Skanska Barge Runs Aground; Company Believes Mooring Line Was Intentionally Cut
December 21, 2020
Another Skanska barge broke loose from the Pensacola Bay Bridge project Saturday night and ended up near the Bay Bridge Condos in Gulf Breeze.
Skanska says it appears the mooring line was intentionally cut, and there will be an investigation.
“A barge on the eastside of the Pensacola Bay Bridge became unmoored. It appears that the line securing the barge was severed. We’re conducting an internal investigation and authorities are aware of the incident. There does not appear to be any damage at this time,” Skanska said in a statement.
“After internal investigation, we’ve determined that there is strong probable cause this was a result of foul play and the line was intentionally cut. We’re contacting the authorities and Coast Guard to investigate further. We’re grateful no harm was caused to any person or property.”
The barge was recovered Sunday afternoon.
Photos Al Showers/WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Reach Nine Month High
December 21, 2020
Florida gas prices increased an average of six cents last week.
The state average for a gallon of regular unleaded reached $2.20 cents on Friday, the highest since March..
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $2.17, up from $2.13 a week ago. The lowest price to be found Sunday night in North Escambia was $1.99, while one Pensacola station was at $1.98.
“Oil prices returned to pre-pandemic levels last week, so it should come as no surprise that gas prices followed suit,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Fuel prices have been pressured higher by optimism surrounding a new stimulus package and Covid-19 vaccine news. These are two big pieces in the puzzle for long term improvement in fuel demand, which has been heavily hampered by the pandemic.”
Escambia County Unemployment Rate Increases Again
December 20, 2020
The unemployment rate in Escambia County increased half a point in November, according to data released Friday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 5.9% in November, up from 5.4% in October. That represents 8,504 people out of work out of a county workforce of 144,454. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was just 2.9%, or 4,224 people.
The Escambia County area private-sector employment decreased by 6,600 jobs (-4.2 percent) over the year. The industry losing the most jobs over the year was leisure and hospitality (-3,500 jobs). Construction was the only major industry to gain jobs over the year in November 2020 (+300 jobs).
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.4 percent in November 2020, unchanged from the revised October 2020 rate, and up 3.6 percentage points from a year ago. There were 651,000 jobless Floridians out of a labor force of 10,146,000.
The U.S. unemployment rate was 6.7 percent in November.
Century Residents Now Paying Higher Garbage Rates Under No-Bid Contract
December 20, 2020
Century residents are seeing an increase on their December garbage bills after the town approved a no-bid sanitation contract.
The town contracts with Republic Services to collect garbage within the town limits. Republic has a provision in their contract that allows them to increase the rates they charged the town each December to match the Consumer Price Index. The town annually passes the rate increase directly along to residents.
That increase amounts to 3.4%, or about 80 cents, per customer, according to Interim Town Manager Vernon Prather.
Century renewed a five year contract with Republic Services in July without seeking bids from other potential providers.
West Beats East In All-Star Football Game; Northview’s Trevor Scott Is Defensive MVP
December 20, 2020
The West team bet the East 24-10 in the annual Pensacola Sports Association All-Star Football Game Friday night at Washington High School.
The best seniors from Escambia County played as the West team, while the top seniors from Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties were the East team.
Northview High School’s Trevor Scott received the West defensive MVP award with seven tackles. West Florida High School’s Jaheim Simmons was named the West’s offensive MVP.
The offensive MVP for East went to Pace High’s Brandon Miller, and Navarre’s Grady Kelly was East defensive MVP with three tackles and a sace.
Pictured are (above) Jaylen Cook, Jacori Simpkins and Devin Bryant from Tate; and (below) Trevor Scott, Logan Bryan and Johnny Windham from Northview. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
By The Numbers: FEMA Assistance Following Hurricane Sally
December 20, 2020
Here’s the latest update on FEMA assistance provided in Northwest Florida following Hurricane Sally as of last week:
- 7,802 individuals and households approved for $31.9 million in FEMA assistance, including:
- $24.9 million approved for housing assistance
- $7 million approved for other disaster-related needs
- 14,146 home inspections completed
- $75.3 million in SBA loans approved for 1,932 applicants
- 4,472 claims filed with the National Flood Insurance Program in Bay, Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties; $121.1 million paid
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Down Spots
December 20, 2020
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities. In observance of the upcoming holiday season, there will be no lane closures on state roads from 7 a.m. Thursday, December 24 to 12:01 AM Monday, January 4, 2021. These lane closure restrictions include both 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 remains closed until Spring 2021.
- · U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90)- Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures and shifts on U.S. 29, between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road, and Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the week of Sunday, Dec. 20.
- U.S. 90 (Nine Mile Road) Widening from Beulah Road to State Road (S.R.) 297 (Pine Forest Road)- Drivers on Beulah Road may be temporarily delayed by paving equipment crossing Beulah Road, on the north side of Nine Mile Road, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21 through Wednesday, Dec. 23. The temporary delays are required to allow crews to perform daytime paving operations for the new westbound lanes. Traffic will only be impacted when paving machinery crosses Beulah Road. Additionally, drivers may encounter uneven pavement in this area.
- East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Safety Project from North Palafox Street to Chemstrand Road – Crews continue clearing trees and shrubs, asphalt removal, widening and concrete work on the north side of the project. Westbound traffic can expect intermittent daytime right turn lane closures.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – The bridge remains closed until Spring 2021.
- I-10 Emergency Improvements at Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/ Exit 22)- Friday, Dec. 18 and Monday, Dec. 21 through Wednesday, Dec. 23, motorists will encounter nighttime far right, lane and shoulder closures and traffic shifts on the eastbound I-10 exit ramp as crews construct improvements to accommodate additional traffic due to the closure of Pensacola Bay Bridge. There will also continue to be alternating left and right nightly lane closures on both north and southbound S.R. 281. All lane closures will occur between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Old Chemstrand Road Area Boil Water Notice Has Been Lifted
December 19, 2020
Gonzales Utilities has rescinded a boil water notice that was issued Monday following a water main break on Old Chemstrand Road.
The utility said bacteriological sampling showed that the water is safe to drink.
The notice was in effect for residents on 2nd through 7th Avenues and 1415 to 1693 Old Chemstrand Road.
The water main break had closed Old Chemstrand Road on Monday, leading to detours.
Escambia County Names Interim Public Safety Director, Interim EMS Manager
December 19, 2020
Escambia County has announced top level public safety department changes.
Emergency Manager Eric Gilmore (pictured left) will become interim public safety director on December 24. He is taking on the position previously held by Jason Rogers, who announced his resignation recently due to family medical issues.
EMS Manager Jimmy Maddrey has announced he is stepping down to become an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy. He will be replaced by Billy Shipp, current Escambia County EMS operation manager. Shipp will become interim EMS manager effective January 4.
“I am proud to serve as interim public safety director for Escambia County,” Gilmore said. “I understand Jason Rogers needs to tend to his family.”
“In addition, while we are sad to see Jimmy leave our public safety department, he really stepped up as a leader during a difficult time for EMS. He will follow in his father’s footsteps by serving in law enforcement, and we are glad he is staying within our community.”
Shipp has more than 29 years paramedic experience.
“I feel confident in Billy’s abilities to lead the EMS department in the direction it needs to go,” Gilmore added.
Florida House Committee Assignments Are Out. Here’s How Local Reps Were Assigned.
December 19, 2020
Florida House committee assignments were announced on Friday.
Northwest Florida representatives were assigned to committees as follows.
District 1 – Michelle Salzman
- Civil Justice & Property Rights Subcommittee
- Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee
- Judiciary Committee
- Local Administration & Veterans Affairs Subcommittee
- Post-Secondary Education & Lifelong Learning Subcommittee
District 2 – Alex Andrade
- Education & Employment Committee Republican - Committee Whip
- Post-Secondary Education & Lifelong Learning Subcommittee
- PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee
- Professions & Public Health Subcommittee
- Secondary Education & Career Development Subcommittee
District 3 – Jayer Williamson
- Infrastructure & Tourism Appropriations Subcommittee - Chair
- Appropriations Committee
- Finance & Facilities Subcommittee
- Joint Committee on Public Council Oversight
- Joint Legislative Budget Commission
- Pandemics & Public Emergencies Committee
- Rules Committee
- Tourism, Infrastructure & Energy Subcommittee