Record Number Of Vehicles Head To Pensacola Beach
June 23, 2020
A record number of vehicles traveled to Pensacola Beach over the weekend. Saturday, June 20 was the single busiest day on record since the car counter was installed at the Bob Sikes Toll Booth in 2016.
The toll plaza recorded the first back-to-back 21,000 plus vehicle days on Friday, June 12 and Saturday, June 13.
- 21,469 vehicles on Friday, June 12, 2020
- 21,860 vehicles on Saturday, June 13, 2020
- 20,229 vehicles on Sunday, June 14, 2020
- 20,722 vehicles on Friday, June 19, 2020
- 21,970 vehicles on Saturday, June 20, 2020
- 19,936 vehicles on Sunday, June 21, 2020
“This year we have seen an increase in the number of cars going through the toll plaza in a given hour, and noticed more people are coming out earlier in the day,” said District 4 Commissioner Robert Bender. “We are continuing to make improvements and evaluate traffic, including focusing on getting cars off the island.”
2020 has seen record-breaking numbers of vehicles on Pensacola Beach, with toll records already indicating nine days with more than 20,000 vehicles passing through the toll booth — 2019 saw 11 total days throughout the entire year. Saturday, June 20 was the second time this year more than 2,000 cars came through the toll plaza in an hour.
In April 2020, the Bob Sikes Toll Booth went to all electronic tolling, which means drivers do not have to stop and are encouraged to keep driving through the toll booth. A $1 toll will be collected from all vehicles travelling to Pensacola Beach / Santa Rosa Island via the Bob Sikes Toll Bridge. The $1 toll is collected electronically using SunPass®, E-Pass, North Carolina Quick Pass, Georgia Peach Pass, PayTollo app or Toll-By-Plate.
For Toll-By-Plate users, the toll is still $1 each time you pass through the toll plaza, plus a $2.50 administrative fee that is charged each billing cycle (once per month.) No matter the number of trips you take to the beach, you will only be charged the administration fee once per billing cycle.
Secretary Of The Navy Honors Escambia Deputies Who Responded To NAS Pensacola Shooting
June 23, 2020
Naval Air Station Pensacola held an awards ceremony Monday to recognize members of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that responded to the December 6, 2019, terrorist attack on the base.
Six deputies received the Distinguished Public Service Award from the Secretary of the Navy for their heroic actions that morning.
The deputies honored were:
- Jonathan Glass
- Matthew Housam
- Michael Hoyland
- Matthew Keebler
- Grant Lopez
- Matthew Tinch
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle Yearbooks Distribution Is Tuesday And Wednesday; Extras Are Available For $55
June 23, 2020
Ransom Middle School yearbooks have will be distributed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Pick up for yearbooks that were pre-ordered will be in the car rider line in front of the school from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. and 3-5 p.m. on Tuesday, and from 3-5 p.m. on Wednesday.
There are 80 yearbooks available for purchase for cash only on a first-come, first-serve availability during the listed times.
For more information, email Mrs. Johnson at ljohnson7@ecsdfl.us.
Century Water System Plan Could Mean Significant Rate Increase
June 22, 2020
A significant rate increase could be in the future for Century water customers. if the town council follows a plan they recently approved.
A Century Water System Asset Management and Fiscal Sustainability Plan created by the Florida Rural Water Association (FRWA) found the need for the rate increase, plus increased costs for commercial customers, the prison and possibly water system customers that are outside of the town limits.
For an average family using 5,000 gallons per month, the monthly average water bill is currently about $21.36.
“Although this rate may be minimally sufficient for current operations, the improvements recommended may require a cost adjustment to be financially sustainable,” the Florida Rural Water Association found, also noting commercial accounts currently pay the same rate as residential customers, and that should be changed.
“Although this rate may be minimally sufficient for current operations, the improvements recommended may require a cost adjustment to be financially sustainable,” the report stated.
The Century Correctional Institution accounts for just over half of all the affluent into Century’s wastewater treatment plant, “yet is billed very little comparatively”, and the FRWA recommended that the Florida Department of Corrections pay their fair share.
Without increased rates for the prison and commercial accounts, the FRWA said “an overly cumbersome burden” will be placed on residential customers to pay for mandated rehabilitations.
In order to accomplish an estimated $561,305 in needed capital needs water system improvements and to set aside needed reserve funds, water rates would need to be increased 32.3% in year one with additional smaller increases in each of four additional years.
The plan is only recommendations from FRWA. A rate study would likely first determine the exact amount of any rate increase before it is implemented with the approval of the town council.
Escambia County Graduations Are This Week At The Bay Center. Here’s The Schedule.
June 22, 2020
Graduations are this week for schools in Escambia County.
The graduation schedule is below. Doors will open one hour before ceremony time.
Monday, June 22, 2020
- 9:30 a.m. Escambia Virtual School & George Stone at Pensacola High School
- 4:00 p.m. Escambia High School at Pensacola Bay Center
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
- 9:00 a.m. West Florida High School at Pensacola Bay Center
- 2:00 p.m. Pine Forest High School at Pensacola Bay Center
- 7:00 p.m. Tate High School at Pensacola Bay Center
Wednesday, June 24, 2020
- 9:00 a.m. Pensacola High School at Pensacola Bay Center
- 2:00 p.m. Northview High School at Pensacola Bay Center
- 7:00 p.m. Booker T. Washington High School at Pensacola Bay Center
Important safety measures will be added to these graduation ceremonies from those held in the past. In order to adhere to social distancing guidelines, the following information was provided by the Escambia County School District:
- Participation in graduation ceremonies is voluntary
- Face masks are encouraged
- Bags of any kind (tote bags, backpacks, etc.) are discouraged.
- All cameras are allowed, but no tripods or large camera bags.
- Seating is general admission, with six (6) tickets provided to each graduating student and distributed by their school
- Absolutely no replacement of lost tickets
- Graduation times have been scheduled to allow the Pensacola Bay Center to be sanitized after each ceremony
- No congregating after graduation ceremonies; graduates and families should go directly to their vehicles and exit the property promptly
- Graduates will be allowed to keep their cap and gown, and return these items to schools at a later date. This allows families to celebrate and take pictures with their graduates
- Graduates and guests will maintain social distancing while in the Pensacola Bay Center
- Anyone who has recently traveled outside of the country, had a fever within the last 14 days, or in contact with someone who was COVID-19 positive will be asked not to attend.
- All graduations will be live streamed for the general public for family members and friends who cannot attend, or to watch at a later time.
NorthEsambia.com file photo.
Florida Gas Prices Hold Steady, Could See An Increase Of A Few Pennies This Week
June 22, 2020
Florida gas prices have basically held steady the past 10 days, according to AAA, and this week could bring an increase of a few pennies.
The average price at the pump is $2.02 per gallon. The state average price for regular gasoline is 15 cents more than last month and 26 cents more than the lowest price this year. Despite the recent uptick, Florida drivers are still paying 42 cents per gallon less than this time last year.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was an even $2 on Sunday, up from $1.97 a week ago and $1.77 a month ago.
The lowest price per gallon Sunday in North Escambia was $1.94 at a Highway 29 station. In Pensacola, the lowest price was $1.79 at a station on North Ninth Avenue.
“Drivers may see a slight uptick at the pump this week, due to a small increase in the wholesale price of gasoline,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The increase in wholesale prices was likely driven by continued strength in demand for summertime gasoline. As a result, drivers could see an increase of a few pennies at the pump.”
Pictured: A gallon of regular unleaded gas was $1.94 Sunday at this Cantonment station. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Work Begins This Week To Pave Highway 87 In Santa Rosa County
June 22, 2020
Work will begin this week to pave Highway 87 from south of Clear Creek to north of Highway 4 in Berrydale in northern Santa Rosa County.
The $4.5-million project includes 14 miles of milling and resurfacing, replacement of damaged side drains and guardrail, and placement of new signs and pavement markings. Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane restrictions.
Lane closure restrictions will not be allowed near Allentown Road Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. during active school periods. The 14-mile improvement project is anticipated to be complete winter 2020.
Escambia County, Alabama, Records Another COVID-19 Death, Cases Climb
June 22, 2020
An additional COVID-19 death has been reported in Escambia County, Alabama, as the number of positive cases continues a steady climb.
There have now been six fatalities in the county with a total of 148 confirmed cases as of Sunday night, according to the Alabama Department of Health. There have been 60 cases reported in the past two weeks out of 480 tests, a positivity rate of 12.5%.
Pictured: Atmore Community Hospital. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Rotary Awards $5K To Manna Food Bank, Presents Grants To Other Groups
June 22, 2020
The Rotary Club of Pensacola has made a $5,000 donation to the Manna Food Bank to help provide food for those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic and the loss of their jobs.
Each year the club awards community grants by selecting several non-profits who submit applications for grants to help their organization with annual operating expenses. Applicants are chosen based on how they address the Rotary goals of improving the lives of people and the community.
A total of $15,000 was distributed to the following organizations: Thirty Million Words Sailing Regatta Pensacola Yacht Club Satori Foundation, Gulf Coast Kids House, AMI Kids, Rotary Youth Camp, ECARE, Ronald McDonald House, Council on Aging, YMCA NW FL, Emmaus Road Outreach, and Alfred Washburn Center.
Woman Airlifted To Hospital After Motorcycle Accident In Walnut Hill
June 21, 2020
A woman was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in Walnut Hill.
The woman laid down her bike on South Highway 99 about a mile and a half south of Highway 97 about 7:30 p.m. She was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital by MedStar Air Care helicopter.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
