Florida Gas Prices Trend Down A Couple Of Cents
December 14, 2020
Florida gas prices trended downward an average of a couple of cents in the past week.
Florida drivers are now paying an average price of $2.14 per gallon. The state average is 14 cents more than a month ago. However, pump prices are two cents less than last week, and 34 cents less than this time last year.
The average price per gallon Sunday night in Escambia County was $2.13, unchanged from a week ago. The lowest price in North Escambia was $1.99 at a Highway 29 station in Cantonment, while an Airport Boulevard station in Pensacola was at $1.89.
“It was a relatively uneventful week in the fuel market. Oil prices held relatively steady, but that could change this week,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The FDA’s approval of Pfizer’s Covid vaccine could help promote higher oil prices, due to its potential of helping fuel demand eventually rebound in 2021. However, the optimism would have to overpower current conditions. The rising cases of coronavirus has caused lockdowns in various cities, and the lowest gasoline demand figures since the spring.”
Escambia County High In Atmore Goes Virtual This Week After Positive COVID-19 Cases
December 14, 2020
In-person classes have been canceled this week for students at Escambia County High School in Atmore after students tested positive for COVID-19.
ECHS students will attend class virtually this week and will not report to the school.
“Students will not have exams but are required to complete all class work. Teachers and staff will be at work all week and will communicate their expectations to students as well as assist with assignments as needed. All assignments must be completed by Friday, December 18,” according to an announcement from Escambia County School District Superintendent John Knott.. Friday is the last day of the semester and the final school day prior to the Christmas break.
Knott’s announcement came about an hour after ECHS revealed that a “small number of students” reported to the school that they have tested positive for COVID-19. The school nurse reached out to the parents of those identified as close contacts, and those students were sent home last week to quarantine.
Parents needing more information can contact the ECHS office at (251) 368-9181.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
COVID-19 Testing, Including Rapid Test, Available New Hours In Cantonment
December 14, 2020
Community Heath of Northwest Florida has new hours for COVID-19 testing in Cantonment and Brownsville.
New hours are 9 a.m. until 1 p.m at Cantonment Pediatrics and 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Brownsville Community Center.
Both locations offer drive-thru testing for individuals without symptoms. No pre-screening required, just show a photo identification and insurance card if insured.
Rapid testing is available at both locations for Escambia County residents that are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Individuals seeking rapid testing must first call (850) 746-2684 to be pre-screened and scheduled.
For general questions about COVID-19 mobile testing, call Community Health of Northwest Florida’s main number at (850) 436-4630; do not call Cantonment Pediatrics or the Brownsville Community Center.
Photos: Tate High Students Throw Drive-by Christmas Party For Miracle League Kids
December 14, 2020
Tate High School students traditionally hosts an annual party for Miracle League of Pensacola players. But due to the pandemic, that could not happen this year.
Tate club sponsors and their students thought out of the box and decided to hold a Santa drive-by partu Saturday. The big event was complete with decorations, candy, elves, Christmas carols and presents delivered to each vehicle by Santa Claus himself.
The Tate High School Chorus, Beta Club and Drama Club took part in the festive event.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
County Acquires Property For Dirt Road Paving Projects Near Davisville And Century
December 13, 2020
The Escambia County Commission has approved property purchases for two North Escambia paving projects.
The BOCC voted to acquire about one-third of an acre located in the northeast corner of Pine Barren Church Road and West Highway 4 near Davisville and 2.4 acres along Salters Lake Road near Century for a 50 foot easement. The total cost for both properties from Seven States Timberlands, LLC is $10,000.
Pine Barren Church Road runs from West Highway 4 to Highway 97. About 5,300 linear feet is dirt and part of Escambia County’s Dirt Road Paving Program. County crews will prepare the road base, while the paving and striping work will be contracted out. The property acquisition will allow the project to move forward.
The portion of Salters Lake Road between North Century Boulevard and the railroad tracks, about 2,170 feet, is also part of the dirt road paving program. The acquisition is also needed for right of way.
Roadblocks Shut Down Pensacola Traffic On Saturday And Sunday
December 13, 2020
Roadblocks shut down I-10, I-110 and tied up traffic in the surrounding areas Saturday and Sunday
The roadblocks were so Gulf Power Company could pull power lines across the interstate, as seen in the traffic camera photo above.
This Week’s Road Construction Trouble Spots
December 13, 2020
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.
- 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. 13
- U.S. 90 (Nine Mile Road) Widening from Beulah Road to State Road (S.R.) 297 (Pine Forest Road)- Drivers may encounter minor delays between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16 through Friday, Dec. 18 as construction equipment is moved across Beulah Road, on the north side of Nine Mile 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 – Beginning the week of Monday, Dec. 14 motorists will encounter daytime intermittent right turn closures.
- I-10 Utility Operations at U.S. 29 – Motorists will encounter slow-moving traffic intermittently Sunday, Dec. 11 as crews replace overhead utility lines.
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – The bridge is closed until spring 2021.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing from Clear Creek to S.R. 4- Drivers can expect intermittent daytime lane closures along the 14-mile corridor through fall 2020 as crews perform paving operations.
- I-10 Emergency Improvements at Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/ Exit 22)- Friday, Dec. 11, motorists will encounter nighttime 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. Alternating and intermittent lane restrictions will take place on Avalon Boulevard at the I-10 intersection from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. as crews perform widening and turn lane extensions.
Take The Escambia County Broadband Survey About Your Internet Speed
December 12, 2020
Are you satisfied with your broadband internet service?
Escambia County is performing a a broadband feasibility study. As a part of this effort, the county is asking residents and business owners to participate in a survey that will help collect information about broadband internet access availability.
It’s part of the way Escambia County is working to find creative ways to meet the community’s broadband internet needs.
A speed test will be performed during the survey. For that reason, the survey needs to be completed while connected to the home or business network associated with your response. Do not take this survey on a cellular phone.
The survey can be accessed by clicking or tapping here.
Garcon Point Toll Suspension Extended; Pensacola Bay Bridge Repair Targeted For March
December 12, 2020
The Garcon Pointe Bridge toll suspension has been extended until January 12, as the contractors turn to the next step in the repairs to the Pensacola Bay Bridge.
The extension allows the Garcon Point Bridge to continue serving as a temporary detour route while the Pensacola Bay Bridge is being repaired from damage sustained during Hurricane Sally.
With damage inspections complete, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) contractors are focusing on pile driving operations and setting beams for the reconstruction of the Pensacola Bay Bridge.
Large cranes mounted on barges are lifting the concrete piles into position where they are driven into the bay bottom using a 20,000-pound diesel-powered hammer. While there are no direct traffic impacts, persons nearby may detect noise and the possibility of vibration. Pile driving work will occur seven days a week and will not occur during overnight hours. Crews will also set the first set of beams, the horizontal supports for the bridge decks, beginning this week.
Boaters are advised to use caution near the Pensacola Bay Bridge. The U.S. Coast Guard has established a 500-yard buffer zone for all construction activities. Vessels may use only low or idle speeds within the buffer zone. Crossing beneath the bridge should be done only at the navigational channel as it has been inspected and is free of hazards.
The Pensacola Bay Bridge has a targeted re-opening date of March 2021. Once repairs are complete, all four lanes will be open with no load restrictions. As each repair method is developed, FDOT will be conducting reviews to ensure the contractor is hitting all milestones in the established schedule.
The toll suspension on the Garcon Pointe Bridge was set to expire Sunday.
Pensacola Council Keeps Mask Mandate In Place Until Next Year
December 12, 2020
The City of Pensacola’s mask mandate will remain in place a couple of months into 2021.
The city council unanimously approved approved extending the mask ordinance and state of emergency through the end of February.
The current mandate, approved by the city council in late June, requires face coverings by employees and patrons in Pensacola businesses. The ordinance applies only within the city limits of Pensacola, not in unincorporated Escambia County.
The ordinance includes exceptions that include young children, medical conditions and persons that are eating and drinking.
Pensacola can’t enforce the mask ordinance. An executive order issued in September by Gov. Ron DeSantis banning mask mandate enforcement by local governments.