Cantonment Man Charged With Opening Fire At Pine Forest Road Gas Station
May 17, 2020
A Cantonment man wanted for allegedly opening fire at gas station on Pine Forest Road last week is now behind bars.
William David Nicholson II, was booked into the Escambia County Jail Friday night on charges of aggravated battery, firing a weapon in public, deadly missiles, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and criminal mischief. An unrelated warrant for for dealing in stolen property was also served . He remained in the Escambia County Jail Sunday without bond as a fugitive from justice on additional charges from Alabama.
Last Wednesday, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shots fired call at a gas station located in the 8600 block of Pine Forest Road at I-10. Nicholson was identified as the man that fired two shots at the victim after he allegedly cut Nicholson off in traffic.
The ECSO said Nicholson fired one shot into the victim’s driver’s side window and fired the other shot into the structure surrounding the gas pumps. The victim suffered a non-life threatening injury to the head and was taken to a local hospital.
Area In Moderate To Severe Drought
May 17, 2020
A moderate to severe drought exists across much of the North Escambia area, according to the latest information from the U.S. Drought Monitor.
All but the extreme northern part of Escambia County is in the severe drought category.
Winning Fantasy 5 Tickets Sold In Jay And Milton; Each Worth Over $40,000
May 17, 2020
Two people are over $40,000 richer after purchasing a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 tickets in Jay and Milton
The tickets sold at the Farmer’s Country Market on Highway 4 and the Milton Exxon on Caroline Street are two of five winning tickets sold for Friday night’s drawing and is worth $40,351.08. Other winning tickets were sold in The Villages, Naples and Hileah.
The 385 tickets matching four numbers won $94.50 each. Another 11,062 tickets matching three numbers are worth $8 each, and 96,696 ticket holders won a Quick Pick ticket for picking two numbers.
Friday’s winning numbers were 5-9-11-26-29.
75 Percent Of Escambia County COVID-19 Deaths Have Been In These Four Long-Term Care Facilities
May 17, 2020
Of the 20 COVID-19 deaths in Escambia County, 15 have been long-term care facility or staff members.
Five residents of Bayside Health and Rehabilitation Center have died. There have been five deaths associate with Southern Oaks Care Center – four residents and one staff member.
Four residents of the Brookdale Pensacola assisted living facility and one resident at Arcadia Health and Rehabilitation Center have also died.
The Florida Department of Health releases their report on long term facility deaths once per week.
Tropical Storm Arthur Forms Off Florida, An Early Start To Hurricane Season
May 17, 2020
Tropical Storm Arthur formed off the southeast coast of Florida Saturday night, over two weeks before the official start to the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
It is no threat to the North Escambia area.
Arthur is expected to track offshore of the southeastern United States, perhaps skirting the North Carolina Outer Banks by Monday. Forecasters expect that the strongest winds will remain to the eastern side of the storm – out in the open Atlantic.
The latest on Tropical Storm Arthur is in the graphics on this page, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Submits Plan To Reopen Short-Term Vacation Rentals
May 17, 2020
UPDATE: This plan was approved Tuesday, May 19. Click or tap here for an update.
Friday night, Escambia County submitted a short-term vacation rental reopening plan to the state for possible implementation as early as Monday.
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Friday that counties could submit their own plans to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation for approval. In March, DeSantis suspending short-term vacation rental bookings.
The ban was extended indefinitely under his first phase reopening plan. But he left the door open for individual counties.
“What we’re doing is telling counties, if you want short-term rentals, you request it to be authorized through the state and provide your safety plan,” he said in Jacksonville Friday as he announced his “Full Phase One” reopening plan.
“We are thankful Governor DeSantis recognized the importance of short-term vacation rentals to our community yesterday during his press conference,” said County Administrator Janice Gilley said Saturday. “This short-term vacation rental plan was created with input from county commissioners and members of ESF-18 such as the Greater Pensacola Chamber, Visit Pensacola and the DMO. We hope for approval by Sunday for implementation on Monday, May 18.”
Under Escambia County’s plan, reservations and stays will be allowed from U.S. states with a COVID-19 case rate less than 700 cases per 100,000 residents as of May 15. Reservations from COVID-19 hotpots identified by the governor, such as New York, New Jersey and New Orleans, will be avoided for the next 30-45 days, and no reservations from international travelers will be allowed.
To read Escambia County’s complete plan, click here.
This Week’s Road Construction Worries
May 17, 2020
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities. In preparation for the Memorial Day Holiday weekend, there will be no lane closures or other activities which impede traffic on state roads beginning 9 a.m. Friday, May 22 and ending 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, May 26.
Escambia County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, May 17:
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- Intermittent east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90)– Drivers will experience the following traffic impacts the week of Sunday, May 17:
o U.S. 29 between Broad Street and the westbound I-10 on-ramp- beginning 8 p.m. Sunday, May 17 the southbound lanes will be shifted toward the left to provide room for crews to continue the construction of the future southbound lanes.
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- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass and U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road may experience alternating lane shifts or closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road (State Road (S.R.) 297)- Wednesday, May 20 motorists will be shifted to the newly constructed eastbound roadway between Allegheny Avenue and the Leisure Lakes RV Park to allow crews to construct the new westbound lanes. Motorists will encounter alternating and intermittent lane closures between the Leisure Lakes RV Park and Eleven Mile Creek from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, May 18 and Tuesday, May 19 as crews prepare for the transition.
In addition, the far-right portion of the I-10 eastbound off-ramp that connects to Nine Mile Road (Exit 5) remains closed. Drivers can still access Nine Mile Road east and westbound using the other section of the ramp. The partial ramp closure is needed to reconstruct the ramp.
- U.S. 98 (Garden Street) Underground Utility Maintenance – Drivers will experience traffic impacts at the following locations from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Friday, May 15.
- The westbound and eastbound, outside lanes will be closed from A Street to Devilliers Street.
- The eastbound and westbound, inside lanes will be closed from the intersection of Garden Street and E Street to the intersection of Garden Street and I Street.
- The westbound, outside lane will be closed from the intersection of Garden Street and B Street to the intersection of Garden Street and D Street.
- Pace Boulevard (S.R. 292) Utility Operations at Gimble Street- The southbound lane will be closed at Gimble Street Wednesday, May 20 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews perform underground utility work.
- Perdido Key Drive (S.R. 292) Pedestrian Crosswalk Construction at Flora-Bama- The contractor has installed the drill shaft and is awaiting cure time before returning to the project. There are currently no lane closures or impacts to traffic.
- U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of County Road (C.R.) 184 (Muscogee Road) to S.R. 97 (Atmore Highway)- Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane restrictions as crews perform paving operations. There will also be ongoing turn lane, widening, and median work at various locations on the project.
- Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Intersection Improvements at New Warrington Road (S.R. 295) – Construction activities are underway. Drivers can expect lane closures between 9:30 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Santa Rosa County:
- · Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, May 17:
o Intermittent east and westbound lane closures from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
o Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- U.S. 90 Pavement Marking Operations between Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281) and the Okaloosa County Line-Motorists can expect minor delays from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as slow-moving vehicles are used to perform pavement marking operations through Thursday, Aug. 27.
- S.R. 4 Resurfacing and Drainage Improvements from the Escambia River Bridge to Market Road (C.R. 87A) in Jay – Drivers can expect intermittent lane restrictions throughout town as crews perform paving operations and bridge work.
- U.S. 98 Safety Improvement from Villa Woods Circle to Ortega Park Drive- Paving operations are underway throughout the project limits. Drivers can expect nighttime lane restrictions.
- S.R. 87 Bridge Rehabilitation and Repair Over Yellow River- Motorists may encounter nighttime southbound lane closures as crews continue expansion joint work through Saturday, May 16.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Wildfire Update: Beulah Fire 98% Contained; Santa Rosa Fire Closes Interstate, Causes Wrecks
May 16, 2020
Smoke from the 2,215-acre 5 Mile Swamp Fire forced the Florida Highway Patrol and Department of Transportation to close a portion of Interstate 10 for several hours. The interstate was closed between exits 22 and 31 from just before 2 a.m. to about 5 a.m. and FHP reported eight vehicles were involved in accidents.
With nearly 100 active wildfires throughout the state, motorists are encouraged to be on the look for smoke on the road. Drivers should treat the smoke as fog, turn on low-beam headlights and treat it as fog. If conditions deteriorate, drivers should pull safely off the road and turn on their hazard lights while waiting for visibility to improve.
Firefighters continue to monitor and patrol both Five Mile Swamp and the Hurst Hammock Fire looking for any remaining hot spots to douse and keeping the fire within containment lines. The Hurst Hammock Fire is 1,191 acres and 98% contained. Five Mile Swamp Fire remains 97% contained.
As patrol operations continue, residents are likely to witness what’s known as reburn as trees that were affected by the fire but not completely burned will drop their remaining leaves and needles as they begin their recovery process. These needles and leaves could land in lingering hot spots that are well inside the fire lines and flare up. Crews have been mopping up hot spots within 50 feet of the fire line for several days so any reburn that occurs should pose minimal risk to containment but could create an increase in smoke in some areas.
Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties have enacted burn bans and the Florida Forest Service is not issuing burn authorizations. Residents are asked to call the non-emergency line for their respective area to report violations and 911 for emergency situations only.
Tentative Graduation Dates Set For Escambia, Santa Rosa County Schools
May 16, 2020
Tentative graduation dates have been set for schools in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Escambia County
The Escambia County School District has released a tentative graduation schedule. Three dates have been reserved for each school’s graduation ceremony pending approval by state and local authorities. The final date and time of graduation for each school will be determined and published as soon as possible.
June 23, July 14 or July 27
- Tate High School
- Northview High School
- Pine Forest High School
- West Florida High School
June 24, July 15 or July 28
- Pensacola High School
- Escambia High School
- George Stone Technical College/Escambia Virtual/Success Academy/Camelot
- Washington High School
Santa Rosa County
All dates are pending Santa Rosa County School Board approval on June 4.
June 19-20, July 16-17 and July 29-30 at Pensacola Bay Center
- Pace High School 11 a.m.
- Navarre High School 2:30 p.m.
- Gulf Breeze High School 6 p.m.
June 23, July 14 or July 31
- Jay High School in the gym at 5 p.m.
- Central High School 7 p.m. in the gym.
June 18, July 14 or July 28
- Milton High School at 8 p.m.
Escambia County, Alabama
Complete details are being finalized and information provided to graduates.
- Escambia County High School – May 21, 7 p.m , limit four guests.
- Flomaton High School – May 19 in the football stadium, limit four guests.
Pictured: The Tate High School Class of 2019 graduation at the Pensacola Bay Center. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
COVID-19 Testing Site To Remain Open Two More Weeks At UWF With No Pre-screening Required
May 16, 2020
A mobile COVID-19 testing site with no pre-screening required will remain open for two more weeks for Escambia and Santa Rosa County residents at the University of West Florida.
The drive-through test site will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at the SP2 parking lot, which is on the east side of campus near the East Sports Complex. Individuals are asked to remain in their vehicles.
The site was opened at the request of the Governor’s Office under the direction of the Florida Department of Health in conjunction with both Escambia and Santa Rosa counties and assistance from the Florida National Guard.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
