Career Fire Crews Now Staffing The Molino Fire Station 24/7
August 19, 2024
Career fighters are now staffing the Molino Fire Station 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The full staffing went into effect at 8 a.m. on Saturday, August 17.
The four-member crews are a special operations team, providing light technical and special rescue services in addition to responding to fire and medical calls across North Escambia. The station will respond in the Molino fire district, and provide assistance in the McDavid, Walnut Hill, Century and Cantonment fire districts, along with assistance in other local areas.
“This will really bolster our response in the north end,” Escambia County Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore said recently. “This will benefit the entire area.”
The current “Squad 9″ truck (pictured below) that was assigned to the McDavid Fire Station in September 2023 was transferred to the Molino Fire Station, becoming known as “Squad 18″ for the new crews. “Engine 9″ and other apparatuses will remain in McDavid.
Work was done at the Molino Fire Station to remodel the bunk rooms, living quarters and the kitchen to better support occupation by 24/7 crews.
Molino is now what is known as combination department –volunteers would still respond to calls alongside the paid crews.
“I’m pleased to know that my friends and neighbors in the Molino area will have coverage 24/7 out of the Molino Fire Station, and I certainly appreciate the brave men and women who will be providing the service, be they volunteer or career,” District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said recently.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Injured In Century Motorcycle Crash
August 19, 2024
Two people were injured in a motorcycle accident Sunday evening near Century.
The crash occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Old Flomaton Road, close to Campbell Road. The motorcycle veered off the road and into a ditch.
One rider was critically injured and transported to a Pensacola hospital by Escambia County EMS. The other rider sustained less severe injuries and was taken to Jay Hospital by ambulance.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash.
AAA: Florida Gas Prices are Lowest In Two Months
August 19, 2024
Florida gas prices rose 7 cents last week. However, those gains were quickly erased by the weekend.
On Sunday, the state average was $3.31 per gallon. That’s 2 cents less than last week, 12 cents less than a month ago, and 53 cents less than this time last year. The state average is also 33 cents below this year’s high of $3.64 per gallon.
The Escambia County average was $3.15 per gallon, the cheapest metro area in the state. A low of $2.93 was available on Nine Mile Road Sunday evening. A couple of North Escambia stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment were a few pennies below $3.
“Over the weekend, Florida gasoline hit the lowest average price in two months,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The price of crude continues to influence prices at the pump. Oil prices increased early last week on renewed optimism about the U.S. economy, after a July domestic consumer spending report was better than analysts expected. By the end of the week, however, weak economic data from China caused oil prices to soften.”
Lindgren’s Strong Outing Sets Tone For Wahoos Win In Sunday Series Finale
August 19, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
Smiles returned. A game was sealed. The congratulatory, high-five line of players had some added energy.
The Blue Wahoos got a win they needed Sunday, a 4-1 victory against the Montgomery Biscuits to end a tough homestand at Blue Wahoos Stadium in a good way.
Starting pitcher Jeff Lindgren, who was the Blue Wahoos’ most reliable, durable starter in 2021 on his eventual rise to making a major league debut last season with the Miami Marlins, duplicated that kind of performance Sunday in five scoreless innings.
He allowed just two hits, two walks, six strikeouts and carried a 2-0 lead en route to his first win since July 10.
Behind him, a bullpen trio of Cade Gibson (2 innings), Tristan Stevens and Dale Stanavich, all delivered. They allowed just one hit combined, two walks and five strikeouts. It resembled the other win the Blue Wahoos got in this six-game series on Thursday in a 3-1 game.
As it turned out, the Blue Wahoos got the runs they needed in the third inning. Shane Sasaki led off with a double, the scored on Johnny Olmstead’s RBI single. Olmstead then advanced on a stolen base and wild pitch and scored on Jakob Marsee’s sacrifice fly.
Marsee then laid down a sacrifice bunt in the sixth inning, moving Harrison Spohn into scoring position. Jacob Berry’s two out single scored Spohn and completed a big week for Berry. He went 9-for-21 in six games this week, with two homers and six RBI.
Joe Mack’s double in the eighth inning scored Graham Pauley with the Blue Wahoos’ fourth run.
It’s been a tough season series for the Blue Wahoos against Montgomery (8-16) and they will lament two games this week with ninth inning leads that didn’t end with wins.
But they remain in the thick of a three-team race with Biloxi and the Mississippi Braves for the second playoff spot. The second half winner in the Southern League’s South Division qualifies, or the second-place finisher if Montgomery wins both halves.
The Blue Wahoos will now turn attention to their farthest road trip this season. They will leave on Monday for east Tennessee where they will face the Tennessee Smokies in a road series beginning Tuesday at Smokies Stadium.
This series will be the second-to-last week for the Smokies playing in this ballpark, which is located 22 miles east of Knoxville in Kodak. Next season, the Smokies will move into a 7,000-seat stadium located in downtown Knoxville, not far from the University of Tennessee campus.
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: Blue Wahoos vs. Tennessee Smokies
WHEN: Tuesday Thru Sunday (Aug. 25).
WHERE: Smokies Stadium, Kodak, Tennessee.
Entire Town of Century Water System Under Boil Water Notice
August 18, 2024
UPDATE: The boil water notice was lifted just before 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 22.
Previous story:
The entire Town of Century water system is under a boil water notice until further notice.
The town said Sunday morning that the system lost pressure due to a water main break.
As a precaution, the town advises that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative, bottled water may be used. Residents are also advised to take precautions when bathing, especially immunocompromised individuals, infants, or the elderly.
A loss in system pressure could cause back siphonage of contaminants, such as e. coli bacteria, into the water system. water containing E. coli bacteria can be considered safe for drinking and cooking after vigorously boiling the water. Disease symptoms caused by these bacteria may include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and possibly jaundice, and any associated headache and fatigue. EPA has set an enforceable drinking water standard for e. coli to reduce the risk of these adverse health effects. Under this standard all drinking water must be free of these bacteria.
The water system is currently collecting samples to determine if the presence of E. coli bacteria exists within the water system. This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
Anyone with question should call the Town of Century at (850) 256-3208.
This story will be updated when the boil water notice is lifted.
New Highway 4 Bridge To Open This Week
August 18, 2024
The Florida Department of Transportation says the Highway 4 bridge over Canoe Creek will reopen sometime this week.
FDOT told NorthEscambia.com that the bridge is complete, but there are a few minor items that need to be fixed prior to traffic being allowed across the bridge. One of those items is as simple as some reflective paint that was spilled and must be cleaned up to avoid a hazard for drivers at night.
The exact opening date and time are not known, but we’ll let you know here on NorthEscambia.com.
The estimated completion date for the nearly $4 million bridge had been delayed by weather until September 1, but contractors were able to finish construction last week.
The new bridge replaces an 81-year-old structure that hat was closed on July 10, 2023 ,with traffic between Bratt and Century detoured.
Pictured: The Highway 4 bridge over Canoe Creek on Friday afternoon, August 16. Northescambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Tax Collector Issues First Authenticated License Plate To North Escambia Classic Vehicle
August 18, 2024
The Escambia County Tax Collector’s Office has issued the first authenticated license plate to a local owner of a classic automobile. The authenticated license plate was issued to North Escambia resident, Joshua Ward for his 1963 Chevrolet pickup truck, marking a new option in classic car vehicle registration.
“I’m still working on the truck, but I am happy to get it running and legally registered,” Ward said. “My father gave me this plate a few years ago and I love how it looks now that is attached.”
Authenticated license plates may be issued to any vehicle manufactured in 1975 or earlier. The license plate must be the same year as the model year of the car or truck. The license plate will be approved for use if it is still legible for law enforcement purposes. Authenticated license plates may only be issued to cars, motorcycles, and pickups weighing 5,000 pounds or less. The tax collector reviews the colors, condition, and legibility of each plate to “authenticate” the plate for use on the roads.
Previously, authenticated license plates in Florida were issued exclusively by the state, a process that was occasionally hampered by issues such as delays and lost plates in transit. The transition to county-level issuance aims to rectify these problems and enhance the efficiency and security of the registration process. The new process allows counties to issue authenticated plates, promising a smoother experience for residents and improving overall service quality.
“We are thrilled to have issued the first authenticated license plate to an Escambia resident,” said Escambia County Tax Collector, Scott Lunsford. “This milestone is a testament to our commitment to enhancing public service and streamlining processes for our community. By handling plate issuance at the county level, we can better serve our residents and ensure that their experience is as efficient and secure as possible.”
Residents of Escambia County are encouraged to visit the Tax Collector’s website to learn more about the new process and how it may benefit them.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Reschedules Tuesday Meetings Because They Can’t Use Town Hall
August 18, 2024
The Town of Century has rescheduled a Tuesday meeting and two workshops because they won’t have access to use their council chambers.
The council normally meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month.
The town had a budget workshop, a bill list review and a regular council meeting set for Tuesday, but that’s primary election day. The town hall is a polling place, with voting taking place in the room used by the town council.
The budget workshop has been rescheduled for Wednesday, August 21 at 5:30 p.m. A bill list review will take place 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, with a council meeting follow about 7 p.m.
When council meetings were scheduled in early 2024 for the remainder of the year, date adjustments were made for the presidential preference primaries on March 19 and the general election on November 5, but not adjustment was made for the August 20 primary.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
10,000 Pound Food Distribution Tuesday Afternoon In Cantonment
August 18, 2024
Cantonment Improvement Committee will hold a 10,000 pound drive-thru food giveaway Tuesday afternoon, August 20 at Carver Park on Webb Street.
The food distribution will begin at 3 p.m. and continue while supplies last for anyone in need of food. People should line up their vehicles, single file on Webb Street facing north; food will be loaded into vehicles.
There is a maximum of three people per vehicle that can receive a box, and each person must have their ID. For Tuesday’s event, there is also a limit of one meat item per box.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Early Voting Ends With 27,832 Ballots Cast In Escambia County
August 18, 2024
Voters in Escambia County had cast 27,832 ballot as eight days of early voting came to an end Saturday.
There were 14,570 vote-by-mail ballots received, and there were 13,265 early voters for the 2024 Primary Election in Escambia County.
If voters have requested a vote-by-mail ballot, they must be received in the Elections Office no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day and may not be returned to a polling location on Election Day. It now past the one week period recommended by the U.S. Postal Service to actually return a ballot by mail. Vote-by-mail participants may track the status of their ballot at EscambiaVotes.gov.
Voters can cast a ballot at their precinct on Election Day, Tuesday, August 20. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
In Florida’s closed partisan primary elections, you are only eligible to vote in primary contests for the party in which you are registered.
A Universal Primary contest occurs when all candidates for an office have the same party affiliation. These contests appear on every voter’s ballot. Voters in ECUA District 1 (Republican) and ECUA District 3 (Democratic) will have these contests on their ballot regardless of party affiliation.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.