Florida Gas Prices Down 8 Cents From A Week Ago
January 16, 2024
Florida gas prices moved lower last week. Sunday’s state average was $3.08 per gallon. That’s 8 cents less than a week ago, and the lowest daily average since December 30.
“Florida gas prices continue bouncing above and below $3 a gallon,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “This week, prices are below $3 in various cities throughout the state. Only time will tell if that trend continues.”
At $2.85, the Pensacola metro had the cheapest average in the state. A North Escambia low of $2.77 could be found at stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment. Pensacola prices were as low as $2.67 on East Nine Mile Road.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Freezing Rain Forecast For Extreme North Escambia; Wind Chill Advisory; Freeze Warning
January 15, 2024
Freezing rain is forecast for extreme northern Escambia County in Florida Monday night into Tuesday morning, especially in areas like Century, Bratt, Walnut Hill, McDavid and Davisville. Little or no ice accumulation expected.
There is a Winter Weather Advisory in effect for Escambia County in Alabama. Freezing rain is likely late Monday into early Tuesday morning in Escambia, Alabama.. Minor ice accumulation is possible, generally for locations along and to the northwest of the I-65 corridor, with ice accumulation of a few hundredths of an inch likely (localized accumulation up to 0.10 inches possible). Slick and hazardous spots on sidewalks and roads, especially on bridges and overpasses. Only travel if necessary, keep your devices charged, check on neighbors, and bring pets indoors.
There is a Wind Chill Advisory withcold wind chills expected. Wind chills as low as 10 above zero.
There is a Hard Freeze Warning with sub-freezing temperatures as low as 16 expected. Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
Here is your official forecast from NorthEscambia.com:
Tuesday: A chance of freezing rain before 9am. Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 36. Wind chill values between 15 and 25. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 15. Wind chill values between 5 and 10. North wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. Wind chill values between 5 and 15 early. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 56. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 22. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 43.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 23.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 55.
With Children’s Trust Funding Cut, UDC YouthFirst Program Misses Repayment Of $41K Unsecured Loan To Town Of Century
January 15, 2024
After the Escambia County Children’s Trust on denied to renew funding for the Urban Development Center’s (UDC) YouthFirst Century program, the UDC missed their final loan payment now says it needs more time to repay a $41,925 loan to the Town of Century .
Last year, Escambia Children’s Trust (ECT) awarded a contract to the Pensacola non-profit Urban Development Center (UDC) for “YouthFirst Century” to serve 750 youth ages 11-18 over a three-year period at a total cost of $1.2 million. In reality, they only reached 30 children in their targeted ages of 11-18. They requested to lower their target age group to just 5-years old, but that was also denied by ECT.
UDC has requested a $189,256.70 reimbursement for their first year of operation, despite reaching just 56 children, with less than 30 of those in the target age range. That equals $6,308 per targeted child in the 11-18 age group.
The Town of Century fronted an unsecured $61,925 loan to UDC to purchase items like computers and workbooks. The 500 workbooks at $52.75 per workbook were to be purchased from UDC for $26,375. UDC said they would reimburse the town after they received the ECT funding, but no specific deadline was established. At least $20,000 was recently repaid to the town, according to audio from a council meeting. However, a public records request to the town provided no concrete evidence of the payment.
The town loaned the money without any repayment schedue, but UDC CEO Jessica Griffen later proposed that the remaining $41,295 be repaid by December 31, 2023.
“The UDC was unable to meet its proposed repayment date and we are formally requesting an extension for repayment to, on or before March 31, 2004,” Griffen said in a January 10 letter to Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr., as she cited “the slow nature of our financial receivables”.
UDC’s reimbursement request from ECT included about $60,000 for personnel, $6,212 in travel, $2,692 for advertising, $37,000 for program supplies, $1,201 for field trips, $59,000 in “sub-grants to partners”, and $21,000 for professional services for 56 children, 29 of which are not in the program’s target group.
Pictured top and inset: Dr. Jessica A. Griffen, CEO of The Urban Development Center, addresses the Century Town Council and then-Mayor Ben Boutwell in early 2023. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Notes on the UDC budget above, per the application: JetFuel is a Century based technology entrepreneurial business operated by Calvin Cottrell. Tutor4You is a tutoring service with “Mr. Sanders”. Reality Check Counseling is Susan Dawson, a licensed mental health counselor. Favored Hearts is owned by Cordella Allen, a clinical nurse, that will provide CPR certifications.
Grass Fire Spreads To Consume Vacant Cantonment Mobile Home
January 15, 2024
A grass fire spread and consumed an abandoned mobile home in Cantonment Sunday afternoon.
The fire was reported about 2:20 p.m. off the 1700 block of Arena Road, west of South County Road 97.
There was no immediate word on what sparked the grass fire.
The Cantonment and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue were among those responding to the fire.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
These Are This Week’s Road Construction Trouble Spots
January 15, 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 Spring of 2024 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, Jan. 15 through Friday, Jan. 19 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.
- Scenic Highway (U.S. 90) Resurfacing from north of Interstate 10 (I-10) to Davis Highway- Drivers on Scenic Highway will encounter intermittent nighttime lane closures from I-10 to Davis Highway on Sunday, Jan.14, through Thursday, Jan.18, from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews mill and pave the roadway.
Santa Rosa County:
- S.R. 87 City of Milton Martin Luther King Parade – Motorist will encounter a road closure on S.R. 87 from Elva Street and Raymond Hobbs Street from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for the City of Milton Martin Luther King parade.
- 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 Tuesday, Jan. 16 through Thursday, Jan. 18 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.
- 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, Jan. 14, through Friday, Jan. 19, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing from Hickory Hammock Road (C.R. 184) to Technology Avenue – Drivers may experience intermittent S.R. 87 single-lane closures, between Hickory Hammock Road and Technology Avenue, Monday, Jan. 15 through Friday, Jan. 19 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. for turn lane construction and paving operations.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) westbound at Blackwater River Resurfacing – Drivers will encounter intermittent single-lane closures on I-10 westbound, from the Ward Basin Road on-ramp (exit 28) to the Black Water River Bridge eastern approach, Tuesday, Jan. 16 through Thursday, Jan. 18 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for construction activities.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Wiener Dog Race Night: Ice Flyers With Big Win To End Losing Streak
January 15, 2024
by Bill Vilona, Ice Flyers Correspondent
Fueled by another record-setting crowd Saturday night, the vibe was evident before the game-opening faceoff.
And the Ice Flyers matched it with a special performance.
Just as another attendance mark was shattered, so was a seven-game losing streak in a big way as the Ice Flyers rolled past the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs in a 6-2 victory, as a crowd of 7,243 at the Pensacola Bay Center celebrated the team’s first win since before Christmas.
“We’ve been talking a lot, the last two or three weeks, but it was more actions tonight,” said team captain Garrett Milan, who assisted on a go-ahead goal in the first period that became vital. “I think we were all kind of embarrassed personally and that’s what I said to the group.
“As much as we’re not playing very well, as much as we’re getting bashed, which is as it should be, when it’s getting personal now,” he said, detailing his address to teammates. “And I think everyone took that personally going into this game and played their hearts out and it showed on the ice.”
Before much of the crowd – a 15-year franchise record for a non-discounted night that became the second 7,000-plus this season – had even settled into seats, the Ice Flyers scored the first goal.
Houston Wilson, who had a goal in Friday night’s 5-2 loss to Roanoke, rifled a wrist shot into the top corner of the net just 43 seconds into the game.
Just over a minute later, Roanoke tied the game and groans ensued throughout the arena.
Four minutes later, however, Milan and Joseph Widmar, set up Wilson with his second goal and from that point the Ice Flyers kept that same high-level play.
“Even when they tied it up pretty quickly, it was that response,” said Ice Flyers coach Gary Graham. “How are we going to respond to a little bit of adversity? And we went right back down there and started doing some good things.
‘I thought (Ice Flyers forwards) hunted down their D (defense) all night long. When we are playing good hockey, it’s about getting the puck in the offensive zone and going to work. The guys really bought in and it was total, complete effort.
“I thought how we were just making simple plays made the game look a lot of easier for us. It had a nice fluidity out there. When you play that way and everybody is all on the same page, it makes the game a lot easier.”
The Ice Flyers took a 3-1 lead later in the first period when Mitch Atkins scored his 10th goal this season.
Five minutes into the second period, the Ice Flyers appeared to go up 4-1, but the goal was disallowed, because the referee momentarily lost sight of the puck in a scramble in the crease area and blew his whistle. Because the whistle blew before the goal, a replay couldn’t be used.
No matter. The Ice Flyers then strung together two goals in just over 60 seconds apart when newcomers Adam Keyes scored his third goal of the season and Reggie Millette celebrated his first goal since joining the Ice Flyers.
And then just 13 seconds into the third period, Widmar finished the Ice Flyers scoring and the game was put away.
Ice Flyers goaltender Stephen Mundinger delivered a series of terrific saves throughout the game, but most notably in the first period when Roanoke had several odd man rushes and some good look chances.
“Just believing,” said Ice Flyers winger Malik Johnson, who got the crowd going early in the game with a late first-period fight that set a tone on how physical the Ice Flyers were in this game. “You’re on a seven-game losing streak… probably the biggest one I’ve had in my career. I told the boys we are playing for us and let’s just have fun.”
They did. And what’s more, a record crowd watched it.
“We have the best fans in the league,” Johnson said. “We were on seven-game losing streak and to have fans like that come out and watch us, we wanted to get the job done especially for them.”
“The crowd was spectacular,” Graham said. “It was loud, and I think the boys fed off of that.”
The Ice Flyers will now remain at home this week before hosting Huntsville and Macon in back-to-back games next weekend.
“I just want them to go out be safe and have fun (Saturday) as a team,” Graham said. “I want them to enjoy this. It has been very tense around here. I have been on them hard. They earned that the old fashion way.”
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: Huntsville Havoc vs. Ice Flyers
WHEN: Friday (Jan. 19), 7:05 p.m.
WHERE: Pensacola Bay Center
New 440 Lot Development Proposed Off Highway 29 Near Neal Road
January 14, 2024
A new 440-lot residential development named Bella Terra is proposed for the Cantonment area.
Mullins, LLC has submitted plans to the Escambia County Development Review Committee for the multiphase development at the southwest corner of Cedartree Lane and Highway 29. The southernmost boundary of the project area extends to Neal Road.
The project is proposed in three phases, the earliest starting construction in the Fall of 2024 with completion in the Fall of 2025. The later phase is proposed to begin in the Summer of 2025 with completion by the Summer of 2026.
The plans are currently in an initial application status with the Escambia County Development Review Committee and are set for staff internal review. Public meetings have not yet been scheduled.
NorthEscambia.com graphics, click to enlarge.
Atmore Man Murdered After Trying To Stop Fight On Atmore Street
January 14, 2024
An arrest has been made in a Saturday morning murder in Atmore.
The Atmore Police Department responded to reported gunfire just before 11 a.m. in the area of Martin Luther King Avenue and Bragg Street.
They found a 39-year old Okeema McCants suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. McCants was transported to Atmore Community Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
“Witnesses stated that Mr. McCants was driving on Martin Luther King when he stopped to try and stop a physical altercation between a group of males in the street. Multiple shots were fired shortly after Mr. McCants tried to intervene,” Atmore Police Sgt. Darrell McMann said.
Witnesses provided police with a description that led to the arrest of 25-year old Charles DeWayne Walker of Atmore about two hours later. Atmore Police said he was in possession of a handgun stolen from Jefferson County, Alabama, at the time of his arrest and had an outstanding warrant for theft of property.
Walker was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center without bond on a charge of murder.
Investigators are attempting to identify the subjects involved in the altercation. Anyone with information is asked to call Atmore Police at (251) 368-9141.
Escambia County Seeks Volunteers for Contractor Competency Board
January 14, 2024
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to serve on the Escambia County Contractor Competency Board (CCB). Two applicants will be appointed for service beginning in March 2024.
The duties of the CCB include accepting contractor applications, administering contractor examinations, and issuing and recording Certificates of Competency and renewals; making an annual report; investigating complaints against contractors; and presiding over contractor disciplinary proceedings. CCB members serve a three-year term and meet the first Wednesday morning of every month for approximately two hours. Members receive $50 per meeting as compensation for their services.
CCB members are appointed from certain representative segments of citizens and professions, including contractors, design professionals, business persons, and lay persons. The Board of County Commissioners is currently seeking a lay consumer member.
A lay consumer member shall not at the time of appointment be, and shall have never previously been, a member or practitioner of a profession regulated by the board or a member of any closely related profession. The term “member of any closely related profession” includes but is not limited to carpenters, painters, certified building inspectors, commercial construction supervisors, interior designers/decorators, fencers, landscapers, building material suppliers, and construction quality managers.
Escambia County residents interested in serving on the CCB are asked to submit a resume and cover letter to Jennifer Hampton, Director’s Aide, Building Services Department, 3363 West Park Place, Pensacola, Florida, 32505 or jahampton@myescambia.com by the close of business on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.
MLK Day Celebration Parades Planned In Century, Cantonment
January 14, 2024
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day parades and events are planned for Monday in Century and Cantonment.
Cantonment
The 17th Annual D. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration Parade will roll at 4 p.m. Monday. Line-up begins at 3 p.m. at Carver Park, 208 Webb Street. There is no entry free, but participants are required to have plenty of candy and/or trinkets for the kids. Each car or float should also have a symbol or picture that pertains to the work of Dr. King.
For more information, call Dr. Mary Floyd at (850) 390-1912 or Latisha Neal at (850) 288-1308.
Century
The Century Community Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Day will begin with a parade.
The parade will line up at 8 a.m., Monday, Jan. 15, at the old Carver Middle School. Floats are welcome and there is no fee to enter. The parade will roll out at 9 a.m. and end at the Century Community Center on West Highway 4, where the main program will begin at 10 a.m.
A special guest speaker, along with former Century resident Ramon Hale, Mayor Luis Gomez as guest attendee, and members of Century area churches will provide song, music, movement, the written word and more. For more information, contact Marilyn Robinson, Robert Mitchell, Helen Mincey, Melvin Whatley or Cynthia McKinney