County To Enforce Truck Ban On Northern End Of Highway 95A
July 6, 2015
Now that a fully functional traffic signal is in place at Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino, the Escambia County Commission is set to ban big trucks from a portion of Highway 95A in Molino.
Trucks in excess of 10,500 pounds gross weight, except for trucks servicing or having business in the area, will be banned from Highway 95A from Highway 29 to Highway 97.
“No Truck” signs were in place along the are of Highway 95A for years, but the county commission never voted to make the truck prohibition official. After announcing that the ban would be enforced back in 2013, the Escambia County Commission backed down until the traffic signal at Highway 29 and Highway 97 could be approved and installed.
Residents of the all residential northern stretch of Highway 95A had pushed commissioners to enforce a truck ban on Highway 95A. But trucking company owners successfully convinced the commission that the route was safer than their trucks making turns at through the Highways 29 and 97 intersection without a red light.
In 2009, Escambia County issued exemption letters to the Highway 95A truck ban to C&C Hauling, American Concrete Supply and Kimmons Trucking. Those exemptions will become null and void if the commission votes Tuesday night to enforce the Highway 95A truck ban.
In 2013, the commission did vote to close the full length of Crabtree Church Road from Highway 97 to Sunshine Hill Road to truck traffic. The new traffic signal at Highway 97 and Highway 29 became operational on June 11.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Voter Registration Event To Be Held This Week In Century
July 6, 2015
The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office will hold a voter registration drive this week in Century.
The event will be held Wednesday from 1 until 3 p.m. at the Century Town Hall. Florida residents can register to vote or, if already registered, make sure the elections office has their most current information on file.
Florida residents attending the event should bring their Florida driver’s license, Florida ID card or the last four digits of their social security number.
For more information, call (850) 595-3900.
Motorcyclist Dies In Santa Rosa County Crash
July 6, 2015
A motorcyclist died in a two vehicle crash Sunday afternoon in Milton.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 22-year old Cameron G. Burke of Crestview was southbound on Highway 87 at Welcome Church Road when a van pulled from the side street into his path. Burke was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The driver of the van, Robert D. Johnson, 28 of Milton, was not injured. Any charges are pending the outcome of a traffic homicide investigation, according to the FHP.
Escambia Health Department: Summer Whooping Cough Cases On The Rise
July 6, 2015
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (FDOH-Escambia) says the number of pertussis cases in the county are on the rise.
Pertussis, commonly known as “whooping cough,” is a vaccine-preventable illness, but can be highly contagious to non-vaccinated and under-vaccinated individuals. Pertussis can be especially dangerous to newborn infants who are too young to get vaccinated. This illness is also serious for people with weakened immune systems and for older adults.
The disease easily spreads within families and in other settings where there are close contacts among individuals, such as summer day camps and group child care situations.
“At this point in 2015, we have four confirmed cases, two of which were confirmed this week,” said FDOH-Escambia’s Director, Dr. John Lanza. “The two newest cases live in the same household, emphasizing the ease with which the disease is transmitted among closely-contacted individuals. Because pertussis can be so dangerous for infants, it is important that all medically-eligible individuals get vaccinated and stay vaccinated.”
Individuals aged six weeks and older are eligible for the pertussis vaccine. Many teens and adults were vaccinated for pertussis when they were a child. However, if there is going to be a newborn in their home, or if they are going to be around older adults or individuals with poor immune function, previously-vaccinated persons may need a vaccine booster. Individuals should talk with their physician about getting the vaccination. Vaccinations are available at FDOH-Escambia and from many private physicians.
Pertussis is very contagious and is spread from person to person through the droplets from a cough. The main symptom is a cough that lasts for two weeks to several months. The cough can be very serious. Individuals may be unable to catch their breath and begin to turn blue. Severe coughs can also lead to vomiting, sleep loss, weight loss, nose bleeds, rib fractures, hernia and even pneumonia. In infants, the cough may have a “whoop” sound at the end. Individuals who have these symptoms, and those who have a cough and have been exposed to someone who has been diagnosed with pertussis, should see a doctor.
Additional information about the disease, what infected individuals should do, and vaccination recommendations can be found at EscambiaHealth.com.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
July 6, 2015
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the two week period ending July 2 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officers Miller, Cushing, Jones, Tolbert and the U.S. Coast Guard participated in a two night detail conducting inspections of commercial shrimp vessels in Pensacola Bay. A total of seven vessels were boarded. One citation was issued for fishing more than two nets and one warning was issued for not having a restricted species endorsement.
Lieutenant Hahr was patrolling in the Perdido River WMA at Fillingim Landing when he observed a car pull into the parking area and stop abruptly. The driver exited the car and began swearing and yelling at several others that appeared to be in his group. He turned the music up in the car and seemed to be threatening the others with violence as he pounded his fists together and threw up his hands in a fighting stance. Lieutenant Hahr approached the man and called him away from the car. The man immediately quieted down and stated that everything was fine when asked about his behavior. Lieutenant Hahr detected the odor of alcoholic beverages on his breath and other indicators of impairment. He conducted field sobriety tasks and determined that the man was impaired. He also determined that the man’s driver license had been suspended numerous times in the past and was currently not valid. He placed the man under arrest and escorted him from the area. The man was transported to the Escambia County Jail where a breath test was conducted. His breath alcohol level was .190g/210L. He was booked for DUI and driving with a suspended driver license.
Officer Webb concluded a boating accident investigation that involved a hit and run on the Escambia River. The accident happened when a vessel operator who was towing a skier veered into the path of another vessel. After the accident, the operator of the vessel towing the skier fled from the scene. There were only minor injuries to the victims in the second vessel. Through his investigation, Officer Webb was able to identify the operator who fled. He spoke with the subject several times and made arrangements to meet, but the subject would not show up. Officer Webb obtained warrants on the subject for leaving the scene of a boating accident, failure to report a boating accident, and careless operation of a vessel.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Hutchinson received a complaint regarding a subject who had illegally harvested and possessed an alligator gar from the Escambia River. Officer Hutchinson followed up on the complaint and located the subject. After further investigation and interviewing of the subject at his residence, Officer Hutchinson discovered that the subject was still in possession of the alligator gar. The gar had been caught on hook and line gear and then shot with a rifle. He seized the meat and carcass and charged the man with illegal taking/possession of an alligator gar.
Officer Hutchinson was patrolling the Blackwater River when he observed a small vessel traveling towards him. As the vessel neared him, it left the river channel and turned into a cove. He repositioned his patrol vessel so that he could continue observing the vessel and observed the occupants just sitting in the vessel watching him. He made contact with the occupants and observed that they had been fishing. They admitted to catching a large sheepshead, but when Officer Hutchinson asked to see it, the subject sitting on the cooler stood up and asked about the size limits for redfish. Officer Hutchinson told him he first wanted to look inside of the ice chest. The subject opened the ice chest and Officer Hutchinson immediately observed several undersized redfish in it. After further inspection, he discovered that the three subjects were in possession of seven redfish, five of which were undersized. They also were in possession of an undersized spotted seatrout. Two of the subjects admitted to catching and keeping the undersized fish and knowing the size and bag limits for the fish. Officer Hutchinson seized the illegal fish and charged the subjects with possession of undersized redfish and spotted seatrout and possession of over the daily bag limit of redfish.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past two weeks; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
New Dollar General Open In Cantonment
July 6, 2015
The area’s newest Dollar General store is now open in Cantonment. The new 9,288 square foot store is on a 2.28 acre lot at the northeast corner of the Highway 29 and Neal Road intersection. The lot had been home to various thrift stores for several years. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Slight Chance Of Rain This Afternoon, Tonight
July 6, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
This Afternoon: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. West wind around 5 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95.
Braylee Ann Chevelle Lambert
July 6, 2015
Braylee Ann Chevelle Lambert, 18 months, of Bratt, passed away Saturday, July 4, 2015, at her residence. She was born on December 11, 2013, to Timothy Lambert and Leslie Whiting, in Andalusia, AL.
She is preceded in death by her grandfather, Gary Whiting.
Survivors are her parents, Leslie Whiting and Timothy Lambert; grandparents, Donald and Judy Lambert and Dana Whiting; brothers and sisters, Justin Kendrick, Ryan Lambert, Nicholas lambert, Haley Lambert, Brooklyn Lambert, Dexon Lambert, Preston Lambert, Allison Lambert and Cheyanne Lambert; and numerous aunts, uncles and extended family.
Services will be Thursday July 9, 2015, at 2 p.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Joe Gibson officiating.
Interment will follow in Serenity Gardens.
Family will receive friends on Thursday, July 9, 2015, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 12:30 p.m. until service time.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Wahoos, Baybears Washout
July 6, 2015
Sunday’s game between the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Mobile BayBears was postponed due to rain.
The second-game of series is scheduled to be made up in a doubleheader on Monday.
Gates open at 4:30 p.m. and the first game is scheduled to start at 5:05 p.m. at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile. Both games will be seven innings.
Free Teach The Teacher Soil Workshop Offered
July 6, 2015
This summer, the University of Florida IFAS Soil Science Department is offering a one-day, Teach the Teacher International Year of Soil Workshop for educators at locations throughout the state of Florida to learn more about soils and how to relate that information back to their students.
The workshop will be comprised of in-class lectures, activity demonstrations, and field tours that will be taught by University of Florida faculty. The workshop will cover topics like Soils and Civilizations, What is a Soil, Water Retention and Movement in Soil, Soil is Living, and Soil Protects the Environment.
Participants will leave with curriculum, a certificate of attendance, and a better understanding of how to incorporate soil science into teachable moments in his/her classroom.
The local event will be held Tuesday, July 7 at the West Florida Research and Education Center at 4253 Experiment Road in Jay. Attendance is free and lunch will be provided, but attendees should register in advance by clicking here.