Work Progressing On Highway 97 Temporary Bridge
May 10, 2018
Construction work is underway on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill as crews replace the current bridge over Sandy Hollow Creek, about a mile south of Highway 4. Wednesday crews were working to pave the approaches to a temporary detour bridge west of the existing structure.
The existing wooden-support bridge constructed in 1940 will be replaced with a new concrete structure with 12-foot travel lanes, eight-foot shoulders and a solid concrete barrier railing. The bridge approaches will also be milled and resurfaced.
The speed limit in the area has been reduced to 45 mph.
The bridge has an average daily traffic count of about 5,000 vehicles. The project is expected to cost $5 million.
Pictured: Lane closures and work Wednesday on a temporary bridge on Highway 97 south of Highway 4. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Corcoran Drops Bid For Governor, Tosses Support To Putnam
May 10, 2018
House Speaker Richard Corcoran on Wednesday dropped his potential bid for governor and endorsed Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam in the Republican primary.
Corcoran, a four-term House member from Land O’Lakes, said he re-evaluated his long-speculated bid to succeed outgoing Gov. Rick Scott and decided against running.
“Florida is an expensive state. It costs a lot of money to run,” Corcoran said during an appearance with Putnam in Tallahassee. “I don’t think we had the resources to move forward.”
Through the end of March, Corcoran’s Watchdog PAC political committee had raised $6.86 million and spent $4.6 million, with $3.7 million spent in the first three months of this year. Despite the spending, which included a controversial television ad on so-called “sanctuary cities,” Corcoran never gained much traction in the GOP race with Putnam and U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis of Palm Coast.
Corcoran said he would adhere to his pledge to either run for governor “or go home,” ruling out a move to another statewide race, such as the contest for attorney general. He also said he would not serve as Putnam’s lieutenant governor if asked to join the ticket.
“I’ve passionately said for the last year that I was going to run for governor or go home. And I’m proud to say that that decision is clearly that we’re going home,” Corcoran said.
Corcoran said he decided to endorse Putnam because he believes the two-term state Cabinet member will continue and extend the conservative legacy of the Scott administration, including on tax cuts and educational reforms.
“Adam is sincere. He is authentic. He is principled. He is passionate. He loves this state,” Corcoran said.
Putnam welcomed Corcoran’s backing.
“To have the endorsement, to have the support of someone who knows Florida so well and is so passionate about Florida’s future and is such a principled conservative means everything in the world to me,” Putnam said.
But signaling a contentious Aug. 28 primary, the DeSantis campaign characterized the endorsement as an “insider” deal between two long-time members of the Tallahassee establishment, noting Corcoran and Putnam have disagreed on issues, including immigration.
“Career politician, Adam Putnam, will now get the two-man race he’s been fearing for a year,” DeSantis spokesman David Vasquez said in a statement. “A conservative Iraq veteran (DeSantis) endorsed by Donald Trump versus a ‘Never Trump’ career politician who supported amnesty for illegal aliens. We like our odds.”
Corcoran and Putnam deflected the criticism, underscoring their familiarity with issues facing Florida versus DeSantis’ frequent appearances before national audiences on Fox News.
“Was it from a studio in New York?” Corcoran asked about the DeSantis statement.
“Richard and I know Florida. We have been through every corner of this state,” Putnam said. “Floridians want someone who will lead our state with passion and conviction, with high character, someone who knows our state and will always put Florida first.”
Democrats also criticized the endorsement. Christian Ulvert, a strategist for former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine’s gubernatorial campaign, said Putnam was embracing Corcoran’s “divisive politics of attacking public school teachers and his effort to drain resources from our public schools,” referring to legislation that expanded the use of charter schools and private-school scholarships.
With more than $2 million left in his political committee as of March, Corcoran said he would use the remaining funds to help Republicans maintain control of the state House and Senate in the 2018 elections.
“We’re going to make sure the House comes back with a super-majority and the Senate comes back with a majority,” said Corcoran, who will leave the House in November because of term limits.
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida
Northview’s Flag Football Team Celebrates Inaugural Season
May 10, 2018
Northview High School recently recognized their flag football team, the first in school history.
“Thanks to this group of young ladies for accepting the challenge to be the first members of the team. This season was full of excitement and a lot of fun. We are looking forward to bigger and better things to come in the future,” Coach Obreonne Smith said.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton-Century Fireworks Show Will Be Held June 30
May 10, 2018
Mark your calendars – a date has been set for this year’s joint Flomaton-Century fireworks show to celebrate Independence Day.
The celebration will be held June 30 at the adjoining Showalter Park and Anthony Pleasant Park in Century. The fireworks will be held just after dark, but the day will begin will activities and entertainment. Those events are expected to begin about 3 p.m.; an official schedule and time will be announced soon.
The show alternates between the two towns each year and is jointly funded.
Pictured: The 2016 fireworks show in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Barons Fillet Wahoos 16-3
May 10, 2018
The Birmingham Barons scored early and often in a 16-3 win over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Wednesday afternoon at Regions Field. The Barons came out of the gate swinging for the second straight game. The home team plated five first-inning runs against Blue Wahoos starter Jesus Reyes (L, 0-6) and were on cruise control the rest of the way.
The Barons did the first-inning damage with five hits, including two doubles and used an error. Eloy Jimenez belted a two-run double to start the barrage before they chipped in three more runs by sending 10 men to the plate. After a two-run homer from Seby Zavala in the second and a solo blast from Danny Mendick in the third, the Barons were up 8-0 against Reyes. The Wahoos starter was charged with eight runs (seven earned) on seven hits over three innings in the loss.
Pensacola got on the board with a two-run blast high off the left field scoreboard from Gavin LaValley. It was his fourth homer of the year. The Blue Wahoos got another homer the next inning from Luis Gonzalez, his second, for the only Pensacola runs of the game.
The Barons batted around as part of a five-run seventh. They sent 10 to the plate again in that rally, before batting around one more time in the eighth inning as part of a three-run rally against Blue Wahoos utility man Alberti Chavez. The Barons finished the game with seven mutli-hit performances.
Jordan Stephens (W, 4-3) ended up picking up the win after going six shutout innings and allowing just two hits with eight strikeouts.
Pensacola will try to rebound and snap its three-game skid against the Barons in the fourth game of the series Thursday night. The Blue Wahoos will send RHP Vladimir Gutierrez (0-5, 5.91) to the mound against LHP Jordon Guerrero (1-3, 6.49).
Officials Determine Cause Of 70-Acre Escambia County Wildfire
May 10, 2018
The Weller Avenue Fire remains 100% contained at 70 acres and Florida Forest Service personnel have completed their investigation into what caused the Monday blaze that threatened 20 homes and required a major response from multiple jurisdictions.
There was little evidence remaining after the fire burned through a wooded area between the Berkshire Estates and Weatherstone subdivisions but what was left lead investigators to believe the fire was sparked by some type of human cause.
“We found a small, camp-type situation in there,” said Adam Parden, the Florida Forest Service’s Forest area supervisor for Escambia County. “Make-shift shelters, tarps and a small fire pit. We can’t tell if it was a kids’ fort or homeless camp or what but with what’s left, everything points to that as the origin and cause.”
Pinning down the cause of wildfires is notoriously difficult as evidence is destroyed by the fire and investigators have little to go on.
Weller Avenue was the 65th wildfire of 2018 for the Blackwater Forestry Center (Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties) and brought the total acres to 2,732.
Weller Avenue is located just off Gulf Beach Highway in southwest Escambia County.
For additional photos, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Additional photo gallery photos by Kristi Barbour and others for NorthEscambia.com.
Three 15-Year Olds Arrested After Burglary At Beulah Store
May 9, 2018
Three 15-year olds were arrested after a burglary at a business on Mobile Highway in Beulah this morning.
Deputies responded to a burglary in progess call at Maria’s Country Store in the 7400 block of Mobile Highway about 2:30 a.m.
It was reported that a vehicle dropped off two white males who then broke a window and entered the store. Deputies noticed blood on the broken window of the unoccupied store.
Deputy C. Smith & K-9 Cairo tracked and located Caleb Teachey in a nearby wooded area. During the course of the investigation, Andrew Hintz and Trent Thompson were also identified as suspects. They were located at their residences and arrested. The vehicle, which belonged to a family member of one of the suspects, was found abandoned in a wooded area off Woods Road
All three were charged with damage to property, burglary and larceny.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Authorities Seek Info On Pace DUI Crash That Killed Child, Teen
May 9, 2018
Authorities are continuing to investigate a fatal crash that claimed the life of two girls Sunday, and they are seeking anyone that may have information.
The State Attorney’s Office said Wednesday morning that Kailen Alan Kelly, 35, was first seen at the boat ramp on Quintette Road shortly before 5:30 p.m. Kelly was driving a grey 2008 model Ford F-150 pickup truck.
A deputy with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office was driving eastbound on Quintette Road in Pace on routine patrol when Kelly’s vehicle passed him in a no passing zone. He turned on Woodbine Road and minutes later crashed head-on into a Buick driven by 39-year old Melanie Harrell of Pace. Harell’s Buick came to rest in a ditch, while Kelly’s pickup overturned into a ditch on the opposite side of the road and ignited into flames. Stormie P. Harrell, 7, and Michaela D. Sidney, 17, were killed. Melanie Harrell and 18-year old McKenzie Murphy were seriously injured and transported to Sacred Heart Hospital.
Kelly was charged with two counts of DUI-vehicular manslaughter, DUI with serious bodily injury to another, refusing to submit to a DUI test after license suspension, reckless driving, fleeing/eluding police and other traffic offenses. He remains in the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond.
The State Attorney’s Office is in the process of filing a motion for pretrial detention; if granted, Kelly will remain in jail without bond until the case goes to trial.
The State Attorney’s Office is asking for anyone having information about this case to contact Investigator Billy Wheeler at (850) 981-5503. Anyone having video regarding this case is requested to provide a copy to investigators.
The continuing investigation is being conducted by the State Attorney’s Office, Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol.
Molino Man Busted On Drug And Weapons Charges Two Weeks After Prison Release
May 9, 2018
A Molino man was arrested on multiple felony charges after a traffic stop in Pensacola, just two weeks after he was released from prison.
About 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, an Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle at Creighton Road and Tippin Avenue. A Pensacola Police Department K-9 unit assisted in a vehicle search, reportedly finding 43 grams of methamphetamines, prescription drugs, a .40 caliber handgun, two magazines, 26 rounds of ammunition and digital scales.
Shawn Anderson, 32, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, methamphetamine trafficking, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving with a suspended license. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning with bond set at $50,500.
Anderson was just released from prison on April 24, according to the Florida Department of Corrections, after completing an 18 month sentence on a methamphetamine charge. In November 2016, deputies found Anderson passed out at a Nine Mile Road Whataburger with a bag of meth in his lap.
Century’s Gas Dept. Burning Through Cash Faster Than Customers Are Burning Gas
May 9, 2018
The Town of Century Gas Department is burning through cash faster than customers are burning gas, requiring the town supplement its operations from other funds.
The town’s accountant, Robert Hudson, told the town council that the gas department was about $62,000 in the red for the three month period February through April. And with the arrival of warm weather, there’s little chance of a profitable month before the end of the budget year on September 30.
“We are not selling much gas right now with the customer base we have,” Hudson said. The town sold about $150,000 in natural gas last December and January, but that dropped to $30,000 in February.
The council voted to transfer $5,000 per month from the garbage fund and up to $7,000 per month as needed from the town’s special revenue fund to supplement the gas department.
Council member Ben Boutwell expressed concern over transferring money from the designated special revenue fund following an audit that questioned the practice. Hudson said if funds could not be returned from the gas fund to the garbage and special revenue funds, it would be recorded as an operational transfer.
The audit for the fiscal year ending in 2016 found town’s general fund borrowed $285,248 from its special revenue fund to cover general operations of the town. As of September 30, 2016, the general fund owed the special revenue fund approximately $3.83 million. The revenues in the special revenue fund are restricted for specific purposes, and therefore, these funds will have to be repaid or it will be considered an inappropriate use of the restricted revenues, according to the audit.
The town council also voted to agree to an Escambia County ordinance that renews a 1968 franchise area. The franchise area includes Century, Bogia, Byrneville, Bratt, Oak Grove, Walnut Hill and McDavid. Century currently provides gas service only in a portion of their franchise area — near the town limits, south along Highway 29 to and including a portion of Highway 164, west into Byrneville and an area of Bratt.
The franchise area has been disputed by Pensacola Energy. [Read an earlier story..]
NorthEcambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.