Here Are The Road Construction Trouble Spots For The Week
March 21, 2021
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:
- Mobile Highway (State Road (S.R.) 10A) Utility Operations East of Beulah Road (S.R. 99) – Motorists can expect intermittent lane restrictions east of Beulah Road from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Monday, March 22 as crews perform utility operations.
- U.S. 98 (S.R. 30) Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement - The intersection of North 17th Avenue and Bayfront Parkway will remain closed until spring 2021 as construction continues for the new 17th Avenue interchange. The Visitor’s Center and adjacent boat launch remains accessible from 17th Avenue. Also, the ramp from 17th Avenue to East Gregory Street remains open. Eastbound drivers on Bayfront Parkway should use North 14th Avenue and Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) as a detour route. The bridge remains closed.
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures and shifts, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., on U.S. 29, between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road, and on Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass.
- North Ninth Avenue (S.R. 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- The north and southbound left lanes of Ninth Avenue over Carpenters Creek will be closed as bridge replacement work begins. The right lanes will remain open. Traffic is expected to continue in this configuration through late April.
- Routine Bridge Maintenance in Pensacola – Traffic will encounter lane closures from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. at the following locations on the following dates:
- Westbound intermittent lane closures on I-10 over Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) Wednesday, March 24
- Northbound intermittent lane closures on County Road 95 over I-10 Thursday, March 25
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive- Early construction activities are beginning in preparation for the widening and improvements of the 4.25-mile section of U.S. 98 from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive. These activities include utility relocations, clearing, excavation, and drainage improvements. As part of the upgraded drainage system, the project includes the construction of five stormwater ponds. Clearing and excavating of areas for the stormwater ponds are currently underway. There are no traffic impacts associated with the construction of the ponds, but nearby residents and businesses may experience some noise. Access to residences and businesses will be maintained at all times. Major roadway construction activities on the $70.4 million project are anticipated to begin in summer 2021.
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – The bridge remains closed.
- U.S. 98 Tree Trimming from Gulf Breeze to the beginning of National Seashore and to the beginning of Bob Sikes Bridge – Motorists will continue to encounter intermittent east and westbound lane closures from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Friday, March 26 as crews trim trees over the roadways and in medians. Operations will begin on the east end working westward toward Gulf Breeze.
- S.R. 89 North, S.R. 87 North, and S.R. 89 Bypass Roadway Maintenance Operations- Drivers may encounter intermittent lane restrictions through Sunday, April 25 as crews perform roadway maintenance activities along the corridors. Off-duty law enforcement will be on-site to assist with traffic control.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
16 New COVID-19 Cases Reported In Escambia, No Additional Deaths
March 21, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
On Friday, the Florida Department of Health reported 16 new COVID-19 cases and no additional deaths in Escambia County.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 34,537 (+16)
Non-Florida residents: 3,573
Recovered: 33,204*
Total deaths: 657
Long-term care facility deaths: 277
Current hospitalizations: 25
Number of tests reported last day: 964
Percent positive reported last day: 1.2%
Percent positive reported last week: 4.0%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 25,735 (+12)
Cantonment: 3,115
Century: 1,171 (+1)
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 484
McDavid: 207
Bellview: 57
Walnut Hill: 53
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 13
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 17,566 (+16)
Non-Florida residents: 221
Total deaths: 276
Long-term care facility deaths: 80
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 839*
Number of tests reported last day: 424
Percent positive reported last day: 3.6%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 8,377 (+9)
Navarre: 3,624 (+6)
Gulf Breeze: 3,266
Pace: 1,402 (+1)
Jay: 544
Bagdad: 32
Florida cases:
Total cases: 2,004,362
Florida residents: 1,967,372
Deaths: 32,713
Hospitalizations: 83,381
*“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. Most of these people are longer be 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.
**On cases by location, the city is based upon zip code and is not always received as part of the initial notification. There may be a delay in reporting locations, and locations will not total the daily case increase as a result.
***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 is reporting an approximate recovery number defined as the total cases prior to last month, minus deaths. In other words, anyone that tested positive more than a month ago is presumed to have recovered by Escambia County.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
Deputy Justified In Fatal Shooting Of Suspect In Cottage Hill, Investigation Finds
March 20, 2021
The fatal shooting of a man in Cottage Hill last November by a deputy has been ruled justified by the State Attorney’s Office.
Jacob Joseph Settle, 40, was killed in the November 14, 2020, incident.
Two deputies attempted to serve a warrant at 2242 Handy Road on Settle for driving with a suspended license and a felony warrant on his wife, Sophronia Whitehead, for failure to appear. One of the deputies fired two rounds from his weapon, striking Settle in the left shoulder, right chest and right shoulder. Settle was pronounced deceased at the scene, and the deputy received an abrasion to his left leg.
Deputies found Settle and Whitehead inside a truck in the backyard of the home. Settle shouted obscenities at the deputies. Settle put the truck in reverse, almost hitting a deputy, before putting it in drive and trying to run over another deputy, according to a Florida Department of Law Enforcement report obtained by NorthEscambia.com.
The second deputy told FDLE he did not shoot from the passenger side of the vehicle because he did want to risk Whitehead’s life and it would have been crossfire on the other deputy.
Deputies continued lifesaving efforts until additional units arrived on scene and Settle was pronounced deceased.
The deputy that fired his weapon told FDLE that he was trapped due to a porch and items in the backyard a the vehicle drove toward him.
“I did not have any means of escape,” the deputy told investigators, adding that was in fear for his life.
Whitehead told FDLE that she was sleeping inside the residence when Settle tapped on the window and wanted her to come outside and ride with him in his truck. She stated that she did not like riding with Settle because she didn’t like him “running from the law,” the report states.
She said they attempted to hide in the truck when they saw the deputies approaching.
“Jake fired the [expletive] truck up, I don’t know why” and put the truck in gear, Whitehead said. She claimed that Settle never moved the truck, and the deputies shot Settle.
“We have determined that the facts do not establish probable cause to believe that (the deputy) committed a criminal violation and therefore no further action will be taken by this office,” Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille wrote in his findings.
Pictured: The scene on Handy Road following an officer involved shooting. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit Earns Awards
March 20, 2021
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit competed with multiple agencies during the K-9 Trials held by the Pensacola Police Department this week. Friday, they were presented with the following awards:
2020 Cases in Quarter Award:
- Deputy Matt Beaty and K-9 Maddox
- Deputy Corey Smith and K-9 Cairo
- Deputy Casey Bowling and K-9 Nero
- Deputy Larry Richardson and K-9 Eso
- Deputy Thomas Bortner and K-9 Zeek
- Deputy Matt Howell and K-9 Tebow
4th in Overall (Patrol Dog):
- Deputy James Freeman and K-9 Shane
5th Overall (Patrol Dog):
- Deputy Wayne Gulsby and K-9 Enzo
13th in Overall (Patrol Dog):
- Deputy Matthew Housam and K-9 Axel
17th in Overall (Patrol Dog):
- Deputy Corey Smith and K-9 Cairo
4th in Agility:
- Deputy James Freeman and K-9 Shane
3rd in Two-Man Narcotics:
- Deputy James Freeman and K-9 Shane
- Deputy Matthew Housam and K-9 Axel
4th in Narcotics Indoor Detection:
- Deputy Larry Richardson and K-9 Eso
4th in Two-Man Narcotics Detection:
- Deputy Larry Richardson and K-9 Eso
- Deputy Matt Beaty and K-9 Maddox
Two-Man Intra-department:
- Deputy Thomas Bortner and K-9 Zeek
- Deputy T. White (Gulf Breeze Police Department)
Top Dual Dog:
- Deputy Matthew Housam and K-9 Axel
High School All-Star Basketball Teams Announced
March 20, 2021
Pensacola Sports has announced the rosters for its High School All-Star Basketball Game.
The women will play Wednesday, March 24 and the men will play Thursday, March 25. Both games will be held at Catholic High School at 7 p.m.
Due to COVID-19 capacity restrictions, limited tickets will be available. Tickets will be made available to the players families first. Any remaining tickets will be made available to the public at pensacolasports.org/hsallstars.
Rosters are as follows:
WEST BOYS TEAMS
Tate — Jordan Williams — Point Guard/Shooting Guard
Tate — Skyler Bryant — Forward
Pensacola Catholic — Austin Burkette — Forward
Washington — Kaimarcus Johnson — WING
Washington — Jordan Carmona — Guard
West Florida — Jalen King — point
West Florida — Ashton Hudgins — small forward
West Florida — Adriane Simmons — shooting guard
Escambia — Marcus White — Forward
Escambia — Algie Stallworth — Point Guard
Escambia — Darrius Sanders — SG/SF
Escambia — Jarruis Hunter — PF
Escambia — Ta’darius Padgett — Center
Pensacola High — Isaiah Gaines — Power Forward
Pensacola High — Tywan Thomas — PG
Pensacola High — Emanuel McDuffie — Shooting Guard
Pensacola High — Ty’darius Gulley — Center
Pine Forest — Kenny Cotton — PG
Pine Forest — Quan Calbert — F
Northview — Johnny Wyndham — Power Forward
The head coach for the West Boys team is Jeff Gill from Catholic High School
EAST BOYS TEAM
Choctaw — Jamil Bowles — PG
Choctaw — Ezra McKenna — SF
Choctaw — Isaiah Bledsoe — G
Milton — Kemontre Current — SF
Laurel Hill — Trey Williams — Forward
Fort Walton Beach — Bishop Taylor — PG
Fort Walton Beach — Shelton Wilder — SF
Pace — Micah Dietrich — PG
Pace — Rickey Stacey — SG
Pace — Logan Donohoe — SG
Rocky Bayou — Drew Wagenschutz — Guard
Crestview — Shakur Cobb — Forward
Jay — Brody Johnson — Forward
Gulf Breeze — Weston Smith — Guard
Navarre — Tim Brewer — Forward
Central — Trenton Moye — PG
Central — A.J. Hof — SG
Central — Tristan Wright — Center
Niceville — Kendell Mosley — Small Forward
Niceville — Marcus Linnen — Point Guard
The head coach for the East Boys team is Cameron Belden from Milton High School.
WEST GIRLS TEAM
West Florida — Ja’Vina Jackson — Guard
West Florida — Tia Whittaker — Guard
Pensacola — Swan Fails — Shooting Guard
Pine Forest — Danielle Luckey — Center/ Power Forward
Pine Forest — Joniya Perry — shooting guard and point guard
Pine Forest — Danielle Luckey — Center/ Power Forward
Catholic — Allysa Parungao — Guard
Catholic — Tontiana Lawson — Forward
Catholic — Kinsey King — Guard
Tate — Davia Jones — Guard
Tate — Destiny Wolfe — G
Washington — Jamiyah Bryant — Forward
Washington — Teresa Stallworth — Forward/Center
Pace — Riley Poggi — C
Pace — Shay Crooks — G
Pace — Laikyn Burklow — G
Gulf Breeze — Morgan Taylor — PG/G
Gulf Breeze — McKaylie Uhl — C/PF
Gulf Breeze — Ashley Denny — PF
Northview — Heather Knowles — Point Guard
EAST GIRLS TEAM
Navarre — Olivia Warren — Guard
Navarre — Tailor Ernst — Guard
Navarre — Skylar Burleson — Point Guard
Rocky Bayou — Maddie Athearn — SG
Milton — Madison Leathers — PF
Choctaw — Alexis Becker — pg/2g
Choctaw — Keyosha Warren — pg/2g
Choctaw — Dejah Pettway — SF
Laurel Hill — Kaitlyn Southard — Center
Laurel Hill — Kacy Taylor — Point guard
Central — Faith Bush — Shooting Guard
Jay — Madison Mathis — Center
Jay — Jillian Thorton — Guard
Jay — Carsyn Seib — Forward
Niceville — Nakerra Brown — PG/SG
Crestview — Savana Barry — shooting guard
Crestview — Jaida Reese — 2 guard
Ft. Walton — Madison Seiuli — Forward
Ft. Walton — Tamia Cooper — Guard
Baker — Lauren Adams — Forward
The head coach for the East Boys team is Cameron Belden from Milton High School.
Low 60s For Saturday, Lows In The Lower 40ss
March 20, 2021
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 63. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74.
Wednesday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 60.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.
Celebrating The Incredible Kids Of Camp Fire Century (And A Big Birthday)
March 20, 2021
The children a the Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center recently celebrated Camp Fire’s 111th Birthday and Absolutely Incredible Kids Day.
Parents and staff wrote a letter to each child telling them how they are an absolutely incredible kid. They also celebrated with ice cream, ice cream sandwiches and chocolate chip cookies.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
DeSantis Appoints Final Five Members To Escambia Children’s Trust Board Of Directors
March 20, 2021
On Friday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of five people to the Escambia Children’s Trust Board of Directors. They are Stephanie White, Rex Northrup, Lonnie Wesley, Tori Woods and David Peaden.
Last November, voters approved the formation of the Children’s Trust to be funded by an increase in ad valorem taxes of up to a maximum of 0.5 mil that will cost the average Escambia County property owner $40 per year beginning in 2022. The tax is expected to generate $8 million or more each year, enabling the trust to provide early childhood education, safety, developmental, preventative, health, and well-being services, including after school and summer enrichment programs.
Five members were appointed to the board to fill positions as mandated by state law — Escambia County School Board member Patty Hightower, Department of Children and Families Northwest Region Managing Director Walter Sachs, Circuit Judge Jennifer Frydrychowicz, Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May and Escambia County School District Superintendent Dr. Tim Smith.
Escambia County nominated 17 people to fill the five remaining seats on the council.
NEW BOARD MEMBERS
Stephanie White
White, of Pensacola, is an attorney focusing on adoption and foster care. She is a member of the University of West Florida Board of Trustees and has been involved with the Florida Adoption Council and the Northwest Chapter of the Florida Association of Women Lawyers. White earned her bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University and her juris doctor from Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law.
Rex Northrup
Northrup, of Pensacola, is a retired medical doctor with over 35 years of experience in pediatrics, child health and well-being. He served in a number of positions at Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital and Children’s Medical Services over the course of his career. Northrup has been a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Society of Critical Care Medicine and the Florida Medical Association. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of West Florida and his medical degree from the University of South Florida.
Lonnie Wesley
Wesley, of Pensacola, is the Pastor at Greater Little Rock Baptist Church. Previously, he preached at Greater Fairview Baptist Church and Terry Grove Baptist Church. Prior to his time in ministry, Wesley spent time interning in the public relations offices of the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Alabama State University, his master’s degree from Selma University and his doctor of ministry in biblical preaching from Anderson University.
Tori Woods
Woods, of Pensacola, is a licensed practical nurse currently working in marketing for Centene. Previously, she held positions at Humana, Ascension Sacred Heart, NurseFinders and the Department of Children and Families. She is a past president of the Escambia County Junior League. Woods earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
David Peaden
Peaden, of Pensacola, is the Executive Director of the Home Builders Association of West Florida. He has been involved with the Pensacola North Rotary Club, Gulf Coast Kid’s House, United Way of Escambia County and the University of West Florida Foundation. Peaden earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Alabama.
29 New COVID-19 Cases Reported In Escambia County
March 20, 2021
THIS IS AN ARCHIVED STORY. SEE NORTHESCAMBIA.COM FOR THE LATEST DATA.
On Friday, the Florida Department of Health reported 29 new COVID-19 cases and no additional deaths in Escambia County.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 34,521 (+29)
Non-Florida residents: 3,573
Recovered: 33,203*
Total deaths: 657 (-2 FDOH data adjustment)
Long-term care facility deaths: 276 (-2 FDOH data adjustment)
Current hospitalizations: 25 (-5)
Number of tests reported last day: 1,083
Percent positive reported last day: 2.4%
Percent positive reported last week: 4.0%
Escambia County cases by location*:
Pensacola: 25,723 (+23)
Cantonment: 3,115 (+2)
Century: 1,171 (+1)
—-including 774 Century prison inmates
Molino: 484 (+1)
McDavid: 207
Bellview: 57
Walnut Hill: 53
Perdido Key: 21
Gonzalez: 13
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 17,551 (+24)
Non-Florida residents: 221
Total deaths: 276
Long-term care facility deaths: 80
Cumulative Hospitalizations: 836*
Number of tests reported last day: 484
Percent positive reported last day: 5.1%
Santa Rosa County cases by location*:
Milton: 8,368 (+11)
Navarre: 3,618 (+4)
Gulf Breeze: 3,266 (+6)
Pace: 1,401 (+4)
Jay: 544
Bagdad: 32
Florida cases:
Total cases: 1,999,27
Florida residents: 1,962,360
Deaths: 32,651
Hospitalizations: 83,189*
*“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. Most of these people are longer be 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.
**On cases by location, the city is based upon zip code and is not always received as part of the initial notification. There may be a delay in reporting locations, and locations will not total the daily case increase as a result.
***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 is reporting an approximate recovery number defined as the total cases prior to last month, minus deaths. In other words, anyone that tested positive more than a month ago is presumed to have recovered by Escambia County.
**Data Sources: Florida Department of Health, Escambia County, City of Pensacola, local hospitals.
Silver Alert Canceled After Missing 74-Year Old Found Safe
March 19, 2021
UPDATE 1:20 PM — Linda Chong has been safely located, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has issued a Silver Alert for a missing 74-year old woman.
Linda Chong was last seen at the BJ’s Wholesale Club on Davis Highway on March 16 around 4 p.m. She was not reported missing until the following day.
Linda was driving a white Hyundai Azera with handicap Florida tag number Z7YWY.
Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.