Tonight’s West Florida At Tate Football Game Canceled Due To COVID-19 Concerns
October 23, 2020
Tonight’s West Florida Jaguar at Tate Aggies football game has been canceled due to “COVID-19 concerns for West Florida,” according to the Tate High School Quarterback Club.
Additional information has not been released
West Florida was 2-1 going into Friday night, and the Tate Aggies were 1-3.
Tate is scheduled to host Pensacola Catholic next Friday night, and and West Florida is scheduled to host Washington.
Pictured: The Tate Aggies take on the Escambia Gators last week. NorthEscambia.com photo by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
I-10 West Exit To Nine Mile Widened, And Two More Lanes Are Coming
October 23, 2020
The Florida Department of Transportation has widened the westbound exit ramp from I-10 to Nine Mile Road in a temporary effort to help relieve back ups onto the interstate, and more improvements are coming.
Drivers previously had a single lane off-ramp at Exit 5 to access east and westbound Nine Mile Road. But now there is dedicated through lane to access westbound Nine Mile Road and a dedicated right turn lane to access eastbound Nine Mile Road.
This new temporary configuration includes nearly 500-feet of lanes once drivers exit I-10.
Crews will now begin construction on the west side of the off-ramp. Upon completion, this off-ramp will include four dedicated lanes to access Nine Mile Road.
An estimated 19,000 drivers travel through the area each day, according to FDOT.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
By The Numbers: $43.3 Million In Hurricane Sally Federal Recovery Money So Far For Escambia Residents
October 23, 2020
Since the federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Sally, Escambia County residents have received approximately $43.3 million in total federal funds.
Individual Assistance:
- 2,806 homeowners and renters have been approved for more than $11.7 million in federal grants through FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program. This includes:
- More than $9.4 million in Housing Assistance grants for housing repair costs, home replacement and rental payments.
- More than $2.3 million in Other Needs Assistance grants to replace essential household items and for other critical disaster-related costs.
- 1,956 homeowners and renters were approved for rental assistance.
- 3,456 survivors have not provided FEMA with the necessary information from their insurance settlements to complete their disaster assistance registration.
National Flood Insurance Program:
- 2,344 flood insurance claims have been filed. An estimated $21.4 million has been paid in claims.
U.S. Small Business Administration:
- More than $10.2 million has been approved in low-interest disaster loans for 267 homeowners, renters and businesses.
Public Assistance:
- Escambia County was approved for assistance to local governments and private nonprofits for debris removal, emergency protective measures and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged public facilities on Sept. 23.
- 12 requests for Public Assistance have been received, and 11 have been approved.
Mobile Registration Intake Centers:
- A Mobile Registration Intake Center (MRIC) is staffed with FEMA personnel who can assist Hurricane Sally survivors with registration and answer questions about disaster-assistance programs. Centers in Escambia County are open daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at the following locations:
- Marie Young Wedgewood Community Center, 6405 Wagner Rd., Pensacola, FL 32505
- Lexington Terrace Community Center, 700 S. Old Corry Rd., Pensacola, FL 32507
- Escambia County Equestrian Center, 7750 Mobile Highway, Pensacola, FL 32526
NorthEscambia.com photo.
DeSantis Eases Nursing Home Visitation Rules
October 23, 2020
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday further relaxed restrictions on nursing home and long-term care facility visitations.
“What we’re trying to do on this is really empower the residents, the families and the facilities to be able to make good decisions,” DeSantis said during a new conference in Fort Myers.
The new order allows minors to visit with family members and allows visitations outdoors regardless of any positive cases in the facility.
“We just don’t have very many cases that get linked to outdoor activity,” DeSantis said. “I’m not saying it can’t happen — obviously it could happen under the right circumstances — but being outdoors has been something that’s been very positive, and particularly as the weather starts to get better in Florida and gets a little cooler, I think we’re in a position where that’s going to be very, very viable.”
The order also eliminated the five-person maximum number of general visitors and clarifies that there are no social distancing requirements for compassionate caregivers.
Pictured: Century Health and Rehabilitation Center, which reported nine total residents deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Garcon Point Toll Suspension Extended; FDOT Advancing Pensacola Bay Bridge Repairs
October 23, 2020
Gov. Ron DeSantis has extended the toll suspension on the Garcon Point Bridge for another three weeks, and the Florida Department of Transportation said they are moving forward toward actual repair of the Pensacola Bay Bridge.
Tolls on the Garcon Point Bridge are now suspended until 6 a.m. on Friday, November 13. The Garcon Point Bridge is the shortest detour route round the closed Pensacola Bay Bridge, which was struck by multiple Skanska barges during Hurricane Sally.
Skansak said late Thursday that three of the four barges left under the Pensacola Bay Bridge have now been “retrieved”.
“Each barge represents a unique and technically complex recovery operation that we are managing carefully with our partners to mitigate further physical or environmental damage,” Skanska said in an email to NorthEscambia.com.
As demolition efforts progress on the Pensacola Bay Bridge, FDOT is advancing material fabrication in preparation for reconstruction efforts to begin.
Multiple concrete piles, the vertical support structure that’s used to hold up the bridge; piers, the raised structure that sits in a body of water to support the bridge; and beams, the linear structural member designed to span from one support to another will be required to repair the Pensacola Bay Bridge. To date:
- Fifty-one concrete piles are on-hand at the precast yard.
- Thirty-six prestressed beams have been cast.
- Thirty-three concrete piles have been ordered from another facility in Tampa to facilitate the expedited schedule.
- Additional beams will be cast based on the final analysis of some of the damaged areas.
- Replacement piers will begin casting by mid-November 2020.
FDOT has mobilized three bridge contractors on site to expedite demolition and design including:
- Debris from two spans has been cleared along with the complete removal of one damaged span of the bridge as crews continue to carefully remove damaged portions from additional spans to minimize impacts to the existing structure. One barge remains under the bridge. To date, 17 of the 27 barges have been removed from the area.
- Design is underway for the permanent repairs and reestablishment of four lanes of traffic on the bridge with a focus on substructure repairs which includes the piers. Modified pier design has been reviewed and approved by FDOT, which uses six new piles instead of four piles in the existing footing.
FDOT has been continuously working to improve the traffic flow along the Pensacola Bay Bridge detour routes. The following efforts have reduced the average commute time by 25 percent:
- Installed a new temporary traffic signal at the I-10 westbound ramps at State Road (S.R.) 281
- Delineators have been installed to provide a free flow southbound movement from the I-10 eastbound ramp onto southbound S.R. 281
- Additional temporary traffic cameras have been installed that have significantly improved travel time.
- The Road Ranger service that was previously on the Pensacola Bay Bridge has been relocated to the Garcon Point Bridge to help with minor incidents and to keep traffic flowing as much as possible.
- FDOT has received approval from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to temporarily widen 2,000 feet of northbound and southbound S.R. 281 south of the I-10 interchange an widen the eastbound I-10 off ramp at eastbound S.R. 281 off ramp to two lanes.
To reinforce FDOT Secretary Kevin J. Thibault’s, P.E. expectation of complete transparency and community assistance, FDOT’s outreach team has met with stakeholder groups, state and local officials, civic organizations and local business owners to discuss the bridge reconstruction as well as other actions that are being considered to efficiently restore regional connectivity. FDOT will continue to meet with multiple stakeholder groups throughout the course of the project.
FDOT continues to develop and improve alternative transportation solutions to move people and goods safely and efficiently through the region while the Pensacola Bay Bridge is being repaired. Examples include:
- Exploring all funding avenues available to implement a ferry service between Gulf Breeze and Pensacola.
- Funding Escambia County Area Transit’s (ECAT) temporary bus route to help transport passengers between the Pensacola Bay Center Park in Escambia County and the Tiger Point Community Center City in Gulf Breeze.
- Working with ECAT to modify the original route to include stops at the ECAT Transfer Center in Pensacola, the Palm Beach Club and Pensacola Beach Boardwalk in Pensacola Beach, and Gulf Breeze Hospital.
- Gathering information such as potential ridership, times of operation, and duration of service as well as reviewing existing facilities that would be necessary for the safe operation of a ferry or additional bus routes.
The Pensacola Bay Bridge has a targeted re-opening date of early March 2021. Once repairs are complete, all four lanes will be open with no load restrictions and at the same condition as expected for new construction. As each repair method is developed, FDOT will be conducting reviews to ensure the contractor is hitting all milestones in the established schedule.
Friday Night High School Football Schedule
October 23, 2020
Here is the Friday night football schedule for the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
Tate at West Florida (CANCELED)
Northview at Jay
Pine Forest at Escambia
Pensacola High at Washington
Catholic at Niceville
Crestview at Pace
Mosley at Milton
Choctaw at Gulf Breeze
Fort Walton Beach at Navarre
ALABAMA
Escambia Academy at Southern Academy
Jackson at Escambia County (Atmore)
T.R. Miller at Flomaton (Flomaton forfeit due to COVID-19)
Opp at W.S. Neal (Opp forfeit due to COVID-19)
Saturday Is Deadline To Request Vote By Mail Ballot; Return By Mail Or At One Of 10 Ballot Boxes
October 23, 2020
Supervisor of Elections David H. Stafford is reminding voters who wish to be mailed a vote-by-mail ballot for the November 3 General Election to request their ballot no later than Saturday, October 24.
Voters can make their request by using the online form at EscambiaVotes.gov or by contacting the Supervisor of Elections by mail, phone (850) 595-3900, e-mail (votebymail@escambiavotes.com), or fax (850) 595-3914. Requests must include the voter’s date of birth and address. Voters may track the status of their ballot by clicking Track My Ballot at EscambiaVotes.gov.
The U.S. Postal Service recommends voters mail ballots at least one week before the due date. Return postage has been paid for the 2020 general election. Completed vote-by-mail ballots must be received in the elections office no later than 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3. Voters may also return their vote-by-mail ballot at the elections office or at any of the 10 area early voting locations drop boxes during early voting hours. Voters are still prohibited from returning their completed vote-by-mail ballot at an Election Day polling place.
After Saturday’s deadline, a voter may still pick up a vote-by-mail ballot in person from the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office through Monday, November 2.
Ten early voting locations are open in Escambia County each day from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. through Saturday, October 31. The locations are:
- Billy G. Ward Courthouse, 7500 N Century Blvd, Century
- Molino Community Center, 6450-A Highway 95A, Molino
- Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Mobile Hwy/Pine Forest Rd Early Voting Center, 6675 Pine Forest Rd, Suite 11
- UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Building 82, University Parkway
- Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 B, 9th Avenue
- Main Library, 239 Spring Street
- Supervisor of Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor
- Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto Street
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Another 103 Cases, No New COVID-19 Deaths Reported In Escambia, Santa Rosa
October 23, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST UPDATES.
There were 103 new positive COVID-19 cases and no additional deaths reported Thursday in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 13,130 (+70)
Non-Florida residents: 1,289
Total deaths: 269
Long-term care facility deaths : 125
Current hospitalizations: 51 (+4)
Number of tests last day: 1,480
Percent positive last day: 3.7%
Percent positive last week: 4.5%
Escambia County cases by location:
Pensacola: 9,577 (+51)
Cantonment: 965 (+3)
Century: 935
—-including 773 Century prison inmates
Molino: 153
McDavid: 74
Bellview: 19
Walnut Hill: 18
Perdido Key: 9
Gonzalez: 7
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 5,789 (+33)
Non-Florida residents: 63
Total deaths: 86
Long-term care facility deaths: 19
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 353*
Number of tests last day: 656
Percent positive last day: 4.8%
Santa County cases by location:
Milton: 2,956 (+9)
Gulf Breeze: 837 (+10)
Navarre: 755 (+7)
Pace: 485 (+1)
Jay: 159
Bagdad: 13 (+1)
Florida cases:
Total cases: 768,091
Florida residents: 758,306
Deaths: 16,267
Hospitalizations: 47,765*
*“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. Most of these people are longer be 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.
*The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
Good Chance Of Showers And Possibly Thunderstorms For Today
October 23, 2020
A burn ban remains in effect for Escambia County.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 7pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Calm wind.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Calm wind.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 84. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 80.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.
Trump To Hold Pensacola Rally Friday Evening; Here’s What You Need To Know
October 22, 2020
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. THE EVENT IS OVER. COMMENTS ARE CLOSED.
President Donald Trump will hold a campaign event Friday evening in Pensacola.
The “Make America Great Again Victory Rally” will be held at 7 p.m. at the ST Engineering hanger at the Pensacola International Airport, the location of Trump’s last Pensacola rally in November 2018. Doors will open at 4 p.m. for the ticketed event.
No homemade signs, banners, professional cameras with detachable lenses, tripods, monopods, selfie sticks, backpacks, large bags, chairs or umbrellas will be allowed. There is no seating in the venue.
Two free tickets are available per valid mobile phone number on the Trump campaign website. By registering for the event attendees agree to assume the risk of COVID-19 exposure and not hold anyone liable if they contract the virus, including the Trump campaign or the Republican Party.
As a COVID-19 precaution, all attendees will be given a temperature check, masks which they will be instructed to wear, and access to hand sanitizer.
Other speakers at the event are expected to include U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, state Rep. Alex Andrade and Alabama Republican congressional candidate Jerry Carl.
Langley Avenue between Tippin and McAllister will be closed beginning at noon. All event parking, including handicap parking, is in a large open grassy field that is bordered by Langley, 9th Avenue and McAllister. It is about a half mile from the event, and there’s no word yet if shuttles will be provided.
A parking map and other information from the Pensacola Police Department is below.
Pictured top: President Donald Trump during a November 2018 visit to Pensacola. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
The President of these United States is visiting … again. He will be holding a rally at the Pensacola International…
Posted by Pensacola Police Department on Thursday, October 22, 2020