West Florida High’s Cydnie Helton Signs To Play Lacrosse At Tennessee Wesleyan University
February 28, 2022
West Florida High School midfielder Cydnie Helton has signed her National Letter of Intent to play college lacrosse at Tennessee Wesleyan University. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge
Oil Up After Russian Invasion Of Ukraine; Florida Gas Prices Rise
February 28, 2022
Florida gas prices increased four cents last week and more pump price hikes could be on the way. Crude oil prices surged in overnight trading, amid growing concerns that the Russia invasion of Ukraine could impact global crude supplies.
Floridians are paying an average price of $3.52 per gallon. That’s the most expensive daily average since July 2014. Florida gas prices have risen an average of 33 cents per gallon since the beginning of 2022, and $1.33 per gallon since the beginning of 2021.
North Escambia prices bottomed out $3.35 Sunday night at two stations on Century. A low of $3.33 could be found in Pensacola at two warehouse clubs.
Russia is the third-largest oil producing country in the world and the crude oil market was already tight before this conflict began. Last week, oil prices spiked when Russia invaded Ukraine. However, prices quickly retreated to previous levels after President Biden announced sanctions that didn’t specifically target Russian oil.
Unfortunately, oil prices quickly shot up Sunday night, when international trading began. At the time of this writing, the U.S. price of oil was trading above $96 per barrel – an increase of nearly $5/b (5%) from Friday’s closing price of $91.59. The energy market has had plenty of news to digest over the weekend, the most noteworthy may be the removal of Russian banks from SWIFT – making it more difficult for other countries to purchase Russian oil and gas.
“Unless oil prices reverse course, the pain at the pump is about to get even worse for Floridians,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “There has been a lot of speculation about oil prices, and the high seems like a moving target. If oil lands at $95 a barrel for a sustained period of time, drivers could expect to see a 15 cent jump at the pump. If U.S. oil reaches $100 a barrel, the total increase would be more like 25-30 cents per gallon.”
Oil prices have increased around $20 per barrel in 2022. At $96 per barrel, the US price for oil is up nearly $50 (100%) since the beginning of 2021.
The Russian invasion isn’t the only issue keeping upward pressure on pump prices. The busy spring and summer driving seasons are drawing near, which typically lead to strong fuel demand. Summer gasoline is moving into the market, which is more expensive to produce. Refineries are conducting seasonal maintenance, which can reduce normal gasoline production levels. And in addition to all those seasonal trends, there was an explosion at a Louisiana refinery last week.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
West Fraser McDavid Mill Seeks New Air Permit; VOC Emissions Could Increase Up To 50%
February 27, 2022
West Fraser has applied for a new air permit for their McDavid Lumber Mill.
According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, West Fraser proposes to build two new continuous lumber drying kilns at their facility located off Highway 29 between McDavid and Molino. They will be indirectly heated by the facility’s existing natural gas-fire boilers. The new kilns will replace three existing batch lumber drying kilns.
West Fraser “has provided reasonable assurance that operation of the two continuous drying kilns will not adversely impact air quality”, according to FDEP. The agency has given notice that it intends to issue the air permit.
Based on the air permit application, the project will result in emissions increases of: 11.25 tons per year of carbon monoxide; 6.24 tons per year of nitrogen oxides; 19.77 tons per year of particulate matter; 9.80 tons per year of particulate matter with a mean diameter of 10 microns or less; 4.14 tons per year of particulate matter with a mean diameter of 2.5 microns or less; 0.03 tons per year of sulfur dioxide; 337.29 tons per year of volatile organic compounds (VOC); and 7,900 tons per year of greenhouse gases.
As defined by state regulations, the project results in significant net emissions increases for VOC emissions, per FDEP.
The state’s Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) Air Quality Modeling Best Practices was only triggered for the VOC emissions.
“The primary concern with respect to VOC emissions is the influence of such emissions on the formation of ozone in the region of the project site. An analysis conducted by the Department showed that the increase in VOC emissions resulting from the project will have no appreciable effect on ozone concentration in the region of the project site,” FDEP stated.
According to FDEP, West Fraser currently has the second highest emission level of volatile organic compounds in Escambia County, and that amount will increase by 50.1%, but remain about one-third of the VOC emissions from International Paper. (See FDEP table above, click to enlarge.)
West Fraser intends to begin construction of the first kiln immediately upon issuance of the air construction permit and is expected to take approximately three to five months to complete. The construction of the second kiln and the elimination of the three existing kilns is expected to be completed by mid-2023.
The McDavid Lumber Mill processes southern yellow pine logs and has the capacity to produce up to 250 million board feet of lumber per year (MMBF/year). The facility contains three batch lumber drying kilns and a planer mill. The principal processes at the mill include: log storage and processing (debarking and sawing); sawmill operations (chipping and sawing); drying of green lumber using three indirect steam-heated batch kilns; and product lumber finishing, sorting, and shipping, according to the state.
Cuteness Overload: New Baby Goat Born At Ernest Ward Middle School
February 27, 2022
Isn’t this just total cuteness overload?
Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill welcomed a new baby goat.
The little boy was born about 10 a.m. We are told he does not have a name yet, but we’ll you know when he does.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High JV Aggies Win WFHS ‘JV Jags Showdown’ Tournament
February 27, 2022
The Tate High School Junior Varsity softball team is the “JV Jags Showdown” tournament champion.
The JV Aggies won all three games in the West Florida High tournament on Saturday. The Aggies beat Gulf Breeze, Jay and Milton while allowing only one total run.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
You Can Get A Property Tax Discount If You Pay By Midnight Monday
February 27, 2022
A one percent discount of the payment of real estate and tangible personal property taxes ends Monday, February 28.
To receive the discount, payments must be:
- made online by midnight, CST, Monday, February 28, at EscambiaTaxCollector.com;
- mailed with a February postmark; or
- left by midnight, CST, Monday, February 28, in a 24-hour drop box available at all locations.
Taxpayers are encouraged to visit the virtual office at EscambiaTaxCollector.com to pay online 24 hours a day. There is no additional fee to pay current taxes by eCheck. Online services allow customers to pay their taxes, search records, print receipts, renew vehicle and vessel registrations and many other services.
Lifeguards Return To Pensacola Beach On Tuesday
February 27, 2022
It’s a sure sign of spring.
Pensacola Beach lifeguards will return to their towers on Tuesday, March 1, for the 2022 lifeguard season.
Initially, one to three towers at Casino Beach will be staffed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week, shifting from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. beginning Sunday, March 13. As summer approaches, staffing will increase to provide coverage at up to 10 towers, including the towers at Gulf Islands National Seashore, which are staffed beginning Memorial Day weekend.
In preparation for the 2022 season, Pensacola Beach hired 14 new lifeguards and welcomed 43 returning lifeguards to a rigorous training program, including 80 hours of open water training, emergency medical training and more.
Last season, Pensacola Beach Lifeguards performed 279 rescues from drowning and 250 assists to swimmers experiencing moderate distress, also attended to 43 major medical incidents and assisted 24 patients for EMS transport. Lifeguards made contact with beachgoers 270,836 times during the 2021 season, providing information about rip currents, beach condition flags and other safety tips, according to Escambia County.
“The Pensacola Beach Lifesaving team is enthusiastic about the beginning of our tower season,” said Pensacola Beach Water Safety Chief Dave Greenwood. “Our team strives in attaining our goal, which is the protect and educate the public that visits beautiful Pensacola Beach.”
Pensacola Beach Lifeguards have maintained a presence on Casino Beach throughout the winter since the 2021 season ended Oct. 18, primarily through patrol vehicles.
Traffic Alert: Road Construction Trouble Spots For This Week
February 27, 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. 27 through Saturday, March 6. 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. 28 through Friday, March 5, as crews place a watermain.
- North Ninth Avenue (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, Feb. 28 through Friday, March 4, as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- 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. 28 as crews perform concrete operations.
- U.S. 98 (Garden Street) City of Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Parade – Drivers will encounter road closures between A Street and Tarragona Street from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26 for the City of Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Parade.
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. 27 through Saturday, March 6. 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. 28 through Friday, March 4 as crews install a barrier wall.
- 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. 28 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. Friday, Feb. 25 and 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. Friday, Feb. 25 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. Friday, Feb. 25 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.
United Way Day Of Caring Makes A Difference Across The Area (With Photo Gallery)
February 26, 2022
More than 500 volunteers fanned out across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties Friday from the United Way of West Florida’s 28th Annual Day of Caring.
This year 35 different companies and civic groups worked on Day of Caring projects to make the community stronger.
“Our team members are always quick to roger up when it comes to giving back,” said Todd Phillips, Mortgage Loans operations manager at Navy Federal Credit Union and UWWF board member. “United Way’s Day of Caring is truly a highlight of our year because we get to serve as boots on the ground in our communities and help where it’s needed most.”
Since 1993, United Way of West Florida has coordinated more than 28,000 volunteers to complete projects across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
For a photo gallery, click here.
These were just a few of the North Escambia area related projects:
International Paper team members volunteering with United Way Day of Caring at Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center. Volunteers spread and raked new sand on the playground and pressure washed the building and signs.
Navy Federal volunteers help sort books for Goodwill (with help from Florida Blue), worked in the warehouse at Feeding the Gulf Coast, and worked on playground preparation and landscaping at the therapy center at Santa Rosa Kids’ House. They also participated in other volunteer service across the area.
There were 16 volunteers Escambia River Electric Cooperative, Town of Jay, and United Way that worked on several projects at Jay Elementary School, including weeding, painting, pressure washing, picking up trash and putting up granite benches that had been donated by the classes of 1958 and 1959.
Pictured top and bottom: Volunteers from International Paper worked Friday morning at the Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center. Pictured below: Navy Federal volunteers worked in the warehouse at Feeding the Gulf Coast. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Woman Claims $1 Million Lottery Scratch-Off Prize
February 26, 2022
An Escambia County woman has claimed a $1 million top prize in the Florida Lottery’s The Fastest Round to $1,000,000 scratch off game.
Bridget Burgess, 51, chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $790,000.
Burgess purchased her $30 winning scratch-off ticket from Barrancas Food Mart on Barrancas Avenue. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning ticket.