Escambia County Rent And Utility Assistance Applications Closed
February 12, 2024
The Escambia County Community Block Development Grant-Coronavirus – Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance Program is no longer accepting applications. Due to the high volume of applications submitted, the county Neighborhood and Human Services department has committed all available grant funding.
Residents who have already submitted applications and are waiting for a response will have their requests reviewed for eligibility, however, there is no guarantee that applications can be funded due to limited remaining funds.
Anyone in need of rent or utility assistance may call United Way of West Florida at 2-1-1 for referrals to other agencies.
Reminder: District 5 Town Hall Today In Cantonment
February 12, 2024
Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry will host a town hall meeting on Monday, February 12 at 5 p.m. at the Langley Bell 4-H Center.
This is an open forum event and residents of District 5 are invited and encouraged to attend. County staff will be in attendance to address any additional questions or concerns from residents.
The Langley Bell 4-H Center is located at 3730 Stefani Road in Cantonment.
Pictured: Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry held a town hall meeting in April 2023 at the Langley Bell 4-H Center in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
New Traffic Signal Set To Be Activated Today At Mobile Highway, Klondike Road
February 12, 2024
The Florida Department of Transportation plans to activate a new traffic signal at the intersection of Mobile Highway and Klondike Road Monday.
The new signal was placed into flash mode on Monday, February 5.
The activation is weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Pictured: A new traffic signal at the intersection of Mobile Highway and Klondike Road shortly after installation. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gas Prices Continue Decline
February 12, 2024
Florida gas prices declined nine cents on avarege last week. The state average fell from $3.23 per gallon a week ago to $3.14 per gallon.
Florida’s average gas price is now on a 10-day streak of declines, falling a total of 13 cents per gallon since February 1.
The Pensacola area had one of the lowest metro averages in the state at $3.04 with a metro low of $2.95 on Nine Mile Road. In North Escambia, a low of $2.99 was available Sunday night at multiple stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
“Florida gas prices have recently followed a cycle where they decline for about two weeks, then shoot back up again,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “That trend, plus a recent uptick in futures prices, will likely lead to a jump at the pump, possibly as early as Monday afternoon.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Two Cantonment Churches Propose To Build New Worship Facilities
February 11, 2024
Two Cantonment churches are proposing to construct new worship facilities, according to recent plans filed with the Escambia County Development Review Committee.
Allen Memorial Methodist Church
Allen Memorial Methodist Church proposes o construct a new 56,000 square foot worship facility on Highway 29 near Neal Road (the site of the church’s annual pumpkin patch).
The project is planned in four phases:
- Phase 1: 21,600 sq. ft. multi-purpose building with gymnasium with 250-400 seats
- Phase 2: 22,000 sq. ft. 500- seat sanctuary building
- Phase 3: 20,000 sq. ft. (2 story -10,000 sq. ft. each level) educational building
- Phase 4: 2400 sq. ft. chapel building
The facility is proposed on about 13.7 acres.
The master plan also indicates future tennis courts, badminton courts, picnic area, and a pavilion.
Allen Memorial Methodist Church is currently located on Pace Parkway in Cantonment.
The proposal is currently in the pre– application status with the Escambia County Development Review Committee and is set for a public hearing at 1:20 p.m. Wednesday, February 14 at the Escambia County Central Complex Building at 3363 West Park Place.
First Baptist Church of Cantonment
The First Baptist Church of Cantonment proposes to construct a 19,440 square foot worship facility on about eight acres directly west of the current church on Morris Avenue at Monroe Avenue. The entire block is currently open athletic fields. Plans show the worship facility and 131 parking spaces on the southern half of the block, with a current baseball field remaining on the north half of the lot.
The proposal is currently in the initial application status with the Escambia County Development Review Committee and is not yet set for a public meeting.
NorthEscambia.com graphics.
From Hello To Help, 211 Marks 20 Years Providing Local Assistance
February 11, 2024
February 11 marks 211 Day, and this year, 2024, marks 211 Northwest Florida’s 20th anniversary.
Since 2004, 211 Northwest Florida, formerly First Call for Help, has helped Northwest Florida residents connect to essential resources in their communities by dialing 211, texting their zip code to 898211, or visiting 211nwfl.org. From calls and texts, 211 Northwest Florida specialists have been able to connect individuals across Northwest Florida, including Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Last year, 211 Northwest Florida answered 37,138 calls and connected 65,622 individuals to local resources. The top four requests for resources were food, rent, utility, and healthcare. The agency received 14,146 requests for food assistance, 28,280 for rent assistance, 23,978 for utility assistance, and 10,429 for healthcare resources.
“211 is the heartbeat of our community, connecting individuals with vital resources and services, fostering a stronger, more resilient society for all”, remarked VP of Impact Services, Mary Zaledonis. “As we embark on our 20th-year milestone, 211 continues to stand as a beacon of hope, evolving with perseverance to empower our community, making a lasting impact for two decades and counting.
Northview FFA Horse Judging Team Advances To State Finals
February 11, 2024
The Northview High School Horse Judging team placed 11th this weekend in the 2024 Florida FFA High School Horse Judging CDE Qualifier in Tampa. The team will move forward with the top 15 teams to compete at the state finals in April.
The program encourages FFA members to explore the equine industry, through evaluating horses at halter and horsemanship through equitation, plus learning about breeds, coloring, markings and tack used in the industry.
Photo for NorthEscambaia.com, click to enlarge.
Birth Certificates Now Available From Tax Collector’s Marcus Pointe Office
February 11, 2024
Florida birth certificates can now be purchased at the Escambia County Tax Collector’s Marcus Pointe Office.
Birth records are $17.25 for the first copy and $10 per additional copy within the same transaction.
The fillable application is available online at EscambiaTaxCollector.com/forms or by requesting one at reception at the Marcus Pointe Office
The Marcus Pointe Office is located at 6451 North “W” Street.
Turning Colder Monday Night
February 11, 2024
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 59. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the morning.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. North wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35.
Washington’s Birthday: Sunny, with a high near 62.
Here Are The Road Work Construction Spots To Watch This Week
February 11, 2024
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 City of Pensacola Krewe Lafitte Mardi Gras Parade – Motorists will encounter east and westbound lane closure between A Street and Tarragona Street Friday, Feb. 9 from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. for the Krewe Lafitte Mardi Gras Parade.
- Scenic Highway (U.S. 90) Resurfacing from north of Interstate 10 (I-10) to Davis Highway – Drivers on Scenic Highway may encounter nighttime alternating lane closures, between I-10 and Davis Highway, Sunday, Feb. 11 through Thursday, Feb. 15, from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews mill and pave the roadway. A pilot vehicle will be guide drivers through the work zone.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Northbound and southbound traffic on U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) is shifted to one outside travel lane in each direction between Rudolph Street and Green Street. The shift will be in place through the spring as crews perform drainage improvements. Signage will be in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- Lillian Highway (State Road (S.R.) 298) Resurfacing from north of U.S. 98 to east of Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727) and Lillian Highway at Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – Drivers will encounter daytime lane closures and intermittent nighttime lane closures, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Monday, Feb. 12 through Friday, Feb. 16 as crews perform concrete and striping work.
- County Road (C.R.) 4 over Canoe Creek Bridge – C.R. 4, between Byrneville and Bratt, will be closed until fall 2024 as crews replace the Canoe Creek bridge. Traffic is directed through a 5.6-mile detour using Bratt Road to Pine Barren Road, then back to C.R. 4.
- Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Resurfacing from Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) to west of Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) – Drivers are reminded that the new traffic signal at the Mobile Highway-Klondike Road intersection will change from flash-mode to fully operational on Monday, Feb. 12. In addition, drivers may encounter nighttime lane closures, between Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road, Sunday, Feb. 11 through Thursday, Feb. 15, from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pave the roadway.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (S.R. 296) – Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- The left turn lane from Pace Boulevard to Massachusetts Avenue is permanently closed. Signage is in place to direct drivers traveling on Palafox Street to Pace Boulevard.
- The left turn lane from Palafox Street northbound to Pace Boulevard and Massachusetts Avenue is permanently closed. Signage is in place to direct drivers traveling northbound on U.S. 29 destined for Massachusetts Avenue or Pace Boulevard.
- Intermittent lane closures near the North Palafox Street/Pace Boulevard/Massachusetts Avenue intersection nightly between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. as crews perform construction activities.
- U.S. 98 (Navarre Parkway) Routine Maintenance from Mustang Street to Commander Harvey Lane – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Feb. 12 through Friday, March 1 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for sidewalk operations.
- U.S. 90 (East Cervantes Street) Routine Underground Utility Maintenance from North Davis Highway to North 14th Avenue – Motorists will encounter intermittent westbound lane closures Monday, Feb. 12 through Friday, Feb. 16 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for routine underground utility maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive Sunday, Feb. 11, through Friday, Feb. 16, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River - The outside (right) lane of U.S. 90 eastbound on the Simpson River Bridge will be closed nightly Monday, Feb. 12 through Thursday, Feb. 15, from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., as crews perform construction activities for the new bridge. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph throughout the work zone.
- I-10 Westbound at Blackwater River Resurfacing – Next week, drivers will encounter a 36-hour I-10 westbound outside lane closure, from the Ward Basin Road on-ramp (exit 28) to the Blackwater River Bridge eastern approach. The I-10 westbound outside lane will be closed beginning 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12. and will reopen to traffic by 8 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14. The I-10 westbound inside lane will remain open. Additionally, drivers will encounter intermittent I-10 westbound outside lane closures, from the Ward Basin Road on-ramp (exit 28) to the Blackwater River Bridge eastern approach, Thursday, Feb. 8 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. These lane closures are required for bridge end slab replacement. Drivers are reminded the I-10 westbound travel lanes are currently shifted slightly toward the center of the roadway. The shift is expected to remain in place through the end of the month.
- S.R. 89 Resurfacing from North of S.R. 87 to C.R. 178 (Spanish Trail) – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures, between S.R. 87 and C.R. 178, Monday, Feb. 12 through Friday, Feb. 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. as crews perform paving and earthwork operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.