Early Voting At Record Pace; Last Day To Request Mailed Ballot
August 22, 2018
The number of early votes cast by Tuesday in Escambia County exceeded the total number of early votes cast in the 2014 primary election — and there are still four more days of early voting to come. And voters who wish to be mailed a vote-by-mail ballot for the August 28 Primary Election to request their ballot no later than Wednesday, August 22.
Early Vote, Total Ballots Cast So Far
There were 1,432 early votes cast Tuesday, bringing the total number of early votes in this election to 4,606. Another 13,882 votes have been cast by mail, for a total of 18,488 votes cast before the August 28 primary.
Vote By Mail
Voters can make their request by using the online form at EscambiaVotes.com or by contacting the Supervisor of Elections by mail, phone (850) 595-3900, fax (850) 595-3914, or e-mail. Requests must include the voter’s date of birth and address. Voters may track the status of their ballot by clicking Track My Ballot at EscambiaVotes.com.
The Postal Service recommends voters mail ballots at least one week before the due date. Voted vote-by-mail ballots must be received in the Elections Office (not at a polling location) no later than 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, August 28.
After Wednesday, a voter may still pick up a vote-by-mail ballot in person from the Elections Office through Monday, August 27.
Home Run: Blue Wahoos Rehab Fields At Century’s Showalter Park
August 22, 2018
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos teamed with area businesses and organizations Tuesday to renovate the little league fields at Showalter Park in Century.
They worked to overhaul the infield clay, weed, mow and bring the fields into game-ready shape for the youth of the Century area. The were joined by several community members and young Century Little League players.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
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.
