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Florida Gas Prices Up By About A Dime In The Past Week

Florida gas prices increased by more a dime last week. Florida drivers are now paying $2.30 per gallon at the pump on average.

The state average is 11 cents more than last week and 16 cents more than last month. Even still, Florida drivers are paying 21 cents per gallon less than this time last year.

The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in Escambia County was $2.25. The lowest price in North Escambia Sunday night was $2.17 at a station on Highway 29 in Cantonment.

“Florida drivers are now finding some of the highest prices at the pump since March 2020,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Prices are still being propped up by continued optimism in the fuel market, because of the long-term hopes that a vaccine will help struggling demand recover. Also motivating the market is Saudi Arabia’s agreement to cut crude oil production, which helped drive oil prices to an 11-month high.”

NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.

Pensacola Habitat Closes On 29 Homes In 2020

Amid the great local need for affordable homeownership, Pensacola Habitat finished up the year with 29 closings despite the pandemic and challenging hurricane season.

Though delays and setbacks had occurred with less than average volunteer participation due to COVID-19 safety precautions, the 29 closings took place. Three of them were on December 16, just in time for Christmas.

“The experience with [Pensacola] Habitat was an amazing adventure. There was some good and not necessarily bad, just setbacks”, said Danielle Johnson, one of the three homeowners who closed on their home in December.

Johnson, a single mother of three, put forth the sweat equity hours, attended the required classes and paid her down payment to complete the program and purchased her own affordable home. She and her children were able to spend their first Christmas in their brand-new house in Northeast Pensacola.

“It can be frustrating; however, the good side is it always came out good. We have to remember that God has perfect timing. To have something of my own for my children is amazing. I’m so thankful for everything. The thing that tops it all is that my kids have their own rooms!” Johnson continued.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Tate Aggie Cheerleaders Win Regional Championship

The Tate High School Aggie Cheerleaders won the FHSAA Region 1 Championship for the Medium Varsity All-Girl Division over the weekend, their fourth regional championship in a row.

The Aggie cheerleaders will advance to the state finals in two weeks. In December, the squad earned a bid to nationals.

The Tate varsity cheerleaders are:

• Kyndell Ammons
• Landry Bellard
• Lanie Brown
• Jaiden Bryant
• Lauren Freeman (co-captain)
• Hagyn Helton
• Erin Johnson
• Karigan Kowal
• Paige McKinney
• Emily McNair
• Ashlyn NeSmith (Captain)
• Lainey Patrick
• Emma Romero
• Alyssa Roye
• Angelena Tamoria
• Morgan Warrington (co-captain)

Last school year, the Tate Aggie cheerleaders won a state championship and placed fifth in the nation.

Photo for NorthEsambia.com, click to enlarge.

Century Asking The Florida Legislature To Fund Three Utility Projects

The Town of Century has prioritized three projects for funding requests to the Florida Legislature.

The three utility projects are:

1. Highway 29 Construction Utilities

The Florida Department of Transportation completed design on a project to improve portions of Highway 29. The town will be required to adjust the height of existing valves and manholes, and make changes to natural gas lines, water lines and sewer lines in one part of the project. Construction is expected to begin in 2022.

2. Water Meter Replacement Project

The town wants to replace all existing commercial and residential water meters with electronic meters than can be read remotely. They are asking for the funding needed to replace the meters, along with new software and training for a complete radio system.

3. Well And Water Plant Rehabilitation

The town is requesting funding to rehabilitate three existing water wells and water treatment plants. Work has already been done on the well located at the Century Correctional Institution and the well on Henry Street, but the well on Blackmon Street still needs repairs. The electrical and treatment equipment at all three wells needs to be rehabilitated, with much of it needing complete replacement. Each well house building needs cosmetic work, and the well located at the prison needs a permanent standby generator.

The requests will go to Rep. Michelle Salzman and Sen. Doug Broxson to be submitted for consideration during the upcoming legislative session.

Pictured: Century Town Hall. NorthEscmabia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Tate High’s Owen Jacobs Commits To Play Soccer At Belhaven University

Tate High School senior Owen Jacobs has committed to play soccer at Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi.

Owen is the son of Brett and Merike Jacobs of Cantonment. Born in Pensacola, Owen has spent much of his life living abroad as an Air Force dependent. He competed in England with the Cambridge United and Norwich Soccer academies, the Gulf Coast Texans in Pensacola and Tate High School.

Owen, who was born completely deaf, is also on the roster with the U.S. Mens Deaf National Soccer Team.

He plans to study political science and Constitutional law with the goal of becoming a Constitutional lawyer. Owen will be joining his brother Brady, a 2018 Tate graduate, who also plays for the Belhaven men’s soccer team.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Arbor Day Tree Giveaway In Molino, Art Contest Announced

UF IFAS Extension and the Escambia County Natural Resources Department will hold a drive-through tree giveaway from 9 to 11 a.m., or until supplies last, on Saturday, January 23.

The event will be held at the Escambia County 4-H Camp and Livestock Facility located at 5701 Highway 99 in Molino. The giveaway begins promptly at 9 a.m., and attendees will need to follow instructions from volunteers related to entry and route. To keep everyone healthy, attendees will be asked to stay in their vehicles and wear a mask when approached by volunteers. Each vehicle will receive two free native 1 gallon trees. Species available include overcup oak, willow oak, sweetgum and Savannah holly.

Participants and anyone interested in tree care are encouraged to watch a free online seminar at noon on January 21 entitled, “Tree Planting: More than Digging a Hole,” to learn proper tree planting and care techniques. The presentation will go over the types of trees being given away, as well. Registration for the webinar can be found at: https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0gfLeX5SRpGCvJmbD_Qo0w

Arbor Day Mail Art Contest

Escambia County Extension will also host their 4th annual Arbor Day Mail Art Contest this year. To participate, mail a drawing, painting, photograph or mixed media artwork with the theme, “Renew, Regrow, and Reforest” to Arbor Day Art Contest c/o Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment, FL 32533. Please include your name, age, and contact information on the back of your artwork. Contest entries must arrive by mail or be dropped off by January 25.

First place winners of the art contest will receive prizes including a seven-gallon tree, a shovel and a tree book. Second place winners will receive a tree book and third place winners will receive gardening supplies. Categories include children (12-under), teen (13-18) and adult (over 18). Winners will be announced via Facebook Live on January 29, and prizes given out by appointment. Resource Management Services provided support for the art contest.

FEMA Hurricane Sally Update: $33 Million Approved For Individual Assistance, How To Get More Info

Following Hurricane Sally, FEMA approved 7,986 individuals and households for $33 million in FEMA assistance, including $25.7 million approved for housing assistance and $7.3 million approved for other disaster-related needs.

Another $81.2 million in SBA loans were approved for 2,081 applicants. And 4,472 claims were filed with the National Flood Insurance Program with $121.1 million paid out.

How to check status of your FEMA application

Survivors in Bay, Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties who registered with FEMA can check the status of their applications, ask questions and get information in several ways:

• By visiting DisasterAssistance.gov
• Using the FEMA App for mobile devices
• Calling 800-621-3362 (800-462-7585 TTY). Multilingual operators are available. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should provide FEMA with their specific phone number assigned to that service.

DisasterAssistance.gov

Individuals and households that have registered with FEMA may check the status of their application and upload documents on DisasterAssistance.gov.

Hurricane Sally Florida Recovery Resources & Information Portal

After the immediate response to a disaster, the focus of disaster operations shifts to recovery. FEMA Interagency Recovery Coordination (IRC) helps communities plan long-term recovery and provides resources to help them build capacity.

Recovery after a disaster presents complex challenges that require coordination among federal, state, local, private and non-governmental partners. IRC helps communities develop strategies to recover from the economic, social and other impacts of Hurricane Sally.

IRC has developed the Hurricane Sally IRC Recovery Resources & Information Portal for important updates and guidance, grant opportunities, fast-track webinars, resources, links and much more. To access the portal, sign in as a guest here: https://fema.connectsolutions.com/dr4564sally/.

NorthEscambia.com file photo.

Traffic Alert: These Are This Week’s Trouble Spots

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 remains closed until spring 2021.

• ·       U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90)- Crews continue road widening and drainage improvements. Traffic impacts for the week Sunday, Jan. 10 include:

• • Nine Mile Road median crossovers at the U.S. 29 interchange will be temporarily closed Friday, Jan. 15 from 8 p.m. until Monday, Jan. 18 at 7 a.m. The temporary closures are required to adjust the elevation of the median crossovers at the interchange. Drivers will not be able to make left turns across the median during the temporary closure.  The following detour routes will be in place:
    • Eastbound Nine Mile Road to U.S. 29 northbound drivers should travel north on Cove Avenue, then east on Nine and a Half Mile Road, then travel north on U.S. 29.
    • Westbound Nine Mile Road to U.S. 29 southbound drivers should travel south on North Palafox Street, then west on Hood Drive, then south on U.S. 29.
    • Northbound U.S. 29 to westbound Nine Mile Road drivers will make a U-turn at Nine and a Half Mile Road to merge onto U.S. 29 southbound; then, exit onto Nine Mile Road westbound.
    • Southbound U.S. 29 to eastbound Nine Mile Road drivers will make a U-turn at West Hood Road, then travel north on U.S. 29 to exit onto Nine Mile Road eastbound.
  • Motorists can expect nighttime 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 the week of Jan. 10 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Safety Project from North Palafox Street to Chemstrand Road – Westbound traffic can expect intermittent daytime right turn lane closures as crews continue paving operations.
• S.R. 296 (Brent Lane) (Service Roads Only) Paving Operations – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11 through Wednesday, Jan. 13 as crews install asphalt at the widening areas.

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 construction of five stormwater ponds. There will be 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 summer 2021.

• Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – The bridge remains closed until spring 2021.
• I-10 Emergency Improvements at Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/ Exit 22)- Monday, Jan. 11 through Friday, Jan. 15, motorists may 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. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.
• U.S. 98 Utility Work from Palo Alto to Whispering Pines Boulevard – The eastbound, outside lane will be closed Monday, Jan. 11 through Friday, Jan. 29 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. as utility crews perform operations.

236 Escambia Residents Approved For CARES Act Grants Were Not Paid. Now The Checks Will Be Mailed.

Over 200 Escambia County residents will receive their payments from the Escambia CARES Family Assistance Grant program.

The county set aside $16.5 million in CARES Act funds for local families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic — enough to send $3,000 checks to 5,500 families. Escambia County announced at the end of December that the last checks had been issued to qualified residents.

But there were actually 5,736 applications marked approved, 236 more than the available funds. Those applicants would see the word “Approved” on their online applications, leading them to believe the check was in the mail. The program was actually contingent on available funds, so those residents received nothing when the approved applications were processed in the order received.

“We’ve got to make that right,” Escambia County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said. “We cannot tell someone they’re funded and then leave them hanging and never communicate with them again and pull the rug out from under them.”

The Escambia County Commission has voted to allocated another $708,000 to the program to cover the 236 families. Most will receive their $3,000 check without about two weeks after all the necessary paperwork is on file.

Want To Learn More About Growing Industrial Hemp In Florida?

The UF/IFAS Industrial Hemp Pilot Program is launching a virtual workshop with research and program updates, available online beginning Monday, January 11 for $40. The workshop consists of a collection of pre-recorded lectures and prepared documents available for on-demand viewing.

In addition to the virtual delivery, there are opportunities to engage with experts from UF/IFAS.

As the two-year pilot project ends and phases into the established research program, UF/IFAS faculty will share research outcomes, on-farm trial updates and more.

Sessions include:

• From Pilot Project to Program, Zack Brym, assistant professor of agroecology, UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center (TREC).
• UF/IFAS Hemp Pilot Project Cultivar Approval Program, Jerry Fankhauser, assistant director of the UF/IFAS Florida Agricultural Experiment Station.
• On-farm trial updates, featuring the UF/IFAS Hemp Extension Team.
• Hemp physiology and management updates, featuring faculty from UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research and Education Center and several graduate student researchers
• Invasion risk updates, Susan Canavan, post-doctoral researcher and Luke Flory, associate professor, UF/IFAS agronomy.
• Pest and disease updates, featuring Johan Desaeger, assistant professor of entomology and nematology, UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center and new website resources.
• Insights into Building a Hemp Industry in Florida, Trent Blare, assistant professor of food and resource economics and statewide Extension specialist at the UF/IFAS TREC.

For more information, visit the UF/IFAS Hemp Program site. To gain access to the pre-recorded workshop presentations, register online.

Presentations will be available on demand from January 11 through November 1.

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