Traffic Alert: These Are This Week’s Trouble Spots
March 8, 2020
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:
- 9th Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289), Martin Luther King/Alcaniz Street/Davis Highway (S.R. 291) and Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Video Underground Sewer Lines- Drivers may experience intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday until Tuesday, March 31.
- · U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (State Road (S.R.) 10 / U.S. 90A)– The bridge deck pour will take place Sunday, March 8. Traffic on U.S. 29 and
Nine-Mile Road can expect lane restrictions and temporary road closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews pour the deck for the final section of the new bridge.
o Southbound U.S. 29: The outside, southbound lane will be closed.
o Nine Mile Road: All traffic will be directed to the on and off-ramps at the U.S. 29 overpass. Traffic control officers will be on site to help direct motorists. The following detour will be in place:
§ Eastbound Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one lane, directed to U.S. 29 southbound, U-turn at West Hood Drive, and return to Nine Mile Road.
§ Westbound traffic will perform the same operation at West 9 1/2 Mile Road.
Additionally, U.S. 29 traffic between Interstate 10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road may experience alternating lane closures the week of Sunday, March 8 as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
- Pensacola Bay (U.S. 98) Bridge Replacement- There will be intermittent lane closures at the following locations from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, March 8.
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- U.S. 98 east and westbound, from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the Graffiti Bridge.
- · I-10 Reflective Pavement Marking Replacement from the Alabama line to the Florida Welcome Center- There will be east and westbound intermittent lane restriction from the Florida/Alabama state line to the Florida Welcome Center from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, March 8 through Tuesday, March 10.
- · Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10 / U.S. 90A) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) – The far-right portion of the I-10 off ramp that connects to Nine Mile Road (Exit 5) westbound remains closed. Drivers can still access Nine Mile Road east and westbound using the other section of the ramp. The partial ramp closure is needed to reconstruct the ramp and will be in place through spring 2020.
- · U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of Muscogee Road (County Road/C.R. 184) to Atmore Highway (S.R. 97)– Crews continue paving operations and median work. Drivers may encounter intermittent daytime lane restrictions. Motorists are reminded to watch for crews and heavy equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
- · Hanks Road Bridge Replacement over Breastworks Creek- Construction activities continue. The roadway remains temporarily closed. Drivers on Hanks Road, west of the bridge, are detoured to C.R. 99 and C.R. 4. Drivers east of the bridge will utilize Pine Barren Road. The project is anticipated to be complete spring 2020.
- C.R. 168 Bridge Replacement over Unnamed Branch in Northwest Century- Crews continue to work on various items. The project is tentatively scheduled to be completed within the next two weeks, weather dependent.
Santa Rosa County:
- · U.S. 98 (Pensacola Bay Bridge) Replacement- There will be intermittent lane closures at the following locations from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, March 8.
- · U.S. 90 Corridor (Pace) Management Improvement Project- Crews are currently working on drainage improvements at Sanford Street during daytime hours. Drivers should watch for workers and equipment entering and exiting the work area.
- · U.S. 98 Safety Improvement from Villa Woods Circle to Ortega Park Drive- Crews continuing work at all seven locations within the project limits. No lane closures anticipated.
- · S.R. 4 Resurfacing and Drainage Improvements from the Escambia River Bridge to Market Road (C.R. 87A) in Jay- There will be intermittent lane closures throughout the project limits for roadway and utility work.
- · S.R. 87 Bridge Rehabilitation and Repair Over Yellow River- Motorists may encounter daytime southbound lane closures as crews continue expansion joint work.
- · S.R. 87 Turn Lane and Median Modifications at South Lynn Road- Operations are taking place in the median. Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane closures.
- · U.S. 98 Mutli-Use Path Paving Operations Between Reagan Road and Serosa Drive in Navarre- The westbound outside lane will be closed Wednesday, March 11 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- U.S. 98 east and westbound, from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the Graffiti Bridge.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Firefighters Respond to Reported House Fire In Bratt
March 7, 2020
First responders were dispatched to a reported structure fire in Bratt Saturday morning.
When they arrived in the 5000 block of West Highway 4, just west of Highway 4, they found a small smoldering fire in a heating unit.
There were no injuries and no major damage reported.
The Walnut Hill and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Atmore Fire Department and Escambia County EMS responded. Additional fire stations were dispatched and canceled prior to arrival.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Train Carrying Military Equipment Derails At Alabama-Florida State Line
March 7, 2020
About five cars of a CSX train hauling military equipment derailed Saturday morning at the Alabama-Florida state line.
The cars left the track coming out of the railyard in Flomaton, just a few feet north of a street known as Alley 5 in Century. There were no injuries reported.
The entire train was carrying military vehicles and equipment on flatbed railcars. The derailment blocked the railroad crossings at Old Flomaton Road and East Cottage Street in Century.
This was the second train derailment in Flomaton in less than two weeks. On February 26, two empty cars of northbound CSX train derailed at the College Street crossing, not far from Flomaton Elementary School. [Read more...]
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
NCIS, ECSO Arrest Cantonment Man For 2001 Murder Of His Wife In Local Winn Dixie Parking Lot
March 7, 2020
FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS STORY, CLICK HERE.
The Naval Criminal Investigative Service and Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Cantonment man Friday night for the murder of his wife found dead in the parking lot of the Cantonment Winn Dixie in 2001.
Navy civilian employee Greg Malarik, age 57 of Riddle Road, is charged with the murder of Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Sherri Malarik, on September 22, 2001. Malarik, a former Navy Petty Officer 1st Class, is employed by the Naval Aviation Technical Training Center aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola.
Sherri Malarik was found dead with two gunshot wounds to the head inside her van at the Winn Dixie on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
Efforts by the NCIS Southeast Field Office, the NCIS Cold Case Homicide Unit, and ECSO to analyze the crime scene, witness interviews, and other items of evidentiary value resulted in the determination that Mr. Malarik unlawfully killed Ms. Malarik by shooting her in the head with a handgun while seated in the front passenger seat of the van.
“This nearly 20-year-old investigation demonstrates NCIS’ relentless pursuit of truth and justice,” NCIS Southeast Field Office Special Agent in Charge Thomas Cannizzo said Friday night.
“We are enormously grateful to Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit, and the State Attorney’s Office for the First Judicial Circuit of Florida for their help in bringing resolution to this heinous crime. We hope this brings peace and closure to Ms. Malarik’s loved ones.”
“Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case investigators, the NCIS Cold Case Homicide Unit, and members of the State Attorney’s Office we are now able to close this case,” said Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan. “We continuously work on these cases year after year, no matter how much time passes. We hope to continue to keep closing cold cases like this one and giving families the closure they deserve.”
Santa Rosa County Coronavirus Patient Being Treated In Escambia Has Died
March 7, 2020
A previously announced coronavirus patient from Santa Rosa County has died, according to the Florida Department of Health.
The patient was being treated at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola. He was 71, had underlying medical conditions and had traveled to the Dominican Republic
The health department will not release the man’s name, nor have they released any information about where he was from in Santa Rosa County, where he has traveled or who he may have come in contact with, because of privacy laws.
Baptist Hospital officials have said that due to their isolation procedures, there is no risk to other hospital patients, staff or visitors.
A new individual in their 70s that tested presumptive positive for COVID-19 in Lee County has also died, following an international trip, the Florida Department of Health said Friday. Three other new presumptive cases — two in Broward County and one in Lee County — have been reported in Florida.
Time Change: Spring Forward. And Don’t Forget The Smoke Alarm Batteries.
March 7, 2020
Don’t forget to “spring forward” and set your clocks ahead one hour before heading off to bed Saturday night. Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday, making use of longer summer days, allowing people to rise early and spend more of the day working or playing.
It’s also a good time to remember to change the batteries in your smoke alarm.
Molino Park Elementary Holds Annual Arts Day (Photo Gallery)
March 7, 2020
Molino Park Elementary School recently held their annual Arts Day with multiple performers.
Musical performers included individuals from the Pensacola Children’s Choir, Kaye’ Music, Schmidt’s Musi, West Florida High School Colorguard, Pensacola Symphony, and The Heavenly Brass Trio. Artists included Sara Bouldin, Dale Cooey, Larry Manning, Ruth Gordon, Robert McBrooms, Henritta Adams and Molino Park’s very own Matt Brabham.
The day concluded with dancers from the Heather Leonard’s Danceworks “Raising the Barre” Performance Team.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Home Off Nine Mile Road Destroyed By Fire
March 7, 2020
Fire destroyed a home Friday afternoon south of Nine Mile Road in Escambia County.
Firefighters arrived at the home in the 1400 block of Camrose Place to find a fire in the attic and breaking through the roof in the rear of the home.
Escambia Fire Rescue personnel attempted an offensive attic, but ultimately personnel were pulled out of the structure for a defensive attack, according to Escambia County. The home was a total loss, but ECFR was able to minimize damage to the adjacent residential structures that were severely threatened.
Smoke alarms did alert the occupants, who were not injured. The American Red Cross is assisting the property owner.
The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ensley Chiefs Football, Cheerleading Registration Today
March 7, 2020
Registration is underway for football and cheerleading for the Ensley Chiefs.
Registration will be held Saturday, March 7 from 9 a.m. until noon at the Ensley Youth Sports Association at the J.R. Jones Athletic Park on Nine Mile Road
Sentenced To Death Twice Before, Escambia Man Will Now Serve Life In Prison For 1998 Nine Mile Popeyes Murder
March 7, 2020
An Escambia County man that has been sentenced to death twice won’t be going back to death row but was instead sentenced to life without parole on Friday.
Timothy Hurst, was sent to death death row for a 1998 murder in Pensacola, has been at the center of major Supreme Court rulings that found Florida’s death-penalty sentencing system unconstitutional.
Hurst was sentenced to death for the 1998 killing of fast-food worker Cynthia Harrison in Pensacola. Harrison, an assistant manager at a Nine Mile Road Popeye’s Fried Chicken restaurant where Hurst worked, was bound, gagged and stabbed more than 60 times. Her body was found in a freezer.
The jury that first convicted him voted 7-5 in favor of death but was later tossed out after the courts ruled a death sentence must be unanimous.
A jury was impaneled for a two-week resentencing hearing, but failed Friday reach a unanimous decision for the death penalty. Hurst was immediately sentenced to life in prison without parole.