Heads Up – Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Down Spots
January 19, 2021
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects 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 remains closed until March 2021.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90)- Crews continue road widening and drainage improvements.
- Motorists can expect nighttime 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 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 – Beginning Sunday, Jan. 17 crews will be working in the median. Lane restrictions will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- · Interstate Circle Pavement Soil Testing for Bridge Replacement over Eight Mile Creek- Drivers will encounter intermittent lane restrictions from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19 through Friday, Jan. 22.
- · I-10 Routine Maintenance Operations between Mile Marker 5 (U.S. 90A) and Mile Marker 16 (west of U.S. 90/Scenic Highway)- Motorists will encounter intermittent and alternating lane restrictions 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19 through Friday, Jan. 22.
- · Fairfield Drive (S.R. 295) Turn Lane Construction near N S Street- The eastbound, inside lane will be closed from 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21 to 5 a.m. Friday, Jan. 22 for construction of a turn lane.
Santa Rosa County:
- · U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive- Early construction activities are beginning in preparation for the widening and improvements of the 4.25-mile section of U.S. 98 from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive. 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 slated to begin January 25, 2021. There will be 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. Major roadway construction activities on the $70.4 million project are anticipated to begin in summer 2021.
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – The bridge remains closed until March 2021.
- U.S. 98 Utility Work from Palo Alto to Whispering Pines Boulevard – The eastbound, outside lane will be closed Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Friday, Jan. 29 as utility crews perform operations.
- State Road (S.R.) 89 North, S.R. 87 North and S.R. 89 Bypass Maintenance Operations- Drivers may encounter intermittent lane restrictions as crews perform construction 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.
10,000 Pound Food Giveaway Tuesday Afternoon At Carver Park In Cantonment
January 19, 2021
The Cantonment Improvement Committee and the First Baptist Church of Cantonment will hold a food distribution on Tuesday, January 19 at Carver Park, 208 Webb Street. There will be 10,000 pounds of food distributed.
The food distribution will begin at 3:30 p.m. and continue while supplies last for anyone in need of food. Line up on Webb Street facing north. An identification is required.
Pictured: A 10,000 pound food giveaway last year at Carver Park in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Give The Gift Of Life: It’s National Blood Donor Month
January 19, 2021
The Escambia County has proclaimed January as National Blood Donor Month to encourage residents to give the gift of life.
“OneBlood has served as the sole blood supplier for every local hospital in the Pensacola area, and the Board of County Commissioners is proud to recognize OneBlood for their great work in the community,” said District 5 County Commissioner Steven Barry. ”I encourage residents to give blood to help others in need.”
“When we teamed up with OneBlood this summer to encourage everyone to make a pledge, they were in dire straits,” Florida Senator Doug Broxson said. “People don’t realize they get most of their donations from students at universities. Universities being shut down basically throughout Florida really impacted them. What OneBlood developed was convalescent plasma, which we know has saved people’s lives in this area. My fear is that I’ll be standing here next year making a similar plea for OneBlood. We’ve got to stand together to do everything we can as citizens, as Americans.”
To find a OneBlood donor center or blood drive, click or tap here.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sunny Tuesday, High In The Upper 60s
January 19, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 67. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45. South wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Calm wind.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of rain after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Rain likely, mainly after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 56. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 65. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of rain, mainly before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 49. West wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 65.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69.
Florida Gas Prices Remain Around 10-Month Highs
January 19, 2021
Florida gas prices are still hovering around 10-month highs, according to AAA.
The state average of $2.30 per gallon is slightly higher than last week and 10 cents more than a month ago. Despite that, drivers are paying 23 cents less than this time last year.
The average price per gallon Monday in Escambia County was $2.34, up 17 cents from a month ago. The lowest price to be found in North Escambia Monday night was $2.33 at one station on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
“Florida drivers are still paying less money at the pump than they did this time last year, but pump prices have certainly climbed in recent weeks,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The price hikes reflect the gains made in crude oil prices, which have been propped up by optimism that Covid-19 vaccines will eventually lead to more global fuel consumption.”
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Officials Report 151 New COVID-19 Cases In Escambia, No Additional Deaths
January 19, 2021
THIS IS ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
There were 151 new COVID-19 cases and no additional deaths reported in Escambia County Monday by the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 27,606 (+151)
Non-Florida residents: 2,968
Recovered: 22,947*
Total deaths: 448
Long-term care facility deaths : 188
Current hospitalizations: 276
Number of tests reported last day: 805
Percent positive reported last day: 15.2%
Percent positive reported last week: 17.4%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 20,312 (+124)
Cantonment: 2,472 (+13)
Century: 1,082
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 350 (+3)
McDavid: 171 (+1)
Walnut Hill: 47
Bellview: 43
Perdido Key: 18
Gonzalez: 11
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 13,853 (+50)
Non-Florida residents: 174
Total deaths: 177
Long-term care facility deaths: 50
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 647*
Number of tests reported last day: 268
Percent positive reported last day: 15.5%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 6,596 (+14)
Navarre: 2,752 (+19)
Gulf Breeze: 2,516 (+7)
Pace: 1,118 (+5)
Jay: 425 (+5)
Bagdad: 29 (+2)
Florida cases:
Total cases: 1,579,281
Florida residents: 1,550,444
Deaths: 24,274
Hospitalizations: 68,170*
*“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 as a result, 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.
Myra Jean Stanton Holt
January 19, 2021
Myra Jean Stanton Holt, age 89, lifetime resident of Century, FL passed away on January 17, 2021 at the Century Center for Rehabilitation and Healing in Century where she resided since June 2019.
Myra Jean was born 1931 in Century to Vivian Earl “Bubba” Stanton and Esta Ellen Toomer Stanton. She graduated from Century High School in 1949. She was a devoted, loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She accepted the Lord as her Savior at the age of 14. She loved her Lord and served as a Sunday School teacher and church pianist for many years. She was a charter member of Tabernacle Baptist Church, Century, FL and later in life she became a member of Hand Ave Baptist Church, Bay Minette, AL. At the time of her death, she was a member of Century First Baptist, Century. She had the heart of a servant which showed through her actions of humility, love and compassion during times she cared for her family and friends. She loved caring for people so much that she became a Practical Nurse and worked for two years at the Turberville Memorial Hospital in Century under Dr. Thomas J Stewart. She was loved by many and some considered her their second mother. She will be greatly missed. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Vivian Earl “Kayo” Stanton, Jr. and two great-granddaughters, Tomi Faith Holt and Karsyn Faith Yeager.
Myra Jean is survived by her husband of 72 years, Billy Gene Holt of Century, FL; three sons, William (Elaine) Holt of Crescent City, FL, Tommy (Sandy) Holt of Grand Bay, AL, Robert “Bobby” (Susan) Holt of Navarre, FL; two daughters, Esther Ruth Holt (Steve) Whitmore of Greenville, SC and Mary Ellen Holt (Rob) Wess of Greer, SC; 12 grandchildren, Sonja DeLong (Mike) Hernandez of Cocoa, FL, Christopher Williams of Lake Worth, FL, Holly Holt (Jupe) Etheridge of La Grange, KY, Carolyn Holt (Beau) McHenry of Milton, FL, Wayne (Amy) Holt of Jay, FL, Leigh Ann Holt (Doug) Yeager of Grand Bay, AL, Paula Holt (Ryan) Bristow of Birmingham, AL, Scott (Laura) Whitmore of Iowa City, IA, James (Joanna) Whitmore of Laporte, CO, Michelle Wess (Jerid) Jones of Taylors, SC, Michael (Tamara) Wess of Raliegh, NC and Matthew (Sarah) Wess of Greer, SC and 32 great-grandchildren, Harrison, Anna and Brooklin Hernandez; Joey Williams; Will, Mary Bailey and Owen Etheridge; William Thomas and Morgan McHenry; Matti, Maci and Miley Holt; Carleigh and Connor Yeager; Chesley, Abigail, Emileigh and Lauren Bristow; Katie, Brenton and Jane Whitmore; Makenna, Michael, Molly, Maddie, Mark, Megan, Macie and Max Jones; Reagan Wess, Elizabeth and Isabella Wess.
A private graveside service for the immediate family will be held at the Flomaton Cemetery on January 20, 2021. Her son-in-law Rev. Steven Whitmore will be officiating.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Flomaton Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund in care of Escambia County Bank PO Box 601 Flomaton, AL 36441.
We thank the staff of the CCRH and VITAS Hospice for caring for her.
Toney Gibson
January 19, 2021
Mr. Toney Gibson, age 71, passed away on Sunday, January 17, 2021 in Atmore, Alabama.
Mr. Gibson was a native of Atmore, AL, former resident of Biloxi, MS and had resided in Poarch, AL for the past 16 years. He was a retired Union Pipe Liner, loved to fish, shoot pool and Alabama Football. He was a Tom Brady Fan. He is preceded in death by his parents, Elbert and Ida Gibson; two sons, Rodney Gibson and Toney Gibson; two sisters and three brothers.
He is survived by his two daughters, Tracy Gibson of New Orleans, LA and Alice Janene Gibson of New Orleans, LA; three brothers, Ricky Gibson of Atmore, AL, Larry Gibson of Atmore, AL and Jerry (Connie) Gibson of Atmore, AL; thirteen grandchildren, Gavin, Toni, Antonio, Tregan, Makayla, Talissia, Toney, Tameron, Daniel, Rodney, Christopher, Christian and Takoda; seven great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 2:00 PM at the Antioch Baptist Cemetery with Bro. Trevor Daughtry officiating.
Visitation will be held Thursday, January 21, 2021 from 12:30 PM until 1:30 PM at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Antonio Walls, Tregan McCreight, Greg Gibson, Carson Griffith, Derick Grosskurth, Gavin Bourgeois and Ricky Maddox.
Due to covid, the family request mask and social distancing.
Century Considers Approval For 300 Foot Cell Tower Next To The Library Or Showalter Park
January 18, 2021
Century is considering which of two locations to lease for a 300-foot tall cell tower — one directly next to the library and the other near Showalter Park.
According to the town, the tower will be used for AT&T cellular service, and other companies might lease space from Diamond Towers.
The two parcels owned by the town under consideration for the tower site are:
- A 0.698 acre lot directly south of the Century Branch Library. The tower would be located less than 50 feet from the library property, which is owned by Escambia County.
- A 0.68 acre area located on the northeast corner of the town’s maintenance building property on Alger Road, just across the railroad tracks from the playground at Showalter Park.
Diamond Towers is requesting a variance to the required 200 foot setback requirement for the tower.
At 300 feet, the tower would be about the equivalent of a 30 story building, according to interim City Manager Vernon Prather.
The town council is expected to vote on the tower location at their regular council meeting Tuesday night.
If approved, Diamond Towers will lease one of the two properties at $1,000 total for one year with an optional extension for one more year at $1,000. Once a tower is constructed, Diamond’s lease will increase to $1,500 per month for at least five years, with another $500 per month due for additional cellular providers collocated on the tower.
Pictured: This lot next to the Century Branch Library is one of two locations under consideration for a 300-foot tall cell tower. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
County Seeking Applications for Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
January 18, 2021
The Escambia County Commission is seeking one representative to the Escambia-Pensacola Affordable Housing Advisory Committee to fill a member’s unexpired term through September 30, 2021.
The committee was established for the purpose of reviewing affordable housing incentives available within the county and to make recommendations concerning those incentives to the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and Pensacola City Council.
The board is seeking to fill ONE slot from one of the following specializations:
- One citizen who is a representative of those areas of labor actively engaged in home building in connection with affordable housing;
- One citizen who is a representative of a not for profit provider of affordable housing;
- One citizen who is actively engaged as a real estate professional in connection with affordable housing; OR
- One citizen who represents essential services personnel, as defined in the local housing assistance plan
The committee meets quarterly with more frequent meetings while reviewing the Local Housing Assistance Plan and affordable housing incentives. Positions will be recommended to the board for approval in February.
Citizens interested in serving should complete an application available online here, or request a form via email at NED@myescambia.com. Completed applications should be forwarded to Neighborhood Enterprise Division/AHAC, 221 Palafox Place, Suite 200, Pensacola, FL,32502. All applications must be received no later than January 22 for consideration.