Northview Alumnus Graduates From Marion Military Institute As A Second Lieutenant
May 16, 2022
Northview High School alumnus Colby Morris graduated this past weekend from Marion Military Institute and was pinned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Morris was in the NJROTC at Northview, and NHS instructor Chief Jeffrey Simpkins took part in the ceremony. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
It’s EMS Week In Escambia County
May 16, 2022
It’s EMS Week in Escambia County, as declared in a proclamation by the county commission.
In 1974, President Gerald Ford established EMS Week to recognize the EMS personnel for the important work they do throughout our nation’s communities. This year, Escambia Countyis celebrating EMS Week May 15-21 with the theme, “EMS: Rising to the Challenge.”
The men and women of Escambia County EMS responded to 77,334 calls in 2021. As of Saturday, Escambia County EMS has responded to 23,874 calls so far in 2022. They provide critical care, advanced life support, basic life support, and bariatric transports to county residents and visitors.
“Our employees rise to the challenge each and every day,” said EMS Chief David Torsell III. “I cannot thank them or recognize them enough for their tremendous effort and service to our community.”
Lightning Strike Sparks Large Storage Shed Fire In Cantonment
May 16, 2022
A lightning strike sparked a fire in a large shed Sunday evening in Cantonment.
Escambia County Fire Fire Rescue responded to the fire on Well Line Road west of Madrid Road about 6:10 p.m.
The approximately 600 square foot shed reportedly had no electricity and minimal contents. There were no injuries reported, and the shed was a total loss.
Firefighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading to a nearby vehicle and a wooded area.
The Cantonment, Ensley, Molino, Bellview, Beulah, and Osceola stations of Escambia Fire Rescue were dispatched to the fire.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Florida Gas Prices Reach New Record Highs, AAA Says
May 16, 2022
The average price for gasoline in Florida reached a new record high of $4.49 per gallon on Sunday. This beats the previous record of $4.38/g, set back in March (soon after Russia invaded Ukraine). Before this year, the record high was $4.08 per gallon, which was set back in 2008.
Florida’s average price jumped about 30 cents in the past week. The state average is now $1.60 per gallon more than a year ago.
Escambia County drivers were paying the lowest average price in the state on Sunday at $4.28. The lowest price Sunday night in North Escambia was $4.18 at a station on Muscogee Road in Cantonment, while several stations in Cantonment and Pensacola were at $4.19
“Drivers are dealing with unprecedented pain at the pump and things could soon get worse before they get better,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “We saw more big gains in the gasoline futures market late last week, which could trickle down to yet another 10-20 cent jump at the pump in the near future.”
“Unfortunately, $4 gasoline is likely to be that unwelcome passenger on most Florida summer road trips,” Jenkins continued. “At this point, the state average is not expected to exceed $5 a gallon. However, the fuel market is extremely unstable and things are changing by the day. Either way, drivers should expect gas prices to keep fluctuating throughout the summer and potentially the rest of the year.”
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Walk-Off With Series Sweep Over Trash Pandas
May 16, 2022
After a three-hour rain delay, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos rallied for four runs in the bottom of the ninth for a dramatic 6-5 walk-off win and a series sweep over the Rocket City Trash Pandas on Sunday night.
Victor Victor Mesa singled into the right field corner to score pinch runner Thomas Jones from third base, handing the Blue Wahoos their sixth win in a row and the first six-game sweep in team history.
Rocket City scored four early runs in the first inning against Jeff Lindgren, capped by a three-run homer from Ryan Aguilar. Lindgren settled down with three perfect innings afterwards, but only a Cobie Fletcher-Vance RBI single in the fourth inning against Coleman Crow prevented the Blue Wahoos from being blanked in the first half of the game.
Trailing 4-1 after four innings, persistent rain became too much to play through and the tarp was pulled. As the game was not official yet, the two teams waited two hours and 55 minutes before play resumed after 8 o’clock.
Rocket City added an insurance run in the fifth with an RBI double from Orlando Martinez, but the Blue Wahoos got an RBI double from Fletcher-Vance in the sixth to draw to within three runs.
Eli Villalobos and Josh Simpson each turned in scoreless innings before Colton Hock (W, 2-2) worked a scoreless ninth. Trailing 5-2, Griffin Conine led off the ninth with a double before Fletcher-Vance blooped an RBI single, his third run-scoring hit of the night. Bubba Hollins coaxed a walk before Santiago Chávez brought the Blue Wahoos within a run with an RBI single up the middle. Pinch-runner Hayden Cantrelle scored on a Luis Ledo (L, 2-2) wild pitch, setting the stage for Mesa’s walk-off single.
The Blue Wahoos have now won six in a row, their longest streak since May of 2021, and lead the South Division by 2.0 games.
After an off day on Monday, the Blue Wahoos hit the road for a six-game series against the Montgomery Biscuits on Tuesday.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Molino Dirt Road Divas Win 8U Alabama League Championship
May 15, 2022
The Molino Dirt Road Divas won the Gulf Coast Sports 8U Alabama League Championship Saturday in Robertsdale. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Airlifted Following ATV Crash Near Walnut Hill
May 15, 2022
One person was airlifted to the hospital following an ATV accident Saturday evening west of Walnut Hill.
The accident occurred about 6:30 along North Pineville Road, a dirt road between Arthur Brown Road and Nokomis Road. The adult victim was flown by AirCare medical helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released further details.
The Walnut Hill and Century stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue, Atmore Fire Department, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Molino Utilities Considering Rate Increase
May 15, 2022
Molino Utilities is considering a rate increase.
At a meeting on Tuesday, the Molino Utilities board of directors will discuss the possibility of a rate increase. The meeting will take place at 6 p.m. at the company office.
Members that wish to speak at the meeting are asked to contact the utility’s office at (850) 587-5538 before 4 p.m. Monday to be placed on the agenda.
Escambia Extension Holds Basics Of Canning Class
May 15, 2022
Saturday, Escambia County Extension held a class on the Basics of Canning at their office in Cantonment.
Participants learned how to preserve fruits and vegetables under the leadership of Dorothy Lee.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Down Areas
May 15, 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 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, May 15 through Saturday, May 21 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, May 17, 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 – Motorists traveling on West Cervantes Street will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Daytime single lane closures and lane shifts, between A Street and Dominguez Street, as crews perform median improvements, signalization installation, construct sidewalks, and make utility adjustments.
- Nighttime lane closures and traffic detours, between A Street and Pace Boulevard, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews mill and pave the roadway.
- In addition, the new traffic signals on Cervantes Street at the J Street, L Street, and R Street intersections will be activated Tuesday, May 17.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (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, May 16 through Friday, May 20 for mobilization of materials and equipment.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures Monday, May 16 through Friday, May 20.
- Airport Boulevard (S.R. 750) Routine Maintenance from West of Palafox Street to Davis Highway – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures from west of Palafox Street to Davis Highway the week of Monday, May 16 from 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. for paving operations.
- Pace Boulevard from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – The sidewalks on the eastern side of Pace Boulevard, between Barrancas Avenue and Navy Boulevard, are closed for improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the western side of Pace Boulevard during the construction.
- Barrancas Avenue (S.R. 292) from Manchester Street to the Bayou Chico Bridge –The sidewalks on the northern side of Barrancas Avenue, between Manchester Avenue and Pace Boulevard, will be closed for improvements. Detours will be in place for pedestrians in these areas.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) from Brent Lane to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, May 15 through Thursday, May 19 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. for sidewalk and curb improvements.
- U.S. 98 Pavement Coring Operations from S.R. 30 (U.S. 98) to Palafox Street – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, May 16 through Thursday, May 19 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for pavement coring operations.
- U.S. 90 Pavement Coring Operations from Hyde Park Road to South of I-10 – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, May 16 through Thursday, May 19 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for pavement coring 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, May 15 through Saturday, May 21 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, May 17, 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:
- Temporary median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to College Parkway.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road, Sunday May 15 through Friday, May 20 from 9 p.m. through 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
- Westbound travelers will encounter a new traffic configuration from North College Parkway to Ramblewood Drive as lanes will be shifted slightly south to allow for widening activities on the outside lane.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures and lane closures the week of Sunday, May 15 from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. for construction activities.
- Parkmore Plaza Drive (Old Bagdad Highway) Routine Maintenance at the U.S. 90 Intersection – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures Monday, May 16 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. from concrete operations.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.