Boil Water Notice Issued For Guidy Lane Area
March 9, 2025
UPDATE- This boil water notice was lifted the morning of March 11.
Due to a broken 6-inch water main that was damaged by tree roots, ECUA has issued a precautionary boil water notice for the Guidy Lane and the surrounding area.
Specifically, the boil water notice includes:
- Guidy Ln. (Address Range: 9541 – 9761
- Aurelias Pl. (Address Range: 879 – 956)
- Sunshine Ln. (Address Range: 933 – 1095)
- Honey Trl.
- Dons. Ln.
Residents located in the specified boil water notice area are advised to boil water for one minute at a rolling boil or to use eight drops of regular unscented household bleach per gallon of water, for water to be used for drinking or cooking purposes. Two independent bacteriological samples have been initiated and the advisory will be lifted as soon as possible. This process routinely takes 48 hours and the notice will be rescinded at that time.
ECUA crews have completed the repairs and flushed out the lines. Residents within the area and nearby are advised that there is a possibility of discolored water as a result of the utility work, and to flush their home’s plumbing by running their taps for a few minutes. If problems persist, customers are asked to contact ECUA Customer Service at (850) 476-0480 for assistance.
Precautionary boil water notices are issued as a part of the standard protocol following any loss of water pressure, whether as a result of planned maintenance activities or unscheduled repairs.
Florida Senators Push For Year-Round Daylight Saving Time
March 9, 2025
As dayling savings time started Sunday, both of Florida’s senators are pushing for it to be year-round.
Senators Ashley Moody and Rick Scott have announced their bipartisan Sunshine Protection Act, to officially “lock the clock” and end the twice-yearly time change and make daylight saving time the national year-round standard.
“As a baseball mom, I enthusiastically support an extra hour of sunlight,” Moody said. “Why miss out on daylight when we could be outside with our families enjoying all that Florida has to offer? This legislation also has long-term benefits that help our farmers, support healthier families and safer neighborhoods, all while growing the economy. I am proud to join my colleagues to support the Sunshine Protection Act. It is time to end the twice-yearly change for good and lock the clock.”
“I hear from Americans constantly that they are sick and tired of changing their clocks twice a year – it’s an unnecessary, decades-old practice that’s more of an annoyance to families than benefit to them,” Scott said. “In 2018, as Governor of Florida, I signed legislation that would allow the state to opt out of the practice of changing the time and I’ve been a leading effort in getting this done on the federal level. I’m excited to have President Trump back in the White House and fully on board to lock the clock so we can get this good bill passed and make this common-sense change that will simplify and benefit the lives of American families.”
Moody and Scott were joined by Senators Patty Murray, Tommy Tuberville, Rand Paul, Ron Wyden, Bill Hagerty, Cynthia Lummis, Ed Markey, Sheldon Whitehouse, James Lankford, Martin Heinrich, Alex Padilla, Brian Schatz, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Tina Smith, Katie Britt and Marsha Blackburn.
Play Ball! Saturday Was Opening Day For A Growing Century Blackcats Ball Program
March 9, 2025
Saturday was opening day for the spring ball season at several local ballparks including NEP, Century Baseball Association at Showalter Park and the Molino Ballpark.
Due to a threat of rain, opening ceremonies were canceled at Molino and moved to an earlier time in Century.
Organizers say they are excited about the growth of the Century Blackcats program at Showalter Park.
“We’ve almost reached capacity to still have a place to practice,” David Burkett, Century Baseball Association president, said.
He said there are 198 players on 16 teams this year at Showalter.
“It’s exciting,” Burkett said. “It’s the most players this park has seen in a longtime.”
Saturday, the Blackcats hosted teams from Jay and Gospel Projects.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Driving Tests Available During Spring Break In Escambia County
March 9, 2025
First-time drivers in Escambia County can take advantage of special spring break driving test appointments from March 17-21 at the Escambia County Tax Collector Warrington Office. The appointments are available exclusively for Escambia County residents taking their first driving test.
The Escambia County Tax Collector’s Office encourages eligible drivers to secure their slots early by booking online at EscambiaTaxCollector.com.
ECAT Launches New Microtransit Pilot Program
March 9, 2025
Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) is launching a new microtransit pilot program called FlexTransit. FlexTransit will provide service to currently underserved and unserved residents, using smaller ADA-compliant vehicles in expanded service areas.
FlexTransit’s soft launch is scheduled for Tuesday, April 1, initially serving existing ECAT paratransit customers before fully launching to the public in fall 2025. Once fully implemented, riders will have access to FlexTransit services that will combine and work with ECAT’s fixed route to most efficiently get them to their destination.
This program is not intended to replace paratransit services; however, the Microtransit Pilot Program will reduce the need for paratransit services by bridging gaps and connecting riders with the fixed route services during regular fixed route service hours.
Once fully operational, the Microtransit Pilot Program will be available to all county riders and will not be restricted by paratransit eligibility requirements.
Service must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance and no more than 7 days in advance, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. by calling 850-471-6657. Riders also have the ability to schedule trips through the FlexTransit Application or online portal as well as leaving a voicemail for the reservationists.
The average contractual cost for a one-way trip using the Transportation Disadvantaged Program in fiscal year 2023-2024 was $42.44, making ECAT’s fixed-route bus service a much more cost-effective option for Escambia County. Individuals who are able to use the service pay a fare of $3.50 (ADA) or $2.50 (TD), each trip.
FHP Identified Pedestrian Killed By Tractor Trailer As Flomaton Man
March 9, 2025
The Florida Highway Patrol has identified a pedestrian struck and killed by a tractor trailer last Wednesday as a 42-year-old Flomaton man.
FHP said 57-year-old Palm Coast man was traveling east on Highway 98 approaching Skyhawk Drive when his truck struck a man walking in the middle of the roadway just after 9 p.m.. Troopers said he was unable to see the pedestrian.
FHP has not released the man’s name or said why he was walking in the road.
The tractor trailer driver was not injured.
Over 850 Explore A Night of Nature In Cantonment
March 9, 2025
Over 850 people attended the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center “Night of Nature” Friday night in Cantonment.
The free, family-friendly event offered a chance to explore the wonders of the natural world after dark.
Attendees were able to enjoy live birds of prey, night hikes through the woods, stargazing with telescopes, and meeting nocturnal creatures.
Roy Hyatt Environmental Center, located at 1300 Tobias Road in Cantonment, is an Escambia County Public Schools facility. It first opened to students in 1968.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Westgate’s Very Special Mardi Gras Parade (With Photo Gallery)
March 8, 2025
Let the good times roll!
The annual Mardi Gras parade was held Friday morning at Escambia Westgate School — a very special parade for the school’s special needs students.
With plenty of beads, trinkets and smiles, the parade rolled through the school parking lot for students with sensory issues that might not otherwise be able to attend a regular Mardi Gras parade.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary Honors Leaders Of The Month
March 8, 2025
Bratt Elementary School recently celebrated their February Leaders of the Month, taking advantage of a warm day to enjoy a pizza party and storytime. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Students Learn About Ag During NHS ‘Fresh From Florida’ Event (With Gallery)
March 8, 2025
About 650 local elementary school students attended the annual Northview High School FFA “Fresh From Florida” agricultural advocacy program Friday morning at the school in Bratt.
Formerly known as the “Food For America program”, the event gave students a chance to learn about agriculture first hand, up close and personal with farm animals, farm equipment and more to learn how food gets from the farm to their tables. Students were even able to make and enjoy eating their own fresh butter.
The Northview High School FFA “Fresh From Florida” program has been honored as the number one program in the state multiple times, and the chapter was also named one of the best in the United State by the National FFA Organization.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
