Florida Now Has An Official State Dessert. And It Is…
March 8, 2022
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a Senate bill designating an official state dessert.
The bill was signed by DeSantis during a ceremony Monday in Plant City, Florida.
Florida’s new official state dessert is strawberry shortcake with natural Florida dairy topping. The official designation is a tribute to Florida strawberry farmers who produce 75% of the winter strawberry crop in the United States.
“Signing this bill at the Strawberry Festival is one way that we are supporting our Florida strawberry farmers and is a tribute to the more than 10,000 acres of strawberries that are grown in the greater Plant City area,” said DeSantis.
“As a fifth generation Floridian and a native of Plant City, I am delighted and proud that our Governor and the Legislature are making Strawberry Shortcake the official state dessert,” said Attorney General Ashley Moody. “I hope everyone tries a bite of Strawberry Shortcake in celebration.”
And what about key lime pie? That’s the official state pie.
New Ordinance Requires County Employees To Quit Before Running For County Commission
March 7, 2022
Escambia County has approved an ordinance that requires county employees to resign before running for the county commission.
The commission backed away from previous discussion of an ordinance that would require a resignation to run for any political office and settled on just candidates for the five commission seats. On a motion from Commissioner Doug Underhill, the ordinance passed 5-0.
The ordinance applies to employees of the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners, but not the commissioners themselves as they don’t work for the BOCC.
Free Soup Day Held At Century Park
March 7, 2022
St. Luke’s Missionary Baptist Church held a Free Soup Day, Saturday at Nadine McCaw Park in Century. There was free cooked soup, crackers and soda for everyone in attendance. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Jim Allen Elementary Holds Annual Heart Run
March 7, 2022
Jim Allen Elementary School held their annual Heart Run last Friday.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Vehicle Rolls Over On Jacks Branch Road
March 7, 2022
There were no serious injuries in a rollover wreck late Sunday afternoon on Jacks Branch Road in Cantonment
The driver of a Lexus lost control, ran off the roadway and overturned near Green Tree Circle, about a mile off Muscogee Road. The vehicle came to rest upright.
The Florida Highway Patrol website listed the wreck as a hit and run crash, but there were no further details provided.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FHP Seeks Fatal Hit And Run Crash Suspect
March 7, 2022
The Florida Highway Patrol is looking for a hit and run driver that fled a fatal crash Saturday night off Navy Boulevard.
A 68-year old man was walking eastbound upon the westbound travel lane of Patton Drive when he was struck by an eastbound vehicle, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The vehicle fled the scene, heading eastbound on Patton Drive toward Navy Boulevard. Troopers said the suspect vehicle is possibly an older model with front end damage to a glass headlight. No further description is known.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Florida Highway Patrol at *FHP or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Florida Gas Prices Race Toward Record Highs
March 7, 2022
Florida gas prices skyrocketed last week to the highest levels in a decade. Prices at the pump rose an average of 44 cents per gallon in the last five days, reaching an average price of $3.97 on Sunday.
The average price per gallon Sunday night in Escambia County was $3.98. To date, the highest ever average price in Escambia County was $4.03 in July 2008.
A North Escambia low of $3.99 could be found at two locations on Highway 29 in Cantonment. Several North Escambia stations moved past $4 per gallon on Saturday.
“Unfortunately, more price hikes are on the way and drivers may soon begin to see record high prices at the pump,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Gas prices are being dragged higher by sky high oil prices, which are surging in response to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Sanctions and regulations against Russia has limited its ability to sell its oil on the global market, thus intensifying global supply concerns in what was already a very tight market due to the pandemic.”
The U.S. price of oil surged 26% last week, rising a little more than $24 per barrel. An increase of that magnitude translates to a 60 cent increase at the pump. So far, the state average has increased 44 cents since last week, which means another 10-15 cent hike is possible. If that happens, the state average would eventually surpass the previous all-time high, moving toward around $4.12 per gallon. The current record high price for regular unleaded gasoline in Florida is $4.08 per gallon, which was set on July 16, 2008.
On Sunday, the national average price for gasoline reached $4 a gallon for the first time since July 2008.
Beef Cattle & Forage Bootcamp Held In Molino
March 7, 2022
The fourth annual Escambia County Beef Cattle & Forage Bootcamp provided a hand-on learning opportunity for producers involved with cattle or forage management Saturday in Molino.
State and local professionals were present to discuss current research and production strategies. This year, the Northwest Florida Cattlemen’s Association partnered with UF/IFAS Extension to promote education relating to beef and forage best practices. Presenters provided current information on cattle reproduction, nutrition and management along with information focusing on increasing forage productivity.
The event was held at the Escambia County 4-H Ag & Outdoor Learning Center on Highway 99 in Molino.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Spots
March 7, 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 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, March 6 through Saturday, March 12. 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 will encounter the following temporary intermittent lane closures:
- Inside lane closures between Q and A streets as crews perform median improvements and install poles for pedestrian traffic signals.
- Outside intermittent lane closures will occur at various locations along West Cervantes, between Dominguez and A Streets, to allow crews to construct Americans with Disabilities Act compliant sidewalk ramps and traffic pole foundations.
- Sorrento Road (State Road (S.R.) 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road (C.R.) 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures Monday, March 7 through Friday, March 11, as crews place a watermain.
- North Ninth Avenue (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 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, March 7 through Friday, March 11, as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- Airport Boulevard (S.R. 750) Maintenance from West of Palafox Street to Davis Highway – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the week of Monday, March 7 as crews perform concrete operations.
- U.S. 29 (Pensacola Boulevard) from Brent Lane to north of I-10 – Work will begin on a $6.3 million construction project the week of Monday, March 7 to mill and resurface a three-mile section of U.S. 29 (Pensacola Boulevard) from Brent Lane (S.R. 296) to north of I-10. The project will also include curb, ramp and sidewalk improvements, new signage and pavement markings, and traffic signalization upgrades. During construction there will be periodic nighttime lane closures between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. The project is estimated for completion in early 2023
- Saufley Field Road (S.R. 296) sidewalk improvement project: The eastbound right lane of Saufley Field Road between Mobile Highway and Denver Avenue will be closed beginning Sunday, March from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews construct sidewalk improvements. The closure will last approximately two weeks.
- Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Routine Utility Maintenance near S.R. 295 – Westbound traffic can expect intermittent lane restrictions from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 8 as crews perform utility work.
- S.R. 291 (Davis Highway) Routine Utility Maintenance near East Fairfield Drive – Motorists can expect intermittent southbound outside lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Wednesday, March 9 and Thursday, March 10, as crews install equipment.
- Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Driveway Installation near the AT&T and Urgent Care Building – Motorists can expect intermittent northbound outside lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, March 7 through Friday, March 11 as crews perform paving operations.
- West 9 Mile Road (U.S. 90) Routine Utility Maintenance from West Ashland Avenue to Ashland Avenue – Motorists can expect intermittent eastbound lane closures from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, March 7 as crews perform utility work.
Santa Rosa County
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, March 6 through Saturday, March 12. 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 – Major roadway construction activities are currently underway. Improvements include widening the roadway from four to a six-lanes with a raised median, safety, and drainage upgrades, resurfacing S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) from U.S. 98 to Garcon Point Bridge, extending the existing shared-use path on the south side of U.S. 98 from Gondolier Boulevard, and new signage and pavement markings.
- U.S. 90 Simpson River Bridge Project – Motorists can expect intermittent and alternating lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Monday, March 7 through Friday, March 11 as crews install a barrier wall.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – The eastbound lane will remain reduced to one lane at the C.R. 191 Overpass Bridge (Exit 26) until work associated with bridge approach construction is complete. Motorists can also expect intermittent lane closures from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. the week of Monday, March 7 as crews perform construction activities.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Man Critically Injured In Molino Road Wreck
March 6, 2022
A 37-year old Pensacola man was critically injured in a wreck Saturday night on Molino Road.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the man was westbound on Molino Road approaching 95A when he lost control. His vehicle traveled through the intersection and along the north should of Molino Road. The vehicle went airborne, coming to rest upside down in a ditch.
The man was transported by Escambia County EMS as a trauma alert to Sacred Heart Hospital.
FHP has not released further information about the 7:13 p.m. crash.
The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
