$7.5 Million Construction Project Continues On Mobile Highway From Nine Mile To Pine Forest
July 11, 2023
A $7.5 million resurfacing project is underway on Mobile Highway between Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road.
The project, which began in September 2022, also includes:
- Installation of a new traffic signal at Klondike Road, and signal improvements at Blue Angel Parkway.
- Renewing guardrail, signing, and pavement markings.
- Improving various drainage structures.
- Widening for turn lane additions, to include five-foot “keyhole” bicycle lanes, at the Woodside Road, Klondike Road, and Millview Road intersections.
The project is currently estimated to be completed in early 2024.
Pictured: Equipment is staged to begin drilling for the foundation of the new traffic signal mast at Klondike Road. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Commission Cancels COW Meeting Again
July 11, 2023
The Escambia County Commission has canceled Thursday’s planned Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting.
The COW is a workshop type meeting held for commission discussion, but no votes are taken.
The meeting has been canceled for each of the last several months.
High School Basketball Coach Charged With Aggravated Assault, Battery
July 10, 2023
A high school basketball coach and teacher has been charged with assault and battery related charges following an incident Sunday afternoon.
Michael Taylor, 48, was charged with felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon – dating violence, felony domestic battery by strangulation, misdemeanor cyberstalking, and misdemeanor battery.
Taylor was the head basketball coach at Northview High School for the 2019-2020 season where he had a record of 0-22. He was later hired by West Florida High School as a basketball coach and a teacher, according to the school website and social media.
Taylor allegedly held a firearm to the victim’s head, then strangled them until they passed out, according to an arrest report. He also allegedly cyberstalked the victim on July 9, and physically struck the victim several times between the dates of July 2 and July 7, the report continues.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Taylor had a “continuing and significant relationship of romantic nature for approximately two years” with the unnamed victim.
Taylor remained in the Escambia County Jail Monday afternoon where he was being held without bond.
According to the Escambia County Public Schools, Taylor is now suspended with pay pending the outcome of the investigation, as required by Florida statute.
Century Fails To Test Drinking Water For Lead, Copper, Two Other Contaminants For An Entire Year
July 10, 2023
For an entire year, the Town of Century failed to conduct the required drinking water quality tests for lead, copper and two other contaminants, according to a report.
“We failed to complete the required sampling for tap water lead and copper and therefore were in violation of monitoring and reporting requirements. Forty samples were required for each contaminant, and none were taken. Because we did not take the required number of samples, we did not know whether the contaminants were present in your drinking water, and we are unable to tell you whether your health was at risk during that time,” states the town’s recently distributed 2022 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report for period January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022.
Century also missed the required testing for the inorganic contaminants nitrate and nitrite, the report states.
In addition, the town failed to submit the required monitoring report to total coliform during September 2022. The town was issued a violation of the Groundwater Rule and Total Coliform Rule. The sampling results, showing total coliforms were not detected, were later provided to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection on January 24, 2023.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires every community water supplier to provide a Consumer Confidence Report, commonly called a drinking water quality report, to its customers on an annual basis.
FPL Proposes 18 Acre Vehicle And Equipment Storage Lot In Molino
July 10, 2023
Florida Power & Light is proposing an 18 acre vehicle parking and storage yard along Highway 29 in Molino.
The property at 5400 North Highway 29 is across the road from Jimmy’s Grill and has been owned by FPL or their predecessor Gulf Power Company for decades.
FPL says the property would be used by FPL or FPL affiliates for the parking, staging or storage of vehicles and equipment, and those vehicles may include service vehicles, commercial vehicles, recreational vehicles, boat trailers, contractor trailers and equipment. Stored equipment might include power poles, cable spools, light fixture parts, solar panels and more.
“In addition, the site is strategically located and can serve as one of FPL’s staging lots for vehicles and equipment for our hurricane and severe storm response teams,” FPL said in a development application.
The proposed development includes a paved lot, stormwater management, lighting, landscaping, irrigation and a security fence and a gate. There are no proposed buildings.
The Escambia County Escambia County Development Review Committee will hold a pre-application meeting on the proposal Wednesday.
In 2019 and into early 2020, the then-Gulf Power used the lot to store equipment and supplies for an underground natural gas pipeline from Century to Plant Crist.
Pictured above: FPL is proposing an 18 acre vehicle parking and storage yard along Highway 29 in Molino. Pictured below: The site was previously used for staging during a natural gas pipeline project in 2019 and 2020. NorthEscambia.com photos and graphic, click to enlarge.
Photos: Looking Back At Pensacola Beach Air Show
July 10, 2023
The Pensacola Beach Air Show ended Saturday with the Blue Angels show cut short by lightning.
For a photo gallery from Saturday’s show, click or tap here.
For a photo gallery from Friday’s show, click or tap here.
For a photo gallery from Thursday’s practice, click or tap here.
Pictured: Saturday at the Pensacola Beach Air Show. Photos by Tamra Willis for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECUA Customers Must Now Call For Bulk Waste Pickup Services
July 10, 2023
ECUA residential customers must now call ahead for bulk waste pickup services.
For bulk waste pickup, residents should call ECUA customer service at (850) 476-0480 by 2 p.m. on the day prior to their regular collection, and the bulk waste will take place on the normal collection day. Items should be placed at the curb by 6 a.m. on the regular collection day but no sooner than 48 hours before the collection day. There is no additional charge for bulk waste collection.
Bulk waste is considered to be items that are too large to fit into the trash can. Examples include:
- General furniture (couches, mattresses, desks, chairs, dressers, area rugs)
- Small appliances (vacuum cleaners, microwaves, space heaters, toasters and toaster ovens)
- Bicycles
- Grills
- Lawnmowers (free from gasoline and oil)
- Large toys (including electronic toys- please remove any lithium-ion batteries)
- Household electronics (computer monitors (CRTs and Flat Panels), computers (desktop and laptop), keyboards, mouses, printers, scanners, copy and fax machines, televisions (CRTs and flat screen), stereos, radios, CD and tape players, VCRs, video game systems, telephones, cell phones, and rechargeable batteries)
Pile the bulky waste items at a curbside area that is free of overhanging tree limbs, wires, and/or cable boxes. Be careful not to block traffic. ECUA will collect one 6’ W x 6’ D x 6’ H pile of bulk items weekly. No household garbage or construction debris will be accepted.
Building debris (such as but not limited to: fencing, carpet, and sheetrock), extra trash bags of clothing or garbage, or other small items will not be collected as bulk waste.
If you have excess trash that is not considered bulk items, you may request an extra sanitation pick-up or order an additional can (an additional fee applies for an extra can).
Florida Gas Prices Rebound, But Pensacola Has The State’s Cheapest Average
July 10, 2023
Florida gas prices suddenly rebounded last week, rising an average of 20 cents per gallon. The increase snapped a 22-day streak of declines that sent the state average to $3.26 per gallon – the lowest daily average price since March.
Sunday’s state average was $3.46 per gallon. That’s what drivers paid four weeks ago.
Pensacola was the cheapest metro in the state at $3.16 on average. In North Escambia, a low of $3.06 was available at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment. In Pensacola multiple stations were below $3, including a low of $2.91 on East Nine Mile Road.
“Last week’s jump at the pump came immediately after Independence Day, when AAA forecast a record number of Floridians would take a road trip for the holiday,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Fortunately, oil prices remain low. Unless that changes this week, the upward pressure on gas prices should ease soon.
Sunday’s state average remains well below this year’s high of $3.72 per gallon.
Johnston, Conine Lead Slugging Wahoos To 10-8 Win
July 10, 2023
Troy Johnston had just hit two home runs, helped tie the franchise team record with five in a game and provided the deciding runs Sunday in the Blue Wahoos 10-8 win against the Biloxi Shuckers.
So Troy, what are you going to do next?
“I’ve been always wanting to say this in an interview… I’m going to Disney World!”
Yes, he is.
Moments after the Blue Wahoos’ slugfest victory at Blue Wahoos Stadium, which sent the team into a four-day break with good vibes, Johnston, his wife, Haleigh, and his parents had their car packed for the all-night trip to Orlando and the Magic Kingdom.
“Me and wife had said we’re going to go…it didn’t matter what,” said Johnston, explaining the advance plans once they saw the season schedule. “My parents said they wanted to come visit us this week, then wanted to tag along. So we are all going and we’re going to have a great time.”
The good times rolled at the plate Sunday for Johnston and teammates. He went 2-for-3, drove in three runs, scored three runs, walked once and raised his batting average to .277. He also made several big defensive plays on throws and scorched grounders on another day when hitters ruled at the ballpark.
After Saturday’s 10-9 loss to the Shuckers, the Blue Wahoos fell behind 5-0 in the third inning, then 6-2 in the fifth inning. It had the crowd of 4,111 wondering when Pensacola’s fortunes would turn at home.
“I honestly believe, whether we are down 5-0 or 10-0, I feel like we always have a chance to win,” said Johnston, 26, a Tacoma, Washington native and the No. 27 rated prospect in the Miami Marlins minor league system. “That’s what makes this team special. We don’t give up. We have confidence we can do it at the plate and we’re capable of coming back.”
Sure enough, it happened in the bottom of the fifth when the Blue Wahoos batted around. After Dalvy Rosario led off by getting hit by a pitch, then stole second, Victor Mesa Jr. drove him home with a single. Johnston then walked. Will Banfield reached on an infield single to load the bases.
Up stepped Griffin Conine. He had singled earlier and had some other good at-bats Friday. But he had not homered all week.
Until now. Conine blasted a pitch that just had enough umph to carry over the leaping attempt by Shuckers centerfielder Lamar Sparks for a go-ahead grand slam and 7-6 lead.
It was the first grand slam for Conine in his three seasons with the Blue Wahoos – the fourth hit by a Pensacola player this season.
With the stadium still abuzz, Cody Morissette followed with a solo homer and 8-6 lead.
The Shuckers got a run back in the sixth. Johnston came up in the bottom half of the sixth inning with two outs and Cobie Fletcher-Vance on first base. He blasted a no-doubter over the right center berm for his second homer, which tied the franchise record for most in a single game.
As he rounded the bases he pointed in direction of his wife, then his parents visiting from the Pacific Coast, for another special moment in the game.
“My mom and my dad, you can actually hear them sometimes from the stands,” Johnston said, smiling. “They are the only people I can hear and I try to give them (acknowledgment). They have given me everything. And the only I can do to give back is give them a little support.”
The Shuckers got a run back in the seventh, but the Blue Wahoos bullpen held on, albeit with some drama. After a smooth eighth inning, closer Matt Pushard, who recently joined the team from the Beloit Sky Carp, the Marlins’ High-A affiliate, got the first two batters in the ninth to ground out.
But then he gave up a single, then hit the next batter and had a 3-0 count on Sparks. The next pitch Sparks jumped on, but hit a fly ball that Mesa Jr. caught for the final out.
The Shuckers had built the big, early lead against starter Evan Fitterer, who struggled again in his second start this week. He made it through five innings, allowing seven hits and six runs, including a three-run homer by catcher Nick Kahle, who helped power the Shuckers to Saturday’s win.
The teams combined for 22 hits – 11 apiece – and 16 of the 18 starters in the teams’ lineups reached base.
The Blue Wahoos’ other homer Sunday was the team’s first run, a solo shot by Fletcher-Vance.
With the win, the Blue Wahoos split the six-game series against Biloxi and evened their second-half record to 6-6, 47-33 overall.
It was a much-welcomed way to head into the Major League Baseball All-Star Game break, which now includes the minor leagues.
The Blue Wahoos will resume their schedule on July 14 on the road against the Birmingham Barons for a three-game series.
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
81-Year Old Highway 4 Bridge Closes Monday For Replacement; 330 Day Detour Planned
July 9, 2023
Work begins Monday to replace the Highway 4 bridge over Canoe Creek, about halfway between Byrneville and Bratt, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. A detour is set to be in place for nearly a year.
Crews will make drainage improvements and reconstruct the roadway approaching the bridge. This will include milling and resurfacing the pavement, widening travel lanes,and placing new signage and pavement markings.
The state budget included $3,837,105 to replace the structurally deficient bridge The bridge and roadway are owned by Escambia County, but the work will be done under a locally funded agreement with FDOT.
For more photos, click or tap here.
A 330-day detour is planned from Highway 4 to Bratt Road (the eastern end of Bratt Road closer to Century) to Pine Barren Road, to Highway 4 (near Northview High School).
The portion of Highway 4 to be closed is 4.14 miles; the detour will be 5.67 miles. The average daily traffic count is 1,800 vehicles per day.
The bridge constructed in 1942 is 225 feet long and has wood supports, some of which were failing and were later reinforced with steel.
A smaller Highway 4 bridge located just to the east of the Canoe Creek bridge is not set for replacement at this time.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
