There Could Finally An End In Sight To Stopped Trains Blocking Cottage Hill Neighborhoods
May 8, 2019
By next week, there could finally be a real solution to trains blocking local roads for extended periods of time and cutting off a Cantonment neighborhood, according to an Escambia County commissioner.
Tuesday was an important state testing day for students, but several elementary students didn’t make it to school on time due to a CSX train.
As has been an ongoing issue, the students and their families were isolated due to train blocking a Cottage Hill neighborhood and blocked Quintette Road.
Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said schools are working with students that were late for testing, and Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry says that CSX has a new solution that might finally solve problems.
“When students can’t get to school on time for a reason like this, we don’t penalize the students,” Thomas said. The students, most from Jim Allen and Kingsfield elementaries, took the test in an afternoon session or will be allowed to test in an upcoming session…We could not have them arrive late and push them into something like that,” Thomas said. “That would be bad for the students and for the schools.”
Commissioner Steven Barry said he reached out to CSX Tuesday and learned a big change is coming after Friday. He said the trains will be shorter, likely leaving a way in and out of Cantonment neighborhoods east of Highway 29.
“Based on conversations with multiple company personnel over the last couple of days, I do have great news. The overall volume of rail traffic will be greatly reduced by next week. Only the local customers who are being served by the north-south rail will continue to be served, as the non local rail cars are going to be diverted to a different route,” Barry said. “The removal of the non local rail cars will also result in much shorter lengths of the trains that do continue to run.”
“Even with this very good news, I am still working diligently with multiple businesses and property owners to increase the connectivity of the entire affected area. Unfortunately, the first dozen ideas have not been successful for a myriad of different reasons, but I promise that we will arrive at solutions in the near future for our neighbors and businesses in the area. I want to personally thank Senator Doug Broxson, FDOT, and CSX for all their help and cooperation addressing this very important issue,” Barry continued.
The blocked neighborhoods have created no only an inconvenience and delay for students and adults alike, but also a public safety issue by delaying the response of emergency services, Barry has said on numerous occasions.
Pictured top: Traffic was backed up Tuesday morning on Quintette Road due to a train stopped across Quintette Road. Below: A blocked crossed in Cottage Hill. NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour and file photo.
Molino Woman Facing Animal Cruelty Charges
May 8, 2019
A Molino woman has been charged with animal cruelty.
Virginia Jerlean Smith, 45, was charged with three counts of unlawful confinement or abandonment of animals.
Smith allegedly had several animals including horses, dogs, a cow, a pig and a cat on her property on Chestnut Road that were not properly fed. An Escambia County animal control report notes an emaciated horse and a cow with no food or water, and horses being kept in large dirt pit with no grass, only a few weeds that provided no nutritional value for the animals.
Numerous animals were signed over to the custody of Escambia County.
Smith was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $3,000 bond. A judge also ordered that Smith not have care or custody of any animals.
Sunny And Warm Today, A Chance Of Showers To Return Thursday
May 8, 2019
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Light east wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light southeast in the evening.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.
Dozens Receive Driver’s License Services In Century, Mobile Unit Returning Quarterly
May 8, 2019
Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford was pleased with the turnout for the Florida Licensing On Wheels (FLOW) mobile office in Century on Tuesday.
There were 56 people that took advantage of the available of the mobile motorist services, an event that was a partnership between Lunsford and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse on North Century Boulevard.
There were 30 driver’s license transactions and 18 motor vehicle registration renewals.
The mobile united is slated to return to Century in August and November.
FLOW is a stand-alone mobile office with technology to provide most motorists’ needs. The mobile unit provides a convenient method to renew a driver’s license, obtain a replacement driver’s license, conversion or reciprocation of out-of-state license, change a name or address on a current driver’s license or identification card, and get a first-time identification card. In addition to licensing services, the mobile unit also provides an opportunity to renew or replace a vehicle registration and apply, renew or replace disabled parking placards. Written and driving tests are not available from the FLOW unit.
Pictured: Florida Licensing On Wheels (FLOW) provided motorist services such as driver’s license renewals in Century Tuesday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Beats Washington, Northview Tops Freeport In District Playoffs
May 8, 2019
Tate and Northview earned district wins Tuesday night.
Tate 8, Washington 6
The Tate Aggies defeated Washington 8-6 Tuesday night in District 1-7A playoff action.
Darrien McDowell took the win on the mound For Tate, giving up six runs on seven hits and striking out six in six innings. Easton Sidner closed out the game in the seventh, recording three outs to earn the save.
For Tate: Hunter McLean 3-4, 2RBI, R; Jadon Fryman 1-4, RBI, 2R; Raymond Lafleur 1-4, R; Cole Fryman 1-3, RBI, R: Chase Tolbert 1-3, 2RBI; Darrien McDowell 1-3, RBI; Michael Potts 1-2; Trevor Norton R; Dylan Godwin R; Aaron Noack R.
Tate will take on Pine Forest Wednesday at 7:00 in the semifinals at Washington.
Northview 8, Freeport 2
The Northview Chiefs beat Freeport 8-2 Tuesday afternoon in the District 3-1A Semifinal in Baker.
Northview went into the game ranked fourth in the state and the top seed in the tournament.
The Chiefs jumped out to an early 6-2 lead in the first inning before adding a couple of runs in the fifth.
Tanner Levins earned a complete game win for the Chiefs, allowing two hits and to runs and striking out three.
For the Chiefs: Nick Venable 3-3, R; Jacob Bryant R; Seth Killam 2R; Jackson Moore 1-3, R, RBI; Adam Aliff 1-2, 2R; Ben Wilson R, 2RBI; Tanner Levins RBI; Bryson Love 1-3.
Northview will face Jay Friday night at 7:00 at Northview for the district championship. (Updated: The game has been moved from Baker to Northview.)
Pictured: The Tate Aggies beat Washington Tuesday night. Photos by Crystal Tolbert for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Public Input Meeting This Afternoon On Proposed I-10, Beulah Road Interchange
May 8, 2019
The Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) will host a public workshop Wednesday afternoon to solicit input on the planned I-10 at Beulah Road interchange.
The meeting will be held at 5 p.m. at the Beulah Senior Citizen Center at 7425 Woodside Road.
Waters Walks Off Against Wahoos
May 8, 2019
Pensacola’s four-game winning streak was ended by one swing of the bat from Mississippi’s Drew Waters, as the Braves #8 overall prospect launched a two-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to hand the Wahoos a 5-3 loss in game two of their ten-game road trip.
Jorge Alcala started on the mound for Pensacola fresh off being named the Minnesota Twins Minor League Pitcher of the Week. He provided a solid but unspectacular outing, allowing three runs on eight hits over 5.0 innings and struck out three.
Pensacola scored first in the game for the 24th time this season in 31 games. Luis Arraez led off the game with a double to center, extending his ongoing hit streak to eight games. Alex Kirilloff pulled a ground ball to the right side, moving him over, and Miguel Sano plated Arraez with a sacrifice fly to center.
The Wahoos extended their lead in the second. Caleb Hamilton was hit by a pitch leading off the inning. A fielding error by Mississippi on a ground ball off the bat of Tanner English put runners at the corners. Taylor Grzelakowski then bounced into a double play, scoring Hamilton from third and putting Pensacola up 2-0.
Mississippi used a walk, a stolen base, and a single to cut Pensacola’s lead in half in the home half of the second. In the third, Christian Pache launched a two-run home run to give the M-Braves a 3-2 lead.
The Blue Wahoos tied the score up in the fifth inning. Kirilloff led the inning off with a walk, and Sano followed with a double. With one out, Travis Blankenhorn lofted a sac fly to center, scoring Kirilloff and making it 3-3.
Despite putting at least runner on in each of the last four innings, including getting two runners in scoring position with just one out in the top of the ninth, Pensacola didn’t score again.
After Huascar Ynoa escaped the jam in the top of the ninth for Mississippi, Waters launched his two-run walk-off shot off Alex Phillips with one out in the bottom of the ninth.
Mississippi received a quality start from top prospect Joey Wentz, who allowed three runs (two earned) over 6.0 innings on five hits. Ynoa, a former Twins prospect, threw 3.0 shutout innings to earn the win in relief.
After receiving 5.0 innings from Alcala, the Twins turned to Adam Bray out of the pen. The Minneapolis native was brilliant, throwing 3.0 hitless innings of relief and striking out four.
Phillips took the loss, allowing two runs (one earned) on the Waters homer in the ninth.
Sano was 3-4 with a pair of doubles for the Wahoos. Kirilloff was 1-4, his fifth straight game with a hit.
After the loss, Pensacola’s record sits at 21-11 while Mississippi improves to 16-14. The two teams will continue their five-game set Wednesday in a showdown of top pitching prospects between Brusdar Graterol (3-0, 2.23 ERA) and Tucker Davidson (0-0, 1.46 ERA).
File photo.
Two Hurt In Three Vehicle Cantonment Wreck
May 7, 2019
Two people were injured in a three vehicle crash Tuesday morning in Cantonment.
The crash occurred about 8:45 a.m. on County Road 97 at Nowak Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol has not released additional details.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
West Florida Gin, Businessman Could Acquire Century Industrial Property
May 7, 2019
The former Helicopter Technology building in Century could be home to a tenant soon, the first in over a decade.
West Florida Gin Manager Robert Earl Godwin and businessman Larry Baxley told the Century Town Council Monday night that are interested in the vacant building and made a preliminary offer to lease to own the building at $4,000 per month for five years, for a total of $240,000.
In 2017, the building was appraised for $550,000 with a fair market rent of $80,000 per year ($6,667 per month).
“It’s been empty for how long? A decade,” said council member Ben Boutwell. “I think it is a good thing.”
The West Florida Gin plans to use about half of the warehouse space for cotton storage. Godwin said the longtime cotton gin has outgrown its storage space in Walnut Hill. Baxley said there is a “tenant we have in mind at the moment” for the remainder of the space.
It’s unknown how many jobs that tenant might bring, while Godwin said the cotton storage would not likely bring any additional jobs.
“I think it’s unfortunate we can’t offer any jobs,” council member James Smith said.
The council unanimously agreed to let the town attorney look at the preliminary offer.
The former Helicopter Technology building is a 40,000 square foot office/warehouse building with full climate control, sprinkler system, new HVAC and energy efficient lighting. The town re-acquired the industrial building at public auction for less than $1 out of pocket back in August 2009, following the town’s foreclosure judgment against the now defunct Helicopter Technology.
Pictured top Businessman Larry Baxley (left) and West Florida Gin Manager Robert Earl Godwin discuss the Helicopter Technology building (below) with the Century Town Council Monday NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FHP Identifies Pedestrian Struck By Car In Century, Says Pedestrian Was At Fault
May 7, 2019
A pedestrian stuck by a vehicle and seriously injured Monday evening in Century has been cited by the Florida Highway Patrol .
The FHP said James Davis, age 52 of Century, was northbound in a 1999 Buick Park Avenue about 7:18 p.m. on North Century Boulevard, just south of the Century Branch Library when he struck 26-year old Karissa Carroll of Pensacola. According to troopers, she was standing on the sidewalk and improperly crossed in front of the vehicle.
Carroll was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital as a trauma alert by LifeFlight helicopter. Davison was not injured.
The FHP cited Carroll with failing to yield to the oncoming vehicle.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
