Alabama Driver’s License Offices To Close For One Week
April 14, 2022
All Alabama driver’s license services, including online, will be unavailable April 18-25.
Examiners will still be able to administer road skills tests during this time, however, customers will not be issued their license until the offices fully reopen.
This temporary closure is necessary to install LEADS, the state’s new modernized driver license system.
County offices will remain open during the transitional period but strictly for revenue and probate services.
Once LEADS goes live on May 26, Alabama citizens will have access to a variety of new options and such enhanced services as allowing individuals to pre-apply for the Alabama Driver License and enter all necessary information prior to visiting a local office. Additionally, ALEA will offer expanded online services including but not limited to:
- Ability to update their addresses
- Ability to pay and reinstate their licenses
- Ability to upload U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Medical Cards
- Ability to view Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Hazmat background checks
- Ability to issue duplicate licenses to eligible foreign nationals
- Ability to pre-apply for individuals who are requesting an Alabama License for the first time
In addition to the new hardware, tremendous amounts of data received since 1970 will be converted into LEADS.
NorthEscambia.com Publisher Named One Of Escambia County’s Most Influential People
April 14, 2022
The Pensacola Independent News has released their 2022 Inweekly Power List — their ranking of the most powerful and influential people in Escambia County.
Only one person that works primarily in the North Escambia area was named to the list — NorthEscambia.com publisher William Reynolds for the 10th year.
Attorney Troy Rafferty tops this year’s list.
To view this year’s Inweekly Power List edition, click here.
Pictured: Attorney Troy Rafferty was at the top of the 2022 Inweekly Power List. Courtesy image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High School Hosts District Special Olympics (With Photo Gallery)
April 14, 2022
Escambia County School District’s Special Olympics Spring Games were held Wednesday at Tate High School with about 500 student athletes and about 400 Tate student volunteers assisting as “buddies” and event workers.
The event began with a Special Olympics Torch around the track at Pete Gindl Stadium.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton High’s Baleigh Johnson Signs With Coastal Alabama Brewton Volleyball
April 14, 2022
Wednesday, Flomaton High School senior Baleigh Johnson signed a volleyball scholarship with Coastal Alabama Community College in Brewton.
Johnson played volleyball for the past four years. She is the daughter of Russell and Melissa Johnson.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos, Trash Pandas Suspended Due To Rain
April 14, 2022
The second game of the series between the Pensacola Blue Wahoos at the Rocket City Trash Pandas was suspended due to rain in the bottom of the seventh Wednesday night due to rain in Madison, Alabama.
The game, which was in a 3-3 tie, will resume Thursday at 4:05 p.m, prior to the regularly scheduled game at 6:35 p.m.
Tuesday night, the Blue Wahoos got their first win of the young season 4-3 over Rocket City.
Fields of Faith Community Worship Service Postponed Due To Weather
April 13, 2022
The Field of Faith Event originally planned for Wednesday evening at Northview High School has been postponed due to weather. A rescheduled date has not yet been announced.
Northview High School’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes had planned to host their annual Fields of Faith outdoors in Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium.
Fields of Faith is a national student-led initiative. “Students invite, pray for, share with, and challenge their peers to read the Bible and follow Jesus Christ. An athletic field provides a neutral, rally point where a community can come together,” according to national organizers.
Pictured: Last year’s Fields of Faith event at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
$80 Million Turnaround Project Beginning At Ascend With 500 Contractors. Here’s What You Need To Know.
April 13, 2022
An $80 million turnaround project is beginning at Ascend Performance Materials in Cantonment and is expected to continue 24 hours a day, seven days a week through May 4.
About 90% of the plant will be shut down, but some utility operations will continue. Officials said there are no issues expected from the shutdown or startup of the manufacturing plant. There is not expected to be any noise from the operation, but other plants on the property will continue to make noise as usual.
Up to 500 outside contractors will be involved in the turnaround. That means numerous vehicles will be parked at the water tower at the intersection of Old Chemstrand and Chemstrand Roads and at the plant’s gym and park area. Temporary parking lot lights will be used as needed.
A law enforcement presence will help with traffic flow in and out of the site during shift changes. Buses will be used to transport workers from the plant to and from the parking areas.
Contractors are being encouraged to use Chemstrand and Old Chemstrand roads, not surrounding residential streets.
During the event, shift changes are scheduled from 5-7 a.m. and 5-7 p.m. to minimize traffic impacts.
All of the contractor employees have undergone a stringent evaluation, including drug, alcohol and background checks, said Ascend Environment, Safety, Security, and Health Leader Dean Rossi during a recent virtual community meeting. He said the company has also partnered with local law enforcement.
“We are about our communities in which we operate,” Ascend Cantonment Site Director Matthew Steward said.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Two Arrested, One Wanted: Items, Including Silver And Guns, Stolen In Nearly $100,000 Burglary
April 13, 2022
FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS STORY, CLICK HERE.
Two North Escambia men are accused of taking items worth nearly $100,000, including nine guns, during a burglary on Innerarity Point Road, and authorities are searching for a third suspect.
Raymond Eugene Love, age 41 of Molino, and David Ross Holmquist, age 50 of Cantonment, were both charged with nine counts of grand theft of a firearm, grand theft $20,000 to $100,000, armed burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, and criminal mischief.
James Bronson Morgan, 48, is wanted for nine counts of grand theft of a firearm, grand theft between $20,000 – $100,000, burglary of an unoccupied dwelling while armed and criminal mischief.
During the burglary, Love and Holmquist allegedly took items including $60,000 in silver bars and bullion, ammunition valued at $10,000, 50 extra magazines for an AR-15 and AK-47, and the firearms, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report. The items were collectively valued at $96,459.
The homeowner arrived to find his indoor dog outside and that his house had been ransacked. According to the ECSO, the home was entered through a window over the kitchen sink.
Love (pictured right) remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning with bond set at $261,000. Holmquist was jailed without bond.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Morgan is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Escambia Man Convicted On Drug Trafficking Charges
April 13, 2022
An Escambia County man has been convicted on drug trafficking charges.
Daryl Leroy Hayes, Jr. was found guilty by an Escambia County jury of trafficking in fentanyl (28 grams or more), trafficking in methamphetamine (more than 200 grams), selling cocaine, fleeing to elude a law enforcement officer at high speed, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Hayes faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 25 years when he is sentenced next month by Judge Linda Nobles.
On April 17, 2021, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a car driven by Hayes. When lights and sirens were activated, Hayes fled in the car at a high rate of speed. When he eventually stopped, he fled on foot with a backpack full of a trafficking amount of fentanyl and methamphetamine, according to court testimony. Cocaine, oxycodone, MDMA, spice, and a firearm were also located by deputies after Hayes’ arrest.
Three Big Wins For Tate Baseball Over Navarre; NHS Falls To Lighthouse; Jay Softball Beats Northview
April 13, 2022
BASEBALL
Tate 20, Navarre 0
The Tate Aggies shut out Navarre 20-0 in fiving innings Tuesday night.
Ethan McAnally started for Tate on the mound, giving up no runs, no hits, and striking out three in three innings. Tucker Griffin went for one inning, allowing no hits and no runs while striking out one. Drew Reaves pitched an inning, allowing two hits, no runs and striking out one.
Cade Kelly and Kirk Mosley led the Aggies at bat with three hits. Drew Reaves, Frankie Randall and Jay Davis had two hits each.
For a varsity and junior varsity photo gallery, click here.
Tate 4, Navarre 1 (JV)
Tate Aggies junior varsity topped Navarre 4-1 Tuesday.
On the pitcher’s mound, Cole McNair allowed one hit, no runs and had three strikeouts over three innings.Tristin Lynn threw for two, allowing one hit and striking out three in two innings. In one inning, Conner Baer allowed one hit and one run.
Anthony Longo knocked a home run for the Aggies.
Neal Croom went 2-3 for the Aggies to lead at the plate. Trey Rebber, Damien Cullen, Ketch King, Allan Beasley and Longo had one hit each.
Tate 13, Navarre 3 (Freshmen)
The Tate Freshmen Aggies beat Navarre 13-3.
Brodie Rhodes pitched the win, going three innings, allowing one hit and no runs while striking out four with no walks. Brayden Beck and Trevor Land closed the game in relief.
Brayden Walker and Nathan Ozuna led the Aggies at the plate, both going 2-3.
Lighthouse Christian 4, Northview 1
Lighthouse Christian defeated Northview 4-1 Tuesday night in Bratt.
SOFTBALL
Jay 13, Northview 7
The Jay Royals defeated the Northview Chiefs 13-7 Tuesday night in Jay.
Caitlyn Gavin had a solo homer for the Lady Royals in the second, and Alyana Lower added her home run in the fifth. Northview’s Kailyn Watson hit a home run in the seventh inning.
Rylie Cochran led off for the Royals, going four innings, allowing four runs on five hits and recording nine strikeouts.
Jamison Gilman was in the circle for four and a third innings for Northview, giving up 11 runs on 10 hits while striking out three. Aubrey Stuckey went for one and two-thirds innings, surrendering three hits, two runs and striking out three.
Gavin and Kaylee Gilbreath were both 3-4 for the Lady Royals.
Watson led the Chiefs at bat, going 3-4. Chloe Ragsdale, Kayla Dixon, Stuckey and Alanna Roberson added one hit each.
West Florida 4, Tate 2
NorthEscambia.com photos by Laura Glodfelter, click to enlarge.
