3G Services Shutting Down This Year; AT&T First
February 21, 2022
Cellular companies are shutting down 3G this year beginning with AT&T.
AT&T was set to be the first carrier to shut down its 3G network on Tuesday, February 22. T-Mobile said the 3G network that had been part of Sprint before the two companies merged will go dark on March 31, and its own 3G network will end on July 1. Verizon will end 3G service by December 31.
And the 3G shutdown will still impact customers of the likes of Straight Talk, Boost, Cricket, Mint Mobile, Tracfone and the other low cost companies — they use the networks of AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon.
That means the end of service for phones and other devices that use 3G connectivity, such as some medical alert devices, tablets, smartwatches, home security systems, game cameras and other devices.
Most users of these services will, or have been, notified directly by the carriers if this discontinuation affects them. However, users of older phones used for 9-1-1 only purposes may not be notified if they do not have active service with the provider. Users of those older 9-1-1 only phones should be aware that they may not work after 3G service is discontinued.
3G debuted in 2002 and is coming to an end to free up bandwidth for more modern services.
Florida Gas Prices Set New 2022 High
February 21, 2022
Florida gas prices increased another six cents last week, setting a new 2022 high of $3.51 per gallon. That’s 15 cents more than last year’s high, and the highest daily average price since July 2014.
The state average did drift lower over the weekend by a penny. Sunday’s state average of $3.50 per gallon is five cents more than this time last week; 90 cents more than this time last year.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $3.46, up 33 cents over the past month. A North Escambia low of $3.38 could be found at Cantonment stations on Highway 29 and on Muscogee Road. A low of $3.24 could be found at two Pensacola stations.
As tensions mount regarding a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine, the energy market actually suffered its first week of losses last week. This snapped an 8-week streak of oil price gains. After reaching a new 2022 high of $95.46 per barrel on Monday, the price for U.S. crude declined 5% by the end of the week. That resulted in a 2% week-over-week decline of $2 per barrel – the equivalent of a five cent drop at the pump.
Dollar General Plants 20 New Trees In Century Park
February 21, 2022
When Dollar General removed nearly 20 trees from 1.5 wooded acres in Century last year for a new store, they agreed to replant trees at the site and at a nearby park.
Recently, the developer planted 15 red maple trees and five other flowering trees in the Nadine McCaw Park on North Century Boulevard, just northeast of the new store.
In 2019, the Town of Century removed towering longleaf pine trees from the park over concerns that if the trees were to fall, they might damage town property and structures in the park, or they could be a danger to traffic on North Century Boulevard. Town officials said at the time that they would plant new trees but did not.
Nadine McCaw Park, formerly known as Roadside Park, is along North Century Boulevard at Hecker Road in the heart of Century. The park was renamed for late town council member and lifelong resident Nadine McCaw in 2012. McCaw dedicated a large amount of time to Relay for Life and its mission of finding a cure for cancer. That cure did not come soon enough for McCaw; she passed away from cancer on July 7, 2011.
Pictured: Some of the 20 new trees planted by Dollar General in Century’s Nadine McCaw Park. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
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.
