Photos: Oh Those Glorious Southern Azaleas Put On A Show
March 28, 2021
Azaleas are in full bloom across North Escambia with many bushes absolutely solid in beautiful color.
We took our cameras and found a group of heritage azalea bushes believed to be over 50 years old.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Traffic Alert: This Week’s List Of Construction Slow Down Spots
March 28, 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:
- Between Beulah Church Road and Mobile Highway (State Road (S.R.) 10A) – Motorists can expect nighttime lane closures Sunday, March 28 to Monday, March 29 for paving operations.
- S.R. 10 (US 90A) E 9 Mile Rd from N Palafox Street to Chemstrand Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, March 28 through Friday, April 2 for paving operations.
- U.S. 98 (S.R. 30) Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement - The intersection of North 17th Avenue and Bayfront Parkway will remain closed until spring 2021 as construction continues on the new 17th Avenue interchange. The Visitor’s Center and adjacent boat launch remain accessible from 17th Avenue. Also, the ramp from 17th Avenue to East Gregory Street remains open. Eastbound drivers on Bayfront Parkway should use North 14th Avenue and Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) as a detour route.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures and shifts, 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.
- North Ninth Avenue (S.R. 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- The north and southbound left lanes of Ninth Avenue over Carpenters Creek will be closed as bridge replacement work begins. The right lanes will remain open. Traffic is expected to continue in this configuration through late April.
- · West Cervantes Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project- Drivers will encounter inside lane closures on West Cervantes Street, between Dominguez Street and A Street beginning Monday, March 29. The lane closures are required to perform median construction work. One lane in each direction will be maintained at all times. The median work and lane closures will begin on the west end of the project, near Dominguez Street, and will progress eastward until the end of the year. Also, be advised that the speed limit will be reduced to 30 m.p.h.
- · I-10 Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation over Perdido River Bridge – Motorists will encounter lane closures and pacing operations beginning Monday, March 29 at 6 a.m.. Traffic will be temporarily slowed to a safe speed by a pilot vehicle during construction activities.
- · S.R. 95 (U.S.29) from South of Muscogee Road (County Road (C.R.) 184) to Atmore Hwy (S.R. 97) – Motorist will encounter intermittent lane closures on both Northbound and Southbound U.S. 29 in the Cantonment area next week, for pavement milling and resurfacing. This will include work in the Muscogee and Becks Lake Roads and Morris Avenue intersections, as well as the CSX Railroad crossing. Lane closures will occur Monday, March 29 through Friday, April 2 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- · U.S. 90 (Scenic Hwy) Tree Trimming South of Deverux Drive – Motorists will encounter intermittent outside, southbound lane closures Tuesday, March 30 from 10 a.m. to 4p.m.
- · Routine Bridge Maintained U.S. 90 (S.R. 10) over Davis Hwy (S.R. 291) – Motorists will encounter lane closures Monday, March 29 form 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.
- · Overhead Lighting Maintenance on I-10 (S.R. 90) – Motorists will encounter nighttime lane closures on I-10 (S.R. 90) at mile marker 5 through 19 Monday, March 29 through Friday, April 2 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- Maritime Duathlon Run Bayfront Parkway (S.R. 196) – Portions of Bayfront Parkway will be temporarily closed for the duration of the duathlon. A traffic detour will be in place during the closures.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive- Early construction activities are beginning in preparation for the widening and improvements of the 4.25-mile section of U.S. 98 from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive. These activities include utility relocations, clearing, excavation, and drainage improvements. As part of the upgraded drainage system, the project includes the construction of five stormwater ponds. Clearing and excavating of areas for the stormwater ponds are currently underway. There are no traffic impacts associated with the construction of the ponds, but nearby residents and businesses may experience some noise. Access to residences and businesses will be maintained at all times. Major roadway construction activities on the $70.4 million project are anticipated to begin in summer 2021.
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – For the latest information visit FDOT.gov/PensacolaBay.
- North side of U.S. 90 (S.R. 10) between Santa Rosa Drive and Summerdale Drive – Motorists will encounter westbound lane closures on the outside lane of U.S. 90 (S.R. 10) for paving maintenance on Sunday, March 28 through Monday, March 29 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Pictured:
Helping Hand: Food Giveaway Held Saturday In Century
March 28, 2021
Northwest Florida Community Outreach held a food distribution Saturday in Century. The drive-thru event was held at the Century Business Center on Pond Street. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ribbon Cutting Monday For New $142 Million Escambia County Correctional Facility
March 27, 2021
A ribbon cutting will be held Monday for the new $142 million Escambia County Correctional Facility.
The new 304,067 square foot, four story structure facility replaces the Central Booking and Detention Center that was destroyed by an explosion in 2014.
The ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, March 29, outside the new facility entrance at 3080 North Pace Boulevard.
The new Escambia County Correctional Facility will not replace the current jail, which was constructed in the 1980s. The two buildings are connected by an enclosed corridor. Inmates will be divided between the two buildings based up on their security classification. Main services such as food and laundry will be in the new building.
The first inmates are expected to be moved into the new facility in early April.
Tate Aggies Shut Out Choctaw In Blue Wahoos Stadium (With Photo Gallery); Tate Softball Strikes Out Cancer With Win Over WFHS
March 27, 2021
BASEBALL
Tate 12, Choctaw 0
The Tate Aggies shut out Choctaw 12-0 Friday afternoon at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Josiah Glodfelter earned the win for Tate Tate Aggies, with no runs on two hits while striking out 10 over in five innings. Ethan McAnally and Jadon Fryman closed out the game in relief. Fryan went one inning, giving up no runs and striking out two. McAnally allowed one hit and no runs while striking out one.
At the plate, Frankie Randall led the Aggies going 3-3 with two runs and one RBI. Fryman, Zak Licastro and Dalton Bowen had two hits each for Tate. Dylan Godwin and Bray Touchstone added one hit each.
The Tate Aggies will be back in action at Blue Wahoos Stadium at 7 p.m. Saturday against Fort Walton Beach. Cox Sports Television will air the game live on channel 319/1319.
For a photo gallery, click here.
SOFTBALL
Tate 8, West Florida 1
The Tate Lady Aggies beat the West Florida Lady Jaguars 8-1 Friday night in the annual Strike Out Cancer game to benefit the American Cancer Society.
Abbie Burks pitched a complete game win for the Lady Aggies, allowing one run on two hits and striking out four. Hannah Halfacre and Madison Holland led Tate at the plate with two hits each.
Photos by Laura Glodfelter and Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Driver Crashes Into Utility Pole Near Florida-Alabama State Line
March 27, 2021
There were no serious injures reported when a driver crashed into a utility pole Friday night near the Florida-Alabama state line, but a few dozen surrounding homes were left without power.
The driver lost control and struck a utility pole on Fannie Road near Carnley Road, just inside Florida, about 11:25 p.m.
Due to a snapped pole and downed lines, Escambia River Electric Cooperative reported 33 customers lost power and Carnley Road and Fannie Road was closed into the early morning hours.
The Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Flomaton Fire Department, MedStar EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Navy Federal, Baptist Health Care Team Up To Vaccinate Workforce
March 27, 2021
It’s a combined effort between the two largest non-governmental employers in the region to vaccinate workers in an effort to achieve overall community vaccination.
Baptist Health Care (BHC) and Navy Federal Credit Union are working together to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible Navy Federal team members and their families.
“Vaccination is critical to our efforts to contain and prevent the spread of COVID-19 so that our community is safe, healthy and able to move more quickly to returning to a more normal way of life,” said Scott Raynes, executive vice president of Baptist Health Care. “Doing all we can to ensure the safety of our local workforce is essential to driving our economy. As COVID-19 numbers decline and our local economy looks to return to full force, we are excited to serve Navy Federal and other community employers in helping them and their employees find a new normal.”
Navy Federal is providing paid time off for employees to get vaccinated. Navy Federal team members and their family members who meet the current Florida guidelines for receiving the vaccine will be able to schedule a vaccination appointment through BHC’s existing scheduling portals which include online, email and phone. Vaccinations will initially be administered at BHC facilities. As state guidelines are adjusted to open eligibility to more people, large-scale on-site vaccination clinics will be offered to reach an even broader number of Navy Federal employees and their families.
“This relationship with Baptist Health Care allows us to continue to help our team through the pandemic, making it simpler for them to get a vaccine for themselves or their family,” said Kara Cardona, senior vice president of Greater Pensacola for Navy Federal Credit Union. “We’re thankful to our local healthcare community for its incredible response to this health crisis, and we hope everyone does their part to keep the community safe from COVID-19.”
File photo.
Landis Walk-Off Gives Northview District Win Over Central
March 27, 2021
Northview 10, Central 9
The Northview Chiefs beat Central with a walk-off win on a Josh Landis hit Friday night in Bratt.
Central held a commanding 9-1 lead after one inning. Northview battled back, scoring runs in every inning except the sixth.
Jamarkus Jefferson went five innings for the Chiefs, allowing nine runs on three hits and striking out three. Landis pitched two, allowing no hits and striking out three.
Luke Bridges, Rustin Pope, Kaden Odom, and Wyatt Scruggs had two hits each for the Chiefs.
Central 5, Northview 4 (JV)
Tate Aggies Girls Tennis Beats West Florida
March 27, 2021
The Tate High Aggies Girls tennis team beat West Florida 5-2 Friday.
Kingsley Cline led the way in singles and in doubles with her partner Ana Sanchez Morales. Tate will face Washington High on Tuesday.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Five New COVID-19 Deaths, 31 New Cases In Escambia County
March 27, 2021
The Florida Department of Health reported five additional COVID-19 deaths and 31 new cases in Escambia County on Friday.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 34,689 (+31)
Non-Florida residents: 3,590
Recovered: 33,203*
Total deaths: 663 (+5)
Long-term care facility deaths: 277
Current hospitalizations: 31 (+3)
Number of tests reported last day: 770
Percent positive reported last day: 3.6%
Percent positive reported last week: 2.7%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 25,864 (+27)
Cantonment: 3,122 (+1)
Century: 1,172 (+1)
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 484
McDavid: 209 (+1)
Bellview: 57
Walnut Hill: 53
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 13
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 17,684 (+11)
Non-Florida residents: 221
Total deaths: 277 (+1)
Long-term care facility deaths: 81 (+1)
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 848*
Number of tests reported last day: 380
Percent positive reported last day: 3.6%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 8,436 (+7)
Navarre: 3,651 (+2)
Gulf Breeze: 3,278 (+1)
Pace: 1,419 (+5)
Jay: 545
Bagdad: 32
Florida cases:
Total cases: 2,033,179
Florida residents: 1,995,548
Deaths: 33,116
Hospitalizations: 84,406
*“Hospitalizations” in the statewide and Santa Rosa County totals is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. Most of these people are longer be hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized. The Escambia County number is current data compiled each day from the local hospitals.
**On cases by location, the city is based upon zip code and is not always received as part of the initial notification. There may be a delay in reporting locations, and locations will not total the daily case increase as a result.
***The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals. Escambia County is reporting an approximate recovery number defined as the total cases prior to last month, minus deaths. In other words, anyone that tested positive more than a month ago is presumed to have recovered by Escambia County.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.