Ernest Ward Middle School Names Students Of The Month
March 13, 2022
Ernest Ward Middle School recently announced their Students of the Month for December and January.
The January Students of the Month (pictured above, L-R) are Jaycee Miller, Sydney Little and Jackson Simmons.
The December Students of the Month (pictured below L-R) are Nicholas Barry, Brady Beckley and Kayleigh Young.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Soil And Water Board Could Be Doomed By Bill Approved By Legislature, Member Says
March 13, 2022
A bill approved by the Florida Legislature could doom the Escambia County Soil and Water Conservation District board, and that concerns at least one member of the board.
The legislation requires candidates for the volunteer elected seats to either be actively engaged in agriculture or retired after at least 10 years in agriculture, employed by an agricultural producer, or own or lease agricultural land.
The bill was sponsored by Republican Sen. Travis Hutson, who first proposed abolishing the boards altogether. It has been approved by the
The districts across the state, according to the state law that established them, are meant to “provide assistance, guidance, and education to landowners, land occupiers, the agricultural industry, and the general public in implementing land and water resource protection practices. The Legislature intends for soil and water conservation districts to work in conjunction with federal, state, and local agencies in all matters.”
Escambia Soil and Water Conservation District board member Anne Bennett is hoping the governor does not sign the bill.
“These boards work on storm water runoff, erosion, sedimentation, surface water quality. They help prioritize repairs on natural areas after big storm events countywide. They work with the US government on Census of government and finances; with the US Department of Agricultural to oversee programs, monies and to help prioritize projects and policies. They work cooperatively with many Florida agencies particularly, the Department of Agriculture. They work with non-profits, youth groups and schools.”
The Escambia Soil and Water Board receives no compensation or reimbursements, and they do not have any taxing or regulating authority, she said.
“Soil and Water boards cost nothing to taxpayers while providing community wide services to maintain quality of life, land and waterscapes,” Bennett added.
Bennett said some board districts will be left with no eligible candidate, and there will be no representation for non-agricultural concerns.
“Under this bill, a person without a high school diploma that’s been picking strawberries for the last 10 years would be able to serve on the board as opposed to a scientist from the University of Florida IFAS,” Rep. Joy Goff-Marcil, a central Florida Democrat, told Florida Politics. “We should all believe that Floridians should have the freedom to be healthy, prosperous and safe, which includes having clean drinking water.”
Pictured: A North Escambia field in June 2021. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Down Areas
March 13, 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
- U.S. 98 McGuire’s Saint Patrick’s Day Run– Drivers will encounter closures on the following roads near McGuire’s Irish Pub from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 12 for the Saint Patrick’s Day Run: East Gregory Street, Bayfront Parkway, 9th Avenue, and East Garden Street.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, March 13 through Saturday, March 19. 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 will encounter the following temporary intermittent lane closures:
- Inside lane closures and shifts between D and Q streets as crews perform median improvements, signalization installation and construct curb and gutter and sidewalk.
- Outside intermittent lane closures will occur at various locations along West Cervantes, between Dominguez and A Streets, to allow crews to construct Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant sidewalk ramps and traffic pole foundations.
- North Ninth Avenue (S.R. 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the southbound side of the bridge as crews construct the northbound portion. Additionally, drivers may encounter intermittent temporary lane closures from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, March 17 through Friday, March 18, as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- Airport Boulevard (S.R. 750) Maintenance from West of Palafox Street to Davis Highway – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the week of Monday, March 14 as crews perform concrete operations.
- U.S. 29 (Pensacola Boulevard) from Brent Lane to north of I-10 – Work has begun on the three-mile project. It will include resurfacing, curb, ramp and sidewalk improvements, new signage and pavement markings, and traffic signalization upgrades. The project is estimated for completion in early 2023.
- Saufley Field Road (S.R. 296) Sidewalk Improvements: The eastbound right lane between Mobile Highway and Denver Avenue will be closed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the week of Sunday, March 13 as crews construct sidewalk improvements.
Santa Rosa County
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, March 13 through Saturday, March 19. 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 – Major roadway construction activities are currently underway. Improvements include widening the roadway from four to a six-lanes with a raised median, safety, and drainage upgrades, resurfacing S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) from U.S. 98 to Garcon Point Bridge, extending the existing shared-use path on the south side of U.S. 98 from Gondolier Boulevard, and new signage and pavement markings.
- U.S. 90 Simpson River Bridge Project – Motorists can expect intermittent and alternating lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Monday, March 14 through Friday, March 18 as crews install a barrier wall.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
All Tom Thumb Stores Getting A New Name – Cumberland Farms
March 13, 2022
The Tom Thumb convenience store near you will have a new name and a new look in the coming months.
EG Group has announced it will rebrand its Tom Thumb store locations to the Cumberland Farms brand starting in May 2022. The $50 million project will span two years and include 113 Tom Thumb locations and new locations across Florida and Alabama.
The rebranding effort will take 18 to 24 months to complete all stores, the company said. Newly rebranded locations will feature Cumberland Farms’ latest design, equipment, and food menu – featuring a wide variety of hot grab-and-go food options as well as its premium Farmhouse Blend coffee.
“We decided to move forward with this brand conversion after conducting extensive research that projected the tremendous growth opportunity to expand the Cumberland Farms brand. In addition to updating and refreshing all of the stores with the Cumberland Farms design, layout and equipment, we plan to bring expanded food service offerings, including a new fried chicken concept, to guests in these communities,” said George Fournier, president of EG America.
EG America, a subsidiary of EG Group, operates over 1,700 locations across ten brands throughout the USA – Cumberland Farms, Certified Oil, Fastrac Café, KwikShop, Loaf ‘N Jug, Minit Mart, QuikStop, Sprint Food Stores, Tom Thumb, and Turkey Hill.
The rebrand will not impact employment of current Tom Thumb employs. They will remain employed under the Cumberland Farms brand.
Pictured: The Tom Thumb store located at Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies, Four Other High Schools, And Eight Colleges To Play At Blue Wahoos Stadium
March 13, 2022
Baseball is back by the Bay with 29 collegiate and high school games scheduled at Blue Wahoos Stadium leading up to the start of the minor league season.
Starting with Studer’s Blue Wahoos Challenge from March 15-23 featuring college baseball teams from across the country, fans will have two full weeks of action at the ballpark to experience the stadium’s new turf field and LED lighting before the first Blue Wahoos game on Friday, April 8.
Five local high schools will have an opportunity to play at Blue Wahoos Stadium in a four-game series March 25-28. Tate High and Navarre High will kick off the high school series on Friday, March 25 with a 6 p.m. game. The following day will feature a high school double header with Navarre playing Fort Walton Beach at 4 p.m. and Tate playing Fort Walton Beach at 7 p.m.. The final high school game will pit Escambia High against Gulf Breeze High on Monday, March 28 at 6:30 p.m.
Before the high school games, the annual Studer’s Blue Wahoos Challenge will feature 25 games between eight different college programs with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, the alma mater of Blue Wahoos owner Quint Studer, serving as the primary host of the event. The college showcase will be highlighted by a game between the University of West Florida and UW-Whitewater on Wednesday, March 23 at 6 p.m. and will also feature appearances by the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Carroll University (WI), Rhodes College (TN), Grinnell College (IA), Birmingham Southern College (AL), and Centre College (KY).
Tickets to all March games at Blue Wahoos Stadium are available at BlueWahoos.com with single game and full day passes available.
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos begin their 2022 season on Friday, April 8 as they welcome the Biloxi Shuckers to Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Pictured: The Tate High Aggies shut out Choctaw last season at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Photos by Laura Glodfelter and Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Christian College Wins NCCAA DII Women’s Basketball National Championship
March 13, 2022
The Pensacola Christian College Lady Eagles women’s basketball team secured their first National Championship Saturday with an 85-74 victory over the Arlington Baptist University Patriots of Arlington, Texas. The Division II National Championship of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) was held in Joplin, Missouri, March 9-12.
The PCC Lady Eagles season record was 23-3.
This National Championship marks the first in Pensacola Christian College women’s basketball program history. The Lady Eagles are led by Head Coach Jared Sellars.
Two Lady Eagles athletes secured a spot on the All-Tournament team: Leah Phelps and Lauran Alvarez. Lauran Alvarez was also named the tournament’s MVP.
Photo courtesy NCCAA for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Dead After Early Saturday Morning Shooting In Cantonment
March 12, 2022
A man is dead after an early morning shooting in Cantonment, and it appears foul play is involved, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The man was reported shot about 12:50 a.m. in the 2700 block of Pine Forest Road, just south of Roberts Road.
The investigation is continuing. So far, there are no known suspects, according to ECSO.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
D.W. McMillan Adds New Ambulance To Fleet In Escambia, Alabama
March 12, 2022
DW McMillan EMS is adding another ambulance to their fleet this month.
The 2022 F450 Wheeled Coach 4X4 is state of the art and offers a more comfortable ride for patients, officials said.
“The ambulance is equipped with liquid spring technology, a system that allows you to optimize vehicle ride and handling based on road conditions,” stated Justin Cole, EMS director. “This ambulance has been long-awaited, with the Covid-19 pandemic affecting automakers, this unit had been ordered since July of last year, and finally completed production.”
A new ambulance in the fleet will also allow scheduled downtime for other units. After DW McMillan expanded into Flomaton last July, all of their ambulances have been in use.
“In addition to the comfortable ride, the addition of a new, additional unit will allow for more preventive maintenance and off line repairs of other front line units,” said Jeff Booth, Escambia County (AL)Health Care Authority CEO. ”As we continue to improve our fleet, our vehicle downtime will hopefully become much lower.”
FWC Approves Production, Sale Of Florida Largemouth Bass As Food Product
March 12, 2022
At their March meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved rules to allow for the production and sale of Florida largemouth bass as a food product.
Statutory changes made during the 2021 legislative session sanctioned the sale of Florida largemouth bass produced in aquaculture facilities for food. Staff worked with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) to ensure continued genetic conservation of Florida’s iconic freshwater game fish.
Key points from the approved rule language include:
- Allow for the culture and sale of Florida largemouth bass as a food fish.
- Incorporate FWC’s Genetic Authentication Standards for Florida largemouth bass into rule by reference.
- Prohibit the importation into or transportation within the state of any live bass species, except permitted Florida largemouth bass that meet FWC’s largemouth bass Genetic Authentication Standards.
- Require any shipment of live bass in Florida to be accompanied with documentation required by FDACS and FWC.
“We appreciate the ongoing collaboration with FDACS, and we are confident in the established protocols in place to protect Florida’s iconic gamefish,” said Commissioner Gary Lester.
The Florida largemouth bass is the state fish.
Time Change: Spring Forward. And Don’t Forget The Smoke Alarm Batteries.
March 12, 2022
Don’t forget to “spring forward” and set your clocks ahead one hour before heading off to bed Saturday night. Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, making use of longer summer days, allowing people to rise early and spend more of the day working or playing.
And don’t forget to replace the batteries in your smoke alarm, or replace the alarm if it’s getting old.
“If your smoke detector is older than 10 years old, it most likely needs to be replaced,” said Escambia Fire Rescue Fire and Life Safety Specialist Ray Melton. “Having a working smoke detector and plan of escape from your home are two of the most important steps to being safe when a fire occurs.”
Escambia County residents can call (850) 595-HERO for replacement smoke detectors.