All Four Lanes Now Open On The Pensacola Bay Bridge
June 17, 2021
The Florida Department of Transportation has reopened the Pensacola Bay Bridge to four lanes of traffic this morning, re-establishing the safe and efficient connection between the communities of Gulf Breeze and Pensacola. The traffic pattern has reverted to the configuration on the bridge prior to when it was damaged by Hurricane Sally on September 18, 2020.
The temporary configuration for the eastbound span provides two lanes of eastbound and two lanes of westbound traffic with no load restrictions, along with a center-lane reserved for emergency vehicles. The speed limit is temporarily set at 35 mph. Repairs to the multiuse path for pedestrians and bicyclists are expected to be complete Fall 2021.
To quickly clear travel lanes following vehicle incidents, assist drivers in the event of mechanical breakdowns, and keep the bridge free of debris, FDOT’s Road Ranger Service Patrol will be stationed on each end of the bridge from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. on weekends and major holidays. At other times, at least one unit will be on-call and available.
FDOT is regularly reviewing the contractor’s schedule of the entire Pensacola Bay Bridge Project with the anticipated completion date for all improvements currently scheduled for Spring 2022. Once complete, the new bridge will consist of two parallel structures, each with three 12-foot travel lanes, two 10-foot shoulders, and a 10-foot multi-use path for pedestrians and bicyclists. Additionally, the project includes the reconstruction of the intersection of State Road (S.R.) 30 (U.S. 98/Gregory Street) and S.R. 196 (Bayfront Parkway) at 17th Avenue.
Tolls on the Garcon Point Bridge will be reinstated on Sunday, June 20.
DeSantis: Florida Law Enforcement To Help Secure Border With Mexico; ECSO Committed To Sending Aid
June 17, 2021
Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that state and local law enforcement officers have committed to deploying to Texas and Arizona to provide additional resources in response to the border crisis.
The announcement from DeSantis came Wednesday with Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody during a press conference at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has committed to sending aid to the border, as has the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
“We talked a little bit about methamphetamines and how it’s going from the border. We talked a little bit about fentanyl. It’s easy to say that, but let me tell you how that hits home here in a place like Escambia County. Not a shooting, not a violent crime that goes by that we investigate that’s not involving methamphetamine,” Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said.
“Not a day goes by at all, we don’t go to a call where someone has overdosed on fentanyl,” Simmons continued. ”We can talk about the sheer numbers and the pounds and the kilos coming from the border through the interstate into our own Escambia County. But what does that mean? It means people are dying in our city streets, our county streets and it makes a difference. And it again it makes a difference when we decide to do something. We acknowledge this is an issue, this is a problem, we have got to come together and do something with it.”
“America’s border security crisis impacts every state and every American,” said DeSantis. “The Biden Administration ended policies implemented by President Trump that were curbing illegal immigration, securing our border, and keeping Americans safe. Governors Abbott and Ducey recently sent out a call for help to every state in the nation, needing additional law enforcement manpower and other resources to aid with border security. I’m proud to announce today that the state of Florida is answering the call. Florida has your back.”
“As attorney general, I am dedicated to ending human trafficking, protecting our children from sexual predators, and fighting the opioid crisis now claiming 21 lives a day in our state, but President Biden is hurting, not helping us achieve these vital public safety goals,” said Attorney General Ashley Moody. “The crisis the President created at our southern border makes all of us less safe, and I am proud to stand with Governor DeSantis as he tries to fix the President’s disaster at the border to protect Floridians.”
The move comes following a letter late last week from Governors Greg Abbott of Texas and Doug Ducey of Arizona requesting immediate assistance to quell the surge of illegal migrants, apprehend illegal criminal aliens, and secure our border.
The Governor’s Office said the following sheriff’s offices and state law enforcement agencies have already committed to sending aid:
- The Florida Highway Patrol
- The Florida Department of Law Enforcement
- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Brevard County Sheriff’s Office
- Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
- Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
- Holmes County Sheriff’s Office
- Lee County Sheriff’s Office
- Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office
- Pasco County Sheriff’s Office
- Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office
- Walton County Sheriff’s Office
The Florida Division of Emergency Management is coordinating this deployment of the law enforcement officers under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). The Emergency Management Assistance Compact is a national mutual aid system that allows states to share resources from all disciplines, protect personnel who deploy, and be reimbursed for mission related costs.
Pictured: Gov Ron DeSantis and Attorney General Ashley Moody flanked by law enforcement during a press conference Wednesday afternoon at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Woman Accused Of ‘Samurai Style Sword’ Attack Now Charged With Tampering In The Case
June 17, 2021
A Century woman accused in an altercation involving a “samurai style sword” last month is facing a new charge for tampering in the case.
Mariah Brianna Moore, 29, was charged with tampering in a felony second degree proceeding. The new charge is a second degree felony.
In May, Moore was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon after she allegedly cut a woman across the forehead with a what Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies described as a “samurai style sword”. The victim required medical treatment for a large laceration.
The victim told deputies that since that time, Moore has threatened her with violence on three different occasions. The victim said Moore yelled at her and threatened to “cut her again”. The victim began to video the incident, and Moore can be seen and heard screaming at the victim, according to an ECSO arrest report. While the deputy was speaking to the victim, he could hear Moore continue to scream and threaten to fight the victim, the report continues.
During a court appearance after the original incident, Moore was ordered by a judge to have no contact with the victim.
She remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday morning without bond.
$260,000 In Scholarships Awarded To Take Stock In Children Graduates
June 17, 2021
Take Stock in Children and the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation recently awarded $260,000 in scholarships to Take Stock’s 2021 graduating seniors. Each of the 19 students received a four-year tuition scholarship and a new laptop.
The 2021 Take Stock in Children graduates are:
- Escambia High School: Briana Stack, Nevaeh Vaughn
- Northview High School: Maggie Amerson, Maille Kilcrease, Kenna Redmond
- Pensacola High School: IB student, Gabrielle Vines
- Pine Forest High School: Jayla Williams
- Tate High School: Hannah Thorne
- Washington High: Paige Hotopp, Pedro Hernandez-Mendiola
- West Florida High: Halima Almanasrah, Kathryn Campbell, Vi Dang, Aireal English, Jean Hakaumotu, Selalina Hakaumotu, De’mayla Jenkins, Ja’vontae Manning, Sha’tee McDonald
Take Stock in Children was established in 1995 as a non-profit organization in Florida that provides a unique opportunity for deserving low-income students to escape the cycle of poverty through education. Students are selected through a need-based application process in middle school and sign an agreement to maintain good grades, attendance, and citizenship and remain crime and drug free. Each student is matched with a volunteer community mentor and receives a college scholarship, college readiness skills, and hope for the future. The program’s comprehensive services continue through high school and include students’ transition into college and beyond.
Scholarships are funded through a unique public-private funding model. Local donations from family foundations, community organizations, businesses, and individual donors are matched by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation when scholarships are purchased. Laptops are donated through a program started by Nick and Nathan Gupta and currently coordinated by Aiden Hayward.
Escambia County Offers Free Sand For Tropical Weather Prep
June 17, 2021
Escambia County is offering free sand for residents living in flood-prone areas in advance of possible heavy tropical rain this weekend. The sand is available on a first come, first served basis at the following locations:
- John R. Jones Jr. Athletic Park – 555 E. Nine Mile Road
- Don Sutton Park – 2320 Crabtree Church Road, Molino
- Travis M. Nelson Park - 4541 Highway 4, Bratt
- Equestrian Center – 7750 Mobile Highway
- Escambia County Road Department – 601 Highway 297A
- Brent Athletic Park – 4711 N. W St., Pensacola
- Ferry Pass Middle School -available on northwest corner of school property on Parazine Street
- Baars Field Athletic Park – 13001 Sorrento Road, Pensacola
Residents must bring their own sandbags and shovels. Sandbags are usually available for purchase at home improvement and hardware stores.
Pictured: Sand at Travis M. Nelson Park in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Johnson & Johnson ‘One Shot’ COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Friday In Walnut Hill
June 17, 2021
The Florida Department of Emergency Management is offering the Johnson & Johnson one-shot COVID-19 vaccine Friday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. in Walnut Hill.
The vaccination clinic will be held at the Walnut Hill Community Center at 7850 Highway 97, near the Walnut Hill Fire Station. Any Florida resident age 18 and older is eligible; a proof of residency must be provided.
An additional Johnson & Johnson vaccination clinics will be held from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Friday June 25 at the Walnut Hill Community Center.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Tropical Rain Chances Build Into The Weekend; Flash Flood Watch In Effect
June 17, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Low around 71. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Saturday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 80. Windy, with a south wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Saturday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Low around 72. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 84. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
Biscuits Beat The Wahoos 7-3 In Second Game Of Series
June 17, 2021
A night after a signature, walk-off win, the Blue Wahoos played a game Wednesday they will quickly seek to forget.
They committed five fielding errors and assorted other miscues in a 7-3 loss against the Montgomery Biscuits in the second game of their week-long series.
The game included 312 pitches, including 165 by the Wahoos’ four pitchers. The Blue Wahoos had nine hits, including a 3-for-4 night from first baseman Lazaro Alonso.
It was a contrast to Tuesday when catcher Nick Fortes’ dramatic two-run homer in the ninth produced a 5-4 comeback win and on-field celebration.
Blue Wahoos starting pitcher Will Stewart worked out of a bases-load jam in the first and overcame a leadoff error in the second inning. The biggest damage occurred in the fifth inning when the Biscuits took extended a 2-0 lead with three runs.
Stewart finished the night working 4.2 innings, giving up seven hits and four runs, all off singles.
Jerar Encarnacion got the Blue Wahoos back in the game on a two-run double in the sixth inning. The Blue Wahoos then had the tying run at the plate in the seventh after Nick Fortes and Alonso began the inning with singles.
After coming up empty in that inning, however, the Biscuits added two more runs in the eighth to put the game away.
The series continues Thursday with the Blue Wahoos sending Max Meyer, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 draft, to the mound for his eighth start this season. Meyer has a 1.38 earned run average which is the fourth best in Double-A among starters.
On Friday, Edward Cabrera, the Marlins’ No. 4 rated overall prospect by MLB Pipeline, will make his first start for the Blue Wahoos as he progresses in his fifth minor league season.
by Bill Vilona, Blue Wahoos senior writer
Weekend Tropical Weather Impacts? Here’s What Is Possible Here, And Where To Get Sand
June 16, 2021
We are watching potential for tropical development in the western Gulf of Mexico later this week.
A tropical disturbance over the Bay of Campeche in the far southern Gulf of Mexico this morning is expected to gradually become better organized by the end of this week and lift north across the western Gulf of Mexico. A tropical depression is likely to form late Thursday or Friday. This tropical disturbance currently has a 70% chance of becoming a tropical depression.
While it is still too soon to determine the exact track and eventual strength of this system, it is increasingly possible that there will be some impacts along our portion of the Gulf Coast. Regardless of development, a high risk of rip currents is expected by Friday, with the potential for very heavy rain, high surf and minor coastal flooding over the weekend.
Below are the most likely impacts for our local area:
Possible Impact #1:
- WHAT? Dangerous Rip Currents and High Surf is becoming increasingly likely.
- WHERE? Local area beaches of coastal Alabama and the western Florida Panhandle.
- WHEN? Beginning Friday and continuing through the weekend.
Possible Impact #2:
- WHAT? Heavy Rainfall and Flash Flooding is possible.
- WHERE? The entire area, but especially southeast Mississippi and southwest Alabama. Potential also there for south central Alabama and the western Florida Panhandle.
- WHEN? This weekend.
Possible Impact #3:
- WHAT? Minor Coastal Flooding is possible.
- WHERE? Along the coast, especially in the normally minor flood prone locations.
- WHEN? Saturday and Sunday.
“Escambia County Emergency Management would like residents to prepare now for possible flooding and rip currents with this system,” said Interim Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore. “This is the first threat of severe weather this hurricane season so this is the perfect time to make your plans and preparations now to stay safe.”
Sand is available at the following locations:
- Baars Field Athletic Park – 13001 Sorrento Road, Pensacola
- Brent Athletic Park – 4711 N. W St., Pensacola
- Don Sutton Park – 2320 Crabtree Church Road, Molino
- Equestrian Center – 7750 Mobile Highway, Pensacola
- Escambia County Road Department – 601 Highway 297-A, Pensacola
- Ferry Pass Middle School – 8355 Yancey Lane, Pensacola, sand will be on the northwest corner of school property on Parazine Street
- John R. Jones Jr. Athletic Park – 555 E. Nine Mile Road, Pensacola
- Travis M. Nelson Park - 4541 County Road 4, Pensacola
The sand is available on a first come, first serve basis. Residents must bring their own sandbags and shovels.
Jaidan August Peters
June 16, 2021
Jaidan August Peters, 4-years old, of Walnut Hill, FL passed away on June 5, 2021, in Pensacola, FL. He was born on May 10, 2017 in Pensacola, FL to Levi and Samantha Macks Peters.
He is preceded in death by his grandmother, Brenda Lynn Hubbard Peters and his uncle, Chris Henderson.
He is survived by his parents, Levi and Samantha Peters of Walnut Hill, FL; his grandfather, Erich Peters of Canoe, AL; his grandmother, Nancy Peters of Pace, FL; his grandparents, Sam and Cheryl Macks of Century, FL; his siblings, Levi Jordan Peters, Brylee Ann Peters and Samuel Colton Peters; his aunts and uncles, Austin (Trisha) Macks, Skyler (Elizabeth) Macks, Ericka (Victor) Peters- Quesada, Isaiah Peters, and Caleb Peters, along with many loving family and friends.
Jaidan is dearly loved by his parents, siblings, and all his family and friends. Jaidan made friends effortlessly and was a joy to be around; he always had a smile on his face. Jaidan enjoyed drawing, singing, and listening to music about Jesus. He loved the color purple and going to imaginary school. Jaidan didn’t like to eat a lot, but loved “kid coffee” and toast. He would often help make his own toast with lots of extra butter. Jaidan’s ZeeZee (Grandmother) often had a special drawer with bubble gum just for him. Jaidan enjoyed taking the wagon to feed the pigs and cows whom he named One, Two, and Three. He loved the everyday trips with his Daddy to pick his siblings up from school and always greeted them with his precious smile and a sweet hello. Jaidan’s nickname was “little monkey” because he was always found on his mom’s hip or by her side.
Funeral service was held Friday, June 11, 2021 at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Tim Floyd officiating. Interment followed at Walnut Hill Memorial Gardens in Walnut Hill, FL.
Active pallbearers were Austin Macks, Skyler Macks, Caleb Peters and Isaiah Peters.
Honorary pallbearers were Keith McCann, Robby McCann and Larry McCann.