Northview’s Hudson Named Local Winner In VFW Essay Contest
November 21, 2022
Northview High School freshman Savannah Hudson was named the winner of the Atmore Post #7016 Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy Essay Contest. Her essay “Why the Veteran is Important” will now advance to the state level. She was presented a certificate and a $25 check by her English teacher, Roy. Brown. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt PTA Buys iPads For Each Classroom
November 21, 2022
The PTA at Bratt Elementary School was able to give the school a grant for an iPad for each classroom.
Teachers will have the ability to connect their iPads to the TVs in their classroom as they are teaching.
The Bratt PTA was able to make the donation through fundraisers such as selling cookie dough and “grateful grams”.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flying Out Of Pensacola Soon? The Airport Says Arrive Early And Pack Patience
November 21, 2022
Pensacola International Airport officials are advising passengers traveling during the Thanksgiving holiday to arrive extra early in anticipation of a record-setting travel week.
Airport Assistant Director Erica Grancagnolo said that national trends coupled with a record breaking year at PNS indicate a busier-than-normal Thanksgiving week, which is already one of the busiest travel times each year.
“The passenger numbers we’re already seeing this month, plus the national trends of increased air travel, are sending us a clear message that it’s going to be a very busy Thanksgiving week here at PNS,” said Grancagnolo.
“We encourage passengers to plan ahead and arrive at least two hours before your scheduled departure, so you have plenty of time to park, get checked in, go through security, and make it to your gate. Sometimes travelers don’t need the full two hours before their flight, but all indications are that you’re going to need every bit of that time this coming week,” she said.
In addition to arriving early, Grancagnolo recommended that passengers confirm their flight schedules with their airlines and if possible, check-in early via the airline website or mobile app. Passengers should review the TSA rules for carry-on and checked luggage to avoid any delays at security.
Finally, Grancagnolo suggested one more thing every traveler should include.
“We all want to have time with our families and loved ones over the holidays, including the gate agents, food vendors, parking attendants, flight crew, and TSA staff. It’s the holiday season, so let’s all pack a bit of patience and carry-on some consideration for each other.”
AAA: Florida Gas Prices Are Falling As Thanksgiving Road Trips Near
November 21, 2022
Florida gas prices are falling as millions prepare to hit the road for Thanksgiving. AAA forecasts 2.9 million Floridians will travel for the holiday weekend. Nearly 2.7 million (91%) of them will drive.
“Florida drivers may have something extra to be thankful for this Thanksgiving,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Prices at the pump are likely to drop through the holiday weekend. Gas prices could ultimately fall 20-30 cents per gallon. The downturn is being driven by strong refinery output, which led to a big gain in gasoline supplies.”
Pump prices already dropped 10 cents per gallon last week. On Sunday, Florida gas prices averaged $3.46 per gallon. That’s 10 cents per gallon more than what Thanksgiving travelers last last year. The most expensive Thanksgiving gas price on record was $3.46 per gallon in 2013. Based on current trends, it’s possible the state average could dip below last year’s levels by Thanksgiving day.
The average price in the Pensacola metro was one of the lowest in the state at $3.23. A low of $3.11 could be found in the Cantonment area at a Highway 29 station, while Pensacola Prices bottomed out at $2.92 at the warehouse clubs.
Farm Hill, Cantonment Neighborhood Cleanup Collects Nearly 25 Tons of Debris
November 21, 2022
Escambia County collected and disposed of nearly 25 tons of debris and waste during the District 5 Cantonment/Farm Hill Neighborhood Cleanup recently. The event allowed residents to leave items at the curb to be disposed of free of charge by the county and partnering agencies.
The cleanup resulted in the collection of 24.81 tons of debris, 440 pounds of household hazardous waste, 639 tires and 16 gallons of paint.
The county’s neighborhood cleanup program is hosted by the Escambia County Community Redevelopment Agency’s Safe Neighborhood Program. Local partners include Escambia County Waste Services, Environmental Code Enforcement, Public Works, Animal Services and Road Prison, along with the City of Pensacola Sanitation Department.
Since 2016, Escambia County has disposed of 5,356 tons (10,712,000 pounds) of debris through neighborhood cleanups.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Law Firm To Give Away 1,000 Thanksgiving Turkeys Or Hams, Side Dishes On Monday
November 20, 2022
At 10 a.m. Monday, the Watson Firm, together with local businesses and entrepreneurs, will be serving their neighbors at the Sixth Annual Community Thanksgiving Grocery Giveaway.
To meet the overwhelming demand in the Pensacola and surrounding communities, this year’s turkey dinner giveaway will accommodate the first 1,000 families. The feast will include a whole frozen turkey or ham, and a variety of sides.
The event begins at 10 a.m. at Town & Country Plaza at 1720 West Fairfield. Families are encouraged to gather early behind Town & Country Plaza near the old Piccadilly restaurant.
The holiday tradition began in 2017, when 200 families were provided a complete holiday turkey feast. In 2018, 300 families were served.
Don’t Forget: Call To Get The Miracle League Fry Your Thanksgiving Turkey
November 20, 2022
It’s not too late to reserve your spot to have the Miracle League of Pensacola fry your Thanksgiving turkey on Wednesday
A minimum of $30 per turkey or turkey breast is necessary to help cover costs, and any additional donation will benefit the Miracle League of Pensacola. The minimum charge is $35 for turkeys that are 20 pounds or more.
Call (850) 860-3211 with questions or to schedule your appointment (leave a message if no answer). Walk-ups are welcome, but reservations should be made early as the number of time slots is limited and appointments take priority.
There are a few things to remember after scheduling an appointment. Completely thaw your turkey, removing all of the inside packaging and giblets. Write down exactly how much your turkey weighs so it is fried perfectly and take it to the Miracle League Park at 555 East Nine Mile Road at your appointment time between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23. And be on time for your appointment.
Individuals interested in volunteering should also call (850) 860-3211.
Byrneville Man Pleads Not Guilty To Attempted Murder Of His Wife
November 20, 2022
A Byrneville man accused of shooting his wife on October 25 has entered a plea of not guilty.
Joseph Anthony Franklin, 60, remained in the Escambia County Jail Sunday morning one count of a attempted murder. His bond is set at one-quarter of a million dollars.
An arrest report obtained by NorthEscambia.com details the allegations against him.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the couple’s home on McBride Road just off Byrneville Road. Deputies arrived shortly after 8 a.m. on October 25to find Franklin sitting on the front porch smoking a cigarette, wearing a tan t-shirt and shorts. A female was on the porch floor next to him with an apparent gunshot wound to her left side, according to the report.
Franklin was ordered at gunpoint to put his hands on top of head. He was taken into custody and placed in an ECSO patrol vehicle.
The victim, later identified by the ECSO as Franklin’s wife, stated she found Franklin sitting on the couch that morning, but that led to an argument because he was supposed to be at work. During the argument, he pulled out a gun and started shooting it, according to the report. The victim told deputies that she tried to get the gun away from Franklin, and that is when he shot her.
Two other people were asleep upstairs in the home at the time but did not hear anything, deputies said.
The victim was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital by MedStar Air Care 2 and survived.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Commission Gets New Member, New Chair And Vice-Chair This Week
November 20, 2022
A new commissioner will take office and a new chair and vice chair will be appointed at Tuesday’s meeting of the Escambia County Commission.
The BOCC will swear in Mike Kohler as District 2 commissioner, succeeding Doug Underhill who did not seek reelection. Robert Bender will also be sworn in as District 4 Commissioner.
The commission will then reorganize with District 3 Commissioner Lumon May serving as chairman and District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry serving as vice chairman.
Kohler is a retired Navy captain who spent more than 30 years as a registered nurse. He served as vice chairman of the Escambia County Health Facility Authority.
Pictured: Mike Kohler will be sworn in as the new Escambia County District 2 commissioner on Tuesday.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Trouble Zones
November 20, 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 Thanksgiving Day holiday weekend, there will be no lane closures or other activities that impede traffic on major state roads beginning at 7 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23 and ending at 12 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28.
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, Nov. 20 through Tuesday, Nov. 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 – Pedestrians will encounter alternating sidewalk closures on Pace Boulevard, between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street (U.S. 29), as crews perform sidewalk and curb improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized intersections to access the sidewalks on the other side of Pace Boulevard during this time.
- 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 next summer.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenter’s Creek Bridge Replacement – The Ninth Avenue northbound bridge over Carpenter’s Creek is open with four travel lanes, two in each direction. Drivers will continue to encounter intermittent and alternating lane closures as crews place the final layer of asphalt and perform final work activities.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) from Brent Lane (S.R. 296) to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, Nov. 20 through Tuesday, Nov. 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 Highway for erosion control operations. Shoulder closures will be present throughout the project for erosion control installation.
- Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Routine Underground Utility Maintenance at A Street Intersection – Motorist will encounter intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21 through 8 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22 to tie in a new waterline to the watermain.
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, Nov. 20 through Tuesday, Nov. 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.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent nighttime lane closures Monday, Nov. 21 and Tuesday, Nov. 22 for construction activities.
- U.S. 90 Routine Utility Maintenance from Fellowship Baptist Church to Santa Villa Drive in Pace – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Monday, Nov. 21 and Tuesday, Nov. 22 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for routine utility maintenance.
- 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, Nov. 20 through Wednesday, Nov. 23 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.