Christmas In July: Santa Takes Part In Walnut Hill Toy Giveaway
July 18, 2021
Santa Claus made a special visit to Walnut Hill Saturday for a Christmas in July Toy Giveaway.
The event was held at a the Walnut Hill Community Center for children ages 2-17. Preregistered families received a selection of toys and more.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The toy giveaway was sponsored by Youth and Family Community Outreach, Good 360, Toys for Tots, and Renovot.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Traffic Alerts: What To Expect This Week
July 18, 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 - The Pensacola Bay Bridge will be reduced to one lane in each direction from the bridge approach in Gulf Breeze extending for approximately 3,500-feet from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Wednesday, July 21, and Friday July 23. Crews will be pouring concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure that remains under construction. In addition, drivers may encounter right lane closures for barrier wall painting Monday, July 19, Tuesday, July 20, and Thursday, July 22 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- 17th Avenue Interchange construction – 17th Avenue southbound remains closed at Bayfront Parkway. Access to the Pensacola Visitor’s Center and boat launch is open from 17th Avenue. Westbound access to the bridge is available via Bayfront Parkway, however, there are no left turns permitted from 14th Avenue to Bayfront Parkway. These drivers should detour to Ninth Avenue southbound, turn east onto Chase Street, and then continue east to Bayfront Parkway and the Pensacola Bay Bridge.
- 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.
- Brief, intermittent lane closures are anticipated to continue through the end of the year as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- Pile driving operations are underway and will take place during daytime hours. Nearby residents and commercial property owners may experience noise and vibration.
- · U.S. 29 from South of Muscogee Road (County Road (C.R.) 184) to Atmore Hwy (S.R. 97) – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, July 18 through Friday, July 23 throughout the limits of the project for striping operations and signal work.
- West Cervantes (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project – Drivers will encounter inside lane closures between North Pace Boulevard and J Street to perform median improvement work. The speed limit between Dominguez Street and A Street has been permanently reduced to 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 as crews lay the final layer of asphalt.
- U.S. 90 (Nine Mile Road) Widening from Beulah Road to S.R. 297 (Pine Forest Road) – Drivers can expect intermittent east and westbound lane closures between Beulah Road and Surry Drive 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. the week of Monday, July 19 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, July 19 as crews will perform drainage work. - Interstate 10 (I-10) Routine Bridge Maintenance over Eleven Mile Creek Bridge– Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures over Eleven Mile Creek Bridge, .5 miles west of U.S. 90, 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. Tuesday, July 20 as crews perform routine maintenance.
- I-10 Routine Bridge Maintenance over the Alabama & Gulf Coast Railway Overpass – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures over the railway overpass 12 a.m. to 2 a.m. Wednesday, July 21 as crews perform routine maintenance.
- Fairfield Road (S.R. 295) Routine Bridge Maintenance over the CSX Railway Overpass – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures over the railway overpass near the Pearl Avenue intersection 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. Wednesday, July 21 as crews perform routine maintenance.
Santa Rosa County
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - The Pensacola Bay Bridge will be reduced to one lane in each direction Wednesday, July 21, and Friday July 23 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. The lane restrictions will begin at the bridge approach in Gulf Breeze and extend for approximately 3,500-feet. Construction crews will be pouring concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) bridge that remains under construction. In addition, drivers may encounter right lane closures for barrier wall painting Monday, July 19, Tuesday, July 20, and Thursday, July 22 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Crews continue utility relocations, clearing, excavation, drainage improvements, and pond construction. There are no traffic impacts currently.
- U.S. 98 Routine Maintenance East of S.R. 87 Between Luneta Street and Pullam Street – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 20 and Wednesday, July 21 as crews perform routine maintenance along the roadway.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Blue Wahoos Fall Late To Chattanooga
July 18, 2021
Zach McCambley turned in a quality start in his Blue Wahoos Stadium debut; however, TJ Hopkins go-ahead homer in the top of the ninth gave the Lookouts a 3-2 win Saturday night.
Leading 2-1, Dylan Bice was brought in to close the ninth. After a single from Wilson Garcia, Hopkins belted a two-run homer to left to give Chattanooga the lead. Despite getting the tying run on the in the bottom of the inning, Hector Perez (S, 1) shut down the ‘Hoos to preserve the win.
The late-game dramatics from Chattanooga spoiled a dazzling home debut for McCambley. After allowing six runs and five walks in his Double-A debut on July 10, the right-hander rebounded with six solid innings against the best hitting team in Double-A.
McCambley allowed one run (zero earned) while scattering three hits and two walks while striking out six. The only run he allowed was due to a throwing error on a pickoff attempt before a base hit into center by Jay Schuyler.
Pensacola played very well against Nick Lodolo, who was making his first start since featuring in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game. After a double and a walk to begin the second inning, Jhon Nunez grounded an RBI single to right to bring home J.D. Osborne, giving the Wahoos an early 1-0 lead. After Chattanooga tied the game in the top of the fifth, Pensacola scored on a bases loaded walk off Lookout reliever Michael Byrne.
Neither team was able to generate much offense throughout the night until Hopkins game-winning hit.
The series concludes Sunday afternoon.
Concealed Weapons Licenses Available In Molino, Warrington; Soon In Marcus Pointe
July 18, 2021
Concealed weapons licenses are available at the Escambia County Tax Collector’s Molino and Warrington offices, and will be coming soon to Marcus Pointe, according to Tax Collector Scott Lunsford.
The concealed weapons licenses will be issued at the Marcus Pointe office, located at 6451 North “W” Street, beginning July 26.
Appointments will be required for concealed weapons services at the Marcus Pointe location. Applicants may visit EscambiaTaxCollector.com to schedule an appointment.
In most cases, applicants renewing their concealed weapon license will be able to receive their renewed card the same day upon successful submission of their application. While renewed licenses will be printed in the office, new applications will be submitted to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for final approval. The statutory turnaround time for this process is within 90 days.
Applicants for a concealed weapon license should visit EscambiaTaxCollector.com for a list of document requirements.
Growth Will Mean Redistricting In Escambia County, But When Remains To Be Seen
July 17, 2021
Escambia County’s five district boundaries could be redrawn this year, but for now officials are waiting on census data.
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford said he has not yet received the 2020 census data; he told the Escambia County Commission this week that he expects to see the raw data by the middle of August. That will allow the commission to start discussion on new district boundaries by late August or early September, if they choose to work on an accelerated schedule.
Florida law dictates districts must be drawn in an odd year; elections are typically held in even years. The board will be required to complete redistricting by December 31, 2021, or wait until 2023.
District lines are drawn based upon population, not registered voters. Stafford expects districts will average about 64,000 voters each, a growth rate of about eight percent.
Alabama’s Back To School Sales Tax Holiday Is Underway
July 17, 2021
Alabama’s 16th annual back to school sales tax holiday is underway.
With schools and colleges back to in-person learning in the fall, more Alabama parents are expected to take advantage of the savings associated with the state’s back-to-school sales tax holiday.
Until midnight Sunday, the state waives its four percent sales tax on school-related supplies and clothing. More than 325 cities and counties throughout Alabama will waive their local taxes as well.
Escambia County, Alabama, will not participate, but Atmore, Brewton and East Brewton will waive city tax. Baldwin County and the cities in Baldwin County will waive taxes.
Exempt items include:
- Clothing priced at $100 or less per article;
- School supplies valued at $50 or less per item;
- Books that cost $30 or less per book; and
- Tablets, laptops, computers and printers with a selling price of $750 or less.
For a more complete list of exempt items from the Alabama Department of Revenue, click or tap here.
Escambia County Unemployment Rate Increases
July 17, 2021
The unemployment rate in Escambia County increased last month, according to data recently released by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 5.6% in June, up from 4.8% in May. That represents 8,576 people out of work out of a county workforce of 153,520. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was 8.8%, or 12,571 people.
The area’s private sector employment increased by 4,800 jobs over the year, an increase of 3.1 percent. The industries gaining the most jobs over the year include professional and business services, increasing by 1,400 jobs; leisure and hospitality, increasing by 1,000 jobs; and education and health services, increasing by 1,000 jobs.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.0 percent in June 2021, up 0.1 percentage point from the May 2021 rate, and down 6.6 percentage points from a year ago. The U.S. unemployment rate was 5.9 percent in June.
Blue Wahoos Fall 4-0 To Chattanooga
July 17, 2021
In his first start back from the Futures Game, Jake Eder produced another quality start but was not backed by the offensive production he needed as Pensacola was defeated 4-0 by Chattanooga Friday night.
Eder pitched six complete innings and allowed three runs, two earned, on five hits to fall to 3-3 on the season.
The Blue Wahoos did not have a hit until Demetrius Sims’ infield single in the sixth inning. Peyton Burdick and Galli Cribbs Jr. picked up a hit a piece but the Wahoos struggled with runners in scoring position.
Mac Sceroler pitched four hitless innings for the Lookouts and Randy Wynne (W, 2-4) tossed a clean fifth inning to secure the win.
The series continues tomorrow with RHP Zach McCambley (2-5, 4.48) getting the start for the first time in Pensacola.
Escambia Reports 390 New COVID-19 Cases In Last Week
July 17, 2021
There were 390 new COVID-19 cases reported Escambia County over the last week by the Florida Department of Health. That’s compared to 208 new positives reported in the week prior.
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 has been removed.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 33,845 (+390)
Positivity Rate Last Week: 13.6%
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 18,999 (+219)
Positivity Rate Last Week: 15.0%
Statewide cases:
Florida resident cases: 2,361,360 (+45,604)
Case positivity rate: 11.5%
Deaths: 38,388 (+59)
Still Time To Register For Tate Youth Football Camp
July 17, 2021
There is still time register in advance and save money on the 2021 Tate Youth Football Camp, which will be held July 19-20 from 5-8 p.m.
The camp will be directed by the Tate coaching staff, assisted by Tate football players. This is an opportunity to work on fundamentals, practice agility, run through drills and learn about being part of a team.
The cost is $50 in advance, or $60 on the day of the camp. Attendees will receive a t-shirt. No football equipment will be needed. Cleats are recommended but not required.
To register, click or tap here. For more information, click the graphic on this page to enlarge.