Northview FCA, NJROTC Send Care Packages To Overseas Military Families
February 15, 2022
Northview High School’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes and NJROTC sponsored a supply drive to send care packages to troops deployed overseas in conjunction with an Operation Military Parent Group that was founded in 2019.
Six large boxes were prepared Monday to be mailed. A couple of these boxes will reach overseas family of Northview students.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
RV Fire Spreads, Damages Nearby Home
February 15, 2022
Fire destroyed an RV and damaged an adjacent home Monday in Escambia County.
Escambia County Fire Rescue arrived to find the RV fully engulfed in flames and that fire had spread to the attic space of a nearby home in the 4400 block of Cedarbrook Drive off Klondike Road.
The RV was a total loss, but firefighters were able to limit damage to the attic space of the home.
There were no injuries reported.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal.
Escambia County Motorcyclist Killed In Traffic Crash
February 14, 2022
An Escambia County motorcyclist was killed in crash Sunday night.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 32-year old man was on a Suzuki GSXR 600 traveling northbound on South Fairfield Drive approaching Pond Valley Drive as a Kia Sorrento was headed southbound.
The 43-year old female driver of the Kia failed to yield to oncoming traffic when making a left turn into a mobile home park, causing the collision.
The motorcyclist was pronounced deceased at the scene by Escambia County EMS. The driver of the Kia was not injured.
FHP no longer released the names of traffic crash victims.
File photo.
New Dollar General Planned For Walnut Hill; Developer Files Plans
February 14, 2022
Developers have filed an initial Escambia County Development Review Committee application for a new Dollar General store in Walnut Hill.
Plans indicate the store will be located at 7100 Highway 97, on the north side of the intersection of South Highway 99. There is currently an unoccupied single family home on the 4.12 acre property, which is across the intersection from a former farm supply retail business.
The development is limited to 2.08 acres, including a 10,769 square-foot store with 43 parking spaces and a new driveway connection to Highway 97 directly across from South Highway 99. There are 35 trees on the site, 19 of which will be removed. There are no wetlands on the property.
Until an update approved unanimously by the Escambia County Commission on August 19, RMU zoning only allowed commercial buildings up to 6,000 square feet with no provision whatsoever to grant any exceptions to construct a larger commercial building.
Now, retail space up to 15,000 square feet is allowed. Properties zoned as RMU in Escambia County are typically located near rural community centers and most are not currently used for agriculture. For a map of RMU zoning in Escambia County, click or tap here (pdf).
The plan is in staff internal review status by the Escambia County Development Review Committee. There is no guarantee that it will ever be constructed after approval.
Last year, Dollar General previously announced a proposal for a store about a mile away at the intersection of Highway 97 and Highway 99A in Walnut Hill, next to Ernest Ward Middle School. The proposed size of the store did not meet zoning requirements at the time (but now would after the BOCC vote). Additionally, there was some minor public backlash against the store due to its location in a curve on Highway 97 and its proximity to the middle school. Plans for this store did not move forward.
Cool Valentine’s Night, Middle 30s
February 14, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Calm wind.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 67. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 72. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Thursday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 73. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Thursday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a chance of showers. Low around 45. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 58. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Washington’s Birthday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69.
Registration Underway For New Tri-City Children’s Choir For Century, Flomaton, Jay
February 14, 2022
Registration is currently underway for the Tri-City Children’s Choir (TCCC), a regional initiative of the Pensacola Children’s Chorus.
TCCC will welcome young singers in grades 2-6 who reside in the Century, Flomaton, Jay and surrounding area.
The choir will be under the direction of Holley Driver, a Century-based music teacher.
Singers will meet weekly on Thursdays, with the spring session March 3-May 12 from 4:30 until 5:15 p.m. at Century First United Methodist Church, 530 Church Street. TCCC is a tuition-based program and costs $5-$15 per week. Families may choose the weekly amount that works best for their household finances, and scholarships are also available.
For more information on joining the choir, or make a contribution, visit www.tricitychoir.org. Registration officially opens February 1.
Driver taught music in the Escambia County School District for over 15 years, served as the choral director at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino for nine years, and teaches in her own studio.
Florida Gas Prices Slip Lower As Upward Pressure Remains
February 14, 2022
The average price for gasoline set a new 2022 high of $3.47 per gallon on Wednesday. That is the most expensive daily average since July 2014. From there, the state average gradually slipped lower through the weekend. Sunday’s state average was $3.46 per gallon.
The average price per gallon Sunday night in Escambia County was $3.43. A North Escambia low of $3.43 was available at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while Pensacola prices were below $3.30 at about a half dozen locations.
“Pump prices moved slightly lower into the weekend, but don’t be surprised if they increase again in the near future,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Oil prices set new 2022 highs on Friday, amid concerns over how a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine could result in sanctions on Russian oil that could make the oil market even tighter than it currently is.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Joseph “Andy” Ross
February 14, 2022
Joseph “Andy” Ross, age 68 passed away peacefully on February 9, 2022, in Gainesville, Florida, with his two sons by his side.
He was born in Flomaton, Alabama on January 7, 1954, and was raised in Molino, Florida. Andy loved NASCAR and would go to the races any chance he could, he loved working on cars, and building all kinds of things. He knew his way around a garden and could make anything grow. Andy loved fishing with his boys but most of all he loved his family and spoiling his grandbabies.
He is preceded in death by his wife and the love of his life of over 42 years, Sara Ann Ross; mother, Kathleen (Paul) Pittman; father, Joseph C Ross.
Andy is survived by his children, Joseph (Anthony) Ross and daughter in-law, Amanda Ross, and Jonathan Ross; grandchildren, Clarissa, Taylor, Paisley, Bailee, Jeremiah, Sara, Lillie; and great granddaughter, Elena; sister, Rhonda Harvell; brothers, Randy Ross and Rodger Pittman, and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to give a special thank you to all the medical staff in Gainesville, Florida, and everyone who has helped during this time.
The family has also requested in lieu of flowers please send donations to the GoFundMe, or to Trahan Family Funeral home in Pensacola to help pay for funeral expenses.
Services for Andy will be held February 18 , 2022, at Trahan Family Funeral Home in Pensacola, Florida.
The visitation will begin at 12:30 p.m., and his service will follow at 1:30 p.m.
Donta Mason Named Escambia County Employee Of The Month
February 14, 2022
Donta Mason, a permit technician I in the Building Services department, has been named the Escambia County Employee of the Month for February.
According to Escambia County:
Mason began his employment with Escambia County on June 2, 2020. In his role as Permit Technician I, he processes permit applications and interacts with all departments within the Central Office Complex, providing assistance to anyone asking questions in regard to permit requirements. Since Hurricane Sally, the building services department has seen an influx of roofing permit applications and Mason has been recognized for his efficiency in processing the applications, maintaining the queue at an appropriate level. Mason’s promptness in processing these applications has resulted in short wait times for roofing contractors, allowing them to start work quickly for customers.
Recently, the permitting division in the Building Services department was extremely short staffed for nearly a month due to COVID-19. Mason and two other employees, along with their lead, maintained the same standard of service typically assigned to 10 employees. Although facing a daunting task on a daily basis for that period, Mason came to work every day with a smile on his face and shared encouraging words for the small team. He kept spirits high for everyone and made a tough situation better for all involved.
“Mason has been a bright spot in the Building Services department,” said Building Services Director Tim Tolbert. “He has never met a stranger and spreads his never-ending enthusiasm and light to all that he meets. He is an inspiration to all and a blessing to our department and Escambia County.”
Pictured: Donta Mason accepts the February Employee of the Month award with his girlfriend; mother, Maggie Robinson; and father, Escambia County Animal Welfare Director John Robinson.
Update: Boil Water Notice Lifted For Farm Hill Utilities In Cantonment
February 14, 2022
THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE WAS LIFTED MONDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 14.
Farm Hill Utilities has issued a boil water notice from all customers from the intersection of South Highway 97 and West Kingsfield Road south to Highway 297 and all side roads.
The precautionary boil water notice is due to a water main break in the area.
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.