Video: Molino Park Choir Performs At Winterfest
December 24, 2019
The Molino Park Elementary School Choir performed at Winterfest in downtown Pensacola earlier this month. The performance video is above.
Photos/video for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Overturned Log Truck, Spilled Logs Close Highway 97 For Hours; One Injured
December 23, 2019
An overturned log truck shut down Highway 97 for about five hours south of Walnut Hill Monday morning.
The driver lost control in a curve about 1.5 miles south of Tungoil Road and overturned. The truck slid on its side for about 100 yards, destroyed the end of a guardrail before coming to rest against a guardrail on the opposite side of the road. Logs were spilled across a long section of the roadway.
The driver was transported by Escambia County EMS to West Florida Hospital.
The crash happened about 9:20 a.m., and the road remained completely blocked and closed until about 2:10 p.m.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Crash On Highway 95A In Molino
December 23, 2019
One person was injured when their vehicle struck a tree Monday morning in Molino.
The driver lost control, ran off the roadway and hit the tree on Highway 95A at Sean Road. They were transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Man Critically Injured In Wreck Near Century
December 23, 2019
On person was critically injured in a single vehicle wreck Sunday night near Century.
Richard Davis, 61, lost control of his Nissan Frontier on Highway 4A, about seven-tenths of a mile west of Tulip Road, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The pickup left the roadway and slammed into two trees about 7:15 p.m.
Firefighters used the Jaws of Life to free Davis. He was transported by Escambia County EMS as a trauma alert to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
The Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bittersweet Christmas ‘Gift Of A Lifetime’ For Fallen Marine Travis Nelson’s Mom
December 23, 2019
It was a gift that meant the world to a Gold Star mom.
Beckie Nelson’s son, Travis Nelson, was shot and killed while conducting combat operations in in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on August 18, 2011.
Last week, she was sitting at her desk at work when a UPS package arrived.
“Not recognizing the return label I opened the package,” Beckie Nelson said, “…at my desk thinking it was another Etsy Christmas gift that I just forgot about.”
But it wasn’t just another gift. It was the hat, the Marine cover, her son had last worn over eight years ago. It was a gift that immediately brought back a flood of emotions and memories.
“One of Travs senior Marines contacted me a while back and told me he had something of ‘Nelsons’ that he wanted me to have….Truly a ‘gift’ that had my heart spinning and the tears overflowing. Eight years later and I immediately saw my handsome eighteen year old son smiling that unforgettable smile right before me! More than okay, the most memorable, bittersweet gift of a lifetime,” she said.
Travis Nelson grew up in Bratt, where the local park bears his name. He attended Bratt Elementary and Ernest Ward Middle School.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
See Santa On A Fire Truck In Century Tuesday Morning
December 23, 2019
The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue will escort Santa through Century, Byrneville and Poplar Dell Christmas Eve morning on “Ladder 5″.
Here’s the complete itinerary, as provided by Century Fire and Santa (click here for a map):
- We will leave Century Fire Station on Tedder Road at 08:00 AM.
- From there we will head down Hwy 29 and make a quick pass by the new Century Park Apartments then West Hwy 4 to the Century Care Center.
- We will leave Century Care Center heading back to Hwy 29.
- Then we will travel Hwy 29 to East Pond Street and make the first right onto Jefferson Ave.
- Zooming down Jefferson Ave. and making left on Front St.
- Going down Front St. and turning right onto Mayo St.
- Then Santa will go down Mayo St. and make a right onto Church St.
- Will travel Church St. and make a left on Jefferson Ave. and fly down Jefferson St to make a left onto Mayo Ln.
- Going down Mayo Ln. and making a right onto Mayo St. then a right on Hecker Rd.
- Mr. and Mrs. Claus will then travel along Hecker Rd. and will be making a left onto Jefferson Ave.
- We will turn down Freedom Rd. and make a loop through Camellia Garden Apartments, then on to East Hwy 4.
- Flying down East Hwy 4 and making a right onto Old Flomaton Rd.
- You can catch them along Old Flomaton Rd as they zoom by and turn left onto East Cottage St. then making a right onto Ivey St.
- Santa and his elveswill stop for a short period at the vacant lot beside Napa Auto Parts for kids that want a closer look! Pictures can be taken here but the kids will have to stand by the truck, Mr. Claus and Mrs. Claus can’t climb down!
- Then we will head out West Stateline Rd and zoom around Shady Lane Apartments, then Byrneville area here he comes!
- We will be traveling down West Stateline Rd/Hwy 4A and make left onto Killam Rd after a quick pass through Poplar Dell Church parking lot.
- Travelling down Killam Rd. we will make a right onto West Hwy 4.
- We will travel West Hwy 4 and Santa and his elves will stop for another short break at Byrneville Community Center! Bring the kids here to catch another closer look! Again pictures can be taken with kids standing by the truck but Mr. and Mrs. Claus can’t climb down!
- Leaving Byrneville Community Center, you can catch a view of them zooming down Byrneville Rd all the way to Hwy 29.
- Then the sleigh will be headed down Hwy 29 back to the Century Fire House on Tedder Rd so Mr. Claus and Mrs. Claus and the reindeer can get back to the North Pole to finish getting ready for Christmas Eve night!
Click map below to enlarge. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Dedria’s Gift Provides Christmas Presents For Nursing Home Residents
December 23, 2019
Dedria’s Gift visited two area nursing homes recently to provide gifts to the residents. They visited Century Health and Rehab in Century (pictured above) and West Gate Village in Brewton (pictured below). The gifts were distributed in memory of Dedria Robinson, who was killed in 2005 in an automobile accident at age 11. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gas Prices Slip A Few Cents. But They Are Still Higher Than Last Christmas.
December 23, 2019
Florida gas prices are declining slightly as an estimated 5.5 million Floridians hit the road for the year-end holidays. The state average has declined the past 16 consecutive days for a total discount of 12 cents per gallon.
Florida drivers are now paying an average price of $2.42 per gallon. Although the state average is 4 cents less than a week ago, gas prices remain 5 cents more than last month and 18 cents more than this time last year. During the past few years, Florida gas prices on Christmas Day averaged $2.21 in 2018, $2.35 in 2017, and $2.32 in 2016.
The average price per gallon Sunday night in Escambia County was $2.38, 18 cents more than one year ago. Three Cantonment stations were a dime below the local average at $2.28 per gallon.
“Elevated oil prices and issues at a massive Gulf Coast refinery are preventing prices at the pump from falling as fast as they did this time last year,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “As a result, year-end holiday gas prices are poised to be the most expensive in five years. But that’s unlikely to slow travelers down, because current prices are around the same level as a month ago – when most travel plans were finalized.”
Pictured: Regular unleaded was $2.49 per gallon Saturday in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Here’s The Holiday Trash Schedule You Need To Know
December 23, 2019
Here is the holiday trash schedule for ECUA in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, the Town of Century and the City of Pensacola.
ECUA ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Garbage, Yard Trash & Recycling Services: All Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday collections during the two weeks will be made one day later than normally scheduled. All other collections will be on their regularly scheduled days.
ECUA SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Garbage, Yard Trash & Recycling Services: Tuesday, December 24: No garbage or yard trash collection. Tuesday recycling collection will be made on Saturday (12/28/19). There are no other changes to sanitation collections on the Christmas or New Year’s holiday weeks. All collections will be made on their regularly scheduled days. There are no changes to commercial dumpster service.
ECUA OFFICE/BILL PAYMENT
ECUA offices will be closed December 24 and 25 in observance of the Christmas holiday, and on January 1, 2020, in observance of the New Year’s holiday. The customer service office and walk-in payment areas only will be closed on December 31. All other ECUA offices and the drive-thru window will be open on this day.
TOWN OF CENTURY GARBAGE
Town of Century garbage pick up will be one day later that normal during the holiday period. Collections will be on Thursday, December 26 instead of December 25, and Thursday, January 2 instead of January 1.
CITY OF PENSACOLA
There will be no pickup changes for City of Pensacola Sanitation customers due to the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
Cantonment Man Struck And Killed As He Walked On Highway 90
December 22, 2019
A Cantonment man was struck and killed in Santa Rosa County Saturday night.
The Florida Highway Patrol reported 35-year old Casey Scott Hess was walking in a travel lane of Highway 90 near Whitsett Lane when he was struck by a 2008 Toyota 4Runner drive by 54-year old Steven Enzer of Fort Walton Beach. Hess was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Enzer and the three passengers in his vehicle were not injured.
No charges were immediately filed. FHP said it was dark and raining at the time Hess was walking in the roadway.