Tate High JV Aggies Win WFHS ‘JV Jags Showdown’ Tournament
February 27, 2022
The Tate High School Junior Varsity softball team is the “JV Jags Showdown” tournament champion.
The JV Aggies won all three games in the West Florida High tournament on Saturday. The Aggies beat Gulf Breeze, Jay and Milton while allowing only one total run.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
You Can Get A Property Tax Discount If You Pay By Midnight Monday
February 27, 2022
A one percent discount of the payment of real estate and tangible personal property taxes ends Monday, February 28.
To receive the discount, payments must be:
- made online by midnight, CST, Monday, February 28, at EscambiaTaxCollector.com;
- mailed with a February postmark; or
- left by midnight, CST, Monday, February 28, in a 24-hour drop box available at all locations.
Taxpayers are encouraged to visit the virtual office at EscambiaTaxCollector.com to pay online 24 hours a day. There is no additional fee to pay current taxes by eCheck. Online services allow customers to pay their taxes, search records, print receipts, renew vehicle and vessel registrations and many other services.
Lifeguards Return To Pensacola Beach On Tuesday
February 27, 2022
It’s a sure sign of spring.
Pensacola Beach lifeguards will return to their towers on Tuesday, March 1, for the 2022 lifeguard season.
Initially, one to three towers at Casino Beach will be staffed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week, shifting from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. beginning Sunday, March 13. As summer approaches, staffing will increase to provide coverage at up to 10 towers, including the towers at Gulf Islands National Seashore, which are staffed beginning Memorial Day weekend.
In preparation for the 2022 season, Pensacola Beach hired 14 new lifeguards and welcomed 43 returning lifeguards to a rigorous training program, including 80 hours of open water training, emergency medical training and more.
Last season, Pensacola Beach Lifeguards performed 279 rescues from drowning and 250 assists to swimmers experiencing moderate distress, also attended to 43 major medical incidents and assisted 24 patients for EMS transport. Lifeguards made contact with beachgoers 270,836 times during the 2021 season, providing information about rip currents, beach condition flags and other safety tips, according to Escambia County.
“The Pensacola Beach Lifesaving team is enthusiastic about the beginning of our tower season,” said Pensacola Beach Water Safety Chief Dave Greenwood. “Our team strives in attaining our goal, which is the protect and educate the public that visits beautiful Pensacola Beach.”
Pensacola Beach Lifeguards have maintained a presence on Casino Beach throughout the winter since the 2021 season ended Oct. 18, primarily through patrol vehicles.
Traffic Alert: Road Construction Trouble Spots For This Week
February 27, 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, Feb. 27 through Saturday, March 6. 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, Feb. 28 through Friday, March 5, 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, Feb. 28 through Friday, March 4, 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, Feb. 28 as crews perform concrete operations.
- U.S. 98 (Garden Street) City of Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Parade – Drivers will encounter road closures between A Street and Tarragona Street from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26 for the City of Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Parade.
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, Feb. 27 through Saturday, March 6. 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, Feb. 28 through Friday, March 4 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, Feb. 28 as crews perform construction activities.
- U.S. 90 (Caroline Street) Routine Utility Maintenance at Avalon Boulevard – Eastbound traffic may encounter turn lane closure at Avalon Boulevard intersection from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25 and Saturday, Feb. 26, as crews perform utility work.
- U.S. 90 (Caroline Street) Routine Utility Maintenance from Avalon Boulevard to the Race Way – Eastbound traffic may encounter intermittent lane restrictions from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25 through Monday, Feb. 28 as crews perform utility work.
- U.S. 90 Routine Utility Maintenance at East Milton Road Intersection – Westbound traffic can expect turn lane closure at East Milton Road intersection from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25 through Monday, Feb. 28, as crews perform utility work.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
United Way Day Of Caring Makes A Difference Across The Area (With Photo Gallery)
February 26, 2022
More than 500 volunteers fanned out across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties Friday from the United Way of West Florida’s 28th Annual Day of Caring.
This year 35 different companies and civic groups worked on Day of Caring projects to make the community stronger.
“Our team members are always quick to roger up when it comes to giving back,” said Todd Phillips, Mortgage Loans operations manager at Navy Federal Credit Union and UWWF board member. “United Way’s Day of Caring is truly a highlight of our year because we get to serve as boots on the ground in our communities and help where it’s needed most.”
Since 1993, United Way of West Florida has coordinated more than 28,000 volunteers to complete projects across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
For a photo gallery, click here.
These were just a few of the North Escambia area related projects:
International Paper team members volunteering with United Way Day of Caring at Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center. Volunteers spread and raked new sand on the playground and pressure washed the building and signs.
Navy Federal volunteers help sort books for Goodwill (with help from Florida Blue), worked in the warehouse at Feeding the Gulf Coast, and worked on playground preparation and landscaping at the therapy center at Santa Rosa Kids’ House. They also participated in other volunteer service across the area.
There were 16 volunteers Escambia River Electric Cooperative, Town of Jay, and United Way that worked on several projects at Jay Elementary School, including weeding, painting, pressure washing, picking up trash and putting up granite benches that had been donated by the classes of 1958 and 1959.
Pictured top and bottom: Volunteers from International Paper worked Friday morning at the Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center. Pictured below: Navy Federal volunteers worked in the warehouse at Feeding the Gulf Coast. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Woman Claims $1 Million Lottery Scratch-Off Prize
February 26, 2022
An Escambia County woman has claimed a $1 million top prize in the Florida Lottery’s The Fastest Round to $1,000,000 scratch off game.
Bridget Burgess, 51, chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $790,000.
Burgess purchased her $30 winning scratch-off ticket from Barrancas Food Mart on Barrancas Avenue. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning ticket.
Man Wanted On Fentanyl And Firearms Charges
February 26, 2022
The Escambia County Sheriff’s office is looking for a man on fentanyl and firearms charges.
On February 23, the ECSO Narcotics Unit served a search warrant at the Pampered Paws Resort in the 4900 block of Mobile Highway. Once inside the pet business, ECSO investigators located a felony amount of fentanyl and five firearms. Investigators determined two of the five guns were stolen.
Cameron Eric Paulchek is wanted for trafficking fentanyl with intent to sell and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is also wanted for an outstanding battery warrant.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
The ECSO has not detailed the connection between Paulchek and the business.
Tate Takes Two From Navarre; Escambia Sweeps Northview
February 26, 2022
The Tate Aggies swept two from Navarre Friday, while the Northview Chiefs dropped two to Escambia High.
Tate 10, Navarre 0
Fresh off a 10-0 shutout of Crestview Thursday night, the Tate Aggies shut out Navarre 10-0 Friday night.
Rilee Lowery went four innings, allowing one hit, no runs and striking out four. Ethan McAnally closed allowing one hit, no runs and striking out two.
Madox Land was 2-2 with three RBIs to lead the Aggies at the plate. Drew Reaves, Kirk Mosley, Clif Quiggins and Cade Kelly had one hit each.
Tate 5, Navarre 2 (JV)
The junior varsity Tate Aggies topped Navarre 5-2 Friday.
Gabe Patterson earned the win for the for the JV Aggies, going for three innings, allowing no runs on wo hits and striking out eight. Cameron Partick and Cole McNair closed in relief.
Anthony Longo led the Aggies at the plate, going 2-2. Patterson, Ketch King, Floyd and McNair each added a hit for Tate.
For more Tate varsity and JV photos, click here.
Escambia 4, Northview 3
The Escambia Gators got a late 4-3 win over the Northview Chiefs Friday night in Bratt.
Jamarcus Jefferson allowed five hits and two runs while striking out five in five and a third innings. Cason Burkett threw four and two thirds innings in relief.
Cason Burkett, Luke Bridges, Kaken Odom, Wyatt Scruggs and Trent Knighten had one hit apiece for the Chiefs.
Escambia 6, Northview 2 (JV)
The Northview Chiefs JV fell to Escambia 6-2 Friday.
In three innings, Northview’s C Allen allowed four hits and four runs while striking out three. C Mills allowed one hit and two runs and sat down one in one inning. J White threw one inning.
Pugh went 1-2 for Northview, and Mills was 1-1.
Pictured: Tate varsity and junior varsity beat Navarre Friday. Photos by Laura Glodfelter for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Boil Water Notice Lifted For Highway 297A Area
February 26, 2022
A boil water notice been lifted for ECUA customers in the area of Highway 297A due to a water main break Wednesday morning.
The boil water notice is no longer in effect for customers on Highway 297A and side streets from West Kingsfield Road south to Pinebrook Circle, also including Sceptor Court, Meander Lane, Meander Circle and Brookwood Place.
A 12-inch main at Highway 297A and Meander Lane was broken Wednesday morning.
Map: ECUA
New Weekly COVID-19 Cases In Escambia County Continue To Fall Sharply
February 26, 2022
The number of new COVID-19 cases in Escambia County continues to fall sharply.
There were 273 new COVID-19 cases reported over the last week in Escambia County, according to the Florida Department of Health and the CDC. There were 1,541 cases reported two weeks ago and 542 cases one week ago.
Here is the latest data from FDOH and the CDC:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 77,519 (+273)
Positivity rate last week: 7.1%
Current Case Rate per 100k: 83.5
People vaccinated: 170,440 (+134)
Full vaccination rate (age 5+): 58.5%
New hospital admissions: 71
Current hospitalizations (as of Friday): 66
Total deaths reported last 7 days: 0
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 99,025 (+203)
Positivity rate last week: 16.28%
Current Case Rate per 100k: 108.6
People vaccinated: 99,025 (+74)
Full vaccination rate (age 5+): 56.5%
New hospital admissions: 13
Total deaths last 7 days: 0
Statewide cases:
Florida resident cases: 5,800,561 (+25,640)
Case positivity rate: 5.6%
Case Rate per 100k: 193.3
Deaths: 69,790 (+119)
Data sources: CDC, Florida Department of Health, Escambia County