Heads Up: Security Exercise Begins Monday At NAS Pensacola, Whiting Field
January 30, 2022
Naval Air Station Pensacola and NAS Whiting Field will participate in an annual force protection exercise beginning Monday, January 31 through February 11.
Exercise Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain 2022 is conducted by Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command and Commander, Navy Installations Command on all Navy installations in the continental U.S.
The exercise is designed to enhance the readiness of Navy security forces and ensure seamless interoperability among the commands, other services and agency partners.
Exercise CS-SC22 is not in response to any specific threat, but is a regularly scheduled exercise.
Measures have been taken to minimize disruptions within local communities and to normal base operations, but there may be times when the exercise causes increased traffic around bases or delays in base access. Area residents may also see or hear security activities associated with the exercise. Advanced coordination has taken place with local law enforcement and first responders.
Pictured: Exercise Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain last year at NAS Pensacola.
Century Charter Review Committee Continues To Work Toward Governmental Rewrite
January 30, 2022
The Century Charter Review Committee is continuing to work toward a rewrite of the document that governs the town.
Last year, the committee decided it would be best for Century to make the elected mayor a weak position, perhaps mostly a figurehead. In October, they voted to make the mayor a council member. But late in 2021, the committee completely reversed directions, deciding that the mayor should be at the head of Century’s government rather than a town manager.
As it stands following a January 2022 meeting, a new charter will call for a mayor-council form of government.
Referring to recent attendance problems with the current town council, the committee has also discussed how to withhold pay for council members that don’t attend meetings or remove them from office. But the committee has struggled with setting the definition of an excused versus unexcused absence.
If the charter review committee completes a rewrite, the changes would go to the town council to decide if the recommendation will go on the ballot for a citizen vote.
The committee is tasked with updating the charter — the document that legally establishes the town, outlines its powers and spells out how it should operate. The committee has meet periodically since October 2019.
Pictured top: Consultant Buz Eddy speaks to the Century Charter Review Committee as chairperson Mary Bourgeois listens. Pictured below: Committee member Michelle Cunningham (center) takes notes during a recent meeting. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Elementary Fourth Graders Compete In Tropicana Speech Contest
January 30, 2022
The top three contestants from each fourth grade class at Jim Allen Elementary School competed in the school’s Tropicana Speech Contest last week.
Jim Allen’s first place winner, Raelyn Dean, will move on to compete against students across the district.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Charged With Threatening Woman With Gun
January 30, 2022
A Cantonment man has been charged with allegedly threatening to shoot a woman.
Terrell DeAngelo Hunter, 35, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, battery with intent to cause bodily harm, and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $32,000 bond.
Hunter had a gun in his hand as he threatened to shoot the female, and punched her in the face and head, according to an arrest report.
Many details were redacted from a Pensacola Police Department report, but it appears the incident occurred outside a Pensacola business.
These Are This Week’s Road Construction Trouble Spots
January 30, 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, Jan. 30 through Saturday, Feb. 5. 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 inside lane closures between Q and A streets as crews perform median improvements and install poles for pedestrian traffic signals.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures and shifts from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 30 through Wednesday, Feb. 2 between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road, and on Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 interchange to allow crews to place striping and perform worklist items.
- 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, Jan. 31 through Friday, Feb. 4, as crews place a water main.
- North Ninth Avenue (S.R. 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- Springhill Drive will be temporarily closed at Ninth Avenue on Wednesday, Feb. 2 to allow crews to reconstruct the roadway. Traffic destined for Springhill Drive may utilize Royce Street, Birchwood Place, and Hillsdale Drive. Drivers may also access Springhill Drive via Bayou Boulevard.
- Airport Boulevard 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, Jan. 30 as crews adjust manholes.
- U.S. 90 (Mobile Highway) Curb Removal and Replacement near Dominguez Street – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, Jan. 31 through Wednesday, Feb. 2 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, Jan. 30 through Saturday, Feb. 5. 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 on the 4.25-mile section 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, Jan. 30 through Friday, Feb. 4 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 – Motorists can also expect intermittent lane closures from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. the week of Monday, Jan. 31 as crews perform construction activities.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Firefighters Respond To Reported Odor Of Smoke In Pine Forest Walmart
January 29, 2022
Saturday morning, Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to a reported odor of smoke inside the Walmart Neighborhood Market on Pine Forest Road at Nine Mile Road.
The was no active fire found; the odor was traced to dust burning on heating system coils in a large HVAC unit on the roof.
The store was evacuated during the incident.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Pine Forest High’s Jamiliya McBride Named Escambia Teacher Of The Year
January 29, 2022
Pine Forest High School’s Jamiliya McBride was announced as the Escambia County Teacher of the Year Friday night.
“She is a servant leader,” Escambia Schools Superintendent Dr. Tim Smith said. “She is one that embodies the goodness, great dedication, the great hart that all of our teachers share.”
“I always strive to do my very best for students, staff and parents. I want to give a special thanks to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who has never failed me and who I live for daily,” McBride said, also thanking her family, friends and her Pine Forest High family.
“It is a great honor to be placed in this category with such great people,” McBride, an instruction coast, said of her fellow nominees.
(Story continues below photo.)
In addition to McBride, the other four finalists where:
- Laura Hobbs, Lincoln Park Elementary School
- Alison Link, A.K. Suter Elementary School
- Caleb Lovely, Warrington Middle School
- Jessica Phelps, Kingsfield Elementary School
Here is the complete list of teachers honored as Teacher of the Year for their individual school:
- Achieve Academy — Aarin Phillips Nedd
- Alternative Education — William Broome
- Jim Allen Elementary — Amanda Robar
- Jim C. Bailey Middle — Jessika Brown
- Bellview Elementary — Christina Burson
- Bellview Middle — Dominick Limle
- Beulah Academy of Science — Jessica Lewis
- Beulah Elementary — Kris Lapata
- Beulah Middle School — Cindy Speed
- Blue Angels Elementary — Eunice Angeles
- Bratt Elementary — Mary Rackard
- Brentwood Elementary — Gail Hanson
- Brown-Barge Middle — Angela Nass
- Hellen Caro Elementary — Tammy Robertson
- N. B. Cook Elementary — Mary de Boer
- Cordova Park Elementary — Courtney Lurton
- Ensley Elementary — Iris Jones
- Escambia High — Susan Chambers
- Escambia Westgate — Melissa Caldwell
- Exceptional Student Education — Elizabeth Leonard
- Ferry Pass Elementary — Diondria Bridges
- Ferry Pass Middle — Brittany Wobecky
- Global Learning Academy — Amanda Westbrooks
- Reinhardt Holm Elementary — Lisa Jones
- Hope Horizon — Vivian Gillard
- Kingsfield Elementary School — Jessica Phelps
- Lincoln Park Elementary — Laura Hobbs
- R. C. Lipscomb Elementary — Dustin Brenton
- Longleaf Elementary — Laury Heath
- L. D. McArthur Elementary — Lindsey Jeremiah
- Molino Park Elementary — Jessica Varner
- Montclair Elementary School — Ashley Roache
- Myrtle Grove Elementary — Rich Gonzalez
- Navy Point Elementary — Dovennie Day
- Northview High — Jeffrey D. Simpkins
- Oakcrest Elementary — Philip Jones
- Pensacola High — Karen Bruening
- Pine Forest High — Jamiliya McBride
- Pine Meadow Elementary — Christina (Tina) Schlauder
- Pleasant Grove Elementary — Amy Urban
- Ransom Middle — Angela Avery
- Scenic Heights Elementary — Janette Calder
- O. J. Semmes Elementary — Rickie Merritt
- Sherwood Elementary — Alicia Smith
- George Stone Technical College — Edward Sizemore
- A. K. Suter Elementary — Alison Link
- Success Academy — Carolyn Dejacimo Pillar
- J. M. Tate High — Karl King
- Ernest Ward Middle — Katie Roley
- Warrington Elementary — Alicia Abbuhl
- Warrington Middle — Caleb Lovely
- Booker T. Washington High — Barbie Spears
- C. A. Weis Elementary — Brianna Cooks
- West Florida High — Laura Rainey
- West Pensacola Elementary — Audra Livingston
- J. H. Workman Middle School — Helene Carrington
Remember The Five P’s of Cold Weather Safety
January 29, 2022
With this weekend’s cold weather, Escambia County is urging residents to exercise caution and remember the “Five P’s” of cold weather safety.
- Protect People: Remember to dress in layers and wear a hat and gloves. It is important to try to stay out of the wind and to stay dry. Also, remember to check on young children and the elderly family and neighbors who are the most sensitive to cold weather. If the temperature cannot be maintained at a home, make temporary arrangements to stay elsewhere, including with friends and family.
- Protect Pets: If cold weather is in the forecast, be sure to bring outdoor pets inside or give them a warm shelter to stay in.
- Protect Plants: Cover cold sensitive plants to protect them from the dangerous temperatures.
- Protect Pipes: Cover pipes and allow outdoor faucets to slowly drip to prevent from freezing and breaking.
- Practice Fire Safety: Use safe heating sources indoors. Do not use fuel-burning devices such as grills; they release carbon monoxide, which is a deadly gas. Also, make sure to use space heaters according to their instructions and be attentive to open flames.
Cold Weather Closes Drive-Thru COVID Testing Site For The Weekend
January 29, 2022
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County’s COVID-19 drive-thru testing site will be closed Saturday and Sunday due to cold weather. Normal testing is expected to resume on Monday for all persons with or without symptoms.
Beginning Monday, testing will be available as follows:
- Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 3330 West Park Place in Pensacola (across the street from FDOH-Escambia Fairfield)
- Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Marie K Young Wedgewood Community Center, 6405 Wagner Road in Pensacola
- Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 3330 West Park Place in Pensacola (across the street from FDOH-Escambia Fairfield)
All tests are drive-thru with no appointment needed. Bring a valid form of identification. This is PCR testing with results available within 48 hours.
FDOH-Escambia continues to offer COVID-19 rapid testing to persons experiencing symptoms or those who have been exposed to someone with known COVID-19. An appointment is required. Call (850) 595-6500 option 6 to schedule an appointment. Rapid testing with results available within 30 minutes. Questions can be directed to FDOH-Escambia’s COVID-19 phone line at 850-595-6500 option 6.
Click or tap image to enlarge.
Today’s Fashion: Dressing For Cold Weather
January 29, 2022
With our cold weekend weather, it’s important to dress in layers, cover skin and limit time outside, according to the National Weather Service office in Mobile.
Here’s how to dress for cold weather:
