Escambia County 4-H Wins State 4-H Horticulture Contest
July 3, 2019
The junior and senior Escambia County 4-H Horticulture teams placed first and two intermediate 4-H teams placed second and third at the 2019 Florida 4-H Horticulture ID and Judging Contest held recently in Marion County. Several individuals also placed.
The contest provided an opportunity for 4-H members to acquire knowledge and skills in identification and selection of horticulture products such as vegetables, fruits, flowers and ornamentals, and then apply these basic skills to consumer decision making.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Independence Day Closures, Trash Pickup Changes
July 3, 2019
Escambia County: All departments will be closed Thursday, including West Florida Public Libraries, Escambia, Escambia County Property Appraiser, Escambia County Tax Collector, Escambia County Supervisor of Elections, Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, Perdido Key Landfill. Exceptions: ECAT will operate Route 59X, 64 Beach Jumper and the Pensacola Beach Trolley.
Century: All offices and departments will be closed Thursday.
ECUA: Business offices will be closed on Thursday. Residential collections: Thursday collections will be made on Friday and Friday collections will be made on Saturday. Commercial collections: Thursday collections will be made one day earlier on Wednesday. Santa Rosa County collections will be unaffected by the holiday and will be carried out as usual.
Driver Nowhere To Be Found After Morning Crash
July 2, 2019
A driver was nowhere to be found following a Tuesday morning crash.
A Kia Forte left Highway 95A near Gateway Lane, struck a culvert and became airborne before coming to rest against a utility pole. The driver was not on scene when first responders arrived.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
New County Admin Gilley Rolls Out 100 Day Plan, Says The County Is Not In A ‘Hot Mess’
July 2, 2019
New Escambia County Administrator Janet Gilley began her first day on the job bright at early Monday with a 6 a.m. tour of the Escambia County road camp and time with employees.
By 9 a.m. she was downtown appearing before her five bosses – the elected members of the Escambia County Commission — unveiling her 100 day plan and
The plan will focus attention on the people, policy, process and plan for Escambia County. She said that plan that may not include significant changes in county government during those 100 days she works on a complete and through analysis of the county and the culture of the county, Gilley said she is there to “to listen, learn and lead as we move forward”.
Gilley began her time in front of commissioners Monday morning by telling them why she wanted the job, and her reaction to the many that have asked her why should we step into Escambia County government at this time. And she discussed the state of Escambia County is truly a “hot mess”.
“There appears to be a perception that Escambia County is an absolute hot mess,” Gilley said. “What I would say is this. I live on a small farm in Molino ,and a couple of weeks ago I was walking to my mailbox and my neighbor comes to the fence. And he says ‘you know, I wake up every morning thankful that I live in this particular community; I love it.’ And I said yeah, I love it too. I love this community; I love this place. This is my place.”
“So I felt like my best contribution would to be take a position like this, and to give back to my community. And what I would say is I am selfishly taking this job for me and other people that absolutely love this town.”
“I am not completely convinced that it is as much of a hot mess as everybody thinks it is,” Gilley said.
She comes to Escambia County in the wake of multiple high level resignations, and allegations and investigations into Escambia County EMS.
Gilley vowed to give her best to each day to serve the citizens of Escambia County, while remaining open, transparent, and working to mentor and build talent.
She said there will be no gossip or drama in Escambia County.
“I will not tolerate bullying and will try to foster an environment that is free of fear,” she said. “I will be taking responsibility for my work and my actions, including the times that I make those mistakes.”
“If we truly want to make a difference, we must not listen to the critics; we must move forward,” Gilley said.
Gilley will be paid $185,000 per year, plus benefits and a $500 car allowance per month. She is the permanent replacement for Jack Brown, who left last year to be with his wife as she battles a health problem. When Brown was hired in 2014, his starting salary was set at $150,000
Gilley has held the position of vice president of External Affairs at the University of West Florida for 10 years. She served one year as the national policy director for the Foundation for Excellence in Education, one year as deputy chief of staff for the Florida House of Representatives and served as policy director and deputy policy director for year in the Executive Office of the Governor in Florida. She served as an Escambia County commissioner from 2002-2004.
Escambia Raises School Bus Driver Starting Salary, Now Paying For Training
July 2, 2019
The Escambia County School District has raised the starting salary for bus drivers, and they are now paying for training.
The new hourly rate of pay begins at $12.16 per hour, and driver trainees will now be paid for the hours they dedicate to driver training beginning with the first day of class.
“To become a School Bus Operator (SBO) you will need to plan on 3-4 weeks for the training and placement, so we are encouraging those interested in driving this school year to come see us now to get the application started,” said Steve Harrell, ECSD’s director of Transportation. “We are here to help them take care of all of the requirements involved, including helping applicants prepare for the test required to obtain a CDL license from the DMV. Our process includes classroom training and on-the-road driver training.”
The district is accepting full time (36 – 40 hours per week) and substitute drivers for part-time employment. Their goal is to be fully staffed by the first day of school on August 12.
For more details, click here.
Century’s Splash Pad Now Back To Extended Summer Hours
July 2, 2019
Century’s splash pad is back in business with extended hours from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. each day.
Late last month, the town cut the splash pad hours due to programming error with a timer valve that allows the water to flow.
Mayor Henry Hawkins said it has now been reprogrammed. He noted that the mistake was made by a vendor, not town personnel.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
DeSantis Appointments Committees That Nominate Florida’s Judges
July 2, 2019
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday announced 66 appointments and reappointments to Florida’s Judicial Nominating Commissions across the state.
The nomations included three people to the First District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission:
- Edward P. Fleming, of Pensacola, is a partner with McDonald Fleming. He received his bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University and his law degree from the University of Georgia. Fleming is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2023.
- Christine D. Graves, of Tallahassee, is the managing shareholder of the Carlton Fields’ Tallahassee office. She received her bachelor’s degree and law degree from Florida State University. Graves is reappointed from a list of nominees submitted by the Florida Bar for a term ending July 1, 2023.
- Adam B. Brandon, of Jacksonville, is an attorney at Rogers Towers. He received his bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College and his law degree from the University of Notre Dame. Brandon is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2023.
Partly Cloudy Tonight; More Scattered Showers Wednesday
July 2, 2019
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. West wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Heat index values as high as 105. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Independence Day: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 106. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 91.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 91.
Cottage Hill Boil Water Notice Lifted
July 2, 2019
A boil water notice that was in effect for part of Cottage Hill has been lifted after tests show the water is safe to drink.
Cottage Hill Water Works issued the precautionary notice last week following a water line break on Williams Ditch Road.
Pictured: Water main repairs last Thursday afternoon on Williams Ditch Road near the Baptist and United Methodist churches. NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
July 2, 2019
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending June 13 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Allgood was working fisheries enforcement and found one individual in possession of two red snapper during the closed season and another individual in possession of two undersized pompano. Both individuals were cited for the violations.
Officers Clark, Long and Lugg teamed up to work the opening day of red snapper season. They documented several violations including undersized red snapper and greater amberjack. Appropriate citations were issued for the fisheries violations. They also encountered one subject with a felony warrant out of Georgia. He was arrested and transported to the Escambia County Jail.
While checking fishing activity on the Bob Sikes Bridge, Officers McHenry and Pettey found two individuals in possession of two oversized red drum. The subjects were attempting to hide the fish behind a trash can. Both individuals were cited for the violations.
Officer Allgood was driving west on Interstate 10 when he saw a vehicle swerving across the center lane and off the edge of the road. He conducted a traffic stop and spoke to the driver. Officer Allgood saw signs of impairment and requested the driver complete standardized field sobriety tasks. The driver was arrested for DUI.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Ramos spent several days inspecting blue crab traps for compliance with the Blue Crab Effort Management Program. Nearly 50 traps were checked for compliance and several were not tagged as required by law. Officer Ramos contacted the responsible person and issued him a citation for the violation as well as several warnings related to his traps.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.