Missing 69-Year Old Escambia County Man Located
February 26, 2024
UPDATE: Clint Ellis Mims has been located.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has issued a silver alert for a missing man that he may be in need of medical attention.
Clint Ellis Mim, 69, was last seen Saturday in Brewton, Alabama. His last contact with family was on February 21 in the 400 block of Bobe Street.
He was driving a silver 2007 Dodge Ram four-door with a silver toolbox and Florida disabled veterans tag # DV2082Q (pictured below). The vehicle has a silver tool box and a large trailer hitch.
Authorities said he may be traveling in Alabama.
Anyone with information is asked to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
UPDATE: Escambia County Worker Not Wearing Fall Protection Killed While Cutting Tree
February 26, 2024
An Escambia County worker reportedly not wearing fall protection was killed Monday morning as crews worked to cut trees along a local roadway.
The accident happened about 9 a.m. at Detroit Boulevard and Cove Avenue. The crew member was pronounced deceased at the scene.
“Deputies discovered that county workers were cutting a tree when the tree swung and struck the boom arm,” the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “This knocked a 59-year-old male employee from the bucket to the ground. He was pronounced deceased by EMS.”
“A preliminary investigation revealed that no harness or helmet was being worn during the accident,” ECSO said.
“On behalf of Escambia County, I would like to extend our condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of our colleague. This is a difficult time that we will all navigate together. While the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office conducts its investigation into the tragic incident, we will continue to provide support to our fellow employees and assist those impacted by today’s loss,” Escambia County Administrator Wes Moreno said.
The incident is under investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
No further details were immediately released.
Century Town Hall Returns To Normal Operations After Staffing Shortage Closure
February 26, 2024
The Century Town Hall will be on a normal operating schedule as of Monday, February 27.
The town hall was closed beginning Wednesday, February 21 due to a staffing shortage due to illnesses.
Because town hall was not open to accept utility payments, the town said there will be no disconnections this month.
NorthEsambia.com file photo.
Impacted AT&T Customers To Get $5 Credit For Nationwide Outage
February 26, 2024
Last week, we told you about a nationwide cellular service outage that impacted AT&T customers and left them unable to make calls, including calls to Escambia County 9-1-1.
Now, AT&T is apologizing and offered impacted customers a $5 bill credit.
“We apologize and recognize the frustration this outage has caused and know we let many of our customers down. To help make it right, we’re applying a credit for potentially impacted accounts to help reassure our customers of our commitment to reliably connect them – anytime and anywhere,” the company said in a statement.
The automatic $5 credit is per account, not per line. AT&T Business, AT&T Prepaid, and Cricket customers will not receive the credit.
Escambia County customers using AT&T may have experienced difficulty in calling 9-1-1, the county said in a news release. The county encouraged impacted cellular users to find a landline, or use another cellular carrier or Wi-FI calling, if they needed to call 9-1-1.
AT&T said the outage was caused by “application and execution of an incorrect process used as we were expanding our network, not a cyber attack”.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Tate FFA Gets “MOOving” With Literacy In Local Elementary Schools
February 26, 2024
The Tate High School FFA Chapter helped get National FFA Week “MOOving” through literacy programs at local elementary schools.
The Tate FFA Chapter got things “MOOving” by sharing a story about Florida’s dairy industry to local first grade students. Tate FFA officers, students from the agriculture communication class, and agriculture teachers and FFA advisors partnered with Jim Allen and McArthur Elementary schools to introduce the agriculture literacy program through Ag in the Classroom.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Students read and shared “Moovers, Shakers, and Milk Makers,” a book which highlights dairy production in Florida. The first grade students learned about the dairy cow breeds, the practices used to care for dairy cows, and how a dairy operates.
After reading, the FFA students worked with the first graders on activities that focused on “Moovers, Shakers, and Milk Makers”.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Woman Claims $26K Winning Fantasy 5 Ticket Sold At Nine Mile Road Publix
February 26, 2024
We now know who had a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket sold at a Nine Mile Road Publix.
The ticket sold at the Publix on Beulah Road at Nine Mile Road was one of two winning tickets in the February 20 midday drawing and was worth $26,645.74. The other winning ticket was sold in Sarasota.
According to the Florida Lottery, the cash option on the winning ticket was claimed by Linda Jean Zelius of Cantonment.
Sunday’s midday winning numbers were 4-20-25-26-28.
Here Are The Road Work Construction Spots To Watch This Week
February 26, 2024
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. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Northbound and southbound traffic on U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) is shifted to one outside travel lane in each direction between Rudolph Street and Green Street. The shift will be in place through the spring as crews perform drainage improvements. Signage will be in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- Lillian Highway (State Road (S.R.) 298) Resurfacing from north of U.S. 98 to east of Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727) and Lillian Highway at Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – Drivers will encounter daytime lane closures and intermittent nighttime lane closures, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Monday, Feb. 26 through Friday, March 1 as crews perform concrete and striping work.
- County Road (C.R.) 4 over Canoe Creek Bridge – C.R. 4, between Byrneville and Bratt, will be closed until fall 2024 as crews replace the Canoe Creek bridge. Traffic is directed through a 5.6-mile detour using Bratt Road to Pine Barren Road, then back to C.R. 4.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (S.R. 296) – Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- The left turn lane from Pace Boulevard to Massachusetts Avenue is permanently closed. Signs are in place to direct drivers traveling on Palafox Street to Pace Boulevard.
- The left turn lane from Palafox Street northbound to Pace Boulevard and Massachusetts Avenue is permanently closed. Signage is in place to direct drivers traveling northbound on U.S. 29 destined for Massachusetts Avenue or Pace Boulevard.
- U.S. 29 Resurfacing from Atmore Highway to North of Champion Drive – Motorists will encounter daytime lane closures Monday, Feb. 26 through Friday, March 1 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for construction activities.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive Sunday, February 25, through Friday, March 1, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River - The outside (right) lane of U.S. 90 eastbound on the Simpson River Bridge will be closed Friday, March 1 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform construction activities for the new bridge. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph throughout the work zone.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Westbound at Blackwater River Resurfacing – Drivers may encounter intermittent I-10 westbound inside lane closures, from the Ward Basin Road on-ramp (Exit 28) to the Blackwater River Bridge eastern approach, Sunday, Feb. 25 to Thursday, Feb. 29 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for bridge end slab replacement. Drivers are reminded that the I-10 westbound travel lanes are currently shifted slightly toward the outside of the roadway. This configuration is expected to remain in place through March 2024 while crews work in the construction zone behind the barrier wall.
- S.R. 89 Resurfacing from North of S.R. 87 to C.R. 178 (Spanish Trail) – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures, between S.R .87 and Hwy. 178, Monday, Feb. 26 through Friday, March 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. as crews perform paving and earthwork operations.
- U.S. 98 (Gulf Breeze Parkway) Routine Utility Maintenance East of Bergren Road in Gulf Breeze – Motorists will encounter nighttime eastbound lane closures Wednesday, Feb. 28 from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. for power pole replacement.
- U.S. 98 (Navarre Parkway) Routine Utility Maintenance East of S.R. 399 in Navarre – Motorists will encounter nighttime eastbound lane closures Wednesday, Feb. 28 from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. for power pole replacement.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Florida Gas Prices Drift Lower After Reaching New 2024 High
February 26, 2024
Florida gas prices moved higher last week, but evened out by the weekend. Sunday’s state average of $3.31 per gallon was one cent more than the week before, according to AAA.
Two weeks ago, the state average jumped 21 cents per gallon. Then last week, the state average fell 5 cents before jumping another 8 cents. By mid-week, the state average reached a new 2024 high of $3.37 per gallon, before falling another 5 cents. Last year’s high was $3.85 per gallon.
Pensacola was still the cheapest metro area in the state with a $3.07 per gallon average. In North Escambia, a low of $2.94 could be found on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while a Pensacola low of $2.87 was available Sunday night on Nine Mile Road.
“The recent increases are attributed to rising oil prices, as refineries conduct seasonal maintenance,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Florida’s gas prices are likely to face continued upward pressure through the next month as the presence of winter residents and spring breakers contributes to strong fuel demand.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Sold! Hundreds Attend 49th Annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Farm Auction (With Photo Gallery)
February 25, 2024
The Walnut Hill Ruritan Club held their 48th annual auction Saturday in Walnut Hill with crowds bidding on farm equipment and hundreds of other items.
All proceeds from the auction benefit the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club’s community service projects in the Walnut Hill area. The auction is held each year on the last Saturday of February.
The auction included not only farm equipment, but also household items like tools and small equipment, lawn and garden items, antiques and more. Saturday, a record of over 800 lots were auctioned off.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle FFA Celebrates National FFA Week With Breakfast
February 25, 2024
During National FFA week, the Ernest Ward Middle School FFA celebrated with an appreciation breakfast.
Friday morning, the FFA officers and members prepared a homestyle breakfast for teachers, staff and invited guests that support the FFA program. Northview’s FFA program has been recognized as one of the top chapters in both the state and the nation.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
