When Will Nine Mile Road Construction Be Done? FDOT Offers Some Hints
May 18, 2020
Sometime it seems like the road construction on Nine Mile Road will never get finished. Now, the Florida Department of Transportation is offering some hints when major segments will be completed.
FDOT says the Nine Mile Road from Highway 29 to Pine Forest Road will be completed in the fall, and the segment from Pine Forest Road to Beulah Road should be done by mid-2021.
Currently, crews are working in both areas on roadway construction and sidewalks, and they are making drainage improvements.
But there’s a disclaimer.
“Weather and unforeseen issues may affect the construction schedule and completion dates of the project,” FDOT said.
Pictured: Construction on Nine Mile Road just west of Highway 29, as seen from the Highway 29 overpass. Photo for NorthEscambia.com
Food Giveaway Tuesday At St. Luke United Methodist Church On Nine Mile Road
May 18, 2020
St. Luke United Methodist Church on Nine Mile Road will hold a food giveaway on Tuesday beginning at 10 a.m.
The parking lot at 1394 East Nine Mile Road will open at 8 a.m. for pre-registration with proper ID. Distribution of the food from Feeding the Gulf Coast will begin at 10 a.m. and is on a first come, first served basis. Everyone is asked to stay in their vehicle with their windows rolled up.
File photo.
Gyms In Florida Can Open Today But Must Follow These Safety Rules
May 18, 2020
Gyms and fitness centers in Florida can reopen Monday weeks after being forced to closed due to COVID-19.
There are several mandatory safety rules for gyms set by the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation, along with a few recommended best practices.
Mandatory Safety Measures
- Monitor building occupancy and restrict customer access to no more than 50% of the building’s occupancy.
- Offer readily-available dispensers of a disinfectant and provide patrons with sufficient cleaning materials, including disposable wipes. Instruct patrons to clean touched surfaces upon each use of fitness equipment.
- Thoroughly clean and disinfect all seating, counters, weights, weight bars, mats, machines, and other fitness equipment upon closing the facility each day.
- During daily operation, routinely clean and disinfect surfaces, particularly high-touch surfaces such as faucets, toilets, doorknobs, and light switches.
- Maintain restrooms that remain open with functional toilets, clean and disinfected surfaces, and hand washing supplies, including soap and materials for drying hands or hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Employees who appear to have symptoms upon arrival at work or who become sick during the day must immediately be separated from other employees, customers, and visitors, and sent home.
Recommended Best Practices
- Display posters and signs throughout the facility to remind visitors to take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including the wiping and sanitation of touched surfaces upon each use of fitness equipment.
- Open doors between separate fitness areas or rooms of the facility to reduce surface touching by multiple people. Open windows where feasible to improve ventilation in the facility.
- Remove all unnecessary, frequently touched items like magazines, newspapers, service menus and any other unnecessary paper products and décor from customer waiting areas and locker rooms.
A Chance Of Showers For Monday
May 18, 2020
A burn ban remains in effect for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 60. West wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 84. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Calm wind.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Gas Prices Inch Higher As Florida Reopens
May 18, 2020
Florida gas prices are beginning to inch higher as Florida eases restrictions, causing a growing number of people to hit the road. Gasoline demand is now only 30 percent lower than a year ago, compared to the 50-75 percent deficit seen just weeks ago during the height of Florida’s stay-at-home order.
Gas prices in Florida increased last week – albeit slightly – for the first time in 10 weeks. After sinking to a four year low, the state average rose a penny to $1.77 per gallon. The state average is now a penny more than a week ago, yet five cents less than last month and 89 cents less than this time last year.
The average price per gallon Sunday night in Escambia County was $1.70, up from $1.64 one year ago. The lowest price Sunday night in North Escambia was $1.63 at a Cantonment gas station. A Pensacola wholesale club was at $1.48.
District 5 Commissioner Barry Elected Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization Chairman
May 18, 2020
The Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) Board of Directors has elected Escambia County Commission Chairman Steven Barry as the new chairman of the board effective July 1. He will succeed Santa Rosa Commissioner Sam Parker.
Barry, who represents District 5, became a member of the FL-AL TPO Board when he was elected in 2012.
The Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization is the regional, intergovernmental transportation policy board for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida and Orange Beach and the community of Lillian in Alabama. The board is comprised of local government officials who make decisions regarding transportation at a regional level.
Robert (Bobby) Lee Ging
May 18, 2020
Robert (Bobby) Lee Ging, 77, a lifelong resident of Molino, passed away Saturday, May 16, 2020, after a very brief battle with lymphoma. Bobby was a graduate of Tate High School, Class of 1960. Shortly after graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force and served for four years as an Air Policeman. In 2002, he retired from CSX Railroad after 37 years of service. He owned and operated Ging’s Heat and Air, Inc. for 40 years, his “hobby” side job where he served the north-end community with pride and excellence.
Bobby coached Little League baseball for a number of years and as President of the Molino Little League, he was instrumental, in obtaining the property from the county and the building of the Don Sutton Ballpark. He also served as President of the Board of Molino Utilities. He was a member and Past Master of the (Molino) West Florida Masonic Lodge #210. Bobby enjoyed bass fishing, primitive camping in the “Swamp of Sopchoppy” with his brothers, fish fries with friends and family, watching Florida Gator Football, reading on his Kindle, and solving crossword puzzles to “keep his mind sharp.”
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Kathleen and John Ging, Sr., his beloved brother and sister-and-law, Johnny and Judy (McCurdy) Ging, and nephews Kenny and Jeff Powell.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Donna (Lee); daughters Christine Barrett and Tricia (Greg) Daniels; two grandchildren, PawPaw’s pride and joy, Tristan Barrett and Alyssa Daniels; brothers Jake (Bonnie) and Tony Ging; sisters Katherine Powell and Judy Ging; nieces and nephews, Bill, Jennifer, Jayson, Melanie and Melissa.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 20th at Faith Chapel North Funeral Home from at 12:00 Noon – 1:00 PM. A private funeral service will begin at 2:00 PM, officiated by Rev. Jimmy Cook. Burial will be at Aldersgate United Methodist Cemetery in Molino. Memorials may be made to Aldersgate Cemetery, P. O. Box 216, Molino, FL 32577. Due to the continued issues of COVID-19, there will be a restriction of 70 people in the funeral chapel at any given time during the visitation. Wearing a mask will be appreciated by the family.
Pallbearers will be Greg Daniels, Jayson Ging, Frankie Archer, Steve Spinks, Larry Spinks and Kevin Spinks.
Those who knew Bobby well know that he was a simple man who loved his Levi jeans. In his honor, please feel free to dress casual for the services. Jeans are appropriate dress or whatever you feel comfortable wearing. No shorts please.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of the Critical Care Unit of West Florida Hospital for their compassion and loving care of our beloved Bobby, aka PawPaw.
Deborah Carr Killam
May 18, 2020
Deborah Carr Killam (Debbie), age 65, of Jay, Florida went to be with the Lord on May 9, 2020. She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She was a faithful member of Jay First Baptist Church, and served Jay High School as the bookkeeper for 26 years. She enjoyed spending time with her precious grandchildren and family, traveling, shopping, and being outdoors. Debbie loved the Lord and wanted everyone to know Him. She was taken too soon, but she was confident in where she was going.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Benny Killam; parents, Bill and Hazel Carr; and brother-in-law, Tim Russell. She is survived by her son, Lucas (Kendra) Killam; daughter, Lana (Rhett) Rowell; grandchildren, Major Rowell, Piper Rowell, Greyson Killam, and Grant Killam; sisters, Marilyn (Alan) Michel; and Ann Russell; and numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Debbie will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and co-workers but is happy and well in Heaven, a place she hopes to see you in one day.
The family will hold a memorial service in June, due to social distancing guidelines, and will announce further details when available. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Debbie’s name to the American Heart Association at American Heart Association or 1-800-AHAUSA1.
Top Of The Class Of 2020 From Each High School In Escambia County Honored
May 18, 2020
The top students from the Class of 2020 at each Escambia County high school have been named.
The Senior Academic Awards recognize outstanding academic achievement, represented by the top five students from each school with the highest GPAs at the end of the first semester of their senior year and the top student from each of the six academic disciplines.
The annual program was not held this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but students still received their award, a personalized medallion and a Congressional certificate.
Honorees are listed below.
Escambia High School
Sophia Bonanno – Top Five
Juliette Bonnlander – Top Five
Emily Geiger – Top Five
Omar Mejia – Top Five
Brandon Mitra – Top Five
Maggie Kidder – CTE
Marena Garcia Vidal – English
Brianna Amos – Science
Rhapeepan Antrim – Foreign Language
Jacob Faulkner – Mathematics
Sophia Bonanno – Social Studies
Northview High School
Will Beach – Top Five
Keaton Brown – Top Five
Kayla McKillion – Top Five
Charleigh Parham – Top Five
Marissa Rothrock – Top Five
Sophia Cotita – English
Hailie Anderson – Science
Kinzie Rackard – Career & Technical
Colby Morris – Mathematics
Elana Ward – Social Studies
Pensacola High School
Jackson Allen – Top Five
Jordyn Ewing – Top Five
Oliver Norris – Top Five
Madison Payne – Top Five
Pearson Stack – Top Five
Aydin Lasure – Science
Patrick Imhof – English
Jackson Ruggles – Mathematics
Zaniah Heath – Career & Technical
Elliot Adler – Social Studies
Gregory Posey – Foreign Language
Pensacola IB Program
Sami Humeda – Top Five
Mehul Kapur – Top Five
Rachel Lee – Top Five
Lillian Petsinger – Top Five
Nicholas Skoufis – Top Five
Jett Zhang – Top Five and National Merit
Anna Huynh – National Merit
Katherine McCrackin – National Merit
Jane Chakraborty – National Merit
Jason Dela Cruz – Foreign Language
Samuel Duong – Science
Tanner Struck – Mathematics
Ella Griffith – Career & Technical
Chiara Kyn Estrada – English
Kyla Homewood – Social Studies
Pine Forest High School
Rhett Hardy – Top Five
Chloe Huffman – Top Five
Kayla Le – Top Five
Brandon Rode – Top Five
Journee Stevenson – Top Five
Joseph Hawkins – Science
Kameron Sasser – Foreign Language
Annessa Williams – Career & Technical
Brian Jones, Jr. – English
Miles Gibson – Mathematics
John Pinette – Social Studies
Tate High School
Catherine Alderman – Top Five
Nasim Boussarhane – Top Five
Melanie Letourneau – Top Five
Camille Macks – Top Five
Gabriel Pfeuffer-Ferguson – Top Five
Kade Boyd – English
Alexander Hicks – Foreign Language
Chase Jenkins – Social Studies
Samuel Shinnick – Science
Braden Boutwell – Mathematics
Tra’lon Gillis – Career & Technical
Washington High School
Lily Drasutis – Top Five
Katherine Grissett – Top Five
Emma Hill – Top Five
Lindsay Lurate – Top Five
Sierra Werdann – Top Five
Samantha Thompson – English
Darryl Brundidge, Jr. – Foreign Language
Tobias Johnson – Mathematics
Mary Lipham – Social Studies
Ansley Gill – Career & Technical
Liberty Tillman – Science
West Florida High School
Phillip Gindl – Top Five
Anna Hoang – Top Five
Katelyn McCaffrey – Top Five
Zander Preston – Top Five
Jayden Spiess – Top Five
Courtney Crosby – Science
Luke Whitwell – Social Studies
Haley Israelson – English
Tristan Cravatt – Career & Technical
Marcus Ingram – Mathematics
Luis Moya Marrero – Foreign Language
Ernest Byerly Brown
May 18, 2020
Ernest Byerly Brown, 33, passed away on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. Ernest was born on October 20, 1986, in Pensacola, Florida, to Gene and Renee Brown. He graduated from Pensacola Private School of Liberal Arts and ITT Technical School. Ernest attended Highland Baptist Church. He enjoyed music, playing his guitar and spending time with his family. His contagious laugh and willingness to help others will always be remembered.
Ernest was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Willard B. Brown and Charles O. Van Ling.
He is survived by his parents, Gene and Renee Brown; brothers, Jeffery Brown and Justin (Britney) Brown; brothers at heart, Preston Eddings and Christopher Green; sister at heart, Annie Eddings; grandparents, Ernest (Junie) and Dorothy Sellers, Minnie Van Ling and Joyce Brown; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Pallbearers will be Blake Brown, Elliot Brown, Paul Robinson II, Pete Lauter, Ryan McIlwain and Mitchell Dunn. Honorary pallbearers will be Charlie Hopper, James Docherty, Joseph Diamond and Danny Bear Comer.