Early Voting Begins Saturday In Escambia County At These Nine Locations
August 4, 2020
Early voting begins Saturday in Escambia County at nine locations.
Early voting will begin Saturday, August 8 though Saturday, August 15. Each location will be open from from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., with the exception of the Supervisor of Elections Office which will be open 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
- Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Molino Community Center, 6450-A Highway 95A, Molino
- University of West Florida Conference Center, Building 22, University Parkway
- Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds, 6655 Mobile Highway
- Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 B, 9th Avenue
- Supervisor of Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor
- Pensacola Library, 239 N Spring Street
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
- Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto Street
As of Monday night, 14,596 ballots had been cast by mail in Escambia County.
Primary Election Day is Tuesday, August 18.
Application Deadline Is Thursday For State Program To Help Landowners Combat Southern Pine Beetle Outbreak
August 4, 2020
The Florida Forest Service is announcing that applications are now being accepted for the 2020 Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program. The program is limited to 44 northern Florida counties, the known range of the southern pine beetle, and open to non-industrial, private forest landowners through August 6, 2020.
The southern pine beetle (SPB) is one of the most economically devastating forest pests of the Southeast, with periodic outbreaks leading to deaths of millions of pine trees. Since 2015, over 460 SPB infestations have been reported in Florida, killing trees on more than 2,200 acres. This pales in comparison to the last major outbreaks between 1999 and 2002, which caused an estimated $59 million in timber losses on over 24,000 acres.
Since it was first offered in 2005, the Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program has been implemented on more than 197,000 acres and helped thousands of landowners.
“Southern pine beetle activity is relatively low in Florida right now, but it can increase rapidly,” said Erin Albury, State Forester and Director of the Florida Forest Service. “Awareness is key, and we want to help landowners improve the health and productivity of their pine forests.”
The Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program, supported through a grant by the United States Forest Service, provides incentive payments for landowners who conduct a first pulpwood thinning and offers partial cost reimbursement for activities, such as prescribed burning, mechanical underbrush treatments, and the planting of longleaf or slash pine rather than the loblolly pine, the beetle’s preferred species. Qualified landowners can apply for up to two different practices per year, and funding requests may not exceed $10,000. All qualifying applications received during the submission period will be evaluated and ranked for approval.
Visit FDACS.gov/SPBPrevention to learn more about the Southern Pine Beetle Assistance Program or click here to obtain an application.
“Pine forests are an essential part of Florida’s ecosystem,” said Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. “Helping landowners take preventative action significantly reduces the risk and impacts associated with the southern pine beetle and is critical to preserving the benefits that forests provide Floridians and visitors alike.”
Pensacola Splashdown: SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Returns To Gulf Of Mexico (With Photo Gallery)
August 3, 2020
Two NASA astronauts splashed down safely in the Gulf of Mexico south of Pensacola Sunday for the first time in a commercially built and operated American crew spacecraft, returning from the International Space Station to complete a test flight that marks a new era in human spaceflight.
SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, carrying Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley, splashed down under parachutes at 1:48 p.m. Sunday and was successfully recovered by SpaceX. After returning to land at Pensacola Naval Air Station, the astronauts were flown back to Houston.
For a photo gallery, click here.
(article continues below each photo, scroll down)
Pictured above: The SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft is lifted onto the SpaceX GO Navigator recovery ship shortly after it landed in the Gulf South of Pensacola.
“Welcome home, Bob and Doug! Congratulations to the NASA and SpaceX teams for the incredible work to make this test flight possible,” said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine. “It’s a testament to what we can accomplish when we work together to do something once thought impossible. Partners are key to how we go farther than ever before and take the next steps on daring missions to the Moon and Mars.”
Behnken and Hurley’s return was the first splashdown for American astronauts since Thomas Stafford, Vance Brand, and Donald “Deke” Slayton landed in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Hawaii on July 24, 1975, at the end of the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project.
Pictured: above: NASA astronauts Robert Behnken, left, and Douglas Hurley are seen inside the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft onboard the SpaceX GO Navigator recovery ship shortly after having landed in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Pensacola
NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 test flight launched May 30 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. After reaching orbit, Behnken and Hurley named their Crew Dragon spacecraft “Endeavour” as a tribute to the first space shuttle each astronaut had flown aboard.
Nearly 19 hours later, Crew Dragon docked to the forward port of the International Space Station’s Harmony module May 31.
“On behalf of all SpaceX employees, thank you to NASA for the opportunity to return human spaceflight to the United States by flying NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley,” said SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell. “Congratulations to the entire SpaceX and NASA team on such an extraordinary mission. We could not be more proud to see Bob and Doug safely back home—we all appreciate their dedication to this mission and helping us start the journey towards carrying people regularly to low Earth orbit and on to the Moon and Mars. And I really hope they enjoyed the ride!”
Pictured above: Support teams and curious recreational boaters arrive at the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft shortly after it landed south of Pensacola.
Behnken and Hurley participated in a number of scientific experiments, spacewalks and public engagement events during their 62 days aboard station. Overall, the astronaut duo spent 64 days in orbit, completed 1,024 orbits around Earth and traveled 27,147,284 statute miles.
The Demo-2 test flight is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which has worked with the U.S. aerospace industry to launch astronauts on American rockets and spacecraft from American soil to the space station for the first time since 2011. This is SpaceX’s final test flight and is providing data on the performance of the Falcon 9 rocket, Crew Dragon spacecraft and ground systems, as well as in-orbit, docking, splashdown, and recovery operations.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos courtesy NASA/Bill Ingalls and others for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pictured above: NASA astronaut Douglas Hurley waves to onlookers as he boards a plane at Naval Air Station Pensacola to return him and NASA astronaut Robert Behnken home to Houston a few hours after the duo landed in their SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft off the coast of Pensacola.
Century Accepting Lease Proposals On Large Industrial Building Until Thursday
August 3, 2020
The Town of Century is seeking lease proposals for a 40,390 square foot building in the town’s industrial park, and the deadline is this Thursday.
Known as the Helicopter Technology Building — named for the defunct company that was based there — it has been empty since 2008.
The town is still footing the bill for utilities, insurance, maintenance and other costs for the vacant property, and they are looking to turn it into a positive cash flow and create jobs along the way.
Lease proposals will be accepted until 1 p.m. on Thursday, August 6. Proposal requirements include the proposed monthly lease fee, desired start day, and number of employees associated with the proposed lease. The town council will review the proposals and reserves the right to reject any or all of them. Click or tap here for the complete requirements and procedure (pdf).
In 2017, the building was appraised for $550,000 with a fair market rent of $80,000 per year ($6,667 per month). The office and warehouse space has full climate control, sprinkler system, new HVAC and energy efficient lighting.
Last Potential Lessor Was Rejected
The most recent company seeking to lease the building was rejected by the town council.
In May 2019, West Florida Gin Manager Robert Earl Godwin and businessman Larry Baxley, who were in the process of setting up North Escambia Warehouse and Storage, LLC, made a preliminary lease-to-own offer on the town-owned building at $4,000 per month for five years, for a total of $240,000. The company offered an $8,000 deposit, pay the first month’s rent in advance, and pay for any upgrades to the building. At the end of the lease term, they would have had the opportunity to buy the building for $100. The building would have been used primarily for cotton storage.
A motion by then council member Ben Boutwell to proceed with negotiations and work on an agreement failed on a 3-2 vote with council members James Smith, Sandra McMurray-Jackson and Luis Gomez voting against. The dissenters expressed objections against the business because it would likely not create any jobs.
“I don’t see the benefit for us,” Smith said at the time. “Where’s the employment?”
Smith and Gomez expressed concerns at the May 2019 meeting that if the council were to lease the building below market value, the town would not have any available industrial space if another company wanted to located in Century with new jobs.
“Someday it could produce jobs, even it’s 10-15 jobs for Century,” Gomez said.
“Let’s talk about y’all’s track record and my track record,” Baxley said after pointing out that no company had seriously considered the building in the past decade but he had developed several similar properties. “For 46 years now, I’ve been making payroll.”
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Felon Charged With Firing Gun During An Argument With His Mother
August 3, 2020
A convicted felon from Molino was jailed after allegedly firing a gun after an argument with his mother.
Clifford Bernard McFann, Jr., 32, was charged with discharging a firearm in a residential area and felony possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shots fired disturbance in the 1000 block of Barth Road. McFann’s mother said she and her son got into an argument, and he went outside. She said she heard two shots, but was not sure if they were aimed at her or her residence, an arrest report states. There were no injuries.
Deputies learned McFann left headed southbound on Highway 29 in a vehicle driven by a female.
An ECSO deputy stopped the vehicle on Highway 29 at Archer Road.
Deputies located a backpack containing a handgun and two magazines in the vehicle, and the driver said it belonged to McFann, the report states. The gun smelled as if it had been recently fired, according to the ECSO deputy.
McFann told deputies that he did get into an argument with his mother, but no firearm was involved. When told the gun smelled as if it was recently fired, McFann said he went into a brushy area near the intersection of Barth Road and Barth lane. The remainder of his statement was redacted from the arrest report.
He was later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $4,000 bond.
Local Gas Prices Increase To Local Average Of $2.10; Several Stations Below $2
August 3, 2020
Florida gas prices increased 10 cents last week and were unaffected by Isaias.
The state average price of $2.16 per gallon is the most expensive in 20 weeks, and the highest state average in the southeastern United States.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $2.09. Several North Escambia stations were still below $2 Sunday night, with one as low as $1.94 on North Highway 29 in Cantonment. In Pensacola, at least two stations were at $1.84 Sunday night.
“Gas prices suddenly jumped 10 cents last Monday, then quickly leveled off for the rest of the week,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The price hike came as a surprise, considering that both oil and wholesale gasoline prices have held steady for weeks, doing very little to justify the increase. Isaias was also not considered to be a factor, since it was never a threat to oil rigs and refineries in the Gulf of Mexico.
“Either way, it may be difficult for gas prices to linger at current levels,” Jenkins continued. “Crude oil and wholesale gasoline prices tumbled last week, by a margin that could eventually erase last week’s jump at the pump.”
ECUA Conducting Sewer Smoke Testing This Week In Pickwood Drive Area
August 3, 2020
ECUA crews will begin smoke testing of the sewer system lines in the Pickwood Drive area off East Nine Mile Road Monday through Wednesday.
White smoke will be circulated into the sewer lines and manholes to locate broken pipes and other defects, and will exit from vent pipes on home roofs. The smoke is non-toxic, leaves no residue, and creates no fire hazard. The smoke will not enter the house unless there is defective plumbing present or the drain traps are dry. If potential problems are found on private property, residents will be notified of repairs that may need to be made.
The testing will be done to determine if there are areas where stormwater or groundwater are entering the sewer system. An overload of stormwater into the sewer system can lead to overflows during periods of intense rain.
Testing will be conducted from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, August 3-5. The testing area will include the following:
- Pickwood Drive
- Candlewood Circle
- Coachman Court
- Stillbrook Road
- Hollowbrook Drive, north to Quiet Creek Road
- Hollowbrook Circle
- Aurelias Place
- Dons Lane
- Grace Drive
- Sunshine Lane
- Peakview Drive
- Honey Terrace
Residents with concerns call call ECUA at (850) 476-0480.
Walnut Hill Man Found With Over $7,400 Inside Sneakers Charged With Buying, Carrying Stolen Weapon
August 2, 2020
A Walnut Hill man found with over $7,400 in a pair of shoes has been charged with buying and carrying a stolen gun.
Nickolas Derrell Moorer, 28, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on charges of carrying a concealed weapon and dealing in stolen property.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office stopped Moorer for running a stop sign in the area of St. Regis Drive and Ballard Street. During the traffic stop, the deputy smelled the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle.
During a search of the vehicle, the deputy located a stolen .40 caliber Glock 27 under the front passenger seat of the vehicle. Moorer told deputies he purchased the gun from a website about a week prior, but was unable to provide a seller’s name or a bill of sale, according to an arrest report.
Also in the vehicle, deputies reported finding a lunchbox containing marijuana and $8,857 in cash — $1,446 in Moorer’s wallet and $7,441 between the insoles of a pair of sneakers.
Moorer was released from jail on a $20,000 bond.
More COVID-19 Inmate Positives At Century Prison; Testing Ramps Up By Tenfold
August 2, 2020
COVID-19 cases have once again increased at Century Correctional Institution, and as of Saturday testing at CCI has been ramped up to a level previously unseen during the pandemic.
Two more inmates were reported as positive on Saturday, for a total of six, and the number of positive staff members remained at 20.
On Friday, FDC reported 13 other inmates tested, but on Saturday that number jumped to to reflect a total of 127 inmate tests. Three inmates are in medical isolation, and the number of prisoners on medical quarantine increased to 391.
Inmates in medical quarantine are monitored by health services staff and receive temperature checks twice a day for signs of fever. If an inmate begins experiencing symptoms indicative of COVID-19, FDC will place the inmate in medical isolation and a COVID-19 test will be administered.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Problem Spots
August 2, 2020
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- · Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, Aug 2:
o Intermittent east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
o Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90)– Drivers 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 and pavement operations.
- East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) Safety Improvements from north of Palafox Street to Chemstrand Road -Crews will begin installing maintenance of traffic devices Monday, Aug. 3. To help minimize traffic impacts, lane closures will not be allowed from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. There will be no eastbound lane closures within the Escambia County Transit bus stop zone, North Palafox Street and Chandler Street, from 5 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- I-110 Striping Operations– Motorists will encounter intermittent north and southbound lane closures from 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4 to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5 as crews stripe the on and off-ramps.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) to U.S. 29- Fowler Avenue north of Nine Mile Road will remain closed until 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8 for reconstruction activities. Traffic will be detoured to West Nine & Half Mile Road and Cove Avenue.
- · U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of Muscogee Road (County Road 184) to Atmore Highway (S.R. 97)- Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane restrictions as crews continue construction activities at various locations.
- · Michigan Avenue (S.R. 296) Safety Improvements at Mobile Highway and Memphis Avenue- Construction activities continue at the intersections of Mobile Highway and Memphis Avenue. Crews are working during daytime hours, however, operations that require lane restrictions will take place at night.
- · 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 construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, Aug 2:
o Intermittent east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
o Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- 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.
- U.S. 90 Pavement Marking Operations from Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281) to the Okaloosa County Line-Motorists can expect minor delays Sunday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. until Thursday, Aug. 27 as slow-moving vehicles are used to perform pavement marking operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Pictured: The southbound Highway 29 on-ramp from Nine Mile Road is now open. Crews will begin converting the former southbound on and off-ramps into frontage roads. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.