Escambia Commission Honors The Late Jimmy Cunningham Of Molino
April 11, 2021
The Escambia County Commission recently issued a proclamation in honor of the late James David “Jimmy” Cunningham of Molino who passed away earlier this year at age 83.
Cunningham joined 4-H when he was just nine years old and became a member of FFA at age 13. He remained active in both programs through his youth. After graduation from Tate High School and the University of Florida, he spent 43 years at Solutia before his retirement. In the meantime, he spent his life as a farmer and rancher and co-owner of Cunningham Farms. He spent over 35 years as a board member and president of the Escambia County Farm Bureau Federation.
Cunningham worked tirelessly for local youth. He was a founding member of the Gulf Coast Agricultural & Natural Resources Youth Organization (GCA-NRYO) and the Northwest Florida Cattleman’s Association.
“He was very active in helping youth learn about agriculture and livestock and was a critical asset in helping 4-H members acquire facilities for a livestock center,” the proclamation reads.
“Dad fought really hard for the 4-H kids in this county, and the FFA kids,” Jimmy Cunningham’s son Scott Cunningham told the Escambia County Commission. “It was really nice for us to have really the best piece of property in the state of Florida for 4-H programs.”
To read the entire proclamation, click or tap here.
Pictured top: The family of the late Jimmy Cunningham accepts a proclamation in his honor from Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Community Health Now Accepting Appointments For Vaccination Clinics Next Week
April 11, 2021
Community Health Northwest Florida is scheduling appointments for COVID-19 vaccination clinics to be held this week.
Clinics will be held as follows:
Monday, April 12
Location: Brownsville Community Center – 3200 W. DeSoto Street, Pensacola
Vaccine: Moderna COVID-19 vaccine – First dose (of two)
Time: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Wednesday, April 14
Location: 6209 Highway 90 / Caroline Street (formerly Beall’s), Milton
Vaccine: Johnson and Johnson (Janssen) “One Shot” COVID-19 vaccine
Time: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Friday, April 16
Location: Brownsville Community Center – 3200 W. DeSoto Street, Pensacola
Vaccine: Johnson and Johnson (Janssen) “One Shot” COVID-19 Vaccine
Time: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Appointments are required.
Florida residents age 18 and over who wish to participate in one of these events should call the Community Health COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center at (850) 439-3358 to schedule an appointment.
All participants will be required to show photo ID at time of appointment. Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days or have had symptoms of illness (fever, cough, shortness of breath) in the past 14 days should not receive the vaccine.
Groundbreaking Monday For Escambia County’s Newest Library In Bellview
April 11, 2021
A groundbreaking ceremony will be held Monday for the new Bellview Library, the first library in Escambia County’s District 1.
Construction is expected to be complete in the Spring of 2022 and will include the 10,000 square foot expansion of a 2,000 square foot former bank.
The groundbreaking will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at 6425 Mobile Highway, just south of the fairgrounds.
Features of the new library include:
- The main portion of the library will consist of a large open space that is divided into areas such as a lobby, a story time area, a youth area and an adult reading area. This large open space will provide entrances to other support spaces such as multiple study rooms, staff rooms, a PC area and a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) room.
- Most of the existing bank footprint will be utilized primarily as a meeting room but will also function as a multipurpose room to use for programs geared toward the community. This room will have the existing bank structure exposed with some acoustical clouds to control the reverberation time.
- The development of the building’s façade was inspired by origami, the art of folding paper, which is why there are angles throughout the building.
- The new library will include an exterior lawn area with the ability to project movies onto the building for events.
- Most of the old oak trees on the south side of the property will be preserved. This south side will also serve as the location for a future park and playground so the large oak trees will be able to provide natural shade.
- A sidewalk will be built that provides a direct connection between the new library and Bellview Elementary providing accessibility for children to enjoy after school programs.
Sunny Sunday And Monday
April 11, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 52. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the morning.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. South wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 72.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Trouble Spots
April 11, 2021
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 - The intersection of North 17th Avenue and Bayfront Parkway will remain closed until spring 2021 as construction continues the new 17th Avenue interchange. The Visitor’s Center and adjacent boat launch remain accessible from 17th Avenue. Also, the ramp from 17th Avenue to East Gregory Street remains open. Eastbound drivers on Bayfront Parkway should use North 14th Avenue and Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) as a detour route.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures and shifts, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., on U.S. 29, between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road, and on Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass.
- · North Ninth Avenue (S.R. 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement North and southbound traffic on Ninth Avenue will be shifted to the northbound travel lanes of the Carpenters Creek Bridge beginning Friday, April 16. The traffic shift will begin at approximately 7 a.m. and should conclude by 5 p.m. Drivers should anticipate the potential for travel delays during these times.
- · West Cervantes Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project- Drivers will encounter inside lane closures on West Cervantes Street, between Dominguez Street and A Street beginning Monday, March 29. The lane closures are required to perform median construction work. One lane in each direction will be maintained at all times. The median work and lane closures will begin on the west end of the project, near Dominguez Street, and will progress eastward until the end of the year. Also, be advised that the speed limit will be reduced to 30 m.p.h.
- · I-10 Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation over Perdido River Bridge –A 36-hour lane closure with pacing operations (slow-moving) will begin at 6 a.m. Monday, April 12. Traffic will be temporarily slowed to a safe speed by a pilot vehicle to allow crews to perform construction activities. Drivers will encounter nighttime, periodic lane closures Thursday, April 15 for guardrail and asphalt paving.
- · U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Utility Operations - Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures at 7251 North Century Boulevard, just south of S.R. 4, from 8 p.m. Monday, April 12 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, April 13 as utility crews install a power pole.
- · U.S. 29 from South of Muscogee Road (County Road (C.R.) 184) to Atmore Hwy (S.R. 97) the following operations will take place on the project the week of Monday, April 12 through Friday, April 16 as crews perform paving operations:
o Intermittent lane closures 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the Cantonment area.
o Intermittent lane closures 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. between Neal Road, north of Cantonment, and north of S.R. 97 in Molino.
- · U.S. 98 (East Gregory Street) Driveway Construction at 9th Avenue – The left turn lane at 9th Avenue will be closed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 13 and Wednesday, April 14 as crews reconstruct the driveway to the Waffle House.
- · Beulah Road (S.R. 99) Underground Utility Operations Between Beulah Church Road and Mobile Highway – There will be intermittent southbound lane restrictions from 8 p.m. Sunday, April 11 to 5 a.m. Monday, April 12 as crews perform underground utility and paving operations.
- · I-10 Routine Bridge Inspection over Perdido River– Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, April 12 and Tuesday, April 13 as crews perform a routine bridge inspection.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive- Early construction activities are beginning in preparation for the widening and improvements of the 4.25-mile section of U.S. 98 from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive. These activities include utility relocations, clearing, excavation, and drainage improvements. As part of the upgraded drainage system, the project includes the construction of five stormwater ponds. Clearing and excavating of areas for the stormwater ponds are currently underway. There are no traffic impacts associated with the construction of the ponds, but nearby residents and businesses may experience some noise. Access to residences and businesses will be maintained at all times. Major roadway construction activities on the $70.4 million project are anticipated to begin in summer 2021.
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – For the latest information visit FDOT.gov/PensacolaBay.
- · S.R. 87 Routine Bridge Inspection over Coldwater Creek – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 14 as crews perform a routine bridge inspection.
Escambia Records 52 New COVID-19 Cases
April 11, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
There were 52 new COVID-19 cases reported Saturday in Escambia County
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 35,152 (+52)
Non-Florida residents: 3,647
Recovered: 34,178*
Total deaths: 671
Long-term care facility deaths: 279
Current hospitalizations: 20
Number of tests reported last day: 596
Percent positive reported last day: 7.3%
Percent positive reported last week: 4.7%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 26,227 (+32)
Cantonment: 3,159 (+2)
Century: 1,173
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 488 (+1)
McDavid: 210
Bellview: 57
Walnut Hill: 53
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 13
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 17,890 (+12)
Non-Florida residents: 233
Total deaths: 279
Long-term care facility deaths: 81
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 868*
Number of tests reported last day: 374
Percent positive reported last day: 3.1%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 8,522 (+4)
Navarre: 3,690 (+2)
Gulf Breeze: 3,321 (+2)
Pace: 1,442 (+3)
Jay: 548
Bagdad: 32
Florida cases:
Total cases: 2,118,713
Florida residents: 2,078,784
Deaths: 34,014
Hospitalizations: 86,894
*“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.
Lightning Strike Destroys Water Main Serving Much Of Walnut Hill Area; Boil Water Notice Issued
April 10, 2021
UPDATE: THE BOIL WATER NOTICE HAS BEEN RESCINDED.
Several hundred residences in the Walnut Hill lost water service as a result of Saturday morning’s storms.
A lightning strike destroyed a primary water main at Escambia River Electric Cooperative’s water tower adjacent to their Walnut Hill Office and Ernest Ward Middle School.
The leak was isolated, and water service was restored to the area from EREC’s second water tower located across Highway 97 from Ernest Ward. Repairs were to begin as soon as other utilities such as communications lines could be located.
A boil water notice notice is in effect for EREC customers that lost water pressure. The area is described as:
- All EREC members south, east and west of, and including, Gobbler Road
- Sandy Hollow Road north of Gobbler Road to 3820 Sandy Hollow
- Still Road north of Gobbler Road tp 2789 Still Road
- North of Gobbler Road to 2650 North Highway 99
All water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes should be brought to a rolling for at least one minute. As an alternative, bottled water may be used. Residents are also advised to take precautions when bathing, especially immunocompromised individuals, infants or the elderly. The boil water notice will remain in effect until a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Storms Down Trees, Damage At Least One Home In Gonzalez; Lightning Strikes Mobile Home
April 10, 2021
Storms downed trees in Gonzalez early Saturday morning, damaging at least one home, and lightning struck a mobile home south of Century.
A resident of Countri Lane said they “definitely had a wake up call with what we thought was a tornado” Saturday morning. A large tree branch from a neighboring yard crashing into the home, damaging the soffit and fascia on the roofline, and breaking a window.
The railroad crossing arms on Countri Lane were also damaged by the wind.
Lightning struck a mobile home in the 5000 block of Dawson Road about 8:30 a.m., sparking a small fire that was extinguished by the resident. Escambia Fire Rescue responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Morning Storms Dump Hail Across North Escambia
April 10, 2021
Hail fell across the North Escambia area during storms early Saturday morning. Here are a few submitted photos, mostly from the Cantonment area.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Storms Leave Thousands Without Power In Escambia County; Some In Walnut Hill, Near Century Lose Water
April 10, 2021
Thousands of people in Escambia County were left without power by storms that moved through the area Saturday morning.
Gulf Power reported over 24,000 customers without power in Escambia County as of 8:15 a.m.
Escambia River Electric Cooperative had about 500 customers out in Escambia County after daybreak Saturday, most in an area from Walnut Hill to Enon. A majority had been restored by 8:15 a.m.
EREC customers in the Walnut Hill area also reported little or no water pressure. Click or tap here for complete details, including a boil water notice.
Water was also out for Central Water Works customers from West Highway 4 into into Alabama, but repairs were made by about 9 a.m. for almost all Central customers.
File photo.