Nominees Named For Escambia District 1 Advisory Committee
August 14, 2018
Nominees to the Northwest District 1 Advisory Committee have been named.
The committee was established by county commission to explore, research, provide technical or practical expertise, and make recommendations to the District 1 member of the Escambia Board of County Commissioners regarding those issues of relevance and significant importance to the citizens of the northwest portion of District 1 of Escambia County. Committee members serve a term of office concurrent with the District 1 commissioner’s term of office.
At their August 16 meeting, the Escambia County Commission will consider the following volunteer members as nominated by District Commissioner Jeff Bergosh:
- Kim Aderholdt
- Dr. Laura Bryant
- Paul Flores
- Jay Ingwell
- Jill Johnson
- George Levy
- David Liechty
- Joseph Poitivan
- Wilson Taylor
Some of the importatnt issues facing District 1, according to the county, are the development of OLF8, planning for extensive traffic, land development and population increases, master planning for the Northwest portion of District 1 (specifically precincts 43, 5, and 68), enhancing the quality of life for all residents, improving access to public transportation, establishing a public library, and many other issues involving growth and the environment.
Thomas: Smooth Start For School Year; Beulah Middle Traffic Not That Bad
August 14, 2018
Overall, the first day of school in Escambia County received an “A” from School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas.
One of the biggest changes this year was the addition of the new Beulah Middle School on West Nine Mile Road and Kingsfield Elementary School on Kingsfield Road, and the first day went smoothly, he said.
“The intake process worked liked it had been in operation for a long time,” Thomas said. “The traffic concerns never really materialized because the start of school is later than the shift changes at Navy Federal.”
Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office stood by to slow school zone traffic at Beulah Middle, Kingsfield Elementary and other schools across the county.
“It was a pretty good day…you expect some delays like we had one bus breakdown….but things wen pretty good,” Thomas said. “And our teachers and staff came back prepared.”
Pictured: The school zone on Nine Mile Road at the new Beulah Middle School Monday morning. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Portion Of Medical Park Drive In Atmore Closed Thursday
August 14, 2018
Medical Park Drive in Atmore will be closed from East Laurel Street to McRae Street on Thursday for 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. for utility work, according to the City of Atmore.
Front Street Families Back At Home 2.5 Years After EF-3 Tornado
August 13, 2018
Six families have received their keys and are returning home to Front Street in Century, about two and a half years after an EF-3 tornado devastated much of the area.
State Disaster State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program funding was allocated to Escambia County in 2016 to assist income eligible owner occupants with rehabilitation. In August 2016, Quina Grundhoefer Architects was tasked to create replacement housing plans that would fit with the historic guidelines prescribed by the Town of Century historic district as well as meeting approval with the State Historic Preservation Office since the funding was from the state.
“Everyone on Front Street in Century has their keys as of today,” Meredith Reeves, division manager for Escambia County’s Neighborhood Enterprise Division, said. ” We appreciate the various public and private partners that have worked with the county to help us get the homeowners back into their houses after the 2016 tornado.”
Escambia County holds a zero interest, zero payment five-year mortgage on each of the properties. As long as the residents maintain their new home as their primary residence, maintain insurance and pay their property taxes, the mortgages will be canceled at the end of the five year period.
Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida will assist some of the residents this week with furniture and other furnishings.
NorthEscambia.com and courtesy photos, click to enlarge.
Police: Two Molino Men Arrested For Walmart Theft, One Had A Loaded Gun And Spice
August 13, 2018
Two Molino men were charged after an alleged shoplifting incident at a Pensacola Walmart during which one was found with a loaded weapon and spice, according to police.
The Pensacola Police Department responded to a retail theft complaint at the Walmart on Creighton Road after Jonathan David Franklin and Dakota Ray Smith, both 25, allegedly approached a self checkout register with a shopping cart full of merchandise and a Stanley roller luggage-type plastic box. After ringing up items worth about $40 with Smith acting as lookout, Franklin pushed the shopping cart into the foyer of the store, according to a Pensacola Police Department report.
They were stopped by Walmart’s loss prevention staff without paying for $578.53 worth of merchandise, the report states. They were escorted to the store’s loss prevention office.
When Pensacola Police arrived and searched Franklin, they reported finding a loaded .25 caliber semi-automatic pistol in his pocket, a snuff can with a substance that tested positive for spice, and what police described as a “metal fake cigarette” with suspected spice residue. No contraband was found on Smith’s person.
Both men were charged with felony retail theft coordinated with others. Franklin was also charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Franklin remained in the Escambia County Jail Monday morning with bond set at $26,000. Smith was released on a $1,000 bond. Both men provided the same address on Cedartown Road in Molino at the time of their arrests.
Tate And Northview FFA Chapters Named Among The Best In The Nation
August 13, 2018
Both the Northview High and Tate High FFA chapters have been named two of the very best in the nation as Three-Star Chapters by the National FFA Organization.
The National Chapter Award Program is designed to recognize FFA chapters that actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization. These chapters improve chapter operations using the National Quality Chapter Standards and a Program of Activities that emphasize growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture. Chapters are rewarded for providing educational experiences for the entire membership.
Pictured: The Tate High School FFA Chapter (above) and the Northview High School FFA Chapter (below) at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN, last fall. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
August 13, 2018
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings for the week of August 13-17:
Monday, Aug. 13
Escambia County Area Transit Part-Time Bus Operator Interviews – 8:30 a.m., 1515 W. Fairfield Drive
Marine Advisory Committee – 5:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place, Room 104 (Agenda)
Tuesday, Aug. 14
Corrections Grant Administrator Interviews – 8 a.m., Escambia County Corrections, 2251 N. Palafox St.
Federal Certification Review – Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization - 8:30 a.m., 4081 E. Olive Road, Suite A (Agenda)
Board of Electrical Examiners – 9 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Value Adjustment Board Organizational Meeting – 9:30 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
CO:Lab Policy Board Meeting – 11 a.m., 418 W. Garden St., Conference Room
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place, Room 104 (Agenda)
Escambia County Housing Authority Audit Committee Meeting – 4:30 p.m., 700 S. Palafox St., Suite 310
Escambia County Housing Finance Authority – 5 p.m., 700 S Palafox St, Suite 310
Merit System Protection Board – 5 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, 4th Floor Training Room (Agenda)
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee – 5:30 p.m., City of Pensacola Housing, 420 W. Chase St.
Wednesday, Aug. 15
Escambia Soil & Water Conservation District – 8 a.m., 151 Highway 97, Molino
Board of Adjustment – 8:30 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
ECAT Part-Time Bus Operator Interviews – 10 a.m., 1515 W. Fairfield Drive
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
ECAT Proposed Route Modifications Workshop – 5:30 p.m., Escambia County Area Transit Administrative Offices & Rosa Parks Bus Terminal, 1515 Fairfield Drive
Thursday, Aug. 16
Community Redevelopment Agency – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
Board of County Commissioners Agenda Review Session – 9:15 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
Board of County Commissioners Public Forum – 4:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
BCC Regular Meeting – 5:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
Florida Gas Prices Rise; Escambia Area Cheaper Than Most Of The State
August 13, 2018
Gas prices in Florida rose 6 cents last week, then declined a penny over the weekend.
The state average of $2.81 per gallon is the 22nd-lowest in the nation. Although pump prices remain about the same as last month, Florida motorists are paying nearly 50 cents more than this time last year.
A gallon of gas averaged $2.79 on Sunday in Escambia County, a full 50 cents more than one year ago. Escambia County was just a penny above the cheapest average in the state — $2.78 in Fort Myers, Punta Gorda and Jacksonville. The most expensive average price was $2.89 in West Palm Beach.
“Strong demand pushed gas prices higher in some states last week, as families squeeze in one final vacation before the kids go back to school,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “However, the most recent figures from the EIA show gasoline demand is beginning to slip, which relieves some of that upward pressure on prices at the pump.
“Traditionally, gas prices decline in the second half of the year, due to lower demand,” Jenkins continued. “However, oil analysts forecast significant volatility in the oil market through the end of the year, leaving a big question mark for the long-term direction of prices at the pump.”
School Bus Safety And Traffic Laws
August 13, 2018
It’s the first day of school in Escambia County, with more than 40,000 students making their way to and from school. About 25,000 of them will be on board 300 school buses across the county.
Parents are reminded to instruct their children to be at the bus stop at least five minutes before scheduled bus arrival time, stay off of the roadway, observe and stay clear of traffic, stay out of the bus blind spots, don’t chase after the bus once it leaves the bus stop, and buckle seat belts as soon as they board.
Motorists are reminded to give themselves plenty of time to get where they’re going and to be patient in traffic. They should watch out for school buses, comply with bus-passing laws, and stay off of those cell phones.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, drivers must follow these school and school bus safety rules:
- Adhere to the posted speed limit in designated school zones.
- When approaching an intersection where a crossing guard is present in the crosswalk with the stop sign raised, do not cross – or turn – into the crosswalk until the guard has completely left the crosswalk.
- Never stop a vehicle in a manner that blocks a crosswalk.
- When you approach a stopped school bus (from behind) with lights flashing and the stop arm extended, you must stop.
- When you approach a stopped school bus (from front) with lights flashing and the stop arm extended, you also must stop, unless:
- you are on a divided highway and the roadways are separated by an unpaved space at least five feet in width, or
- you are on a divided highway and the roadways are separated by a physical barrier.
- You are required to stop at least 10 feet away from the school bus.
- You must not resume driving until the school bus turns its lights off and withdraws its stop sign.
- Be certain all exiting children have reached a safe place before proceeding.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts – Where To Expect Delays
August 13, 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:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Routine Maintenance from Exit 5- Exit 7 (U.S. 90 Alt – State Road (S.R.) 297/Pine Forest Road)-Drivers can expect intermittent and alternating lane closures between U.S. 90A and Pine Forest Road from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 12 through Thursday, Aug. 16 as crews repair overhead lights.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to U.S. 90 (Nine Mile Road) – Drivers traveling U.S. 29 and Nine Mile Road will encounter traffic pattern changes from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Saturday, Aug. 11.
- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass: North and southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue construction of the new center bridge deck. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday.
- U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations. U.S. 29 lane restrictions are Monday through Saturday.
- Northbound traffic has been shifted onto the newly constructed bridge section as demolition efforts continue.
- U.S. 29 Resurfacing between U.S. 90 and Muscogee Road – Paving operations continue between Muscogee Road and West 9 ½ Mile Road. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 12 through Thursday, Aug 16.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Alternating lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 12 through Sunday, Aug. 19 as crews perform construction activities.
- U.S. 98 (Lillian Highway) Resurfacing from Perdido Bay Bridge to Dogtrack Road– Alternating lane closures from Perdido Bay Bridge to Dog Track Road from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 12 through Thursday, Aug. 16 as crews perform paving operations.
- S.R. 10A (Mobile Highway) Utility Operations at Beulah Road- The eastbound lane of Mobile Highway will be closed at Beulah Road from 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 14 as crews install a new water line.
- S.R. 750 (Airport Boulevard) Driveway construction activities between I-110 and Davis Highway- The westbound outside lane between I-110 and Davis Highway will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 13 through Thursday, Aug. 16 as crews construct a driveway.
- S.R. 95 (Palafox Street) Underground Utility Work at Beggs Lane Road- The northbound, outside lane at the intersection of Beggs Lane Road will be closed from 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15 to 5 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 16 as crews install a gas line.
- S.R. 292 (Perdido Key Drive) Underground Utility Repairs west of Johnson Beach Road- The eastbound, outside lane on Perdido Key Drive will be closed 1/2 mile west of Johnson Beach Road from 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15 to 5 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 16 as crews repair a broken waterline.
- S.R. 292 (Perdido Key Drive) Pavement Repair at Mirabella Condominiums- The eastbound lane on Perdido Key Drive will be closed near Mirabella Condominiums from 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15 to 5 a.m. Aug. 16 as crews mill and resurface the road.
- U.S. 98 (W. Navy Boulevard) Driveway Work at 2285 W. Navy Boulevard)- The eastbound, outside lane on W. Navy Boulevard will be closed at 2285 W. Navy Boulevard from 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16 to 5 a.m. Friday, Aug. 17 as crews remove two driveway connections and restore right of way with sidewalk, curb and gutter.
Santa Rosa County:
- S.R. 87 Widening from the Eglin AFB Boundary to two miles south of the Yellow River Bridge- New travel lanes on State Road 87, from the Eglin AFB boundary to two miles south of the Yellow River Bridge are open and the speed limit has been raised to 65 mph. Drivers are reminded the speed limit may be temporarily reduced to 45 mph should any lane closures be needed to complete final construction activities. Weather permitting, all work on this 5.3-mile segment is scheduled for completion later this month.
- ·I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22) – The following construction related traffic impacts are planned for I-10 and Avalon Boulevard the week of Sunday, Aug. 12:
- Alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard, near the I-10 interchange, as crews reconstruct the travel lanes.
- Alternating lane closures on I-10, from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of S.R. 281, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 12 through Friday, Aug. 17 as crews work to widen the roadway.
- Drivers will encounter new traffic pattern(s) on I-10 east and westbound as crews reconstruct the inside and outside shoulders. This work will continue throughout the summer.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Alternating lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 12 through Sunday, Aug. 19 as crews perform construction activities.
- S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to Hickory Hammock Road – Alternating lane closure on S.R. 87 southbound, between Eglin Air Force Base Boundary and two miles south of Yellow River, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12 through Friday, Aug. 17 as crews perform paving operations. Additionally, traffic between County Road (C.R.) 184 (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. 90 (Caroline Street) Pavement Coring Operations from C.R. 89 (Ward Basin Road) to west of S.R. 87 South- Drivers can expect east and westbound intermittent lane restrictions between Ward Basin Road and S.R. 87S from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 13 and Tuesday, Aug. 14 as crews take core samples from the roadway.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled 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.
Pictured: Nine Mile Road work near Pine Forest Road. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.