Driver Hits Utility Pole In Cantonment

January 18, 2019

A driver ran off the roadway and snapped a utility pole in Cantonment Friday afternoon.

There were no injuries in the crash about 1:15 p.m. on Muscogee Road near Jacks Branch Road, but Muscogee Road was temporarily closed.

As Gulf Power worked to safely make repairs, about 130 customers lost power in the area of Muscogee and Beulah Roads.

The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.

NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.

Officials Plan Meeting With CSX, Fines Considered Over Roads Blocked By Trains

January 18, 2019

Trains blocking crossings for extended periods of time remains an issue in Escambia County , not only because it is an inconvenience but also a potential life safety issue when emergency vehicles are blocked or delayed.

Local officials have a sit down meeting on the calendar with CSX, a county commissioner has floated the idea of code enforcement fines against the railroad, and one state representative has filed a bill to impose civil fines for blocked crossings.

Florida Sen. Doug Broxson and Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry will discuss the issue with CSX  later this month and work on any possible local solutions.

Trains blocking local roadways is quality of life issue, Barry has said, because people can spend 30 minutes or more each day waiting for a train blocking Highway 29 near Muscogee Road. And Barry said it’s an obviously a public safety issue when first responders are blocked from reaching citizens in need.

One Cantonment neighborhood, east of Highway 95A from Countri Lane to McKenzie Road, has been completely cutoff for hours by a stopped train. There are documented incidents where fire trucks and EMS units were unable to respond to medical emergencies in the neighborhood due to stopped trains.

Barry said it might be possible for citizens to make complaints and Escambia County Code Enforcement issue citations to the railroad each time they block a crossing too long.

Escambia County has had an ordinance on the books since 1994 that allows for a $500 fine and up to 60 days in jail when a train blocks a crossing for more than 15 minutes, except in the case of an emergency or mechanical failure. Penalties allow for fines of up to $500 and up to 60 days in jail for the “owner or person in charge” of the train.

But enforcing that ordinance becomes difficult, according to county attorney Alison Rogers, because federal laws and protections for the railroads supersede local law.

Florida Rep. Wyman Duggan (R-Duval) filed a bill this week that would impose civil penalties on a rail company that blocks a crossing for more than 15 minutes, unless the train is stopped due to a safety-related emergency or a mechanical failure that makes moving the train impossible.

If a crossing is blocked, proposed fines  under the House bill are $200 for 15 up to 20 minutes, $300 for 20 up to 30 minutes, $600 for 30 minutes up to an hour, and $1,200 for more than an hour plus an additional $1,000 for each additional 15 minutes beyond one hour. The bill generally allows the fines only for the railroad company, not employees acting on a supervisor’s orders.

The House bill must go through committee, be approved by both the House and Senate before becoming law. If that happens, it would take effective July 1.

NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.

FDOT To Replace Hanks Road Bridge In Bratt For $1.58 Million

January 18, 2019

The Florida Department of Transportation has announced the $1.58 million replacement of the Hanks Road Bridge over Breastworks Creek in Bratt.

FDOT will begin work in February. The project will include replacement of the bridge, milling and resurfacing of pavement, new signage and pavement markings , new guardrails and drainage improvements.

Hanks Road will be closed during work, which is expected to be completed by Fall 2019.

Drivers on Hanks Road, west of the bridge, will be detoured to Highway 99 and Highway 4. Drivers east of the bridge will be detoured north on Pine Barren Road.

The current bridge was constructed in 1968.

Showers Possible By Friday Night, Rain Saturday, Colder On Sunday

January 18, 2019

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.

Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 57. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. High near 70. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 15 mph becoming south 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 28. North wind around 5 mph.

M.L.King Day: Sunny, with a high near 52. North wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.

Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. Southeast wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.

Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 48.

Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.

Arbor Day Tree Giveaway Saturday Morning In Cantonment

January 18, 2019

An Arbor Day tree giveaway will be held Saturday at the Escambia County Extension Office on Stefani Road in Cantonment.

Each attendee will receive two free native one gallon trees from red maple, chickasaw plum, swamp chestnut oak or fringe tree.

The event begins at 9 a.m. at 3740 Stefani Road.

Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Florida Lawmakers Could Add $25 Million To Bright Futures

January 18, 2019

Florida lawmakers next week will consider pumping an additional $25.3 million into the Bright Futures scholarship program amid higher-than-expected student participation this year.

The Joint Legislative Budget Commission, which is made up of House and Senate leaders and can make mid-year budget changes, is scheduled to take up the issue Jan. 24, according to an agenda posted online Thursday.

Lawmakers provided nearly $520 million for the Bright Futures program in this budget year.

But the latest estimate from state analysts showed an increase in qualifying students could push the cost to about $545 million. The Department of Education is requesting that lawmakers approve an additional $25.3 million for the program, which is funded through what is known as the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund. That trust fund receives money from the Florida Lottery.

With backing from key lawmakers such as former Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, the Legislature has dramatically increased higher-education financial aid programs in recent years. Lawmakers, for example, expanded top-level Bright Futures awards to cover full tuition and fees, as well as to pay for some textbooks.

by The News Service of Florida

HS Basketball: PHS Gets Past Tate; Jay Sweeps Northview

January 18, 2019

High school basketball scores from Thursday night:

BOYS

Pensacola High 74, Tate 72

– The game was tied 72 all with just 11 seconds to go Thursday night at Tate High School. Love Bettis led the Tate Aggies with 37 points.

Jay 74, Northview 36

GIRLS

Jay 54, Northview 28

–  It was the 17th straight win for Jay’s girls team. Carsyn Seib led the Royals with 18, and Kaitlin Gafford led the Chiefs with 11 points.

EREC Offers Assistance To Furloughed Federal Employees

January 18, 2019

Escambia River Electric Cooperative is offering assistance to federal employees directly affected by the government shutdown.

EREC will not disconnect electric service during the furlough for federal workers that make arrangements with the utility.

Federal employees must submit a copy of their furlough letter in person or by email to memberservices@erec.com to qualify for payment arrangements. For more information, contact EREC members services at (850) 675-4521.

FHP Looking For Pickup Truck Involved In Fatal Pedestrian Crash

January 18, 2019

FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS STORY, CLICK HERE.

The Florida Highway Patrol is asking for the public’s help in locating a pickup truck involved in a fatal pedestrian crash Thursday night.

A white Dodge pickup truck was traveling westbound on Fairfield Drive approaching Pace Boulevard as a pedestrian was crossing northbound on Fairfield Drive. Witnesses told troopers that the pickup did not have headlights and was driving in two lanes when the pedestrian was struck.

The pedestrian was pronounced deceased on the scene. His name has not yet been released pending notification of next of kin.

The suspect vehicle is a white in color Dodge pickup, possibly a dually, with white hub caps. It may have a black color front grill protector.

Anyone with any information about this crash or information about a possible vehicle, is asked to contact FHP Corporal E. Diaz at (850) 484-5000.

Firefighters Respond To Cotton Trash Fire At Gin Company

January 17, 2019

Fire departments from across the area responded to the West Florida Gin on Meadows Road in Davisville about 10:40 Thursday morning.

A fire was smoldering in cotton “trash”, a by-product of the cleaning and ginning process. The fires happen usually happen each year, and sometimes take several hours to extinguish.

There was no immediate reports to damage to the structures in the facility and no injuries reported.

The Walnut Hill, McDavid and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Atmore Fire Department and the Nokomis (AL) Volunteer Fire Department were among those dispatched to the cotton gin.

NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.

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