Several Polling Locations Have Changes In Escambia County. Here’s The List.
August 22, 2022
Several polling locations polling locations in Escambia County for the 2022 Primary Election have changed since the 2020 elections.
Those changes are as follows (click to enlarge):
All voters impacted by a precinct or polling location change were sent a new voter information card after completion of the redistricting process that followed the 2020 Census. In addition, all voters who did not request a vote-by-mail ballot were mailed a sample ballot with polling place information, which included a QR code that links to a map.
Election Day is Tuesday, August 23 and the polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
These Are This Week’s Road Construction Traffic Delay Hotspots
August 22, 2022
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:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The front parking lot is temporarily closed as crews work on resurfacing. All other parking areas remain open. Temporary sidewalk modifications are also in place while work is underway.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts Sunday, Aug. 21 through Saturday, Aug. 27 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, Aug. 23, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Drivers may encounter intermittent daytime and nighttime single lane closures and lane shifts, between A Street and Dominguez Street, as crews adjust manholes and pedestrian fencing.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement – All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the southbound side of the bridge as crews construct the northbound portion. Additionally, drivers may encounter intermittent temporary lane closures Monday, Aug. 22 through Friday, Aug. 26 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- Pace Boulevard from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Pedestrians will encounter alternating sidewalk closures on Pace Boulevard, between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street (U.S. 29), as crews perform sidewalk and curb improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized intersections to access sidewalks on the opposite side of Pace Boulevard during this time.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) from Brent Lane to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, Aug. 21 through Thursday, Aug. 25 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. for paving operations.
- I-10 at the Interstate 110 (I-110) Interchange – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, Aug. 21 through Thursday, Aug. 25 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews clean the roadway and place high friction surface treatments on the following ramps:
- Davis Highway ramp to I-110 southbound.
- I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound.
- I-10 eastbound ramp to I-110 southbound.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures Monday, Aug. 22 through Friday, Aug. 26 for placement of a watermain.
- Sorrento Road Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Monday, Aug. 22 through Friday, Aug. 26 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. The closures will allow crews to place base material for construction of new paved shoulders
- I-10 Bridge Replacement over Elevenmile Creek Bridge just West of Nine Mile Road (Exit 5 U.S. 90) – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, Aug. 21 through Friday, Aug. 26 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for construction actives.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts Sunday, Aug. 21 through Saturday, Aug. 27 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, Aug. 23, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- 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 Point Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road, Sunday, Aug. 21 through Friday, Aug. 26 from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
- Settlers Colony Boulevard is closed to complete necessary drainage improvements. This closure will remain in effect med-September. Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians will access Settlers Colony Boulevard via Venetian Way and Coronado Drive. Detour signs will be in place. Residents may experience noise, vibrations, and dust during daytime hours as part of this drainage improvement effort.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent nighttime and daytime lane closures the week of Monday, Aug. 22 for construction activities.
- U.S. 98 Turn Lane Construction at Rosewood Avenue – Motorists can expect intermittent outside westbound lane closure Monday, Aug. 22 through Thursday, Aug. 25 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for construction of turn lanes.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Cantonment Man Accused Of Hitting Pregnant Woman With A Stick
August 22, 2022
A Cantonment man is accused of hitting a pregnant woman with a stick as he chased her down the road.
Jarvarez Charles Weaden, 25, was charged with second degree felony aggravated battery and offender knew or should have known the victim was pregnant.
Weaden became involved in a verbal altercation with a female relative at a home on Cedartown Road, grabbed a Weed Eater and threatened to hit her with it, according to an arrest report. The victim, who said she is four months pregnant, ran down Cedartown Road with Weaden chasing her. He picked up a stick and struck her in the back with it, the report continues.
A witness said Weaden was intoxicated.
Weaden claimed his accuser picked up a brick and hit him in the knee, but deputies noted no marks whatsoever on him.
Weaden also had an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in court on two counts of criminal mischief. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Monday morning without bond due to the failure to appear charge.
Florida Gas Prices Decline For 10th Straight Week, AAA Says
August 22, 2022
Florida gas prices fell an average 11 cents per gallon last week. The state average has now declined for 10 consecutive weeks, dropping a total of $1.36 per gallon since mid-June.
Sunday’s state average price for gasoline was $3.54 per gallon. That’s the lowest daily average price since March 1.
The average in Escambia County was $3.46. Sunday night, a North Escambia low of $3.26 on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while a low price of $3.21 a gallon could be found in Pensacola.
“Gas prices are still falling, but not quite as fast as they did in recent weeks,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The state average was previously declining at a rate of 15-17 cents per week. Last week, however, the state average dropped 11 cents. This could be a sign that pump prices could soon begin to level out. Oil prices are currently trading at levels we saw in February, before Russia invaded Ukraine. During that time, the state average was in the $3.40s, which could be where pump prices eventually plateau.”
González Grand Slam Leads Blue Wahoos To Doubleheader Split
August 22, 2022
After a rain-filled weekend, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos wrapped up their series against the Mississippi Braves with a doubleheader split on Sunday afternoon. Game one saw the Blue Wahoos prevail 7-3 in eight innings, while the Braves held on for a 4-3 win in game two.
In game one, A.J. Ladwig (W, 7-3) squared off against Mississippi starter Roddery Muñoz. Neither team scored until Thomas Jones blasted a solo homer in the sixth to give the Blue Wahoos a 1-0 lead. Ladwig was one out away from a seven-inning complete game shutout before Riley Delgado hit an RBI single in the seventh to force an extra eighth inning.
Jones delivered again with a go-ahead RBI double against Justin Maese (L, 1-6). Nasim Nuñez added some insurance with an RBI infield single to stretch the lead to 3-1 before Norel González capped a six-run frame with a mammoth grand slam to right-center field. Justin Evans allowed a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning, but struck out Jordan Cowan to end the game.
In game two, Jefry Yan (L, 1-4) struggled as the first of four Pensacola pitchers in a bullpen game. Drew Lugbauer hit a long two-run homer in the first, and Jalen Miller followed with a two-run single in the second to put Mississippi ahead 4-0.
The Blue Wahoos managed just one run in six innings against Mississippi starter Nolan Kingham (W, 1-0), but put up a fight against Justin Yeager (S, 4) in the seventh and final inning. Marcus Chiu hit a two-run homer, his first at the Double-A level, to draw the score to 4-3 before Kingham secured the final out.
After an off day on Monday, the Blue Wahoos begin a six-game home series against the Montgomery Biscuits on Tuesday.
Written by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Escambia County Unemployment Rate Falls Slightly
August 21, 2022
Escambia County unemployment decreased slightly last month, according to newly released data from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 2.9% in July, down from 3.1% in June. That represented 4,489 people out of work out of a county workforce of 152,204. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was 4.8%, or 7,171 people.
Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the Pensacola area’s private sector employment increased by 4.2 percent over the year, representing 6,800 jobs gained. The local industries gaining the most jobs over the year were professional and business services, increasing by 2,300 jobs, and leisure and hospitality, increasing by 1,300 jobs.
The industries gaining the most jobs over the year were professional and business services (+2,200 jobs), and trade, transportation, and utilities (+2,000 jobs).
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.7 percent in July 2022, down 0.1 percentage point from the June 2022 rate, and down 1.8 percentage points from a year ago. The U.S. unemployment rate was 3.5 percent in July.
Century Native Serving Aboard USS The Sullivans
August 21, 2022
Lt. Amanda Sutherland, a native of Century, is serving aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS The Sullivans (DDG 68).
Sutherland, a 2009 graduate of Northview High School, joined the U.S. Navy because of her family.
“My dad and mom were both in the Navy,” said Sutherland. “They met when they were both stationed in Hawaii. I kind of say that I owe my life to the Navy because without it, they wouldn’t have met.”
According to Navy officials, The Sullivans is named to honor five brothers from Waterloo, Iowa, who served together on the USS Juneau during World War II. The Sullivan brothers: George, 28; Francis, 27; Joseph, 24; Madison, 23; and Albert, 20; lost their lives during the Battle of Guadalcanal on November 13, 1942. They were adamant about serving together in spite of the Navy wartime policy to separate family members. This was the greatest military loss by any one American family during World War II.
The Sullivans is currently undergoing a routine maintenance period after completing a seven-month global deployment where they participated in multinational operations and joint training exercises with international partners to foster positive relationships while ensuring freedom of navigation and maritime security.
Pictured: Lt. Amanda Sutherland .U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jahlena Royer for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Horse Rounded Up By County Livestock Officer Is Back Home
August 21, 2022
There’s a little good news to report today about a wayward horse rounded up last Sunday near Walnut Hill. It has now been reunited with its rightful owner.
The brown and white paint gelding horse was found running loose in the 3800 block of Howell Road just west of Highway 97.
The horse was picked up by the Escambia County livestock officer with assistance from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Carpet Drive In Atmore Closes Monday For Railroad Spur Construction
August 21, 2022
Carpet Drive in Atmore will close Monday for the construction of a new railroad spur.
The closure is immediately west of Swift Mill Drive.
To access Masland Carpets, Coastal Growers and the surrounding area, motorists should use Highway 31 and Industrial Drive.
A reopening date has not been announced.
The $3 million railyard project will support the existing Coastal Growers peanut processing plant, along with other existing and potential new industries in the Atmore Industrial Park.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Make It Three Times In Five Days: Blue Wahoos Rained Out Again
August 21, 2022
For the third time in five days, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Mississippi Braves were postponed due to rain and wet grounds at Trustmark Park on Saturday night. Originally scheduled as a doubleheader to make up Friday’s rainout, one of Saturday’s games will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Sunday while the other will be canceled.