Verizon: Customers In Century Area May Experience Service Disruptions This Week
January 9, 2023
Over about the next week, Verizon Wireless customers in the Century area may experience service disruptions, according to the company.
“Verizon is upgrading our network in the Century area to make sure our customers in the area continue to have the excellent experience they’ve come to expect from Verizon,” Andy Choi, Verizon communications manager, told NorthEscambia.com. “ We’re notifying customers in the spirit of transparency, because we know our customers rely on the Verizon network.”
Choi said he was unable to provide specific details on what part of the network or service is being upgraded, nor could he be more specific on the potentially impacted area.
According to Verizon, the upgrade process could take a little longer than the anticipated week.
“While we will do our best to adhere to this schedule, it may shift out as much as two weeks due to factors outside of our control,” the company said.
Pictured: A Verizon tower in North Escambia. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Lane Closures This Week On Highway 97 North Of Molino; Tuesday on Highway 99 In Beulah
January 9, 2023
According to the the Florida Department of Transportation, there will be lane closures this week on Highway 97 in Molino and Highway 99 in Beulah.
Motorists will encounter intermittent daytime lane closures on Highway 97 just north of Abromovich Lane Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. for routine utility maintenance. Abromovich Lane is just north of Molino Park Elementary School)
There will also be intermittent lane closures on Tuesday beginning at 9 a.m. on Highway 99 near Beulah Road for drainage operations.
The work is weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Kristi Mims Is Jim Allen Elementary’s Teacher Of The Year
January 9, 2023
Kristi Mims was named the Jim Allen Elementary School Teacher of the Year. She teaches pre-kindergarten.
NorthEscambia.com spotlighting Teachers of the Year from the North Escambia area. The county’s overall teacher of the year will be named in late January.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
AAA: Gas Prices Declining Again After 32 Cent Spike
January 9, 2023
Florida gas prices are declining again after surging during in the past two weeks. The state average declined almost 2 cents per gallon over the weekend, but more discounts are likely on the way, AAA said.
“Gas prices soared in recent weeks, after winter storms caused temporary refinery outages,” said Mark Jenkins, Public Relations Manager for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Last week, we saw fuel prices retreat again, as refinery activity ramped back up and the market turned bearish on global fuel demand, due to rising cases of Covid-19 in China. Retail prices could drop 10-20 cents in the coming weeks, unless oil prices suddenly rebound.”
On Sunday, the state average was $3.30 per gallon. That’s 10 cents more than this time last year. In 2022, gas prices reached a new record high of $4.89 per gallon in June. The 2022 low was set on December 26th at $2.99 per gallon.
A North Escambia low of $2.94 could be found on Muscogee Road in Cantonment. In Pensacola, a gallon of gas was as low as $2.83 a the warehouse clubs.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Dawn Bechtol Is McArthur Elementary School Teacher Of The Year
January 8, 2023
The McArthur Elementary School Teacher of the Year is Dawn Bechtol. She is an ESE teacher at the school. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mega Millions At $1.1 Billion For Tuesday, Third Largest Jackpot In Game History
January 8, 2023
For the fourth time in a little more than four years, the Mega Millions jackpot has topped $1 billion
After no ticket matched all six numbers drawn Friday night, the jackpot for the next drawing on Tuesday, January 10, is currently estimated at $1.1 billion ($568.7 million cash). If won at that amount, it would be the third largest jackpot in the game’s history.
The numbers from Friday night were white balls 3, 20, 46, 59 and 63, plus the gold Mega Ball 13.
The only Mega Millions jackpots larger than Tuesday’s estimated $1.1 billion are the game’s record of $1.537 billion, won in South Carolina on October 23, 2018, and $1.337 billion won in Illinois last July 29.
Century To Discuss Plan To Prevent Customer Contamination Of Drinking Water
January 8, 2023
The Century Town Council will hold a workshop Tuesday to discuss a Cross Connection Control Plan.
The plan, which is required by the state, seeks to protect drinking water from contamination caused by leaks or other connections on the customer side of town water meters.
Florida law required that the adopted policy be enforced, including the temporary or permanent disconnection of water service connections that fail to meet the regulatory requirements.
The workshop meeting with the council and engineer Dale Long will take place at 7 p.m. at town hall. The public is invited.
Community Health Pediatric Clinic Opens Monday On Pine Forest High Campus
January 8, 2023
Community Health Northwest Florida will open the doors at their new pediatric clinic at Pine Forest High School.
Located in a standalone building on the high school campus,, the clinic is open to all children and youth in the surrounding community, providing comprehensive primary care for ages 0 to 18.
Board certified pediatrician John Lanza, MD, FAAP, will transfer from Community Health’s Jackson Street Pediatrics to take the lead at the Pine Forest Clinic. He offers compassionate care backed by a myriad of diverse experience, education and accolades. Prior to joining the organization, Lanza retired as the director and health officer of the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County, where he served in that role for more than 24 years. Previously, Lanza worked as a pediatric emergency department physician and was in private pediatric practice.
For more information, contact the clinic directly at (850) 665-3252.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Traffic Advisories
January 8, 2023
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:
- S.R. 97 Routine Utility Maintenance Just North of Abromovich Lane – Motorists will encounter intermittent daytime lane closures Monday, Jan. 9 through Thursday, Jan. 12 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for routine utility maintenance.
- S.R. 99 Routine Maintenance near Beulah Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Tuesday, Jan. 10 starting at 9 a.m. for drainage operations.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The front parking lot is temporarily closed as crews work to resurface the pavement. The other parking areas remain open. Temporary sidewalk modifications are also in place while work is underway.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Jan. 8 through Saturday, Jan. 14 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to perform miscellaneous construction activities on the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- Pace Boulevard from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and sidewalk closures on Pace Boulevard and side streets between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Sunday, Jan. 8 through Thursday, Jan. 12 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. The work will allow crews to perform paving operations as well as sidewalk and curb improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized intersections to access the sidewalks on the other side of Pace Boulevard.
- East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) from Chemstrand Road to East of Baldridge Drive – The bicycle lanes are temporarily closed to allow crews to widen the turn lanes and construct new five-foot bicycle lanes. In addition, the speed limit on this section of East Nine Mile Road has been reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles will share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete next summer.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) from Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) 296) to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, Jan. 8 through Thursday, Jan. 12 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway.
- Lillian Highway (S.R. 298), from North of U.S. 98 to East of Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727) and Lillian Highway at Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) - Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures from U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Monday, Jan. 9 through Friday, Jan. 13 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. for drainage improvements and erosion control operations.
- Sorrento Road Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road – Drivers may encounter intermittent daytime and nighttime lane closures and lane shifts at the Sorrento Road and Bauer Road intersection as crews install drainage pipe.
- Navy Boulevard (S.R. 295) from north of the Bayou Grande Bridge to Gulf Beach Highway/Barrancas Avenue (S.R. 292) – Drivers may encounter intermittent alternating lane closures from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night as crews place construction signage near the roadway.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, Jan. 8 through Saturday, Jan. 14 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to perform miscellaneous construction activities on the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River - Construction crews have temporarily shifted eastbound traffic to the westbound bridge over Simpson River. The shift is expected to be in place through March 2023. During this time, there will be two westbound lanes and one eastbound travel lane using the westbound bridge. Due to the traffic shift, there will not be dedicated bike lanes on the bridge. Drivers are urged to use extra caution as they will be temporarily sharing the bridge with cyclists. Drivers are also reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Point Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road Sunday, Jan. 8, through Friday, Jan. 13, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- Settlers Colony Boulevard will remain closed to complete necessary drainage improvements. Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians will access Settlers Colony Boulevard via Venetian Way and Coronado Drive. Detour signs will be in place. Residents may experience noise, vibrations, and dust during daytime hours as part of this drainage improvement effort.
- S.R. 87 North Routine Utility Maintenance South of Bayberry Street – Motorists will encounter intermittent daytime southbound outside lane closures Wednesday, Jan. 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to access cables in a manhole.
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By The Numbers: How Many Calls Did Escambia Fire Rescue Answer Last Month?
January 8, 2023
Escambia Fire Rescue responded to 93 fires during December.
The department’s 1,978 calls also included 199 vehicle crashes and 585 medical calls.
Details are in the infographic below.
This infographic includes a sampling of Escambia Fire Rescue calls for service during December 2022.
