Town Manager? Mayor? Century Council To Begin Deep Dive Into Charter
April 24, 2023
The Century Town Council will begin a deep dive into their charter and needed revisions this week.
The Century Charter Review Committee worked about three years, including pandemic delays, to create a new charter that was submitted to the town council to review and possibly place on an upcoming ballot. The town attorney also completed a differing draft.
In a series of meetings over the next several months, the council will review the old charter line by line, along with the charter review committee’s draft, and perhaps some of the draft presented by the attorney. The lawyer won’t take part at first, in order to save money, but he will review the council’s eventual final draft for legality.
The council has expressed a general consensus against a town manager, instead supporting a strong mayor and council.
A charter review workshop will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Century Town Hall and is open to the public.
The Century town charter is the document that establishes the town, outlines its powers and spells out how it should operate. The charter has not been updated in almost 40 years, and that often creates problems in the operation of the town.
Pictured top: Century council member Shelisa McCall addresses town attorney Matt Dannheisser recently. Pictured inset: Dannheisser explains the charter to the town council. Pictured below: Council member Sandra McMurray-Jackson and council President Luis Gomez, Jr. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Reminder: Recycling Is On Hold, But ECUA Still Wants You To Stay In The Separation Habit
April 24, 2023
About 10 days ago, ECUA announced that their recycling facility will not be processing mixed recyclables for several weeks due to a “staff turnover”; instead, the recyclables are going into the landfill.
But ECUA is continuing to ask customers “to separate materials for recycling, as usual, to remain in that practice,” ECUA Public Information Office Nathalie Bowers said. “In a similar vein, ECUA will continue to collect recycling cans with a recycling collection vehicle, as it normally does.”
ECUA estimated that recycling center operations will be back to normal by mid-May.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Airport Travelers Advised To Arrive Two Hours Early As TSA Upgrades Begin
April 24, 2023
Pensacola International Airport travelers are encouraged to arrive at least two hours early to go through the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint starting Monday, April 24, when TSA will begin replacing baggage screening equipment.
TSA will take one lane at a time out of service, replacing the current screening equipment with modern CT scanner technology that will improve the accuracy of scans, reduce the number of bags diverted for manual screening, and improve passenger throughput.
Each lane will take about three weeks for the equipment installation, so construction areas are expected to remain in the TSA checkpoint through the summer. This schedule was determined by TSA based on the availability of the equipment and contractor.
TSA will staff the checkpoint to maximize passenger screening during peak hours.
Northview High School Names Students Of The Month
April 24, 2023
Northview High School recently named their Students of the Month for March. They are Ayden Starr and Shelby Kent, pictured with Principal Michael Sherrill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Elementary Students Vote For Their Favorite Books
April 24, 2023
Students at Jim Allen Elementary School recently had the opportunity to vote for their favorite books from the Sunshine State Readers list.
The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections provided official ballots, voting booths, tabulation machines and “Future Voter” stickers.
Voting ended in a tie between Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston and Shirley and Jamila Save Their Summer by Gillian Goerz with 10 votes each. The other top vote getter was Measuring Up by Lily Lamotte with eight votes.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
State Gas Prices Surge Due To Historic South Florida Flooding
April 24, 2023
Florida gas prices shot up across most of the state last week, as historic flooding in South Florida caused widespread gasoline outages, necessitating the reallocation of fuel supplies from other regions. Those outages have largely been resolved.
To further demonstrate the isolated nature of this price increase, the national average price for gasoline is unchanged from last week. Meanwhile, Florida’s state average jumped 15 cents per gallon. On Friday, the state average hit $3.72 per gallon, which was a new 2023 high and the most expensive daily average price since August 2022.
The average price per gallon in Pensacola was among the lowest in the state at $3.39 per gallon. In North Escambia, a low of $3.35 could be in Cantonment on Highway 29. In Pensacola, a low of $3.18 could be found at the warehouse clubs and on Nine Mile Road.
The problem began more than a week ago when flooding prevented fuel trucks from accessing the gasoline terminals at Port Everglades. This was a major problem, since that port is a hub for the majority of gasoline for filling stations in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach. To offset the shortage, gasoline was brought in from other states and driven down from hubs in Tampa, Orlando, Port Canaveral, and Jacksonville. Gas prices rose double digits in these metro areas, likely due to having less supply than anticipated.
“There is reason to be optimistic that gas prices won’t hang around these highs for long,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Oil prices dropped to a 3-week low and gas prices began drifting lower through the weekend. There’s hope that the upward pressure on pump prices will begin to ease as supplies stabilize around the state.”
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Five People Reportedly Injured In Highway 29 Crash
April 23, 2023
Five people were reportedly injured in a two vehicle crash Saturday night near McDavid.
The crash happened about 10:40 p.m. on Highway 29 near South Pine Barren Road.
An adult female was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital, and the remaining victims were transported by Escambia County EMS.
At one point, both northbound and southbound Highway 29 were closed to traffic due to the crash.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released additional information.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Emergency Telecommunicators Honored By Escambia County Commission
April 23, 2023
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners recently honored county emergency telecommunicators with a proclamation to acknowledge their dedication and hard work.
“The men and women of Emergency Communications are truly the first voice on-scene,” said Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore. “To be an emergency dispatcher takes patience, a calm demeanor, clear communication skills and a dedication to help your fellow resident. I am thankful for our team for their dedication and professionalism to Escambia County.”
Pictured top: Escambia County Communications Training Chief Mark Carter and Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wrong Way Driver Dies After I-110 Crash, Woman Seriously Injured
April 23, 2023
UPDATE: FHP Says New Evidence Indicates Different Wrong-Way Driver Caused Fatal I-110 Crash
A wrong way driver died after a crash on I-110 early Saturday morning.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 38-year old Escambia County man was driving his car northbound in the southbound lanes of the elevated portion of I-110 near Garden Street at 4:03 a.m.. His vehicle collided with another car driven south by a 24-year old Pace woman.
The 24-year old woman was taken to an area hospital with serious injuries. The 38-year old man was transported to an area hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
FHP traffic homicide investigators are continuing their investigation and have not released names or other information.
These Are This Week’s Road Construction Trouble Spots
April 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. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, April 23 through Saturday, April 29 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews perform paving operations. On Tuesday, April 25, 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 Sunday, April 23 through Thursday, April 27 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave 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 closures and daytime lane closures on Lillian Highway, between U.S. 98 to Blue Angel Parkway, Monday, April 24 through Friday, April 28 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 outside lane closures and pedestrian detours on Navy Boulevard northbound from Barrancas Avenue to the Bayou Grande Bridge Monday, April 24 through Friday, April 28 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. as crews construct Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ramps. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized intersections to access sidewalks on Navy Boulevard.
- 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.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road - Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures between Innerarity Point Road and Bauer Road from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, April 23 through Thursday, April 27. Crews will be performing paving operations.
- I-10 Routine Maintenance near Pine Forest Road – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, April 24 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for guardrail repairs.
- S.R. 95 (North Palafox Street) Routine Maintenance near West Loretta Street – Drivers will encounter intermittent southbound lane closures Wednesday, April 26 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for paving operations.
- S.R. 291 Routine Underground Utility Maintenance at Airport Boulevard Intersection – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures Tuesday, April 25 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for underground utility maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, April 23 through Saturday, April 29 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews perform paving operations. On Tuesday, April 25, 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. 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 (Navarre Beach Causeway) and Calle De Palencia, will encounter alternating lane closures Wednesday, April 26 and Thursday, April 27 from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. In addition, the inside left turn lane onto U.S. 98 eastbound from the Navarre Beach Causeway will be intermittently closed during this time.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – The newly widened westbound bridge over Simpson River is expected to be completed the week of Monday, April 24. Once finished, the structure will support two westbound and two eastbound travel lanes, as well as dedicated bike lanes. 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, April 23, through Friday, April 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, April 24 through Friday, April 28 for paving operations.
- U.S. 98 Corridor Improvement near Navarre Beach Causeway – Motorists will encounter nighttime lane closures Wednesday, April 26 and Thursday, April 27 for construction activities.
- S.R. 87 (Stewart Street) Routine Utility Maintenance at Kennington Circle – Motorists will encounter lane closures Tuesday, April 25 through Friday, April 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for utility maintenance.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.