Many Will Use Space Heaters To Stay Warm. And That Can Be Dangerous.
January 3, 2022
With colder weather back for North Escambia, many people will turn to space heaters to stay warm. And that can be dangerous.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths and space heaters account for four out of five home heating fire deaths.
“Space heaters should have a three-foot safe zone around them,” said Escambia County Fire and Life Specialist Ray Melton. “They should never be left on while you’re away from home. They should be checked and served every year before use. Never plug a space heater into power strips or extension cords, and always have working smoke alarms.”
Follow these tips to stay safe while heating your home:
- Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.
- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 ft. away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove or portable space heater.
- Portable space heaters should be turned OFF every time you leave the room and before going to bed.
- Never plug a space heater in a power strip.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Never use an oven to heat your home.
For portable electric heaters:
- Place them on a solid, flat surface, away from high traffic areas and doorways.
- Use and purchase heaters with an automatic shut off so if they are tipped over they will shut off.
- Plug power cords directly into outlets and never into an extension cord.
- Inspect for cracked or damaged, broken plugs or loose connections; replace before using.
Expect Airport Boulevard Road Construction Through Spring
January 3, 2022
Construction activities are scheduled to begin this week on Airport Boulevard in Escambia County.
Improvements include milling and resurfacing the roadway from west of North Palafox Street to Davis Highway, installing new pedestrian signals and video detection, upgrading curb ramps at intersections and side streets, and repairing various areas of damaged sidewalk.
Drivers should anticipate nighttime lane closures between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. The 1.4-mile project is estimated for completion in the spring of 2022.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Chief Jeffrey Simpkins Is Northview High’s Teacher Of The Year
January 3, 2022
Chief Jeffrey Simpkins is the Northview High School Teacher of the Year.
Chief Simpkins is Northview’s ROTC instructor.
The school said Simpkins “is admired by both students and staff. His energy, contagious positive attitude, and care for his students are evident daily”.
Escambia Had 2,147 New COVID-19 Cases Last Week; Sharp Increase Over Previous Weeks
January 3, 2022
There were 2,147 new COVID-19 cases reported last week in Escambia County, according to a Florida Department of Health report. That compares to 544 during the week before Christmas and 203 the week before that.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 57,127 (+2,147)
Positivity rate last week: 25.6%
Case Rate per 100k: 168.70
People vaccinated: 164,688 (+759)
Vaccination rate (age 5+): 54%
New hospital admissions: 52
Total deaths last 7 days: 0 (CDC data)
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 34,032 (+895)
Positivity rate last week: 18.8%
People vaccinated: 95,818 (+507)
Vaccination rate (age 5+): 54%
New hospital admissions: 6
Total deaths last 7 days: <10 (CDC data)
Statewide cases:
Florida resident cases: 4,166,392 (+298,455)
Case positivity rate: 26.5
Case Rate per 100k: 135.10
Deaths: 62,504 (+32)
Baptist Hospital Welcomes New Year’s Baby
January 3, 2022
Elyse Rose was the first baby born at Baptist Hospital in 2022.
The New Year’s baby was born Saturday afternoon to Trestine and Micah McDonald. Nurses presented the family with a car seat filled with baby items.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Slip; 2021 Had The Highest Annual Average In Seven Years
January 3, 2022
After a year mostly characterized by rising gas prices, 2021 ended with prices slowly moving lower. Florida gas prices slipped a couple of cents over the past two weeks, averaging $3.21 per gallon.
The average price per gallon Sunday night in Escambia County ws $3.13. In North Escambia, a low of $2.92 could be found at a Highway 29 station in Cantonment, while the warehouse clubs in Pensacola were at $2.87.
In 2021, Florida gas prices averaged $2.93 in 2021, the highest annual average in seven years.
“Since it began, the pandemic has caused a rollercoaster ride for prices at the pump,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Gas prices plummeted in 2020 when lockdowns led to lower fuel demand, causing a glut in global fuel supplies. As a result, many countries cut back on crude production, leaving the market vulnerable to what would happen next. In 2021, vaccinations rolled out and demand came roaring back much faster than oil production. As a result, fuel prices skyrocketed to levels not seen in seven years.
“For now, it appears these higher gas prices will hang around well into 2022,” Jenkins continued. “Motorists should expect continued volatility at the pump, as prices will likely ebb and flow, based on news about the pandemic and its implications on global supply and demand.”
In 2021, the average price for gasoline in Florida started at a low of $2.19 per gallon and reached a high of $3.36 per gallon (November 19). That high was well beyond the highs of $2.56 (2020), $2.80 (2019), and $2.92 (2018).
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Louis Street In Cantonment Expected To Be Closed Two More Weeks
January 2, 2022
Louis Street in Cantonment is expected to remain closed for another couple of weeks.
Louis Street (Highway 297A) was closed in the area of Washington Street and Lincoln Street on November 15. Instead of reopening by mid-December as first announced, Escambia County says the road will be closed until January 16, 2022.
Work was delayed due to utility issues during installation of the storm and water lines. Construction work includes installation of a stormwater pipe, other drainage structures and widening along the west southbound travel lane on Louis Street.
Local traffic is being detoured in the surrounding neighborhood. All other through traffic should continue to use County Road 97 between Muscogee Road and Kingsfield Road.
Pictured: Recent construction work on Louis Street on the north side of the Washington Street intersection. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Cindy Speed Is Beulah Middle’s Teacher Of The Year
January 2, 2022
Cindy Speed was named the Beulah Middle School Teacher of the Year. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
After A Holiday Break, Road Construction Lane Closures Return Monday
January 2, 2022
After a holiday break that started December 23, road construction lane closures return Monday morning.
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
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 3 through Thursday, Jan. 6. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Drivers will encounter inside lane closures between A and N streets as crews perform median improvements and install poles for pedestrian traffic signals.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures and shifts from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on U.S. 29, between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road, and on Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 interchange to allow crews to place the thermoplastic striping and to perform worklist items.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures Monday, Jan. 3 through Friday, Jan. 7, as crews place a watermain.
- Beulah Road (S.R. 99) Routine Maintenance at Kaheeley Ridge Subdivision – Drivers will encounter inside lane closures, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 3 through Friday, Jan. 7, as crews perform paving operations.
Santa Rosa County
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 3 through Thursday, Jan. 6. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – The eastbound lane will remain reduced to one lane at the County Road 191 Overpass Bridge (Exit 26) until work associated with bridge approach construction is complete. Motorists can also expect intermittent lane closures from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 3 through Thursday, Jan. 6 as crews perform construction activities.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Major roadway construction activities are currently underway. Improvements include widening the roadway from four to a six-lanes with a raised median, safety, and drainage upgrades, resurfacing Avalon Boulevard from U.S. 98 to Garcon Point Bridge, extending the existing shared-use path on the south side of U.S. 98 from Gondolier Boulevard, and new signage and pavement markings.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Lil Aggies Winter Cheer Clinic Set For January 14
January 2, 2022
The Tate High School Lil Aggies Winter Cheer Clinic will take place on Friday, January 14.
The clinic will begin at 4:30 p.m. and the game will follow at 7:30 p.m. The Lil Aggies cheerleaders will cheer on the Tate varsity boys basketball teams as they take on the Navarre Raiders.
The cost of the event is $40 per athlete, which includes an exclusive Lil Aggies basketball bow, pizza and a drink before the game, and game admission. Registration and payment are due by Monday, January 10th.