Extension, Research Center Hosting Corn And Soybean Field Day
July 23, 2023
UF/IFAS Extension Service and UF/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center (WFREC) will hold a corn and soybean field day from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 25 at the WFREC, 4253 Experiment Road, Highway 182, in Jay.
UF/IFAS Extension and UF/IFAS WFREC will give local producers updates on corn and soybean varieties, pests, weeds, and diseases that affect the two crops, as well as a nematode update to educate on proper management strategies. They will also be applying for Florida Pesticide CEUs and educating on precision agriculture and ways of improving yields and management decisions to promote best management practices.
Lunch will be provided. To register, call Robin Vickers at (850) -983-7134 or email rvickers@ufl.edu.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Down Areas
July 23, 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:
- U.S. 29 (S.R. 95) Turn Lane Construction North of West Roberts – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, July 24 through Monday, July 31 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for paving operation (pictured above).
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The I-10 Welcome Center located on I-10 eastbound, (mile marker four) will be closed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, July 23 through Thursday, July 27 as crews perform construction activities. In addition, the outside lane of I-10 eastbound near the Welcome Center and the on- and off-ramps to the Welcome Center will be closed. Drivers may use the I-10 eastbound rest area at mile marker 29 during these times. The Welcome Center, along with the front and middle parking lots, will remain open daily from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m., but the truck parking area will remain closed until work concludes at the Welcome Center this summer.
- 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.
- Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Resurfacing from Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) to west of Pine Forest Road (State Road (S.R.) 297) – Drivers may encounter lane closures between Beulah Road and Blue Angel Parkway Sunday, July 23 through Thursday, July 27 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews mill and pave the roadway.
- 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 Hatties Boulevard and East Cottage Street. The shift will be in place through August as crews perform drainage improvements. Signage will be in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road - Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures, between Theo Baars Bridge and Bauer Road, Sunday, July 23 through Thursday, July 27 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews place pavement markings on the roadway.
- County Road (C.R.) 4 over Canoe Creek Bridge – C.R. 4, between Byrneville and Bratt, will be closed until 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.
- I-10 Routine Utility Maintenance from Exit 5 (U.S. 90) to Exit 22 (Avalon Boulevard) – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, July 23 through Thursday, July 27 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. to repair overhead lights.
- Interstate 110 Routine Utility Maintenance from I-10 to Gregory Street – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, July 23 through Thursday, July 27 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. to repair overhead lights.
- S.R. 297 (Pine Forest Road) Turn Lane Construction South of Nine Mile Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, July 23 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for paving operation.
- Beulah Road Turn Lane Construction at U.S. 90 Intersection – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, July 24 through Friday, July 28 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for paving operation.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 (S.R. 30/Gulf Breeze Parkway/Navarre Parkway) Resurfacing of select areas from Abercrombie Road to Calle De Palencia Street - Drivers on U.S. 98 (Navarre Parkway), between S.R. 87 and Calle De Palencia Street, may encounter intermittent nightly lane closures from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform construction activities.
- 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, July 23, through Friday, July 28, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- I-10 Resurfacing from S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists will encounter nighttime east and westbound lane closures Monday, July 23 and Thursday, July 27 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for paving operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Pictured: Turn lane construction on Highway 29 just north of West Roberts Road. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Mesa’s Walk-Off Grand Slam Caps Festive Wahoos Win
July 23, 2023
The fireworks show Saturday at Blue Wahoos Stadium played out in the most literal way.
After Rocket City rallied from an 8-4 deficit with one big hit in the ninth inning to tie the game, Blue Wahoos centerfielder Victor Mesa Jr launched a two-strike fastball like a roman candle, deep into the night sky for the first walk-off grand slam in franchise history that lifted Pensacola into a 12-8 victory.
One grand finale led into another on a night fittingly-themed “Christmas in July” with the Blue Wahoos wearing blue Christmas-style jerseys.
After Mesa Jr. touched the plate in a spray of water and bucket-dousing from teammates in celebration, the postgame pyro show immediately followed, sponsored by Pen Air Credit Union. That completed the night amid another sellout crowd (5,038) at the bayfront park.
So much happened in this wild game, which started an hour late due to weather issues.
The Blue Wahoos surged to an 8-0 lead in the third inning. They batted around and chased two Rocket City Trash Pandas pitchers with a six-run rally in that inning.
But they couldn’t finish the game smoothly.
Closer Jefry Yan, normally reliable for a save, walked the bases loaded with one out in the top of the ninth. He then gave up a run-scoring single. With two outs, on a 3-2 pitch, Yan threw a fastball across the plate that the Trash Pandas’ Sonny DiChiara hit off the wall in right-center – just missing a grand slam – to tie the game.
That sent Blue Wahoos manager Kevin Randel out to replace Yan with Brady Puckett, whose two-strike pitch to Tucker Flint was fielded on a good stop by Cobie Fletcher-Vance at third base and thrown across the diamond to end the inning.
More theatrics followed in the bottom of the ninth.
Avisaíl García led off with a pop double down the right field line. Troy Johnston, who has crunched Rocket City pitching all week, was intentionally walked. Will Banfield followed with a sacrifice bunt attempt that pitcher Kenyon Yovan threw wide enough at third to allow pinch runner Dalvy Rosario’s slide to be safe on the play and load the bases.
Mesa Jr. followed off several pitches in a battling at-bat. But he made perfect contact on the next one he saw that carried over the straightaway center wall for the electrifying walk-off slam.
The Blue Wahoos clinched the series with their fourth win of this homestand. It was also their 14th win in 15 games against Rocket City in Blue Wahoos Stadium. The consecutive streak ended with the Trash Pandas’ win Friday night.
Besides the 20 runs, this game featured a combined 25 hits. The Blue Wahoos took advantage of four Rocket City errors early in the game to build the lead.
Banfield and Johnston both had three hits apiece among five multi-hit batters for the Blue Wahoos.
Earlier in the game, Blue Wahoos starter Jake Eder produced a strong outing in his comeback from two injuries. Making his fifth start this season at the Double-A level, Eder continued progression by working five innings, giving up five hits with a season-best eight strikeouts and three walks.
He committed two pitch clock violations, one of which led to a run when Eder followed by yielding a balk that became a run with a two-out RBI single by Jose Gomez.
The event-filled homestand concludes Sunday afternoon with the Blue Wahoos trying for a fifth win against the Trash Pandas in the six-game series.
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
McDavid Motorcyclist Killed In Pine Barren Road Crash
July 22, 2023
A single motorcycle crash claimed the life of a McDavid man Friday evening.
The 47-year old man was southbound on North Pine Barren just south of Victor Road about 6:40 p.m.when he lost control of his 2016 BMW motorcycle. The motorcycle traveled onto the shoulder of the road. He re-entered the roadway, traveled across both lanes and onto the opposite shoulder before crashing into the woodline.
The man was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash near the Christian Home community.
There were no other vehicles involved and no witnesses to the crash.
The Florida Highway Patrol is continuing their investigation. The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Second Pedestrian Hit On North Century Boulevard Has Passed Away
July 22, 2023
The second Brewton woman struck by a vehicle July 6 in Century has passed away.
Jessica Ann Mathis, 34, passed away this week at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. Jenny Theresa Ackerman, 53, passed away the day following the crash.
Both were walking across a North Century Boulevard (Highway 29) construction zone near Rudolph Street, in front of the Vallarta restaurant, about 8:30 p.m.. It is commonplace for restaurant patrons to park across the four-lane highway at an abandoned building and walk across the road.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a Chevrolet Silverado driven by a 36-year old Flat Rock, Alabama, man was traveling southbound when he noticed the pedestrians walking across the road. He attempted to swerve and avoid a collision but struck Mathis.
Troopers said Ackerman then entered the roadway to render aid, and was struck by a Chevrolet Tahoe driven by a 71-year old Brewton man. FHP said he failed to see the woman.
Both drivers and three passengers — ages 1, 7 and 35 — in the pickup were not injured.
For more photos, click or tap here.
The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Flomaton Fire Department, Escambia County EMS, Flomaton MedStar EMS, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Flomaton Police Department, MedStar Air Care helicopter and ShandsCair helicopter responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Killed In Quintette Road Crash
July 22, 2023
The person killed in a single vehicle rollover crash Friday evening on Quinette Road in Santa Rosa County has been identified as a Cantonment man.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 46-year old man lost control, and the vehicle rolled over into the woodline, coming to rest on its roof.
The vehicle crash was reported about 7:40 p.m. near the Santa Rosa Shooting Center in the area of Wallace Lake Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol continued their investigation.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Cantonment Man Facing Drug Trafficking, Possession Charges After Fleeing From Traffic Stop
July 22, 2023
A Cantonment man was arrested on multiple charges after he jumped out and ran following a traffic stop Friday afternoon.
Willie Edward Brown, 39, was charged with fleeing and eluding, methamphetamine trafficking, cocaine possession, driving with a suspended or revoked license, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies tried to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation in the area of Burgess Road and Oakfield Road. They said Brown fled on foot, but he was quickly captured by K-9 Maddox and Deputy Beaty. The ECSO said cocaine was also located in his vehicle.
Brown remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $61,500.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Alabama Back To School Sales Tax Holiday Underway; Florida’s Holiday Starts Monday
July 22, 2023
Alabama’s back to school sales tax holiday is underway though midnight Sunday.
The state’s 4% sales tax is waived. Some municipalities and counties will also waive their local taxes.
Exempt items include:
- Clothing priced at $100 or less per article;
- School supplies valued at $50 or less per item;
- Books that cost $30 or less per book; and
- Tablets, laptops, computers and printers with a selling price of $750 or less.
In the North Escambia area, the Town of Flomaton did not inform the state that they would participate in the holiday.
The back to school sales tax holiday in Florida begins Monday, July 24 and continues through August 6.
Rocket City Blasts Past The Blue Wahoos 10-5
July 22, 2023
Patrick Monteverde has normally set a tone for Blue Wahoos pitching with his presence on the mound.
This time, however, it signaled the start of a rough night in several ways.
Playing as the Pensacola Pok-ta-Pok as part of a duel of teams transforming into their Copa de la Diversion identities, a quick first-inning deficit eventually ballooned with relief pitching woes in Rocket City’s 10-5 victory Friday before a near-capacity crowd (4,851) at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
After the Blue Wahoos won the first three games of this series, Rocket City wore its Lunaticos uniforms in the Southern League’s first matchup with both teams honoring the game’s Latin American heritage. The moniker change went well for the visitors.
Rocket City sprayed 14 hits against five different Pensacola pitchers, including big games from Tucker Flint, who went 4-for-6 with four two RBI and four runs scored, plus Jose Gomez, who was 3-for-5 with a single, double, triple and two RBI. The Trash Pandas also benefited from 10 walks allowed by Blue Wahoos pitchers.
In making his 15th start this season, Monteverde had a rare lapse of control and too many pitches that resulted in hard contact. He was unable to finish the fifth inning with his team trailing 6-2. He entered the game as the top pitcher in the Southern League and among the best across all minor league levels with an 8-1 record and 1.91 earned run average.
Friday, however, he gave up three first-inning hits and two runs. He finished allowing eight hits – matching a season high — three walks, three strikeouts. His only rougher night was May 28 when he pitched just three innings and gave up six runs on the road against the Mississippi Braves.
In all other games, Monteverde yielded just three-or-less runs, including nine starts in 2023 with only one or zero runs allowed.
Friday’s outing began in a rocky way. With one out, he yielded a double and single, then a sacrifice fly. Flint followed with a run-scoring triple. Before he was lifted in the fifth inning, Monteverde’s two walks in the fifth inning helped load the bases, leading into a three-run rally that included a steal of home on a double steal.
The Blue Wahoos had their biggest moment in the bottom of the inning. With two out, none on, Nasim Nuñez singled and scored on Miami Marlins outfielder Avisail Garcia’s moon-shot homer, which was his first hit since joining the Blue Wahoos on an injury rehab assignment.
Troy Johnston continued his torrid production by following with a double and scoring on Will Banfield’s single, cutting the deficit to 6-5 and momentarily changing the game’s momentum.
Johnston finished 3-for-5 to pace Pensacola hitters and raise his batting average to .288.
Rocket City answered against the Pok-Ta-Pok bullpen with three runs in the seventh and tacked on another in the eighth to blow open the game.
It spoiled a Giveaway Friday where the first 1,000 fans received a commemorative poster from game sponsor Pepsi, honoring the Blue Wahoos’ first-half win in the Southern League South Division and automatic berth into the playoffs.
The Blue Wahoos will try to clinch the series win on Saturday with heralded prospect, lefthander Jake Eder (1-1, 4.74 ERA), making his fifth start on his injury comeback quest against Rocket City’s Jack Kochanowicz (4-5, 5.72).
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
ECUA Proposing Water, Sewer, Sanitation Rate Increases, Plus New Monthly Recycling Fee
July 21, 2023
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority is proposing across the board rate increases for water, wastewater and sanitation services, plus a new monthly fee for customers that choose to recycle.
For sanitation, ECUA is proposing a 3.5% rate increase, raising the standard monthly rate for a 90-gallon container from $27.67 to $28.46. A $3 monthly fee for recycling customers is proposed, along with reduction of the cost of an extra garbage can from $4.60 to $2 per month. The $3 recycling fee is projected to generate $1.8 million for the Materials Recycling Facility.
ECUA is proposing a 4% rate increase for water and 6% for wastewater.
The ECUA board will consider the rate increases at their next meeting at 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 25. The board could decide to approve, reject or change any of the rates at that time.
ECUA customers have had optional curbside recycling at no charge since 2009. The current recycling facility (MRF) has been open since 2016.
ECUA Public Information Office Nathalie Bowers previously said residents putting items that can’t be recycled in the ECUA program into the recycling can has been a major problem, leading to the consideration of a recycling fee.