Sunny For Monday

April 4, 2021

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 45. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 78. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51. South wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. East wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind 10 to 15 mph.

Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 81.

Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64.

Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 80.

Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.

Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive

No License Needed Freshwater Fishing Today In Florida

April 4, 2021

Try your hand at freshwater fishing in Florida Sunday, April 4, without needing a freshwater fishing license.

“The first freshwater license-free fishing weekend of the year is an excellent opportunity to introduce someone to fishing for the first time,” said Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management Director Tom Graef. “Spend this weekend with family and friends enjoying the Fishing Capital of the World as you fish from a boat or shore.”

All other rules, such as seasons, bag and size limits apply. To learn more, visit MyFWC.com/License. To renew or purchase a fishing license, visit GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.

“Florida has long been known as the Fishing Capital of the World and Florida fishing helps to support many industries that impact the state’s economy, including retail, research and tourism,” said FWC Commissioner Gary Lester. “Now is the time to get out on the water and an even better time to introduce someone you know to fishing – all you need is a rod and a reel.”

Pictured: Fishing at Lake Stone near Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive

Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Advisories

April 4, 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:

Beulah Road (State Road (S.R.) 99) Underground Utility Operations at Mobile Highway (S.R. 10A) intersection – Motorists can expect intermittent northbound lane closures from 8 p.m. Monday, April 5 to 5 a.m., Tuesday, April 6 as crews raise valves within the travel lane.
U.S. 98 (S.R. 30) 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- The north and southbound left lanes of Ninth Avenue over Carpenters Creek will be closed as bridge replacement work begins. The right lanes will remain open. Traffic is expected to continue in this configuration through late April.

· 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 – Motorists will encounter lane closures and pacing operations beginning Monday, April 5 at 6 a.m. Traffic will be temporarily slowed to a safe speed by a pilot vehicle during construction activities.
· N. Pace Boulevard (S.R. 292) Underground Utility Operations from W. Strong Street south to W. Gadsden Street and from W. Gadsden Street south to W. La Rua Street- Motorists will encounter lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, April 5 and Tuesday, April 6 as crews perform underground utility work.
· Bayou Boulevard (S.R. 296) Utility Operations near Baldwin Avenue- There will be intermittent westbound lane restrictions from 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 7 to 5 a.m. Thursday, April 8 as crews install a new power pole.
· S.R. 268 (West Michigan Avenue Utility Operations at Valley Escondido Drive– There will be intermittent lane closures at the intersection of W. Michigan Avenue. and Valley Escondido Drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 7 as crews replace light poles.
· North Davis Highway (S.R. 291) Utility Operations near Heritage Apartments- Traffic will encounter intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. Thursday, April 8 to 5 a.m. Friday, April 9 as crews perform utility operations.
· U.S.29 from South of Muscogee Road (County Road (C.R.) 184) to Atmore Hwy (S.R. 97) – Motorist will encounter intermittent north and southbound lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for paving operations. This will include work at Muscogee and Becks Lake roads and Morris Avenue intersections, as well as the CSX Railroad crossing.

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 – The bridge remains closed.
U.S. 90 Maintenance Operations between Santa Rosa Drive and Summerdale Drive – The westbound outside lane will be closed from 8 p.m. Monday, April 5 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, April 6 as crews perform routine maintenance activities.

All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive

FDOH Reports Three Additional COVID-19 Deaths In Escambia County, Another 24 Cases

April 4, 2021

THIS IS AN ARCHIVES STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.

On Saturday, the Florida Department of Health reported three new COVID-19 deaths and another 24 cases in Escambia County.

Here is the latest data:

Escambia County cases:

Total cases: 34,950 (+24)
Non-Florida residents: 3,619
Recovered: 34,152*
Total deaths: 669 (+3)
Long-term care facility deaths: 280 (+1)
Current hospitalizations: 24
Number of tests reported last day: 539
Percent positive reported last day: 3.6%
Percent positive reported last week: 4.5%

Escambia County cases by location*:

Pensacola: 26,071 (+17)
Cantonment: 3,145 (+2)
Century: 1,173 (+1)
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 485
McDavid: 209
Bellview: 57
Walnut Hill: 53
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 13

Santa Rosa County cases:

Total cases: 17,805 (+24)
Non-Florida residents: 229
Total deaths: 278
Long-term care facility deaths: 81
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 858*
Number of tests reported last day: 325
Percent positive reported last day: 6.3%

Santa Rosa County cases by location*:

Milton: 8,487 (+9)
Navarre: 3,674 (+4)
Gulf Breeze: 3,307 (+10)
Pace: 1,430
Jay: 544
Bagdad: 32

Florida cases:

Total cases: 2,077,032
Florida residents: 2,038,204
Deaths: 33,652
Hospitalizations: 85,678

*“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.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive

Florida Forest Service Warns About Wildfire Risk

April 3, 2021

As northwest Florida is starting to reach the peak of its year-round wildfire season, officials with the Florida Forest Service are asking residents to be careful if they choose to burn yard debris.

“This cold front has brought cooler temperatures and lower humidity into the area,” said David Smith, operations administrator for the Blackwater Forestry Center. “That combination can dry vegetation out very quickly and allow fire to spread despite the fact we have had rain recently.”

Spring often is a great time to get the yard in shape and that leads people to pile and burn limbs, brush and other materials. With cold, dry weather in place for the next several days, it could lead to a dangerous situation. Residents are asked to follow the required setbacks and be extra cautious as low humidity and higher winds can cause a fire to escape quickly. Always keep a charged water hose handy to douse any fire that might flare up, never turn your back on a fire, don’t go inside “just for a minute,” and be sure your fire is dead out before leaving it unattended. If your fire does escape, call 911 immediately so firefighters can respond quickly.”

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

SUV, Semi Collide On Highway 29

April 3, 2021

One person was injured in a collision involving an SUV and a semi-truck Friday afternoon in Cantonment.

The Kia reportedly collided with the tires on the semi trailer on Highway 29 near Tree Street, near International Paper.

The driver of the Kia was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS. Their injuries were not considered life threatening.

The Florida Highway Patrol investigated and has not released further details.

NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Clear And Cool Saturday Night; Sunny And Nice For Easter Sunday

April 3, 2021

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 40. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 72. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.