Escambia County Motorcyclist Killed In Traffic Crash
February 14, 2022
An Escambia County motorcyclist was killed in crash Sunday night.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 32-year old man was on a Suzuki GSXR 600 traveling northbound on South Fairfield Drive approaching Pond Valley Drive as a Kia Sorrento was headed southbound.
The 43-year old female driver of the Kia failed to yield to oncoming traffic when making a left turn into a mobile home park, causing the collision.
The motorcyclist was pronounced deceased at the scene by Escambia County EMS. The driver of the Kia was not injured.
FHP no longer released the names of traffic crash victims.
File photo.
New Dollar General Planned For Walnut Hill; Developer Files Plans
February 14, 2022
Developers have filed an initial Escambia County Development Review Committee application for a new Dollar General store in Walnut Hill.
Plans indicate the store will be located at 7100 Highway 97, on the north side of the intersection of South Highway 99. There is currently an unoccupied single family home on the 4.12 acre property, which is across the intersection from a former farm supply retail business.
The development is limited to 2.08 acres, including a 10,769 square-foot store with 43 parking spaces and a new driveway connection to Highway 97 directly across from South Highway 99. There are 35 trees on the site, 19 of which will be removed. There are no wetlands on the property.
Until an update approved unanimously by the Escambia County Commission on August 19, RMU zoning only allowed commercial buildings up to 6,000 square feet with no provision whatsoever to grant any exceptions to construct a larger commercial building.
Now, retail space up to 15,000 square feet is allowed. Properties zoned as RMU in Escambia County are typically located near rural community centers and most are not currently used for agriculture. For a map of RMU zoning in Escambia County, click or tap here (pdf).
The plan is in staff internal review status by the Escambia County Development Review Committee. There is no guarantee that it will ever be constructed after approval.
Last year, Dollar General previously announced a proposal for a store about a mile away at the intersection of Highway 97 and Highway 99A in Walnut Hill, next to Ernest Ward Middle School. The proposed size of the store did not meet zoning requirements at the time (but now would after the BOCC vote). Additionally, there was some minor public backlash against the store due to its location in a curve on Highway 97 and its proximity to the middle school. Plans for this store did not move forward.
Registration Underway For New Tri-City Children’s Choir For Century, Flomaton, Jay
February 14, 2022
Registration is currently underway for the Tri-City Children’s Choir (TCCC), a regional initiative of the Pensacola Children’s Chorus.
TCCC will welcome young singers in grades 2-6 who reside in the Century, Flomaton, Jay and surrounding area.
The choir will be under the direction of Holley Driver, a Century-based music teacher.
Singers will meet weekly on Thursdays, with the spring session March 3-May 12 from 4:30 until 5:15 p.m. at Century First United Methodist Church, 530 Church Street. TCCC is a tuition-based program and costs $5-$15 per week. Families may choose the weekly amount that works best for their household finances, and scholarships are also available.
For more information on joining the choir, or make a contribution, visit www.tricitychoir.org. Registration officially opens February 1.
Driver taught music in the Escambia County School District for over 15 years, served as the choral director at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino for nine years, and teaches in her own studio.
Florida Gas Prices Slip Lower As Upward Pressure Remains
February 14, 2022
The average price for gasoline set a new 2022 high of $3.47 per gallon on Wednesday. That is the most expensive daily average since July 2014. From there, the state average gradually slipped lower through the weekend. Sunday’s state average was $3.46 per gallon.
The average price per gallon Sunday night in Escambia County was $3.43. A North Escambia low of $3.43 was available at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while Pensacola prices were below $3.30 at about a half dozen locations.
“Pump prices moved slightly lower into the weekend, but don’t be surprised if they increase again in the near future,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Oil prices set new 2022 highs on Friday, amid concerns over how a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine could result in sanctions on Russian oil that could make the oil market even tighter than it currently is.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Donta Mason Named Escambia County Employee Of The Month
February 14, 2022
Donta Mason, a permit technician I in the Building Services department, has been named the Escambia County Employee of the Month for February.
According to Escambia County:
Mason began his employment with Escambia County on June 2, 2020. In his role as Permit Technician I, he processes permit applications and interacts with all departments within the Central Office Complex, providing assistance to anyone asking questions in regard to permit requirements. Since Hurricane Sally, the building services department has seen an influx of roofing permit applications and Mason has been recognized for his efficiency in processing the applications, maintaining the queue at an appropriate level. Mason’s promptness in processing these applications has resulted in short wait times for roofing contractors, allowing them to start work quickly for customers.
Recently, the permitting division in the Building Services department was extremely short staffed for nearly a month due to COVID-19. Mason and two other employees, along with their lead, maintained the same standard of service typically assigned to 10 employees. Although facing a daunting task on a daily basis for that period, Mason came to work every day with a smile on his face and shared encouraging words for the small team. He kept spirits high for everyone and made a tough situation better for all involved.
“Mason has been a bright spot in the Building Services department,” said Building Services Director Tim Tolbert. “He has never met a stranger and spreads his never-ending enthusiasm and light to all that he meets. He is an inspiration to all and a blessing to our department and Escambia County.”
Pictured: Donta Mason accepts the February Employee of the Month award with his girlfriend; mother, Maggie Robinson; and father, Escambia County Animal Welfare Director John Robinson.
Update: Boil Water Notice Lifted For Farm Hill Utilities In Cantonment
February 14, 2022
THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE WAS LIFTED MONDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 14.
Farm Hill Utilities has issued a boil water notice from all customers from the intersection of South Highway 97 and West Kingsfield Road south to Highway 297 and all side roads.
The precautionary boil water notice is due to a water main break in the area.
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
Cantonment Rotary Club Presents Culinary Scholarships
February 14, 2022
The Cantonment Rotary Club recently presented culinary endowed scholarships to two students at Pensacola State College.
The scholarships were awarded to Luther E. Scott III and Abbigail Kellogg.
These were just two of the 15-20 scholarships provided to PSC students each year by the Cantonment Rotary Club.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Cheerleaders Compete At Nationals; JV Squad Takes Sixth In The Nation
February 14, 2022
The Tate junior varsity squad placed sixth in the nation in the JV Non-Tumbling Game Day division.
The state champion Tate varsity cheerleaders competed four times over the weekend in the Traditional Small Varsity D1 Division, and they finished 13 out of 108 teams from across the United States.
Pictured: The junior varsity (above) and varsity (below) Tate High School cheerleaders at national competition. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Vehicle Overturns Multiple Times Into Tate High School Parking Lot
February 13, 2022
A vehicle flipped multiple times into a parking lot at Tate High School Sunday morning.
The adult male was apparently westbound on Tate School Road when he failed to turn onto Tate Road and crashed through a fence.
The driver was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS with injuries not considered to be life threatening.
Officials said he was not a student at the school. However, there were students on campus shortly after the incident for scheduled ACT testing.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Ordinance Would Require County Employees To Quit Before Running For County Commission
February 13, 2022
Escambia County is moving toward an ordinance that would require county employees to resign before running for the county commission.
The commission backed away from previous discussion of an ordinance that would require a resignation to run for any political office and settled on just candidates for the five commission seats.
“It would seem like the real potential negative effect is when it is our seats,” Commissioner Steven Barry said in a recent meeting.
“You can do whatever you want, you have free speech. You can say whatever you want, but there’s consequences,” Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said. “If you are really that passionate about it, quit and run.”
Bergosh has stated that he was not responsible for bringing a potential resign to run ordinance up for discussion. Two years ago, Johnathon Owens, who was an aide to District 2 Commissioner Doug Underhill, ran against incumbent Bergosh for the District 1 seat. Bergosh won with 38.71% of the vote. Owens finished third in the primary with 22.48% behind Jesse Casey with 31.01%
The commission voted 3-1 to schedule a public hearing on a resign to run for commission ordinance. Underhill cast the dissenting vote, while Commissioner Lumon May was off the dais and did note vote.
“The seats of power are equally open to the very rich and powerful, as well as the commoner,” Underhill said. “Anything that limits or in some way curtails who runs for public office is not in my opinion in the best interest of the citizens.
The ordinance, if approved, would apply to employees of the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners, but not the commissioners themselves as they don’t work for the BOCC.