Escambia County Sets Budget Hearings, Sets Millage Rate
August 22, 2018
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners will hold two budget hearings to discuss approving the proposed Fiscal Year 2018-2019 budget. The first meeting will be Tuesday, Sept. 4 at 5:31 p.m. and the second Monday, Sept. 17 at 5:31 p.m. Both meetings will take place in the Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, Board Chambers found on the first floor of 221 Palafox Place. Two public hearings are required to adopt the millage rate for property taxation and the budget for Fiscal Year 2018-19.
On July 19, the board certified the millage rate for publication purposes at 6.6165 for the county-wide millage rate, .3590 for the Library Municipal Services Taxing Unit and .6850 for the Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Municipal Services Taxing Unit. All proposed rates represent no change in the millage levies from the prior year.
One Injured In Highway 297A Wreck
August 22, 2018
One person was injured in a single pickup wreck Wednesday morning on Highway 297A at Sherrilane Drive in Cantonment. The vehicle left the roadway, traveled through a ditch and became airborne when it struck a culvert. The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Lose 2-1 To Biloxi
August 22, 2018
Corey Ray and Trent Grisham belted solo home runs as the Wahoos fell to the Shuckers 2-1 Tuesday afternoon at MGM Park.
Ray delivered his league-leading 26th homer on Tony Santillan’s (L, 4-2) first pitch of the game to make it 1-0 Shuckers. Grisham led off the second inning and took Santillan deep to the opposite field to double Biloxi’s advantage.
After that, Santillan was exceptional. He allowed one hit over his final five innings and left the game in the eighth after retiring 11 consecutive Shuckers. Santillan is the tough-luck loser for the Wahoos and has now suffered defeats in back-to-back starts.
The Wahoos had no answer for Trey Supak (W, 4-6). The Texas-native held the Wahoos to three hits over six shutout innings and did not allow a runner to reach scoring position. Pensacola’s best chance for a comeback was in the eighth inning. Gavin LaValley led off with a home run off Jeff Ames to cut the deficit to one. Cassidy Brown doubled before Narciso Crook earned a pinch-hit walk to setup first and second with nobody out. Unfortunately, the Shuckers bullpen retired the next three Wahoos in order and Pensacola stranded the tying run at second.
Nate Griep (S, 32) for the second-consecutive night closed out the game in scoreless fashion. After a leadoff walk, he retired the side in order to earn his league-best 32nd save of the year. Pensacola has now lost nine of their past 11 games, and their lead in the second-half standings have shrunk to a half game.
The Wahoos will get right back to work for the penultimate game of the series tomorrow night. RHP Daniel Wright (6-9, 4.19) hopes to give the Wahoos a win in Wednesday’s contest. The Shuckers have not yet announced who will take the bump for them.
IP Donates For School Supplies At Jim Allen Elementary
August 22, 2018
International Paper employees that work in the administration building in Cantonment raised $260 to use for school supplies for Jim Allen Elementary. Pictured: Jim Allen Principal Rachel Watts accepts a $260 gift card donation for school supplies from Brian Till and Mark Kyle of IP. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Possible Lightning Strike At Cantonment Post Office
August 21, 2018
Firefighters responded to a possible lightning strike at the Cantonment Post Office on Highway 29 Tuesday afternoon. There was no fire and no immediate reports of any damage. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Fire Damages Home Off Pine Forest Road
August 21, 2018
Fire damaged a home Tuesday afternoon on Winston Street off Pine Forest Road.
The exact cause of the fire was not immediately known. There were no reports of any injuries.
Winston Street is just north of West 9 1/2 Mile Road.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
$1.3 Million Contract Awarded For Drainage Improvements In Carver Park Area
August 21, 2018
Escambia County has awarded a nearly $1.3 million contract for drainage improvements in the area surrounding Carver Park in Cantonment.
The project will improve drainage south of Muscogee Road, roughly in a triangular shape area bordered by Louis Street, Booker Street and Washington Street. The project will include the construction of roadside swales, ditch bottom and curb inlets, reinforced concrete and polyethylene storm water transmission pipes and a single dry retention pond to be located east of Ransom Street.
Water mains will also be relocated, and the streets will be milled and resurfaced.
The $1,291,129.48 contract was awarded to B&W Utilities, Inc. Other bids ranged from over $1.5 million to $1.7 million.
NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.
Local Firefighters Train With UF’s ShandsCair Medical Helicopter
August 21, 2018
Firefighters from the Walnut Hill and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue attended landing zone safety class Monday evening in Walnut Hill with the University of Florida’s ShandsCair medical helicopter.
ShandsCair’s base lead Jeremy Johnson provided instruction covering the helicopter’s capabilities, emergency procedures, safety around the helicopter, and assistance by fire department personnel in loading and unloading of critical care patients for rapid transport to area hospitals.
UF Health at Shands in Gainesville provides the flight crews in coordination with Sacred Heart Hospital, while the helicopter pilot is provided by MedTrans.
ShandsCair 6 is based at the Peter Prince Airport in Milton. The helicopter transports patients from emergency scenes and as transfers between hospitals for the surrounding areas.
The Bell 407GX helicopter has a crew of three – a pilot, flight nurse and flight paramedic.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
No Lane Closures This Week On Nine Mile Widening Project
August 21, 2018
No lane closures are scheduled this week on the Nine Mile Road widening project from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road. Crews will be working off the roadway.
The speed limit within the work zone is reduced to 45 mph during construction.
Gulf Power Company has recently constructed a new power substation on the south side of Nine Mile Road. The company is now installing new transmission poles and cables along the north side of Nine Mile Road. This work is not associated with the road construction.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Eliminates Position To Provide Four Other Employees With Raises
August 21, 2018
The Century Town Council voted Monday night to eliminate a position from their water and sewer department in order to provide raises for four other department employees.
Century Water Superintendent Alicia Jernigan said that after eliminating the vacant position and giving the raises, the town will still save about $25,000 per year in salary and benefit costs.
The four water department employees will receive raises ranging from $1.30 to $2.80 per hour.
Jernigan said the raises bring her department’s salaries in line with other town employees. She said that the department will be able to operate efficiently with one less employee.
Pictured: Century Water Superintendent Alicia Jernigan addresses the town council Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.