Florida Gas Prices Fall A Few Cents
August 17, 2020
Florida gas prices dropped four cents last week. The state average has now declined the past 15 consecutive days for a total discount of six cents.
The state average price for regular unleaded is $2.09 per gallon.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $2.06, down a penny from last week. In North Escambia, one Muscogee Road station was at $1.91 Sunday night, while Pensacola’s lowest price was $1.81 on Davis Highway.
“Gas prices are drifting lower, reaching the low $2.00-range in many markets,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Prices are declining as concerns about elevated cases of COVID-19 continue to dampen expectations for fuel demand. The current outlook has prevented crude oil prices from gaining any significant ground, thus keeping gas prices low.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
New Escambia Fire Trucks In Service, Including Molino’s ‘Engine 18′
August 17, 2020
Escambia County’s new fire engines are now in service answering calls, including Molino’s new “Engine 18″ that replaces a 2003 model year truck.
As NorthEscambia.com first reported in early July, the four 2019 Pierce Enforcer fire engines replace aging trucks in Molino, Ensley, Myrtle Grove and Pleasant Grove.
Each truck features a Cummins L9 450 horsepower engine, a 750-gallon tank, a Hale 1500-gallon per minute pump, a deck gun and seating for five personnel. The rear-forward facing crew cab seats, and an EMS compartment above each front wheel. The trucks also feature cargo netting with a single pull lanyard that secures the EMS compartments, a coated interior, vinyl seats, and headliner help with cab decontamination. The vertical exhaust keeps heat and emissions away from firefighters working around the apparatus.
For a photo gallery of Engine 18 at the Molino Fire Station, click here.
In addition to providing dependable, state-of-the-art equipment, having new engines under warranty will also decrease repair and maintenance costs which have increased significantly due to the aging fleet, the county said when the purchase was approved unanimously by the Escambia County Commission about a year ago.
The four new vehicles were purchased for a total of $2,036,267 using Local Option Sales Tax funds.
Pictured: The new “Engine 18″ apparatus as the Molino Fire Station, also known as Station 18. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Reminder: Take The Lunch Survey If Your Child Is Signed Up For Escambia County Remote Learning
August 17, 2020
When school begins on August 24 in Escambia, parents of children that enrolled in remote learning can pick up a school lunch. The Escambia County School District needs input now from those parents to decide how the program will work.
To help the ECSD Food Service Department plan how many meals to prepare, they need to know how many families plan to utilize this resource. In order to designate pick-up locations, they would also like to know learn from parents which school locations would be the most convenient.
Parents with students who have picked distance learning are asked to go into their Focus Parent Portal Account by Monday, August 17 and complete a meal pick up form for each students. The feedback received will help the Food Service Department determine the final distribution sites based on need.
Here’s some information to help parents make their decision:
- Meal pick up is only for students enrolled in the Escambia County School District.
- Breakfast and lunch food items will be distributed together in the same visit.
- Pick-up times vary based on school sites: Tentative times are: elementary school sites will be open 6:30 – 7:00 a.m., middle school sites will be open 7:30 – 8:00 a.m. and high school sites will be open 7:00 – 7:30 a.m.
- Meals do not have to be picked up from the school the student is enrolled in.
- Parents can pick up for all students at one location.
- All schools with the exception of Ransom Middle School and West Florida High School (they do not have breakfast programs) are on the list with the pick-up time next to it.
A final plan with school sites and the hours for pick-up will be available around August 21 and will be published here on NorthEscambia.com.
Students that are attending traditional brick and mortar school this fall will receive lunch as usual at school, with students at 44 schools receiving free lunches without any application needed. Click or tap here for a list.
Meals are not provided for students that chose the Florida virtual school option.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Showers And Storms Return For Monday
August 17, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. North wind around 5 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Calm wind.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88.
Two COVID-19 Deaths Reported Sunday, Just 60 New Cases In Escambia County
August 16, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST UPDATE.
There were two COVID-19 deaths reported Sunday in Escambia County, according to the Florida Department of Health, as only 60 new cases were reported.
In Escambia County, the deaths were a 79-year old man and a 79-year old woman. Neither was a long-term care facility resident.
Escambia County cases increased to 10,265. An additional 50 cases brought the Santa Rosa County total to 4,223.
Of the 601 tests results returned on Saturday in Escambia County, 8.2% were positive, and 13.7% were positive from 290 tests in Santa Rosa County. Over the past week, the overall average positivity rate for Escambia County is 12.5%.
There were 178 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized in Escambia County as of Sunday, according to data from the three local hospitals.
Of the 152 deaths in Escambia County, 80 have been long-term care facility residents or staff. There have been 47 deaths in Santa Rosa County, at least seven of those at the Blackwater River Correctional Facility and nine in a long-term care facilities.
Statewide, there were 573,375 cases including 567,375 Florida residents. There have been 33,928 hospitalizations* and 9,452 deaths. The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals.
Escambia County cases:
Total cases — 10,265 (+60 since Saturday)
Non-Florida residents — 921
Pensacola —7,491 (+48)
Century — 870 (+1)
—-including 759 Century prison inmates
Cantonment — 709 (+4)
Molino— 116
McDavid — 52
Walnut Hill — 15
Bellview — 11
Gonzalez — 7
Perdido Key — 5
Current hospitalizations: 178(-9)
Deaths — 152 (+2)
Male — 4,550
Female — 4,694
Youngest — 0
Oldest — 105
Median Age — 39
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases — 4,223 (+50 since Saturday)
Non-Florida residents — 41
Milton — 2,321 (+26)
Gulf Breeze — 612 (+4)
Navarre — 514 (+5)
Pace — 321 (+4)
Jay — 114 (+4)
Bagdad — 9
Cumulative Hospitalizations — 218*
Deaths — 47
Male — 2,387
Female — 1,786
Youngest — 2 months
Oldest — 101
Median Age — 40
Florida cases:
Total cases — 573,416
Florida residents — 567,375
Deaths — 9,452
Hospitalizations — 33,928*
*“Hospitalizations” in the statewide and Santa Rosa County totals is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. These people may no longer be hospitalized. This number does not represent the number of COVID-19 positive persons currently hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized. The Escambia County number is current data compiled each day from the local hospitals.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
Three Alarm Fire Damages Town & Country Plaza
August 16, 2020
A three alarm fire damaged several businesses in Town & Country Plaza shopping center on North Pace Boulevard early Sunday morning.
The first reports of the fire came in about 5:10 a.m. The first fire units on scene reported smoke coming from the area of the old Morrison’s restaurant and businesses that included Boost Mobile, Citi Trends and Image Menswear. Initially, the heaviest fire and origination appeared to be in the storefront occupied by the Early Learning Coalition.
Escambia Fire Rescue stations from across much of Escambia County responded to the fire, while crews from as far north as Walnut Hill and Century were moved into standby positions.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The first stores at Town & Country Plaza, including Gayfers and Delchamps, opened in October 1956. It was regarded as the first suburban shopping center in Pensacola.
Pictured: Escambia Fire Rescue on scene of a Sunday morning fire at Town & Country Plaza on North Pace Boulevard. Photos WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Motorcyclist Dead, SUV Driver Serious After County Road 97 Crash
August 16, 2020
A motorcyclist was killed and and a SUV driver was seriously injured in a crash involving a SUV and a motorcycle Saturday night in Cantonment.
The 57-year old motorcyclist from Cantonment was southbound behind a Kia Soul on County Road 97 near Arena Road when the motorcyclist attempted to properly pass, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The driver of the SUV attempted to make a left turn into a driveway and failed to see the motorcycle passing, causing the motorcycle to strike the driver’s side of the Kia about 7:34 p.m.
The motorcyclist was airlifted to a Sacred Heart Hospital by ShandsCair medical helicopter where he was later pronounced deceased.
The driver of the KIA, a 31–year old male from Pensacola, was trapped in his vehicle and extricated by firefighters before being transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital. His injuries were not considered life threatening.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. The Cantonment, Ensley and Beulah stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the wreck.
The Florida Highway Patrol no longer releases the names of accident victims.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Over 11,000 Early Votes Were Cast In Escambia County. Here’s A Breakdown By Location, Party.
August 16, 2020
Early voting concluded Saturday with more than 11,000 ballots cast in Escambia County.
There were 11,158 votes cast during the early voting period in Escambia County, and there have 23,108 mail in ballots returned.
With 34,721 total ballots cast, turnout for the 2020 Primary Election is at 19.6% so far in Escambia County.
The graphic below shows the early voting turnout in Escambia County by party and location.
Cantonment Improvement Committee, Ascend Cares Hold Book Bag Giveaway
August 16, 2020
Ascend Cares and the Cantonment Improvement Committee held a drive-thru book bag distribution Saturday at Carver Park to help local children get ready for back to school. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Road Construction: Here’s What To Expect This Week On State Roads
August 16, 2020
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:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, Aug 16:
-
- Intermittent east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- · U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90)– Drivers traveling Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass and U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road may experience alternating lane shifts or closures as crews continue drainage and pavement operations.
- · U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of Muscogee Road (County Road 184) to Atmore Highway (State Road (S.R.) 97)- Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane restrictions as crews continue construction activities at various locations.
- · Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Intersection Improvements at New Warrington Road (S.R. 295) – Construction activities continue. Drivers can expect lane closures between 9:30 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, Aug 16:
- Intermittent east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- · S.R. 87 Resurfacing from Clear Creek to S.R. 4- Drivers can expect intermittent daytime lane closures along the 14-mile corridor through fall 2020 as crews perform paving operations.
- · U.S. 90 Pavement Marking Operations from Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281) to the Okaloosa County Line-Motorists can expect minor delays Sunday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. until Thursday, Aug. 27 as slow-moving vehicles are used to perform pavement marking operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.