Traffic Alert: Here Are This Week’s Construction Slow Spots
July 26, 2020
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and proejcts in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, July 26:
o Intermittent east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
o Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90)– Drivers traveling U.S. 29 at the bridge over Nine Mile Road will experience the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the week of Sunday, June 26:
- Sunday, July 26, southbound traffic will be redirected to the off and on-ramps at Nine Mile Road.
- Monday, July 27, northbound traffic will be redirected to the off and on-ramps at Nine Mile Road. Depending on weather, the closures may be extended into Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Also, throughout the week, drivers traveling Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass, and U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and Nine & Half Mile Road may experience alternating lane shifts or closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) to U.S. 29 – Fowler Avenue north of Nine Mile Road will remain closed until 5 p.m. Friday, July 31 for reconstruction activities. Traffic will be detoured to West Nine & Half Mile Road and Cove Avenue.
- I-10 Routine Bridge Maintenance over I-10 Westbound U.S. 29 Ramp– Motorists will encounter eastbound lane closures from 8 p.m. Monday, July 27 to 4 a.m. Tuesday, July 28 as crews perform bridge joint work.
- · U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of Muscogee Road (County Road 184) to Atmore Highway (S.R. 97)- Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane restrictions as crews continue construction activities at various locations.
- · Michigan Avenue (S.R. 296) at Mobile Highway and Memphis Avenue- Construction activities have begun. The contractor will be working during daytime hours. Nighttime lane closures are possible.
- · Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Intersection Improvements at New Warrington Road
(S.R. 295) – Construction activities are underway. Drivers can expect lane closures between 9:30 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement –Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, July 26:
o Intermittent east and westbound lane closures on U.S. 98 from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
o Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- · U.S. 98 Upgrading of Distribution Lines between Whispering Pines Boulevard and Palo Alto – Motorists will encounter eastbound lane closures from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, July 20 through Thursday, July 30 as utility crews upgrade distribution lines.
- S.R. 87 Resurfacing from Clear Creek to S.R. 4- Drivers can expect intermittent daytime lane closures along the 14-mile corridor through fall 2020 as crews perform paving operations.
- U.S. 90 Pavement Marking Operations from Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281) to the Okaloosa County Line-Motorists can expect minor delays Sunday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. until Thursday, Aug. 27 as slow-moving vehicles are used to perform pavement marking operations.
Sea Turtles Are Hatching On Escambia’s Beaches. Their Odds Of Survival Are Not Good.
July 26, 2020
If you head to the beach, look out for the sea turtles. Their odds of survival are not good; Escambia County says 1 in 1000 hatchlings will survive to adulthood.
Escambia County’s sea turtle nesting season has just passed its halfway mark, with a total of 17 nests located on Perdido Key and Pensacola Beach. Fifteen nests are Loggerhead, the most common turtle to county beaches, and the other two are rare Kemp’s Ridley nests.
Nesting may occur through the late summer; however, the first nests are expected to hatch in early August. Sea turtle hatchlings face many threats on their first trip to the Gulf, both natural and human-caused.
Bright artificial lights from homes, cars and businesses may disorient hatchlings, leading them away from the Gulf and into danger. Furniture, toys, holes and other obstacles on the beach may trap hatchlings or cause serious injury.
Hatchlings that don’t reach the Gulf quickly are easy prey for predators and at risk of dehydration, starvation and death.
If you see a nest hatching or encounter hatchlings turtles on the beach, call Escambia County Marine Resources at 850-426-1257. If you encounter a nesting turtle, turn off all lights and retreat a safe distance away.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Closes Town Hall, Goes Cashless After Two Employees Test Positive For COVID-19
July 25, 2020
The Town of Century has closed their town hall and gone cashless for utility payments after two employees tested positive for COVID-19.
Interim City Manager Vernon Prather said both employees went home on quarantine after notifying the town of their positive results. Both worked in the town hall.
Utility payments can be made in the drop box next to the drive-up window. Only checks or money orders are accepted, no cash.
Credit card payments can be made by phone or the drive-thru window only on July 31 and August 5. from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. These are currently the only dates the drive- thru window will be open and the only dates credit card payments can be made by phone, but additional dates may be added as needed. No cash will be accepted on drive-thru window days.
For more information or further assistance call (850) 256-3208 from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. or email kgodwin@centuryflorida.us or hhawkins@centuryflorida.us.
Local Candidates To Appear On WSRE’s RALLY 2020 Candidate Forum
July 25, 2020
WSRE’s “RALLY 2020” candidate forum begins with select primary races in Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties, airing at 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, July 30–31. Both programs will be simulcast on NewsRadio 92.3 FM & 1620 AM.
Thursday night’s broadcast will cover Escambia County Commission Districts 1, 3 and 5; State Representative Districts 1 and 2; and U.S. Congress District 1.
Friday night’s broadcast will cover Santa Rosa County Commission Districts 1, 3 and 5; Santa Rosa County Superintendent of Schools; Santa Rosa County School Board Districts 2 and 4; Okaloosa County Commission Districts 1, 3 and 5; Okaloosa County Superintendent of Schools; Okaloosa County School Board District 2; and State Representative District 4.
“RALLY” is produced as a public service of WSRE in partnership with the Pensacola Bay Area League of Women Voters and the Okaloosa & Walton Counties League of Women Voters. Mollye Barrows is producer and will co-host the programs with WUWF’s Sandra Averhart.
These programs for primary election races will also be available for streaming at wsre.org/rally. “RALLY” broadcast dates for the general election races are to be announced.
Highway 29 Bridge Over Nine Mile Road Closed Sunday And Monday Nights
July 25, 2020
Drivers traveling the Highway 29 bridge over Nine Mile Road in Escambia County will experience the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Sunday, July 26 – Southbound traffic will be redirected to the off and on-ramps at Nine Mile Road.
- Monday, July 27 – Northbound traffic will be redirected to the off and on-ramps at Nine Mile Road.
The closures may be extended into Tuesday and Wednesday due to weather.
New Program Connects UWF Students And Alumni With Employers For Micro-Internships
July 25, 2020
The University of West Florida’s Office of Career Development and Community Engagement has partnered with Parker Dewey to help students and alumni gain meaningful job experience and launch their careers during the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Parker Dewey offers a platform to connect current students with employers to complete micro-internships, which are paid assignments similar to those given to new hires or interns. These experiences are short-term assignments that occur in a mostly virtual environment. The opportunities typically range in length from five to 40 hours of work, and students have the option to apply for more than one opportunity during a semester.
“We’re really excited about this new partnership with Parker Dewey and the additional access to real-world experience it will provide to UWF students,” said Lauren Loeffler, executive director for Career Development and Community Engagement.
“Now more than ever, we must think creatively about these experiences and not just rely on the traditional forms of experiential education.”
This new partnership complements existing campus recruiting efforts, including semester-long internships and multi-term co-ops, which continue to be available to students on the University’s career development platform, Handshake. These opportunities help students sharpen their skills, build a network of professional contacts and gain new skills they can leverage as they seek future opportunities—especially in the current economic climate.
“Micro-internships provide a safe alternative during the pandemic since all micro-internships are offered remotely,” said Sarah Fox, associate director for high-impact practices/experiential learning. “Students can still improve their career readiness skills in a safe environment that will make them strong candidates when they apply for future jobs while supplementing their income.”
Employers who are interested in learning more about micro-internships and how to post assignments can contact the Office of Career Development and Community Engagement or visit the UWF Parker Dewey page at http://info.parkerdewey.com/uwf.
Students are encouraged to visit uwf.edu/career for more information on how to apply for opportunities.
Visitor Ban At Florida Prisons Extended Until Mid-August
July 25, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic visitation suspension at Florida prisons has been extended again, the Florida Department of Corrections has announced.
The visitor ban is in effect this time until at least August 17.
“The decision to reinstate the normal visitation schedule will be evaluated in consultation with public health experts,” the FDC said.
Inmates will continue to have access to their loved ones through mail, phone calls and video visitation. Legal visits will not be impacted, although attorneys are encouraged to consult with their clients via phone, email or mail during this time
As of Monday, 24 inmates have died from the virus, 1,963 have tested positive and 438 corrections staff have been infected, according to the agency.
Blue Wahoos To Hold Summer Spectacular On Saturday, August 8
July 25, 2020
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos will host a family-friendly Summer Spectacular at Blue Wahoos Stadium on Saturday, August 8 featuring a showing of the classic baseball film The Sandlot on the videoboard at the ballpark and an extended post-movie fireworks show. Admission to the event is $10 and tickets are available now at the stadium box office and at BlueWahoos.com and include both the movie and fireworks show.
“We’re excited to bring our massive Fourth of July fireworks show to our fans, even if it’s a few weeks late,” team president Jonathan Griffith said. “A big thanks goes out to Hancock-Whitney Bank, Covenant Care, and Cat Country 98.7 for helping us re-schedule and transform our Independence Day event into a family-fun Summer Spectacular. We can’t wait to safely welcome the community to the ballpark for a great baseball film and our longest fireworks show of the year.”
Gates at Blue Wahoos Stadium will open at 5:30 p.m. with the film beginning at 6:30 p.m. The fireworks show will follow the conclusion of the movie.
Guests will be welcome to sit in the stands at the ballpark to enjoy the movie and fireworks or on the field itself. Fans may bring blankets and pillows for their comfort, but chairs, strollers, and wagons are not permitted inside the ballpark. Concessions will be available throughout the stadium.
Guest safety remains a top priority. Face masks are required inside of Blue Wahoos Stadium and should be worn whenever guests are moving throughout the ballpark. Masks may be removed when eating or drinking or when seated to enjoy the show with proper physical distancing.
Century Renews Garbage Pick Up Contract; Can’t Afford Own Truck; Doesn’t Consider ECUA
July 24, 2020
The Town of Century has renewed a contract with Republic Services to provide solid waste collection and disposal to residents.
The five-year contract renewal is at the same rate the town currently pays, plus an annual adjustment each December based upon the consumer price index.
Residential sanitation customers in Century pay a monthly fee of $23.63. That’s broken down to $17.42 per residential container and $6.21 for biweekly yard waste pickup. Century does not offer recycling services.
Republic charges the town $14.44 a month for each residential container, so the town retains $2.98 each. With 533 containers, Century makes $1,588.34 per month that pays the town for providing customer service and billing.
Council member James Smith questioned why the town could not take care of the garbage collection themselves. Interim City Manager Vernon Prather said it would cost an estimated $400,000 to purchase a garbage truck and about $100,000 to purchase the containers.
The town gave no consideration to contracting the services to the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority. ECUA provides residential service in Escambia County, including all sides of the Century town limits except the northern border with Alabama.
ECUA customers pay $24.16 per month for one weekly 90-gallon container pick up, a 90-gallon weekly recyclables pick up and one weekly pick up of yard trash. Up to three additional 90-gallon garbage containers are available for $4.02 per month per container. ECUA also offers free pickup of large items like furniture and toilets. Recycling service includes the free collection of car or truck batteries, tires, propane tanks, appliances, bulk cardboard and household electronics like televisions and computers.
Updates: Tropical Storm Hanna In The Gulf; Tropical Storm Gonzalo In The Atlantic
July 24, 2020
Tropical Storm Hanna has formed in the Gulf of Mexico, and Tropical Storm Gonzalo continues to churn in the Atlantic.
Tropical Storm Hanna is in the Gulf of Mexico south of Louisiana, and it’s tracing westward toward Texas, according to forecasters. For Northwest Florida, Hanna will mean dangerous Gulf of Mexico rip currents and increased rain chances.
Tropical Storm Gonzalo is moving toward the Lesser Antilles in the Atlantic. It’s intensity forecast is currently uncertain, but it may reach hurricane strength by the time it reaches the Windward Islands on Saturday. There’s a reasonable shot that Gonzalo will dissipate by the time it reaches the Caribbean, and it won’t reach the Gulf of Mexico. But that’s not yet a certainty, so we will continue to keep an eye on Gonzalo.
