Friday Rural Internet Roundtable With Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis Moved To Cantonment
April 8, 2021
A roundtable discussion on rural internet on Friday has been moved from an outdoor venue in Molino to Cantonment due to weather.
Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis, District 5 Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry and other leaders will explore the opportunities and challenges of broadband deployment, access and adoption during a roundtable discussion on Friday, April 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Escambia County Langley Bell 4-H Center at 3730 Stefani Road in Cantonment. Masks are required.
Other roundtable guests are scheduled to include:
- Brooke Adams, Florida 4-H State Council parliamentarian
- Dawn Rudolph, president, Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital, Pensacola
- Dr. Brian Unruh, associate center director and professor, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS)
- Jacob Gilmore, owner/operator, Gizmo Angus Farm
- Jessica Conti, Escambia County 4-H Council president
- Marva Johnson, GVP, state government affairs, Charter Communications
- Scott Luth, CEO, Florida West Economic Development Alliance
- Scott Walker, manager/operator, Walker Farms
- Steve Harrell, director of Workforce Education for the Escambia County School District
In addition, Charter Communications will award the outstanding achievements of 4-H students across the state.
Gas Station Shootout Suspect Charged With Threats At Car Dealership, Wanted In Georgia For Terroristic Threats
April 8, 2021
The suspect in a wild shootout at a Nine Mile Road gas station has been arrested again after allegedly threatening employees at a local car dealership.
Delanie Jamal Battle-Donson, 32, is now charged with three counts of assault/threat to do violence, marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia after an incident this week at Pensacola Honda.
Last month, he was arrested following a SWAT team standoff after he barricaded himself inside a home off 10 Mile Road.
Battle-Donson was charged with three felony counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, felony criminal mischief and misdemeanor criminal mischief for the shootout. The parking lot at the Circle K on Nine Mile and I-10 contained dozens of shell casings after the March 21 altercation between Battle-Donson and a group of bikers.
Free on bond, Battle-Donson dropped his vehicle off at Pensacola Honda for service this week and returned a short time later upset that his vehicle had not been serviced. He walked toward an employee yelling vulgarities and moving his hand under his shirt “as if he had a gun located here”, according to an arrest report. Other dealership employees evacuated the area due to his previous aggressive and threatening behavior, and his involvement in the Circle K shootout, the report states.
A manager told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that Battle-Donson continued to yell obscenities and stated, “don’t make me go off on these [expletive]“. The employee stated he was in fear for his life and his customers’ lives.
When deputies searched a black duffel bag being carried by Battle-Donson, they reported finding rolling papers and marijuana.
Battle-Donson also has an active warrant out of Gwinnett County, Georgia, for making terroristic threats. He remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FDOT Planning To Widen I-10, Add Diverging Diamond Intersections At Pine Forest, Beulah Roads
April 8, 2021
Diverging Diamond interchanges are planned as part of a Florida Department of Transportation I-10 widening project.
The project would widen I-10 from four to six lanes from the weigh station near the Alabama state line to Highway 29, and the interchanges at Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road will be reconstructed as diverging diamond interchanges.
Project details were presented during a Florida Department of Transportation public hearing this week, and residents still have a chance to make public comment. For video of the meeting, click or tap here.
For more information, and to submit a public comment, click or tap here.
What is a diverging diamond interchange?
According to the Federal Highway Administration, a diverging diamond interchange is a simple design innovation that improves safety and mobility, often at a much lower cost, compared to conventional interchange designs. The key to what makes a DDI work so well is how left turns are handled.
The DDI resembles a conventional diamond interchange, which is the most common form in the United States. Drivers make right turns at a DDI just as they would at a regular diamond interchange.
The crossover intersections are what make DDIs different, and they are very intuitive for the driver. The crossovers gently transition – or diverge – traffic from the right side of the road to the left side of the road and then back again. Because traffic is on the left hand side between the crossovers, all left turns occur without having to cross opposing traffic. The road geometry, signs, and pavement markings all work together to make this very simple. In cities where DDIs have been built, drivers say they don’t even notice the crossover intersections. according to the Federal Highway Administration.
NorthEscambia.com graphics/FDOT data.
Tate Aggies Shut Out Pensacola High
April 8, 2021
The Tate Aggies shut out the Pensacola High Tigers 11-0 Wednesday night.
Tucker Griffin earned the win for Tate, lasting two innings, allowing one hit and no runs while striking out four and walking none. Ethan McAnally, Joseph Pusateri, and Colton Swiers pitched five total innings in relief, collectively allowing just one hit and no runs while striking out six.
Jadon Fryman went 3-4 at the plate for the Aggies with two runs and three RBIs. Drew Reaves wen 2-4 with four runs. Zak Licastro and Jordan Jarman had two hits each. Frankie Randall and Ethan McAnally added one each.
Photos by Laura Glodfelter for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge..
Blue Wahoos To Welcome Back Near Capacity Crowds For 2021 Season
April 8, 2021
Baseball will return to Blue Wahoos Stadium this year with near capacity crowds, but face masks will be required.
“We are thrilled to have received approval from Major League Baseball to welcome our great fans back to Blue Wahoos Stadium in 2021,” team president Jonathan Griffith said. “Our staff has worked closely with Major League Baseball to develop a comprehensive plan to ensure fans can safely return to the ballpark and to maximize our capacity so our community can enjoy the Wahoos Life together.”
In coordination with Major League Baseball, the Blue Wahoos have set the following safety guidelines for Blue Wahoos Stadium in 2021:
- Face Masks: Face masks must be worn at all times by all fans over the age of two. Masks may be removed briefly when fans are actively eating or drinking while seated in their assigned seat. Major League Baseball’s mask mandate includes all Minor League stadiums, regardless of local, state, or federal guidelines.
- In-Seat Concessions: To prevent lines on the concourse and allow fans to enjoy the game from their seats, mobile concession ordering with in-seat delivery through StadiumDrop will be available.
- No Bags: To reduce contamination and ensure safe reduced-contact entry for fans and staff, bags will not be permitted to be brought into Blue Wahoos Stadium, except for medical or diaper bags.
- Physical Distancing: Physical distancing will be enforced on the concourse, concession lines, Bait and Tackle Shop, and at all entrances and exits.
- Multiple Entrances & Exits: Guests will be directed to enter and exit the stadium through designated entry gates to expedite the process and limit crowding at any one entrance. At the conclusion of the game, guests will receive instructions on safe exit procedures and exit locations. In weather delay situations, fans will be permitted to return to their cars during the delay and allowed to re-enter the stadium when the game resumes to prevent crowding on the stadium’s concourse.
- Buffer Zone: For the safety of players, coaches, and fans, there will be a two-row buffer comprising the first two rows of seats closest to the field in areas frequented by players and coaches. No contact will be permitted between players and fans, including for autograph requests and fans will not be allowed to gather near the dugouts, bullpens, or other areas near the players.
- Staff Screening: All Blue Wahoos staff members are required to pass a temperature and health screening before being admitted to the stadium. All staff are required to wear face masks inside the stadium.
- Enhanced Sanitation: Blue Wahoos staff will frequently clean, disinfect, sanitize, and monitor common-touch surfaces and high-use guest areas frequently and consistently throughout games. Hand sanitizer will be available to fans in multiple locations throughout the stadium.
Tate High’s Jacori Simpkins Commits To Webber International
April 8, 2021
Tate High School’s Jacori Simpkins on Wednesday signed to play football at the next level. Simpkins committed to Webber International University in Babson Park, Florida. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Additional COVID-19 Death, 25 New Cases Reported In Escambia County
April 8, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
One additional COVID-19 death and 25 new cases were reported Wednesday in Escambia County.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 35,027 (+25)
Non-Florida residents: 3,626
Recovered: 34,178*
Total deaths: 670 (+1)
Long-term care facility deaths: 280
Current hospitalizations: 26 (-6)
Number of tests reported last day: 613
Percent positive reported last day: 2.5%
Percent positive reported last week: 4.7%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 26,122 (+14)
Cantonment: 3,152 (+1)
Century: 1,173
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 486
McDavid: 210
Bellview: 57
Walnut Hill: 53
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 13
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 17,843 (+13)
Non-Florida residents: 231
Total deaths: 279 (+1)
Long-term care facility deaths: 81
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 864*
Number of tests reported last day: 317
Percent positive reported last day: 4.2%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 8,505 (+5)
Navarre: 3,680 (+3)
Gulf Breeze: 3,316 (+4)
Pace: 1,432
Jay: 545 (+1)
Bagdad: 32
Florida cases:
Total cases: 2,096,747
Florida residents: 2,057,359
Deaths: 33,822
Hospitalizations: 86,292
*“Hospitalizations” in the statewide and Santa Rosa County totals is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. Most of these people are longer be hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized. The Escambia County number is current data compiled each day from the local hospitals.
**On cases by location, the city is based upon zip code and is not always received as part of the initial notification. There may be a delay in reporting locations, and locations will not total the daily case increase as a result.
***The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals. Escambia County is reporting an approximate recovery number defined as the total cases prior to last month, minus deaths. In other words, anyone that tested positive more than a month ago is presumed to have recovered by Escambia County.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
Driver Turns Himself In, Vehicle Recovered In Deadly Mobile Highway Hit And Run
April 7, 2021
The man believed to be responsible for a deadly hit and run accident on Mobile Highway has turned himself in to authorities.
Charles F. Nobles, 34, surrendered at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office after the vehicle he was allegedly driving was located, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. He has not yet been arrested.
The blue Mustang involved in the crash was recognized by a man who saw the vehicle description in the news, and he called authorities. It was parked outside the WoodSpring Suites in the 2000 block of West Detroit Boulevard with the damage covered by a tarp. Troopers responded to the scene and seized the vehicle, which FHP said had front end damage consistent with the fatal hit and pedestrian crash.
FHP said the 49-year old female pedestrian was struck by a vehicle sometime late Tuesday or early Wednesday on Mobile Highway near Houston Avenue., about one-third of a mile south of Saufley Field Road. The impact of the collision knocked her down into a deep ditch. Victim names are no longer released by FHP.
Pictured: A blue Mustang found on Detroit Boulevard that FHP believes was involved in a deadly hit and run crash on Mobile Highway. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ivey Announces ‘Safer Apart’ Order As Mask Mandate Ends Friday
April 7, 2021
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey’s mask mandate expires at 5 p.m. Friday, and Wednesday morning she announced the transition to a new health order called “Safer Apart”.
“Ya’ll, this is definitely good news, and we are definitely moving in the right direction,” Ivey said during a Wednesday morning press conference in which the declining number of COVID-19 cases was highlighted.
Masks will no longer be mandated statewide, but individuals are strongly encouraged to wear a mask or other facial covering when in public and in close contact with other people through May 5
“Folks, we’re still under a public health order,” Ivey said, “but it is greatly slimmed down due to everyone doing their part to practice social distancing, wearing a mask, and voluntarily getting a vaccine.”
The new order does not limit or close any business, school or church.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Felony Child Neglect After Child Takes Marijuana Gummy, ECSO Says
April 7, 2021
A Cantonment man was charged with felony child neglect after child apparently took a marijuana gummy he left on a kitchen counter, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Hunter Ray Boswell, 22, told deputies he believed the gummy left on the kitchen counter was out of reach of the child. After he noticed it was missing, Boswell became concerned when the child started acting erratically and screaming, according to arrest report.
He started driving the child to the hospital, but pulled over at Nine Mile Road and Pine Cone Drive and called 911. The child was transported by Escambia County EMS to the hospital.
The Department of Children and Families was notified of the incident.
The age of the child and the relationship to Boswell were redacted from the arrest report.
He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $2,500 bond.