New Gas Tax Now In Effect In Alabama
October 3, 2021
Drivers filling their gas tanks in Alabama are now paying a little more in tax.
The tax increase amounts to two-cents per gallon; it’s the final phase of 10 cents in increases scheduled under the Rebuild Alabama Act of 2019. The gas tax was also increased two cents in 2020 and six cents in 2019.
The tax was passed to help with road and bridge construction in Alabama.
Pictured: A gas station on Highway 31 in Atmore. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Traffic Alert: What To Expect This Week
October 3, 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 - Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 3 through Saturday, Oct. 9. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- 17th Avenue Interchange construction – 17th Avenue southbound is closed at Gregory Street. Access to the Pensacola Visitor’s Center and the boat launch remains open from 17th Avenue.
- 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 replace the southbound portion of the structure. In addition, drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures between the following locations as crews perform median improvements and install poles for pedestrian traffic signals.
- Dominguez Street and Green Street
- Grandview Street and Y Street
- H Street and L Street
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Pine Forest (S.R. 297) to U.S. 29 – Drivers will encounter intermittent east and westbound traffic shifts between Pine Forest Road and U.S. 29 as crews place final asphalt and striping.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Beulah Road to S.R. 297 (Pine Forest Road) – Drivers will encounter alternating and intermittent east and westbound lane closures and traffic shifts between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for paving operations and other construction activities.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road (C.R.) 292A) – Motorists can expect daytime shoulder closures the week of Monday, Oct. 4 as crews place a watermain.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures and shifts from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews perform paving operations.
- S.R. 298 (Lillian Highway) Resurfacing from North of U.S. 98 to East of Fairfield Drive – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 4 through Thursday, Oct. 8 as crews perform paving operations and other construction activities.
- U.S. 98 (East Garden Street) Routine Underground Utility Maintenance at Jefferson Street Intersection – Motorists will encounter intermittent day and nighttime lane closures Friday, Oct. 1 through Friday, Oct. 8, as crews perform underground utility maintenance.
Santa Rosa County
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 3 through Saturday, Oct. 9. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure. Additional work will include installation of pier lighting.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures on the Blackwater River bridge from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 3 through Thursday, Oct. 7 as crews perform paving operations.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Top-Ranked UWF Completes Comeback, Silences Delta State
October 3, 2021
The No. 1 ranked UWF football team erased a 20-point deficit and outscored Delta State by 26 in the second half for a 39-33 win at McCool Stadium on Saturday.
In the second half, UWF (4-0, 1-0 Gulf South) outgained DSU, 276-183, and forced two turnovers, along with a pair of fourth down stops.
The Argonauts rushed for 150 yards on 25 attempts for a robust 6.0 yards per carry. Shomari Mason had 10 carries for 86 yards and 54 yards receiving with a touchdown. Ra’veion Hargrove added seven for 65 yards.
Austin Reed tossed four touchdowns for the third time this season, while shaking off a rough first half to finished with 285 yards on 13-of-31 passing.
After falling behind 7-0, Reed hit David Durden for a 90-yard touchdown on UWF’s first play from scrimmage to tie it at seven. It was the longest play from scrimmage in UWF history and the second longest behind Marvin Conley’s 98-yard interception against Mississippi College in 2017.
Delta continued to apply pressure, scoring on four of its seven first-half possessions, along with a safety to claim a 30-10 lead going into the locker room.
But the Argos came out on fire in the third quarter, needing just five plays to go 73 yards as Reed found Jared Smith for a 17-yard strike. The Statesmen kicked a field goal to go up 33-17 with 6:24 to play in the third.
From there, UWF got a Reed-to-Durden passing touchdown, a Hargrove 10-yard dive to the pylon and a Mason 9-yard receiving score to finish off the largest comeback in school history.
DSU (2-3, 1-1) dropped its third-consecutive game. Patrick Shegog completed 32-of-50 for 459 yards and two scores, along with two interceptions.
The teams combined for 202 penalty yards.
UWF extended both its overall and road winning streaks 10 and seven games, respectively. The Argonauts had 435 yards of total offense, averaging 7.8 yards on 56 plays.
UWF remains on the road next week with a game at North Greenville (3-2, 0-1). Kickoff at Younts Stadium in Tigerville, S.C. is set for 7 p.m. Eastern Time.
Photos: Morgan Givens/University of West Florida.
Small Plane Makes Emergency Landing In McDavid Saturday Morning
October 2, 2021
A small plane with one person on board safely made an emergency landing in McDavid Saturday morning.
The pilot of a 2002 model Vans Aircraft RV-4 kit single engine plane reported an in-flight emergency shortly before 9 a.m. According to tracking information, the experimental aircraft departed Peter Prince Airport in Milton about 8:05 a.m.. The pilot had been flying back and forth between Walnut Hill and Atmore when he declared a fuel system emergency and headed back toward Bratt and in the direction of Milton.
The pilot made the emergency landing at a private grass airstrip officially known as the Collier/Pine Barren Airport on South Pine Barren Road just south of Rodeo Lane. He was not injured, and there was no damage to the plane.
The pilot was able to correct his fuel system problem and continue safely back to Milton.
Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to look for the aircraft after the emergency was reported to the FAA.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
The Peanut Butter Challenge Is Underway. Here’s How You Can Help.
October 2, 2021
The annual Peanut Butter Challenge is officially underway in Escambia County help families in need, and along the way promote peanuts.
UF/IFAS Extension Escambia held its inaugural Peanut Butter Challenge kickoff event Friday. Extension faculty and staff joined to cheer on this year’s Peanut Butter Challenge Ambassador, Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry, as his daughter deposited the challenge’s first jar of peanut butter.
The Peanut Butter Challenge, UF/IFAS Extension’s annual jar collection for local food pantries, first launched in the Florida Panhandle in 2012. It has since launched statewide, giving counties the chance to compete for most jars of peanut butter donated. The challenge serves a way to feed hungry families ahead of the holidays and also promotes peanuts grown in Florida.
Unopened jars of peanut butter can be donated at the following locations through November 24:
- Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Escambia County Farm Bureau, 153 Highway 97, Molino
- Escambia County Public Safety, 6575 North W Street
- Holy Cross Episcopal Church, 7979 North Ninth Avenue
- Gilmore Services, 31 East Fairfield Drive
- Escambia County Administration, 221 Palafox Place, 4th Floor
- Pensacola City Hall, 222 West Main Street,
- Holy Spirit Catholic, 10650 Gulf Beach Highway
- Perdido Bay United Methodist Church, 13360 Innerarity Point Road,
- Pensacola Beach Visitors Information, 7 Casino Beach Boardwalk, Pensacola Beach
It’s an honor to be a part of this inaugural event,” said Barry. “I’m proud to be a part of a community that comes together to help those in need before the holidays. Additionally, it’s a great opportunity to highlight the importance of the peanut in the state of Florida. Not many people know that the peanut contributed $119 million to the state’s economy in 2019. In fact, it’s a major crop grown here in Northwest Florida. And, in turn, food insecurity affected around one in 10 Floridians last year. It’s very inspiring to see our residents help fight hunger right here in our community.”
In addition to the community donations, the Florida Peanut Producers Association (FPPA) and Florida Peanut Federation (FPF) have partnered with the project for years. These organizations are based in the northwest and northeast peanut-producing regions of the state and will again contribute to the totals distributed to food pantries in those regions.
In the 2020 Peanut Butter Challenge, the first year the event was conducted statewide, participating UF/IFAS Extension county offices received over 27,000 total pounds of peanut butter.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Nevaeh Brown Named Northview High School Homecoming Queen (With Photo Gallery)
October 2, 2021
Nevaeh Brown was named Northview High School’s 2021 homecoming queen Friday night.
Pictured below are Sophomore Maid Ty’Deasia McKenzie, First Runner-up Anna Adams, Queen Nevaeh Brown, Second Runner-up Kaitlin Gafford, Junior Maid Emma Gilmore, and Freshman Maid Payton Daw. Pictured above is Queen Nevaeh Brown being crowned by 2020 Homecoming Queen Heather Knowles.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Gets 54-13 Homecoming Win Over Jay; Jefferson And Bridges With Seven Touchdowns (With Photo Gallery)
October 2, 2021
The Northview Chiefs celebrated Homecoming 2021 with a big 54-13 win over the Jay Royals Friday night at Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium in Bratt.
On the second play of the game, quarterback Kaden Odom found Jamarkus Jefferson for a 62-yard touchdown run, his first of four for the night. On the next possession a misguided toss from Jay quarterback Cason Burkett was intercepted by sophomore Luke Bridges, who had three total touchdowns Friday night.
About 3.5 minutes in the game, and the Chiefs were on top 13-0.
Northview linebacker Jaquez Moorer returned a Jay fumble for another touchdown, and Odom found Bridges for a 12-yard score. Northview was up 27-0 by the end of the first quarter before going on to score another 27 in the second quarter.
Grayson Shehan had two TDs for the Royals, one in the second and one as time expired.
The Northview Chiefs are off next week, while Jay will travel to Baker.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
By The Numbers: Escambia Reports 570 New COVID-19 Cases
October 2, 2021
There were 570 new COVID-19 cases reported Escambia County over the last week by the Florida Department of Health.
Baptist, Ascension Sacred Heart and West Florida hospitals reported a combined 119 COVID-19 hospitalizations as of Friday.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 52,736 (+570)
Positivity rate last week: 11.9%
Current total hospitalizations: 117
Over age 18 and over hospitalizations: 115
Under age 18 hospitalized: 2
Total deaths reported last 7 days: 85 (CDC data)
Escambia County Vaccinations
People vaccinated: 149,880 (+747)
Total Population of Escambia County Partially Vaccinated: 53.9%
Total Population of Escambia County Fully Vaccinated: 45.%
*These numbers are the percent of total Escambia County population vaccinated. Not the percentage of hospitalized individuals.
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 31,805 (+360)
Positivity rate last week: 10.9%
People vaccinated: 87,369 (+436)
Partial vaccination rate (age 12+): 54%
Total deaths last 7 days: 22 (CDC data)
Statewide cases:
Florida resident cases: 3,5576,571 (+37,772)
Case positivity rate: 6.5%
Deaths: 55,299 (+233)
FDOH has moved from daily to weekly reports and removed the COVID-19 dashboard. The state is now releasing a weekly report with local data limited only to number of cases and positivity rate The number of deaths by county or cases by local cities and communities is no longer provided by FDOH.
Good Grilling: Escambia 4-H Members Place At State Tailgating Contest
October 2, 2021
Five Escambia County 4-H members placed at the state 4-H tailgating contest at the University of Florida.
The winners from Escambia County 4-H were:
- Aubrie Dillon — first place, shrimp
- Taylor Anderson — third place, pork
- Kailee Dunlap — first place, pork
- Madelyn Goss — second place, beef
- Tucker Padgett — first place, beef
The top two individuals in each protein category earned college scholarship money — $1,500 for first place and $1,000 for second place. Each participant from Escambia County placed in the competition, earning a total of $5,500 in college scholarships.
Participants created table displays to show off their recipes and were judged on their grilling abilities. In addition, their knowledge was put to the test with questions from judges on food and fire safety as well as meat selections.
“4-H helps our youth gain the knowledge and skills they need for their future,” said UF/IFAS Extension Escambia Director Nick Simmons. “Whether they are interested in science, technology, food or public speaking, we have projects that will benefit everyone and help them give back to their community. The tailgating contest allowed them to think outside the box, but also taught them important food and fire safety rules. All Escambia County participants have learned so much from this competition and have taken home new skills to share with their families.”
Photos: Northview High School Homecoming Parade
October 2, 2021
A large crowd line Highway 4 Friday afternoon in Bratt for the annual Northview High School Homecoming Parade.
For a photo gallery, click to tap here. (Make sure to share and tag!)
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
