John Odom From Flomaton Serving Aboard USS Harry S. Truman During COVID-19 Pandemic
May 24, 2020
Machinery Repairman Fireman John Odom, from Flomaton is serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in the Arabian Sea.
The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points.
The Truman has spent at least one day underway for 30 of the last 34 months, in direct support of global security around the world. . Keeping the strike group at sea in U.S. 2nd Fleet allows the ship to maintain a high level of readiness during the global COVID-19 pandemic.
U.S. Navy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
This Week’s Traffic Alert – These Are The Spots To Expect Delays
May 24, 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.
In preparation for the Memorial Day Holiday weekend, there will be no lane closures or other activities which impede traffic on state roads beginning 9 a.m. Friday, May 22 and ending 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, May 26.
Escambia County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, May 26 and 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. beginning Wednesday, May 27 for the duration of the week:
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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 9 1/2 Mile Road may experience alternating lane shifts or closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road (State Road (S.R.) 297)- Motorists will encounter alternating and intermittent lane closures between the Leisure Lakes RV Park and Eleven Mile Creek from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 26 and Wednesday, May 27 as crews prepare for the upcoming traffic shift between Allegheny Avenue and the Leisure Lakes RV Park. In addition, the far-right portion of the I-10 eastbound off-ramp that connects to Nine Mile Road (Exit 5) remains closed. Drivers can still access Nine Mile Road east and westbound using the other section of the ramp. The partial ramp closure is needed to reconstruct the ramp.
- Bayou Boulevard (S.R. 296) Construction Operations at the intersection of E. Avery Street- The southbound lane will be closed at the intersection of E. Avery Street from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, May 29 as crews unload equipment.
- Perdido Key Drive (S.R. 292) Pedestrian Crosswalk Construction at Flora-Bama- Work will resume after the holiday. There are currently no lane closures or impacts to traffic.
- U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of County Road (C.R.) 184 (Muscogee Road) to S.R. 97 (Atmore Highway)- Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane restrictions as crews continue construction activities at various locations. There will also be intermittent and alternating lane restriction from 8 pm. To 6 a.m. in the area of the CSX RR crossing in Cantonment Tuesday, May 26 through Friday, May 29 and Sunday, May 31 through Thursday, June 4 as crews construct improvements to the railroad crossing.
- Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Intersection Improvements at New Warrington Road (S.R. 295) – Construction activities are underway. 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 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, May 26 and 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. beginning Wednesday, May 27 for the duration of the week:
o Intermittent east and westbound lane closures from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
o Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- Garcon Point Bridge (S.R. 281) Routine Bridge Maintenance over East Bay- Traffic will be reduced to one lane from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 26 through Friday, June 5. Traffic flaggers will be on site to direct drivers through the work area
- S.R. 4 Resurfacing and Drainage Improvements from the Escambia River Bridge to Market Road (C.R. 87A) in Jay – There will be temporary shoulder and lane closures throughout the project limits.
- U.S. 98 (Navarre Parkway) Turn Lane Construction for Aldi’s Development- Intermittent eastbound and westbound lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, May 26 through Thursday, May 29.
- U.S. 90 Pavement Marking Operations between Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281) and the Okaloosa County Line-Motorists can expect minor delays from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Thursday, Aug. 27 as slow-moving vehicles are used to perform pavement marking operations.
- U.S. 98 Safety Improvement from Villa Woods Circle to Ortega Park Drive- Paving operations are underway throughout the project limits. Drivers can expect nighttime lane restrictions.
- S.R. 87 Bridge Rehabilitation and Repair Over Yellow River- Motorists may encounter nighttime southbound lane closures as crews continue expansion joint work.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
50,000 Pounds Of Food Given Away Saturday
May 24, 2020
Feeding the Gulf Coast and Crown Church held a food giveaway Saturday at the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds. Over 50,000 pounds of food were give away.
The church, which is located on North Palafox Street just north of Nine Mile Road, estimated there was enough food to feed 650 families.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Person Injured, Three Vehicles Wrecked When Driver Hits Cow On Highway 97
May 23, 2020
One person was injured and three vehicles were wrecked when a driver a hit a cow Friday night on Highway 97 near Molino.
The first vehicle hit the cow on Highway 97 near Gibson Road just before 9 p.m. The front seat passenger in the vehicle was transported by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital. The driver and other passengers, both juveniles, were not injured.
The driver of a Nissan Versa slowed or stopped to avoid the cow in the roadway and was rear-ended by a Chevrolet passenger car. Neither driver was injured.
The cow did not survive.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
What About High School Graduations? Here’s The Tentative List On Ceremony Dates.
May 23, 2020
School is now officially out for summer. But what about high school graduations?
Escambia and Santa Rosa counties both still plan to have graduation ceremonies and have scheduled tentative dates. Once dates are finalized, more details will be mail available.
Escambia County
June 23, July 14 or July 27
- Tate High School
- Northview High School
- Pine Forest High School
- West Florida High School
June 24, July 15 or July 28
- Pensacola High School
- Escambia High School
- George Stone Technical College/Escambia Virtual/Success Academy/Camelot
- Washington High School
Santa Rosa County
June 19-20, July 16-17 and July 29-30 at Pensacola Bay Center
- Pace High School 11 a.m.
- Navarre High School 2:30 p.m.
- Gulf Breeze High School 6 p.m.
June 23, July 14 or July 31
- Jay High School in the gym at 5 p.m.
- Central High School 7 p.m. in the gym.
June 18, July 14 or July 28
- Milton High School at 8 p.m.
Pictured: The Tate High School Class of 2019 graduation at the Pensacola Bay Center.
Vehicle Burns By Pumps At Local Gas Station
May 23, 2020
A vehicle erupted into flames Friday night next to the fuel pumps at a local gas station.
The vehicle burned under the gas canopy at the Tom Thumb on Chemstrand at the intersection of East Kingsfield Road. The Ensley and Cantonment Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue were dispatched to the fire.
There were no injuries reported.
Pictured top: A vehicle burns under the gas canopy. Pictured first below: Someone attempts to use a fire extinguisher to put on the blaze, but they were unsuccessful. Pictured below: Escambia Fire Rescue arrives. Reader submitted cellphone photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Coast Guard, Good Samaritans Rescue Seven From Capsized Vessel Off Pensacola
May 23, 2020
The Coast Guard, with assistance from three good Samaritan vessels, rescued seven people from a capsized recreational vessel offshore from Pensacola on Friday.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Mobile received a report at approximately 8:30 a.m. that the 28-foot recreational vessel, Uno Mas, was taking on water. Coast Guard Station Pensacola launched a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boat crew to assist.
In the process of launching rescue assets, Sector Mobile received an additional report that all seven people had moved to nearby good Samaritan vessels and no injuries were reported. The boat crew from Station Pensacola picked up five adults and two children from the good Samaritan vessels and returned to Orange Beach.
“This case highlights the importance of having vital life saving equipment while boating,” said Lt. Cmdr. Corrie Sergent, Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator at Sector Mobile. “The fact that all people aboard were wearing life jackets and used their VHF radios to call for help ensured their successful rescue. We are thankful for the quick actions of the good Samaritans vessels nearby providing assistance until our crew could arrive.”
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County’s Unemployment Rate Skyrockets To 12.8%
May 23, 2020
The April unemployment rate in Escambia County and across Florida skyrocketed in April due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 12.9 percent in April 2020, up 8.5 percentage points from the revised March 2020 rate of 4.4 percent, and up 9.6 percentage points from a year ago. There
were over 1.2 million jobless Floridians out of a labor force of 9,438,000. The U.S. unemployment rate was 14.7 percent in April.
Escambia County’s unemployment rate soared to 12.8% in April, up from 4.5% in March and 3.2% in February. One year ago, it was just 2.9%.
There were nearly 11,000 people that lost their jobs in Escambia County between March and April.
The jobless rate is bad across Florida, with 43 of the states 67 counties with a jobless rate of 10% or worse.
The jobless numbers do not count those that applied for unemployment in May. Those numbers will be out in June.
Palafox Street In Downtown Pensacola Will Be Pedestrian Only Every Sunday Through June
May 23, 2020
A section of Palafox Street in downtown Pensacola will be closed to vehicle traffic for “Sunday Strolls” every Sunday in May and June to promote safe outdoor retail and restaurant activities to support local businesses.
Palafox Street from Garden Street to Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffic from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. every Sunday through June beginning Sunday, May 24.
Closing the street to vehicular traffic will provide additional space for downtown visitors to more easily practice social distancing while supporting local businesses.
The City of Pensacola hopes area residents will support local restaurants and businesses as they enter economic recovery. CDC social distancing guidelines should be followed.
DeSantis Lifts All Restrictions On Youth Activities
May 22, 2020
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Friday that he is lifting restrictions on youth activities effective immediately.
“Effective immediately, Florida will be lifting all restrictions on youth activities including summer camps and athletics,” Gov. DeSantis said during a Jacksonville news conference. “We believe this makes sense based on the data and observed experience.”
The Florida Department of Health may post some best practice guidelines, but they won’t be “instituting a lot of rules or any rules”.
“At the end of the day, we trust parents to be able to make decisions in conjunction with physicians and community leaders and coaches to be able to do these activities in a way that is safe,” he said.
Local municipalities will still be able to implement restrictions if they choose.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
