Annual Century/Flomaton Fireworks Show Canceled
June 22, 2021
The annual Century/Flomaton joint fireworks show has been canceled for this year.
Century Mayor Ben Boutwell said Monday night that the fireworks company was unavailable due to a scheduling conflict.
The show alternates between Century and Flomaton each year and is jointly funded. This year, it was set to be in Flomaton. In 2020, the Century/Flomaton fireworks show was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pictured: The 2018 Century/Flomaton fireworks show. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Overall Crime Rate Dropped In Escambia County, But Violent Crimes Were Up In 2020
June 22, 2021
The overall crime index in Escambia County dropped 6.2% during 2020 compared to the previous year, but violent crimes were up according to new data released Monday by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
The total number of burglaries and larcenies decreased, but there were increases in murders, rapes, robberies, aggravated assaults and meter vehicle thefts.
The countywide report covers crimes investigated by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Pensacola Police Department and other agencies like the Florida Highway Patrol, University of West Florida Police Department, and Pensacola State Police Department.
The number of reported murders during the year increased in Escambia County from 27 to 32, rapes from 186 to 225, robberies from 337 to 376, aggravated assaults from 1,227 to 1,306 and motor vehicle thefts from 650 to 732. The number of burglaries decreased from 1,828 to 1,588 and larcenies dipped from 6,724 to 6,039.
In 2020, there were 27 murders in the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office’s jurisdiction and five in the city of Pensacola.
During 2020, 32.6% of crimes in Escambia County were cleared, compare to 32.5% in 2019.
Cantonment Man Charged With Battery, Felony Child Abuse
June 22, 2021
A Cantonment man is facing charges after allegedly throwing a child across a room and hitting a woman.
Jacky Ray Mills, 45, was charged felony child abuse and misdemeanor battery.
Mills became angry after the victim played a practical joke on his son. Mills pinned the child against the wall before picking him up and throwing him across the room, according to an arrest report.
The adult victim stated she slapped Mills in defending the child, prompting Mills to grab her around the neck and push her down a hallway before hitting her.
The age of the child was redacted from the report, but he was old enough to be questioned by deputies. The nature of the practical joke was not specified in the report.
Mills was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $6,500 bond.
Escambia County Unemployment Rate Decreases
June 22, 2021
The unemployment rate in Escambia County decreased last month, according to data recently released by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 4.7% in May, down from 4.9% in April. That represents 7,090 people out of work out of a county workforce of 151,713. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was 11.3%, or 16,181 people.
The area’s private sector employment increased by 9,100 jobs over the year, an increase of 6.1 percent. The industries gaining the most jobs over the year were leisure and hospitality, increasing by 2,800 jobs, and professional and business services, increasing by 2,300 jobs.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.9 percent in May 2021, up 0.1 percentage point from the April 2021 rate, and down 9.3 percentage points from a year ago. There were 503,000 jobless Floridians out of a labor force of 10,314,000. The U.S. unemployment rate was 5.8 percent in May.
Fire Damages Home On Washington Street In Cantonment
June 21, 2021
Fire damaged a home in Cantonment early Monday morning.
The fire was reported about 5:30 a.m. on Washington Street at a home that appeared to be unoccupied or abandoned.
There were no injuries reported and no word on the cause of the fire.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Barrineau Park Bridge Open As Perdido River Falls; Escambia River Still Rising
June 21, 2021
The Perdido River is falling, and the Escambia River is still rising following heavy rain from Tropical Storm Claudette.
The Barrineau Park Bridge has been reopened. After reaching a crest of 14.15 feet, above flood stage of 13 feet, the Perdido River at the bridge is falling. At noon Monday, the river was at 10.58 feet.
The Escambia River at Century was at 14.89 feet at noon Monday and is expected to crest at 15.2 feet late Wednesday early other Thursday. Action stage is 12 feet; flood stage is 17 feet.
Picture above and first below: The Barrineau Park Bridge over the Perdido River Monday morning. Pictured bottom: The bridge flooded on Saturday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ascend Park Probably Won’t Open This Summer; Playground Equipment To Be Replaced
June 21, 2021
The Ascend Park in Cantonment likely won’t be open this summer, and it has nothing to do with COVID-19.
The park was closed last year due to the pandemic, and Ascend officials say it is need of extensive renovations before it reopens.
“The playground equipment at Ascend park is nearing 20 years of use. Due to safety concerns, many deteriorating wooden sections are in need of replacement,” Tony Ferguson, senior communications specialist for Ascend Performance Materials, told NorthEscambia.com.
“We value our community and want to continue to provide children a safe place to play, so a plan is underway to replace the playground with new structures made from recycled plastics for better durability. The park will be closed until this process is complete,” Ferguson said. “At this time, we do not anticipate the park will be open this summer.”
NorthEscambia.com will keep you updated.
Pictured: A portion of the Ascend Park on Old Chemstrand Road. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Florida Chamber Grades Local Legislators
June 21, 2021
The Florida Chamber of Commerce has released its official 2021 Florida Chamber Legislative Report Card, showcasing grades earned by all 160 legislators in the Florida House and Senate based on their votes during the 2021 legislative session.
Sen. Doug Broxson earned 100% “A” with all of his votes matching chamber positions.
Newcomer Rep. Michelle Salzman earned a grade of 86% for a “B,” voting in favor of a bill not supported by the chamber. HB 651 would have authorized parents of adult children to recover damages for mental pain and suffering in medical negligence suits.
Rep. Alex Andrade earned a 94% for an A, losing points because he also voted for HB 651.
Salzman lost more points than Andrade because she cast more votes favor of HB 651 as a member of committees that considered the bill before a floor vote.
“The Florida Chamber’s 2021 Legislative Report Card is an annual opportunity to recognize members of the Florida Legislature who placed making Florida more competitive through private-sector job creation above special interests and attempts to protect the status quo,” the chamber said.
“Florida’s economy won with the Florida Chamber-backed, pro-jobs policy passed during the 2021 Legislative Session,” said Florida Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Mark Wilson. “The actions taken by Gov. DeSantis and Florida’s lawmakers will go a long way in continuing to build momentum towards creating the more than 2 million jobs necessary to take Florida from the 17th largest economy in the world to the 10th largest by 2030 and securing Florida’s future.”
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Down Spots
June 21, 2021
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:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - FDOT has restored four travel lanes to the Pensacola Bay Bridge. 17th Avenue southbound remains closed at Bayfront Parkway.
- U.S. 29 from South of Muscogee Road (County Road (C.R.) 184) to Atmore Hwy (S.R. 97) – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, June 21 through Friday, June 25 throughout the limits of the project for striping operations and signal work.
- 17th Avenue Interchange construction – 17th Avenue northbound is accessible for traffic exiting the bridge. Access to the Pensacola Visitor’s Center and boat launch is available from 17th Avenue northbound. Left turns remain temporarily prohibited from 14th Avenue to Bayfront Parkway eastbound. Instead, these drivers should travel south on Ninth Avenue, then east on Chase Street, and continue eastbound to Bayfront Parkway and the Pensacola Bay Bridge.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the northbound side of the bridge as crews work to replace the southbound portion of the structure.
- Drivers will encounter brief, intermittent lane closures as crews mobilize materials and equipment. The brief, intermittent lane closures and traffic configuration will continue through the end of the year.
- Pile driving work is also underway. Crews will be driving piles during the daytime hours. Nearby residents and commercial property owners may experience noise and vibration.
- West Cervantes (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project – Drivers will encounter inside day and nighttime lane closures on West Cervantes Street, between Kirk Street and X Street and from S Street to North Pace Boulevard for paving operations. Drivers are reminded the speed limit between Dominguez Street and A Street is 30 mph.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures and shifts on U.S. 29 between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road and on Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, June 21 as crews perform paving operations.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Pine Forest (S.R. 297) to U.S. 29 – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures and shifts on U.S. 29 between I-10 and Surrey Drive the week of Monday, June 21 as crews remove and replace asphalt. In addition, the new traffic signal on Nine Mile Road at I-10 will be become fully operational on Tuesday, June 22 at 10 a.m.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at the Innerarity Point (C.R. 292A)–
There will be intermittent lane closures 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 20 through Thursday, June 24 as crews restripe and install temporary asphalt in preparation for construction of low-profile barrier wall. - I-10 Routine Maintenance from Mile Marker 5 (West Nine Mile Road/U.S. 90Alt.) to Mile Marker 19 (East of Scenic Highway/Exit 17) – Motorists should expect intermittent lane closures on I-10 from West Nine Mile Road to just east of Scenic Highway 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, June 21 through Thursday, June 24 for crews repair overhead signs and lighting.
- I-110 Routine Maintenance from Gregory Street/Chase Street Exit to I-10/Davis Highway Exit – There will be intermittent lane closures on I-110 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, June 21 through Thursday, June 24 for crews repair overhead signs and lighting.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - FDOT has restored four travel lanes to the Pensacola Bay Bridge. 17th Avenue southbound remains closed at Bayfront Parkway.
- U.S. 98 Routine Utility Maintenance Between Panhandle Trail and Biscayne Boulevard – The eastbound outside lane from Panhandle Trail to Biscayne Boulevard will be closed 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 23 as crews replace power poles.
How Much Did It Rain Near You During Claudette?
June 21, 2021
Portions of the North Escambia area received the most rain in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Radar estimates showed 5-8 inches of rain in North Escambia, with the highest totals just west of Molino.
Here are 24 hour rain totals ending at 9 p.m. Saturday from weather stations around Escambia County:
- Bratt — 9.3 inches**
- Century — 5.77 inches
- Walnut Hill — 5.37
- Beulah — 4.16 inches
- Escambia High — 3.81 inches
- Pine Forest High– 3.65 inches
- Washington High School — 3.23 inches
- Tate High School — 3.16 inches
- UWF — 3.05 inches
*While an official weather station reported 9.3 inches in Bratt at Northview High School, it’s inconsistent with other nearby stations and radar estimates of about 6 inches.