Sample Ballots On The Way To Escambia Voters
March 1, 2020
Sample ballots for the March 17 Presidential Preference Primary Election are in the mail to Escambia County voters.
The sample ballot, in both English and Spanish, includes a ballot image, the voter’s polling location and information on the three ways to vote: early, vote-by-mail, and on election day. A sample ballot is also available at EscambiaVotes.com.
File photo.
Everything And The Kitchen Sink Sold At The 45th Annual Ruritan Auction
March 1, 2020
A large crowd attended the 45th annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club Auction Saturday in Walnut Hill bidding on farm equipment and a little bit of everything else, including the kitchen sink. Over 400 items were up for auction.
All proceeds from the auction benefit the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club’s community service projects in the Walnut Hill area. The auction is held on the last Saturday of February.
That kitchen sink, by the way, sold to the highest bidder for $10.
Pictured: Hundreds attended the annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club farm equipment auction Saturday in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sunny And Near 70 For Sunday; Rain Chance Returns Monday
March 1, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday Night: Patchy fog after 9pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 9am. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a high near 75. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 68.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 68.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 69.
District 5 Commissioner Barry To Hold March Town Hall In Barrineau Park
March 1, 2020
Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry will hold a town hall meeting on Tuesday, March 24 at 5:30 p.m. at the Barrineau Park Community Center. Local residents are encouraged to attend the open forum event. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Ever Use The Garcon Point Bridge? Court Orders Toll Increased As Of Today.
March 1, 2020
To comply with a recent court order, new toll rates and an adjustment to the bridge volume discount program, took effect March 1 on the Garcon Point Bridge in Santa Rosa County.
The cash toll rate for two-axle vehicles will be adjusted to $5, and the cash rate for each additional axle (over two axles) will be an additional $5 per axle. The SunPass toll rate will be $4.50 for two-axle vehicles, and the SunPass rate for each additional axle (over two axles) will be an additional $4.50 per axle.
Two-axle vehicles using a SunPass transponder will now receive a 25% discount on their Garcon Point Bridge toll transactions in any month they have 30 or more Garcon Point Bridge toll transactions. The adjusted monthly 25% volume discount rate will apply beginning in March 2020.
The Garcon Point Bridge was constructed by the Santa Rosa Bay Bridge Authority and opened to traffic in 1999.
Cantonment Woman Killed In Davis Highway Crash
February 29, 2020
A Cantonment woman was killed in a two vehicle crash Friday night on Davis Highway.
Police said 32-year old Savannah King made a left turn from from a private driveway onto Davis Highway near Village Oaks Drive when she pulled into the path of an oncoming vehicle. She was pronounced deceased from her injuries. Her passenger, 31-year old James “Jimmy” Dudley Whisenhant III was transported to an area hospital with injuries not considered life threatening. Friends say the couple recently became engaged.
The occupants of the other vehicle were not injured in the crash about 11 p.m.
Police said alcohol or drugs were not suspected in the crash.
Escambia School District Announces Coronavirus Plan
February 29, 2020
The Escambia County School District has announced their plan for dealing with coronavirus, should the need arise.
“The School District of Escambia County will be operating in compliance and in accordance with the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) preparedness plans, as set forth by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) and the Florida Department of Health (FDOH),” Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said.
The ECSD said DOH has been closely monitoring COVID-19 since November, 2019, and emphasizes that there is a low health risk in the United States. The FDOH Incident Management Team has been working with the CDC with daily updates, and hundreds of health department professionals are positioned to respond if the need arises in each county.
“Escambia County School District is working with the Escambia County Health Department to stay up-to-date on COVID-19,” Thomas added “Current recommendations are the same as the flu or other respiratory illnesses: Wash your hands. Cover your cough. Stay home when you are sick and, please, keep your children home when they are sick.”
If students or staff exhibit symptoms, the district’s health services coordinator will be notified and she will in turn notify the health department.
Thomas noted, “This is a part of the school district’s current communicable disease procedure, which also pertains to other illnesses, not limited to COVID-19.”
Pedestrian Struck By Vehicle on East Kingsfield Road Friday Night
February 29, 2020
A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle Friday night on East Kingsfield Road near the side entrance to Tate High School.
The pedestrian was not seriously injured, and the driver of the vehicle also escaped injured in the accident about 7:15 p.m.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated and did not release additional information.
Pictured: An Escambia County EMS unit on scene of a pedestrian crash Friday night on East Kingsfield Road. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Friday, Joyce Gunn Retired. She Had Worked At Northview High Since The Day It Opened.
February 29, 2020
Friday was retirement day for Joyce Gunn who had worked at Northview High School since the day the school opened in 1995.
After a decade as the bookkeeper, she became the administrative secretary. Since 2011, she had been the senior finance specialist at Northview. Gunn has a total over 30 years of loyal service to the Escambia County School District.
“Enjoy every day and do the best you can,” Gunn said Friday. She looks forward to spending more time with her family and traveling now that she is retired.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sunny Weekend, Warming Temps
February 29, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia are forecast:
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 66. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 39. Calm wind.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. South wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tuesday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 68.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 68.