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.
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.
Big Day For Burdick, But Blue Wahoos Drop Series Finale
August 9, 2021
Biloxi took advantage of some Blue Wahoos miscues in the sixth inning to break open a scoreless game and followed with a 5-2 win Sunday in the series finale between the teams.
The outcome earned the Shuckers (32-52) a split in the six games at MGM Park in Biloxi, Miss. The Blue Wahoos (42-42) dropped back to .500 and extended their struggles to win a series since taking five games from Biloxi during the Fourth of July weekend in Pensacola.
Following the game, the Blue Wahoos returned home and will begin a 12-game homestand on Tuesday at Blue Wahoos Stadium with the first six games against the Montgomery Biscuits. The Biscuits (47-36) are a half-game behind the Mississippi Braves atop their division in the Double-A South.
The Biscuits’ series will feature a special “Social Media Night” on Tuesday, followed by the much-anticipated “Crabzilla Festival” on Wednesday. In that game, the Blue Wahoos will wear custom-made, orange colored uniforms for the Crabzilla promotion in celebration of the popular, monster crab sandwich sold at the ballpark.
In addition, there will be a Giveaway Friday promotion and the standard Saturday fireworks show during the homestand. The Blue Wahoos will then host the Shuckers for a series which begins Aug. 17.
Sunday’s game in Biloxi began with outstanding pitching on both sides. Blue Wahoos starter Jeff Lindgren (3-8, 4.77 ERA) produced one of his finest outings of the season before running into trouble in the sixth.
The Shuckers began their rally with a leadoff double by Ryan Aguilar – only the fourth hit allowed by Lindgren – then followed by scoring three runs without another hit.
A throwing error by Blue Wahoos catcher Santiago Chavez on a sacrifice bunt allowed the first run to score. Then a wild pitch and a one-out walk by Lindgren led to a pitching change. Lindgren left with 5.1 innings pitched four hits, one earned run and walked just one batter in a solid outing.
Reliever Jefry Yan replaced Lindgren and struggled. He threw a wild pitch, followed by an RBI sacrifice fly, then hit a batter and walked the next two to force in a third run.
The Shuckers added two more runs in the seventh inning on an error, plus solo home run off reliever Matt Pobereyko.
The Blue Wahoos got their first run in the eighth inning after Peyton Burdick led off with a walk and eventually scored on Chris Chinea’s one-out single.
It was another big game for Burdick, who went 3-for-4 and drove in a ninth-inning run. He will enter the homestand needing one home run to match the Blue Wahoos’ franchise record (20) set by the Cincinnati Reds’ Aristides Aquino during his tenure in Pensacola.
Chinea had two hits in the game, along with a walk to boost his average to .278.
In the first six innings, the Blue Wahoos had just two hits, both by Burdick, and only four baserunners. The Shuckers first three pitchers combined to record seven strikeouts and just two walks.
Up next, the Blue Wahoos will host the Montgomery Biscuits August 10-15. Games Tuesday through Friday start at 6:35 p.m., then 6:05 p.m. on Saturday and 4:05 p.m. on Sunday.
by Bill Vilona, Blue Wahoos senior writer
Motorcycle Crash In Beulah Claims One Life, Critically Injures Another
August 8, 2021
A collision in Beulah claimed the life of one motorcyclist Saturday afternoon and critically injured another.
The crash occurred about 5:05 p.m. at the intersection of West Nine Mile Road and Beulah Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a car driven by a 30-year old Pensacola man was traveling east on Nine Mile Road and initiated a turn toward northbound Highway 99. At the same time, the motorcycle traveling west entered the intersection and collided with the right front of the car.
The 49-year old male driver of the motorcycle was pronounced deceased at the scene. His passenger, a 45-year old female from Eight Mile, Alabama, was critically injured. The driver of the car was not injured.
Troopers said charges are unknown at this time. FHP no longer releases the names of traffic crash victims.
Pictured: A motorcyclist was killed in a collision Saturday afternoon at the intersection of West Nine Mile Road and Beulah Road. Photo: Al Showers/WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Traffic Alert: What To Expect This Week
August 8, 2021
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
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Monday, Aug. 9 through Saturday, Aug. 14 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Pensacola to Gulf Breeze) structure. Additional work will include installation of pier lighting.
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- 17th Avenue Interchange construction – 17th Avenue southbound remains closed at Bayfront Parkway. Access to the Pensacola Visitor’s Center and boat launch remains open from 17th Avenue.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the northbound side of the bridge as crews work to replace the southbound portion of the structure.
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- Brief, intermittent lane closures are anticipated to continue through the end of the year as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- Pile driving operations are underway and will take place during daytime hours. Nearby residents and commercial property owners may experience noise and vibration.
- U.S. 29 from South of Muscogee Road (County Road (C.R.) 184) to Atmore Highway (S.R. 97) – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, Aug. 8 through Friday, Aug. 13 as crews perform striping operations and signal work.
- West Cervantes (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project – Drivers will encounter inside lane closures between North Pace Boulevard and J Street to perform median improvement work. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit on West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) between Dominguez Street and A Street has been permanently reduced to 30 mph.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Pine Forest (S.R. 297) to U.S. 29 – Drivers will encounter intermittent east and westbound traffic shifts between Pine Forest Road and U.S. 29 as crews lay the final layer of asphalt.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at the Innerarity Point (C.R. 292A)–
Motorists can expect daytime shoulder closures the week of Monday, Aug. 9 as crews place a watermain.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Drivers can expect the following traffic impacts the week of Monday, Aug. 9:
- Intermittent lane closures and shifts 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on U.S. 29 between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road and on Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 interchange.
- The on- and off-ramps at the U.S. 29/Nine Mile Road interchange may be reduced to a single lane during the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Signage will be in place and traffic flaggers will be on-site to direct motorists.
- Interstate 110 (I-110) Maintenance Work on the Eastbound Flyover Ramp onto I-10 – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures on the eastbound flyover ramp on to I-10, 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 9 through Thursday, Aug. 12 as crews make repairs to the ramp.
Santa Rosa County
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Monday, Aug. 9 through Saturday, Aug. 14 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Pensacola to Gulf Breeze) structure. Additional work will include installation of pier lighting.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Crews continue utility relocations, clearing, excavation, drainage improvements, and pond construction. There are no traffic impacts currently.
- Santa Rosa County- The temporary traffic signal that was erected as part of the Pensacola Bay Bridge detour on Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281) at Garcon Point Road (County Road 191) will be removed beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 11.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Pictured: The final layer of asphalt on Nine Mile Road near Fowler Avenue. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Cell Tower Proposed For Highway 95A In Cottage Hill
August 8, 2021
A new cell tower is being proposed on commercial property in the Cottage Hill area.
Parallel Towers III, LLC, has plans for a 195-foot high, self-supporting tower on part of a 12.4 acre parcel. There would also be a 114 square foot building next to the tower located on a parcel with the current Arnett’s Grading and Landscaping at 2222 Highway 95A, just north of McKenzie Road.
The application does not specify which cellular company plans to use the tower.
The plans are set for a pre-application meeting with the Escambia County Development Review Committee (DRC) on August 11. There are additional steps before potential DRC approval, they the company must acquire building permits and approval from various agencies before the tower could be built. There’s no guarantee that the tower will ever reach the construction phase.
NorthEscambia.com graphic. Below: The tower will be located north of this business on the same property. File photo, click to enlarge.
