Limited Services This Week For Escambia Building, Development And Code Enforcement
November 27, 2017
Escambia County Building Services, Development Services and Code Enforcement staff will attend software training this week, changing the hours some services are available Monday, Nov. 27 through Friday, Dec. 1:
Building Services (permitting and inspections) – will be open from 8 a.m. to noon only
Development Services (planning & zoning) – staff will be available to answer questions and receive application information 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but payments can only be processed 8 a.m. to noon.
Code Enforcement – no changes in hours of operations, but services may be limited
Escambia County is replacing the current citizen portal where citizens apply, search and manage limited permit, inspection, code and planning information to a new software system, MyGovernmentOnline. MyGovernmentOnline is more user-friendly for staff, businesses and citizens, with features including online permit applications, payments, inspection requests, submittal of files, downloading of reports, status reports, contractor and business license management, submitting documents for review and more.
Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
November 26, 2017
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings for the week of November 27 to December 1:
Tuesday, Nov. 28
Inspection Fund Advisory Board - 9 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place (Agenda)
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place (Agenda)
Wednesday, Nov. 29
Escambia County Housing Finance Authority Public Hearing – 10 a.m., 700 S. Palafox St.
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Thursday, Nov. 30
Community Redevelopment Agency – 9 a.m. , Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers, 1st Floor
BCC Agenda Review – 9:15 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers, 1st Floor (Agenda)
BCC Public Forum – 4:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers, 1st Floor
BCC Regular Meeting – 5:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers, 1st Floor (Agenda)
Cantonment Man Charged With Attack On Man, His Kids
November 26, 2017
A Cantonment man was jailed on three felony counts of aggravated assault, three weapon offense charges, one count of battery and damage property.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, the victim left his two girls, ages 6 and 10, for a couple of hours at a friend’s house on Ellington Street. When he returned to pickup the children, 42-year old Herbert Williams, the woman’s ex-boyfriend, attacked him, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report.
Williams allegedly punched him in the face and body. When the victim fought back, Williams left and returned with a machete.
Witnesses say Williams began hitting the truck with the knife and then threw bricks at the vehicle. He jumped in the bed of the truck, the report states, and began banging in the roof.
One witness said he was trying to kill the victim and his two daughters.
Williams remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday morning with bond set at $81,500.
Argos Head To Regional Final With 17-14 Win At West Georgia
November 26, 2017
The UWF defense has been getting better and better over the last three weeks but turned in one of the gutsiest performances in program history Saturday as the sixth-seeded Argonauts defeated seventh-seeded West Georgia, 17-14, at University Stadium to advance to the NCAA Division II Championship Super Regional 2 finals.
UWF (9-3) held West Georgia to a season-low 244 yards of total offense, including just 117 on the ground in defeating the Wolves at home for the second time in 14 days. The Argos had four sacks, forced three fumbles and Marvin Conley picked off Willie Candler to ice the game with one second remaining.
The Argos finished with 337 yards as Mike Beaudry threw for 194 yards on 19-of-33 with a touchdown. He also had four interceptions, including three in the first quarter. Fortunately, the defense held the Wolves to just 17 combined yards on their three ensuing possessions.
Johnathan Coleman had three sacks and eight tackles up front for the Argonauts. Asante Griffin led the team with nine stops. Andre Duncombe forced a fumble and made five tackles as well.
The Argonauts went ahead 7-0 before the half, marching 72 yards on eight plays when Beaudry completed 6-of-6 passes for 66 yards. He capped the drive on a 3-yard pitch-and-catch to a wide open Tate Lehtio with 13 seconds left.
UWG came out of the locker room with back-to-back scores, opening the third quarter with a 73-yard kickoff return to set up a Candler scoring run from a yard out. Following a Beaudry interception, the Wolves needed just four plays to grab a 14-7 lead on a Travis Custis 3-yard scamper.
UWF produced its second long scoring drive at the beginning of the fourth, going 86 yards for game-tying 5-yard run by Leroy Wilson. The drive started with a 46-yard double pass from Antoine Griffin to Carlos Duclos that put the Argonauts in UWG territory. From there, Beaudry connected with Ka’Ron Ashley and Lehtio for 33 yards to setup the team’s first rushing touchdown in five games.
Following a defensive stop on the ensuing possession, UWF got a solid punt return from Griffin that gave the Argos the ball at their own 31. The drive stalled at the West Georgia 24 but Austin Williams connected on a 41-yard field goal to put the visitors back ahead 17-14. The kick – Williams’ 23rd of the year – tied the Gulf South Conference single-season record for field goals made.
From there, the defense locked in, holding the Wolves to a 3-and-out after a penalty, and getting the INT on UWG’s last offensive play. The Argos limited the Wolves to seven yards and Candler to 1-of-5 for 10 yards on the final two drives.
Candler ended the day 15-of-30 for 127 yards, while Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year Devontae Jackson rushed for just 62 yards. This, along with his 80-yard effort two weeks ago, were his two of his six lowest games of the season.
UWF will be on the road once again – a place it is 6-1 on the season – and face top seed and 17th-ranked West Alabama (10-2) next Saturday, Dec. 2. Kickoff at Tiger Stadium in Livingston, Alabama is set for Noon.
STEAM Program For Kids At The Molino Branch Library
November 26, 2017
A STEAM program for kids will be held Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Molino Branch Library.
From the library: Build something super with your favorite superhero. Justice League mini-figures and Lego build sets will be available to create a planet-saving team. We provide the Lego bricks; you just
need your imagination. We will also bring Cubelet robots. Cubelets are robot blocks that combine to work together in a team. Each block is about an inch-and-a-half across, and magnetically connects face-to- face with other blocks. Combine them in different ways, and they’ll do different things. Duplo sets will be available for the little ones.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Overall Crime Down In Florida, Down For Escambia Sheriff’s Office
November 26, 2017
The latest state and local crime stats have been released by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement , showing a decrease in the amount of statewide crime. Locally, the change rate in Escambia County crime was not clear to missing data.
Statewide, the crimes of murder, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary and larceny were down in the 2017 Semi-Annual Uniform Crime Report, while the crimes of rape and motor vehicle theft increased. Domestic violence fell one percent, with domestic violence murder and aggravated assault down while rape and stalking were up.
In Escambia County, the Pensacola Police Department did not report data for inclusion on the report, making the county-wide comparison over last year impossible.
For the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, murders increased from seven during the first half of 2016 to 12 in the first half of 2017. Rapes increased from 67 to 88, and burglaries increased from 825 to 889.
The number of robberies reported to the ECSO decreased from 166 to 120 in 2017, aggravated assaults were down from 540 to 490, larcenies were down from 2,944 to 2,837 and motor vehicle thefts decreased from 265 to 263.
The clearance rate, the number of crimes solved, dropped from 32.1 percent in 2016 to 26.4 percent in 2017 for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The total number of serious crimes dropped from 4,814 in the first half of 2016 to 4,699 through June 2017 for the ECSO.
Walnut Hill Girl Named Junior Rodeo Queen
November 26, 2017
Leila Ann Mason of Walnut Hill was recently crowned the 2017-2018 Alabama Junior Rodeo Association Queen. Mason, 11, is a sixth grader at Ernest Ward Middle School. The Alabama Junior Rodeo Association is a non profit organization that promotes the sport of rodeo to youth from kindergarten to 8th grade. The association promotes sportsmanship, good character and the rodeo life style. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Health Department: Get Vaccinated Against Whooping Cough
November 26, 2017
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (FDOH-Escambia) reminds everyone to get vaccinated, and stay vaccinated, against pertussis. Pertussis, commonly known as “whooping cough,” is a vaccine-preventable illness, but can be highly contagious to non-vaccinated and under-vaccinated individuals. The disease is easily passed among individuals in close contact with one another. Pertussis can be especially dangerous to newborn infants who are too young to get vaccinated. This illness is also serious for people with weakened immune systems and for older adults.
“Pertussis easily spreads within families and in other settings where there are close contacts among individuals, such as households, schools, and group child care situations,” said FDOH-Escambia’s Director, Dr. John Lanza. “Because pertussis can be so dangerous for infants, it is important that as many people as possible get vaccinated and stay vaccinated.”
– Pertussis is very contagious and is spread from person to person through the droplets from a cough. The main symptom is a cough that lasts for two weeks to several months. The cough can be very serious. Individuals may be unable to catch their breath and begin to turn blue. Severe coughs can also lead to vomiting, sleep loss, weight loss, nose bleeds, rib fractures, hernia and even pneumonia. In infants, the cough may have a “whoop” sound at the end.
– Individuals who have these symptoms, and those who have a cough and have been exposed to someone who has been diagnosed with pertussis, should see a doctor.
– Everyone should talk with their physician about getting vaccinated. Individuals aged six weeks and older are eligible for the pertussis vaccine. The vaccine is available at FDOH-Escambia and from many private physicians.
– Previously-vaccinated persons may need a vaccine booster if there is going to be a newborn in their home, or they are going to be around older adults or individuals with poor immune function.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
November 26, 2017
Drivers will encounter traffic variations on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities next week:
Escambia County
- Interstate 10 (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 10A and 10B) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 19 through Tuesday, Nov. 21:
- 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 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- Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts from 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. beginning Friday, Nov. 17 as crews perform paving work.
- Alternating lane closures on I-10 east and westbound near Scenic Highway Friday, Nov. 17 and Sunday, Nov. 19 through Tuesday, Nov. 21.
- The on-ramp from Scenic Highway to I-10 westbound will be intermittently closed Sunday, Nov. 19 through Tuesday, Nov. 21. Traffic will be detoured on I-10 eastbound to Avalon Boulevard (Exit 22) to access I-10 westbound.
- The I-10 eastbound off-ramp to Scenic Highway will be intermittently closed Sunday, Nov. 19 through Tuesday, Nov. 21. Traffic on I-10 eastbound will be detoured to Avalon Boulevard (Exit 22) to access I-10 westbound to Scenic Highway.
- U.S. 98 (S.R. 30) Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Alternating east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 (Bayfront Parkway), between 14th Avenue and the bridge, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 19 through Tuesday, Nov. 21 as crews place temporary lane separators and barrier wall.
Santa Rosa County
- 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.
Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through the construction zone, and to pay attention for workers and equipment entering and exiting the work area. All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
West Florida High Grad One Of Three Sailors Lost In Navy Plane Crash At Sea
November 25, 2017
One of three Navy sailors lost at sea earlier this week was from Pensacola.
Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Apprentice Bryan Grosso was a 2017 graduate of West Florida High School. He joined the Navy immediately after graduation, following in the footsteps of his father.
Grosso, a native of Florida was assigned to Ronald Reagan. His previous duty stations include the Naval Air Technical Training Center in Pensacola, Fla., and the Naval Recruit Training Center in Great Lakes, Ill. His awards include the National Defense Ribbon.
He was aboard a C-2A Greyhound that crashed en route to the USS Ronald Reagan Nov. 22 while operating in the Philippine Sea. The aircraft was carrying 11 crew and passengers at the time. Eight personnel were recovered on scene after the crash by U.S. Navy Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC 12).
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of these Sailors,” said Vice Adm. Phil Sawyer, commander of U.S. Seventh Fleet. “Their service and sacrifice will be lasting in Seventh Fleet and we will continue to stand the watch for them, as they did bravely for all of us.”
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) led combined search and rescue efforts with units from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). Over the course of two days of continuous search efforts for the Sailors, ships and aircraft covered nearly 1000 square nautical miles.
“The thoughts and prayers of the entire team onboard Ronald Reagan go out to the families and friends of our fallen shipmates,” said Capt. Michael Wosje, Commander, Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW 5). “We are thankful for our professional search and rescue teams and their incredible bravery. The entire Navy team is working together to investigate the cause of this mishap and we will remain focused on our mission to operate forward in a safe and professional manner to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.”