Escambia Awarded $1.2 Million Grant For Flooding, Storm Surge Prep Projects
February 8, 2022
Escambia County has been awarded $1.2 million to help prepare coastal and inland communities for the adverse impacts of flooding and storm surge. The grant was part of $404 million for 113 environmental resilience projects across the state through the Resilient Florida Grant Program.
Projects receiving funding in Escambia County included
- Ellyson Industrial Park Drainage Improvements
- Oakfield Acres-Belle Mead Drainage Improvements
- Frinchez Heights (Sabra, Erwin, Whitmire, Ernestine Area) Drainage Improvements
- Surrey-Windsong Pond, Outfall and Rehabilitation
Each project will take approximately one year to complete. Including the local match associated with these projects, the approximate total cost is $2,864,736.
“The board and I would like to thank the state of Florida for the funding to complete these projects in some of our most vulnerable areas,” said District 1 Commissioner and Chairman Jeff Bergosh. “Flooding after a storm is a topic many of the citizens in our county are passionate about. Through this funding, we will continue to build Escambia County’s resilience to flooding and stormwater damage.”
Three People And A Dog Rescued After Becoming Stranded By Rising Floodwaters From The Escambia River
February 7, 2022
Three people and their dog were rescued from a North Escambia campground Monday after they became stranded by rising floodwaters from the Escambia River.
The two men, one woman and a dog were on higher ground at a campground on Cotton Lake Road, but they were unable to leave due to the flooded dirt road. The 911 caller said they believed the water would be over the hood of their car if they tried to leave.
Escambia Fire Rescue responded about 10:10 a.m. and called for a boat in order to reach the campground near the Cotton Lake Boat Ramp.
The boat was used to rush one camper suffering a medical emergency back to an awaiting ambulance for transport to an area hospital.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office then responded with their high water rescue vehicle. They rescued the remaining two other campers and the dog.
The individuals and the dog were rescued by about 1:30 p.m.
There is currently a flood warning in effect for the Escambia River.
Photos ECSO for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gibson Road Bridge In Molino Has Been One Lane For Months. Here’s What Is Happening To Replace It.
February 7, 2022
In late October, the Escambia County Commission awarded a contract to design a replacement bridge for Gibson Road over Alligator Creek in Molino.
It’s in the middle of one of the areas a developer seeks to rezone from agriculture, which allows for a maximum residential density of one dwelling unit on each 20 acres, to agricultural residential, allowing up to one home per four acres.
We reached out to Escambia County to find out the status of the bridge, which has been reduced to one lane for months.
The $167,178 design contract was awarded to Mott MacDonald of Florida. They are due to submit 30% design plants to the county in March, with complete plans due by April 5.
“Plans for bidding will be ready in June, subject to permitting,” said Andie Gibson, Escambia County media and public information manager. “We anticipate that construction will start in August with final completion in March 2023.”
The Gibson Road over Alligator Creek 78-foot wood-supported bridge was constructed in 1959 and is currently beyond its designed service life. It’s also listed as being structural deficient, and there is history of the creek overtopping the bridge. In August 2020, the eastbound lane of the bridge was closed after a failed Florida Department of Transportation inspection.
The roadway and bridge will be designed with an increased elevation to prevent overtopping. Mott MacDonald is allowed under their contract to utilize a design that includes a prefabricated steel or precast concrete structure.
The bid opportunity was sent to 444 emails, with just four responses.
Gibson Road connects Highway 97 and Crabtree Church Road.
Tate Aggie Classic Baseball Tournament Set For March
February 7, 2022
Organizers have announced the Tate High Aggie Classic baseball tournament will be back this spring.
The annual tournament draws teams form around the country and takes place at several locations across the area. This year’s Aggie Classic will be March 14-17.
Pictured: The Tate Aggies won the 2019 Aggies Classic with a 5-3 victory over Choctaw, Oklahoma. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
36 Gallons Of Crude Oil Spilled From Pipeline Near Century
February 7, 2022
About 36 gallons of crude oil were spilled during an incident east-northeast of Century Sunday morning.
According to a Florida Department of Environmental Protection notice, a release occurred at 6:33 a.m. on a St. Regis Gas Treating Facility production line located in Escambia County, Florida.
An employee saw steam release from the site and notified the field lead and control room senior operator, and the production line was isolated by 7:10 a.m. A vacuum truck was called to remove any fluids.
According to the FDEP notice, about 136.2 barrels of produced water and rainwater mix and 36 gallons of crude oil were recovered.
Spill booms were placed at the release site. The line will be contained and flushed with fresh water in advance of inspection and repairs. All impacted soil will be removed and disposed of at an approved landfill.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Flood Warning Extended For Escambia River
February 7, 2022
The flood warning has been extended for the Escambia River near Century.
The warning is now extended until Friday afternoon, with minor flooding forecast.
At 10 p.m. Sunday, the stage was 17.9 feet.
The river will fall to 17.1 feet early Tuesday morning. It will then rise again to 17.8 feet Wednesday evening. It will fall below flood stage late Friday morning.
Flood stage is 17 feet.
The Perdido River near Barrineau Park is expected to remain below action stage of 9.0 feet. Minor flood stage for the Perdido River is 13 feet.
Low In The Middle 30s For Monday Night
February 7, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia are forecast:
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. North wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 56. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 60. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 63. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Calm wind.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 64.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 66.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 56.
Extension Cord To Blame For Ferry Pass Mobile Home Fire
February 7, 2022
Escambia County Fire Rescue says an extension cord is to blame for a mobile home in Ferry Pass.
Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke and flames coming from the single-wide in the 8300 block of Kipling Street just after 5 p.m. Friday.
There were no injuries, but the home was a total loss.
The fire was sparked by sparks from an extension cord, according to ECFR.
Gas Prices Up Another 12 Cents Since Last Week
February 7, 2022
Florida gas prices jumped another 12 cents last week, rising a total of 24 cents in two weeks. Sunday’s state average of $3.47 per gallon is the most expensive daily average price since July 2014.
The average price per gallon was $3.29 in Escambia County. A low of $3.29 could be found at a few stations Sunday night in North Escambia, while prices bottomed out at $3.09 in Pensacola.
On Friday, the U.S. price for crude oil settled above $90 a barrel for the first time since October 2014. Friday’s settlement of $92.1 per barrel is $5.49/b more than the week before, and $7.66/b more than last year’s high.
Since oil is a key ingredient in gasoline, the price of oil influences about half the total price of what drivers pay at the pump. So far this year, the U.S price for crude oil has risen 21%. That $16 increase in crude is the equivalent of a 40 cent swing in gasoline prices. So far this year, gas prices have risen 27 cents, which means pump prices may rise another 13 cents before fully adjusting to the latest oil price hike.
“Unfortunately it looks like the pain at the pump may continue to worsen, after oil prices saw another strong round of gains last week,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The upward momentum in crude prices has been driven by geopolitical concerns related to Russia, cold weather and underwhelming global crude output. The price of crude rose $6 last week, which if sustained, could trigger another 10-15 cent hike at the pump in the coming weeks.”
State Law Enforcement Charges Two In Escambia Retail Theft Ring
February 6, 2022
Investigators with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE) targeted organized retail theft rings in Escambia County as part of “Operation Secret Shopper,” leading to the arrests of two people.
OALE collaborated with a national retailer to identify several members of theft rings known to conceal Romex electrical wire rolls in shopping carts and pass all points of sale without paying for the items. The thieves are known to sell stolen wire directly to the public or to area metal recyclers.
Law enforcement investigators used direct surveillance techniques to observe Scott Hollingsworth and two other suspects steal wire rolls and lighting valued at $2,461.42 from a local retail store. Following day, OALE law enforcement investigators observed Patrick Callahan steal wire rolls and a rug valued at $1,006.56 from a local retail store.
Scott Mariane Hollingsworth, 39, was charged with felony grand theft, using or possessing the identification of another person, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Warrants are also being sought for Hollingsworth’s accomplices.
Patrick Michael Callahan, 62, was charged with felony grand theft, and possession of a controlled substance.
Both suspects remained in the Escambia County Jail Sunday morning.
Romex wire is electrical cable used to wire circuits for wall outlets, lights and more.