Over Two Dozen North Escambia Roads Set For Resurfacing. Here’s The List.
July 20, 2023
The Escambia County Commission has approved the resurfacing of over two dozen roads in District 5, and over a dozen more will be considered at an upcoming commission meeting.
This week, the BOCC approved funding to resurface:
- Becks Lake (portion)
- Bentwood Lane
- Beulah Road (portion)
- Bocage Road
- Booth Avenue
- Calico Drive
- Callan Way
- Croquet Drive
- Destrehan Road
- Equestrian Way
- Hamilton Crossing Drive
- Homeland Avenue
- Jonah Avenue
- Mintz Lane
- Mustang Drive
- Pace Parkway
- Park Lane East
- Park Lane West
- Parlange Circle
- Pine Street
- Risen Drive
- Rocky Avenue
- Saddle Drive
- Streetirrup Drive
- Tara Road
- Wegner Avenue
The following District 5 roads will be considered at the August 3 commission meeting:
- Balboa Road
- Desoto Road
- Highway 196 (29 to 95A)
- Isabella Road
- Madrid Road North
- Madrid Road South
- Navarro Road
- Perdido Road
- Plaza Road
- Rittenberry
- San Carlos Road
- Santa Carlos Road SE
- Santa Rosa Road NE
There is no timetable yet available.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Century Council President Says He Won’t Check If Meetings Were Legally Noticed
July 20, 2023
Following the cancellation of July’s first public meeting due to a probable Sunshine Law violation, the president of the Century Town Council says he will no longer bother to check and see if a meeting has been correctly noticed under Florida’s Sunshine Law.
“I think everyone in Century knows what time when we have the meeting,” council president Luis Gomez, Jr. said.
The council’s July 5 meeting has halted because the town’s public notices did not include the time of the meeting as required.
Beginning with meetings in February 2023, a standard notice for regular meetings and bill review meetings had been posted on a bulletin board outside town hall providing dates but no times. Sometimes an adjacent notice was posted with times, but those notices repeatedly had meeting dates listed as being in 2022, making the notice appear outdated.
One of the few members of the public at Tuesday’s council meeting took issue with Gomez and the lack of required public notice.
“There are new people coming into Century, every month, every week; I am one of them,” resident Evelyn Deterville said. Recently married, she was an unsuccessful candidate (Evelyn Webber) for a council seat in the March 2023 special election. “For those of you that have been here for a long time, you’ve got to keep in mind this city has grown, this town has grown. So I would like for you to continue to get the word out…When I talk to people and tell them about the council meeting, different things that’s going on, they ask me when it is, where it is also.”
“Everybody that lives here knows. Now, I agree, new people that come to Century, they’re going to have to get it just like everyone else,” Gomez said. “If there’s a problem and you actually want to attend, you would put in a little effort to find out when the meetings are.”
Gomez then proceeded to “say it for the record in an open meeting” the days and times.
The council president then said going forward he will skip the standard agenda opening item to confirm that a meeting was properly advertised. “I’m not going to do that to halt business and slow up the time in these meetings ever again for the rest of the year to December.”
“You can call and ask when the meetings are,” he said. “It’s on our agenda, but I’m not going to do that (check for proper public notice) because I will no longer let this council be your topic of discussion on nobody’s newspaper, blog or whatever. We’re missing the town’s business because of this.”
Florida’s attorney general says every meeting, each and every one, must be noticed with date, time and place — “Notice is required even though meetings of the board are “of general knowledge” and are not conducted in a closed door manner”.
The Florida Attorney General’s “2023 Government in the Sunshine Manual” states that:
- “The notice should contain the time and place of the meeting and, if available, an agenda, or if no agenda is available, a statement of the general subject matter to be considered.
- “The notice should be prominently displayed in the area in the agency’s offices set aside for that purpose, e.g., for cities, in city hall, and on the agency’s website, if there is one.”
Town Clerk Leslie Howington said the meeting notice is only being posted at the town hall and website.
“It’s not the council’s place to publicize the meeting; it’s the town hall’s meeting,” council member Sandra McMurray Jackson said. “The council members do not send out advertisements for the meetings. It’s the town hall, in the office. That’s where it starts.”
Pictured: Century council president Luis Gomez, Jr. reviews agenda items Tuesday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Cotton Lake, Bluff Springs Recreation Sites Reopened
July 20, 2023
The Northwest Florida Water Management District has reopened two recreation sites in the Escambia River Water Management Area that had been closed due to flooding.
The Bluff Springs and Cotton Lake sites are now open.
The Cotton Lake and Bluff Springs recreation sites have reopened after a temporary closure due to flooding on the Escambia River. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Does FHP Have America’s Best Looking Cruiser? Cast Your Vote Here.
July 20, 2023
Does the Florida Highway Patrol have the best looking trooper cruiser in the nation?
The American Association of State Troopers is conducting their 10th annual “Best Looking Cruiser” contest through July 31.
This year’s submission, photographed by retired FHP Lieutenant Jeff Frost in Orlando, features a 2019 Dodge Charger in FHP’s traditional colors of black and tan.
“Entering ‘America’s Best Looking Cruiser Contest’ is an opportunity for FHP and the community we protect to stand proudly behind our public safety mission and Florida’s reputation as a law-and-order state,” said Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) Executive Director Dave Kerner. “The FHP Black and Tan, as it’s known, is widely recognized as a symbol of our core values: Courtesy, Service Protection. When people see a Florida State Trooper, they know that they are there for protection and can expect professional and competent service. A vote for FHP is a vote for Florida.”
“The iconic Florida Highway Patrol Black & Tan is recognized nationwide,” said Florida Highway Patrol Colonel Gary Howze II. “Show your support for your Troopers by voting for Florida in the 2023 ‘America’s Best Looking Cruiser Contest’ hosted by the American Association of State Troopers.”
The winner will be presented with the “Best Looking Cruiser Award” and featured on the cover of the AAST’s “America’s Best Looking Cruisers 2024 Wall Calendar”.
The survey link can also be accessed from he official Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website.
Palacios Twirls Gem In 4-2 Wahoos Win
July 20, 2023
Luis Palacios made his 10th start this season with the Blue Wahoos a near-perfect one.
He was then backed by Zach McCambley’s first save of his pro career.
The dynamic delivery on Wednesday equated into Pensacola’s 4-2 victory against the Rocket City Trash Pandas, pushing the Blue Wahoos to their 50th win in 85 games.
After the Blue Wahoos knocked out Trash Pandas starting pitcher John Swanda with a four-run first inning, Palacios painted the strike zone throughout his best performance. It made for a crisp, 2-hour, 15-minute game on “Winning Wednesday’ that included baseball bingo and was capped by a mid-week fireworks show provided by game sponsor Covenant Care.
Palacios, a 23-year-old lefty from Venezuela, allowed just four hits, matching the fewest he allowed this year. He struck out five without walking a batter, and improved to 6-3 in a smooth, seven-inning outing that matched his longest of the season.
It was the first time he threw up seven zeroes on the scoreboard. He continually stayed ahead of hitters and consistently threw strikes – 64 strikes in 85 pitches. It was the first time in his Double-A career he did not allow a walk.
McCambley, 24, a righthander, who has shifted to a reliever role that will further enhance his own future, worked a clean ninth inning. He ended the game on a called strikeout with a fastball on the outside part of the plate.
As things turned out, the game was decided in the first inning. Nasim Nuñez and Miami Marlins outfielder Avisail Garcia, continuing his injury rehab assignment, started the rally with walks. Nunez advanced to third on a groundout and scored on a wild pitch.
With two outs, Will Banfield laced an RBI single to left, José Devers singled and Cody Morissette followed with a two-run double to complete the rally. Banfield and Norel González both went 2-for-3 as the Blue Wahoos pounded out eight total hits.
Rocket City, the Los Angeles Angels affiliate, got its runs on a pair of solo homers off Pensacola reliever Eli Villalobos in the eighth inning. After the second blast, pitching coach Dave Eiland met on the mound and Villalobos retired the next two batters to end the frame.
Following the game, specialty jerseys worn by the Blue Wahoos in pregame Wednesday and decorated in sponsor Covenant Care design, were delivered to auction-bidding fans by Blue Wahoos players in front of the home team dugout. The auction began in the sixth inning.
The series continues Thursday on Mullet Thursday as the Blue Wahoos become the Pensacola Mullets.
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Tate High Alumni Group Donates To Molino Food Pantry
July 20, 2023
The Tate High School Alumni group recently made a donation to the community food pantry ministry at the Crossroads Thrift Store in Molino to benefit local families. Grace Paulchek presented the food on behalf of the alumni association. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Silver Alert Canceled For Missing, Endangered Escambia County Man
July 19, 2023
UPDATE: This individual has been located.
A Florida Silver Alert has been issued for a missing endangered Escambia County man.
Arthur Gregory Stiers, 76, was last seen about noon Wednesday in the 5000 block of Port St. Joe Street off Blue Angel Parkway. He was driving a white Volkswagen Golf, Florida tag #Y71RAM. The vehicle has a roof rack.
He is 6-foot, 1-inch tall, 185 pounds, and last seen wearing an off-white short sleeved button-down shirt, white shorts, and tan boat shoes
Anyone with information is asked to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620 or 911.
Rabies Alert For Escambia County Expires After No New Cases Reported
July 19, 2023
A Rabies Alert for Escambia County has now expired.
The Florida Department of Health (DOH-Escambia) issued the alert in May after three people were exposed to one rabid fox and one person was exposed to a rabid bat.
No additional cases have been reported as of Tuesday, the health department said. The alert was allowed to expire Tuesday after being in effect for two months.
NorthEscambia.com reported in May that the rabid fox bit or otherwise made physical contact with three individuals at locations in the area near Northview High School and Travis Nelson Park in Bratt.
Tate Aggies Baseball Head Coach Karl Jernigan Has Resigned
July 19, 2023
Tate High School head baseball coach Karl Jernigan has resigned.
“Coach Jernigan resigned to spend more time with and focus on his family,” Principal Laura Touchstone told NorthEscambia.com Tuesday night. “Coach Jernigan has been very transparent with me through this process, and I support his decision. Most importantly I support the Tate baseball program and will continue to do so. We are actively searching for a coach to fulfill the position and uphold the legacy of Tate baseball.”
Jernigan was hired as Tate’s head coach during the summer of 2017.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Century Postpones Action On Payment Plan For Past Due Utility Customers
July 19, 2023
The Century Town Council Tuesday has postponed action on a payment plan agreement for utility customers with past due accounts.
The proposed standardized policy for water, wastewater, and/or natural gas customers would allow customers to pay one-half of their balance over a period of up to six months. Under the plan, one-half of the balance would be due immediately in order to qualify. The remaining half of the outstanding bill would be due alongside regular bills.
Tuesday night, the council opted to hold a workshop on some of the plan details before a final vote.
Under the plan, as proposed:
Customers would be limited to two payment plan requests in a 24 month period.
If not paid by the due date of the 24th of each, the agreement would be voided, services would be disconnected, and the full balance would be due before reconnection.
We reached out to two other public utilities in Escambia County to see how they handle customers unable to pay their full balance.
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority said they will “work with” customers unable to pay their full balance due. ECUA offers water, wastewater and sanitation services in most of Escambia County.
“Pensacola Energy does not have a delayed payment option. If a customer doesn’t make their payment and they have a good payment history, we will let them go a week late, but then they must pay their bill in full,” City of Pensacola Public Information Officer Kaycee Lagarde said. Pensacola Energy provides natural gas across a wide area of the county.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.