Landowners Can Apply For Southern Pine Beetle Assistance Program
May 15, 2023
Applications are being accepted for the 2023 Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program for non-industrial, private forest landowners through June 9, 2023. The Florida Forest Service program includes 44 northern Florida counties – the known range of the southern pine beetle — including Escambia and Santa Rosa.
“Most of Florida’s forests are privately owned, many by small family landowners,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson. “This program helps to protect the health of our pine forests – one of our most valuable resources in providing clean air, water, and timber.”
The southern pine beetle is one of the most economically devastating forest pests in the Southeastern United States, with periodic outbreaks destroying thousands of acres of pine timber. The last major southern pin beetle outbreak in Florida, between 1999 and 2002, caused an estimated $59 million in timber losses on over 24,000 acres.
“Southern pine beetle outbreaks have the potential to destroy thousands of acres of pine timber,” said Rick Dolan, Director of the Florida Forest Service. “The most effective way to minimize losses is to prevent infestations through active forest management.”
The Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program, supported through a grant by the U.S. Forest Service, provides incentive payments for landowners who have overstocked pine stands and need to conduct a first thinning. In addition, it offers partial cost reimbursement for activities that can mitigate southern pine beetle activity, such as prescribed burning, mechanical underbrush treatments, and the planting of longleaf or slash pine rather than loblolly pine, the beetle’s preferred species. All qualifying applications received during the submission period will be evaluated and ranked for approval.
The Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program promotes forest management practices that reduce the risk and impacts of southern pine beetle infestations. Since it was first offered in 2005, the program has been implemented on more than 205,000 acres and helped thousands of landowners.
To obtain an application or to learn more about the Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program, visit: FDACS.gov/SPBPrevention.
Florida Gas Prices Drop For The Third Consecutive Week
May 15, 2023
Florida gas prices dropped eight cents per gallon, last week. The state average has now declined three consecutive weeks, for a total discount of 24 cents per gallon, since mid-April.
On Sunday, the state average was $3.48 per gallon. That’s the lowest daily average price since April 6.
In Escambia County, the average was $3.14. The North Escambia low was $3.05 at stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while Pensacola prices were as low as $2.91 at the warehouse clubs.
“Weakness in the oil market has contributed to the recent drop in gas prices,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “That weakness has been driven by domestic economic concerns. Underwhelming Chinese economic indicators have also created uncertainty about global fuel demand. With continued volatility in the fuel market, it’s unclear whether this downward trend will continue in the lead-up to the busy Memorial Day travel weekend.”
Mesa, Banfield Help Blue Wahoos Complete Birmingham Sweep
May 15, 2023
The Blue Wahoos again return from a road trip as one of the hottest teams in Minor League Baseball.
Outfielder Victor Mesa Jr. and catcher Will Banfield combined for seven RBI – each hitting home runs – as the Blue Wahoos rallied from an early deficit for a 9-7 victory to complete a six-game sweep against the Birmingham Barons at Regions Field.
It was Pensacola’s eighth consecutive win, matching a franchise record the Blue Wahoos also tied two weeks ago, and the team’s 16th win in their last 17 games. It also matches the longest streak of any team in MILB.
The win extended the Blue Wahoos’ (22-11) lead in the Southern League South Division to three games ahead of the Biloxi Shuckers.
Mesa Jr. had one of the game’s biggest hits with his 3-run, go-ahead homer in the fifth inning. He finished an outstanding week at the plate with two homers and 11 RBI in the series.
Closer Sean Reynolds recorded his sixth save in seven attempts with a scoreless ninth inning. He gave up a two-out walk, then got Chris Shaw, who had homered earlier, to fly out to end the game.
The Blue Wahoos Joe Rizzo provided a two-run cushion when he smashed a two-out, solo homer in the ninth.
Every Blue Wahoos hitter in the starting lineup reached base. Seven different batters scored runs.
The Barons (11-22), the Chicago White Sox affiliate, sustained their ninth consecutive defeat. They had not been swept at home since 2015 in any series longer than four games. They are now 4-18 at Regions Field this season.
The game started in Birmingham’s favor.
Making his second start of the week, the Blue Wahoos’ Evan Fitterer had his first rough inning in four outings.
The righthander gave up leadoff walk in the second inning that was followed by Adam Hackenberg’s 2-run homer. He then hit a batter with one out and Moises Castillo came around to score on a wild pitch to make it 3-0.
Fitterer, who joined the Blue Wahoos in late April, won his first three starts, allowing just two runs on eight hits. But Sunday he had thrown 64 pitches with one out into the fourth inning and finished with 72 pitches, 40 for strikes.
He allowed just two hits, but one was the big homer. He walked three, struck out four and had two wild pitches.
But the Blue Wahoos answered with five runs in the fifth inning, highlighted by Mesa Jr. hitting a 3-run bomb over the right center wall that chased Barons starter Garrett Davila. On the first pitch from reliever Yoelvin Silven, Blue Wahoos catcher Will Banfield hit a fastball over the left wall.
Dane Myers drove in the first run with a single.
The Barons came back to tie the game in the sixth on a solo homer by Chris Shaw off Christen Charle, followed by Moises Castillo to score Ben Norman, who singled, moved to third on a stolen base and wild pitch.
In the seventh, Nasim Nuñez led off with a single, Troy Johnston was hit by a pitch and Myers walked to load the bases. Mesa followed with an RBI sacrifice fly to score Nunez. Banfield then hit a two-run double off the right-center wall.
Blue Wahoos reliever Dylan Bice pitched out of jams to keep a one-run lead.
The Blue Wahoos return home Sunday night following the game in Birmingham and will have Monday off before beginning a six-game homestand on Tuesday against the Tennessee Smokies, the Chicago Cubs’ Double-A affiliate. It will be the teams’ first meeting since the 2022 Southern League Championship Series.
The Blue Wahoos captured their first outright league title on Sept. 28 against the Smokies in Kodak, Tennessee with consecutive road playoff wins.
How Fast Is Your Internet? Residents Urged To Take Florida Broadband Speed Test
May 14, 2023
Escambia County and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) are once again encouraging residents to take the Florida Broadband Speed Test to assist in further developing Florida’s Broadband Availability Map. Your participation will help the state of Florida identify gaps in high-speed internet service in order to advance the state’s overall broadband infrastructure expansion goals.
“By taking the Florida Broadband Speed Test, you are providing real-time data to the state of Florida, which will help them develop a plan to eliminate the digital divide,” said Escambia County Information Technology Interim Director Scott MacDonald.
Using your internet connection, the speed test will measure the speed of internet transmission between your device and an outside server. The speed test can be completed using any device that has an internet or cellular connection and takes less than one minute to complete. After taking the speed test, you will receive immediate results from your test. The DEO recommends completing the test again even if you have already participated.
Results will populate the map once you complete the speed test and will include your download, upload, latency and ping speeds. The data collected from your internet’s speed test will be displayed on the Florida Broadband Availability Map in real time.
County Awards Contract For Hurricane Sally Brickyard Road Repairs
May 14, 2023
Using FEMA Hurricane Sally recovery funds, Escambia County has approved an engineering design contract for Brickyard Road repairs and improvements.
The contact was awarded to Sigma Consulting Group for $157,890 to develop the construction plans, including the design to repair existing culvert pipe running underneath Brickyard Road and the existing headwall, and repair and replacement of the existing road and outfall system.
The intent of Escambia County is to replace, in kind, the culvert running underneath Brickyard Road, repair or replace the existing headwall that is the outfall for the pond, reconstruct the existing road, and provide improvements to the drainage of the existing pond and the adjacent drainage system.
The estimated construction contract price for the project is $934,000. The construction contract won’t be put out for bids or awarded until after the engineering work is completed.
Hurricane Sally made landfall near Gulf Shores on September 16, 2020.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Traffic Alert: Road Construction Trouble Spots For This Week
May 14, 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. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, May 14 through Saturday, May 20 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews perform striping work. On Tuesday, May 16, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach.
- 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 summer when the Welcome Center improvements are 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 on this section of East Nine Mile Road has been reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles will share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete next summer.
- · Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) 296) to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and intermittent turn lane closures Sunday, May 14 through Thursday, May 18 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews place thermoplastic pavement markings on the roadway.
- Lillian Highway (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 shoulder and lane closures on Lillian Highway, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Monday, May 15 through Friday, May 19 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Crews will be performing drainage and shoulder construction.
- Navy Boulevard (S.R. 295) Resurfacing from North of the Bayou Grande Bridge to Gulf Beach Highway/Barrancas Avenue (S.R. 292) – Drivers will encounter alternating nightly lane closures, from Barrancas Avenue to the Bayou Grande Bridge, between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Friday, May 12 through Friday, May 19. Crews will be milling and resurfacing the roadway.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century - Drivers on U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) will encounter a lane shift and lane closures through May. The two U.S. 29 northbound travel lanes and the center turn lane will be closed between Hatties Boulevard and East Cottage Street. During the closure, one northbound and one southbound lane will remain open using the current southbound travel lanes. Signage will be in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
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 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, May 14 through Saturday, May 20 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews perform striping work. On Tuesday, May 16, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – Widening of the westbound bridge over Simpson River has been completed. The westbound structure now supports two westbound lanes, two eastbound lanes, and dedicated bike lanes. Drivers may encounter temporary and intermittent lane closures on the bridge for crews to address any maintenance issues that may arise. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph throughout the work zone.
- 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, May 14 through Friday, May 19, 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, May 15 through Friday, May 19 for paving operations.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
10,000 Pound Food Giveaway Tuesday Afternoon In Cantonment
May 14, 2023
The Cantonment Improvement Committee will hold a drive-thru 10,000 pound food giveaway Tuesday afternoon, May 16 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. Identification is required.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Jay Falls 9-7 In 1A Regional To Holmes County
May 14, 2023
Holmes County defeated the Jay Royals 9-7 Saturday in eight innings to win the 1A Regional Final in Jay.
The game was tied at seven each after five. After two scoreless innings, Holmes County added two in the bottom of the eighth for the win.
Justin Smarr went for three innings for the Royals, allowing one hit and four runs while striking out four. Landon Golden tossed two innings, allowing one hit and striking out two. Kaden Strength was on the hill for one and a third innings, surrendering five hits and three runs with no strikeouts. Ethan McDonald pitched one and two-thirds innings, giving up three hits and two runs while striking out none.
Justin Smarr led the Royals at the plate, going 3-5. McDonald, Ayden Sowers, Tomas Ravendo and Nahan Smarr added one hit each.
Jay’s season ended at 17-12. Holmes County moves to the 1A Final Four on May 17 against Chipley.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Blue Wahoos Hold off Barons For Seventh Straight Win
May 14, 2023
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos won their seventh consecutive game on Saturday night, beating the Birmingham Barons in a nail-biting 6-5 thriller.
Jefry Yan earned the four-out save, stranding two runners in both the eighth and ninth innings, to make a winner of Luis Palacios in his Blue Wahoos season debut.
With the win, the Blue Wahoos have won an incredible 15 of their past 16 games, with only a May 5 loss to Mississippi separating an eight-game winning streak and their active seven-game streak.
Palacios allowed a two-run homer to Taylor Snyder in the second, but the Blue Wahoos evened up the score in the third on an RBI double from J.D. Orr and an RBI single from Nasim Nuñez. In the fifth, Barons starter Garrett Schoenle almost escaped trouble before allowing a go-ahead three-run double to Victor Mesa Jr. that gave Pensacola a 5-2 edge.
Griffin Conine added some insurance with an RBI double in the sixth, and it turned out to be crucial as Palacios allowed three runs in the home half of the inning to draw the Barons to within a run at 6-5.
Austin Roberts and Brady Puckett contributed scoreless relief before Yan worked out of trouble in the final two innings to earn the save.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series against the Barons on Sunday afternoon in Birmingham.
by Erik Bremer/Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Mother, Her Stepfather Boyfriend Charged With Murder Of Her 2-Month Old Baby
May 13, 2023
A mother and her stepfather, who is also her boyfriend, are charged with the murder of a 2-month old baby in Escambia County, Alabama, according to authorities.
“The child had numerous bruises to the body and had suffered severe head trauma,” Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson said Friday night about the April 9 death.
Shelby Shyanne Comalander, 24, and Larry William Jackson, 48, are both charged with murder and aggravated child abuse. Jackson faces an additional charge of possession of methamphetamine. Both are residents of the 200 block of Riley Road in the Poarch community north of Atmore.
The Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office and Alabama Department of Human Resources investigation led to the arrest.
Both suspects were booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center without bond. Additional details have not been released as the investigation continues.