Here Are The Traffic Delays To Expect This Week
February 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:
- U.S. 98 (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 remains accessible from 17th Avenue. In addition, 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.
- New Warrington Spur (State Road (S.R.) 295) Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation over Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) – There will be alternating northbound lane restrictions from 11 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14 to 5 a.m. Monday, Feb. 15 for bridge repair and rehabilitation work.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation over Marcus Creek – The westbound outside lane will be closed from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14 for bridge repair and rehabilitation work.
- · East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Safety Project from North Palafox Street to Chemstrand Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent right turn lane closures beginning Monday, Feb. 15.
- · North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Soil Testing at the intersection of East Cross Street– Traffic on East Cross Street will be reduced to one lane at the intersection of North Palafox Street from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15 as crews perform soil testing.
- · I-10 Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation over U.S. 29 – Westbound traffic will encounter intermittent and alternating lane closures from 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16 for bridge repair and rehabilitation work.
- · Pace Boulevard (S.R. 292) Asphalt Repairs at West Strong Street Intersection– Motorists will encounter lane closures from 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15 to 6 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16 as crews replace pavement at the sewer main.
- I-10 Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation over Perdido River Bridge – Motorists will encounter nighttime lane closures beginning the week of Monday, Feb. 15. Drivers will also encounter a 36-hour lane closure with pacing (slow moving) operations beginning at 6 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16. Traffic will be temporarily slowed to a safe speed by a pilot vehicle to allow crews to perform construction activities. Advanced signs will be in place to alert drivers of the operations.
- U.S. 29 Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation as Canoe Creek – Northbound traffic will encounter intermittent and alternating lane closures from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17 for bridge repair and rehabilitation work.
- U.S. 29 Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation over Mitchell Creek- Southbound traffic will encounter intermittent and alternating lane closures from 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18 to 5 a.m. Friday, Feb. 19 for bridge repair and rehabilitation work.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive- Early construction activities including utility relocations, clearing, excavation, and drainage improvements have begun. Clearing and excavating of areas for the stormwater ponds are currently underway. There will be 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. Major roadway construction activities are anticipated to begin summer 2021.
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – The bridge is closed
- U.S. 90 Turn Lane Construction West of Bell Lane in Pace– Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. until Thursday, Feb. 18 as crews construct an east and westbound turn lane for the New Discount Tire Store.
- S.R. 89 North, S.R. 87 North and S.R. 89 Bypass Roadway Maintenance Operations- Drivers may encounter intermittent lane restrictions until 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.
Pictured top: A worker is saw-cutting existing temporary asphalt on Nine Mile road near Pine Cone Drive. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Ordinance Under Consideration To Allow Countywide Sunday Morning Alcohol Sales
February 13, 2021
A new Escambia County ordinance under consideration will allow stores to sell alcohol on Sunday mornings across the entire county.
Escambia County’s current hours for sale or purchase of alcoholic beverages were established in 1989, allowing sales between 6 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. each day except Sunday. The current ordinance bans retail alcohol sales on Sundays between 2:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. countywide, with an exception for Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key where it is legal to sell alcohol at retail stores on Sundays after 7 a.m.
If approved, the new ordinance will allow alcohol sales between 6 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. each day of the week (still prohibiting sales between 2:30 a.m. and 6 a.m., seven days a week).
The Escambia County Commission will hold a public hearing on the ordinance on Thursday, February 18 at 9:01 a.m.
If approved, the ordinance will become effective when it is filed with the Florida Department of State.
File photo.
Flags At Half Staff Sunday For Marjory Stoneman Douglas Remembrance Day
February 13, 2021
Flags across Florida will be flown at half staff on Sunday to mark Marjory Stoneman Douglas Remembrance Day.
“On February 14, 2018, Nikolas Cruz opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Seventeen innocent lives were lost. Students, teachers, and faculty showed great courage in the face of danger. The sacrifices of these heroes, as well as the brave actions of first responders, will never be forgotten,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said.
DeSantis has ordered flags to be flown at half staff at a local and state government buildings, installations and grounds in Florida from sunrise to sunset on Sunday.
Pictured: The flag at half staff on February 14, 2020, at Bratt Elementary School to mark Marjory Stoneman Douglas Remembrance Day. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Century Library Still Closed For Remodel; Some Services Available On Saturdays
February 13, 2021
The Century Branch Library is currently closed for an extensive interior remodel, but there are a few services available on Saturdays.
The remodel will feature an expansion of the children’s area by reducing on-site storage. There will also be improvements to the public service desk for increased accessibility, an improved adult reading area, new carpet, new paint, new lighting and new furnishings.
An additional sidewalk, benches, bicycle area and tables have already been added outside the library.
While the library will be closed, Feeding the Gulf Coast youth meals will be available for the week each Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Library materials that have been reserved through the library’s website will also be available each Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Borrowed items can be returned during the closure by using the outdoor book drop on the south side of the building.
Pictured: Some of the outside improvements at the Century Branch Library. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jay High’s Kaden Roberson Signs With Huntingdon College
February 13, 2021
Jay High School’s Kaden Roberson has signed a football scholarship with Huntingdon College. Roberson is pictured with his family. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Code Enforcement Officer Threatens Woman, Holds Her Against Her Will, SRSO Says
February 13, 2021
An Escambia County Code Enforcement officer has been charged in Santa Rosa County for allegedly threatening a woman and holding her against her will in Milton.
Ethan Lee Brown is charged with simple assault and kidnapping false imprisonment.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic disturbance and found Brown standing in the front yard, smelling of alcohol and with an empty gun holster on his hip, according to an arrest report. A woman told deputies Brown threw a mirror and nightstand, and punched a hole in a door, the report states.
The woman tells deputies she told Brown he frightened her and asked him to leave when he held her down on the bed with his body weight, the report says. When she tried to leave, Brown stood between her and the front door.
When deputies arrived, they found the damaged items and two firearms on the coffee table and couch. The report states Brown made choking motions close to the woman’s head like he was about to commit the act.
Under Florida law, Brown’s mugshot was not available due to his status as a code enforcement officer.
An Escambia County spokesperson said Brown has worked as a code enforcement officer with Escambia County since 2019.
Chumuckla Tom Thumb Temporarily Closed Due To COVID-19
February 13, 2021
Tom Thumb said Friday that they closed their store at 9393 Chumuckla Highway after a team member informed them of a positive COVID-19 test.
The store was closed to be cleaned and sanitized by an industrial cleaning crew. The store will reopen in the next few days.
“We are grateful to all our customers for your patience and understanding during this time,” Tom Thumb said. “We are making every effort to provide the affected Team Member and our broader team with the necessary resources and support.”
File photo.
Molino Homeowner Holds Burglary Suspects At Gunpoint
February 12, 2021
A Molino homeowner held two burglar suspects on the ground at gunpoint until deputies arrived.
Deputies arrived in the 4000 block of Molino Road to find the homeowner holding Franklin and Liechty at gunpoint on the ground in his backyard.
Franklin told deputies that he and Liechty tried to push-start their Honda Civic when it broke down, and they had coasted into the victim’s yard. The vehicle was about 40 yards behind the house near the wood line. An arrest report states a bolt-action rifle and a revolver were found in the Honda Civic. Both weapons were loaded.
The victim told deputies he arrived at home to find the duo and believed they were breaking into his home. Je pulled out his handgun and ordered them to the ground as his wife dialed 911.
They are also accused in the burglary of a 2006 Dodge truck at a neighboring residence. The vehicle owner provided video allegedly showing the duo breaking into his truck and taking a backpack containing numerous hunting items worth about $900. The backpack was discovered in the suspects’ Honda Civic. According to the ECSO, Liechty was wearing a hat and sunglasses taken during the vehicle burglary at the time of his arrest.
As Franklin stepped out of the deputy’s vehicle at the jail, a clear bag containing methamphetamine was discovered. When Franklin was searched, four old coins and pearls were discovered on his person, according to the report.
Both suspects remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday afternoon. Franklin’s bond was set at $56,000, and Liechty’s bond was set $46,000.
Fire Destroys Barn In Beulah
February 12, 2021
Fire destroyed a barn in Beulah late Thursday night.
Escambia Fire Rescue discovered a heavily involved barn fire when they arrived on scene in the 7000 block of Bridle Pines Lane shortly before midnight.
Escambia Fire Rescue determined he cause of the fire to be an accidental electrical malfunction. There were no injuries reported.
The Beulah, Bellview, Cantonment Ensley, Ferry Pass, Osceola fire stations were dispatched to the fire.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Behind The Scenes Emails Lead To Strife In Plan Selection For Beulah’s OLF-8 Development
February 12, 2021
A possible plan selection for the OLF-8 project in Beulah was on the agenda Thursday for the Escambia County Commission. The discussion quickly changed due to a series of emails between stakeholders that came to light this week with an apparent behind the scenes push previously unknown to commissioners.
In January 2019, Escambia County acquired OLF-8 in a land swap with the U.S. Navy for property in Santa Rosa County. The county hired DPZ CoDesign to develop the best plan for OLF-8, and the firm presented four plans ranging from a commerce park based concept to designs with a mix of commerce, residential and green space on the 500 plus acre site along Nine Mile Road in Beulah.
Commissioner Jeff Bergosh, who represents the Beulah area, has long been a proponent of using the land for a commerce park without any residential development.
“My district does not want any more housing,” Bergosh said. “There’s a small vocal minority that does, but what we see from these emails, they are being coached. The majority of District 1 wants no more residential to be built period, and especially on that field we spent $18 million to acquire for jobs.”
DPZ presented four plans to the public in late 2020 and solicited public input. There were only 271 votes received, with the “Village Plan” receiving the most votes with its mix of village center with shops, offices and housing (pictured above).
“I will stand with the people of Beulah,” Commissioner Doug Underhill said. “The Village Plan had the most support from the people of Beulah, and I will not be casting a vote for any plan that does not have the overwhelming support of the people of Beulah.”
Navy Federal had already purchase about 100 acres of the original parcel and is set reimburse the county for the work done by DPZ.
This week, inWeekly’s Rick Outzen obtained a number of emails between DPZ, Navy Federal employees and a citizens group called “The Beulah Coalition.” The emails paint a clear picture of a push against a commerce park only design for OLF-8.
“I am going to go through each and every one of these emails,” Bergosh said at Thursday’s commission meeting. “I’m not even sure I want to keep DPZ, that’s how upset I am. I encourage everyone to read these emails.”
Bergosh said he is considering a move to seek reimbursement for the funds spent with DPZ and the termination of their contract.
Commissioners were also upset to learn that county’s OLF-8 project manager was asked by DPZ to not attend at least two meetings.
“I don’t know that anybody from the county staff would have such a menacing presence that their pure attendance would preclude people from being candid, based on the comments that we get in publicly taped meetings,” Commissioner Steven Barry said.
DPZ partner and designer Marina Khoury said that’s not unusual so stakeholders will speak openly about their ideas without feeling pressure from a client like the county.
“We respect the fact that it is entirely your decision — our job is to offer you our best recommendations for the land. That is what we were hired to do,” she said. “We have not gone behind your back to Navy Federal. Some groups want to be engaged; others simply will not engage with us. Navy Federal has maintained impartiality and they worked very hard to try not to influence this process.”
“We never wanted to undermine the process. It’s to our benefit to give you what we believe has been a very transparent and fair set of plans. We’ve given you a lot of options that we think are rooted in some good data,” Khoury said. “We are not trying to predispose the outcome. Look, we have the community furious with us that we are not promoting the Village Plan. We’ve unfortunately just managed to just piss everybody off.”
Escambia County is making a request for all of the emails regarding OLF-8 from DPZ, and the discussion will continue at the commission’s next meeting on February 18.