These Are This Week’s Road Construction Trouble Spots
August 22, 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. Monday, Aug. 23 through Saturday, Aug. 28. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Pensacola to Gulf Breeze) structure. Additional work will include installation of pier lighting.
- 17th Avenue Interchange construction- The following road closures will take place between Graffiti Bridge and Bayfront Parkway the week of Sun. Aug 22 as crews work on the 17th Avenue tie-in to the new interchange.
- Southbound lanes will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 22 through Thursday, Aug. 26 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- North and southbound travel lanes will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27 to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 30.
- 17th Avenue Interchange construction- The following road closures will take place between Graffiti Bridge and Bayfront Parkway the week of Sun. Aug 22 as crews work on the 17th Avenue tie-in to the new interchange.
During the closures, southbound traffic on 17th Avenue will be detoured to 14th Avenue using East Belmont Street. Pensacola Bay Bridge traffic destined for 17th Avenue northbound will be detoured to Ninth 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 work to replace the southbound portion of the structure. In addition, drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures to allow construction crews to mobilize materials and equipment.
- U.S. 29 Resurfacing from South of Muscogee Road (County Road (C.R.) 184) to Atmore Highway (S.R. 97) – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, Aug. 23 through Friday, Aug. 27 as crews perform striping operations and signal work.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project –The inside lane will be closed between North Pace Boulevard and J Street to perform median improvements. Drivers are reminded the speed limit 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 – There will be 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.
- U.S. 90 (Nine Mile Road) 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 the Innerarity Point (C.R. 292A)–
Motorists can expect daytime shoulder closures the week of Monday, Aug. 23 as crews place a watermain.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures 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.
- Interstate 110 (I-110) Routine Bridge Maintenance from Maxwell Street to Garden Street – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 22 through Thursday, Aug. 26 as crews perform routine bridge maintenance.
- U.S. 29 Turn Lane Construction at West Roberts Road and Crowe Lane – There will be intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. at the intersections of West Roberts Road and Crowe Lane Tuesday, Aug. 24 through Friday, Aug. 27 as crews perform paving operations.
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. Monday, Aug. 23 through Saturday, Aug. 28. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Pensacola to Gulf Breeze) 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 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. Monday, Aug. 23 through Thursday, Aug. 26 as crews perform paving operations.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
File photo.
Blue Wahoos Get 3-2 Walk-off Win Over Shuckers
August 22, 2021
After Griffin Conine tied the game with a solo home run in the top of the ninth, Demetrius Sims blooped a game-winning single to right, giving the Blue Wahoos a walk-off 3-2 win over the Shuckers on Saturday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Leading 2-1 in the bottom of the 9th, Biloxi turned to reliever Braden Webb, (L, 4-7) despite his poor numbers against Pensacola this season (8.31 ERA in 9 prior appearances). Webb’s first pitch to Conine was belted out to left, skimming over the top of the left-field wall before skipping out into the bay for a solo home run, tying the game at 2-2. Two pitches later, Brian Navarreto smashed a double off the left-field wall. With nobody out, Zack Kone was brought in to pinch run at second, and after a fly out from Riley Mahan, Sims looped a single to right, giving the Blue Wahoos a much-needed win and a 3-2 series edge over the Shuckers heading into Sunday’s finale.
Jeff Lindgren—who did not factor into the decision—turned in another fine outing, throwing five innings of one-run ball. The right-hander allowed four hits and only walked one batter while striking out seven, which was one shy of tying his career high. The only run he allowed came on an RBI single from Gabe Holt in the second inning in which Korry Holt had been running on the pitch from first. Outside of the second, the Shuckers only had one runner in scoring position for the rest of his outing.
Offensively, Pensacola struggled to find an answer for Jesus Castillo. The former Mobile BayBear twirled six shutout innings and only allowed three hits while striking out two. Saturday was Castillo’s first quality start since July 29 against Montgomery.
Andrew McInvale was the first name called out of the bullpen for the Wahoos. After a perfect sixth inning, McInvale returned to the mound in the seventh but failed to retire a batter. After a walk, a two-base throwing error from the pitcher, and another walk, Jefry Yan was brought into the game with nobody out.
Holt dropped a safety-squeeze bunt right back to Yan, whose toss to home was too high as Korry Howell slid under the tag to make it 2-0 Biloxi. After that, Yan was lights out retiring five out the next six without giving up a run.
In the bottom of the seventh, Riley Mahan belted a solo home run off Cody Beckman to give the Wahoos momentum after stalling on offense for most of the game. For Mahan, it was his first home run since August 1 against the M-Braves.
Colton Hock (W, 2-1) pitched a scoreless ninth for the Wahoos, keeping the score 2-1 and giving Pensacola a realistic chance to walk it off in the bottom of the ninth. Pensacola is now only three games back of Montgomery for the second and final playoff spot for the inaugural Double-A South Championship Series. Montgomery and Mississippi were rained out tonight, and a doubleheader has been scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
The Blue Wahoos conclude their series against the Shuckers on Sunday.
Escambia County’s Unemployment Rate Decreases By Half A Point
August 21, 2021
The unemployment rate in Escambia County declined by half a percentage point last month, according to data released Friday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 5.1% in July, down from 5.6% in June. That represents 7,866 people out of work out of a county workforce of 154,835. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was 9.8%, or 14,353 people.
The area’s private sector employment increased by 5,300 jobs over the year, an increase of 3.5 percent. The Pensacola area labor force in July 2021 increased by 13,788 over the year, a 6.0 percent increase. The industry gaining the most jobs over the year was leisure and hospitality, increasing by 2,100 jobs.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.1 percent in July 2021, up 0.1 percentage point from the June 2021 rate, and down 6.4 percentage points from a year ago.
Deputies Worked Traffic At Beulah Middle. Here’s How Many Traffic Stops They Made.
August 21, 2021
After receiving multiple complaints about speeding on Nine Mile Road near Beulah Middle School, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office spent a morning working traffic in the area of the school zone last week.
Between 7:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. on August 17, the ECSO conducted 14 traffic stops in the area. Out of these 14 stops, 10 resulted in a citation. The highest speed was 66 mph in a 45 mph zone. One citation was issued for speeding in a school zone while the lights were flashing.
The ECSO is reminding motorists to slow down in school zones, do not pass buses with flashing lights activated, be alert and remove distractions.
Escambia County Reports 2,419 New COVID-19 Cases, 370 Hospitalizations
August 21, 2021
There were 2,419 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 370 COVID-19 hospitalizations as of Friday.
Additional data about hospitalizations at Baptist Hospital is below is a graphic they provided to NorthEscambia.com. It details hospitalizations in vaccinated versus unvaccinated individuals.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 42,840 (+2,419)
Positivity rate last week: 27.8%
Current total hospitalizations: 370
Over age 18 and over hospitalizations: 361
Under age 18 hospitalized: 9
Escambia County Vaccinations
People vaccinated: 136,937
Total Population of Escambia County Partially Vaccinated: 48.5%
Total Population of Escambia County Fully Vaccinated: 39.2%
*These numbers are the percent of total Escambia County population vaccinated. Not the percentage of hospitalized individuals.
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 24,195 (+1,5136)
Positivity rate last week: 35.2%
People vaccinated: 76,991
Partial vaccination rate (age 12+): 48%
Statewide cases:
Florida resident cases: 3,027,954 (+150,118)
Case positivity rate: 19.8%
Deaths: 42,252 (+346)
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.
Lightning Strike Causes Apartment Building Fire
August 21, 2021
A lightning strike is being blamed for a fire that damaged an Escambia County apartment complex Friday afternoon.
Escambia Fire Rescue responded to an apartment complex in the 3200 block of East Olive Road just after 1 p.m.
Flames and smoke were visible when the first firefighters arrived on scene. The fire was located in the attic area above the second floor of one building and was extinguished within the hour.
There were no injures reported.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
EREC Closes Lobby In Jay, Makes Changes In Walnut Hill Due To COVID-19
August 21, 2021
Due to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in the area, Escambia River Electric Cooperative is make changes at their office locations.
The EREC lobby in Jay is closed to the public until further notice. The drive-thru will remain open.
The Walnut Hill office lobby will remain open and social distancing measures will be in place. EREC is asking postal customers to leave packages in the lobby, and staff will collect them after the customer has exited the building.
“This measure is in an abundance of caution to protect our members, the community, and our employees from possible coronavirus exposure,” Sabrina Owens, vice president Marketing and Communications, said. “We encourage our members to utilize remote options for electric service. Payments may be made by mail, online at www.erec.com, telephone autopay, EREC app or by night depository. Services such as opening or closing an electric, water or internet account; making changes to your services; inquiring about your account balance, service orders, etc. can all be handled by email or phone as well.”
For more information, email memberservices@erec.com or call (850) 675-4521 or (800) 235-3848 for assistance.
Pictured: The Escambia River Electric Cooperative Walnut Hill Office. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Stewart’s No-Hitter Ends In Sixth As Shuckers Seize Miscues To Win
August 21, 2021
Will Stewart did not allow a hit in his first five innings Friday night against the Biloxi Shuckers.
Unfortunately for Stewart and the Blue Wahoos, the game unraveled in the sixth.
The lefthander lost his command, and the bullpen couldn’t limit the damage, as the Shuckers rallied for four runs which proved enough in a 4-1 victory at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The result evened the series at two games apiece and continued the Blue Wahoos’ run-scoring struggles.
After Peyton Burdick reached on a throwing error and eventually scored on a wild pitch in the fourth inning, that was all the production the Blue Wahoos managed.
Stewart was cruising through five innings. Suddenly, he crashed.
He plunked the leadoff batter in the sixth inning, then gave up his first base hit to the next batter. Stewart walked the bases loaded, then hit another batter to force in the game-tying run.
It forced a pitching changed. Andrew Nardi entered, but threw a wild pitch to score the second Shuckers run. He then gave up soft pop fly that eluded shortstop Galli Cribbs Jr., enabling the Shuckers to score two more runs.
The Blue Wahoos had baserunners in each of the last four innings, including a two-on, none-out situation in the ninth that mirrored the scenario in Thursday night’s 2-1 loss. Same thing occurred with no one able to deliver a big hit.
The teams will play the fifth game of the homestand on Saturday. The Blue Wahoos (47-47) are seeking their first series win since beating the Shuckers five times on Fourth of July weekend.
Escambia Approves Zoning To Change To Allow Larger Retails Space In Some Rural Areas
August 20, 2021
When Dollar General considered building a new store in Walnut Hill earlier this year, their development company ran into a problem with Escambia County zoning. Thursday, the Escambia County Commission approved a Land Development Code change that will make such development possible in rural areas.
Teramore Development had three properties under contract at the intersection of Highway 97 and Highway 99A in Walnut Hill, next to Ernest Ward Middle School, for a 10,640 square foot Dollar General.
The property is currently zoned Rural Mixed Use (RMU) which allowed commercial buildings up to 6,000 square feet. There was previously no provision whatsoever to grant any exceptions to construct a larger commercial building.
The BOCC Thursday approved an ordinance recommended Escambia County Planning Board that allows up to 15,000 square feet in RMU districts with a conditional use approval for any business, not just a Dollar General. That conditional use provision, County Attorney Alison Rogers told NorthEscambia.com, would mean each request for RMU retail sales construction up to 15,000 square feet would required individual approval by the Board of Adjustment.
There were no were speakers at a public hearing Thursday morning on the ordinance, which was unanimously passed 5-0 by commissioners.
Properties zoned as RMU in Escambia County are typically located near rural community centers and most are not currently used for agriculture. For a map of RMU zoning in Escambia County, click or tap here (pdf).
To date, a Dollar General at Ernest Ward Middle School has not moved forward in the development or permitting process.
Pictured: A proposed Dollar General for Walnut Hill as presented in February 2021 by their development firm. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Over 350 Students, Staff Excluded From Escambia Schools Due To COVID-19; Kingsfield Elementary Parent Addresses Problem
August 20, 2021
Just over a week into the school year, over 350 students and staff members are excluded from school in Escambia County due to either a positive COVID-19 diagnosis or an exposure.
As of late Thursday night, there were 81 confirmed COVID-19 student cases in Escambia County with a total of 326 students excluded from school due a positive test, quarantined due to a close contact with positive case, or were were waiting test results. Among staff, there were 24 positive cases and a total of 30 excluded.
“There is a big problem,” said Cody Brown, a parent of a student at Kingsfield Elementary School. “I mean I’ve talked to many parents whose kids are out of school this week due to COVID. It’s an issue.”
Brown’s comments came as he addressed the Escambia County School Board this week.
He said all of the students in his son’s class have been excluded until August 23 due to a COVID exposure. He said he’s being told to go to the school to grab paperwork, but he believes there must be a better way.
“This year, we’re not even a week in, and now I’ve got to have my son out of school, which he’s a first grader, for a whole week,” Brown said. “Now my daughter is out of school as well due to being in close contact.”
“You know last year this virus wasn’t attacking students like it is this year. This year we’re having a bigger issue. I’m not a mask person; I’ll be the first to tell you,” he said. “I’m not a vaccine person. I went and got the vaccine because it’s a time right now we need to be selfless.”
He praised Kingsfield Elementary’s staff for their response, noting they were simply following the protocols put forth by the state and school district.
Escambia County does not report data for individual schools.
Pictured: Cody Brown, Kingsfield Elementary School parents, addresses the Escambia County School Board. Image for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.