Over 40,000 Escambia Vote By Mail Ballots Are Now On The Way
October 4, 2022
The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office on Monday began delivering more than 40,000 vote-by-mail ballots to the U.S. Postal Service for the November 8 general election. This is in addition to ballots sent to military and overseas voters last month.
Voters who have requested to vote-by-mail should begin receiving their ballot packages within a week. After completing the ballot, the voter must sign and date the return envelope and return it by mail (postage paid) or deliver it to the elections office or an early voting site during early voting hours beginning October 24. Ballots must be received in the Supervisor of Elections office no later than 7 p.m. on election day. All vote-by-mail ballots are verified prior to tabulation. Complete voter instructions are included in the vote-by-mail package.
The U.S. Postal Service recommends voters mail their completed ballot at least one week before the due date.
The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot for the General Election is 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 29.
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Register Now For Tri-City Children’s Choir; Practice Begins This Week
October 4, 2022
Registration is underway for the second season of the Tri-City Children’s Choir (TCCC), a regional initiative of the Pensacola Children’s Chorus.
TCCC welcomes young singers in grades 1-6 who reside in Century, Flomaton, Jay and the surrounding areas.
The choir will once again be under the direction of Holley Driver, a Century-based music teacher.
Singers will meet weekly on Thursdays from 4:30 until 5:15 p.m from October 6 to December 15 at Century First United Methodist Church, 530 Church Street. A performance is scheduled for December 16. TCCC is a tuition-based program and costs from $15 to $65 per week. Families may choose the weekly amount that works best for their household finances, and scholarships are also available.
For more information on joining the choir, or make a contribution, visit www.tricitychoir.org.
Driver directed the TCCC during their first season this past spring. She taught music in the Escambia County School District for over 15 years, served as the choral director at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino for nine years, and teaches in her own studio.
If you need more information, call Driver at (850) 324-6182.
Pictured: A May 2022 by the Tri-City Children’s Choir. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Atmore Police Looking For Man With Nine Felony Warrants
October 4, 2022
The Atmore Police Department is searching for a man on nine outstanding warrants for fraudulent use of a credit card.
Investigators had worked since March to identify a suspect seen on Walmart surveillance video. They say he is 32-year old Joseph Matthew Dooley.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Atmore Police Department at (51) 368-9141.
FHP Seeks Driver In Fatal Pedestrian Hit And Run
October 4, 2022
The Florida Highway Patrol is searching for a driver involved in a fatal hit and run in Escambia County.
A SUV struck and killed a 43-year old Pensacola man as he was walking along the shoulder of West Fairfield Drive near Hestia Place about 9:40 p.m. Sunday. Troopers said the SUV veered onto the shoulder before hitting the pedestrian.
Vehicle parts collected at the scene indicated that the suspect vehicle is a red, 2018-2019 Chevrolet Traverse.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Florida Highway Patrol at *FHP or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured: The photo provided by FHP is not the actual vehicle involved, but is a model similar in color and style to one involved in a fatal hit and run.
‘Our Kids Have Got To Be OK’ – Sheriff Asks For Public’s Help After Fatal Youth Football Park Double Shooting
October 3, 2022
“Our kids have got to be okay. This can never be okay in our community. It’s not going to be.”
That is what Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons had to say Monday afternoon about a fatal double shooting at a youth football game on Saturday.
A 22-year old male was pronounced deceased following the shooting at the Bellview Athletic Park — near the sideline the football field. He still had a gun in his hand. Another adult male was transported to a local hospital with gunshot wounds.
The search for suspects continued Monday as Simmons issued a plea with anyone at the game to share video and photos from the game, both before, during and after the “targeted” shooting.
The shooting happened after an altercation with as many as six other people and the two victims. At least two of the suspect left the ballpark and returned wearing masks. There was an exchange of gunfire, the sheriff said, between the victims and the suspects. Four to six people fled the scene in a vehicle, he said, adding that they are no longer looking for a Nissan Altima as previously announced Saturday evening.
So far, investigators have recovered 15 shell casings from the scene of the game between Bellview and Milton.
“We cannot have this. This is on a Saturday afternoon, surrounded by children and these idiots to decide that this is a good time to, to sort through a beef that’s been going on for months and sometimes, in many cases years. So people know the information, people know who is involved in the altercation, people know who is fighting, people know who were there, but they for some reason do not want to tell us,” Simmons said.
“If you want to be part of the solution, stop defending these people. Stop defending their actions. Whether they’re friends of yours, associates of yours, family members of yours. Because if you keep your mouth shut, this stuff is going to continue. We’re going to have all the deputies in the world out there, but we can’t be everywhere.
“So, I’m begging you, if you went to the game, if you were at the game, or if you’ve heard something, you can call Crime Stoppers, you can call our investigators.
Escambia County Commission Chairman Jeff Bergosh said the county will provide free grief counseling at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Wedgewood Community Center.
“We have a great community,” Bergosh said Monday. “This is not representative of the community of Belleview, and I just want people to know that these are outside influences coming in. They will be caught. I have no doubt the sheriff and his men are going to catch these people.”
“Let’s show up at these games and put a hedge of protection around our children. We can’t be afraid. We can’t give in. We must let our presence be shown. We cannot let the criminals win over our children,” Commissioner Lumon May added.
School Superintendent Tim Smith said grief counselors were made available Monday at five schools: Longleaf Elementary, Bellview Middle, Pine Forest High, Escambia High and Success Academy. Grief counseling was also available Monday at several schools in Santa Rosa County.
“This is an act of pure evil. It’s despicable what has happened,” Smith said. “It has spread out from the individuals involved to children. It is absolutely ridiculous. It is pure evil.”
Simmons said that no member of the Ladarius Clardy family was involved in any kind of retaliation, and no Clardy family members are suspects. Clardy was murdered in July 2021. “But I can tell you that some of the people that were involved in a clarity investigation are also suspects or people that are involved in this particular incident as well.”
“We are not going to tolerate this at our ballparks, we’re not going to tolerate this anywhere, but you cannot put our children at risk,” the sheriff stated.
Anyone with information, photos or videos is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
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Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Work Begins On Ascend Park Renovation, New Playground
October 3, 2022
Work started Friday on the renovation of the Ascend Park and the installation of new playground equipment for community use.
The park on Old Chemstrand Road was damaged by Hurricane Sally back in 2020.
“We’re excited to get this project underway and see families enjoy the new playground upon completion. We appreciate the community’s patience and look forward to announcing the reopening and welcoming the community back soon,” said Tony Ferguson, Ascend senior communications specialist.
The original equipment has deteriorated and is being removed to make way for an entirely new playground, a project anticipated to be completed before the end of the year. The park is currently closed for construction and NorthEscambia.com will let readers know when it is reopened.
The playground renovations are being paid for by funds from the Ascend Cares Foundation and the Ascend Performance Materials Pensacola site.
Pictured: The Ascend Park on Friday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Four Reportedly Injured In Highway 29, Highway 97 Molino Crash
October 3, 2022
Four people were reportedly injured in a two vehicle crash Sunday afternoon at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino.
Two SUVs collided about 4:40 p.m. None of the injuries were reported to be life threatening.
The Cantonment Stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and Escambia County Sheriff’s Officer responded
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released further details.
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Cantonment Man Facing Drug Charges After FWC Traffic Stop
October 3, 2022
A Cantonment man is facing drug charges after a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission traffic stop on Jacks Branch Road.
William Ashton Cook, 21, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also cited failing to obey traffic license restrictions, no tail lights, no tag lights, and for an unassigned tag attached to the vehicle.
A FWC officer was patrolling on Jacks Branch Road when he observed a Jeep Cherokee pass in the opposite direction with no rear lights of any kind about 9:45 p.m. on September 25.
The officer conducted a traffic stop. Before the vehicle came to a complete stop, he reported seeing a plastic bag thrown from the driver’s window that landed in the roadway. The bag was retrieved, and the officer noted in his report that only the driver’s window was down on the vehicle. The substance in the bag field tested positive for methamphetamine and was estimated at 14 grams. Two glass pipes with residue were located in the vehicle.
Cook told the FWC officer that he did not know whose bag of meth was in the road, an arrest report states, before saying that neither of the two passengers in the vehicle tossed anything out his window. A second small bag of methamphetamine was found in his pocket.
Cook was driving with just a learner’s permit at the time, according to FWC.
Florida Gas Prices Drop Sharply As Gas Tax Holiday Month Begins
October 3, 2022
Florida drivers began to see sharp drops in prices at the pump over the weekend. The state’s monthlong gas tax holiday started Saturday with a 25.3 cent tax break on each gallon of gasoline.
On Sunday, the state average was $3.26 per gallon. That’s the lowest daily average price since January.
The average price per gallon Sunday night in Escambia County was $3.06. In North Escambia, one Highway 29 station was at $2.83 on Saturday and Sunday, while others were just over $3. In Pensacola, a low of $2.73 could be found at several stations.
“This gas tax builds on the previous downward pressure on pump prices, stemming from global recession concerns and underwhelming fuel demand,” said Mark Jenkins spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Prices are now beginning to dip below $3 a gallon at various gas stations in the state. While everyone might not be so lucky to see sub-$3 gasoline, all Floridians should expect a sizeable discount this week.”
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Down Areas
October 3, 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:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Tuesday, Oct. 4 through Saturday, Oct. 8 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Drivers may encounter intermittent daytime and nighttime single lane closures and lane shifts, between A Street and Dominguez Street. The closures will allow crews to work on the new pedestrian crossing signals, irrigation system and landscaping.
- Pace Boulevard from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on Pace Boulevard and side streets, between Cervantes Street and Barrancas Avenue Tuesday, Oct. 4 through Thursday, Oct. 6 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. The work will continue for several weeks as crews work to adjust manholes, and mill and pave the roadways. In addition, pedestrians will encounter alternating sidewalk closures on Pace Boulevard, between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street (U.S. 29), while crews make sidewalk and curb improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized intersections to access the sidewalks on the other side of Pace Boulevard.
- Sorrento Road Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road – Drivers will encounter the following lane closures Tuesday, Oct. 4 through Thursday, Oct. 6 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.:
- Reduction to one lane and traffic flagging operation from the Theo Baars Bridge to Innerarity Point Road as crews mill and pave the roadway.
- Reduction to one lane and traffic flagging operations between Doug Ford Road and Bauer Road as crews perform shoulder widening and drainage work.
- Barrancas Avenue Routine Maintenance from Manchester Street to the Bayou Chico Bridge – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on Barrancas Avenue and side streets, between Manchester Street and the Bayou Chico Bridge, Tuesday, Oct. 4 through Thursday, Oct. 6 from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. for construction operations.
- East Nine Mile Road. (U.S. 90A) from Chemstrand Road to East of Baldridge Drive – The bicycle lanes will be temporarily closed beginning Tuesday, Oct. 4 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 will be reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles will now share the roadway
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures Monday, Oct. 3 through Friday, Oct. 7 for construction 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 Tuesday, Oct. 4 through Saturday, Oct. 8 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- 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, Oct. 2 through Friday, Oct. 7 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. This closure will remain in effect for approximately 30 days. 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.