One Injured In Quintette Crash
March 11, 2019
One person was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries following a crash Monday morning at East Quintette Road and North Highway 95A. The Florida Highway Patrol investigated the crash. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Judge Signs With Charter Schools In Safety Fight
March 11, 2019
In a decision that could have statewide implications, an administrative law judge Tuesday ruled that the Palm Beach County School Board is required to assign safety officers to charter schools under a law passed last year.
Judge John Van Laningham sided with Renaissance Charter School Inc., which operates six schools in Palm Beach County and wanted the School Board to provide “safe school” officers. The School Board refused, leading to the legal battle.
Van Laningham, in a 43-page order, pointed to a law passed after the February 2018 mass shooting at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that included a requirement for safe-school officers.
“In sum, after a thorough study of the statute’s plain language, including a review of related statutes at the board’s request to determine whether some latent ambiguity exists, the undersigned concludes that (the law) clearly and unambiguously requires school boards and superintendents — not charter school operators — to ‘establish or assign’ SSOs (safe-school officers), with the assistance of local law enforcement agencies, to every public school within their respective jurisdictions, including charter schools,” Van Laningham wrote.
The judge indicated the ruling was the first of its kind, describing the dispute as a “first-impression question of statewide interest,” as schools and districts try to comply with the post-Parkland requirements.
Charter schools are public schools that often are operated by private entities. The dispute about safe-school officers comes amid broader clashes across the state about the interplay between school boards and charter schools.
The 2018 law required placing safe-school officers at all public schools. That can include using law-enforcement officers or “guardians,” who are trained school personnel allowed to carry guns. Palm Beach County does not use guardians, according to Van Laningham’s ruling.
Renaissance requested in March 2018 that the School Board provide a full-time safety officer at each of Renaissance’s charter schools, but the board denied the request. The board also later declined a request to mediate the issue, which ultimately led to the dispute going before Van Laningham, the ruling said.
“There is no dispute in this case that, under the safety act, one or more SSOs must be assigned to each charter school facility in the district, including RCS’s (Renaissance’s) six schools,” the judge wrote. “The question is, whose duty is it to assign SSOs to charter schools? The board’s answer, clearly expressed in word and deed, is this: It’s not our job; rather, the obligation falls to each charter school to arrange police protection for its own campus, as though each charter school were a school district unto itself.”
Van Laningham said he was not deciding issues such as who is required to pay for the officers.
“While disputes concerning this financial obligation might someday be ripe for adjudication, the narrower question of law … is, simply, who must satisfy the duty to ‘establish or assign’ SSOs at charter schools,” he wrote. “The plain and obvious answer to this pivotal question is: the district school board and district superintendent.”
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
Century To Reschedule Workshop, Will Discuss Regulating Food Trucks
March 11, 2019
The Town of Century has canceled a public workshop that was set for March 18 to discuss food trucks. The meeting will be rescheduled.
Workshop topics will include permit requirements, restrictions and the use of water and sewer. Town Planner Debbie Nickles said the Century Land Development Code (LDC) needs to be amended to allow food truck operation, and fees should be discussed.
When a “permanent food truck” was installed late last year behind Odom’s Bar in Century, town official discovered that food trucks were not directly addressed in the LDC. Odom’s agreed to comply with town direction and obtain separate water and sewer taps for the food business.
While there are no traditional mobile food trucks currently operating in Century, Nickles and town council members noted that food trucks often set up at special events in town, such as the Fourth of July fireworks show.
Pictured: A “permanent food truck” behind Odom’s Bar in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
FDOT Weekly Traffic Alerts – This Week’s State Road Project Slowdowns
March 11, 2019
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities. There will be no highway construction on major roadways along spring break routes across Northwest Florida. There will be no work on state roads requiring lane closures from Friday, March 8 until Sunday, March 24.
Escambia county:
- State Road (S.R.) 727 (Fairfield Drive) from South of Usher Circle to North of Hestia Place- The northbound lane on Fairfield Drive from South of Usher Circle to North of Hestia Place will be closed from 8:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. until Sunday, March 10 as crews remove the existing asphalt to prepare for roadway widening.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to U.S. 90A (Nine Mile Road) – The following traffic impacts will occur from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, March 10 until Saturday, March 16.
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- 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 construction of the new northbound bridge deck. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday.
- U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drainage and paving operations continue. Drivers can expect alternating lane closures Monday through Saturday.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement Bridge- Bridge construction will require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, March 10 until Sunday, March 17:
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- U.S. 98 east and westbound from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to just east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- U.S. 90 (Mobile Highway) and County Road (C.R.) 99 (Beulah Road) Intersection – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane restrictions near the intersection the week of Sunday, March 10 as paving operations continue. There will be no lane closures allowed from 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- U.S. 98 (Garden Street) Temporary Closure between Palafox Street and N. Baylen Street- Garden Street will be closed to all traffic from 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, March 11 as crews stage equipment onsite for the federal courthouse renovations. A detour route will be in place.
- S.R. 291 (Davis Highway) Underground Utility Work- The northbound right lane on Davis Highway will be closed at various locations between Fairfield Drive and Selina Street from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. from Monday, March 11 until Thursday, March 14 as crews perform underground utility work.
- S.R. 289 (Ninth Avenue) between Fairfield Drive and Bayou Boulevard- Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures on Ninth Avenue in Pensacola at the following locations and times as crews perform utility operations.
- Northbound lane on Ninth Avenue at Springhill Drive from 8 p.m. Monday, March 11 until 5 a.m. Tuesday, March 12.
- Southbound outside lane at Royce Street from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. from Tuesday, March 12 until Thursday, March 14.
- U.S. 98 (Lillian Highway) Resurfacing from the Perdido Bay Bridge to Dog Track Road– Drivers may encounter lane restrictions from the Perdido Bay Bridge to Dog Track Road as crews complete paving operations. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Monday, March 11 until Sunday, March 17.
- U.S. 98 East Chase Street Resurfacing from North Palafox Street to Bayfront Parkway- Intermittent lane restrictions may take place from 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 12 to 6 a.m. Wednesday, March 13 as crews pave and adjust manholes.
- Crary Road Bridge Replacement over Pritchett Mill Creek- Crary Road is closed between Tedder Road and Byrneville Road as crews construct a bridge culvert. Motorists will be detoured via C.R. 4 and Byrneville Road. The project is anticipated to be complete spring 2019.
- Bratt Road Bridge Replacement over Canoe Creek - Bratt Road will continue 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 have begun. 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.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 90 Driveway Construction- The eastbound lane and sidewalk of U.S. 90 in Pace will be closed just east of Chumuckla Highway from 8 p.m. Monday, March 11 until 5 a.m. Tuesday, March 12 as crews construct a driveway.
- I-10 from Blackwater Bay to East of S.R. 87 (Exit 31)-Traffic may encounter alternating and intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, until Thursday, March 28 as crews remove and replace pavement markings. Law enforcement will be on site to assist with traffic control.
- S.R. 87 Pavement Markings Replacement- Traffic will encounter minor delays at the following locations Monday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. until Thursday, April 25 as crews remove and replace pavement markings in the roadway. Law enforcement will be on site to direct traffic:
- U.S. 90 to Nicholas Lake Road
- U.S. 98 to Vonnie Tolbert Road
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Bridge construction will require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, March 10 until Sunday, March 17:
- U.S. 98 east and westbound from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to just east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- North 17th Avenue in Pensacola, between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) – The following construction related traffic impacts are planned for I-10 and Avalon Boulevard from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the week of Sunday, March 10:
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- I-10 westbound, between the Escambia Bay Bridge and Avalon Boulevard (State Road 281/Exit 22), will open to three travel lanes the week of Sunday, March 10. Crews anticipate opening the new eastbound travel lane later this month.
- Drivers will encounter new traffic pattern(s) on I-10 east and westbound as crews reconstruct the inside and outside shoulders. This work will continue through spring 2019.
- I-10 alternating lane closures from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of S.R. 281, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, March 10 through Friday, March 15 as crews work to widen the roadway.
- Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard, near the I-10 interchange, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Thursday evenings as crews perform construction activities.
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.
Portion Of East Hecker Road To Be Closed Tuesday In Century
March 11, 2019
East Hecker Road just east of Mayo Street in Century will be closed Tuesday due to road work, according to the Town of Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Century Correctional Officer Assaulted By Inmate
March 11, 2019
A correctional officer was recently assaulted at Century Correctional Institution, according to information released by the Florida Department of Corrections.
Last week, inmate Alexis Vargas assaulted an officer. According to the FDC. Vargas punched the officer in the face
Staff responded, and the inmate was subdued..
Medical staff examined the officer and noted injuries. Vargas, 35, will receive a disciplinary report for the assault.
Vargas remains at Century CI serving a 15 year sentence for numerous burglary and grand theft convictions from Miami-Dade.
Photos: Canada Geese At Lake Stone
March 11, 2019
A group of Canada geese are often spotted this time of year at Lake Stone on West Highway 4 in Century. The park contains the only freshwater lake maintained by Escambia County. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Beulah Academy of Science Bobcats Win District Volleyball Championship
March 11, 2019
The Beulah Academy of Science Bobcats volleyball team won the district championship and finished their season with a perfect 15-0 record.
Team captains are Cadence Peacock and Cassandra Jackson. Other team members are eighth graders Abigail McGlamery, Alyse Hayes, Alahna Erd, Avery Wilson, Jennifer Maher and Shiya Bhagat; and seventh graders Autumn Jenks and Hayley Holland.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gas Prices Hold Steady, But Set To Rise
March 11, 2019
Gas prices have held relatively steady during the past week, but drivers may soon see another round of rising prices at the gas pump.
Gasoline supplies are beginning to tighten as refineries conduct seasonal maintenance and switch to summer-blend gasoline,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Wholesale gasoline prices rose 10 cents late last week. The state average will likely rise 5-10 cents this week, as a result.”
Drivers in Florida are paying an average price of $2.47 per gallon for regular unleaded. Sunday’s state average is 1-cent less than a week ago, yet 22 cents more than last month. Gas prices in Florida remain 3 cents less than the state average this time last year ($2.50).
Escambia County has the lowest metro market gas prices in Florida with a $2.41 a gallon average, while drivers in West Palm Beach are paying an average of $2.58.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Firefighters Battle Vehicle Fire In Cantonment
March 10, 2019
Cantonment firefighters responded to a vehicle fire Sunday morning at the Shell gas station in the 700 block of North Highway 29. They quickly extinguished the fire, which originated in the engine compartment.
There were no injuries reported.
Pictured top: A vehicle fire Sunday morning at a Highway 29 gas station in Cantonment (photo by Cynthia Bowers). Pictured below: Firefighters were able to put out of the fire quickly. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
