Voter Info: Detailed Q&A With Two Century Council Candidates

November 5, 2018

NorthEscambia.com submitted a questionnaire to each of the four candidate seeking two seats on the Century Town Council.

The questionnaire was created as a secure Google Form with all completed forms stored and logged by Google. Each candidate received the exact same questions in the same order, and they were warned that responses would not be spell checked or edited. A link to the questionnaire was texted to the cell phone listed by each candidate with the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections. Additionally, a link to the response form, an advance copy of the questions and detailed instructions were emailed to the email address each candidate listed on Supervisor of Elections forms. They were given a deadline of just over seven days to complete and submit their responses.

Two candidates submitted their responses; two did not submit a response or make any contact with NorthEscambia.com regarding the questionnaire.

Here are the responses. Click a name to continue:

Century Town Council, Seat 3

Benjamin D. Boutwell
Amanuel Onell Dubose (no response received)

Century Town Council, Seat 4

Mary Hudson Bourgeois
James Smith, Jr. (no response received)

Note: Sandra McMurray-Jackson was reelected to Century Town Council Seat 5 without opposition. She was not asked to complete this candidate questionnaire.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Ernest Ward Middle School Collects Relief Supplies For Michael Victims

November 5, 2018

The Ernest Ward Middle School SGA collected supplies for the victims of Hurricane Michael. The community project collected 45 boxes of food, cleaning items, baby products, hygiene items, paper products, games, books and numerous cases of bottled water, juices and assorted drinks.

The First Baptist Church of Bratt assisted by transporting the relief supplies to Blountstown High School and Chipola Family Ministries in Marianna.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News

Northview, Jay, Other Local Schools Begin Football Playoffs Friday Night

November 5, 2018

The first round of high school playoffs begins Friday night with the regional quarterfinals. The pairings were announced on Sunday.

CLASS 1A

No. 5 Graceville (3-5) will be at No. 4 Northview (6-4). On November 16 in the regional semifinal, the winner will play the winner of No. 8 Freeport at No. 1 Baker.

No. 6 Bozeman (2-5) will travel to No. 3 Jay (5-4). On November 16, the winner will play the victor of No 2. Vernon and No. 7 Chipley.

CLASS 6A

No. 7 Gulf Breeze (8-2) at No. 2 Pine Forest (7-3)

No. 6 Niceville (7-3) at No. 3 Crestview (7-2)

No. 5 Escambia (8-2) at No. 4 St. Augustine (5-5)

No. 8 Pace (7-3) at No. 1 Navarre (9-1)

Class 5A

No. 6 Bolles (6-4) at No. 3 West Florida (6-2)

Class 3A

No. 5 Pensacola Catholic (5-5) at No. 4 Fort White (8-2) –

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports, TOP sports

FHP Seeking Cantonment Hit And Run Driver

November 5, 2018

The Florida Highway Patrol is searching for a hit and run driver that hit a vehicle Sunday morning about 10:30 on Highway 297A near Pine Forest Road.

The FHP said the hit and run vehicle was traveling west on 297A, pulled off the road at Thiggy’s, 4112 Highway 297A, and made a U-turn back into the road. The vehicle collided with the side of a 2015 Toyota Camry driven by 77-year old John Chapman of Pensacola. Chapman was not injured.

The vehicle, described as a maroon sedan, possibly a Chevrolet, fled the scene. It should have damage to the front right side of the bumper. The driver was believed to be female.

Anyone with information is asked to call Trooper Knowles at *347 or by email at constanceknowles@flhsmv.gov.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Century Correctional Officer Assaulted By Inmate

November 5, 2018

A correctional officer was recently assaulted at Century Correctional Institution, according to information released by the Florida Department of Corrections.

On October 23, inmate Samuel Rivera assaulted an officer at approximately 9:00 p.m, according to the FDC. Rivera grabbed and attempted to tackle the officer. Staff responded, and the inmate was subdued.

The FDC saaid Rivera will receive a disciplinary report for this assault.

Rivera is serving 14-year sentence for robbery with a gun or deadly weapon and robbery without a weapon on a conviction out of Volusia County. He has since been transferred out of Century Correctional.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

FDOT: Weekly Construction Traffic Delay List

November 5, 2018

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 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to U.S. 90 (Nine Mile Road) – The following traffic impacts will take place from Sunday, Nov. 4 through Saturday, Nov. 10. Work requiring lane restrictions will take place from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass: Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue construction of the new northbound bridge deck. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday.
- U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drainage and paving operations continue. Drivers can expect alternating lane closures Monday through Saturday.
U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Construction activities continue. Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 4 through Sunday, Nov. 11.
U.S. 98 (Lillian Highway) Resurfacing from the Perdido Bay Bridge to Dog Track Road– Paving operations continue from the Perdido Bay Bridge to Dog Track Road. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 5 through Sunday, Nov. 11.
Crary Road Bridge Replacement- Activities are scheduled to begin the week of Nov. 5 to construct a bridge culvert on Crary Road over Pritchett Mill Creek. The project also includes paved roadway approaches and drainage improvements. Crary Road will be closed between Tedder Road and Byrneville Road. Motorists will be detoured via County Road (C.R.) 4 and Byrneville Road.
State Road (S.R.) 291 (Davis Highway) Routine Maintenance at I-10- There will be intermittent lane restrictions at I-10 from 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5 to 4 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6 as crews repair overhead signs.
I-10 Routine Maintenance from west of Nine Mile Road to Davis Highway- There will be intermittent and alternating lane restrictions from west of Nine Mile Road to Davis Highway from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7 and Wednesday, Nov. 8 as crews repair signs.
S.R. 297 (Pine Forest Road) Construction Activities at I-10- The northbound, outside lane on Pine Forest Road at the on ramp to I-10 east will be closed from 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7 to 3 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 8 as crews install a traffic separator.
S.R. 10A (Mobile Highway) Underground Utility Operations west of Beulah Road- Traffic will be reduced to one lane just west of Beulah Road from 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8 to 5 a.m. Friday, Nov. 9 as crews perform underground utility work. Traffic flaggers will be on site to assist with traffic control.

Santa Rosa County:

I-10 Widening from the Escambia Bay Bridge to S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22) – Drivers traveling I-10 and Avalon Boulevard will encounter the following traffic impacts from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 4 through Thursday, Nov. 8:
U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Construction activities continue. Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Nov.4 through Sunday, Nov. 11.
- Alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard near the I-10 interchange as crews perform construction activities.
- Alternating lane closures on I-10 from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of Avalon Boulevard as crews widen the roadway.
- New traffic patterns on I-10 east and westbound as crews reconstruct the inside and outside shoulders. This work will continue throughout the fall.
S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to C.R. 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) – Traffic between Hickory Hammock Road and the Eglin AFB boundary will continue to be restricted to loads less than 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place until the project is completed.
U.S. 98 Safety Improvements at Constitution Drive and Navarre School Road-Construction activities are underway near Constitution Drive. Motorists can expect lane closures to occur between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.
U.S. 98 and S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) Traffic Information Sign Installation- Crews will install overhead Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) on U.S. 98 east and westbound, west of Tiger Point Boulevard and west of Bay Woods Road in Gulf Breeze, and on Avalon Boulevard at Porpoise Road in Garcon Point. Work is scheduled to begin the week of Nov. 12.

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.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule

November 5, 2018

Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings this week:

Monday, Nov. 5
Northwest District 1 Advisory Committee – 6 p.m., Beulah Middle School, 6001 W. Nine Mile Road

Wednesday, Nov. 7

Emergency Medical Services Storekeeper/Warehouse Supervisor Interviews – 8:30 a.m., Escambia County Public Safety, 6575 N. W St.

Contractor Competency Board – 9 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place

Police Benevolent Association Union Negotiations – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, HR Training Room

Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place

Santa Rosa Island Authority Board – 5 p.m., 1 Via De Luna Drive, Pensacola Beach

Santa Rosa Island Authority Committee – 5:05 p.m., 1 Via De Luna Drive, Pensacola Beach

Thursday, Nov. 8

Planning Board – Rezoning – 8:30 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place

Planning Board – Regular – 8:35 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place

Board of County Commissioners Committee of the Whole Meeting – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers

Science Hour – Bayou Chico Managed Aquatic Plant System & Beyond, Dana Morton & Brent Wipf, Escambia County – 6 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Trump Brings Republican Campaign Message To Escambia County (With Gallery)

November 4, 2018

President Donald Trump brought his “Make America Great Again” message to Pensacola Saturday evening along with a simple message — get out and vote Republican.

As Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” played, Trump walked on stage where he was greeted by Vice President Mike Pence.

“If this election is based on crowds, they might as well cancel it because we won,” Trump said as supporters waived “Keep American Great”, “Stand Up for America” and “Finish the Wall” signs behind him.

“This is a big beautiful crowd. Pensacola, Florida, we love it. I love the state of Florida, and I tell you we love the Panhandle.”

Trump’s “Make America Great Again” rally came just three days before Tuesday’s general election.

“In just three days, the people of Florida are going to elect Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis,” Trump said. He also pitched for Ashley Moody, candidate for attorney general; Matt Caldwell, running orr agriculture commissioner; Jimmy Patronis, CFO candidate; and Congressional incumbent Matt Gaetz. Each spoke before the rally, including Gaetz who led rousing chants of “build that wall”.

Trump recognized Atmore native and heavyweight champ Evander Holyfield, and he invited former Florida State University coach Bobby Bowden onstage.

Trump’s speech took place in a new ST Engineering hangar at the Pensacola International Airport with Air Force One just outside the hanger doors. An estimated 3,000 people attended the rally.

For a photo gallery, click here.

Pictured top. Former FSU coach Bobby Bowden speaks as President Donald Trump looks on. Pictured inset: Trump address a crowd in an airport hanger in Pensacola as Air Force One sites outside the hanger door. Pictured below: Trump address a crowd in Pensacola Saturday evening. Pictured below: An estimated 3,000 people attended the really. Pictured bottom: Vice President Mike Pence welcomes Trump to the stage. Photos by Perry Doggrell and others for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.