Florida Gas Prices Down 12 Cents In 11 Days
July 29, 2019
Florida gas prices dropped nine cents during the past week, combining for a total discount of 12 cents in the past 11 days.
Florida drivers are now paying an average price of $2.58 per gallon, while Escambia County had an average price of $2.57.
In Cantonment Sunday night, a gallon of regular unleaded was as low as $2.38 at Muscogee Road’s Quick Fill.
“Florida drivers are benefiting from low oil prices, which held pretty steady last week, thanks to ongoing market sentiment that global oil supply is stronger than demand,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The state average should continue trickling lower this week, as it makes a likely push below $2.55 per gallon before Friday.”
This Week’s Road Construction Delay Spots
July 29, 2019
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects 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. 90A (Nine Mile Road) – Drivers will experience the following impacts to traffic Sunday, July 28 through Saturday, Aug. 3:
- Nine Mile Road will be closed at U.S. 29 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, July 28 through Thursday, August 1 as crews drive piles for the new southbound bridge deck. Traffic control officers will be on-site to help direct motorists. The following detour will be in place:
- Eastbound Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one lane, directed to U.S. 29 southbound, U-turn at West Hood Drive, and return to Nine Mile Road.
- Westbound traffic will perform the same operation at West 9 1/2 Mile Road.
- Nine Mile Road will be closed at U.S. 29 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, July 28 through Thursday, August 1 as crews drive piles for the new southbound bridge deck. Traffic control officers will be on-site to help direct motorists. The following detour will be in place:
o U.S. 29 traffic between Interstate 10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
- · Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) Widening from Pine Forest Road to U.S. 29 – Drivers will experience alternating lane closures at the intersection of Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road from 8 p.m. Friday, July 26 to 6 a.m. Monday, July 29 as crews reconstruct the intersection. Traffic control officers will be on-site to help direct traffic.
- · U.S. 98 from S.R. 298 (Lillian Highway) to West of S.R. 173 (Blue Angel Parkway)- There will be intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. from Sunday, July 28 to Thursday, Aug. 1 as crews finish paving structural course and sod installation.
- · U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement Bridge- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, July 28 through Sunday, Aug. 4:
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- Intermittent lane closures on U.S. 98 east and westbound, from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to 2,000-feet 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. 98 eastbound traffic (Pensacola to Gulf Breeze) will be shifted to the new Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday evening, Aug. 4 and U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) Thursday, Aug. 8. The temporary configuration for the new bridge will provide two lanes of east and two lanes of westbound traffic, along with a center-lane reserved for emergency vehicles. A multiuse path for pedestrians and bicyclists is expected to be operational approximately two-months after the traffic shift.
- From 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4 to 6 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, 17th Avenue will be closed to through traffic between Gregory Street and the CSX Railroad overpass. Drivers will be detoured using Ninth Avenue and Cervantes Street (U.S. 90). Access to the visitor’s center, boat ramp, and the Pensacola Bay Fishing Pier will be maintained for local traffic via 17th Avenue.
- U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of County Road (C.R.) 184 (Muscogee Road) to State Road (S.R.) 97 (Atmore Highway)- Post mounted delineators have been erected between the Thrift Store and Cross Roads Dollar General to prevent cut-through traffic from Molino Road. Workers are clearing trees and shrubs and excavating for roadway widening at the Molino Road intersection. Drivers may encounter intermittent lane restrictions as crews and heavy equipment enter and exit the roadway.
- S.R. 727 (Fairfield Drive) from South of Usher Circle to North of Hestia Place- Traffic on Fairfield Drive from south of Usher Circle to north of Hestia Place remains shifted to the west as crews complete the installation of the box culvert under the roadway. The north entrance to Usher Circle is also temporarily closed to traffic during the drainage operation. Residents will utilize the south entrance of Usher Circle.
- Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) Widening from Pine Forest Road to U.S. 29 – Drivers will experience alternating lane closures at the intersection of Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road from 8 p.m. Friday, July 26 to 6 a.m. Monday, July 29 as crews reconstruct the intersection to match the newly-constructed eastbound lanes. Traffic control officers will be on-site to help direct traffic.
- C.R. 168 Bridge Replacement over Unnamed Branch in Northwest Century- Traffic was recently shifted to the temporary acrow bridge. Activities associated with the bridge replacement project continue and are anticipated to be complete late 2019.
- Bratt Road Bridge Replacement over Canoe Creek - Bratt Road continues to be closed near Canoe Creek. Drivers on Bratt Road, west of the bridge, will be detoured to Pine Barren Road and C.R. 4. Drivers east of the bridge will be detoured east on Bratt Road. The project is anticipated to be complete summer 2019.
- Hanks Road Bridge Replacement over Breastworks Creek - Construction activities continue. The roadway will be temporarily closed during construction. Drivers on Hanks Road, west of the bridge, will be detoured to C.R. 99 and C.R. 4. Drivers east of the bridge will utilize Pine Barren Road. The project is anticipated to be complete late 2019.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement Bridge- Bridge construction will require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, July 28 through Sunday, August 4:
- Intermittent lane closures on U.S. 98 east and westbound, from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to 2,000-feet 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. 98 eastbound traffic (Pensacola to Gulf Breeze) will be shifted to the new Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday evening, Aug. 4 and U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) Thursday, Aug. 8. The temporary configuration for the new bridge will provide two lanes of east and two lanes of westbound traffic, along with a center-lane reserved for emergency vehicles. A multiuse path for pedestrians and bicyclists is expected to be operational approximately two-months after the traffic shift.
- From 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4 to 6 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, 17th Avenue will be closed to through traffic between Gregory Street and the CSX Railroad overpass. Drivers will be detoured using Ninth Avenue and Cervantes Street (U.S. 90). Access to the visitor’s center, boat ramp, and the Pensacola Bay Fishing Pier will be maintained for local traffic via 17th Avenue.
- I-10 Widening from the Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) – The following construction related traffic impacts are planned for Interstate 10 and Avalon Boulevard from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, July 28 through Thursday, Aug. 1:
o Alternating lane closures, Sunday through Thursday, on Avalon Boulevard near the I-10 interchange as crews perform construction activities.
o Alternating lane closures on I-10 from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of Avalon Boulevard (Exit 22), Sunday through Thursday, as crews work to place final striping and to finish work list items.
- S.R. 87 Pavement Markings Replacement- Traffic will encounter alternating and intermittent minor delays at the following locations from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Friday until Tuesday, July 30 as crews remove and replace pavement markings in the roadway. Law enforcement will be on site to direct traffic:
- U.S. 90 to Nicholas Lake Road
- U.S. 98 to Vonnie Tolbert Road
- · S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to Hickory Hammock Road– All north and southbound travel lanes on S.R. 87, between C.R. 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) and two miles south of the Yellow River are now open and the speed limit is now 65 mph. Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures as crews complete construction activities and the speed limit is reduced to 45 mph through the active work zones.
Northview, Tate High Schools To Hold Orientation Events
July 29, 2019
Northview and Tate high schools have scheduled orientations and schedule pick up days.
Tate High
Tate High School’s Aggie Day will be held from 9-12 on Wednesday, July 31 in the new gym. The event is for incoming ninth grade and new students in grades 10, 11 and 12.
Ninth grade orientation and schedule pick up will be held Wednesday, August 7. Schedule pick up for grades 10-12 will be held at 1 p.m. on August 7.
Northview High
All incoming ninth grade and new students in grades 10, 11 and 12 should report to the theater before 1 p.m. on Thursday, August 1. Students will have a short introduction and welcome program.
Immediately afterwards, the students will be divided into groups for a brief tour of the Northview campus.
The entire process should take approximately 90 minutes, so parents are asked to be prompt in picking up their students at the breezeway after the conclusion of this activity.
Students with a signed chromebook contract will be issued a chromebook to take home on the first day of school. Students without a signed contract will not be issued a chromebook but will check one out daily from the media center before first period begins.
Free Summer Meals Continue This Week At The Century, Molino And Main Libraries
July 29, 2019
Free summer lunches are available at the libraries in Century, Molino and downtown Pensacola through Friday, August 2.
The meals are available through a partnership with West Florida Public Libraries and Feeding the Gulf coast through Friday, August 2 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, lunch from noon to 1 p.m.
- Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St.: Monday-Friday, lunch from noon to 1 p.m.
Each lunch includes a serving of milk, two or more servings of vegetables or fruits, a serving of a grain or bread and one serving of meat or meat alternative.
File photos.
Tate Soccer Holds Summer Camp (With Season Schedule)
July 29, 2019
Tate High School held their men’s soccer camp over the weekend in preparation for their upcoming season. The camp was for all returning Tate players and all aspiring players for the 2019-2020 varsity and junior varsity teams.
(all home games are played at Ashton Brosnaham Park)
Week Begins Sunny And Warm
July 29, 2019
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 70. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92.
Lewis, Duran Make Debut, Lead Blue Wahoos To Seventh Straight Win
July 29, 2019
A leap in level and first impression became memorable Sunday for shortstop Royce Lewis and pitcher Jhoan Duran, leading the Pensacola Blue Wahoos to a new high.
In their much-anticipated debuts, Lewis drove in a pair of runs with a second-inning double, narrowly missing a grand slam, going 2-for-5 and helping turn two double plays, while Duran allowed just two hits in five scoreless innings, as the visiting Blue Wahoos beat the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp 5-0 to record their seventh consecutive win.
It’s the team’s longest win streak this season. It’s happening with a remodeled roster.
And the Blue Wahoos did it Sunday on the road against a major league pitcher.
Less than a day after being promoted from the Fort Myers Miracle, the 20-year-old Lewis was in the starting lineup and quickly wowed.
The Minnesota Twins’ overall No. 1 pick in 2017 drove a pitch from Pablo Lopez, who was on a rehab assignment start from the Miami Marlins, off the left field wall at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
The almost-grand slam scored Jimmy Kerrigan and Ivan De Jesus Jr. A wild pitch from Lopez then scored Joe Cronin with the third run of the inning and provided a 4-0 lead. It forced Jumbo Shrimp manager Kevin Randel to summon the bullpen for a reliever.
Lewis singled in his next at-bat to become the Blue Wahoos’ lone multiple-hit player in the game.
The Blue Wahoos got a first inning run off Lopez, a starter in 14 games this season for Miami, on Ben Rortvedt’s two-out double scoring Trevor Larnach, who had singled.
Larnach (2018), Lewis and Alex Kirilloff (2016) currently give the Blue Wahoos the Twins’ No. 1 draft picks in the past three years.
Meanwhile, Duran was dealing on the mound. The 21-year-old righthander faced just one batter above the minimum through four innings. He recorded eight ground ball outs, including a double play that Lewis helped turn.
Duran worked five complete innings, allowing just one walk and striking out three, in addition to yielding two hits.
Three relievers followed Duran. Hector Lujan worked a scoreless sixth inning. Jonathan Cheshire, also making his Blue Wahoos debut after being with the Toronto Blue Jays organization, followed with 1.2 innings, allowing just one hit.
Alex Phillips picked up his second save after entering in the eighth inning and allowed just one hit. The Blue Wahoos picked up their fifth run in the ninth inning on Kirilloff’s two-out single to score Ryan Costello.
The win boosted the Blue Wahoos to 56-50 overall, after they fell under .500 during a six-game losing streak which preceded the turnaround. They are 18-18 in the second half and trail first-place Biloxi by five games in the Southern League South Division.
However, if the Shuckers win the second half to follow their first half division win, the other playoff spot goes to the team with the second-best overall record. The Blue Wahoos now have seven-game lead on Jacksonville in that category, five games over the Mississippi Braves.
The Blue Wahoos and Jumbo Shrimp will continued their five-game series on Monday with Bryan Sammons set to face Sixto Sanchez, the Marlins’ No. 1 overall prospect.
The Blue Wahoos return to Pensacola on Thursday to face the Birmingham Barons in a weekend series
Register Monday, Tuesday For Heather Leonard’s Danceworks Classes
July 29, 2019
A registration event will be held Monday and Tuesday for Heather Leonard’s Danceworks.
The registration will be held from 4-6:30 July 29-30 at the Byrneville Community Center for ages 3 and up. Classes are available for all levels, even for adults.
Classes will begin August 12 at the Byrneville Community Center.
Century Man Receives Probation In Shots Fired Incident
July 28, 2019
A Century man has received probation in a shots fired incident earlier this year in Century.
Johnny Lee Biggs, 42, was charged with felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Circuit Judge Stephen Pitre withheld adjudication and sentenced Biggs to 14 months probation and fines. He was also ordered to undergo a substance abuse evaluation and to not possess any firearms during his probation. Withholding adjudication which means Biggs will not have felony record if he successfully completes the terms of the sentence.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrived at a shots fired call the night of February 10 at the intersection of West Pond Street and West Highway 4 to find the victim on top of Biggs.
The victim said he was at his Pond Street home when Biggs came to the home uninvited. He said a verbal altercation followed, and Biggs pulled a firearm from his pocket and fired. A witness said the victim tackled Biggs to the ground, according to an arrest report.
Biggs told deputies a different story. He said he was dropped off at the victim’s home, and the two got into an argument over a woman. Biggs said the victim retrieved a firearm and threw it at Bigg’s feet, stating “pick the gun up and shoot me if you think you’re tough,” the arrest report states. Biggs said the victim lunged at him, and the firearm accidentally discharged.
The victim was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital for treatment of an injury he received during the fight. He was not hit by gunfire.
Cleaning Up The Aggie House…And Remembering Sean Banks’ Legacy
July 28, 2019
The Tate Aggie family gathered Saturday to clean up their house and remember a lost teammate.
Volunteers worked to get Pete Gindl Stadium shining with Aggie pride before the upcoming football season. And they also installed a stadium sign remembering Aggie Sean Banks.
“I’ve done a lot of hard things in my life but hanging this particular sign today got to this old man,” said Billy Glenn Howard, Jr., “especially when I turned around and saw our Tate Aggie football team watching this being installed.”
“As the freshman Aggies watched on, they were reminded that every time they put on that uniform and step on that field,” the Tate Quarterback Club wrote on social media, “that they are DOING IT FOR SEAN! They may not have known him but we are all one AGGIE FAMILY and Sean’s legacy will forever live on in this program!
Sean Banks and his sister Antoinette McCoy — his biggest fan — were killed in a tragic car crash in January when their vehicle was hit by an alleged DUI driver on East Kingsfield Road.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
