Do A Little Cleaning This Weekend, Dispose Of The Hazardous Stuff Next Saturday In Molino
January 15, 2022
The next Escambia County Regional Roundup will be held next Saturday, January 22 at Molino Park Elementary School.
Regional Roundup events provide an opportunity to properly dispose of electronics, household hazardous waste and up to four tires per vehicle, all free of charge. Proof of Escambia County residency is required to participate in Regional Roundup, such as a driver’s license, power bill or voter registration card. This is a residential drop-off program only; no commercial waste accepted. Simply drive up and materials will be unloaded for you – no need to get out of your vehicle.
The event will take place from 8 a.m. until noon in the school parking lot at 899 Highway 97.
Items accepted include:
- Computers (monitors, terminals, keyboards and mice)
- Printers and copiers
- TVs and remotes
- DVD players
- Gaming systems
- Fax machines
- Stereo systems
- Cell phones and telephones
- Paint (up to 20 gallons)
- Fuel (up to 10 gallons)
- Waste oil (up to five gallons)
- Fluorescent lights (up to 10 lights)
- Tires (up to four per vehicle)
- Antifreeze
- Oil filters
- Lubricants and greases
- Solvents
- Pesticides
- Fertilizers
- Batteries (rechargeable, lithium, computer, cell phone, etc.)
- Auto, marine and motorcycle batteries
- Propane bottles
- Pool cleaners
- Household cleaners
Items NOT accepted include:
- Commercial waste
- Electronics that have been gutted
- Appliances, including fans and air conditioners
- Household garbage
- Yard debris or limbs
- Scrap metal
- Medical waste
- Medications
- Furniture and mattresses
- Building materials (concrete, bricks, blocks, roofing, drywall or lumber)
Registration Now Open For Clinic To Help Restore Driver’s License
January 15, 2022
Registration is now open for a a Driver’s License Clinic from the First Judicial Circuit to assist individuals whose licenses have been revoked, suspended, or cancelled.
The event will be held Friday, Mrach 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the M.C. Blanchard Judicial Building. Due to COVID-19, it is possible that restricted access to the courthouse could resume and impact the clinic. If changes do occur, notification and instructions will be sent to all registered participants prior to the clinic.
Registration is open for the first 150 registered participants. To register, go to https://escambiacountydriverslicenseclinic2022.eventbrite.com.
Participants should closely monitor the email address provided at registration, as email will be the primary form of communication between participants and the clinic staff. Additional information may also be requested by email. Failure to provide requested information may result in cancelled registration.
Individuals who registered for previous clinics and failed to appear will be placed on the waiting list until all eligible participants have had an opportunity to register. Walk-ins will not be able to participate.
Staff from the Florida Department of Revenue, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Escambia County Clerk of Court, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Office of the State Attorney, and the Office of the Public Defender, along with judges and court staff, will work together to assist registrants and provide individualized information relevant to each participant’s personal circumstances. The goal of the clinic is to provide “one-stop shopping” for citizens to interact with the appropriate state agencies and/or the court so they can determine how to regain their driving privileges. The clinic will not be able to assist individuals with licenses revoked, suspended, or cancelled due to out-of-state matters. Additionally, the clinic will not address pending criminal charges.
Driver’s licenses may be suspended for a variety of reasons, including failure to pay traffic tickets or child support, accumulation of too many points on one’s driving record, or designation as a habitual traffic offender. Licenses may also be revoked as a consequence of entering a plea to certain crimes, such as driving under the influence or certain drug-related offenses.
Rain, Low In The 30s Tonight; Windy And Cold For Sunday
January 15, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a slight chance of showers. Low around 36. East wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 33. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph.
M.L.King Day: Sunny, with a high near 55. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 30. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 58. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 69. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Showers likely, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 48.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 30.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52.
Here Are Next Week’s Road Construction Delay Spots
January 15, 2022
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties next week as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 16 through Saturday, Jan. 22. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Drivers will encounter inside lane closures between A and N streets as crews perform median improvements and install poles for pedestrian traffic signals.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures and shifts from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 16 through Wednesday, Jan. 19 between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road, and on Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 interchange to allow crews to place striping and perform worklist items.
- Sorrento Road (State Road (S.R.) 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closure from 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18 to 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19. Also expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures Thursday, Jan. 20 and Friday, Jan. 21, as crews place a watermain.
- North Ninth Avenue (S.R. 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the northbound side of the bridge as crews replace the southbound portion of the structure. Additionally, drivers may encounter intermittent temporary lane closures from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- Beulah Road (S.R. 99) Routine Maintenance at Kaheeley Ridge Subdivision – Drivers will encounter inside lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 16 and Monday, Jan. 17, as crews perform paving operations.
Santa Rosa County
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 16 through Saturday, Jan. 22. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – The eastbound lane will remain reduced to one lane at the County Road 191 Overpass Bridge (Exit 26) until work associated with bridge approach construction is complete. Motorists can also expect intermittent lane closures from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. the week of Monday, Jan. 17 as crews perform construction activities.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Major roadway construction activities are currently underway. Improvements include widening the roadway from four to six-lanes with a raised median, safety, and drainage upgrades, resurfacing Avalon Boulevard from U.S. 98 to Garcon Point Bridge, extending the existing shared-use path on the south side of U.S. 98 from Gondolier Boulevard, and new signage and pavement markings.
- U.S. 90 Simpson River Bridge Project – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. as crews place temporary asphalt.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Century Correctional Institution Is Reaccredited
January 14, 2022
The Century Correctional Institution is one of five facilities in the state reaccredited during recent ACA Commission on Standards and Accreditation hearings.
Century Correctional and the other four institutions were found to be 100% compliant with mandatory standards, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
“When an institution undergoes the ACA re-accreditation process, they are opening their doors and inviting an independent outside entity into their facility to examine all aspects of their operations,” said FDC Secretary Ricky Dixon. “These five wardens and their leadership teams have proven their commitment to exceptional professionalism by their commitment to industry-recognized standards. Join us in celebrating their achievement as leaders in corrections.”
Over the last year, ACA audit teams from across the country visited the Florida Women’s Reception Center, as well as Century, Lancaster, Marion and Polk correctional institutions to conduct comprehensive on-site audits of all aspects of prison operations. ACA Commission members commended the agency’s efforts to expand programming and increase pay while maintaining accreditation, despite substantial challenges being faced by correctional agencies nationwide.
FDC began the process of seeking nationally recognized accreditation from the ACA in 1968. All 50 of Florida’s major institutions are accredited by the ACA. The standards created and refined by the ACA represent fundamental correctional practices that ensure staff and inmate safety and security; enhance staff morale; improve record maintenance and data management capabilities; and improve the function of the facility or agency at all levels.
Free Food Distribution To Be Held Saturday In Century
January 14, 2022
Northwest Florida Community Outreach will hold a 13,000 pound food distribution Saturday in Century.
The drive-up distribution will take place beginning at 9 a.m. at the Century Business Center at 130 East Pond Street. The event is for Escambia County, Florida, residents.
Pictured: A previous Northwest Florida Community Outreach food distribution in Century during 2021. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Kinsella Retires, Shashaty Takes Command Of NAS Pensacola
January 14, 2022
Capt. Terrence Shashaty assumed command of Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola from Capt. Tim Kinsella during a change of command ceremony Thursday at the National Naval Aviation Museum.
Kinsella served as the commanding officer since March 2019 and led the base following a terrorist attack that resulted in the death of three Sailors and injured eight individuals, a global pandemic that threatened the mission of NAS Pensacola and category 2 Hurricane Sally that caused extensive damages to the installation. With Kinsella’s leadership, NAS Pensacola managed to limit the effects of these events to base operations.
“NAS Pensacola faced some difficult challenges over the past few years, but I am so proud of how everyone on base, active duty service members and civilian employees alike, came together and faced these challenges head on with grit and determination,” said Kinsella. “It’s been the greatest honor of my life to be the commanding officer of this historic installation, but it was the people of this base that truly inspired me every single day I put on my uniform.”
For his outstanding leadership and service to NAS Pensacola, Capt. Tim Kinsella received the John Paul Jones Award for Inspirational Leadership from the Navy League of the United States in 2021. The John Paul Jones Award for Inspirational Leadership is awarded to the naval officer that has made an outstanding contribution to the high standards of leadership in the naval service.
Kinsella was also adamant for building strong relationships with the local community and improving the education in the local area for not only active duty family members, but for all local families. With his perseverance, NAS Pensacola was awarded a Department of Defense STARBASE program. The program, which will be located at the National Flight Academy onboard the installation, will allow fifth grade students from Title I schools in the local communities to have a place to learn STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) related topics starting in January 2022. Pensacola State College is also opening a charter high school near NAS Pensacola in 2022 that military children will be able to attend.
“I want to show children in Pensacola the art of the possible,” said Kinsella. “It is my hope that STARBASE Pensacola and the charter school will inspire students to unlock their potential and achieve more than they thought possible. Pensacola is an amazing community and has always had a strong relationship with the installation. As the installation improves, so does the community and vice versa. This bond between the community and NAS Pensacola is what makes Pensacola a special place. When we work together, that’s when the magic happens!”
Shashaty, a Brooklyn, New York, native and a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, is reporting to NAS Pensacola following duty with the Joint Chiefs of Staff as the electronic warfare branch chief for the Deputy Directorate for Global Operations. Like all Navy aviators, Shashaty began his aviation training at NAS Pensacola and earned his pilot wings in 2000. Throughout his Navy career, he flew the EA-6B Prowler and EA-18G Growler and has over 400 combat hours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“I am excited about this opportunity to be the commanding officer of NAS Pensacola,” said Shashaty. “I started my aviation career here and look forward to building on the outstanding achievements of the NAS Pensacola team. Every person, military and civilian, on NAS Pensacola plays a vital role in our mission and together, as a team, we will achieve great things.”
Following the change of command ceremony, Kinsella retired from Navy during a separate ceremony. He will remain in the Pensacola area and will continue to be active in the community.
“I have had a wonderful and fulfilling career in the Navy and this has been the absolute highlight, but now it’s time to start the next chapter of my life and focus on my family,” said Kinsella. “We have made lifelong friendships here in Pensacola and it’s always felt like home to us, so it’s an easy decision for us to stay. No matter what the future holds, I will always be proud to say that I was the commanding officer of NAS Pensacola.”
Known as “The Cradle of Naval Aviation,” NAS Pensacola is the second largest training base in the Navy with approximately 60,000 students trained annually. The installation supports 127 tenant commands from all branches of the service and is one of only four installations in the United States with an active airfield and deepwater port.
Story/photos Jason Bortz/NAS Pensacola for NorthEscambia.com.
ECSO Is Not Selling T-shirts Via Text Messages. It’s Yet Another Scam.
January 14, 2022
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has issued a warning about text messages claiming to sell ECSO t-shirts.
The text message provides a link to submit payment, and some are even offering a discount. The whole thing is a scam, according to ECSO.
“The ECSO will never send text messages asking for a payment for any type of merchandise,” the ECSO said on social media.
Earlier this week, we told you about an ECSO email scam. Click or tap here for that story and tips avoid scams.
Fire Sparked By Candle Destroys Ensley Home; Dog Revived
January 14, 2022
Fire that destroyed a home in Ensley Thursday afternoon is being blamed on a candle.
Escambia Fire Rescue responded to North Ensley Street about 2:20 p.m. to find flames and smoke from the back part of the wood frame home.
The occupants were alerted by working smoke detectors and were able to escape without injury. A small dog was found inside the home and was resuscitated before being reunited with its family.
According to ECFR, the cause of the fire was a lit candle that fell onto a mattress.
Sunny Friday; Storms For Saturday And Colder Sunday
January 14, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Saturday: A slight chance of showers, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. High near 64. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Saturday Night: Showers likely, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
M.L.King Day: Sunny, with a high near 53. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 30. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 57.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 65.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.