Reminder: District 1 Town Hall Meeting Tuesday Evening
February 21, 2022
District 1 Escambia County Commissioner and Chairman Jeff Bergosh will host a town hall Tuesday from 5:30 until 7 p.m. at Beulah Middle School.
Attendees will include county staff, District 1 ECUA board member Vicki Campbell, Escambia County School Board District 1 member Kevin Adams, and Debbie Malsberger from State Rep. Michelle Salzman’s office.
Bergosh intends to discuss countywide issues including COVID-19 response and recovery, new redistricting boundaries, the budget, the county jail and staffing issues, Escambia County Fire Rescue and EMS, Triumph Gulf Coast, and the RESTORE Act. There will be topics of interest to District 1 discussed as well, including OLF-8, the Beulah Community Master Plan, the District 1 library and Beulah fire station, and an elevated walkway and sidewalks for Beulah. Bergosh will also give an update on the Mobile Highway road project, the Nine Mile/Beulah interchange and transportation projects including Longleaf Drive and Avondale Sidewalk.
Bergosh will also utilize “agree” or “disagree” cards so residents can answer questions posed during the town hall. Comment cards will be available so county staff can address residents’ concerns.
One Injured In Highway 29 Crash
February 20, 2022
One person was injured in a single vehicle crash on Highway 29 Saturday afternoon.
The wreck was reported about 4:45 p.m. near the Highway 196 intersection. The vehicle left the roadway and crashed into a wooded area, nearly obscured from the highway.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia County Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Injured In ATV, Vehicle Crash In Cantonment
February 20, 2022
One person was reportedly injured in a crash involving an ATV Saturday afternoon in Cantonment.
The ATV collided with the side of a passenger car about 2:50 p.m. on Muscogee Road near Webb Street.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released any information about the crash.
The Cantonment and Molino Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Beef Cattle & Forage Bootcamp Is Coming To Molino
February 20, 2022
The fourth annual Escambia County Beef Cattle & Forage Bootcamp will be held Saturday, March 5 at the Escambia County 4-H Center in Molino.
The bootcamp is a hands-on learning opportunity for producers involved with cattle or forage management. State and local professionals will be available to discuss current research and production strategies.
This year, the Northwest Florida Cattlemen’s Association will be partnering with UF/IFAS Extension to promote education relating to beef and forage best practices. Presenters will provide up-to-date information on cattle reproduction, nutrition, and management along with information focusing on increasing forage productivity.
To register, click or tap here.
Schedule for the event:
- 8:30 a.m. Registration
- 9:00 a.m. Welcome/Introductions
- 9:15 a.m. Rotation Breakouts (30-45 min ea.):
- Cattle reproduction technologies and techniques Utilizing techniques in AI, pregnancy detection & estrous sync. Dr. Angela Gonella-
- Using cool-season forages as cover crop and grazing.” Winter annual forage plots and grazing strategies. Dr. Jose Dubeux
- Balancing rations with variable hay quality Evaluation of productive beef cattle rations using varying levels of hay quality. Dr. Nicolas DiLorenzo
- 11:30 a.m. Lunchtime topics (lunch provided by NWFL Cattlemen’s Assoc.)
- Market Trends
- Updated Policy Changes
- 12:00 p.m. NWFL Cattlemen’s Assoc. Business Meeting
The event is open to all.
County Seeks Volunteers for Contractor Competency Board
February 20, 2022
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to serve on the Escambia County Contractor Competency Board (CCB). Four applicants will be appointed for service beginning in May 2022.
The duties of the CCB include accepting contractor applications, administering contractor examinations, and issuing and recording Certificates of Competency and renewals; making an annual report; investigating complaints against contractors; and presiding over contractor disciplinary proceedings. CCB members serve a three-year term and meet the first Wednesday morning of every month for approximately two hours. Members receive $50 per meeting as compensation for their services.
CCB members are appointed from certain representative segments of citizens and professions, including contractors, design professionals, business persons, and lay persons. The Board of County Commissioners is currently seeking the following for membership on the CCB:
Two Division I Contractors
Two Division II Contractors
Escambia County residents interested in serving on the CCB are asked to submit a resume and cover letter to Jennifer Hampton, Director’s Aide, Building Services Department, 3363 West Park Place, Pensacola, Florida, 32505 or jahampton@myescambia.com by the close of business on Friday, March 4, 2022.
Dirty SUV Leads To Arrest Of Cantonment Man On Weapons Charges
February 19, 2022
A dirty SUV landed a Cantonment man in the Escambia County Jail on weapons charges.
Charlie Glenn Odom, 23, was charged with carrying a concealed weapon without a license and dealing in stolen property.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy was patrolling the area of I-10 and Pine Forest Road when he spotted an older model Chevrolet Tahoe covered in dirt, making the vehicle’s tag partially unreadable. The deputy followed the vehicle to the parking lot of a convenience store in the 7000 block of Pine Forest Road.
As the driver approached, the deputy reported that he could smell marijuana and searched the vehicle based with probable cause. Under the driver’s seat, he located a “readily accessible” 9mm firearm with nine full metal jacket rounds loaded in the magazine. According to an arrest report, the firearm was reported stolen in July 2021.
Odom was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $12,500 bond.
Funeral Held For Longtime Century Firefighter J.B. Johnson
February 19, 2022
Funeral services were held Friday for a longtime Century firefighter.
J.B. Johnson, Jr., passed away Tuesday at age 65.
Johnson was a firefighter for over 20 years for the Century Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue. He also worked for over three decades as a high angle confined space rescuer for Georgia Pacific.
“He had a heart for the lost and wanted for all to come and personally know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. He loved serving others and making a difference in his community,” according to his obituary.
J.B. Johnson is survived by Trudie Johnson, his wife of more than 45 years, son Jeff Johnson (Becky Hadley); daughter Sarah LeMesurier, son-in-law Desmond LeMesurier, daughter-in-the-Lord Tammy Jackson (Danny Jackson), and numerous other relatives, friends and colleagues.
Funeral services were held at Petty Eastside Chapel in Atmore with burial following at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery/Crary Cemetery near Century.
For the complete obituary, click here.
Pictured: Funeral services were held Friday afternoon for longtime Century firefighter J.B. Johnson, Jr. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
These Are The State Road Construction Spots To Watch Out For Next Week
February 19, 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 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 20 through Saturday, Feb. 25. 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 between Q and A streets as crews perform median improvements and install poles for pedestrian traffic signals.
- 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.
- Sorrento Road (State Road (S.R.) 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road (C.R.) 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures Monday, Feb. 21 through Friday, Feb. 25, as crews place a watermain.
- North Ninth Avenue (S.R. 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- The Ninth Avenue travel lanes over Carpenters Creek are now shifted to the southbound portion of the bridge, one lane in each direction. The traffic shift will allow crews to construct the northbound side of the bridge.
- 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, Feb. 21 as crews perform concrete 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 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 20 through Saturday, Feb. 26. 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, Feb. 21 through Friday, Feb. 25 as crews perform paving operations for the temporary road widening.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – The eastbound lane will remain reduced to one lane at the C.R. 191 Overpass Bridge (Exit 26) until work associated with bridge approach construction is complete. Motorists can also expect intermittent lane closures from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. the week of Monday, Feb. 21 as crews perform construction activities.
- U.S. 90 (Caroline Street) Routine Utility Maintenance at Avalon Boulevard – Eastbound traffic may encounter turn lane closure at Avalon Boulevard intersection from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23 through Saturday, Feb. 26, as crews perform utility work.
- U.S. 90 (Caroline Street) Routine Utility Maintenance from Avalon Boulevard to the Race Way – Eastbound traffic may encounter intermittent lane restrictions from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23 through Monday, Feb. 28 as crews perform utility work.
- U.S. 90 Routine Utility Maintenance at East Milton Road Intersection – Westbound traffic can expect turn lane closure at East Milton Road intersection from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24 through Monday, Feb. 28, as crews perform utility work.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
New Weekly COVID-19 Cases In Escambia County Fall By About Two-Thirds
February 19, 2022
The number of new COVID-19 cases in Escambia County fell by about two-thirds over the past week, as compared to previous weeks.
There were 542 new COVID-19 cases and 19 deaths reported over the last week in Escambia County, according to the Florida Department of Health and the CDC. There were 1,541 cases and 29 deaths reported during the previous week..
Here is the latest data from FDOH and the CDC:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 77,254 (+542)
Positivity rate last week: 14.77%
Current Case Rate per 100k: 171.84
People vaccinated: 170,251 (+188)
Full vaccination rate (age 5+): 58.4%
New hospital admissions: 123
Current hospitalizations (as of Friday): 120
Total deaths reported last 7 days: 19
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 47,901 (+440)
Positivity rate last week: 16.28%
Current Case Rate per 100k: 237.1
People vaccinated: 98,836 (+91)
Full vaccination rate (age 5+): 56%
New hospital admissions: 17
Total deaths last 7 days: 15
Statewide cases:
Florida resident cases: 5,775,171 (+42,473)
Case positivity rate: 8.2%
Case Rate per 100k: 193.3
Deaths: 68,902 (+161)
Data sources: CDC, Florida Department of Health, Escambia County
Escambia County Seeks Volunteers For Disability Awareness Committee
February 19, 2022
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking county residents interested in volunteering for an appointment to the Escambia County Disability Awareness Committee, which was established by the board in 2013.
Escambia County residents interested in serving on the committee are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve by the close of business Friday, August 5. Letters and resumes should be submitted to Jose Gochez, Program Coordinator, Board of County Commissioners, P.O. Box 1591, Pensacola, FL 32502, or emailed to BoardApply@myescambia.com.
Resumes submitted for consideration are subject to public records requests and are included in Escambia County Commission meeting information, including the agenda and official meeting minutes.
The purpose of the committee is to make recommendations to the board of county commissioners regarding issues relating to the disabled community and any other issues requested by the board. The committee is composed of seven voting members, and all members of the committee must be electors of Escambia County. Each commissioner on the board of county commissioners appoints one member to the committee, and each member serves concurrently with his or her appointing commissioner’s term. The board collectively appoints two at-large members, who each serve a four-year term.
There are four meetings scheduled each year on the third Wednesday of the month. Meetings begin at 3 p.m. and typically last until 5 p.m. Special meetings may be scheduled if needed. There is no travel required.