Donald Ray Jackson
January 7, 2025
Donald Ray Jackson, age 58, of Walnut Hill, FL passed away on January 2, 2025, at his residence. He was born on February 15, 1966, in Atmore, AL. He was a truck driver most of his life and loved watching football. He is preceded in death by his step-father, Eddie Wayne Boggs.
Donald is survived by his mother, Corine Thomas Boggs; his siblings, Susan Boggs of Hartselle, AL, Sarah (Marti) Pearson of Hartselle, AL, Clara (P.J.) Thomas of Walnut Hill, FL, Carrie Ellingsworth of OR and Gail Ellingsworth of OR; numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at Pine Barren Baptist Church with Bro. Don Sanks officiating.
Interment was in Pine Barren Baptist Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were P.J. Thomas, Joshua Muse, Joseph Muse, Matthew Boggs, Chris Roberts, and Barry Montgomery.
Mayor, Two Council Members To Take The Oath Of Office Tuesday In Century
January 6, 2025
Century’s mayor and two council members will take the oath of office Tuesday for another four years.
Luis Gomez, Jr. will remain mayor, while Dynette Lewis (seat 1) and Henry Cunningham (seat 2) will serve another term. Each was elected last year with no challenger.
Gomez was appointed interim mayor after the resignation of Ben Boutwell, and Cunningham was appointed on an interim basis to the council seat vacated by Gomez. Both won the seats by default in 2023 when no one else ran in 2023. Lewis, who currently serves as council president, was elected in 2020 after defeating Ann Brooks.
Pictured top: Luis Gomez, Jr. (left) and Henry Cunningham. Pictured inset: Dynette Lewis. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Freezing Cold Night Ahead, Low In the 20s
January 6, 2025
Here is the complete North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 27. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 45. Wind chill values between 15 and 25 early. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 27. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 49. Wind chill values between 20 and 30 early. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Rain likely, mainly after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 35. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday: Rain. High near 50. East wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Friday Night: Rain likely, mainly before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 36. East wind around 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of rain before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 45.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 27.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 49.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53.
ECUA: Protect Your Pipes From Freezing Temperatures
January 6, 2025
There are steps that will protect household pipes from freezing temperatures forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday nights. External, exposed pipes are naturally the most likely to freeze. Here are tips from ECUA:
- Insulate pipes or faucets in unheated areas: Pipes located in unheated areas of your house, such as a garage or crawl space under the house or in the attic, are subject to freezing. If you have time to do this before freezing temperatures arrive, wrap these pipes with insulation materials made especially for this purpose. These materials can be found at most hardware stores or home improvement centers.
- Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses: Detach all hoses from faucets and allow them to drain. This prevents the water in the hose or pipe from freezing and bursting the faucet or pipe to which it is connected.
- Run a trickle of water: When forecasts call for sustained and/or severe freezing temperatures, run a thin trickle of water from the faucet furthest from the water line coming to your house. Usually, this is in a room at the back of the house or outside, in the yard. Allowing the water to circulate through your home’s plumbing helps to keep it from freezing. Some consider this a waste of water but the cost of the water used is extremely slight compared to repairing broken pipes and the resulting water damage.
- Remember the backflow preventer: Residents and business owners who have backflow preventers on their properties for water lines, fire lines, irrigation systems, and swimming pools need to protect their backflow preventers from freeze as well. Extended freezes can burst the body of the backflow assembly, rendering it useless. Wrap these pipes with insulation materials, made especially for this purpose. These materials can be found at most hardware stores or home improvement centers. If the device and the water line are not in use at this time (i.e., irrigation system or swimming pool lines), shut off the water supply line and drain the backflow device.
If the device and the water line are not in use at this time (i.e., irrigation system or swimming pool lines), shut off the water supply line and drain the backflow device.
Teachers Head Back To School Today; Students Return Tuesday
January 6, 2025
Escambia County teachers head back to school today after Christmas break, while students return on Tuesday.
The next holiday for teachers and students will be MLK Day on January 20, followed by spring break March 17-21.
File photo.
Church In Molino Destroyed Twice By Fire Decades Ago Suffers Another Fire
January 6, 2025
A church in Molino that was destroyed by fire decades ago suffered heavy damage from another fire on Sunday afternoon.
The fire was reported shortly before 3 p.m. at the New Hope Primitive Baptist Church in the 5600 block of Highway 95A, just north of Cedartown Road.
A portion of the roof collapsed in the fire.
The church building was destroyed by fire blamed on arson on April 5, 1991. The church had previously burned down in fire sparked by electric heater on April 29, 1980, according to historical reports.
For photo gallery, click here.
There was no immediate word on the cause of Sunday’s fire. There were no injuries reported.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Delay Spots
January 6, 2025
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:
- Scenic Highway (U.S. 90) Resurfacing from south of Interstate 10 (I-10) to south of Hyde Park Road – Drivers on Scenic Highway will encounter intermittent lane closures, from south of I-10 to south of Hyde Park Road, Sunday, Jan. 5 through Thursday, Jan. 9, from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., as crews perform milling and paving operations.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) 296) – The week of Jan. 5, drivers may encounter intermittent daytime lane closures on North Palafox Street, from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane, as crews perform paving operations.
- U.S. 98 (Gregory Street) Resurfacing from North Palafox Street to east of 14th Avenue – Drivers on Gregory Street, from North Palafox Street to east of 14th Avenue, will encounter alternating, intermittent lane closures Sunday, Jan. 5 through Thursday, Jan. 9, between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., for milling and paving operations.
- Interstate Circle Bridge Over Eight Mile Creek Construction – Interstate Circle is closed at the Eight Mile Creek Bridge through mid-2025 while crews replace the bridge. Signage is in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Pine Forest Road, Longleaf Drive and Wymart Road.
- I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions Sunday, Jan. 5 through Thursday, Jan. 9, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.:
- Intermittent I-10 inside lane closures near the Nine Mile Road interchange.
- Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps. Law enforcement will be on site, and directional signage will be in place to guide drivers through the work zone.
- I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
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- Sunday, Jan. 5 through Thursday, Jan. 9, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. the I-10 eastbound outside travel lane will be closed intermittently between mile markers 8 and 10 as crews place barrier wall.
- Beginning Tuesday, Jan. 7, drivers may encounter intermittent daytime lane closures on North Palafox Street, between Hope Drive and Whitehead Drive. Signage will be in place to direct drivers safely through the work zone.
- I-10 between U.S. 29 and I-110, is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction.
- The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is closed. U.S. 29 northbound drivers are being detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street onto U.S. 29 southbound to access I-10 eastbound.
- A new temporary on-ramp for U.S. 29 southbound drivers accessing I-10 eastbound is now open. Detouring traffic to the temporary ramp will allow crews to continue work to reconstruct the I-10/U.S. 29 interchange.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between S.R. 4 and the Alabama State Line – Drivers on North Century Boulevard, between S.R. 4 and the Alabama State Line, may encounter intermittent lane closures for paving operations. Signage will be in place to direct drivers safely through the work zone.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 90 Resurfacing from west of Avalon Boulevard to east of Stewart Street – Drivers may encounter intermittent U.S. 90 lane closures, between Avalon Boulevard and Stewart Street, Sunday, Jan. 5 through Thursday, Jan. 9, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for milling and paving operations.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – The westbound travel lanes of the U.S. 90 bridge over Simpson River will be temporarily shifted the week of Sunday, Jan. 5, to allow crews to complete guardrail installation and shoulder work. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph throughout the work zone.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Lake Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive, Sunday, Jan. 5, through Friday, Jan. 10, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- Beginning Monday, Jan. 6, motorists will encounter a new traffic configuration on S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) as lanes will be shifted slightly west to allow the contractor to perform permanent widening activities on the east side of the roadway.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
AAA: Florida Gas Prices In 2024 Were Slightly Lower Than 2023
January 6, 2025
Florida gas prices are beginning the near year slightly more expensive than this time in 2024. On Sunday, the state average was $3.11 per gallon. That’s four cents more than the same day in 2024.
“Although the daily average price is slightly more expensive, Florida gas prices remain within the same range they’ve been in for the past four months,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group.
On average, Florida drivers paid slightly less at the pump in 2024 than they did the year before. In 2024, Florida gas prices averaged $3.29 per gallon. In 2023, gas prices averaged $3.41 per gallon.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County Sunday night was $2.82. A North Escambia low price of $2.77 could be found on Highway 29 in Cantonment, while Pensacola prices were as low as $2.55 on West Nine Mile Road.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Demolition Of Old Beulah Fire Station Underway
January 6, 2025
Demolition is underway of the former Beulah Fire Rescue Station 2 on West Nine Mile Road.
The former station was constructed after fire destroyed the original Beulah Fire Station in 1977. It was replaced by a new $8.5 million state-of-the-art Bradshaw-McNair Beulah Fire Station that opened in July.
The new Bradshaw-McNair Fire Station pays tribute to two individuals who greatly contributed to fire service in the Beulah area. The late Escambia County Fire Rescue District Chief Dwain Bradshaw, 42, lost his life in the line of duty during the early morning hours of November 6, 2019, while on scene of a fatal crash on the Muscogee Bridge. He was a volunteer district chief at the Bellview Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, volunteer assistant district chief for the Beulah Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and lived a life of public service. Retired ECFR District Chief Steve McNair served the Beulah community as a volunteer firefighter for over 50 years. He also help construct the old fire station in 1977.
Submitted photo (above) and NorthEscambia.com photos (below), click to enlarge.
Marine Ryan Sconiers, Northview Graduate, Stands Guard Over Jimmy Carter’s Casket
January 6, 2025
Marine Ryan Sconiers, a 2019 graduate of Northview High School, had the solemn and prestigious duty Sunday morning as part of the military Guard of Honor standing watch over the casket of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.
The Honor Guard, representing the pinnacle of military professionalism, comprises members from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force. Sconiers, represented the Marine Corps, exemplifies the discipline and dedication that earned him this role.
Before joining the Marines in 2019, Sconiers was a member of Northview High School’s NJROTC program, where he honed the leadership and values that prepared him for his military career.
Carter, the nation’s 39th president, will lie in repose for mourners to come and pay their respects from through 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 7. . Throughout public repose, the military will maintain a guard of honor.