Driver Crashes Into Concrete Pole In Beulah
October 2, 2023
A driver was injured after crashing into a concrete pole early Monday morning in Beulah.
The crash happened about 4 a.m. at the intersection of West Nine Mile Road and Mobile Highway. The pickup truck crashed into a large concrete utility pole that supported traffic caution lights at the intersection. The pole, lights and wiring were downed.
The driver was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECUA Rates Increase 9.5% For Sanitation With ‘Free’ Second Can, 5% For Water And Sewer
October 2, 2023
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority rates increased effective October 1 by 9.5% for all sanitation customers and a 5% for water and sewer customers.
The 9.5% increase raises the rate for one 90-gallon container from $27.67 to $29.88 and includes an optional additional trash or recycling can at no cost.
Facing a potential $1.8 million shortball and big problems with the wrong items being placed in recycling cans, staff had proposed a more modest 3.5% rate increase for sanitation customers plus a $3 a month recycling fee.
ECUA staff had proposed a 4% rate increase for water and 6% for wastewater. The board approved an increase to both water and wastewater by 5%.
ECUA customers can make their request for a second sanitation can by calling customer service at (850) 476-0480 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m or by using an online contact form. Customer who wish to continue using a current recycling container do not need to call.
Century Library Is Now Open On Mondays
October 2, 2023
The Century Library is now open on Mondays.
The library is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
“Opening our Century location on Mondays is a step forward in ensuring that we are best serving the communities in the north end of Escambia County. We look forward to bringing new programming and events to the Century Library six days a week,” said Todd J. Humble, director of West Florida Public Libraries.
The Century Library hosts Family Story Time every Wednesday from 10:30 until 11:30 a.m. in addition to other programming and events.
The library is located at 991 North Century Boulevard, next to the town hall. A 24-hour book return is also available at the rear of the building.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Annual Peanut Butter Challenge Underway; Here’s How To Donate
October 2, 2023
The annual Peanut Butter Challenge is now underway in Escambia County to help families in need.
The Peanut Butter Challenge, UF/IFAS Extension’s annual jar collection for local food pantries, first launched in the Florida Panhandle in 2012. It has since launched statewide, giving counties the chance to compete for most jars of peanut butter donated. The challenge serves a way to feed hungry families ahead of the holidays and also promotes peanuts grown in Florida.
Unopened, unexpired jars of peanut butter can be donated at the following locations through October 31:
- Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Escambia County Farm Bureau, 153 Highway 97, Molino
- Escambia County Public Safety, 6575 North W Street
- Gilmore Services, 31 East Fairfield Drive
- Escambia County Administration, 221 Palafox Place, 4th Floor
- Holy Spirit Catholic, 10650 Gulf Beach Highway
In addition to the community donations, the Florida Peanut Producers Association (FPPA) and Florida Peanut Federation (FPF) have partnered with the project for years. These organizations are based in the northwest and northeast peanut-producing regions of the state and will again contribute to the totals distributed to food pantries in those regions.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pine Meadow Elementary Hosts ‘Donuts With Dad’
October 2, 2023
Pine Meadow Elementary School recently hosted “Donuts with Dad”. Dads had a chance to attend and enjoy doughnuts with their children Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bonus Pics: Tate Mini Cheerleaders, Cheerleaders, Band, ROTC And Fans
October 2, 2023
The Tate Aggies beat the Milton Panthers Friday night home.
For a bonus photo gallery with the cheerleaders and mini cheerleaders, click here.
For a bonus gallery with the student section, ROTC and band, click here.
For a game action story and photos, click here.
The Tate Aggies (3-2) will celebrate homecoming — Glo-Co ‘23 — Friday night as they host the West Florida Jaguars (2-4).
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
These Are This Week’s Road Work Trouble Spots
October 2, 2023
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 truck parking lot at the Escambia County Interstate 10 Welcome Center, located at mile marker four, will be temporarily closed until the end of October when the Welcome Center improvements are scheduled to be complete. The front and middle car parking lots are open.
- East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) Roadway Improvements from Chemstrand Road to east of Baldridge Drive – The bicycle lanes are temporarily closed to allow crews to widen the turn lanes and construct new five-foot bicycle lanes. In addition, the speed limit has been reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete later this summer.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Northbound and southbound traffic on U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) is shifted to one outside travel lane in each direction between Rudolph Street and Green Street. The shift will be in place through October as crews perform drainage improvements. Signage will be in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- Lillian Highway (State Road (S.R.) 298) Resurfacing from north of U.S. 98 to east of Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727) and Lillian Highway at Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – Drivers will encounter the following closures on Lillian Highway from Monday, Oct. 2 through Friday, Oct. 13:
- Daytime shoulder closures from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, as crews perform work.
- Beginning Sunday, Oct. 8, there will be nighttime lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., between Fairfield Drive and Blue Angel Parkway, as crews perform widening and driveway work.
- County Road (C.R.) 4 over Canoe Creek Bridge – C.R. 4, between Byrneville and Bratt, will be closed through fall 2024 as crews replace the Canoe Creek bridge. Traffic is directed through a 5.6-mile detour using Bratt Road to Pine Barren Road, then back to C.R. 4.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29/S.R. 95) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street (S.R. 10A) to Brent Lane (S.R. 296) – Drivers will encounter the following closures on Lillian Highway from Monday, Oct. 2 through Friday, Oct. 13:
- Daytime shoulder closures from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, as crews perform work.
- Beginning Sunday, Oct. 8, there will be nighttime lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., between Fairfield Drive and Blue Angel Parkway, as crews perform widening and driveway work.
- S.R. 29 Turn Lane Construction North of Pinoak Road – Motorists will encounter northbound inside lane closure Monday, Oct. 2 through Thursday, Oct. 5 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for turn lane construction.
- U.S. 90 (West Cervantes Street) Routine Utility Maintenance at North C Street – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures Monday, Oct. 2 through Friday, Oct. 20 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for utility maintenance.
- U.S. 98 (West Garden Street) Routine Utility Maintenance at U.S. 98 – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures Monday, Oct. 2 through Friday, Oct. 20 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for utility maintenance.
- S.R. 292 (South Pace Boulevard) Routine Utility Maintenance at Street – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures Monday, Oct. 2 through Friday, Oct. 20 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for utility maintenance.
- S.R. 297 Turn Lane Operations at Mandeville Lane – Motorists will encounter nighttime lane closures Tuesday, Oct. 3 through Thursday, Oct. 5 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for turn lane operations.
- U.S. 29 (Palafox Street) Routine Underground Utility Maintenance from Cross Street to Texar Drive – Motorists will encounter nighttime lane closures Monday, Oct. 2 through Friday, Oct. 6 for underground utility maintenance.
- S.R. 292 (Barrancas Avenue) Routine Maintenance near Palao Road – Motorists will encounter nighttime lane closures Wednesday, Oct. 4 from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. for driveway repairs.
- U.S. 29 (Pensacola Boulevard) Routine Utility Maintenance from Broad Street to Detroit Boulevard – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures Tuesday, Oct. 3 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. for utility maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- 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 Tiger Park Lane and Bayshore Road Sunday, October 1, through Friday, October 6, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River - The outside (right) lane of U.S. 90 eastbound on the Simpson River Bridge will be closed Friday, Sept. 29, and Tuesday, Oct. 3 through Thursday, Oct. 5 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform pile cap construction work and receive delivery of construction materials. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Florida Gas Prices Continue Falling, AAA Says
October 2, 2023
Oil prices remain high, yet prices at the pump are falling fast. Florida’s average price for gasoline dropped a dime last week.
The state average has now declined 20 cents per gallon, through the past two weeks. Sunday’s state average was $3.49 per gallon. That’s the lowest daily average price since late July.
In Escambia County the average per gallon was $3.33, the lowest metro region in the state. In North Escambia, a low of $3.15 was available Sunday night on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while Pensacola prices were as low as $3.05 at a station on East Nine Mile Road.
“Gas prices are moving lower, even as the price of oil remains near 2023 highs,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Now that the summer driving season is over, gasoline demand has declined, but gasoline production is stronger than a year ago. Gasoline futures logged a second-consecutive 18 cent drop, which should signal another round of falling prices at the pump this week.”
The price of oil settled at $90.79 per barrel. That was 1% more than the week before.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Sunday Crash Claims Life Of Cantonment Man
October 1, 2023
A late Sunday morning crash claimed the life of a Cantonment man.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 32-year old man lost control of his 2008 Honda Civic and crashed into a utility pole on Highway 297A south of Corral Drive and County Road 297A. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The pole was completely sheared off by the crash, while the vehicle came to rest close to a nearby structure.
The FHP is investigating but no longer releases the names of traffic crash victims.
Highway 297A wsa closed for hours for the investigation and repairs to the FPL utility pole.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
FHP Trooper Locates Missing Teen Walking Alone On Nine Mile At 2:20 A.M.
October 1, 2023
The Florida Highway Patrol located a missing juvenile walking alone on Nine Mile Road early Sunday morning.
A FHP trooper on patrol observed a 13-year old boy walking along a dark portion of Nine Mile Road near Stefani Road about 2:20 a.m. The trooper made contact with the child, who said he was a missing child that had run away from home.
After positive identification, the boy was reunited with his father and released into his custody.
The child was previously last seen about 3:40 p.m. Saturday on Rose Avenue., according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.