Pensacola Bay Bridge Reopening Delayed Again, This Time Until The Week Of Memorial Day
March 29, 2021
The projected reopening date for the Pensacola Bay Bridge has been delayed again; this time until the week of Memorial Day.
The Florida Department of Transportation said Monday afternoon that during repair efforts additional damage was found on a trophy piece — the large piers that support the bridge.
“During repair efforts on the trophy pieces at pier 70, repair crews identified additional damage that warranted replacing the interior trophy piece at pier 70,” FDOT said. “The trophy piece’s replacement at pier 70 is critical since the demolition, pile driving, trophy installation, beam placement and deck pouring will be required.”
Earlier this year, FDOT officials said the bridge would be reopened with at least two lanes on March 22. In early march, officials said that would not happen after more trophy piece damage was found.
Motorists should continue to use all available detour routes, which include the Garcon Point Bridge and State Road 87. At this time, tolls on the Garcon Point Bridge are suspended through Friday, April 9, 2021. Commuters can also use the Escambia County Area Transit’s (ECAT) temporary bus route travel between Pensacola and Gulf Breeze free of charge.
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Sacred Heart Now Scheduling Vaccination Appointments For Anyone 18 And Older
March 29, 2021
COVID-19 vaccinations will be available to anyone age 18 and older beginning next Monday, April 5, and Ascension Sacred Heart is now scheduling appointments now for 10,000 doses of the vaccine.
The clinics will offer either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, which require two shots.
Appointments are required and can be scheduled online at www.GetSacredHeartCare.com.
In Pensacola, clinics for Florida residents 18 and older will be held at Olive Baptist Church on:
- April 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- April 8 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- April 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- April 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- April 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- April 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m
Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson Won’t Seek Second Term
March 29, 2021
Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson said Monday morning that he will not seek a second term.
He made the announcement at a Monday morning press conference, citing the direction and divisiveness of government and elections. Robinson cited the controversy over the city’s mask mandate as one example. He said the overall tone is shifting toward political and individual agendas becoming more important than the good of the city.
Robinson is in his first term as Pensacola mayor. He previously served for 12 years as an Escambia County Commissioner.
The Pensacola mayor’s seat will appear on the 2022 ballot.
Escambia County Unemployment Rate Decreases Slightly
March 29, 2021
The unemployment rate in Escambia County decreased last month, according to data released Friday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 4% in February, down from 4.5% in January. That represents 5,892 people out of work out of a county workforce of 147,893. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was 3.4%, or 4,980 people.
Three major industries in the Escambia area gained jobs over the year in February 2021. These industries include professional and business services, increasing by 2,000 jobs; trade, transportation, and utilities, increasing by 400 jobs; and financial activities, increasing by 100 jobs. The area private sector employment decreased by 1,700 jobs, a decline of 1.1 percent over the year. The industry losing the most jobs over the year was leisure and hospitality, decreasing by 2,700 jobs.
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.7 percent in February, down 0.1 percentage point from the January rate, and up 1.4% from a year ago. There were 474,000 jobless Floridians out of a labor force of 10,124,000. The U.S. unemployment rate was 6.2 percent in February
ECSO Takes Lost Goat Into Custody, And They Would Like To Release It To Its Owner
March 29, 2021
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy took a goat into custody last week, and they would like to return it back to its owner.
The goat was found wandering in the area of Quail Hollow Boulevard north of Nine Mile Road. A deputy gave the goat a ride to the sheriff’s office where it was fed and given a “place to crash”, according to the EcSO.
Anyone that knows where to find the owner is asked to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9477.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Now Available To Everyone 40 And Over; Community Health Holding Vaccination Clinics
March 29, 2021
The COVID-19 vaccine is now available to Florida residents age 40 and older, and next week eligibility will expand to everyone 18 and over.
Community Health Northwest Florida will hold COVID-19 vaccination clinics this week at the Brownsville Community Center. These clinics are open to all Florida residents who qualify to receive the vaccine.
The clinics will held:
- Tuesday, March 30, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Moderna vaccine (first of two), appointments required.
- Wednesday, March 31, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Johnson and Johnson ‘one-shot’ vaccine appointment required.
For appointments, call (850) 439-3358
- Eligibility Criteria for Vaccines:
- Persons 40 years of age and older
- Adults 18 and older deemed medically vulnerable by a physician. One of the following is required:
- Patients may have their doctor fill out a State of Florida “COVID Vulnerability Determination” form or
- Bring a doctor’s note/prescription stating the condition that qualifies the patient or current prescription bottles of the medication that treats the preexisting condition.
- All K-12 school employees, all ages; must show a badge from their school. (Current Executive Order does not include educators beyond K-12).
- Daycare workers; badge or paystub required as proof of employment in day care setting
- Long-term care facility residents and staff
- Healthcare personnel with direct patient contact
- Sworn law enforcement officers 50 years of age and older
- Firefighters 50 years of age and older
Restrictions:
- All participants will be required to show photo ID as well as proof of eligibility at time of appointment.
- Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days or have had symptoms of illness (fever, cough, shortness of breath) in the past 14 days should not receive the vaccine.
Molino Park Elementary Wins $1,500 In Wellness Challenge; Ransom Middle And Northview High Place Too
March 29, 2021
Molino Park Elementary School claimed the top spot in the Escambia County School District’s Choose Wellness Challenge, and North Escambia schools were also tops in the middle and high school categories.
The challenge was to see which school or major department could achieve the highest level of participation in the challenge by the end of the school year. Participants completed steps to promote health and wellness, potentially reducing the district’s health care and lost work time costs.
At a 68.5% participating level, Molino Park Elementary was the overall winner. Molino Park also won this year’s “Most Improved” award with an increase of 13.3% over last year’s participation. The school received $1,500 in prize money.
Awards of $250 were also presented to the schools and departments with the highest percentage of participation
The highest percentage participation award at the middle school level went to Ransom Middle School at 55.1%, and the highest percentage participation award at the high school/secondary level went to Northview High School at 53.2%. The highest percentage participation at the major department award sent to the McDaniels Administration Center at 66.4%.
The awards are paid from wellness dollars, not taxpayer funds, according to the school district.
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Tate’s Strike Out Cancer Softball Game Raises Over $22,000
March 29, 2021
The annual Tate and West Florida Strike Out Cancer softball game raised over $22,000 this year.
The proceeds from donations and auctions will go to the American Cancer Society to benefit cancer research and to help those currently battling cancer.
The Tate Lady Aggies won the game 8-1 over WFHS. Abbie Burks pitched a complete game win for the Lady Aggies, allowing one run on two hits and striking out four. Hannah Halfacre and Madison Holland led Tate at the plate with two hits each.
Last year’s Strike Out Cancer game was canceled at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Florida Gas Prices Trend Downward
March 29, 2021
Florida gas prices are showing signs of weakness for the first time this year, according to AAA.
The state average declined a couple of cents last week as domestic gasoline supplies strengthen and global fuel demand-concerns creep back into the fuel market. That downward trend could continue, especially if the Suez Canal is cleared soon.
The average price of gasoline in Florida is $2.88 per gallon, the lowest in 10 days.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County is $2.86, but a low of $2.56 could be found at Pensacola Boulevard station. The lowest price in North Escambia was $2.57 Sunday night on Muscogee Road in Cantonment.
Last week’s oil price decline was enough to potentially send gas prices back below $2.70 per gallon. Unfortunately, those hopes were dashed (for now) when a massive cargo ship ran aground in the Suez Canal, blocking the major artery for fuel shipments. For now, the interruption has not caused crude prices to skyrocket. Domestic crude oil settled the week where it started, at around $61 per barrel.
“The blockage in the Suez Canal appears to be the only thing keeping upward pressure on prices at the moment,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA — The Auto Club Group. “Wholesale gasoline prices are still down 20 cents from two weeks ago. So drivers could see gas prices slip even lower, unless the blockage at the canal raises supply concerns and the price of oil.”
UPDATE: Missing Juvenile From Cantonment Found Safe
March 28, 2021
UPDATE: The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday night that this missing juvenile has been found found safe.
Previous story:
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing juvenile from Cantonment.
Ashlyn Elizabeth Tidwell, 14, was last seen about 10:30 Saturday night in the 1000 block of Pine Top Lane, just off Neal Road. She was wearing a gray t-shirt and gray pants. She is 5-foot, four-inches, 130 pounds, with black hair and blue eyes.
ECSO said she might be in the area of Michigan Avenue.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.