AAA Says Gas Prices Declined During The Labor Day Weekend
September 6, 2022
Florida gas prices declined during the past week and through the Labor Day holiday weekend. Holiday travelers paid the fourth-most expensive Labor Day gas prices on record. The all-time highest price for Labor Day weekend was set back in 2012, at $3.78 per gallon, according to AAA.
On Monday, the state average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline was $3.52 per gallon. That’s 50 cents per gallon more than what drivers paid during last year’s holiday.
The average price Monday night in Escambia County was $3.37 per gallon. A North Escambia low of $3.28 could be found on Muscogee Road in Cantonment, while Pensacola prices bottomed out at $3.09 at multiple station on Nine Mile Road.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
ECUA Recycling Center Restart Delayed Again Due To Repair Part Delays
September 5, 2022
A restart of ECUA recycling services has been delayed as they await the arrival of repair parts.
The ECUA Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) was closed in June after the failure of an essential piece of equipment.
ECUA has received an update with a delayed shipping date from the supplier providing the two conveyor belts needed to return the processing lines to service.
Based on the new shipping date, ECUA is proposing a stage reopening of the recycling facility. On Monday, September 26, they plan to begin processing recycling materials for other partners. Materials from ECUA and the City of Pensacola will begin processing on Thursday, September 29.
ECUA is continuing to use the downtime for important maintenance that generally requires a facility shutdown on other equipment.
The second of two aging conveyor belts was slated for replacement in this fiscal year. The ECUA Board approved the $82,000 purchase of two new replacement belts at its February 2022 meeting.
ECUA is continuing normal recycling collections in the meantime.
“We urge our customers to keep in a positive recycling habit during this interruption in the recycling program,” Public Information Office Nathalie Bowers said.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Take Stock in Children Selects 26 New Students For Scholarship Program
September 5, 2022
Take Stock in Children Escambia County recently welcomed 26 new scholarship recipients.
The students will receive a college scholarship upon graduation from high school as long as they maintain good grades, attendance and citizenship, remain crime and drug free, and meet weekly with a volunteer community mentor.
The newly selected students are:
- Bailey Middle – Cheyanne Dietz, Kiley Johnson, Addison Nguyen
- Bellview Middle – Ashton Caldwell
- Beulah Middle – Kemorah Crosby
- Brown Barge Middle – Olivia Capell, Ke’Oni Laster, Eric Lin, Zykeria Murphy
- Ernest Ward Middle – Hailey Carillo, Nicole Garcia, Randi Kemp, Sarah Lowman, Chloe Satterwhite
- Ferry Pass Middle – Trenton Brown, Kennedi Collins, Tania Collins, Vann Hootman, Shaniyah Polingo
- Ransom Middle – Amy Floyd, Alaina Thomas, Tam Tran, Kassidy Weiss
- Workman Middle – Christian Batista Cruz, Lyadenisse Toro De Jesus
- Tate High – Christopher Sparks
Take Stock in Children is a statewide non-profit organization operating locally under the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation.
County Seeks Volunteers for Contractor Competency Board
September 5, 2022
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to serve on the Escambia County Contractor Competency Board (CCB). Four applicants will be appointed for service beginning in November 2022.
The duties of the CCB include accepting contractor applications, administering contractor examinations, and issuing and recording Certificates of Competency and renewals; making an annual report; investigating complaints against contractors; and presiding over contractor disciplinary proceedings. CCB members serve a three-year term and meet the first Wednesday morning of every month for approximately two hours. Members receive $50 per meeting as compensation for their services.
CCB members are appointed from certain representative segments of citizens and professions, including contractors, design professionals, business persons, and lay persons. The Board of County Commissioners is currently seeking a lay consumer member.
A lay consumer member shall not at the time of appointment be, and shall have never previously been, a member or practitioner of a profession regulated by the board or a member of any closely related profession. The term “member of any closely related profession” includes but is not limited to carpenters, painters, certified building inspectors, commercial construction supervisors, interior designers/decorators, fencers, landscapers, building material suppliers, and construction quality managers.
Escambia County residents interested in serving on the CCB are asked to submit a resume and cover letter to Jennifer Hampton, Director’s Aide, Building Services Department, 3363 West Park Place, Pensacola, Florida, 32505 or jahampton@myescambia.com by the close of business on Friday, September 16, 2022.
Here Are Road Construction Spots To Watch This Week
September 5, 2022
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties this week 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 Tuesday, Sept. 6 through Thursday, Sept. 8 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, Sept. 6, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach. 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, Tuesday, Sept. 6 through Thursday, Sept. 8. The closures will allow crews to adjust manholes and the pedestrian fence.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement – All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the southbound side of the bridge as crews construct the northbound portion. Additionally, drivers may encounter intermittent temporary lane closures Tuesday, Sept. 6 through Friday, Sept. 9 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- Pace Boulevard from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Pedestrians will encounter alternating sidewalk closures on Pace Boulevard, between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street (U.S. 29), as crews perform sidewalk and curb improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized intersections to access sidewalks on the opposite side of Pace Boulevard during this time.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) from Brent Lane to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Tuesday, Sept. 6 through Thursday, Sept. 8 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. for paving operations.
- I-10 at the Interstate 110 (I-110) Interchange – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on the following ramps Tuesday, Sept. 6 through Thursday, Sept. 8 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for installation of barrier delineators:
o I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound.
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- I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 westbound.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures Tuesday, Sept. 6 through Friday, Sept. 9 for construction operations.
- Sorrento Road Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures on Sorrento Road, between the Theo Baars Bridge and Bauer Road Tuesday, Sept. 6 through Friday, Sept. 9 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. The closures will allow for shoulder base construction 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, Sept. 6 through Saturday, Sept. 8 from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. for construction operations.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Routine Maintenance at the new Pleasant Grove Elementary – Motorists will encounter expect intermittent lane closures Tuesday, Sept. 6 through Wednesday, Sept. 7 for paving operations for the school entrance.
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, Sept. 6 through Thursday, Sept. 8 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, Sept. 6, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach. 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, Tuesday, Sept. 6 through Friday, Sept. 9 from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent nighttime and daytime lane closures the Tuesday, Sept. 6 through Friday, Sept. 9 for construction activities.
- Gulf Breeze Parkway (U.S 98) Routine Utility Maintenance at Daniel Drive – Motorists can expect intermittent outside westbound lane closure Wednesday, Sept. 7 from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. for routine utility maintenance.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Blue Wahoos, Lookouts Rained Out In Series Finale
September 5, 2022
Sunday’s series finale between the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Chattanooga Lookouts was canceled due to rain and wet grounds at AT&T Field.
The game will not be made up, as the two teams do not meet again in the 2022 regular season.
After an off day on Monday, the Blue Wahoos continue their road trip as they begin a six-game series against the Tennessee Smokies on Tuesday.
Body Discovered Along Molino Road
September 4, 2022
The body of an adult male was discovered along Molino Road Saturday evening.
The body was found about 6 p.m. in the 200 block of Molino Road, just west of Louie’s Bar and Jahaza Road.
Foul play is not currently suspected in the death, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. A final determination will be made by the medical examiner’s office.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man Claims Self Defense, Found Not Guilty In Cantonment Murder
September 4, 2022
Jonathon Taylor Hobbs of Cantonment walked out of the Escambia County Jail Saturday a free man, following his acquittal on a first-degree premeditated murder
Hobbs, 29 was accused of the shooting death of 35-year old Danny Blackmon, Jr., on February 1, 2021. He would have faced up to life in prison if the jury had convicted him.
During his trial, Hobbs claimed he shot Blackmon in self defense on Lawson Lane off Jacks Branch Road.
Hobbs was with a female friend who was trying to get her then 18-year old daughter away from Blackmon. The woman believed Blackmon was holding her against her will, but she testified that was not correct.
Hobbs testified that Blackmon approached him in an aggressive manner, threatening to kill him and his female friend.
“He took three steps coming at me, pulling something out of his pocket,” Hobbs said in court. “It was a black object. I thought it was a gun. but it wasn’t. It turned out to be a phone. I raised my gun, and I blacked out. I believe I was in shock, and I just shot. That’s all I did.”
Blackmon was shot five times, including once when he was already on the ground, according to prosecutors.
A jury deliberated several hours before returning the not guilty verdict.
Update: Missing, Endangered Woman And Child Located
September 4, 2022
UPDATE: This missing and endangered woman and child have been located.
Previous story:
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing and endangered woman missing from Cantonment since early Saturday morning.
Angelica Vanessa Galaviz was last seen about 4:30 a.m. in the 2500 block of Southern Oaks Drive.
According to the ECSO, her 1-year old son King Holder may be with her, and she may be driving a dark green Kia Soul. Additional information about the child was not provided by authorities.
Galaviz currently has black hair.
Anyone with information is asked to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Cantonment Man Charged With Choking His Wife
September 4, 2022
A Cantonment man is accused of choking his wife during an argument.
Robin Taboris Richardson, 62, was charged with third degree felony domestic battery by strangulation
Richardson had been drinking earlier in the night and began to argue with his wife when they arrived home, according to an arrest report. When she began to walk out of the room, he kicked her to the floor, put his hands around her neck and choked her, the report continues.
The victim “could not breathe and had to pull his hands away from her neck to breathe,” a deputy wrote. She declined EMS.
Richardson was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $100 bond.