Two Cantonment Residents Receive New Homes Through County Programs
July 11, 2024
Two Cantonment residents are the proud owners of brand-new homes that were constructed through county assistance programs that help eligible residents who are living in homes that are damaged beyond repair.
Both homeowners are longtime Cantonment residents, struggling over the years to maintain their aging homes. Now, through the county’s Housing Demo and Replacement Programs, their deteriorating and unsafe houses have been replaced with brand-new houses that will provide them with a safer, less stressful environment to call home.
The new homes were constructed for 79-year-old Mary Simpkins and 77-year-old Barbara Stanton, who were joined by their friends, family, county staff, and District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry to celebrate their official move-in day on July 10.
“I am so proud that we are able to offer county programs like this that help improve the quality of life for our residents in need of a helping hand,” Commissioner Barry said. “There’s no better feeling than having a place of your own to call home, and I hope these new homes provide peace of mind and a sense of security for the homeowners and their families. Congratulations to Ms. Simpkins and Ms. Stanton on this exciting next chapter, and thank you to all of our county staff for their hard work to make this possible.”
Simpkins, Stanton, and their families all expressed their excitement for the new homes, which they said will alleviate significant stress caused by numerous maintenance issues in their old houses.
Stanton moved into her previous house in 1971, with the most significant issues starting after Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Roof damage and leaks throughout the house lead to water damage, issues with mold, termites, and generally unsafe living conditions.
“When Ivan came through, that’s when I started having a lot of problems with it,” Stanton said. “It sounded like the roof was lifting off the house. After that, I started having leaks, and then I would get it patched. I stayed kind of disgusted by the way my house was, because before the storm came, it was pretty nice.”
Stanton heard about the possibility of county assistance through a longtime friend, who helped her submit an application for the county’s Housing Demo and Replacement Programs. The programs are funded through grants from the HOME Investment Partnerships Program and the State Housing Initiatives Partnership, or SHIP, program.
“I’m just as satisfied and happy as I can be,” Stanton said. “I thank God first of all, county staff, Commissioner Barry – everybody that had a hand in it. I’m so very thankful.”
Simpkins had also experienced numerous issues since moving into her house in 1981, to the point where the house became uninhabitable and unsafe. After the trailer she was living in burned down several years ago, a friend suggested that Simpkins should apply for assistance through the county.
“The water leaked from the kitchen sink, and the water just leaked all the way down and caused holes and rotting,” Simpkins said, describing her former house. “Nobody lived in it then, because it was in bad shape. It was dangerous all over the house – I was scared.”
Simpkins said she’s very grateful for her new home, which will also provide some relief for her family since she has been living with her daughters for about three years.
“I’m excited,” Simpkins said. “I feel real good. I’m just ready to move in.”
Simpkins’ daughter, Sharon Collins, said the whole family is excited for their mom to have a happier, more peaceful life in her new home.
“It really means a lot to my mom, because this is something she’s always been dreaming of, to have her dream home,” Collins said. “It’ll take a big burden off of her, because she’s been really stressed about the other home she used to live in. And we were trying to help her with it, but it just got to a point where it got too bad and we couldn’t fix it anymore.”
Both Simpkins’ and Stanton’s new houses were constructed with stringent insurance and wind mitigation standards in mind, with features including impact-rated windows and doors, along with strengthened shingles and siding to ensure maximum strength in the event of an extreme weather event. These features should also help with eligibility for more competitive insurance policies.
“We’re excited about her moving in and being able to help support her in all the things she’s been wishing for,” Collins said. “This will help us not have to worry so much about repairing the home so she can just live a peaceful life, and we’ll be supportive of her so she can just be happy.”
Additional assistance may be available for income-eligible homeowners in Escambia County. Limited funding is available, but eligible residents in need of assistance are encouraged to reach out for more details. For information about eligibility requirements and assistance programs for Escambia County homeowners, please contact the Neighborhood Enterprise Division at ned@myescambia.com or 850-595-1642.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Angels: Here Are Tips On How To Take The Best Photos
July 11, 2024
It’s time for the 2024 Pensacola Beach Air Show featuring our Blue Angels.
Today, we are sharing expert tips for how to capture those perfect photos. Perry Doggrell has been shooting the Blue Angels for decades, and for the past 13 years, he’s shot great Blue Angels photos you’ve seen on NorthEscambia.com.
Here are his best tips for getting the best photos, including how to take the best photos with just your phone:
I started taking aviation photos when my mom took me to my first Blue Angels Airshow when I was in elementary school. The Blue Angels were flying A-4’s back then, and she let me use her Kodak Instamatic camera. Needless to say, the photos were less than stellar, and the planes looked like little dots, but I was hooked on trying to take airshow photos from that moment on. I gradually bought better and better cameras and lenses; and went from film, to digital, to mirrorless.
I’m currently using a Nikon Z8 with a Nikkor 180-600mm lens, and a Nikon Z7ii with a Tamron 100-400 lens as a backup and for wider shots. Today’s cameras are more like computers and really take some of the guesswork out of photography. Plus, since there’s no film to worry about, you can take as many photos as you want, and the law of averages says some are bound to turn out good!
So what are some suggestions for taking photos of the Blue Angels? Most importantly, you need to use a high shutter speed. I normally photograph jets with a shutter speed of at least 1/1250th of a second, and sometimes go as high as 1/2000th of a second. Because you are moving and the jet is moving, you need to use a high shutter speed to freeze the action and not blur the photo. You can make adjustments if your photos are slightly under or over-exposed, but you can’t salvage a blurry, shaky photo.
Also be aware that as the day gets later (typically when the Blue Angels fly their show), the position of the sun can really cause light problems. Try to pay attention to which positions the jets seem to be “lit up”, and which positions they are more in the shadows because the sun is more behind them. And even if you get some darker photos because of the light, you can often edit them to make the subject lighter. There is lots of good editing software out there, and even today’s modern cell phones have powerful editing tools.
One word of caution: if you’ve just purchased a new camera and are not familiar with it, try to practice at home and figure out some basic settings. If you don’t have time, I’d recommend setting it in sports mode and leave it alone. I’ve run into many people with brand new cameras who have tried to change so many settings that they end up not being able to take any photos. I might have done that myself once or twice LOL.
If you don’t have a huge lens to shoot with, don’t worry about it. Concentrate on getting the diamond and delta formations along with different formation maneuvers. And especially at the Beach show, you can get beautiful wide photos with the Blue Angels, the beach, the water, the crowd, and even some of your friends all in the photo. Everyone loves a photo of themselves with the Blue Angels in the background!
And if you don’t have a camera at all, you’re still in luck. Today’s cell phones are great at taking wide photos and especially videos. Make some short videos as the Blue Angels diamond goes by, or try to catch the “sneak pass” which usually generates some really good vapor. In today’s social media world, videos and reels are much more popular than still photos anyway. So who knows – your iPhone video could go viral!
Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the show! We are lucky to live at the home of the Blue Angels, so there’s always another opportunity to take more Blue Angels photos at a practice or a beach buzz or at the Homecoming Show in November.
Perry Doggrell photographs the local Blue Angels air shows for NorthEscambia.com. He is a retired air traffic controller and still works in the aviation industry. He is a volunteer photographer at Gulf Islands National Seashore. Perry focuses on outdoors, wildlife, and aviation; he also does classic car photos. Look for his photos the next several days here on NorthEscambia.com. Find him on Instagram @jays.and.jets or on Facebook at Jays and Jets Photography.
Photos by Perry Doggrell for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Driver’s License, Tag, Tax Collector Services Available Next Week In Walnut Hill
July 11, 2024
Driver’s license and other tax collector services will be available in Walnut Hill on Wednesday, July 17 from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Walnut Hill Community Center.
Mobile Licensing and Identification Office (MILO) is a fully functional tax collector office on wheels, offering a range of services. The mobile unit provides a convenient method to renew a driver license, obtain a replacement driver license, conversion/reciprocation of out-of-state license, change a name or address on a current driver license or identification card, and get a first-time identification card. In addition to licensing services, the mobile unit also provides an opportunity to renew or replace a vehicle registration, receive a parking placard, transfer a title, pay property taxes, and apply for a business tax receipt. Written and driving tests are not available from the MILO unit.
The Walnut Hill Community Center, also known as the “Ruritan Building”, is at 7850 Highway 97, just north of Ernest Ward Middle School and the fire department.
Pictured: The Escambia Tax Collector’s MILO at the Walnut Hill Community Center on June 11. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Additional Trolley Service Added For Beach Air Show
July 11, 2024
The Santa Rosa Island Authority is extending public transportation hours along the island on Friday, July 12, and is adding extra buses to the schedule on Saturday, July 13, for the Pensacola Beach Air Show.
Friday, July 12
The SRIA’s three, free open-air trolleys will begin transporting customers starting at 7:30 a.m. and extend their service to Park East, located a mile east of Portofino Resort, until 6 p.m. Following that, the regular route will resume until midnight.
Saturday, July 13
Starting at 6:30 a.m., the SRIA will have four buses in addition to the three open-air trolleys running and will extend their service area to Park East until 6 p.m. Following that, the three open-air trolleys will resume normal operations until midnight.
On Friday and Saturday, buses and trolleys will service passengers from Park East and Park West to the show center at Casino Beach throughout the day. Passengers will only be picked up and dropped off at designated trolley stops.
Post air show, trolleys servicing Portofino Resort/Park East will be staged on Via de Luna in front of Sideline’s Sports Bar and the Hampton Inn (facing east). Trolleys servicing Park West will be staged on Fort Pickens Road in front of the Surf & Sand Hotel and The Sandshaker (facing west).
Due to extreme traffic and congestion buildup on Friday and Saturday, trolley service to the access road stops (Grand Marlin, Radical Rides/Laguna’s, Quietwater Beach and the Boardwalk) will be temporarily suspended until 6 p.m. Following that, the regular route will resume until midnight.
Passengers who wish to get back to their vehicles as soon as the air show ends need to be on the first fleet of buses leaving Casino Beach post show. Due to the gridlock that occurs immediately following the air show, riders should expect to wait 90 minutes or more for the trolleys or buses to return to Casino Beach, if they are not on the first trip out.
The SRIA also wants to remind the public to please use the designated pedestrian crosswalks only across the island.
The official 2024 Pensacola Beach Air Show will begin just before noon on Saturday. The free trolley and bus service is provided by the Santa Rosa Island Authority and Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) handles the expert driving.
Lindgren Lights-Out In 6-3 Blue Wahoos Win
July 11, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
Madison, Ala. – The Pensacola Blue Wahoos won their third in a row on Wednesday night, beating the Rocket City Trash Pandas 6-3 behind a strong start from Jeff Lindgren.
Lindgren (W, 1-0) turned in a quality start, allowing only one run on two hits over 6.0 innings to earn his first Double-A win since 2022.
The Blue Wahoos jumped ahead early against Rocket City starter John O’Reilly (L, 0-1), taking a 1-0 lead on a Paul McIntosh RBI single in the first inning. Sean Roby led off the second with a solo homer, and Joe Mack added a two-run single later in the frame to put Pensacola up 4-0.
Cody Morissette stretched the lead to 5-0 with a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning, and Dalvy Rosario tacked on an RBI single two batters later for a 6-0 lead.
Tucker Flint got the Trash Pandas on the board with a solo homer in the sixth, but it would be the only damage done against Lindgren. Rocket City put up a fight in the final two innings against the Pensacola bullpen, turning a Gustavo Campero triple and Orlando Martinez sacrifice fly into a run in the eighth, but Austin Roberts recorded the final four outs for Pensacola to seal a 6-3 win.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Trash Pandas on Thursday. First pitch from Toyota Field in Madison, Alabama is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
FloridaWest CEO Hilson Resigning
July 11, 2024
CEO of FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance, Brian Hilson is resigning.
He will be moving to the Birmingham area because of a pressing need to be with aging family members and to provide support to his wife, Windy, who is their caretaker.
David Bear, President of the FloridaWest Board of Directors, said the board has a process in place to oversee the organization.
“Although we’re saddened by Brian’s departure, the FloridaWest board has a process for such transitions and the executive committee will take the lead on an interim basis while we recruit a new CEO,” said Bear. “Brian has committed to help us in this transition.”
FloridaWest is working on several economic development projects at locations throughout Escambia County.
“The FloridaWest board of directors is fully committed and engaged for the success of our projects in Pensacola and Escambia County and will keep the momentum behind FloridaWest’s economic development projects and current fundraising campaign, Built to Grow,” said Bear. “Funding Solutions will continue to collaborate with FloridaWest leadership to bring success to their fundraising campaign.
Hilson said the decision to leave the organization was difficult, but necessary.
“This has been very difficult for me — I’ve come to love the Pensacola area and its people — but my family comes first, and right now my family needs me,” said Hilson. “Our FloridaWest team is working closely with our economic development partners on industrial and technology projects at locations throughout Escambia County, many of which are close to fruition. While I’m disappointed that I won’t be here to continue our work, I know that the organization will have great leadership and an exciting future.”
Hilson has been at FloridaWest since August 2023.
Highway 97 Crash Causes Molino Area Power Outage
July 10, 2024
A single vehicle crash on Highway 97 left a portion of Molino without power Wednesday morning.
The crash happened on Highway 97 just north of Gibson Road. The driver of a pickup truck lost control, left the roadway and struck a utility pole. The collision snapped the pole and caused power lines to fall across the overturned truck.
The driver was not seriously injured.
Florida Power & Light reported at least 400 Molino area customers lost power following the crash.
The Florida Highway Patrol has not released additional details from their investigation.
Reader submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Update: Body Recovered After Man Jumps From I-10 Blackwater River Bridge
July 10, 2024
UPDATE FROM FHP: The body of a male subject has just been located and recovered. This is still early stages of the investigation.
Traffic was delayed Wednesday afternoon on I-10 over the Blackwater River bridge near Bagdad in Santa Rosa County.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a trooper rolled up on a vehicle stopped with flashers on at the I-10 westbound bridge about 2:15 p.m. Troopers said it appeared the driver intentionally struck the bridge before jumping off the bridge into the water.
Multiple witnesses told FHP that a black male about 30-years-old got out of the vehicle and jumped off the bridge. Multiple agencies responded and began searching for the man.
The search had turned into a recovery operation as of 3:15 p.m. Traffic was backed up both east and westbound on I-10 in the area.
Additional information was not released.
Pictured: A traffic camera image shows the I-10 bridge over the Blackwater River Wednesday afternoon.
Barrineau Estates Proposed With 305 Lots On Highway 95A
July 10, 2024
A new 305 lot single family residential development has been proposed near Molino.
If approved, Barrineau Estates would be located on 305 acres on Highway 95A between Chipper and Straughn roads, with a proposed density of about one lot per acre.
Each of the lots would have a private septic system, with water provided by Molino Utilities.
According to applicant Hammond Engineering, the project would be constructed in a single phase.
The application for Barrineau Estates has been submitted to the Escambia County Development Review Committee and has not yet been set for a final vote. Following a pre-application meeting, county staff asked for additional information.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Red, White And Blues: Here’s The Pensacola Beach Air Show Schedule
July 10, 2024
Pensacola’s hometown heroes will be front and center at the 2024 Pensacola Beach Air Show, hosted by the Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA), July 10-13. The elite U.S. Navy Blue Angels will headline all events culminating on Saturday, July 13 with the official Air Show.
In addition to the Blue Angels, there will be a host of world-class aerobatic performers, as well as interactive exhibits, military recruitment stations and all types of vendors on the ground.
“Every year we look forward to hosting this world-class air show along our world-class beach to really showcase our hometown heroes, the Blue Angels,” said Robbie Schrock, Director of Administration for the SRIA. “It’s an awe-inspiring tradition that tens of thousands of locals and tourists alike gather to enjoy the spectacle every summer.”
The SRIA is requiring the public to suspend all flights of unmanned aircraft, or drones, during the air waiver hours of the Pensacola Beach Air Show. In addition, glass is always prohibited on the beach, and leashed dogs are only allowed at the two designated dog beaches on either side of the island.
Kicking off the air show week is “Breakfast with the Blues,” on Wednesday, July 10 around 7:30 a.m. when the Blue Angels arrive and circle overhead to mark the show’s coordinates and center points along Pensacola Beach.
On Thursday, July 11, at 2 p.m., the Blue Angels hold a practice show over Pensacola Beach.
Friday, July 12, is the Pensacola Beach Air Show dress rehearsal where flight demonstrations and civilian aerobatic performances begin at noon, with the Blue Angels overhead at 2 p.m.
Saturday, July 13, marks the official Pensacola Beach Air Show, and follows exactly Friday’s dress rehearsal schedule.
Prior to the official waivered air space closure signaling the start of the air show on Friday and Saturday, expect to see the following aircraft overhead, announced by radio personality Rob Williams:
- Pilot Julian MacQueen flying his vintage 1943 Grumman Widgeon seaplane overhead.
- Pilot Sheldon Heatherington will be flying his Zenith 75 STOL aircraft named Redbird.
- Navy pilot Tanner Matheny will be flying over in his 1946 North American Navion airplane named Olivia.
- U.S. Coast Guard Search and Rescue (SAR) demonstration from the back of a HH-60J Blackhawk helicopter.
- Local wing of the Commemorative Air Force flying WWII and Korean War-era trainer and liaison aircraft.
- Then, at 11:45 a.m., spectators will be cleared from the Gulf waters and the official air space waiver begins.
The show begins precisely at noon with presentation of the colors by the Red Bull Team parachutists jumping from Aaron Fitzgerald’s helicopter over show center, followed by a brief teaser of what’s to come from the Red Bull Air Force team and Kevin Coleman later in the show. The Red Bull Air Force team is assembled from the most accomplished aviation experts on the planet who continually push the limits of human flight.
The Veterans Flight team takes the stage at 12:13 p.m. in their bright yellow, vintage World War II-era biplanes and possibly other WWII vintage aircraft. Organized by Pensacola attorney and pilot Roy Kinsey, around a dozen Stearman pilots from all over the Southeast are flying in the show to pay tribute to all WWII and Korean War vets.
Next up at 12:28 p.m. is a newcomer to the air show, the incredible wingwalker Carol Pilon and the Third Strike Wingwalking team. Pilon is the first, and only, woman to walk on a jet-propelled aircraft. Expect to see Pilon traveling atop a bright red, vintage Stearman biplane with lots of billowing smoke.
At 12:39 p.m., keep your eyes peeled as Redline Aerobatic Team pilots Ken Rieder, Adam Baker, and making his inaugural debut at this air show, Austin Rieder, Ken’s son, perform some exceptional formation aerobatics.
Then, at 12:54 p.m., hang onto your hat as pilot Skip Stewart wows the crowds next with his high-skill passes and jaw-dropping maneuvers from his famous red, white and black-checkered bi-plane, Prometheus. Don’t miss his signature inverted ribbon-cutting pass over the Pensacola Beach Pier.
Next up, at 1:06 p.m., Patty Wagstaff, the first woman to win the title of U.S. National Aerobatic champion and a six-time member of the U.S. Aerobatic Team, will wow the crowds over Pensacola Beach in her Extra 330 aircraft. Her breathtaking performances give airshow spectators a front-row seat view of the precision and complexity of hard-core aerobatics.
The Red Bull Air Force Team with Kevin Coleman and Aaron Fitgerald are back with a full act at 1:21 p.m., creating a visual spectacle like no other. The trio will perform a joint aerial demonstration that will last 25 minutes.
As always, closing out the show at 2 p.m. will be your U.S. Navy Flight Demonstrations Squadron, the Blue Angels. Look to the Gulf horizon as the famous C-130J aircraft, affectionately known as Fat Albert, followed by six signature blue and gold F-18 Super Hornets, make their way over Pensacola Beach.
For the next 45 minutes, spectators will get a glimpse of the Blues’ aeronautic maneuvers like the Diamond Dirty Loop, the Double Farvel, the Vertical Pitch, the Fleur-de-Lis, the Opposing Knife-Edge pass, and the crowd-favorite Sneak Pass. These are just a few of the mind-blowing displays of choreographed precision flying the Navy’s flight demonstration team has perfected over the past 78 years.
Pilot and Announcer Rob Reider will be the voice of the Pensacola Beach Air Show this year and Paul Entrekin, a retired Marine Corps aviator and former full-time air show pilot performer, will mark his 31st year as the Air Boss over the show.