Escambia Fire Rescue Fights Woods Fire Near Highway 29, Old Chemstrand
April 3, 2019
The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue battled a woods fire Wednesday night near railroad tracks alongside Highway 29 at Old Chemstrand Road. They were forced to use a chainsaw to make access to the fire, which was reported about 7:45 p.m. No structures were threatened. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Firefighters Battle Debris Fire On Nine Mile Road
April 3, 2019
Escambia Fire Rescue spent hours extinguishing a debris fire Wednesday afternoon on Nine Mile Road near I-10. Black smoke from the fire could be seen for miles. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County HR Director Resigns
April 3, 2019
Escambia County Director of Human Resources Eric Kleinert submitted his resignation Wednesday morning.
Kleinert joined Escambia County in April 2017 from Carmel, Indiana, where he served as the human resources director for the Indiana Department of Transportation. Kleinert’s responsibilities with Escambia County included supervising the Human Resources Department, mentoring and evaluating staff, advising the county administrator on the needs of the department and representing the department before the board of county commissioners.
Escambia County Fire Chief Rusty Nail also resigned Wednesday morning. There was no known connection between the two resignations. [Read more...]
Escambia Fire Rescue Chief Resigns
April 3, 2019
Escambia County Fire Chief Rusty Nail has submitted his resignation effective June 1. He also served as deputy public safety director.
In an email announcing his resignation Wednesday morning, Nail stated:
Nail began his employment as chief of Escambia Fire Rescue on April 23, 2018.
He joined Escambia Fire Rescue from Palm Bay, FL, were he served as the City of Palm Bay Fire Rescue fire chief and emergency manager and previously served as a battalion chief.
Prior to his tenure at Palm Bay, Nail worked for the City of Orlando Fire Department for more than 20 years, serving as assistant fire chief, assistant chief of planning, district chief and retiring as the deputy chief. Nail’s experience also includes working as a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician.
Escambia County Director of Human Resources Eric Kleinert also resigned Wednesday morning. There was no known connection between the two resignations. [Read more...]
Escambia County Set To Award $2.4 Million Contact To Resurface North Highway 99
April 3, 2019
Escambia County is set to approve resurfacing North Highway 99 from Highway 97 in Walnut Hill to the Alabama State line.
Low bidder on the project was Panhandle Grading & Paving at $2.4 million. Other bidders were Roads, Inc. of NWF at $2.6 million and Midsouth Paving at $2.9 million.
The project was planned for 2024-25, but the Escambia County Commission fast tracked the advancement of $1,726,325 available in Local Option Sales Tax to this fiscal year and solicited bids.
The 8.01 mile roadway runs from Highway 97, past Highway 4 in Bratt and continues to the state line. It is a major north-south transportation corridor for the area. In addition to the school buses that serve Bratt Elementary on North Highway 99, buses travel the road twice-daily between Northview High and Ernest Ward Middle schools.
The asphalt is in poor condition due to a high traffic volume, and heavy truck traffic, according to county officials.
The recommended improvements include repair of road base failures, leveling of existing asphalt, installation of a geogrid over widened joints, paving the entire roadway, and re-striping 12-foot travel lanes.
The Escambia County Commission will vote on the contract award on Thursday. Once the contractor begins work, they will have 210 days to complete the project.
Pictured top: North Highway 99 in Bratt near Highway 168. Pictured below: A closer look at asphalt conditions. Pictured below: North Highway 99 at Highway 4 and (bottom) Highway 164. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Lady Chiefs Now 5-0 In District With Big Win Over Baker
April 3, 2019
Northview 18, Baker 4
Baker 4, Northview 2 (JV)
The Northview Lady Chiefs beat Baker 18-4 in four innings Tuesday night.
The Chiefs are 11-3 overall, 5-0 and on top in district play.
Kendall Enfinger earned the win for the Lady Chiefs.
At the plate, Nevaeh Brown went 3-3 with two RBIs. Also for Northview: Heather Knowles 2-4, 3RBI; Aubree Love 2-3, 3RBI; Kailyn Watson 1-2, RBI; Enfinger 1-2, 1RBI; Kaitlin Gafford 1-3, 2RBI; Payton Gilchrist 1-2, RBI.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Accountant: Century Council Needs To Talk About Grand Jury Findings
April 3, 2019
Century’s accountant has advised the town council they need to hold a series of workshops to discuss recent grand jury findings.
“Per discussion with the town’s attorney, multiple workshops need to be set up to discuss a point or two until all points are resolved to the best of the town’s ability,” accountant Robert Hudson said in a report to the council.
The council did not take immediate action to schedule any workshop meetings and has had little or no public discussion of the grand jury report since it was released a month ago.
A grand jury found the Town of Century lost over $1 million in utility accounts in just two years, can’t account for over 40 percent of their natural gas, made loans not revealed on audits for 14 years, improperly borrowed about $3 million from restricted accounts with a 750-year payback plan, and is a state of financial emergency.
The grand jury also recommended that Century sell the assets of its utility services – sanitation, natural gas, and water and sewer – and use the proceeds to repay the amounts borrowed from restricted special revenue funds.
Pictured: Century town council members (L-R) Luis Gomez, Ann Brooks and Ben Boutwell at their regular meeting this week. Council members Sandra McMurry-Jackson and James Smith were absent. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Shuts Out Flomaton
April 3, 2019
Northview 9, Flomaton 0
Northview 6, Flomaton 1 (JV)
The Northview Chiefs shut out Flomaton 9-0 Thursday in Bratt.
Nick Venable led on the pitcher’s mound for Northview. He surrendered no runs and not hits over two and two-thirds innings while walking one and striking out five. Jacob Bryant tossed three innings allowing tow hits and no runs with four strikeouts. Taylor Wilson tossed one and a third innings with one hit and one strikeout.
Evan Tatum led on the mound for Flomaton. He surrendered three runs on six hits over four innings, striking out three and walking zero. Jackson Steele threw two innings out of the bullpen. Steele pitched two innings, allowing five hits and six runs with three strikeouts.
Jackson Moore, Adam Aliff and Tanner Levins led the Chiefs with two hits each.
For a photo gallery, click here.
In junior varsity action, Northview beat Flomaton 6-1.
The Northview Chiefs will host the Baker Gators Thursday in a district matchup.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Denmark Defeats Tate
April 3, 2019
Denmark 11, Tate 2
Denmark (Alpharetta, GA) defeated the Tate Aggies Tuesday night 11-2.
Jordan Jarman started the game for Tate, lasting two innings, allowing four hits and four runs while striking out one. Jace Dunsford, Ethan George, and Brantley Culbertson each contributed in relief.
Raymond Lafleur led the Aggies with three hits. Mason Land and Hunter McLean added two each, and Jadon Fryman had one hit for Tate.
Pictured: Jordan Jarman on the mound for the Tate Aggies Tuesday night. Photo By Crystal Tolbert for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Spanish Tall Ship Sebastian de Elcano Visits Pensacola, Open For Tours
April 3, 2019
UPDATE: Thursday tours were canceled due to weather.
The Spanish Royal Navy training ship Juan Sebastian de Elcano is docked at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola’s Allegheny Pier and open for tours through Thursday.
Tours are available Wednesday from 1:00-6:30 p.m. and Thursday 3:00-6:30 p.m. Visitors must use the back gate to access the base. The gate closes at 5 p.m. during each tour.
The ship’s visit to Pensacola is part of the vessel’s world cruise celebrating the 500th anniversary of Juan de Elcano and Ferdinand Magellan’s historic circumnavigation of the earth. The ship’s last visit to Pensacola was in 2015.
“We’re are excited and honored to have this historic vessel visit Pensacola and pull pierside to Naval Air Station Pensacola,” NAS Pensacola Commanding Officer Capt. Timothy Kinsella Jr., said. “This air station has deep ties to the Spanish military, including the construction of Ft. San Carlos de Austria in 1698 and Ft. San Carlos de Barrancas in 1797. This magnificent ship is a reminder of our shared maritime and military heritage and it is our privilege to welcome them here as a partner nation in present and future endeavors.”
Juan Sebastian de Elcano Commanding Officer Capt. Ignacio Paz Garcia said Pensacola has been a favorite port visit for the training ship, evidenced by the vessel’s eight previous visits to the city.
“The previous reports from port visits highlighted how the crewmembers and midshipmen enjoyed this port,” he said. “This was because of the amazing and outstanding welcome and support from the people of Pensacola. We are delighted to have the opportunity to enjoy this city.”
The Juan Sebastian de Elcano, named after the Spanish explorer and captain of Magellan’s last exploratory fleet which set sail in 1519, is a 113-meter four-masted topsail vessel, which has travelled more than 2 million nautical miles since its construction in 1927.
The 91-year-old ship serves as a training vessel for future officers of the Spanish Navy. The 70 Midshipmen from the 421st Naval Cadre and the 151st Marines Cadre learn celestial navigation, meteorology and amphibious operations and naval security during the six-month training voyage.
Juan Sebastian de Elcano has visited Puerto Rico, Columbia and Mexico during its current cruise, with stops in Cuba, Portugal, Poland and Germany scheduled later this year.
