Florida Gas Prices Stall As Coronavirus Cases Spike
June 29, 2020
Florida gas prices increased by a penny last week, but any additional gains may be hard to come by, as Florida experiences a surge in COVID-19 cases, according to AAA.
There’s growing concern in the fuel market that rising cases of coronavirus will interfere with the recovery in fuel demand, which took a significant hit during the height of the state’s stay-at-home orders. During that time, fuel demand was down as much as 80 percent in some Florida metro areas. Since reopening, the deficit shrunk to only 20 percent.
The average price for gasoline in Florida is $2.03 per gallon. The state average is 1-cent more than a week ago, and 14 cents more than last month. Despite the recent uptick, Florida drivers are still paying 51 cents per gallon less than this time last year.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $2.07 Sunday, up slightly from $2 last week but significantly less than $2.50 a year ago. In North Escambia Sunday night, one Highway 29 station was at $1.99, but other stations were over $2 a gallon.
“Demand concerns are beginning to creep back into the market, now that cases of coronavirus are on the rise in Florida,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “State numbers suggest demand is holding steady, but market analysts worry about an eventual downturn. With wholesale prices turning lower, it’s possible drivers will begin to see slightly lower prices at the pump this week.”
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Delay Spots
June 29, 2020
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.
In preparation for the Independence Day holiday weekend, there will be no lane closures or other activities that impede traffic on state roads beginning at 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 3, and ending 12:01 a.m. Monday, July 6.
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, June 28 through Wednesday, July 1 and from 8 p.m. to midnight on Thursday, July 2.
o 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.
o 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)– U.S. 29 between Nine & Half Mile Road and Broad Street will experience multiple changes to traffic patterns beginning Sunday, June 28 at 8 p.m. as crews begin construction of the median and crossovers. The following changes will be implemented:
- Southbound U.S. 29 will be transitioned onto the newly constructed southbound lanes. Northbound lanes will remain in the current pattern.
- The new southbound U.S. 29/ Nine Mile Road on-and-off ramps will be open.
- The bi-directional turn lane between Nine Mile Road and Broad Street will be closed to allow for the construction of the median. The following median openings will be as follows:
- Full, signalized opening at Broad Street, Detroit Boulevard, and W. Hood Drive.
- Full, non-signalized opening at Hannah Street.
- Southbound left turn lanes between the bridge and Hood Drive, at Devane Street and Carolina Drive.
- Throughout the week, drivers traveling Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass, and U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and Nine & Half 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 (S.R. 297)- The westbound lane between I-10 and Pine Forest Road will be closed from 8 p.m. Sunday, June 28 to 6 a.m. Monday, June 29 as crews perform roadway testing. Traffic will be allowed in one direction at a time with flaggers on hand to direct motorists. In addition, a portion of the I-10 off-ramp that connects to Nine Mile Road (Exit 5) westbound remains closed. Drivers can continue to access Nine Mile Road east and westbound using the other section of the ramp. The partial ramp closure is needed to reconstruct the ramp.
- · Perdido Key Drive (S.R. 292) Pedestrian Crosswalk Construction at Flora-Bama- The pedestrian crosswalk signal is now operational. Drivers are reminded to use caution when approaching.
- · 9th Avenue, Davis Highway (State Road (S.R.) 291), Alcaniz Street (S.R. 289), Wright Street (U.S. 98) Underground Sewer Line Videography- Traffic may encounter intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday until Tuesday, June 30 as crews inspect sanitary sewer lines.
- · Bayou Boulevard (S.R. 296) Drainage Improvements at the intersection of Perry Avenue- The southbound lane will be closed at the intersection of Perry Avenue weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Friday, July 10.
- · 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 continue construction activities at various locations. There will also be intermittent and alternating nighttime lane restriction at the intersection of U.S. 29 and Muscogee Road/Becks Lake Road.
- · Michigan Avenue (S.R. 296) at Mobile Highway and Memphis Avenue- Construction activities have begun on the safety improvement. No lane closures anticipated at this time.
- · 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, June 28 through Wednesday, July 1 and from 8 p.m. to midnight on Thursday, July 2.
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. 87 Resurfacing from south of Clear Creek to north of S.R. 4- Neal Kennington Road at S.R. 87 will be closed to all traffic from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday, June 30 to allow crews to perform drainage upgrades. Drivers may utilize Coldwater Creek Church Road and Lewis Road as a detour route. Variable Message Boards are in place to notify the public of the temporary closure. Detour signage will be placed to assist in directing traffic. Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane restrictions along the project. Lane closures will not be allowed near Allentown Road Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. during active school periods.
- · S.R. 4 Resurfacing and Drainage Improvements from the Escambia River Bridge to Market Road (C.R. 87A) in Jay –There will be a slow-moving vehicle used to perform striping operations. There will also be intermittent shoulder closures throughout the project.
- · U.S. 98 Turn Lane Construction from Heritage Parkway to Braden Road– The eastbound, outside lane will be closured from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, June 29 through Wednesday, July 1
- · I-10 Routine Bridge Repair over Blackwater River – Motorists will encounter alternating eastbound lane closures from 8 p.m. Monday, June 29 to 4 a.m. Tuesday, June 30.
- · U.S. 90 Pavement Marking Operations from Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281) to the Okaloosa County Line-Motorists can expect minor delays Sunday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. until Thursday, Aug. 27 as slow-moving vehicles are used to perform pavement marking operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Margarita M.Mezey
June 29, 2020
Margarita M. Mezey, 92, of Cantonment, FL, passed away June 27, 2020, at her home in Cantonment, FL.
Mrs. Mezey was born in Monterrey, Mexico and worked for the Red Cross until she retired. She then volunteered at West Florida Hospital until the age of 89 – that was her passion.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Basiil Mezey.
Survivors include her daughter, Margaret (Steve) Minton; one son, Jose Mezey; three granddaughters, Caitlin (Nick) Mezey Marlow, Christa Minton and Stephanie (Jamie) Franklin; grandson, Tyler Mezey; and nine great grandchildren.
The family suggest to those who desire, memorials be made to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital, the Shriners Hospital or the Humane Society.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, is entrusted with arrangements.
Shots Fired When Walnut Hill Man Finds Burglar Inside His Home
June 28, 2020
FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS STORY, CLICK HERE.
Shots were fired after a Walnut Hill man arrived home to find a burglar inside Sunday on Highway 97.
The resident returned to his home to find the front door open and a man his inside his home. The homeowner demanded the suspect exit and fired shots into the ground, according Amber Southard, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The burglar then got into a physical altercation with the man.
The suspect was taken into custody by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. His name was not immediately available as he was was transported and booked into the Escambia County Jail.
There were no injuries in the incident in the 8100 block of Highway 97 just north of Wiggins Lake Road.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Sunday: Total Escambia COVID-19 Cases Increase By 49
June 28, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION.
Escambia County COVID-19 cases were up by 49 on Sunday, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Escambia County cases increased to 1,660. Santa Rosa cases were up by 26 to 468. No new deaths were were reported in either county.
Of the 44 deaths in Escambia County, 34 have been long-term care facility residents or staff. There have been nine deaths in Santa Rosa County, seven of those at the Blackwater River Correctional Facility and none in long-term care facilities.
Statewide, there were 141,075 cases including 138,567 Florida residents. There have been 14,244 hospitalizations* and 3,419 deaths. The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals.
Escambia County cases:
- Total cases — 1,660 (+49 since Saturday)
- Pensacola — 1,223
- Cantonment — 93
- Bellview — 6
- McDavid — 3
- Molino— 18
- Century — 10
- Walnut Hill — 1
- Perdido Key – 1
- Hospitalizations: 89*
- Deaths — 44
- Male — 598
- Female — 786
- Youngest — 0
- Oldest — 105
Santa Rosa County cases:
- Total cases — 468 (+26 since Saturday)
- Milton — 230
- Navarre — 78
- Gulf Breeze — 74
- Pace — 42
- Jay — 5
- Residents: 129
- Nonresidents — 1
- Hospitalizations — 28*
- Deaths — 9
- Male — 272
- Female — 189
- Youngest — 2 months
- Oldest — 98
Florida cases:
- Total cases — 141,075
- Florida residents — 138,567
- Deaths — 3,419
- Hospitalizations — 14,244
*“Hospitalizations” is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. These people may no longer be hospitalized. This number does not represent the number of COVID-19 positive persons currently hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized.
15% Of Century’s Fire Hydrants Are In Bad Shape. Seven Don’t Work At All.
June 28, 2020
A survey of the 133 fire hydrants on the Century water system found that 17 are in poor to failed condition. Seven of those don’t work at all.
A Century Water System Asset Management and Fiscal Sustainability Plan from the Florida Rural Water Association (FRWA) found the problems. The plan was accepted and approved by the town council recently.
Just five hydrants are classified as being in good to excellent condition. There are 91 (81% of the total) in average condition with only minor to moderate corrosion, broken chains, minor leaks, or needing paint.
Seven are in poor condition with moderate to heavy corrosion, some difficulty turning, too low the ground or other problems.
Three are in very poor condition that need to be service or repaired within the next three years, according to the water association. They are knocked over, or are leaning too much.
Six of the seven failed hydrants have seized operating nuts and one has a broken stem that spins freely. FRWA says the fire hydrants need to be replace immediately for fire prevention capabilities and to allow the water system to be flushed to maintain drinking water quality.
It will cost an estimated $29,500 to replace the seven failed hydrants, plus $5,000 to repair the 10 poor to very poor condition hydrants, according to FRWA.
Here are the fire hydrants in poor to failed condition:
FAILED
East Pond St/Ramar St — Operating nut seized, severe corrosion
Jefferson Ave/Mayo Lane – Operating nut seized
Jefferson Ave south of Jim Lane — Operating nut seized
Highway 4 north of Campbell Rd – Operating nut seized
Old Flomaton Rd — Operating nut seized
N Century Blvd/Tedder St — Stem broke, spins freely
Front St/Lodge Dr — Operating nut seized
VERY POOR CONDITION
Jefferson Ave SW of Church St – Knocked over
Alger Rd south of Plum St — Leaning backward 45 degrees
N Century Blvd/W Cottage St — Leaning 30 degrees, operating fine
POOR CONDITION
2nd St between Industrial and Hadley — Operating nut super tight, needs grease
N Century Blvd SW of Hudson Hill Rd — Leaning significantly, too low to the ground
Campbell Rd/Fannie Rd — Operating nut super tight, needs grease, front outer welded
Freedom Rd/Camellia Gardens – Significantly leaking, operating nut super tight
Old Flomaton Rd — (no reason provided)
Mayo St/Church St – Too low to the ground, needs to be raised
Hwy 29 west of Jackson St – Buried to outlets
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Central Water Works Temporarily Closes Business Office After COVID-19 Exposures
June 28, 2020
Century Water Works has temporarily closed their business office to the public due to COVID-19 exposures.
“A few of our staff members learned they had been exposed to COVID-19,” the utility said in an email to NorthEscambia.com. “Out of concern for the health and safety of our customers, we have closed our office to customers until at least July 10th.”
The staff members will be tested, but those results won’t be available for a few days. Century Water Works said that none of the staff have shown any symptoms of illness.
Customers can still leave payments in a secure dropbox on the front of the building, pay their bill by mail, make a credit or debit card payment by phone or pay online. Staff members will also be available to provide customers service by phone or email.
And the utility is still responding to service requests as usual.
Central Water Works serves about 1,000 members in the McDavid, Century and Flomaton areas from their business office on Byrneville Road.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
UWF Mandates Masks For Visitors
June 28, 2020
The University of West Florida has established new guidelines and protocols for visitors to protect the health and safety of the university community.
Visitors, vendors and volunteers are required to comply with the below guidelines and protocols that promote a safer and healthier campus:
- Do not visit a UWF location if you are sick.
- A face covering is required everywhere at UWF except when in a private office, and areas separated by at least six feet from others.
- Practice social distancing:
- Stay at least six feet, or about two arms’ length, from other people.
- Do not gather in groups.
- Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings.
- Follow Centers for Disease Control prevention guidelines.
Any individual on campus who refuses to adhere to university health and safety policies will be asked to leave the premises immediately, UWF said in a released statement.
Former County Administrator Becomes Pensacola Airport Director This Week
June 28, 2020
Former interim Escambia County Administrator Matt Coughlin will become the next director of the Pensacola International Airport this week.
He is the current deputy airport director and will be promoted with the retirement of Dan Flynn on Monday.
Coughlin was previously the commanding officer of NAS Whiting Field, the assistant airport director from 2014-2017, before becoming interim Escambia County administrator. He resigned from the Escambia County, citing “tribalism” within the county, in August 2019 to return to the airport on September 9, 2019.
A Chance Of Scattered Sunday Showers And Storms, But Not Everyone Will See Rain
June 28, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 88. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Independence Day: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Pictured: Saturday’s North Escambia sunset. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.