By The Numbers: Voter Registration Stats For Escambia County And Statewide
August 14, 2018
The voter registration books are closed for the 2018 primary election. The official registered voter count in Escambia County is:
- Republican – 93,889 – 45%
- Democratic – 70,930 – 34%
- No Party Affiliation – 42,830 – 20%
- Minor Parties – 1,568 – 0.75%
THE BIG PICTURE: As Florida’s population has continued to grow, so has the number of voters, with 13,013,657 registered to cast ballots in the primaries. By comparison, 12.37 million were registered to vote in the 2016 primaries, and 11.8 million were registered to vote in the 2014 primaries.
Registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans, but not by a lot — 4,839,434 to 4,594,133. While both parties have seen registration increases since the 2016 primaries, the Democratic margin is about the same as it was two years ago.
NO LABELS, PLEASE: Voters who aren’t registered with the Democratic or Republican parties won’t be able to cast ballots in many primary races, including the marquee race for governor. But that hasn’t stopped the trend of Floridians ditching the donkeys and the elephants and registering “no party affiliation.”
The total of so-called NPA voters has climbed to 3,493,494 — or about 27 percent of the electorate. That is up from slightly more than 2.91 million voters, or about 23.6 percent, during the 2016 primaries.
DEMOCRATIC DOMINANCE: Conventional wisdom has long held that Democrats look to South Florida when they need votes. And there’s good reason for that: Miami-Dade County has 586,648 registered Democrats, Broward County has 577,248, and Palm Beach County has 387,445 — nearly a third of all of the registered Democrats in the state.
It’s also no wonder that Democrats focus on the Orlando area. In Orange and Osceola counties, registered Democrats now outnumber Republicans by 161,000 voters. With both parties focusing heavily this year on attracting Hispanic voters, Democrats also hold about a 100,000-voter edge in Orange and Osceola among Latinos.
GOP HEAVEN: Registered Republicans are outnumbered by Democrats in each of the seven most-populated counties — Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach and Pinellas (though the GOP trails by fewer than, 1,000 voters in Pinellas.) But the GOP has been successful for the past two decades, at least in part, because it has dominated regions such as North Florida, Southwest Florida and many suburban areas.
The new numbers bear that out. For example, in Northwest Florida, registered Republicans make up more than half of the voters in Bay, Holmes, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton and Washington counties. The same holds true in Northeast Florida in Baker, Clay, Nassau and St. Johns counties. It also goes for Sumter County, which is home to much of the massive Villages retirement community, and Collier County in Southwest Florida.
DON’T FORGET THE LITTLE GUYS: Much of the attention during this year’s campaign focuses on candidates going to large media markets and party strongholds as they try to amass votes. But the new registration numbers also give a glimpse of smaller, rural counties that can get lost in the debate.
Nine counties — Calhoun, Dixie, Franklin, Glades, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Liberty and Union counties — each have fewer than 10,000 registered voters. The smallest are Lafayette, with 4,312 voters, and Liberty, with 4,365, followed by Glades, with 6,751. Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans in each of the nine counties, though GOP President Donald Trump carried all of the counties in 2016.
Nominees Named For Escambia District 1 Advisory Committee
August 14, 2018
Nominees to the Northwest District 1 Advisory Committee have been named.
The committee was established by county commission to explore, research, provide technical or practical expertise, and make recommendations to the District 1 member of the Escambia Board of County Commissioners regarding those issues of relevance and significant importance to the citizens of the northwest portion of District 1 of Escambia County. Committee members serve a term of office concurrent with the District 1 commissioner’s term of office.
At their August 16 meeting, the Escambia County Commission will consider the following volunteer members as nominated by District Commissioner Jeff Bergosh:
- Kim Aderholdt
- Dr. Laura Bryant
- Paul Flores
- Jay Ingwell
- Jill Johnson
- George Levy
- David Liechty
- Joseph Poitivan
- Wilson Taylor
Some of the importatnt issues facing District 1, according to the county, are the development of OLF8, planning for extensive traffic, land development and population increases, master planning for the Northwest portion of District 1 (specifically precincts 43, 5, and 68), enhancing the quality of life for all residents, improving access to public transportation, establishing a public library, and many other issues involving growth and the environment.
Thomas: Smooth Start For School Year; Beulah Middle Traffic Not That Bad
August 14, 2018
Overall, the first day of school in Escambia County received an “A” from School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas.
One of the biggest changes this year was the addition of the new Beulah Middle School on West Nine Mile Road and Kingsfield Elementary School on Kingsfield Road, and the first day went smoothly, he said.
“The intake process worked liked it had been in operation for a long time,” Thomas said. “The traffic concerns never really materialized because the start of school is later than the shift changes at Navy Federal.”
Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office stood by to slow school zone traffic at Beulah Middle, Kingsfield Elementary and other schools across the county.
“It was a pretty good day…you expect some delays like we had one bus breakdown….but things wen pretty good,” Thomas said. “And our teachers and staff came back prepared.”
Pictured: The school zone on Nine Mile Road at the new Beulah Middle School Monday morning. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Portion Of Medical Park Drive In Atmore Closed Thursday
August 14, 2018
Medical Park Drive in Atmore will be closed from East Laurel Street to McRae Street on Thursday for 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. for utility work, according to the City of Atmore.
Front Street Families Back At Home 2.5 Years After EF-3 Tornado
August 13, 2018
Six families have received their keys and are returning home to Front Street in Century, about two and a half years after an EF-3 tornado devastated much of the area.
State Disaster State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program funding was allocated to Escambia County in 2016 to assist income eligible owner occupants with rehabilitation. In August 2016, Quina Grundhoefer Architects was tasked to create replacement housing plans that would fit with the historic guidelines prescribed by the Town of Century historic district as well as meeting approval with the State Historic Preservation Office since the funding was from the state.
“Everyone on Front Street in Century has their keys as of today,” Meredith Reeves, division manager for Escambia County’s Neighborhood Enterprise Division, said. ” We appreciate the various public and private partners that have worked with the county to help us get the homeowners back into their houses after the 2016 tornado.”
Escambia County holds a zero interest, zero payment five-year mortgage on each of the properties. As long as the residents maintain their new home as their primary residence, maintain insurance and pay their property taxes, the mortgages will be canceled at the end of the five year period.
Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida will assist some of the residents this week with furniture and other furnishings.
NorthEscambia.com and courtesy photos, click to enlarge.
Police: Two Molino Men Arrested For Walmart Theft, One Had A Loaded Gun And Spice
August 13, 2018
Two Molino men were charged after an alleged shoplifting incident at a Pensacola Walmart during which one was found with a loaded weapon and spice, according to police.
The Pensacola Police Department responded to a retail theft complaint at the Walmart on Creighton Road after Jonathan David Franklin and Dakota Ray Smith, both 25, allegedly approached a self checkout register with a shopping cart full of merchandise and a Stanley roller luggage-type plastic box. After ringing up items worth about $40 with Smith acting as lookout, Franklin pushed the shopping cart into the foyer of the store, according to a Pensacola Police Department report.
They were stopped by Walmart’s loss prevention staff without paying for $578.53 worth of merchandise, the report states. They were escorted to the store’s loss prevention office.
When Pensacola Police arrived and searched Franklin, they reported finding a loaded .25 caliber semi-automatic pistol in his pocket, a snuff can with a substance that tested positive for spice, and what police described as a “metal fake cigarette” with suspected spice residue. No contraband was found on Smith’s person.
Both men were charged with felony retail theft coordinated with others. Franklin was also charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Franklin remained in the Escambia County Jail Monday morning with bond set at $26,000. Smith was released on a $1,000 bond. Both men provided the same address on Cedartown Road in Molino at the time of their arrests.
Tate And Northview FFA Chapters Named Among The Best In The Nation
August 13, 2018
Both the Northview High and Tate High FFA chapters have been named two of the very best in the nation as Three-Star Chapters by the National FFA Organization.
The National Chapter Award Program is designed to recognize FFA chapters that actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization. These chapters improve chapter operations using the National Quality Chapter Standards and a Program of Activities that emphasize growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture. Chapters are rewarded for providing educational experiences for the entire membership.
Pictured: The Tate High School FFA Chapter (above) and the Northview High School FFA Chapter (below) at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN, last fall. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
August 13, 2018
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings for the week of August 13-17:
Monday, Aug. 13
Escambia County Area Transit Part-Time Bus Operator Interviews – 8:30 a.m., 1515 W. Fairfield Drive
Marine Advisory Committee – 5:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place, Room 104 (Agenda)
Tuesday, Aug. 14
Corrections Grant Administrator Interviews – 8 a.m., Escambia County Corrections, 2251 N. Palafox St.
Federal Certification Review – Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization - 8:30 a.m., 4081 E. Olive Road, Suite A (Agenda)
Board of Electrical Examiners – 9 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Value Adjustment Board Organizational Meeting – 9:30 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
CO:Lab Policy Board Meeting – 11 a.m., 418 W. Garden St., Conference Room
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place, Room 104 (Agenda)
Escambia County Housing Authority Audit Committee Meeting – 4:30 p.m., 700 S. Palafox St., Suite 310
Escambia County Housing Finance Authority – 5 p.m., 700 S Palafox St, Suite 310
Merit System Protection Board – 5 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, 4th Floor Training Room (Agenda)
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee – 5:30 p.m., City of Pensacola Housing, 420 W. Chase St.
Wednesday, Aug. 15
Escambia Soil & Water Conservation District – 8 a.m., 151 Highway 97, Molino
Board of Adjustment – 8:30 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
ECAT Part-Time Bus Operator Interviews – 10 a.m., 1515 W. Fairfield Drive
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
ECAT Proposed Route Modifications Workshop – 5:30 p.m., Escambia County Area Transit Administrative Offices & Rosa Parks Bus Terminal, 1515 Fairfield Drive
Thursday, Aug. 16
Community Redevelopment Agency – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
Board of County Commissioners Agenda Review Session – 9:15 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
Board of County Commissioners Public Forum – 4:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
BCC Regular Meeting – 5:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
Florida Gas Prices Rise; Escambia Area Cheaper Than Most Of The State
August 13, 2018
Gas prices in Florida rose 6 cents last week, then declined a penny over the weekend.
The state average of $2.81 per gallon is the 22nd-lowest in the nation. Although pump prices remain about the same as last month, Florida motorists are paying nearly 50 cents more than this time last year.
A gallon of gas averaged $2.79 on Sunday in Escambia County, a full 50 cents more than one year ago. Escambia County was just a penny above the cheapest average in the state — $2.78 in Fort Myers, Punta Gorda and Jacksonville. The most expensive average price was $2.89 in West Palm Beach.
“Strong demand pushed gas prices higher in some states last week, as families squeeze in one final vacation before the kids go back to school,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “However, the most recent figures from the EIA show gasoline demand is beginning to slip, which relieves some of that upward pressure on prices at the pump.
“Traditionally, gas prices decline in the second half of the year, due to lower demand,” Jenkins continued. “However, oil analysts forecast significant volatility in the oil market through the end of the year, leaving a big question mark for the long-term direction of prices at the pump.”
School Bus Safety And Traffic Laws
August 13, 2018
It’s the first day of school in Escambia County, with more than 40,000 students making their way to and from school. About 25,000 of them will be on board 300 school buses across the county.
Parents are reminded to instruct their children to be at the bus stop at least five minutes before scheduled bus arrival time, stay off of the roadway, observe and stay clear of traffic, stay out of the bus blind spots, don’t chase after the bus once it leaves the bus stop, and buckle seat belts as soon as they board.
Motorists are reminded to give themselves plenty of time to get where they’re going and to be patient in traffic. They should watch out for school buses, comply with bus-passing laws, and stay off of those cell phones.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, drivers must follow these school and school bus safety rules:
- Adhere to the posted speed limit in designated school zones.
- When approaching an intersection where a crossing guard is present in the crosswalk with the stop sign raised, do not cross – or turn – into the crosswalk until the guard has completely left the crosswalk.
- Never stop a vehicle in a manner that blocks a crosswalk.
- When you approach a stopped school bus (from behind) with lights flashing and the stop arm extended, you must stop.
- When you approach a stopped school bus (from front) with lights flashing and the stop arm extended, you also must stop, unless:
- you are on a divided highway and the roadways are separated by an unpaved space at least five feet in width, or
- you are on a divided highway and the roadways are separated by a physical barrier.
- You are required to stop at least 10 feet away from the school bus.
- You must not resume driving until the school bus turns its lights off and withdraws its stop sign.
- Be certain all exiting children have reached a safe place before proceeding.
