Florida Forest Service Accepting Applications To Help Landowners Combat Southern Pine Beetle Outbreak
July 13, 2020
The Florida Forest Service is announcing that applications are now being accepted for the 2020 Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program. The program is limited to 44 northern Florida counties, the known range of the southern pine beetle, and open to non-industrial, private forest landowners through August 6, 2020.
The southern pine beetle (SPB) is one of the most economically devastating forest pests of the Southeast, with periodic outbreaks leading to deaths of millions of pine trees. Since 2015, over 460 SPB infestations have been reported in Florida, killing trees on more than 2,200 acres. This pales in comparison to the last major outbreaks between 1999 and 2002, which caused an estimated $59 million in timber losses on over 24,000 acres.
Since it was first offered in 2005, the Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program has been implemented on more than 197,000 acres and helped thousands of landowners.
“Southern pine beetle activity is relatively low in Florida right now, but it can increase rapidly,” said Erin Albury, State Forester and Director of the Florida Forest Service. “Awareness is key, and we want to help landowners improve the health and productivity of their pine forests.”
The Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program, supported through a grant by the United States Forest Service, provides incentive payments for landowners who conduct a first pulpwood thinning and offers partial cost reimbursement for activities, such as prescribed burning, mechanical underbrush treatments, and the planting of longleaf or slash pine rather than the loblolly pine, the beetle’s preferred species. Qualified landowners can apply for up to two different practices per year, and funding requests may not exceed $10,000. All qualifying applications received during the submission period will be evaluated and ranked for approval.
Visit FDACS.gov/SPBPrevention to learn more about the Southern Pine Beetle Assistance Program or click here to obtain an application.
“Pine forests are an essential part of Florida’s ecosystem,” said Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. “Helping landowners take preventative action significantly reduces the risk and impacts associated with the southern pine beetle and is critical to preserving the benefits that forests provide Floridians and visitors alike.”
Two Die In Fiery Crash Into Industrial Building
July 12, 2020
Two people will killed in fiery crash into a brick building in the Ellyson Industrial Park early Sunday morning.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 2013 Chevrolet Camaro crashed into a building housing Roofer’s Mart Southeast at 3175 Copter Road about 12:11 a.m.
The car and the building burst into flames following the collision.
The driver and passenger were pronounced deceased at the scene. Troopers have not yet been able to positively identify either victim.
The Florida Highway Patrol is continuing their investigation.
Four New Fire Trucks Delivered For Molino, Ensley And Two Other Escambia County Fire Stations
July 12, 2020
Four new fire engines ordered by Escambia County have been delivered to replace four aging trucks that have in excess of 100,000 miles each.
The trucks are undergoing some finishing touches before they are placed in service.
A new rescue engine will replace the 2003 model year front line engine assigned to the Molino Fire Station. A second rescue engine will replace a 2011 model front line engine assigned to the Ensley Fire Station.
A standard engine will replace the current 2004 model rescue engine at the Myrtle Grove Fire Station, and a squad engine will replace the current 2002 rescue engine at the Pleasant Grove Fire Station.
The four Pierce engines were purchased with Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) funds from Ten-8 Fire Equipment, Inc., for just over $2 million.
According to Ten-8, all four of the trucks have the same cab and pump house configurations to standardize the fleet. Each is designed for its response area and support for the entire county.
Each truck features:
- a 750 gallon tank
- a 1500 gpm pump
- a deck gun
- seating for five personnel for Florida hurricane deployments
- rear-forward facing crew cab seats that fold to permit better movement in and out of the cab for safety
- an EMS compartment in the crew area facing rearward above each front wheel so medical equipment can be accessed inside or outside the cab from the ground without entering the cab
- cargo netting with a single pull lanyard secures the EMS compartments
- a coated interior, vinyl seats, and headliner help with cab decontamination
- vertical exhaust keeps heat and emissions away from firefighters working around the apparatus.
- solid bright red paint to set ECFR apparatus apart from other departments in the area and improves visibility to the motorist
In addition to providing dependable, state-of-the-art equipment, having new engines under warranty will also decrease repair and maintenance costs which have increased significantly due to the aging fleet, the county said when the purchase was approved unanimously by the Escambia County Commission about a year ago.
The trucks were custom built from the ground up.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Over 21,000 Thousand Customers Impacted By Gulf Power Outage Saturday Night
July 12, 2020
Over 21,000 Gulf Power customers lost power across Escambia County Saturday night.
A large number of people that were left in the dark — and without air conditioning — were in the Cantonment area.
In Cantonment, the power went out during the eight o’clock hour and was restored before going out again for many people. Most had their power restored a final time by 10 p.m.
Gulf Power did not provide a reason for the failure.
These Are This Week’s Road Construction Traffic Delay Hotspots
July 12, 2020
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, July 12:
o Intermittent east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
o Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90)– The U.S. 29 bridge over Nine Mile Road will be closed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, July 13 through Wednesday, July 15 as crews grind and groove the concrete bridge deck. All traffic will be diverted to the off-ramps at Nine Mile Road and use the on-ramps to return to U.S. 29. Also, drivers traveling Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass, and U.S. 29 traffic between 1-10 and Nine & Half Mile Road may experience alternating lane shifts or closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road (State Road (S.R.) 297)- A portion of the I-10 off-ramp that connects to the Nine Mile Road (Exit 5) westbound remains closed. Drivers can continue to access Nine Mile Road east and westbound using the other section of the ramp. The partial ramp closure is needed to reconstruct the ramp.
- · U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of Muscogee Road (County Road (C.R.) 184) to Atmore Highway (S.R. 97)- Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane restrictions as crews continue construction activities at various locations. There will also be intermittent and alternating nighttime lane restriction at the intersection of U.S. 29 and Muscogee Road/Becks Lake Road.
- · Michigan Avenue (S.R. 296) at Mobile Highway and Memphis Avenue- Construction activities have begun on the safety improvements. The contractor will be working during daytime hours. Nighttime lane closures are possible.
- · Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Intersection Improvements at New Warrington Road
(S.R. 295) – Construction activities are underway. Drivers can expect lane closures between 9:30 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Santa Rosa County:
- · Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement - Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, July 12:
o Intermittent east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
o Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- U.S. 98 Turn Lane Construction between Heritage Parkway and Braden Road- There will be eastbound lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, July 13 through Thursday, July 16 as crews pave a right turn lane in to the Medlin Preserve subdivision.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing from Clear Creek to S.R. 4- Drivers can expect intermittent daytime lane closures along the 14-mile corridor through fall 2020 as crews continue paving operations.
- U.S. 90 Pavement Marking Operations from Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281) to the Okaloosa County Line-Motorists can expect minor delays Sunday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. until Thursday, Aug. 27 as slow-moving vehicles are used to perform pavement marking operations.
No Injuries In Saturday Night Highway 29 Wreck
July 12, 2020
There were no injuries in a two vehicle crash Saturday night on Highway 29 at East Kingfield Road.
The crash happened about 8:40 p.m., about the time of a widespread power outage in the area. The wreck did not not cause the outage, but reports indicated that the outage and a non-working traffic signal may have contributed to the crash.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated and has not released additional details.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Man That Served Just Three Days As Florida Governor Has Passed Away
July 12, 2020
A man that served as Florida’s governor for just three days has passed away.
Wayne Mixon was Florida’s 39th governor from January 3 to January 6 in 1987. He assumed the officer of governor after then Gov. Bob Graham stepped down to take a seat in the United State Senate. Mixson served the three days until governor-elect Bob Martinez was sworn into office on inauguration day.
Mixson also served as the lieutenant governor and secretary of commerce. He previously served in the Florida House of Representatives for six consecutive terms. President Jimmy Carter appointed Mixson as a special ambassador to Ecuador. He was also a veteran serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
“The First Lady and I mourn the loss of Wayne Mixson, a World War II veteran who served as Lieutenant Governor and Governor of Florida and was appointed U.S. Ambassador under President Jimmy Carter. We extend our condolences to his family as our state and country celebrate his legacy,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said Friday.
Bender Selected For Florida Association Of Counties Finance, Tax And Administration Committee
July 12, 2020
Escambia County Vice-Chairman and District 4 Commissioner Robert Bender has been selected to serve on the Florida Association of Counties Finance, Tax and Administration committee and the Water and Environmental Sustainability committee. He was also appointed to the Florida Counties Foundation Board of Directors which oversees the training and education institute for county governments.
“I am looking forward to making a positive impact on issues related to finance and environmental sustainability,” said Vice-Chairman and District 4 Commissioner Robert Bender. “Escambia County will be well-represented at the Florida Association of Counties committees and the Florida Counties Foundation Board on many of the key components that make Escambia County a great place to live, play and work.”
Due To COVID-19 Staffing Shortages, Escambia EMS Calls In Supplemental Ambulance Crews
July 11, 2020
When seven vehicles wrecked at Highway 29 and Muscogee Road in Cantonment Friday evening, a Lifeguard EMS unit responded instead of an Escambia County ambulance. That’s because with employees out due to COVID-19, Escambia County EMS is shorthanded.
Under a mutual aid plan, at least two Lifeguard EMS from Santa Rosa County are stationed in Escambia County through the weekend.
Escambia County Public Safety Director Jason Rogers, who started his job just a few weeks ago, said on a regular day “when everybody comes to work” there are 18 ambulance crews on duty across the county during peak hours. There were 15 Escambia County ambulances, a quick response vehicle plus two Lifeguard units covering the county on Friday, and a similar arrangement is expected for Saturday and Sunday.
“That is as close to everybody coming to work and life being normal as possible as we can possibly get,” he said.
He said nine Escambia EMS staffers have tested positive for COVID-19, five are awaiting test results and others are isolated.
Rogers said he was not worried that EMS would reach a critical staffing level, but he reached out to the company that operates LifeGuard in advance when he saw the uptick in virus cases and isolations.
“I wanted to get these partnerships in place before it was an emergency,” he said Friday, adding that EMS staffing problems were happening around the country, not just locally.
“We have not reached a critical stage,” Rogers said.
Pictured: A Santa Rosa County Lifeguard EMS unit, which was stationed in Escambia County , responded to a seven vehicle crash Friday evening on Highway 29 at Muscogee Road in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Santa Rosa County Hires Waste Pro To Replace ECUA; North End Residents To Pay More
July 11, 2020
Santa Rosa County has hired Waste Pro to replace ECUA as the sanitation provider in the north end of the county, and it’s going to cost resident more.
ECUA opted not to renew their contract to service the north end of Santa Rosa County after December 31.
This week, the Santa Rosa County Commission approved additional changes to the franchise agreement for Waste Pro to begin sanitation services to residents in the north end of the county beginning January 1, 2021.
The new contract will provide Santa Rosa County customers with weekly trash and yard waste pickup, on-demand bulk waste collection, and subscription-based recycling. On days that trash is collected, yard waste cans may be used as second trash can if needed. ECUA had collected waste twice per week, and recycling was free.
Resident customers will see their cost increase from about $66 per quarter to about $73.29 plus an additional fee if they choose to recycle.
The new Waste Pro agreement will offer recycling as a subscription service for an additional $27 per quarter for weekly recycling pickup if the customer elects to subscribe. Waste hauling rates are adjusted annually each January.