Former County Administrator Takes Airport Job
August 27, 2019
Former interim Escambia County Administrator Matt Coughlin as been hired as the new deputy director of the Pensacola International Airport.
Coughlin submitted his resignation from Escambia County in April, citing “tribalism” with the county.
In his resignation letter, Coughlin thanked former County Administrator Jack Brown, Interim Administrator Amy Lovoy, County Attorney Alison Rogers and department directors before writing “Regrettably, today in Escambia County there is neither the ability or willingness to rise to the occasion and lead together. Rather, those with the capability to help reverse this downward progression have resorted to tribalism. Its effects are pervasive and wide ranging. Unfortunately, along the way, our mission has become a failure and our citizens have become the casualty.”
Coughlin agreed to stay temporarily as interim administrator after Amy Lovoy resigned as interim administrator.
Coughlin, who worked as the Assistant Director at Pensacola International Airport from 2014-2017, said he’s excited to rejoin the City of Pensacola.
“I’m very appreciative to the mayor, very appreciative of the city, the mayor’s staff, and the airport director for considering me for the position,” Coughlin said. “There’s obviously a lot of potential for the airport – they’re on the cusp of a lot of growth and development over the next several years, and I’m excited to be a part of that.”
“There’s a huge amount of opportunity over there for the city, and not just the city, but the local area and all of the citizens,” Coughlin said. I look forward to trying to assist in providing a great asset to all of them.”
Along with assisting Airport Director Dan Flynn with overall airport operations, Coughlin’s job duties will include participating in major economic development projects at the airport, preparing and maintaining technical and administrative operating records and reports, and assisting with contract negotiations.
Coughlin will also act as a liaison with the Federal Aviation Administration, Transportation Security Administration, along with other federal, state and local agencies.
His first day on the job at the airport will be September 9.
Bank Drive-Thru Hit By Truck, Significantly Damaged
August 26, 2019
The drive-thru at a bank just off Nine Mile Road suffered significant structural damage when it was struck by a delivery truck late Monday morning.
The drive-thru clearance a the Beach Community Bank on Palafox Street was apparently too low for the truck. It appeared the driver attempted to drive around the end of the drive-thru when he struck the corner of the roof.
The collision caused obvious structural damage, with the entire drive-thru left leaning and damage to the roof.
There were no injuries, but the bank was evacuated after the crash.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Wreck That Closed Eastbound Nine Mile Road
August 26, 2019
One person was injured in a crash that temporarily closed eastbound Nine Mile Road Monday morning.
An adult male was temporarily trapped in his pickup truck following the wreck on Nine Mile at Westside Drive near Pen Air credit union. Firefighters were able to extricate him quickly, and he was transported to an area hospital with injuries that were not considered life threatening.
The driver of a GMC Denali was not injured.
The crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Update: Nine Mile Road Traffic Shift At Navy Federal Rescheduled For Tuesday Night
August 26, 2019
A traffic shift has been rescheduled for Tuesday night on the portion of Nine Mile Road near Navy Federal Credit Union. Rainy weather delayed plans to make the change Monday night.
East and westbound drivers on Nine Mile Road between Leisure Lakes RV Park and Eleven Mile Creek will be transitioned to the newly constructed eastbound roadway Tuesday night. The traffic shift will be in place while crews begin reconstruction on the eventual westbound travel lanes. One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction.
All construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Cantonment Man Charged With Felony Stalking Of His Estranged Wife
August 26, 2019
A Cantonment man was charged with felony aggravated stalking for allegedly calling his estranged wife over 50 times, tailgating her to her mother’s house as a deputy watched and following her to a job interview.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from the victim reporting that 43-year old Guy Maxwell Peters was continuously following her. A deputy arriving in the area observed Peters’ F150 tailgating the victim, some 1-3 inches away from her bumper. The deputy activated his blue lights, and both vehicles continued a short distance to the home of the victim’s mother in Cantonment.
The estranged wife told deputies Peters that she was living with her mother, and Peters had no right to be there. She said she was interviewing for a job on 9th Avenue, and Peters was waiting for her outside the building. When she returned for a second interview, Peters was once again outside waiting, an arrest report states.
Peters had become upset because she requested her half of the money after Peters sold a firearm, the victim said.
A statement Peters gave to deputies was redacted from his arrest report, with the exception of statement that he had given her $40 to “get back on her feet”, and he wanted his $40 back.
Peters was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond. A restraining order against him has since been issued.
Thanking Those That Keep Your Power On For Lineworker Appreciation Day
August 26, 2019
Gulf Power lineworkers work all hours of the day and night and even through the weekend to help serve customers.
The company saluted its employees as Florida recognizes Lineworker Appreciation Day on Monday, Aug. 26. It’s an annual recognition that the Florida Legislature established in 2012.
Chris deGraaf is a service technician who works out of the Pensacola office. He’s among approximately 170 lineworkers across the company.
Service techs drive a small bucket truck and often work alone, responding to outage calls or setting up a new service for a customer.
deGraaf, who has been with Gulf Power for eight years, says he enjoys his job because there’s something different each day.
“I enjoy it. I’m a self-starter and you don’t stay in one spot for long,” he said. “You see all kinds of scenery and get to meet a lot of customers.”
A Pensacola native, deGraaf and his wife and young son moved out west in 2004. As an electrician, he led crews from 20 to 100 workers, while his wife worked in Arizona, taking water samples in the Colorado River.
They moved back in 2008 when the recession hit and he started working with Gulf Power.
“I wish I had started with Gulf Power when I was in my early 20s,” he said. “A lot of the older linemen teach you a lot of life lessons. I wish I had picked that up sooner to get more information.”
Like all lineworkers, deGraaf takes part in storm restoration. He worked in the Panama City area for two weeks last year following Hurricane Michael. And he’s been on storm restoration trips to south Florida following Hurricane Irma and to north Florida and Georgia after Hurricane Matthew.
He said one of the biggest misconceptions about lineworkers is often customers think they can also repair cable, phone, water and sewer lines.
“People always show gratitude to us,” he said. “And in turn, I’ve learned to appreciate everyone’s job, from the person who works at a fast food place that’s open 24 hours to law enforcement and firefighters. Everyone has a little part. I see everyone on equal footing and everyone contributes in their own way.”
deGraaf recently took part in a demonstration of different jobs at a local elementary school. He brought his Gulf Power truck. One dad was a Navy Seal, while another was a pilot with the Blue Angels flight demonstration team.
“The kids said I had the coolest presentation because I brought the Gulf Power truck,” he said. “It was hilarious, but it was kinda neat too.”
Labor Day Gas Prices Predicted To Be The Lowest In Two Years
August 26, 2019
Labor Day is quickly approaching and gas prices for the holiday weekend are lining up to be the lowest in 2-3 years. However, there are still a number of factors could push prices higher before the holiday.
Florida drivers are currently paying an average price of $2.37 at the pump. The state average is 43 cents per gallon less than it was on Labor Day 2018 ($2.80), and 27 cents less than Labor Day 2017 ($2.64).
Escambia County drivers were paying an average of $2.38 a gallon, while several stations in Cantonment were at $2.21 per gallon Sunday night.
“Labor Day travelers continue to benefit from lower oil prices this year as they fill-up for their Labor Day road trip,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Strong US oil production rates are holding oil prices about 15% below last year’s levels, reducing the cost of producing gasoline. Gas prices should remain low heading into the holiday, unless something threatens fuel supplies like geopolitical tension or a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico.”
Labor Day marks the end of the busy summer travel season, and the last big surge in gasoline demand before the fall. The expectation of strong demand can promote a slight and temporary bump at the pump before the holiday. However, after Labor Day, refineries begin their seasonal switch to winter-blend gasoline. Summer-blend gasoline is more expensive to produce than winter-blend, because the EPA requires more additives in the warmer months of the year. The combination of both lower demand and fuel production costs typically puts downward pressure on pump prices through the end of the year.
Florida gas prices have declined 37 of the past 39 consecutive days, for a total discount of 33 cents per gallon.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Spots
August 26, 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. In observance of the Labor Day holiday weekend, there will be no lane closures on state roads from 6 a.m. Friday, Aug. 30 to 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3. These lane closure restrictions include both 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. 25 through Thursday, Aug. 29 as crews continue paving the final layer of asphalt.
- 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. 25 through Thursday, Aug. 29:
- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass: Alternating lane shifts for east and westbound on Nine Mile Road as crews construct the new southbound bridge, end bents, and center pier.
- U.S. 29 between Interstate 10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
- · U.S. 98 (Pensacola Bay Bridge) Replacement- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 25 through Thursday, Aug. 29.
- · U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of Muscogee Road (County Road/C.R. 184) to Atmore Highway (S.R. 97) – The northbound, left turn in to the Dollar General, just north of Molino Road, is now permanently closed to traffic. Workers continue clearing trees and shrubs and excavating for roadway widening at the U.S. 29 and Muscogee Road/Beck Lakes Road and U.S. 29/ Molino Road intersections. Drivers may encounter intermittent lane restrictions as crews and heavy equipment enter and exit the roadway.
- · (U.S. 90) Nine Mile Road from Beulah Road (C.R. 99) to Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) – East and westbound traffic between Leisure Lanes RV Park and Eleven Mile Creek will be transitioned to the newly constructed eastbound roadway the week of Aug. 26. The shift will be in place while crews reconstruct the westbound travel lanes.
- · S.R. 727 (Fairfield Drive) Drainage Improvements from Usher Circle to Hestia Place- All asphalt has been placed and traffic is in the final configuration. The contractor will continue to work on grading, placing sod, and installing pavement markings.
- · C.R. 168 Bridge Replacement over Unnamed Branch in Northwest Century- Crews continue driving production piles. Traffic will remain shifted onto the special detour until the new bridge is constructed and reopened to traffic.
- · 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.
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- 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).
- Hanks Road Bridge Replacement over Breastworks Creek - Construction activities continue. The roadway is 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. 25 through Thursday, Aug. 29:
- 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. 25 through Thursday, Aug. 29 as crews finish final work list items.
- S.R. 87 Utility Operations over Yellow River Bridge- Southbound motorists may encounter daytime lane closures Monday, Aug. 26 through Thursday, Aug. 29 across the Yellow River Bridge as utility crews perform adjustments to their facilities.
- 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.
Pictured: Recent paving operations on Nine Mile Road at Pine Forest Road. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Northview Senior Night, Band, Cheerleaders And More
August 26, 2019
Friday night was Senior Night for the Northview Chiefs.
For a bonus photo gallery from Senior Night, the cheerleaders, band, NJROTC and more, click here.
For a game action summary and action photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Work Continues On $1.3 Million Carver Park Area Drainage Project
August 25, 2019
A $1.3 million drainage project in the Carver Park area of Cantonment is well underway.
The new drainage system is being installed in the Washington, Ransom, Booker, Webb, Lincoln and Louis streets areas.
The Carver Park Drainage Improvement Project consists of installing a new stormwater conveyance system with outfall to a new dry stormwater pond located east of Ransom Street. The project will include construction of shallow roadside swales, ditch bottom and curb inlets, approximately 4,900 linear feet of stormwater transmission pipes, and the relocation and installation of approximately 1,900 linear feet of water main lines.
Work started back in November and expected to be completed by the end of September. It is funded by Local Option Sales Tax dollars.
Pictured top: Looking south on Webb Street, adjacent to Carver Park. Pictured below: Looking west on Washington Street from Webb Street. Pictured bottom: Looking east on Washington Street. Photos were taken August 10. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
