Weekly Traffic Report: Those Troublesome Construction Slowdowns
April 25, 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 (State Road (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 on 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.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) from North Palafox Street to Chemstrand Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent nighttime lane closures the week of Monday, April 26 as crews perform paving operations.
- · North Ninth Avenue (S.R. 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement – Motorists will encounter lane shifts to the northbound travel lanes of Carpenters Creek Bridge. One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained as work begins to replace the southbound portion of the bridge. Traffic will remain in this temporary configuration until the late summer/early fall timeframe.
- · I-10 Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation over Perdido River Bridge – Motorists will encounter intermittent nighttime lane closures the week of Monday, April 19 as crews perform paving operations.
- · North Davis Highway (S.R. 291) Utility Operations near Heritage Apartments- Traffic will encounter lane restrictions from 8 p.m. Monday, April 26 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, April 27 as crews perform utility operations.
- · Bayou Boulevard (S.R. 296) Utility Operations – Motorists will encounter lane restrictions at 5098 Bayou Boulevard from 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 26 to 5 a.m. Wednesday, April 28 as crews install a new power pole.
- · I-10 at SA Jones Road Utility Operations – Motorists will encounter lane restrictions on I-10 beginning at 12 a.m. Thursday, April 29 as crews install a new power pole.
- · S.R. 292 (North Pace Boulevard) Underground Utility Operations - There will be intermittent lane restrictions while crews preform underground utility work at:
- Intersection of West La Rua Street and S.R. 292, 8 p.m. Monday, April 26 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, April 27.
- Intersection of West Belmont Street and S.R. 292, 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, April through Wednesday, April 28.
- Intersection of West Wright Street and S.R. 292, 8 p.m. Thursday, April 29 to 5 a.m. Friday, April 30.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – The bridge remains closed.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive- Early construction activities have begun to prepare for the widening and improvements of the 4.25-mile section. 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.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Pensacola’s Mask Ordinance Has Now Expired
April 25, 2021
A Pensacola ordinance requiring masks to be worn inside businesses in the city has expired and is no longer in effect.
Pensacola employees are still required to wear masks while in common areas inside city facilities, and members of the public are encouraged to wear masks inside city facilities.
The ordinance was unenforceable after Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an order in September banning mask mandate enforcement by local governments.
Pensacola’s mask ordinance first went into effect in June 2020.
FDOH Reports 46 New COVID-19 Cases In Escambia County
April 25, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
There were 46 new COVID-19 cases in Escambia County reported by the Florida Department of Health on Saturday.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 35,704 (+46)
Non-Florida residents: 3,667
Recovered: 33,243*
Total deaths: 675
Long-term care facility deaths: 281
Current hospitalizations: 38
Number of tests reported last day: 827
Percent positive reported last day: 4.8%
Percent positive reported last week: 6.0%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 26,706 (+43)
Cantonment: 3,204 (+2)
Century: 1,175
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 490
McDavid: 212
Bellview: 57
Walnut Hill: 54
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 13
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 18,070 (+7)
Non-Florida residents: 247
Total deaths: 284
Long-term care facility deaths: 82
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 892*
Number of tests reported last day: 394
Percent positive reported last day: 2.2%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 8,617 (+3)
Navarre: 3,730 (+3)
Gulf Breeze: 3,334
Pace: 1,464
Jay: 550 (+1)
Bagdad: 32
Florida cases:
Total cases: 2,203,913
Florida residents: 2,162,312
Deaths: 34,812
Hospitalizations: 89,380
*“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.
Century To Again Consider Electric Franchise Fee Increase
April 24, 2021
The Century Town Council will try again next month to vote on raising the franchise fee they charge Gulf Power.
On April 19, the council was set to hold a required public hearing on the ordinance, but they did not have a required quorum after three members missed the meeting. Council members James Smith, Jr. Leonard White and Sandra McMurray-Jackson were not present.
The public hearing will now be held during the 7 p.m. May 3 council meeting to raise the Gulf Power franchise fee, an an increase for Escambia River Electric is also under consideration.
In 1994, the franchise fees for both utilities were increased from 3% to 5%, and now the council is raising the fee to 6%.
While the franchise fee is technically charged to the utility, both Gulf Power and EREC tell NorthEscambia.com that they pass the full cost of the fee on to their customers.
The town council has held a first reading of a new agreement with Gulf Power that will become official after one more meeting. They are also setting their sights on an increased fee for EREC.
Gulf Power customers with an average 1,000 kwh monthly usage pay about $140 a month, according to Florida Public Service Commission documents. The franchise fee increase will cost customers in the Century town limits about $1.40 per month.
One Injured, Rescued From House Fire Near Atmore
April 24, 2021
One person was injured in a fire at two-story home north of Atmore Friday evening.
An adult female was trapped before being rescued from an upstairs bedroom. She was transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital; an update on her condition was not available.
The fire was reported about 6:45 p.m. at the corner of Jack Springs Road and Woods Road. The Poarch Fire Department, Atmore Fire Department, Nokomis Fire Department and the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue were dispatched to the blaze.
There was no immediate word on the cause of the fire.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued
April 24, 2021
A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 9 p.m.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 7pm. Some of the storms could be severe and produce heavy rainfall. Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 78. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 55. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 83. East wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 74.
Escambia 4-H Meat Judging Teams Place First, Second In Florida; Tate FFA Places Fourth
April 24, 2021
One Escambia County 4-H meat judging team has won a state championship, and another has place second.
The intermediate (ages 11-13) 4-H meat judging team placed first at the state 4-H meat judging contest at the University Of Florida in Gainesville. The team included A.T. Bridgers, Laney Clarke, Tucker Padgett and Hunter Taylor.
The senior (ages 14+) 4-H meat judging team placed second in their division with members Alan B., Gracie Meredith and Lilly Warne. J
Tate High School’s FFA also competed at their meat judging career development event and they placed fourth in the FFA competition.
Last year, both the intermediate and senior Escambia County 4-H meat judging teams place first at the virtual state competition.
Participants identified 40 retail cuts and placed six retail, primal, carcass classes. The 4-H meat judging program develops life skills through activities related to the processing of beef, pork, and lamb, including retail identification, factors relating to meat quality and cooking methods. Participants developed an understanding and appreciation of the basic scientific principles involved in eating and cooking quality, nutritional value and consumer appeal of meat. 4-H members on the team also learned life skills such as effective decision-making, critical thinking, goal setting and teamwork.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Nine Mile Road Traffic To Be Shifted Between Navy Federal Way, Allegheny Avenue
April 24, 2021
The Nine Mile Road westbound travel lane between Allegheny Avenue and Navy Federal Way will be shifted to the newly constructed westbound outside lane the week of Sunday, April 25. The traffic shift will allow crews to complete the new median and inside eastbound left turn lanes.
All construction activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Dr. James “Jim” Elwood Hall, Jr.
April 24, 2021
Dr. James “Jim” Elwood Hall, Jr.
February 21, 1943 – April 13, 2021
On April 13, 2021, Jim Hall was called home after 78 years of good and faithful service to God, his family, and his community. He will be remembered as a loving, funny, wisecracking family man, musician, dentist, dedicated Christian, and proud Florida Gator.
Jim was born to Margaret Jernagan Hall and J. E. “Bud” Hall on February 21, 1943 in Pensacola, Florida. He was the second of three children. Jim graduated from Escambia High School in 1961 where his dad was the principal. He was in the first Hall of Fame class, selected as an outstanding scholar athlete for the state of Florida, and voted “Best All Around” his senior year. Jim attended the University of Florida where he played football as a kicker and quarterback. He then attended Dental School at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. Jim made life-long friends wherever he went and he cared very much for all of them. He also found a way to play music wherever he went playing his guitar with bands locally and in both Gainesville and Birmingham.
While in Birmingham, Jim met the love of his life, Karen Miller, and they were married in 1968. After Dental School he spent 2 years as a dentist in the United States Army. Jim and Karen returned to Pensacola in 1971. Jim kept a dental practice in the Pensacola area from 1972 to his retirement in 2008. In Pensacola, Jim and Karen raised 5 rambunctious boys who were the joy of their lives. Jim loved his family more than anything and he never let them forget it.
Jim’s greatest passion, besides his family, was music. There was always music in the Hall household thanks to Jim. He kept guitars everywhere in the house and he passed his passion for playing music on to all his boys. Some of his happiest times were when his boys played instruments or sang along with him whether it was publicly or just sitting around the house. Writing music was one of Jim’s life-long ambitions. He was known to even make up songs about the ones he loved. He was always taking down notes or talking into one of his many tape recorders, and he enjoyed being a part of a local songwriting community. Music was a big part of his life and he liked to share it with anyone he could.
Jim also loved to play music at church whenever he got the chance. Jim’s faith was central to his life. He was a long-time member of Pine Forest United Methodist Church where his family has been a part of the congregation since its inception. He loved the people there. He and Karen also attended Gonzalez United Methodist Church for several years when the twins were born. While practicing as a dentist, Jim took several medical mission trips to Central America with both churches. He was always ready to help the church in any way he could.
A loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother, Jim will forever be loved and remembered by his wife of 52 years, Karen; sisters Helen Correll (Ward) and Susan Hall; sons Jay (Kim) of Nashville, TN, Jody of Pensacola, Casey of Houston, TX, Kyle and Jacob of Pensacola; granddaughters Ashley, Kiara, and Piper; grandson Alex (Alisha); and a host of other relatives and friends.
A private funeral will be held with his immediate family in the coming days. A public celebration of Jim’s life will hopefully be held at a later date. Jim’s ashes will be interred in the columbarium at Pine Forest United Methodist Church Cemetery.
A special thanks to Emerald Coast Hospice for the care they provided to Jim and his family in his final months. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jim’s honor to the music ministry at Pine Forest United Methodist Church.
FHP: Man That Ran Red Light Had 160 Grams Of Pot, Over $18,000 In Cash
April 24, 2021
A man is facing several drug charges after being pulled over by a trooper for running a red light in Escambia County.
The Florida Highway Patrol charged 34-year old Cortney Wright with possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana, possession with intent to manufacture, deliver or sell; possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, tampering with evidence, and a third or subsequent violation for driving with a suspended or revoked license.
FHP stopped his vehicle for running a red light a Saufley Field Road and Mitchell Lane. A search of the vehicle revealed a total of 160 grams of marijuana in clear plastic bags located throughout his Dodge Ram, an unspecified pill, digital scales and $18,570 in currency.
Wright was released from jail on a $15,000 bond.