Century Paying $500 COVID-19 Stipend To Some Employees
November 13, 2024
The Century Town Council recently approved and a $500 stipend for some r some employees.
The council voted to approve one-time $500 stipend payments to eligible employees “in recognition of their contributions during the Town’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The council authorized an expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the bonus for employees that were employed prior to May 11, 2023. Like other municipalities, Century has until the end of the year to obligate their ARPA funds and until December 31, 2026, to fully expand the funds.
Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. said the employees deserved to be recognized for their efforts during COVID. He said a total 11 employees will receive the stipend payments.
NorhtEscambia.com file photo.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Creating Law Enforcement Memorial Plaza
November 13, 2024
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Escambia County Sheriff Foundation, is has announced the development of a Law Enforcement Memorial Plaza. This project will honor deputies who made the ultimate sacrifice and serve as a place of remembrance, healing, and connection for the community.
“Our current memorial has served us well as a solemn site of reflection,” said Sheriff Chip W. Simmons, “but we dream of something more—a memorial that doesn’t just sit apart from us, but welcomes us in. A space that invites families and neighbors to gather, to grieve, and to find peace together. The new Memorial Plaza will be open, inviting, and woven into the fabric of our community. It will stand as a testament to the enduring spirit of the deputies who protected us and the community that stands behind them.”
The memorial plaza will become a focal point in front of the main Sheriff’s Office on Leonard Street, reinforcing its symbolic importance. The ECSO said the newly designed space will offer a place where memories are shared, where grief is met with support, and where citizens can all come together–united in appreciation for those who sacrificed their lives for our safety
The partnership with the Sheriff Foundation will provide the funding and no tax dollars will be used in the construction. The Escambia County Sheriff Foundation is soliciting donations of any size, with recognition opportunities available at various levels. “The Foundation Board is deeply honored to support the creation of this Memorial Plaza,” said Foundation President Whitney C. Lucas. “This project embodies our commitment to honoring the brave heroes of the Sheriff’s Office. We believe this plaza will be a welcoming space of remembrance that invites citizens to connect with their Sheriff’s Office while focusing on the shared values that keep our community strong.”
A public groundbreaking ceremony is being planned for January 2025 with the project’s final completion slated for April of that year.
Photos and images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Details Emerge In Fatal DUI Crash That Killed 14-Year-Old Cantonment Boy; Driver Released On Bond
November 13, 2024
An Alabama man charged with the DUI death of a 14-year-old Cantonment boy was released on bond Tuesday night.
Shawn Reynolds Wilber, 49, was arrested for DUI with serious bodily injury after the November 6 crash on I-10 in Escambia County that injured five other Cantonment residents. He was later released from the Escambia County Jail on bond. He was arrested again Sunday and charged with both DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide.
After bond was set during a court hearing Tuesday, Wilber was released from the Escambia County Jail at 6:30 p.m. on a $101,500 bond. He is due back in court later this month.
A newly obtained arrest report reveals more details about the crash.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Wilber was driving a 2005 Dodge Ram pickup. He told troopers that he lost control of his pickup truck due to a wet roadway when he changed lanes at about 65 mph. Both vehicles rolled and came to a stop of their driver’s sides following a collision.
An investigating trooper noted the odor of alcohol on Wilber’s breath and roadside sobriety exercise were performed, indicating impairment, according to the arrest report. He was transported to West Florida Hospital for a blood sample, but the results of the test were not included in the report.
Cantonment Rotary Donates To Hurricane Relief
November 13, 2024
The Cantonment Rotary Club recently made a large hurricane relief donation to Rotary District 6940, which includes Florida to the Big Bend area.
After another hurricane caused significant damage in North Carolina, Cantonment Rotary made an additional $1,000 donation to the American Red Cross to help those in need in western North Carolina. Throughout the year, Cantonment Rotary provides contributions to various organizations that need help.
Pictured: Terri Jenkins of American Red Cross; Chris Aycock, recent board member for American Red Cross; and Bill Farinas, president of Cantonment Rotary. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Business Alliance Calls For Escambia County To Deed Part of OLF-8 For Light Industrial Use
November 12, 2024
The Business Alliance of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties is calling for Escambia County to follow the master plan for the OLF-8 property on Nine Mile Road and deed a portion on of the property to another public entity for light industrial use.
The Business Alliance, a group of local business owners, wants the Escambia County Commission to deed light industrial acreages to the Pensacola-Escambia Development Commission (PEDC), which was established by the Florida Legislature in 1989 to actively seek new industry for the area, and expansion of existing industries.
Membership of the alliance approved the following positions:
- From the beginning, the OLF-8 land swap was intended to protect a valuable community asset by preserving and supporting the operations of Naval Air Station Whiting Field, specifically its activities related to OLF-8.
- Another benefit of the land swap, from its inception, was the potential for OLF-8 to serve as an asset for economic development and growth, particularly in terms of job creation.
- Escambia County has limited land resources zoned adequately to support ongoing efforts to attract new companies (and jobs) to the area, as well as retain growing industries that require expansion space.
- To remain competitive with neighboring regions, such as Alabama and Mississippi, it is imperative that Escambia County retain public ownership over its industrial-zoned real estate inventory and further develop it to a shovel ready condition.
- Transferring the “commerce park” portion of the DPZ Master Plan to the Pensacola-Escambia Development Commission (PEDC) will ensure public ownership and provide the local economic development organization with the inventory needed to achieve its objectives of recruiting and retaining businesses, thereby promoting job and economic growth for the citizens of Escambia County.
- Additionally, ownership of the “commerce park” by PEDC will lead to a more financially stable economic development effort, allowing the organization to retain tangible assets and generate future revenue from leasing various parcels throughout the park.
- While the Business Alliance supports the commissioners’ efforts to address the needs of residents near OLF-8 through the Master Development Plan—particularly the mixed-use aspects of the property—the Business Alliance believes that an independent appraiser’s current market valuation is necessary to adequately market and negotiate the sale of the mixed-use portion to private developers.
Members of the Business Alliance of Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties are:
- Achieve Escambia
- Another Broken Egg
- Ascension Sacred Heart
- Baptist Health Care
- Baskerville Donovan
- Cat Country/ADX Communications
- Clear Title
- Cox Communications
- Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon
- Escambia Co. Schools Foundation
- Florida Blue
- Florida Power & Light
- Florida West EDA
- Florida’s Great Northwest
- FSU Credit Union
- Gibson & Associates
- Gilmore
- Grace Hebert Curtis Architects
- Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce
- Greika Realty
- Gulf Breeze Chamber of Commerce
- Gulf Coast Kids House
- Gulf Coast Minority Chamber of Commerce
- Hancock Whitney
- HCA Florida West Hospital
- Institute for Human & Machine Cognition
- LandrumHR
- LIfeView Group
- MidSouth Bank
- Moorhead Law Group
- Nemours
- NW Florida Defense Coalition
- PenAir Credit Union
- Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce
- Pensacola Habitat for Humanity
- Pensacola State College
- Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce
- Saltmarsh, Cleveland, & Gund, CPA
- ServisFirst Bank
- The Lewis Bear Company
- University of West Florida
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Tax Collector Marcus Pointe Office Moving To New Location; Driving Test Location Changing
November 12, 2024
The Escambia County Tax Collector Marcus Pointe Office on W Street is closing permanently at noon on November 14.
A new Brentwood office will open its doors at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 19 at 5045 North Palafox Street. Tax Collector Scott Lunsford said the Brentwood office will provide the same services as the Marcus Pointe office, with significant enhancements and modernized facilities designed to improve efficiency and customer experience.
During the transition, driving skills tests will be offered at the Warrington office at 4051 Barrancas Avenue, Suite A, from Tuesday, November 12 through Friday, November 15 to Escambia County residents by appointment only. Driving tests will resume at the new Brentwood office on Tuesday, November 19 at 8:30 a.m. and will be available by appointment only through Wednesday, November 20. Driving tests will be offered on a walk-in basis only beginning Thursday, November 21, 2024
Appointments for this transition period may be made by visiting EscambiaTaxCollector.com.
Pictured: The new Escambia County Tax Collector Brentwood office that will open on November 19. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New 332 Lot Subdivision Planned For Devine Farm Road In Cantonment
November 12, 2024
A new 332 lot subdivision is proposed for Devine Farm Road in Cantonment.
According to an application filed by Hammond Engineering, The Colonies is a proposed 332 lot single family subdivision bordered by Devin Farms Road to the north, I-10 to the south and Bristol Creek to the east. The total project area is 87 acres with density of 3.82 lots per acre.
Plans indicate the entire project would be constructed in a single phase.
The project has not yet been set for formal review by the Escambia County Development Review Committee.
These Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Down Spots
November 12, 2024
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads amd projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 98 (Gregory Street) Resurfacing from North Palafox Street to east of 14th Avenue – Drivers may encounter westbound inside lane closures on Gregory Street, from 14th Avenue to 11th Avenue Tuesday, Nov. 12 through Thursday, Nov. 14, between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., while crews perform concrete work.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) 296) – The week of Nov. 10, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on North Palafox Street, from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for paving operations, traffic signalization and concrete work.
- Michigan Avenue (S.R. 296) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) – Drivers may encounter outside lane closures on Michigan Avenue, from Mobile Highway to North Palafox Street, Tuesday, Nov. 12 through Saturday, Nov. 16, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., while crews perform concrete work.
- Interstate Circle Bridge Over Eight Mile Creek Construction – Interstate Circle is closed at the Eight Mile Creek Bridge through mid-2025 while crews replace the bridge. Signage is in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Pine Forest Road, Longleaf Drive and Wymart Road.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction – Drivers may encounter inside lane closures on I-10 near Exit 5, Wednesday, Nov. 13 and Thursday, Nov. 14, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. These closures are required as crews construct a temporary traffic shift.
- I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions the week of Sunday, Nov. 10:
- I-10, between U.S. 29 and I-110, is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction.
- Tuesday, Nov. 12 through Thursday, Nov. 14, the left lane of I-10 Eastbound will be closed intermittently near U.S. 29 between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. as crews perform guardrail work.
- The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound.
- A new, temporary on-ramp for U.S. 29 southbound drivers accessing I-10 eastbound is now open. Detouring traffic to the temporary ramp will allow crews to continue work to reconstruct the I-10/U.S. 29 interchange.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Drivers on North Century Boulevard, between S.R. 4 and the Alabama State Line, may encounter intermittent lane closures for paving operations. Signage will be in place to direct drivers safely through the work zone.
- S.R. 87 Routine Maintenance near Wilmar Avenue – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Tuesday, Nov. 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for manhole repairs.
- U.S. 90 (West Nine Mile) Routine Maintenance near Beulah Fire Station – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Tuesday, Nov. 12 and Wednesday, Nov. 13 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for paving operations.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 90 Resurfacing from west of Avalon Boulevard to east of Stewart Street – Drivers may encounter intermittent U.S. 90 lane closures, between Avalon Boulevard and Stewart Street, Sunday, Nov. 10 through Thursday, Nov. 14 from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for milling and paving operations.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – Drivers may encounter lane closures on the Simpson River Bridge Monday, Nov. 11 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., as crews perform construction activities for the new bridge. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph throughout the work zone.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
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- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
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- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive Monday, Nov. 11, through Friday, Nov. 15, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Northview High’s Calloway Named Winner In VFW Essay Contest
November 12, 2024
Northview High School student Madelyn Calloway was named the winner of the Atmore Post #7016 Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy Essay Contest. Her essay will now advance to the state level. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Trend Lower After 15 Cent Hike, AAA Says
November 12, 2024
Florida’s average gas price nearly dropped near the $3 a gallon threshold last week. The state average sank to $3.01 per gallon last Monday. From there, gas prices rose an average of 14 cents. The state average peaked mid-week at $3.15 per gallon, then moved lower through the weekend.
“Sunday’s state average was $3.11 per gallon,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Drivers are now paying 9 cents more than this time last week.”
Escambia County’s average Monday night was $2.90, with a low of $2.63 on Pine Forest Road. In North Escambia, prices were as low Monday at $2.89 at several stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
Crude oil prices were relatively flat last week. The price for U.S. crude oil settled at $70.38 per barrel, which is 89 cents more than a week ago.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.