Bowman Avenue Closure, Detour Extended
August 4, 2018
The Bowman Avenue closure and detour that began on Wednesday, July 18 has been extended until Monday, August 6 due to weather delays.
Bowman Avenue South between West Nine Mile Road and Fretz Street will remain closed to through traffic. Traffic is being detoured along Ashland Avenue South, Cove Avenue South and Bush Street. Crews are installing sanitary sewers and new manholes as part of utility upgrades.
If other lane or roadway closures are necessary beyond Monday, another notice will be issued.
Lower Rain Chances, But Stil Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
August 4, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Calm wind.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Calm wind.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
College Students Get Boost With More Bright Futures Money
August 4, 2018
Florida “medallion scholars” will be among the biggest beneficiaries this academic year of the state’s efforts to expand financial aid for university and state college students.
As students enroll for their fall classes this month, the projected 46,000 medallion scholars will have their Bright Futures scholarships increased to cover 75 percent of tuition and fees, up from a prior scholarship amount that covered about half of the cost. Tuition and fees average more than $210 per credit hour at the larger state universities.
In addition, the expansion will allow medallion scholars to use their merit-based scholarships for summer classes in 2019.
The expansion is part of a record $519 million Bright Futures program approved this year by lawmakers and Gov. Rick Scott. Funding for the medallion portion of the scholarships increased from about $85 million in 2017-2018 to about $190 million this year.
The funding and changes, which are included the new $88.7 billion state budget and related legislation (SB 4), also make permanent the expansion of aid for the top-performing Bright Futures students, known as “academic scholars,” to cover 100 percent of tuition and fees. They also receive $300 for the fall and spring semesters for the cost of textbooks.
The academic scholars, who will total about 48,000 this year, were able to use their Bright Futures aid for summer classes in 2018, which is the first time that has occurred since 2000-2001 budget year.
The Bright Futures expansion will largely benefit students attending Florida’s 12 state universities. But the scholarships also help students studying at Florida’s 28 state colleges, with more than 6,000 college students qualifying for medallion aid in 2016-2017 and about 1,750 qualifying as academic scholars.
Although state analysts are still refining their latest projections for the aid programs, preliminary data also showed more than 195,000 students will benefit from the state’s largest need-based aid, known as “student assistance grants.” The average award this year is expected to be just under $1,400 per student.
About 86 percent of that aid will benefit students attending public universities and colleges, and the remainder will help students at private schools and other post-secondary programs.
Meanwhile, more than 39,000 state residents attending private colleges and universities in Florida will benefit from the newly renamed “effective access to student education (EASE),” grants program. The maximum award for those scholarships, which total $137 million, will increase from $3,300 to $3,500 this academic year. EASE formerly was known as the Florida Resident Access Grant, or FRAG, program.
Schools projected to have the largest number of EASE grants include Bethune-Cookman College (2,300), Keiser University (7,000), Nova Southeastern University (2,150), Southeastern University (2,100) and the University of Miami (2,400).
Also, the Benacquisto scholarships, which cover full tuition and fees and provide a generous living allowance for National Merit scholars, will be expanded to include out-of-state students for the first time this year.
State analysts project more than 1,100 students in the program in 2018-2019, with approximately 59 out-of-state scholars.
The aid expansion comes as Florida continues to provide higher education to students at one of the lowest costs in the country. In 2017-2018, the College Board reported Florida’s average $6,360 in tuition and fees to attend a public four-year school ranked second-lowest in the nation, below the national average of $9,970.
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida
Weekend Gardening: August To Do List
August 4, 2018
Here are gardening tips for the month of August from the UF/IFAS Extension program:
What to Plant
- Bedding Plants: The hottest days of summer limit planting now to heat tolerant vinca, gaillardia, bulbine, and coleus.
- Bulbs:Aztec lily, butterfly lily, walking iris, and spider lily can be planted any time of the year, even late summer.
- Herbs: Herbs that can be planted from plants (not seeds) include bay laurel, ginger,Mexican tarragon, and rosemary.
- Vegetables: This month starts the fall planting season. Many cool season crops can be planted now, including a final crop of warm-season vegetables such as pepper. Tomato can be planted for the fall garden.
- Lawn problems: Damaged areas can be the result of insects, disease, or irrigation problems. Be sure to determine the cause so the proper remedy is used. Use a sharp mower blade and only remove 1/3 of grass blade to reduce stress on the lawn.
- Palms: If older fronds are yellowing, you may have a magnesium or potassium deficiency. Apply an appropriate palm fertilizer.
- Poinsettias: Pinch back poinsettias and mums before the end of the month to allow time for buds to form for winter bloom.
- Ornamental Plants: Rapid growth and leaching rains may result in nutrient deficiencies in some plants. Fertilize those plants that show signs of deficiencies.
- Bedding Plants: Remove spent blooms, cut back, and fertilize flowering annuals and perennials to extend the bloom season into the fall months.
- Adjust irrigation based on rainfall.
- Deadhead flowers to encourage new blooms.
- Monitor the garden for insects and disease.
- Plant trees, shrubs, and perennials and water until established.
Achieve Escambia Names New Leadership Council Chair, Vice Chair
August 4, 2018
As Achieve Escambia gears up for the release of its annual progress report to the community, the organization has named a new leader for its volunteer board. David Deliman, Gulf Coast market vice president for Cox Communications, has assumed the role of chair of the Achieve Escambia Leadership Council.
Deliman (pictured top) takes over for Debbie Calder, executive vice president at Navy Federal Credit Union. Calder has served as chair of Achieve Escambia for the movement’s first two years and will remain active on the Leadership Council.
“This is an exciting opportunity, and I am honored the Leadership Council has placed their confidence in me for this role,” Deliman said. “The Achieve Escambia mission to improve outcomes, cradle to career, is critical for our community’s future growth, and I am confident we can build upon the foundation of success we’ve built over the past two years.”
Lonnie Wesley, pastor of Greater Little Rock Baptist Church, is stepping in to serve as vice-chair as Stan Connally, president and CEO of Gulf Power, rotates out of the position he has served in the past two years. The leadership changes are taking place at the start of Achieve Escambia’s new fiscal year.
“David and Lonnie will continue to help us build on the success we’ve had in aligning efforts,” said Kim Krupa, Director of Achieve Escambia. “We’ve made great progress in the areas of kindergarten readiness and workforce readiness. Achieve Escambia will continue to help break down barriers, increase dialogue between educators, parents, non-profits and children to help insure all of our children have the best opportunity to succeed today and for a lifetime.”
Pictured: David Deliman (top) and Lonnie Wesley (insert). Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Rally For 4-3 Win In 10-Inning Thriller
August 4, 2018
The Blue Wahoos edged the Montgomery Biscuits 4-3 in an extra inning thriller Friday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Pensacola struggled to get anything going against Montgomery starter Sam McWilliams. McWilliams surrendered just one run in six innings, and from the fourth to the sixth inning retired eight Wahoos batters in a row before he walked Shed Long in the bottom of the sixth to kill the streak.
The Wahoos found themselves trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the seventh inning but rallied to get back into the game. Chris Okey hit a line drive double to center field and Daniel Sweet singled on a bunt pop to McWilliams. McWilliams then walked Jose Siri which loaded the bases. Taylor Featherston was hit by a pitch from McWilliams to plate Daniel Sweet and tie the game 2-2.
The Biscuits would strike first in the 10th inning when Lowe smashed an RBI ground ball single to right-field to score Jake Cronenworth to give Montgomery the one-run lead at 3-2. Arisitides Aquino struck out swinging but a wild pitch by Yoel Espinal would put Aquino on first and automatic runner Taylor Featherston advanced to third. With runners in the corners Mitch Nay hit a ground ball to third base, Mike Brosseau fielded it and threw home to try to get Featherston, but the throw got away and the game was tied 3-3. Espinal intentionally walked Long to load the bases. Then, for the second time in the game, a bases loaded hit by pitch scored a run. This time Gavin LaValley was hit by Espinal and Aquino scored the game-winning run to give the Wahoos their fifth straight win, 4-3.
Pensacola will look to stretch its series unbeaten streak to 13 Saturday night. The Wahoos will start RHP Tony Santillan (4-0, 1.84), and RHP Blake Bivens (2-0, 1.13) will take the hill for the Biscuits
Walter “Danny” Cardwell
August 4, 2018
Walter “Danny” Cardwell passed away on August 4, 2018. He was a Vietnam veteran and a retiree from Solutia. He was a member of Cottage Hill Baptist Church.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Anton D. and Mattie Cardwell, and brother, Anton “Buddy” Cardwell.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Judy Cardwell; his sons, Christopher (Teresa) Cardwell, Kevin (Melanie) Cardwell and Brandon Cardwell; grandson, Jonathan Cardwell; granddaughters, Lindsey Cardwell Sanks and Brittany Cardwell Cummings; and seven great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Cottage Hill Baptist Church.
A graveside service with be held on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 at Cottage Hill Baptist Church Cemetery at 10:00 a.m.
Central Water Works Issues Boil Water Notice For About 340 Customers
August 3, 2018
Central Water Works has issued a precautionary boil water notice for about 340 customers.
The water company said a contractor cut a water main at the intersection of Highway 29 and Byrneville Road about 1:30 p.m. Friday. The area was isolated and water service restored.
The precautionary boil water notice includes: Bluff Springs Road, Brown Road, Byrneville Road from 30 to 860, Church Road, Commalander Road, Courtney Road, Cox Road, Crary Road, Curly Brooks Road, Dawson Road, Elsie Davis Road, Glover Road, Greenwell Road, Gunner Road, Honeybee Lane, McClammy Road, McNeil Road, N. Canoe, E. Roach Road, W. Roach Road, Sigler Road, Tedder Road, Thompson Road, Highway 29 From Tedder Road to Cox Road and Whirlpool Road.
Center Water Works has instituted an automated public alert system to contact customers. Central said if customers did not receive a direct notice of this precautionary boil water notice, it is because the customer has not provided current contact information.
For more information, call (850) 2256-3849 or email centralwaterworks@gmail.com.
For the complete boil water notice, click here.
About 40 Inmates Involved In Century Prison Disturbance, Injuries Reported
August 3, 2018
Dozens of inmates were involved in a disturbance Thursday night at Century Correctional Institution.
“There was a disturbance involving approximately 40 inmates in a dorm at Century CI,” Patrick Manderfield, press secretary for the Florida Department of Corrections, told NorthEscambia.com. “Due to the swift deployment of institutional staff and FDC response teams, the situation was quickly brought under control. A small number of staff and inmates received minor injuries.”
Manderfield said the department is review the incident and assessing inmates for disciplinary action or transfer to other facilities.
Century Correctional Institution was place on “restricted movement”.
Additional details have not been released.
Pictured: Inside two different dorm types at Century Correctional Institution. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Burglary Suspect Caught Red-Handed
August 3, 2018
A Century man was arrested after an Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy allegedly caught him red-handed trying to break into a home.
Christopher George Pace, 35, was charged with attempted burglary, felony criminal mischief and possession of burglary tools.
Deputies responded to a call on Front Street where they were told a man was trying to breaking into neighboring home. As the deputy walked around the corner of the house, he heard banging and found Pace attempting to pry open a window, according to an arrest report.
The deputy demanded Pace drop a hammer and crowbar he was holding and placed him under arrest.
Deputies found two window frames that were damaged by prying and shattered glass.
In 2017, Pace was convicted of burglarizing the old Alger-Sullivan Lumber Co., just feet from the Front Street house he is accused of burglarizing this week.
Pace entered the fence of the business at 1 Lumber Road with the intent to steal lumber and light fixtures. At the time of his arrest, deputies found him in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
He was sentenced to 180 days in jail for the 2017 offenses.
Pace remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday morning with bond set at $26,000.