New Molino Road Bridge Opens, But Expect Delays
December 11, 2017
The new Molino Road Bridge over over Penasula Creek is now open. But motorists can still expect intermittent daytime lane closures Monday through Wednesday as workers complete minor construction activities on the project, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Contractor F&W Construction Company started the $1,129,920.01 bridge replacement project on January 3 under a contract that gave the company 265 days for completion. The company was granted numerous time extensions by FDOT.
The old wood piling supported bridge was constructed in 1958 had reached a level of deterioration to warrant replacement and was next on the list of the FDOT’s Five-Year Work Plan. The project is being funded and the construction work is being performed under contract with the Florida Department of Transportation. After completion of the structure, Escambia County will be responsible for the maintenance of the bridge.
Pictured: The newly construected Molino Road Bridge over Penasula Creek is now open. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two Injured In Century Rollover Crash
December 11, 2017
Two people were injured in a single vehicle rollover accident Sunday afternoon near Century.
The driver of an Infiniti lost control while westbound on Salter’s Lake Road, about one-third of a mile east of Highway 29 when he lost control, ran off the dirt road and overturned. The driver reportedly told authorities he swerved to avoid a dog, and a small dog was observed in the roadway following the crash.
The driver and his passenger were transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola with injuries that were not considered life threatening.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the 3:45 p.m. crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Third Red Bulb Placed On Fire Safety Wreath
December 11, 2017
A structure fire in the 3600 block of West Cervantes represents the third red bulb on the “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety wreath.
Escambia County Emergency Communications received a phone call reporting the residential fire at 2:50 p.m. Saturday. Crews arrived on scene at 2:55 p.m. to find a working fire with flames showing from the entire front of the single family home.
Escambia Fire Rescue called the fire under control at 3:50 p.m., with the home damaged approximately 75 percent from smoke and fire. The fire displaced five adults and two children who are being assisted by the American Red Cross. No injuries were reported in part by the home having multiple working smoking detectors. The Florida State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.
The “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign is a collaborative initiative with the city of Pensacola to promote fire safety during the month of December. During the month-long campaign, five-foot wreaths are on display at 18 county fire stations and five city fire stations, with wreaths also placed outside Escambia County’s Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building downtown, the Escambia County Public Safety Building, Pensacola City Hall and Cordova Mall near the food court entrance. Each time firefighters respond to a residential fire with damage, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in residential home.
Pictured: The “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety wreath at the Molino Fire Station, covered in snow on Saturday. Photo by Jared Sigler for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Major Leaguer Caleb Gindl To Hold Baseball Clinic In Molino
December 11, 2017
A baseball clinic with Caleb Gindl will be held on Saturday, December 16 from 8 a.m. until noon at the Don Sutton Ballpark in Molino.
The clinic for ages 7-13 will cover hitting, base running, in-fielding, pitching and outfield skills. Registration is $40 the day of the event (registration opens at 7:30 a.m.).
Gindl was selected in the fifth found of the Major League Baseball Draft in 2007. He has played for affiliates of the Milwaulkee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago White Sox, and currently plays for the San Francisco organization. Gindl has prior Major League experience with the Milwaukee Brewers. He batted .242 with five home runs and 14 RBI for Milwaukee in 2013, hitting a walkoff home run against the Miami Marlins.
For more information, call (850) 712-6206 or (850) 572-9484.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Honor Cheerleaders, Football Players
December 11, 2017
The Northview Chiefs honored their football players and cheerleaders at a recent banquet.
The following awards were presented:
Football
- Top Newcomer: Johnny Windham
- Highest Academic Achiever: Seth Killam
- Most Outstanding Wide Receiver: Tim Bush
- Most Outstanding Defensive Back: Seth Killam
- Most Outstanding Offensive Back: Trent Peebles
- Most Outstanding Linebacker: Lance McLaughlin
- Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman: Justin Helton
- Most Outstanding Defensive Lineman: Jason Fischer
- Chief Award: Hunter Spence
- Most Valuable Defensive Player: Lance McLaughlin
- Most Valuable Offensive Player: Jayden Jackson
Varsity Cheerleaders
- Senior Awards. Anna Nelson, Bailee Hinote, Celeste North
- Team Player – Celeste North
- Best All Around – Madison Sherouse
- Dependability Award – Gabrielle Kline
- Strength of Character – Shelby Bashore
- Most Improved – Karlee Criswell
- Most Spirit – Cloe Smith
- Most Determined – Madicyn Bell
- Best Showmanship – Olivia Seals
- Coach’s Award – Dalton Hamilton (mascot)
JV Cheerleaders
- Team Player – Briana White Spruill
- Coach’s Award – Abigail Nelson
Photos By Genia Bashore for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Democrats Chose New Leader
December 10, 2017
Terrie Rizzo, who began her political career as a campaign volunteer a little more than a dozen years ago, was selected Saturday by Florida Democrats to lead their party for the next three years.
Rizzo, chairwoman of the Palm Beach County Democrats, easily beat Brevard County Democratic Chairwoman Stacey Patel in an 830-291 vote by the party’s executive committee at the Rosen Centre Hotel.
Rizzo replaces Stephen Bittel, who was elected as the party’s chairman less than a year ago but abruptly quit last month after being accused by female workers and consultants of creating an uncomfortable work atmosphere.
Rizzo has been the chairwoman of the Palm Beach Democrats since 2012. In her acceptance speech, she said she began her journey in the state party as a volunteer on John Kerry’s presidential campaign in 2004. She later won election as precinct committeewoman and then as the county vice chairwoman, before becoming the leader of the Palm Beach Democrats shortly before the 2012 presidential election.
“This is what the Democratic Party should be like, where people can start at the bottom and rise to the top,” Rizzo said, adding she was “overwhelmed and very humbled” by her election.
At one time, four major candidates, all women, were vying to replace Bittel.
But within the last week, Monica Russo, the statewide head of the Service Employees International Union, dropped out, criticizing the byzantine party rules governing the process. Russo endorsed Patel.
On Saturday the field narrowed to two candidates, when Alma Gonzalez, a state committeewoman from Hillsborough County, threw her support to Rizzo.
With the Democrats trying to reclaim the governor’s office and defend U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson’s seat next year as well as contend for state Cabinet seats and a host of legislative races, Gonzalez said party unity is critical for success.
“The reality for us is to recover and re-engage and regain our momentum. We cannot be divided in this party,” Gonzalez said. “There are external forces coming at us and we must be focused on that rather than on the inside.”
The margin of Rizzo’s win over Patel does not obscure the fact that party activists remain divided, going back to division between the two Democratic presidential candidates in 2016, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders.
Patel, a Sanders delegate to the Democratic National Convention, said she looks “forward to talking to Terrie and figuring out the road forward.”
“This is our party and we’re not going anywhere,” Patel said, saying she ran for the leadership post to make sure “the voice of the people is heard and not just the voices of the people who have been given power in the party.”
Rizzo, who in her prior role as the head of all the county Democratic party leaders has worked with Patel, said she will reach out to all the factions in the party including the Sanders supporters.
“We need that voice moving forward,” Rizzo said in an interview with The News Service of Florida. “We all have common values. It’s just a matter of how you get there.”
As for taking over a party organization after the last leader was accused of inappropriate behavior, Rizzo said: “There will be zero tolerance for sexual harassment moving forward. We will review it and institute policy procedures to handle that.”
Rizzo also acknowledged other problems, including lagging finances for the state party.
“There are obviously some challenges,” she said.
Rizzo’s supporters note that when she took over the Palm Beach organization, the local party was in debt. In the 2016 cycle, Rizzo helped raise over $600,000 for her county party operation, without using paid staff or consultants, according to the state party.
Christian Ulvert, a veteran Democratic strategist, said he has been impressed by Rizzo’s work in Palm Beach, which has the third highest number of registered Democrats in the state.
“She can replicate a successful (county) model at the state level,” he said.
Ulvert, who is advising Democratic gubernatorial candidate Philip Levine, said Democrats have been successful in 2017 races, including a state Senate seat in Miami-Dade County, by “tapping into the anxiety voters feel over President Trump’s agenda.”
“I think Terrie is well positioned to understand that strategy and also offer a forward-looking vision that Democrats can really rally around,” Ulvert said. “She’s done it in Palm Beach.”
Rizzo, 70, spent more than four decades working in health and fitness fields, including managing health and fitness education programs at Stanford University.
She and her husband, Mike, have been married more than 45 years. They have a married son and two grandchildren, who live in California.
As part of the election process, Florida Democrats also made history on Saturday by electing Judy Mount, the former vice chairwoman of the state party, as the interim party chairwoman. Mount presided over Rizzo’s election.
Mount is the first African-American woman to lead the Florida Democrats, said Johanna Cervone, a spokeswoman for the state party.
“We are grateful for her dedication and leadership,” Cervone said.
by Llody Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida
Toyz For Kidz Bike Ride Provides For Needy Kids (With Photo Gallery)
December 10, 2017
Santa had some very special helpers Saturday as the LA Bikers rolled through Bratt, Flomaton and Atmore making sure that dozens of needy kids had presents for Christmas this year.
It was the 17th annual Toyz For Kidz Ride organized by the LA Bikers.
Dozens of children received new bicycles and helmets, clothes, shoes and lots of toys. Dozens of bikers took part in the event with stops at Bratt Elementary, Flomaton and the Atmore City Hall. The bikers also made large donation to the Atmore Fire Department’s toy drive.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: Children received Christmas gifts from Santa Claus Saturday morning at Bratt Elementary School thanks to the LA Bikers Toyz For Kidz Ride. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Thousands Attend Atmore Twilight Christmas Parade
December 10, 2017
Thousands attended the annual Atmore Twilight Christmas Parade Saturday night. The parade featured over two dozen lighted floats, twirlers, antique cars, bands, marchers, Santa Claus and more.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: Scenes from the Atmore Christmas Parade Saturday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Argos Advance To National Championship Knocking Off No. 1 IUP 27-17
December 10, 2017
The UWF Football team continues to author up new ways to amaze the college football world. Saturday it was a dominating 27-17 performance at top-seeded and previously unbeaten Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the NCAA Division II National Semifinals.
The win put the Argonauts into next week’s national championship game for the first time in program history – a history that is still just 25 games old.
UWF improved to 11-3 on the season and ended IUP’s 18-game home winning streak that began in 2015 – 11 months before UWF even played its first-ever game.
The Argonauts turned in their most productive rushing show of the season with 224 yards behind an offensive line that pushed around the Crimson Hawks with regularity. Chris Schwarz established school records with 29 carries and 175 yards, with 141 by halftime.
Mike Beaudry was a very efficient 15-of-23 for 152 yards with a pair of touchdowns.
The Argonauts took the opening kickoff and chewed up more than seven minutes of time, with its offensive line sending the message that it would be the more physical unit. While that series didn’t yield any points, UWF did score on its next two possessions – with both scores coming on short fields. The defense held the Crimson Hawks to minus-three yards on a three-and-out in the first series, before Andre Duncombe intercepted the Lenny Williams on their fourth play of the game.
A 7-yard Schwarz run started the scoring for UWF and Austin Williams set the Gulf South Conference record for field goals in a season when he connected on a 30-yarder – his 24th in 2017.
Tate Lehtio grabbed a short pass from Beaudry with 26 seconds left in the half to send the unranked Argos into the locker room with a 17-0 lead. UWF had outgained IUP 122-63 at that point
The Argonauts continued to capitalize on Hawks mistakes, taking over deep in IUP territory early in the third following a bad punt snap. Beaudry needed just seven plays to pilot another scoring drive, finding Kevin Grant just inside the side of the end zone from 15 yards out.
IUP came charging back and cut the UWF lead to 24-17 with three scores, ending on a Dillon Sarka 19-yard field goal early in the fourth.
Again, UWF went back to the ground game and compiled a 7-minute, 39-second drive with another Williams field goal to extend the margin back to two possessions and 4:37 remaining in the game.
The defense forced the Crimson Hawks to turn the ball over on downs twice to complete the neutralizing of one of the top offenses in the country. UWF held IUP to 242 yards of offense – 229 below their season average. The Hawks’ sixth-ranked rushing attack managed 156 yards after posting 263 per game.
UWF will face eight-ranked Texas A&M-Commerce in the national title game on Saturday, Dec. 16 in Kansas City, Kan. Kickoff at Children’s Mercy Park is set for 5:00 p.m. Central time.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Barrineau Park Historical Society Holds Annual Christmas Dinner
December 10, 2017
The Barrineau Park Historical Society held their annual Christmas Dinner Saturday night. The group enjoyed a great meal, singing and more. Guest speaker was Dr. Brian Rucker of Pensacola who talked about ordinary life in Pensacola before and after the Civil War. Photos by Bonnie Exner for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
