FDOT Weekly Traffic Alert: Where To Expect Delays This Week
February 7, 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 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 remains accessible from 17th Avenue. In addition, 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. The bridge is expected to open in March.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90)- Traffic impacts for the week of Sunday, Feb. 7 include:
- 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.
- · East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Safety Project from North Palafox Street to Chemstrand Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent right turn lane closures beginning Monday, Feb. 8.
- · U.S. 98 Pensacola Double Bridge Run from Pensacola Bay Bridge to Gulf Breeze – Motorists will encounter a lane closure from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6 for the Pensacola Double Bridge Run.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Pine Forest (State Road (S.R.) 297) to U.S. 29 -Drivers will experience intermittent traffic stoppages at the intersection of Nine Mile and Pine Forest roads from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 7 and Monday, Feb. 8 as crews pave the intersection. Traffic control officers will be on-site to direct traffic. Additionally, the Nine Mile Road westbound right turn lane to access Pine Forest Road will be closed during these same hours as crews reconstruct the turn lane.
- I-10 Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation over Perdido River Bridge – Motorists will encounter nighttime lane closures beginning the week of Monday, Feb. 8.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive- Early construction activities including utility relocations, clearing, excavation, and drainage improvements have begun. Clearing and excavating of areas for the stormwater ponds are currently underway. There will be no traffic impacts associated with the construction of the pond s, but nearby residents and businesses may experience some noise. Access to residences and businesses will be maintained. Major roadway construction activities are anticipated to begin summer 2021.
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – The bridge is expected to open in March.
- U.S. 90 Turn Lane Construction West of Bell Lane in Pace– Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Thursday, Feb. 18 as crews construct an east and westbound turn lane for the New Discount Tire Store.
- S.R. 89 North, S.R. 87 North and S.R. 89 Bypass Roadway Maintenance Operations- Drivers may encounter intermittent lane restrictions until Sunday, April 25 as crews perform roadway maintenance activities along the corridors. Off duty law enforcement will be on-site to assist with traffic control.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Pictured: A new concrete median barrier wall is under construction on Highway 29 at I-10. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Clearing With A Sunday High In The Upper 50s
February 7, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 63. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 52. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 72. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Thursday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53.
Escambia Man Killed In Pickup Truck Crash
February 7, 2021
A 24-year old Escambia County man was killed in an early morning wreck on Fairfield Drive.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the man was headed south on Fairfield Drive in a Chevrolet pickup truck when he failed to negotiate a curve and traveled across the northbound lane. The truck left the roadway, struck a culvert, became airborne and overturned. The vehicle struck a road sign before coming to rest in the ditch.
The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The FHP no longer releases the names of traffic crash victims.
Escambia Seeking Volunteers For Mass Transit Advisory Committee
February 7, 2021
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an appointment to the Escambia County Mass Transit Advisory Committee, or MTAC.
Escambia residents interested in serving on the Escambia County Mass Transit Advisory Committee are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve on the Committee by close of business on Friday, Feb. 19. Resumes should be submitted to Shamara Jernigan, Program Coordinator, Board of County Commissioners, P.O. box 1591, Pensacola, FL 32502, or emailed to boardapply@myescambia.com.
Resumes submitted to a BCC agenda for consideration will become part of the official minutes and are subject to public records requests.
The MTAC meets quarterly, typically on the second Wednesday of the month from 3-5 p.m.
Escambia Extension Service Offering Virtual Cooking School
February 7, 2021
submitted by Escambia County Extension
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have turned to cook more meals at home. Cooking meals and eating at home has many benefits. When preparing meals, you can select the ingredients and choose healthy recipes lower in saturated fats, sodium, and sugar. When eating out, we tend to eat more food. You can more easily control your portion sizes when eating at home. Remember to include a variety of fruits and vegetables in your main dishes and side dishes. Finally, preparing and eating meals together is not only a fun way to teach healthy eating habits and cooking skills, but it is also a great way to connect at the end of the day.
The University of Florida IFAS Extension Escambia County invites you to join us for A Healthy Table: Virtual Cooking School. In our virtual cooking school, you will learn how to prepare healthy meals for your family through self-paced online lessons and hands-on cooking activities. You will have opportunities to engage in monthly live virtual cooking demonstrations and interactive learning experiences.
Register before Feb. 9 and save 20% off the ticket price. Early registrants gain access to a bonus class and kickoff event. After Feb. 9, tickets will increase to $25. Once registered, you will receive the Zoom class link and the link to the class website.
Register here: http://bit.ly/ahealthytable. Registration will close on Feb. 23.
The Monthly Zoom class events are 6:30 p.m. CST/7:30 p.m. EST on:
Tuesday, Feb. 9: Kickoff Event Available for Early Birds only Program introduction and a sweet, healthy treat demonstration.
Tuesday, Feb. 23: Lesson 1, Kitchen skills primer
Tuesday, Mar. 23: Lesson 2, Cooking techniques – baking, grilling, roasting
Tuesday, Apr. 27: Lesson3, Simple dishes – eggs, bread, salads, pasta
Tuesday, May 25: Lesson4, One dish meals – one-pot, slow cooker, packet meals
Tuesday, Jun. 22: Lesson 5, Entertaining and special occasions – setting the table, appetizers
12 New COVID-19 Deaths, Another 125 Cases Reported In Escambia County
February 7, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
The Florida Department of Health reported 12 additional COVID-19 deaths and 125 new cases Saturday in Escambia County.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 31,919 (+125)
Non-Florida residents: 3,306
Recovered: 30,805*
Total deaths: 562 (+12)
Long-term care facility deaths : 242 (+2)
Current hospitalizations: 153 (-7)
Number of tests reported last day: 1,250
Percent positive reported last day: 8.4%
Percent positive reported last week: 15.2%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 23,730 (+98)
Cantonment: 2,896 (+9)
Century: 1,125 (+1)
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 439 (+1)
McDavid: 191
Bellview: 53
Walnut Hill: 49
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 12
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 15,995 (+78)
Non-Florida residents: 206
Total deaths: 222
Long-term care facility deaths: 67
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 718*
Number of tests reported last day: 597
Percent positive reported last day: 11.3%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 7,680 (+11)
Navarre: 3,210 (+19)
Gulf Breeze: 2,306 (+11)
Pace: 1,272 (+10)
Jay: 498 (+3)
Bagdad: 31
Florida cases:
Total cases: 1,771,359
Florida residents: 1,739,276
Deaths: 27,599
Hospitalizations: 74,267*
*“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.
Billy G. Smith
February 7, 2021
Billy G. Smith, age 81, of Atmore, AL passed away February 5, 2021. He was born on July 18, 1939 in Bratt, FL to the late Daniel Smith and Daisy Little Bray. He was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and the United States Army. He previously owned and operated the I-65 Gulf Station and farmed most of his life.
He is preceded in death by his father, Daniel Smith and his mother, Daisy Little Bray. He is survived by his wife, Gloria Hughes Smith; his children, William Glenn (Debbie) Smith of Atmore, AL, Roger Dale (Carrie) Smith of Atmore, AL, Kevin (Jeanean) Peacock of Atmore, AL and Tracie (Tim) Peacock Brown of Robertsdale, AL; his brothers, Leroy (Judy) Smith of Atmore, AL, Dean (Beth) Smith of Atmore, AL and Allen (Debbie) Smith of Flomaton, AL; his sisters, Gladys Davis of Grand Bay, AL, Melba (Marion) Barlett of Thomasville, AL, Erma Davis of Sweet Water, AL and Jewel (Joe) Chandler of Flomaton, AL; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Graveside service will be held Monday, February 8, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Atmore, AL with Bro. Larry Beauchamp and Mrs. Beth Linam officiating.
Visitation will be Sunday, February 7, 2021 from 6:00 pm until 8:00 p.m. at Johnson- Quimby Funeral Home. Active pallbearers will be Sean Smith, Daniel Smith, Miles Smith, Ethan Smith, Jace Campbell and Paul Gibson.
Honorary pallbearers will be David Smith, Carlos Gohagin, Glen Dreadin and Pete Smith. For the safety of you and others, please practice social distancing requirements, though wearing a facial mask is strongly encouraged.
From Century To Miami, Task Force Recommends COVID-19 Vaccination Sites For Underserved Communities
February 6, 2021
From Century to Miami, a statewide task force is working to see more COVID-19 vaccinations in underserved minority communities.
The Statewide Coronavirus Vaccination Community Education and Engagement Taskforce, led by Tallahassee Reverend R.B. Holmes of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Tallahassee, has identified 86 proposed vaccination sites they believe with provide more opportunities for underserved communities.
Their list includes one site in Century, six in Pensacola and two in the Milton area. Those proposed sites are:
- Century 1st Stop — Century
- Cobb Community Center — Pensacola
- First Baptist Church Warrington — Pensacola
- First Baptist Church Warrington — Pensacola
- Greater Little Rock Baptist Church — Pensacola
- Marie Young Community Center — Pensacola
- Movement for Change/Woodland Community Center — Pensacola
- Bagdad Recreational Facility — Milton
- T.R. Jackson Elementary — Milton
The task force has sent a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis looking to partner with the state on vaccinations, but so far the governor’s office has not responded.
Of the 1,894,209 people that have received the COVID vaccine in Florida as of February 4, 1,208,993 are white, and 65,116 are black, according to the Florida Department of Health.
In Escambia County, 26,213 residents have received at least the first dose of the vaccine. Of those, 11,202 were white and 2,281 were black.
Pictured: Century 1st Stop, located just south of the Century Branch Library on North Century Boulevard, is one of 86 locations recommended for COVID-19 vaccination sites by a statewide task force. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Century Church Donates Supplies To Help Victims Of Tornado Near Birmingham
February 6, 2021
A Century church is working to help the victims of a tornado near Birmingham last month.
The pastor and deacons of St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church in Century headed north to Birmingham on Friday with supply donations for the tornado victims with the help of church members.
The EF3 tornado struck Fultondale, Alabama on January 25. A 14-year old boy was killed and 30 people were injured along the 9.5 mile path of the tornado.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Soccer Advances To District Final With Win Over Crestview
February 6, 2021
The Tate High School boys soccer team beat Crestview 1-0 in overtime Friday night in a District 1-6A semi-final game.
Both teams went the distance 0-0 after regulation play and continued scoreless after two 10 minute halfs. The match went to penalty kicks with the Tate Aggie scoring four and sealing the deal on two saves by Calen Thompson.
The Tate Aggies advance to the district finals Tuesday at 6 p.m. against Niceville on Tate’s home field at Ashton Brosnaham Park.