Escambia Burn Ban Lifted North Of Nine Mile Road
October 24, 2020
Escambia County has lifted a burn ban north of Nine Mile Road. The remainder of the county, south of Nine Mile Road, remains under a burn ban until further notice.
“After reviewing the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (200-299), the Florida Forest Service Fire Danger Indices (currently low) as well as surveying areas for the current status of storm debris remaining on the right-of-way, the burn ban is being lifted for residents north of Nine Mile Road.
Interim Fire Chief Paul Williams said the burn ban was lifted north of Nine Mile Road after review the current fire danger indices, the drought index and a survey of the amount of Hurricane Sally debris remaining on the right-of-way.
“These residents are still required to follow the Florida Forest Services Forest fire laws and open burning regulations,” Williams said. “We are awaiting rain to lift the other areas to suppress the wildfire potential.”
According to the Forest Service, you do not need a burn authorization to burn yard waste (grass clippings, brush, leaves, tree limbs, palm fronds, etc.) as long as:
- The pile is less than 8 feet in diameter;
- You meet the required setbacks:
- 25 feet from forests
- 50 feet from paved public roads
- 25 feet from your house
- 150 feet from other occupied buildings
- The fire is ignited after 8 a.m. Central Time or 9 a.m. Eastern Time and is extinguished one hour before sunset; and
- There are no local, city or county ordinances in place that prohibit burning.
For more information about authorizations, call Blackwater Forestry Center headquarters at (850) 957-5701.
South of Nine Mile Road, where the burn ban remains in effect, the following activities are exempt: state permitted burns, fire department training, authorized fireworks displays and fireworks sales, which are authorized by state law, and outdoor cooking in barbecue grills, smokers or other outdoor stoves located at private residences and businesses.
Local U.S. Attorney Appoints Election Officer To Address Voting Rights Concerns
October 24, 2020
The local U.S. Attorney has appointed an election officer to address any voting rights concerns that may arise.
““Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted without it being stolen because of fraud,” said U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, Lawrence Keefe said Wednesday. “The Department of Justice will always act appropriately to protect the integrity of the election process.”
Keefe has appointed Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew J. Grogran as the election officer for the Northern District of Florida.
Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. Example, according to Department of Justice, are actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law.
The public may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office with voting rights concerns at (850) 942-8430, (850) 216-3845 or (850) 216-3829
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The FBI field office in Jacksonville, which serves Escambia County, can be reached by the public at (904) 248-7000.
In the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, voters should call 911 immediately before contacting federal authorities.
“State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Want To Vote Early? Here’s Where To Go.
October 24, 2020
Early voting is continuing in Escambia County for the general election. A total of 10 sites are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily throughout the county – the most locations ever offered to Escambia County voters:
- Billy G. Ward Courthouse, 7500 N Century Blvd, Century
- Molino Community Center, 6450-A Highway 95A, Molino
- Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Mobile Hwy/Pine Forest Rd Early Voting Center, 6675 Pine Forest Rd, Suite 11
- UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Building 82, University Parkway
- Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 B, 9th Avenue
- Main Library, 239 Spring Street
- Supervisor of Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor
- Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto Street
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
Early voting will be offered through Saturday, October 31. Early voters cast paper ballots through our digital scanners and may choose any one of the 10 sites. Each location is also equipped with an ExpressVote ballot marking device to assist persons with disabilities.
Another option for voters is to cast a vote-by-mail ballot, which can be requested through the online form at EscambiaVotes.gov, or by e-mail (votebymail@escambiavotes.com), phone (850) 595-3900, mail, or fax (850) 595-3914. Requests must include the voter’s date of birth and address, and must be received no later than 5 p.m. Saturday, October 24. Voted ballots must be received in the Elections Office no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day and may not be returned to a polling location. A voter my return their vote-by-mail ballot to any early voting site or the 24-hour drop box at the Supervisor of Elections office. If mailing, the U.S. Postal Service recommends voters mail ballots at least one week before the due date. Vote-by-mail participants may track the status of their ballot at EscambiaVotes.gov/track-my-ballot.
The third option for voters is to cast a ballot at their precinct on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Voters are reminded to bring their mask and photo and signature ID with them to the polls and are encouraged to check their sample ballot or visit EscambiaVotes.gov for complete voting information.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Friday Night Football Finals
October 24, 2020
Here are Friday night football finals from across the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
- Northview 34, Jay 15
- Escambia 33, Pine Forest 14
- Washington 47, Pensacola High 7
- Niceville 35, Catholic 0
- Pace 49, Crestview 42
- Milton 21, Mostly 10
- Gulf Breeze 49, Choctaw 35
- Fort Walton Beach at Navarre
- Tate at West Florida (WFHS forfeit COVID-19 issues)
ALABAMA
- Escambia Academy, 36 Southern Academy 6
- Jackson 16, Escambia County (Atmore) 6
- T.R. Miller at Flomaton (Flomaton forfeit due to COVID-19)
- Opp at W.S. Neal (Opp forfeit due to COVID-19)
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Two Dead After Navy Plane Crashes Near Foley
October 23, 2020
A Navy aircraft from Whiting Field crashed into a home near Foley Friday afternoon, killing two people on the plane, according to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.
No one on the ground was injured.
The Navy T-6B Texan II crash happened on Mansion Street, just northwest of Magnolia School on Highway 55. One home partially burned as a result of the crash.
The names of the victims will not be released until 24 hours after next of kin notification.
Photos courtesy pilot Brandon Ressinger and WPMI for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
I-10 West Exit To Nine Mile Widened, And Two More Lanes Are Coming
October 23, 2020
The Florida Department of Transportation has widened the westbound exit ramp from I-10 to Nine Mile Road in a temporary effort to help relieve back ups onto the interstate, and more improvements are coming.
Drivers previously had a single lane off-ramp at Exit 5 to access east and westbound Nine Mile Road. But now there is dedicated through lane to access westbound Nine Mile Road and a dedicated right turn lane to access eastbound Nine Mile Road.
This new temporary configuration includes nearly 500-feet of lanes once drivers exit I-10.
Crews will now begin construction on the west side of the off-ramp. Upon completion, this off-ramp will include four dedicated lanes to access Nine Mile Road.
An estimated 19,000 drivers travel through the area each day, according to FDOT.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
By The Numbers: $43.3 Million In Hurricane Sally Federal Recovery Money So Far For Escambia Residents
October 23, 2020
Since the federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Sally, Escambia County residents have received approximately $43.3 million in total federal funds.
Individual Assistance:
- 2,806 homeowners and renters have been approved for more than $11.7 million in federal grants through FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program. This includes:
- More than $9.4 million in Housing Assistance grants for housing repair costs, home replacement and rental payments.
- More than $2.3 million in Other Needs Assistance grants to replace essential household items and for other critical disaster-related costs.
- 1,956 homeowners and renters were approved for rental assistance.
- 3,456 survivors have not provided FEMA with the necessary information from their insurance settlements to complete their disaster assistance registration.
National Flood Insurance Program:
- 2,344 flood insurance claims have been filed. An estimated $21.4 million has been paid in claims.
U.S. Small Business Administration:
- More than $10.2 million has been approved in low-interest disaster loans for 267 homeowners, renters and businesses.
Public Assistance:
- Escambia County was approved for assistance to local governments and private nonprofits for debris removal, emergency protective measures and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged public facilities on Sept. 23.
- 12 requests for Public Assistance have been received, and 11 have been approved.
Mobile Registration Intake Centers:
- A Mobile Registration Intake Center (MRIC) is staffed with FEMA personnel who can assist Hurricane Sally survivors with registration and answer questions about disaster-assistance programs. Centers in Escambia County are open daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at the following locations:
- Marie Young Wedgewood Community Center, 6405 Wagner Rd., Pensacola, FL 32505
- Lexington Terrace Community Center, 700 S. Old Corry Rd., Pensacola, FL 32507
- Escambia County Equestrian Center, 7750 Mobile Highway, Pensacola, FL 32526
NorthEscambia.com photo.
DeSantis Eases Nursing Home Visitation Rules
October 23, 2020
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday further relaxed restrictions on nursing home and long-term care facility visitations.
“What we’re trying to do on this is really empower the residents, the families and the facilities to be able to make good decisions,” DeSantis said during a new conference in Fort Myers.
The new order allows minors to visit with family members and allows visitations outdoors regardless of any positive cases in the facility.
“We just don’t have very many cases that get linked to outdoor activity,” DeSantis said. “I’m not saying it can’t happen — obviously it could happen under the right circumstances — but being outdoors has been something that’s been very positive, and particularly as the weather starts to get better in Florida and gets a little cooler, I think we’re in a position where that’s going to be very, very viable.”
The order also eliminated the five-person maximum number of general visitors and clarifies that there are no social distancing requirements for compassionate caregivers.
Pictured: Century Health and Rehabilitation Center, which reported nine total residents deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Garcon Point Toll Suspension Extended; FDOT Advancing Pensacola Bay Bridge Repairs
October 23, 2020
Gov. Ron DeSantis has extended the toll suspension on the Garcon Point Bridge for another three weeks, and the Florida Department of Transportation said they are moving forward toward actual repair of the Pensacola Bay Bridge.
Tolls on the Garcon Point Bridge are now suspended until 6 a.m. on Friday, November 13. The Garcon Point Bridge is the shortest detour route round the closed Pensacola Bay Bridge, which was struck by multiple Skanska barges during Hurricane Sally.
Skansak said late Thursday that three of the four barges left under the Pensacola Bay Bridge have now been “retrieved”.
“Each barge represents a unique and technically complex recovery operation that we are managing carefully with our partners to mitigate further physical or environmental damage,” Skanska said in an email to NorthEscambia.com.
As demolition efforts progress on the Pensacola Bay Bridge, FDOT is advancing material fabrication in preparation for reconstruction efforts to begin.
Multiple concrete piles, the vertical support structure that’s used to hold up the bridge; piers, the raised structure that sits in a body of water to support the bridge; and beams, the linear structural member designed to span from one support to another will be required to repair the Pensacola Bay Bridge. To date:
- Fifty-one concrete piles are on-hand at the precast yard.
- Thirty-six prestressed beams have been cast.
- Thirty-three concrete piles have been ordered from another facility in Tampa to facilitate the expedited schedule.
- Additional beams will be cast based on the final analysis of some of the damaged areas.
- Replacement piers will begin casting by mid-November 2020.
FDOT has mobilized three bridge contractors on site to expedite demolition and design including:
- Debris from two spans has been cleared along with the complete removal of one damaged span of the bridge as crews continue to carefully remove damaged portions from additional spans to minimize impacts to the existing structure. One barge remains under the bridge. To date, 17 of the 27 barges have been removed from the area.
- Design is underway for the permanent repairs and reestablishment of four lanes of traffic on the bridge with a focus on substructure repairs which includes the piers. Modified pier design has been reviewed and approved by FDOT, which uses six new piles instead of four piles in the existing footing.
FDOT has been continuously working to improve the traffic flow along the Pensacola Bay Bridge detour routes. The following efforts have reduced the average commute time by 25 percent:
- Installed a new temporary traffic signal at the I-10 westbound ramps at State Road (S.R.) 281
- Delineators have been installed to provide a free flow southbound movement from the I-10 eastbound ramp onto southbound S.R. 281
- Additional temporary traffic cameras have been installed that have significantly improved travel time.
- The Road Ranger service that was previously on the Pensacola Bay Bridge has been relocated to the Garcon Point Bridge to help with minor incidents and to keep traffic flowing as much as possible.
- FDOT has received approval from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to temporarily widen 2,000 feet of northbound and southbound S.R. 281 south of the I-10 interchange an widen the eastbound I-10 off ramp at eastbound S.R. 281 off ramp to two lanes.
To reinforce FDOT Secretary Kevin J. Thibault’s, P.E. expectation of complete transparency and community assistance, FDOT’s outreach team has met with stakeholder groups, state and local officials, civic organizations and local business owners to discuss the bridge reconstruction as well as other actions that are being considered to efficiently restore regional connectivity. FDOT will continue to meet with multiple stakeholder groups throughout the course of the project.
FDOT continues to develop and improve alternative transportation solutions to move people and goods safely and efficiently through the region while the Pensacola Bay Bridge is being repaired. Examples include:
- Exploring all funding avenues available to implement a ferry service between Gulf Breeze and Pensacola.
- Funding Escambia County Area Transit’s (ECAT) temporary bus route to help transport passengers between the Pensacola Bay Center Park in Escambia County and the Tiger Point Community Center City in Gulf Breeze.
- Working with ECAT to modify the original route to include stops at the ECAT Transfer Center in Pensacola, the Palm Beach Club and Pensacola Beach Boardwalk in Pensacola Beach, and Gulf Breeze Hospital.
- Gathering information such as potential ridership, times of operation, and duration of service as well as reviewing existing facilities that would be necessary for the safe operation of a ferry or additional bus routes.
The Pensacola Bay Bridge has a targeted re-opening date of early March 2021. Once repairs are complete, all four lanes will be open with no load restrictions and at the same condition as expected for new construction. As each repair method is developed, FDOT will be conducting reviews to ensure the contractor is hitting all milestones in the established schedule.
Saturday Is Deadline To Request Vote By Mail Ballot; Return By Mail Or At One Of 10 Ballot Boxes
October 23, 2020
Supervisor of Elections David H. Stafford is reminding voters who wish to be mailed a vote-by-mail ballot for the November 3 General Election to request their ballot no later than Saturday, October 24.
Voters can make their request by using the online form at EscambiaVotes.gov or by contacting the Supervisor of Elections by mail, phone (850) 595-3900, e-mail (votebymail@escambiavotes.com), or fax (850) 595-3914. Requests must include the voter’s date of birth and address. Voters may track the status of their ballot by clicking Track My Ballot at EscambiaVotes.gov.
The U.S. Postal Service recommends voters mail ballots at least one week before the due date. Return postage has been paid for the 2020 general election. Completed vote-by-mail ballots must be received in the elections office no later than 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3. Voters may also return their vote-by-mail ballot at the elections office or at any of the 10 area early voting locations drop boxes during early voting hours. Voters are still prohibited from returning their completed vote-by-mail ballot at an Election Day polling place.
After Saturday’s deadline, a voter may still pick up a vote-by-mail ballot in person from the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office through Monday, November 2.
Ten early voting locations are open in Escambia County each day from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. through Saturday, October 31. The locations are:
- Billy G. Ward Courthouse, 7500 N Century Blvd, Century
- Molino Community Center, 6450-A Highway 95A, Molino
- Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Mobile Hwy/Pine Forest Rd Early Voting Center, 6675 Pine Forest Rd, Suite 11
- UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Building 82, University Parkway
- Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 B, 9th Avenue
- Main Library, 239 Spring Street
- Supervisor of Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor
- Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto Street
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.