Florida Gas Prices Level Off At Florida Reopens
May 11, 2020
Florida gas prices are leveling off, after plunging for 10 consecutive weeks. The 76-day streak of declines came to an end last week, as Floridians returned to the road, driving up demand for fuel.
Gas prices dropped a total of 66 cents per gallon since February, when the coronavirus outbreak caused Floridians to stay home to stop the spread. The driving force behind plunging pump prices was low gasoline demand, which sank as much as 75 percent below normal levels during the lockdown. Since the phased reopening began last week, gasoline demand has improved to only 40 percent below year-ago levels.
The average price per gallon across the state was $1.76 a gallon, $1 less than this time last year.
In Escambia County, the average price per gallon Sunday night was $1.65, but one Cantonment station was at $1.57 and stations in Pensacola were at $1.58.
“The plunge at the pump appears to be over now that Floridians are driving more often,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The rising demand has restored optimism in the fuel market, causing higher crude oil and gasoline prices. Wholesale gasoline prices also increased last week, but not yet to a level that demands retailers to raise their rates.”
Food Distribution Tuesday At Carver Park In Cantonment
May 11, 2020
A food distribution will be held Tuesday at Carver Park in Cantonment.
The distribution through Feeding the Gulf Coast will included meats, fresh produce, canned goods, dairy and other food items. It is limited to one box per family, and identification is needed. The Cantonment Improvement Committee’s food bags for children will also be distributed.
The distribution will begin at 3:30 p.m. (not the usual Tuesday 3 p.m.) at Carver Park, 208 Webb Street.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
State Issues COVID-19 Testing Orders For Long-Term Care Facilities
May 11, 2020
With hundreds of COVID-19 deaths across the state linked to long-term facilities, the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration issued an emergency rules Sunday to bolster testing of staff members.
The rules require nursing homes and assisted living facilities to grant access to the Florida Department of Health or their authorized representative for the purpose infection prevention and control, including mandated COVID-19 testing of both on-duty and off-duty staff when arranged by the department.
“The challenge we face is mitigating and containing the spread of this deadly virus in our long-term care facilities,” said AHCA Secretary Mary Mayhew.”To guard against the rapid spread of COVID-19, I am issuing emergency rules for our nursing homes and assisted living facilities requiring that every facility allow access to the Department of Health or their authorized representative for mandatory testing for all facility staff by the Florida Department of Health during testing visits. These rules will also require every facility to allow access to the Department of Health or their authorized representative for infection prevention and control purposes.”
As of Sunday morning, 703 residents or staff members of long-term care facilities had died from the virus, according for over 40% of all COVID-19 deaths in Florida. In Escambia County, about three-quarters of the COVID-19 deaths have been related to long-term care facilities.
Century Man Charged With Cutting Woman With A Knife At Her Apartment
May 10, 2020
A Century man stands accused of cutting a female with a knife at her local apartment.
Brandon DeWayne Jackson, 34, was charged by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
Escambia County deputies responded to a reported disturbance at Century Park Apartments on Second Street near the Century courthouse. They arrived to find “a lot” of splattered blood front of the door, on the ground, door, door frame and outside wall. The woman that answered their knock on the door had a 1.5 long cut on her thumb. She told deputies Jackson had already left. Inside, deputies found blood in the entryway, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom of the apartment.
The victim told deputies Jackson arrived at her apartment at 9:30 the night before and had knocked on the door throughout the night until 10:30 a.m. Jackson allegedly called the victim’s mother to say he just wanted to return her phone, so the victim eventually let him into the apartment believing everything was okay.
The two got into an argument and physical altercation in which Jackson punch her in the face twice, causing her to black out, according to an arrest report. The victim armed herself with a large kitchen knife and began to push Jackson toward the door. He grabbed the knife and turned it, causing the large cut on the victim’s hand, the report states. The victim claimed that Jackson’s hand was also cut by the knife during the altercation.
When Jackson exited the apartment, he reportedly struck the victim again in the face. At least three children were in the apartment at the time of the incident.
The victim was evaluated by Escambia County EMS but was not transported to the hospital.
Jackson was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond
Three-Quarters Of Escambia County COVID-19 Fatalities Are Long-Term Center Residents Or Staff
May 10, 2020
About three-quarters of the COVID-19 deaths in Escambia County have been in local long-term facilities, according to recently released data from the Florida Department of Health.
There have been 18 coronavirus deaths in Escambia County, with 13 of those tied directly to local long-term care facilities. Twelve of the deaths were residents, while one staff member has also died.
According to FDOH data:
- Bayside Health And Rehabilitation Center has had four resident deaths, 33 positive residents and 15 infected staff members.
- Brookdale Pensacola has had four resident deaths one infected resident and six positive staff members.
- Southern Oaks Care Center has recorded three resident deaths, one staff member fatality, 94 positive residents, four positive residents transferred to other facilities and three infected staff members.
- Arcadia Health & Rehabilitation Center has seen on resident death. The latest FDOH report does not indicate any other cases at the facility.
A total of 656 patients and eight employees have died at long-term care facilities across Florida — nearly 40% of of the state’s confirmed 1,715 COVID-19 deaths.
Nursing home populations are at the highest risk of being affected by COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention due to their nature and a resident population that is often older adults with underlying chronic medical conditions.
Pictured: Southern Oaks Care Center on West Gregory Street. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Delay Spots
May 10, 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:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, May 10:
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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 will experience the following traffic impacts the week of Sunday, May 10:
o 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)- Drivers can expect intermittent and alternating lane closures between Beulah Elementary School and the I-10 interchange from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the week of Monday, May 11 as crews perform operations for an upcoming traffic shift.
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.
- Scenic Highway (U.S. 90) Striping/ Pavement Marking Operations- There will be east and westbound intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. at the locations on the following dates:
- From Rothschild Drive to Nine Mile Road Sunday, May 10 through Tuesday, May 12
- From A Street to Pace Boulevard Wednesday, May 13
- From Nine Mile Road to Blue Angel Parkway Thursday, May 14
- U.S. 98 (Garden Street) Underground Utility Maintenance – Drivers will experience traffic impacts at the following locations from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, May 11 through Friday, May 15.
- The westbound and eastbound, outside lanes will be closed from A Street to Devilliers Street.
- The eastbound and westbound, inside lanes will be closed from the intersection of Garden Street and E Street to the intersection of Garden Street and I Street.
- The westbound, outside lane will be closed from the intersection of Garden Street and B Street to the intersection of Garden Street and D Street.
- Perdido Key Drive (S.R. 292) Pedestrian Crosswalk Construction at Flora-Bama- The contractor has installed the drill shaft and is awaiting cure time before returning to the project. There are no lane closures or impacts to traffic at this time.
- 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 perform paving operations. There will also be ongoing turn lane, widening, and median work at various locations on the project.
- 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 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, May 10:
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).
- S.R. 4 Resurfacing and Drainage Improvements from the Escambia River Bridge to Market Road (C.R. 87A) in Jay – Drivers can expect intermittent lane restrictions throughout town as crews perform paving operations and bridge work.
- 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 daytime 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.
Community Health Northwest Florida Patients Can Get Financial Assistance With Bills
May 10, 2020
Community Health Northwest Florida is now able to offer assistance to current patients who may be struggling financially due to job loss, reduction in hours or other circumstances directly related to the COVID-19 crisis.
Through a grant from the United Way of West Florida COVID-19 Response Fund which included a significant contribution from Gulf Power, Community Health of Northwest Florida is able to offer assistance with rent, mortgage, utility bills and other patients.
The applicant or a household member must be a current patient of Community Health Northwest Florida. Grant funds will be used to provide assistance only to those clients who have been furloughed, lost a job or had work hours reduced by 50% on or after March 17. Money will be disbursed only to vendors such as a landlord, mortgage company, or utility.
For more information, click below:
UWWF COVID-19 Response Fund Application Cover Letter
UWWF COVID-19 Response Fund Application
Or look for the links on this page.
One Reported Injured In West Roberts, Pine Forest Road Wreck
May 9, 2020
One person was reported injured in a Saturday afternoon wreck in Cantonment.
The two-vehicle crash occurred about 12:18 p.m. at the intersection of West Roberts Road and Pine Forest Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. Escambia County EMS and the Ensley Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded. ‘
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Travel Trailer Destroyed In Early Morning Highway 97 Crash
May 9, 2020
A travel trailer was destroyed in a crash early Saturday morning near Walnut Hill.
The travel trailer and a truck went off Highway 97 near Howell Road about 1:20 a.m.. There was no word of any serious injuries.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Beulah Wildfire Tops 1400 Acres; Santa Rosa Fire 2100 Acres; Both Are 50% Contained
May 9, 2020
Both the Hurst Hammock Fire in Beulah and the 5 Mile Swamp Fire in Santa Rosa County were reported as 50% contained.
The Beulah fire grew to 1,405 acres, according to the Florida Forest Service. Helicopters made total of 120 water drops on the west perimeter of the fire. Crews also spent time Friday widening and establishing new fire containment lines in that same area of the Hurst Hammock Fire.
The Santa Rosa County fire expanded to 2,153 acres as crews focused their attention Friday on creating 30-40-foot-wide containment lines on the north and northeast perimeter.
Firefighters continue to improve, monitor, and hold all containment lines around both wildfires as well as reduce critical hot spots in the residential areas.
The Forest Service said the Santa Rosa County fire has destroyed 14 homes and damaged seven others. There were also eight outbuildings destroyed and five damaged.
Saturday’s weather calls for winds out of the north and northwest with gusts up to 20 mph and another drop in humidity .
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
