PTA Provides Bratt Elementary Students With A Free Book For Spring Break
March 13, 2023
Each Bratt Elementary School student has a new book to enjoy over spring break this week.
The Bratt Elementary PTA gave students a chance to pick out a free book from the school’s book fair.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Rise Slightly Over Last Week
March 13, 2023
Florida gas prices were up nine cents over the last week, according to AAA.
The average statewide price per gallon Sunday was $3.31. In Escambia County, the average price per gallon was lower at $3.24.
In North Escambia, the low price Sunday night was $3.18 at stations on Highway 29 and on Muscogee Road. In Pensacola, the warehouse clubs were at $3.01.
“Despite last week’s jump at the pump, Florida gas prices are still 27 cents per gallon less than this year’s high, which was recorded at the end of January,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Price hikes like these are common this time of year as spring vacations drive-up gasoline demand, while refineries conduct seasonal maintenance due and switch to Summer gasoline.”
Hazmat Team Responds To Reported Rail Car Leak In Molino; Incident Determined To Be ‘Normal Operations’
March 12, 2023
Escambia County Fire Rescue and their Hazmat team responded to a reported train incident in Molino Sunday afternoon.
According to Escambia County Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore, it was determined that two rail tanker cars were venting as part of “normal operations” due to atmospheric pressure.
Two CSX tank cars containing liquid carbon dioxide had an obvious vapor venting from the top. According to online government databases, it is non-flammable, non-poisonous gas that is not dangerous outside of immediate physical contact that can cause severe frostbite.
The cars were located on a side track south of the Fairground Road crossing, adjacent to River Bend Road. Multiple railroad crossings in the area were closed due to the stopped train.
There were no evacuations, and no injuries were reported.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Food Distribution Benefits Hundreds Of Families (With Photo Gallery)
March 12, 2023
Hundreds of people received a helping hand Saturday during a food distribution in Gonzalez.
Rep. Michelle Salzman, Farm Share, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Commissioner Steven Barry, Congressman Matt Gaetz, Kevin Stephens with ECUA District 5, International Paper, the Marine Corps League, Gonzalez United Methodist Church, Aaron Erskine, Thompson Trucking, and other community partners made the event possible.
The food distributions are held in North Escambia on a quarterly basis.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed getting out into the community and being able to help our friends in District 1 get what they need”, said Rep. Michelle Salzman. “Along with Farm Share and the Gonzalez United Methodist Church, these events have become an amazing asset to help us provide food once every quarter to this part of the county that needs it so much. Especially with prices rising as they have been, it’s comforting to know that we’ve helped ensure some food on their tables every few months.”
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
‘“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did it to me.’,” said Gonzalez United Methodist Church Pastor Andy Perry, quoting Matthew 25:40. “As a Church, we cannot live isolated from our community. Rather, what Jesus and even the season of Lent reminds us of is that we are to be truly engaged in caring for those who do not have the means that many others have. Being involved in this food distribution allows us to engage and connect with the people in North Escambia county in a very real and tangible way, as the hands and feet of Jesus to help our neighbor. This is truly an opportunity to fulfill the commandment: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County 4-H Wins 2023 State 4-H Insectathon State Championship
March 12, 2023
Several Escambia County 4-H teams placed in the Florida 4-H State Insectathon Contest at the University of Florida, including a state championship team.
The contest at the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology consisted of insect identification, insect damage identification, a special topic quiz about the Asian citrus psyllid, and insect collection judging.
Escambia County 4-H teams that placed were as follows:
Junior Team 1 – second place
Junior Team 2 – third place
Intermediate Team 1; first place, state champions
Intermediate Team 2 – second place
Senior Team 1 – second place
Senior Team 2 – third place
During the project, Escambia County 4-H members developed life skills through activities related to insects and entomology. 4-H members in the project learned life skills such as effective decision-making, critical thinking, goal setting, and teamwork.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
March 12, 2023
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement recently reported the following activity from January:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Specialist Allgood responded to a complaint of someone shooting from the roadway at night. The officer found several deer feeding in a field and waited. A vehicle approached and using the vehicle’s headlights, one of the occupants shot at a deer from the roadway. Officer Allgood attempted to stop the suspects, who fled the area. Officer Allgood used the vehicle’s tag information to locate and visit the registered owner’s home. The registered owner of the vehicle said her son had borrowed the car and was accompanied by a friend. Both suspects admitted to shooting at the deer and fleeing. Officer Allgood cited both suspects for multiple charges including attempting to take a deer using a gun and light and for shooting from the roadway. A warrant was also obtained for the driver of the vehicle for fleeing and eluding.
Officer Specialist Ramos received information about an illegally killed antlerless deer. He interviewed a suspect, who admitted to harvesting an antlerless deer in Baldwin County, Alabama. Further investigation revealed he dumped the carcass on the side of a highway. The subject was issued a citation for littering and asked to properly dispose of the carcass. The subject also was issued a notice to appear for importing the whole deer from Alabama into Florida. The deer was submitted to FWC biologists to be tested for the presence of chronic wasting disease.
Officer Lugg was conducting a resource patrol focusing on the importation into Florida of bone-in meat from deer harvested out of state when he observed a vehicle suspected was returning from hunting out of state. A traffic stop was conducted and bone-in deer meat was located in the cooler. The subject admitted the meat was from a deer harvested outside of Florida. In addition, evidence of sex was not retained and the meat was not properly labeled for transit. The operator did not possess a driver’s license nor any required paperwork for his vehicle. All violations were documented and addressed accordingly.
While conducting a resource patrol in Pensacola Bay, Officer Lugg observed a vessel with two occupants on board who were fishing. Upon performing a marine fisheries inspection, an oversized red drum was located within the vessel. The violations were addressed accordingly.
While on patrol in Perdido Bay, Officer Lugg observed a commercial blue crabber pulling traps within state waters during a biannual two-week commercial trap closure. Upon closer inspection, Officer Lugg found about 70 traps were being actively fished. Officer Allgood assisted with inspecting the blue crab traps. The officers observed multiple crab safety measures were not put into place on the traps and the traps were not tagged, properly labeled, and the buoys were of improper size and color. The vessel did not have any aerial markings nor commercial safety gear where required. The operator was issued two misdemeanors and eight warnings.
While on patrol in the Escambia River Wildlife Management Area, Officer Lugg heard shots after legal shooting hours. After arriving at the nearest boat ramp, Officer Lugg and Officer Allgood contacted the vessel, which had five subjects on board who had been hunting. Two of the occupants did not possess required hunting licenses or federal duck stamps. One of the hunters was using lead shot while hunting waterfowl and one of the hunters was using an unplugged shotgun. The vessel did not have life jackets for the occupants on board, registration, a sound producing device, or navigation lights. All violations were cited accordingly.
While working enhanced patrol, Officer Cushing received information regarding illegal baiting and hunting activity in the Perdido Wildlife Management Area. Officer Cushing and Investigator Livesay located a truck containing hunting equipment parked near the main gate. Officer Cushing located a hunter in a treestand hunting over bait with a bow and arrow. The subject did not have the required quota permit to hunt that area. Investigator Livesay located the subject’s adult son nearby who also was hunting over bait and did not have a quota permit or a valid hunting license. The investigation revealed they had been hunting the area for a couple of weeks. Citations were issued to both subjects for multiple violations.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officers Bower and Wilkenson were on patrol and observed a vehicle with an antlered deer in the bed of the truck that did not appear to meet antler point regulations for that deer management unit. A vehicle stop was conducted and the subject stated he was hunting in the Blackwater Wildlife Management Area. The officers determined the deer did not meet antler point regulations. They seized the deer and issued the hunter a notice to appear.
Officer Tison inspected a portion of property that contained numerous gopher tortoise burrows after observing the property was being cleared with heavy equipment. The property was well posted that burrows were present and the owner of the company clearing the property was aware of them. During Officer Tison’s inspection of the property, he observed two burrows run over with the clearing equipment. The owner of the company was cited for the destruction of the gopher tortoise burrows.
Officer Corbin observed a subject fishing near a bridge in the Santa Rosa Sound and conducted a resource inspection. The subject did not have a fishing license or any identification. While the subject provided a false name, Officer Corbin was able to identify the subject, who had an active felony warrant for his arrest out of Louisiana. The subject was arrested and charged with providing a false name to law enforcement and cited for no fishing license.
Officer Lewis was on patrol in Blackwater Wildlife Management Area when he heard a rifle shot. The officer located the origin of the shot and observed a hunter dragging an antlered deer he had harvested. The deer did not meet the antler point regulations for the area (antlered deer must have at least one antler with three or more points or one antler with a main beam of 10” or more in length). The hunter also failed to log his harvest. The officer issued the hunter a warning for the harvest log violation and a notice to appear citation for the antler point regulation violation. Officer Burkhead assisted with the case.
Officer Burkhead conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in Blackwater Wildlife Management Area for traffic violations. Officer Burkhead found several coolers in the back of the vehicle. The subject had been hunting and admitted to having deer meat in one of the coolers without evidence of sex. Officer Burkhead interviewed the subject and concluded the meat was from a legal deer. The subject was written a warning for being in possession of deer meat without sex identification.
Officer Burkhead received a complaint from a subject regarding an individual trespassing on his property. Officer Burkhead located an individual at the area driving an all-terrain vehicle that matched the provided description. Officer Burkhead conducted a traffic stop and found the individual had a suspended driver’s license. The subject admitted to trespassing while hunting. Upon further investigation, Officer Burkhead found the man was a convicted felon and found shotgun shells in the man’s backpack labeled with his initials. The man also said he hid a shotgun in the woods before fleeing the area. Officers Burkhead and Roberson as well as two deputies from Santa Rosa
County Sheriff’s Office located the shotgun. Officer Burkhead arrested the subject and wrote citations for traffic violations as well as Blackwater WMA violations. The subject was transported and booked into the Santa Rosa County jail.
Officer Bower received information about alligator snapping turtles taken from the wild and kept as pets. Officers Roberson and Bower observed an alligator snapping turtle in a small man-made pond at the residence in question. The homeowner stated he caught the turtle in a creek near his house and that a second turtle he had, crawled out of the aquarium inside of the home. The homeowner also stated he was keeping a juvenile cottonmouth in a small aquarium on the front porch and was not feeding it. The snake was identified as a banded water snake. The subject was issued a notice to appear for possessing an alligator snapping turtle and animal cruelty for failing to feed the snake.
Officers Bower and Bragg were patrolling the Santa Rosa Sound during duck season. The officers observed subjects at a boat ramp that had shot three ducks. A resource and boating safety inspection was conducted. One of the subject’s shotguns was unplugged and capable of holding more than three shotgun shells. The subject admitted to shooting the ducks. The subject was issued a notice to appear and issued two warnings for boating safety violations.
Officer Roberson was on patrol at Quintette Boat Ramp on Escambia River. Officer Roberson observed a vessel that had just been pulled out of the water. Upon further inspection, Officer Roberson found out two individuals had been hunting and had harvested two wood ducks. Officer Roberson checked their shotguns and discovered one was not plugged and could hold more than three rounds. Also, it was determined the same individual did not possess a valid federal duck stamp. Officer Roberson issued a misdemeanor notice to appear for not plugging the shotgun and a warning for not having a federal duck stamp.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
This Week: It’s The Aggie Classic With 22 Baseball Teams From Four States
March 12, 2023
This week is spring break, and that means it’s time for the annual Aggie Classic.
There will be 22 teams from across Florida, Alabama, Tennessee and Oklahoma playing at six different host sites in three counties this week, all hoping to take home the Aggie Classic championship.
The host Tate Aggies will play Norman North, Oklahoma, on Monday, Santa Fe South, Oklahoma, on Tuesday, and Union, Oklahoma, on Wednesday. All games are set for 7 p.m. The winners will advance to games on Thursday.
In the past decade, the Aggies have claimed the title in 2016, 2019 and 2022. (The tourney was canceled in 2020 and 2021.)
We will have coverage this week on NorthEscambia.com, and you can check out the Aggie Classic page here.
Click the NorthEscambia.com graphic above to enlarge the team information.
These Are This Week’s Road Construction Delay Areas
March 12, 2023
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. 98 (Gregory Street) McGuire’s St. Patrick Day 5K Run Downtown Pensacola – Motorists will encounter a road closure on Gregory Street, Garden Street, and Bayfront Parkway Saturday, March 11 from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. for the St. Patrick Day Run.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter the following alternating lane closures on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, March 12 through Saturday, March 18 between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Crews will be performing miscellaneous paving operations and work on the wrong way detection system.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing Between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Drivers on U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) will encounter a lane shift and lane closures through April. The two U.S. 29 northbound travel lanes and the center turn lane will be closed between Hatties Boulevard and East Cottage Street. During the closure, one northbound and one southbound lane will remain open using the current southbound travel lanes. Signage will be in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The truck parking lot at the Escambia County Interstate 10 Welcome Center, located at mile marker four, will be temporarily closed until summer when the Welcome Center improvements are complete. The front and middle car parking lots are open.
- East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) Roadway Improvements from Chemstrand Road to East of Baldridge Drive – The bicycle lanes are temporarily closed to allow crews to widen the turn lanes and construct new five-foot bicycle lanes. In addition, the speed limit on this section of East Nine Mile Road has been reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles will share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete next summer.
- · Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) 296) to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, March 12 through Thursday, March 16 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway.
- Lillian Highway (S.R. 298) Resurfacing from North of U.S. 98 to East of Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727) and Lillian Highway at Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – Drivers will encounter nighttime lane closures on Lillian Highway, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Monday, March 13 to Friday, March 17 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Crews will be performing drainage and shoulder widening work.
- Navy Boulevard (S.R. 295) Resurfacing from North of the Bayou Grande Bridge to Gulf Beach Highway/Barrancas Avenue (S.R. 292) – Drivers will encounter outside lane closures on Navy Boulevard southbound, from Barrancas Avenue to the Bayou Grande Bridge, Friday, March 10 through Friday, March 17 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Crews will be working on curb, gutters, and sidewalks.
- 9th Avenue (S.R. 289) Routine Bridge Maintenance over I-10 Overpass – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures just north of S.R. 742 Wednesday, March 15 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- S.R. 292 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Bayou Chico Bridge – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures just south of U.S. 98 Wednesday, March 15 from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- Beulah Road Routine Bridge Maintenance over I-10 Overpass – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures east of Alabama line Thursday, March 16 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- S.R. 173 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Bayou Marcus Bridge – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures north of S.R. 298 Thursday, March 16 from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- I-110 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Cross Street Overpass – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures south of S.R. 752 (Texar Drive) Friday, March 17 from 12 a.m. to 1 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- U.S. 29 Routine Bridge Maintenance over U.S. 90 Overpass – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures north of I-10 Friday, March 17 from 1 a.m. to 2 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- S.R. 296 (Brent Lane) Routine Bridge Maintenance over CXS Railroad Overpass – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures west of I-110 Friday, March 17 from 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- S.R. 297 (Pine Forest Road) Turn Lane Operations Sharon Lane – Motorists may encounter intermittent northbound outside lane closures Monday, March 13 through Thursday, March 23 for turn lane operations.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter the following alternating lane closures on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, March 12 through Saturday, March 18 between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Crews will be performing miscellaneous paving operations and work on the wrong way detection system.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – Construction crews have temporarily shifted eastbound traffic to the westbound bridge over Simpson River. The shift is expected to be in place through March 2023. During this time, there will be two westbound lanes and one eastbound travel lane using the westbound bridge. Due to the traffic shift, there will not be dedicated bike lanes on the bridge. Drivers are urged to use extra caution as they will be temporarily sharing the bridge with cyclists. Drivers are also reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Point Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road Sunday, March 12, through Friday, March 17, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Convicted McDavid Felon Charged With Weapons Offense, Narcotics
March 11, 2023
A convicted felon from McDavid is facing a weapons offense and drug charges after deputies found him in the passenger seat of a stolen car, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Travis Floyd Winters, 25, was charged with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, and two counts of possession of a control substance without a valid prescription. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Saturday with bond set at $12,500.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a Cumberland Farms on Pine Forest Road in reference to a stolen Chevrolet Impala. They arrived to find the vehicle parked by the gas pumps with Winters sitting in the front passenger seat.
Deputies recovered a small bag of cocaine, a bag containing alprazolam (a controlled substance) and a bag that contained a 9 mm round. The items were located near Winters’ seat belt buckle, according to an arrest report. Other suspected narcotics and paraphernalia were found in other locations in the vehicle, and a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun was found underneath the driver’s seat. Winters was only charged for the items found near his seat belt.
Winter denied the items near his seat belt buckle belonged to him. He said he was just getting a ride from the driver of the vehicle, a female he had only known for about a month. She fled the store on foot before deputies arrived.
According to the ECSO, Winters has seven felony convictions, the most recent of which was February 28 for possession of cocaine.
Time Change: Spring Forward. And Don’t Forget The Smoke Alarm Batteries.
March 11, 2023
Don’t forget to “spring forward” and set your clocks ahead one hour before heading off to bed Saturday night. Daylight saving time begins Sunday, making use of longer summer days, allowing people to rise early and spend more of the day working or playing.
It’s also a good time to remember to change the batteries in your smoke alarm.
Daylight saving time ends November 5, unless that’s changed by Congress.
Florida Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio have said repeatedly the practice of “falling back” as daylight saving time an antiquated process that should come to an end. They say year-round DST would reduce car crashes, reduce crime, improve physical fitness, reduce energy use and benefit agriculture.