Gas Prices Are Down Over The Past Week
October 14, 2019
Florida gas prices fell last week, but could rise again in the coming days, according to AAA, due to political tensions that caused crude prices to increase late last week.
Florida drivers are paying an average of $2.42 per gallon for regular unleaded, 6 cents less than last week, but 2 cents more than a month ago.
In Escambia County, the average price per gallon was $2.40. Three Cantonment stations were below average at $2.31 a gallon Sunday night.
IMPACT 100 Names 11 Recipients Of $106K Grants
October 14, 2019
IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area, a women’s philanthropic organization announced 11 grant recipients at their annual meeting Sunday. The nonprofits will each receive a grant of $106,000.
The 11 grant recipients selected by IMPACT 100’s Focus Area Committees are as follows:
ARTS & CULTURE
- EHS Band Boosters Association, Inc.
Project: EHS Band Equipment Upgrades for Young Gifted Students
- First City Arts Alliance, Inc. dba First City Art Center
Project: Creating Space for Educating and Inspiring Youth
EDUCATION
- Santa Rosa County 4-H Association, Inc.
Project: 4-H Field Education Facility
- The Secret Place Home, Inc.
Project: The Therapeutic Impact Classroom
ENVIRONMENT, RECREATION & PRESERVATION
- Children’s Home Society of Florida, Inc.
Project: Keeping Families on the Right Track
- Splash Cats, Inc.
Project: Just Keep Swimming
FAMILY
- Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, Inc.
Project: Building Homes, Communities, and Hope, One Family at a Time: Tools for Construction Site
- Young Men’s Christian Association of Northwest Florida, Inc. dba YMCA of Northwest Florida
Project: The Wheels on the Bus
HEALTH & WELLNESS
- Healing Paws for Warriors, Inc.
Project: Save a Veteran/Rescue a Dog
- Health and Hope Clinic, Inc.
Project: IMPACT100: How to Save a Life
- Manna Food Bank, Inc., dba Manna Food Pantries
Project: Generating Hope to End Hunger
The total community impact this year is $1.166 million. In the 16 years since its inception has awarded 109 grants totaling nearly $11.7 million.
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FWC Report: Baiting On The Perdido River, Pot At Fillingim Landing, Illegal Berries
October 14, 2019
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending September 26 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Specialist Clark and Officer Long found bush hooks along the side of the river while on patrol on the Perdido River in the Perdido Water Management Area. The hooks were not marked and were baited with pieces of bream. Officer Specialist Clark saw the operator of a vessel checking the same bush hooks that he had recently inspected. He contacted the operator, and confirmed that the bush hooks were his. The subject was cited for using bream as bait and given a warning for not properly labeling his bush hooks.
Officer Cushing was working enhanced patrol at Fillingim Landing in Perdido WMA. He saw four subjects after hours in the parking lot next to their vehicle. Upon contact, Officer Cushing could smell marijuana. The owner of the vehicle admitted to purchasing marijuana and retrieved two baggies (less than 20 grams) from his vehicle. The appropriate action was taken for the violation.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Roberson was on land patrol and saw three individuals fishing next to a bridge. He contacted the individuals and found one in possession of three undersized sheepshead and one undersized redfish. All undersized fish were seized, and the individual was issued a notice to appear.
Officer Roberson was on land patrol at Brown’s Fish Camp on the Yellow River when he saw a fishing kayak come to the boat ramp. Officer Roberson contacted the individual and found him in possession two legal sized redfish, one over the bag limit. The appropriate citations were issued.
Santa Rosa county officers arrested two large groups of people for the unlawful take of saw palmetto berries inside the Eglin Wildlife Management Area. FWC officers arrested 11 persons and seized 14 large bags of berries. The subjects were transported to jail and interviews with some of the individuals strengthened suspicions that human-trafficking was taking place. Immigration Customs Enforcement officials were contacted to assist with the investigation.
This report represents some events the FWC handled during the time period; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
October 14, 2019
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 Resurfacing from south of Muscogee Road (County Road/C.R. 184) to Atmore Highway (State Road /S.R. 97) – Northbound motorists may encounter day and nighttime lane closures on U.S. 29 as crews continue paving operations. Northbound and southbound traffic may encounter intermittent daytime lane restrictions as crews perform median work. Motorists are reminded to watch for crews and heavy equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A)– Drivers will experience the following impacts to traffic Sunday, Sept. 13 through Saturday, Oct. 19:
- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass: Alternating east and westbound lane shifts as crews construct the new southbound bridge, end bend, and center pier.
- U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and 9 ½ Mile Road may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
- U.S. 98 Resurfacing from S.R. 298 (Lillian Highway) to west of S.R. 173 (Blue Angel Parkway)- There will be intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 13 through Friday, Oct. 18 as crews stripe the roadway.
- · U.S. 98 (Pensacola Bay Bridge) Replacement- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, Oct. 13.
- · S.R. 296 (Bayou Boulevard) Driveway Modifications at the intersection of Ninth Avenue- The eastbound, right lane on Bayou Boulevard at the intersection of Ninth Avenue will be closed from 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15 as crews remove a driveway and install curb and sidewalk.
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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).
- · S.R. 10A (Scenic Highway) Driveway Operations near the intersection of Northpointe Parkway- Southbound traffic on Scenic Highway will encounter lane restrictions near the intersection of Northpointe Parkway from 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15 to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16 as crews construct a driveway connection, install new curb and sidewalk.
- · 9th Avenue Utility Operations at the intersection of Cervantes Street- There will be intermittent lane restrictions on 9th Avenue at the intersection of Cervantes Street from 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16 to 5 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 17 as utility crews replace a power pole.
- · C.R. 168 Bridge Replacement over Unnamed Branch in Northwest Century- All piles have been driven for the new bridge and pile caps formed and poured for Bent 2 and 3. Crews continue forming the cap for Bent 1 in preparation to pour concrete. Traffic will remain shifted to the north onto the special detour until the new bridge is constructed and reopened to traffic.
- Hanks Road Bridge Replacement over Breastworks Creek- Construction activities continue. The roadway is temporarily closed during construction. Drivers on Hanks Road, west of the bridge, will be 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 late 2019.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement Bridge- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, Oct. 13.
- 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).
- S.R. 87 Pavement Markings Replacement- Traffic will encounter alternating and intermittent minor delays between Nicholas Lake Road and Vonnie Tolbert Road from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday until Tuesday, Dec. 31 as crews remove and replace pavement markings in the roadway. Law enforcement will be on site to direct traffic
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
October 14, 2019
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings this week:
Monday, October 14
Administrative Assistant – Fire Rescue Interviews – 8 a.m., 6575 N. W St.
Marine Advisory – 5:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Tuesday, October 15
Pensacola-Escambia Promotion and Development Commission – 10 a.m., 418 W. Garden St.
FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance Board of Directors – 1 p.m., 418 W. Garden St.
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Human Relations Commission Director Position Review – 2 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
Wednesday, October 16
Board of Adjustment – 8:30 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Value Adjustment Board Hearings – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Escambia County Disability Awareness Committee – 3 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Thursday, October 17
Board of County Commissioners Public Forum – 8:30 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
BCC Regular Meeting – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Volunteers Provide Improved Mobility For Century College Student
October 13, 2019
Hope Womack of Century is confined to a wheelchair and until recently had no safe way to come and go from her home.
Hope is a 22-year old business management major at Pensacola State. She has spina bifida, and she needed a wheelchair ramp.
And thanks to the Civitans and an innovative Escambia County program, she has is enjoying a new ramp and improved mobility
On Friday, October 4, Pensacola Civitan Club members worked about three hours to remove a small deck and steps from the side of the home on Front Street. Club members worked on the ramp with help from landlord Barney Jones. Hope’s mom, Josephine, provided sandwiches and drinks for the crew.
They were back hard at work by 8:30 Saturday morning, and about four hours later Hope was trying out the ramp for the first time. And mom Josephine provided burgers and hot dogs.
“She was so excited,” said Cindy Barrington of the Pensacola Civitan Club. “This ramp will allow her to get in and out of her home safely.”
Escambia County provided materials at a cost of $951 plus about $21 in nails. The labor was provided by the Civitans and friends.
Under the program, the county provides funding for supplies and materials in partnership with not for profit agencies who install the ramps using volunteers. In addition to the Pensacola Civitans, Council of Aging of West Florida, Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, and Ray of Hope of Northwest Florida also volunteer in the county program.
Homeowners interested in applying for assistance may contact the Escambia County Neighborhood Enterprise Division at (850) 595-0022 or ned@myescambia.com.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Reminder: No School Monday In Escambia County
October 13, 2019
There is no school on Monday, October 14 for students in Escambia County, Florida.
It’s Columbus Day, but that’s not the reason. It’s a scheduled teacher work day.
Florida Prisons Seek $90 Million To Fix ‘Critically Low’ Staffing, Reduce Shift Length
October 13, 2019
The Florida Department of Corrections is seeking an extra $90 million next year to fix “critically low” staffing levels at facilities statewide.
The department is asking for $60.6 million for targeted retention incentives and $29 million to cut daily shifts from 12 hours to 8.5 for corrections officers.
“Staffing at the department has reached critically low level, and many of the staff currently employed are extremely inexperienced,” the department said in legislative budget request. Florida recently reduced the minimum age fort corrections officers to 18 instead of the previous 19 years of age.
The agency says their goals for the upcoming legislative session are to reduce staff attrition and vacancy rates; reduce inmate violence, addiction, idleness and recidivism; curb rising health care costs; and address aging infrastructure including facilities, fleet and information technology.
Pictured: Inside the Century Correctional Institution. NorthEscambia.com photo.
More Info Released On Jay Gas Station Robbery
October 13, 2019
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office has released additional details on a gas station robbery Friday night in Jay.
The robbery occurred at the Exprezit! Exxon Station in the 3800 block of Highway 4 near Calfee Street.
Two men, believed to be unarmed, jumped over the counter and stole from the register before fleeing in a SUV. Both were wearing masks.
No additional description was available, and at last report there had been no arrests.
Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to call Crimestoppers at (850) 437-STOP.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Free Cybersecurity Awareness Seminar Tuesday At Molino Library
October 13, 2019
A Cybersecurity Awareness for Everyone seminar will be offered Tuesday afternoon at the Molino Branch Library from 1-5 p.m.
The seminar offered by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Pensacola Regional Operations Center broadly covers the entire range of cybersecurity issues. Topics include malicious software, social engineering, antivirus software, firewalls, passwords, email threats, frauds, and wired and wireless networks.
The free seminar is three hours of instruction followed by question and answer session.