Donations Provide New Keyboards For Bratt Elementary Students
March 10, 2025
The music program at Bratt Elementary recently received new keyboards.
The keyboard were purchased with donations from the Bratt PTA and the Blues Angel Music Foundation. The students helped assemble the benches and stands for the new Keyboards.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Proposed World Gym Development Won’t Be The End Of Cantonment Pumpkin Patch
March 10, 2025
The proposed development of a new World Gym in Cantonment won’t be the end of a family favorite pumpkin patch, organizers say.
The Allen Memorial Methodist Men Pumpkin Patch will mark the 35th year of the annual pumpkin patch on Highway 29 near Neal Road.
As we reported last week, World Gym is proposing to construct a facility on the property, but the men’s group says the new property owner will carve out an area for the pumpkin sale.
The church confirmed that they are in the process of selling the property, but they will keep a small parcel of land for the pumpkins. “In fact, we already have a delivery date for the 2025 pumpkin season.”
“We look forward to seeing our old friends who return every year and the new friends we have yet to meet. See you in the fall and may God bless you all,” the group said in a statement.
Developers have proposed a 30,000-square-foot commercial building on the undeveloped 18.8 acre site. The building at 1275 North Highway 29 will house World Gym’s health and fitness building along with two other spaces that will be leased with 103 parking spaces. The facility’s parking lot with 103 spaces will be accessible from both Neal Road and Highway 29.
The proposal was filed with Escambia County recently and is set for a pre-application meeting with the Escambia County Development Review Committee on Wednesday.
World Gym currently operates a 6,583 square foot gym in a building constructed in 1945 at 110 South Highway 29, at the railroad cross and across from International Paper. The company has not announced if that location will close if the new facility is constructed. There is a second Escambia County location of the international brand on North Ninth Avenue.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FWC To Host Virtual Meeting This Week On Regulated Black Bear Hunting
March 10, 2025
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will host a virtual public meeting this week to hear comments about potential options for regulated black bear hunting in Florida.
FWC wants to hear from the public about their thoughts on potential options for regulated black bear hunting and has scheduled a virtual public meeting on March 13 beginning at 5 p.m.
Those interested in attending the meeting can join on Teams by going to MyFWC.com/Hunting and clicking “Florida black bear.” The public can also email their comments to BearComments@MyFWC.com.
At its December 2024 Commission meeting, the FWC’s Bear Management Program gave Commissioners a 5-year update on implementing the 2019 Florida Black Bear Management Plan, highlighting recent bear management and research efforts. Following the presentation, the Commissioners directed staff to return to a future Commission meeting to propose options for implementing a potential bear hunt.
Pictured: The black bear, which was spotted near Jim Allen Elementary School in Cantonment was euthanized by FWC at the nearby Wild Oak Farm Apartments. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Clearing For Monday, Temperatures Will Top Out In The Middle 60s
March 10, 2025
Here is the complete North Escambia area forecast:
Monday: Cloudy with a chance of drizzle, then gradual clearing, with a high near 63. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43. Northwest wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 73. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 45. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 75. Light west wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 74. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 78.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64.
Saturday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Problem Spots
March 10, 2025
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 98 (Gregory Street) McGuire’s St. Patrick Day 5K Run, Downtown Pensacola – Motorists will encounter a road closure on Gregory Street, Garden Street, and Bayfront Parkway Saturday, March 8 from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. for the St. Patrick Day Run.
- U.S. 98 (Gregory Street) Resurfacing from North Palafox Street to east of 14th Avenue – Drivers on Gregory Street, from North Palafox Street to 14th Avenue, will encounter alternating, intermittent lane closures Sunday, March 9 through Thursday, March 13, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for milling and paving operations.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) 6) – The week of Sunday, March 9, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on North Palafox Street, from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., as crews place thermoplastic striping and perform traffic signalization work.
- Interstate Circle Bridge Over Eight Mile Creek Construction – Interstate Circle is closed at the Eight Mile Creek Bridge through mid-2025 while crews replace the bridge. Signs are in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Pine Forest Road, Longleaf Drive and Wymart Road.
- I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- North Palafox Street, between Hope Drive and Whitehead Drive, will have intermittent daytime lane closures. Signage will be in place to direct drivers safely through the work zone.
- I-10 between U.S. 29 and I-110, is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction.
- The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound.
- A new temporary on-ramp for U.S. 29 southbound drivers accessing I-10 eastbound is now open. Detouring traffic to the temporary ramp will allow crews to continue work to reconstruct the I-10/U.S. 29 interchange.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between S.R. 4 and the Alabama State Line – Drivers on North Century Boulevard, between S.R. 4 and the Alabama State Line, may encounter intermittent lane closures for paving operations. Signage will be in place to direct drivers safely through the work zone.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – Drivers on U.S. 90 in Santa Rosa County may encounter intermittent lane closures over the Simpson River Bridge, Sunday, March 9 through Thursday, March 13 between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. as crews perform bridge construction work. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive, Sunday, March 9, through Friday, March 14, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
AAA: Oil Prices Decline While Gas Prices Hold Steady
March 10, 2025
Florida gas prices remain within the same 20 cent range they’ve moved within for the past five months, according to AAA. On Sunday, the state average was $3.09 per gallon. Although the state average rose 10 cents last week, it came back down almost the same amount, finishing the week only 1-cent higher than the week before.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $2.81, one of the lowest metro areas in the state. In Cantonment, a low of $2.67 could be found at two stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment. In Pensacola Sunday night, the low price was $2.55 on West Nine Mile Road.
“For months, oil prices avoided significant swings, which also prevented gas prices from doing the same,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “However, bearish sentiment crept into the market, last week. Economic uncertainty and the potential for increased production from OPEC helped push oil prices to lows not seen since November. It’s unclear if this will have an effect on gas prices. Interestingly enough, the price of gasoline futures increased last week, likely because refineries are beginning to produce summer blend gasoline and spring break travel is causing higher demand for fuel.”
Boil Water Notice Issued For Guidy Lane Area
March 9, 2025
UPDATE- This boil water notice was lifted the morning of March 11.
Due to a broken 6-inch water main that was damaged by tree roots, ECUA has issued a precautionary boil water notice for the Guidy Lane and the surrounding area.
Specifically, the boil water notice includes:
- Guidy Ln. (Address Range: 9541 – 9761
- Aurelias Pl. (Address Range: 879 – 956)
- Sunshine Ln. (Address Range: 933 – 1095)
- Honey Trl.
- Dons. Ln.
Residents located in the specified boil water notice area are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use eight drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water, for water to be used for drinking or cooking purposes. Two independent bacteriological samples have been initiated and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible. This process routinely takes 48 hours and the notice will be rescinded at that time.
ECUA crews have completed the repairs and flushed out the lines. Residents within the area and nearby are advised that there is a possibility of discolored water as a result of the utility work, and to flush their home’s plumbing by running their taps for a few minutes. If problems persist, customers are asked to contact ECUA Customer Service at (850) 476-0480 for assistance.
Precautionary boil water notices are issued as a part of the standard protocol following any loss of water pressure, whether as a result of planned maintenance activities or unscheduled repairs.
Florida Senators Push For Year-Round Daylight Saving Time
March 9, 2025
As dayling savings time started Sunday, both of Florida’s senators are pushing for it to be year-round.
Senators Ashley Moody and Rick Scott have announced their bipartisan Sunshine Protection Act, to officially “lock the clock” and end the twice-yearly time change and make daylight saving time the national year-round standard.
“As a baseball mom, I enthusiastically support an extra hour of sunlight,” Moody said. “Why miss out on daylight when we could be outside with our families enjoying all that Florida has to offer? This legislation also has long-term benefits that help our farmers, support healthier families and safer neighborhoods, all while growing the economy. I am proud to join my colleagues to support the Sunshine Protection Act. It is time to end the twice-yearly change for good and lock the clock.”
“I hear from Americans constantly that they are sick and tired of changing their clocks twice a year – it’s an unnecessary, decades-old practice that’s more of an annoyance to families than benefit to them,” Scott said. “In 2018, as Governor of Florida, I signed legislation that would allow the state to opt out of the practice of changing the time and I’ve been a leading effort in getting this done on the federal level. I’m excited to have President Trump back in the White House and fully on board to lock the clock so we can get this good bill passed and make this common-sense change that will simplify and benefit the lives of American families.”
Moody and Scott were joined by Senators Patty Murray, Tommy Tuberville, Rand Paul, Ron Wyden, Bill Hagerty, Cynthia Lummis, Ed Markey, Sheldon Whitehouse, James Lankford, Martin Heinrich, Alex Padilla, Brian Schatz, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Tina Smith, Katie Britt and Marsha Blackburn.
Play Ball! Saturday Was Opening Day For A Growing Century Blackcats Ball Program
March 9, 2025
Saturday was opening day for the spring ball season at several local ballparks including NEP, Century Baseball Association at Showalter Park and the Molino Ballpark.
Due to a threat of rain, opening ceremonies were canceled at Molino and moved to an earlier time in Century.
Organizers say they are excited about the growth of the Century Blackcats program at Showalter Park.
“We’ve almost reached capacity to still have a place to practice,” David Burkett, Century Baseball Association president, said.
He said there are 198 players on 16 teams this year at Showalter.
“It’s exciting,” Burkett said. “It’s the most players this park has seen in a longtime.”
Saturday, the Blackcats hosted teams from Jay and Gospel Projects.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Driving Tests Available During Spring Break In Escambia County
March 9, 2025
First-time drivers in Escambia County can take advantage of special spring break driving test appointments from March 17-21 at the Escambia County Tax Collector Warrington Office. The appointments are available exclusively for Escambia County residents taking their first driving test.
The Escambia County Tax Collector’s Office encourages eligible drivers to secure their slots early by booking online at EscambiaTaxCollector.com.