Forester: Good Management Prevents Pine Bark Beetles
June 19, 2018
by Escambia County Forester Cathy Hardin
Pine bark beetles rarely affect healthy trees. Impacted trees generally have been stressed in one or more ways during the past year or two. Stressors can include drought, flooding, lightning, fire, wounds to the trunk or larger limbs, compaction of soil, poor soil, competition, etc.
While there has been a slight upward trend in Southern Pine Beetle infestations in other parts of Florida, so far, the western panhandle has been spared. Southern Pine Beetles are potentially the most devastating of the southern pine bark beetles. In an outbreak, SPB can spread fast, killing many trees in a “spot” that gradually spreads outwards.
The best treatment for pine bark beetles is prevention through good forest management. To help combat one of the most economically devastating forest pests of the Southeast, the Florida Forest Service is accepting applications for the 2018 Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program from non-industrial, private forest landowners through June 29.
This program encourages sound management by providing 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.
To obtain an application or to learn more about the Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program, visit FreshFromFlorida.com/SouthernPineBeetle/Prevention. Or contact the Escambia County Forester Cathy Hardin at (850) 587-5237.
This Is Qualifying Week For Local Candidates (With List Of Offices On The Ballot)
June 19, 2018
It’s qualifying week for local seats on the 2018 ballot. Qualitfying continues in Escambia County until noon on Friday.
Candidates can file their paperwork at the Supervisor of Elections (SOE) office on the second floor at 213 Palafox Place, or Wednesday only from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. in the Century Town Hall council chambers (available to all candidates, not just those for Century council).
The Primary Election will be held August 28, 2018, and the General Election will be November 6, 2018.
The following local offices are up for election in 2018, each listed with the current office holder.
Century Town Council
- Council Seat 3: Ben Boutwell
- Council Seat 4: Gary Riley
- Council Seat 5: Sandra McMurray Jackson
Pensacola City
- Mayor: Ashton Hayward
- Council District 2: Sherri Myers
- Council District 4: Larry Johnson
- Council District 6: Brian Spencer
Escambia County Commission
- District 2: Doug Underhill
- District 4: Grover Robinson
Escambia School Board
- District 1: Kevin Adams
- District 2: Gerald Boone
- District 3: Lee Hansen (Linda Moultrie resigned)
Judicial County Court
- County Court Judge Group 2: Joyce H. Williams
- County Court Judge Group 4: Amy P. Brodersen
- County Court Judge Group 5: Kerra A. Smith
Special Districts
- ECUA District 2: Lois Benson
- ECUA District 4: Dale Perkinsfsan
- SRIA: Thomas A. Campanella
- Escambia Soil & Water Group 1: Betty Wilson
- Escambia Soil & Water Group 2: Austin Courson
- Escambia Soil & Water Group 4: Lynn Laird
An Angel At Chick-fil-A: Lost Engagement Ring And A Shared Date
June 19, 2018
Imagine Chloe Leonard’s feeling of panic.
The young McDavid woman was at the Chick-fil-A on Nine Mile Road when she realized she had lost her engagement ring.
She said the employees went out of their way to help search the entire restaurant with no results. She was back at her table, when her “angel” appeared. She knows that Chick-fil-A employee angel only by her first name Karen.
“As soon as I had given up on finding it, Karen came up to my table holding my ring,” Leonard said. “She went out of her way to keep looking and found it in the parking spot next to my car.”
Leonard was extremely thankful that she had her ring engagement ring back.
“I know for a fact God placed Karen there just for me,” she said.
And his really happy story even has another interesting twist. Karen’s wedding anniversary is October 6.
Leonard will marry Cameron Harp, the absolute love of her life, on — are you ready for this? October 6.
“I found out Karen’s anniversary is the same exact day as Cameron and I are planning to get married, she said. “God is so good.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECAT Offering Free Rides For Dump The Pump Day
June 19, 2018
Escambia County Area Transit will join with other public transportation systems nationwide to participate in the 13th annual National Dump the Pump Day on Thursday.
ECAT is offering free rides for everyone on Dump the Pump Day to encourage residents and visitors to hop on board ECAT and to ride public transit for the day.
The slogan of this year’s National Dump the Pump Day is “Dump the Pump. Ride Public Transit.” Sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association, the 2018 National Dump the Pump Day is a day that encourages people to ride public transportation in order to get where they need to go, instead of driving a car.
File photo.
Mosquito Control Plans Spray Areas South Of Muscogee, North Of Kingsfield Tonight
June 18, 2018
Escambia County Mosquito Control plans to conduct a fogging operation today.
The spray areas south of Muscogee Road and north of Kingsfield Road and east of Highway 95A are highlighted in the maps on this page in light green; the hatch-marked areas are no spray zones. Click either map to enlarge.
Mission hours vary, but typically occur in the evening hours from 6-9:30 p.m.
When possible, pre-application and post-application surveillance is performed to ensure fogging is warranted. Methods used to determine need include dry ice-baited light traps, landing rate counts and service requests received from the public.
To make a request for service or an area to be listed as a no spray area, call (850) 937-2188, submit an online request here or email mosquitocontrol@myescambia.com.
Atmore Splash Pad Back Open
June 18, 2018
The new splash pad in Atmore is open again, according to Mayor Jim Staff. The splash pad was closed for a week for additional improvements. The splash pad was opened about a month ago at South Trammel Street and West Craig Street, just behind Heritage Park on South Main Street. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Low Tax Opportunity Zones Approved For Escambia County, Including Century
June 18, 2018
Great news – @USTreasury approved Florida’s Low Tax Opportunity Zones. These Zones will help foster continued success in our state by bringing new capital investment and more jobs to areas in every Florida county.
The U.S. Treasury has approved Gov. Rick Scott’s recommendation that seven census tracts in Escambia County be designated as “Opportunity Zones”, including Century and the immediately surrounding area.
“These Zones will help foster continued success in our state by bringing new capital investment and more jobs to areas in every Florida county,” according to the Governor’s Office.
Low Tax Opportunity Zones, as established in the federal Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017, encourage long-term investment and job creation in targeted communities by reducing taxes for many job creators. Low Tax Opportunity Zones enhance local communities’ ability to attract businesses, developers and financial institutions to invest in targeted areas by allowing investors to defer capital gains taxes through investments in federally established Opportunity Funds.
“The Pensacola area has created 19,400 jobs since December 2010 and these new Low Tax Opportunity Zones will spur even more private investment and job creation. I look forward to seeing the new businesses and jobs that are created in these target areas,” Scott said.
“These Zones will make a real and lasting difference in some of our highest-need areas by helping to bring new capital investment and more jobs to every county across the state. They will also bring additional investment to rural communities and urban areas, ensuring that every Floridian has the chance to live the American Dream in the Sunshine State,” the governor added.
“The new Opportunity Zone program will have a lasting impact for families in the Panhandle by offering tax incentives to attract businesses. This program will grow the local economy, create jobs and provide assistance to hardest-hit areas,” said Cissy Proctor, executive director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
The federal government will now begin the rulemaking process to designate how Opportunity Funds are created and how businesses, developers and financial institutions can invest in qualified Zones.
Pictured top: The Century Business Center. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Free Summer Meals At The Century, Molino And Main Libraries
June 18, 2018
Free summer meals are available at the libraries in Century, Molino and downtown Pensacola.
The meals are available through a partnership with West Florida Public Libraries and Feeding the Gulf coast through Friday, August 3 for children 18 and younger.
Meals are available as follows:
- -Century Branch Library, 7991 N. Century Blvd: Tuesday-Friday, lunch from noon to 1 p.m.
– Molino Branch Library, 6450-A Highway 95A : Monday-Friday, breakfast from 9-10 a.m. and lunch from noon to 1 p.m.
– Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St.: Monday-Friday, breakfast from 9-10 a.m. and lunch from noon to 1 p.m.
Pictured: Free summer meals at the Molino Branch Library. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Area Unemployment Rate Slips Slightly
June 18, 2018
The Escambia County area unemployment rate was 3.3 percent, down very slightly from 3.4 percent last month, according to the latest numbers announced Friday.
The industry with the highest growth over the year in Pensacola was construction with 1,000 new jobs. The Pensacola area had 4,639 job openings, including 1,154 openings for high-skill, high-wage STEM occupations.
As of May, Florida’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.8 percent, a drop of 7.0 percentage points since December 2010; this drop is faster than the national decline of 5.5 percentage points. In the past year, 124,000 people entered Florida’s labor force, a growth of 1.2 percent, which is greater than the national labor force growth rate of 1.1 percent.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts – Where To Expect Delays
June 18, 2018
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. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to U.S. 90 (Nine Mile Road)- Drivers traveling U.S. 29 and Nine Mile Road will encounter traffic pattern changes from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 17 through Saturday, June 23 as follows:
- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass: North and southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue construction of the new center bridge deck. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday.
- U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drivers may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations. U.S. 29 lane restrictions are Monday through Saturday.
- Northbound traffic has been shifted onto the newly constructed bridge section as demolition and reconstruction efforts on the northbound span begins.
- Due to the increased vertical clearance of the new bridge, the on-ramp will be extended up to the entrances of Emerald Cuts Salon and the Unitarian Universalist Church. This temporary shift will affect access to businesses and residences on the east side of U.S. 29 between 9 Mile Road and 9 1/2 Mile Road. The following will be in effect for the next 60 days:
- Motorists seeking access to properties on the east side of U.S. 29 will utilize the northbound on-ramp.
- Only right turns will be permitted for vehicles exiting driveways from these properties between 9 Mile Road and 9 1/2 Mile Road.
- U.S. 29 Resurfacing between U.S. 90 and Muscogee Road - Alternating lane closures north and southbound, from Muscogee Road to West 9 ½ Mile Road, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 17 through Thursday, June 21 as crews pave the roadway.
· I-10 / U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I- The following traffic impacts are planned on I-10 and U.S. 29 near the interchange (Exits 10) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 17 through Thursday, June 21:
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- Alternating lane closures on I-10 east and westbound and U.S. 29 north and southbound.
- The U.S. 29 on-ramps to I-10 eastbound will be intermittently closed. Traffic will be detoured on U.S. 29 to access I-10 eastbound.
- Alternating lane closures on the I-10 westbound exit ramp to U.S. 29 north and south (Exit 10).
· U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Alternating east and westbound lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, June 17 through Thursday, June 21 as crews perform construction activities.
· U.S. 98 (Lillian Highway) Resurfacing from Perdido Bay Bridge to Dogtrack Road – Alternating and intermittent, east and westbound lane closures from Perdido Bay Bridge to Dogtrack Road from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, June 17 through Thursday, June 21 as crews perform construction activities.
· S.R. 291 (Davis Highway) near Lakeview Avenue- Traffic will encounter southbound, outside lane restrictions near Lakeview Avenue from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, June 18 as crews perform underground utility work.
· U.S. 90 (Mobile Highway) Intersection improvement at County Road (C.R.) 99 (Beulah Road)- Beulah Road will be closed to traffic, just north of Mobile Highway, from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, June 19 through Friday, June 22 as crews perform drainage work. A signed detour will be in place. All lanes will be open to traffic during daytime hours.
· S.R. 296 (Bayou Boulevard) Turn Lane Closure- The westbound, right turn lane on Bayou Boulevard, just east of 9th Avenue, remains partially closed until 3:30 p.m. Friday, July 6 as crews install drainage structures for new private commercial businesses.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Alternating east and westbound lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, June 17 through Thursday, June 21 as crews perform construction activities.
- S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to Hickory Hammock Road – Intermittent lane shifts from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. the week of Monday, June 18 between Eglin Air Force Base boundary and two miles south of the Yellow River as crews pave the roadway. Additionally, traffic between C.R. 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) and the Eglin AFB boundary is restricted to loads less than 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place until the project is complete.
- I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) – Alternating lane closures on I-10, from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of Avalon Boulevard from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 17 through Friday, June 22 as crews widen the roadway. In addition, southbound traffic on Avalon Boulevard will be shifted to the west near the I-10 interchange the week of Tuesday, June 19. Northbound lanes are anticipated to be shifted to the west a few days after the southbound shift. The temporary configuration will remain in place throughout the summer months as crews reconstruct the northbound lanes of Avalon Boulevard. Two lanes of traffic will remain open in each direction at all times.
- U.S. 90 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Pond Creek- East and westbound traffic on U.S. 90 over Pond Creek, about one mile west of S.R. 89, will be reduced to one lane from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Thursday, June 21 as crews perform routine bridge maintenance.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.