Eighth Red Bulb Placed On Wreath After Apartment Fire
December 21, 2020
Escambia County Fire Rescue has placed an additional red bulb on the “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety wreath, bringing the total to eight residential structure fires so far during December. Last year’s campaign concluded with 13 red bulbs.
The eighth residential fire of December occurred in the 5800 block of Penny Lane on Sunday about 3:$5 a.m. One apartment was a total loss, and the adjoining apartment was vacant but had moderate smoke and water damage.
The occupant was able to escape the fire, but was transported by Escambia County EMS to a local hospital for treatment.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
If your home does not have a working smoke detector, call Escambia County Fire Rescue at (850) 595-HERO (4376) or (850) 436-5200 for city of Pensacola residents.
The “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign is a collaborative initiative with the city of Pensacola to promote fire safety during the month of December. During the month-long campaign, five-foot wreaths are on display at 21 county fire stations and five city fire stations, as well as Escambia County’s Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building downtown, the Escambia County Public Safety Building and Pensacola City Hall. Each time firefighters respond to a residential fire with damage, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in residential home.
RV Park Proposed For 25 Acres Adjacent To Lake Stone In Century
December 21, 2020
A recreational vehicle park has been proposed for a 25 acre parcel directly adjacent to Lake Stone in Century.
Cheryl Nelson of Cantonment has submitted a pre-application for the RV park to the Escambia County Development Review Committee. According to Escambia County Property Appraiser records, the parcel belongs to Adam C. Chenevet of Baytown, Texas.
According to the application, the development would use a portable building for a welcome center, and a shower and restroom facility would be constructed. Sewer, power and water would be installed at each RV site. The property is bordered by West Highway 4 to the north, Lake Stone Road to the west and the parking lot at the Lake Stone boat ramp to the south.
Nelson proposes to build the RV park in two phases, and has provided design options. One would have access to the park from West Highway 4; the other would provide an entrance from Lake Stone Road. There is no right-of-way on Lake Stone Road, so approval of the State of Florida would be required to use Lake Stone Road as an entrance.
Lake Stone is owned by the State of Florida and managed by Escambia County. The property is located outside the Century town limits.
Pictured: An RV Park is planned for thIS 25 acre parcel adjacent to Lake Stone. Pictured below: Hand drawn plans submitted to the Escambia County Development Review Committee. Pictured bottom: The property as seen from the Lake Stone boat ramp parking lot. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Elementary Names Students Of The Month
December 21, 2020
Jim Allen Elementary School has named their Students of the Month. They are Trenton Hetherington (pictured left) and Kaitlyn Stefanko. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Beulah Christmas Parade Held Sunday
December 21, 2020
Santa Claus was the star attraction in the Beulah Christmas Parade Sunday afternoon.
The parade rolled from the Escambia Equestrian Center and traveled through Beulah, including down Mobile Highway, Nine Mile Road and Beulah Road.
Mrs. Claus, the Grinch, Rudolph, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Beulah Fire Department and others took part in the parade.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECAT Now Requiring Face Masks, Regular Fares Return In January
December 21, 2020
Face masks are now required on all Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) buses, and regular fares will return next month.
Free face masks have been provided to ECAT riders since June 1 and will continue to be available. Face masks are required on ECAT busses as of Monday, December 21. If a passenger meets one of the Florida Department of Health requirements that prevents mask wearing, the passenger can notify the bus operator. Social distancing will still be encouraged on all ECAT vehicles.
Regular fares have been suspended since March 23 but will be reinstated on Monday, January 25.
Skanska Barge Runs Aground; Company Believes Mooring Line Was Intentionally Cut
December 21, 2020
Another Skanska barge broke loose from the Pensacola Bay Bridge project Saturday night and ended up near the Bay Bridge Condos in Gulf Breeze.
Skanska says it appears the mooring line was intentionally cut, and there will be an investigation.
“A barge on the eastside of the Pensacola Bay Bridge became unmoored. It appears that the line securing the barge was severed. We’re conducting an internal investigation and authorities are aware of the incident. There does not appear to be any damage at this time,” Skanska said in a statement.
“After internal investigation, we’ve determined that there is strong probable cause this was a result of foul play and the line was intentionally cut. We’re contacting the authorities and Coast Guard to investigate further. We’re grateful no harm was caused to any person or property.”
The barge was recovered Sunday afternoon.
Photos Al Showers/WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Reach Nine Month High
December 21, 2020
Florida gas prices increased an average of six cents last week.
The state average for a gallon of regular unleaded reached $2.20 cents on Friday, the highest since March..
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $2.17, up from $2.13 a week ago. The lowest price to be found Sunday night in North Escambia was $1.99, while one Pensacola station was at $1.98.
“Oil prices returned to pre-pandemic levels last week, so it should come as no surprise that gas prices followed suit,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Fuel prices have been pressured higher by optimism surrounding a new stimulus package and Covid-19 vaccine news. These are two big pieces in the puzzle for long term improvement in fuel demand, which has been heavily hampered by the pandemic.”
Escambia County Unemployment Rate Increases Again
December 20, 2020
The unemployment rate in Escambia County increased half a point in November, according to data released Friday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 5.9% in November, up from 5.4% in October. That represents 8,504 people out of work out of a county workforce of 144,454. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was just 2.9%, or 4,224 people.
The Escambia County area private-sector employment decreased by 6,600 jobs (-4.2 percent) over the year. The industry losing the most jobs over the year was leisure and hospitality (-3,500 jobs). Construction was the only major industry to gain jobs over the year in November 2020 (+300 jobs).
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.4 percent in November 2020, unchanged from the revised October 2020 rate, and up 3.6 percentage points from a year ago. There were 651,000 jobless Floridians out of a labor force of 10,146,000.
The U.S. unemployment rate was 6.7 percent in November.
Century Residents Now Paying Higher Garbage Rates Under No-Bid Contract
December 20, 2020
Century residents are seeing an increase on their December garbage bills after the town approved a no-bid sanitation contract.
The town contracts with Republic Services to collect garbage within the town limits. Republic has a provision in their contract that allows them to increase the rates they charged the town each December to match the Consumer Price Index. The town annually passes the rate increase directly along to residents.
That increase amounts to 3.4%, or about 80 cents, per customer, according to Interim Town Manager Vernon Prather.
Century renewed a five year contract with Republic Services in July without seeking bids from other potential providers.
West Beats East In All-Star Football Game; Northview’s Trevor Scott Is Defensive MVP
December 20, 2020
The West team bet the East 24-10 in the annual Pensacola Sports Association All-Star Football Game Friday night at Washington High School.
The best seniors from Escambia County played as the West team, while the top seniors from Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties were the East team.
Northview High School’s Trevor Scott received the West defensive MVP award with seven tackles. West Florida High School’s Jaheim Simmons was named the West’s offensive MVP.
The offensive MVP for East went to Pace High’s Brandon Miller, and Navarre’s Grady Kelly was East defensive MVP with three tackles and a sace.
Pictured are (above) Jaylen Cook, Jacori Simpkins and Devin Bryant from Tate; and (below) Trevor Scott, Logan Bryan and Johnny Windham from Northview. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
