Joy Jones Named Escambia Public Works Director, Replacing Retiring Joy Blackmon
April 3, 2018
Escambia County has named Joy Jones as the new director of Public Works, replacing Joy Blackmon was retired from the position Monday after 19 years with the county.
“While we are greatly saddened to lose Joy Blackmon and her wealth of knowledge to retirement, we are very much looking forward to Joy Jones stepping up to an even greater level of leadership. She is well respected both with our staff and the local engineering community. We wish Joy Blackmon safe travels as she explores the United States and all its famous landmarks,” Escambia County Administrator Jack Brown said.
Blackmon (pictured top) began her career with Escambia County in 1999 as an engineer. During her tenure with the county, Blackmon has held several positions including development plans review manager, chief of development services, division manager, assistant director of county engineering, interim assistant county administrator and public works bureau chief. Beyond the numerous road, drainage, bridge and sidewalk improvement projects for the county, she also assisted with recovery efforts from major disasters including hurricanes George, Charley, Frances, Ivan and Dennis, and an ice storm and flooding in 2014.
Jones (pictured left) most recently served as Escambia County’s assistant County Engineer and division manager of the Public Works, Engineering and Construction Division, a position she held since April 2015. Her responsibilities included providing oversight on real estate acquisitions and contract design and construction of local option sales tax-funded infrastructure projects like bridges, new roadways, roadway resurfacing, dirt road paving, lane widening, stormwater facilities, civil site work on public property and the construction of grants and other agency-funded projects.
The division also manages contracted surveys, design and construction services for infrastructure projects funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Federal Highway Association, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, RESTORE and other state and federal agencies. As Escambia County’s Public Works Director, Jones’ responsibilities will include supervising engineering, roads, and traffic divisions within the department.
Jones was born in Tennessee and spent her summers vacationing in the Florida panhandle with her family. She moved to Pensacola in 1985 after leaving the Air Force and has spent the last 33 years in the area.
Jones said she was initially drawn to a position with Escambia County while working as a senior project manager for Hatch Mott McDonald, after working closely with Blackmon on a private consulting project.
“I was working on the private sector side and met Joy Blackmon while we were working to coordinate the water and sewer details for a project,” Jones said. “She encouraged me to consider a position with the county.”
Jones took her first position with the county in 2004 as an engineer. Her duties included the supervised technical reviews of stormwater designs, plats, traffic access, and environmental improvements to wetlands and coastal areas. She was also responsible for the review and approval of multiple complex construction plans for compliance with the Land Development Code.
Jones said she is enthusiastic about her new role as the director of Public Works, as it will allow her to continue her work for the citizens of Escambia County.
“I’m excited to be able to continue to care for the citizens and infrastructure of this county, just like I’ve been able to do previously with the engineering and construction division,” she said. “I’m also looking forward to working more closely with the traffic and road division.”
Jones graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering and from Pensacola State College with an associate’s degree in general engineering. She has 23 years of experience in the field of engineering and is a member of the Florida Engineering Society, the National Society of Professional Engineers, and the American Public Works Association.
Florida Pharmacy Panel Criticizes Legislature Over Flu Tests
April 3, 2018
A state pharmacy board on Monday criticized the Florida Legislature for not passing a bill that would have allowed Florida pharmacists to test and treat people for the flu and strep throat.
Members of the Board of Pharmacy Legislative Committee exchanged stories about the costly bills their family members incurred after undergoing flu tests at emergency departments.
Florida Board of Pharmacy member Blanca Rivera said her 27-year old daughter, who is uninsured, thought she had the flu and went to the emergency room.
“The bill was $13,000 and she was there for about three, four hours,” Rivera said. “They did MRIs and everything else that goes with it. So it’s significant.”
Though the apex of the 2017-18 flu season has passed, Florida continues to have higher than usual influenza activity, according to the Florida Department of Health. As of March 17, 239 pneumonia and influenza deaths had been reported to the state. Six pediatric deaths have been associated with the flu. None of the children had been vaccinated, according to the health department.
Rivera’s story involved the highest costs, but it wasn’t the only one shared.
Jacksonville pharmacist Jeenu Philip, chairman of the Legislative Committee, said his wife racked up a $1,000 bill emergency department bill after being examined for flu-like symptoms.
During the legislative session that ended last month, lawmakers failed to pass a proposal (SB 524) that would have authorized pharmacists, who have established written protocols with physicians and maintain $200,000 in professional liability insurance, to test and treat for influenza virus and streptococcal infections.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved more than 10 rapid diagnostic tests to screen for influenza, and the tests can provide results within 15 minutes, according to a legislative staff analysis of the bill.
But bill sponsor Sen. Jeff Brandes R- St. Petersburg, withdrew the measure, which was opposed by physician groups.
Jonathan Hickman, another member of the committee, said he and his wife called an urgent care center to have their young daughter tested for the flu. The couple was told not to bring in the child because the center had run out of tests, Hickman said.
“My response to them was, ‘Well, can’t you diagnose this without a test?’ “ said Hickman, Regional Clinical Account Director at AstraZeneca. “We were told ‘No. Stay away.’ We did not receive medicine from that particular facility.”
The Board of Pharmacy is holding committee meetings in Tallahassee Monday and Tuesday. The board will discuss proposed rules and consider disciplinary action against some Florida pharmacists.
by Christine Sexton, The News Service of Florida
Free Pizza For Lunch – Restaurant Pays Up On March Madness Bet
April 2, 2018
Little Caesars gave away free pizza today after losing March madness bet.
Little Caesars promised when March Madness started that if a number 16 seed beat a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament, then they’d give away free pizza for lunch. And it happened. On March 16, the University of Maryland-Baltimore County knocked out the top-seeded University of Virginia, making the free lunch available to anyone in America.
The promotion for four slices of deep dish pepperoni and one 20-ounce Pepsi product per family ended at 1 p.m. Monday.
Visitors to the Little Caesars in Cantonment said despite a line well out the door, the ordering process was fast and easy for the free food.
Pictured: The line for free pizza at the Little Caesars in Cantonment on Monday. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Natural Gas Franchise Agreement Proposed, Area Includes McDavid, Walnut Hill, Bratt
April 2, 2018
An agreement has been proposed that will extend an expiring natural gas franchise for the Town of Century, over four years since Escambia County started the renewal process.
In 1968, the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners granted the Town of Century (then known as the Town of South Flomaton) a franchise to provide natural gas services to citizens in the Century area. The present franchise expires this year.
Century continues to hold franchise rights from Escambia County to provide natural gas service from the Escambia River westward to almost the Perdido River and from the Alabama state line southward to near Bogia. 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 town is proposing that the commission adopt a new franchise ordinance that provides the Town with the same rights and responsibilities, as other County franchises, including payment of a five percent franchise fee. This new franchise would not extend beyond the franchise area previously designated in the 1968 franchise agreement.
The commission will vote Thursday on scheduling a public hearing on April 17 at 5:31 p.m. to consider adoption of the new natural gas franchise area. If approved, the agreement will be in effect until 2048.
In February 2014, the commission was set to hold a similar public hearing, but action was tabled at the request of Pensacola Energy, which provides service to a small number of customers within Century’s franchise area. Discussions have continued sporadically since that time.
Pictured top: A “natural gas gate station” that serves the Town of Century, located just off Highway 168 on Poplar Dell Road. Pictured: A Pensacola Energy (formally Energy Service of Pensacola) sign that was located in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Photo Gallery: Brandon Penegar Memorial Car Show
April 2, 2018
The annual Brandon Penegar Memorial Car Show was held this weekend at the Gonzalez United Methodist Church.
The show was held in honor of Branden Penegar.
He was known as the “Gentle Giant” and was a 2011 graduate of Tate High School, an assistant coach for the freshman Tate Aggies’ football program and varsity tennis team, and a member of the Tate High School Student Hall of Fame. He passed away in March 2013 at the age of 20. Penegar was an active member of the Gonzalez United Methodist Church and youth program.
Proceeds from the car show benefit the youth programs at the church.
For photos of (almost) every car, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
April 2, 2018
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- State Road (S.R.) 742 (Creighton Road) Construction Improvement Project from east of Davis Highway (S.R. 291) to Scenic Highway (U.S. 90)- Alternating and intermittent lane closures between Davis Highway and Scenic Highway from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, April 1 through Saturday, April 7 continue as crews perform milling, paving, sidewalk and curb replacement. Motorists are reminded to use caution when traveling 9th Ave. at Creighton Road as drivers become accustomed to new traffic patterns.
· U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Alternating east and westbound lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, April 1 through Sunday, April 8 as crews perform construction activities.
· U.S. 29 Widening from I-10 to Nine Mile Road- Drivers traveling U.S. 29 and Nine Mile Road will encounter traffic pattern changes from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, April 1 through Saturday, April 7 as follows:
o Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass: North and southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue construction of the new center bridge deck. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday.
o U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drivers may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations. U.S. 29 lane restrictions are Monday through Saturday.
· U.S. 29 Resurfacing between U.S. 90 and Muscogee Road – Alternating north and southbound lane closures from Muscogee Road to West 9 ½ Mile Road from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, April 2 through Saturday, April 7 as crews pave the roadway.
· Interstate 10 (I-10) Routine Bridge Maintenance over Escambia Bay- There will be westbound lane restrictions on the Escambia Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. Monday, April 2 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, April 3 as crews perform routine maintenance operations.
· S.R. 95 Underground Utility Work Between Salter’s Lake Road and S.R. 4 in Century- The northbound, outside lane between Salter’s Lake Road and S.R. 4 will be closed from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Monday, April 23 as crews perform underground utility work.
· I-10 / U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I- The following traffic impacts are planned on I-10 and U.S. 29 near the interchange (Exits 10) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, April 2 through Thursday, April 5:
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- Alternating lane closures on I-10 east and westbound and U.S. 29 north and southbound.
- The U.S. 29 on-ramps to I-10 eastbound will be intermittently closed. Traffic will be detoured on U.S. 29 to access I-10 eastbound.
- Alternating lane closures on the I-10 westbound exit ramp to U.S. 29 north and south (Exit 10).
· S.R. 292 (Perdido Key Drive) Turn Lane Construction just east of River Road-East and westbound traffic on Perdido Key Drive will encounter a traffic shift just east of River Road through 8 a.m. Friday, May 4. The temporary shift will allow crews to construct an eastbound, left and westbound, right turn lane. Lane width will be reduced to 11-feet and the speed limit will be lowered to 35 miles per hour within the construction zone.
· I-10 over Perdido River Routine Maintenance, Alabama- Florida Line- Traffic will encounter intermittent and alternating lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Wednesday, April 3 and Thursday, April 4 as crews replace joints.
Santa Rosa County:
· U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Alternating lane closures on U.S. 98 east and westbound, between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, April 1 through Sunday, April 8 as crews perform construction activities.
· I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) - Alternating lane closures on I-10, from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east Avalon Boulevard from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, April 1 through Friday, April 6 as crews work to widen the roadway. In addition, alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard, near the I-10 interchange, as crews reconstruct Avalon Boulevard.
· U.S. 90 Striping Operations at the Intersection of S.R. 87- Drivers are reminded to watch for heavy equipment and workers at the intersection of U.S. 90 and S.R. 87 from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, April 2 and Tuesday, April 3 as crews perform striping operations.
· S.R. 89 Striping Operations near Commerce Street- Traffic can expect lane restrictions from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, April 2 near the intersection of Commerce Street as crews remove and replace striping. Traffic flaggers will be on site to assist with traffic control.
· S.R. 89N Median Landscaping- Drivers can expect intermittent lane closures from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Friday, April 13 as crews perform median landscape enhancements.
· U.S. 90 Safety Project at West Florida Baptist Academy- Activities are scheduled to begin in April to construct an eastbound, left turn lane in front of West Florida Baptist Academy in Milton. Drives can expect intermittent lane restrictions, however, there will be no lane closures between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.
· S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to Hickory Hammock Road – Traffic between County Road 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) and the Eglin AFB boundary is restricted to loads less than 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place until the project is complete.
· I-10 Pavement Testing from east of Avalon Boulevard to east of S.R. 87- There will be intermittent east and westbound lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, April 9 through Thursday, April 13 as crews take core samples of the roadway to perform pavement testing.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
April 2, 2018
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings for the week of April 2-6:
Monday, April 2
Selection Committee Interviews – Medical Director – 1 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Fourth Floor Training Room
Tuesday, April 3
Planning Board – Rezoning - 8:30 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Planning Board – Regular – 8:35 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Wednesday, April 4
FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance Public Meeting – 8:30 a.m., 321 N. De Villiers St.
Selection Committee Interviews – Fire Chief – 8:30 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Fourth Floor Training Room
Contractor Competency Board – 9 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Thursday, April 5
Escambia County Transit Special District Meeting – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
BCC Agenda Review Session – 9:15 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
BCC Public Fourm – 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
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Woman Uninjured In Crash With Deer In Walnut Hill
April 2, 2018
A local woman escaped serious injury when she hit a deer in her Nissan Altima Sunday night in Walnut Hill. The woman was evaluated on scene by Escambia County EMS but refused transport to the hospital.
The accident occurred about 8:25 p.m. on Highway 99A, about a mile east of Highway 97. The vehicle’s airbags deployed in the crash. The deer did not survive.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Improvement Committee Members Serve Breakfast At Ronald McDonald House
April 2, 2018
Members of the Cantonment Improvement Committee recently served breakfast to the residents of the Ronald McDonald House in Pensacola. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Worshipers Gather For Easter Sunrise Services
April 1, 2018
Worshipers gathered for sunrise services across Escambia County on Easter Sunday morning. Pictured above, inset and bottom are the Marcus Pointe Baptist Church Community Sonrise Service at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The first photo below is from the Molino Community Sunrise Service at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, followed by two photos from the Sunrise Service at Enon Baptist Church. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
