Cantonment Lodge Adopts Ernest Ward Middle School Teacher
September 19, 2021
Cantonment Masonic Lodge #322 has adopted Ernest Ward Middle School English Language Arts (ELA) teacher Alexander Fitzgerald (pictured in brown jacket). The Lodge presented Fitzgerald with a $250 donation and a donation of supplies recently. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
By The Numbers: Escambia Reports 1,233 New COVID-19 Cases
September 19, 2021
There were 1,233 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 224 COVID-19 hospitalizations..
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 51,382 (+1,233)
Positivity rate last week: 17.3%
Current total hospitalizations: 224
Over age 18 and over hospitalizations: 220
Under age 18 hospitalized: 4
Total deaths last 7 days: 26 (CDC data)
Escambia County Vaccinations
People vaccinated: 147,016 (+1,680)
Total Population of Escambia County Partially Vaccinated: 52.7%
Total Population of Escambia County Fully Vaccinated: 43.7%
*These numbers are the percent of total Escambia County population vaccinated. Not the percentage of hospitalized individuals.
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 30,625 (+811)
Positivity rate last week: 18.9%
People vaccinated: 85,784 (+1,088)
Partial vaccination rate (age 12+): 53%
Statewide cases:
Florida resident cases: 3,485,163 (+75,906)
Case positivity rate: 11.2%
Deaths: 51,240 (+384)
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.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Spots To Watch
September 19, 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, Sept. 19 through Saturday, Sept. 25. 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.
- 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 Project – Drivers will encounter inside lane closures between North Pace Boulevard and approximately D Street as crews perform median improvement work. Motorists are reminded the speed between Dominguez Street and A Street is 30 mph.
- 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 to allow crews to pave driveway tie-ins and place the final layer of asphalt.
- 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, Sept. 20 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.
- U.S. 29 Resurfacing from South of Muscogee Road (C.R. 184) to Atmore Highway (S.R. 97) – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, Sept. 19 through Friday, Sept. 24 as crews perform striping operations and signal work.
- 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, Sept. 20 Thursday, Sept. 21 as crews perform paving operations and other construction activities
- Burgess Road (S.R. 742) Routine Underground Utility Maintenance – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22 to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, as crews repair a gas line.
- Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) Construction Activities at Sorrento Road – There will be southbound intermittent lane closures at the intersection of Sorrento Road 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 19 through Thursday, Sept. 23 as crews perform construction activities.
- U.S. 29 Turn Lane Construction at the new Circle K Store – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures between West Roberts Road and Crowe Lane 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 20 through Thursday, Sept. 23.
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, Sept. 19 through Saturday, Sept. 24. 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.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Crews continue utility relocations, clearing, excavation, drainage improvements, and pond construction. There are no anticipated traffic impacts.
- 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 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 19 through Thursday, Sept. 23 as crews perform paving operations.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Pictured: Nine Mile Road at the North Palafox intersection, as seen from the Highway 29 overpass. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sneak Peek: Planting Thanksgiving Dinner For 1,000 Needy Families
September 19, 2021
Every November, NorthEscambia.com takes you to Farm City Week, and this year we are giving you an early sneak peak.
During Farm City Week, a couple of hundred or so student volunteers from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties work for a day in the fields near Jay to harvest collards, bag sweet potatoes, and more that will feed needy families at Thanksgiving.
This week, the University of Florida’s West Florida Research and Education Center in Jay planted collards donated by Wendt Farm and Nursery. They collards be ready just in time to harvest for Thanksgiving meals for about 1,000 families in partnership with Feeding the Gulf Coast and Waterfront Rescue Mission.
At the bottom of the page, you can see the harvested collards in 2019.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No. 1 UWF Gets Win Over No. 13 Texas A&M Commerce (With Photo Gallery)
September 19, 2021
Top-ranked UWF scored 21 unanswered points and held No. 13 Texas A&M Commerce to 67 yards of total offense after halftime in a 35-17 win at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
UWF (3-0) had 434 yards of total offense with a 6.5 yards per play average. A&M Commerce (1-2) finished with 231 yards of offense.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Austin Reed threw for 274 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while leading the Argonauts to scoring drives on five of their eight possessions before ending the game in victory formation inside the Lions’ 10-yard line.
Shomari Mason powered an aggressive rushing attack with 94 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown. Jervon Newton and Anthony Johnson, Jr. each ran for a score as the trio combined for 169 yards on the ground and 4.6 yards per rush. Seven of UWF’s 12 live ball first downs in the second half were on the ground.
The UWF defense was stout all game long but put on a clinic in the second half. In addition to limiting A&M Commerce to 231 yards of total offense on the night, they sacked Jaiave Magalei five times and forced two turnovers in the fourth quarter. Trent Archie had eight tackles and two sacks, while Stephon Williams had eight stops and a sack as well.
The Lions played deliberate, ball control offense in the first half, using 17:53 of time of possession to build a 17-14 lead, including taking advantage of a muffed punt in the final minute of the half that led to a field goal. But UWF’s defense forced A&M Commerce to punt after drives of six and three plays, allowing the explosive Argo offense to get going.
Reed led scoring drives of eight plays, five plays and five plays while building the big lead. Newton and Mason each got to the end zone and David Durden was untouched as he caught a 19-yard crossing route in the end zone.
The win extended the UWF winning streak to a record nine games, while establishing new benchmarks for consecutive road wins and consecutive wins over ranked opponents, both of which are now at six games apiece. It was also the team’s fifth-straight road win over a ranked team as they improved to 10-5 all-time on the road against top-25 opponents.
UWF returns home next week for its first game at Blue Wahoos Stadium in 2021. The Argos will play host to the University of Fort Lauderdale (0-2) at 6 p.m. Tailgate lots at Community Maritime Park open at 2 p.m. and stadium gates open at 5 p.m.
The Blue Wahoos Stadium Box Office opens at 3 p.m.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Photos: Courtesy Morgan Givens/UWF for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia School Board Rejects Mask Mandate
September 18, 2021
The Escambia County School Board on Friday rejected the idea of future discussion of a mask mandate for the county’s schools.
At a workshop meeting, several members of the public discussed the desire for mandatory masking, prompting the board discussion.
“I have had several conversations with Dr. Smith over the summer, so he can verify that I have not been happy,” board member Patty Hightower said. “I told him I was ready to go after the governor.”
Hightower said she was in favor of a discussing masks at a future school board meeting, but she wanted to make sure the public had proper notice that it would be on an agenda to give people on all sides of the issue a chance to weigh in. She asked the board if there was any support for a special meeting.
“As a parent, as a human being, I tend to agree with your side of the story,” board member Laura Edler told those speaking that supported masks at Friday’s meeting. “But if the other side comes also, I will do that same assessment. I believe as a board member, I’m in a Catch-22. If I favor with you all, I’m wrong. If I favor with the other group who doesn’t want masks, I’m wrong.”
“But I can tell you, your message was not overlooked,” added Edler. “I can’t tell you about the rest of the board members, but you got to my heart.”
“I’m also not in support of a mandatory mask mandate of any kind, I’ll put that out there right now. I don’t see why we need to meet on it,” board member Kevin Adams said. “My vote would be against any kind of mandatory mask mandate.”
“Somewhere along the line, we’ve got to get back to our business educating our children,” Adams said.
“My personal preference is to tell people wear a mask, but I cannot, and I will not, mandate that somebody does something,” board member Paul Fetsko said. “I will wear a mask, but I am not going to vote to make somebody wear a mask.
“I believe that parents that believe children should be wearing masks can convince them to wear masks, and they should, “said board member Bill Slayton. “If you believe your child should wear a mask, tell them to wear the mask. Don’t come tell us (the school board) to tell them. I fell like you are copping out to make us force a mask mandate. I’m sorry, I cannot support that.”
The board never took a formal vote, with Slayton saying it was obvious the board was not in favor of mandating masks, asking Smith for any comments.
“No, it’s up to you. That you for the discussion” Smith told the board. “That gives me clarity.”
As of Friday night, the Escambia district reported 216 students and 41 staff positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days, and an additional 691 students in quarantine.
Pictured: Escambia County School Board members Bill Slayton (top), Laura Edler (middle inset) an Paul Fetsko (below) during a board workshop on Friday. Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Driver Seriously Injured After Crashing Into Tree In Walnut Hill
September 18, 2021
One person was seriously injured in single vehicle wreck early Saturday morning in Walnut Hill.
The driver lost control on North Cypress Street just off Arthur Brown Road and crashed into a tree about 1:45 a.m. The driver was transported as a trauma alert to a Pensacola hospital by Escambia County EMS.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Sacred Heart Suspends Drive-thru COVID-19 Testing Due To Hospitalization Drop
September 18, 2021
Ascension Sacred Heart is suspending its drive-thru COVID-19 testing in Escambia County effective Saturday due to the recent decline in the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the area.
The last scheduled testing drive-through staffed by Ascension Medical Group will be Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 5192 Bayou Boulevard in Pensacola.
“We will be ready to set up the drive thru testing site if another major surge of COVID-19 cases hits our community again,” said Justin Labrato, chief operating officer of Ascension Medical Group Sacred Heart. “COVID-19 hospitalizations remain high in Pensacola, but the numbers have declined slowly but steadily during the past two weeks. Another positive sign is that the number of people seeking tests at our drive-through clinic also has declined over the past week.”
Testing services are still available every day in the community through the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County. No appointment is needed but those seeking a COVID-19 test should bring a valid form of identification.
Drive-thru testing is available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Brownsville Community Center at, 3200 West De Soto Street, and on Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Department of Health, at 1295 West Fairfield Drive.
Escambia Seeks Input On How To Spend $61.7 Million In American Rescue Plan Funds
September 18, 2021
Escambia County is seeking public input on how to spend American Rescue Plan Act Funding.
The public is asked to submit input to the Escambia County American Rescue Plan Survey by 11:50 p.m. on Thursday, September 30, 2021. The survey is available in English and Spanish online and at the community centers and libraries listed below. Survey results will be presented at an upcoming Committee of the Whole meeting.
The American Rescue Plan (ARP) includes $61.7 million in direct local recovery assistance for Escambia County. The first half of the county’s award has been received, totaling $30.9 million. The second half is comparable and will arrive approximately one year after the first payment. Escambia County’s plan will follow the U.S Treasury Departments Interim Final ARP Rule including allocating all funds prior to Dec. 31, 2024 and completing all expenditures by Dec. 31, 2026 as required. Escambia County recognizes the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the community and is committed to making investments for economic recovery and rebuilding.
Library Locations:
- Southwest Branch Library – 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
- Pensacola Library – 239 N. Spring St., Pensacola
- Westside Branch Library – 1301 W. Gregory St., Pensacola
- Tryon Branch Library – 1200 Langley Ave., Pensacola
- Genealogy Branch Library – 5740 N. Ninth Ave., Pensacola
- Molino Branch Library – 6450-A Hwy. 95A, Molino
- Century Branch Library – 7991 N. Century Blvd., Century
Community Centers:
- Beulah Sr. Citizen Center – 7425 Woodside Drive, Pensacola
- Felix Miga Sr. Citizen Center – 904 N. 57th Ave., Pensacola
- Lexington Terrace Community Center – 700 S. Old Corry Field Road, Pensacola
- Marie Ella Davis Community Center – 16 Raymond St., Pensacola
- Mayfair Community Center – 701 S. Madison Drive, Pensacola
- Perdido Key Community Center – 15500 Perdido Key Drive, Pensacola
- Brownsville Community Center – 3200 West DeSoto St., Pensacola
- Dorrie Miller Community Center – 2819 North Miller St., Pensacola
- Englewood Community Center (Boys & Girls Club) – 2751 North H St., Pensacola
- Marie K. Young-Wedgewood Community Center & Park – 6405 Wagner Road, Pensacola
- Barrineau Park Community Center & Historical Society – 6055 Barrineau Park School Road, Molino
- Byrneville Community Center – 1707 County Road 4A, Century
- Carver Park Resource Center – 208 Webb St., Cantonment
- Molino Community Center & Historical Museum – 6450 Hwy. 95A N, Molino
- Quintette Community Center – 2490 Quintette Lane, Cantonment
- Walnut Hill Community Center & Ruritan Club 7850 Hwy. 97N, Walnut Hill
Century Gas Station Customers Surprised With Free Food
September 18, 2021
People that stopped at a Century gas station got a little extra surprise Friday afternoon.
Northwest Florida Community Outreach held an impromptu mini-food distribution at the Marathon Station at Highway 29 and East Highway 4. The non-profit handed out meat, eggs, yogurt, juice, bread and pastries for free.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
