ECAT To Announce Free Rides For Students Under 18, Roll Out Three New Buses
December 11, 2022
Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) will announce a new program this week that will provide free rides for students.
The Student Transit Empowerment Pass (STEP) Program will provide the free ride for those under age 18
STEP pass applications will be available online or in person at ECAT customer service offices beginning Wednesday, December 14. Applications must be completed by a parent or legal guardian and are valid until the end of the school year.
ECAT will also roll out thee new buses this week, the first to be added to the fleet since 2014. Equipped with seated capacity for 23 riders and additional hand straps for riders to safely stand, each bus is Wi-Fi ready, contains automatic passenger counters, and can accommodate two wheelchairs and two bicycles.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Delay Spots
December 11, 2022
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:
- 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. 11 through Saturday, Dec. 17 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. 11 through Thursday, Dec. 15 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for paving operations. 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 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 Sunday, Dec. 11 through Thursday, Dec. 15 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. 11 through Friday, Dec. 16 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 at the Sorrento Road and Bauer Road intersection as crews install drainage pipe. In addition, daytime shoulder closures will continue through Saturday, Dec. 17.
- North Ninth Avenue (S.R. 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement - The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has completed a $4.3 million project on Ninth Avenue over Carpenters Creek. The work included replacement of the bridge on North Ninth Avenue over Carpenters Creek; milling and resurfacing the roadway, between Royce Street and Bayou Boulevard and a portion of Carpenters Creek Drive; upgrades to the drainage and the lighting systems; and new signage and pavement markings, guardrail, curb and gutter and sidewalks.
- U.S. 98 (Navarre Parkway) Turn Lane Construction at the new Publix – Drivers will encounter intermittent outside westbound lane closures near Rosewood Avenue Monday, Dec. 12 and Tuesday, Dec. 13 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for paving operations.
- I-10 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Escambia Bay Bridge – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Tuesday, Dec. 13 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- Garden Street (U.S. 98) City of Pensacola Christmas Parade – Motorists may encounter a road closure between A Street and Tarragona Street Saturday, Dec. 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for the annual City of Pensacola Christmas Parade.
- U.S. 90 Routine Bridge Inspection over Perdido River Bridge – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures near the Florida/Alabama line Tuesday, Dec. 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for routine bridge inspection.
- S.R. 87 Routine Utility Maintenance over East River Bridge – Motorists may encounter intermittent southbound outside lane closures Tuesday, Dec. 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for routine utility operations.
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. 11 through Saturday, Dec. 17 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. 11 through Friday, Dec. 16 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.
- I-10 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Blackwater River Bridge – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures west of S.R. 87 Monday, Dec. 12 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281) Routine Bridge Maintenance over East Bay Bridge – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures north of U.S. 98 Wednesday, Dec. 14 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- S.R. 87 (Stewart Street) Routine Utility Maintenance in front of Milton High School – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Saturday, Dec. 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for utility maintenance.
- I-10 Coring Operations near Exit 45 (S.R. 189) – Motorists may encounter intermittent eastbound lane closures Monday, Dec. 12 through Wednesday, Dec. 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for coring operations.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Escambia County Council PTA To Host Winter Roundtable
December 11, 2022
The Escambia County Council PTA (ECCPTA) will host their Winter Round Table on Thursday, December 15.
ECCPTA board member Karen White will be present “Getting out of your comfort zone today, tomorrow, and in the future”.
The event is open to anyone from Escambia County. It is free for active PTA leaders, or $10 for non-PTA members.
The purpose of the round table “is to start discussions, share stories, share ideas that are working, share ideas that are not working, and build relationships to help make schools a better experience for our children,” according to the organization.
The round table will be held at the Studer Community Institute at 350 West Cedar Street in Pensacola from 10:30 until 11:30 a.m.
BREAKING: Northview Chiefs Fall Short Of State 1R Title
December 10, 2022
The Northview Chiefs fell short of the FHSAA 1-Rural state championship Saturday night in Tallahassee. Hawthorne defeated the Chiefs 13-2.
The Chiefs won the 1A state championship in 2012, and they were the last Escambia County team to win a state football championship.
Northview finishes an astounding 2022 season, the best in school history, at 13-1.
NorthEscambia.com will have complete coverage on Sunday.
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs fell short of the FHSAA 1R state championship Saturday night in Tallahassee.
Lighted Christmas Parade Rolls Through Century (With Photo Gallery)
December 10, 2022
Century’s lighted Christmas parade rolled through town Friday night with Santa.
Santa Claus parked his traditional sleigh an rode atop a backhoe on the town’s float, hard at work digging up Christmas.
And there was a naughty and nice list right on back the float under Santa….find out who made each list in the photo gallery below.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click or tap here.
The parade was followed by an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office movie night at Anthony Pleasant Park.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Let The Tate Band Do All Of Your Gift Wrapping This Year
December 10, 2022
The Tate Band Showband of the South will be wrapping gifts for donations through Christmas Eve. Look for the tent at JCPenney on North Davis Highway, just outside the entrance closest to Academy Sports.
Tate Band Gift Wrap Schedule:
- Dec. 11 — noon – 8 p.m.
- Dec. 12 — 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Dec. 13 — 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Dec. 14 — 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Dec. 15 — 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Dec. 16 — 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Dec. 17 — noon – 8 p.m.
- Dec. 18 — noon – 8 p.m.
- Dec. 19 — noon – 8 p.m.
- Dec. 20 — noon – 8 p.m.
- Dec. 21 — noon – 8 p.m.
- Dec. 22 — noon – 8 p.m.
- Dec. 23 — noon – 8 p.m.
- Dec. 24 — 9 am – 4 p.m.
Pictured. Tate band moms wrapping gifts outside Walmart in Ensley in 2021. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Sheriff’s Office Holds Movie Night In Century (With Photo Gallery)
December 10, 2022
A big crowd attended an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office movie night Friday night following the Christmas parade in Century.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Crowds enjoyed the movie “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” on a big outdoor screen, along with free hot dogs, hamburgers and popcorn from the ECSO at Anthony Pleasant Park.
The ECSO movie nights are presented across the county by the ECSO and the non-profit Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Foundation.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
The Northview Chiefs Head To State (With Photo Gallery)
December 10, 2022
The Northview Chiefs headed toward Tallahassee Friday afternoon for Saturday night’s state football championship.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
For a photo gallery from Bratt and Byrneville Elem., click or tap here.
After a big sendoff at the school, the Chiefs traveled to Bratt Elementary School, Ernest Ward Middle School and Byrneville Elementary School to the delight of sign-waving “little chiefs”.
The Northview Chiefs will face Hawthorne (11-0) in the state 1R championship game. Hawthorne is coming off a 28-0 shutout of Blountstown Friday night. The FHSAA 1-Rural state title game will be played at 7 p.m. (EST) on Saturday at Gene Cox Stadium in Tallahassee.
Pictured: The Chiefs sendoff Friday at Northview High School, and fans lined the East Highway 4 in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Chiefs Flashback: Northview’s 2012 Football State Championship (With Photo Galleries)
December 10, 2022
It’s been a decade since the Northview Chiefs brought home their one and only football state championship.
For a NorthEscambia.com 2012 state championship flashback photo gallery, click or tap here.
Northview’s current 2022 quarterback Kaden Odom, a little shorter 10 years ago, was at the game in Orlando, as many of the 2022 Chiefs were with their families.
Northview football and Northview fans are family.
And tonight, the family is looking to do it again the Chiefs play Hawthorne at 7 p.m. (EST) Saturday in Tallahassee.
NorthEscambia.com was there a decade ago. Today, we are looking back at Northview Chiefs 2012 1A state champion with our game story and photos from Orlando.
Here is the NorthEscambia.com story from on December 8, 2012:
Northview Chiefs Win Florida 1A State Championship
The Northview High School Chiefs won the Florida Class 1A football championship Friday night in Orlando, beating the Trenton Tigers 42-21.
The road to Orlando had been oh so long for the Chiefs — losing out the past couple of years at the state semi-final level — making the victory oh so much sweeter Friday night.
The state title is the first ever for Northview, the only Escambia or Santa Rosa County team to make the Citrus Bowl in Orlando this year.
There were 3,609 fans on hand for Friday night’s game — over 1,500 of them making the road tip from North Escambia.
After a scoreless first quarter, La’Mikal Kyles scored for the Chiefs on a 58 yard run with 11:07 on the clock. And the Chiefs were just getting warmed up. Chad Smith was in with 8:25 in the half on a 20 yard blocked punt return.And LaDarius Thomas scored on a two-yard run with just 34 seconds in the half. With good kicks from Kevin Vaughan on all three touchdowns, the Chiefs held a 21-0 dominating lead at the half.
Trenton scored on a three yard run in the third, while Northview scored twice in the quarter. Neino Robinson had a 79 yard kickoff return, and Brannon Freeman added a touchdown with a 28 yard run.
Northview had one touchdown, a six-yard run from Kevin Vaughan, in the fourth, while Trenton scored twice. As the clock wound down, the Chiefs won the 1A championship 42-21.
Kyles finished the night with 113 yards and one touchdown on 12 attempts. Freeman had a touchdown and 61 yards on 11 attempts, and Thomas also added a TD and 39 yards on 10 attempts.
Trenton covered more artificial turf that Northview in the Citrus Bowl — 270 yards to Northview’s 226.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia School District, Teachers Union Reach Salary Increase Agreement
December 9, 2022
The Escambia County Public Schools and the Escambia Education Association (EEA) teacher’s union have reached an agreement with a salary increase.
The new minimum salary will increase 3.17% from $44,100 to $45,500 for about 900 teachers. A new starting salary of $47,500 will go into effect on July 1, 2023, increasing pay for about 70% of instructional staff, or about 1,900 teachers.
Beyond the minimum salary increase, all teachers hired prior to July 1, 2011, and who have opted to stay on the “Grandfather” salary schedule will receive the appropriate level increase to guarantee no less than a 2% raise.
These teachers will also receive an additional $200 based on a performance rating of “Effective” or “Highly Effective” from the 2021-2022 year.
All other teachers will receive the appropriate level increase to guarantee no less than a 3% raise. Returning teachers with an “Effective” or “Highly Effective” rating from the ‘21-22 year will receive an additional $200 or $400, respectively.
All instructional staff will receive a one-time $1,000 retention supplement before the end of the school year, and all Exceptional Student Education (ESE) teachers will receive a $300 supplement added to their salaries.
The total value of this salary increase for all instructional staff is $9.7 million, according to the district
The EEA will implement the ratification process for this agreement in all schools and work sites across the district. EEA representatives will construct a ballot and ensure all teachers have the opportunity to vote in agreement or disagreement with the settlement. For this year, the ballot will also include an opportunity for teachers to provide input on the potential movement from 12 pay periods to a 24 pay period, bi-monthly payroll option. Both parties agreed if the majority of the teachers agree, the district can begin implementation on this change the following school year.
Results of the ratification will be attached to the agreement and submitted for school board approval. Upon that approval, and pending ratification by the union, the finance department will begin working on implementing the salary increase for teachers.