Night Lane Closures All Next Week On The Pensacola Bay Bridge
July 10, 2021
The Pensacola Bay Bridge will be reduced to one lane in each direction from the bridge approach in Gulf Breeze extending for approximately 3,500-feet from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily Monday, July 12 through Saturday, July 17.
Crews will be pouring concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure that remains under construction, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
The planned activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Escambia County EMTs And Paramedics Get A Raise
July 9, 2021
Escambia County EMS paramedics and EMTs are getting a raise.
Thursday night, the Escambia County Commission approved a new agreement with their union.
The current rate for a new EMT is $13.75; that increases to $15.04. A newly hired paramedic will make $19.19, up from $17.96. They will also receive any future across the board or cost of living increase that may be approved for other county employees.
“The EMS staff — the EMTs, the paramedics — have to deal with people and have to give their best on people’s worst days. “So this is an example of this board supporting first responders. And we’re giving them significant increases. We’ve talked earlier about incentive bonuses. We understand the value of what first responders do. This board supports first responders, and this is the manifestation of that.”
Officials say the increased base pay is remain comparable to similar agencies in order to aid in recruitment and retention for these positions.
The memorandum of understanding approved by the Escambia County Commission is between the county and the International Association of EMT’s and Paramedics (IAEP), Local R5-325.
Blue Angels Pilots Give NorthEscambia.com Readers A Behind The Scenes Look At New Jets, New Fat Albert
July 9, 2021
The Blue Angels will celebrate their 75th anniversary at the annual Pensacola Beach Air Show Friday and Saturday in their new F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets, and the new “Fat Albert” C-130J Super Hercules.
NorthEsambia.com had a close look at the new planes and a chance to learn what makes the Pensacola show extra special and exciting for the pilots.
“Almost can’t describe it,” Blue Angels pilot Cdr. Brian Kesselring said. He’s the “boss” as flight leader and pilot of the Number 1 aircraft.
“To be able to come back and be able to link to both Santa Rosa and Escambia County, the greater Pensacola area is super special to us. This truly is our family back here in this small community,” Kesselring said. “To be able to come out here and go to the beach … for the local community is going to be something that is just super special for us this year.
For a photo gallery, click here.
During a dress rehearsal Thursday, the new Fat Albert did not fly. The public will have to wait until Saturday’s show to see the new C-130 take to the skies over Pensacola Beach. (It was scheduled to fly Friday but did not due to a minor mechanical issue.)
But we had close look at Fat Albert Thursday at NAS Pensacola.
Fat Albert pilot Capt. Rick Rose will open the show Saturday. Here’s how Rose describes flying Fat Albert for NorthEscambia.com readers:
Give us some background on bringing in the new C-130 last year.
“Awesome experience, we had to get pretty creative in acquiring this aircraft. We got it from the United Kingdom from the Royal Air Force. We picked it up last year — the team out there Marshall Air Space, the contracted company did a fantastic job getting this aircraft prepped and ready for us. It’s kind of like buying a used car. We did a test flight in it to make sure all the systems work appropriately as advertised. It worked flawlessly — got to fly it back through a couple fuel stops in Iceland as well as Maine and Ft Worth Texas where we did some final maintenance checks before we brought it back home where it belongs in Pensacola, Florida. It’s a new J Model super Hercules very exciting. Coupling that with the 75th anniversary, and the new super hornet. As a pilot flying this aircraft it’s pretty exciting and I’m pretty lucky.
What is this plane’s role in the show?
We are the main logistical support asset for the team so we haul all the maintenance pack up to include extra parts, tools, equip and most importantly the main. personnel that travel with us to ensure the jets are up for each show. It’s about a 49 person team that we can fit.
How many shows a year do you do?
We do around 30-35 show sites a year. Two to three airshows at each show site. Since we transitioned to the new super hornet, its little bit of a short air show schedule due to the fact to help us prepare for the transition rolling into it. We have a great support team that we gear up and ready to go.
Tell us about the hometown show
“Very exciting. It feels like a hometown to me. I have lived here for a while, went to flight school here so it really is like another hometown for me. I am from Northern California but Pensacola Florida will always be another hometown to me. Extremely exciting, especially having a year off last year, it’s a whole special feeling. Going back into especially flying over the water here at the beach. The people here are awesome. The community definitely deserves it and we are happy to help.”
How much maintenance do these planes require to consistently perform?
It does require a lot of maintenance. These planes are not brand-new, we are not given new jets off the assembly line. There is a lot of love and care you have to put into these jets to make them work right and well. It’s a no fail mission — the show must go on and we have a mission to do and there is a lot of pressure there to make it happen and they do an outstanding job.
Is there one part of the show that you are looking to the most?
I am a little bias — but Fat Albert for sure. It is awesome getting that plane back in the mix in front of people and being the Marine Corps representation on the team is a very special thing for me. I’m looking forward to the Fat Albert part and starting off the show and showing what this plane can do.
What is the most exhilarating move that you do?
The high performance climb to a pushover. It is a negative G pushover at the top. There is a few seconds there where you are weightless. That is the most fun because you are weightless for a few minutes in time. I look forward to it every time.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Human Resources Director Terminated; Ethics Manager Resigns
July 9, 2021
Escambia County Director of Human Resources Jana Still was terminated Wednesday, and the county’s ethics manager has also resigned.
Director for Communications and Public Information Laura Coale told NorthEscambia.com that Still was terminated because Interim County Administrator Wes Moreno wants the human resources department to “go in a different direction”.
“You are immediately relieved of your duties and you are to vacate your office today,” Moreno said in a termination letter to Still. Due to a requirement for a 90 day written notice of termination, Still will be paid through October 5.
“Thank you for your time at Escambia County,” the letter concluded.
Crystal Dadura will serve as interim HR director until a permanent replacement is named. Still was hired by former administrator Janice Gilley with her first day on November 6, 2019. She was a former senior personnel classification and assessment specialist at the Mobile County Personnel Board.
Also, Keith Morris resigned Tuesday as the manager of the Office of Compliance and Ethics effective July 16. Morris was a “leased employee” working through a staffing service. He was also brought on board by Gilley during her first 100 days after she created the Compliance and Ethics office.
Photos: Blue Angels Thursday Practice
July 9, 2021
The Blue Angels took to the skies over Pensacola Beach Thursday for a practice show ahead of this weekend’s full Pensacola Beach Air Show.
For a photo gallery, click here.
For a behind the scenes look with the pilots of the new jets and new Fat Albert, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Guilty In Hit And Run That Killed One Juvenile, Injured Another
July 9, 2021
A Cantonment man was convicted Thursday in connection hitting two juveniles with his SUV last year on Quintette Road, killing one of them.
Robert William Etheridge II, 59, was found guilty of one count of leaving the scene of a crash involving a death and one count of leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury. He faces a maximum of 30 years in prison when he is sentenced on August 13.
About 8 p.m. on April 6, 2020, 12-year old Hailey Locke and 13-year old Rylee Simmons, both students at Ransom Middle School, were on Quintette Road approaching Carrington Lake Boulevard when they were struck by a Ford Escape driven by Etheridge. Troopers said he fled the scene and called the FHP about 24 minutes later to say he thought he had hit a deer.
The windshield was cracked in the crash, but not enough to obscure the driver’s view, according to an arrest report. The area in which the collision occurred was lit with multiple overhead lights, the weather was clear and there was a full moon, FHP said.
When law enforcement responded to his home, Etheridge showed signs of intoxication. The jury determined by their verdict that Etheridge knew, or should have known, that he had collided with people and left the scene of the crash.
Rylee was removed from a life support a little over a week later after his organs were donated.
Pictured top: Rylee Simmons, 13. Photo provided by family for NorthEscambia.com. Pictured below: The crash scene on April 6, 2020. NorthEscambia.com photos.
Cantonment Man Charged With Breaking Into Woman’s Home, Barricading Himself Inside
July 9, 2021
A Cantonment man was charged after allegedly breaking into a woman’s home and barricading himself inside a bedroom.
Christopher James Adams, 23, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on felony charges of robbery, burglary, resisting arrest, and criminal mischief with property damage. He was also charged with a probation violation.
The woman gave Adams a ride, and he tried to take her purse in order to get her house keys, according to an arrest report. After he was unsuccessful, he broke the glass on her backdoor and went inside.
Responding Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies entered the home and found Adams barricaded inside a bedroom with a razorblade, according to the arrest report. They were forced to tase Adams before taking him into custody.
Adams remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
ReEntry Alliance To Provide Local Landlords Cash Incentives For Permanent Housing
July 9, 2021
ReEntry Alliance Pensacola, Inc. (REAP) was recently selected as a Rapid ReHousing (RRH) service provider and awarded over $200,000 from Opening Doors of Northwest Florida, Inc. This funding is part of the $3.5 million Emergency Shelter Grant Cares Act CV2 Funding provided by the State of Florida, Department of Children and Family, Office of Homelessness.
The new REAP RHH program will serve 100 people by preventing them from becoming homeless or by finding permanent housing for those experiencing homelessness over the next 12 months, to help limit the spread of COVID-19.
REAP will work in collaboration with Opening Doors of Northwest Florida and other local Continuum of Care service providers along with local private landlords and homes, duplex, apartment, and mobile home property management companies in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
“We are happy to be able to offer this needed housing assistance program to the community, especially those who have been negatively affected by the COVID 19 pandemic here in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties,” said Vinnie Whibbs, executive director of REAP.
Rick Dye will head up the new RRH and Landlord Incentive Program as director. The program will provide case management, rapid rehousing, and temporary financial assistance to 100 clients who have been impacted by COVID-19 and now find themselves homeless, or soon-to-be-homeless. Due to underlying health conditions and a lack of access to medical and indoor sleeping facilities, people experiencing homelessness are more susceptible to COVID-19 and at higher risk of experiencing severe symptoms.
“REAP is proud to be a part of the community’s initiatives to reduce homelessness in the two-county area by providing this Rapid ReHousing response service,” said Dye.
Working through Opening Doors of Northwest Florida, Inc., Escambia and Santa Rosa counties utilized various federal funds, including significant funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, to go toward reducing the number of local citizens who experience homelessness. Working together, the various cities and two counties are making the single largest investment in addressing homelessness and homeless prevention in each county’s history.
“We must take care of the most vulnerable among us during this time. The COVID-19 crisis has put many people’s living situations at an increased risk of becoming homeless due to a temporary loss of employment during the various local business shutdowns,” said John Johnson, executive director, Opening Doors of Northwest Florida, Inc. “REAP stands by the Housing First Initiative to help eligible people improve their lives when re-entering normal community life after an extended time of personal disorder.”
REAP will expand its current housing services to include those in the community who are in need of permanent housing due to loss of job or sickness during the pandemic but who have been re-hired and can prove to participating landlords a stable, reliable monthly income. Many of those negatively affected by COVID-19 have damaged their credit ratings and need the assistance REAP can provide in working with area landlords and property managers on their behalf.
Local rental property landlords and managers will have a crucial role to play in solving and preventing homelessness in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. As an incentive to local landlords and rental property managers, REAP is offering:
1). Cash bonuses paid to landlords who sign on as Community Partners equal to one or two months of rent, depending on the number of bedrooms in the rental home, or
2). Security deposits up to three times the monthly rent cost.
In addition to those landlord and property manager incentives, REAP will also provide housing assistance services to eligible individual participants, if needed, to reassure landlords of their rent worthiness, of the following:
1). Short-term (up to three months) rental assistance and may include up to six months of arrears, including rental application fees charged by owner to all applicants.
2). Security deposits not to exceed two month’s rental payments.
3). Utility deposits.
4). Utility payments for gas, electric, water, and sewer (up to three months including up to six months arrearage.)
5). Moving cost assistance (including short term storage not to exceed three months.)
6). Housing Search and Placement Services to assist participants in locating and obtaining permanent housing.
7). Case Management Services to include initial assessments and re-evaluations, housing stability planning, and arranging, coordinating, and monitoring the delivery of services to facilitate housing stability.
8). Legal and Mediation Services required to resolve a legal problem that prohibits the household to obtain or maintain permanent housing.
9). Credit Repair Services to assist with skills related to household budgeting, money management and resolving personal credit problems.
Landlords and property managers interested in participating in the REAP Rapid ReHousing Program/Landlord Incentive Program can contact Rick Dye at rickdye73@gmail.com or Juliana Regis, Leasing Agent, at 850-332-6677 or call the REAP Landlord Incentive Program’s hotline at 850-832-3014.
M-Braves Take Two, Wahoos Drop Third Straight
July 9, 2021
The Mississippi Braves (35-22) used two separate penultimate-inning rallies to win both games against Pensacola (33-24) on Thursday at Trustmark Park.
The first game was the resumption of Wednesday’s suspended game, that began 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning. There was no offense until the bottom of the eighth inning when the M-Braves cashed in on a pair of leadoff walks. After a sac bunt from Wendell Rijo, Braden Shewmake lined a base hit into center off Dylan Bice (L, 1-3) to put the M-Braves up 3-2.
Will Latcham (W, 2-1)—who pitched in the eighth—worked a scoreless ninth inning to give the M-Braves an early win to start the evening. Even though eight of Pensacola’s nine starters had a base hit, the Wahoos ultimately left nine men on base in the one-run loss. Pensacola is now 15-8 in one-run games this season.
In the second game of the night, Jeff Lindgren (L, 2-5) took the mound for the Wahoos and pitched well through the first five innings of the game. It was a back-and-forth affair between the two sides as the Wahoos led for most of the night. Riley Mahan laced a two-out, two-run double in the top of the first inning to put Pensacola ahead 2-0.
The seesaw battle soon continued. Mississippi scored once in the second to cut Pensacola’s lead down to 2-1. Both teams scored once in the third and the Wahoos tacked on another run in the top of the fourth to make it 4-2.
Things began to unravel in the fifth. With Lindgren still on the mound, Shea Langeliers hit a home run that initially looked just foul, despite being ruled a homer by the third base umpire. The manager of the Wahoos, Kevin Randel, and several of the players questioned the umpire and despite a umpire’s conference between all three officials, the call stood. One pitch later, pitching coach Tim Norton was ejected, clearly still baffled by the ruling of a fair ball.
After the ejection, Lindgren elevated his game, striking out the next two batters and taking the Wahoos to the top of sixth with a 4-3 lead.
However, in the bottom of the sixth, the M-Braves scored six times to stun the Wahoos and ultimately put the game out of reach. After a soft come-backer for the first out, the next six M-Braves all reached base safely. Lindgren allowed a walk and single before a wild pitch set up the M-Braves with two runners in scoring position. Lindgren then allowed a two-run base hit to Justin Dean to put Mississippi up 5-4.
Jose Mesa Jr replaced Lindgren and allowed back-to-back walked before striking out Wendell Rijo (who had homered earlier in the game against Lindgren). With two outs, Jefrey Ramos tripled to bring home two more and put the M-Braves up 9-4. Pensacola scored once in the top of the seventh but ultimately fell 9-5.
The Wahoos now sit two games out of first place and are in jeopardy of losing their third series of the year. LHP Will Stewart (3-4, 4.53) will take the mound for the Blue Wahoos and he will be opposed by RHP AJ Puckett (1-4, 3.15).
Suspect Arrested After Standoff, Charged With Assaulting Law Enforcement Officer
July 8, 2021
A suspect has been arrested after a standoff with law enforcement in Escambia County Thursday morning, and he is charged with assaulting a state trooper.
About 9:45 a.m., a Florida Highway Patrol sergeant attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a motorcyclist in the area of Mobile Highway and Massachusetts Avenue, for multiple traffic violations. Although the traffic stop was unsuccessful, the sergeant was able to locate the motorcycle at an apartment complex at 2702 Massachusetts Avenue.
The trooper attempted to make contact with the rider and was unsuccessful. The motorcyclist barricaded himself in the apartment, leading to multiple units from the Florida Highway Patrol and Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to
responded to the scene.
At approximately 11:03 a.m., 32-year-old James Marvin Smith, Jr. was taken into custody without further incident. Smith was charged with aggravated assault on an officer, and fleeing and eluding.