Escambia County Weekly Meeting Schedule
March 2, 2020
Here is a list of public meetings planned for this week in Escambia County:
Tuesday, March 3
Planning Board/Rezoning – 8:30 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Planning Board/Regular – 8:35 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Contractor Competency Board Exam Review Committee – 8:30 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Contractor Competency Board Regular Meeting & Public Hearing – 9 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Thursday, March 5
Community Redevelopment Agency – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, BCC Meeting Room
Board of County Commissioners Agenda Review – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, BCC Meeting Room
Board of County Commissioners Public Forum – 4:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, BCC Meeting Room
Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting – 5:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, BCC Meeting Room
Friday, March 6
Augmented Transit Unit 1395 Collective Bargaining Session – 9 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
UPDATE: Two Missing Children Located Safe
March 1, 2020
UPDATE 11 p.m.: Both children have been located and are safe, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities have located young brother and sister that were reporting missing Sunday night from the Scenic Hills area off Nine Mile Road. Both were found safe and unharmed about 11 p.m. according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The two were last seen 8600 block of Meadowbrook Drive at about 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
Ensley Chiefs Concession Stand Burglarized And Vandalized. They Won’t Press Charges If It’s Fixed.
March 1, 2020
Someone burglarized and vandalized the Ensley Chiefs concession area at the J.R. Jones Athletic Park on Nine Mile Road Friday night, and the sports association is giving the perpetrators a chance to make amends to avoid jail.
Graffiti, some of which is too vulgar for us to publish, was painted on the concession area, and the suspects entered the building where they took all of the canned drinks, sunflower seeds and chips. They even took frozen french fries and chicken fingers. The graffiti was also spray painted inside the building.
The Ensley Youth Sports Association says the perpetrators were caught on video, and they giving them a chance to right their wrong.
“If they will contact us directly to repair the damage, we will not press charges,” a board member said. They can be contacted on their Facebook page.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Here Are The Traffic Delay Spots To Expect This Week
March 1, 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:
- 9th Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289, Martin Luther King/Alcaniz Street/Davis Highway (S.R. 291) and Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Video Underground Sewer Lines- Drivers may experience intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday until Tuesday, March 31.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (State Road (S.R.) 10 / U.S. 90A)– Drivers will experience the following traffic impacts the week of Sunday,
March 1.- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass: Alternating lane shifts as crews construct the new southbound bridge.
- U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
- Pensacola Bay (U.S. 98) Bridge Replacement- There will be intermittent lane closures at the following locations from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, March 1.
- U.S. 98 east and westbound, from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the Graffiti Bridge.
- · Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10 / U.S. 90A) Widening from Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) to U.S. 29- New Market Street will experience intermittent road closures through Saturday, Feb. 29 as drainage work continues. Traffic is detoured to Parkside Street and Milestone Boulevard. Signs and variable message boards are in place to alert drivers of the temporary closure and alternate route.
- · I-110 E-Ramp Closure for Repairs- There will be a northbound outside lane closure at the I-110 E-Ramp to repair the barrier wall from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, March 1.
- · S.R. 727 for Road Marking Activities- There will be a southbound outside lane closure on S.R. 272 from Lilian to U.S. 98 for replacement of reflective road markers from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m., Tuesday, March 3.
- · I-110 for Road Marking Activities- There will be intermittent north and southbound lane closures for replacement of reflective road markers from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, March 2 through Thursday, March 5.
- · Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10 / U.S. 90A) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) – The far-right portion of the I-10 off ramp that connects to Nine Mile Road (Exit 5) westbound remains closed. Drivers can still access Nine Mile Road east and westbound using the other section of the ramp. The partial ramp closure is needed to reconstruct the ramp and will be in place through March 2020.
- · U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of Muscogee Road (County Road/C.R. 184) to Atmore Highway (S.R. 97)– Crews continue paving operations and median work. Drivers may encounter intermittent daytime lane restrictions. Motorists are reminded to watch for crews and heavy equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
- · Hanks Road Bridge Replacement over Breastworks Creek- Crews continue roadway earthwork and preparations for base material. The roadway remains temporarily closed. Drivers on Hanks Road, west of the bridge, are detoured to C.R. 99 and C.R. 4. Drivers east of the bridge will utilize Pine Barren Road. The project is anticipated to be complete spring 2020.
- C.R. 168 Bridge Replacement over Unnamed Branch in Northwest Century- Crews are paving the final layer of asphalt, grading, constructing concrete ditch pavement, and striping the roadway. Watch for workers and heavy equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Santa Rosa County:
- · U.S. 98 (Pensacola Bay Bridge) Replacement- There will be intermittent lane closures at the following locations from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, March 1.
- · U.S. 90 Corridor (Pace) Management Improvement Project- Crews are currently working on drainage improvements at Sanford Street. East and westbound lane closures will be in effect at Bostic Lane and Sanford Street from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
- · U.S. 98 Safety Improvement from Villa Woods Circle to Ortega Park Drive- Construction activities continue at the following seven locations: Villa Woods Circle to Marble Court, Oriole Beach Road, Grand Ride Circle to Fordham Parkway, El Rito Drive/College Parkway, American Avenue, Alpine Avenue, and west of Ortega park Drive. Crews activities continue. Workers are preparing base material for paving to begin at the Days Inn moving westward. Lane closures will be in effect from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
- · S.R. 4 Resurfacing and Drainage Improvements from the Escambia River Bridge to Market Road (C.R. 87A) in Jay- There will be shoulder closures throughout the project limits for roadway and utility work.
- · S.R. 87 Bridge Rehabilitation and Repair Over Yellow River- Motorists may encounter daytime southbound lane closures as crews continue expansion joint work.
- · S.R. 87 Turn Lane and Median Modifications at South Lynn Road- Operations are taking place in the median. Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane closures.
- U.S. 98 east and westbound, from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the Graffiti Bridge.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Sample Ballots On The Way To Escambia Voters
March 1, 2020
Sample ballots for the March 17 Presidential Preference Primary Election are in the mail to Escambia County voters.
The sample ballot, in both English and Spanish, includes a ballot image, the voter’s polling location and information on the three ways to vote: early, vote-by-mail, and on election day. A sample ballot is also available at EscambiaVotes.com.
File photo.
Everything And The Kitchen Sink Sold At The 45th Annual Ruritan Auction
March 1, 2020
A large crowd attended the 45th annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club Auction Saturday in Walnut Hill bidding on farm equipment and a little bit of everything else, including the kitchen sink. Over 400 items were up for auction.
All proceeds from the auction benefit the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club’s community service projects in the Walnut Hill area. The auction is held on the last Saturday of February.
That kitchen sink, by the way, sold to the highest bidder for $10.
Pictured: Hundreds attended the annual Walnut Hill Ruritan Club farm equipment auction Saturday in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
District 5 Commissioner Barry To Hold March Town Hall In Barrineau Park
March 1, 2020
Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry will hold a town hall meeting on Tuesday, March 24 at 5:30 p.m. at the Barrineau Park Community Center. Local residents are encouraged to attend the open forum event. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Ever Use The Garcon Point Bridge? Court Orders Toll Increased As Of Today.
March 1, 2020
To comply with a recent court order, new toll rates and an adjustment to the bridge volume discount program, took effect March 1 on the Garcon Point Bridge in Santa Rosa County.
The cash toll rate for two-axle vehicles will be adjusted to $5, and the cash rate for each additional axle (over two axles) will be an additional $5 per axle. The SunPass toll rate will be $4.50 for two-axle vehicles, and the SunPass rate for each additional axle (over two axles) will be an additional $4.50 per axle.
Two-axle vehicles using a SunPass transponder will now receive a 25% discount on their Garcon Point Bridge toll transactions in any month they have 30 or more Garcon Point Bridge toll transactions. The adjusted monthly 25% volume discount rate will apply beginning in March 2020.
The Garcon Point Bridge was constructed by the Santa Rosa Bay Bridge Authority and opened to traffic in 1999.
Cantonment Woman Killed In Davis Highway Crash
February 29, 2020
A Cantonment woman was killed in a two vehicle crash Friday night on Davis Highway.
Police said 32-year old Savannah King made a left turn from from a private driveway onto Davis Highway near Village Oaks Drive when she pulled into the path of an oncoming vehicle. She was pronounced deceased from her injuries. Her passenger, 31-year old James “Jimmy” Dudley Whisenhant III was transported to an area hospital with injuries not considered life threatening. Friends say the couple recently became engaged.
The occupants of the other vehicle were not injured in the crash about 11 p.m.
Police said alcohol or drugs were not suspected in the crash.
Escambia School District Announces Coronavirus Plan
February 29, 2020
The Escambia County School District has announced their plan for dealing with coronavirus, should the need arise.
“The School District of Escambia County will be operating in compliance and in accordance with the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) preparedness plans, as set forth by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) and the Florida Department of Health (FDOH),” Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said.
The ECSD said DOH has been closely monitoring COVID-19 since November, 2019, and emphasizes that there is a low health risk in the United States. The FDOH Incident Management Team has been working with the CDC with daily updates, and hundreds of health department professionals are positioned to respond if the need arises in each county.
“Escambia County School District is working with the Escambia County Health Department to stay up-to-date on COVID-19,” Thomas added “Current recommendations are the same as the flu or other respiratory illnesses: Wash your hands. Cover your cough. Stay home when you are sick and, please, keep your children home when they are sick.”
If students or staff exhibit symptoms, the district’s health services coordinator will be notified and she will in turn notify the health department.
Thomas noted, “This is a part of the school district’s current communicable disease procedure, which also pertains to other illnesses, not limited to COVID-19.”