Fifth Annual Rotary Tree of Remembrance Project Gets Underway
December 4, 2017
The Fifth Annual Rotary Tree of Remembrance Project kicked off Sunday at Cordova Mall.
The Tate High School choir provided sounds of the season and honored guests included local Pearl Harbor survivors.
Benefiting several local charities, invites the families of our community to place ribbons bearing the names of loved ones and special messages of love and hope on the tree and to make a donation of their choice, which will support several local charities. Ribbons will be available from Dec. 3 through Dec. 24 at the tree.
Volunteers will be available at all times for assistance. Donations made at the tree will support The Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart, Gulf Coast Kids’ House, Covenant Hospice, Simon Youth Foundation, Reading is Fundamental and Rotary’s Camp Florida.
In 2013, over $3,000 was collected when the area’s first Rotary Tree of Remembrance made its debut at Cordova Mall. In 2016, over $11,000 was collected with 1800 ribbons decorating the Tree during the holiday season.
This Rotary International community-service project is provided by the Rotary E-Club of South East USA and the Caribbean, Cordova Rotary Club and the combined Rotary Clubs of Pensacola (CROP).
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Three Nursing Homes In Escambia, Santa Rosa In Compliance With Generator Rule
December 4, 2017
Three nursing homes in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are in compliance with Florida’s new emergency generator rule, according to a news release from the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA).
The Century Health and Rehabilitation Century, the Life Care Center of Pensacola and the Rosewood Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Pensacola were the only local facilities on a compliance list published by AHCA.
Health care regulators say it will cost Florida nursing homes more than $186 million to comply with a requirement to install generators and have 96 hours of fuel to be able to cool their facilities.
AHCA published the estimated cost information this week after receiving a three-page letter from Joint Administrative Procedures Committee flagging potential problems with a proposed agency rule, initially published Nov. 14.
Florida law requires the agency to publish a summary of the estimated costs to comply with the regulations and to announce whether the rule would require legislative approval. Any rule that increases the costs of doing business by more than $200,000 in the aggregate requires legislative approval. The November rule is meant to replace an emergency generator rule that Gov. Rick Scott’s administration issued in September after the death of eight residents at The Rehabilitation Center of Hollywood Hills following Hurricane Irma.
The agency based its estimates on information provided from the nursing home industry, which said the costs for a generator at a 120-bed facility would be $315,200. Using those figures, AHCA estimated the average cost per bed at $2,626.66. There are currently 683 nursing homes in Florida, but 102 already have generators and comply with the requirements in the proposed rule. That leaves 581 facilities that would be affected by the requirements.
The Florida Health Care Association, a statewide nursing-home trade group, has repeatedly said it wants the state to help the facilities cover the costs of the generators with Medicaid funding. Also this week, the state estimated costs for assisted living facilities coming into compliance with the generator mandate at more than $280 million.
Tallying the costs for assisted living facilities and nursing homes shows that the proposed requirements would cost long-term care providers more than $465 million.
The Broward County nursing home residents died after the facility’s air-conditioning system was knocked out by Hurricane Irma.
by The News Service of Florida with contribution from NorthEscambia.com
Jim Allen Elementary Hosts Internet Safety, Bullying Program
December 4, 2017
Jim Allen Elementary School recently hosted a Family Night with the Community Drug and Alcohol Council.
CDAC Prevention Education and Awareness Coordinator presented a program on internet safety, bully and online community resources. The program also included dinner, door prizes and a free pair of earbuds for all third, fourth and fifth grade students.
The event was made possible through a grant from the Medical Education Council of Pensacola.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Present Cross Country, Golf Awards
December 4, 2017
The Northview High School Varsity Cross Country and Varsity Golf teams held their 2017 awards banquet recently.
The following Cross Country awards were presented:
- Jim & Jumni Ross Award: Oscar Rodriguez.
- Most Improved Runner: Bryce Korinchak
- Most Valuable Boys Runner: Tanner Levins:
- Most Valuable Girls Runner: Aurora McCann.
- Coach’s Award: Logan Doremus.
Tanner Levins and Aurora McCann were previously presented the Fellowship of Christian Athletes ‘Go the Distance Award’ for Cross Country at a banquet in Pensacola on November 6.
Varsity Athletic Letters were presented to the following Cross Country athletes:
- Addison Albritton
- Braxton Edwards
- Bryce Korinchak
- Cheyanne Johnson
- John Chivington
- Josiah Stilwell
- Keaton Brown
- Aurora McCann
- Logan Doremus
- Oscar Rodriguez
- Rebekah Amerson
- Samuel Bradley
- Tanner Levins
- Trevor Singleton
Seniors were presented with a framed athletic ‘N’ and medal.
The following Golf Awards were presented:
- Most Valuable Player – Emily Boutwell
- Most Improved Player – Jesse Powell
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes “Go the Distance Award” – Braxton Edwards and Meredith McGhee
Varsity Athletic Letters were presented to the following Golf athletes:
- Emily Boutwell
- Braxton Edwards (3rd award)
- Meredith McGhee,
- Jesse Powell
- Andrew “Drew” Shelly
- Jace Weber
Pictured top: Northview Cross Country seniors (L-R) Oscar Rodriguez, Logan Doremus, John Chivington, Braxton Edwards and Trevor Singleton. Pictured below: (L-R) Logan Doremus, Coach’s Award; Tanner Levins., Most Valuable Male Runner; Award winners Bryce Korinchak, Most Improved Runner; and Oscar Rodriguez, Jim and Jumni Ross Award. Photos for NorthEscambia.com click to enlarge.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
December 4, 2017
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 110 (I-110) Routine Bridge Maintenance over Bay Center Parking Lot- The southbound, right lane will be closed over Bay Center parking lot from 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5 as crews repair bridge joints.
- U.S. 98 (Chase Street) over State (S.R.) Road 291 (Alcaniz Street) Routine Maintenance- Traffic on Chase Street will be reduced to one lane over Alcaniz Street from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, December 4 and Tuesday, Dec. 5 as crews replace joints on the overpass.
- U.S. 98 (Pensacola Bay Bridge) Routine Maintenance- East and Westbound traffic can expect intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5 and Wednesday, Dec. 6 as crews repair overhead lighting on the bridge.
- U.S. 98 (S.R. 30) Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Alternating lane closures on U.S. 98 east and westbound (Bayfront Parkway), from 14th Avenue to the Gulf Breeze side of the bridge, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Nov. 27 through Saturday, Dec. 2 as crew’s place pavement markings, pour concrete, and perform bridge repairs.
- S.R. 4 over Wilson Branch Creek and East Relief Routine Bridge Maintenance- Eastbound traffic on S.R. 4 can expect lane restrictions to occur from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12 as crews perform a routine inspection on the bridges located over Wilson Branch Creek, 2.7 miles east of U.S. 29 and East Relief, three miles east of U.S. 29.
- I-10/U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I – The following traffic impacts are planned on I-10 and U.S. 29 near the interchange (Exits 10A and 10B) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, Nov. 27 through Thursday, Nov. 30:
- Alternating east and westbound I-10 and north and southbound U.S. 29 lane closures.
- The U.S. 29 on-ramps to I-10 eastbound will be intermittently closed. Traffic will be detoured on U.S. 29 to access I-10 eastbound.
- The exit ramp from I-10 westbound to U.S. 29 south (Exit 10A) will be intermittently closed. Traffic will be detoured to U.S. 29 north (Exit 10B).
- Alternating lane closures on the I-10 westbound exit ramp to U.S. 29 north (Exit 10B).
- U.S. 29 Widening from I-10 to Nine Mile Road- Drivers traveling U.S. 29 and Nine Mile Road will encounter traffic pattern changes from 8 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 through Saturday, Dec. 9 as follows:
- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass: The nightly eastbound traffic shift onto the westbound inside travel lane continue as crews prepare the area for construction of the support column for the new center bridge deck.
- U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drivers may experience alternating lane closures as crews perform drainage operations.
- S.R. 742 (Creighton Road) Construction Improvement Project from east of Davis Highway to Scenic Highway – Intermittent and alternating lane closures between Davis Highway and Scenic Highway from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 through Saturday, Dec. 9 continue as crews perform milling and paving operations, curb replacement, sidewalk repairs, and Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades.
- Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) Widening from Pine Forest Road to U.S. 29- Alternating lane closures continue on Untreiner Avenue as crews perform jack and bore operations.
Santa Rosa County:
- S.R. 87 (Steward Street) at U.S. 90 (Caroline Street) northbound to Dogwood Drive- S.R. 87 will be closed at U.S. 90 to Dogwood Drive for parade festivities Saturday, Dec. 2 from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Law enforcement will be on site. Drivers use caution.
- U.S. 98 (S.R. 30) Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Alternating lane closures on U.S. 98 east and westbound, from the Pensacola side of the bridge to Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Dec. 4 through Saturday, Dec. 9 as crews place pavement markings, pour concrete, and perform bridge repairs.
- I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) - Alternating lane closures on I-10, from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22), from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 through Friday, Dec. 8 as crews work to widen the roadway. In addition, alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard, near the I-10 interchange, as crews reconstruct the overpass.
- U.S. 90 Turn Lane Construction between Shadow Oak Lane and Spears Street- The westbound lane will be restricted between Shadow Oak Lane and Spears Street from 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5 and 5 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 6 as crews install pavement markers and construct new right turn lane
- S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to Hickory Hammock Road – Traffic between County Road 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) and the Eglin AFB boundary is restricted to loads less than 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place until the project is complete.
- U.S. 90 Roadway Testing over Simpson River- Beginning Monday, Dec. 11 and continuing through Thursday, Dec. 21 east and westbound traffic over Simpson River can expect intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Thursday as crews perform roadway testing.
- S.R. 87 Pipe Maintenance from Laredo Street to Nevada Street- Drivers can expect intermittent lane restrictions from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Thursday as crews continue to seal and line existing pipes.
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.
Cars Collide On Canoe Creek Bridge
December 3, 2017
Two vehicles collided on the Highway 4 Canoe Creek bridge between Bratt and Byrneville Saturday night.
The cars were traveling in opposing directions as they sideswiped after one crossed the center line. The adult male driver of one vehicle as transported by Escambia County EMS to Atmore Community Hospital with injuries that were not considered serious. The elderly male driver of the second vehicle refused transport to the hospital.
The vehicles came to rest off opposite ends of the bridge about a quarter mile apart.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Names and further details have not been released.
The Century and Walnut Hill Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Holds Annual Christmas Parade (With Photo Gallery)
December 3, 2017
The annual Molino Christmas Parade was held Saturday morning on Crabtree Church Road. After the parade, Santa Claus met with lots of good boys and girls at the Molino Ballpark.
Sponsored by the Molino Recreation Association, proceeds from the parade are used to benefit needy children in the Molino area during the Christmas season.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: The annual Molino Christmas Parade Saturday morning. NorthEscambia.com by Jo Ann Hope, Haley Smith, Dara Estrin, Crystal Godwin and Kellie Odom, click to enlarge.
UWF Argos Beat UWA, 28-21 To Head To National Semifinals
December 3, 2017
The slipper still fits for the UWF football team.
The Argonauts erased a 7-point deficit with a dominating 25-minute stretch of play on both sides of the ball before stopping a late push by the 17th-ranked and top-seeded Tigers for a 28-21 win in the NCAA Division II Super Regional Two Championship.
UWF (10-3) won its fifth-consecutive game in just its 24th game all-time to advance to next Saturday’s national semifinals against No. 1/3 Indiana University of Pennsylvania (13-0). The Crimson Hawks scored with just over a minute to play to defeat Assumption, 27-22, for the Super Regional One title. Kickoff at George P. Miller Stadium in Indiana, Pennsylvania is at Noon Eastern Time.
Freshman quarterback Mike Beaudry threw for 247 yards on 18-of-29 passing with two touchdowns. He was particularly effective in the second half, totaling 134 yards on 9-of-12 with both scoring strikes.
As it has done during the entire postseason, the UWF defense turned up the intensity when it mattered most, holding West Alabama to 20 yards in the third quarter and a combined three 3-and-outs and a 4-and-out while building the 14-point lead.
The Argos held the Tigers to a season-low scoring total, well below their average of 38.3 points per game. Johnathan Coleman led the defense with a career-high 16 tackles. He has 50 stops with six sacks in the last five games.
Freshman Ka’Ron Ashley had a career-high game, finishing with six receptions for 138 yards and a touchdown. His two biggest plays came on the fourth quarter drive that put UWF ahead 28-14. He out-jumped his man on a 26-yard third-and-11 play to keep the drive alive before grabbing a 43-yarder a play later that put the ball at the two. Chris Schwarz scored a play later to give the Argonauts a cushion with 6:27 to play.
For his part, Schwarz ran down hill for much of the second half, picking up 53 yards on 14 carries after the intermission. He ended the game with 68 yards on 20 rushes. UWF had 133 yards on the ground and a 3.8 yards per rush.
Freshman Anthony Johnson had 59 yards on eight carries. He sparked the comeback with a 40-yard touchdown run on UWF’s first offensive play of the second half. Earlier in the game, his 2-yard run in the first quarter tied it at 7-7.
West Alabama (10-3) ended with 331 yards of total offense. The Tigers had 86 yards on their final two possessions. Harry Satterwhite threw for 225 yards on 19-of-36 with two touchdowns. Both quarterbacks were sacked twice.
A Gulf South Conference team has now represented Super Regional 2 in 14 of the past 16 years. Prior to Saturday’s outcome, the GSC was the only conference with two teams remaining in the Division II playoff.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to
Photo Gallery: Flomaton Christmas Parade
December 3, 2017
The annual Christmas Parade rolled through the streets of Flomaton Saturday morning. The parade featured floats, vehicles, the Flomaton High School cheerleaders and band, plenty of candy throws and Santa Claus.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
December’s First Fire: Two Red Bulbs Lit After Escambia Fires
December 3, 2017
Two red bulbs have been lit in a local fire safety wreath campaign representing residential fires in Escambia County.
Aloha Lane in Beulah
A structure fire on the 9700 block of Aloha Lane in Beulah is represented by the first red bulb on the “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety wreath. Escambia County911 received a phone call reporting the residential fire at 4 a.m. Saturday. Crews arrived on scene at 4:06 a.m. to find a working fire covering approximately 75 percent of the single-wide mobile home.
Escambia Fire Rescue and NAS Pensacola firefighters responded and the fire was called under control at 4:30 a.m., with the home a total loss. The fire displaced one adult who is being assisted by the American Red Cross. No injuries were reported and the Florida State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.
8300 block of Gardenia Circle
A fire in the 8300 block of Gardenia Circle is the second red bulb on the “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety wreath. Escambia County Emergency Communications received a phone call reporting a kitchen fire in a single story multi-residential building at 1:55 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 3. Escambia Fire Rescue crews arrived on scene at 2 a.m. to find moderate smoke showing from the roof.
The fire was called under control at 2:22 a.m., with the unit a total loss. The fire displaced one adult and one child who are being assisted by the American Red Cross. No injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire was unattended cooking.
The “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign is a collaborative initiative with the city of Pensacola to promote fire safety during the month of December. During the month-long campaign, five-foot wreaths are on display at 18 county fire stations and five city fire stations, with wreaths also placed outside Escambia County’s Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building downtown, the Escambia County Public Safety Building, Pensacola City Hall and Cordova Mall near the food court entrance. Each time firefighters respond to a residential fire with damage, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in residential home.