Residents Of Cantonment District Asked To Take Habitat For Humanity Survey (And Earn A Gift Card)
August 10, 2021
Pensacola Habitat for Humanity needs 200 resident of the Cantonment Redevelopment District to take a quick survey, and they are offering a $5 gift card to the first 200 participants.
Click or tap here to take the survey.
“The Community Impact Measurement Survey that we are conducting in Cantonment CRA will help us identify the greatest needs within that area and how we at Pensacola Habitat for Humanity can help,” said Kristin O’Bryan, senior communications associate at Pensacola Habitat for Humanity.
“Our goal is over the next few years be able to apply for funding to help address some of the infrastructure needs that are desperately needed in the area. Our mission at Pensacola Habitat is to bring people together to build homes, communities, and hope and this survey will go a long way to help us open some doors to help strengthen the Cantonment CRA community,” O’Bryan said.
The quick survey asks residents about living in the area, concerns and community needs.
The survey is available only to those living in the Cantonment Redevelopment District, an area bordered roughly by Well Line and Neal Road to the north, Nowak to the west, along Becks Lake Road to the east, and south of Booker Street to the south (see map).
Click or tap here to take the survey.
NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.
Chance Of Rain For Wednesday, The First Day Of School In Escambia County
August 10, 2021
For the latest tropical weather update, click here.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly in the evening. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Calm wind.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 92.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Free Hepatitis A, COVID-19 Vaccinations Today In Century
August 10, 2021
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (FDOH-Escambia) will offer Hepatitis A and COVID-19 vaccinations Tuesday in Century.
The vaccinations will be available from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Nadine McCaw Park (Roadside Park) on North Century Boulevard at Hecker Road.
The Hepatitis A vaccinations are no cost to any Florida resident 19-year old or older who is not knowingly pregnant. Anyone vaccinated will receive a $10 grocery voucher from FDOH-Escambia.
In addition, a limited number of Johnson & Johnson “one shot” COVID-19 vaccines will be available during the event.
Inmate Accused Of Assaulting Century Correctional Institution Officer With Food Tray
August 10, 2021
Inmate James Hines assaulted an officer at Century Correctional Institution by striking them with a food tray, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
“Staff responded appropriately, and the inmate was subdued,” FDC said.
Hines is serving a four year, two month sentence for a sex offender registration violation in Lee County.
Escambia County COVID-19 Hospitalizations Reach Record High Of 322 On Monday
August 9, 2021
The number of current COVID-19 hospitalizations in Escambia County increased Monday to a daily record of 322. That compares to a high of 291 back in January.
On Monday, there were 322 people currently hospitalized for COVID-19 in Ascension Sacred Heart, Baptist and West Florida hospitals. One week ago, there were 216, and two weeks ago there were 107.
West Florida Healthcare CEO Gay Nord said nationally about 94% of all patients hospitalized or COVID are unvaccinated, and local numbers are very much the same.
“The highest spread of cases and severe outcomes is happening in places with low vaccination rates,” she said. “Virtually all hospitalizations and deaths have been among the unvaccinated.” She added that the severity of illness is greater with the Delta variant and is much more contagious.
“The only defense we have to minimize illness and death is the vaccine. I appeal to you today, as I know all of my colleagues will do the same, to get vaccinated if you have not,” Nord said. “The burden on our community and our healthcare system is real.”
CSX Trains Moving In McDavid After Derailment Three Weeks Ago, Final Environmental Cleanup Forthcoming
August 9, 2021
The CSX rail line in McDavid has reopened following a derailment three weeks ago, and plans are being made to finalize the environmental cleanup.
Twenty-five cars of a southbound CSX train derailed in a heavily wooded area a mile north of the West Fraser Sawmill about 10:35 p.m. the night of July 19. Several tanker and hopper cars were among those scattered about the tracks during the derailment.
According to the Florida Department of Environment Management, two of the cars were carrying ammonium nitrate and molten sulfur, both hazardous materials. Three of the cars spilled limestone rock adjacent to the tracks, and (nonhazardous) methionine was spilled, CSX confirmed shortly after the crash.
“CSX continues to conduct source removal activities, including the removal/disposal of the impacted cars and spilled gravel, to prevent or minimize contamination,” FDEP Press Secretary Alexandra Kuchta told NorthEscambia.com in an email late Friday afternoon.
“Additionally, a site assessment is underway to assess potential environmental impacts. This will also be used to determine appropriate corrective actions, remediation and enforcement actions, including potential penalties,” Kuchta continued.
CSX said they are finalizing cleanup plans.
“CSX has resumed normal train operations in the area. We are working on a plan to safely move the derailed cars to a nearby site to prepare for proper disposal,” Sheriee S. Bowman, CSX Media Relations, told NorthEscambia.com.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.
Century Council To Review City Manager’s Job Performance At Workshop Meeting
August 9, 2021
The Century Town Council will a hold a special workshop meeting Thursday to evaluate the job performance of Interim Town Manager Vernon Prather.
In late June, the council was set to hold the performance review. but backed out of the schedule agenda item. Council members were to have submitted written evaluation forms to he town clerk, but all five failed to do so.
Prather was hired in December 2019, and his contract was extended for a year in December 2020. He is paid $1,200 a week ($40 per hour) to work 30 hours on a schedule of his choosing. He is also paid a $600 per month vehicle allowance, but receives no other benefits.
His contract specifies that the mayor and town council will meet with him “at least every three months for the purpose of defining goals and performance objective”. That has not taken place to date in 2021.
The city manager job performance evaluation workshop will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Century Town Hall.
Pictured: Century Interim Town Manager Vernon Prather. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Police: Man Found Passed Out In Vehicle At Railroad Tracks Facing Drug Charges
August 9, 2021
A Century man is facing drug charges in Alabama after officers allegedly found him passed out in his vehicle at a railroad crossing.
Early Saturday morning, the Flomaton Police Department responded to the area of a railroad crossing on Old Fannie Road, just north of the Florida/Alabama state line. According to police, the driver was unconscious with his foot on the brake, but the vehicle was not in park.
After multiple attempts, the Flomaton officer was able to wake the driver.
Brandon William Qualls, 30, admitted to smoking synthetic cannabinoids, also known as spice, and was found to be in possession of the drug, according to police.
“This incident could have ended terribly both for the public and the defendant, fortunately no one was injured or harmed,” Flomaton Police said in a statement.
Qualls was charged with possession of a controlled substance (spice-synthetic cannabinoid), driving under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving with a revoked license, operating a vehicle without insurance and switching a tag.
Qualls was booked into the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton without bond.
Today Is The Last Day Of Florida’s Back To School Sales Tax Holiday
August 9, 2021
Today is the last day of Florida’s back to school sales tax holiday.
During the sales tax holiday period, qualifying items will be exempt from tax, including certain school supplies selling for $15 or less per item; clothing, footwear, and certain accessories selling for $60 or less per item; and the first $1,000 of the sales price of personal computers and certain computer-related accessories purchased for noncommercial home or personal use.
For complete details from the Florida Department of Revenue, click or tap here.
Florida Gas Prices Inch Lower After Six Cent Jump
August 9, 2021
Florida gas prices are inching lower after setting a new 2021 high last week. The state average jumped nearly six cents per gallon, briefly reaching $3.03 per gallon. By Sunday, the state average inched once-cent lower.
The state average of $3.02 per gallon is five cents per gallon more than a week ago and one-cent per gallon more than a month ago.
The average per gallon of regular unleaded was $3.03 Sunday night in Escambia County. A North Escambia low of $2.94 could be found at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while Pensacola prices bottomed out at $2.82 at a Nine Mile Road store.
“Gas prices jumped early last week because of lower gasoline supplies and a weaker dollar,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “However by the end of the week, futures prices dropped 8% on a stronger dollar and concerns about how the spread of COVID-19 could curb global fuel demand. If sustained, lower futures prices would enable gas prices to slip lower this week.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.