Rep. Matt Gaetz Kicks Off Reelection Campaign With Stop In Walnut Hill, Addresses FPL Rates
April 10, 2022
Incumbent Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz kicked off his reelection campaign Saturday with a stop in Walnut Hill, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene at his side.
Gaetz and Greene spent most of their time on national issues — from President Joe Biden’s multiple shortcomings, to immigration, Hunter Biden’s laptop, Dr. Anthony Fauci to the war in Ukraine.
The event was held at the Walnut Hill Baptist Church in Walnut Hill. About 30 people gathered in a seating area that was set up in the lobby of the building, while a much larger space — big enough to have a basketball court — sat empty nearby. Many of those in attendance were not from Walnut Hill.
One person was escorted out of the event by Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies after being told it was a private event. Greene, who did not identify the man by name, described him as someone that had followed her from Georgia and was not welcome.
Walnut Hill is a small, unincorporated rural community that is almost as far as one can go to the northwest in Gaetz’s Northwest Florida district. Its population is but a tiny speck of the 800,000 or so people in Florida’s 1st Congressional District. It was his only stop Saturday in Escambia County and came after afternoon events in Crestview and Milton.
Gaetz said he was proud to visit the far corner of the district to kick off his campaign even though, as he expected, the crowd was small.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The congressman said the biggest local issue for his constituents right now is the rates charged by Florida Power & Light.
“This is what the Green New Deal looks like, because every time you get Biden out there talking about the Green New Deal and just the craziest seizures of government power, it gaslights these electric companies to be able to say, oh well, we have to turn everything into solar. And look, if they want to turn something into solar, let them go do that. But you shouldn’t have to pay today to build a solar farm that they are going to get the benefit of for the next 50 years. They should have to put in their own money building those solar farms if that’s what they want to do.
“Florida Power & Light is a very, very profitable company, and what I don’t like about it is that we don’t have a choice. You know if the person who sells cheeseburgers jacks up the price of cheeseburgers, you could go down the street and go to a competitor. But they (FPL) have these government-authorized monopolies.
“Frankly, if the Public Service Commission is going to approve these rates, Gov. DeSantis needs to go and clean house and get rid of every last one of them.”
Gaetz said his office is gathering feedback on FPL rates, and he will personally send that to the PSC and the governor so they know how it is impacting Northwest Florida.
“This is functionally a tax increase on every person in Northwest Florida because they have no choice,” Gaetz told NorthEscambia.com after the event. “They have to pay it. And it’s my intention to continue lobbying Governor DeSantis and the Public Service Commission to roll back these rates and to not approve any rate increase.
Gaetz also told us that veteran’s issues are also important locally in his district.
“We’re always dealing with veterans issues,” Gaetz said. “In Escambia County, we have a special connection to the military mission, and I see that military mission attacked from the woke generals and from the Department of Defense leadership. And so it’s very much a kitchen table issue in Northwest Florida to get our military pointed back in the right direction.”
And, during our exclusive interview, NorthEscambia.com also asked Gaetz about the lack of high speed internet in North Escambia, including Walnut Hill, as the Escambia County Commission moves forward toward finding a partner for a broadband network.
“I am concerned about over-federalizing the way different communities are looking at connectivity,” he said. “I think that that leads to too much of a one-size-fits-all system. So I prefer that work to be done more at the state and local level, not through federal grants.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Mom, 3-Year Old Able To Escape Fiery Beulah Wreck
April 10, 2022
A mom and her three-year old son were able to escape from their wrecked vehicle before it burned Saturday afternoon near Beulah.
Someone drove up to the Beulah Fire Station and reported a vehicle accident in front of the Highway 90 weight station. Firefighters arrived found a single SUV had crashed into a tree and burst into flames.
Engine 2 firefighters were able to quickly knock down the fire and prevent it from spreading into a wooded area.
The mom and her son were transported to an area hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Easter Egg Dash, Spring Bazaar Held In Flomaton (With Gallery)
April 10, 2022
The Town of Flomaton held a Spring Bazaar Saturday at Hurricane Park.
The event featured an Easter Egg Dash with the Easter Bunny, food, bouncy houses, arts and crafts and more. The town provided free space for local vendors.
For a photo gallery from the Easter Egg Dash and the bazaar, click to tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
40,000 Pounds Of Food Distributed In Century (With Photo Gallery)
April 10, 2022
Volunteers distributed 40,000 pounds of food in Century Saturday morning.
The Farm Share distribution was sponsored by Rep. Michelle Salzman, Century Mayor Ben Boutwell, Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry, ECUA board member Kevin Stephens and other community partners.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Yard Sale In Century Benefits Family Critically Injured In Wreck
April 10, 2022
A large benefit yard sale was held Saturday in Century for a local family critically injured in a car crash.
The yard sale covered a large part of the Nadine McCaw Park on North Century Boulevard.
All proceeds will benefit the Grant family. In January, Brian Grant and his three children were critically injured back in January in a traffic crash on Highway 31 in the Wawbeek community between Atmore and Flomaton. The wreck also claimed the life of another driver.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Troop 430, Pack 430 Scouts Hold Molino Yard Sale
April 10, 2022
Troop 430, Pack 430 Scout yard sale was held Saturday at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Barrineau Park Historical Society Spring Gathering, Car Show
April 10, 2022
The Barrineau Park Historical Society Spring Gathering was held Saturday at the Barrineau Park Community Center. The even featured live music from the Southern Revival Band, crafts, car show, bouncy house and a spaghetti dinner.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Chávez’s Big Game Not Enough As Wahoos Fall Late
April 10, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos came up short in the search for their first win of the 2022 season on Saturday night, falling 6-5 to the Biloxi Shuckers in front of another sellout hometown crowd.
After a seventh-inning rally gave the Blue Wahoos their first lead of the game, Biloxi’s Tristen Lutz hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the top of the ninth to guide the Shuckers to their second late win in a row.
Zach McCambley pitched well for Pensacola in his first start of the season, completing 5.0 innings and allowing four runs (two earned) while striking out five.
Offensively, an early two-run home run from Biloxi’s Felix Valerio was countered by an equalizing Cobie Fletcher-Vance two-run shot in the bottom of the second, but a pair of Pensacola errors put Biloxi back ahead 4-2.
Santiago Chávez knocked a solo home run in the sixth to draw the Blue Wahoos to within a run at 4-3, and 2.0 scoreless relief innings from Zack Leban kept the game within reach until Pensacola scratched across two runs in the seventh on an RBI infield single from Luis Aviles Jr. and a bases-loaded walk from Chávez to take a 5-4 lead.
Pensacola had an opportunity to extend their lead in the eighth, as Hayden Cantrelle drew a leadoff walk and stole his way to third base, but were unable to bring home the insurance run.
Andrew Nardi (L, 0-1) allowed the go-ahead home run to Lutz in the top of the ninth, and Nash Walters (W, 1-0) worked around another Blue Wahoos baserunner at third base in the bottom half of the inning to lock down Biloxi’s win.
The Blue Wahoos and Shuckers wrap up their three-game series at Blue Wahoos Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Motorcyclist Injured In Cantonment Crash
April 9, 2022
One person was injured in a crash Friday night on Highway 29 at Tree Street.
A passenger car and motorcycle collided near a gas station across from International Paper.
The motorcyclist was transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital with injuries that were not considered life threatening.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating how the cash occurred. The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
These Are Next Week’s Road Construction Slow Down Spots
April 9, 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, April 10 through Saturday, April 16. 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 between Dominguez and Shoemaker streets will encounter intermittent lane restrictions and temporary detours between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. starting Sunday, April 10 as crews begin paving work. Work will start between Dominquez and Shoemaker streets and progress eastward. At times, drivers may be temporarily detoured to side streets to accommodate the work. Operations are anticipated to take four weeks to complete.
- 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, April 11 through Friday, April 15, as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures Monday, April 11 through Friday, April 15, as crews place a watermain.
- 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 from 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. the week of Monday, April 11 as crews place asphalt on the roadway.
- Barrancas Avenue (S.R. 292) from Manchester Street to the Bayou Chico Bridge –Sidewalks between Live Oak Avenue and Manchester Street will be closed as crews begin work on the sidewalk improvements. Detours will be in place for pedestrians.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Pavement Markings at the Pensacola Weigh Station – Crews will perform striping operations at the westbound weigh station the week of Monday, April 11. During the operations the westbound station and adjacent truck parking area will be temporarily closed.
- I-10/I-110 Interchange – Construction activities to begin the week of Monday, April 11 to improve safety on a 3/4-mile segment of I-10 at the I-110 Interchange. Improvements include milling and resurfacing, applying anti-skid surface and audible edge lines to all ramps, installing raised rumble strip sets across the I-110 northbound to I-10 eastbound travel lanes and reducing the speed limit from 45 mph to 35 mph on the I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 westbound. In addition, crews will make improvements to the guardrail, signage, and pavement markings. Drivers can expect periodic lane closures between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday nights. The project is estimated for completion in fall 2022
- Pace Boulevard (S.R. 292) from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Construction activities to begin the week of Monday, April 11 to mill and resurface Barrancas Avenue (S.R. 292) from the Bayou Chico Bridge to Pace Boulevard, and Pace Boulevard (S.R. 292) from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue in Escambia County. The project will also include sidewalk and curb improvements to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), new signage and pavement markings, drainage enhancements, and traffic signalization upgrades. During construction, motorists and bicyclists can expect lane closures and traffic shifts. Lane closures will be limited to the 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. timeframe. Pedestrian detours will be in place while sidewalk improvements are underway. The project is estimated for completion in late 2022.
- U.S. 90 Turn Lane Construction at Pathstone Boulevard – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, April 11 through Sunday, May 15 as crews perform paving operations.
- I-10 Eastbound Routine Bridge Maintenance over U.S. 29 Assess Road Overpass – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures just east of U.S. 29, from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Sunday, April 10 and Monday, April 11 for routine bridge maintenance.
- Creighton Road (S.R. 742) Routine Bridge Maintenance over I-110 (Overpass – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures half a mile south of I-10, from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Tuesday, April 12 and Wednesday, April 13 for routine bridge maintenance
- Garden Street (U.S.98) Routine Underground Utility Maintenance West of South Coyle Street – Motorists will encounter intermittent outside eastbound lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Friday, April 15 as crews install a manhole.
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, April 10 through Saturday, April 16. 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 – Beginning Sunday, April 10 westbound motorists will encounter intermittent lane and median closures between Autumn Breeze Circle and Bayshore Road between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. Sunday through Friday. The closures are necessary for crews to perform median work. One westbound lane will be always maintained.
- 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 from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. the week of Monday, April 11 as crews perform construction activities.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.