yards on 10 plays in 3:40 following a DSU field goal. C.J. Wilson found the end zone from a yard out to complete the comeback.
“I thought our offensive line really started to wear on their defense in the fourth quarter,” said UWF coach Pete Shinnick. “When you can throw three running backs the way we do… Shomari can tell you, he’s fresh and a 1,000-yard rusher averaging eight yards a carry.”
Shomari Mason went over 1,000 yards for the second-consecutive season with 120 yards on 16 carries and a score. Wilson had 85 yards on 11 rushes and Ra’veion Hargrove churned out 83 yards with nine runs for a 9.2 yards per carry average. All three backs had at least one run of 21 yards or longer against the Statesmen. In the first meeting with DSU on September 24, UWF controlled the ground attack to the tune of 386 yards.
The win sends UWF into the Super Region 2 finals next Saturday against Wingate (11-2). The unseeded Bulldogs will travel to Pensacola for a 1 p.m. kickoff at Pen Air Field after they upset No. 1 seed Benedict, 23-6, for their second-straight playoff road victory.
UWF grabbed a 3-0 lead 2:57 into the game when Griffin Cerra made a 25-yard field goal after the Argos forced a Patrick Shegog fumble on the second play of the game.
The Statesmen fought back and took a 10-3 lead with a Shegog touchdown from a yard out and a Nick Herber 25-yard field goal.
After the teams traded punts, UWF tied it at 10-10 when Jarrett found David Durden in the end zone from 52 yards out.
Midway through the second quarter, the Statesmen got a 76-yard run by Alfonso Franklin to setup another Shegog 1-yard score that eventually sent the teams into the locker room with Delta leading 17-10.
Following a missed field goal on UWF’s opening possession of the second half, the Statesmen went ahead 24-10 on Shegog’s third touchdown.
The Argos started their comeback on the next possession, finishing off a 75-yard drive when Jarrett connected with a wide open Jakobe Quillen from 35 yards. After forcing Delta to punt on the next drive, UWF tied it up at 24-24 when Hargrove, Jarrett and Mason each carried the ball twice en route to a Mason touchdown from the three.
The Statesmen kicked a go-ahead field goal with 4:10 to play following a UWF goal-line stand on 1st and goal at the four.
The gave Jarrett plenty of time to engineer his second fourth quarter game-tying or go-ahead drive in the last four games.
He finished with 161 passing yards with two touchdowns while rushing for 48 on 12 carries.
The Argos put the Okra in the pot on the first play of their next possession when Anthony Johnson, Jr. picked off Shegog and returned it 39 yards to the end zone. Johnson was the one who stayed at home on the third down play and forced Shegog to throw it away on the previous possession.
DSU (11-2) had 469 total yards on 315 rushing, with 131 coming on Franklin’s long run and a 55-yard fake punt in the first quarter. It was the second loss in the final 30 seconds for the Statesmen, who also allowed West Georgia to score 28 points in the final quarter of a 52-42 loss three weeks ago.
Photo: Morgan Givens/UWF
Escambia County Woman Killed In Alabama Wreck
November 27, 2022
An Escambia County (FL) woman was killed in a wreck in Mobile County, Alabama.
A single-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 1:35 p.m. Friday claimed the life of 54-year old Shanda D. Butler, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. The 2007 Ford Taurus she was driving left the roadway and struck several trees on Highway 45 about five miles south of Citronelle.
Butler was pronounced deceased on the scene.
Further details were not released as state troopers continued their investigation.
Jeep Falls Off I-110 Overpass Onto SUV Below
November 27, 2022
A vehicle fell off an I-110 overpass into another vehicle below Saturday afternoon in Escambia County.
A Jeep driven by a 20-year old from Seminole, Alabama, was traveling north on I-110. The driver attempted to change lanes and collided with the concrete traffic barrier on the east side of the elevated roadway. The Jeep traveled about 100 feet against the concrete barrier before it “turned over the traffic barrier and overturned in midair”, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The Jeep fell onto a Dodge Journey below on East Jordan Street, crushing the rear of the SUV.
The 63-year old female driver of the Dodge Journey and her 20-year old male passenger, both from Pensacola, suffered minor injuries. The driver of the Jeep was seriously injured when it fell off the interstate as was her 65-year old female passenger.
None of the injuries were life threatening.
The driver of the Jeep was cited for careless driving.
Photos: WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Traffic Trouble Spots
November 27, 2022
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities. Due to the Thanksgiving holiday travel period. there will be no lane closures or other activities that impede traffic on major state roads through 12 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28.
Escambia County:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The front parking lot is temporarily closed as crews work to resurface the pavement. The other parking areas remain open. Temporary sidewalk modifications are also in place while work is underway.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Nov. 20 through Tuesday, Nov. 22 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to perform miscellaneous construction activities on the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- Pace Boulevard from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Pedestrians will encounter alternating sidewalk closures on Pace Boulevard, between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street (U.S. 29), as crews perform sidewalk and curb improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized intersections to access the sidewalks on the other side of Pace Boulevard during this time.
- East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) 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 on this section of East Nine Mile Road has been reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles will share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete next summer.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenter’s Creek Bridge Replacement – The Ninth Avenue northbound bridge over Carpenter’s Creek is open with four travel lanes, two in each direction. Drivers will continue to encounter intermittent and alternating lane closures as crews place the final layer of asphalt and perform final work activities.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) from Brent Lane (S.R. 296) to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, Nov. 20 through Tuesday, Nov. 22 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway.
- Lillian Highway (S.R. 298), 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 may encounter intermittent lane closures on Lillian Highway, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Highway for erosion control operations. Shoulder closures will be present throughout the project for erosion control installation.
- Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Routine Underground Utility Maintenance at A Street Intersection – Motorist will encounter intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21 through 8 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22 to tie in a new waterline to the watermain.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Nov. 20 through Tuesday, Nov. 22 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to perform miscellaneous construction activities on the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River - Construction crews have temporarily shifted eastbound traffic to the westbound bridge over Simpson River. The shift is expected to be in place through March 2023. During this time, there will be two westbound lanes and one eastbound travel lane using the westbound bridge. Due to the traffic shift, there will not be dedicated bike lanes on the bridge. Drivers are urged to use extra caution as they will be temporarily sharing the bridge with cyclists. Drivers are also reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent nighttime lane closures Monday, Nov. 21 and Tuesday, Nov. 22 for construction activities.
- U.S. 90 Routine Utility Maintenance from Fellowship Baptist Church to Santa Villa Drive in Pace – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Monday, Nov. 21 and Tuesday, Nov. 22 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for routine utility maintenance.
- 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 S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road Sunday, Nov. 20 through Wednesday, Nov. 23 from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- Settlers Colony Boulevard will remain closed to complete necessary drainage improvements. Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians will access Settlers Colony Boulevard via Venetian Way and Coronado Drive. Detour signs will be in place. Residents may experience noise, vibrations, and dust during daytime hours as part of this drainage improvement effort.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.