ECUA Reports 3,100 Gallon Sewage Spill Off Kingsfield In Gonzalez
April 21, 2025
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority reported a 3,100 gallon sewage leak on Hamilton Crossing Drive on Saturday.
At 10:36 Saturday morning, crews responded to a leaking sewer force main located near the sidewalk at 2026 Hamilton Crossing Drive, in the Hamilton Crossing subdivision off East Kingsfield Road. The flow entered a nearby storm drain, which travels to the north and behind the houses.
ECUA estimated the spill to be about 3,100 gallons, of which 400 gallons was recovered. ECUA initiated their clean procedures.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Traffic Advisories
April 21, 2025
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:
- Garden Street (Business U.S. 98) Construction from Pace Boulevard to the Interstate 110 Ramp – The week of Sunday, April 20, 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 south side of the street. This temporary traffic configuration will be in place through early 2026.
- Temporary side street closures south of Garden Street, from B Street to J Street, as crews perform utility and stormwater management. enhancements. Side streets intersecting Garden Street will not be closed for more than five consecutive days.
- On-street parking is closed on the south side of Garden Street, between B Street and J Street.
- Signage will be in place to direct drivers and pedestrians around the work zone.
- U.S. 98 (Gregory Street) Resurfacing from North Palafox Street to east of 14th Avenue – Drivers on Gregory Street, from North Palafox Street to 14th Avenue, will encounter alternating, intermittent lane closures Sunday, April 20 through Thursday, April 247, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., as crews place thermoplastic striping.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) 296) – The week of Sunday, April 20, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on North Palafox Street, from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., as crews place thermoplastic striping and perform traffic signalization work.
- Michigan Avenue (S.R. 296) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) – The week of Sunday, April 20, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Michigan Avenue, from Mobile Highway to North Palafox Street, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for milling and paving operations.
- Interstate Circle Bridge Over Eight Mile Creek Construction – Interstate Circle is closed at the Eight Mile Creek Bridge through mid-2025 while crews replace the bridge. Signs are in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Pine Forest Road, Longleaf Drive and Wymart Road.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction related traffic disruptions:
- Intermittent I-10 inside lane closures near the Nine Mile Road interchange, Monday, April 21 through Thursday, April 24, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
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- Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps, Monday, April 21 through Friday, April 25, 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.
- I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – The week of Sunday, April 20, drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- The U.S. 29 southbound turn lane access to the I-10 eastbound on-ramp will be temporarily shortened Monday, April 21 through Friday, April 25, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The reduced turn-lane length is required for daytime construction activities and will reopen nightly from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- A temporary shoulder closure adjacent to the outside U.S. 29 southbound on-ramp access to I-10 eastbound will occur on Thursday, April 24 between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. for guardrail repair work. Law enforcement will be on site.
- North Palafox Street, between Hope Drive and Whitehead Drive, will have intermittent daytime lane closures. Signage will be in place to direct drivers safely through the work zone.
- I-10 between U.S. 29 and I-110, is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction.
- 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.
- I-10 Routine Bridge Maintenance over S.R. 297 (Pine Forest Road) – Motorists may encounter intermittent east and westbound lane closures west of U.S. 29 Monday, April 21 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- U.S. 90 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Escambia River – Motorists may encounter intermittent east and westbound lane closures east of U.S. 29 Tuesday, April 22 and Wednesday, April 23 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
- S.R. 292 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Bayou Chico – Motorists may encounter intermittent east and westbound lane closures south of U.S. 98 Thursday, April 24 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 90 Resurfacing from West of Avalon Boulevard to East of Stewart Street – Drivers may encounter intermittent U.S. 90 lane closures, between Avalon Boulevard and Stewart Street, Sunday, April 20 through Thursday, April 24 from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for shoulder work and placement of thermoplastic striping.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – Drivers on U.S. 90 may encounter intermittent lane closures over the Simpson River Bridge, Sunday, April 20 through Thursday, April 24, between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. as crews perform bridge construction work. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
- 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, April 20, through Friday, April 25, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Florida Gas Prices Decline 11 Cents On Average
April 21, 2025
Florida gas prices declined 11 cents last week. The state average was $3.00 per gallon on Sunday. That’s the lowest daily average price since March 24.
Sunday’s state average is two cents less than a month ago, and 59 cents less than this time last year.
The average Sunday in Escambia County was $2.78, down a dime from a month ago. The lowest price Sunday night in Escambia County was $2.56 at stations on East Nine Mile Road. In North Escambia, a low price of $2.66 was available Sunday at multiple stations on Highway 29 in Cantonment.
“An 11-cent drop may not turn heads, but every little bit adds up for drivers navigating the road and their budgets,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Unfortunately, the downward trend may not continue much longer. Oil prices moved higher last week after the U.S. imposed sanctions on Iranian oil.”
Late Comeback Seals Road Series Win For Wahoos
April 21, 2025
written by Carter Bainbridge
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (11-4) clinched their third consecutive series win to open the 2025 season with a 5-3 victory over the Columbus Clingstones (6-8) on Sunday.
The Wahoos jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning. A one-out Joe Mack single and a groundout placed a runner in scoring position for first baseman Nathan Martorella, who drove home Mack with a two-out hit to put Pensacola ahead 1-0.
The Clingstones answered back in each of their next two innings. Facing Wahoo starter Luis Palacios (ND), Columbus tied the game in the second inning when third baseman Keshawn Ogans drew a two-out, bases-loaded walk. Palacios escaped the jam without further trouble, but yielded another run in the third inning when Columbus right fielder Ethan Workinger singled home shortstop Cal Conley. After three innings of play, the Clingstones led 2-1.
Pensacola failed to answer in the middle innings against Columbus starter Blake Burkhalter (ND), who did not allow a baserunner over his final three innings. The Clingstones’ bullpen continued to keep the Wahoos in check into the seventh inning, when catcher Sam Praytor’s two-out walk snapped a streak of 17 consecutive batters retired by the Columbus pitching staff.
Trailing 2-1 in the eighth inning, the Blue Wahoo bats finally came to life. Facing righthander Jorge Juan (L, 0-1), center fielder Mark Coley II and Joe Mack each drew walks to put two aboard with nobody out. Second baseman Jared Serna then hit a 3-0 pitch into right field, scoring Coley from second before Ethan Workinger’s error allowed Mack to score from first. After a pitching change, Pensacola tacked on another run when Serna’s steal attempt of second provoked an errant throw by Columbus catcher Adam Zebrowski. The second Clingstones’ error of the inning allowed Serna to score and give the Wahoos a 4-2 lead heading to the bottom of the eighth.
In the bottom of the eighth, Columbus pulled closer when first baseman Drew Compton doubled home Cal Conley against Pensacola righthander Orlando Ortiz-Mayr (W, 1-0). The Wahoos responded with an insurance run in the top of the ninth when Mark Coley’s RBI single scored left fielder Dalvy Rosario from second. Righthander Josh Ekness (SV, 2) entered for the bottom of the ninth and closed out a 5-3 Pensacola victory.
The series win marks the first-ever series victory for Pensacola over Columbus and the first road series win for the Blue Wahoos in 2025.
The Blue Wahoos return to Pensacola on Tuesday, April 22 to begin a six-game series with the Knoxville Smokies. First pitch from Blue Wahoos Stadium is schedule for 6:05 p.m.
Aggie Cheerleaders ‘Egg’ Yards Across North Escambia For Easter
April 20, 2025
Kids across North Escambia found eggs hidden in their yards Easter morning with the help of the Tate High School Aggie cheerleaders.
Tate Cheer held an “Egg My Yard” fundraiser. For donations starting at $20, the cheerleaders hid pre-filled eggs Saturday night in yards north of Nine Mile Road. Proceeds will benefit the Tate cheer program.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High’s Kristin Maum Places Second In Quarterfinals For ‘America’s Favorite Teacher’
April 20, 2025
A Tate High School teacher paced second in the quarterfinals of the “America’s Favorite Teacher” contest by the national magazine Reader’s Digest.
We first told you about Kristin Maum last week.
On other Escambia County teacher, Emerald Barton, advanced to the semi-finals. She is a kindergarten teacher at Navy Pointe Elementary.
About Kristin Maum
Maum admits she was a terrible student back when she was in school.
“I didn’t do my homework, I slept through class, but I was never disrespectful to my teachers—I just found school to be boring,” she said. “I decided to become a teacher so that no other students felt the way I did. I want students to love learning so much that they become lifelong learners. What inspires me most as an educator is the belief that every child can learn and deserves to feel known, valued, and inspired.”
“I love getting to work with kids on a daily basis—helping them fall in love with learning. In my class, we do whatever it takes to learn,” she said.
The Reader’s Digest contest will award the winner $25,000 and a trip to Hawaii. And if had won, Tate High would have received a school assembly from Bill Nye the Science Guy.
She had planned to use the $25,000 to pay off about $18,000 in medical debt that accumulated after she was diagnosed with cancer in early 2024 and began treatment. The remainder of the money she hoped would to go toward her son’s college tuition. He will be a freshman in the fall.
Driver Collides With A Bathtub And A Tree In Cottage Hill Wreck
April 20, 2025
A pickup truck driver collided with a tree and a bathtub in a single vehicle wreck late Saturday night in Cottage Hill.
The pickup truck driver left the roadway in the 700 block of William Ditch Road, hit an old claw foot bathtub that was being used as a decorative planter in a front yard, hit a tree and came to rest in a ditch several houses away.
Initial information from the scene indicated that the driver may have suffered a medical emergency prior to the 11:28 p.m. crash. He was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS for evaluation and treatment.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
Escambia County Fire Rescue also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Florida House Approves Salzman Plan For Term Limits On County Commissioners
April 20, 2025
The Florida House on Wednesday passed a joint resolution to amend the Florida Constitution to include term limits on county commissioners and school board members.
The House voted 82-33 to back the joint resolution filed by Escambia County Republican Rep. Michelle Salzman.
The joint resolution proposes an amendment to the Florida Constitution to provide term limits for county commissioners and school district board members after serving eight consecutive years. The limitation would apply applies to terms of office for county commissioners beginning after November 3, 2026, and terms of office for school district board members beginning on or after November 8, 2022.
“This is the House joint resolution to put term limits for county commissioners and school board members at eight years on the ballot,” Salzman said on the House floor. She said most American back term limits, while opponents say any term limits should be decided by local voters, not mandated by the state.
In 2023, the Florida Legislature approved Eight-year term limits for school board members were approved by the Florida Legislature in 2023, but the term limits are not in the Constitution.
If approved by the Legislature, the amendment would appear on the ballot for the 2026 general election
Diamond Kings 6U Take First Place In Molino Spring Classic Baseball Tournament
April 20, 2025
The Diamond Kings 6U went undefeated the entire tournament to win first place in the Molino Spring Classic Baseball Tournament.
Caleb Moore slammed eight home runs over the weekend, the most of any player in the tournament. Hayes Fetsko earned the MVP for the Diamond Kings for his outstanding defense.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mack Homers, Pitching Dominates In 2-1 Wahoos Win
April 20, 2025
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos got back in the win column on Saturday night, beating the Columbus Clingstones in a game that featured only five total hits between the two teams.
Joe Mack gave the Blue Wahoos (10-4) an early lead with a solo homer in the first inning, his third of the year to tie for the Southern League lead, and Jared Serna delivered an RBI single with two outs in the second inning.
Pensacola was held hitless for the rest of the night, but four Blue Wahoos pitchers combined for a two-hitter to keep the Clingstones (6-7) from erasing the early deficit.
Both starting pitchers were shaky early, as Clingstones righty Jhancarlos Lara (L, 0-2) allowed five of the first eight men he faced to reach base. Blue Wahoos lefty Dax Fulton issued three walks and a hit batsman in his first trip through the order, but settled down and didn’t allow a hit until the fifth inning in his best start since coming back from Tommy John surgery.
Fulton was lifted after 4.2 innings with two runners on base, and Josh White (W, 3-0) escaped the jam to preserve the 2-0 advantage. In the sixth, White stranded two more runners in scoring position with a pair of clutch strikeouts.
Columbus scratched a run across against Nigel Belgrave in the seventh with a Cal Conley RBI fielder’s choice, but Belgrave returned for a quiet eighth before Dale Stanavich (S, 2) picked up the ninth to earn the save.
Cody Milligan had both hits for the Clingstones, who have only five run-scoring hits through the first five games of the series.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series against the Clingstones on Sunday afternoon. First pitch from Synovus Park is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET/12:05 p.m. CT.