Traffic Alerts: What To Expect This Week
November 14, 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
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement - Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 14 through Saturday, Nov. 20. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the northbound side of the bridge as crews replace the southbound portion of the structure. Additionally, drivers may encounter intermittent temporary lane closures from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15 through Friday, Nov. 19 as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures between the following locations as crews perform median improvements and install poles for pedestrian traffic signals.
- A and N Streets (inside lane closures)
- Kirk and R Streets (intermittent outside lane closure)
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) – Drivers will encounter temporary intermittent shifts to allow crews to pave turn lanes, side streets, driveways, and the on- and off-ramps to Interstate 10 (I-10). Access to all businesses will be maintained. Traffic flaggers and signage will be in place to direct traffic.
- U.S. 29 Widening from I-10 to Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) – Drivers 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 interchange.
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect daytime shoulder closures the week of Monday, Nov. 15 as crews place a watermain.
- Interstate 110 (I-110) Routine Bridge Maintenance over S.R. 752 (Texar Street) Overpass – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures four miles south of I-10 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16 through Thursday, Nov. 18 for routine bridge maintenance.
- Theo Baars bridge on S.R. 292 (Gulf Beach Highway) Routine Bridge Maintenance over the Intracoastal Waterways – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 14 through Monday, Nov. 15, for a routine bridge maintenance.
Santa Rosa County
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 14 through Saturday, Nov. 20. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure. Additional work will include the installation of pier lighting.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures on the Blackwater River Bridge from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 14 through Thursday, Nov. 18 as crews perform paving operations.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Major roadway construction activities are currently underway. Improvements on the 4.25-mile section include widening the roadway from four to a six-lanes with a raised median; safety and drainage upgrades; resurfacing State Road 281 (Avalon Boulevard) from U.S. 98 to Garcon Point Bridge; extending the existing shared-use path on the south side of U.S. 98 from Gondolier Boulevard; and new signage and pavement markings.
- S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) Routine Maintenance near Garcon Point Bridge – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17, as crews instill signage.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
FDOH Escambia Closes Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing Site
November 14, 2021
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County has closed their drive-thru testing site due to decreased demand.
The health department is still offering rapid testing by appointment at the FDOH-Escambia location at 1295 West Fairfield Drive. Appointments are available Monday- Friday from 8:30 until 4 p.m. for anyone age 2 and up, with or without symptoms.
To make an appointment, call (850) 595-6500 and choose option 6.
Rapid test results are available within 30 minutes. Call FDOH-Escambia’s COVID-19 phone line at (850) 595-6500 option 6.
File photo.
Fields Of Faith: Community Worship Service Held
November 14, 2021
Northview High School’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes hosted their annual Fields of Faith last week in the Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium.
Fields of Faith is a national student-led initiative. “Students invite, pray for, share with, and challenge their peers to read the Bible and follow Jesus Christ. An athletic field provides a neutral, rally point where a community can come together,” according to national organizers.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Louis Street In Cantonment To Close Beginning Monday For About A Month
November 13, 2021
Louis Street in Cantonment will be closed just off Muscogee Road for about a month beginning Monday.
Louis Street (Highway 297A) will be closed between Washington Street and Lincoln Street for drainage improvements and road widening, according to Escambia County.
The roadway is set to be closed at 7 a.m. Monday, November 15, with construction expected to be completed by December 15.
Local traffic will be detoured in the surrounding neighborhood. All other through traffic should use County Road 97 between Muscogee Road and Kingsfield Road.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Many Will Use Space Heaters To Stay Warm. And That Can Be Dangerous.
November 13, 2021
With colder weather arriving in North Escambia, many people will turn to space heaters to stay warm. And that can be dangerous.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths and space heaters account for four out of five home heating fire deaths.
“Space heaters should have a three-foot safe zone around them,” said Escambia County Fire and Life Specialist Ray Melton. “They should never be left on while you’re away from home. They should be checked and served every year before used. Never plug a space heater into power strips or extension cords, and always have working smoke alarms.”
Follow these tips to stay safe while heating your home:
- Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.
- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 ft. away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove or portable space heater.
- Portable space heaters should be turned OFF every time you leave the room and before going to bed.
- Never plug a space heater in a power strip.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Never use an oven to heat your home.
For portable electric heaters:
- Place them on a solid, flat surface, away from high traffic areas and doorways.
- Use and purchase heaters with an automatic shut off so if they are tipped over they will shut off.
- Plug power cords directly into outlets and never into an extension cord.
- Inspect for cracked or damaged, broken plugs or loose connections; replace before using.
QB Odom Gets Four Defensive Interceptions As Northview Beats Bozeman 27-21 In Regional Quarterfinal
November 13, 2021
Number four, four interceptions including a pick six. It was a pretty incredible Friday night, especially for a junior quarterback that also had an offensive touchdown as the Northview Chiefs beat the Bozeman Bucks 27-21 in Bratt.
Northview quarterback Kaden Odom slipped onto defense Friday night — something he’s done only a few times this year.
With just seconds to go in the game and Bozeman in the red zone, Odom intercepted a Bozeman pass to seal the win as Northview’s Jon Michael Ward held the pressure on the Bucks.
For a photo gallery, click here.
“I knew I had to make a play one way or another, but I seen the ball tipped,” Odom said. “I knew if I if I picked it right, it was over with. So I tried to make a big time play, and we come out on top.”
“Our defense stepped up made some huge plays tonight, thanks to this guy (Odom),” Summerford said. “You know, quarterback, cornerback, it doesn’t matter. He’s gonna make plays, and he’s a good great playmaker for us. Came up big four times tonight. I mean, huge because I think if we don’t have one of those picks maybe this game goes different way.”
Odom was quick to give credit to the support of the community, the crowd and his teammates.
“I can’t do without these boys though, these boys,” he said. “We come to work every single week, and we lay it all on the line. We’ve got a great coaching staff and we’re ready for next week.”
Northview’s Jamarkus Jefferson, also a junior, finished the night with somewhere north of 150 yards, Summerford estimated, and two touchdowns.
“You’ve got to either run the football, or you’ve got to pass the football,” Summerford said. “With him (Jefferson) in the backfield, it’s a no brainer for us. We’re going to try to run it all that we can.”
The Northview Chiefs (6-4) will travel next Friday night in the regional semifinals to take on the top ranked Baker Gators (6-2).
“Oh, I’m ready. That’s the one we wanted. That’s the one we want,” Odom said about Baker. “We can have fun over weekend, celebrate. But come Monday, we’ve got to work. We’ve got to work. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
In September, Baker defeated Northview 43-42 in overtime.
Summerford said that will be a learning experience for the Chiefs as they look for the little ways they could have played better in that close loss.
“It’s all those things we learned the first time about them,” he said. “Then we’ll throw in some new wrinkles.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by William Reynolds, click to enlarge.
Escambia Academy Advances To State Championship Game – For The Sixth Straight Time
November 13, 2021
The Escambia Academy Cougars are headed to the AISA-AA state championship game — for the sixth straight time.
The Cougars beat defending state champion Chambers Academy 37-13 Friday night in the state semifinals on the road in Lafayette, Alabama.
The No. 2 ranked EA Cougars will take on No.1 Autauga Academy at 3:30 p.m. Friday at Montgomery’s Cramton Bowl.
Escambia Academy beat Autauga for the state title in 2017, but lost to Autauga in 2018 and 2019.
Photos: Andrew Garner/Atmore Advance for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Friday Night Playoff Finals
November 13, 2021
Here are Friday night high school football playoff scores from around the North Escambia are:
FLORIDA
Class 1A, Region 1
(4) Northview 27, Bozeman 21 [Story, photo gallery...]
(3) Holmes County 19, (6) Freeport 17
Class 6A, Region 1
(1) Pine Forest 26, (8) Rickards 7
(2) Mosley 52, (7) Gulf Breeze 35
Class 5A, Region 1
(5) West Florida 35, (4) North Marion 14
ALABAMA
- Escambia Academy 37. Chambers Academy 13 [Story, photos..]
- T.R. Miller 35, Opp 14
Escambia Man Gets 45 Years For Attempted Murder
November 13, 2021
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to 45 years in prison for shooting a man in the head last year.
Airon Douglas Carmack was convicted of attempted first degree premeditated murder with a firearm. He will be required to serve a minimum of 25 years of his 45 year sentence, followed by 20 years probation.
On March 1, 2020, the victim and his girlfriend traveled to meet Carmack to sell him marijuana. When arriving near Carmack’s residence, Carmack told them to meet him up the road because he was not home. Shortly after Carmack made contact with the victim, he pulled out a firearm and shot the victim in the head and chest. It was witnessed by the victim’s girlfriend. The victim accelerated and drove away before losing consciousness. The vehicle stopped approximately a mile from Carmack’s residence.
Marijuana, shell casings and a projectile were located in the vehicle. After law enforcement arrived and the victim was transported to the hospital, his girlfriend stated they both knew Carmack from high school. She was able to identify him as the shooter in a photo lineup.
Escambia Reports 116 New COVID-19 Cases In Last Week
November 13, 2021
There were 116 new COVID-19 cases reported Escambia County over the last week by the Florida Department of Health.
Here is the latest data:
Escambia County cases:
Total cases: 53,867 (+116)
Positivity rate last week: 4.1%
People vaccinated: 156,126 (+1,271)
Vaccination rate (age 5+): 51%
New hospital admissions: 32
Total deaths last 7 days: less than 10 (CDC data)
Santa Rosa County cases:
Total cases: 32,460 (+83)
Positivity rate last week: 4.1%
People vaccinated: 91,040 (+730)
Vaccination rate (age 5+): 52%
New hospital admissions: 7
Total deaths last 7 days: less than 10 (CDC data)
Statewide cases:
Florida resident cases: 3,668,077 (+10,746)
Case positivity rate: 2.5%
Deaths: 60,697 (+33)
FDOH has moved from daily to weekly reports and removed the COVID-19 dashboard. The state is now releasing a weekly report with local data limited only to number of cases and positivity rate The number of deaths by county or cases by local cities and communities is no longer provided by FDOH.