4,000 Hot Rods Roll Through North Escambia (With Photo Gallery)
June 16, 2022
Some 4,000 hot rods traveled through North Escambia Thursday, part of the country’s largest rolling car show.
The 2022 HOT ROD Power Tour participants traveled to the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds for an afternoon car show.
For a photo gallery of many of the hot rods traveling through Century Thursday, click or tap here.
And, if you want to see the rolling car show for yourself, vehicles are scheduled to depart the fairgrounds on Mobile Highway about 7:30 Friday morning. Most will head north on Pine Forest Road, take Highway 297, continue on Louis Street to Muscogee Road, turn east on Muscogee then north on Highway 29 through Century and Flomaton to Highway 113 then I-65 on their way to the Atlanta Motor Speedway.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Editor’s note: Publication of an additional story that was to publish Friday about the Hot Road tour has been delayed.
Major FDOT Safety Improvement Project Set To Begin On Highway 29 In Century This Winter
June 16, 2022
The Florida Department of Transportation is set to begin a $3.3 million major safety improvement project on Highway 29 in Century this winter.
FDOT plans a major reconstruction of Highway 29 from just south of East Highway 4 to the Alabama state line. The project includes the roadway reconstruction, curb and gutter, drainage upgrades, signal loop replacement, driveway modifications, and sidewalks.
A curve at Jackson Street (pictured inset and shown in graphic below) will be realigned with drainage improvements; the curve has been the site of several truck accidents in recent years.
The new state budget recently signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis included $3,278,228 for 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 photos, click to enlarge.
Tolls Slashed By Almost Half On Garcon Point Bridge As State Takes Ownership
June 16, 2022
Tolls have been reduced by almost half on the Garcon Point Bridge effective today after the Florida Department of Transportation took ownership.
For SunPass customers, the toll has been reduced from $4.50 to $2.30, and from $5 to $2.75 for cash customers.
“For the first time, tolls collected on the Garcon Point Bridge will remain in Florida,” the Florida Department of Transportation said in a statement. All tolls collected previously to pay outstanding debt as while FDOT spent about $1.5 million each year.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced in July 2021 that he was moving forward to lower tolls permanently as the state worked to acquire the bridge.
FDOT said in a statement:
“To alleviate burdensome toll escalations, Governor Ron DeSantis directed the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to reach an agreement with the trustee and bondholders to retire the outstanding bond debt on the Garcon Point Bridge in Santa Rosa County. Since July of last year, the department has been in back-and-forth negotiations with the bondholders to reach an agreement to buy out the remaining debt and acquire the bridge. The settlement initiates the transfer of ownership of the bridge facility to the department, improving operational efficiency and giving the department the ability to lower tolls for the Garcon Point Bridge.
“Floridians are dealing with skyrocketing inflation caused by the bad policies of the federal government, and lowering the tolls solidifies the Governor’s commitment to providing much-needed relief to the more than 6,000 motorists that use the bridge everyday.”
Flomaton Man Charged With Century Marine Burglary
June 16, 2022
A Flomaton man was arrested this week on an outstanding warrant for two burglaries that occurred during 2020 at Century Marine.
Aaron Keith Baxter, 33, is charged with felony burglary and grand theft. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday morning with bond set at $4,000.
In June 2020, Baxter allegedly climbed over a perimeter fence and entered a coverage workshop, stealing an Evinrude boat motor, air compressor, three boat seat pedestals and a three gallon boat fuel tank. The total value of the items was $3,550. In October 2020 he allegedly stole a boat valued at $950 during a burglary of the business on North Century Boulevard.
The stolen items were recovered in 2020 from a property on Pineview Circle in Flomaton and returned to Century Marine.
Charges against an alleged accomplice in the burglaries were later dropped.
DeSantis Unveils The Florida State Guard, Announces Director
June 16, 2022
Wednesday, Florida Gov. unveiled the Florida State Guard and introduced the new director of this emergency-focused civilian volunteer force, retired Marine Corps. Lieutenant Colonel Chris Graham.
By bringing back the Florida State Guard, Florida now joins 22 other states and territories with state-level defense forces, and many other states have laws on the books allowing for the activation of these organizations. Florida will add 400 members of the Florida State Guard to respond to a projected active hurricane season, and more than 1,200 individuals have already expressed interest in joining.
“The U.S. military has been kicking out great service members over the Biden administration’s unacceptable COVID vaccine mandate, and they are even targeting members of the National Guard,” said DeSantis. “The bureaucrats in D.C. who control our National Guard have also refused to increase the number of guardsmen despite our increasing population, leaving Florida with the second worst National Guardsman to resident ratio. By reestablishing the Florida State Guard under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Graham, we have a great opportunity to expand our capability to help people in times of need or disaster.”
“Two months ago I retired from the Marine Corps. as a Lieutenant Colonel after two decades plus of service, and once I saw the opening to become the Director of the State Guard, I decided that two months of retirement was all I needed,” said Graham. “This is an unbelievable privilege to reestablish and build from the ground up a modern state defense force. Florida will be joining 22 other states and territories with state guards, but we have an opportunity to break new ground and deliver a 10-fold investment for Floridians.”
Walnut Hill Man Named UF Top Rancher Challenge Champion
June 16, 2022
A Walnut Hill man has been named the champion of the 2022 University of Florida Top Rancher Challenge.
Che Trejo, who is a technical services veterinarian for Merck, won the challenge at the Florida Cattlemen’s Association Convention in Marco Island.
There were 179 FCA members and guests who competed in the challenge. Trejo won with a score of 91 out of a possible 106 points.
Pictured: Chris Prevatt, UF/IFAS livestock economist; Laura Trejo; UF Top Rancher Challenge Champion Che Trejo; and Doug Mayo, UF/IFAS Extension, Jackson County. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino 8U Softball Finishes Second In Tournament
June 16, 2022
Molino Ballpark’s 8U All-Stars finished second in the recent Gulf Coast Girls Softball Association All-Star Tournament. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Johnston Walks It Off Again In 5-4, 11-Inning Wahoos Win
June 16, 2022
Troy Johnston was the hero again for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Wednesday night, providing a walk-off double in the bottom of the 11th for a 5-4 win over the Tennessee Smokies.
Johnston, who was 3-for-6 on the night, slashed a base hit into the left field corner to score Bubba Hollins with the winning run. It was Pensacola’s sixth walk-off win of the season, and fifth in their past eight home games.
The Blue Wahoos maintained their 4.5-game lead in the South Division with 10 to play in the first half.
Eury Pérez was sharp his his start for Pensacola, allowing only one run on four hits over 5.0 innings with 5 strikeouts. He departed with a 3-1 lead thanks to a three-run homer from Thomas Jones in the second inning.
The Smokies rallied against reliever Eli Villalobos, scoring a run on a wild pitch in the sixth and two more in the seventh on a Bradlee Beesley RBI single and Matt Mervis fielder’s choice to take a 4-3 lead.
Griffin Conine tied the game in the eighth with a solo blast, his ninth of the year. Colton Hock (W, 5-2) pitched brilliantly, working three perfect innings and striking out four while stranding the placed runner at second base in both the 10th and 11th innings.
The Blue Wahoos couldn’t convert in the 10th, but quickly established a rally in the 11th against Nicholas Padilla (L, 1-1). Bubba Hollins reached on a fielder’s choice and Ray-Patrick Didder walked before Johnston’s walk-off hit.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Tennessee Smokies on Thursday.
by Eric Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Mike Hill Files In House District 1 Race Against Rep. Michelle Salzman
June 15, 2022
Former Rep. Mike Hill wants his old job back. He has filed paperwork to run in the Republican primary for the seat currently held by District 1 Rep. Michelle Salzman.
Salzman defeated Hill in the 2020 GOP primary by about 1,000 votes — five percentage points. In her campaign, Salzman highlighted the fact that Hill failed to get any bill that he sponsored passed or any appropriation approved in the Florida Legislature.
“I’ve really enjoyed being able to build relationships throughout from local, to state and federal level officials and serving the constituents,” Salzman told NorthEscambia.com Tuesday afternoon. “We were able to get some really good conservative legislation passed, and bring home a record amount of dollars to our communities. I can continue our momentum for our infrastructure, fighting for our firefighters and public safety, and making sure that all children have access to good quality, choice education.”
Hill did not respond to a NorthEscambia.com phone call and text seeking comment Tuesday afternoon.
Hill, a local insurance agent, was first elected during a 2013 special election in House District 2. He ran unsuccessfully for state Senate in 2016. In 2018, he ran for House District 1, defeating Rebecca Bydlak after releasing a video recorded at the Confederate monument in downtown Pensacola claiming that he would bring the Donald Trump Hollywood star to Pensacola. That never happened, and now the monument has been dismantled.
Salzman has qualified for the GOP ballot, meeting the petition requirement. According to the Florida Division of Elections, Hill filed on Tuesday, but has not yet fully qualified. The deadline is noon Friday.
Residents Get Help With Government Issues During Molino Constituent Services Day
June 15, 2022
Local residents were able to receive the assistance they needed from various government offices during a Constituent Services Day in Molino Tuesday.
Rep. Michelle Salzman coordinated the event the Molino Community Center. Staff members were on hand from the offices of U.S. Senator Rick Scott, U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz and Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry. ECUA, Florida Power & Light, and Flood Defenders also took part.
“I need a new roof and have to deal with insurance, but can’t have insurance without the roof. It needs to be ready for the hurricane season,” Paula Maria Brown said. She stopped by to learn more from Salzmans’ office about the My Safe Florida Home program. She said the Constituent Services work day was a great idea to give citizens access to their representatives.
“It brings people together. It bring our leaders, our officers, our representatives to our neighborhood. We get to meet with them, and it’s such a great pleasure and a great privilege,” Brown said.
Gaetz District Aid Jason Boatwright said he was able to assist with a wide variety of issues, including hearing aides for a veteran and a Purple Heart issue for another veteran.
Over 80 people took part in Tuesday’s event, and Salzman said she hopes to coordinate another Constituent Services work day later this year.
Salzman also took the time to teach a little civics lesson to a young man that wanted to meet her.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
