Escambia County Won’t Search For Administrator Anytime Soon, Allowing Interim Wes Moreno To Work For Awhile
July 10, 2021
Escambia County commissioners have decided to move forward for the time being with Wes Moreno in the interim county administrator position.
“I would, at least for some period of time, I’d rather just operate,” District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said in Thursday night meeting that had ran past 10:30 p.m. “We will at some point in time be having budget workshops, approving a budget, and we do have some spots to fill. Regardless of how long it is, I’d just let’s allow him to work. Let’s just work in the environment we have with the leadership we have until we want to take up the discussion again. I’d like to give it a little bit of time.”
Barry and Commissioner Jeff Bergosh described Moreno has have a professional, but calming nature that Escambia County needs.
“There’s a calming nature, and I think the county could benefit from that for at least some period of time,” Barry said.
“I don’t disagree. No rush. No rush for it right now,” Bergosh said.
The commission voted 4-0, with Commissioner Doug Underhill away from the meeting, to increase Moreno’s salary as interim administrator to $173,000 annually, the low end of the $173,000 to $190,000 range that was advertised during their last search. Janic Gilley, recently fired by the board, was paid $185,000.
Commissioner Robert Bender had placed an item at the end of Thursday’s agenda to discussion who the commission would proceed in the search for a new administrator.
Commissioner Lumon May said that, when the time comes, a national search such be conducted by a national firm.
“I’m not going to support an internal search. We need a professional search,” May said. “We should have the very best person.
“When we go down that path, we have to do that,” Barry replied.
M-Braves Rally, Walk-Off Wahoos in Ninth
July 10, 2021
In a 4-4 tie, Wendell Rijo dropped a game-winning single into shallow right to give the M-Braves a 5-4 win over the Wahoos on Friday night at Trustmark Park.
The Wahoos led for most of Friday’s game largely due to Will Stewart’s second consecutive quality start. The left-hander pitched six innings and allowed three runs (one earned) without walking
a batter. The only run he allowed in the first five innings was a solo homer to Jefrey Ramos in the bottom of the fourth.
With the game tied at 1-1, Pensacola scored three times in the sixth to take the lead. After Victor Victor Mesa reached on a fielding error, Peyton Burdick walked before JJ Bleday lined a run-scoring
double into right center. The inning continued as Nick Fortes reached on comeback to the pitcher that Fortes beat out due to Troy Bacon slowly lobbing the ball to first. After a sac fly and a walk, Tristan Pompey—who homered earlier in the game—beat the shift
with an infield single, which scored Bleday.
Unfortunately for the Wahoos, the three-run lead was short lived. Mississippi scored twice in the bottom of the inning, all with two outs. Stewart had the chance to end the inning when he induced
a comebacker from Ramos, but the southpaw’s throw to first sailed into right field. The inning continued and the M-Braves ultimately scored twice to make it a 4-3 game.
Josh Roberson took over in the seventh, and with two outs and a runner at first, Shea Langeliers drove in the tying run with a base hit to right.
Pensacola was unable to score in the eighth or ninth, and in the bottom of the ninth, Justin Dean walked, stole second, and eventually reached third on a groundout to short. That setup Rijo for
the game-winning single to give Mississippi their fourth straight win over the Wahoos.
Pensacola will try to avoid losing their fifth consecutive game to the M-Braves Saturday night.
Photos: Blue Angels Friday Dress Rehearsal
July 10, 2021
The Blue Angels held a dress rehearsal Friday before Saturday’s official Pensacola Beach Air Show.
Officials said Fat Albert did not fly Friday due to a reported minor mechanical problem, but the C-130J Super Hercules is expected to take to the skies on Saturday.
For a photo gallery, click here.
For a behind the scenes look with the pilots of the new jets and new Fat Albert, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge.
Escambia Reports 208 New COVID-19 Cases In Last Week
July 10, 2021
There were 208 new COVID-19 cases reported Escambia County over the last week by the Florida Department of Health. That’s about twice the number of positives (105) reported in the week prior.
FDOH has moved from daily to weekly reports and removed the COVID-19 dashboard. The state is now releasing a weekly report with local data limited only to number of cases and positivity rate; the number of deaths by county or cases by local cities and communities has been removed.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 33,453 (+208)
Positivity Rate Last Week: 10.2%
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 18,786 (+107)
Positivity Rate Last Week: 9.3%
Statewide cases:
Florida resident cases: 2,361,360 (+23,697)
Case positivity rate: 7.8%
Deaths: 38,,157 (+32)
Night Lane Closures All Next Week On The Pensacola Bay Bridge
July 10, 2021
The Pensacola Bay Bridge will be reduced to one lane in each direction from the bridge approach in Gulf Breeze extending for approximately 3,500-feet from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily Monday, July 12 through Saturday, July 17.
Crews will be pouring concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure that remains under construction, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
The planned activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Escambia County EMTs And Paramedics Get A Raise
July 9, 2021
Escambia County EMS paramedics and EMTs are getting a raise.
Thursday night, the Escambia County Commission approved a new agreement with their union.
The current rate for a new EMT is $13.75; that increases to $15.04. A newly hired paramedic will make $19.19, up from $17.96. They will also receive any future across the board or cost of living increase that may be approved for other county employees.
“The EMS staff — the EMTs, the paramedics — have to deal with people and have to give their best on people’s worst days. “So this is an example of this board supporting first responders. And we’re giving them significant increases. We’ve talked earlier about incentive bonuses. We understand the value of what first responders do. This board supports first responders, and this is the manifestation of that.”
Officials say the increased base pay is remain comparable to similar agencies in order to aid in recruitment and retention for these positions.
The memorandum of understanding approved by the Escambia County Commission is between the county and the International Association of EMT’s and Paramedics (IAEP), Local R5-325.
Blue Angels Pilots Give NorthEscambia.com Readers A Behind The Scenes Look At New Jets, New Fat Albert
July 9, 2021
The Blue Angels will celebrate their 75th anniversary at the annual Pensacola Beach Air Show Friday and Saturday in their new F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets, and the new “Fat Albert” C-130J Super Hercules.
NorthEsambia.com had a close look at the new planes and a chance to learn what makes the Pensacola show extra special and exciting for the pilots.
“Almost can’t describe it,” Blue Angels pilot Cdr. Brian Kesselring said. He’s the “boss” as flight leader and pilot of the Number 1 aircraft.
“To be able to come back and be able to link to both Santa Rosa and Escambia County, the greater Pensacola area is super special to us. This truly is our family back here in this small community,” Kesselring said. “To be able to come out here and go to the beach … for the local community is going to be something that is just super special for us this year.
For a photo gallery, click here.
During a dress rehearsal Thursday, the new Fat Albert did not fly. The public will have to wait until Saturday’s show to see the new C-130 take to the skies over Pensacola Beach. (It was scheduled to fly Friday but did not due to a minor mechanical issue.)
But we had close look at Fat Albert Thursday at NAS Pensacola.
Fat Albert pilot Capt. Rick Rose will open the show Saturday. Here’s how Rose describes flying Fat Albert for NorthEscambia.com readers:
Give us some background on bringing in the new C-130 last year.
“Awesome experience, we had to get pretty creative in acquiring this aircraft. We got it from the United Kingdom from the Royal Air Force. We picked it up last year — the team out there Marshall Air Space, the contracted company did a fantastic job getting this aircraft prepped and ready for us. It’s kind of like buying a used car. We did a test flight in it to make sure all the systems work appropriately as advertised. It worked flawlessly — got to fly it back through a couple fuel stops in Iceland as well as Maine and Ft Worth Texas where we did some final maintenance checks before we brought it back home where it belongs in Pensacola, Florida. It’s a new J Model super Hercules very exciting. Coupling that with the 75th anniversary, and the new super hornet. As a pilot flying this aircraft it’s pretty exciting and I’m pretty lucky.
What is this plane’s role in the show?
We are the main logistical support asset for the team so we haul all the maintenance pack up to include extra parts, tools, equip and most importantly the main. personnel that travel with us to ensure the jets are up for each show. It’s about a 49 person team that we can fit.
How many shows a year do you do?
We do around 30-35 show sites a year. Two to three airshows at each show site. Since we transitioned to the new super hornet, its little bit of a short air show schedule due to the fact to help us prepare for the transition rolling into it. We have a great support team that we gear up and ready to go.
Tell us about the hometown show
“Very exciting. It feels like a hometown to me. I have lived here for a while, went to flight school here so it really is like another hometown for me. I am from Northern California but Pensacola Florida will always be another hometown to me. Extremely exciting, especially having a year off last year, it’s a whole special feeling. Going back into especially flying over the water here at the beach. The people here are awesome. The community definitely deserves it and we are happy to help.”
How much maintenance do these planes require to consistently perform?
It does require a lot of maintenance. These planes are not brand-new, we are not given new jets off the assembly line. There is a lot of love and care you have to put into these jets to make them work right and well. It’s a no fail mission — the show must go on and we have a mission to do and there is a lot of pressure there to make it happen and they do an outstanding job.
Is there one part of the show that you are looking to the most?
I am a little bias — but Fat Albert for sure. It is awesome getting that plane back in the mix in front of people and being the Marine Corps representation on the team is a very special thing for me. I’m looking forward to the Fat Albert part and starting off the show and showing what this plane can do.
What is the most exhilarating move that you do?
The high performance climb to a pushover. It is a negative G pushover at the top. There is a few seconds there where you are weightless. That is the most fun because you are weightless for a few minutes in time. I look forward to it every time.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms Continue
July 9, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
Escambia County Human Resources Director Terminated; Ethics Manager Resigns
July 9, 2021
Escambia County Director of Human Resources Jana Still was terminated Wednesday, and the county’s ethics manager has also resigned.
Director for Communications and Public Information Laura Coale told NorthEscambia.com that Still was terminated because Interim County Administrator Wes Moreno wants the human resources department to “go in a different direction”.
“You are immediately relieved of your duties and you are to vacate your office today,” Moreno said in a termination letter to Still. Due to a requirement for a 90 day written notice of termination, Still will be paid through October 5.
“Thank you for your time at Escambia County,” the letter concluded.
Crystal Dadura will serve as interim HR director until a permanent replacement is named. Still was hired by former administrator Janice Gilley with her first day on November 6, 2019. She was a former senior personnel classification and assessment specialist at the Mobile County Personnel Board.
Also, Keith Morris resigned Tuesday as the manager of the Office of Compliance and Ethics effective July 16. Morris was a “leased employee” working through a staffing service. He was also brought on board by Gilley during her first 100 days after she created the Compliance and Ethics office.
Photos: Blue Angels Thursday Practice
July 9, 2021
The Blue Angels took to the skies over Pensacola Beach Thursday for a practice show ahead of this weekend’s full Pensacola Beach Air Show.
For a photo gallery, click here.
For a behind the scenes look with the pilots of the new jets and new Fat Albert, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge.
