Highway 29 Hit And Run Driver Arrested
January 29, 2018
A hit and run driver was arrested Monday morning, thanks to a tip from a NorthEscambia.com reader.
Jimmy Ray Burkett, 27, was charged with felony driving while license suspended/revoked, misdemeanor leaving the scene of an accident and making an improper left turn. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $3,500 bond.
On Wednesday, January 24 Burkett was traveling south in a 2011 Toyota Scion on Highway 29 and entered a left turn lane at Hood Drive as 23-year old Hannah Fiellin was traveling northbound on Highway 29 in a 2009 Honda Accord. Burkett made a left turn directly in front of Fiellin, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Burkett then fled the scene.
Acting on a citizen’s tip, troopers were able to locate the vehicle and identify Burkett.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Get Ready For Bigger Power Bills: Gulf Power, EREC Set Demand Records In Cold Weather
January 29, 2018
Gulf Power and Escambia River Electric Cooperative are reporting record energy demands during our recent arctic blast.
Weather plays the biggest role in the amount of energy customers use and how it impacts their power bill, according to Gulf Power. Customers typically see their highest bills after the hottest months of the summer and coldest of the winter.
With the rounds of Artic blasts tumbling temperatures into the teens and 20s across Northwest Florida this month, Gulf Power and EREC experienced the highest energy demand ever from customers trying to stay warm.
The severe winter weather experience in January resulted in Gulf Power setting an all-time high system peak demand of 2,817 megawatts on January 18, compared to an expected system peak demand of 2,202 megawatts under more typical weather conditions. This winter’s peak is 28 percent higher than forecasted and surpasses the all-time peak of 2,694 megawatts in January of 2014.
At 6:30 a.m. on January 18, EREC experienced a peak demand of 63.04 megawatts, which was about 24 percent higher than forecasted, according to Nick Jackson, EREC spokesperson.
“What this means is our customers should prepare for higher than normal power bills,” said Kimberly Blair, Gulf Power spokesperson. That thought was echoed by Jackson.
“It’s going to mean higher bills for our members,” he said.
Gulf Power company offers a budget billing program. With budget billing, pay about the same amount each month with their bill averaged out based on their previous 12 months’ electrical usage. That eliminates the drastic spikes from extreme weather events.
An immediate fix to avoid higher bills – get in the habit of leaving your thermostat at a constant temperature, Blair said. “Almost half of the energy in your home goes to heating and cooling. In the winter, set it at 68 degrees and leave it. For every degree above 68 you set your thermostat, you’ll pay 10 percent more in heating costs.”
For those who may struggle to the pay their higher bill, the Salvation Army has a program called Project SHARE those that need help with energy bills, repairs to heating and air-conditioning equipment, and other energy-related needs. The program assists the elderly, the disabled, the sick and others who are experiencing financial hardship. Project SHARE is available to help Gulf Power or EREC customers.
Other community agencies also offer help with utility payments.
Both utilities companies encourage proactive actions now to help alleviate high bills later including energy checkups, programmable thermostats, finding and sealing leaks, maintaining heating systems and using fluorescent or LED lighting. Also, the use of an electric blanket at night is recommended — it’s more economical than heating the entire house all night long.
Here is a full list of where to get help paying an electric bill. The availability of help from a listed agency may depend on the customer’s utility company.
Escambia County
* United Ministries (only provides assistance to families w/children) 257 E Lee St., Pensacola, 850-433-2333
* Catholic Social Services, 222 E Government St., Pensacola, 850-436-6425
* Community Action Program (Tuesdays 8:15-9:15 am), 1308 W Garden St., Pensacola, 850-607-2088
* First Call For Help, 1800 N Palafox St, Pensacola, 850-595-5905
* Salvation Army, 1501 North Q St., Pensacola, 850-432-1501
* First Baptist Church, 850-438-8907
* Olive Baptist Church. 850-473-4466
Santa Rosa County
* Interfaith Ministries — Santa Rosa County residents, Gulf Breeze, Navarre, Milton, 850-934-8385
* We Care Ministries (United Methodist Church — Santa Rosa County residents, Navarre) 850-939-1005
* Family Resource Center, 850-626-2054
* Salvation Army, Santa Rosa County, 850-623-4099
* Tri County Community Council, 6607 Elva St., 850-981-0036
Branden Penegar Car Show Funds Youth Building, Next Show Set For March
January 29, 2018
After Branden Penegar passed away in 2013, relatives decided to do something in his honor for the youth program at Gonzalez United Methodist Church, and they decided to work to fund a new youth building.
The first Brandon Penegar Memorial Car Show was held in March of 2014 to raise money for the building.
The building was delivered last month to the church grounds, thanks to the funds from four annual car shows.
“The excitement of see our work payoff, well, words can’t describe. The emotions didn’t sink in until I️ got home,” said Branden’s father Bert Penegar.
“While we now have the building, but there is still a lot to do. The outside is finished, but the inside is not,” he said.
The next Brandon Penegar Memorial Car Show is scheduled for March 17, and proceeds will be used to help finish the building.
Any make, model or year car is welcomed for the show. Car registration will be from 8:00-11:00 a.m. on March 17th. The fee is $15 to only display a car, $25 to enter the car in the show. Spectator admission is free. Click here for a printable flyer (pdf) with more information.
Branden Penegar, known asthe “Gentle Giant” 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 a active member of the Gonzalez United Methodist Church and youth program.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
January 29, 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:
- U.S. 29 Resurfacing between U.S. 90 and Muscogee Road – Alternating north and southbound lane restrictions from Muscogee Road to West 9 ½ Mile Road, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 28 through Saturday, Feb. 3 as crews perform paving operations.
- State Road (S.R.) 742 (Creighton Road) Construction Improvement Project from east of Davis Highway to Scenic Highway – Intermittent and alternating lane closures between Davis Highway and Scenic Highway from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 28 through Saturday, Feb. 3 continue as crews perform milling, paving, sidewalk and curb replacement.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) / U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I – Traffic impacts planned on I-10 and U.S. 29 near the interchange (Exits 10A and 10B) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 28 through Thursday, Feb. 1:
- 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.
- The exit ramp from I-10 westbound to U.S. 29 south (Exit 10A) will be intermittently closed. Traffic will be detoured to U.S. 29 north (Exit 10B).
- Alternating lane closures on the I-10 westbound exit ramp to U.S. 29 north (Exit 10B).
- I-10 Widening from Davis Highway to the Escambia Bay Bridge – Intermittent and alternating lane closures on I-10, between Davis Highway (Exit 13) and Scenic Highway (Exit 17), and on Scenic Highway, between Whisper Way and Northpointe Parkway, from 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 28 through Thursday, Feb. 1 as crews perform construction activities. The speed limit on I-10 will be reduced to 60 mph during nighttime lane closures.
- S.R. 292 (S. Pace Boulevard) Drainage Operations Temporary Road Closure at Barrancas Avenue- The north and south travel lanes on S. Pace Boulevard just north of Barrancas Avenue will be closed to traffic from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 29 through Friday, Feb. 2 as the city of Pensacola performs drainage work. Traffic will utilize Government Street and Barrancas Avenue as a detour route. Variable message boards and signs are on site to assist the public.
- Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road – Foxtail Loop will be closed from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29 as crews install new storm water drainage. Drivers entering and exiting Nature Trail Subdivision must use Salt Grass Drive to access Nine Mile Road.
- U.S. 98 (S.R. 30) 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, Jan. 28 through Thursday, Feb. 1 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 p.m. Sunday, Jan 28 through Saturday, Feb. 3 as follows:
- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass-Lane restrictions will be in effect Sunday through Friday. Eastbound traffic will continue to be shifted onto the westbound inside travel lane as crews prepare the area for construction of the support column for the new center bridge deck.
- U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Lane restrictions will be in effect Monday through Saturday. Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures as crews perform drainage work and place temporary pavement in preparation for upcoming traffic shifts.
Santa Rosa County:
- I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) – Traffic on Avalon Boulevard near the I-10 interchange has been shifted to the east so crews can reconstruct the southbound lanes of Avalon Boulevard. The shift will be in place through spring 2018. Drivers will also encounter alternating lane closures on I-10, from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22), from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 28 through Friday, Feb. 2 as crews work to widen the roadway. In addition, alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard, near the I-10 interchange, will also be encountered as crews reconstruct the overpass.
- U.S. 98 (S.R. 30) 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, Jan. 28 through Thursday, Feb. 1 as crews perform construction activities.
- 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.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Meet Escambia County’s Teacher Of The Year
January 29, 2018
Carla Ross heads back to Washington High School today with a new honor — Escambia County Teacher of the Year.
Ross, a 35-year veteran of the Escambia County School District, received the honor Saturday night at the annual Golden Apple Awards where Teachers of the Year from each school were also honored.
Ross teaches students in the Marketing and Entrepreneurship Academy at Washington. She encouraged her fellow educators to worth together to stamp out apathy.
”Apathy is not an alternative, it is not an option,” she said.
“When kids are cutting up and I see a colleague on their phone or their laptop, trying to ignore the problem, I say, ‘Hey! I’m here to help you, let’s do this thing’,” Ross explained. She explained that “this thing” is working together to teach our students correct behavior, and that is not in a textbook and it is not something just taught in your classroom.
“Whether it’s at a basketball game, in a grocery store or a parking lot, I have found that we can flex our authority and speak up, with our head up, shoulders back, and teach them,” Ross said.
“They need to know that they cannot be successful cutting up and using profanity,” Ross added as she challenged everyone to remember to also model the behaviors we want from them. “Let’s bring this fight together, and it is a fight for the next generation and the next.”
“Stick around long enough and you get to see the fruits of your labor.” Ross concluded. “From elementary school to high school, we make a difference, so stay in the fight, and as my husband says, go in there and a have a great day.”
Mrs. Ross is married to another career educator in Escambia County. Her husband is Norm Ross who currently serves as the Deputy Superintendent and who is still affectionately known as “Coach Ross” by many people in Escambia County.
At Washington High, Carla Ross launched the first student-run credit union at her school, a branch of Pen Air Federal Credit Union. In addition, she and her students built the nationally recognized “Cat Shack,” a student run school spirit store and snack bar that offers alternative food choices for students at the school. In addition, she is the Marketing Association for Students Sponsor at her School.
In addition to Ross the five finalists for the Teaher of the Year award included William Broome of Woodham Middle School, Shana Brown of Molino Park Elementary School, Megan Carroll of Northview High School, and Suzanne Hollingsworth of Beulah Elementary School.
Ross is now in the running for Florida Teacher of the Year.
Pictured top: Escambia County Teacher of the Year Carla Ross with Superintendent Malcolm Thomas. Pictured inset: Carla Ross and her husband Norm react to her announcement as Teacher of the Year. Pictured below: Teacher of the year finalists Megan Carroll (top photo below article) and Suzanne Hollingsworth of Beulah Elementary (lower photo). Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
January 29, 2018
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings for the week of October 9-13:
Tuesday, Jan. 30
International Association of Fire Fighters Collective Bargaining - 11 a.m., Public Safety Building, 6575 N. “W” St.
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place (Agenda)
Extension Council – 5:30 p.m., Escambia County Extension Service, 3740 Stefani Road (Agenda)
Wednesday, Jan. 31
Design Standard Manual Professional Advisory Committee – 8:30 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place (Agenda)
Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1395 Negotiations – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Thursday, Feb. 1
Attorney/Client: Sheriff’s Budget Appeal – 8 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
Board of County Commissioners Agenda Review Session – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
Public Forum – 4:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting – 5:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Concept For Nine Mile Road Flyover At Navy Federal Under Consideration
January 29, 2018
Three proposed concepts are under consideration to alleviate traffic problems in the area of the Navy Federal Campus on Nine Mile Road, and the Escambia County Commission is set this week to consider support for one of those plans.
Navy Federal and the Florida Department of Transportation have recommended a plan that includes an elevated overpass on Nine Mile Road. This would allow Navy Federal employees to exit the campus on a new Navy Federal Way using two turn lanes to head east, while allowing Nine Mile Road traffic to flow both directions on the overpass above.
Eliminating the traffic signal will improve travel time along Nine Mile Road, according to transportation officials.
It is estimated the plan will cost $68 million and take 4-6 years to complete if and when it is approved.
If the Escambia County Commission votes to support the concept at its Thursday meeting, it will not bind the county to any funding or resource commitment.
It is anticipated that the concepts will be presented to the Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) at its February 14, 2018 meeting for further support and possible inclusion into the FL-AL TPO Long Range Transportation Plan.
If the county supports any of the Nine Mile Road Navy Federal concepts, it will not negatively impact or replace the County’s support for the Beulah Interchange and Beltway Project.
To view the three concept plans, click the links below (pdf files, hosted by Escambia County).
Pictured: The Nine Mile Road Flyover at Navy Federal Way proposal favored by Navy Federal and the Florida Department of Transportation. NorthEscambia.com image, click to enlarge.
FFA District Winners Announced
January 29, 2018
Friday, FFA Chapters from across the area competed in the FFA District competition. Competitors previously won their Sub-District competitions in December to advance to this level.
The FFA provides numerous career and leadership development events providing a variety of opportunities for members to compete in individual and team events.
Winners of FFA District 1 competitions are below. The first place winner from each category will advance to represent the district at the 90th Florida State FFA Convention in Orlando in June.
Opening and Closing Ceremony:
1st Place – Jay Middle FFA
2nd Place – Paxton Middle FFA
Middle School Extemporaneous Speaking:
1st Place – Colton Philips, Paxton Middle FFA
2nd Place – Thuan Vo, Beulah Academy of Science FFA
Middle School Prepared Public Speaking:
1st Place – Haley Pickron, Paxton Middle FFA
Creed Speaking:
1st Place: Amber Gilman, Northview FFA
2nd Place: Laura Fleaman, Chipley FFA
Tractor Driving:
1st Place – Zach Rutherford, Central FFA
2nd Place – Bailey Miller, Bethlehem FFA
High School Parliamentary Procedure
1st Place – Tate FFA
High School Prepared Public Speaking
1st Place – Avery Young, Tate FFA
2nd Place – Bailey Patterson, Chipley FFA
High School Extemporaneous Speaking
1st Place – Wyatt Patterson, Chipley FFA
2nd Place – Gabe Ferguson, Tate FFA
For additional winner photos, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fire Damages Cantonment Home
January 28, 2018
Fire damaged a home on the 2000 block of Welcome Road in Cantonment Sunday afternoon.
Initial reports indicated the 2:45 p.m. fire may have started in the kitchen of the home before possibly spreading into the attic. Escambia Fire Rescue was able to quickly bring the fire under control.
All occupants were able to escape the blaze without injuries. Fire people were displaced by the fire; they are being temporarily assisted by the American Red Cross.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Duck Hunters Rescue Owl Tangled In Fishing Line
January 28, 2018
A group duck hunting at Salter’s Lake near Century Saturday rescued an owl tangled in fishing line.
Ben Preston, David Preston, Ross Daughdrill, Lakelynn Parker and Tammy Parker were hunting when Ben Preston went out to retrieve a duck that had fallen into a wooded area. He came upon the owl hanging from the fishing line. They covered the owl with a bag while the fishing line was cut. Ben and Lakelynn wrapped the owl in Ben’s jacket and put him in their boat.
They called the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and a FWC officer met them at the Salter’s Lake Boat Ramp to pick up the owl.
The FWC warns that that monofilament fishing line and fishing hooks can snag and entangle birds, sea turtles and manatees, leading to injury and even death.
“People can prevent injury and death to wildlife by committing to stop litter of tackle and monofilament line,” said FWC biologist Ricardo Zambrano.
Tackle should be checked frequently for frayed line that may easily break. Unwanted or damaged line should be stored safely and securely until it can be placed in a recycling bin. The FWC urges those outdoors to pick up, secure and appropriate dispose of any fishing line they may see.
Photos by Ross Daughdrill and Tammy Parker for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
