Firefighters Battle Brush Fire South Of Century
February 15, 2021
Escambia Fire Rescue battled a brush fire Sunday evening south of Century.
The Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the area of Highway 29 and Dawson Road about 5:30 p.m. The fire was reported to be about 2.5 acres.
There were no injuries and no property damage reported.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Gas Prices Slip A Couple Of Cents, Still Up A Quarter Since January 1
February 15, 2021
Florida gas prices took a little step back last week. The average price for a gallon of gasoline declined two cents, but is still up about a quarter since January 1.
The year began with gas prices averaging $2.20 per gallon. Now, Florida drivers are paying an average price of $2.46. That raises the cost of filling a tank of gas by $4 (based on a 15-gallon fuel tank).
The lowest North Escambia price Sunday night was $2.38 at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while in Pensacola $2.24 could be found at a store on Barrancas Avenue.
“Unfortunately, the recent jump at the pump may not be over yet,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA — The Auto Club Group. “Pump prices could eventually reach $2.60 per gallon in the coming weeks, as refineries prepare to switch to summer blend gasoline. Summer gasoline typically costs more to produce, because it contains more additives, which work to reduce smog during the hotter months.”
Explosion, Fire At Compressed Natural Gas Fueling Station On Pine Forest Road
February 15, 2021
An explosion felt for miles and vehicle fires were reported Sunday afternoon at a compressed natural gas fueling station on Pine Forest Road.
The incident happened about 2:35 p.m. at the Pensacola Energy Natural Gas Fueling (CNG) Station at 6722 Pine Forest Road, across from the Walmart Neighborhood Market at Pine Forest Road and Mobile Highway.
RELATED: Explosion, Fire Destroys Five ECUA Trucks At Natural Gas Fueling Station, Damages Others
Five ECUA sanitation trucks were destroyed by fire at the fueling station. The natural gas supply was quickly cut off to the fueling station as first responders arrived.
There were no injuries reported.
Bystanders and others were evacuated from the immediate area, and the traffic in the area was shut down. Pine Forest Road was reopened to traffic by 4 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com received reports of people that felt or heard the explosion from as far away as Cantonment and Pace.
The CNG fueling station is operated by Pensacola Energy.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge. Top photo from security video at Gary Sapp Automotive.
FHP: Woman Killed When Hit By Driver Trying To Fix Child’s Seat Belt
February 15, 2021
A wreck Saturday in Santa Rosa County claimed one life.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 32-year old Milton man was traveling west on Sterling Way when he attempted to refasten the safety belt on his 6-year old child passenger. As a result, he crossed the centerline and collided with a vehicle driven by a 61-year old Pace woman.
The 61-year old woman was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where she passed away from her injuries.
The man and child in the first vehicle were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in serious condition.
The FHP no longer releases the names of traffic crash victims.
A Very Special Night To Shine (A Valentine’s Story)
February 14, 2021
It’s been a special friendship and a love for each other since elementary school for Bryant McDonald and Hannah Hardy, and Friday night was their “night to shine”.
A Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation for people with special needs. The program looked a little different this year due to the pandemic as people across the world honored and served those with disabilities.
And it was an perfect night for Bryant, a 19-year old senior at Tate High School, and his girlfriend Hannah as they were named prom king and queen.
For a photo gallery, click here.
“Hannah made sure last night was planned to a ‘T’. She asked Bryant to pick out which dress he liked the best on her,” Bryant’s mother Tracey McDonald said. “They exchanged boutonniere and corsage, had Chick-fil-A, and she even picked out his tie. She chose the tie with X’s and O’s for hugs and kisses.”
Those that attended the Pensacola area event were invited to a drive-thru parade in Gulf Breeze. Despite the weather, there were costumed characters and plenty of people cheering them on and wishing them all a fabulous night.
“I liked when Elsa (from Frozen) blew snow all over us. She tried to freeze us,” Bryant said.
“They were treated like royalty and had the biggest smiles on their faces and giggles and laughter filled the car,” Tracey said.
And what’s a prom without a dance?
Hannah and Bryant had their own at-home prom dance.
Bryant said his favorite part of the date was “when Hannah and I danced the Cha-Cha Slide together at home,” and Hannah said she loved dancing with Bryant, her ‘Sugar Bear”, in his stand-up walker.
It was a Night to Shine for Bryant and Hannah.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: Bryant McDonald and Hannah Hardy’s Night to Shine prom date. (The first photo below was Hannah’s favorite.) Photos courtesy Beth Lees and Tracey McDonald for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECSO Seeks Two On Outstanding Warrants
February 14, 2021
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for two men on active warrants.
James Lee Purifoy Jr., 28, is wanted for failure to appear for driving with a suspended license, possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, possession of drugs with intent to sell and violation of probation. Purifoy’s last reported address was Robinson Street in Cantonment.
Tyler Colston, 24, is wanted for failure to appear for resisting arrest without violence, possession of marijuana over 220 grams, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, trafficking cocaine and possession of drug equipment. Colston’s last reported address was 50th Avenue in Pensacola.
If you have any information, call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
New Testing Requirement To Renew Expired Florida Driver’s License
February 14, 2021
There’s a new law in Florida that will impact drivers whose license has expired for an extended period of time, according to Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford.
Effective Monday, February 1, drivers who have allowed their driver’s license to expire for one year or more will be required to complete the written and vision exams before renewing their driver’s license.
Situations subject to retest requirements include:
- Customers who have completed the Class E knowledge exam but have not had it applied to an issuance within one year of the exam date;
- Customers who downgraded from a driver’s license to an ID card and the driver’s license has been expired for one year or more;
- Customers who did not apply to renew their driver’s license within the one-year delinquent renewal period; and
- Customers applying for a Florida driver’s license and their out-of-state driver’s license has been expired for one year or more
“Class E licenses may be renewed up to 18 months before expiration. I encourage everyone to renew early to avoid retest requirements,” said Lunsford. “Applicants who wish to study for the exam may access the official Florida Driver’s Handbook through our website.”
Deployed military personnel whose license will expire soon may be eligible for an extension. Visit www.EscambiaTaxCollector.com/military for more information.
A Class E license is the standard driver’s license in Florida.
Here Are The Traffic Delays To Expect This Week
February 14, 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:
- 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 remains accessible from 17th Avenue. In addition, 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.
- New Warrington Spur (State Road (S.R.) 295) Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation over Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) – There will be alternating northbound lane restrictions from 11 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14 to 5 a.m. Monday, Feb. 15 for bridge repair and rehabilitation work.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation over Marcus Creek – The westbound outside lane will be closed from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14 for bridge repair and rehabilitation work.
- · East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Safety Project from North Palafox Street to Chemstrand Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent right turn lane closures beginning Monday, Feb. 15.
- · North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Soil Testing at the intersection of East Cross Street– Traffic on East Cross Street will be reduced to one lane at the intersection of North Palafox Street from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15 as crews perform soil testing.
- · I-10 Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation over U.S. 29 – Westbound traffic will encounter intermittent and alternating lane closures from 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16 for bridge repair and rehabilitation work.
- · Pace Boulevard (S.R. 292) Asphalt Repairs at West Strong Street Intersection– Motorists will encounter lane closures from 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15 to 6 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16 as crews replace pavement at the sewer main.
- I-10 Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation over Perdido River Bridge – Motorists will encounter nighttime lane closures beginning the week of Monday, Feb. 15. Drivers will also encounter a 36-hour lane closure with pacing (slow moving) operations beginning at 6 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16. Traffic will be temporarily slowed to a safe speed by a pilot vehicle to allow crews to perform construction activities. Advanced signs will be in place to alert drivers of the operations.
- U.S. 29 Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation as Canoe Creek – Northbound traffic will encounter intermittent and alternating lane closures from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17 for bridge repair and rehabilitation work.
- U.S. 29 Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation over Mitchell Creek- Southbound traffic will encounter intermittent and alternating lane closures from 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18 to 5 a.m. Friday, Feb. 19 for bridge repair and rehabilitation work.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive- Early construction activities including utility relocations, clearing, excavation, and drainage improvements have begun. Clearing and excavating of areas for the stormwater ponds are currently underway. There will be 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. Major roadway construction activities are anticipated to begin summer 2021.
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – The bridge is closed
- U.S. 90 Turn Lane Construction West of Bell Lane in Pace– Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. until Thursday, Feb. 18 as crews construct an east and westbound turn lane for the New Discount Tire Store.
- S.R. 89 North, S.R. 87 North and S.R. 89 Bypass Roadway Maintenance Operations- Drivers may encounter intermittent lane restrictions until Sunday, April 25 as crews perform roadway maintenance activities along the corridors. Off duty law enforcement will be on-site to assist with traffic control.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Pictured top: A worker is saw-cutting existing temporary asphalt on Nine Mile road near Pine Cone Drive. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Ordinance Under Consideration To Allow Countywide Sunday Morning Alcohol Sales
February 13, 2021
A new Escambia County ordinance under consideration will allow stores to sell alcohol on Sunday mornings across the entire county.
Escambia County’s current hours for sale or purchase of alcoholic beverages were established in 1989, allowing sales between 6 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. each day except Sunday. The current ordinance bans retail alcohol sales on Sundays between 2:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. countywide, with an exception for Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key where it is legal to sell alcohol at retail stores on Sundays after 7 a.m.
If approved, the new ordinance will allow alcohol sales between 6 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. each day of the week (still prohibiting sales between 2:30 a.m. and 6 a.m., seven days a week).
The Escambia County Commission will hold a public hearing on the ordinance on Thursday, February 18 at 9:01 a.m.
If approved, the ordinance will become effective when it is filed with the Florida Department of State.
File photo.
Flags At Half Staff Sunday For Marjory Stoneman Douglas Remembrance Day
February 13, 2021
Flags across Florida will be flown at half staff on Sunday to mark Marjory Stoneman Douglas Remembrance Day.
“On February 14, 2018, Nikolas Cruz opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Seventeen innocent lives were lost. Students, teachers, and faculty showed great courage in the face of danger. The sacrifices of these heroes, as well as the brave actions of first responders, will never be forgotten,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said.
DeSantis has ordered flags to be flown at half staff at a local and state government buildings, installations and grounds in Florida from sunrise to sunset on Sunday.
Pictured: The flag at half staff on February 14, 2020, at Bratt Elementary School to mark Marjory Stoneman Douglas Remembrance Day. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.