Atmore Splash Pad Back Open
June 18, 2018
The new splash pad in Atmore is open again, according to Mayor Jim Staff. The splash pad was closed for a week for additional improvements. The splash pad was opened about a month ago at South Trammel Street and West Craig Street, just behind Heritage Park on South Main Street. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Low Tax Opportunity Zones Approved For Escambia County, Including Century
June 18, 2018
Great news – @USTreasury approved Florida’s Low Tax Opportunity Zones. These Zones will help foster continued success in our state by bringing new capital investment and more jobs to areas in every Florida county.
The U.S. Treasury has approved Gov. Rick Scott’s recommendation that seven census tracts in Escambia County be designated as “Opportunity Zones”, including Century and the immediately surrounding area.
“These Zones will help foster continued success in our state by bringing new capital investment and more jobs to areas in every Florida county,” according to the Governor’s Office.
Low Tax Opportunity Zones, as established in the federal Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017, encourage long-term investment and job creation in targeted communities by reducing taxes for many job creators. Low Tax Opportunity Zones enhance local communities’ ability to attract businesses, developers and financial institutions to invest in targeted areas by allowing investors to defer capital gains taxes through investments in federally established Opportunity Funds.
“The Pensacola area has created 19,400 jobs since December 2010 and these new Low Tax Opportunity Zones will spur even more private investment and job creation. I look forward to seeing the new businesses and jobs that are created in these target areas,” Scott said.
“These Zones will make a real and lasting difference in some of our highest-need areas by helping to bring new capital investment and more jobs to every county across the state. They will also bring additional investment to rural communities and urban areas, ensuring that every Floridian has the chance to live the American Dream in the Sunshine State,” the governor added.
“The new Opportunity Zone program will have a lasting impact for families in the Panhandle by offering tax incentives to attract businesses. This program will grow the local economy, create jobs and provide assistance to hardest-hit areas,” said Cissy Proctor, executive director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
The federal government will now begin the rulemaking process to designate how Opportunity Funds are created and how businesses, developers and financial institutions can invest in qualified Zones.
Pictured top: The Century Business Center. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Free Summer Meals At The Century, Molino And Main Libraries
June 18, 2018
Free summer meals are available at the libraries in Century, Molino and downtown Pensacola.
The meals are available through a partnership with West Florida Public Libraries and Feeding the Gulf coast through Friday, August 3 for children 18 and younger.
Meals are available as follows:
- -Century Branch Library, 7991 N. Century Blvd: Tuesday-Friday, lunch from noon to 1 p.m.
– Molino Branch Library, 6450-A Highway 95A : Monday-Friday, breakfast from 9-10 a.m. and lunch from noon to 1 p.m.
– Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St.: Monday-Friday, breakfast from 9-10 a.m. and lunch from noon to 1 p.m.
Pictured: Free summer meals at the Molino Branch Library. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Area Unemployment Rate Slips Slightly
June 18, 2018
The Escambia County area unemployment rate was 3.3 percent, down very slightly from 3.4 percent last month, according to the latest numbers announced Friday.
The industry with the highest growth over the year in Pensacola was construction with 1,000 new jobs. The Pensacola area had 4,639 job openings, including 1,154 openings for high-skill, high-wage STEM occupations.
As of May, Florida’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.8 percent, a drop of 7.0 percentage points since December 2010; this drop is faster than the national decline of 5.5 percentage points. In the past year, 124,000 people entered Florida’s labor force, a growth of 1.2 percent, which is greater than the national labor force growth rate of 1.1 percent.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts – Where To Expect Delays
June 18, 2018
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. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to U.S. 90 (Nine Mile Road)- Drivers traveling U.S. 29 and Nine Mile Road will encounter traffic pattern changes from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 17 through Saturday, June 23 as follows:
- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass: North and southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue construction of the new center bridge deck. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday.
- U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drivers may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations. U.S. 29 lane restrictions are Monday through Saturday.
- Northbound traffic has been shifted onto the newly constructed bridge section as demolition and reconstruction efforts on the northbound span begins.
- Due to the increased vertical clearance of the new bridge, the on-ramp will be extended up to the entrances of Emerald Cuts Salon and the Unitarian Universalist Church. This temporary shift will affect access to businesses and residences on the east side of U.S. 29 between 9 Mile Road and 9 1/2 Mile Road. The following will be in effect for the next 60 days:
- Motorists seeking access to properties on the east side of U.S. 29 will utilize the northbound on-ramp.
- Only right turns will be permitted for vehicles exiting driveways from these properties between 9 Mile Road and 9 1/2 Mile Road.
- U.S. 29 Resurfacing between U.S. 90 and Muscogee Road - Alternating lane closures north and southbound, from Muscogee Road to West 9 ½ Mile Road, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 17 through Thursday, June 21 as crews pave the roadway.
· I-10 / U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I- The following traffic impacts are planned on I-10 and U.S. 29 near the interchange (Exits 10) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 17 through Thursday, June 21:
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- Alternating lane closures on I-10 east and westbound and U.S. 29 north and southbound.
- The U.S. 29 on-ramps to I-10 eastbound will be intermittently closed. Traffic will be detoured on U.S. 29 to access I-10 eastbound.
- Alternating lane closures on the I-10 westbound exit ramp to U.S. 29 north and south (Exit 10).
· U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Alternating east and westbound lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, June 17 through Thursday, June 21 as crews perform construction activities.
· U.S. 98 (Lillian Highway) Resurfacing from Perdido Bay Bridge to Dogtrack Road – Alternating and intermittent, east and westbound lane closures from Perdido Bay Bridge to Dogtrack Road from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, June 17 through Thursday, June 21 as crews perform construction activities.
· S.R. 291 (Davis Highway) near Lakeview Avenue- Traffic will encounter southbound, outside lane restrictions near Lakeview Avenue from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, June 18 as crews perform underground utility work.
· U.S. 90 (Mobile Highway) Intersection improvement at County Road (C.R.) 99 (Beulah Road)- Beulah Road will be closed to traffic, just north of Mobile Highway, from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, June 19 through Friday, June 22 as crews perform drainage work. A signed detour will be in place. All lanes will be open to traffic during daytime hours.
· S.R. 296 (Bayou Boulevard) Turn Lane Closure- The westbound, right turn lane on Bayou Boulevard, just east of 9th Avenue, remains partially closed until 3:30 p.m. Friday, July 6 as crews install drainage structures for new private commercial businesses.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Alternating east and westbound lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, June 17 through Thursday, June 21 as crews perform construction activities.
- S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to Hickory Hammock Road – Intermittent lane shifts from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. the week of Monday, June 18 between Eglin Air Force Base boundary and two miles south of the Yellow River as crews pave the roadway. Additionally, traffic between C.R. 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) and the Eglin AFB boundary is restricted to loads less than 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place until the project is complete.
- I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) – Alternating lane closures on I-10, from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of Avalon Boulevard from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 17 through Friday, June 22 as crews widen the roadway. In addition, southbound traffic on Avalon Boulevard will be shifted to the west near the I-10 interchange the week of Tuesday, June 19. Northbound lanes are anticipated to be shifted to the west a few days after the southbound shift. The temporary configuration will remain in place throughout the summer months as crews reconstruct the northbound lanes of Avalon Boulevard. Two lanes of traffic will remain open in each direction at all times.
- U.S. 90 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Pond Creek- East and westbound traffic on U.S. 90 over Pond Creek, about one mile west of S.R. 89, will be reduced to one lane from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Thursday, June 21 as crews perform routine bridge maintenance.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Gas Prices Fall A Few Cents
June 18, 2018
Motorists are getting some welcome relief from high prices at the pump. The national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is averaged $2.90 on Sunday, after declining 7 cents since Memorial Day weekend.
“Pump prices should sink even lower this week, after wholesale gasoline prices took a dive,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “There is now firm downward pressure on the oil market as it appears increasingly likely that OPEC will agree to ease production cuts. As a result, gas prices are poised for another 5-10 cent drop.”
Gas prices in Florida declined 5 cents during the past week. The price for a gallon of regular averaged $2.76 on Sunday. Since peaking at $2.92 per gallon on Memorial Day weekend, gasoline has dropped a total of 16 cents.’
The average price per gallon in Escambia Count was on par with the rest of the state at $2.76. One week ago, it was $2.78.
Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
June 18, 2018
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings for the week of October 9-13:
Monday, June 18
District 4 Town Hall Meeting – 6 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
Tuesday, June 19
Board of Electrical Examiners – 9 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Pensacola Escambia Development Commission Board of Directors – 10 a.m., 418 W. Garden St.
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place, Room 104 (Agenda)
X Street Vacation Town Hall hosted by Commissioner Doug Underhill & Commissioner Lumon May – 5:30 p.m., Brownsville Assembly of God, 3101 W. De Soto St.
Wednesday, June 20
Escambia Soil & Water Conservation District – 8 a.m., 151 Highway 97, Molino
Board of Adjustment – 8:30 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place (Agenda)
Corrections Director Selection Committee Interviews – 9:30 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, 4th Floor Training Room
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Thursday, June 21
Community Redevelopment Agency – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
Board of County Commissioners Agenda Review Session, Public Forum & BCC Regular Meeting – 9:15 a.m., 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
A More Typical June Weather Pattern
June 18, 2018
Happy Father’s Day! Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Calm wind.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
Wahoos Drop First Half Finale To The Mobile BayBears
June 18, 2018
The BayBears rallied from behind to win the first-half finale 6-4 over Pensacola on a warm Sunday afternoon at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Vladimir Gutierrez was excellent again today for the Blue Wahoos. He went six innings and allowed two runs on three hits. Those two runs were courtesy of Zach Houchin’s two-run home run in the fourth. Outside of that mistake, the Cuban right-hander was exceptional as he finished his outing with a season-high eight strikeouts and only one walk allowed.
The Wahoos rallied for runs in the fourth and fifth inning to tie the game at 2-2. In this sixth, after back-to-back hits from Nick Longhi and Brian O’Grady, the Wahoos scored on a wild pitch from Samil De Los Santos. Gavin LaValley later lifted a sac fly to center to score O’Grady to give Pensacola a 4-2 edge.
Wyatt Strahan (L, 5-6) entered the game in the eighth and struggled. He allowed a run in the eighth after Luis Rengifo tripled and later scored on Brennon Lund’s groundout. In the ninth he surrendered a leadoff single to Hutton Moyer who scored on Brendon Sanger’s game-tying double. In extras with a runner beginning on second base, Wade Wass homered on the first pitch he saw, which gave Mobile a 6-4 edge.
Jesus Castillo started the first three innings for Mobile. After that the BayBears used six different relievers for the final seven innings of the game, which included two position players in Bo Way and Jared Walsh. The Wahoos loaded the bases in the tenth but Dario Beltre worked around trouble to pick up the win (1-0).
The second-half starts on the road in Jackson when the Wahoos open up a six-game series against the Generals after the All-Star break. Four Wahoos will be participating for the South Division this year in Birmingham, AL. The Wahoos return to Blue Wahoos Stadium on June 28 when they host the Mississippi Braves. T
Portion Of Beulah Road To Have Nightly Detours And Closures
June 18, 2018
Beulah Road between Mobile Highway and Beulah Church Road will experience nightly detours and closures beginning Tuesday, June 19 at 7 p.m. Traffic will be detoured along Beulah Church Road and Rebel Road.
The road closure is expected to remain in effect for approximately four days between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. each day. Every effort will be made to expedite construction to reopen the road before Saturday, June 23.
Construction will consist of upgrading the existing cross drains through the area as part of a Florida Department of Transportation project.
If other lane or roadway closures are necessary beyond the anticipated time periods, another notice will be issued.