Contractor Granted Time Extensions For Molino Road Bridge Completion
October 3, 2017
When Molino Road was closed for replacement of the bridge over Penasula Creek, just east of Sunshine Hill Road, the construction contact called for the project to be complete by September 25. But the contractor has been granted multiple time extensions by the Florida Department of Transportation, NorthEscambia.com has learned.
Contractor F&W Construction Company started the project on January 3 under a contract that gave the company 265 days for completion.
The Florida Department of Transportation has granted F&W 30 additional days due to weather and eight additional holiday days to complete the project. That would make the required completion date November 1.
But according to Tanya Branton, spokesperson for FDOT, there are two pending time extensions. One is for 14 days due to additional piling that was required and another nine days due to Hurricane Irma. If those requested extensions are granted, the anticipated final acceptance date will be November 24 for a total of 326 contract days.
The old wood piling supported bridge was constructed in 1958 had reached a level of deterioration to warrant replacement and was next on the list of the FDOT’s Five-Year Work Plan. The project is being funded and the construction work is being performed under contract with the Florida Department of Transportation. After completion of the structure, Escambia County will be responsible for the maintenance of the bridge.
To date, the bridge project is only $1,617 over original budget, with an adjusted current contract amount of $1,129,920.01.
Pictured: The current status of construction on the Molino Road bridge over Penasula Creek. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bright Skies Forecast
October 3, 2017
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. East wind around 10 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 87. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Columbus Day: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85.
Escambia Man Faces Up To Life For Drug Trafficking
October 3, 2017
An Escambia County man faces up to life in prison after a drug conviction.
Ozell Pressley, Sr. was convicted by an Escambia County jury of one count of trafficking in cocaine (28 grams or more, but less than 200 grams), one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of possession of controlled substance (less than 20 grams of cannabis).
On November 03, 2016, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Investigators served a search warrant at a known drug house located in the 2300 block of West Bobe Street. An investigation into Pressley began after information was received that Pressley was distributing crack cocaine from the West Bobe Street House. Pressley, a co-defendant and three other adults were located in the home, along with more than 30 grams of crack cocaine, cannabis and a loaded firearm.
Pressley is a convicted felon and has an extensive criminal history, including five prior charges of Sale, manufacture, or delivery, three prior charges of possession of controlled substance, resisting an officer with violence, attempting to flee and elude, felony battery, possession of marijuana (over 20 grams), improper exhibition of a firearm and aggravated battery.
Circuit Judge Edward Nickinson scheduled sentencing for October 27.
Ozell Pressley, Sr. qualifies as a habitual felony offender. He faces a maximum sentence of up to life in prison on the count of trafficking in cocaine.
Several North Escambia Schools Name ‘Five Star Schools’
October 3, 2017
Several Escambia County Schools have been named Five Star Schools.
To be selected a Five Star School, a school must submit a portfolio that demonstrates they have: a strong community/business partnership program; strong family involvement including an active PTA , booster program or the like, including educational opportunities and support to families; strong volunteer program; encourage and support student community service; and, have an active school advisory council.
This year’s Five Star Schools are: Jim Allen Elementary, Bellview Elementary, Beulah Elementary, Blue Angels Elementary, Hellen Caro Elementary , N.B. Cook Elementary of the Arts, Cordova Park Elementary, Ferry Pass Elementary, R.C. Lipscomb Elementary, L.D. McArthur Elementary, Molino Park Elementary, Pleasant Grove Elementary, Scenic Heights Elementary and A.K. Suter Elementary.
Century To Offer $100 Lot For New Urgent Care, Adult Dental Clinic
October 3, 2017
The Town of Century has voted to sell a 2.18 acre lot in their industrial park to Escambia County Community Clinics (ECC) for a local expansion.
The town will offer the lot, located directly adjacent to Lakeview Center on Industrial Boulevard , to ECC for $100. The town has in the past sold similar lots in the Industrial Park to the Council on Aging and Escambia County for EMS Post 50 for $100 each.
ECC wants to build a new facility on the property to provide adult dental services and an urgent care facility. The non-profit community health care provider currently offers adult primary care, children’s pediatrics and children’s dental facilities on Church Street in Century.
According to information provided to the Century Town Council Monday night, ECC will meet later this month with the Health Facilities Authority to discuss a possible grant application to fund the construction of the new building in the Century Industrial Park.
“The new facility will be contingent upon funding, and that could be a long process,” Ann Papadelias of Escambia Community Clinics said Tuesday.
Pictured: An exam room in Escambia Community Clinic’s pediatric dental clinic on Church Street in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia, Santa Rosa K-9 Deputies Place In National Patrol Dog Competition
October 3, 2017
Five Escambia and Santa Rosa K-9 deputies earned accolades during this year’s United States Police Canine Association National Patrol Dog Competition hosted last week by the Foley Police Department.
The National Trials showcased 82 K9 teams considered the “best of the best” from across the country including Iowa, Minnesota, and New York. The week-long trials tested the skills and training of each canine and handler team in the areas of obedience, agility, suspect search, article search and criminal apprehension. In addition to competing against one another for the title of Top Patrol Dog, each team also tested for their coveted national certification from the USPCA.
Local deputies receiving awards were:
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Jonathan Rogers / K9 Axel – 10th place overall, 1st place (perfect score) Suspect Search, 9th place Total Search
Deputy Joseph Marcum / K9 Benga – 3rd place Region Team
Lt. Jason Potts / K9 Onyx – 3rd place Region Team
Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Clay Smith / K9 Dozer – 14th place overall, 1st place (perfect score) Obedience, 2nd place Region Team
Deputy Jeffery Perkins / K9 Rogue – 4th place Evidence Search, 6th place Obedience, 2nd place Region Team
Photos by Mary Land/Rogue K9 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Book Fair This Week, Parents Can Shop Wednesday
October 3, 2017
The “Wild West Book Fair” is going on this week from 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. each day at Bratt Elementary School. Parent are invited to shop on Wednesday from 2-3 p.m. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida’s First Lady Reads To Escambia County Kids
October 3, 2017
Florida First Lady Ann Scott read with childen at the McMillan Pre-K Center and the East Hill Academy in Escambia County on Monday.
When First Lady Ann Scott kicked off her summer reading program in May she was quoted as saying, “As a mother and grandmother, I believe there is nothing more important than investing time in Florida’s children who will one day become leaders in our communities, state and nation. Literacy is an essential skill to succeed in any career path, and I hope that today’s event inspires these students to be life-long readers.”
Ann Scott has visited schools in all 67 Florida counties since Rick Scott was elected governor in 2011.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two Injured In Highway 29, Highway 97 Rollover Wreck
October 2, 2017
Two people were reported to be injured in a two-vehicle rollover accident Monday afternoon at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino.
The collision involved a car and pickup; the pickup truck rolled over before coming to rest upright.
Injuries in the accident were not considered life threatening.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details have not been made available.
Pictured above and below: A two vehicle accident at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino Monday afternoon. The pickup truck had been moved from the intersection in the next to last photo. The bottom reader-submitted photo shows the original accident scene. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Park Holds Community Helpers Day (With Photo Gallery)
October 2, 2017
Molino Park Elementary School held a “Community Helpers Day” Friday for students to learn about some of people that are hard at work, often behind the scenes, in the Molino area.
The event included personnel and equipment from Escambia County EMS, the K-9 unit from the Escambia Road Prison, the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue,J. Miller Construction Company, the Florida Highway Patrol, and more.
Students also dressed as their favorite community helpers, such as firemen, policemen, teachers, nurses and others.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
