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Send Us Your Back To School Photos!

It’s the first day of school in Escambia County, and we want to share your photos.

Send us your  back to school photos along with the first name of your child, grade and school. Submit the photos on the back to school post on our Facebook page , tag @northescambia on Facebook, or on Twitter @northescambia or #NorthEscambia. Or email news@northescambia.com.  On Tuesday, we’ll publish as many photos as we can.

Pictured: Three of our submitted back to school photos from last year. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.

Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule

Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings for the week of August 13-17:

Monday, Aug. 13

Escambia County Area Transit Part-Time Bus Operator Interviews – 8:30 a.m., 1515 W. Fairfield Drive

Marine Advisory Committee – 5:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place, Room 104 (Agenda)

Tuesday, Aug. 14

Corrections Grant Administrator Interviews – 8 a.m., Escambia County Corrections, 2251 N. Palafox St.

Federal Certification Review – Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization - 8:30 a.m., 4081 E. Olive Road, Suite A (Agenda)

Board of Electrical Examiners  – 9 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place

Value Adjustment Board Organizational Meeting – 9:30 a.m.,  Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers

CO:Lab Policy Board Meeting – 11 a.m., 418 W. Garden St., Conference Room

Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place, Room 104 (Agenda)

Escambia County Housing Authority Audit Committee Meeting – 4:30 p.m., 700 S. Palafox St., Suite 310

Escambia County Housing Finance Authority – 5 p.m., 700 S Palafox St, Suite 310

Merit System Protection Board – 5 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, 4th Floor Training Room (Agenda)

Affordable Housing Advisory Committee – 5:30 p.m., City of Pensacola Housing, 420 W. Chase St.

Wednesday, Aug. 15

Escambia Soil & Water Conservation District – 8 a.m., 151 Highway 97, Molino

Board of Adjustment – 8:30 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place

ECAT Part-Time Bus Operator Interviews – 10 a.m., 1515 W. Fairfield Drive

Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place

ECAT Proposed Route Modifications Workshop – 5:30 p.m., Escambia County Area Transit Administrative Offices & Rosa Parks Bus Terminal, 1515 Fairfield Drive

Thursday, Aug. 16

Community Redevelopment Agency – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place

Board of County Commissioners Agenda Review Session – 9:15 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place

Board of County Commissioners Public Forum – 4:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place

BCC Regular Meeting – 5:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place

Florida Gas Prices Rise; Escambia Area Cheaper Than Most Of The State

Gas prices in Florida rose 6 cents last week, then declined a penny over the weekend.

The state average of $2.81 per gallon is the 22nd-lowest in the nation. Although pump prices remain about the same as last month, Florida motorists are paying nearly 50 cents more than this time last year.

A gallon of gas averaged $2.79 on Sunday in Escambia County, a full 50 cents more than one year ago. Escambia County was just a penny above the cheapest average in the state — $2.78 in Fort Myers, Punta Gorda and Jacksonville. The most expensive average price was $2.89 in West Palm Beach.

“Strong demand pushed gas prices higher in some states last week, as families squeeze in one final vacation before the kids go back to school,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “However, the most recent figures from the EIA show gasoline demand is beginning to slip, which relieves some of that upward pressure on prices at the pump.

“Traditionally, gas prices decline in the second half of the year, due to lower demand,” Jenkins continued. “However, oil analysts forecast significant volatility in the oil market through the end of the year, leaving a big question mark for the long-term direction of prices at the pump.”

School Bus Safety And Traffic Laws

It’s the first day of school in Escambia County, with more than 40,000 students making their way to and from school. About 25,000 of them will be on board 300 school buses across the county.

Parents are reminded to instruct their children to be at the bus stop at least five minutes before scheduled bus arrival time, stay off of the roadway, observe and stay clear of traffic, stay out of the bus blind spots, don’t chase after the bus once it leaves the bus stop, and buckle seat belts as soon as they board.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, drivers must follow these school and school bus safety rules:

• Adhere to the posted speed limit in designated school zones.
• When approaching an intersection where a crossing guard is present in the crosswalk with the stop sign raised, do not cross – or turn – into the crosswalk until the guard has completely left the crosswalk.
• Never stop a vehicle in a manner that blocks a crosswalk.
• When you approach a stopped school bus (from behind) with lights flashing and the stop arm extended, you must stop.
• When you approach a stopped school bus (from front) with lights flashing and the stop arm extended, you also must stop, unless:
  • you are on a divided highway and the roadways are separated by an unpaved space at least five feet in width, or
  • you are on a divided highway and the roadways are separated by a physical barrier.
• You are required to stop at least 10 feet away from the school bus.
• You must not resume driving until the school bus turns its lights off and withdraws its stop sign.
• Be certain all exiting children have reached a safe place before proceeding.

FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts – Where To Expect Delays

Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.

Escambia County:

• Interstate 10 (I-10) Routine Maintenance from Exit 5- Exit 7 (U.S. 90 Alt – State Road (S.R.) 297/Pine Forest Road)-Drivers can expect intermittent and alternating lane closures between U.S. 90A and Pine Forest Road from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 12 through Thursday, Aug. 16 as crews repair overhead lights.
• U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to U.S. 90 (Nine Mile Road) – Drivers traveling U.S. 29 and Nine Mile Road will encounter traffic pattern changes from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Saturday, Aug. 11.
  • Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass: North and southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue construction of the new center bridge deck. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday.
  • U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations. U.S. 29 lane restrictions are Monday through Saturday.
  • Northbound traffic has been shifted onto the newly constructed bridge section as demolition efforts continue.
• U.S. 29 Resurfacing between U.S. 90 and Muscogee Road – Paving operations continue between Muscogee Road and West 9 ½ Mile Road. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 12 through Thursday, Aug 16.
• U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Alternating lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 12 through Sunday, Aug. 19 as crews perform construction activities.
• U.S. 98 (Lillian Highway) Resurfacing from Perdido Bay Bridge to Dogtrack Road– Alternating lane closures from Perdido Bay Bridge to Dog Track Road from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 12 through Thursday, Aug. 16 as crews perform paving operations.
• S.R. 10A (Mobile Highway) Utility Operations at Beulah Road- The eastbound lane of Mobile Highway will be closed at Beulah Road from 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 14 as crews install a new water line.
• S.R. 750 (Airport Boulevard) Driveway construction activities between I-110 and Davis Highway- The westbound outside lane between I-110 and Davis Highway will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 13 through Thursday, Aug. 16 as crews construct a driveway.
• S.R. 95 (Palafox Street) Underground Utility Work at Beggs Lane Road- The northbound, outside lane at the intersection of Beggs Lane Road will be closed from 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15 to 5 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 16 as crews install a gas line.
• S.R. 292 (Perdido Key Drive) Underground Utility Repairs west of Johnson Beach Road- The eastbound, outside lane on Perdido Key Drive will be closed 1/2 mile west of Johnson Beach Road from 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15 to 5 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 16 as crews repair a broken waterline.
• S.R. 292 (Perdido Key Drive) Pavement Repair at Mirabella Condominiums- The eastbound lane on Perdido Key Drive will be closed near Mirabella Condominiums from 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15 to 5 a.m. Aug. 16 as crews mill and resurface the road.
• U.S. 98 (W. Navy Boulevard) Driveway Work at 2285 W. Navy Boulevard)- The eastbound, outside lane on W. Navy Boulevard will be closed at 2285 W. Navy Boulevard from 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16 to 5 a.m. Friday, Aug. 17 as crews remove two driveway connections and restore right of way with sidewalk, curb and gutter.

Santa Rosa County:

• S.R. 87 Widening from the Eglin AFB Boundary to two miles south of the Yellow River Bridge- New travel lanes on State Road 87, from the Eglin AFB boundary to two miles south of the Yellow River Bridge are open and the speed limit has been raised to 65 mph.  Drivers are reminded the speed limit may be temporarily reduced to 45 mph should any lane closures be needed to complete final construction activities. Weather permitting, all work on this 5.3-mile segment is scheduled for completion later this month.
• ·I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22) – The following construction related traffic impacts are planned for I-10 and Avalon Boulevard the week of Sunday, Aug. 12:
  • Alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard, near the I-10 interchange, as crews reconstruct the travel lanes.
  • Alternating lane closures on I-10, from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of S.R. 281, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 12 through Friday, Aug. 17 as crews work to widen the roadway.
  • Drivers will encounter new traffic pattern(s) on I-10 east and westbound as crews reconstruct the inside and outside shoulders. This work will continue throughout the summer.
• U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Alternating lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 12 through Sunday, Aug. 19 as crews perform construction activities.
• S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to Hickory Hammock Road – Alternating lane closure on S.R. 87 southbound, between Eglin Air Force Base Boundary and two miles south of Yellow River, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12 through Friday, Aug. 17 as crews perform paving operations. Additionally, traffic between County Road (C.R.) 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) and the Eglin AFB boundary will continue to be restricted to loads less than 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place until the project is completed.
• U.S. 90 (Caroline Street) Pavement Coring Operations from C.R. 89 (Ward Basin Road) to west of S.R. 87 South- Drivers can expect east and westbound intermittent lane restrictions between Ward Basin Road and S.R. 87S from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 13 and Tuesday, Aug. 14 as crews take core samples from the roadway.

All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.

Pictured: Nine Mile Road work near Pine Forest Road. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Aquino Sets Home Run Records As Wahoos Fall To Mobile

Aristides Aquino set the Blue Wahoos franchise record for most home runs in a season when he belted the 2-2 pitch from Dario Beltre over the left-field fence in the Wahoos 9-4 loss on Sunday at Hank Aaron Stadium.

The BayBears had a comfortable lead when the Wahoos came to bat in the last of the ninth. Aquino led off the inning and sent a no-doubter to left for his 18th home run of the season. Aquino finished the 2017 regular season by tying Juan Duran’s record of 17 home runs. Pensacola’s right-fielder has 20 games left in the season to set the new benchmark franchise record.

Aquino’s achievement is somewhat overshadowed by the loss. Despite pitching better, Wyatt Strahan (L, 6-10) was saddled with the loss after allowing six runs (three earned) over 5.2 innings. After stranding the bases loaded in the first, Mobile scored one in the second after Jam Jones doubled home Brandon Sandoval to give the BayBears a 1-0 lead.

With the BayBears leading 4-0 after the fourth, Pensacola strung together its best rally of the night when they scored three runs to make it a one-run game. After a base hit by Gavin LaValley and a throwing error, Chris Okey singled home the Wahoos first baseman to cut the deficit down to 4-1. Daniel Sweet followed with his second homer in as many games and Pensacola found themselves trailing 4-3.

The Wahoos would get no closer as the BayBears rallied for five runs over the final three innings. Brennon Lund delivered a two-run triple in the sixth and later scored on a Zach Gibbons single. In the seventh, Mitch Ghelfi swatted a two-run shot off Rafael De Paula to extend Mobile’s lead at the time to 9-3.

After a day off on Monday, the Wahoos will open a five-game series against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp on Tuesday. LHP Seth Varner (7-2, 3.01) will start the opener for the Wahoos while Jacksonville has yet to disclose their starter.

John Wesley Henderson, Jr.

John Wesley Henderson, Jr. was born July 10, 1929, to John Wesley Henderson and Grace Ida Bray Henderson, in Trenton, New Jersey.

He was preceded in death by his parents;  aunt Dorothy (Dot) Henderson; brother, Robert Henderson; his beloved wife, Vivian Annie Henderson; along with his brothers-in-law, Charlie Heath, Johnny Bunn, H.C. Miller, Jimmy Miller and Robert Pate; and his sisters-in-law, Edith Heath, Sarah Bunn, Evelyn Clifford and Katherine Pate.

John, or Jack as he was known to many, is survived by his children, John Steven (Vicky) Henderson and Darlene Henderson; grandchildren, DeAnne Henderson, Brandy Henderson, Wesley Henderson, and Josh Thibault; his great-grandchildren, Sierra, Kobe, Olivia, Gabrielle, Gage, Courtney and Dillon. Jack is also survived by his sisters, Evelyn Pae and Peg Henderson-Mills; and brother, Charles Henderson, along with countless nieces and nephews.

After the news of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Jack made the decision to join the Navy. At age seventeen and after lying about his age, Jack joined the Navy. The Navy brought him to Pensacola where he met his lifelong friend Vance Hawks. Vance talked Jack into going on a blind date with his girlfriend’s sister, and he met the love of his life, Vivian Annie Miller, or Ann as she was better known. After that first date in January the two were married in December. The Navy took them many places, California, Virginia, and Rhode Island. They made countless friends along the way and had many adventures. While they were happy something was missing in their lives, unable to have children of their own they adopted their son, Steven. When Jack retired from the Navy in 1966 as a Senior Chief Petty Officer, the Henderson family found themselves in Brewton, Alabama, where Jack began his career with AT&T. Out of the Navy and more settled the Henderson family grew when they adopted their daughter, Darlene. Jack did well with AT&T and he moved up the ladder. In 1970 his job took him and his family to Atlanta. Jack made very special friends working with AT&T and retired in 1986 as an Engineering Associate.

Retired for the second time at age 57, Jack decided it was time to go back to Florida. Their children grown, they retired to Milton, Florida. Not being one to rest on his laurels, the twice retired Jack kept working. He roofed houses, he drove a school bus and found great joy working delivering flowers for the Open Rose Florist in Milton.

Jack was an outdoorsman. He loved camping, fishing and boating. His family has many great memories of camping trips and fishing. He could throw a cast net with the best of them. He also tried his hand, successfully, at crabbing, shrimping, and scalloping. Camping was more than a hobby, it was a way of life. Through camping, the Henderson family made lifelong friends with the Thompsons, Jimmie, Martha and Susan. While Jack enjoyed the outdoors, he was never a hunter. It may have been that snipe hunt his brother-in-law Charlie sent him on that curbed the desire to hunt.

The phrase “Jack of all Trades” applied to Jack Henderson in every sense. There was little he could not do. In Jack’s family the standard was, “If Jack can’t fix it you might as well throw it away.” From working on cars to building a television and other electronic gadgets, Jack could do anything.

He was not a man of many words but when Jack spoke you should probably listen. He was wise man always happy to share his knowledge. He was honored as Instructor of the Year at one duty station in the Navy. That love of teaching carried over to his family where he taught everything from spotting constellations to how to maintain a car. He passed on his love of motors and cars to his son Steven and made sure Darlene could also care for her own vehicles. He could cook. Oh could he cook. Christmases will not be the same without his cookies or his Christmas pastry wreaths. Jack’s pineapple-orange sherbet ice cream was legendary. He could even sew. Many were convinced that Jack hung the moon.
The most important thing he taught his family was how to love. When his wife Ann was diagnosed with cancer, Jack became a caretaker. His life was taking care of his beloved Ann. He tended to her every need and did everything in his power to keep her as comfortable as possible until she passed away, with him by her side, in May 2002. After Ann passed away, Jack’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought him more joy than they will ever know and he was proud of each of them.

There was one thing that Jack could not fix, cancer. It had taken his cherished wife and in 2013 it came for him. It was slow. Jack was tough and he fought it. He almost had it licked, but in 2017, it came back and came back with a vengeance. Jack did not give up, he continued to fight. The fight finally, got to be too much. Saturday, August, 11, 2018, shortly before noon, Jack went home to be reunited with all of those loved ones who had gone before.

Jack will be sorely missed by many. His family invites you to share in the celebration of his life at Faith Chapel North on Wednesday, August 15, 2018, at 11 a.m. with interment to follow at Barrancas National Cemetery at 1 p.m. The family will be receiving visitors at Faith Chapel North on Tuesday, August 14, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Covenant Hospice, in appreciation of the wonderful care they took not only of Jack but his family in his last days or to the American Legion or the USO.

Pall bearers will be Aaron Beasley, Wesley Henderson, David Levan, Jonathan Levan, Dennis Mitchell and Pat Sawyer.

Mack David Harrelson

Mr. Mack David Harrelson, age 69, passed away Thursday, August 9, 2018, at his resident in Canoe, Alabama.

Mr. Harrelson was a native of Brooks, Alabama and had resided in Canoe, AL most of his life. He was of the Holiness faith.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Francis L. Harrelson of Canoe, AL; two daughters, Rhonda (Jimmy) Boutwell of Canoe, AL and Hannah (Stephen) Johnson of Atmore, AL; one brother, James Harrelson of Atmore, AL; one sister, Ella McCarter of Georgiana, AL; eight grandchildren, Laura (Jerome) Quinn, Bake Flowers, Benjamin Boutwell, Cheyenne Johnson, Landon Johnson, Anthony Johnson, Paidin Dantzler and Jacklyn Harrelson; one great-grandchild, Daniel Quinn and special niece and nephew, Wendell and Roxanne Harrelson.

Funeral services were held Saturday, August 11, 2018 at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Malcolm Harrelson officiating.

Burial was at the Traveler’s Rest Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Dustin Lindsey, Christopher Boatwright, Mikey Harrelson, Jeffrey Hightower, Justin Hightower and Shawn Boutwell.

Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.

First Day Of School: Cloudy, Chance Of Showers

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Calm wind.

Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind.

Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Calm wind.

Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.

Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.

Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92.

Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.

Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.

Louis B. Long

Mr. Louis B. “Andy” Long, age 61, passed away Saturday, August 11, 2018, at his residence in Canoe, Alabama.

Mr. Long was a native of Atmore, AL and had resided in Canoe, AL for most of his life. He was employed with Southern Towing with 18 years of service. He was an avid fisherman and was a member of the Corinth Primitive Baptist Church. He is preceded in death by his father, Joe Neal Long.

He is survived by his mother, Ann Long of Canoe, AL; two sons, Thomas (Ashley) Long of Walnut Hill, FL and Richard Long of Perdido, AL; two brothers, Scott Long of Canoe, AL and Jerry (Christine) Long of Atmore, AL; one sister, JoAnn Long of Century, FL and four grandchildren, Triston, Cameron, Alyssa and Aleigh.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 14, 2018, at 11 a.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Gene Freeland officiating.

Burial will follow at the Canoe Freewill Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Mike House, Greg House, Chris House, Triston Long, Cameron Long and William Cottingham.

Honorary pallbearer will be Billy Gates.

Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.

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