Census Takers Will Be Knocking On Doors Beginning Tuesday. 39% Of Escambia Residents Have Not Responded.
August 10, 2020
Have your filled out your 2020 census? If not you may get a knock at the door soon. Census workers across the country will begin follow-up work on Tuesday, August 11.
In Florida 60.1% of people have complete their census response online, by phone or by mail. In Escambia County, 61% have responded.
In the two cities in Escambia County, 64.7% of Pensacola residents have completed the census, while 46.8% of Century residents have responded.
Households can still respond now by completing and mailing back the paper questionnaire they received, by responding online at 2020census.gov, or by phone at 844-330-2020. Households can also respond online or by phone in one of 13 languages and find assistance in many more. Those that respond will not need to be visited to obtain their census response.
The Census Bureau will provide face masks to census takers and requires that census takers wear a mask while conducting their work. They will follow CDC and local public health guidelines when they visit. Census takers must complete a virtual COVID-19 training on social distancing protocols and other health and safety guidance before beginning their work in neighborhoods.
Census takers are hired from local communities. All census takers speak English, and many are bilingual. If a census taker does not speak the householder’s language, the household may request a return visit from a census taker who does. Census takers will also have materials on hand to help identify the household’s language.
If no one is home when the census taker visits, they will leave a notice of their visit with information about how to respond online, by phone or by mail. People are encouraged to cooperate with census takers and ensure that everyone who was living in their household as of April 1, 2020, is counted.
Census takers can be easily identified by a valid government ID badge with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date on the badge. To confirm a census taker’s identity, the public may contact their regional census center to speak with a Census Bureau representative.
Additional COVID-19 Death Reported In Escambia County, Alabama
August 10, 2020
Another confirmed COVID-19 death was reported Sunday in Escambia County, Alabama.
The county’s death toll now stands at 17.
There have been 1,082 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Escambia County, Alabama, with 244 of those in the past 14 days.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Florida Gas Prices Back Off 20-Week Highs
August 10, 2020
Florida gas prices are beginning to trickle lower. Retail prices are backing off from the 20-week high of nearly $2.16 per gallon, which was just over a week ago.
The state average declined 3 cents per gallon last week. Florida drivers are now paying an average price of nearly $2.13 per gallon.
In Escambia County, the average price per gallon is $2.07, down from $2.09 a week ago and on par with one month ago. A year ago, Escambia County drivers were paying $2.51.
The lowest price per gallon in North Escambia Sunday night was $1.97 at Highway 29 an Muscogee Road in Cantonment. Two wholesale clubs were at $1.82 Sunday night in Pensacola.
“Florida drivers continue to enjoy unusually low gas prices for this time of year,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The cost for a full tank of gas is about $5 less than it was this time last year. The pandemic’s effect on fuel demand continues to weigh on crude oil and wholesale gasoline prices, preventing any monumental gains. Low oil prices make it cheaper to produce and sell gasoline.”
Over 2.2K Early Voting Ballots Cast Over The Weekend (With Location List)
August 10, 2020
There were 519 ballots cast in early voting Sunday in Escambia County, bringing the weekend total to 2,231.
There have also been 18,599 mail ballots returned for a nearly 12% turnout to date with 20,831 total ballots cast.
Early voting will continue until next Saturday, August 15 at the following locations:
- Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Molino Community Center, 6450-A Highway 95A, Molino
- University of West Florida Conference Center, Building 22, University Parkway
- Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds, 6655 Mobile Highway
- Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 B, 9th Avenue
- Supervisor of Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor
- Pensacola Library, 239 N Spring Street
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
- Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto Street
Each location will be open from from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., with the exception of the Supervisor of Elections Office which will be open 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Primary election day is Tuesday, August 18.
Want To Get Involved In Local Government? These Are The County Meetings This Week
August 10, 2020
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings this week:
Monday, August 10
Special Tourist Development Council Meeting – 3 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, BCC Meeting Room
Marine Advisory – 5:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place (Agenda)
Tuesday, August 11
Escambia County Housing Finance Authority Audit Committee – 4:30 p.m., (Teleconference)
Merit System Protection Board – 5 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Fourth Floor Training Room 0.605
Escambia County Housing Finance Authority Board Meeting – 5 p.m., (Teleconference)
Wednesday, August 12
Virtual Event: Coffee with the Commissioner, District 1, Jeff Bergosh – 6:30 a.m., (Link to Live Stream)
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place (Agenda)
Escambia County Housing Finance Authority Public Hearing – 1:30 p.m., 700 S. Palafox St., Suite 310
Santa Rosa Island Authority Board Meeting – 5 p.m., 1 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach (Agenda)
Century Town Hall Remains Closed. Here Are The Days Utility Payments Can Be Made By Phone.
August 10, 2020
The Century town hall remains closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but there area few upcoming dates when utility payments can be made over the phone.
Drive-thru service will not be available in the near future. Utility payments can be made 24/7 in a secure drop box next to the drive-thru window. Only checks or money orders are accepted in the drop box, not cash.
Credit card payments can be made by phone on August 11, August 14 and August 19. Century does not accept payments online.
For more information or further assistance call (850) 256-3208 from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. or email kgodwin@centuryflorida.us or hhawkins@centuryflorida.us.
COVID-19 Cases Explode To Nearly 600 In Just Days At Century Prison
August 9, 2020
The number of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases at Century Correctional Institution has exploded in the past few days.
As of Sunday, there were 595 positive inmates with 371 inmates waiting for their test results and another 563 inmates that tested negative, according to the Florida Department of Corrections. One week ago, there were six positive inmates.
There are six inmates being held in medical isolation and 643 in medical quarantine. There have not been any coronavirus deaths reported at Century Correctional Institution.
There have also been 25 staff members that have tested positive at the Century prison as of Sunday.
Inmates in medical quarantine are monitored by health services staff and receive temperature checks twice a day for signs of fever. If an inmate begins experiencing symptoms indicative of COVID-19, FDC will place the inmate in medical isolation and a COVID-19 test will be administered.
(This story was updated with the latest information at 11 a.m. Sunday.)
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Four New Escambia County Fire Trucks Will Soon Be Ready For Service
August 9, 2020
Escambia Fire Rescue is getting closer to putting four new fire engines into service.
As NorthEscambia.com first reported in early July, the four 2019 Pierce Enforcer fire engines will replacing aging trucks in Molino, Ensley, Myrtle Grove and Pleasant Grove.
The new “Engine 18″ has been delivered to the Molino Fire Station and is undergoing preparations to begin answering calls. It will replace a 2003 model year front line apparatus.
A new rescue truck will replace the current 2011 model front line engine assigned to Ensley Fire Station. A squad engine will replace a 2002 model year apparatus rescue engine currently assigned to Pleasant Grove Fire Station, and a standard engine will replace the current 2004 model rescue engine apparatus assigned to Myrtle Grove Fire Station.
Each truck features Cummins L9 450 horsepower engine, a 750-gallon tank, a Hale 1500-gallon per minute pump, a deck gun and seating for five personnel. The rear-forward facing crew cab seats, and an EMS compartment above each front wheel. The trucks also feature cargo netting with a single pull lanyard that secures the EMS compartments, a coated interior, vinyl seats, and headliner help with cab decontamination. The vertical exhaust keeps heat and emissions away from firefighters working around the apparatus.
In addition to providing dependable, state-of-the-art equipment, having new engines under warranty will also decrease repair and maintenance costs which have increased significantly due to the aging fleet, the county said when the purchase was approved unanimously by the Escambia County Commission about a year ago.
The four new vehicles were purchased for a total of $2,036,267 using Local Option Sales Tax funds.
Pictured: The new fire engine at the Molino Fire Station. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
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Over 20,000 Ballots Already Cast In Escambia County
August 9, 2020
Over 20,000 ballots have already been cast for this year’s primary election in Escambia County.
On the first day of early voting, there were 1,712 ballots cast at nine locations around the county. Another 18,599 vote by mail have been returned for total of 20,312 ballots cast as of Saturday. That’s an 11.62% voter turnout.
Saturday was the deadline to request a mail ballot.
Early voting will continue until next Saturday, August 15 at the following locations:
Each location will be open from from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., with the exception of the Supervisor of Elections Office which will be open 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
- Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Molino Community Center, 6450-A Highway 95A, Molino
- University of West Florida Conference Center, Building 22, University Parkway
- Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds, 6655 Mobile Highway
- Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 B, 9th Avenue
- Supervisor of Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor
- Pensacola Library, 239 N Spring Street
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway
- Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. DeSoto Street
Primary election day is Tuesday, August 18.
For more information, visit EscambiaVotes.com.
These Are This Week’s State Road Construction Slowdown Spots
August 9, 2020
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, Aug 9:
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- Intermittent east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- · U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90)– Drivers traveling Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass and U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road may experience alternating lane shifts or closures as crews continue drainage and pavement operations.
- · U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of Muscogee Road (County Road 184) to Atmore Highway (State Road (S.R.) 97)- Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane restrictions as crews continue construction activities at various locations.
- · Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Intersection Improvements at New Warrington Road (S.R. 295) – Construction activities continue. Drivers can expect lane closures between 9:30 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, Aug 9:
- Intermittent east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- · 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.
- · U.S. 90 Pavement Marking Operations from Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281) to the Okaloosa County Line-Motorists can expect minor delays Sunday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. until Thursday, Aug. 27 as slow-moving vehicles are used to perform pavement marking operations.
Pictured: Construction along Nine Mile Road. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.