Century Chamber Asks Town for $25K; Council President Questions If Chamber Is Even Worthwhile
July 30, 2021
The Century Town Council began budget talks Thursday evening, receiving a funding request from the local chamber of commerce that prompted the council president to question if they are even worthwhile.
The Century Area Chamber of Commerce asked the town to budget $25,000 for three maintenance projects at the chamber building, which is owned by the town. The chamber requested $8,000 for metal roof repairs, $6,000 to replace existing gutters with “commercial style/grade” gutters, and $11,000 to replace the existing HVAC system and add an air filtration system.
But Council President Luis Gomez responded by questioning the value of the chamber to the town.
“I’ve been on this council almost five years, and the chamber has never actually done anything for the town of Century or contributed anything to the town of Century,” he said.
“You know the chamber is supposed to recruit business to the area. I don’t know of one,” Gomez continued, saying that if the chamber has attended a meeting during his tenures, it was for “some side show”.
“If we were to approve any of these things, we would have to do it for ourselves. We’ve got to go out and get bids, not just take that,” councilman James Smith said, referring to the chamber’s written estimates for work on the town-owned building.
The council took no formal actions Thursday on any budget items. They will hold at least two more budget workshops before presenting a final budget in early September
Pictured: Century Town Council President Luis Gomez (left) listens as council member Sandra McMurray-Jackson discusses the upcoming town budget Thursday evening. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Frontier Airlines Announces $29 Nonstop Flights from Pensacola to Orlando
July 30, 2021
Low-fare carrier Frontier Airlines announced this week expanded service at Pensacola International Airport that now includes a nonstop flight to Orlando
This new route, scheduled to begin on November 1, 2021, will operate three times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
“This added service from Frontier Airlines is exciting to see and further amplifies the growth we are seeing at our airport while improving upon our intra-Florida marketplace,” said Airport Director Matt Coughlin.
To celebrate the new service, Frontier is offering introductory fares starting at $29. Tickets must be purchased before Aug. 2, 2021 to receive the introductory rates. Frontier Airlines also offers nonstop flights to Denver and Chicago from Pensacola.
“Pensacola International Airport continues to thrive, despite the challenges faced by the travel industry globally since 2020,” Mayor Grover Robinson said. “I am excited to offer even more nonstop flights to Pensacola residents and visitors through Frontier Airlines, and I look forward to seeing continued growth and success at Pensacola International Airport.”
Molino Man Identified As Truck Theft Suspect By His ‘Distinct’ Facial Tattoos
July 30, 2021
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was able to identify a Molino man as a truck theft suspect by his “distinct” tattoos.
Nicholas Bronson Pierce, 35, was charged with felony grand theft of a motor vehicle.
The victim alleged he let a friend known as “Brandon Jensen” use his 1997 Ford F250 for a couple of hours on June 23, but the friend never returned the truck after repeated requests. By June 30, the victim was in jail for 30 days and unable to continue to ask for the return of the truck or to file a police report.
Once the victim was out of jail, he reported the truck stolen and provided a Facebook page for “Brandon Jensen”, but deputies were unable to find a match for that name. But deputies were able to determine that the man pictured on the Facebook page was in fact Pierce due to his distinctive facial tattoos.
Pierce remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday morning with bond set at $5,000.
M-Braves Hand Wahoos Seventh Straight Defeat With 5-1 Loss
July 30, 2021
For the third night in a row, Pensacola saw an early lead evaporate at the Blue Wahoos fell 5-1 to the M-Braves on Thursday night.
Pensacola starter Zach McCambley (L, 0-3) allowed four runs—including a pair of homers—in 4.2 innings of work. The 22-year-old struck out five while only walking two in his second career start at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Pensacola took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning when Lazaro Alonso led off the frame with a solo home run. For Alonso, it was his first home run since May 28th against the Biloxi Shuckers.
After that Mississippi scored five unanswered. Immediately after the Alonso homer, Greyson Jenista homered in the top of the third to tie the game. The M-Braves tooka 2-1 lead later in that inning after Braden Shewmake doubled home Jalen Miller with two outs in the frame. The visitors added three more runs, including a pair of homers late, bringing the total of home runs allowed this series up to 13 in three games.
Mississippi’s starter, Freddy Tarnok (W, 1-0), struck out 12 Wahoos across five innings of work. Outside of the home run, Tarnok only allowed two other hits while walking only two for his first career Double-A win. Pensacola batters struck out 20 times on Thursday, which is the highest strikeout total this season in a single game. The Wahoos are also mired in their worst losing streak of the season, having lost seven straight games dating back to July 22nd.
The series continues Friday when RHP Jeff Lindgren toes the rubber (3-6, 4.76). Opposing Lindgren will be RHP Spencer Strider (1-4, 6.65).
Small Plane Crashes In Front Of Blue Angels Elementary School
July 29, 2021
A small plane crashed in front of Blue Angels Elementary School on Dog Track Road in Pensacola Thursday afternoon.
The plane went down directly in front of the school and burst into flames.
Three people that were on the aircraft were injured. They were identified as a teacher at Blue Angels Elementary School, her husband and a juvenile, but their names have not been released.
There were no injuries reported on the ground and no damage to the school or any other structures.
The single engine plane was a civilian aircraft and not military. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.
Exclusive photo for NorthEscambia.com shows the scene moments after the crash as civilians rush to check on the pilot and any passengers on the aircraft, click to enlarge.
Eric Gilmore Named Permanent Escambia County Public Safety Director
July 29, 2021
Eric Gilmore of Bratt has been named permanent Escambia County Public Safety director, interim county Administrator Wes Moreno told NorthEscambia.com Thursday morning.
Moreno said he will bring the promotion to the Escambia County Commission next week.
Gilmore had served as interim public safety director since December, after having served as emergency management manager since January 2020.
Gilmore has worked for the Florida Department of Health since 2004, serving as a planner, public health preparedness director, and most recently regional emergency response advisor for a 10 county region. He is also the district chief of the McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue.
Eric Gilmore’s father, Elton Gilmore, retired in 2017 after seven years as the Emergency Management Operations Officer in the Escambia County Public Safety Department.
Pictured: Escambia County Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore speaks during a public forum at the Molino Community Center on June 28, 2021. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Developer Plans New Dollar General Store On Highway 29
July 29, 2021
A new Dollar General has been proposed for the 3000 block of Highway 29.
Teramore Development, LLC, of Thomasville, Georgia, is asking the Escambia County Development Review Committee (DRC) for approval for the store on 1.89 acres on the west side of Highway 29 between Ten Mile Road and Roberts Road, just north of Kingline Equipment.
According plans filed with Escambia County, the new store will be 10,769 square feet with 35 parking places. The parking lot will have entrances and exits to both Highway 29 and Crowl Road (directly behind the store).
An initial application has been made to the Escambia DRC, which has not taken any final action.
NorthEscambia.com graphics.
Community Health Northwest Florida To Resume Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing
July 29, 2021
Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, Community Health Northwest Florida will resume drive-thru testing at Brownsville Community Center.
The testing will be available each Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at 3200 West Desoto Street. All ages are eligible.
Important Scheduling Information:
- Rapid test: For symptomatic individuals only. Appointment is required. Call the CHNWF COVID-19 Testing Call Center at (850) 390-4276 to be scheduled.
- Send out (PCR) test: For individuals with or without symptoms. No appointment is necessary. Individuals may drive through at their convenience during regular hours of operation.
- All adult participants will be required to show photo ID at time of appointment.
- All adult participants should wear a face covering at time of appointment.
For more information, contact the Community Health COVID-19 Testing Call Center at (850) 390-4276.
State To Purchase Garcon Point Bridge; DeSantis Cuts Tolls Nearly In Half
July 29, 2021
Gov. Ron DeSantis has directed the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to reduce the toll rates on the Garcon Point Bridge.
The rates will be reduced from $4.50 to $2.30 for SunPass customers and from $5.00 to $2.75 for cash customers. The reduced toll rates are consistent with other FDOT toll facilities across the state, and the new rate erases 20 years of toll increases to the bridge. More than 6,000 drivers use the Garcon Point Bridge every day and will benefit from this reduction in tolls.
“Five dollars is just too much to pay for the more than 6,000 drivers that use the Garcon Point Bridge every day,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “I am pleased to announce that today I am directing FDOT Secretary Thibault to reduce the toll rates on the bridge as soon as possible to bring them in line with other facilities across the state and erase 20 years of rate increases.”
DeSantis also directed FDOT to reach a settlement with the trustee and the bondholders to purchase the bridge and transfer control to the Florida Turnpike Enterprise.
Following impacts from Hurricane Sally in September 2020, the Pensacola Bay Bridge closed while being repaired. While the Pensacola Bay Bridge was closed, thousands of residents in the area used the Garcon Point Bridge, but were paying a $5.00 toll to cross the bridge. Shortly following the impacts of Hurricane Sally, Governor DeSantis waived the tolls on the Garcon Point Bridge, and continued the toll suspension through July 6, 2021.
Detailed Local COVID-19 Hospitalization Data Released
July 29, 2021
COVID-19 hospitalizations in Escambia County are up about six times in the past month and have climbed by 18 in the past day, according to a graph released Wednesday by the City of Pensacola.
It’s the first report of daily local hospitalization rates since the report was stopped last month.
On June 24, there were 19 people hospitalized for COVID-19 in Ascension Sacred Heart, Baptist and West Florida hospitals. By Wednesday, July 28, that number was at 131.
“I cannot emphasize enough the importance of getting vaccinated, and I encourage everyone to get the COVID-19 vaccine if you are able, Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson said. “Remember that there are still everyday preventive actions you can take against COVID-19, including wearing a mask, washing your hands often and staying home if you’re sick.”
The numbers in the graph indicate daily hospitalizations in Escambia County and are provided daily by Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital, Baptist Hospital and West Florida Hospital. The daily numbers are not cumulative.
Baptist Hospital has also implemented at least twice-weekly reporting with additional information for their facility. Between July 1 and July 27, Baptist Health Care has treated a total of 96 patients who have been hospitalized for COVID-19. Of those, 85 were unvaccinated.
Data sources: Escambia County, City of Pensacola, Ascension Sacred Heart, Baptist and West Florida hospitals. Graphics: City of Pensacola.