Friends Of The Library Book Sale Next Saturday
April 25, 2021
The Friends of the West Florida Public Library will hold an outdoor book sale on Saturday, May 1.
The sale will take place from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at their warehouse at 325 Commerce Street in Warrington (behind Greer’s).
There will be a large selection of used books in all categories priced as follows:
- Hardbacks are $2
- Softcovers, CDs and DVDs are $1
- Mass market paperbacks are 2 for $1.
Cash, credit cards, and checks will be accepted. Masks are required.
“Please note that our building sits back off the street slightly. Please do not park in front of the white building on the street in front of our warehouse as the owner will tow your car, or in front of our building as that’s where we accept our book donations. You can park on the street or in the shopping center parking lot,” the Friends of the Library said.
Pictured below: The Friends of the West Florida Public Library warehouse at 325 Commerce Street in Warrington. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weekly Traffic Report: Those Troublesome Construction Slowdowns
April 25, 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:
- U.S. 98 (State Road (S.R.) 30) Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement - The intersection of North 17th Avenue and Bayfront Parkway will remain closed until spring 2021 as construction continues on the new 17th Avenue interchange. The Visitor’s Center and adjacent boat launch remain accessible from 17th Avenue. Also, the ramp from 17th Avenue to East Gregory Street remains open. Eastbound drivers on Bayfront Parkway should use North 14th Avenue and Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) as a detour route.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) from North Palafox Street to Chemstrand Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent nighttime lane closures the week of Monday, April 26 as crews perform paving operations.
- · North Ninth Avenue (S.R. 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement – Motorists will encounter lane shifts to the northbound travel lanes of Carpenters Creek Bridge. One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained as work begins to replace the southbound portion of the bridge. Traffic will remain in this temporary configuration until the late summer/early fall timeframe.
- · I-10 Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation over Perdido River Bridge – Motorists will encounter intermittent nighttime lane closures the week of Monday, April 19 as crews perform paving operations.
- · North Davis Highway (S.R. 291) Utility Operations near Heritage Apartments- Traffic will encounter lane restrictions from 8 p.m. Monday, April 26 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, April 27 as crews perform utility operations.
- · Bayou Boulevard (S.R. 296) Utility Operations – Motorists will encounter lane restrictions at 5098 Bayou Boulevard from 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 26 to 5 a.m. Wednesday, April 28 as crews install a new power pole.
- · I-10 at SA Jones Road Utility Operations – Motorists will encounter lane restrictions on I-10 beginning at 12 a.m. Thursday, April 29 as crews install a new power pole.
- · S.R. 292 (North Pace Boulevard) Underground Utility Operations - There will be intermittent lane restrictions while crews preform underground utility work at:
- Intersection of West La Rua Street and S.R. 292, 8 p.m. Monday, April 26 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, April 27.
- Intersection of West Belmont Street and S.R. 292, 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, April through Wednesday, April 28.
- Intersection of West Wright Street and S.R. 292, 8 p.m. Thursday, April 29 to 5 a.m. Friday, April 30.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – The bridge remains closed.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive- Early construction activities have begun to prepare for the widening and improvements of the 4.25-mile section. These activities include utility relocations, clearing, excavation, and drainage improvements. As part of the upgraded drainage system, the project includes the construction of five stormwater ponds. Clearing and excavating of areas for the stormwater ponds are currently underway. There are no traffic impacts associated with the construction of the ponds, but nearby residents and businesses may experience some noise. Access to residences and businesses will be maintained.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Pensacola’s Mask Ordinance Has Now Expired
April 25, 2021
A Pensacola ordinance requiring masks to be worn inside businesses in the city has expired and is no longer in effect.
Pensacola employees are still required to wear masks while in common areas inside city facilities, and members of the public are encouraged to wear masks inside city facilities.
The ordinance was unenforceable after Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an order in September banning mask mandate enforcement by local governments.
Pensacola’s mask ordinance first went into effect in June 2020.
Century To Again Consider Electric Franchise Fee Increase
April 24, 2021
The Century Town Council will try again next month to vote on raising the franchise fee they charge Gulf Power.
On April 19, the council was set to hold a required public hearing on the ordinance, but they did not have a required quorum after three members missed the meeting. Council members James Smith, Jr. Leonard White and Sandra McMurray-Jackson were not present.
The public hearing will now be held during the 7 p.m. May 3 council meeting to raise the Gulf Power franchise fee, an an increase for Escambia River Electric is also under consideration.
In 1994, the franchise fees for both utilities were increased from 3% to 5%, and now the council is raising the fee to 6%.
While the franchise fee is technically charged to the utility, both Gulf Power and EREC tell NorthEscambia.com that they pass the full cost of the fee on to their customers.
The town council has held a first reading of a new agreement with Gulf Power that will become official after one more meeting. They are also setting their sights on an increased fee for EREC.
Gulf Power customers with an average 1,000 kwh monthly usage pay about $140 a month, according to Florida Public Service Commission documents. The franchise fee increase will cost customers in the Century town limits about $1.40 per month.
One Injured, Rescued From House Fire Near Atmore
April 24, 2021
One person was injured in a fire at two-story home north of Atmore Friday evening.
An adult female was trapped before being rescued from an upstairs bedroom. She was transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital; an update on her condition was not available.
The fire was reported about 6:45 p.m. at the corner of Jack Springs Road and Woods Road. The Poarch Fire Department, Atmore Fire Department, Nokomis Fire Department and the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue were dispatched to the blaze.
There was no immediate word on the cause of the fire.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia 4-H Meat Judging Teams Place First, Second In Florida; Tate FFA Places Fourth
April 24, 2021
One Escambia County 4-H meat judging team has won a state championship, and another has place second.
The intermediate (ages 11-13) 4-H meat judging team placed first at the state 4-H meat judging contest at the University Of Florida in Gainesville. The team included A.T. Bridgers, Laney Clarke, Tucker Padgett and Hunter Taylor.
The senior (ages 14+) 4-H meat judging team placed second in their division with members Alan B., Gracie Meredith and Lilly Warne. J
Tate High School’s FFA also competed at their meat judging career development event and they placed fourth in the FFA competition.
Last year, both the intermediate and senior Escambia County 4-H meat judging teams place first at the virtual state competition.
Participants identified 40 retail cuts and placed six retail, primal, carcass classes. The 4-H meat judging program develops life skills through activities related to the processing of beef, pork, and lamb, including retail identification, factors relating to meat quality and cooking methods. Participants developed an understanding and appreciation of the basic scientific principles involved in eating and cooking quality, nutritional value and consumer appeal of meat. 4-H members on the team also learned life skills such as effective decision-making, critical thinking, goal setting and teamwork.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Nine Mile Road Traffic To Be Shifted Between Navy Federal Way, Allegheny Avenue
April 24, 2021
The Nine Mile Road westbound travel lane between Allegheny Avenue and Navy Federal Way will be shifted to the newly constructed westbound outside lane the week of Sunday, April 25. The traffic shift will allow crews to complete the new median and inside eastbound left turn lanes.
All construction activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather.
FHP: Man That Ran Red Light Had 160 Grams Of Pot, Over $18,000 In Cash
April 24, 2021
A man is facing several drug charges after being pulled over by a trooper for running a red light in Escambia County.
The Florida Highway Patrol charged 34-year old Cortney Wright with possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana, possession with intent to manufacture, deliver or sell; possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, tampering with evidence, and a third or subsequent violation for driving with a suspended or revoked license.
FHP stopped his vehicle for running a red light a Saufley Field Road and Mitchell Lane. A search of the vehicle revealed a total of 160 grams of marijuana in clear plastic bags located throughout his Dodge Ram, an unspecified pill, digital scales and $18,570 in currency.
Wright was released from jail on a $15,000 bond.
Skeletal Remains Identified As Virginia Woman Missing Since 2018
April 23, 2021
Skeletal remains found in Escambia County, Alabama, have been positively identified as missing Virginia woman that was headed to visit relatives in Alabama nearly three years ago.
On August 4, 2018, 70-year old Shari Christine Saunders left Norfolk, Virginia, on her way to Monroeville, Alabama, to visit with family, but never arrived. She was last seen fueling her 2010 red Toyota Corolla in Evergreen, Alabama. Saunders was listed as a missing person and entered into a nationwide database.
Saunder’s vehicle was located on a dirt road off Canaan Church Road in Conecuh County, Alabama, a few miles north of the Flomaton exit on I-65 and Highway 113 on August 13, 2018. A search of the area was completed by the Conecuh, Escambia, and Monroe County Sheriff’s offices but Saunders was not located. Investigators continued to search for Saunders, conduct interview, and follow up on leads and information that came in on a weekly basis.
On December 26, 2020, skeletal remains were found in a wooded area off a gated private road that intersects with Canaan Church Road. The remains were submitted for forensic testing for a positive identification.
“A forensic laboratory has now positively identified the skeletal remains as that of Shari Saunders. Additional evidence is being evaluated by other forensic labs, and the sheriff’s offices are focusing on particular suspects,” Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson said. “We would like to thank the community for their willingness to help in bringing this case closer to being solved and ask that you report anything that might be of evidentiary value.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office Investigator Smith at (251) 809-0741.
Four Candidates Under Consideration To Be The Next Escambia County Fire Chief
April 23, 2021
Escambia County once again has a list of four candidates that might become the next fire chief.
The four are set to meet with county leaders on Friday. In alphabetical order, they are:
- Pascal Arnes — chief, Decatur Township Fire Department, Indianapolis, Indiana. He has 28 years in fire service from volunteer to chief positions.
- Jason Catrambone — chief, Williston Fire Department, Williston, North Dakota. He has more than 25 years experience.
- Billy Cockman — fire chief, Coffeyville Fire Department, Coffeyville Kansas. He served in the Navy for 16 years, and has experience in Florida including Ft. Myers and Jacksonville
- Carroll Spriggs — deputy chief, Annapolis Fire Department, Maryland. He served as a deputy sheriff beginning in 1996 and became a firefighter in 2004.
There’s no word on when a final selection might be made.
“The job will remain open and posted until it is filled,” Escambia County spokesperson Laura Coale told NorthEscambia.com.
Four finalists were also announced in late January, culled from a list of 60 applicants from a nationwide search. They were notified that none were selected and the search was continuing.
Escambia County’s last fire chief, Rusty Nail, was hired in April 2018 and resigned in April 2019.
NorthEsambia.com graphic.