Structure Fire Sunday Afternoon At Ascend Performance Materials; Second Fire In A Week
May 9, 2021
Escambia Fire Rescue responded to another active structure fire at Ascend Performance Materials on old Chemstrand Road Sunday afternoon, the second fire at the chemical plant in a week.
The fire was in an area about 150 yards from the location of a fire at the plant last week.
Multiple Escambia Fire Rescue stations responded to assist Ascend’s internal fire department. Ascend requested two engines for assistance with an active fire, according to Escambia County spokesperson Laura Coale. A total of 12 Escambia Fire Rescue units responded, including three engines, a squad truck and one ladder truck.
There was no danger to the public outside the plant, and there were no evacuations ordered.
There were no injuries.
Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to a structure fire at the plant on May 5.
Pictured. Escambia Fire Rescue responded fire Sunday afternoon at Ascend. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour. Click to enlarge.
UWF Holds In-Person Commencement (With Photo Gallery)
May 9, 2021
The University of West Florida held their Spring Commencement on Saturday.
Two ceremonies were held at Blue Wahoos Stadium, the first in-person commencement since the pandemic. UWF invited all 2020 graduates to attend the Spring 2021 commencement.
Graduates were socially distanced, and guests were limited to four per graduate. The ceremonies were streamed online, and many graduates chose to take part virtually.
For a complete list of graduates, click or tap here for the program.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Local Vaccine Demand Declining, Escambia Lagging Behind State Average
May 9, 2021
Escambia County’s health director says the demand for COVID-19 vaccine is decreasing, despite ample availability.
There have been 99,870 people that have received at least one dose in Escambia County as of May 7. That is 37% of the county population over age 16; the state average is 49%.
“We are below the state average for individuals vaccinated that are eligible,” said Florida Department of Health in Escambia County Administrator Marie Mott. “That’s one of the things we would like to see change.”
In March, Mott said a local vaccination target of 175,000 by May was was discussed among vaccine community partners.
“The supply has opened up, but it appears the demand is being maybe not as robust as it was in January, February,” she said.
Mott told the Escambia County Commission that the vaccine is readily available from multiple providers, hospitals, private medical practices and a number of commercial pharmacies. There have also been numerous vaccination clinics in several communities, including the pictured clinic last week at the Walnut Hill Community Center where 28 people received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
“It’s pretty widely available. I think it’s getting people to decide to go ahead and go get it, or the time is right to go get it.”
“Our health care providers have done an excellent job of securing supply, but the demand has waned,” Commission Chairman Robert Bender said. He said Escambia County is 22nd in the state in terms of population, but about 26th or 27th in the number of people vaccinated.
“We want our recovery to continue. We feel the best way to do that is through our community getting vaccinated,” Bender added.
Pictured top: A clinic last week at the Walnut Hill Community Center where 28 people received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Pictured inset: Florida Department of Health in Escambia County Administrator Marie Mott addresses the Escambia County Commission Thursday. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
High Rain Chance Returns For Monday
May 9, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 78. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 74. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 60. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 76.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 80.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.
Cantonment Woman Charged With Collecting Dead Animals Sentenced To Probation
May 9, 2021
A Cantonment woman has been sentenced to probation and forbidden from owning animals after being convicted in a 2020 animal cruelty case.
Selena Dunlap, 22, was originally charged with felony unlicensed practice of veterinary medicine and cruelty to animals, but the unlicensed veterinary medicine charge was later dropped.
Dunlap was found guilty of one count of animal cruelty and ordered to pay court costs and fines. She will not be allowed to own, possess or control any animals and must allow for periodic inspections by probation or animal control officers.
She will be allowed to live with her father that has animals. However, she “cannot be in control of those animals in any respect or bring any animals in,” according to the sentence imposed by Judge Joel Boles. She will also be required to obtain substance abuse and mental health evaluations and search for a job.
Escambia County Animal Control responded to a home in the 1300 block of Tate Road after receiving a reported that Dunlap was “injecting cats with food.”
An animal control officer reported that she could see a couple of cats and dogs inside the home. When she asked about a kitten, Dunlap and her roommates said it was inside the trailer. The officer asked Dunlap to show her what they were injecting the cat with when Dunlap brought out a bottle of sodium chloride.
When the officer was invited inside to see a kitten, she noted that the home was filled with old food, trash, cigarette butts and a dog kennel covered in blankets. Dunlap was holding the kitten, according to an arrest report, and said she had been giving it sugar water, watered down milk and antibiotics.
Dunlap showed the animal control officer a needle she said she bought online, and the officer observed a magazine on a table with the title “Secrets To Being a Vet Tech.”
The officer said the kitten was not able to hold its head up. It was taken to the Escambia County Animal Shelter for care. It later died.
The report adds back in October 2019, Dunlap’s dad contacted animal control stating she was living in a tent in the woods and collected dead animals and had live animals as well. When animal control responded to Dunlap’s tent, she stated she had seven dogs and eight cats. Puppies were found covered in fleas.
Animal control removed 12 animals from Dunlap and ordered her to bury the dead animals.
Here Are This Week’s Traffic Alerts
May 9, 2021
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 98 (State Road (S.R.) 30) Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement - The intersection of North 17th Avenue and Bayfront Parkway will remain closed until spring 2021 as construction continues on the new 17th Avenue interchange. The Visitor’s Center and adjacent boat launch remain accessible from 17th Avenue. Also, the ramp from 17th Avenue to East Gregory Street remains open. Eastbound drivers on Bayfront Parkway should use North 14th Avenue and Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) as a detour route.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the northbound side of the bridge the week of Sunday, May 9 as crews work to replace the southbound portion of the structure.
- Drivers will encounter brief, intermittent lane closures to allow construction crews to mobilize materials and equipment needed for replacing the Carpenters Creek Bridge. Traffic flaggers will be on-site to safely direct drivers through the construction zone. The brief, intermittent lane closures and traffic configuration will continue through the end of the year.
- Pile driving work is also slated to begin next week. Crews will be driving piles during the daytime hours. Nearby residents and commercial property owners may experience noise and vibration.
- · I-10 Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation over Perdido River Bridge – Motorists will encounter intermittent nighttime lane closures the week of Monday, May 10 as crews perform paving operations.
- · U.S. 29 from South of Muscogee Road (County Road (C.R.) 184) to Atmore Hwy (S.R. 97) – Motorists will encounter intermittent northbound and southbound lane closures on U.S. 29 between Morris Avenue and north of Cantonment and north of S.R. 97 in Molino 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, May 10 through Friday, May 14, as crews perform paving operations.
- West Cervantes Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project – Drivers will encounter inside lane closures between Dominguez Street and Kirk Street as crews perform median improvement work. One lane in each direction will be always maintained. The median work and lane closures will progress eastward on Cervantes Street until the end of the year. The speed limit will be reduced to 30 m.p.h. in the coming weeks.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures and shifts, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the week of May 10, on U.S. 29, between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road, and on Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass. Traffic impacts will include:
- The U.S. 29 median crossover at Hope Drive will be temporarily closed as crews construct the new median configuration at this location. The temporary closure is expected to last two weeks. Once reopened, Hope Drive will be right turn only at U.S. 29, while U.S. 29 northbound drivers will continue to have left turn access to Hope Drive via a median turn lane.
- West Nine Mile Road and Beulah Road Routine Roadway Maintenance – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures at the West Nine Mile Road and Beulah Road intersection, 8 p.m. Monday, May 10 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, May 11for crews to perform routine roadway maintenance.
- U.S. 98 (West Garden Street) Underground Utility Maintenance – Motorists will encounter lane closures 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews perform routine underground utility operations at the following location:
- Monday, May 10 the outside westbound lane will be closed between North Reus Street and North Spring Street,
- Tuesday, May 11 The eastbound lane will be closed at the intersections of South Baylen Street, south Spring Street, and South Reus Street.
- Wednesday, May 12 the inside westbound lane will be closed at the intersection of North Baylen Street.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- The bridge remains closed.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive- Early construction activities have begun to prepare for the widening and improvements of the 4.25-mile section. These activities include utility relocations, clearing, excavation, and drainage improvements. As part of the upgraded drainage system, the project includes the construction of five stormwater ponds. Clearing and excavating of areas for the stormwater ponds are currently underway. There are no traffic impacts associated with the construction of the ponds, but nearby residents and businesses may experience some noise. Access to residences and businesses will be maintained.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Pictured: Work on Highway 29 near Quintette Road Saturday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Mississippi Braves Beat The Pensacola Wahoos
May 9, 2021
Shea Langeliers delivered a three-run home run in the eighth inning of Saturday’s contest to propel Mississippi to their first win of the season at Trustmark Park.
The M-Braves struck first in the bottom of the fourth courtesy of a couple of defensive miscues by Pensacola. Braden Shewmake reached on an infield single and took second on a throwing error by Wahoo starter Jason Alexander. After a Trey Harris single, Langeliers hit what looked like a double play; however, Riley Mahan’s throw to first was too high for Lazaro Alonso to corral. The play allowed Shewmake to score from second.
Jeff Lindgren (L, 0-1) came in relief for the Wahoos and pitched well, despite taking the loss. His only two mistakes came to Langeliers.
The first was in the sixth, when after Lindgren retired the first two batters, Langeliers lifted a solo shot into left to give Mississippi a 2-0 lead.
Despite a two-run seventh inning by the Wahoos, Langeliers struck again in the eighth after Shewmake and Harris led off the inning with back-to-back hits. He sent an 0-2 pitch over the left-center field wall to give Mississippi the eventual winning score of 5-2. The loss is Pensacola’s first of the season.
Pensacola drew eight walks in the loss, with Victor Victor Mesa and JJ Bleday combining for half of that.
The opening series for the Wahoos concludes tomorrow afternoon when LHP Will Stewart (0-0, 0.00) makes his 2021 debut for the Wahoos. He will be opposed by RHP Matt Withrow (0-0, 0.00), who pitched two scoreless innings earlier in the series. First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 PM CT.
After Sunday’s contest, the Wahoos will return home to kick off their 2021 season opener on Tuesday, May 11th with a six-game set against the Birmingham Barons, the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.
Another 27 COVID-19 Cases Reported In Escambia County
May 9, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
The Florida Department of Health reported 27 additional COVID-19 cases in Escambia County on Saturday.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 36,164 (+27)
Non-Florida residents: 3,679
Recovered: 33,662*
Total deaths: 690
Long-term care facility deaths: 286
Current hospitalizations: 34
Number of tests reported last day: 676
Percent positive reported last day: 3.9%
Percent positive reported last week: 6.6%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 27,103 (+23)
Cantonment: 3,243 (+2)
Century: 1,179 (+2)
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 494
McDavid: 212
Bellview: 58
Walnut Hill: 55
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 13
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 18,246 (+18)
Non-Florida residents: 249
Total deaths: 287
Long-term care facility deaths: 82
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 903*
Number of tests reported last day: 302
Percent positive reported last day: 5.9%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 8,706 (+7)
Navarre: 3,766 (+3)
Gulf Breeze: 3,360 (+3)
Pace: 1,486 (+6)
Jay: 552 (+1)
Bagdad: 32
Florida cases:
Total cases: 2,266,575
Florida residents: 2,224,148
Deaths: 35,700
Hospitalizations: 92,023
*“Hospitalizations” in the statewide and Santa Rosa County totals is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. Most of these people are longer be hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized. The Escambia County number is current data compiled each day from the local hospitals.
**On cases by location, the city is based upon zip code and is not always received as part of the initial notification. There may be a delay in reporting locations, and locations will not total the daily case increase as a result.
***The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals. Escambia County is reporting an approximate recovery number defined as the total cases prior to last month, minus deaths. In other words, anyone that tested positive more than a month ago is presumed to have recovered by Escambia County.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
Tate FFA Alumni Rodeo Continues Saturday Night
May 8, 2021
The 30th Annual Tate FFA Alumni Foundation Rodeo continues Saturday night at 7:30 at the Escambia County Equestrian Center on Mobile Highway.
Tickets can now be purchased on GoFan: https://gofan.co/app/school/FL19840_1
Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 at the gate for children. Children age 5 and under will be admitted free.
Pictured: FridYa night at the 30th Annual Tate FFA Alumni Foundation Rodeo. Photos by Tammy Miller for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Great Saturday Night, More Sun On Sunday
May 8, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 58. South wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 83. South wind 5 to 15 mph.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind 5 to 15 mph.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 80.