Escambia Awarded $14.2 Million In Oil Spill Money For OLF-8 Improvements
December 17, 2022
Triumph Gulf Coast has approved $14.2 million in funding for infrastructure at the county-owned OLF-8 site on Nine Mile Road.
As part of Phase I of the OLF-8 Commerce Park development, a 1.2 mile north-south roadway will be developed to connect Nine Mile Road and Frank Reeder Road. Additionally, the funding will go toward water/sewage infrastructure and stormwater site improvements.
“The Triumph Gulf Coast award of $14.2 million in oil spill penalty money for OLF-8 is a huge victory for Escambia County and our citizens,” said Escambia County District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh. “This large award will allow us the ability to construct critical infrastructure on this county-owned property which will facilitate the cultivation of hundreds of high-paying private sector jobs for the citizens we serve. The staff did a great job in putting this winning proposal together, and I appreciate their diligent efforts and attribute all the credit to them for this win. Truly a great day in Escambia County.”
As a result of the funding, 338 jobs are expected to be created with the upcoming project, according to Escambia County.
“Escambia County is extremely appreciative to the Triumph Gulf Coast board of directors for their favorable consideration toward OLF-8,” said County Administrator Wes Moreno. “I’d also like to thank our staff for the time and effort they put in to help make this grant possible. We also really appreciate the support of Scott Luth and his team at FloridaWest. We’re excited about the future of OLF-8 and look forward to getting started on Phase I.”
In 2016, Escambia County took ownership of OLF-8 as part of a land-swap agreement with the Navy. The land will be developed into a mixed-use community that will include industrial sites, dedicated new business attractions and opportunities for existing business expansions. According to Triumph Gulf Coast, the OLF-8 site location is extremely advantageous for advanced manufacturing and supply chain distribution companies looking for close proximity to I-10.
Triumph Gulf Coast is a nonprofit that oversees the expenditure of funds received by the state from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
DeSantis Signs Bill Seeking To Stabilize Property Insurance Market
December 17, 2022
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Friday seeking to stabilize Florida’s property insurance market, increase competition, and strengthen consumer protections.
“The issues in Florida’s property insurance market did not occur overnight, and they will not be solved overnight,” the governor said. “The historic reforms signed today create an environment which realigns Florida to best practices across the nation, adding much-needed stability to Florida’s market, promoting competition, and increasing consumer choice. I am thankful the Legislature answered the call for meaningful reform.”
The insurance bill seeks to , strengthen Florida’s property insurance market by:
- Eliminating one-way attorney fees for property insurance claims, which will disincentivize frivolous lawsuits, and realigning Florida’s market to best practices that will promote more market competition in the private insurance industry.
- Reducing the burden of excessive and predatory litigation will help bring down costs for homeowners.
- Enhancing the Office of Insurance Regulation’s ability to complete market conduct examinations of property insurers following a hurricane to hold insurance companies accountable and prevent abuse of the property appraisal process.
- Reducing timelines for insurers to get payments out the door and back into the hands of policyholders as they rebuild their lives.
- Building on reforms passed earlier this year by committing additional funding to provide temporary reinsurance support to help stabilize the market.
Jefferson Named MVP As West Falls To East In All-Star Football Game
December 17, 2022
The East beat the West 14-7 in the Pensacola Sports High School All Star Football Game at Washington High School Friday night.
Northview Chief Jamarkus Jefferson was named the West Offensive MVP.
It was just the second All Star win for the East in the 10-year history of the game, and the first since 2017.
The West’s only score came late in the first half on a 9-yard pass from Northview’s Kaden Odom at quarterback to wide receiver B.J. Jenkins of Washington High School.
Pine Forest High football coach Ronnie Douglas led the West team roster, while Niceville High coach Grant Thompson headed the East roster.
Each eligible school in the three-county area was guaranteed at least one spot on the all-star team, given they had an eligible senior, and every player had at least one play in the game.
Created in 2004 by community and sports leaders, along with Pensacola Sports, the inaugural All Star Game’s mission was to showcase Pensacola area seniors in one last football game of their high school career.
Pictured: Northview High School senior Jamarkus Jefferson. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Here Are Next Week’s Road Construction Delay Spots
December 17, 2022
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
In preparation for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, there will be no lane closures or other activities that impede traffic on major state roads beginning at 7 a.m. Friday, Dec. 23 and ending at 12 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3.
Escambia County:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) 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 Sunday, Dec. 18 through Thursday, Dec. 22 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) Sunday, Dec. 18 through Thursday, Dec. 22 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.
- East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) 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 in summer 2023.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) from Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) 296) to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, Dec. 18 through Thursday, Dec. 22 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway.
- 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, Sunday, Dec. 18 through Thursday, Dec. 22 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 intermittent daytime and nighttime lane closures and lane shifts through Dec. 22 at the Sorrento Road and Bauer Road intersection as crews install drainage pipe. In addition, daytime shoulder closures will continue through Thursday, Dec. 22.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Dec. 18 through Thursday, Dec. 22 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 Sunday, Dec. 18 through Thursday, Dec. 22, 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.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
West Florida Public Library’s Genealogy Collection Has Moved
December 17, 2022
The West Florida Public Library’s Genealogy Library collection has moved.
The entire collection has been relocated from the Pensacola State College campus to the WFPL’s Main Library at 239 Spring Street in Pensacola.
“We are grateful to Pensacola State College for their partnership and to everyone who has enjoyed the Genealogy Library’s collection over the years,” said Todd Humble, Director of Library Services for West Florida Public Libraries. “The collection will be at home at the Pensacola Library. We welcome anyone who is interested in genealogy and local history to come by and make use of this community resource.”
Tate, Washington High Students Named Sunshine State Scholars
December 16, 2022
Students from Tate and Washington high schools have been named Escambia County Sunshine State Scholars for 2023.
They are Synoma Perea from Tate High School and Ge’Khiya Brown from Booker T. Washington High School.
Each year, each of Florida’s school districts selects their top 11th grade students in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM).
The scholars and their parents will travel to Orlando in April for a program designed to bring together scholars from around the state, connect them with employers that specialize in the STEM fields, and create a networking opportunity between the scholars and schools from Florida’s College and State University System.
The two-day program honors each scholar for their significant academic accomplishments and celebrates the potential they represent for our communities and state. In addition to the honor the scholars receive from the Commissioner of Education, the Senior Chancellor and representatives from Florida’s colleges and universities meet with the students to discuss higher education opportunities available to them in Florida. This includes workshops for college applications and informational sessions on college funding for students and their parents.
The alternate nominee from Escambia County is Nolan McCrory from West Florida High School. Malcoln Chaney from Pine Forest High School was also nominated.
.
Cantonment Man Wanted In Georgia Arrested Locally On Drugs, Weapons Charges
December 16, 2022
A Cantonment man wanted in Georgia was arrested in Escambia County on multiple drugs and weapons charges.
Martious Labara Williams, 30, was charged with two counts of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of a weapon by convicted felon, using or displaying a firearm during a felony, and fleeing law enforcement with lights and siren active. All of the charges are felonies.
After determining that Williams had an active arrest warrant, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies attempted to stop his vehicle at the intersection of Cervantes and “T” streets. The vehicle accelerated at a high speed, and deputies canceled the traffic stop. Deputies later located the black Mercedes and Williams parked behind a residence on Rue Max Street.
According to an arrest report, a search of the vehicle located a Kel-Tec PLR 22 and magazine of .22 caliber ammunition, a bag containing a magazine and 28 rounds of .233 ammunition, three pills that tested positive for meth, a bag with powder that tested positive for meth, two bag containing cocaine, two bags of marijuana, plastic sandwich bags and a digital scale with cocaine residue. On Williams’ person, deputies located a half pill of oxycodone and $3,270 in cash.
Williams was turned over to federal ATF agents pending further investigation. The black Mercedes was seized by ECSO.
Authorities said Williams also had an outstanding warrant for fleeing and eluding law enforcement, grand theft and driving without a license.
He remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday without bond as he awaited pick up by U.S. Marshals.
See Acres Of Christmas Lights, Hayride, Goats In Pajamas At Run-a-muck Ranch In Bratt
December 16, 2022
The Run-a-muck Ranch in Bratt has tens of thousands of Christmas lights, and you are invited to stop by and see them for free. And see the goats in pajamas.
Skip and Kristy Geiser opened the Christmas display two years ago, and it’s even bigger this year.
For a photo gallery, click here.
On our recent visit, children were running and giggling, stopping to stare in awe at the displays. A fire crackled in a fire pit, making it smell like Christmas as marshmallows roasted for s’mores.
The horses were a favorite stop, but there were more “oohs and awes” over the goats in pajamas — Princess, Black Beauty and friends.
Nestled on three or four acres in the woods off Rigby Road, the display is walk-through (not a drive-through). Admission and parking are free, but donations are accepted.
Visitors walk a short distance from the parking lot down a lighted path and cross a small foot bridge into the Christmas wonderland. If it’s rained recently, remember appropriate footwear because it may be muddy. It’s in an open, park-like setting with lots of lights, inflatables, animated display and an old-fashioned hayride down a lighted trail.
Concessions are available — hot cocoa, popcorn, cotton candy, hot tea, bottled water and more are mostly $1 each. A S’mores kit will set you back just $3. Only cash is accepted. There are picnic tables and lounge chairs, and propane patio heaters if it’s cold.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Run-a-muck Ranch is located at 4951 Rigby Road in Bratt (about 1.5 miles from Bratt Elementary). Take Still Road south off West Highway 4 turn left on Rigby Road and look for the signs. Don’t expect to see a lot of lights from the road; it’s a driveway back to the parking lot. (We found that Google Maps was a bit off on the location; click here for a map to the driveway.)
Weather permitting, the lights festival will be open Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 22-24, from 5:30 until 9 p.m. The gate closes at 8:30 p.m., and the last hayride is at 8:15 p.m. each night.
Pictured: A recent night at the Christmas lights festival at Run-a-muck Ranch in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bonus Gallery: Northview Tribal Beat Band
December 16, 2022
For a bonus photo gallery of the Northview Tribal Beat band’s performance last Saturday night, click or tap here.
The Tribal Beat performed during halftime of the 1R state championship game between Northview and Hawthorne in Tallahassee.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Info: Beulah Christmas Parade, Flomaton Movie; Santa With Atmore And Century Fire Depts.
December 16, 2022
From the Beulah Christmas Parade, to Santa on fire trucks, to The Polar Express, here are several events coming up in the North Escambia area:
Flomaton, December 16
The Flomaton police and fire departments will host a movie night on Friday, December 16.
The Polar Express will be screened on a big screen at 6 p.m. at the stage area next to the post office. There will also be hot dogs, drinks, hot cocoa — all free.
Santa will be there from 6-7 p.m.
Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs.
A Flomaton Police Department cruiser will be there as the department collects toys for local children in their “Fill The Cruiser” toy drive.
Beulah Christmas Parade
The 2022 Beulah Christmas Parade will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday, December 17 at Windy Hill Baptist Church.
The Beulah Volunteer Fire Department, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and more will join floats, special vehicles and Santa Claus for the parade.
For a parade route map, click here. The parade will travel from Windy Hill Baptist Church, down Rebel Road, left on Nine Mile, right on Beulah Road, left on Helms, right on Woodside, through Woodside Estates, left on Mobile Highway to Nine Mile, to Vintage Creek, Tower Ridge back to Nine Mile, back on Rebel Road to Windy Hill Baptist.
Atmore. December 19-20, 21-22
Santa will travel Atmore on a fire truck nightly from 5-8 p.m. over four days.
Santa and the firetruck will be in the southwest quadrant on December 19, the southeast section on December 20, the northeast quadrant on December 22 and the northwest section on December 23.
The quadrants are the four sections of Atmore extending from the Main Street and Highway 31 intersection downtown.
Century and Byrneville, December 24
Mr. and Mrs. Claus will take a trip through Century and Byrneville on Christmas Eve morning with the Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue.
For a detailed map of the route, click or tap here.
Along the way, Santa will make stops at the Byrneville Community Center and the vacant lot by Napa Auto Parts on North Century Boulevard.
Pictured: The 2021 Beulah Christmas Parade. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
