Ernest Ward Names Students Of The Month
May 15, 2017
Ernest Ward Middle School recently announced Students of the Month for March. They are Makayla Garrett, eighth grade; Taylor McMinn, seventh grade; and John Michael Ward, sixth grade. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Girls Weightlifting Team Presents Season Awards
May 15, 2017
The Northview High School girls weightlifting team celebrated their season and presented the following honors:
ECAT Offers Free Summer Rides For Youth, Art Contest
May 15, 2017
Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) has announced the launch of their summer youth initiatives. ECAT will hold a Youth Art Contest for students and offer a Summer Wheels Pass that allows youths to ride ECAT for free all summer long.
“ECAT is committed to serving all of Escambia County, including the youth in our area,” said Tonya Ellis, director of Marketing and Community Relations for ECAT. “Our Art Contest and Summer Wheels Pass are designed to encourage young people to explore their community while engaging with public transit.”
ECAT’s 2017 Youth Art Contest calls for students in Pre-K through 12th grades to submit a piece of ECAT-themed artwork. Winning entrants will have their art displayed on ECAT bus shelters for an entire year. Students can submit their work to the ECAT Terminal until Friday, May 26 at 4 p.m. Winners will be chosen based on creativity, originality and use of ECAT theme.
In addition to launching the Art Contest, ECAT will offer a Summer Wheels Pass this year. The pass will allow youth 18 and under to ride ECAT from Memorial Day to Labor Day at no charge.
“We are excited that ECAT will be offering the Summer Wheels Pass to our students again this summer,” said Escambia County School Superintendent Malcom Thomas. “A bus pass can mean easier access to the public libraries, the museums downtown, summer activities all over town and even the beach. We hope the passes will encourage families to spend their free time giving their students new experiences as well as making frequent trips to the libraries because we all know that summer reading is a great way for our students to avoid the summer slide.”
The Summer Wheels Pass can be obtained with an application and a parent or guardian at the ECAT administrative office on Fairfield Ave. Both of ECAT’s summer youth initiatives are done in partnership with local businesses who work to support both the system and area youth. To download the Art Contest entry or Summer Wheels Pass application, please visit GoECAT.com or call Tonya Ellis at 850-595-3229.
Wahoos Top Jackson
May 15, 2017
Pensacola Blue Wahoos manager Pat Kelly told his hitters that they needed to take advantage of opportunities when they had them.
That’s exactly what they did with two big, two-out clutch hits by left fielder Gabriel Guerrero in the fifth inning with runners on first and second and by right fielder Aristides Aquino in the seventh inning with the bases loaded to overcome the Jackson Generals, 5-2, Sunday at The Ballpark at Jackson.
Meanwhile, Austin Ross gave up just two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to Jackson. The 28-year-old starter worked 6.2 innings, scattered six hits and a walk and struck out five. He earned the win to improve to 4-0 and owns the best ERA in the Southern League at 1.13.
Pensacola scored first in the fifth inning when center fielder Brian O’Grady reached home on a sacrifice fly by third baseman Josh VanMeter his 15th RBI of the season. With runners on first and second with two outs, Guerrero then slapped a single to center field to score second baseman Alex Blandino. Guerrero was 2-5 Sunday and now has 16 multi-hit games in the 35 games he has played and is hitting .295 to lead the team.
In the seventh inning, Aquino stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. Aquino smacked a double to center field that scored both Blandino and VanMeter, which gave the Blue Wahoos a 4-0 lead. Aquino went 2-4 with a walk and two RBIs and leads Pensacola with 16 RBIs.
Pensacola tacked on an insurance run in the eighth inning when O’Grady pulled his fourth homer of the season with a solo shot to right field for put the Blue Wahoos ahead, 5-2.
Jackson did score two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to pull within, 4-2. Pinch-hitter Rudy Flores hit his 11th double of the season that drove in third baseman Dawel Lugo but center field Evan Marzilli was thrown out at home when Pensacola’s Guerrero threw to shortstop Black Trahan, who threw a strike to catcher Adrian Nieto. Generals catcher Michael Perez then singled to right field to drive in Flores.
Pensacola reliever Jimmy Herget nailed down his ninth save, which is second in the Southern League, with one walk and two strikeouts in the ninth inning. He now has 30 strike outs in 17 innings.
Pensacola improved to 20-17 and are in a first-place tie with the Mississippi Braves in the South Division. Jackson fell to 21-15 and lead the North Division and Southern League with the best record.
No Injuries In Minor Cantonment Wreck
May 14, 2017
A driver struck fence and a few bushes on Highway 95A at Woodbury Circle in Cantonment about 9:20 Sunday morning. She was not injured.
The driver reportedly swerved to avoid being hit by another vehicle that pulled out in front of her, causing her to leave the roadway and strike the fence located at the rear of the Tom Thumb on Highway 29 at Woodbury Circle.
The accident was under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Great Video: Football Players Share Mother’s Day Wishes
May 14, 2017
The Northview Chiefs have produced a video with players wishing their moms a very Happy Mother’s Day.
(If you don’t see the video above, it’s because your work, school or home firewall is blocking YouTube videos.)
Video courtesy Northview Chiefs for NorthEscambia.com.
Molino Park Holds Muffins For Moms
May 14, 2017
Molino Park Elementary School recently held a “Muffins for Mom” event Friday, giving students a chance to treat mom to a muffin and a special time at school.
Submitted photos by James Summerlin for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tons Of Food Collected During Annual ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ Drive
May 14, 2017
Escambia and Santa Rosa Letter Carriers joined forces Saturday to help Stamp Out Hunger in our community. In its 25th year, the annual food drive has grown to the largest national single-day effort that benefits millions of Americans who struggle to put food on the table.
“This is the single most important food drive in the two counties and will largely determine how well providers will meet the needs of the hungry in the coming months,” said DeDe Flounlacker, Manna Food Pantries’ executive director.
Letter carriers will collected food donations for local food banks including: Manna Food Pantries, Warrington Emergency Aid Center, Feeding the Gulf Coast in Pace and Milton, ACTS Ministry of Holley Assembly of God in Gulf Breeze, and We Care Ministries of Navarre United Methodist Church. Last year, the organizations received a total of 72,367 pounds of food from the drive. An exact total from Saturday has not been announced.
Pictured: Volunteers unload food as it arrives at the Cantonment Post Office. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Siu Graduates From Basic Training
May 14, 2017
U.S. Air Force Airman Dylan J. Siu recently graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Siu is the son of Andrew Siu of Saint Petersburg. He is a 2016 graduate of Northview High School in Bratt.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
May 14, 2017
Drivers will encounter traffic variations on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
· State Road (S.R.) 4 Resurfacing from U.S. 29 to the Escambia River Bridge- S.R. 4 from U.S. 29 to Jefferson Avenue will be closed and traffic detoured through Monday, May 15 as crews from CSX Railroad reconstruct the rail crossing in Century. Westbound traffic on S.R. 4 will utilize Jefferson Avenue and Pond Street to access U.S. 29. North and southbound U.S. 29 traffic seeking access to S.R. 4 will utilize the same detour route from Pond Street to Jefferson Avenue.
· Interstate 10 (I-10)/U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I- Intermittent lane closures on I-10 and U.S. 29 near the interchange (Exits 10A and 10B) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, May 14 through Thursday, May 18 as crews perform survey work.
· I-10 Widening from Davis Highway to the Escambia Bay Bridge- Alternating westbound lane closures continue between Davis Highway (S.R. 291/Exit 13) and Scenic Highway (U.S. 90/Exit 17) from 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. Sunday, May 14 through Thursday, May 18 as crews perform paving work.
· Bayou Boulevard ( S.R. 296) Resurfacing from Basiden Road to U.S. 90- Monday, May 15 and Tuesday, May 16 traffic on Bayou Boulevard can expect intermittent lane closures between Lakeview Drive and Conway Drive as workers restripe the roadway to shift traffic and install a low profile barrier wall to allow crews to continue working on drainage improvements. The traffic shift will be in place through the end of May.
· 9th Avenue (S.R. 289) Routine Maintenance just past I-10- Southbound lane closure just past Interstate 10 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday, May 15 as crews repair damaged guardrail.
· Century Boulevard (U.S. 29) Routine Maintenance- Southbound outside lane will be closed Monday, May 15 from 8 p.m. to midnight as crews perform routine maintenance along the roadway.
· East Fairfield Drive (S.R. 295) Underground Utility Maintenance from Davis Highway to 12th Avenue- Intermittent and alternating lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, May 15 to Friday, May 19 as crews clean and inspect ECUA sewer lines.
· U.S. 29 (S.R. 95) Widening from I-10 to Nine Mile Road- Alternating lane closures continue from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road and on Nine Mile Road near the U.S. 29/ Nine Mile Road overpass as crews perform drainage and bridge operations.
· Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) Widening from Pine Forest Road to U.S. 29- Alternating lane closures continue on Untreiner Avenue as crews perform jack and bore operations.
· Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road- The right turn lane from Pine Cone Drive southbound to Pine Forest Road westbound will be closed from 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 16 to 6 a.m. Wednesday, May 17. Additionally, there will be alternating lane closures on 8 Mile Creek Road from 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 17 to 6 a.m. Thursday, May 18 as crews relocate utilities. Traffic flaggers will be on site to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
· Creighton Road (S.R. 742) Construction Improvement Project from east of Davis Highway to Scenic Highway- Alternating lane closures at the intersection of Creighton Road and 9th Avenue from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Thursday, May 18, through Saturday, May 20, Monday, May 22 through Saturday, May 27, and Monday, May 29 through Wednesday, May 31 as crews remove and replace curb for the widening at Creighton Road and 9th Avenue.
Santa Rosa County
· I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard- Alternating lane closures from the Escambia Bay Bridge to just east of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22), from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, May 14 through Thursday, May 18 as crews continue widening work.
· U.S. 98 Sidewalk Removal and Replacement between Northcliffe Drive and Live Oak Street in Gulf Breeze- The westbound outside lane will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, May 15 through Thursday, May 18 as crews remove and replace sidewalk.
· S.R. 87 over Coldwater Creek Routine Bridge Inspection- Thursday, May 18 northbound lane restrictions, eight miles south of S.R. 4, as crews perform a routine bridge inspection. Lane closures will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through the construction zone, and to pay attention for workers and equipment entering and exiting the work area. All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.