Florida Gas Prices At Seven-Week Low
April 26, 2021
Florida gas prices declined again last week to a seven-week low, according to AAA.
Florida drivers are paying an average price of $2.79 for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline. That’s 12 cents less than what drivers paid in late March.
Florida drivers are now paying 4 cents less than a week ago, and 11 cents less than this time last month. Current prices are similar to what drivers paid in April 2019, when conditions were more typical (before the pandemic). The price on April 25, 2019 was $2.73 per gallon. Last year at this time, Florida pump prices averaged an unseasonable $1.80 per gallon; caused by the pandemic’s crippling effect on fuel demand.
The lowest gas price in North Escambia Sunday night was $2.65 at two stations in Cantonment. The lowest price in Pensacola was $2.59 at the warehouse clubs.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Jay Pro Rodeo Draws Largest Crowds In 20 Year History
April 26, 2021
The largest crowds in event history turned out Friday and Saturday night for the 20th Annual Jay Pro Rodeo.
The event returns 100 percent of proceeds back to the community, including the Jay High School Student Government Association.
The annual event at the Ted May Arena in Jay featured rodeo action including pro bull riding, saddle broncs, calf and team roping, steer wrestling, and women’s breakaway and barrel racing. For the little ones, there was the calf scramble, bounce houses, face painting and more.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
EREC Holds Virtual Annual Meeting
April 25, 2021
For decades, the member owners of Escambia River Electric Cooperative have attended the utility’s annual meeting.
There’s also been the business end of the meeting — the election of trustees and voting on cooperative business. But the membership meetings have also been a chance for community members from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties to come together with food and entertainment.
But in 2019, the membership meeting was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2021 annual meeting was held virtually Saturday via streaming video.
RELATED STORY: Libby Pugh, Andrea Moorer Named EREC Scholarship Winners
In 1937, the first meeting was held to organize Escambia River Electric Cooperative, Inc. at the Oak Grove Community House. By lamplight, several prominent community leaders laid out the blueprints for the formation and operation of EREC.
After Congress passed the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, which made loans available for the establishment of rural electric cooperatives, widespread rural electrification began. The formation of cooperatives in other parts of the country stimulated the interest of local leaders such as C. R. Walker, E. H. Lundy, J. L. Robbins and County Agent J. G. Hudson. They continued to move forward with their plans even though they were often met with opposition and skepticism.
On March 10, 1939, Escambia River Electric Cooperative, Inc. was born when the incorporators met at the American National Bank building in Pensacola to pass the bylaws, which would establish the cooperative and make their dream a reality. The cooperative’s first month of operation brought them 88 members. Since that time, the cooperative has grown to serve over 10,000 members in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties with over 1,800 miles of energized line.
Here are the trustee election results and membership vote results from Saturday:
2021 ELECTION RESULTS
Escambia County
- James Earl Hall (incumbent)
- Ernie Hester (incumbent)
Santa Rosa County
- Ed Kelley (incumbent)
Solar Recovery Charges Proposed Bylaw: Approved
2019 EREC Annual Meeting Minutes: Approved
2020 ELECTION RESULTS
Escambia County
- J. D. Powell (incumbent)
Santa Rosa County
- Mickey Diamond (incumbent)
- Radford Locklin Jr. (incumbent)
Pictured above: Trustees during the virtual 2021 Escambia River Electric Cooperative annual meeting. Pictured below: The 80th annual EREC meeting in 2019 at Jay High School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Libby Pugh, Andrea Moorer Named EREC Scholarship Winners
April 25, 2021
Saturday, Escambia River Electric Cooperative awarded two $4,000 scholarships to local high school seniors.
The Escambia County winner was Libby Pugh from Northview High School (pictured left), and the Santa Rosa County winner was Andrea Moorer from Central High School. The Herman D. Johnson Scholarship Award is offered to graduating seniors with a parent or guardian that is a member of the cooperative..
In the past, capital credits issued by EREC that were unclaimed had to be turned over to the state. But state legislation now allows such funds to be deposited into a qualified, educational charity fund. The EREC membership voted to use these funds in the form of scholarships.
Both students will receive $1,000 for each of four years provided they continue to meet the scholarship criteria.
Pictured above: EREC scholarship winners Libby Pugh (left) from Northview High School and Andrea Moorer from Central High School. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Storms Leave Thousands Without Power, Cause Minor Damage In North Escambia
April 25, 2021
Some North Escambia residents were without power for over 12 hours Saturday after storms moved through the area, and some minor damage was reported.
At daybreak Saturday, over 3,700 Escambia River Electric customers were without power in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties; that’s about one-third of the entire EREC customer base.
Minor damage was reported across North Escambia — mostly downed trees and power lines, some minor damage to structures and lots of tossed lawn furniture and outdoor items.
Outside of North Escambia, more significant structural damage was reported in Huxford, Alabama, north of Atmore, and damage was reported in other areas including Brewton and Jay. There were no reports of any injuries.
Pictured above: An oak tree and power lines down on Highway 4 near Rigby Road in Bratt. Pictured below: It appeared a time roof was blow from a small shed into the front of this home on Highway 4 just east of the Bratt crossroads. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Friends Of The Library Book Sale Next Saturday
April 25, 2021
The Friends of the West Florida Public Library will hold an outdoor book sale on Saturday, May 1.
The sale will take place from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at their warehouse at 325 Commerce Street in Warrington (behind Greer’s).
There will be a large selection of used books in all categories priced as follows:
- Hardbacks are $2
- Softcovers, CDs and DVDs are $1
- Mass market paperbacks are 2 for $1.
Cash, credit cards, and checks will be accepted. Masks are required.
“Please note that our building sits back off the street slightly. Please do not park in front of the white building on the street in front of our warehouse as the owner will tow your car, or in front of our building as that’s where we accept our book donations. You can park on the street or in the shopping center parking lot,” the Friends of the Library said.
Pictured below: The Friends of the West Florida Public Library warehouse at 325 Commerce Street in Warrington. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weekly Traffic Report: Those Troublesome Construction Slowdowns
April 25, 2021
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 (State Road (S.R.) 30) Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement - The intersection of North 17th Avenue and Bayfront Parkway will remain closed until spring 2021 as construction continues on the new 17th Avenue interchange. The Visitor’s Center and adjacent boat launch remain accessible from 17th Avenue. Also, 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.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) from North Palafox Street to Chemstrand Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent nighttime lane closures the week of Monday, April 26 as crews perform paving operations.
- · North Ninth Avenue (S.R. 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement – Motorists will encounter lane shifts to the northbound travel lanes of Carpenters Creek Bridge. One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained as work begins to replace the southbound portion of the bridge. Traffic will remain in this temporary configuration until the late summer/early fall timeframe.
- · I-10 Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation over Perdido River Bridge – Motorists will encounter intermittent nighttime lane closures the week of Monday, April 19 as crews perform paving operations.
- · North Davis Highway (S.R. 291) Utility Operations near Heritage Apartments- Traffic will encounter lane restrictions from 8 p.m. Monday, April 26 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, April 27 as crews perform utility operations.
- · Bayou Boulevard (S.R. 296) Utility Operations – Motorists will encounter lane restrictions at 5098 Bayou Boulevard from 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 26 to 5 a.m. Wednesday, April 28 as crews install a new power pole.
- · I-10 at SA Jones Road Utility Operations – Motorists will encounter lane restrictions on I-10 beginning at 12 a.m. Thursday, April 29 as crews install a new power pole.
- · S.R. 292 (North Pace Boulevard) Underground Utility Operations - There will be intermittent lane restrictions while crews preform underground utility work at:
- Intersection of West La Rua Street and S.R. 292, 8 p.m. Monday, April 26 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, April 27.
- Intersection of West Belmont Street and S.R. 292, 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, April through Wednesday, April 28.
- Intersection of West Wright Street and S.R. 292, 8 p.m. Thursday, April 29 to 5 a.m. Friday, April 30.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – The bridge remains closed.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive- Early construction activities have begun to prepare for the widening and improvements of the 4.25-mile section. These activities include utility relocations, clearing, excavation, and drainage improvements. As part of the upgraded drainage system, the project includes the construction of five stormwater ponds. Clearing and excavating of areas for the stormwater ponds are currently underway. There are no traffic impacts associated with the construction of the ponds, but nearby residents and businesses may experience some noise. Access to residences and businesses will be maintained.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Pensacola’s Mask Ordinance Has Now Expired
April 25, 2021
A Pensacola ordinance requiring masks to be worn inside businesses in the city has expired and is no longer in effect.
Pensacola employees are still required to wear masks while in common areas inside city facilities, and members of the public are encouraged to wear masks inside city facilities.
The ordinance was unenforceable after Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an order in September banning mask mandate enforcement by local governments.
Pensacola’s mask ordinance first went into effect in June 2020.
Century To Again Consider Electric Franchise Fee Increase
April 24, 2021
The Century Town Council will try again next month to vote on raising the franchise fee they charge Gulf Power.
On April 19, the council was set to hold a required public hearing on the ordinance, but they did not have a required quorum after three members missed the meeting. Council members James Smith, Jr. Leonard White and Sandra McMurray-Jackson were not present.
The public hearing will now be held during the 7 p.m. May 3 council meeting to raise the Gulf Power franchise fee, an an increase for Escambia River Electric is also under consideration.
In 1994, the franchise fees for both utilities were increased from 3% to 5%, and now the council is raising the fee to 6%.
While the franchise fee is technically charged to the utility, both Gulf Power and EREC tell NorthEscambia.com that they pass the full cost of the fee on to their customers.
The town council has held a first reading of a new agreement with Gulf Power that will become official after one more meeting. They are also setting their sights on an increased fee for EREC.
Gulf Power customers with an average 1,000 kwh monthly usage pay about $140 a month, according to Florida Public Service Commission documents. The franchise fee increase will cost customers in the Century town limits about $1.40 per month.
One Injured, Rescued From House Fire Near Atmore
April 24, 2021
One person was injured in a fire at two-story home north of Atmore Friday evening.
An adult female was trapped before being rescued from an upstairs bedroom. She was transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital; an update on her condition was not available.
The fire was reported about 6:45 p.m. at the corner of Jack Springs Road and Woods Road. The Poarch Fire Department, Atmore Fire Department, Nokomis Fire Department and the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue were dispatched to the blaze.
There was no immediate word on the cause of the fire.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
