Here Are The Traffic Delay Spots To Expect This Week
March 15, 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.
Escambia County:
- 9th Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289), Martin Luther King/Alcaniz Street/Davis Highway (S.R. 291) and Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Video Underground Sewer Lines- Drivers may experience intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday until Tuesday, March 31.
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, Mar. 15:
- 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).
- Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10 / U.S. 90A) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) – Nile Mile Road, between Salt Grass Drive/Heritage Oaks Drive and Navy Federal Way will be reduced to one lane Tuesday, March 17 and Wednesday, March 18 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for crews to install traffic delineators. Traffic flaggers will be on site to direct drivers through the work zone. The far-right portion of the I-10 off ramp that connects to Nine Mile Road (Exit 5) westbound remains closed. Drivers can still access Nine Mile Road east and westbound using the other section of the ramp. The partial ramp closure is needed to reconstruct the ramp and will be in place through spring 2020.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (State Road (S.R.) 10 / U.S. 90A)– Drivers will experience the following traffic impacts for the week of Sunday, March 15:
- Southbound U.S. 29: The outside, southbound lane will be closed.
- Nine Mile Road: All traffic will be directed to the on and off-ramps at the U.S. 29 overpass. 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.
Additionally, U.S. 29 traffic between Interstate 10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road may experience alternating lane closures the week of Sunday, March 15 as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
- · Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10 / U.S. 90A) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) – The far-right portion of the I-10 off ramp that connects to Nine Mile Road (Exit 5) westbound remains closed. Drivers can still access Nine Mile Road east and westbound using the other section of the ramp. The partial ramp closure is needed to reconstruct the ramp and will be in place through spring 2020.
- · U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of Muscogee Road (County Road (C.R.) 184) to Atmore Highway (S.R. 97)– Crews continue paving operations and median work. Drivers may encounter intermittent daytime lane restrictions. Motorists are reminded to watch for crews and heavy equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
- · Hanks Road Bridge Replacement over Breastworks Creek- Construction activities continue. The roadway remains temporarily closed. Drivers on Hanks Road, west of the bridge, are 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 spring 2020.
- C.R. 168 Bridge Replacement over Unnamed Branch in Northwest Century- Crews continue to work on various items. The project is tentatively scheduled to be completed within the next two weeks, weather dependent.
Santa Rosa County:
- · U.S. 90 Corridor (Pace) Management Improvement Project- Crews are currently working on drainage improvements at Sanford Street during daytime hours. Drivers should watch for workers and equipment entering and exiting the work area. No lane closures anticipated.
- · U.S. 98 Safety Improvement from Villa Woods Circle to Ortega Park Drive- Crews continuing work at all seven locations within the project limits. No lane closures anticipated.
- · S.R. 4 Resurfacing and Drainage Improvements from the Escambia River Bridge to Market Road (C.R. 87A) in Jay- There will be intermittent lane closures throughout the project limits for roadway and utility work.
- · S.R. 87 Bridge Rehabilitation and Repair Over Yellow River- Motorists may encounter daytime southbound lane closures as crews continue expansion joint work.
- · S.R. 87 Turn Lane and Median Modifications at South Lynn Road- Operations are taking place in the median. Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane closures.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Wind Creek Closing All Alabama Properties Until March 30 Due To COVID-19
March 15, 2020
Wind Creek is closing all properties in Alabama for two weeks due to coronavirus (COVID-19).
The announcement came Sunday, one day after Wind Creek said they learned a person that visited the Wind Creek Resort in Wetumpka during the third week of February had tested positive for COVID-19. They said there have been no reported cases of COVID-19 at Wind Creek Atmore or Wind Creek Wetumpka.
Wind Creek has committed to continue paying its employees during the closure, which is set to continue until March 30.
Patient Tests Positive For COVID-19 In Bay Minette, Hospital Says
March 14, 2020
A person in Bay Minette, Alabama, has tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19), according to the hospital there.
North Baldwin Infirmary said the patient is currently isolated in their home, and the staff who cared for the patient exercised universal precautions to protect themselves and others from contracting the virus. They are working with the Alabama Department of Public Health on the case.
This is the first case of COVID-19 reported in Baldwin County.
The Alabama Department of Public Health confirmed the case Saturday night, one of 12 cases as of that time in the state of Alabama.
UWF Moves To Remote Operations; All Students To Leave Dorms By Sunday; Most Employees Work Remotely
March 14, 2020
The University of West Florida is asking all students in university housing to leave campus by 5 p.m. Sunday, as all dorms will close and instruction will be online until March 30.
Here is the statement from UWF:
Instruction
All courses will be offered remotely from March 16 until March 30, 2020.
Housing and Residence Life Closure
All students living in university housing must return to permanent home residences or a non-campus alternative housing arrangement, effective immediately, today March 14 until March 30, 2020.
If you need to visit campus to gather personal belongings, you may do so until 5 p.m. on March 15, 2020.
We understand that there will be extenuating circumstances. Housing and Residence Life will work with students who are not able to return home during this time period on an individual basis. Please contact Housing and Residence Life at housing@uwf.edu by 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, 2020.
Campus Services
Limited campus services will be available to those students who are authorized to stay in campus housing, including dining services and residence assistance. Counseling, Psychological Services and Health Services will move all appointments to telephone.
All other campus facilities, including but not limited to Health, Leisure, and Sports Facility, Aquatic Center, University Libraries, the Education Research Center for Child Development and athletic facilities will be closed.
Employees Reporting to Work Changes
Only essential personnel are expected to report to work from 12 a.m. Sunday, March 15, 2020 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, March 29, 2020. Employees who are unsure of their status must seek guidance from their supervisor.
Non-essential personnel, including OPS and student employees, are expected to work remotely during this time period. Supervisors are expected to provide assignments to employees. Employees working remotely are expected to:
- Fulfill all of their normal duties and work hours.
- Ensure that they are connecting securely and following all University policies related to access, data security and data confidentiality. Employees should contact ITS for IT-related questions.
- Review Continuity Tools provided by ITS.
If employees are in roles that do not traditionally accommodate remote work, supervisors must assign other work, projects or professional development that can be performed remotely.
Faculty who need to visit campus in order to utilize university tools to continue to fulfill the academic mission must notify their dean and department chair before visiting campus. Faculty that need in-person services from Global Online may visit campus. Virtual training bootcamps are also available to faculty through the Global Online website.
During emergency and adverse situations, supervisors are encouraged to allow employees to fulfill family care responsibilities due to illness or closing of schools, daycares, assisted living facilities, etc. during telecommuting if the employee can effectively balance family care and work.
An employee who is unable to work due to a family care emergency may use one of the following types of time off to account for time away from work, with supervisory approval:
- Accrued leave
- Leave without Pay
All employees are still required to submit leave reports and time sheets by the appropriate deadlines. Please contact Human Resources with any questions hr@uwf.edu.
Social Distancing
Social distancing is the best way to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Social distancing refers to measures that are taken to increase the physical space between people to slow the spread of the virus. By maintaining a distance of six feet from others when possible, people may limit the spread of the virus. Social distancing also minimizes the number of interactions that provide the opportunity for the disease to spread.
Pensacola State College, Pensacola Christian College Announce COVID-19 Plans
March 14, 2020
Pensacola State College and Pensacola Christian College are suspending classes due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Pensacola State College
Pensacola State College is on spring break through March 22. Classes are suspended from March 23 through 29.
During the time that classes are suspended, the College Administration will monitor conditions to determine what further actions are needed after March 29.
All full-time employees will report to work the week of March 23. Kelly Services staff and work-study students will be permitted to return to work the week of March 23, as well. Any employee with special circumstances that will prevent them from returning to work should contact their supervisor as soon as possible.
All College events have been postponed through the end of April, for example, the Lumberjack Festival that was scheduled for March 28
Pensacola Christian College
Pensacola Christian College classes will be offered online only beginning March 23 for the remainder of the semester. Classes are canceled until March 23 to allow students to travel home and faculty to transition to online instructional delivery.
While most students will go home to complete coursework remotely, students whose home may be overseas or in an unhealthy area greatly impacted by COVID-19 will be permitted to live on campus while studying online. To protect the remaining campus community, PCC will limit group gatherings until further notice.
Schools In Florida Closed For Two Weeks Due To Coronavirus; Alabama Schools Closing Next Week
March 14, 2020
The Florida Department of Education has ordered schools in the state to close for two weeks, effectively extending spring break by one week for Escambia and Santa Rosa county schools.
Students in Escambia and Santa Rosa county are now set to return to class on March 30 at the earliest.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY DETAILS
All athletic and extracurricular activities are canceled beginning Sunday, March 15 through at least Saturday, March 29, Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas told NorthEscambia.com.
For the Escambia County School District, any employee that was already scheduled to work the week of March 16 should report to work.
“We will use those people to further sanitize our schools and buses,” Thomas said, “while some will be working our continuity plan and what happens if we cannot return to school – how do we maintain some semblance of education. We know it won’t be at the same level, but we would do the best we can.”
All schools are completely closed with no students or staff on campus the week of March 23. All district employees will receive their regular pay for the week.
An Escambia County School Board meeting planned for March 24 is still scheduled.
Byrneville Elementary School, a charter school in North Escambia , follows the Escambia County School District schedule.
Pensacola Christian Academy will also follow the recommendation of the FDOE and be closed March 16-27.
Catholic schools in the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee will be closed March 16-27. including athletic events and Catholic youth sports leagues.
For information on the University of West Florida, click here.
For information on Pensacola State College, click here.
For information Pensacola Christian College, click here.
ALABAMA
Alabama. Gov. Kay Ivey has ordered all schools closed at the end of the day on Wednesday, March 18. Schools will be closed at least two and a half weeks until April 6. All athletic events are canceled during the time period.
Private school Escambia Academy has extended spring break until March 30. AISA activities and field trips are postponed until April 6.
Motorcyclist Seriously Injured In Escambia County When He Rear-Ends Stopped Vehicle
March 14, 2020
A motorcyclist was seriously injured in a crash Friday afternoon in Escambia County.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 62-year old Kevin Summers of Escambia County was traveling east on Sorrento Road at 3:40 p.m. when he rear-ended a stopped Hyundai Tucson driven by 20-year old Emmelia Hindi of Prattville, Alabama.
Summers was airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to Baptist Hospital with serious injuries. Hindi was not injured.
Summers was cited by the FHP for careless driving.
File photo.
Florida Courts Suspend Jury Trials, Including Naomi Jones Murder Trial
March 14, 2020
Criminal and civil jury trails in Florida have been temporarily suspended by the chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court, including locally the Naomi Jones murder trial that was set to begin next week.
Chief Justice Charles T. Canady announced the suspension through at least March 27 in the interest of public health due to the coronavirus pandemic. Local judges are authorized to conduct non-jury proceedings remotely using technology.
Clerks of court and court administrators are acting immediately to cancel summonses for jury service.
The work of Florida’s courts and clerks of court goes on. Hearings, filings, and other work of the judicial branch and clerks of court continues. Only jury trials are suspended by the order.
Trial was set to being Monday, March 16 in Escambia Count for Robert Howard, the man accused of kidnapping and murdering 12-year old Naomi Jones in 2017. Prosecutors say Howard kidnapped, murdered and dumped the body of the 12-year old.
Howard is convicted sex offender. He was convicted in 1999 on two counts of first degree rape to two adult females in Escambia County, AL. One of the victims was 19-years old at the time. He served 15 years.
The City And County Canceled Large Permitted Events. Here’s The List.
March 14, 2020
Escambia County and the City of Pensacola recently announced the cancelation of all publicly-permitted events expected to have an attendance of 500 or more people.
There were no events canceled in Escambia County, but multiple large events were canceled by the City of Pensacola. They are listed below, along with a few large events that were canceled by the event organizers.
- Battle of the Badges – March 22
- Blues on the Bay – March 29
- Ciclovia – March 28
- Deluna Du Youth Duathlon – March 29
- East Hill Neighborhood Association Fish Fry – March 21
- Gallery Night – March 20
- Gulf Coast Science Festival – March 27-29
- Palafox Market – Saturdays through the end of March (including Saturday, March 14)
- Pensacola VegFest – March 28
- Smokin’ in the Square – March 20-22
- Walk the Talk for Epilepsy – May
Cher postponed her “Here We Go Again” tour, with the Pensacola show now set for September 10. Fans can use their current tickets, or can chose a refund at the original point of purchase. Mercy Me has rescheduled their Pensacola show to October 15.
Escambia County and City of Pensacola officials will reassess the situation after two weeks (Monday, March 30) and determine whether to continue or lift the cancellation of publicly-permitted events.
This only applies to events that are permitted through Escambia County or the City of Pensacola. It does not include schools, churches, or other private events. Event organizers are encouraged to use their discretion and follow the directions of officials from the Florida Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine if event cancellations are necessary.
The city will work with event organizers to reschedule events as needed.
Residents are encouraged to use their discretion when it comes to attending public events.
It’s Getting Warmer, But It’s Not Time To Fertilize The Lawn Yet
March 14, 2020
Days may be getting warmer, but that does not mean your lawn is ready for nitrogen fertilizer, according to the Escambia County Extension.
Roots are not growing well enough to absorb the fertilizer until much later in the spring. Research found that nitrogen fertilizer applied to turf before mid April was lost though the soil, eventually making its way into local bodies of water.
“Work on other parts of your landscape but wait to apply fertilizer until at least mid April or early May. You are not getting a jump on a healthy lawn by fertilizing now,” the Extension Service said.