Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Traffic Advisory Zones
July 11, 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. Monday, July 12 through Saturday, July 17. Crews will be pouring concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure that remains under construction.
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- 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 11 through Friday, July 16 throughout the limits of the project for striping operations and signal work.
- West Cervantes (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project – The inside lane between North Pace Boulevard and J Street will be closed as crews perform median improvement work. The speed limit on West Cervantes Street 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 12 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 12 as crews perform drainage operations.
Santa Rosa 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. Monday, July 12 through Saturday, July 17. Crews will be pouring concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure that remains under construction.
- 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.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Blue Wahoos On Losing End Of No-Hitter For First Time Ever
July 11, 2021
For the first time in franchise history, the Blue Wahoos were on the wrong end of a no-hitter, losing 6-0 to the Mississippi Braves at Trustmark Park.
Bryce Elder fired seven shutout innings and struck out six while walking four. The M-Braves brought in Daysbel Hernandez for the final two innings. For Mississippi, it was the fourth no-hitter in the club’s history and the first since Ian Anderson and Jeremy Walker no-hit the Jackson Generals on June 28, 2019.
Zach McCambley made his Double-A debut for the Wahoos and struggled early against the red-hot M-Braves. The right-hander and top-30 prospect in the Marlins system allowed six runs in 3.1 innings.
McCambley entered the night having struck out 73 compared to just six walks across 11 starts with High-A Beloit. On Saturday however, the New-Jersey native battled his command as he walked five only striking out one.
The M-Braves led 4-0 after two innings. Up 1-0, Trey Harris hit a three-run double in the second to put Mississippi up 4-0. In the bottom of the fourth, Justin Dean homered off McCambley to make it 6-0.
Jose Mesa Jr replaced McCambley in the fourth but was only able to pitch 1.2 innings before he was lifted from the game due to injury. Tyler Stevens and Alexander Guillen pitched the final three innings scoreless fashion.
Including Saturday’s loss, the Blue Wahoos have now lost a season-long five straight games to the M-Braves. The club entered the series with a one-game lead over the M-Braves for the best record in the Double-A South and now find themselves four games out of first place and on the verge of being out of a playoff spot.
Pensacola will try to avoid the sweep tomorrow afternoon in a pitching rematch of Tuesday’s series opener. RHP Edward Cabrera (1-1,1.77) will face off against RHP Spencer Strider (1-1, 3.95).
Pedestrian Struck And Killed Early Saturday Morning On Highway 29
July 10, 2021
A woman was struck and killed early Saturday morning on Highway 29.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 47-year old Texas woman attempted to cross Highway 29 north of Kenmore Road, near the Key West Inn, when she was struck by a northbound Chevrolet pickup truck driven by a 51-year old Pensacola man about 12:25 a.m.
The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene by Escambia County EMS.
Gulf Power To Recover $13.2 Million In Pandemic Costs From Customers
July 10, 2021
Gulf Power customers will pay up to $13.2 million in costs related to the utility’s COVID-19 measures under a settlement approved this week by the Florida Public Service Commission.
The settlement includes safety related measures and bad debt expenses because the utility did not disconnect nonpaying customers between March and November of 2020.
The Office of Public Counsel (OPC) — representing consumers — entered into separate stipulation and settlement agreements with Gulf Power Company on issues concerning their petitions to charge customers for COVID-19 costs.
Under the settlement, Gulf Power can only claim COVID-19 expenses, up to the $13.2 million, only through June 30, 2021. Any other costs associated with the pandemic or otherwise incurred after through the end of 2021 will be categorized as a separate event.
The COVID-19 cost recovery won’t appear as a separate line item on customers’ bills. Instead, the funds will be recovered over three years as part of the fuel and purchase power recovery clause.
Gulf Power, now a part of Florida Power & Light Company, serves approximately 463,000 customers in Northwest Florida.
Escambia County Won’t Search For Administrator Anytime Soon, Allowing Interim Wes Moreno To Work For Awhile
July 10, 2021
Escambia County commissioners have decided to move forward for the time being with Wes Moreno in the interim county administrator position.
“I would, at least for some period of time, I’d rather just operate,” District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said in Thursday night meeting that had ran past 10:30 p.m. “We will at some point in time be having budget workshops, approving a budget, and we do have some spots to fill. Regardless of how long it is, I’d just let’s allow him to work. Let’s just work in the environment we have with the leadership we have until we want to take up the discussion again. I’d like to give it a little bit of time.”
Barry and Commissioner Jeff Bergosh described Moreno has have a professional, but calming nature that Escambia County needs.
“There’s a calming nature, and I think the county could benefit from that for at least some period of time,” Barry said.
“I don’t disagree. No rush. No rush for it right now,” Bergosh said.
The commission voted 4-0, with Commissioner Doug Underhill away from the meeting, to increase Moreno’s salary as interim administrator to $173,000 annually, the low end of the $173,000 to $190,000 range that was advertised during their last search. Janic Gilley, recently fired by the board, was paid $185,000.
Commissioner Robert Bender had placed an item at the end of Thursday’s agenda to discussion who the commission would proceed in the search for a new administrator.
Commissioner Lumon May said that, when the time comes, a national search such be conducted by a national firm.
“I’m not going to support an internal search. We need a professional search,” May said. “We should have the very best person.
“When we go down that path, we have to do that,” Barry replied.
M-Braves Rally, Walk-Off Wahoos in Ninth
July 10, 2021
In a 4-4 tie, Wendell Rijo dropped a game-winning single into shallow right to give the M-Braves a 5-4 win over the Wahoos on Friday night at Trustmark Park.
The Wahoos led for most of Friday’s game largely due to Will Stewart’s second consecutive quality start. The left-hander pitched six innings and allowed three runs (one earned) without walking
a batter. The only run he allowed in the first five innings was a solo homer to Jefrey Ramos in the bottom of the fourth.
With the game tied at 1-1, Pensacola scored three times in the sixth to take the lead. After Victor Victor Mesa reached on a fielding error, Peyton Burdick walked before JJ Bleday lined a run-scoring
double into right center. The inning continued as Nick Fortes reached on comeback to the pitcher that Fortes beat out due to Troy Bacon slowly lobbing the ball to first. After a sac fly and a walk, Tristan Pompey—who homered earlier in the game—beat the shift
with an infield single, which scored Bleday.
Unfortunately for the Wahoos, the three-run lead was short lived. Mississippi scored twice in the bottom of the inning, all with two outs. Stewart had the chance to end the inning when he induced
a comebacker from Ramos, but the southpaw’s throw to first sailed into right field. The inning continued and the M-Braves ultimately scored twice to make it a 4-3 game.
Josh Roberson took over in the seventh, and with two outs and a runner at first, Shea Langeliers drove in the tying run with a base hit to right.
Pensacola was unable to score in the eighth or ninth, and in the bottom of the ninth, Justin Dean walked, stole second, and eventually reached third on a groundout to short. That setup Rijo for
the game-winning single to give Mississippi their fourth straight win over the Wahoos.
Pensacola will try to avoid losing their fifth consecutive game to the M-Braves Saturday night.
Photos: Blue Angels Friday Dress Rehearsal
July 10, 2021
The Blue Angels held a dress rehearsal Friday before Saturday’s official Pensacola Beach Air Show.
Officials said Fat Albert did not fly Friday due to a reported minor mechanical problem, but the C-130J Super Hercules is expected to take to the skies on Saturday.
For a photo gallery, click here.
For a behind the scenes look with the pilots of the new jets and new Fat Albert, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge.
Escambia Reports 208 New COVID-19 Cases In Last Week
July 10, 2021
There were 208 new COVID-19 cases reported Escambia County over the last week by the Florida Department of Health. That’s about twice the number of positives (105) 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: 33,453 (+208)
Positivity Rate Last Week: 10.2%
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 18,786 (+107)
Positivity Rate Last Week: 9.3%
Statewide cases:
Florida resident cases: 2,361,360 (+23,697)
Case positivity rate: 7.8%
Deaths: 38,,157 (+32)
Night Lane Closures All Next Week On The Pensacola Bay Bridge
July 10, 2021
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. daily Monday, July 12 through Saturday, July 17.
Crews will be pouring concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure that remains under construction, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
The planned activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Escambia County EMTs And Paramedics Get A Raise
July 9, 2021
Escambia County EMS paramedics and EMTs are getting a raise.
Thursday night, the Escambia County Commission approved a new agreement with their union.
The current rate for a new EMT is $13.75; that increases to $15.04. A newly hired paramedic will make $19.19, up from $17.96. They will also receive any future across the board or cost of living increase that may be approved for other county employees.
“The EMS staff — the EMTs, the paramedics — have to deal with people and have to give their best on people’s worst days. “So this is an example of this board supporting first responders. And we’re giving them significant increases. We’ve talked earlier about incentive bonuses. We understand the value of what first responders do. This board supports first responders, and this is the manifestation of that.”
Officials say the increased base pay is remain comparable to similar agencies in order to aid in recruitment and retention for these positions.
The memorandum of understanding approved by the Escambia County Commission is between the county and the International Association of EMT’s and Paramedics (IAEP), Local R5-325.