Pedestrian Struck By Vehicle, Seriously Injured In Cantonment
August 15, 2022
A man was seriously injured when he was hit by a car Monday morning on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 31-year old Pensacola man was in the front passenger seat of his wife’s vehicle, stopped in traffic in the inside lane of Highway 29 approaching Muscogee Road. The Pensacola man’s vision was obstructed by a stopped cement truck in the outside lane as he got out of his wife’s vehicle and attempted to cross Highway 29 toward the golf course.
He was struck by a car driven by a 22-year old Atmore man southbound in the outside lane of Highway 29.
The pedestrian was airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to a Pensacola hospital.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ADEM Imposing $160K Penalty Against Atmore Oil And Gas Facility, Cites 1,735 Air Quality Violations
August 15, 2022
The Alabama Department of Environmental Management is hitting an Atmore oil and gas production company with a $160,000 levy for numerous air quality violations.
ADEM has proposed a consent order to Escambia Operating Company, the owner/operator of the Big Escambia Creek (BEC) oil and natural gas production and processing facility on Sardis Church Road, about five miles north of the Alabama-Florida state line. The department is proposing a civil penalty of $160,000 for 83 sulfur dioxide emissions violations.
According to the consent order, Escambia Operating had 1,735 total violations of the three-hour and 24-hour sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission standards in the first few months of 2022. The civil penalty covers 83 violations because the number of continuous violations that can be cited per day are limited by state law.
“The Department is not aware of any irreparable harm to the environment resulting from the violations,” the proposed order states.
Reminder: Breakfast And Lunch Are Free At 44 Escambia Schools; All Others Must Apply
August 15, 2022
Breakfast and lunch are free for all students, regardless of income, during the upcoming school year at 44 schools in Escambia County. Applications must be submitted for free or reduced price lunches at all other schools.
The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program means that parents of the students at these schools are not required to submit an application for the Free and Reduced Meal program at that school. However, siblings attending schools not on the CEP list will need to apply for eligibility.
The free meal schools are selected based upon income levels.
Meal applications, or payment, will be required at: Beulah Elementary, Blue Angels Elementary, Cook Elementary, Cordova Park Elementary, Hellen Caro Elementary, Kingsfield Elementary, Suter Elementary, Brown Barge Middle, Ransom Middle, Tate High and West Florida High. Parents at these schools should plan on providing their child with money for their meals until eligibility is established to avoid creating a deficit in their account. Funds can be added to student accounts online at myschoolbucks.com.
This program has been in place since 2015 in Escambia County and is not related to the pandemic.
Free meal schools are:
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
- Bellview Elementary
- Bratt Elementary
- Brentwood Elementary
- C.A. Weis Elementary
- Byrneville Elementary
- Ensley Elementary
- Ferry Pass Elementary
- Global Learning Academy
- Holm Elementary
- Jim Allen Elementary
- Lincoln Park Elementary
- Lipscomb Elementary
- Longleaf Elementary
- McArthur Elementary
- Molino Park Elementary
- Montclair Elementary
- Myrtle Grove Elementary
- Navy Point Elementary
- Oakcrest Elementary
- Pine Meadow Elementary
- Pleasant Grove Elementary
- Scenic Heights Elementary
- O.J. Semmes Elementary
- Sherwood Elementary
- Warrington Elementary
- West Pensacola Elementary
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
- Bailey Middle
- Bellview Middle
- Beulah Middle
- Ernest Ward Middle
- Ferry Pass Middle
- Warrington Middle
- Workman Middle
HIGH SCHOOLS
- Escambia High
- Northview High
- Pensacola High
- Pine Forest High
- Washington High
OTHER SCHOOLS AND CENTERS
- Achieve Academy
- Capstone
- Escambia Westgate Center
- Hope Horizon
- Jacqueline Harris Preparatory Academy
- Success Academy
Free/reduced meal applications are available here.
Pictured: An Escambia County School lunch, typically served on Wednesdays last school year. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Drop 14 Cents On Average Over The Last Week
August 15, 2022
Florida gas prices dropped another 14 cents per gallon, last week. The state average has now declined for nine consecutive weeks, falling a total of $1.24 per gallon since mid-June.
Florida drivers are now paying an average price of $3.65 per gallon. That’s the lowest daily average since March 3, 2022.
In Escambia County, the average price per gallon was $3.57. The low price Sunday night in North Escambia was $3.43 at stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment. In Pensacola, a low of $3.23 could be found at the warehouse clubs, $3.26 on Nine Mile Road.
“The state average should continue moving lower, likely slipping into the $3.50s by the end of the week,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Oil and gasoline futures regained some strength last week, as analysts believe that falling fuel prices will encourage consumers to drive more.”
Wahoos Beat Barons 13-12 In 12-Inning Marathon
August 15, 2022
T
he Pensacola Blue Wahoos played one of the most memorable games in team history on Sunday night, scoring four runs in the bottom of the 12th inning to walk off the Birmingham Barons 13-12.
With Birmingham’s bullpen exhausted, Davis Bradshaw capped the 12th inning by reaching on a walk-off error from shortstop Moises Castillo to score the Norel González from third with the winning run. The rally came against knuckleballing position player J.J. Muno (L, 0-1) after the Barons had scored three in the top of the 12th inning against Sean Reynolds (W, 2-0).
After a 55-minute weather delay, the Blue Wahoos and Barons got underway for their series finale with Marlins rehabber Trevor Rogers on the mound. The lefty went 4.2 innings, allowing five runs on seven hits.
Birmingham’s D.J. Burt got the scoring started in the third with a solo homer, but Pensacola answered with four runs in the home half of the inning thanks to a solo homer from Thomas Jones and a two-run blast from González. The Barons answered back with three runs in the fourth to tie the game on the strength of a Castillo RBI double and Burt RBI single.
Raudy Read put the Barons ahead 5-4 in the fifth with a sacrifice fly, but the Blue Wahoos charged back in their half of the inning on a three-run double from Cobie Fletcher-Vance. Barons homers from Evan Skoug and Jose Rodriguez gave Birmingham an 8-7 edge in the sixth before Bubba Hollins lifted a game-tying sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning.
An Oscar Colas solo homer put the Barons ahead once more in the seventh, but Hollins delivered again with an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth to bring home Nasim Nuñez to tie the game 9-9. José Devers tried to score from second on the Hollins single, but left fielder Craig Dedelow threw him out at the plate to preserve the tie game.
Dylan Bice threw a perfect top of the ninth, and the Blue Wahoos had Edgar Navarro on the ropes in the bottom of the inning as they loaded the bases with no outs. Navarro retired the next three batters, leaving the winning run at third and forcing extra innings.
Bice continued his stellar relief in the 10th and 11th, striking out six over 3.0 perfect innings while stranding the placed runners in both extra frames, but Pensacola was unable to score in their halves of the innings.
Reynolds allowed three runs in the top of the 12th on singles from Dedelow and Castillo, but the Blue Wahoos had arrived at the end of the Birmingham bullpen. Muno, a position player with eight prior pitching appearances, was tasked with protecting the 12-9 Barons lead. Singles from Jan Mercado, Devers and González tied the game before Muno got a pair of outs. With the bases loaded and two outs, Bradshaw hit a chopper to short that drew an off-target throw from Castillo to end the game.
At 4 hours and 14 minutes, it was the longest game of the year for Pensacola. Their 13 runs also marked a season high as they won their ninth walk-off of the season.
After an off day on Monday, the Blue Wahoos begin a six-game road series against the Mississippi Braves on Tuesday.
Cantonment Man Charged With Child Abuse After Shots Fired Disturbance
August 14, 2022
A Cantonment man is facing felony charges after a shots fired disturbance early Saturday morning.
Foster Darnell Johnson, 36, was charged with felony child abuse without great bodily harm and felony possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
Johnson allegedly became involved in an altercation with his stepson at their home on Promenade Lane off Highway 297A. During the incident, Johnson fired a gun inside the home, according to Sgt. Melony Peterson. She said he did not fire the weapon in the direction of anyone, and no one was injured by the gunfire.
Johnson remained in the Escambia County Jail Sunday without bond.
These Are This Week’s Road Construction Delay Areas
August 14, 2022
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The front parking lot is temporarily closed as crews work to resurface the pavement. All other parking areas remain open. Temporary sidewalk modifications are also in place while work is underway.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts Sunday, Aug. 14 through Saturday, Aug. 20 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, Aug. 16, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Drivers may encounter intermittent daytime and nighttime single lane closures and lane shifts, between A Street and Dominguez Street, as crews adjust manholes and pedestrian fencing.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement – All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the southbound side of the bridge as crews construct the northbound portion. Additionally, drivers may encounter intermittent temporary lane closures Monday, Aug. 15 through Friday, Aug. 19 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- Pace Boulevard from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Pedestrians will encounter alternating sidewalk closures on Pace Boulevard, between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street (U.S. 29), as crews perform sidewalk and curb improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized intersections to access sidewalks on the opposite side of Pace Boulevard during this time.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) from Brent Lane to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, Aug. 14 through Thursday, Aug. 18 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. for paving operations.
- I-10 at the Interstate 110 (I-110) Interchange – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, Aug. 14 through Thursday, Aug. 18 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews clean the roadway and place high friction surface treatments on the following ramps:
- Davis Highway ramp to I-110 southbound.
- I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound.
- I-10 eastbound ramp to I-110 southbound.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures Monday, Aug. 15 through Friday, Aug. 19 for placement of a watermain.
- Sorrento Road Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Monday, Aug. 15 through Friday, Aug. 19 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. The closures will allow crews to place base material for construction of new paved shoulders
- Cervantes Street Routine Maintenance at Barcelona Street – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Tuesday, Aug. 11 from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. for a routine bridge maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts Sunday, Aug. 14 through Saturday, Aug. 20 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, Aug. 16, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Point Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road, Sunday, Aug. 14 through Friday, Aug. 19 from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
- Beginning the week of Monday, Aug. 15, Settlers Colony Boulevard will be closed to complete necessary drainage improvements. This closure will remain in effect for 30 days. Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians will access Settlers Colony Boulevard via Venetian Way and Coronado Drive. Detour signs will be in place. Residents may experience noise, vibrations, and dust during daytime hours as part of this drainage improvement effort.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent nighttime and daytime lane closures the week of Monday, Aug. 15 for construction activities.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Century To Hold Budget Workshop
August 14, 2022
The Century Town Council will hold a workshop this week on the town’s proposed budget for the 2022-2023 fiscal year that begins October 1.
According to the town’s accountant, the proposed budget projects $51,000 more in income than expenses.
The council had their first look at the budget on August 8. This Thursday, August 18 at 7 p.m., the council will hold their second budget workshop
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Escambia County Building Services To Host ‘Protect Your Project’ Workshop On August 25
August 14, 2022
Escambia County Building Services will host a “Protect Your Project” workshop on August 25.
The workshop is open to the public and will cover several topics to help citizens make informed decisions when deciding to hire a contractor or handle a project themselves.
During the workshop, attendees will learn about contractor requirements, verification of licensure, how to file a complaint against a contractor and more. Escambia County Director of Building Services Tim Tolber will give a presentation followed by a question-and-answer session. Stephan Moorhead, Board Certified Real Estate Lawyer with Moorhead Law Group, will discuss construction contracts from a consumer’s perspective, liens and how citizens can protect themselves if they receive a Notice to Owner. Personnel from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and City of Pensacola Building Inspections will also be in attendance.
The program will be held from 5-7 p.m. on August 25 at the Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place, room 104.
2022 Extension Farm Field Day To Be Held August 25
August 14, 2022
The 2022 Extension Farm Field Day will be held at the West Florida Research and Education Center in Jay on Thursday, August 25.
The event will begin with registration at 7:30 a.m. and end with a 75th Anniversary Luncheon onsite. CEU sign-in will be available during the registration process at 7:30 a.m., and field tours will start promptly at 8 a.m.
The Field Tour will include six field stops. Topics to be addressed include nutrient, insect, disease, and weed management, and variety updates for row crops. This event has been approved for two category CEU’s and one core CEU for managing pesticide leaching, drift, and runoff.
For registration, contact Robin Vickers at (850) 393-7334 or email: rvickers@ufl.edu.