Building Services Director Mayo Retires With 38 Years On The Job
November 14, 2016
Escambia County Building Services Director Donald Mayo has retired. after more than 38 years of service with the county, leaving a strong legacy and impact on Escambia County’s inspection and code enforcement programs.
When Mayo joined Escambia County in 1973 as an Electrical Inspector, there was no Fire Safety Inspections Program, Code Enforcement Division or Neighborhood Improvement Division – all of which were established by Mayo during his tenure.
Mayo initially retired as Building Official/Director of Escambia County Building Inspections Department in September 2008, returning as Building Services Director in July 2013. His wife, Sue, retired in October 2016 as a Senior Accountant in the Corrections Department after 18 years, bringing their combined service with Escambia County to more than 56 years.
“It’s a family,” Mayo said when asked what he enjoyed about his time with the county. “You know, county employees are kind of unique in themselves, or any governmental entity. We just enjoyed serving.”
In 1991, Mayo became the first person in the state of Florida and one of only 19 in the world to achieve Chief Code Analyst certification in building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical disciplines, earning the recognition as a Code Enforcement and Administrative Professional by the Southern Building Code Congress International.
But more than the certifications and recognitions during his career, Mayo said he enjoyed getting to help people achieve their goals related to property and home ownership.
“There’s two things: Family is number one for most people, and their property and property rights is their number two,” Mayo said. “And I believe in both of them very strongly, so I loved assisting people in getting through the requirements in order to build their home.”
Mayo said he plans to stay busy in retirement, whether it’s going on an RV trip or running a half marathon with his wife, fishing in their pond or visiting their six children and 10 grandchildren. Mayo will also continue teaching an electrical apprenticeship at George Stone Technical Center, where he has taught since 1983.
County Administrator Jack Brown expressed his appreciation for Mayo’s 38 years of dedicated service to the county and congratulated him on his retirement.
“Donald Mayo has been a true asset to Escambia County and a driving force in advancing the Building Services Division,” Brown said. “We hate to see him go, but we wish him the best in his retirement and future endeavors.”
Bonus Pics: Tate Defeats Gulf Breeze
November 14, 2016
The Tate Aggies beat Gulf Breeze 42-38 in the final seconds of the Region 1-6A Quarterfinals Friday night in Gulf Breeze.
For a photo gallery, click here.
For a game action summary, click here.
The Tate Aggies (9-2) will host the Navarre Raiders Friday night in round two of the playoffs.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary School Names Students Of The Month
November 14, 2016
The following students (pictured above) were named Students of the Month for November at Bratt Elementary School.
- Brooklynne Fountain
- Kyle Lowery
- Autumn Heist
- Jerrilynn Barlow
- Rainey Nelson
- Aaron Gregson
- Breah Shelly
- Kaylee Wilson
- Jordan Peters
- Christian Roberts
- Amara Campbell
- Jacobi Dougall
- Presley Johnson
- Ora Bryan
- Allison Flowers
- Daequan Banks
- Claire Amerson
- Jared Hudson
- Laura Laborde
- Payton Daw
- Sophia Bailey
- Leah Hetrick
- Sarah Bailey
- Berklee Hall
The students pictured below, Jared Hudson and Presley Johnson, were chosen to represent Bratt Elementary School as Escambia County Students of the Month for November.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bonus Pics: Northview Falls In Round One Of Playoffs
November 14, 2016
The Northview Chiefs were knocked out of the first round of the 1A playoffs on the road Friday night by the Graceville Tigers 43-14.
For a bonus photo gallery, click here.
For a game action summary, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Gary Amerson, click to enlarge.
Area Remains In Drought, No Relief In Sight
November 13, 2016
A few showers last week may have settled the dust, but it was not nearly enough remain to alleviate our current dought.
Most of the area is in a “moderate drought”, according to a recently released U.S. Drought Monitor. A small area along the Alabama state line in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties is in a “severe drought”. And unfortunately there’s no relief in sight. The latest National Weather Service forecast does not include any rain during the next seven days.
Graphic for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
November 13, 2016
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending November 3 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Area officers along with the SOG Team worked a security detail providing dignitary protection at a Donald Trump political rally in Pensacola. The rally was held adjacent to the Blue Wahoo’s Stadium which is a waterfront facility. The officers were tasked with waterborne security and to provide a contingency plan for an emergency extraction.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officers Clark, Hutchinson and Lewis were on patrol when they observed a light-colored pickup parked in Blackwater Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The officers stopped and approached the vehicle and noticed the windows were down. There was also a deer stand in the bed and pieces of corn scattered throughout. While they were waiting by the vehicle, a male subject walked out of the WMA carrying a backpack that appeared empty. Officer Hutchinson asked the man if he could look in the backpack and he consented. There were small pieces of corn in the bag. When asked what he was doing, he stated he was just looking around. The subject was read Miranda and asked if he was placing bait. He stated he only put a little out to see what kind of deer were in the area. He also had a camera placed to view wildlife taking the bait. The subject was cited for placing bait in a WMA.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
November 13, 2016
Drivers will encounter traffic variations on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
· Interstate 10 (I-10) Widening from Davis Highway to the Escambia Bay Bridge- The outside lane of I-10 westbound, between Davis Highway (State Road (S.R.) 291/Exit 13) and Scenic Highway (U.S. 90/Exit 17), will be intermittently closed from 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. the week of Sunday, Nov. 13 as crews place barrier wall.
· U.S. 29 (State Road (S.R.) 95) Widening from I-10 to 9 Mile Road- Alternating lane closures on U.S. 29 near the U.S. 29/Nine Mile Road overpass between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. will continue through the week of Monday, Nov. 14 as workers install barrier wall to accommodate the construction of the new bridge.
· Perdido Key Drive (S.R. 292) Resurfacing from the Alabama State Line to the Intracoastal Waterway Bridge- Intermittent and alternating daytime lane closures will continue Monday, Nov. 14 through Friday, Nov. 18 as crews perform shoulder reconstruction work. Traffic flaggers will be on site to assist with traffic control.
· Davis Highway (S.R. 291) Resurfacing from north of Fairfield Drive to north of Langley Avenue- Intermittent lane restrictions from Brent Lane to Langley Avenue continue through Monday, Nov. 21. Lane closures will be in effect from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.
· Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road- Security Place will be closed to traffic from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11 as crews relocate utilities in preparation for roadway widening.
In addition, traffic will be intermittently reduced to one lane on Navy Federal Way, Security Place, Salt Grass Drive, and Foxtail Loop from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. the week of Monday, Nov. 14. Crews will be making asphalt repairs at those locations. Traffic flaggers will be on site to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
· I-10/ U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase 1- The U.S. 29 North to I-10 westbound ramp will be closed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 13 and Monday, Nov. 14 as crews perform bridge work. Traffic will be detoured north to make a U-turn at Broad Street to access I-10 westbound.
· New Warrington Spur (S.R. 295) over U.S. 90 Routine Bridge Maintenance- North and southbound right, outside lane closed from 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10 to 5 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11 as crews perform routine bridge maintenance work.
· U.S. 90 over Marcus Creek Routine Bridge Maintenance- North and southbound right, outside lane closed from midnight Monday, Nov. 14 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15 as crews perform routine bridge maintenance work.
· U.S. 90 over AL & GC RR Routine Bridge Maintenance- North and southbound right, outside lane closed from 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14 to midnight as crews perform routine bridge maintenance work.
· 9 Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) Widening from Pine Forest to U.S. 29- East and westbound traffic near Untreiner Avenue will be shifted into the new configuration as crews begin constructing drainage improvements along the south side of 9 Mile Road and Untreiner Avenue. Motorists traveling Untreiner Avenue between Nine Mile Road and Powell Street will encounter intermittent lane closures between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. starting Tuesday, Nov. 15 as crews lay additional asphalt for an upcoming traffic shift. Once paving is complete, traffic will be shifted eastward onto the temporary asphalt as crews begin drainage improvements on the west side of Untreiner Avenue.
· New Warrington Spur/Navy Boulevard (State Road (S.R.) 295) Routine Maintenance from Gulf Beach Highway to just south of U.S. 98- Alternating and intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15 to 1 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16 as crews perform routine maintenance activities.
· U.S. 98 Routine Maintenance from the ramp from New Warrington to south of Pinewood Lane, just west of the Bayou Chico Bridge- Alternating and intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16 to 1 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 17 as crews perform routine maintenance activities.
· Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727/295) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway to North Pace Boulevard- Intermittent and alternating lane closures on Fairfield Drive between Mobile Highway and North Pace Boulevard between 8:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. from Monday, Nov. 14 through Friday, Nov. 18 as crews perform paving operations.
· Bluff Springs Road over Pritchett Mill Creek Bridge Replacement- The road is temporarily closed as crews begin construction of a new bridge. Project is anticipated to be complete spring 2017.
Santa Rosa County:
· Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Bridge Replacement– The outside lane of U.S. 98 eastbound, on the east end of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze, will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Nov. 14 through Wednesday, Nov. 16 as crews perform tree trimming work.
· I-10 Resurfacing from east of S.R. 87 to the Okaloosa County Line- Intermittent and alternating lane closures east and westbound between the S.R. 87 interchange and the Okaloosa County line from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 13 through Friday, Nov. 18 as crews perform construction activities. Motorists are reminded the speed limit is reduced to 60 MPH within the lane closure.
· U.S. 98 at Hoffman Drive in Gulf Breeze Median Safety Improvements- Motorists can expect a traffic shift and intermittent lane restrictions. There will be no lane closures allowed between the hours of 5:30 a.m. and 8 p.m.
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. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling in a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Blue Angels End Season With Pensacola Homecoming Show
November 13, 2016
Well over 100,000 people were on hand Saturday as the Blue Angels wrapped up their 70th anniversary season onboard Pensacola Naval Air Station.
The Blue Angels will spend their winter break in Central California, training for the 2017 season.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos by Perry Doggrell for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Murder Suspects Surrenders
November 13, 2016
A Brewton man that was wanted in connection with a shooting death last week has surrendered to authorities.
Joseph Ryan Carter, 30, is now in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton after turning himself in Saturday night. He is awaiting transfer to the Mobile County Metro Jail.
Carter is accused of a November 10 shoot death.
The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by Creola Police Department to assist in the investigation of a murder. MCSO was contacted approximately 2:19 am and responded to I-65 North just south of the General W.K. Wilson Jr. Bridge (commonly known as the “Dolly Parton Bridge”. When deputies arrived they found Joe Nathan Thomas, Jr. with gunshot wound to the back of his head.
A female witness on the scene stated that she had been in the vehicle with Thomas and Carter earlier that evening. She also stated that she and Thomas were outside the vehicle when she heard a gun shot and saw Thomas fall to the ground. The female witness fled into nearby woods and contacted authorities. At this time, the female witness is not being charged.
Legal Services Of Northwest Florida Offering Legal Help In Cantonment
November 13, 2016
Legal Services of Northwest Florida is offering free legal advice to eligible residents in Cantonment.
Legal Services will be at the Carver Park Resource Center at 208 Webb Street each Friday (except 11/25) from noon until 4 p.m. They can help with property issues, past due income taxes, and other civil legal issues (not criminal).
For more information or to receive an application, call (850) 432-8222.