Florida Gas Prices Increase Over The Last Week
February 8, 2021
Florida gas prices took a jump last week, rising an average of 11 cents, according to AAA.
Florida drivers are now paying an average price of $2.49 per gallon.
The average price per gallon was $2.40 in Escambia County, six cents more than last week. Sunday night’s low price in North Escambia was $2.33 at one station on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while a low of $2.25 could be found on North Palafox Street in Pensacola.
Prices at the pump are now the most expensive in more than a year. The state average is now the highest since January 2020. During that time, the price of crude was sitting at the same level it is now.
Crude oil prices have also bounced back to pre-pandemic levels. The price for U.S. crude rose to nearly $57 per barrel on Friday; the most expensive oil price since January 2020. Friday’s settlement of $56.85/b is $4 per barrel more than the week before. A 9% shift like that would typically lead to a 10 cent shift at the pump, as a higher oil price raises the cost for producing gasoline.
Fire Destroys Escambia County Home, Damages Nearby Family Dollar
February 7, 2021
A late night fire destroyed a house and damaged part of a shopping center on Davis Highway.
At 11:14 p.m., Escambia Fire Rescue originally answered the call of a small outside fire report in the 2200 block of Little Lane, just behind the Family Dollar on North Davis Highway. Firefighters arrived to find a fully involved house just feet away from the shopping center.
Additional fire units were immediately dispatched. The fire was brought under control ata 12:11 a.m.
The commercial building sustained heat damage to the exterior and slight water damage to the interior.
There were no injuries reported.
The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire.
Century Making $1.3 Million Legislative Request To Replace Water Meters
February 7, 2021
Century seeking $1.3 million in funding from the Florida Legislature to replace water meters.
The funds would replace about 825 water meters with remotely readable radio-enabled units.
According to the town, water meters are failing and service connections are leaking. Replacing the meters and repairing leaky connections will improve water quality by eliminating lead connections and joints.
A funding request submitted by the town indicates existing meters were installed in 2006 and are now 15 years old. (The meters are actually 10 years old, purchased in 2010 and installed in 2011, according NorthEscambia.com. It expected the town will update their funding request.)
The system that allows the current meters to be read remotely has failed, and the vendor has gone out of business.
The town has also requested funding to rehabilitate water wells.
Century’s requests to the Legislature have received support from the local legislative delegation, Escambia County, and the Florida Rural Water Association.
Pictured: Century Town Hall. NorthEscmabia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Sheriff’s Office Reopens Perdido Precinct; Molino Is Next
February 7, 2021
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons made good on a campaign promise when h cut a green ribbon Saturday to reopen the ECSO precinct in Perdido, and Molino is next on his list.
“Law enforcement and community engagement begins at the neighborhood level,” Simmons said Saturday. Deputies are now stationed at the precinct for the first time since 2016.
The Molino Precinct ribbon will be held Saturday, February 20 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be served, and the public is encouraged to attend.
Following his swearing in on January 5, Simmons told NorthEscambia.com that he would reopen the Perdido and Molino precincts. Other precincts may open in the future in Beulah, Myrtle Grove and Brownsville.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDOT Weekly Traffic Alert: Where To Expect Delays This Week
February 7, 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 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – The intersection of North 17th Avenue and Bayfront Parkway will remain closed until spring 2021 as construction continues for the new 17th Avenue interchange. The Visitor’s Center remains accessible from 17th Avenue. In addition, 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. The bridge is expected to open in March.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90)- Traffic impacts for the week of Sunday, Feb. 7 include:
- 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.
- · East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Safety Project from North Palafox Street to Chemstrand Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent right turn lane closures beginning Monday, Feb. 8.
- · U.S. 98 Pensacola Double Bridge Run from Pensacola Bay Bridge to Gulf Breeze – Motorists will encounter a lane closure from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6 for the Pensacola Double Bridge Run.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Pine Forest (State Road (S.R.) 297) to U.S. 29 -Drivers will experience intermittent traffic stoppages at the intersection of Nine Mile and Pine Forest roads from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 7 and Monday, Feb. 8 as crews pave the intersection. Traffic control officers will be on-site to direct traffic. Additionally, the Nine Mile Road westbound right turn lane to access Pine Forest Road will be closed during these same hours as crews reconstruct the turn lane.
- I-10 Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation over Perdido River Bridge – Motorists will encounter nighttime lane closures beginning the week of Monday, Feb. 8.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive- Early construction activities including utility relocations, clearing, excavation, and drainage improvements have begun. Clearing and excavating of areas for the stormwater ponds are currently underway. There will be no traffic impacts associated with the construction of the pond s, but nearby residents and businesses may experience some noise. Access to residences and businesses will be maintained. Major roadway construction activities are anticipated to begin summer 2021.
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – The bridge is expected to open in March.
- U.S. 90 Turn Lane Construction West of Bell Lane in Pace– Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Thursday, Feb. 18 as crews construct an east and westbound turn lane for the New Discount Tire Store.
- S.R. 89 North, S.R. 87 North and S.R. 89 Bypass Roadway Maintenance Operations- Drivers may encounter intermittent lane restrictions until Sunday, April 25 as crews perform roadway maintenance activities along the corridors. Off duty law enforcement will be on-site to assist with traffic control.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Pictured: A new concrete median barrier wall is under construction on Highway 29 at I-10. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Killed In Pickup Truck Crash
February 7, 2021
A 24-year old Escambia County man was killed in an early morning wreck on Fairfield Drive.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the man was headed south on Fairfield Drive in a Chevrolet pickup truck when he failed to negotiate a curve and traveled across the northbound lane. The truck left the roadway, struck a culvert, became airborne and overturned. The vehicle struck a road sign before coming to rest in the ditch.
The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The FHP no longer releases the names of traffic crash victims.
Escambia Seeking Volunteers For Mass Transit Advisory Committee
February 7, 2021
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to be considered for an appointment to the Escambia County Mass Transit Advisory Committee, or MTAC.
Escambia residents interested in serving on the Escambia County Mass Transit Advisory Committee are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve on the Committee by close of business on Friday, Feb. 19. Resumes should be submitted to Shamara Jernigan, Program Coordinator, Board of County Commissioners, P.O. box 1591, Pensacola, FL 32502, or emailed to boardapply@myescambia.com.
Resumes submitted to a BCC agenda for consideration will become part of the official minutes and are subject to public records requests.
The MTAC meets quarterly, typically on the second Wednesday of the month from 3-5 p.m.
Escambia Extension Service Offering Virtual Cooking School
February 7, 2021
submitted by Escambia County Extension
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have turned to cook more meals at home. Cooking meals and eating at home has many benefits. When preparing meals, you can select the ingredients and choose healthy recipes lower in saturated fats, sodium, and sugar. When eating out, we tend to eat more food. You can more easily control your portion sizes when eating at home. Remember to include a variety of fruits and vegetables in your main dishes and side dishes. Finally, preparing and eating meals together is not only a fun way to teach healthy eating habits and cooking skills, but it is also a great way to connect at the end of the day.
The University of Florida IFAS Extension Escambia County invites you to join us for A Healthy Table: Virtual Cooking School. In our virtual cooking school, you will learn how to prepare healthy meals for your family through self-paced online lessons and hands-on cooking activities. You will have opportunities to engage in monthly live virtual cooking demonstrations and interactive learning experiences.
Register before Feb. 9 and save 20% off the ticket price. Early registrants gain access to a bonus class and kickoff event. After Feb. 9, tickets will increase to $25. Once registered, you will receive the Zoom class link and the link to the class website.
Register here: http://bit.ly/ahealthytable. Registration will close on Feb. 23.
The Monthly Zoom class events are 6:30 p.m. CST/7:30 p.m. EST on:
Tuesday, Feb. 9: Kickoff Event Available for Early Birds only Program introduction and a sweet, healthy treat demonstration.
Tuesday, Feb. 23: Lesson 1, Kitchen skills primer
Tuesday, Mar. 23: Lesson 2, Cooking techniques – baking, grilling, roasting
Tuesday, Apr. 27: Lesson3, Simple dishes – eggs, bread, salads, pasta
Tuesday, May 25: Lesson4, One dish meals – one-pot, slow cooker, packet meals
Tuesday, Jun. 22: Lesson 5, Entertaining and special occasions – setting the table, appetizers
From Century To Miami, Task Force Recommends COVID-19 Vaccination Sites For Underserved Communities
February 6, 2021
From Century to Miami, a statewide task force is working to see more COVID-19 vaccinations in underserved minority communities.
The Statewide Coronavirus Vaccination Community Education and Engagement Taskforce, led by Tallahassee Reverend R.B. Holmes of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Tallahassee, has identified 86 proposed vaccination sites they believe with provide more opportunities for underserved communities.
Their list includes one site in Century, six in Pensacola and two in the Milton area. Those proposed sites are:
- Century 1st Stop — Century
- Cobb Community Center — Pensacola
- First Baptist Church Warrington — Pensacola
- First Baptist Church Warrington — Pensacola
- Greater Little Rock Baptist Church — Pensacola
- Marie Young Community Center — Pensacola
- Movement for Change/Woodland Community Center — Pensacola
- Bagdad Recreational Facility — Milton
- T.R. Jackson Elementary — Milton
The task force has sent a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis looking to partner with the state on vaccinations, but so far the governor’s office has not responded.
Of the 1,894,209 people that have received the COVID vaccine in Florida as of February 4, 1,208,993 are white, and 65,116 are black, according to the Florida Department of Health.
In Escambia County, 26,213 residents have received at least the first dose of the vaccine. Of those, 11,202 were white and 2,281 were black.
Pictured: Century 1st Stop, located just south of the Century Branch Library on North Century Boulevard, is one of 86 locations recommended for COVID-19 vaccination sites by a statewide task force. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Century Church Donates Supplies To Help Victims Of Tornado Near Birmingham
February 6, 2021
A Century church is working to help the victims of a tornado near Birmingham last month.
The pastor and deacons of St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church in Century headed north to Birmingham on Friday with supply donations for the tornado victims with the help of church members.
The EF3 tornado struck Fultondale, Alabama on January 25. A 14-year old boy was killed and 30 people were injured along the 9.5 mile path of the tornado.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
