ST Engineering Opens New Hangar At Pensacola Airport
February 28, 2023
ST Engineering opened a new aircraft maintenance hangar at the Pensacola International Airport on Monday.
The new facility is the second of four hangars at an airframe Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) complex being developed by ST Engineering. The new 177,000 sq. ft. hangar features two bays capable of accommodating widebody aircraft, effectively doubling ST Engineering’s existing capacity in Pensacola.
The hangar, which currently supports a major customer;s Airbus A300 program, started operations in January this year. When fully operational, it is expected to generate over 400 new jobs.
“We are thrilled to open another state-of-the-art facility and see our partnership with ST Engineering flourish. Ensuring quality job growth is crucial to the future success of Pensacola, and this new hangar is a major step forward for our citizens, airport and community,” Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves said.
The airframe MRO complex that the new hangar is a part of is a project co-funded by ST Engineering, Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., the City of Pensacola, Escambia County, the State of Florida, and various state and federal organizations.
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Escambia County Seeks Volunteer for Planning Board Appointment
February 28, 2023
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an at-large appointment to the Escambia County Planning Board.
At-large members serve a two-year term of office and attend one meeting per month (generally the first Tuesday of the month). Meetings are generally from 8:30 a.m. to no later than noon; however, occasionally may go beyond noon depending upon the agenda. No travel is involved unless the Planning Board members decide to view a particular property for informational purposes. Financial disclosure is required.
Escambia County residents interested in being considered for a possible appointment to the Escambia County Planning Board are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve by close of business on Monday, March 13. Letters and resumes should be submitted to Rachel Whitmire; 3363 West Park Place; Pensacola, FL 32505; or emailed to rwhitmire@myescambia.com.
The term for this vacancy is March 23, 2023 until March 22, 2025.
All submittals are subject to public records requests.
Pine Meadow Students Vote On Their Favorite Books, Learn About Elections
February 28, 2023
Students at Pine Meadow Elementary School had a chance to vote for their favorite books Monday.
The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office brought real election equipment to campus and gave the students a lesson in voting and elections.
Third, fourth and fifth grade students voted for their favorite Sunshine State Youth Readers Book. Students that voted had read at least five books from the list.
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One Dead After Four Vehicle Vehicle Crash On I-10 In Escambia County
February 27, 2023
A 77-year old man from Idaho was killed and two other people were seriously injured in a four-vehicle wreck on I-10 in Escambia County Sunday night.
About 9:25 p.m., four vehicles were all westbound on I-10 between the Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road exit. A crash occurred directly in front of one vehicle, causing it to slow quickly. That, according to the Florida Highway Patrol, set off a chain reaction crash.
A 77-year old man from Meridian, Idaho, was killed. The drivers of two other vehicles — a 24-year old Pensacola man and a 58-year old Pensacola woman — were transported to area hospitals with serious injuries.
Pictured: A traffic camera shows the crash scene Sunday night.
Updated: Authorities Say Molino ‘Explosion’ Was Tannerite
February 27, 2023
Authorities responded to a reported explosion Sunday afternoon in Molino.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, an explosion was reported about 3:40 p.m. on Bet Raines Road between Highway 29 and Highway 95A.
ECSO spokesperson Sgt. Melony Peterson said updated information indicates the explosion was due to Tannerite — a common “exploding” target usually used for firearms practice that is sold by retail outlets.
A male was seen running into a wooded area following the explosion, but deputies were unable to locate him.
Escambia County Fire Rescue responded and determined the scene was safe. There was no fire following the incident, and no injuries reported.
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story stated the explosion was due to a methamphetamine lab, which was the information provided to us by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The ECSO provided additional updated information Monday afternoon that there was no meth lab involved.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Search Continues For Suspect That Caused Highway 97 Wreck, Robbed Victim At Gunpoint
February 27, 2023
Authorities are still searching for a suspect that caused a wreck and then robbed a victim at gunpoint on Highway 97 in Davisville two months ago.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said 45-year Edward Jerome Butler, Jr. followed a vehicle and caused a traffic crash in the 11000 block of Highway 97, near the Piggly Wiggly, just before 6 p.m. on December 27. After the wreck, deputies say Butler robbed the victim at gunpoint taking cash, a firearm, and other property from the victim and the victim’s vehicle. Butler then used the victim’s credit/debit card to withdraw money.
Butler is wanted for battery, aggravated assault, larceny, grand theft of a firearm, robbery with a firearm, and fraud (illegal use of a credit card). Butler is considered armed and dangerous, according to the ECSO.
He was seen driving the white sedan pictured during the armed robbery.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Editor’s note: The mugshot above of Edward Jerome Butler Jr. is from a 2017 arrest.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Delay Spots
February 27, 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 (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 April. 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.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter the following alternating lane closures on the Pensacola Bay Bridge between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.:
- U.S. 98 eastbound lane closures Sunday, Feb. 26 through Saturday, March 4 as crews perform striping work.
- U.S. 98 westbound lane closures Monday, Feb. 27 and Tuesday, Feb. 28 as crews perform work on the wrong way detection system.
- 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.
- Pace Boulevard (State Road (S.R.) 292) Resurfacing from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Drivers will encounter outside lane closures on Pace Boulevard, between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street (U.S. 29), Friday, Feb. 24 through Friday, March 3 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The closures will allow crews to perform striping and concrete operations.
- 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 (S.R. 296) to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, Feb. 26 through Thursday, March 2 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 may encounter daily lane and shoulder closures on Lillian Highway, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Monday, Feb. 27 through Friday, March 3 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Crews will be performing shoulder reconstruction and shoulder paving.
- 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 on Navy Boulevard, from Barrancas Avenue to the Bayou Grande Bridge, Friday, Feb. 24 through Friday, March 3 from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Crews will be working on curb and gutter and sidewalks.
- U.S. 90 Routine Bridge Maintenance under the I-10 Overpass (Exit 5) – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, Feb. 26 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter the following alternating lane closures on the Pensacola Bay Bridge between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.:
- U.S. 98 eastbound lane closures Sunday, Feb. 26 through Saturday, March 3 as crews perform striping work.
- U.S. 98 westbound lane closures Monday, Feb. 27 and Tuesday, Feb. 28 as crews perform work on the wrong way detection system.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River - Construction crews have temporarily shifted eastbound traffic to the westbound bridge over Simpson River. The shift is expected to be in place through March 2023. During this time, there will be two westbound lanes and one eastbound travel lane using the westbound bridge. Due to the traffic shift, there will not be dedicated bike lanes on the bridge. Drivers are urged to use extra caution as they will be temporarily sharing the bridge with cyclists. Drivers are also reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- The median crossover at the intersection of Bayshore Road and U.S. 98 will remain closed to perform necessary road widening activities.
- 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, Feb. 26, through Friday, Mar. 3, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
4-H Members Learn About Managing Money, Living On Their Own
February 27, 2023
The “Cool Car Co.” was accepting checks or debit cards last week, as was the “Want it ALL Mall”.
Bill. Credit card interest. Childcare. Law Service, Groceries. TV service. Power.
The list of real adulting things just never ends, as Escambia County 4-H members learned last week during the “Living On My Own Simulation” in Cantonment.
4-H members learned about the dollars and cents, and sense, of the adult world of household finance.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview High Names Students Of The Month
February 27, 2023
Northview High School recently named their Students of the Month for January. They are Wyatt Scruggs and Meleina McGavran. They are pictured with Principal Michael Sherrill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Move A Little Bit Lower
February 27, 2023
Florida gas prices are moving lower again after a modest increase last week. The state average increased 4 cents per gallon early last week. However, those gains were mostly erased by the weekend.
Florida drivers are again paying $3.30 per gallon. That’s a half-cent less than the average price a week ago, and 28 cents less than this year’s high.
The average in Escambia County was $3.18. Sunday night, a low of $3.11 was at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment. Pensacola prices were as low as $2.94 at the warehouse clubs and a Nine Mile Road station.
“The slight jump at the pump last week was likely a delayed response to an oil price hike that occurred two weeks earlier,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The good news for motorists is that the arrow is once again pointing lower. Wholesale gasoline prices have declined a total of 15 cents during the past two weeks. Which should allow the state average to drift lower again this week.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo.