Century Charter Review Committee Begins Work To Rewrite Future Of Town Government
May 24, 2021
The Century Charter Review Committee is back at work to shape the future of government in the town.
The committee was first appointed in August 2019 to explore the town charter — the document that establishes the town, outlines its powers and spells out how it should operate. The charter has not been updated in 40 years, and that often creates problems in the operation of the town.
The COVID-19 pandemic slowed regular meetings for the charter committee and any chance of moving forward in 2020, preventing any charter change from making the ballot.
Former interim town manager Buz Eddy, acting as a consultant, met with the committee last week and discussed the forms of government that Century could choose, including the possibility of shifting many responsibilities to a town manager.
Committee chairperson Mary Bourgeois said she wants the committee to being work in earnest next month and explore the current charter “line by line.”
There were 11 members on the original committee, but over half resigned. The town council recently appointed three new members, making the new committee of eight. Returning charter review committee members are Bourgeois, Shelisa Abraham, Michelle Cunningham, Evelyn Hammond and Helen Mincy. The three new members are Leslie Howington, Brenda Spencer and Kathryn Fleming.
Pictured top: Century Charter Review Committee chairperson Mary Bourgeois address the committee at a recent meeting. Pictured below: Consultant Buz Eddy explains the forms of government available for municipalities in Florida. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Animal Shelter Cuts Hours Due To Staffing Shortage, Seeks To Hire Help
May 24, 2021
The Escambia County animal shelter has cut hours due to staffing issues, and they are looking to hire additional help.
Beginning Monday, May 24, the animal shelter will be open to the public as follows:
- Monday — Friday: 1 — 5 p.m.
- Saturday: 11 a.m. — 4 p.m.
- Sunday: Closed
“Animal Welfare is operating at 50 percent of staffing levels due to the nationwide manpower crisis; therefore, hours will be adjusted to opening one hour later for the public,” said County Administrator Janice Gilley. “This manpower shortage is severely impacting Escambia County services and our current employees. This was the best solution to allow our staff time to provide proper care and cleaning for the animals.”
The Escambia County Animal Welfare Department is currently hiring. To learn more, click or tap here.
Klondike, Mobile Highway Crash Claims Life Of Man FHP Says Ran Stop Sign
May 24, 2021
A wreck Sunday morning at Mobile Highway and Klondike Road claimed the life of a 30-year old man.
The Florida Highway Patrol said he was headed south on Klondike Road in a Corvette about 10:15 a.m. when he failed to stop at a stop sign and traveled into Mobile Highway. His vehicle was hit by a Dodge Ram driven westbound by a 37-year old Pensacola man.
The driver of the Corvette was airlifted to Baptist Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. The pickup truck driver was not injured.
Florida Gas Prices Decline Slightly; Escambia Averages A Dime Higher
May 24, 2021
Florida gas prices are declining slightly in advance of the Memorial Day weekend.
Floridians are currently paying an average price of $2.87 per gallon. That’s 2 cents less than a week ago and 4 cents less than the highest price so far this year.
The average price per gallon Sunday night in Escambia County was a dime higher at $2.97. In Cantonment, gas was at a low of $2.89 at stations, while the lowest in Pensacola was $2.80 at two warehouse clubs.
“Unless pump prices suddenly rise this week, holiday travelers will find gas prices that are slightly below what they paid on Memorial Day 2018,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA — The Auto Club Group. “While expectations of strong holiday fuel demand can carry the potential for causing higher pump prices, wholesale gasoline prices dropped 5 cents last week. That means gas prices could drift lower as the weekend approaches, but things can change quickly in the fuel market.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Steve Kenney Named Escambia County Employee Of The Month
May 24, 2021
Sgt. Steve Kenney was named Escambia County’s Employee of the Month for May. He is an environmental enforcement officer in the Natural Resources/Environmental Enforcement Department. He has worked with the county since January 2014.\
Kenny’s main duties and responsibilities, besides working his own cases and managing several other officers, are conducting field investigations, communicating with citizens and conditional use permit holders, gathering pertinent information, preparing written reports and analyzing and interpreting the applicable codes and land use decision conditions.
Burdick Stays Hot In Wahoos Series Finale Win Over The Trash Pandas
May 24, 2021
This season had gotten off to rough start at the plate for Peyton Burdick, so the Blue Wahoos outfielder returned to a past approach.
“Just getting back to doing what I normally do as a hitter and staying the other way with it,” he said. “Seeing the ball and reacting to it.
“And there is no better feeling than putting the ball on the barrel. I think once you start feeling that more often, then your body naturally syncs up with your swing.”
Burdick was back in harmony Sunday, capping a big week and helping the Blue Wahoos to a 7-4 victory against the Rocket City Trash Pandas in a series finale that put the exclamation on Pensacola’s six-game performance at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
A capacity crowd (5,038) was entertained with another fast start, then stellar relief pitching in the final innings.
“Our bullpen, are starters have been absolutely shoving,” said Burdick, the Miami Marlins’ No. 12-rated prospect by MLB Pipeline.com, who went 2-for-5 with a triple, double and RBI. “They always give us a good start and give us a good chance to win. It was nice to see the bats come through.
“We have been sort of spotty in the lineup, and today we started syncing up one hit at a time and taking what the game was giving up.”
The Blue Wahoos (11-7) took five of the six games against Rocket City (8-10) putting a gap in a first-place, divisional lead among a twin set of four teams in the Double-A South.
Burdick was one of three players with multiple hits. Right fielder Lorenzo Hampton, the son of the former Florida Gators and Miami Dolphins running back, went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Devin Hairston went 2-for-4.
Connor Justus drove in three runs with a home run and a sacrifice.
The Blue Wahoos followed Saturday’s early-inning production with an even better offense Sunday.
They loaded the bases in the first inning on a leadoff triple by Burdick, followed by a walk to JJ Bleday and Nick Fortes reaching when hit by a pitch.
With one out, Tristan Pompey coaxed a bases-loaded walk for the first run.
Hampton followed by lacing a two-run single to right. Justus’ sacrifice fly scored Pompey and gave the Blue Wahoos a 4-0 lead.
In the second inning, after Hairston led off with a single, he scored on a Burdick’s double into the left field corner. In the series, Burdick also hit three home runs.
“I think what started clicking for me was our last game of our series at home,” he said. “I think I had a couple lineouts the other way and that’s when I felt my body and my swing started to sync up a little bit and just being able to drive the ball the other way. It just opens everything.”
The bats were matched by a solid start from Jose Mesa Jr., who worked the first three innings, struck out three, walked none and the only run was a home run.
Brian McKenna earned his second win by pitching scoreless innings in the sixth and seventh. Colton Hock earned his third save in the ninth.
The game ended a two-week, 12-game homestand for the Blue Wahoos. They went 2-4 against the Birmingham Barons a week ago.
The Blue Wahoos have Monday off, then will travel to Biloxi, Miss. for a six-game series starting Tuesday against the Biloxi Shuckers, the Milwaukee Brewers Double-A affiliate.
Just like Friday and Saturday, the Sunday crowd created a special atmosphere. And the fifth-inning “Roach Run” that Burdick gets to witness as a left fielder was filled with hundreds of kids.
“It just reminded me of when I was a little kid,” Burdick said. “You just want to get out there and see what the other guys see. All those little kids, you see their smiles when they are running. It’s just great seeing the energy from the fans. They create a lot of energy in the game. It’s a great environment to play in.”
by Bill Vilona, Blue Wahoos senior writer
Pensacola Entrepreneur Quint Studer Injured In Hit And Run Crash While Bicycling
May 23, 2021
A bicyclist struck in a hit and run crash Saturday night in Pensacola has been identified by Pensacola Police as philanthropist and entrepreneur Quint Studer. Police said he suffered minor injuries.
Studer was riding his bicycle along Bayfront Parkway near Bartram Park about 9 p.m. when he was hit. He was transported to a local hospital where he was treated and released.
The vehicle was described as a black Nissan Altima with right side damage and was last seen headed in the direction of the closed Pensacola Bay Bridge. The vehicle will be missing the passenger mirror and will have damage to the front bumper.
Have You Seen The ‘Dynamic Envelopes’ Painted At Area Railroad Crossings?
May 23, 2021
Have you seen the crosshatched lines at railroad crossings in Escambia County?
It’s called a dynamic envelope design, part of Operation STRIDE — Statewide Traffic and Railroad Initiative using Dynamic Envelopes — from the Florida Department of Transportation.
Simply put, the FDOT says the white pattern is designed to keep motorists out of the danger zone at railroad crossings. White connecting X’s are used to visually highlight the zone at railroad crossings that drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians should not stop to increase safety for motorists. A FDOT pilot program showed that dynamic envelopes reduce the number of vehicles that stop on or near the tracks by at least 15%.
The dynamic envelopes have been placed or are planned for several crossings, including East Highway 4 in Century, Nine Mile Road, 9th Avenue, Airport Boulevard, and most recently Highway 29 near Muscogee Road in Cantonment.
Pictured top and bottom: A completed dynamic envelope at the railroad crossing on East Highway 4 in Century. Pictured below: The installation of a dynamic envelope on Highway 29 near Muscogee Road in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Ejected, Seriously Injured After Vehicle Pulls In Front Of Their Motorcycle
May 23, 2021
Two people were injured when they were ejected from their motorcycle on Highway 29 after a vehicle pulled into their path.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a Toyota RAV4 was stopped in the southbound left turn lane of Highway 29 at the Burgess Road intersection. Troopers said the drier decided not to turn and pulled back into the inside lane, colliding with a motorcycle shortly before noon Saturday.
“Both occupants on the motorcycle were thrown onto the pavement as the motorcycle slid across the southbound lanes after contact with the Toyota,” according to a FHP report. A 54-year old man and an unknown age female were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with serious injuries.
The 36-year old female driver of the Toyota and her passengers, ages 1, 11, and 15, were not injured.
Traffic Alerts: What To Expect This Week
May 23, 2021
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities. In preparation for the Memorial Day Holiday weekend, there will be no lane closures or other activities which impede traffic on state roads beginning 9 a.m. Friday, May 28, and ending at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, June 1.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement - The intersection of North 17th Avenue and Bayfront Parkway will remain closed until spring 2021 as construction continues for the new 17th Avenue interchange. The Visitor’s Center and adjacent boat launch remain accessible from 17th Avenue. Also, the ramp from 17th Avenue to East Gregory Street remains open. Eastbound drivers on Bayfront Parkway should use North 14th Avenue and Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) as a detour route.
- 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 to allow crews to mobilize materials and equipment. The brief, intermittent lane closures and traffic configuration will continue through the end of the year. Traffic flaggers will be on-site to safely direct drivers through the construction zone.
- Pile driving work is also slated to begin next week. Crews will be driving piles during the daytime hours. Nearby residents and commercial property owners may experience noise and vibration.
- · Interstate 10 (I-10) Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation over Perdido River Bridge – Motorists will encounter intermittent nighttime lane closures the week of Monday, May 24 as crews perform paving operations.
- · U.S. 29 from South of Muscogee Road (County Road (C.R.) 184) to Atmore Hwy (S.R. 97) – Motorists will encounter intermittent northbound and southbound lane closures between Morris Avenue and north of Cantonment and north of S.R. 97 in Molino 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, May 24 through Friday, May 28, as crews perform paving operations.
- West Cervantes Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project –The following will take place the week of Monday, May 24.
- The speed limit between Dominguez Street and A Street will be permanently reduced from 35 mph to 30 mph.
- Drivers will encounter inside lane closures between Dominguez Street and Kirk Street as crews perform median improvement work. One lane in each direction will be always maintained. The median work and lane closures will progress eastward on Cervantes Street until the end of the year.
- U.S. 29 Widening from I-10 to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Motorists can expect nighttime 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, May 24 through Friday, May 29.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Pine Forest (S.R. 297) to U.S. 29 – Drivers will experience intermittent lane closures at the Nine Mile Road and Fowler Road intersection 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, May 24 as crews to preform paving operations.
- S.R. 292 (Sorrento Road) Intersection Improvements at the Innerarity Point (C.R. 292A)– Motorists should expect intermittent lane closures 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews restripe and install temporary asphalt in preparation for installation of low-profile barrier wall the week of Sunday, May 23.
- S.R. 291 (Davis Highway) Underground Utility Maintenance at the Northeast Intersection of Davis Highway and Wright Street – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 25 as crews a repair water valve.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- The bridge remains closed.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive- Early construction activities have begun to prepare for the widening and improvements of the 4.25-mile section. These activities include utility relocations, clearing, excavation, and drainage improvements. As part of the upgraded drainage system, the project includes the construction of five stormwater ponds. Clearing and excavating of areas for the stormwater ponds are currently underway. There are no traffic impacts associated with the construction of the ponds, but nearby residents and businesses may experience some noise. Access to residences and businesses will be maintained.
- S.R. 98 Utility Maintenance from Whispering Pines Boulevard to Palmetto Lake Ridge Road in Navarre – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, May 24 through Friday, May 28 as lineman replace power poles.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.