Pedestrian Struck And Killed On Highway 29
October 26, 2020
A pedestrian has died after being struck by a vehicle while crossing a road Friday night in Escambia County.
The 27-year old male from Pensacola was crossing North Palafox Street (Highway 29) just south of Jacquelyn Way when he was struck by a Mazda sedan traveling southbound lane of North Palafox.
The victim was transported to an area hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. The 20-year old male driver of the Mazda was not injured.
The FHP no longer releases the names of traffic crash victims.
Team Rubicon Provides Hurricane Sally Relief For Panhandle Equine Rescue
October 26, 2020
Panhandle Equine Rescue in Cantonment received Hurricane Sally recovery help from Team Rubicon.
Team Rubicon is an international nonprofit disaster response that unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to rapidly provide relief to communities in need.
The help for PER after Hurricane Sally began with a request to receive help from Rainbows Edge Equine Transition Center, another nonprofit located in Greenville, FL, that is a training shelter for rescue horses and a disaster relief and recovery facility.
The team consisted of eight volunteers who worked on clearing debris and trees from the fence lines and cutting hanging dead branches that could fall and injure the horses.
“They were very professional and did an awesome job! Words cannot express our gratitude in getting the facility safe again,” PER’s Diane Lowery said.
The only horse rescue in Escambia County, PER is a non-profit founded by a small group of concerned citizens with a mission to rescue, rehabilitate and provide adoption services for abused, neglected and abandoned equines. PER is authorized by the court system to investigate equine cruelty in Escambia County.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High Names Girls Soccer Varsity, Junior Varsity Teams
October 26, 2020
The Tate High School Aggies have named their 2020-2021 varsity and junior varsity girls soccer teams.
Team members are:
Varsity
Jenna Banta
Kendall Blackmon
Claire Diamond
Aubrie Dillon
Izzy Ghiorso
Elise Grissom
Eva Grissom
Cora Helmig
Tiffany Inglett
Cassie Jackson
Cammie Kent
Emma Pasqualone
Faith Ranes
Danica Riddell
Emma Shelling
Izzie Shows
Sydney Singleton
Brynlee Skelton
Morgan Trombly
Junior Varsity
Hayden Ballinger
Kaypra Casillas
Haleigh Dove
Lilly Edgar
Madison Flannigan
Reese Forehand
Bailey Fowler
Delaney Hagan
Kelsey James
Brittney Larrington
Chloe Larrington
Nancy Mendez-Rostro
Kayla Reeves
Essence Rivera-Baker
Kimmie Simon
Lily Smith
Micah Weller
Gabrielle Wilstrup
Avery Wynder
Courtesy file photo.
Florida Gas Prices At Lowest In Nearly A Month
October 26, 2020
AAA says Florida prices at the pump are sinking to their lowest level in nearly a month.
Florida’s state average sits at $2.08 per gallon. That’s 4.5 cents less than a week ago and 33 cents per gallon less than this time last year. The state average has declined the past 22 consecutive days, for total discount of 11 cents.
The average price per gallon Sunday night in Escambia County was $2.10. A low of $2.03 could be found at a Highway 29 station in Cantonment, and $1.88 at an Airport Boulevard station in Pensacola.
“Sub-$2 gas prices are beginning to pop up in various Florida cities,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Pump prices are drifting lower as COVID concerns creep back into the fuel market. Gasoline demand is already 15% lower than this time last year. Meanwhile, fuel supplies remain strong. It’s possible the state average could dip below $2 a gallon in the coming weeks. If that happens, it would be the first time since June.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Navy Identifies Instructor, Student Aviator Killed In Foley Plane Crash
October 25, 2020
The U.S. Navy has identified the two-person aircrew killed in a crash Friday in Foley.
They are U.S. Navy Lt. Rhiannon Ross, 30-years old from Wixom, Michigan, and U.S. Coast Guard Ensign Morgan Garrett, 24-years old from Weddington, North Carolina.
A U.S. Navy T-6B Texan II trainer aircraft crashed in a residential area of Foley at approximately 5 p.m Friday. No civilians were injured as a result of the crash, but a house did partially burn.
Local and Navy emergency personnel responded to the scene to secure the area and ensure the safety of the local community. The Navy is working with local authorities to investigate the incident.
Ross, an instructor pilot, and Garrett, a student aviator, took off from Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton on a routine training flight.
“Their spirit, friendship, and devotion to their country will not be forgotten,” the Navy said in a statement.
Pictured above; U.S. Coast Guard Ensign Morgan Garrett (left) and U.S. Navy Lt. Rhiannon Ross.
FDC Offering $1,000 Hiring Bonuses At Century And Santa Rosa Correctional Institutions
October 25, 2020
The Florida Department of Corrections has announced $1,000 hiring bonuses continue at prisons across the state, including Century Correctional Institution and the Santa Rosa Correctional Institution.
The bonuses are available for new hires who complete their correctional officer certification through either FDC or certain state colleges will be eligible for the bonus. Paid training is available.
FDC has expanded the applicant base for correctional officers within the state prison system. The minimum age requirement for a correctional officer is 18 years of age.
For more information, visit FLDOCjobs.com.
These Are This Week’s Road Construction Problem Spots
October 25, 2020
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 Replacement – Bridge is closed until 2021.
- · U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Drivers may encounter the following lane closures the week of Sunday, Oct. 25:
o Motorists traveling Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass and U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road may experience alternating lane shifts or closures as crews continue drainage, median and pavement operations.
- · East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Safety Project from North Palafox Street to Chemstrand Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent nighttime lane closures as crews continue construction activities. Eastbound traffic can also expect daytime, right turn lane closures.
- · U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of Muscogee Road (County Road 184) to Atmore Highway (State Road (S.R.) 97)- Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane restrictions as crews continue construction activities at various locations. Motorists are also advised to watch for debris as cleanup efforts are still underway from Hurricane Sally.
- · Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Intersection Improvements at New Warrington Road (S.R. 295) – Construction activities continue. Drivers can expect lane closures between 9:30 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Bridge is closed until 2021.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing from Clear Creek to S.R. 4- Drivers can expect intermittent daytime lane closures along the 14-mile corridor through fall 2020 as crews perform paving operations.
Skanska Says They Have Removed 16 Of 23 Barges, Including Three From Under The Bay Bridge
October 25, 2020
Skanska has now removed 16 of the 23 barges that ran aground during Hurricane Sally
The contractor said late last week that three of the four barges left under the Pensacola Bay Bridge have now been “retrieved”.
“Each barge represents a unique and technically complex recovery operation that we are managing carefully with our partners to mitigate further physical or environmental damage,” Skanska said in an email to NorthEscambia.com.
Pictured: Skanska barges along Bayfront Parkway, not far from the Pensacola Bay Bridge, in downtown Pensacola. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
President Donald Trump Campaigns In Pensacola (With Photo Gallery)
October 24, 2020
Just 11 days ahead of Election day, President Donald Trump campaigned in Pensacola Friday night.
“Hello Pensacola. Hello Florida. We love Florida. There’s something going on out there. That’s a big crowd of people,” Trump said after reaching the podium at ST Aerospace at the Pensacola International Airport. “You know the other side is getting a little bit nervous, a little bit shaky right now.”
“Eleven days from now, we are going to win my home state of Florida, and we are going to win four more years in the White House, four more great years. Four more successful years,” Trump told the crowd of several thousand people.
He spoke about defending America’s borders, energy independence, opening up the country and taxes.
““I gave the largest tax cut and tax reform in history and we cut taxes again for the middle class. This election is between a Trump super recovery and a Biden super depression,” he said.
Under Biden, the country would be locked down, he said, but no under a Trump administration.
For a photo gallery, click here.
“We’re not locking down anything,” he said. “We understand the disease, I understand it better than you — I had it.”
Before Air Force One landed in Pensacola, Michelle Salzman, the Republican nominee for state House District 1, led thousands in a chant of “four more years”.
“You have to go vote for Donald Trump,” Salman told the crowd. “Y’all, this is so exciting. I am on a national stage, and I am so excited.”
Other speakers included Florida District 2 Rep. Alex Andrade, Florida Sen. Doug Broxson, Republican nominee for Alabama’s 1st Congressional District Jerry Carl, Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis, Florida 2nd Congressional District rep. Neal Dunn, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Completes First Hurricane Debris Pass, But They Are Not Done
October 24, 2020
Escambia County completed the first substantial debris removal passl countywide on Friday.
The county began its recovery process in the wake of Hurricane Sally with curbside removal of debris for residents on September 23. Contractors expect it will take a total of 90 days to accomplish the debris removal.
As of Thursday, Escambia County has collected approximately 2,358,598 cubic yards of debris throughout the county, which equals 380 football fields with debris stacked three feet high. The map below shows where debris has been collected.
To help expedite the process, separate debris for service. Vegetative debris like tree limbs need to be separate from construction and demolition materials like drywall and carpet. Keep debris away from storm drains, low power lines, other utilities and mailboxes.
Curbside Residential Debris Pickup Instructions
Escambia County residents, that can safely do so, are asked to place any storm-generated debris on the public right of way (the area of residential property that extends from the street to the sidewalk, ditch, utility pole or easement).
- Commercial-generated waste will not be accepted.
- Businesses should contact their waste collection service provider or a debris removal contractor. Business and commercial material is not eligible to be removed curbside by Escambia County.
- Nonprofits are allowed to place debris on public right of way for pickup.
Debris that was generated by Hurricane Sally should be placed and sorted on the area immediately adjoining the road in front of your home.
- Vegetative Debris – whole trees and large limbs should be cut into lengths of four feet or less, tree stumps, tree branches, tree trunks and other leafy material
- Construction and Demolition Debris – damaged components of buildings and structures such lumber and wood, wall board, glass, metal, roofing materials, tile, furnishings and fixtures
- Appliances and White Goods – refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, heat pumps, ovens, ranges, washing machines, clothes dryers and water heaters
- Electronic Waste – computers, televisions, office electronic equipment, etc.
- Household Hazardous Waste – materials that are ignitable, reactive, toxic or corrosive such as paints, cleaners, pesticides, etc.
Do not place debris within four feet of:
- Mailboxes
- Water meters
- Fire hydrants, or any other above-ground utility
Escambia County contractors will make multiple passes through neighborhoods and along county right-of-way for debris removal. If your debris is not removed, please be patient. The crews will make additional passes along your road. In addition, the county will notify residents well in advance of the last day to place debris on the right-of-way for county contractor collection. Debris will be picked up on private roads, and the county is working on getting FEMA approval for contractors to access gated communities.
The county contractors have dedicated pieces of equipment for different debris streams (vegetation, C&D and stumps). Please understand that if vegetation is collected and C&D or stumps are left behind, they are not “missed,” but rather assigned to different trucks dedicated to that debris stream. Contractors cannot commingle debris streams in a single truck load.
Drop Off Instructions for Residential Vegetative Debris Drop Off Sites
In addition to curbside removal of debris for residents, residential drop off sites are accepting vegetative debris generated by Hurricane Sally. This is for private, residential use only, NO COMMERCIAL DEBRIS. Hurricane Sally debris drop off sites are open for Escambia County residents only and will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 a.m., until further notice. Residents need to bring ID and proof of residency.
Drop Off Locations:
- Escambia County Equestrian Center at 7750 Mobile Highway
- John R. Jones Athletic Complex at 555 East Nine Mile Road
- Oak Grove Convenience Center at 745 North Highway 99
- Baars Field at 13020 Sorrento Road
- Lexington Terrace at 900 S Old Corry Field Road
- Park East at 1233-1235 at Fort Pickens Road
If residents would like to drop off construction and demolition debris, they can do so at the following locations (ordinary fees apply):
- Perdido Landfill (Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
- Oak Grove Convenience Center (Fridays and Saturdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
Pictured: Debris pick up on North Highway 99. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
