Want To Be A Beach Lifeguard? Tryouts Are Scheduled For Saturday
January 27, 2020
Pensacola Beach Lifeguards will host tryouts next Saturday.
The tryouts will be held Saturday, February 1 at 11 a.m. at the University of West Florida Aquatic Center, located at 11000 University Parkway, Bldg. 72. Applicants are asked to arrive at least 15 minutes early and to bring all relevant certifications to the tryout event.
Position requirements for employment include the following:
- Able to swim 600 yards in a pool in 10 minutes or less
- Able to run 1.5 miles on a track in 12 minutes or less
- Be at least 16 years old
- Possess a valid driver’s license
- American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification is preferred
Attending and passing the tryout is required to be considered for employment. If you pass the physical tests in the allotted time and meet all of the other requirements, you will be scheduled for an interview. If selected to be hired, you will receive paid training. Training includes, but is not limited to, successfully passing 80 hours of open water training and emergency medical training.
If you are a student at an accredited secondary school, vocational school, college or university fill out this online application prior to the tryout. Students must be currently enrolled or have intent to enroll next term.
If you are a non-student fill out this online application prior to the tryout.
For more information, contact Water Safety Deputy Chief Alexander Johnson at 850-503-1799 or at adjohnson@myescambia.com.
Gas Prices Decline And Will Slip Lower This Week, AAA Says
January 27, 2020
Florida gas prices dropped an average of eight cents last week and are likely to slip even lower in the coming days, according to AAA.
Florida drivers are paying an average of $2.45 a gallon at the pump, while Escambia County drivers were paying an average of $2.38, the lowest metro price in the state. One Cantonment station was at $2.25 per gallon Sunday night, while prices in Pensacola were as low as $2.20 on Airport Boulevard.
“It took almost the entire month, but gas prices are finally beginning to follow a more traditional trend of declining in January,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “With the holiday travel season in the rear view and temperatures turning colder, Americans are not driving as much as they did a month ago. The lower demand has allowed gasoline stocks to swell. Wholesale prices have reached a low that – if they hold - could drag the state average below $2.35 in the next 10 days.”
Despite the recent decline, the state average remains 22 cents per gallon more than this time last year. The difference amounts to an additional $3 for a full 15-gallon tank of gas. That difference could soon begin to narrow as crude oil prices move more in line with last year’s levels.
One Injured In Highway 29, Quintette Road Rollover Wreck
January 26, 2020
One person was injured in a rollover crash Saturday night on Highway 29.
The driver was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS with injuries that were not considered life threatening following the crash about 6:35 p.m. on Highway 29 at Quintette Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released additional details. The Cantonment, Molino and Ensley stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office were also dispatched to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Florida Senators Request Honors For Those Involved In NAS Pensacola Shooting
January 26, 2020
U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott are urging the Navy and Department of Defense to honor the heroes of the Naval Air Station Pensacola shooting last month.
The Florida senators sent a letter to Secretary of Defense, Dr. Mark Esper, and the Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas B. Modly urging the Navy to bestow the Navy Distinguished Civilian Medal with Valor to the Naval Air Station Police Officer wounded in the line of duty and the Office of the Secretary of Defense to award the Secretary of Defense Medal of Freedom to the sheriff’s deputies that responded to the incident. The letter also requests that those service members wounded in the attack receive the Purple Heart.
Read the full letter here.
Editor’s note: The letter signed by both senators mistakenly identifies the deputies that responded as being from Okaloosa County when they were in fact from Escambia County.
Pictured: Senators Rick Scott (above) and Marco Rubio (below) both visited NAS Pensacola in the days after the December 6 shooting. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Is Sew Cool: Learn Sewing Basics At The Molino Library
January 26, 2020
The West Florida Libraries will present “Molino Is Sew Cool” Monday afternoon, January 27.
It’s a chance to learn the fundamentals of sewing and make potholders. No experience is necessary, and materials will be provided for the 1 p.m. program.
The Molino Branch Library is located at 6450-A Highway 95A in the Molino Community Complex.
Did You See A Sundog Saturday? (And What Is A Sundog Anyway?)
January 26, 2020
People across the North Escambia area were treated to a cool sight Saturday afternoon. Sundogs are a literally cool natural phenomenon as light bends around in icy crystals.
They are colored spots of light, much like rainbows, that develop due to the refraction of light through ice crystals. They are located approximately 22 degrees either left, right, or both, from the sun, depending on where the ice crystals are present, according to the National Weather Service. The colors usually go from red closest to the sun, out to blue on the outside of the sundog.
Sundogs are also known as mock suns or parhelia, which means “with the sun”.
Pictured: A sundog over Walnut Hill Saturday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Tropicana Public Speaking Contest Winners Named
January 26, 2020
Over 1,500 students in grades 4-6 participated in the Escambia County 4-H Tropicana Public Speaking contest. Individual classroom winners advance to the school level before competing at the county contest.
The county-wide contest had 12 public, home, and private school winners who competed at the Langley Bell 4-H Center in Cantonment.
Winners were:
4th/5th Grade
1st place – Aubrey McMillion, Pensacola Beach Elementary
2nd place – Ryan King, R.C. Lipscomb Elementary
3rd place – Erin Reilly, Creative Learning Academy
Honorable mention – Maggie Nutter, Aletheia Christian Academy
Other finalists were: Landon Hommerbocker, Jim Allen Elementary; Ashanti McPherson, Montclair Elementary; Lyra Wilkinson, McArthur Elementary; and Sophia Worley, N.B. Cook Elementary.
Sixth Grade
1st place – Emma Ward, Aletheia Christian Academy
2nd place – Charlotte Wymant, Creative Learning Academy
3rd place – Tucker Padgett, homeschooled
Honorable mention – Maegan Coleman, Ransom Middle School
Students learn how to select a topic, create, write and deliver a speech before an audience.
Escambia County Veterans Court In Need Of Mentors
January 26, 2020
The Escambia County Veterans Court is in need of mentors.
Veterans Treatment Court Judge Gary Bergosh is looking to build upon the program by hosing a kick-off event the Artel Gallery of Pensacola on Wednesday, January 29 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Veterans Treatment Court was initiated in 2015 in Escambia County as a proactive response to justice-involved veterans with non-violent criminal conduct related to mental health and substance abuse issues stemming from military service. The program allows honorably discharged veterans the opportunity to engage in the closely monitored program that requires regular court appearances (a weekly minimum in the early phase of the program), as well as mandatory attendance at treatment sessions and frequent and random testing for substance use.
Bergosh said vterans respond favorably to this structured environment, given their past experiences in the Armed Forces.
“Since establishing Escambia’s Veterans Treatment Court, we have seen decreased incarceration for military veteran non-violent offenders and an increase in the number of veterans receiving substance and mental health assistance,” said Judge Bergosh, a retired Marine Corps officer.
For more information call (850) 595-4388.
Weekly Traffic Alerts – This Week’s State Road Project Slowdowns
January 26, 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.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (State Road (S.R.) 10/U.S. 90A)– Drivers will experience the following traffic impacts the week of Sunday, Jan 26.
o Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass: Alternating lane shifts as crews construct the new southbound bridge.
o U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
- U.S. 98 (Pensacola Bay Bridge) Replacement- There will be intermittent lane closures at the following locations from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, Jan. 26.
- U.S. 98 east and westbound, from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the Graffiti Bridge.
- · I-10 Routine Maintenance from U.S. 90A and east of Scenic Highway- There will be intermittent and alternating east and westbound lane restrictions between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. from Sunday, Jan. 26 through Tuesday, Jan. 28 for lighting and sign repair.
- · I-10 Bridge Maintenance over U.S. 90A- The eastbound, inside lane will be closed over U.S. 90A, 1.6 miles west of Pine Forest Road, from midnight to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29 as crews repair bridge lights.
- · S.R. 10 / U.S. 90A (Nine Mile Road) Widening from S.R. 297 (Pine Forest Road) to U.S. 29 – Milestone Boulevard will be closed at the intersection of Nine Mile Road at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28. as crews perform drainage work. These operations are anticipated to take seven to ten days to complete. Traffic will be detoured to Littleton Street and Oldenburg Boulevard.
- · S.R. 10 / U.S. 90A (Nine Mile Road) Widening from Beulah Road to S.R. 297 (Pine Forest Road)- The far-right portion of the I-10 off ramp that connects to Nine Mile Road (Exit 5) westbound remains closed. Drivers will be able to access Nine Mile Road east and westbound using the other section of the ramp. The partial ramp closure is needed to reconstruct the ramp and will be in place for through March 2020.
- · U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of Muscogee Road (County Road/C.R. 184) to Atmore Highway (S.R. 97)– Crews continue paving operations and median work. Drivers may encounter intermittent daytime lane restrictions. Motorists are reminded to watch for crews and heavy equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
- · U.S. 90 (Cervantes Street) from 15th Avenue to 18th Avenue, S.R. 289 (9th Avenue) between Cervantes and Blount Streets; S.R. 291 (Davis Highway/Martin Luther King Jr Drive) between Cervantes and Blount Streets Sanitary Sewer Video- There will be intermittent lane restrictions near selected intersections on Cervantes Street, 9th Avenue, and Davis Highway/ Martin Luther King Jr. Drive from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 27 through Thursday, Jan. 30 as crews inspect sanitary sewer lines.
- · Hanks Road Bridge Replacement over Breastworks Creek- Construction activities continue. Crews are currently pouring the westside approach slab. The roadway is temporarily closed. Drivers on Hanks Road, west of the bridge, are detoured to C.R. 99 and C.R. 4. Drivers east of the bridge will utilize Pine Barren Road. The project is anticipated to be complete spring 2020.
- C.R. 168 Bridge Replacement over Unnamed Branch in Northwest Century- Workers are grading, preparing to pour concrete ditch pavement, installing guardrail, and placing temporary striping. Traffic will remain shifted on the temporary diversion until construction of the new structure is complete.
Santa Rosa County:
- · U.S. 98 (Pensacola Bay Bridge) Replacement- There will be intermittent lane closures at the following locations from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, Jan. 26.
- · U.S. 98 (Navarre Parkway) Turn lane Construction between Serosa Drive and Shellfish Lane- There will be lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 27 through Friday, Jan. 31 as crews construct a new westbound, right turn lane and reconstruct an eastbound, left turn lane at Serosa Drive.
- · U.S. 90 Corridor (Pace) Management Improvement Project- There will be intermittent lane closures from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. near Bostic Lane for drainage work.
- · U.S. 98 Safety Improvement from Villa Woods Circle to Ortega Park Drive- Construction activities continue along the following seven locations: Villa Woods Circle to Marble Court, Oriole Beach Road, Grand Ride Circle to Fordham Parkway, El Rito Drive/College Parkway, American Avenue, Alpine Avenue, and west of Ortega park Drive. Workers continue operations on concrete curb and gutter, traffic separators, base, and irrigation repairs. Motorists may encounter lane closures from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
- U.S. 98 east and westbound, from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the Graffiti Bridge.
- · S.R. 4 Resurfacing and Drainage Improvements from the Escambia River Bridge to C.R. 87A (Market Road) in Jay- There will be shoulder closures throughout the project limits for roadway and utility work.
- · S.R. 87 Bridge Rehabilitation and Repair Over Yellow River- Motorists may encounter daytime southbound, outside lane closures as crews perform expansion joint work.
- · S.R. 87 Turn lane and Median Modifications at South Lynn Road- Northbound, left turn lane and median modifications work continue Operations will take place in the median of the roadway. Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane closures.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather
Escambia County Unemployment Rate Slips Downward
January 26, 2020
The local unemployment rate trended slightly downward over the past month.
Governor Ron DeSantis said Pensacola area added 1,900 new private-sector jobs in the past year. The area’s unemployment rate was 2.7 percent in December, down 0.5 percentage point from one year ago and one-tenth of a point from one month ago.
The industry with the highest growth over the year in the Pensacola area was leisure and hospitality with 1,300 new jobs.
Statewide, Florida businesses created 16,300 new private-sector jobs in December 2019. Florida’s annual private-sector job growth rate of 2.5 percent continues to exceed the nation’s rate of 1.5 percent. Florida’s unemployment rate of 3.0 percent represents a drop of 0.3 percentage point over the year. This is while 220,000 people entered Florida’s labor force, a growth of 2.1 percent in the past year.