Escambia, Santa Rosa Collect Over 2.3 Tons Of Peanut Butter For Food Banks
December 18, 2022
The annual Peanut Butter Challenge collected over two tons of the spread in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties for local food banks.
Santa Rosa County collected 2,056 jars for 2,657 pounds of peanut butter to take the top spot in the state. With 1,981 pounds, Escambia County was third behind Hernando County with their 2,238 pounds.
The Peanut Butter Challenge has always been measured by its helpfulness to the community, said Libbie Johnson, UF/IFAS Extension Santa Rosa County agriculture agent and co-organizer of the event since it began in the Panhandle counties in 2012.
“All of the peanut butter collected goes to local food banks, backpack programs and other services that support our neighbors through difficult times,” Johnson said. “It feels like such a small thing – to collect peanut butter jars – but it’s meaningful to the local families who may be needing the extra support, especially during the holiday season.”
Santa Visits Carver Park In Cantonment
December 18, 2022
Santa Claus and Ascend Performance Materials made a special visit Saturday to Carver Park in Cantonment to spread some holiday cheer to good boys and girls. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Unemployment Rate Holds Steady Over The Past Month
December 18, 2022
The Escambia County unemployment rate held steady last month, according to newly released data from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 2.7% in November, unchanged from October. That represented 4,090 people out of work out of a county workforce of 150,935. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was 3.3%, or 4,917 people.
The area’s private sector employment increased by 3.9 percent over the year in November 2022, adding 6,400 jobs. The area labor force increased by 6,434 over the year, a 2.8 percent increase.
The industries gaining the most jobs over the year were leisure and hospitality, increasing by 1,500 jobs; education and health services, increasing by 1,300 jobs; and construction, increasing by 1,100 jobs.
Florida’s unemployment rate dropped to 2.6 percent — the lowest among the nation’s top ten largest states and 1.1 percent lower than the national rate. November marked two consecutive years that Florida’s unemployment rate remained below the rest of the nation.
“Florida’s continued success over the past two years is no accident. No matter the challenges, we have stayed on offense,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Florida’s economy is outpacing the nation for the second consecutive year because we have invested in our workforce and prioritized keeping Floridians at work and businesses open. As the new year approaches, we will continue investing in our workforce and infrastructure to create jobs and keep our economy moving forward.”
Escambia Seeks Volunteers For Merit System Protection Board
December 18, 2022
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an appointment to the Escambia County Merit System Protection Board. Residents who wish to apply are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve by the close of business on Dec. 29, 2022.
Resumes should be submitted via email to boardapply@myescambia.com or mailed to:
Jose Gochez, Program Coordinator
Escambia County Board of County Commissioners
P.O. Box 1591
Pensacola, FL 32502
All submittals are subject to public records requests.
From Ukraine To Bratt: Christmas Cookie Exchange Brings Neighbors Together
December 18, 2022
Bratt resident Julie Jones hosted the 1st Annual Bratt Christmas Cookie Exchange Saturday.
She is from Ukraine and wanted to hold the event to meet more people from the Bratt area.
About a dozen people from Bratt braved a cold afternoon at the Travis Nelson Park in Bratt. They enjoyed hot cocoa, Christmas music and, of course, plenty of cookies.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sheriff: Enough Fentanyl Seized In Escambia County Raids To Kill 800,000 People
December 17, 2022
During “Operation Blue Christmas” over the past week, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office seized enough fentanyl fentanyl to kill 800,000 people.
“We had enough lethal fentanyl to kill 800,000,” Sheriff Chip Simmons said. “That’s enough to conceivably kill every person in Escambia County, Santa Rosa County, Okaloosa County and Walton County — and probably a few of the neighboring counties as well…That tells you how dangerous this is.”
The drugs and multiple weapons were seized during the execution of five different search warrants that netted seven arrests with more expected. Marcus Shaun Williams, 44, and Andrion Russell Battle, 46, were among the arrests; the other names have not yet been announced.
Battle remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $300,000, while Williams was released on a $300,000 bond.
Simmons said authorities seized:
- 1,600 grams of fentanyl
- 30,268 grams of ecstasy, much of it mixed with fentanyl
- 681 grams of meth
- 1.25 kilos of crack cocaine
- 229 grams of powder cocaine
- 25 pounds of marijuana
- 16 guns
- 3 vehicles.
“We are committed to stopping these people that are ruining our neighborhoods,” Simmons said. “We are committed to stopping the ones bringing this stuff in, we are committed to stopping the ones selling it and opening up their homes for this type of dangerous behavior. Our Narcotics Unit has just been knocking it out of the park — and they’ve only begun.”
The search warrants were served in the 100 block of Diego Circle, 3000 block of West Lloyd Street, 7000 block of Chapel Street, 4400 block of Cora Lane, and the 3700 block of West Jackson Street.
The operation was named “Operation Blue Christmas” due to the season and a blueish color of many of the pills containing fentanyl.
“This is a Christmas present to these neighborhoods,” Simmons said. “Believe me, it’s probably better than any gift they’re gonna have.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Awarded $14.2 Million In Oil Spill Money For OLF-8 Improvements
December 17, 2022
Triumph Gulf Coast has approved $14.2 million in funding for infrastructure at the county-owned OLF-8 site on Nine Mile Road.
As part of Phase I of the OLF-8 Commerce Park development, a 1.2 mile north-south roadway will be developed to connect Nine Mile Road and Frank Reeder Road. Additionally, the funding will go toward water/sewage infrastructure and stormwater site improvements.
“The Triumph Gulf Coast award of $14.2 million in oil spill penalty money for OLF-8 is a huge victory for Escambia County and our citizens,” said Escambia County District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh. “This large award will allow us the ability to construct critical infrastructure on this county-owned property which will facilitate the cultivation of hundreds of high-paying private sector jobs for the citizens we serve. The staff did a great job in putting this winning proposal together, and I appreciate their diligent efforts and attribute all the credit to them for this win. Truly a great day in Escambia County.”
As a result of the funding, 338 jobs are expected to be created with the upcoming project, according to Escambia County.
“Escambia County is extremely appreciative to the Triumph Gulf Coast board of directors for their favorable consideration toward OLF-8,” said County Administrator Wes Moreno. “I’d also like to thank our staff for the time and effort they put in to help make this grant possible. We also really appreciate the support of Scott Luth and his team at FloridaWest. We’re excited about the future of OLF-8 and look forward to getting started on Phase I.”
In 2016, Escambia County took ownership of OLF-8 as part of a land-swap agreement with the Navy. The land will be developed into a mixed-use community that will include industrial sites, dedicated new business attractions and opportunities for existing business expansions. According to Triumph Gulf Coast, the OLF-8 site location is extremely advantageous for advanced manufacturing and supply chain distribution companies looking for close proximity to I-10.
Triumph Gulf Coast is a nonprofit that oversees the expenditure of funds received by the state from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
DeSantis Signs Bill Seeking To Stabilize Property Insurance Market
December 17, 2022
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Friday seeking to stabilize Florida’s property insurance market, increase competition, and strengthen consumer protections.
“The issues in Florida’s property insurance market did not occur overnight, and they will not be solved overnight,” the governor said. “The historic reforms signed today create an environment which realigns Florida to best practices across the nation, adding much-needed stability to Florida’s market, promoting competition, and increasing consumer choice. I am thankful the Legislature answered the call for meaningful reform.”
The insurance bill seeks to , strengthen Florida’s property insurance market by:
- Eliminating one-way attorney fees for property insurance claims, which will disincentivize frivolous lawsuits, and realigning Florida’s market to best practices that will promote more market competition in the private insurance industry.
- Reducing the burden of excessive and predatory litigation will help bring down costs for homeowners.
- Enhancing the Office of Insurance Regulation’s ability to complete market conduct examinations of property insurers following a hurricane to hold insurance companies accountable and prevent abuse of the property appraisal process.
- Reducing timelines for insurers to get payments out the door and back into the hands of policyholders as they rebuild their lives.
- Building on reforms passed earlier this year by committing additional funding to provide temporary reinsurance support to help stabilize the market.
Jefferson Named MVP As West Falls To East In All-Star Football Game
December 17, 2022
The East beat the West 14-7 in the Pensacola Sports High School All Star Football Game at Washington High School Friday night.
Northview Chief Jamarkus Jefferson was named the West Offensive MVP.
It was just the second All Star win for the East in the 10-year history of the game, and the first since 2017.
The West’s only score came late in the first half on a 9-yard pass from Northview’s Kaden Odom at quarterback to wide receiver B.J. Jenkins of Washington High School.
Pine Forest High football coach Ronnie Douglas led the West team roster, while Niceville High coach Grant Thompson headed the East roster.
Each eligible school in the three-county area was guaranteed at least one spot on the all-star team, given they had an eligible senior, and every player had at least one play in the game.
Created in 2004 by community and sports leaders, along with Pensacola Sports, the inaugural All Star Game’s mission was to showcase Pensacola area seniors in one last football game of their high school career.
Pictured: Northview High School senior Jamarkus Jefferson. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Here Are Next Week’s Road Construction Delay Spots
December 17, 2022
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
In preparation for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, there will be no lane closures or other activities that impede traffic on major state roads beginning at 7 a.m. Friday, Dec. 23 and ending at 12 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3.
Escambia County:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The front parking lot is temporarily closed as crews work to resurface the pavement. The other parking areas remain open. Temporary sidewalk modifications are also in place while work is underway.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Dec. 18 through Thursday, Dec. 22 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to perform miscellaneous construction activities on the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- Pace Boulevard from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and sidewalk closures on Pace Boulevard and side streets, between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Sunday, Dec. 18 through Thursday, Dec. 22 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. The work will allow crews to perform paving operations as well as sidewalk and curb improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized intersections to access the sidewalks on the other side of Pace Boulevard.
- East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) 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 in summer 2023.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) from Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) 296) to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, Dec. 18 through Thursday, Dec. 22 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway.
- Lillian Highway (S.R. 298), 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 intermittent lane closures on Lillian Highway, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Sunday, Dec. 18 through Thursday, Dec. 22 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. for drainage improvements and erosion control operations.
- Sorrento Road Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road – Drivers may encounter intermittent daytime and nighttime lane closures and lane shifts through Dec. 22 at the Sorrento Road and Bauer Road intersection as crews install drainage pipe. In addition, daytime shoulder closures will continue through Thursday, Dec. 22.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Dec. 18 through Thursday, Dec. 22 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to perform miscellaneous construction activities on the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- 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:
- 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, Dec. 18 through Thursday, Dec. 22, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- Settlers Colony Boulevard will remain closed to complete necessary drainage improvements. Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians will access Settlers Colony Boulevard via Venetian Way and Coronado Drive. Detour signs will be in place. Residents may experience noise, vibrations, and dust during daytime hours as part of this drainage improvement effort.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.