Weekly Traffic Alerts From FDOT
May 2, 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. 90 (Cervantes Street) Temporary Lane Closure from U.S. 29 (Palafox Street) to 12th Avenue – Eastbound Motorists will encounter a detour from U.S. 29 to 12th Avenue from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Saturday, May 1 for the Fiesta 5 Flags 10K & 5K Run. Local law enforcement will be on site to assist with traffic control.
- U.S. 98 (State Road (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 on the new 17th Avenue interchange. The Visitor’s Center and adjacent boat launch remain 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.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement- Drivers will encounter brief, intermittent lane closures beginning the week of Sunday, May 2. The lane closures will allow construction crews to mobilize materials and equipment needed for replacing the Carpenters Creek Bridge. Traffic flaggers will be on-site to safely direct drivers through the construction zone. The brief, intermittent lane closures will continue through the end of the year. Pile driving work is also slated to begin next week. Crews will be driving piles during the daytime hours. Nearby residents and commercial property owners may experience noise and vibration.
- Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) from North Palafox Street to Chemstrand Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent nighttime lane closures the week of Monday, May 3 as crews perform paving operations.
- · I-10 Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation over Perdido River Bridge – Motorists will encounter intermittent nighttime lane closures the week of Monday, May 3 as crews perform paving operations.
- · S.R. 292 (North Pace Boulevard) Underground Utility Operations - There will be intermittent lane restrictions as crews perform underground utility work at the following locations:
o Intersection of West Jackson Street 8 p.m. Monday, May 3 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, May 4.
o Intersection of West Gadsden Street 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 5 to 5 a.m. Thursday,
May 6.
- 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. the week of May 3, on U.S. 29, between I-10 and Nine and Half Mile Road, and on Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement- The bridge remains closed.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive- Early construction activities have begun to prepare for the widening and improvements of the 4.25-mile section. 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.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Thousands Attend Atmore’s Mayfest (With Photo Gallery)
May 2, 2021
Atmore’s Mayfest returned Saturday with big crowds after being canceled last year due to the pandemic.
The event featured live entertainment, beautiful baby and Miss Mayfest pageants, games for the kids over 80 vendors.
Lines were still long for games and good eats late into the afternoon as thousands from the Atmore and North Escambia areas attended.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Middle School Team Competes In National Equestrian Finals
May 2, 2021
The Trinity Farm of Northwest Florida’s Middle School Equestrian Team recently competed in the Interscholastic Equestrian National Finals.
The team comprised of middle schoolers from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties was named Zone 4 Champions — an area that includes Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee and the Bahamas. They were ranked in the top 18 in the nation.
Nationals was not our strongest performance, but for this being their first time ever competing at this level, and for doing as well as they did against the top riders in the nation, I have to say I’m pretty impressed,” said coach Morgan Mickel of Molino. “What a team of talented young riders. I can’t wait for what the future has in store for them.
Trinity Farm Middle School Equestrian Team members that competed at nationals are Hannah Teague, Amberleigh Bishop, Taylor Irwin and Ava Tillotson.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
A Mom Remembers Her Daughter As Search Continues For Molino Woman’s Killer
May 1, 2021
“You left us too soon. Not by fault of your own. Caught unsuspecting, while jogging alone. Wickedness consumed him and a heart full of rage felled you, silenced you, sent you to your grave.”
Those are the words of Sue Brown as she remembered the murder of her daughter Anna Louise Brown. Friday marked four years since Anna was found shot and killed on Gibson Road off Crabtree Church Road in Molino. Her family is hoping for closure and the arrest of a suspect.
Brown, 38, was pronounced deceased at the scene; her body was discovered face down by the roadway.
Investigators believe the murder was not a random act of violence, and they believe Brown knew the person that killed her. No suspect has been named by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
“We mourn you, we miss you, tears readily fall. Shared secrets we have but not really, not at all. Hearts of hope have we, to see you in the Great Halls,” Brown continued in a poem she penned in her daughter’s memory. “One day, with rejoicing we’ll see you in heaven, for all eternity.”
When Anna joined a class at Hamilton Baptist Church in Robertsdale before her death, she as asked to write down something about her life.
“I am … doing life as a working, blessed Mom of two amazing children,” Anna wrote. “I love being a mom! There are moments and days and situations that are tough and rough and painful and challenging and hard; but the joy of loving and having the privilege to nurture and teach my kids is a gift. I know they are each God’s first, and that helps me worry less when they are away,” Anna wrote. “I work as a Physical Therapist Assistant … I love doing therapy!”
She continued, “I have a great family. I have wonderful parents and I have a growing relationship with my Creator, my Lord, my salvation, my strength, provider, comforter and friend. With my natural family and my church family, I am never alone or separated. I receive love and support and physical, tangible help when it’s needed. That support and encouragement makes single parenting not so single! Yay!”
Anyone with information on the murder is asked to contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or call Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Below: NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Nine Mile Road Traffic Shifted Between Allegheny And Navy Federal Way
May 1, 2021
The Nine Mile Road westbound travel lanes, between Allegheny Avenue and Navy Federal Way, were shifted to the newly constructed westbound lanes by Friday morning.
The section between Security Place and Navy Federal Way remains one lane westbound to provide a safe area for crews to construct the remaining median work.
In the first photo shows drivers using the new outside westbound lane between Security Place and Navy Federal Way.
The photo below shows traffic using both westbound lanes opened between the new Beulah Middle School and Security Place. Eastbound traffic will remain in one lane as the remaining median work is completed.
This traffic shift allows crews to complete the new median and inside eastbound left turn lanes.
Traffic is expected to remain in this configuration until this summer.
The work is part of a $46 million effort to widen and improve Nine Mile Road from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road. Once completed, the project will enhance safety, improve mobility, and reduce congestion for the estimated 19,000 drivers who travel the roadway daily.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Winning $112K Fantasy Five Ticket Sold On Pine Forest Road
May 1, 2021
Someone is over $112,000 richer this morning after purchasing a winning Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 ticket at a Pine Forest Road convenience store.
The ticket sold at the Raceway on Pine Forest Road near I-10 was one of two winning tickets sold for Friday night’s drawing and is worth $112,367.87. The other winning ticket was sold in Tampa.
The 318 tickets matching four numbers won $113.50 each. Another 10,172 tickets matching three numbers are worth $9.50 each, and 98,998 ticket holders won a Quick Pick ticket for picking two numbers.
Tuesday’s winning numbers were 05-15-17-21-36.
Female And Young Child Injured In Oak Grove Wreck
May 1, 2021
A female driver and a young child were injured in a single vehicle wreck Friday in Oak Grove.
The crash happened on North Highway 99 at the Oak Grove Cemetery when she lost control of a pickup truck and ran off the roadway.
The female and the 4-year old were transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS. Their injuries were not considered serious.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released any more information. Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High School Names Students Of The Month
May 1, 2021
Tate High School recently named students of the month.
For February, the students of the month were Tucker Philley and Brianna Deason (pictured below).
For March, the students of the month were Caleb Strickland and Shelby Lollie (pictured above).
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County High School Mourns Loss Of Coach
May 1, 2021
The Atmore community is mourning the loss of a beloved coach.
Escambia County High School Boys basketball coach John Shears, 44, has passed away at his Mobile home. He was also an offensive coordinator for the Blue Devils football team and a physical education teacher.
“Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and all who loved him,” the school said in a statement. “Rest in Heaven Coach Shears.”
Counselors have been made available to ECHS students.
Funeral services have not yet been announced.
Escambia County Self-Reports Sunshine Law Violation By Library Board To State Attorney
April 30, 2021
Escambia County has self-reported a Sunshine Law violation by the library board to the State Attorney’s Office.
For now, prosecutors won’t take any action against four members of the West Florida Public Libraries Board of Governance for a meeting they held Monday in Century.
“We are not taking any action at this point, but there clearly was an apparent violation,”Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille told NorthEscambia.com Thursday afternoon.
The meeting was advertised for the Main Library downtown, not Century. Florida’s Sunshine Law requires that adequate public notice be given for public meetings, including time and the correct location. When NorthEscambia.com notified the board of the discrepancy in the legal notice, the board continued the meeting for a short period of time. And that, according to the State Attorney’s Office, is where they went wrong.
“It was accidental and unintentional, but the meeting should not have gone forward once they learned of the problem,” Marcille said. He added the county “will correct any issues created by the meeting and the manner in which it was held,” and hold additional training.
Escambia County Attorney Alison Rogers confirmed Thursday night that she is sending an assistant county attorney to the next WFPL Board of Governance meeting to provide a Sunshine Law refresher lesson.
For more about Monday’s meeting, click or tap here for an earlier story.
Pictured top: West Florida Public Libraries Director Todd Humble (far left), and Board of Governance members (L-R) Robin Reshard, Grace Buenatista, and Bradley Vinson during a meeting Monday afternoon at the Century Branch Library. Pictured inset: Humble, with board member Dr. Laura Bryant in the background. Pictured below: Reshard and Bryant remained the Century Branch Library parking lot at 6:33 p.m. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
