North Beulah Neighborhood Cleanup Day Is Wednesday
January 3, 2023
Residents of the north Beulah area will have the opportunity to dispose of yard debris and other items free of charge Wednesday, January 4 during a neighborhood cleanup.
During neighborhood cleanups, Escambia County departments team up to bring services to residents in an effort to keep local neighborhoods clean and safe. Participating is easy: Residents in the cleanup area simply leave eligible items at the curb to be disposed of free of charge by Escambia County and partnering agencies.
All debris must be at the curb directly in front of residences in the area by 7 a.m. on the day of the cleanup. Tires and paint cans should be separate from all other debris. Debris piles should not be placed under low-hanging lines or near poles, fences or mailboxes. All items, including containers, will be collected.
Only residents in the designated cleanup area are able to participate in the neighborhood cleanup. Items left at the curb outside of the cleanup area will not be collected. The collection area us from West Nine Mile Road to just north of Frank Reeder Road, and between Tower Ridge Road and Beulah Road (see map above).
Items eligible for removal include:
- Household appliances and electronics
- Household junk and debris
- Bicycles and toys
- Old furniture and mattresses
- Barbecue grills
- Household hazardous waste (old paint, motor oil, chemicals, batteries)
- Tires (limit 10 per household)
Items NOT eligible for removal include:
- Building materials (concrete, bricks, blocks, roofing, drywall or lumber)
- Explosives or ammunition
- Auto parts
- Dirt or sod
- Vehicles or vessels
- 55-gallon drums of fluids
For more information, contact Development Program Manager Max Rogers at (850) 595-3499 or mprogers@myescambia.com.
The neighborhood cleanup initiative involves an aggressive cleanup effort, targeting different neighborhoods throughout the county, with crew members and volunteers picking up a variety of debris and waste, including electronics, furniture and household items.
Since 2016, more than 5,469 tons (10,938,000 pounds) of debris were collected and disposed of through the Community Redevelopment Agency’s Safe Neighborhood Program.
Tuesday Begins $4.7 Million Highway 29 Reconstruction Safety Project In Century
January 3, 2023
Tuesday was the official first day of a $4.7 million safety project to resurface Highway 29 in Century.
FDOT plans a major reconstruction and realignment of Highway 29 from just south of East Highway 4 to the Alabama state line.
The project includes reconstructing a 700-foot curved segment of Highway 29 from north of Henry Street to Cottage Street; the curve has been the site of several truck accidents in recent years.
FDOT will also upgrade traffic signals, drainage structures, pavement markings, and driveways, while also improving curb ramps and sidewalks to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.
During construction, drivers may encounter temporary traffic shifts and daytime and nighttime intermittent lane closures. Access to adjacent businesses and other properties will be maintained at all times.
FDOT estimates the project will be completed in late 2024.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
The current state budget signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis included $3,278,228 toward the total cost of the project.
Pictured: Looking south into Florida on Highway 29 in Century. Pictured inset: Part of a Highway 29 safety improvement project will include the realignment of this curve. Graphics below show project details. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Driver Injured In Rollover; Good Samaritan Shocked By Downed Power Lines
January 2, 2023
The driver was injured in a rollover crash in Nokomis, Alabama, early Sunday morning, and a good Samaritan was injured by downed power lines.
The crash happened about 3:50 a.m. on James Road, north of Highway 31 and the Alabama/Florida state line. The driver lost control, and his car flipped multiple times over a span of about 150 feet and sheared-off a power pole.
An area resident attempted to help the driver get out of the vehicle and received an electrical shock, according to first responders. He was transported to an area hospital in critical condition.
First responders said it was extremely foggy at the time of the crash, which remains under investigation by Alabama Law Enforcement Agency troopers. No names have been released.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary PTA Gifts Needed Supplies To Teachers
January 2, 2023
Bratt Elementary School teachers will have more of the supplies they need when they head back to class this week, thanks to a Christmas gift. The Bratt PTA gave the teachers needed supplies for Christmas. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Hot Air Balloons In Bratt On New Year’s Day
January 2, 2023
A group of hot air balloon enthusiasts gathered in Atmore over the New Year’s weekend, and Sunday morning many drifted across the state line into Florida.
Several of the balloons landed Sunday morning in a field near Highway 99 and Bradberry Road in Bratt, just south of the Florida-Alabama state line.
For a photo gallery from Bratt, click or tap here.
Photos by Sheena Carach for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Need To Get Rid Of A Real Christmas Tree? ECUA Will Pick It Up
January 2, 2023
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) is ready to help you dispose of that real Christmas tree.
Sanitation and recycling pickups won’t be delayed this week due to the New Year’s holiday; everything will be picked up on your regular day.
And if you are ready to dispose of your real Christmas tree, ECUA will turn into compost.
Place the real tree or wreath out by the curb on your regular pick-up day, and it will be picked up as part of ECUA’s regular yard waste collection. Just make sure that the natural tree or wreath is free of ornaments, tinsel and stands.
ECUA will compost the trees with other yard waste at their Biosolids Composting Facility.
After A 10 Day Holiday Break, Road Construction Delays Return Tuesday
January 2, 2023
After a 10-day holiday break, road construction lane closures return on Tuesday in Florida.
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. 29 Resurfacing from south of S.R. 4 to the Alabama State Line – Work will begin Tuesday, January 3 on a $4.7 million safety improvement project to resurface U.S. 29, from south of S.R. 4 to the Alabama state line in Century. The project also includes reconstructing U.S. 29, from north of Henry Street to Cottage Street; improving curb ramp and sidewalks to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements; upgrading traffic signals, drainage structures, and pavement markings. During construction, drivers may encounter temporary traffic shifts and daytime and nighttime intermittent lane closures. Access to adjacent businesses and other properties will be maintained at all times. The project is estimated for completion in late 2024.
- Escambia County Welcome Center – The front parking lot is temporarily closed as crews work to resurface the pavement. The other parking areas remain open. Temporary sidewalk modifications are also in place while work is underway.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Tuesday, Jan. 3 through Saturday, Jan. 7 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to perform miscellaneous construction activities on the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- Pace Boulevard from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and sidewalk closures on Pace Boulevard and side streets, between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Tuesday, Jan. 3 through Thursday, Jan. 5 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. The work will allow crews to perform paving operations as well as sidewalk and curb improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized intersections to access the sidewalks on the other side of Pace Boulevard.
- 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) from Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) 296) to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Tuesday, Jan. 3 through Thursday, Jan. 5 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. for paving operations.
- Lillian Highway (S.R. 298), 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 may encounter intermittent lane closures on Lillian Highway, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Tuesday, Jan. 3 through Thursday, Jan. 5 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. for drainage improvements and erosion control operations.
- Sorrento Road Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road – Drivers may encounter and lane shifts at the Sorrento Road and Bauer Road intersection as crews install drainage pipe.
- Navy Boulevard (S.R. 295) from north of the Bayou Grande Bridge to Gulf Beach Highway/Barrancas Avenue (S.R. 292) – Work will begin Tuesday, January 3 on a $2.6 million project to resurface Navy Boulevard, from north of the Bayou Grande Bridge to Gulf Beach Highway/Barrancas Avenue. The project also includes curb and sidewalk improvements constructed to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, traffic signalization upgrades, and placement of new signs and pavement markings. During construction, drivers may encounter temporary traffic shifts and intermittent lane closures between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., seven days a week. The project is estimated for completion in summer 2023
- Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281) Routine Maintenance at Garcon Point Bridge – Motorists will encounter intermittent daytime lane closures Wednesday, Jan. 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for bridge repairs.
- U.S. 98 Routine Utility Maintenance from 61st Street to 72nd Avenue – Motorists will encounter intermittent daytime lane closures Wednesday, Jan. 4 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for routine utility maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Tuesday, Jan. 3 through Saturday, Jan. 7 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to perform miscellaneous construction activities on the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- 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 Tuesday, Jan. 3, through Friday, Jan. 6, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- Settlers Colony Boulevard will remain closed to complete necessary drainage improvements. Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians will access Settlers Colony Boulevard via Venetian Way and Coronado Drive. Detour signs will be in place. Residents may experience noise, vibrations, and dust during daytime hours as part of this drainage improvement effort.
- S.R. 87 (Stewart Street) Routine Utility Maintenance in front of Milton High School – Motorists will encounter intermittent daytime lane closures Wednesday, Jan. 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for power pole maintenance.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
UPDATE: Former ECSO Trainee Deputy Charged With Pace Homicide (Mugshot Released)
January 1, 2023
Updated: A former deputy’s mugshot was posted Sunday night by the Santa Rosa County Jail.
A former Escambia County Sheriff’s Office trainee deputy is charged with killing a man overnight in Santa Rosa County.
Chloe Colleen Davidson, 32, is charged with first degree felony homicide and a second degree felony weapons offense.
Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a reported shooting in the 3900 block of Deerwood Circle in Pace about 1:40 a.m. Sunday.
“Upon arrival, our deputies located a male victim and performed medical aid until EMS arrived on scene. Shortly thereafter, paramedics pronounce the male victim deceased,” Jillian Durkin, SRSO public information officer, said. “Through investigations, it was determined that the incident was a domestic disturbance.”
The name of the deceased has not been released, and the investigation is continuing.
Davidson was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail.
Davidson was sworn in as an ECSO training deputy on August 5, 2022. According to the ECSO, she failed out of the training program and had not been employed by the department for at least the past 30 days.
Her jail mugshot was exempted from release under Florida law due to her status as a former deputy, but it was later posted Sunday night by the Santa Rosa County Jail.
Century Will Appoint Two New Council Members In New Year’s Holiday Meeting
January 1, 2023
The Town of Century will begin the new year with a holiday meeting to appoint two new members to the town council.
The council will meeting Monday night — on January 2, both a federal and state holiday.
Because no one sought election, two council seats are open, so a months-long process of permanently filling them begins.
When the council convenes Monday night, Sandra McMurray Jackson will be sworn in for another term after running unopposed. Then, the council will appoint two members to serve until a special election for the seats, which will most likely take place in March 2023.
At least five citizens have formally expressed their interest in a temporary appointment, according to a town document. They are Shelisa Abraham, Michelle Dixon, Edward (Eddie) Hammond, Alicia Johnson and Corenda Phifer. Johnson has told town officials that she does not intend to run for the council during the special election, while the other four said they will likely seek election.
During his final council meeting of 2022, James Smith, Jr. said he won’t rule out placing his name on the special election ballot. He chose not to run for reelection in 2022, as did Leonard White who resigned last September.
Tuesday, January 2 is also a holiday for Century; the town hall will be closed for regular business. The council meeting will be held on the holiday because the town charter specifies that council members will be sworn in on the first Monday of January. There is no provision in the charter to hold the swearing-in ceremony if it falls on a holiday.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Here Are Escambia County’s Teachers Of The Year
January 1, 2023
Escambia County’s Teachers of the Year have been named to represent their respective schools.
One of them will named the Escambia County overall Teacher of the year in late January from a list of five finalist. Those finalists are highlighted in bold below.
Elementary Schools
- Jim Allen Elementary — Kristi Mims
- Bellview Elementary — Erin Bartush
- Beulah Elementary — Sara Smith
- Blue Angels Elementary — Mary Crisson
- Bratt Elementary — Pamela Trice
- Brentwood Elementary — Audrey Brown
- Hellen Caro Elementary — Andrea McGinnis
- N. B. Cook Elementary — Dawn Jackson
- Cordova Park Elementary — Jessica Stallings
- Ensley Elementary — Lashandra Dean
- Ferry Pass Elementary — Lisa Moss
- Global Learning Academy — Carmen Dones
- Holm Elementary — Michelle Davison
- Kingsfield Elementary School — Melanie Johnson
- Lincoln Park Elementary — Jamila Richardson
- Lipscomb Elementary — Holly Griffin
- Longleaf Elementary — Susan Watkins
- McArthur Elementary — Dawn Bechtol
- Molino Park Elementary — Christin Love
- Montclair Elementary — Kathryn Lovely
- Myrtle Grove Elementary — Mershun Deas
- Navy Point Elementary — Kayla Murray-Galloway
- Oakcrest Elementary — George Grace
- Pine Meadow Elementary — David Vaughn
- Pleasant Grove Elementary — Jacqueline Hogan
- Scenic Heights Elementary — Heather Gagnet
- O.J. Semmes Elementary — Krystin Johnson
- Sherwood Elementary — Nina Bryant
- A. K. Suter Elementary — Anna Harageones
- Warrington Elementary — Jennifer Godwin
- C. A. Weis Elementary — Sierra Yingst
- West Pensacola Elementary — Debbie Jewell
Middle Schools
- Bailey Middle School — Rachel Bryans
- Bellview Middle — Leslie Schottgen
- Beulah Middle — Danielle O’Connor
- Brown Barge Middle — Lauren Meiss
- Ernest Ward Middle — Michelle Thomas
- Ferry Pass Middle — Rebecca Duben
- Ransom Middle — Christopher Norris
- Warrington Middle — Sharde Wiggins
- Workman Middle — Tyrese Person
High Schools
- Escambia High School — Kylee Tullos
- Northview High School — Donna McMillan
- Pensacola High School — Lisette Guttery
- Pine Forest High School — Dr. Tonita Goldston
- Tate High School — Nikki Gill
- Washington High School — Gary Horne
- West Florida High School — Angela McFarland
Other Schools and Centers
- Escambia Westgate — Jimitre McMillan
- Achieve Academy — Angela Griffith
- Alternative Education — Karen Hutchinson
- Beulah Academy of Science — DeEdra Wesemann
- Capstone Academy — Angelique Smith
- Escambia Virtual — Linda Patti
- Hope Horizon — Elizabeth (Beth) Howard
- Success Academy — Allison Roberts