AAA: Hands-free Devices Are Especially Distracting For Older Drivers
July 25, 2019
Hands-free devices are especially distracting for older drivers, according to AAA.
Now that texting while driving is illegal in Florida, drivers are now more likely than ever to utilize voice-to-text or other in-vehicle infotainment systems. However, new research from AAA shows that this technology still creates potentially dangerous distractions for all drivers, but the risk is highest among older adults.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety partnered with researchers from the University of Utah to test the visual and cognitive demand created by the infotainment systems in six 2018 vehicles. Study participants in two age groups (21-36 and 55-75) were required to use voice commands, touch screens and other interactive technologies to make a call, send a text message, tune the radio, or program navigation, all while driving.
During the study, drivers used voice-based and touch screen in-vehicle technology features. Both older and younger drivers were visually and mentally distracted for 17 to 40 seconds when completing tasks like programming navigation or sending a text message. The distraction was more significant among older drivers (ages 55-75), who removed their eyes and attention from the road for more than eight seconds longer than younger drivers (ages 21-36).
“Regardless of their age, drivers should be very cautious when using in-vehicle infotainment systems,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Drivers may be lulled into a false sense of security that since they’re not using their handheld device, they are a more focused driver. AAA warns that many of these systems are so complex or poorly designed that they divert the driver’s attention away from where it should be – the road.”
By 2030, more than one in five drivers on the road will be over the age of 65. With seniors becoming the fastest growing demographic in the U.S., finding ways to design technology to improve their comfort and safety is critical and may hold the key to enhancing the safe use of this technology for all drivers, AAA said.
Monsanto-Solutia Retirees Donate $30,000 In Scholarship Funds
July 25, 2019
Monsanto-Solutia Retirees, Inc. donated $30,000 Wednesday for scholarships.
The endowed scholarship funds were presented to Pensacola State College’s Foundation. The funds will be awarded to students with a 2.5 or higher GPA who also must:
- Have a connection to Monsanto, Solutia, or Ascend Performance Materials;
- Be an Ascend employee enrolled in programs to enhance job skills;
- Be enrolled in a health care program; or
- Be a student of chemical engineering.
Courtesy image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Gets Jail Time After Police Find Drugs During Bicycle Traffic Stop
July 24, 2019
A Cantonment man that was riding a bicycle when deputies pulled him over has been sentenced to jail on drug charges.
Billy Early Grantham was sentenced to 270 days in the county jail for possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of controlled substance without a prescription, and resisting arrest without violence.
In late January, the Pensacola Police Department stopped Grantham as he rode his bicycle about 3:40 a.m. on Pace Boulevard near Cervantes Street for not having a required light on his bicycle.
During the search, officers located a metal pipe with marijuana residue and over three dozen pills of various types of controlled substances including Tramadol inside a backpack, according to arrest report. After providing consent to search, Grantham attempted to bolt away, and he was “assisted” to the ground by the police officer, the report states. At the jail, a corrections officer located a cocaine rock on his person.
Funeral Service Set For Local Marine Killed On California Roadway
July 24, 2019
Funeral services have been set for a local Marine that was struck and killed by vehicle as he crossed a multi-lane highway in Orange County, California.
Trace Kenneth Goodwin, 19, was struck by a Tesla Model 3 about 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 13 on Jamboree Road in a Tustin, California, business district. Goodwin was in the roadway at the time he was hit by the vehicle, according to police, but the exact circumstances have not been released.
Visitation will be held at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South on Beverly Parkway from 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, July 28. Funeral services will be held at noon on Monday, July 29 with burial to follow at Pensacola Memorial Gardens on Pine Forest Road.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations in Goodwin’s name to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Goodwin is survived by his mother Wendy Marie Marotz, father Michael Wayne Goodwin and numerous other family members and friends.
For the full obituary, click here.
Local Officials Tour New Pensacola Bay Bridge Just Days Ahead Of Opening
July 24, 2019
Local officials toured the new Pensacola Bay Bridge Tuesday, five days ahead of the opening of the first span.
Senator Doug Broxson hosted a tour across the soon to be opened bridge on Tuesday. He was joined by Santa Rosa County Commissioner Lane Lynchard, whose district includes Gulf Breeze, along with Escambia County Commissioner Robert Bender, whose district includes the Escambia portion of the new bridge.
“Since the grand opening of the fully completed bridge will not be held until both spans are complete in 2021, we wanted these men and women to know how much the community appreciates their hard work,” said Senator Broxson.
“I would like to thank Senator Broxson, Skanska, and FDOT for this invitation,” said Commissioner Bender. “I appreciate the opportunity to thank the men and women for their hard work on the bridge that will connect Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties for decades to come. Each worker showed pride and excitement for being a part of this new bridge, which is also shared throughout our community.”
Highway 98 eastbound traffic (from Pensacola to Gulf Breeze) will be shifted to the Pensacola Bay Bridge on Sunday evening, July 28, and Highway 98 westbound traffic (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will shift on Thursday, August 1.
From 8 p.m. Sunday, July 28 to 6 a.m. Thursday, August 1, 17th Avenue will be closed to through traffic between Gregory Street and the CSX Railroad overpass. Drivers will be detoured using Ninth Avenue and Cervantes Street (U.S. 90). Access to the visitor’s center, boat ramp, and the Pensacola Bay Fishing Pier will be maintained for local traffic via 17th Avenue.
The temporary configuration for the new bridge will provide two lanes of east and two lanes of westbound traffic, along with a center-lane reserved for emergency vehicles. A multiuse path for pedestrians and bicyclists is expected to be operational approximately two-months after the traffic shift.
With all traffic shifted to the new bridge, construction crews will demolish the current bridge, complete the new westbound structure, and reconstruct the 17th Avenue interchange.
The entire bridge project, which is the largest infrastructure project in the history of Northwest Florida, is scheduled for completion in 2021.
The planned construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Four Escambia Tax Collector Employees Graduate From Certified Manager Program
July 24, 2019
lorida’s Certified Public Manager program.
Four Escambia County Tax Collector employees have graduated from Florida’s Certified Public Manager program.
The four CPM graduates are:
- Lisa Scruggs, director of human resources
- Marie Bumgarner, assistant manager
- Melissa Hogan, assistant manager
- Candice Lewis, senior deputy tax collector
The CPM program is a nationally-recognized leadership development program currently offered in 38 states and by the federal government. Its purpose is to develop more effective public managers. Graduates complete a rigorous two-year program, consisting of 32 days of classroom instruction, supplemented by comprehensive homework assignments and exams.
Florida has one of the largest and most successful CPM programs in the country, with over 6,600 graduates – more than any other state. More than 100 agencies, including city, county, state and constitutional offices, have participated in the Florida CPM program. The Florida Cabinet has recognized the program as a “preferred management development program.” The CPM program is administered by the Florida Center for Public Management at Florida State University, which is part of the Reubin O’Donovan Askew School of Public Administration and Policy.
The Goat Taken Into Custody By Deputies In Century Is Back Home
July 24, 2019
The goat taken into custody by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office after a standoff near a Century grocery store has been reunited with his family.
Deputies were called to the area of the Food Giant on North Century Boulevard about 8:45 p.m. July 12 due to the goat on the run. A witness said the goat and deputies ended up in a standoff before the ECSO’s livestock officer responded and roped the goat about two hours later.
We’re told the goat is named “Bandit”.
The owner claimed what the Sheriff’s Office described as a “brown goat with horns and a beard” after the story was posted on NorthEscambia.com.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
14 Tons Of Debris Collected During Cantonment Neighborhood Cleanup
July 24, 2019
Escambia County collected and disposed of more than 14 tons of debris during the Cantonment Neighborhood Cleanup in July, as part of the county’s ongoing effort to help keep local neighborhoods and communities clean and safe. The events allowed residents to leave items at the curb to be disposed of free of charge by the county and partnering agencies.
The Cantonment Neighborhood Cleanup on July 17 saw great participation from residents, with about 22,380 pounds of yard waste, 7,640 pounds of bulk waste, 150 tires and 720 pounds of household hazardous waste placed at curbside for pickup — for a total of 28,180 pounds.
The neighborhood cleanup initiative involves an aggressive clean-up effort, targeting different neighborhoods throughout the county, with crew members picking up a variety of debris and waste, including electronics, furniture and household items. Since 2016, more than 1,943 tons (3,888,020 pounds) of debris have collected and disposed of through the Community Redevelopment Agency’s Safe Neighborhood Program.
The county’s neighborhood cleanup program is hosted by the Escambia County Community Redevelopment Agency’s Safe Neighborhood Program. Local partners include Escambia County Waste Services, Environmental Code Enforcement, Public Works, Animal Services and Road Prison, along with the City of Pensacola Sanitation Department.
Trial Postponed For Private Investigator Murder Suspect
July 23, 2019
Trial was set to begin Monday in the case of a woman accused of killing private investigator and burying her body in Cantonment.
Ashley Britt McArthur, now 41, is facing a first-degree murder charge for the death of 33-year old Taylor Wright, a private investigator and former police officer. Wright’s body was found in 2017 off Britt Road, just west of County Road 97 near Muscogee Road in Cantonment. She also allegedly stole $34,000 from Wright.
Monday’s trial date was continued until August 26 due to new evidence in the case.
Earlier this year, McArthur received seven years in state prison for racketeering and organized fraud While employed by Pensacola Automatic Amusement, from 2015 to 2017, McArthur embezzled thousands of dollars from two clients, the Azalea Cocktail Lounge and Seville Quarter.
Pensacola Automatic Amusement serviced entertainment machines and jukeboxes for various clients in the Pensacola area for 40 years. McArthur falsified collection reports for jukeboxes at the Azalea Lounge and Seville Quarter while keeping the unreported proceeds.
Escambia Approves Brownfield Designation For Cantonment, Three Other CRAs
July 23, 2019
The Escambia County Commission has designated four Community Development Areas in Cantonment and north Pensacola as Brownfield Areas.
In 2011 the county designated the Palafox, Englewood, Brownsville, Barrancas and Warrington CRAs as Brownfields. Between 2010 and 2015 the county added four additional CRAs – Atwood, Ensley, Oakfield and Cantonment.
The four newer CRAs were designated as brownfields for the purposes of economic development and environmental rehabilitation incentives offered through state programs. The project will be consistent with the land use plan and will reduce slum and blight, stimulate commercial development, and create new jobs.
To qualify for the incentives offered through the Brownfield Redevelopment Act, a property must be officially designated a Brownfield by resolution by commission.
There are about two dozen brownfield areas in Escambia County. The only one north of I-10 is the entire town of Century.