West Bogia Road Open To Traffic; Paving Delayed By Forecasted Rain
June 16, 2026
West Bogia Road reopened Sunday afternoon, just two weeks after washing away during torrential rainfall and flooding, but work is not yet complete.
On May 31, an estimated six inches of rain fell in a three-hour window near McDavid. While Highway 29 at West Bogia Road was under several feet of water, West Bogia Road completely washed away and collapsed at a culvert intersection.
The Florida Department of Transportation quickly stepped in to handle the emergency repairs to the county road, replacing the failed 78-inch culvert pipe and rebuilding the crossing with solid concrete headwalls and new base materials.
For more photos of the opened road on Monday, click here.
For more photos of the damage and the road as it appeared last Saturday, click to enlarge.
While the vital corridor is now open to traffic—saving local residents from a significant daily detour—the $150,000 project is not quite finished. Final paving has been delayed for a few days due to rain in the forecast this week. According to FDOT, crews will complete the paving process as soon as the weather permits.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Florida AG Sues TikTok, Alleges Violation Of State Child Safety Law
June 16, 2026
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has filed suit again TikTok, alleging the popular social media platform committed a series of violations of Florida law by actively targeting and contracting with minors while deceiving parents about the dangers of the app.
TikTok’s success hinges on its ability to addict children and teenagers to the platform,” said Uthmeier. “TikTok knowingly deceives parents and allows children to be exposed to harmful and inappropriate content in direct violation of Florida law. We have zero tolerance for companies that prioritize profit over children’s safety. TikTok should expect to be held accountable.”
The complaint alleges that TikTok is in violation of House Bill 3, Florida’s online child protections law, which took effect on January 1, 2025. Specifically, TikTok is accused of letting children under 14 years old create accounts, and letting 15- and 16-year-olds do the same without parental consent. Both violate H.B. 3, which bans children under 14 years of age from social media platforms entirely and requires parental consent for 15 and 16-year-olds to create accounts.
The lawsuit also alleges that TikTok is violating the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act by deceiving parents about the safety and appropriateness of the content their children will have access to. TikTok advertises itself on the app store as being appropriate for children 13 years and older, and characterizes mature themes including sex content, drug content, profanity, self-harm or suicide, and eating disorders as “mild” and “infrequent” – a claim that is blatantly false. These themes are present very frequently on the app, and are often shown/discussed in graphic detail.
FDOT Completes $5.3 Million Resurfacing Project On Brent Lane, Bayou Boulevard
June 16, 2026
The Florida Department of Transportation has completed a $5.3 million project to resurface State Road 296 (Brent Lane/Bayou Boulevard), from Davis Highway to Baisden Road, in Escambia County.
Additional improvements include:
Sidewalk and crosswalk improvements, including Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades.
Signalization improvements.
Stormwater management enhancements.
New signing and pavement markings.
Britt Announces $1.25 Million To Combat Flooding In Atmore
June 16, 2026
The City of Atmore is set to receive a massive infrastructure boost following a major federal funding announcement on Monday.
U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Chair of the Subcommittee on Homeland Security Appropriations, announced that she has directly secured $1.25 million for the City of Atmore in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Homeland Security Appropriations Act.
This funding will support the repair and improvement of Atmore’s storm drainage system, part of more than $14.97 million for Alabama in FY26 Homeland Security appropriations funding.
“I’m proud to deliver $1.25 million in funding for the City of Atmore to upgrade its stormwater infrastructure,” said Britt. “As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I’m committed to returning taxpayer dollars right back to our communities. This critical funding will address longstanding drainage issues, reduce flooding risks, and better protect homes, businesses, and public safety. I’m eager to see the lasting impact this project will have in strengthening Atmore’s resilience for years to come.”
The project aims to address aging and insufficient stormwater infrastructure in Atmore to reduce flooding risks, protect public safety, and improve the community’s resilience to heavy rainfall events. The existing drainage system in the affected area has experienced frequent blockages, overflows, and erosion, resulting in property damage, road closures, and environmental degradation.
The funding is directed to support proactive disaster preparedness efforts aimed at reducing the need for post-disaster response and recovery.
“Senator Katie Britt has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to the people of Atmore and to the future of our community,” said Atmore Mayor Shawn Lassiter. “We cannot thank the Senator enough for her tireless help and support in securing this transformative investment. Her leadership has made it possible for our city to take a bold step forward in protecting our residents, our businesses, and our infrastructure from the growing risks posed by natural hazards.”
Incoming Tate Senior Brooklyn Ray Commits To Southern Mississippi
June 16, 2026
Tate High School’s Brooklyn Ray has made an early commitment to continue her athletic and academic career at the University of Southern Mississippi. She is an incoming senior at Tate. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sen. Don Gaetz Explains Why He Backed Florida Homestead Property Tax Relief Measure
June 15, 2026
Earlier this month the Senate and the House voted to approve putting lower homestead property taxes on the November ballot.
The measure, a priority of Gov. Ron DeSantis, passed the House 75-26 and moved through the Senate on a 30-9 vote. Rep. Michelle Salzman, Rep. Alex Andrade and Sen. Don Gaetz all voted in favor.
In November, at least 60% of voters must approve the amendment.
In his most recent newsletter, Gaetz said, “I agree with the Governor that you shouldn’t have to pay to rent your homestead from the government. I also agree that local governments provide critical services all of us depend on. Those services require revenue.”
“The problem with property taxes as a revenue source is that property taxes are based on property values. Even local governments that have not raised their millage rates have still benefited from the boom in real estate values. However, most local governments have raised millage rates, meaning higher property values are multiplied by still higher millage rates to result in taxes that far exceed population growth and inflation. Property tax revenues collected by Florida local governments have increased by 70 percent in the last five years. Floridians on Social Security have seen their benefits increase approximately 23 percent while their property tax bills have gone up nearly three times higher. Northwest Florida cities and counties have almost always been good stewards of tax dollars. But they have had more tax dollars to spend than inflation and population growth required.”
“If the plan passes, cities and counties that rely on ad valorem property taxes will have to make budget cuts. Budget cuts mean tough, sometimes painful decisions,” he wrote. “Last year the Legislature cut spending by $3 billion compared to the prior year. This year the Senate and House cut the budget by another $4 billion less than last year. I voted for those budget cuts because I had to. Less income means there has to be less outgo to balance the budget. Families face hard choices as gas prices, utility rates, insurance and housing costs and, yes, property taxes combine to make Florida less affordable. Many families are spending less on wants in order to meet needs. Now it’s local governments’ turn to squeeze the dollars.”
He encouraged voters to talk to their local mayors, city council members and county commissioners and ask questions.
“Make your voice heard about what spending is less important and what services must be maintained,” Gaetz said.
Pictured: Sen. Don Gaetz during an Escambia County Legislative Delegation meeting in Molino. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Two Injured In Cantonment Highway 29 Crash
June 15, 2026
Two people were injured in a single-vehicle crash Sunday evening in Cantonment.
The crash occurred on Highway 29 near Archer Road just before 7:30 p.m. when a sedan driven by a 19-year-old Dothan woman left the roadway, traveled into a wooded area, and struck a tree.
The woman and her 22-year-old passenger, also from Dothan, were transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS as “trauma alerts”. FHP said on Monday that the injuries were minor.
The Cantonment station of Escambia County Fire Rescue also responded to the scene.
File photo.
Tate High Graduate Evan Taylor Commits To Wallace Selma
June 15, 2026
Tate High School 2026 graduate Evan Taylor has committed to continue his baseball and academic career at Wallace Community College Selma. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Conducts Annual Hurricane Exercise
June 15, 2026
Escambia County Emergency Management hosted its annual hurricane exercise recently at the Emergency Operations Center to test local readiness ahead of the peak of the Gulf Coast hurricane season.
This year’s drill simulated the complex recovery phase immediately following a major hurricane landfall. Participants from various local agencies and emergency support functions were forced to respond to rapidly evolving, real-world scenarios, including widespread power outages, structural damage, and heavy debris blocking critical roadways.
Officials said that the exercise is vital for ensuring seamless communication and coordination between county staff and community partners when a real disaster strikes.
These Are The Road Construction Spots To Watch This Week
June 15, 2026
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Resurfacing from east of U.S. 29 to east of Davis Highway (State Road (S.R.) 291) – Drivers on I-10 may encounter intermittent lane closures, traffic shifts and periodic ramp closures, between mile markers 11 and 14, Sunday, June 14 through Thursday, June 18, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for paving operations and roadway construction.
- S.R. 295 Resurfacing from S.R. 292 (Barrancas Avenue) to S.R. 727 (West Fairfield Drive) – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on S.R. 295, between S.R. 292 (Barrancas Avenue) and S.R. 727 (West Fairfield Drive), Sunday, June 14 through Thursday, June 18, from 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for construction activities.
- S.R. 292 (Gulf Beach Highway) from east of Bauer Road (County Road 293) to Manchester Street – The week of Sunday, June 14, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on S.R. 292, from east of Bauer Road to Manchester Street, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for construction activities. Additionally, a new traffic configuration has been implemented on S.R. 292 between Mills Avenue and just east of Patton Drive, with travel lanes shifted to the outside of the roadway to provide space to construct a median traffic separator. Channelizing devices are in place to delineate the work zone. The speed limit has been reduced to 35 mph through the work zone.
- Business U.S. 98 (Garden Street) Construction from Pace Boulevard to the Interstate 110 (I-110) ramp – The week of Sunday, June 14, drivers may encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- Garden Street, between Pace Boulevard and N. Donelson Street, is reduced to two travel lanes (one in each direction) as crews perform construction activities on the north side of the street. This temporary traffic configuration will be in place through late 2026.
- Temporary side street closures north of Garden Street for stormwater drainage system reconstruction. This week, drivers may encounter a closure with detour at I Street and J Street. Signage will be in place to direct drivers through the work zone.
- On-street parking is closed on Garden Street, between B Street and L Street.
- I-110 Resurfacing from I-10 to U.S. 98 – Drivers on I-110 may encounter intermittent lane closures, traffic shifts and periodic ramp closures, between I-10 and U.S. 98, Sunday, June 14 through Thursday, June 18, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for paving operations and roadway construction.
- I-10 Resurfacing from the Perdido River Bridge to west of U.S. 29 – Drivers on I-10 may encounter intermittent and alternating lane closures, between the Perdido River Bridge and mile marker 1, Sunday, June 14 through Thursday, June 18, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., for guardrail installation.
- I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- Intermittent lane closures on I-10 westbound near the Nine Mile Road interchange, Sunday, June 14 through Thursday, June 18, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps, Sunday, June 14 through Saturday, June 20, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Law enforcement will be on site, and directional signage will be in place to guide drivers through the work zone.
- Temporary reconfiguration of the I-10 westbound ramps, which will remain in place through mid-2026.
- I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – Drivers may encounter the following lane closures on Sunday, June 14 through Thursday, June 18, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.:
- I-10 westbound traffic will be reduced to one travel lane and shifted south near mile marker 10.
- Intermittent outside lane closures on eastbound I-10, near mile marker 9.
- Intermittent outside lane closures on U.S. 29 northbound, between Diamond Dairy Road and Broad Street.
Additionally, drivers are reminded of the following ongoing construction-related traffic impacts:
-
- Intermittent lane closures on North Palafox Street between Whitehead Drive and Hope Drive. Flaggers will be present to direct traffic through the work zone.
- I-10 is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction between U.S. 29 and I-110.
- I-10 travel lanes are shifted away from the median area of the roadway, near the U.S. 29 interchange.
- The U.S. 29 southbound access to the I-10 eastbound on-ramp has been reduced.
- 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.
- S.R. 97 (Atmore Highway) Resurfacing from U.S. 29 to the Alabama State Line – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Intermittent lane and shoulder closures are to be expected throughout the project limits on Monday, June 15 through Friday, June 19, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for median improvements.
- Lane closures are to be expected at S.R. 95 and S.R. 97 on Monday, June 15 through Friday, June 19, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for median improvements.
Santa Rosa County:
- 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, June 14 through Saturday, June 20, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
- U.S. 90 Resurfacing, from Escambia River Bridge to east of Woodbine Road – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on U.S. 90, from Escambia River Bridge to Woodbine Road, Sunday, June 14 through Thursday, June 18, between 7 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., for guardrail installation. Additionally, the speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph through the work zone.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.