Rain Chance Increases Into Sunday Night With Passing Cold Front
December 13, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers likely, mainly between midnight and 3am. Cloudy, with a low around 50. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 59. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Showers likely, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 60. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the morning.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 54. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 33.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 58.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 63.
Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52.
Sunday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 63.
This Week’s Road Construction Trouble Spots
December 13, 2020
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 – The intersection of North 17th Avenue and Bayfront Parkway will remain closed until spring 2021 as construction continues for the new 17th Avenue interchange. The Visitor’s Center remains accessible from 17th Avenue. In addition, the ramp from 17th Avenue to East Gregory Street remains open. Eastbound drivers on Bayfront Parkway should use North 14th Avenue and Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) as a detour route.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90)- Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures and shifts on U.S. 29, between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road, and Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the week of Sunday, Dec. 13
- U.S. 90 (Nine Mile Road) Widening from Beulah Road to State Road (S.R.) 297 (Pine Forest Road)- Drivers may encounter minor delays between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16 through Friday, Dec. 18 as construction equipment is moved across Beulah Road, on the north side of Nine Mile Road. Additionally, drivers may encounter uneven pavement in this area.
- East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Safety Project from North Palafox Street to Chemstrand Road – Beginning the week of Monday, Dec. 14 motorists will encounter daytime intermittent right turn closures.
- I-10 Utility Operations at U.S. 29 – Motorists will encounter slow-moving traffic intermittently Sunday, Dec. 11 as crews replace overhead utility lines.
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – The bridge is closed until spring 2021.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing from Clear Creek to S.R. 4- Drivers can expect intermittent daytime lane closures along the 14-mile corridor through fall 2020 as crews perform paving operations.
- I-10 Emergency Improvements at Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/ Exit 22)- Friday, Dec. 11, motorists will encounter nighttime shoulder closures and traffic shifts on the eastbound I-10 exit ramp as crews construct improvements to accommodate additional traffic due to the closure of Pensacola Bay Bridge. Alternating and intermittent lane restrictions will take place on Avalon Boulevard at the I-10 intersection from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. as crews perform widening and turn lane extensions.
Carl Martin
December 13, 2020
Carl Martin
1955 – 2020
Carlton Eric Martin, 65 left this earth for his heavenly home with his Lord and Savior on Friday night, December 11, 2020. He was born on June 8, 1955 in Jacksonville, FL. He was the fourth son of seven children. He spent all his life living large in Milton and made his home in Chumuckla.
Carl was “Dukes of Hazzard” kind of guy, devoted to his wife Brenda of 42 years. They raised a loving family of three children: James, Chanda, and Linda. He loved being their daddy, but he also answered to Paw Paw from Hunter, Caleb, Caylee, Anna, James Michael and Waverly.
Spending time with his wife, “his girls”, James, grandchildren, family and friends brought out the best of Carl. With his rapid- fire laugh, we could always count on his ability to tell a colorful story about his pranks, leaving many in bouts of laughter. Carl could always be seen wearing a timeworn t-shirt, carrying a large glass of sweet tea or an ice-cold Bud Light in his hand with his infectious smile.
When Carl was not working shift work in the past 30 years at Reichold Chemicals, you would find him on various adventures with his family. When not on excursions he was out meeting the needs of others, with his God given talent he could fix anything. Carl was a real lifesaver, hero to many and a man of his word.
You can say Carl lived life in “full throttle” with his passion for golfing and fishing which he shared with his father, his friends and his grandson. He would beat you in a game and that is just the way it was, just ask his wife, his girls and the losers!
Carl was preceded in death by his parents: Cecil Earl Martin, Sr. and Lois Kennington Martin, sister; Sandra Martin Helms, and nieces; Kimberly Martin and Kasey Martin Myers DeAnda.
Carl is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Brenda Caudell Martin; a son, James Martin; his girls, Chanda (Chad) Pitman, and Linda (James) Balk; grandchildren: Hunter Martin, Caleb and Caylee Pitman, Anna, James Michael and Waverly Balk; sisters, Toni Martin New and Marsha (Neil) Wahrheit; brothers, Cecil “Buddy” (Nancy) Martin Jr, Charles “Chuck” (Kathi) Martin, Clifton “Cliff” (Kay) Martin; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm with visitation at 1:30 pm on Tuesday December 15, 2020 at Trahan Family Funeral Home of Milton. Burial will follow at Memory Park Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Hunter Martin, Doyle Caudell Sr., Doyle Caudell Jr., Carlos Foss, Jeffrey Zahner II, and Kyle Copeland.
Four New Deaths, 189 New COVID-19 Cases In Escambia County
December 13, 2020
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION.
The Florida Department of Health reported four additional deaths and 189 new positive COVID-19 cases Saturday in Escambia County.
Here is the latest data:
Total cases: 18,616 (+189)
Non-Florida residents: 2,048
Total deaths: 332 (+4)
Long-term care facility deaths : 153
Current hospitalizations: 133 (-6)
Number of tests last day: 1,724
Percent positive last day: 9.3%
Percent positive last week: 9.9%
Escambia County cases by location:
Pensacola: 13,599 (+142)
Cantonment: 1,498 (+20)
Century: 976 (+2)
—-including 773 Century prison inmates
Molino: 229 (+3)
McDavid: 117 (+2)
Walnut Hill: 33 (+1)
Bellview: 29
Perdido Key: 15
Gonzalez: 8
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 8,761 (+142)
Non-Florida residents: 110
Total deaths: 110
Long-term care facility deaths: 23
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 475*
Number of tests last day: 547
Percent positive last day: 19.8%
Santa Rosa County cases by location:
Milton: 4,468 (+15)
Navarre: 1,607 (+43)
Gulf Breeze: 1,517 (+48)
Pace: 693 (+2)
Jay: 229 (+1)
Bagdad: 21
Florida cases:
Total cases: 1,116,973
Florida residents: 1,098,341
Deaths: 19,785
Hospitalizations: 57,986*
*“Hospitalizations” in the statewide and Santa Rosa County totals is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. Most of these people are longer be hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized. The Escambia County number is current data compiled each day from the local hospitals.
*The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
Take The Escambia County Broadband Survey About Your Internet Speed
December 12, 2020
Are you satisfied with your broadband internet service?
Escambia County is performing a a broadband feasibility study. As a part of this effort, the county is asking residents and business owners to participate in a survey that will help collect information about broadband internet access availability.
It’s part of the way Escambia County is working to find creative ways to meet the community’s broadband internet needs.
A speed test will be performed during the survey. For that reason, the survey needs to be completed while connected to the home or business network associated with your response. Do not take this survey on a cellular phone.
The survey can be accessed by clicking or tapping here.
Garcon Point Toll Suspension Extended; Pensacola Bay Bridge Repair Targeted For March
December 12, 2020
The Garcon Pointe Bridge toll suspension has been extended until January 12, as the contractors turn to the next step in the repairs to the Pensacola Bay Bridge.
The extension allows the Garcon Point Bridge to continue serving as a temporary detour route while the Pensacola Bay Bridge is being repaired from damage sustained during Hurricane Sally.
With damage inspections complete, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) contractors are focusing on pile driving operations and setting beams for the reconstruction of the Pensacola Bay Bridge.
Large cranes mounted on barges are lifting the concrete piles into position where they are driven into the bay bottom using a 20,000-pound diesel-powered hammer. While there are no direct traffic impacts, persons nearby may detect noise and the possibility of vibration. Pile driving work will occur seven days a week and will not occur during overnight hours. Crews will also set the first set of beams, the horizontal supports for the bridge decks, beginning this week.
Boaters are advised to use caution near the Pensacola Bay Bridge. The U.S. Coast Guard has established a 500-yard buffer zone for all construction activities. Vessels may use only low or idle speeds within the buffer zone. Crossing beneath the bridge should be done only at the navigational channel as it has been inspected and is free of hazards.
The Pensacola Bay Bridge has a targeted re-opening date of March 2021. Once repairs are complete, all four lanes will be open with no load restrictions. As each repair method is developed, FDOT will be conducting reviews to ensure the contractor is hitting all milestones in the established schedule.
The toll suspension on the Garcon Pointe Bridge was set to expire Sunday.
Reminder: Rolling Roadblocks This Weekend On I-10, Highway 29 For Plant Crist Natural Gas Conversion Prep
December 12, 2020
Rolling roadblocks are planned for Saturday and Sunday on I-10 and Highway 29 as Gulf Power readies for the conversion of Plant Crist to natural gas by pulling transmission wire across I-10 both days.
Gulf Power will be pulling transmission wire across I-10 both days.
The operation will occur on I-10 between the I-110 interchange and the Pine Forest Road exit. Local law enforcement will be leading the rolling road blocks, which will be conducted on I-10, I-110 and Highway 29.
Gulf Power received permission to conduct the wire pull project from the Florida Department of Transportation. The rolling roadblocks will start around 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12 and will occur several times until noon or early afternoon. More are scheduled early Sunday morning. Between each operation, traffic will be allowed to resume normal flow.
“Completing this transmission line wire pull is another step in the process of providing cleaner energy and greater reliability to our customers as we work to modernize Plant Crist. We are performing this work on a weekend to avoid as much disruption to vehicle flow as possible,” said Mike Spoor, vice president of power delivery for Gulf Power. “We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate travelers’ patience.”
The new transmission wire conductor is required to handle the increased capacity that is part of the Plant Crist modernization project; once complete, the increased capacity will deliver greater reliability to all customers. Gulf Power is converting Plant Crist to run 100% on natural gas.
The project previously included the installation of a natural gas pipeline from near Century through Molino and Cantonment to Plant Crist.
Pensacola Council Keeps Mask Mandate In Place Until Next Year
December 12, 2020
The City of Pensacola’s mask mandate will remain in place a couple of months into 2021.
The city council unanimously approved approved extending the mask ordinance and state of emergency through the end of February.
The current mandate, approved by the city council in late June, requires face coverings by employees and patrons in Pensacola businesses. The ordinance applies only within the city limits of Pensacola, not in unincorporated Escambia County.
The ordinance includes exceptions that include young children, medical conditions and persons that are eating and drinking.
Pensacola can’t enforce the mask ordinance. An executive order issued in September by Gov. Ron DeSantis banning mask mandate enforcement by local governments.
New Urgent Care Center Coming To Atmore
December 12, 2020
A new urgent care center clinic will be built on Highway 21 at I-65 in Atmore.
The Escambia County Healthcare Authority and Atmore Community Hospital announced that construction on the new clinic will begin in the first quarter of 2021, and it is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2021.
“We have spent a great deal of time researching the most successful urgent care and healthcare models across the country, working with our community leaders and developing a plan of action to build the clinic,” said Debbie Rowell, ECHCA board chairwoman.
Care at the new urgent care clinic will feature a lab, X-ray equipment, a pharmacy and wellness care.
The health care authority said the facility will allow increased access care for residents of Atmore and surrounding areas.
Officials Report 189 New COVID-19 Cases In Escambia County
December 12, 2020
THIS IS ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
The Florida Department of Health reported an additional 189 new positive cases Friday in Escambia County.
Here is the latest data:
Total cases: 18,427 (+189)
Non-Florida residents: 2,032
Total deaths: 328
Long-term care facility deaths : 153
Current hospitalizations: 139 (-10)
Number of tests last day: 1,510
Percent positive last day: 9.6%
Percent positive last week: 9.9%
Escambia County cases by location:
Pensacola: 13,457 (+139)
Cantonment: 1,478 (+14)
Century: 974 (+4)
—-including 773 Century prison inmates
Molino: 226 (+4)
McDavid: 115 (+1)
Walnut Hill: 32
Bellview: 29
Perdido Key: 15
Gonzalez: 8 (-1 data adjustment)
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 8,619 (+138)
Non-Florida residents: 107
Total deaths: 109
Long-term care facility deaths: 23
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 473*
Number of tests last day: 635
Percent positive last day: 17.4%
Santa Rosa County cases by location:
Milton: 4,443 (+77)
Navarre: 1,564 (+31)
Gulf Breeze: 1,469 (+35)
Pace: 691 (+4)
Jay: 228 (+3)
Bagdad: 21
Florida cases:
Total cases: 1,106,396
Florida residents: 1,087,956
Deaths: 19,714
Hospitalizations: 57,728*
*“Hospitalizations” in the statewide and Santa Rosa County totals is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. Most of these people are longer be hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized. The Escambia County number is current data compiled each day from the local hospitals.
*The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.