Six Lanes For Hwy 29? Four Lanes For Hwy 97? Rural Transportation Projects Survey Open
April 28, 2026
Six lanes for Highway 29? Four lanes for Highway 97? Those are just a few of the proposed projects on the Regional Rural Transportation Plan (RRTP) 2026 Transportation Project Priorities list — a list of proposed projects that aim to improve mobility, safety, and connectivity across rural area of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa counties, as well as all of Holmes and Washington counties.
The RRTP Technical Advisory Committee will consider the project priority rankings, possibly changing the priority order, during a meeting on May 21.
This list of recommended projects is submitted to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to help identify which projects will receive state and federal funding in the upcoming Five-Year Work Program.
The TPO relies on public input to ensure transportation decisions reflect the needs of the community. Whether you drive, bike, walk, or take transit, your voice helps shape the future of Florida-Alabama’s transportation network.
The public comment period is open now (click here). The survey will close on May 1, 2026.
Project priorities in Escambia County, and their current rankings, are :
Capacity Project Priorities
No. 2. Highway 29 Widening
- Feasibility study on widening 37.2 miles of Highway 29 from four to six lanes from I-10 to the Florida/Alabama state line in Century.
No. 6 Highway 97 Widening
- Project development and engineering (PD&E) to widen 22 miles of Highway 97 from two to four lanes from Highway 29 in Molino to the Florida/Alabama state line at Atmore.
No. 8 Widen Portion of Highway 4
- Feasibility study on widening 39 miles of Highway 4 from Highway 29 in Century to Highway 189 in Baker. This would not include Highway 4 between Century and Highway 97 in Davisville, a county road.
Resurfacing Projects
No. 1 Highway 164 Resurfacing
- Resurface 11.5 miles of Highway 164 from Highway 97 to Highway 29
No. 2 Highway 168 Resurfacing
- Resurface 5.9 miles of Highway 168 from North Highway 99 to Highway 4A
No. 4 Highway 4 Resurfacing
- Resurface 3.4 miles of Highway 4 from Highway 97 to North Highway 99 in Bratt.
No. 6 State Line Road Resurfacing
- Resurface 0.4 miles of State Line Road in the Century town limits.
No. 7 Highway 182/Molino Road Resurfacing
- Resurface 0.67 miles of Highway 182/Molino Road from Highway 29 to Highway 95A.
Safety Priority Projects
No. 3 Highway 29 and Highway 97 at Crabtree Church Road
- Safety study in the high crash area of Highway 29 and Highway 97 at Crabtree Church Road in Molino.
Updating Contact Info Is Vital For School Emergency Alerts, Official Says
April 28, 2026
When a bomb threat was received Monday for Beulah Middle School, the Escambia County Public Schools notified parents within a few minutes.
But many parents and guardians said they were never notified.
“We sent notifications to the phone numbers or emails that we have in FOCUS,” Escambia County Public Schools Communications Coordinator Cody Strother said. “We ask parents and guardians to make sure the information is updated each year.”
The phone number or email address on file is used for notifications at all public schools in Escambia County, not just Beulah Middle.
Strother said that parents can call their child’s school, but it is fast and easy to check and update contact information in the FOCUS portal.
“We need information that is accurate in the database,” he said.
The bomb threat at Beulah Middle School on Monday was determined to be unfounded after multiple law enforcement agencies searched the school for nearly two hours.
Escambia Man Charged in 2025 Fatal Nine Mile Road Hit And Run
April 28, 2026
An Escambia County man has been charged in connection with a fatal hit and run last year on Nine Mile Road.
A pedestrian was struck and killed in a hit and run during the early morning hours of June 20, 2025, on Nine Mile Road, and the suspected hit and run driver has surrendered to troopers.
Kenneth Early Bodley, Jr., 34, was booked into the Escambia County Jail last Friday on a charge of hit and run failure to stop or remain at a crash involving death. He was released Saturday night on an $88,000 bond.
About 3:58 a.m., the victim, identified as Roderick Bennett of Cocoa, Florida, was out for his morning exercise and jogging in or near a Nine Mile Road crosswalk. Bodley, who was traveling east in the inside lane of Nine Mile Road in a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse, failed to see Bennett in the crosswalk, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report. Troopers said he failed to stop and continued east on Nine Mile Road.
Bennett was transported to Baptist Hospital where he was pronounced deceased at 4:48 a.m.
A witness told troopers that the suspect vehicle passed him at a high rate of speed on Nine Mile Road, and he watched as the vehicle failed to stop at the red light at University Parkway.
Bodley’s vehicle was identified using license plate reader cameras, the report states, and a trail of vehicle parts led to Water’s Edge Apartments on Gloria Circle, about one half mile away. Investigators determined that Bodley lived at the complex, but they were unable to locate him or the vehicle.
Just before 10 p.m. on the day of the crash, the FHP dispatch center received a call from Bodley’s attorney, stating that he was at the FHP Pensacola Station to turn himself in. Bodley told a responding trooper that he was driving the Chevrolet Traverse involved in the crash and drove to his mother’s house on Lee Street in Pensacola. Troopers located the vehicle behind the residence, and located blood on the bumper belonging to Bennett, according to DNA testing.
“The defendant’s vehicle collided with the victim causing fatal injuries. The defendant failed to stop his vehicle and render aid, failed to remain on scene or report the crash. The defendant left the scene leaving the victim lying on the roadway,” the trooper’s report states.
FFA Outreach: Tate High Students Teach Jim Allen Fifth Graders About Agriculture
April 28, 2026
Jim Allen Elementary School fifth graders learned about cotton and peanuts.
Members of the Tate High School FFA visited with the students, reading to them and taking part in educational activities.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Convicted Murderer’s Visitor Arrested for Contraband At Prison In Atmore
April 28, 2026
An attempt to smuggle contraband into Holman prison in Atmore was thwarted on Saturday, according to the Alabama Department of Corrections.
At approximately 12:30 p.m., the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) Southern K-9 Unit intercepted an attempt to smuggle contraband into the William C. Holman Correctional Facility.
During a search of visitor Horace Laster, who was visiting inmate Akeem Prewitt, K-9 officers discovered a significant quantity of illegal items.
Laster was arrested and transported to the Escambia County Detention Facility, where he was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking fentanyl, first and second-degree promoting prison contraband, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, first-degree possession of marijuana, prohibited activities, and attempting to commit a controlled substance crime.
ADOC said officers confiscated 35 buprenorphine strips, three cell phones, one SIM card, approximately 66 grams of marijuana, approximately 140 grams of methamphetamine, and approximately 14 grams of fentanyl.
Prewitt is serving a 40-year sentence for murder out of Tuscaloosa County.
Laster’s mugshot was not made available by the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center
DeSantis Signs Gaetz Bill Allowing Armed Volunteers At Houses Of Worship
April 28, 2026
Houses of worship will soon be able to use armed volunteers instead of paid private security guards beginning July 1 under a bill signed last week by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
DeSantis signed SB 52, which was sponsored by District 1 Senator Don Gaetz. The legislation exempts the armed unpaid church volunteers from the same license requirements that security guards face. Paid security guards in Florida must have a Class D security officer license and Class G firearm license. Just the Class D license requires 40 hours of training.
“Unfortunately, it’s something we have to do. I didn’t want to sponsor this bill,” Gaetz said. “I didn’t want there to ever be a need to sponsor a bill like this, but unfortunately, in the times in which we live, we have to allow places of worship to be able to defend themselves and defend their congregants.”
The bill allows volunteers to provide armed security services on the premises of a church, mosque, synagogue, or other place of worship.
According to Florida Senate analysis, between 2000 and 2024, there have been 379 incidents of violence in houses of worship in the U.S. resulting in approximately 487 deaths and 172 injuries.
Pictured: Last weekend, Pilgrim Lodge Baptist Church in Century celebrated its 148th anniversary. NorthEscambia file photo, click to enlarge.
Rural Class District Softball Semifinals Today For Northview And Jay
April 28, 2026
Both Northview and Jay will be in action on Tuesday in the Rural District 1 semifinals.
Northview vs. Baker
At 5 p.m. Tuesday, No. 1 Northview (16-5) will take on No. 5 Baker (9-11) in Jay. While Northview had a quarterfinal bye, Baker defeated Central 10-1 on Monday afternoon.
Northview has shut out Baker twice this year by scores of 10-0 on March 24 and in a 12-0 mercy rule shortened game on April 6.
The winner will advance to face Jay or Paxton on Thursday at 7 p.m. for the district championship.
Jay vs. Paxton
At 7 p.m. Tuesday, No. 2 Jay will take on No. 3 Paxton in Jay. Paxton shut out Laurel Hill 17-0 on Monday evening.
The winner will face either Northview or Baker on Thursday at 7 p.m. for the district championship.
Pictured: Mikayla McAnally pitches for the Northview Chiefs. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
UWF Breaks Ground On New AI, Cybersecurity, And Engineer Research Building
April 28, 2026
Recently, the University of West Florida officially broke ground on a new advanced intelligence, cybersecurity and engineering research building called The Synapse. Funded by part of a $32.5 million award from Triumph Gulf Coast and more than $21 million in state funding, the 55,000-square-foot building on the Pensacola campus will house specialized labs and state-of-the-art equipment and technology to support advanced computational, AI, cybersecurity and engineering research across the University.
University leaders, faculty, staff, students, donors, community partners and elected officials gathered on campus to celebrate the beginning of construction on the new building, which will be located just south of the John C. Pace Library and identified as Building 129.
“The Synapse is a transformational facility made possible through the support of Triumph Gulf Coast and the state of Florida,” said UWF President Manny Diaz Jr. “This new modern facility will allow the University to expand research capacity, strengthen industry partnerships and better prepare students for career fields critical to our region’s future.”
The new building, designed by Caldwell Architects, is intentionally shaped like a Y to reflect its core design inspiration, the way neurons connect within the human brain. Just as synapses transmit information between neurons, the building is designed to foster collaboration and innovation across disciplines. Inspired by neuromorphic architecture – a strategy that mimics how the brain processes and stores information – The Synapse integrates research labs, office hubs and open collaboration spaces to encourage parallel discovery and the free exchange of ideas.
“The Synapse is intentionally designed to bring researchers and students together in ways that spark innovation,” said UWF Provost Jaromy Kuhl. “By connecting disciplines and creating shared spaces for discovery, this facility will accelerate research and expand opportunities for experiential learning.”
The facility will serve as the base for the Center for Computational Intelligence and the Center for Cybersecurity and AI, as well as a hub for collaborative projects in robotics, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, power systems, material science and civil engineering. A central multi-story atrium with interconnected corridors create efficient pathways for interaction, resulting in a facility built not only for cutting-edge technology, but for constant intellectual connection.
“The new building will support the type of interactions its namesake implies,” said Dr. Mohamed Khabou, dean of the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering. “Ideas from various research areas come together to excite other research pathways.”
The Center for Computational Intelligence, housed within UWF’s Institute for Analytics and Industry Advancement, serves as a world-class hub for advanced computational research, uniting faculty, researchers, students and industry partners around the development of next-generation technologies. With its new home in the Synapse, the CCI will be able to design and apply computational models and systems capable of performing complex tasks to accelerate innovations with direct applications in healthcare, applied and basic sciences, engineering, energy, environmental monitoring, personalized education and defense.
“This dynamic new research hub will position UWF to expand its cutting-edge computational research, creating opportunities to tackle complex, real-world challenges across diverse fields through collaborations on campus and with external partners,” said Karen Molek, associate vice president of Computational Intelligence and Student Scholars Programs.
Upon completion of the new building, the UWF Center for Cybersecurity and AI will join CCI in the Synapse. The UWF Center for Cybersecurity and AI is a globally recognized leader in advancing secure, responsible digital and intelligent systems and preparing workforce-ready AI and cybersecurity leaders.
“The Synapse represents the future of innovation, where AI, cybersecurity and advanced computing come together to solve complex challenges,” said Dr. Eman El-Sheikh, associate vice president of the UWF Center for Cybersecurity and AI. “This state-of-the-art environment will accelerate research, strengthen collaboration and position UWF as a leader in securing and advancing intelligent systems.”
All-Clear Given After Beulah Middle School Bomb Threat Evacuation
April 27, 2026
The all-clear has been given and students are returning to class following a bomb threat on Monday afternoon at Beulah Middle School.
The school was evacuated about 12:40 p.m. after a bomb threat was received.
Multiple law enforcement agencies, including a bomb-sniffing K-9 from Santa Rosa County, searched the school for nearly two hours and no explosive device was found.
File photo.
Cantonment Man Charged With Aggravated Assault With Deadly Weapon, Child Abuse
April 27, 2026
A Cantonment man was arrested on multiple charges after allegedly threatening a woman and forcing her vehicle off the road with a child inside.
Colton David Gideons, 27, was booked into the Escambia County Jail on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, child abuse without great bodily harm, and misdemeanor assault. All charges are classified as domestic violence.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a disturbance on Canal A Way in Perdido Key. Gideons lunged at a woman with a closed fist at a residence in Cantonment, stopping just inches from her face while making verbal threat, an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report states, before following her to Perdido Key.
As the woman attempted to leave the residence in a truck, Gideons allegedly followed her aggressively in his own brown Dodge Ram truck. According to the arrest report, Gideons accelerated past her, swerved into her path, and slammed on his brakes. This maneuver caused the woman to lose control and spin her vehicle around in the roadway with a child in the vehicle.
The victim recorded the pursuit on her phone, which deputies said showed Gideons’ truck passing her very closely and causing her to spin out.
An online report was filed with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) because a child was present during the incident.
Gideons was released from the Escambia County Jail late last week on a $35,000 bond.