Here's a look back at our top stories of the week

Brandon Girod, Pensacola News Journal
·4 min read

Here's a roundup of some our top stories from the past week that are available only to our subscribers.

With a subscription to the Pensacola News Journal, you will receive full access to the work done by our journalists and photographers as they head out every day to help inform and explain the important issues affecting your community.

Chipotle, Wawa, Miller's Ale House, Cook Out coming to Escambia County

A sign in front of the restaurant lets people know of job opportunities at the Cook Out at the intersection of Providence and Riveride in Clarksville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021.
A sign in front of the restaurant lets people know of job opportunities at the Cook Out at the intersection of Providence and Riveride in Clarksville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021.

Escambia County’s Development Review Committee approved dozens of development projects during 2023 and received applications for even more, including multiple locations for varying commercial chains like Wawa and Chipotle.

These popular chains are trying to expand their business within Escambia County as it continues to grow in population.

Here are some of the chains that were either approved in 2023 or are pending development of new locations within Escambia County.

Full story: These big-name chains applied to expand their Escambia County footprint in 2023

Santa Rosa growth and development to remain fast paced in 2024

Brandon Meadows, of Elite Mechanical, works on the HVAC installation at Gulf Cable's new Armstrong Road building in Milton on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023.
Brandon Meadows, of Elite Mechanical, works on the HVAC installation at Gulf Cable's new Armstrong Road building in Milton on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023.

The pace of development won't be tapering off in Santa Rosa County in 2024, and Shannon Ogletree, the county's economic development guru, intends to open the year with a big reveal.

In January or February, he said, he'll be releasing the name of a major food distribution company, presently traveling under the moniker of Project Runner, that at some future date will be occupying about 50 acres inside the Milton Interchange Park, the county's newest industrial park.

A 50-acre development will occupy approximately a quarter of the entire Milton Interchange Park, a site of just under 200 acres that is being equipped with infrastructure courtesy of a $15.9 million infusion from Triumph Gulf Coast, an organization created following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill to distribute more than a billion dollars in legal settlement funds to Panhandle counties.

Milton Interchange Park sits right off the State Road 87 intersection with Interstate 10, just north of the Northwest Florida Industrial Park at I-10. The smaller Northwest Florida Industrial Park at I-10 is close to capacity, having welcomed Buffalo Rock, the nation's largest family-owned bottler of Pepsi and Dr. Pepper products, in January of this year. A Buffalo Rock distribution center, when constructed, will bring in 350 to 400 employees.

Full story: 'Largest single property development' - and jobs - in Santa Rosa history on 2024 docket

Pensacola Home Depot killer Keith Agee appeals murder life sentence

Keith Agee listens during his trial at the M.C. Blanchard Judicial Building in Pensacola on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. Agee is on trial for first-degree premeditated murder in the death of Brooklynn Sims in August at the Home Depot on North Davis Highway in Pensacola.
Keith Agee listens during his trial at the M.C. Blanchard Judicial Building in Pensacola on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. Agee is on trial for first-degree premeditated murder in the death of Brooklynn Sims in August at the Home Depot on North Davis Highway in Pensacola.

An Alabama man convicted of premeditated murder at a Pensacola Home Depot store filed an appeal the day after his trial.

A panel of jurors found 20-year-old Keith Agee of Calvert, Alabama, guilty of driving to Home Depot and fatally shooting 18-year-old Brooklyn Sims. Agee is appealing the verdict and the mandatory life sentence levied upon him after the trial.

Full story: Despite confession, Pensacola Home Depot shooter Keith Agee to appeal conviction, sentence

Human trafficking in Escambia, Santa Rosa counties is hidden in plain sight

Human trafficking can hit uncomfortably close to home, not just in the Escambia and Santa Rosa County area but within your own family.

"Familial trafficking is one of the fastest growing forms of trafficking in the Escambia and Santa Rosa area," said Angie Ishee, executive director of nonprofit Magdalene's Inc. "About 60% of familial trafficking cases are by the mother as the perpetrator."

The News Journal recently reported on the arrest of Alabama woman Melissa Martinez-Ordonez, who authorities allege had been sex trafficking her daughter in Pensacola. Martinez-Ordonez's case is still pending in court. The familial connection is not that uncommon in human trafficking cases.

Full story: Human trafficking is 'hidden in plain sight,' and it's closer than you might think

Pensacola sandwich shop temporarily closed after live roaches found

Here's the breakdown of recent restaurant inspections in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties for the week of Dec. 18-24. Florida's restaurant owners are not required to post restaurant inspection results where guests can see them.

During the latest round of inspections from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, one restaurant was closed temporarily, one restaurant received an administrative complaint, one additional restaurant received high priority violations and 22 restaurants were awarded a perfect score on the first try. A full list of those restaurants who received a perfect score can be found at the bottom of this article.

Full story: Popular Pensacola sub shop shut down after live roaches found in kitchen during inspection

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola top news stories: Dec. 25-29