Here Are This Week’s Planned Road Construction Delay Spots
April 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:
- U.S. 98 (State Road (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.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) from North Palafox Street to Chemstrand Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent nighttime lane closures the week of Monday, April 19 as crews perform paving operations.
- 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 – North and southbound traffic on Ninth Avenue will be shifted to the northbound travel lanes of the Carpenters Creek Bridge beginning Tuesday, April 20. One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained as work begins to replace the southbound portion of the bridge. The traffic shift will begin at approximately 7 a.m. and should conclude by 5 p.m. Drivers should anticipate the potential for travel delays during these times. Once shifted, traffic will remain in this temporary configuration until the late summer/early fall timeframe.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project from Dominguez Street to A Street- Drivers will encounter inside daytime and nighttime lane closures on West Cervantes Street, between Dominguez Street and Kirk Street. The lane closures are needed to perform median improvement work. One lane in each direction will be maintained. The median work and lane closures will progress eastward on Cervantes Street 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 intermittent nighttime lane closures the week of Monday, April 19 as crews perform paving operations.
- U.S. 29 (Pensacola Boulevard) and Nine Mile Road Utility Operations - Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures on Pensacola Boulevard and Nine Mile Road from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, April 19 through Monday, May 10, as utility crews perform work.
- U.S. 29 from South of Muscogee Road (County Road (C.R.) 184) to Atmore Hwy (S.R. 97) the following operations will take place on the project the week of Monday, April 19 through Friday, April 23 as crews perform paving operations:
- Intermittent lane closures 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Cantonment area.
- Intermittent lane closures 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. between Neal Road, north of Cantonment, and north of S.R. 97 in Molino.
- I-10 Escambia Bay Bridge Lighting Maintenance- East and westbound traffic may encounter lane restrictions 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, April 18 through Tuesday, April 20 for lighting maintenance on the bridge.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – The bridge remains closed until the week of May 31.
- U.S. 90 Drainage Work at Glover Lane– Motorists will encounter intermittent turn lane and shoulder closures on U.S. 90 to Glover Lane Saturday through Thursday beginning Saturday, April 17 through Friday, May 7 for crews to preform drainage improvements.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing from south of Clear Creek to north of S.R. 4- Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane restrictions just north of S.R. 4 Wednesday, April 21 as crews perform asphalt repair work.
- S.R. 89 (Dogwood Drive) Maintenance Operations from Cypress Street to Berryhill Road – Motorists can expect a southbound lane shift and outside lane closure 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, April 23 as crews trim trees.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive- Early construction activities have begun to prepare for the widening and improvements of the 4.25-mile section. 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.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Pictured: Nine Mile Road at Fowler Avenue Friday evening. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Unemployment Rate Up Slightly
April 18, 2021
The unemployment rate in Escambia County increased last month, according to data released Friday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 4.9% in March, up from 4.8% in February. That represents 7,275 people out of work out of a county workforce of 149,398. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was 5.4%, or 8,060 people.
The professional and business services industry grew faster in the metro area than statewide over the year. The industry gaining in jobs over the year was professional and business services with 1,200 jobs.
Industries losing the most jobs over the year in the Escambia County area were:
- leisure and hospitality -2,000 jobs
- government -600 jobs
- manufacturing -300 jobs
- education and health services -300 jobs
- other services -300 jobs
- financial activities -200 jobs
- information -100 jobs
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.7 percent, unchanged from a year ago and down 0.2% from a year ago. There were 475,000 jobless Floridians out of a labor force of 10,170,000. The U.S. unemployment rate was 6.0 percent in March.
Community Health Vaccination Clinics This Week In Cantonment, Brownsville
April 18, 2021
Community Health Northwest Florida will hold Moderna COVID-19 vaccination clinics this week in Cantonment and Brownsville.
Appointments are required.
Eligible persons who wish to participate in one of these events should call the Community Health COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center at (850) 439-3358 to schedule an appointment.
Tuesday, April 20
Location: Brownsville Community Center — 3200 W. De Soto St., Pensacola
Time: 3 p.m. — 7 p.m.
Thursday, April 22
Location: 4-H Building — 3730 Stefani Road, Cantonment
Time: 8 a.m. — 3 p.m.
Friday, April 23
Location: Brownsville Community Center — 3200 W. De Soto St., Pensacola
Time: 8 a.m. — 3 p.m.
These clinics are open to all Florida residents who qualify to receive the vaccine.
EREC’s Annual Meeting Is Virtual This Year (And Yes, You Can Still Get A Gift Bucket)
April 18, 2021
Escambia River Electric Cooperative’s 82nd Annual Meeting will be held virtually this year as a safety precaution due to COVID-19. And yes, you can still get one of those registration gift buckets.
The meeting will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 24. A link will be provided on www.erec.com, and information will be posted on Facebook prior to the start time for members to access the meeting.
“Safety for our members and employees is top priority at EREC,” said Ryan Campbell, CEO. “We are encouraging members to vote by absentee ballot to minimize their risk of exposure. With vaccines readily available now to the public, I’m hopeful the pandemic will soon be a distant memory.”
Absentee ballots will be available at the EREC offices in Jay and Walnut Hill until end of business on April 23. Members voting by absentee ballot will receive a registration gift bucket when their ballot is submitted in person to an EREC office. Members returning their absentee ballot by mail will be able to pick up their registration gift bucket after EREC has received their ballot.
Members unable to vote by absentee ballot can go to either EREC office Saturday, April 24, between 8 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. only and vote in person in a drive-thru setup. No registration gift buckets will be given to members voting in person April 24. They can be picked up later at either office.
Every member voting by absentee ballot or in person will be registered for prize drawings. Winners will be notified later for prize pickup at their local office. Members can find voting ballot information in their April issue of Florida Currents magazine. Election results will be posted on the EREC website and Facebook immediately after election office personnel complete the vote count.
“EREC’s annual meeting is different this year because of COVID, but I hope our members will join us virtually on the 24th,” said Campbell. “The presentation will include announcement of our scholarship winners and a 2020 hurricane recap video. Even though we can’t meet in person, we’re looking forward to this great opportunity to connect with our membership.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida State Forest RV Sites, Campsites Return To Full Operation
April 18, 2021
RV sites, tent campsites and horse stalls in Florida’s state forests are now fully open.
The Florida Forest Service said COVID-19 safety measures are still in effect, including a 10-person maximum at group campsites and a 50-person maximum for outside events and pavilion rentals. Inside events are restricted based upon building size.
For more information, click or tap here. To make reservations, visit floridastateforests.reserveamerica.com.
Pictured: Krul Lake Recreation Area in the Blackwater State Forest. File photo.
Fire Destroys Vacant Home In Quintette Area
April 17, 2021
Fire destroyed a vacant home in the Quintette area before daybreak Saturday.
The fire was reported at the end of Tyler Lane, off East Chipper Road, about 5:35 a.m. The 2,000 square foot wood frame home was fully involved when firefighters arrived on scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
There were no injuries reported.
The Cantonment, Molno, Ensley, Bellview and Brent stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Pace Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS were dispatched to the fire.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Legendary Football Coach Carl Madison Selected For FHSAA Hall Of Fame
April 17, 2021
Legendary football coach Carl Madison has been selected for induction into the Florida High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame.
The football field at Tate High School was recently remained “Carl Madison Field” in honor of the legendary coach that led the Aggies to a 1980 state championship and is one of the all-time winningest high school coaches in the nation.
Madison, who turned 90 in January, sits at number two on Florida’s all-time football coaching victories list with a 326-129-7 record.
In addition to winning a state title at Tate, he took the Pine Forest Eagles to two state championships in 1987 and 1988. The 1988 Eagle team was named as national champions by USA Today, and Madison earned the title of the National High School Football Coach of the Year. All in all, he coached at five different Florida High Schools including Ernest Ward, plus three out of state schools.
His football days began early at Escambia County High School in Atmore where he played tailback under Coach Herbert Barnes from 1945 to 1947, making him one of Atmore’s semifamous “Barnes Boys” with 30 straight wins. After a stint in the Army, from 1950 to 1952, Madison played college ball for Texas Tech and Troy State Teachers College in the mid-1950s.
Fresh out of college, Madison coached for four years beginning in 1957 at Ernest Ward High School in Walnut Hill. He moved to Milton High in 1961, coaching them to a state championship and 34 straight victories. He then took a coaching job at a Georgia High School, losing a state championship game in 1968.
Madison joined the coaching staff at Tate in 1971 on his way to winning that 1980 state championship. He left Tate in 1983, heading to Pensacola High for a couple of years. Then it was off to Pine Forest and those back-to-back state championships. He coached at an Albany, Georgia, school, another 10 years at Milton High and another short period at PHS during the period from 1989 until 2002.
In 2002, he took the head coach job at the small Jackson Academy in Alabama. The then 71-year old took over a team that had gone 0-10 prior to his arrival. He lost his first two games at Jackson, but he went on to win the state championship. The following year, Jackson was undefeated and won another state championship.
In 2009, Madison briefly came out of retirement to once again take to the field at Tate, this time as an offensive consultant.
Man Shot In Beulah During Domestic Dispute, Suspect In Custody
April 17, 2021
One person was shot and another was taken into custody Friday night in Beulah.
It happened about 8:30 p.m. in the 5000 block of Alder Avenue, just north of Frank Reeder Road.
A 20-year old male was transported to an area hospital suffering from a gunshot wound to the shoulder. His injuries were not considered life threatening.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said the shooting stemmed from a domestic incident, and a suspect was taken into custody.
Further details have not been released.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Tate High Boys Tennis Headed To Regionals For The First Time Ever
April 17, 2021
Tate High School boys tennis is headed to regionals for the first time in school history.
The Tate boys team is runner-up in District 1-3A.With finals wins at the #3 singles and #2 doubles, the Aggies pulled through the three day tournament. The Aggies boys top five are:
- Prosser Crow
- Evan Hered
- Barry Harberson
- Alex Grace
- Payton Herrington
The Tate High girls tennis team is tied for second with Washington and will continue play on Monday.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Softball Beats Jay
April 17, 2021
The Northview Chiefs defeated the Jay Royals Friday night 7-6.
Emma Gilmore pitched the win for the Chiefs, going six innings allowing five hits and six runs while striking out six and walking two.
Alayna Lowery took the loss for Jay Royals Varsity. The pitcher lasted six innings, allowing seven hits and seven runs while striking out six. Lowery had a homer in the seventh.
Pictured: Emma Gilmore on the mound for the Northview Lady Chiefs. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.