Blue Angels Weekend: Everything You Need To Know
July 12, 2018
The Blue Angels are ready to take to the skies for the Pensacola Beach Air Show. Remember, no kites or drones are allowed to fly during the show. Be sure to follow these tips from Escambia County for a safe, fun weekend in the sun.
Traffic
- Leave early. Traffic will be heavy, and parking is limited on Pensacola Beach.
- Leave your car in Pensacola and take ride on a new ferry to the show! Special pricing is available July 13 and 14 with departure times to and from the downtown Pensacola dock to Quietwater Beach and Ft. Pickens, starting at 7 a.m. Click here for more details.
- If parking is full in the core areas, take advantage of the free Pensacola Beach trolleys offered by the Santa Rosa Island Authority. East and west parking lots will be serviced by trolleys and will take beach goers to and from Casino Beach. Service to the east parking lot will run on Saturday only. For a map of trolley stops and a live trolley tracker, click here.
- Remember that access into and exiting the Casino Beach parking lot along Via De Luna Drive and Fort Pickens Road has been modified. The parking lot now functions in a circular configuration, with one way in and one way out. The only entrance into the parking lot is along Via De Luna Drive next to Sidelines Sports Bar & Restaurant and across the street from Flounder’s Chowder House. The only exit from the parking lot is along Fort Pickens Road near the public restrooms/Public Safety Building. To see the specific entry and exit routes along with additional traffic tips, click here.
- Be on the lookout for pedestrians and bicycles sharing the roads. Florida law requires vehicles to stop for pedestrians on a crosswalk. Remember to give cyclists at least three feet of clearance.
Water Safety
- Be sure to wear and reapply sunscreen often and drink plenty of water. Remember that alcohol, sun and swimming do not mix.
- Swim in lifeguarded areas, and be sure to follow all lifeguard instructions. Swimmers will not be allowed in the Gulf during the airshow.
- Check before you go and follow the posted beach condition flag warnings. Watch our lifeguards explain the flag system on Pensacola Beach. Beach conditions can be checked at PensacolaBeachLifeguards.com and on the Pensacola Beach Lifeguards Facebook page.
- Know how to escape from a rip current. Watch our rip current video and learn how to break the grip of the rip, which can pull even the strongest swimmer out to sea.
Beach Rules
- Remember to “leave no trace” and keep Pensacola Beach sea turtle-friendly. Properly dispose of trash, fill in any holes in the sand and remove belongings from the beach at the end of the day. This includes not leaving any personal property unattended on the sandy gulf beach from sunset until sunrise like umbrellas, tents, beach toys and chairs. To view the Leave No Trace ordinance, click here.
- Follow all Pensacola Beach rules, including:
- Glass containers are not allowed on the beach.
- The west side of the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier is an alcohol free zone.
- Open containers are not allowed off the boardwalk or outside any establishment.
- Open flames or grills are not allowed on the beach except in the publicly provided park facilities.
- Walking on the dunes and sea oats is not permitted.
- Dogs other than service animals are not permitted on the any of the beaches except in designated dog parks. To view complete rules and boundaries for Pensacola Beach dog parks, click here.
Unclaimed Prize Winning Lottery Ticket Sold On Chemstrand Road Is Now Worthless
July 12, 2018
A Fantasy 5 top prize-winning ticket worth $68,629.86 sold on Chemstand Road is now absolutely worthless. The 180-day deadline to claim the top prize expired at midnight Tuesday.
The winning Fantasy 5 numbers for the January 11, 2018, drawing were: 02 – 13 – 19 – 27 – 28
The winning Quick Pick ticket was sold at 6 Brothers, located at 8702 Chemstrand Road.
BayBears Shut Down Wahoos Comeback To Take Series Finale, 3-2
July 12, 2018
The Wahoos were unable to tie their franchise record of seven straight series wins as they fell to the BayBears, 3-2, Wednesday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Seth Varner (L, 4-1) was charged with his first loss as a starter for the Wahoos. He started off with three shutout innings, but a Jack Kruger two-run shot to left field that scored Jahmai Jones gave the BayBears a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth inning. In the top of the sixth, Jose Rojas singled home Kruger to increase Mobile’s lead to 3-1. Varner pitched 6.1 innings and walked a career-high four with five strikeouts.
Joe Gatto (W, 3-3) had a strong outing for the BayBears. The Angels prospect pitched six innings and allowed two walks and struck out four. Shed Long smashed an RBI double off the wall to give the Wahoos an early 1-0 lead in the first inning. That was the only damage Pensacola did against the Mobile starter.
The Wahoos mounted a late-game comeback against Mobile closer Matt Custred (S, 5) but came up short. Pensacola loaded the bases with one out before Chris Okey singled home Narciso Crook. Taylor Sparks tried to score from second but was thrown out by left-fielder Zach Gibbons for the second out. Custred struck out TJ Friedl to end the game and secure the split in the series.
The Wahoos head to Mississippi on Thursday night where they will play the Braves on a five-game road stint. Right-hander Vladimir Gutierrez (6-8, 4.67) will get the start for the Wahoos.
Six Train Cars Derail In Escambia County, AL (With Photo Gallery)
July 11, 2018
Six cars of a CSX freight train derailed Wednesday alongside Highway 31 in Wawbeek east of Atmore, AL.
Four hopper cars containing plastic pellets and two containing large rolls of paper derailed. Three cars completely left the tracks and overturned, including one that stopped just short of entering a travel lane of Highway 31. There were no injuries.
The train was eastbound toward Flomaton and was over two miles long, officials said. The cars that derailed were just over a mile from the front of the train.
Highway 31 was closed from Canoe, AL, to Sardis Church Road. The roadway was reopened Thursday afternoon.
The cause of the derailment remains under investigation.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
A Pirate Ship And Treasure In The Escambia River? Find Out Tonight On Travel Channel
July 11, 2018
Is there are buried a buried pirate ship and buried treasure in the Escambia River? The Travel Channel show Caribbean Pirate Treasure will explore the Escambia River in a hunt for the lost ship and its loot during an episode tonight at 9 p.m.
The show was filmed in February at river locations that included the Molino Boat Ramp.
Here is the show information from the Travel Channel:
Caribbean Pirate Treasure
“The Lost River Treasure of Pensacola”
Wednesday, July 11 at 9 p.m. (CDT)
Ashlan and Philippe Cousteau head to Pensacola, Fla., to track down a legend of pirates and lost treasure. Their mission takes them to the dark and dangerous Escambia River to meet a local man who claims he’s found the long-lost pirate ship. When the Cousteaus hit the frigid and roiling river, their investigation becomes a fight for survival. The legend says pirates sank their ship in the Escambia river and then hid their treasure within half a mile of the wreck site in an ancient tribal mound. The Cousteaus begin the second part of their mission with the latest in high-tech equipment: a massive LIDAR equipped drone. The incredible cutting-edge technology provides an amazing map and three likely targets where the treasure might be hidden. As the light begins to fade, their investigation hits a creepy swamp where they unravel the final clues to the treasure legend.
Water Service Restored To Hundreds Of Central Water Works Customers
July 11, 2018
Water service was restored this afternoon for hundreds of Central Water Works customers that were without full service since Tuesday afternoon.
The leak in a 2-inch water main was discovered about 5:00 a.m. near a vacant residence on Driver Road. The area was isolated and water restored to all but four customers, and the leak was repaired about noon.
“The reason the leak caused so much water loss is because it’s located at the lowest elevation on our water system,” Lisa Fuller of Central Water Works said. “The water pressure there is consistently between 135 psi and 145 psi. At that rate, it doesn’t take long to drain the elevated tanks and all the mains. Also, the leak itself ran straight across a dirt road into a ditch and into the woods. It was extremely difficult to see, especially following all the rain we had yesterday evening.”
She said customers may still experience air in the lines or even discolored water. The air will eventually dissipate, but anyone with any discoloration should call the utility at (850) 256-3849.
About 4 p.m. Tuesday, water pressure dropped “quickly and drastically” for about 425 Central Water Works customers in Byrneville, McDavid and Century before water service was completely lost for about four hours. By about 9 p.m. Tuesday, water supplies were rerouted from other parts of the system to restore some water service to customers in the affected areas, but many customers still had very low water pressure.
The water system said that for all affected customers, all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative, bottled water may be used. Residents are also advised to take precautions when bathing, especially immunocompromised individuals, infants or the elderly.
Once the water system is repaired, samples will be collected for testing. The boil water notice remains in effect until that process is completed. The utility anticipated the boil water notice will be in effect until Friday afternoon. Residents will be notified by phone or if they cannot be reached by phone, in writing at their residence, and will be posted on NorthEscambia.com.
The area included in the boil water notice is as follows:
Barnes Road, Black Road, Bluff Springs Road, East Bogia Road, West Bogia Road, Brown Road, Byrneville Road from 30 to 860, Commalander Road, Cotton Creek Road, Cox Road, Crary Road, Dawson Road, Driver Road, Elsie Davis Road, Goose Creek Trail, Glover Road, Gunner Road, Highway 164 from 11 to 975, Holland Road, Lambert Bridge Road from 1770 to 1890, Main Street, McClammy Road, Milstead Road, Mystic Springs Road, Pine Barren Road from 241 to 3300, Post Office Road, East Roach Road, West Roach Road, Rodeo Lane, Tedder Road, Thompson Road, Hhighway 29 from Tedder Road to West Bogia Road, Welch Road, Whirlpool Road, and Worley Road.
For more information, call (850) 256-3849 or email centralwaterworks@gmail.com
Century Man Accused Of Child Molestation At Local Apartment Complex
July 11, 2018
A Century man has been arrested for molesting a teen girl at a local apartment complex.
Shelton O’Brian Mitchell, 34, was charged with lewd and lascivious molestation on a child under 16.
The victim told authorities that an apartment complex resident she knew as “Brian” had touched her inappropriately. She said Mitchell offered her $150 “for 15 minutes for just one time and I will pay you for six months,” according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report. The girl told deputies that she thought she was going to be paid just to “hang out” with Mitchell. She said that she was sitting with Mitchell on the stairs of the Century Park Apartments on Second Street when he texted her phone stating he wanted to perform a sexual act.
She said she refused multiple advances, including an offer of $300, before Mitchell reached over and touched her inappropriately through her clothing, the arrest report states.
Mitchell told deputies he “always hangs out” with the victim on the stairs of the apartment complex, according to the report. He denied touching the girl, and told deputies that he was confused and thought he was texting someone else.
Century Historic Board Postpones Fence Request, Wants Rules Changed
July 11, 2018
The Century Historic Preservation Board tabled action Tuesday on a local man’s request to construct a privacy fence and a storage shed. Instead, the board wants to see the town change restrictions.
Felic Fussner filed an application for development to construct an 8-foot privacy fence in the side and rear yard of a home and a storage shed in the 400 block of Front Street, in the Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company Residential Historic District. He also applied to construct a 4-foot picket fence in the front yard.
The board recommended that the town’s fence ordinance be amended by the town council to allow only wood fences in the historic historic district while reducing the side and rear fence allowable height from eight to six feet. The board also wants to see a restriction on using freight containers as storage buildings in the historic district.
Any consideration by the town council will come at a future meeting.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
UWF Partners With Elections Officials To Enhance Cybersecurity Preparations
July 11, 2018
The University of West Florida Center for Cybersecurity recently partnered with the Florida Department of State and election officials across Florida to provide training for supervisors of elections and key personnel to enhance cybersecurity resiliency ahead of the 2018 elections.
During the month of June, the UWF Center for Cybersecurity conducted cybersecurity training courses in Tallahassee, Miami, Orlando and St. Augustine, focusing on an introduction to cybersecurity processes, threats, vulnerabilities, risk management, policy frameworks and incident management. Course graduates learned how to thwart attacks and to understand and implement cybersecurity standards.
“State and local election officials have taken significant steps to protect against the growing threat of cybercrime ahead of the 2018 elections,” said Secretary of State Ken Detzner. “The recent trainings that were conducted by the UWF Center for Cybersecurity are yet another tool in election officials’ arsenal. We appreciate the valuable partnership with their organization.”
Cybersecurity preparedness is of the utmost importance in election security.
In January 2017, Homeland Security designated voting systems as critical infrastructure. In May 2018, Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Office of the Director of National Intelligence spoke to Congress about the importance of preparing state and local election officials for potential cyber threats.
“We’ve seen a massive increase in cybersecurity awareness among election officials across the country, along with efforts to increase preparedness and resiliency,” said David Stafford, Co-Chair of the Legislative Committee of the National Association of Election Officials and Escambia County Supervisor of Elections. “UWF’s Center for Cybersecurity was uniquely positioned to work with state and local election officials to design a curriculum and roll out the training, and the content and delivery of the training were outstanding.”
The UWF Center for Cybersecurity utilized the Florida Cyber Range for hands-on activities and demonstrations throughout the courses. Metova CyberCENTS partnered with the UWF Center for Cybersecurity to launch the Florida Cyber Range and deliver the training. The state-of-the-art platform provides advanced training and testing solutions for academic, government, military and industry use through face-to-face or digital formats.
“We participated in hands-on exercises designed to prepare and guide us in dealing with various threats,” said Bill Cowles, Orange County Supervisor of Elections. “The course guided us through an analysis of our cybersecurity defenses and provided tools for implementing a layered defense consistent with recommendations in the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework. The opportunity to exchange information and ideas in this setting is invaluable.”
Following the training, a survey indicated that 95 percent of participants considered the course to be beneficial.
“The UWF Center for Cybersecurity conducted a top-notch, in-depth cybersecurity training that was extremely valuable for local supervisors of elections,” said Paul Lux, Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections. “They did an excellent job of making sure the class was beneficial to all participants regardless of their previous IT knowledge.”
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Volunteers Sought For Escambia District 1 Advisory Committee
July 11, 2018
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an appointment to the Northwest District 1 Advisory Committee.
The committee was established by county commission to explore, research, provide technical or practical expertise, and make recommendations to the District 1 member of the Escambia Board of County Commissioners regarding those issues of relevance and significant importance to the citizens of the northwest portion of District 1 of Escambia County. Committee members serve a term of office concurrent with the District 1 commissioner’s term of office.
District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said committee is open to all Escambia County Residents. It will work to develop a master plan, he said, for the the Beulah Free Will Baptist (43), Pine Forest United Methodist (5) and Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds (68) precincts in the northwest portion of District 1.
Escambia residents interested in serving on the Northwest District 1 Advisory Committee are asked to submit a completed volunteer application along with a resume indicating their desire to serve, by 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 31. Applications should be submitted to District 1; Escambia County Board of County Commissioners; 221 Palafox Place, Suite 400; Pensacola, FL 32502, or emailed to District1@myescambia.com.
Click graphic to enlarge.