These Are This Week’s Road Construction Traffic Delay Hotspots
September 13, 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:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- Bridge construction may require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, Sept. 13:
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- 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.
- 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 may encounter the following for the week of Sunday, Sept. 13:
- · U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of Muscogee Road (County Road 184) to Atmore Highway (State Road (S.R.) 97)- Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane restrictions as crews continue construction activities at various locations.
- · Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Intersection Improvements at New Warrington Road
(S.R. 295) – Construction activities continue. Drivers can expect lane closures between 9:30 p.m. and 6 a.m.
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- Motorists traveling Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass and U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road may experience alternating lane shifts or closures as crews continue drainage and pavement operations.
- Broad Street will be closed west of U.S. 29 to the railroad tracks from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Friday, Sept. 18 through Monday, Sept. 21 for road reconstruction. Broad Street between Untreiner Avenue and U.S. 29 will be open to local traffic only. All other traffic will be directed to Untreiner Avenue and Detroit Boulevard.
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, Sept. 13:
- 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.
- Intermittent lane closures on North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- · S.R. 87 Resurfacing from Clear Creek to S.R. 4- Neal Kennington Road will be closed Friday, Sept. 11 to remove a pipe & perform turnout construction. Message boards are in place to notify the public of the temporary road closure. Drivers can expect intermittent daytime lane closures along the 14-mile corridor through fall 2020 as crews perform paving operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Tropical Storm Watch In Effect For NW Florida Coast; Sally Expected To Become Hurricane
September 12, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION.
Tropical Storm Sally is moving into the Gulf of Mexico and is now expected to become a hurricane before it makes landfall on the northern Gulf Coast.
A hurricane watch and storm surge watch is now in effect for coastal Alabama. A tropical storm watch is now in effect for coastal Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.
A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area within the next 48 hours.
Tropical Storm Sally will continue to move west northwest and northwest through early next week toward the northern Gulf Coast. Strengthening is forecast and the system is forecast to become a hurricane Monday afternoon. Continue to pay close attention to the intensity forecast as quick changes are possible.
Landfall is most likely from southeast Louisiana to coastal Alabama on Tuesday.
The system will slow significantly as it approaches the coast and this will likely be a prolonged event especially in regard to heavy rainfall, potential surge, wind and dangerous surf. This has thehe potential to be a significant rainfall and flooding event, especially for coastal areas, even if the storm makes landfall west of the immediate area.
Conditions continue to be favorable for intensification, according to the National Hurricane Center.
In the local area, rainfall of 5-10 inches along the coast and 2-4 inches inland will be possible, along with flash flooding. At the beaches, large waves and deadly rip currents will begin tonight and increase through the weekend. There is potential for significant wind and surge impacts across coastal areas, but this will be dependent on the eventual track.
Now is the time to check your hurricane kits and make sure you have the usual. Be sure to check batteries, your weather radio, non-perishable food supply, pet food and so on. Impacts could come as early as Sunday evening.
The latest update is in the graphics on this page. We will keep you updated here on NorthEscambia.com.
Good Chance Of Showers And Thunderstorms Through The Weekend
September 12, 2020
For the latest tropical update, click here.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the evening.
Sunday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Northeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. East wind 10 to 15 mph.
Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. High near 83. East wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 72. East wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday: Tropical storm conditions possible. Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 79. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tuesday Night: Tropical storm conditions possible. Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday: Tropical storm conditions possible. Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 80. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Wednesday Night: Tropical storm conditions possible. Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82.
SRSO’s New Bloodhound Puppy Has A Name. And It Is…
September 12, 2020
The new Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office K-9 bloodhound puppy has a name.
Over 8,200 entries were submitted in the SRSO “Name Our K-9″ contest.
And the winner is….. K-9 Nez.
Nez is French for the word nose, which is the reason why bloodhounds are so good at what they do. The name was submitted by Jo Morgan who will have an upcoming opportunity to meet Nez.
64 New COVID-19 Cases, Three Additional Deaths Reported In Escambia County
September 12, 2020
THIS STORY IS OUTDATED. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION.
There were 64 additional confirmed COVID-19 positive cases and three additional deaths reported in Escambia County on Friday, according to the Florida Department of Health.
The Escambia County deaths were a man age 71 and women ages 66 and 89. The Santa Rosa County deaths were males age 90 and 93.
Escambia County cases increased by 64 to 11,766 An additional 61 cases brought the Santa Rosa County total to 5,087.
Of the 1,280 tests results returned in Escambia County, 4.7% were positive, and 12% were positive from 444 tests in Santa Rosa County. Over the past week, the overall average positivity rate for Escambia County is 5.4%.
There were 89 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized in Escambia County as of Thursday, according to data from the three local hospitals.
Of the 203 deaths in Escambia County, 95 have been long-term care facility residents or staff. There have been 65 deaths in Santa Rosa County, at least seven of those at the Blackwater River Correctional Facility and 14 in a long-term care facilities.
Statewide, there were 658,381 cases including 650,922 Florida residents. There have been 41,021 hospitalizations* and 12,502 deaths. The Florida Department of Health does not have a clear standard or definition of “recovered” and does not report a number of recovered individuals.
Escambia County cases:
Total cases — 11,766 (+64)
Non-Florida residents — 1,040
Pensacola —8,611 (+51)
Century — 925
—-including 771 Century prison inmates
Cantonment — 855 (+5)
Molino— 139 (+3)
McDavid — 68
Walnut Hill — 17
Bellview — 12
Gonzalez — 7
Perdido Key — 7
Current hospitalizations: 89
Deaths — 203 (+3)
Male — 5,179
Female — 5,450
Youngest — 0
Oldest — 105
Median Age — 39
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases — 5,087 (+61)
Non-Florida residents — 50
Milton — 2,699 (+26)
Gulf Breeze — 730 (+9)
Navarre — 635 (+7)
Pace — 402 (+7)
Jay — 141 (+2)
Bagdad — 12 (+1)
Cumulative Hospitalizations — 295*
Deaths — 65 (+2)
Male — 2,786
Female — 2,244
Youngest — 2 months
Oldest — 101
Median Age — 40
Florida cases:
Total cases — 658,381
Florida residents — 650,922
Deaths — 12,502
Hospitalizations — 41,021*
*“Hospitalizations” in the statewide and Santa Rosa County totals is a count of all laboratory confirmed cases in which an inpatient hospitalization occurred at any time during the course of illness. These people may no longer be hospitalized. This number does not represent the number of COVID-19 positive persons currently hospitalized. The FDOH does not provide a count of patients currently hospitalized. The Escambia County number is current data compiled each day from the local hospitals.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
Sulfuric Acid Released At Gulf Power’s Crist Plant, Florida DEP Reports
September 12, 2020
Gulf Power reported a sulfuric acid spill at Plant Crist on Pate Street off 10 Mile Road.
According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) the sulfuric acid release occurred as a result of a material failure in the concrete secondary containment area surrounding an aboveground storage tank. The release was discovered Thursday afternoon and information released Friday by DEP.
A majority of the acid was contained inside the secondary containment system and the surrounding plant process water system and asphalt area, approximately 20 gallons was released to the ground, according to DEP.
“In response to the event, Gulf Power constructed an earthen berm to contain the product on an adjacent asphalt area and mobilized its spill response contractor to remove the material, and any affected soil in accordance with state and federal regulations,” DEP reported. “The release never left Gulf Power property so there were no offsite impacts.”
Pictured: This aerial image, courtesy Florida DEP, shows the spill location.
Former Escambia Businessmen Sentenced To 20 Years On Federal Spice, Money Laundering Charges
September 12, 2020
Benjamin Galecki, former Pensacon CEO, and Burton Ritchie, former owner of The Psychedelic Shack in Pensacola, have been sentenced to 20 years each in federal prison on “spice” related charges.
After a 10 day federal jury trial in Las Vegas, Nevada, Ritchie, 49, Galecki, 46, were found guilty of 24 counts, including operating a continuing criminal enterprise, manufacturing and possessing with the intent to distribute controlled substance analogues, and money laundering, among other related charges.
According to court documents and evidence presented during trial, from March 21 to July 25, 2012, Ritchie and Galecki owned and managed Zencense Incenseworks, a company that manufactured smokable synthetic cannabinoid products commonly known as spice. They also marketed and sold them as “potpourri,” “incense,” or “aromatherapy”.
Ritchie and Galecki rented a warehouse in Las Vegas for the sole purpose of manufacturing these synthetic products, which contained the dangerous chemical XLR-11 — a controlled substance analogue. At the Las Vegas warehouse, a Zencense employee would mix XLR-11 with acetone and liquid flavoring, and then apply the chemical mixture to dried plant material. Next, the employee would mail the compounded mixture to Ritchie and Galecki in Pensacola where other workers would place the spice into small retail bags.
The defendants sold their products — with suggestive brand names such as “Bizarro,” “Orgazmo,” “Headhunter,” and “Defcon 5 Total Annihilation” — to smoke shops across the United States. From June 1 to July 25, 2012, Ritchie and Galecki were responsible for manufacturing and distributing approximately 4,000 pounds of spice, and they made approximately $1.61 million selling XLR-11 spice manufactured in Nevada, according to federal court testimony.
The defendants were also ordered to forfeit approximately $2.5 million as a result of their illegal enterprise in the District of Nevada.
“Charles Burton Ritchie and Benjamin Galecki operated a nationwide criminal enterprise, selling dangerous drugs worth millions of dollars that contained illegal ingredients imported from China,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “These sentences demonstrate the department’s commitment to aggressively pursuing criminals who seek to circumvent U.S. drug laws by selling dangerous drugs that threaten the health of our communities across the nation.”
“Working collaboratively with our justice partners to rid our communities of spice and other toxic cannabinoid products helps save lives,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Dan Neill of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Las Vegas Field Office. “Disrupting this organization sends a clear message that we will not tolerate those who prey on our communities to further their criminal activity.”
“Ritchie and Galecki benefited greatly at the detriment of our community and others by putting illegal drugs on the streets and profiting from it,” said Special Agent in Charge Tara Sullivan, IRS Criminal Investigation. “IRS Criminal Investigation is proud to serve on the side of justice to clean up the streets.”
Friday Night Football Finals
September 12, 2020
Flomaton 25, Cottage Hill 8
Escambia Academy 35, Wilcox Academy 6
T.R. Miller 52, Chickasaw 6
Mobile Christian 38, W.S. Neal 9
Escambia County (Atmore) — Off
Local high schools in Florida begin play on September 18.
Escambia County Woman Sentenced In Fatal DUI Crash After Mardi Gras Parade
September 12, 2020
An Escambia County woman has been sentenced for a deadly DUI crash after a Mardi Gras parade last year.
Circuit Court Judge Jan Shackelford sentenced Cherri Lee Baker to 13 years and seven months in prison for DUI manslaughter, DUI causing injury, leaving the scene of a crash involving death, and leaving the scene of a crash involving injury.
After attending a Mardi Gras parade on March 2, 2019, Baker was traveling eastbound on Cervantes Street in a Nissan Rogue when she merged into a lane occupied by a Honda Accord. The Accord was driven by 35-year old Brian Nielson of Pensacola with his wife, 31-year old Neilimar Sanchez-Neilson in the passenger seat.
The driver of a Dodge Dakota did not have sufficient time to react then hit the Accord.
Sanchez-Neilson did not survive her injuries. Nielson and the driver of the Dodge Dakota were injured.
Baker fled the scene and abandoned her vehicle a short distance way.
“However, she was located and apprehended by the Pensacola Police Department due to the assistance of a witness who followed her from the scene of the crash. Analysis of a sample of her blood taken after the crash revealed a blood-alcohol content of .184, over twice the legal limit,” State Attorney Bill Eddins said.
Baker had been previously convicted of DUI in 2013.
2018 Grand Jury Report On ECUA Allegations Released With Critical Findings And Recommendations
September 11, 2020
Over two years after it was issued, a grand jury report on the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority was released Friday afternoon.
An Escambia County grand jury completed its review into complaints and allegations involving ECUA in July 2018. But that report was never released due to appeals filed by ECUA seeking to block it from becoming public.
A grand jury was convened and tasked with review of the operations, policies, and procedures of ECUA, specifically the grand jury investigation related to eminent domain proceedings, Florida public records and sunshine law, ECUA Board supervision, and delegation of authority.
Following its investigation and witness testimony, the grand jury concluded that criminal charges were not appropriate and returned a no true bill. However, because the grand jury was “deeply concerned” by the testimony it received, it issued the report. Under Florida law, individuals named in the report were given the opportunity to move to repress or expunge improper unlawful portions of the report. The appeals were ultimately rejected by the First District Court of Appeal.
In reading the findings below and the linked report, keep in mind it was issued two years ago and several aspects have changed. For instance, former ECUA director Stephen Sorrell has since retired, and then board member Elvin McCorvey passed away in January 2019.
TO READ THE FULL REPORT, CLICK HERE (PDF).
In the report, the grand jury made the following recommendations:
“We find that the Board has been grossly negligent in their supervision of the executive director, Stephen Sorrell. This is particularly true in the matter involving Bear Marcus Pointe and in their delegation to Sorrell of unlimited authority.
“We believe that the absence of term limits on Board Members has created a sense of complacency and has fostered an overreliance on the executive director and attorneys. An amendment to the Special Act should be considered that would place term limits on Board Members.
“A clear policy should be established regarding the signing of documents, particularly those involving real property. We believe that the Board Chair should sign such documents. Whenever the executive director is authorized to sign documents on behalf of the Board, there should be clear direction by way of resolution giving that authorization.
“There should be a policy, with deadlines, to honor commitments so that builders and developers can properly plan future projects. ECUA should formalize the development process in order to provide cost predictability related to design standards, requirements, and timelines once initial plans have been submitted. The Board should hold a public forum to discuss the development process.
“ECUA should develop an advisory board to review engineering manuals and standards to ensure that the manuals are consistent with other similar water and sewer agencies. Public stakeholders should be involved in this process.
“We strongly recommend that the Board hire an in-house attorney and support staff who are paid by salary and not on an hourly basis. We believe this would reduce the incentive oflitigation and would foster good will with businesses and individuals that ECUA works with. We also recommend that ECUA maintain a relationship with an attorney who specializes in eminent domain cases.
“Indemnity and hold harmless agreements should be in all easements unless specifically prohibited by law. This is standard practice for Gulf Power Company. ECUA has given such coverage to Gulf Power but refused the same request by the owner of the property.
“There should be specific policies in place requiring ECUA attorneys to provide regular briefing on attorney’s fees and litigation costs in pending cases.
“We recommend that appraisal procedures be reviewed particularly as they relate to eminent domain cases. We have noticed appraisals that were considerably under value that resulted in potentially unnecessary litigation.
ODOM AND BARLOW (ECUA’s attorneys)
“We find that Odom and Barlow heavily misled the Board and failed to keep them informed regarding pending litigation. Information involving settlement offers and discovery sanctions were never presented to the Board. Odom and Barlow did not advise the Board in a timely manner regarding issues with their email system or the missed deadline for the filing of an appeal. This resulted in four years of additional litigation and more than $460,000 in cost to ECUA.
“We recommend that ECUA continue to pursue possible legal malpractice claims against Odom and Barlow.
“Board members have indicated that they have asked for documents regarding legal fees and expenses, but have not been provided that information. Information regarding attorney expenses should be available at all times. ECUA should establish accounting procedures to make this information readily available.
“We find that Odom and Barlow were making policy decisions. This should not continue. We specifically find that they made policy decisions regarding indemnification and hold harmless agreements.
In their testimony, Board members have been very supportive of Bradley Odom. Other witnesses did not share this opinion. In his testimony, we found Odom to be both unprofessional and unprepared. We make these findings because they are important and should be considered by the Board in future decisions.
STEPHEN SORRELL
“We recommend that an independent review be conducted to determine if Stephen Sorrell should retain his position as executive director of ECUA. Of particular concern are his actions in the Bear Marcus Pointe case. We recommend that the employment contract for the executive director be renegotiated every two years with no automatic renewal provision. The current contract has been in place since 2004.
“We recommend that the executive director be formally evaluated annually and that a public feedback component should be included.
SUNSHINE/PUBLIC RECORDS
“We recommend ECUA contract with an outside agency to provide annual training for all employees on the requirements for both Sunshine and Public Record