Nine Mile Road Lane Closure At I-10 Overpass
July 22, 2018
The eastbound, outside lane on Nine Mile Road will be closed for approximately one-half-mile on either side of the I-10 overpass beginning the week of Monday, July 23 as crews construct overpass column improvements. There are no impacts to the I-10 on-and-off ramp configuration at this time. The lane restriction is expected to remain in place until work is complete.
All construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Firefighters Respond To Smoke Inside Enon Residence
July 21, 2018
Firefighters responded to a report of smoke inside a home in Enon early Saturday morning.
The call came in just before 3 a.m. from Highway 97A near Enon School Road, about 11 miles south of Walnut Hill.
Escambia Fire Rescue arrived to find a light haze of smoke inside the residence. The source of the smoke was traced to the air handler in the HVAC system.
There was no other damage reported.
File photo.
Area Unemployment Rate Slips Slightly
July 21, 2018
The Escambia County area unemployment rate was 3.9 percent, down 0.4 percentage point from one year ago, according to the latest numbers announced Friday.
The industries with the highest growth over the year in Pensacola were construction, and leisure and hospitality each with 1,000 new jobs. The Pensacola area had 4,543 job openings, including 1,180 openings for high-skill, high-wage STEM occupations.
Florida’s unemployment rate remained at a low of 3.8 percent, a drop of 7 percentage points since December 2010; this drop is faster than the national decline of 5.3 percentage points. In the past year, 130,000 people entered Florida’s labor force, a growth of 1.3 percent, which is greater than the national labor force growth rate of 1.2 percent.
The jobless numbers released by the state do not include persons that have given up on finding a job and are no longer reported as unemployed.
Alabama’s Back To School Sales Tax Holiday Is This Weekend, First Year For Atmore
July 21, 2018
Alabama’s annual back to school sales tax holiday is underway, giving giving shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain school supplies, computers, books and clothing tax free. And for the first time in the 13-year history of the sales tax holiday, the City of Atmore is taking part.
Tax exempt items across Alabama include:
- clothing priced at $100 or less per article of clothing;
- school supplies valued at $50 or less per item;
- books that cost $30 or less per book; and
- tablets, laptops, computers and printers with a selling price of $750 or less.
Waring Road Closure At Nine Mile Extended
July 21, 2018
The Waring Road closure and detour that began on Tuesday, July 17 has been extended until Monday, July 23 due to an unforeseen drainage conflict.
Waring Road between West Nine Mile Road and Bush Street will be closed to through traffic. Traffic will be detoured along Pine Forest Road and Nine Mile Road. Construction will consist of the upgrading of the existing storm drainage system.
Every effort will be made to expedite construction efforts to reopen the road on or before Monday, July 23.
If other lane or roadway closures are necess
Weekend Gardening: Caterpillars Can Devour Your Azaleas
July 21, 2018
by Beth Bolles, Escambia County Extension, for NorthEscambia.com
Azalea caterpillars have made their presence known this summer and are devouring the foliage of one of our favorite evergreen plants.
The brown moths will lay large numbers of eggs on azaleas throughout the spring and then young emerging caterpillars feed in groups, eating entire leaves. As the caterpillars grow in size, they become more brightly colored with yellow bodies and black stripes. They also have bright red legs and a head. If you touch a mature caterpillar, it will often raise it’s head and ‘tail’ in response. These are not stinging caterpillars so that is only a defensive response.
The feeding damage of the caterpillars results in a very unattractive azalea. Some leaves with damage will also turn brown making the damage more noticeable. The good news is that even through plants look terrible, a relatively heathy azalea will grow new leaves during the season.
If you do have an infestation of azalea caterpillars, you may want to consider a treatment. Remember that it is easier to manage young caterpillar so if you have caterpillars that are already two inches in length, your chemical treatment may not be as successful.
One option for management is to physically remove the caterpillars if you only have a small number on your plants. If you choose to use an insecticide, choose an organic product like B.t (Bacillus thuringiensis) or spinosad. These are safe for many beneficial insects that are also helping in the management of the caterpillars. Both products will be available at our local nurseries.
Pictured: An azalea caterpillar on a bush in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Volunteers Sought For The Northwest Florida Health Council
July 21, 2018
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to be considered for appointments to the Northwest Florida Health Council, also known as the Northwest Florida Big Bend Health Council.
Escambia County residents interested in serving on the Northwest Florida Health Council are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve by the close of business on Friday, Aug. 3. Resumes should be submitted to Judy Witterstaeter, Program Coordinator; Board of County Commissioners, P.O. Box 1591, Pensacola, FL 32502, or emailed to jhwitter@myescambia.com.
The local health council was established in accordance with the Health Facilities and Services Development Act as a private nonprofit organization serving Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties. The council serves to assist the state of Florida with planning for health facilities and services, providing a health data repository and helping counties and local communities to obtain better health care. Based on a rotating formula, the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners appoints six members to the council.
Local health councils develop district health plans containing data, develop hospital and nursing home utilization reports for the Agency for Health Care Administration, and provide analysis and recommendations that relate to health care status and needs in the community. The recommendations are designed to improve access to health care, reduce disparities in health status, assist state and local governments in the development of sound and rational health care policies and advocate on behalf of the underserved.
The council meets once per quarter or at the call of the president and chief operating officer. Meetings typically begin at 12:15 p.m. and last 1 to 1.5 hours.
Wahoos Shutout Shrimp 3-0
July 21, 2018
After scoring 17 runs through the first two games of the series, the Blue Wahoos only needed one to clip past the Jumbo Shrimp, 3-0, on Friday. Tony Santillan (W, 2-0) turned in six shutout innings and TJ Friedl paced the offense with three hits in the Wahoos victory in front of a capacity crowd to capture their fourth straight win.
Despite not scoring many, the Wahoos offense got off to a quick start behind Santillan. After a one-out single by Friedl, he advanced to second on a wild pitch, and after moving to third on a groundout, he scored on Rodrigo Vigil’s eight passed ball of the season to make it 1-0.
On Friday, a one-run lead was plenty for Santillan. He retired eight of the first nine Jumbo Shrimp that came to the plate and only twice to did Jacksonville have runners in scoring position. For the first since joining the Wahoos, the 2015 second-round pick looked dominant as he struck out six without walking a batter on 80 pitches.
Pensacola doubled their lead thanks to a defensive miscue by the Shrimp. With Friedl on first, Mitch Nay hit into what looked like a double play ball to first. After Jagielo stepped on first base, his throw towards second sailed by the shortstop Joe Dunand and into left field. Shed Long followed with a single to right field, which brought home Friedl to give the Wahoos a 2-0 edge. Long would plate home a third run with a solo home run on the second pitch he saw from Miguel Del Pozo in the eighth inning.
Despite his starter having thrown only 80 pitches, Jody Davis turned the game over to his bullpen in the seventh inning. He wound up using three different relievers to secure the game’s last nine outs. Jacksonville’s best chance at a late comeback came in the ninth when Monte Harrison led off the inning and reached on Long’s 10th error of the season. However, Alex Powers (S, 10) remained unphased and retired the next three batters in order for the save.
Robert Dugger (L, 2-4) was strong for Jacksonville despite taking the loss. He allowed two runs (one earned) on seven hits over his six innings of work. The right-hander walked two and tied his season-high with seven punchouts.
Having earned a series win, Pensacola will look to make it five wins in a row when they take on the Jumbo Shrimp Saturday night. RHP Daniel Wright (4-6, 4.20) will toe the rubber for Pensacola against RHP Merandy Gonzalez (1-4, 5.10).
All Students At Many Escambia Schools To Receive Free Lunch, Breakfast
July 20, 2018
Breakfast and lunch will be free for all students, regardless of income, during the upcoming school year at 45 schools in Escambia County.
The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program means that parents of the students at these schools are not required to submit an application for the Free and Reduced Meal program at that school. However, siblings attending schools not on the CEP list will need to apply for eligibility.
Participating schools are:
Elementary Schools: Jim Allen Elementary, Bellview Elementary, Bratt Elementary, Brentwood Elementary, Byrneville Elementary, Ensley Elementary, Ferry Pass Elementary, Global Learning Academy, Holm Elementary, Lincoln Park Elementary, R.C. Lipscomb Elementary, Longleaf Elementary, McArthur Elementary, Molino Park Elementary, Montclair Elementary, Myrtle Grove Elementary, Navy Point Elementary, Oakcrest Elementary, Pine Meadow Elementary, Pleasant Grove Elementary, Scenic Heights Elementary, O.J. Semmes Elementary, Sherwood Elementary, Warrington Elementary, C.A. Weis Elementary and West Pensacola Elementary.
Middle Schools: Jim C. Bailey Middle, Bellview Middle, Ernest Ward Middle, Ferry Pass Middle, Warrington Middle and J.H.Workman Middle.
High Schools: Escambia High, Northview High, Pensacola High, Pine Forest High and Booker T. Washington High School.
Alternative Education/Centers: Camelot Academy, Capstone Academy, Escambia Westgate School, George Stone Technical College (Phoenix Initiative Program), Jacqueline Harris Preparatory Academy, Judy Andrews, Lakeview Center and McMillan Pre-K Center.
Parents of the students at these schools are not required to submit an application for the free and reduced Lunch program at that school — all meals are free.
Families with students attending other ECSD schools are encouraged to apply for the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program. Applications will be sent home or parents and guardians to complete and return to their student’s school.
Pictured top: Sweet potatoes, mixed vegetables and crackers on the lunch menu at Jim Allen Elementary School. Pictured below: Lunch at Bratt Elementary and Ransom Middle School. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Driver Crashes Through Cantonment Backyards, Stops Short Of Pool
July 20, 2018
A driver crashed through two backyards Thursday night in Cantonment, stopping short of a house and pool, and just missing an exotic bird in a large outdoor cage.
The vehicle crashed through two wooden privacy fences in the Kings Ridge Estates subdivision at the intersection of West Roberts Road and Pine Forest Road just before 11 p.m. The vehicle’s occupants then fled on foot.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol searched the area for the driver. There was no word if any arrests.
There were no injuries.
The FHP is continuing their investigation.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
