Driver’s License Services, Vehicle Registration Available In Century On October 4

September 27, 2022

The Florida Licensing On Wheels (FLOW) mobile office will return to Century next month.

FLOW is a standalone mobile office with technology to provide most motorists’ needs. The mobile unit provides a convenient method to renew a driver license, obtain a replacement driver license, conversion/reciprocation of out-of-state license, change a name or address on a current driver license or identification card, and get a first-time identification card. In addition to licensing services, the mobile unit also provides an opportunity to renew or replace a vehicle registration and apply, renew or replace disabled parking placards. Written and driving tests are not available from the FLOW unit.

Vehicle registrations can be renewed up to three months and driver licenses up to 18 months in advance of expiration.

The FLOW mobile office will be at the Billy G. Ward Century Courthouse, 7500 North Century Boulevard on Tuesday, October 4 from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

Citizens using the FLOW services are encouraged to visit EscambiaTaxCollector.com and click the “What Do I Bring” button for information on what is needed for these services. Staff from the tax collector’s office will be on hand to answer all FLOW service questions and questions concerning all other tax collector services such as property tax, business tax receipts, concealed weapons licensing, etc.

Pictured: The Florida Licensing On Wheels (FLOW) mobile office at the courthouse in Century in June 2022. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Wendy Meredith Named Escambia Extension Expanded Food & Nutrition Manager

September 27, 2022

Wendy Meredith is the new program manager for the Escambia Extension  Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP).

Meredith is no stranger to Extension or EFNEP as she has served as a nutrition educator for 13 years teaching adult clientele across Escambia County. In her new role, she will supervise and train youth and adult nutrition educators as well as work directly with sites who will benefit from EFNEP programming.

Tate Aggies Volleyball Honors Three On Senior Night

September 27, 2022

Tate High volleyball honored three players on senior night Monday.

The three senior Aggies are setter Kaylen Brock, libero Ansli Brown, and setter Alahna Erd.

In Monday night’s game, Tate swept Pensacola High in three straight, 25-21, 25-19, 25-18.

Pictured above: Tate volleyball seniors Kaylen Brock, Ansli Brown and Alahna Erd. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Escambia County Makes Free Sand Available For Storm Prep

September 27, 2022

Escambia County has free sand available for residents living in flood prone areas.

The sand is available on a first come, first served basis at the following locations:

  • John R. Jones Jr. Athletic Park – 555 E. Nine Mile Road
  • Don Sutton Park – 2320 Crabtree Church Road, Molino
  • Travis M. Nelson Park -  4541 Highway 4, Bratt
  • Equestrian Center – 7750 Mobile Highway
  • Escambia County Road Department – 601 Highway 297A
  • Brent Athletic Park – 4711 N. W St., Pensacola
  • Ferry Pass Middle School -available on northwest corner of school property on Parazine Street
  • Baars Field Athletic Park – 13001 Sorrento Road, Pensacola

Residents must bring their own sandbags and shovels. Sandbags are usually available for purchase at home improvement and hardware stores.

Pictured: Sand at Travis M. Nelson Park in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.

ECUA Recycling Facility Reopens Monday; Recycling Returns Thursday For ECUA Customers

September 26, 2022

After a supply chain delay, a belt needed to restart the ECUA Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) has arrived.

The recycling facility was closed in June after the equipment failure.

ECUA will reopen the facility on Monday, accepting recyclables from other partners. The first recycling materials processed from ECUA customers on Thursday, September 29.

While waiting on the repair parts, ECUA used the downtime to conduct extensive maintenance activities at the MRF that would generally require a facility shutdown. We have replaced rollers, bearings, tail pulleys, hydraulic maintenance, as well as replacement of 13 other belts, and assorted other maintenance work.

During the downtime, ECUA landfilled all of the recyclables collected.

Pictured: A replacement belt is installed on machinery inside the ECUA Materials Recycling Facility. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Bonus Photos: Northview Football Fans, Band, Cheerleaders, NJROTC

September 26, 2022

For the first time in a decade, the Northview Chiefs beat the Baker Gators Friday night.

For a bonus photo gallery with fans, the band, cheerleaders and NROTC, click or tap here.

For a game action story and photos, click or tap here.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

General Election Ballots Headed To Military And Overseas Voters

September 26, 2022

The first vote-by-mail ballots for the November 8 general election are on the way to military and overseas voters, according to Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford.

Federal and state law require military and overseas ballots to be sent no later than 45 days prior to a federal election. Florida law establishes a window for mailing civilian ballots between 40 and 33 days prior to election day.Civilian ballots will be mailed no later than October 6 to those who have already requested them.

The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is October 29. Visit EscambiaVotes.gov/vote-by-mail or call (850) 595-3900.

Escambia County voters can track the status of their vote-by-mail ballot in one of two ways: by signing up to receive e-mail or text messages, or by checking the status on our website. Visit EscambiaVotes.gov/track-my-ballot for more information.

The deadline to register to vote before the November 8 General Election is October 11. Visit EscambiaVotes.gov/register-to-vote for more information.

Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Advisories

September 26, 2022

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:

  • 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, Sept. 25 through Saturday, Oct. 1 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, Sept. 27, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
  • West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Drivers may encounter intermittent daytime and nighttime single lane closures and lane shifts, between A Street and Dominguez Street. The closures will allow crews to work on the new pedestrian crossing signals, irrigation system and landscaping.
  • Pace Boulevard from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on Pace Boulevard and side streets, between Cervantes Street and Barrancas Avenue Sunday, Sept. 25 through Thursday, Sept. 29 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. The work will continue for several weeks as crews work to adjust manholes, and mill and pave the roadways. In addition, pedestrians will encounter alternating sidewalk closures on Pace Boulevard, between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street (U.S. 29), while crews make sidewalk and curb improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized intersections to access the sidewalks on the other side of Pace Boulevard.
  • Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) from Brent Lane to North of I-10 Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures at the W Street intersection from 9 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27 to 6 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28 as crews install pedestrian signal upgrades.
  • I-10 at the Interstate 110 (I-110) Interchange – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on the following ramps Sunday, Sept. 26 through Thursday, Sept. 29 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for install thermoplastic pavement markings:
    • I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound.
    • I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 westbound.
    • I-110 northbound ramp to Davis Highway.
    • Davis Highway on-ramp to I-110 southbound.
    • I-10 eastbound ramp to I-110 southbound
  • Sorrento Road Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road – Drivers will encounter the following lane closures Sunday, Sept. 25 through Thursday, Sept. 29 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.:
    • Reduction to one lane and traffic flagging operation from the Theo Baars Bridge to Innerarity Point Road as crews mill and pave the roadway.
    • Reduction to one lane and traffic flagging operations between Doug Ford Road and Bauer Road as crews perform shoulder widening and drainage work.
  • Barrancas Avenue Routine Maintenance from Manchester Street to the Bayou Chico Bridge – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on Barrancas Avenue and side streets, between Manchester Street and the Bayou Chico Bridge, Sunday, Sept. 25 through Thursday, Sept. 29 from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. for construction operations.
  • Alcanize Street (State Road (S.R.) 291) Routine Underground Utility Maintenance Between La Rua Street and Belmont Street – Motorists will encounter nighttime road closures beginning Sunday, Sept. 25 through Friday, Sept. 30 for underground utility maintenance. Traffic will be detoured to La Rua and Belmont Streets in order to avoid the one block road closure.
  • Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) Routine Maintenance near Green Acres Drive – Motorists will encounter nighttime lane closures Sunday, Sept. 25 for paving operations.
  • West Garden Street (U.S. 98) Routine Utility Maintenance Between Tarragona Street and Jefferson Street – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures Wednesday, Sept. 28 from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. for utility maintenance.
  • S.R. 97 Routine Maintenance near South Highway 99 at the new Dollar General – Motorists will encounter a lane closure Sunday, Sept. 25 through Thursday, Sept. 29 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for paving operations.

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, Sept. 25 through Saturday, Oct. 1 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, Sept. 27, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
  • 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, Sept. 25 through Friday, Sept. 30 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. This closure will remain in effect for approximately 30 days. 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.
  • I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent nighttime and daytime lane closures Monday, Sept. 26 through Friday, Sept. 30 for construction activities.
  • U.S. 98 Turn Lane Construction at Rosewood Avenue – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures Monday, Sept. 26 through Thursday, Sept. 29 for construction activities

All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.

Florida Gas Prices Declined Last Week

September 26, 2022

Florida gas prices declined 4 cents per gallon last week. Drivers are now paying an average price of $3.38 per gallon, which is the lowest daily average since January.

The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $3.15. Sunday night, the lowest in North Escambia was $3.07 at a Cantonment station on Muscogee Road, while in Pensacola a low of $2.99 could be found at several stations.

“There’s actually downward pressure on pump prices, despite the forecast that a hurricane would approach Florida this week,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Gasoline and oil futures prices plunged 7% last week, to 8-month lows on concerns that aggressive interest rate hikes by the U.S. Federal Reserve could trigger an economic recession.”

“Since Tropical Storm Ian is not projected to impact the refineries in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, it’s unlikely that the storm itself or the resulting demand, would cause pump prices to spike,” Jenkins said.

NorthEscambia.com photo.

Blue Wahoos Fall To Smokies In Game One Of Championship Series

September 26, 2022

The Pensacola Blue Wahoos fell 4-1 to the Tennessee Smokies on Sunday afternoon in Game One of the best-of-three Southern League Championship Series.

The Smokies, who defeated Rocket City in the Division Series, kept their momentum with a three-run first inning against Luis Palacios (L, 0-1). A bases-loaded walk to Chase Strumpf was followed by a missed catch error from Bubba Hollins on a pickoff attempt that scored two more Tennessee runs to put the Smokies ahead 3-0.

Tennessee’s lone run-scoring hit came in the third, as Nelson Maldonado hit a solo home run to extend the lead to 4-0. The Pensacola bullpen combined for six scoreless innings, but the Smokies bullpen was just as dominant.

The Blue Wahoos finally built a threat in the fourth against Smokies starter D.J. Herz, but a run-scoring error from second baseman Chase Strumpf would prove to be the only Pensacola run of the game. Riley Martin (W, 1-0), in his Double-A debut, worked out of a bases-loaded jam in relief of Herz to foil the last significant threat of the night.

Bailey Horn (S, 1) stranded two runners in the ninth to finish off a six-out save for the Smokies, sending them back to Tennessee needing only one more win to secure a Southern League title.

Game Two of the Southern League Championship Series at Smokies Stadium will be Tuesday night.

by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos

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