$7.2 Million In Safety Improvements Continue On East Nine Mile Road
September 16, 2022
A $7.2 million Florida Department of Transportation project to improve safety on a 2.3 mile segment of East Nine Mile Road is continuing.
Workers are making progress on widening turn lanes and installing new storm drain pipes.
The project calls for widening the turn lanes to include 5-foot bicycle lanes in each direction, pedestrian and traffic signal upgrades, minor guardrail, drainage improvements, and milling and resurfacing of turn lanes and bicycle lanes.
Lane closures are limited to between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. seven days a week. Pedestrian detours are in place while sidewalk improvements are underway.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Varsity And JV Defeat Hoboes (With Photo Gallery)
September 16, 2022
The Northview Chief varsity and junior varsity volleyball teams defeated the Hoboes of Laurel Hill Thursday.
The varsity Chiefs swept the Hoboes 25-23, 25-13, 25-1. The JV Chiefs topped the Hoboes in two, 25-17, 25-15.
The Lady Chiefs will host Central next Tuesday before traveling to Pine Forest on Thursday.
For photo of both JV and varsity action, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Blanked 1-0 By Biloxi
September 16, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos had plenty of opportunities, but couldn’t come through with a big hit as they fell 1-0 to the Biloxi Shuckers on Thursday night for their third consecutive loss.
The Blue Wahoos were 0-for-11 with men in scoring position, including 0-for-4 with four strikeouts with the bases loaded, as they were unable to take advantage of a strong start from Patrick Monteverde.
Monteverde, in his final appearance of the regular season, struck out seven Biloxi batters over 5.2 scoreless innings. He traded zeroes with Shuckers starter Brandon Knarr (W, 4-6) until Biloxi finally broke through in the seventh.
Jorge Mercedes (L, 0-1) stranded an inherited runner for the final out of the sixth, but issued a leadoff walk to Yeison Coca in the seventh. Coca followed with a pair of stolen bases to advance to third, and Corey Ray brought him home with a sacrifice fly to put the Shuckers ahead 1-0.
Pensacola loaded the bases in the eighth and drew two walks in the ninth, but Zach Vennaro (S, 11) put away the Blue Wahoos with back-to-back strikeouts to end the game.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Shuckers on Friday evening.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
McDonald’s Manager Charged With Stealing Over $100,000 From Restaurant
September 15, 2022
A local McDonald’s manager has been charged with stealing over $100,000 the restaurant.
Jon Jon Smith, 38, was charged with felony grand theft of $100,000 or more.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the thefts occurred between September 2021 and June 2022 while Smith was employed as the restaurant’s manager.
Northview High Announces Homecoming Court
September 15, 2022
Northview High School has named their 2022 homecoming court.
Court members are:
12th Grade
- Caitlyn Gibson
- Emma Gilmore
- Raven McCarthy
- Kara Santorelli
- McKenna Simmons
- Anna Spence
11th Grade
- Ar’mya Findley
- Saniyah Hixon
- Tydeasia McKenzie
10th Grade
- Payton Daw
- Maddie Mae Driskell
- Mary Catherine Hughes
9th Grade
- Kathryn Beasley
- Jalayah Bright
- Noel Pugh
The homecoming queen will be named during a ceremony that begins at 6 p.m. Friday in Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium on the Northview campus.
Pictured above: Homecoming court members (front, L-R) Payton Daw, Kara Santorelli, Caitlyn Gibson, TyDeasia McKenzie, Kathryn Beasley, Noel Pugh, Jalayah Bright, (back, L-R) Mary Catherine Hughes, Maddie Mae Driskell, Raven McCarthy, Anna Spence, McKenna Simmons, Emma Gilmore, Ar’mya Findley, and Saniyah Hixon. Pictured below are seniors (front, L-R) Kara Santorelli, Caitlyn Gibson, (back, L-R) Raven McCarthy, Anna Spence, McKenna Simmons and Emma Gilmore. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Woman Overdoses On Fentanyl Inside Jail After Shoplifting Arrest, ESCO Says
September 15, 2022
A Cantonment woman arrested for shoplifting overdosed on fentanyl inside the Escambia County Jail, according to an arrest report.
Academy Sports on Davis Highway reported that 34-year old Erika Diane Martin, 34, shoplifted assorted items valued at $331.40.
Once an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy transported Martin to the Escambia County Jail, she was processed and searched by jail staff members before being placed in a holding cell. After 10-15 minutes, she was found unconscious on the floor with a bag containing a white powder substance that tested positive for fentanyl on a bench, according to an ECSO arrest report.
Jail staff and medical personnel rendered medical aid, and Martin was transported to a local hospital by Escambia County EMS. At the hospital, she told a deputy that the bag containing fentanyl was hidden in her bra, and she did not surrender it because she forgot it was there.
“I snorted it,” Martin told the deputy, according to the report.
After being discharged from the hospital, Martin was charged with felony theft, introduction into a county facility, possession of a controlled substance and tampering with physical evidence.
The felony theft charge stemmed from the alleged shoplifting incident at Academy Sports. Deputies arrived at the store to find Martin inside where store personnel said Martin was wearing Vans tennis shoes and blue shorts that belonged to the store. A search of her person found two men’s Nike t-shirts and a bluetooth speaker in her pockets, a cell phone charger around her neck, along with sunglasses, earphones, men’s swim trunks, a Gerber knife and other items on her person, according to an arrest report. The tags had been removed from all of the items, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Martin remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $30,000.
Tropical Storm Fiona Forms In Atlantic
September 15, 2022
Tropical Storm Fiona formed Wednesday night in the Atlantic, and it is expected to bring gusty winds and heavy rain to the northeast Caribbean Islands in the next few days.
It is too soon to determine if Fiona will eventually threaten the United States.
Next Wednesday Is An Early Release Day For Escambia Schools
September 15, 2022
Next Wednesday, September 21, is an early release day for public schools in Escambia County.
All schools will serve breakfast and lunch to students on the early release day. Regular modes of student transportation will be provided.
Other early release days this school year are scheduled for November 2, December 20, February 1 and May 23.
Early release days provide teachers and staff regular opportunities for professional development.
Release times are listed below. For additional information, contact your child’s school.
Escambia Woman Wins $1 Million On Lottery Scratch-Off Ticket
September 15, 2022
An Escambia County woman claimed a $1 million Florida Lottery scratch-off prize.
Deborah Robinson-Sparks, 61, claimed the $1 million prize in the 500x Cash Scratch-Off game at the Lottery’s Pensacola office. She chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $820,000.
Robinson-Sparks purchased her winning ticket from Walmart on North Navy Boulevard. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning Scratch-Off ticket.
Blue Wahoos Silenced by Shuckers
September 15, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos dropped their second straight game to the Biloxi Shuckers on Wednesday, falling 8-2.
J.D. Osborne was 2-for-3 with a home run and a walk, but it wasn’t nearly enough as the Shuckers extended their winning streak to six games.
On short notice, reliever Andrew McInvale (L, 2-3) was asked to make a spot start for the Blue Wahoos. The righty turned in 3.0 innings, but allowed four runs in the second as Biloxi claimed the early lead and ran with it. A run-scoring error from first baseman Marcus Chiu opened the door for Corey Ray’s RBI single, turning a two-run inning into a four-run frame.
The Shuckers added more offense in the fourth against Zack Leban with a two-run home run from Nick Kahle. Osborne’s solo homer in the fourth was followed by a run-scoring throwing error from Biloxi center fielder Jackson Chourio in the fifth to draw the score to 6-2, but that was all the offense the Blue Wahoos could muster against Biloxi starter T.J. Shook (W, 4-2).
Ethan Murray hit a solo homer in the sixth for the Shuckers, and Zavier Warren capped the scoring with an RBI single in the ninth to bring Biloxi to their final lead of 8-2.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Shuckers on Thursday evening.
by Eric Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos