Pfizer Vaccine Available In Century Today
June 22, 2021
The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination will be available in Century today from Community Health Northwest Florida.
The vaccine will be available to anyone ages 12 and up from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Century Pediatrics at 501 Church Street (go to the “dental” entrance on the side of the building).
Walk-ins are welcome, or call (850) 439-3358 for available appointment times.
Meeting Wednesday Night To Discuss Longleaf Drive Improvements
June 22, 2021
A public meeting will be held Wednesday night discuss improvements to Longleaf Drive in the area of Pine Forest High School and other school campuses.
Improvements will be discussed on Longleaf Drive from Pine Forest Road to Marcus Bayou Bridge during the meeting from 5:30-7 p.m. at Longleaf Elementary School, 2600 Longleaf Drive.
Longleaf Drive is being redesigned to include improved mobility for vehicles and pedestrians connecting our neighbors to schools, parks and businesses within the corridor. Improvements include roadway, drainage, lighting, bridge, landscaping and a new trail within the existing rights-of-way. This will be a meeting to share concerns and opportunities with county staff, including District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh.
Fire Damages Home On Washington Street In Cantonment
June 21, 2021
Fire damaged a home in Cantonment early Monday morning.
The fire was reported about 5:30 a.m. on Washington Street at a home that appeared to be unoccupied or abandoned.
There were no injuries reported and no word on the cause of the fire.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Barrineau Park Bridge Open As Perdido River Falls; Escambia River Still Rising
June 21, 2021
The Perdido River is falling, and the Escambia River is still rising following heavy rain from Tropical Storm Claudette.
The Barrineau Park Bridge has been reopened. After reaching a crest of 14.15 feet, above flood stage of 13 feet, the Perdido River at the bridge is falling. At noon Monday, the river was at 10.58 feet.
The Escambia River at Century was at 14.89 feet at noon Monday and is expected to crest at 15.2 feet late Wednesday early other Thursday. Action stage is 12 feet; flood stage is 17 feet.
Picture above and first below: The Barrineau Park Bridge over the Perdido River Monday morning. Pictured bottom: The bridge flooded on Saturday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ascend Park Probably Won’t Open This Summer; Playground Equipment To Be Replaced
June 21, 2021
The Ascend Park in Cantonment likely won’t be open this summer, and it has nothing to do with COVID-19.
The park was closed last year due to the pandemic, and Ascend officials say it is need of extensive renovations before it reopens.
“The playground equipment at Ascend park is nearing 20 years of use. Due to safety concerns, many deteriorating wooden sections are in need of replacement,” Tony Ferguson, senior communications specialist for Ascend Performance Materials, told NorthEscambia.com.
“We value our community and want to continue to provide children a safe place to play, so a plan is underway to replace the playground with new structures made from recycled plastics for better durability. The park will be closed until this process is complete,” Ferguson said. “At this time, we do not anticipate the park will be open this summer.”
NorthEscambia.com will keep you updated.
Pictured: A portion of the Ascend Park on Old Chemstrand Road. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Showers And Thunderstorms Tonight, Possible Heavy Rainfall
June 21, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 71. South wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 82. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.
Florida Chamber Grades Local Legislators
June 21, 2021
The Florida Chamber of Commerce has released its official 2021 Florida Chamber Legislative Report Card, showcasing grades earned by all 160 legislators in the Florida House and Senate based on their votes during the 2021 legislative session.
Sen. Doug Broxson earned 100% “A” with all of his votes matching chamber positions.
Newcomer Rep. Michelle Salzman earned a grade of 86% for a “B,” voting in favor of a bill not supported by the chamber. HB 651 would have authorized parents of adult children to recover damages for mental pain and suffering in medical negligence suits.
Rep. Alex Andrade earned a 94% for an A, losing points because he also voted for HB 651.
Salzman lost more points than Andrade because she cast more votes favor of HB 651 as a member of committees that considered the bill before a floor vote.
“The Florida Chamber’s 2021 Legislative Report Card is an annual opportunity to recognize members of the Florida Legislature who placed making Florida more competitive through private-sector job creation above special interests and attempts to protect the status quo,” the chamber said.
“Florida’s economy won with the Florida Chamber-backed, pro-jobs policy passed during the 2021 Legislative Session,” said Florida Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Mark Wilson. “The actions taken by Gov. DeSantis and Florida’s lawmakers will go a long way in continuing to build momentum towards creating the more than 2 million jobs necessary to take Florida from the 17th largest economy in the world to the 10th largest by 2030 and securing Florida’s future.”
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Down Spots
June 21, 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:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - FDOT has restored four travel lanes to the Pensacola Bay Bridge. 17th Avenue southbound remains closed at Bayfront Parkway.
- U.S. 29 from South of Muscogee Road (County Road (C.R.) 184) to Atmore Hwy (S.R. 97) – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, June 21 through Friday, June 25 throughout the limits of the project for striping operations and signal work.
- 17th Avenue Interchange construction – 17th Avenue northbound is accessible for traffic exiting the bridge. Access to the Pensacola Visitor’s Center and boat launch is available from 17th Avenue northbound. Left turns remain temporarily prohibited from 14th Avenue to Bayfront Parkway eastbound. Instead, these drivers should travel south on Ninth Avenue, then east on Chase Street, and continue eastbound to Bayfront Parkway and the Pensacola Bay Bridge.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the northbound side of the bridge as crews work to replace the southbound portion of the structure.
- Drivers will encounter brief, intermittent lane closures as crews mobilize materials and equipment. The brief, intermittent lane closures and traffic configuration will continue through the end of the year.
- Pile driving work is also underway. Crews will be driving piles during the daytime hours. Nearby residents and commercial property owners may experience noise and vibration.
- West Cervantes (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project – Drivers will encounter inside day and nighttime lane closures on West Cervantes Street, between Kirk Street and X Street and from S Street to North Pace Boulevard for paving operations. Drivers are reminded the speed limit between Dominguez Street and A Street is 30 mph.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures and shifts on U.S. 29 between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road and on Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, June 21 as crews perform paving operations.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Pine Forest (S.R. 297) to U.S. 29 – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures and shifts on U.S. 29 between I-10 and Surrey Drive the week of Monday, June 21 as crews remove and replace asphalt. In addition, the new traffic signal on Nine Mile Road at I-10 will be become fully operational on Tuesday, June 22 at 10 a.m.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at the Innerarity Point (C.R. 292A)–
There will be intermittent lane closures 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 20 through Thursday, June 24 as crews restripe and install temporary asphalt in preparation for construction of low-profile barrier wall. - I-10 Routine Maintenance from Mile Marker 5 (West Nine Mile Road/U.S. 90Alt.) to Mile Marker 19 (East of Scenic Highway/Exit 17) – Motorists should expect intermittent lane closures on I-10 from West Nine Mile Road to just east of Scenic Highway 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, June 21 through Thursday, June 24 for crews repair overhead signs and lighting.
- I-110 Routine Maintenance from Gregory Street/Chase Street Exit to I-10/Davis Highway Exit – There will be intermittent lane closures on I-110 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, June 21 through Thursday, June 24 for crews repair overhead signs and lighting.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - FDOT has restored four travel lanes to the Pensacola Bay Bridge. 17th Avenue southbound remains closed at Bayfront Parkway.
- U.S. 98 Routine Utility Maintenance Between Panhandle Trail and Biscayne Boulevard – The eastbound outside lane from Panhandle Trail to Biscayne Boulevard will be closed 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 23 as crews replace power poles.
How Much Did It Rain Near You During Claudette?
June 21, 2021
Portions of the North Escambia area received the most rain in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Radar estimates showed 5-8 inches of rain in North Escambia, with the highest totals just west of Molino.
Here are 24 hour rain totals ending at 9 p.m. Saturday from weather stations around Escambia County:
- Bratt — 9.3 inches**
- Century — 5.77 inches
- Walnut Hill — 5.37
- Beulah — 4.16 inches
- Escambia High — 3.81 inches
- Pine Forest High– 3.65 inches
- Washington High School — 3.23 inches
- Tate High School — 3.16 inches
- UWF — 3.05 inches
*While an official weather station reported 9.3 inches in Bratt at Northview High School, it’s inconsistent with other nearby stations and radar estimates of about 6 inches.
Florida Gas Prices Decline A Few Cents
June 21, 2021
Florida gas prices drifted lower during the past week, down three cents. The average price for gasoline in Florida is now $2.94 per gallon, according to AAA.
The average price in Escambia County was $2.96. The lowest price in North Escambia Sunday night was $2.80 at a station on Muscogee Road in Cantonment.
“Florida drivers got a break from rising gas prices last week, and it appears that trend could continue this week,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Although crude oil prices notched another small weekly gain, wholesale gasoline prices declined. Market speculators believe Tropical Depression Claudette will cause reduced gasoline demand in the Southeastern U.S., as residents stay off the road during the storm. It’s possible that gas prices decline another few pennies this week, as a result.”