Share Your First Day Of School Photos
August 12, 2019
It’s a NorthEscambia.com tradition…share you first day of school photos with us! We are asking that you share your photos on this post on Facebook, or tag NorthEscambia on Facebook.
Pictured: “First Day of School” sign at Jim Allen Elementary School. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
FDOT Weekly Traffic Alert: Where To Expect Delays This Week
August 12, 2019
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:
- U.S. 98 from Lillian Highway (State Road/S.R. 298) to West of Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – There will be intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 11 through Thursday, Aug. 15 as crews finish paving the final layer of asphalt. This work is expected to take approximately one week to complete. There are no lane closures anticipated for Friday, Aug. 16 and Saturday, Aug. 17.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) – Drivers will experience the following impacts to traffic Sunday, Aug. 11 through Saturday, Aug. 17:
o Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass: Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue removing the old southbound bridge. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday.
o U.S. 29 traffic between Interstate 10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
- Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) Widening from Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) to U.S. 29- Drivers will encounter minor delays at the intersection of Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest roads from 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13 to 6 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14. Crews will stop traffic at interval times for workers to pave through the intersection. Traffic control officers will be on site to direct traffic through the intersection.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement Bridge- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 11 through Sunday, Aug. 18.
- 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.
- Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola, between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- · Cervantes Street (S.R. 10A) Underground Utility Operations- The middle turn lanes on Cervantes Street between N. De Villiers and N Palafox streets will be closed from 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 12 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13 as crews video the sewer main.
- · U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of Muscogee Road (County Road/C.R. 184) to Atmore Highway (S.R. 97) - Post mounted delineators have been erected between the Thrift Store and Cross Roads Dollar General to prevent cut-through traffic from Molino Road. Workers are clearing trees and shrubs and excavating for roadway widening at the Molino Road intersection. Drivers may encounter intermittent lane restrictions as crews and heavy equipment enter and exit the roadway.
- · C.R. 168 Bridge Replacement over Unnamed Branch in Northwest Century- Traffic was recently shifted to the temporary acrow bridge. Activities associated with the bridge replacement project continue and are anticipated to be complete late 2019.
- Bratt Road Bridge Replacement over Canoe Creek - Bratt Road continues to be closed near Canoe Creek. Drivers on Bratt Road, west of the bridge, will be detoured to Pine Barren Road and C.R. 4. Drivers east of the bridge will be detoured east on Bratt Road. The project is anticipated to be complete summer 2019.
- Hanks Road Bridge Replacement over Breastworks Creek - Construction activities continue. The roadway will be temporarily closed during construction. Drivers on Hanks Road, west of the bridge, will be 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 late 2019.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement Bridge- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 11 through Sunday, Aug. 18 from
- 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.
- Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola, between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- I-10 Widening from the Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) – Drivers can expect alternating and intermittent lane closures on I-10 from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of Avalon Boulevard from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 11 through Thursday, Aug. 15 as crews to finish final work list items.
- S.R. 87 Utility Operations over Yellow River Bridge- Southbound motorists may encounter daytime intermittent lane closures Monday, Aug. 12 through Friday, Aug. 16 as utility crews perform adjustments.
- S.R. 87 Pavement Markings Replacement- Traffic will encounter alternating and intermittent minor delays between Nicholas Lake Road and Vonnie Tolbert Road from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday until Tuesday, Dec. 31 as crews remove and replace pavement markings in the roadway. Law enforcement will be on site to direct traffic.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Florida Gas Prices Slide Downward
August 12, 2019
Florida gas prices declined nearly 10 cents last week as global demand concerns keep downward pressure on the price of crude.
Florida drivers are paying an average price of $2.44 per gallon – a discount of 8 cents from last week. The state average has declined the past 25 consecutive days for a total of 26 cents per gallon.
In Escambia County, the average price per gallon Sunday night was $2.49, down a nickel from last week. The North Escambia low price Sunday night was $2.29 at a station in Cantonment.
“Gas prices remain closely tied to weekly moves in the price of oil,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA-The Auto Club Group. “The oil market remains concerned about how the ongoing US-China trade war is impacting the global economy, and subsequently oil demand. Last week, oil plummeted after reports that global oil demand in the first half of 2019 grew at the slowest rate in 11 years. However, crude recovered after OPEC announced plans for additional crude production cuts, later this year. Unless oil prices unexpectedly surge this week, drivers should expect gas prices to remain at or below current levels this week.”
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Blue Wahoos Renovate Field At Bradberry Park In Walnut Hill
August 12, 2019
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos renovated a youth baseball field at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill
“I would say we have done pretty well, considering everything,” said Dustin Hannah, the Blue Wahoos head groundskeeper, who led an effort of a dozen co-workers of men and women, all of whom novices in baseball field repair.
Hannah’s direction, his patience, helped make the group effort so much easier.
Since the Blue Wahoos’ inaugural 2012 season, the team has made it a community service priority to each year help renovate a youth baseball field within the Escambia or Santa Rosa County area.
The day is chosen during a break in the home schedule. The field is chosen through nomination of youth baseball organizations providing a video, or photos of why a particular field needs help. The process is vetted through an on-site visit before a venue is chosen.
“It’s all part of us giving back to our community,” said Donna Kirby, the Blue Wahoos vice president of operations. “The first year (2012) we did a field in Pensacola near downtown and we’ve then gone throughout the area. Last year, we did a field in Century.
“In a way, it’s kind of our payback to the sport. These are little kids now who are playing baseball on these fields. And who knows if they will grow up continuing to play baseball, and there’s always that chance one of them can become a professional player and maybe play in Blue Wahoos Stadium.”
The field upgraded is used by the Cal Ripken-Babe Youth Baseball league, which has kids from Walnut Hill and nearby Bratt playing in various age groups.
“Any type of help for non-profits like ours is welcomed, especially with ballfields,” said Bonnie Maughon, board member with the league, whose son, Walker is a Tee-Ball player. “The income you get to run the games is all that you have. Any extra help you receive is a real blessing.”
The Blue Wahoos staff, which included Kirby and team president Jonathan Griffith all pitched in to help during two different work shifts.
“It’s just a big group effort to at least get it to where we’re at right now,” said Anna Striano, the Blue Wahoos merchandise manager who coordinated the community service project, during a lunch break. “And you want to leave it better than you found it.”
Hannah transported a small trailer with hand tools and power tools he uses on Admiral Fetterman Field at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
“We had a lot of grass to take out in the infield area, but I think we’re good,” he said. “These (youth league) fields, it’s not as in-depth work than it would be on a professional field.”
Maughon said she was scrolling Facebook when she saw the Blue Wahoos notice reaching out to youth leagues for nominations on field renovation. Striano started the process in June, then chose Bradberry Park in late July.
“I was really looking for ways to get help,” Maughon said. “We’re very thankful to be chosen. It’s very special. The fields are maintained by volunteers and it’s not easy.
“This year our president said we have enough kids for three T-Ball teams, but we needed one more volunteer coach to do it. And my husband stepped up.”
Hannah will follow up with the league’s director with tips on how to maintain the fields. It’s been done each year with various other fields the Blue Wahoos have helped to renovate.
It’s part of the team’s mission statement to improve the quality of life in Pensacola and the surrounding area. The field renovation was another way to help make that happen.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Reminder: All Students At 45 Escambia Schools Will Receive Free Lunch, Breakfast
August 12, 2019
Breakfast and lunch will be free for all students, regardless of income, during this school year at 45 schools in Escambia County.
The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program means that parents of the students at these schools are not required to submit an application for the Free and Reduced Meal program at that school. However, siblings attending schools not on the CEP list will need to apply for eligibility.
The free meal schools are selected upon income levels.
Participating schools are:
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Bellview Elementary
Bratt Elementary
Brentwood Elementary
Byrneville Elementary
C.A Weis Elementary
Ensley Elementary
Ferry Pass Elementary
Global Learning Academy
Holm Elementary
Jim Allen Elementary
Lincoln Park Elementary
Lipscomb Elementary
Longleaf Elementary
McArthur Elementary
Molino Park Elementary
Montclair Elementary
Myrtle Grove Elementary
Navy Point Elementary
Oakcrest Elementary
Pine Meadow Elementary
Pleasant Grove Elementary
Scenic Heights Elementary
O.J. Semmes Elementary
Sherwood Elementary
Warrington Elementary
West Pensacola Elementary
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
Bellview Middle
Beulah Middle
Ernest Ward Middle
Ferry Pass Middle
Jim Bailey Middle
Warrington Middle
Workman Middle
High Schools
Escambia High
Northview High
Pensacola High
Pine Forest High
Washington High
OTHER SCHOOLS AND CENTERS
Camelot
Capstone
Escambia Westgate Center
Jacqueline Harris Preparatory Academy
Success Academy
Lakeview Center
CEP allows the nation’s highest poverty schools and districts to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to all enrolled students without collecting household applications. Instead, schools that adopt CEP are reimbursed using a formula based on the percentage of students categorically eligible for free meals based on their participation in other specific means-tested programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Man Accidently Shoots Himself Saturday
August 11, 2019
An adult male was seriously injured when he accidently shot himself in the lower leg Saturday morning.
Escambia County EMS was dispatched to the Escambia River Gun Club on Rocky Branch Road about 11:15 a.m. Saturday. It was not immediately clear if the injury occurred at the gun club or at a nearby location.
The man, reportedly in his 60’s, was transported to the hospital as a trauma alert with injuries that did not appear to be life threatening.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Cantonment Improvement Committee Provides Free School Supplies
August 11, 2019
The Cantonment Improvement Committee held a back to school bash Saturday.
The group distributed backpacks and schools supplies and provided a free lunch at Carver Park in Cantonment.
The event was made possible by community partners including Ascend Performance Materials, International Paper and the Cantonment Rotary Club.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge
. 
Lightning Strikes McDavid Home
August 11, 2019
A McDavid home was struck by lightning late Saturday afternoon.
It happened about 5:30 p.m. at a two story home on Lambert Bridge Road near Pine Barren Road.
The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded and found evidence of a lightning strike, but no fire. There were no injuries reported.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Haas Center Conducting Century Survey, Holding Focus Group Meetings Tuesday
August 11, 2019
The University of West Florida Haas Center will hold focus group sessions Tuesday to survey Century area residents on community goods and services needed in the area, and an online version of the survey is also available.
The survey is available now at Haas.uwf.edu/CenturySurvey. The focus group meetings will be held at 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. at 4400 Hecker Road.
The survey is part of a $24,500 marketing study funding by the Escambia County Commission.
Back To School: What Time Does Your Child’s School Start And Release?
August 11, 2019
School begins Monday, August 12 in Escambia County.
For a printable school start and release time schedule, click here. The schedule includes complete details such as drop off times, bus departure schedules and early release times.