FDOT: We Still Expect To Open The Pensacola Bridge The Week Of May 31
April 16, 2021
The Florida Department of Transportation said Thursday that repairs on the Pensacola Bay Bridge are still on track to be completed by the week of May 31.
As FDOT contractors install and repair the final five trophy pieces on the Pensacola Bay Bridge, considerable efforts have shifted to the construction and completion of the remaining bridge decks on the structure.
Deck constructions consists of several key phases including:
- Placement of concrete beams. During this process, precast beams are transported to the bridge site, and erected onto the abutments and piers.
- Installation of stay-in-place forms and rebar (reinforced steel). The stay-in-place forms will allow the forms to remain in place when the concrete is poured, eliminating the need to remove the forms ultimately accelerating construction.
- Pouring and leveling concrete. Concrete is poured in the forms and a machine levels and smoothes the concrete surface to ensure that the top of the slab is at the correct elevation or grade.
- Curing of the deck. Curing keeps the concrete damp or moist until the hardening of concrete is complete, and strength is attained.
The targeted reopening of the bridge remains the week of May 31, 2021. FDOT is regularly reviewing the contractor’s schedule of the entire Pensacola Bay Bridge Project with the anticipated completion date for all improvements currently scheduled for January 2022.
Motorists should continue to use all available detour routes, which include the Garcon Point Bridge and State Road 87. At this time, tolls on the Garcon Point Bridge are suspended through Sunday, May 9, 2021. Commuters can also use the Escambia County Area Transit’s (ECAT) temporary bus route travel between Pensacola and Gulf Breeze free of charge.
Structure Fire Reported At Cantonment Family Dollar, But The Smoke Was Not From A Fire
April 16, 2021
Escambia Fire Rescue responded to a reported commercial structure fire at the Cantonment Family Dollar Thursday night, but there was no fire.
Callers reported smoke visible from the roof of the Family Dollar at 734 South Highway 29. Firefighters arrived and an investigation found the reported smoke was actually steam or fog. The Family Dollar and Grocery Advantage stores were also checked inside as a precaution.
The Molino. Ensley, Bellview, Brent, Beulah, and Ferry Pass stations of Escambia Fire Rescue were dispatched.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
K-9 Cairo Retires From Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
April 16, 2021
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Cairo retired Thursday after six years on the job.
“This is a ruff letter to write, but I must inform you of my decision to retire,” Cairo “wrote” in his retirement letter to Sheriff Chip Simmons. “Every dog has its day, and today is mine.” You can read the full retirement letter in the photos below.
Cairo’s day started at his daily muster where he was showered with retirement gifts. His day ended with a special pet-friendly treat from Simmons.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Are You A Student That Can Write The Worst Bad Poem? The Library Has A Contest For You.
April 16, 2021
West Florida Public Libraries is looking for poems that are bad, really bad. None of that lovely as a tree stuff.
The WFPL is holding a Bad Poetry Contest for middle and high school students through April 30 in honor of National Poetry Month.
Here’s what to do:
1. Write the worst poem you can! It must be original to you to be the “worst,” so don’t copy anyone else.
2. Submit your poem in-person at one of seven library branches or online using this form before April 30. If you submit at a library, be sure to include your name, your grade, and a usable phone number on your submission.
3. Only one submission per person.
4. One middle school winner and one high school winner will be selected. An honorable mention for both categories will also be selected.
5. This contest will be judged by library staff. Winners will be contacted on May 14 The best bad poem will be posted on WFPL’s social media.
67 New COVID-19 Cases Reported In Escambia County
April 16, 2021
THIS IS ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
There were 67 new COVID-19 cases reported Thursday in Escambia County by the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 35,361 (+67)
Non-Florida residents: 3,655
Recovered: 34,178*
Total deaths: 674 (-1 FDOH data adjustment)
Long-term care facility deaths: 281
Current hospitalizations: 30 (-1)
Number of tests reported last day: 591
Percent positive reported last day: 6.2%
Percent positive reported last week: 5.8%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 26,406 (+58)
Cantonment: 3,180 (+7)
Century: 1,173
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 488
McDavid: 211
Bellview: 57
Walnut Hill: 53
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 13
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 17,947 (-12 FDOH data adjustment)
Non-Florida residents: 240
Total deaths: 282
Long-term care facility deaths: 81
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 871*
Number of tests reported last day: 401
Percent positive reported last day: 4.8%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 8,552 (+18)
Navarre: 3,705 (+4)
Gulf Breeze: 3,321
Pace: 1,453 (+2)
Jay: 548
Bagdad: 32
Florida cases:
Total cases: 2,148,448
Florida residents: 2,108,030
Deaths: 34,238
Hospitalizations: 87,742
*“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.
19-Year Old Escambia County Woman Killed In I-10 Crash
April 15, 2021
A 19-year old Escambia County woman was killed in an early morning wreck Thursday on I-10.
It happened about 1:25 a.m. on I-10 eastbound near the Ninth Avenue overpass. The Florida Highway Patrol said the woman lost control of her car and traveled onto the shoulder where she struck a tree.
A 21-year old female passenger in the vehicle was seriously injured, and a two-year old suffered minor injuries.
FHP said all occupants of the vehicle were properly restrained.
Helping Neighbors: CIC Has Distributed Tons Of Food In Cantonment Since The Start Of The Pandemic
April 15, 2021
When the pandemic forced schools to close last year, it left many families in need of help to feed their children who had relied on school breakfast and lunch.
The Cantonment community rallied together to help those kids. In March 2020, the Cantonment Improvement Committee (CIC) and countless volunteers began to collect prepackaged food donations from the community, local churches and groups including Ascend Cares and International Paper.
Mary Holley-Lewis, who organizes the food giveaways each week, continued to see increased need in North Escambia and expanded their distributions to also support families within the community.
Manna Food Pantries became involved and partnered with CIC. Each week, Manna provides at least 150 healthy food bags – each with enough food for about five days — and additional items such as fresh produce and breads.
Since May 2020, Manna has shared more than 121,800 pounds of food, the equivalent of nearly 135,500 meals, with CIC.
On Tuesday, Manna’s latest food delivery was 3,535 pounds of food (pictured above).
The CIC food distributions begin at 3:30 p.m. every Tuesday at Carver Park and continue while supplies last for anyone in need of food. Participants are asked to line up on Webb Street facing north, and the food is loaded into vehicles. The event will take place rain or shine.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Driver Receives Minor Injuries In Collision With Deer Near Walnut Hill
April 15, 2021
A driver received minor injuries in a collision with a deer late Wednesday night near Walnut Hill.
The female hit the deer on Highway 97A near Corley Road will enough force to deploy the air bags in her vehicle and cause her to run off the road about 11:35 p.m.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded, but the driver refused transport to the hospital. The deer did not survive.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated the crash.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cuteness Overload Alert: Goat Gives Birth To Triplets At Beulah Middle School
April 15, 2021
Three new “kids” joined the Beulah Middle School family Tuesday afternoon as a goat in the school’s agriscience program gave birth to triplets.
Beulah Middle agriscience teacher Leanne Jenkins tells the story, in her own words:
Y’allllllllllllll…..
My cheeks hurt so bad and my heart feels like it’s going to explode! Today we experienced the most amazing births at Beulah Middle School! I’m in tears typing this announcement to you.
We thought we had a day or two before the arrival, but we moved Mama to her “birthing suite” to get her comfortable with the area. She was there most of the day and was crying to go back to the field with her buddies.
At the beginning of the last period, I had a student go on the back porch to get a duckling. He casually walked into the classroom with the duckling and said, “That goat out there is having a baby.” I told him she’s not having her baby yet, that she had a day or two before arrival. He then said, “oh, I could have swore I saw something coming out of her bottom.”
I went running, and sure enough, there was a hoof coming out of sweet mama!!
About 40 minutes later, with 60 students and staff members quietly watching, we have healthy, thriving, triplets!!!
It was beautiful and amazing and we are all on cloud nine.
Welcome to the world sweet babies ❤️. Brace yourselves for the hundreds of students that are thrilled to have you join our farm ❤️.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Flood Maps Are Changing, And They Could Impact Construction And Insurance Costs
April 15, 2021
New flood hazard maps for Escambia County are ready for public review. The preliminary maps are the result of a multi-year project to develop accurate and detailed digital flood maps for the Florida Panhandle Region, based on data from the latest mapping and modeling technologies.
TO VIEW THE INTERACTIVE ESCAMBIA COUNTY MAP WITH MAP LEGENDS, CLICK OR TAP HERE.
The Northwest Florida Water Management District is releasing the updated maps in cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and communities throughout Escambia County. The new maps reflect current flooding risks, replacing maps that are based on outdated studies, some of which are more than 30 years old. Revisions to these mapping products may affect residents and business owners in Escambia County.
Residents and businesses will want to be aware of how the maps are changing, how the changes may affect new construction and rebuilding decisions, as well as requirements for flood insurance. Property owners are encouraged to visit Northwest Florida’s Virtual Flood Risk Open House to better understand the project and changes linked here.
Northwest Florida’s Virtual Flood Risk Open House provides information relevant to the proposed changes in flood risks in your community, as well as an opportunity to connect with floodplain management experts from your local jurisdiction, NWFWMD and FEMA.
In-person virtual meetings are available by appointment only and can be reserved on the website, via the “Connect with Us” page of the Virtual Flood Risk Open House linked here. Appointments will be held between May 18 and June 3, 2021. Appointments can be reserved between May 3 and May 14, 2021.
A 90-day public comment period will soon be open to address any submitted appeals and/or comments. Another notice will be sent when the public comment period opens. After all appeals and comments are addressed, the maps are expected to become effective in early to mid-2022. At that time, the new insurance requirements will take effect.
To learn more about the preliminary maps, see what areas will change, learn what the insurance options are and find the schedule for related community meetings, visit the link here.
For general information about the upcoming map changes, you can contact:
Escambia County
- Harry Gibson, Building Inspections Department, Floodplain Administrator 850-595-3550
- Jennifer Hampton, Building Inspections Department, Floodplain Manager 850-595-3550
Town of Century
- Debbie Nickles, Town Planner, Town of Century 850-994-0081
City of Pensacola
- Jonathan Bilby, Floodplain Administrator, City of Pensacola 850-436-5600
Santa Rosa Island Authority
- Juan C. Lemos, Flood plain Manager, Santa Rosa Island Authority 850- 932-2257