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.
COVID-19 Cases In Escambia Schools: FDOH, School District Report Very Different Numbers
October 22, 2020
An Escambia County School District report shows over three times as many COVID-19 positive students, teachers and staff members than indicated by a report from the Florida Department of Health.
For the weekly period ending October 17, the Florida Department reported five COVID-19 positive cases at schools in the Escambia County School District.
According to the state report, there was one positive COVID-19 student at Bellview Middle School and one teacher each at Oakcrest Elementary and Washington High School. An “unknown” role COVID-19 case was reported at both West Florida High School and Cordova Park Elementary.
But according to an Escambia County School District reported obtained by NorthEscambia.com, there were 17 positive cases in the Escambia County School District on Friday, October 16. There were 11 positive students and six positive staff members, the report states. The district report says the 17 had a positive COVID-19 test confirmed by the Florida Department of Health or other lab test result.
The ECSD report does not specify which schools had the positive cases.
The school district also reported 301 students were excluded from school on October 16. Those are students identified by contract tracing as having potential contact with a known case, whether it be at school, among family or in the community. There were 23 staff member excluded from work for the same reason.
The FDOH report also shows one positive student the week ending October 17 at Aletheia Christian School in Escambia County, which is not a public school in the Escambia County School District.
Escambia Voters Receive Threatening Emails; Federals Officials Say The Emails Are Spoofed
October 22, 2020
Several Escambia County voters have received a threatening email, according to the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office.
“We are aware of an email threatening Florida voters, including some in Escambia County. We have been working with federal, state and local law enforcement on the matter. Voter intimidation is both a federal and state crime,” the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections said on Twitter.
“You will vote for Trump on Election Day or we will come after you,” stated the threatening emails that have been received be registered Democrats across Florida and Alaska. “Change your party affiliation to Republican to let us know you received our message and will comply. We will know which candidate you voted for. I would take this seriously if I were you.”
The email falsely appeared to come from a now defunct website affiliated with the far-right Proud Boys. The emails address the recipient by name and conclude with the voter’s postal mail address — all information that in Florida is public record and freely available.
Wednesday night, Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe said Iran and Russia are working to influence the 2020 elections and have obtained voter registration information.
“This data can be used by foreign actors to attempt to communicate false information to registered voters that they hope will cause confusion, sow chaos, and undermine your confidence in American democracy,” he said. ”To that end, we have already seen Iran sending spoofed emails designed to intimidate voters, incite social unrest, and damage President Trump. You may have seen some reporting on this in the last 24 hours or you may have even been one of the recipients of those emails.”
Any voter that receives threatening emails can contact local law enforcement and forward the email to SOE@EscambiaVotes.com.
The Century Council Voted In February To Replace Bridge Near Collapse. Nothing Has Been Done.
October 22, 2020
A Century town council member is questioning the repair status of a local bridge that was closed over eight months ago after it was discovered to be near the point of collapse.
On January 29, the town suddenly closed the bridge on Freedom Road, just east of Jefferson Avenue. Photos obtained by NorthEscambia.com a few days later showed the dangerous conditions that led to the emergency closure.
Several pilings under the wooden bridge were no longer properly supporting the structure, and some of the pilings were split or have extreme deterioration.
At this week’s town council meeting, council member James Smith questioned why nothing has been done to repair the bridge. The closure has turned Freedom Road into a cul-de-sac with one way in and one way out for residents, including the Camellia Gardens apartment complex.
Interim City Manager Vernon Prather said the town had received no complaints from area residents.
In early February, the Century Town Council voted to move forward with replacing the bridge. Town staff was to determine how to pay the estimated $300,000 price tag. The council voted for the replacement over an estimated $75,000 to $100,000 for repairs that might last a decade, according to Interim City Manager Vernon Prather.
A final determination of a funding option was to come at un upcoming meeting. As of October, that never happened.
In January Mott McDonald engineers conducted a limited inspection of the bridge and found the following problems:
- A backwall has deflected toward the water, pushing piles toward the water and causing them to rotate, split and no longer bear weight.
- One bridge piling has a split at the top of the pile, but it is providing some support.
- A second pile has been pushed completely out and no longer supports the bridge.
- A third pile has split, and only half the pile is providing support.
- A fourth pile has deterioration with only a three-inch diameter section remaining about six feet below the bridge. The outer pile section has broken.
- There is soil loss behind a backwall.
- There is a large void underneath the roadway on the east side the bridge
“We cannot predict when the…backwall lateral loads will complete fail…causing the bridge the collapse,” engineer Bart Hendricks wrote in his report. “We also cannot predict when the roadway over the void on the southeast corner will collapse”
The age of the bridge was not provided to the engineer, but he determined the timber pilings may be at or beyond the typical life of 30 years. “A better long-term financial decision may be to replace this structure rather than perform repairs,” Hendricks wrote.
Mott McDonald engineers also recommended that the town perform bridge inspections for all bridges that are not inspected by the Florida Department of Transportation. Those inspections are required every two years for longer bridges by the Federal Highway Administration. The town has not moved forward with the inspections.
Photos/graphics for and by NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia CARES Mortgage/Rent And Business Grants: Here’s Who Received Checks So Far
October 22, 2020
Escambia County has made check registers available online for the Escambia CARES Rent and Mortgage Assistance Grant Program and the Escambia CARES Business Assistance Grant Program.
The Escambia CARES Business Assistance Grants are currently being distributed, with most recipients receiving the $7,500 amount. More than 490 applications were received and are in the process of being reviewed with those approved for funding being notified via email. Applications will be funded with the $2.8 million that is allocated for this grant program. The check register is available here.
The Escambia CARES Family Assistance Program received more than 9,000 applications, and county workers are racing to approve applicants for this grant. This check register is expected to go live next week when the first check run is completed. Approved applicants will be notified by Friday, Nov. 6. Checks in the amount of $3,000 will be sent following the email notification of approval. In all, the county has allocated $16.5 million to its residents in this grant program. The check register is available here.
“We are working as quickly as possible to vet the grant applications and disperse funds to those in need due to COVID-19,” said Clara Long, director of Neighborhood and Human Services. “I’d like to kindly ask the public to refrain from emailing or calling to check on the status of their application so we can focus on processing applications. Applicants should keep a close eye on their email that was supplied on the application. Applications that were completed correctly and met the criteria are being processed first, and then we will reach out to those who may need further assistance. We thank you for your patience.”
Florida Housing funded the Escambia CARES Rent and Mortgage Assistance, with the application requirements supplied by the state. Currently, 79 applicants have been approved with more than $220,000 allocated to grant recipients. Grants to bring applicants out of the arrears on rent, mortgage or utilities have been issued in the amount as low as $34.52 to as high as $7,500. In total, the state allocated $813,451 to this grant program.
The Escambia CARES Grant Programs are part of a larger federal economic recovery program, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Securities Act. Escambia County is expected to receive up to $58.2 million in funds to aid the citizens of the county affected by COVID-19 and programs to help the county navigate the challenges of the pandemic.
They Know A Really Good Steak When They See One. The Escambia 4-H Meat Judging Team Just Placed Second Nationally.
October 22, 2020
They know a really good steak when they see one. And they have the award to prove it.
The Escambia County 4-H Meat Judging Team placed second in the nation this week.
The state champion team took second overall at t the National 4-H Meat Judging Contest at Kansas State University. Team members are Jessica Conti, Hannah Thorne and Ethan Thorne.
Conti also place first as the high point individua in the nation.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ascend Cares: Making A Difference In Local People’s Lives And Local Communities
October 21, 2020
“When we ask……..Ascend Cares! When we don’t ask…..Ascend Cares!”
That’s how Escambia Westgate School Principal Jobenna Sellers describes the Ascend Cares Foundation.
Ascend Cares has played an integral role in supporting Escambia Westgate, along with other schools and community causes in Escambia County.
“Ascend’s involvement on our school’s SAC (school advisory council) is only one example of how this wonderful company has invested time, as well as, other resources to improve services to students with the most significant disabilities in our area,’ Sellers said. “Ascend is a part of the decision making as a community stakeholder and is truly a part of our Westgate Wildcat family.”
The foundation recently donated approximately 250 gift bags to teachers at Escambia Westgate School, Jim Allen Elementary School, and Warrington Middle School. The bags contained candy and a gift card to help teachers purchase supplies for their classrooms.
“The project was part of our Ascend Cares Global Day of Caring, when volunteers from Ascend sites around the world work together on a single day to make a positive difference in our communities,” Tony Ferguson, senior communications specialist for Ascend Performance Materials. “Due to the pandemic and Hurricane Sally, our Pensacola Day of Caring projects have been delayed and scattered around the calendar a bit, but we are thankful to still contribute.”
Other recent projects included the donations of 150 pairs of athletic shoes to students at Jim Allen and Warrington Middle and delivering 200 bags of supplies to local homeless shelters. The bags contained a blanket, socks, gloves and other personal supplies.
Ascend Cares volunteers also helped distribute 25,000 pounds of food at the Reimagine Cantonment community event on Saturday.
Ascend Cares was founded in 2011 after a tornado outbreak impacted Ascend’s team members and their families near their Decatur, Alabama, facility.
The Ascend Cares Foundation is about making a difference in the lives of others. It is led by Ascend employees and supports Ascend families in their time of need, provides inspiring opportunities for community engagement and facilitates community leadership. Funded entirely by donations and company match, every dollar donated to the non-profit foundation supports the work of the foundation.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Pictured top: Volunteers from Ascend Performance Materials and Ascend Cares pack supplies for the homeless. Pictured top inset: Ascend Cares donated about 250 gifts bags to schools including Jim Allen Elementary and Escambia Westgate. Pictured bottom inset and below: Ascend Cares volunteers help distribute food last Saturday at Reimagine Cantonment. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Reopens Town Hall; Masks Required
October 21, 2020
The Century Town Hall has reopened on a restricted basis after being closed for months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Access to the small lobby of the building is limited to two people at a time, and masks are required. Masks are available at no charge for anyone that does not have one.
“No Mask, No Service, No Exceptions,” a sign on the door of the building reads, while another sign tells maskless individuals to use the drive- thru window.
The drive-thru is open to anyone for utility payments and other town business.
Pictured: The Century Town Hall Tuesday afternoon, the first day in months that the building lobby has been open to the public. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Stadium Airbnb Rentals To Be Featured On NBC’s Today Show
October 21, 2020
The children led the way, toting bright-colored luggage while beaming with excitement, as they entered the Blue Wahoos home team clubhouse.
They traveled cross-country from Salt Lake City and Dallas with their fathers, who were brothers and sports fans living their own dream with the Blue Wahoos’ Airbnb experience.
The eight-member group – two dads and six children ages 3 to 13 — planned the trip in June.
Inside, a veteran production duo from NBC News in New York had a camera and audio rolling. A perfectly kind of made-for-television moment.
The cameras captured the kids’ joyous shrieks. Showed the excitement among cousins who likely never imagined what they would find in a clubhouse area set up for a team’s next game. A Christmas morning type reaction.
“Oh my gosh, this is the best. It’s awesome,” said Michael Hutchings, a Verizon president from Dallas, who was joined by his brother Steven from Draper, Utah, where both men grew up in a community near Salt Lake City. “I mean, look at the kids. They love it.”
So did NBC.
The segment on the Hutchings’ family stay at the Blue Wahoos’ Airbnb is expected to be shown this Saturday (Oct. 24) during a time slot from 6 a.m. (CST) and 8 a.m. on Weekend Today program. The NBC production duo of Bill Angelucci and Anthony McGowan filmed hours of video in two days last week during the guests’ stay.
They were joined by veteran NBC news correspondent Catie Beck, who interviewed the brothers and met with Blue Wahoos owner Quint Studer.
“It takes something special for a story to make it to this level and the fact this did is pretty remarkable,” said Beck, who pitched the story to NBC executive producers, after reading about the Blue Wahoos’ Airbnb setup earlier in the summer. The Weekend Today program allows longer video feature segments.
“It just had all the right elements,” she said. “And it is sometimes really hard to strike that perfect balance like this has.”
Beck kept pushing for the story after various circumstances caused NBC’s team in the summer to cancel previous trips to Pensacola to film.
The Blue Wahoos made history when launching their Airbnb in late May as the first Airbnb at a sports venue in America. Since then, there have been 52 different guest stays at Blue Wahoos Stadium representing 23 different states.
The Blue Wahoos recently won Minor League Baseball’s Golden Bobblehead Award for Best Overall Promotion and Best Non-Gameday Experience during the 10th annual MILB Innovators Summit.
It occurred during a year when all of minor league baseball had 2020 seasons cancelled and operations shuttered due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Blue Wahoos were among the few in minor league baseball not to furlough or lay off staff. Instead, co-owners Quint and Rishy Studer decided to utilize the year to pivot into being an events company with the Airbnb as part of that portfolio.
“I think it just signifies how hard our team has worked to receive this kind of recognition,” said Bailie Tate, the Blue Wahoos group sales manager, who transitioned to manage the Airbnb experience since its launch.
“I hope it also brings more awareness to Pensacola and what the Blue Wahoos do for the community here,” Tate said. “The (Hutchings) families really exemplify the whole aspect of this.
“It’s the fun, family experience that we seek to provide whether we are doing it at a Blue Wahoos baseball game or with the Airbnb. The mission is the same.”
Tate worked with NBC’s Katie Primm throughout the summer to help ensure the visit could happen. After Hurricane Sally struck Pensacola on Sept. 16, the Blue Wahoos staff worked to restore the field and clean up the stadium area for events and potential Airbnb stays.
The Hutchings brothers learned of the Blue Wahoos’ Airbnb through the national attention it received when launched in May.
“I heard of it on ESPN’s show, ‘Around the Horn.’ At the end of the show, they mentioned the Blue Wahoos Double-A team in Pensacola was renting out their stadium,” said Michael Hutchings.
“We have a group chat with others where we are always talking sports, so we threw it up there. And I thought this would be really cool,” said Steve Hutchings. “We had planned to go to Orlando during the kids’ fall break (Utah schools) this weekend (Oct. 15-18) so we added this stay to the trip.”
While at the stadium, the families were treated to a dinner from Blue Wahoos executive chef Travis Wilson. The kids played ping pong and the X-Box setup in the clubhouse.
They explored the playground area behind the stadium at the Community Maritime Park.
The next morning, the group enjoyed a catered breakfast on the field.
“It’s amazing,” said Michael Hutchings, describing their stay. “The way I had looked at this experience is that you will never get time back with your kids, so go for it. This is cool.”
It was the kind of experience that attracted NBC programming decision-makers to agree when Beck and Primm continually pitched the idea of traveling to Pensacola.
“No one has ever seen a family sleeping in a baseball stadium. So, if you have not seen it on TV before, it’s likely to get bought,” Beck said. “(NBC production executives) love a visual story, but this one also has an underlayer of hard news with the COVID pandemic, which is why you guys (Blue Wahoos) had to close (baseball season cancelled).
“It’s about being innovative as a business, but also you’ve got this warm and fuzzy part with the Airbnb and kids. So, it kind of has everything you look for.”
The Blue Wahoos will continue operating their Airbnb, which includes the option of the visitors’ clubhouse for larger groups, through the rest of this year and beyond.
The success has led to deciding how to maintain the Airbnb around the baseball schedule.
“It’s been a great challenge for us and a great opportunity to showcase what Pensacola has to offer,” Bailie Tate said. “What this Airbnb has done is shown you can still have baseball when there is no baseball. You can run out on the field and feel like a kid again. All in one place.”
by Bill Vilona, senior writer for the Blue Wahoos.
