18 New COVID-19 Cases Recorded In Escambia County
May 24, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
There were 18 new COVID-19 cases reported Sunday in Escambia County by the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 36,497 (+18)
Non-Florida residents: 3,696
Recovered: 33,987*
Total deaths: 697
Long-term care facility deaths: 287
Current hospitalizations: 27
Number of tests reported last day: 217
Percent positive reported last day: 6.5%
Percent positive reported last week: 4.0%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 27,361 (+14)
Cantonment: 3,286 (+1)
Century: 1,185
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 496
McDavid: 215
Bellview: 59
Walnut Hill: 58
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 13
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 18,453 (+11)
Non-Florida residents: 261
Total deaths: 291
Long-term care facility deaths: 82
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 915*
Number of tests reported last day: 108
Percent positive reported last day: 9.2%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 8,813 (+7)
Navarre: 3,785 (+1)
Gulf Breeze: 3,386 (+2)
Pace: 1,512
Jay: 560 (+1)
Bagdad: 32
Florida cases:
Total cases: 2,310,335
Florida residents: 2,267,144
Deaths: 36,474
Hospitalizations: 94,123
*“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.
Pensacola Entrepreneur Quint Studer Injured In Hit And Run Crash While Bicycling
May 23, 2021
A bicyclist struck in a hit and run crash Saturday night in Pensacola has been identified by Pensacola Police as philanthropist and entrepreneur Quint Studer. Police said he suffered minor injuries.
Studer was riding his bicycle along Bayfront Parkway near Bartram Park about 9 p.m. when he was hit. He was transported to a local hospital where he was treated and released.
The vehicle was described as a black Nissan Altima with right side damage and was last seen headed in the direction of the closed Pensacola Bay Bridge. The vehicle will be missing the passenger mirror and will have damage to the front bumper.
Have You Seen The ‘Dynamic Envelopes’ Painted At Area Railroad Crossings?
May 23, 2021
Have you seen the crosshatched lines at railroad crossings in Escambia County?
It’s called a dynamic envelope design, part of Operation STRIDE — Statewide Traffic and Railroad Initiative using Dynamic Envelopes — from the Florida Department of Transportation.
Simply put, the FDOT says the white pattern is designed to keep motorists out of the danger zone at railroad crossings. White connecting X’s are used to visually highlight the zone at railroad crossings that drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians should not stop to increase safety for motorists. A FDOT pilot program showed that dynamic envelopes reduce the number of vehicles that stop on or near the tracks by at least 15%.
The dynamic envelopes have been placed or are planned for several crossings, including East Highway 4 in Century, Nine Mile Road, 9th Avenue, Airport Boulevard, and most recently Highway 29 near Muscogee Road in Cantonment.
Pictured top and bottom: A completed dynamic envelope at the railroad crossing on East Highway 4 in Century. Pictured below: The installation of a dynamic envelope on Highway 29 near Muscogee Road in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Ejected, Seriously Injured After Vehicle Pulls In Front Of Their Motorcycle
May 23, 2021
Two people were injured when they were ejected from their motorcycle on Highway 29 after a vehicle pulled into their path.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a Toyota RAV4 was stopped in the southbound left turn lane of Highway 29 at the Burgess Road intersection. Troopers said the drier decided not to turn and pulled back into the inside lane, colliding with a motorcycle shortly before noon Saturday.
“Both occupants on the motorcycle were thrown onto the pavement as the motorcycle slid across the southbound lanes after contact with the Toyota,” according to a FHP report. A 54-year old man and an unknown age female were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with serious injuries.
The 36-year old female driver of the Toyota and her passengers, ages 1, 11, and 15, were not injured.
Sunny And Warm, High Near 90 For Sunday
May 23, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 91. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming west after midnight.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 92.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 92.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Traffic Alerts: What To Expect This Week
May 23, 2021
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities. In preparation for the Memorial Day Holiday weekend, there will be no lane closures or other activities which impede traffic on state roads beginning 9 a.m. Friday, May 28, and ending at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, June 1.
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 for 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.
- 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 to allow crews to mobilize materials and equipment. The brief, intermittent lane closures and traffic configuration will continue through the end of the year. Traffic flaggers will be on-site to safely direct drivers through the construction zone.
- Pile driving work is also slated to begin next week. Crews will be driving piles during the daytime hours. Nearby residents and commercial property owners may experience noise and vibration.
- · Interstate 10 (I-10) Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation over Perdido River Bridge – Motorists will encounter intermittent nighttime lane closures the week of Monday, May 24 as crews perform paving operations.
- · U.S. 29 from South of Muscogee Road (County Road (C.R.) 184) to Atmore Hwy (S.R. 97) – Motorists will encounter intermittent northbound and southbound lane closures between Morris Avenue and north of Cantonment and north of S.R. 97 in Molino 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, May 24 through Friday, May 28, as crews perform paving operations.
- West Cervantes Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project –The following will take place the week of Monday, May 24.
- The speed limit between Dominguez Street and A Street will be permanently reduced from 35 mph to 30 mph.
- Drivers will encounter inside lane closures between Dominguez Street and Kirk Street as crews perform median improvement work. One lane in each direction will be always maintained. The median work and lane closures will progress eastward on Cervantes Street until the end of the year.
- U.S. 29 Widening from I-10 to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Motorists can expect nighttime 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, May 24 through Friday, May 29.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Pine Forest (S.R. 297) to U.S. 29 – Drivers will experience intermittent lane closures at the Nine Mile Road and Fowler Road intersection 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, May 24 as crews to preform paving operations.
- S.R. 292 (Sorrento Road) Intersection Improvements at the Innerarity Point (C.R. 292A)– Motorists should expect intermittent lane closures 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews restripe and install temporary asphalt in preparation for installation of low-profile barrier wall the week of Sunday, May 23.
- S.R. 291 (Davis Highway) Underground Utility Maintenance at the Northeast Intersection of Davis Highway and Wright Street – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 25 as crews a repair water valve.
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.
- S.R. 98 Utility Maintenance from Whispering Pines Boulevard to Palmetto Lake Ridge Road in Navarre – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, May 24 through Friday, May 28 as lineman replace power poles.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Tools Worth $3,000 Stolen From Habitat For Humanity Trucks
May 23, 2021
Tools valued at thousands of dollars were stolen from Pensacola Habitat for Humanity construction and landscaping trucks.
Habitat staff arrived to work Friday morning to find that several of their work trucks had been broken into and many tools that are used to build homes for local families were stolen.
The nonprofit organization is asking the community for assistance in recovering the stolen tools taken, valued at approximately $3,000. A majority of the heisted tools were purchased from the IMPACT 100 grant that Pensacola Habitat was recently awarded.
Included in the list of heisted tools is a Stihl chain saw, Husqvarna Chainsaw, Craftsman Trimmer, a pneumatic nailer, drills, gas cans, batteries, and other items.
Pensacola Habitat for Humanity is located on West Leonard Street, less than a half mile from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
“Being a nonprofit, when things like this happen, it not only affects us as an organization but our community as a whole. Losing these tools will impact our building process and the time that it will take for some of our partner families to move into their affordable homes.” explained Crystal Scott, director of Resource Development at Pensacola Habitat for Humanity.
Authorities are investigating the break-in and following up on leads. Pensacola Habitat is asking the community to keep an eye out on places like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and at local pawnshops where stolen goods are often sold. Anyone with any information regarding the theft is being asked to contact the Escambia County Sherriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP with any information.
Tropical Storm Ana Forms In The Atlantic, The First Storm Of 2021 Hurricane Season
May 23, 2021
The first named storm of the 2021 hurricane season formed near Bermuda on Saturday.
Tropical Storm Ana is expected to speed up and move toward the northeast through Monday. Gradual weakening is expected Sunday and Sunday night, and Ana is expected to dissipate by Monday. Ana poses no threat to North America.
The latest details on Ana are in the graphic above.
Blue Wahoos Strike Out 19 In Win Over Rocket City
May 23, 2021
On this Saturday, the Blue Wahoos started the show well before the fireworks.
Playing before an overflow, energized sellout crowd of 5,038, the Blue Wahoos lit up the scoreboard with runs in each of the first four innings, then had a trio of pitchers pop a combined 19 strikeouts in a 6-2 victory against the Rocket City Trash Pandas to clinch their weekend series.
It provided plenty of entertainment in a setting featuring the concourses crowded with fans and the outfield berm filled with families on every square foot of grass.
“I think anyone would tell you, when you are playing on that field, you feed off the crowd,” said Blue Wahoos hitting coach Scott Seabol. “The crowd was awesome.”
Eight of the nine hitters in the Blue Wahoos lineup factoring into the scoring.
One of those was cleanup batter Lazaro Alonso, who blasted an opposite field homer over the left field wall in the fourth for the Blue Wahoos final run and his first homer in this ballpark.
Like so often this season, there was scoring efficiency. The Blue Wahoos had six runs on six hits, including RBI from the bottom third of the lineup. Five of the runs were produced on two-out hits.
“I feel like to this point in the season, we have been taking great at-bats and hitting the ball hard, but we were just missing that big two out, two-run single.”
That changed in the first inning when Tristan Pompey smashed a two-out, two-run single.
After Rocket City scored a pair of runs in the third, the Blue Wahoos answered in the bottom of that inning with RBI hits from Connor Justus and Devin Hairston.
Those clutch hits neutralized the 15 strikeouts recorded by Trash Pandas’ pitchers. The teams totaled a combined 34 strikeouts, but Pensacola held a 6-2 lead through the final five innings.
“I felt like our pitching staff has been doing a great job keeping us in games and then allowing to come back late,” Seabol said. “So it was nice to help them out early and take the pressure off a little bit.”
The Blue Wahoos end a two-week, 12-game homestand with Sunday’s series finale against the Trash Pandas. They have taken four of the first five games in a first-ever series between the teams and return of Pensacola’s Jay Bell as Rocket City manager.
Escambia Sees 25 New COVID-19 Cases
May 23, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
There were 25 new COVID-19 cases reported Saturday in Escambia County by the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 36,479 (+25)
Non-Florida residents: 3,693
Recovered: 33,954*
Total deaths: 697
Long-term care facility deaths: 287
Current hospitalizations: 27
Number of tests reported last day: 737
Percent positive reported last day: 3.3%
Percent positive reported last week: 5.0%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 27,347 (+23)
Cantonment: 3,285 (+2)
Century: 1,185
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 496
McDavid: 215
Bellview: 59
Walnut Hill: 58
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 13
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 18,442 (+14)
Non-Florida residents: 261
Total deaths: 291
Long-term care facility deaths: 82
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 914*
Number of tests reported last day: 399
Percent positive reported last day: 3.4%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 8,806 (+15)
Navarre: 3,784
Gulf Breeze: 3,384 (+1)
Pace: 1,512 (+1)
Jay: 559
Bagdad: 32
Florida cases:
Total cases: 2,308,266
Florida residents: 2,265,139
Deaths: 36,463
Hospitalizations: 94,080
*“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.