Nine Mile Road Widening To Be Completed By Summer, FDOT Says
February 22, 2021
The Florida Department of Transportation expects the Nine Mile Road widening project to finally be finished this summer.
The $46 million project includes the widening of Nine Mile Road from Beulah Road to Highway 29. When announced in 2016, the project was due to be completed in 2019 but has faced delays — including Hurricanes Michael and Sally plus other tropical systems.
Median construction is underway between Beulah Road and Pine Forest Road to build a concrete curb, along with the resurfacing of the Nine Mile Road at Pine Forest Road intersection.
In late January, Nine Mile Road westbound between Klondike Road (near I-10) and Surrey Drive was shifted to the newly construct westbound roadway. That allowed crews to construct the new inside travel lanes, median, and turn lanes.
About 19,000 vehicles per day travel the portion of Nine Mile Road under construction, according to FDOT.
Pictured: Nine Mile Road at and near the intersection of Pine Forest Road on Saturday, February 20. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Clear, Upper 30s To Around 40 Tonight
February 22, 2021
Here is your official north Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Clear, with a low 37-40. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 67. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 40. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 71. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 68. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 73.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 73.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 61.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71.
Tate High School Names Students Of The Month
February 22, 2021
Tate High School recently named Students of the Month for December. They are Gwen Ward and Adam Lee. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wreck North Of Milton Claims Life Of Escambia County Man
February 22, 2021
A Sunday morning wreck claimed the life of one Escambia County man and seriously injured another.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a pickup truck was on Highway 89 north of Milton when the 23-year old driver lost control, veered of the roadway and ran into a ditch. The pickup became airborne after colliding with a culvert. The driver and passenger were both ejected.
Both men were airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital. The driver was pronounced deceased at the hospital, while the passenger was listed in serious condition.
Century Correctional Institution Staff Member Assaulted By Convicted Child Sex Offender
February 22, 2021
A staff member at the Century prison was recently assaulted by a convicted child sex offender.
Inmate Vincent J. Thomas, 30, assaulted a staff member at Century Correctional Institution, according to the Florida Department of Corrections. Details of the assault were not released.
Thomas is serving a 15 year sentence on Lake County convictions for three counts of lewd and lascivious battery of child age 12-15 years, six counts of production of child pornography, two counts possession of child pornography, cocaine possession and possession of methamphetamine.
Arctic Blast Power Outages Lead To Surge In Florida Gas Prices
February 22, 2021
Florida gas prices shot up last week, as arctic weather wreaked havoc on the Gulf Coast refinery region and caused a surge in fuel prices. Power outages knocked gasoline refineries in Texas and neighboring states offline and interfered with fuel shipments out of the area.
On average, Florida gas prices jumped 15 cents last week. Drivers are now paying an average price of $2.61 per gallon. That’s the highest daily gas price average since July 2019.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $2.57, up about 16 cents. The lowest price to be found Sunday night in North Escambia was $2.51 at a Cantonment station.
“This pump price hike is similar to what you’d expect if a hurricane struck the gulf coast region,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA — The Auto Club Group. “Just like the aftermath of a hurricane, workers are working to return to normal operations. Any reports of extended downtime or significant supply impacts could cause another round of rising prices.”
Much of Florida’s gasoline comes from refineries in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. So an interruption to the supply line there has a direct impact on prices here. However, Florida is not alone. This region is a major source of gasoline in the United States, accounting for more than 45% of total U.S. petroleum refining capacity. This storm reportedly impacted a little more than half of refinery capacity in the Gulf Coast region.
Although there is not currently a gasoline supply shortage, concerns about reductions in gasoline production caused fuel prices to climb. Crude oil prices rose nearly 3% last week, reaching $61.14 per barrel. Wednesday’s settlement was the highest since January 2020. Wholesale gasoline prices jumped 7% last week, reaching a level not seen since July 2019.
File photo.
FDOH Reports 52 New COVID-19 Cases, No New Deaths
February 22, 2021
THIS IS ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
There were 52 new positive COVID-19 cases and no additional deaths reported Sunday in Escambia County by the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 33,210 (+52)
Non-Florida residents: 3,438
Recovered: 30,849*
Total deaths: 608
Long-term care facility deaths: 262
Current hospitalizations: 104 (-3)
Number of tests reported last day: 818
Percent positive reported last day: 5.2%
Percent positive reported last week: 6.2%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 24,740 (+39)
Cantonment: 3,000 (+1)
Century: 1,139 (+2)
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 458 (+2)
McDavid: 198 (+1)
Bellview: 56
Walnut Hill: 50
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 12
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 16,801 (+41)
Non-Florida residents: 211
Total deaths: 251 (+1)
Long-term care facility deaths: 76
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 764*
Number of tests reported last day: 493
Percent positive reported last day: 7.5%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 8,049 (+17)
Navarre: 3,423 (+12)
Gulf Breeze: 3,135 (+8)
Pace: 1,334 (+3)
Jay: 518 (+1)
Bagdad: 31
Florida cases:
Total cases: 1,868,772
Florida residents: 1,837,708
Deaths: 29,906
Hospitalizations: 77,758*
*“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.
**On cases by location, the city is based upon zip code and is not always received as part of the initial notification. There may be a delay in reporting locations, and locations will not total the daily case increase as a result.
***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 is reporting an approximate recovery number defined as the total cases prior to last month, minus deaths. In other words, anyone that tested positive more than a month ago is presumed to have recovered by Escambia County.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
Charles Edward ‘Sonny’ Fore
February 22, 2021
Mr. Charles Edward ‘Sonny’ Fore, age 92 of Flomaton, AL, passed away on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at his home.
Mr. Fore was born in Flomaton and was a life long member of the Flomaton and Century areas where he owned and operated Fore Sand and Gravel and Fore Dixie Development Company. He loved his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, fishing, horses, and thoroughly enjoyed cutting the grass. Mr. Fore attended Flomaton Church of Christ, and was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Richard and Edna White Fore; sister, Francis Scott; daughter-in-law, Cheryl Fore and two great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Louise Fore of Flomaton, AL; son, Darryl Fore of Flomaton, AL; daughter, Sharon (James) Pate of Flomaton, AL; four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel from 9 AM until10 AM.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at Flomaton Funeral Home at 10 AM with Bro. Ronnie Fore officiating.
Pallbearers will be Drew Odom, Jesse Hamilton, Steve Stanton, Donnie Smith, Steve Creamer, Alan Lowery.
Honorary pallbearers will be Coy Boutwell, Pat Jarvis, James Campbell, W.T. Gafford, James Hicks, Melvin Johnson, Jerry Fischer, Doug Finlay, Albert Johnson.
Interment will be in Flomaton Cemetery, Flomaton, AL.
Ruby Thomas McGlothren
February 22, 2021
Ruby Thomas McGlothren, age 86, died on February 19, 2021, in Pensacola, Florida, surrounded by her loving family.
Ruby is survived by her son, Larry Thomas (Pam) and daughter, Lynn Hodge (Jackie); grandchildren, Derek Hodge, Amanda Capitell (Al), and Lauren Thomas; great grandchild, Hadley Capitell; brothers, Carl and Charles Darby; and many other family members.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Eubie and Birdie Darby; husbands, Rufus Thomas and Ted McGlothren; brothers, James Darby, Leo Darby, and sister, Nell Cumbie.
Ruby was born on November 5, 1934 in Eliska, Alabama, to parents Eubie and Birdie Darby. She was a member of the Poarch Creek Indian Tribe. Ruby was a great family woman and a loving mother, sister and Nana. Ruby was a God fearing, strong willed woman who lived for her family. She retired from the Medical Center Clinic after many years.
A visitation is scheduled for Thursday, February 25, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. with the funeral to follow at 11:00 a.m., at Victory Assembly of God in Molino, Florida; Reverend Jeff McKee will be officiating. The family would like to thank Alice Hall for her love and kindness, countless employees of The Blake, including Dyan, Laureine, Lisa, Patricia, Nancy, Shakiyah, Kenny, Deneen, and many more. A special thanks to Adam, Phillip, Chaplain Jason Adams, and Sheila with Emerald Coast Hospice. There have been so many people who Nana loved and touched and we thank all of them. Flowers can be sent to Faith Chapel Funeral Home.
Aubrey Stanley
February 22, 2021
Aubrey Stanley, age 85, passed away on Friday, February 12, 2021. He was born on July
16, 1935 in Atmore, AL to the late Henry Watterson and Ruby Bell Stanley. He was a
member of First Assembly of God Church in Atmore, AL. He was a Vietnam Veteran who
served in the United States Air Force for twelve years. He retired after twenty three years
with the Civil Service as Assistant Fire Chief serving at Saufley Field, Pensacola Naval Air
Station and Subic Bay, Philippines where he was Crash Leader over the air field units. He
was Commander for seven years with Billy Glenn Rushing Post 90 of the American Legion.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Gertrude Childress and his brother, Cecil
Stanley.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Hawkinson Stanley; his sons, Steven Aubrey
(Kim) Stanley of Pensacola, FL and Christopher Watterson (Bridget) Stanley of Silver Hill,
AL; his daughter, Leigh Ann Wooten of Thousand Oaks, CA; his brothers, Leonard
Stanley of Atmore, AL and Windom Stanley of Spanish Fort, AL; six grandchildren and
seven great grandchildren.
Funeral service will be held Thursday, February 18, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at First Assembly
of God Church in Atmore, AL with Bro. Don Davis officiating. Interment will be at
Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery with Military Honors in Spanish Fort, AL at
a later date.
Active pallbearers will be Kenneth Robinson, Richard Keesler, Danny Guy, Ronnie
Albritton, Rick Hetrick and Donald Ray Weaver.
Honorary pallbearers will be Winston Bryan and Charles Wilson.
Visitation will be Thursday, February 18, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. until service time at 11:00
a.m. at First Assembly of God Church in Atmore, AL.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Assembly of God Church in Atmore, AL
or the American Legion Post in Atmore, AL.
For the safety of you and others, please practice social distancing requirements, though
wearing a facial mask is strongly encouraged.