ECFR Responds To Reported House Fire Off 10 Mile Road
June 18, 2019
Escambia Fire Rescue responded to a reported structure fire just after 7:30 p.m. Monday on Mercer Lane, just south of 10 Mile Road.
No injuries were reported, and damage to the home did not appear to be severe from the roadway.
No further details were available.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tri-County Softball All-Stars Claim District Championship, Headed To State
June 18, 2019
The Tri-County Little League Minor Softball All-Star team claimed the District 1 Championship this past week. This win also clinched the Sectional Championship, advancing them straight to the state tournament beginning July 5 near Ft. Myers.
The team is looking for sponsors to help defray costs. Tax deductible donations can be made to Jay Recreation Association, PO Box 241 Jay, FL 32565. In the check memo field, notate Softball All-Stars. For more information, contact Jay Rec/Tri-County President, Tony deGraaf at (850) 698-0735.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay High Names Mike Roberts As New Head Baseball Coach
June 18, 2019
Jay High School has named Mike Roberts as the new head baseball coach for the Royals.
Roberts brings several years of head coaching experience to Jay, including six playoff appearances at Central High School and a trip to the FHSAA Final Four in 2016.
Photo courtesy Jay High School for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
DeSantis Redistributes Election Security Funding
June 18, 2019
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced that the Florida Department of State (DOS) and Florida’s 67 county supervisors of elections will engage in a cooperative cybersecurity initiative ahead of the 2020 election.
DeSantis is also supporting the redistribution of $2.3 million in unexpended funds to supervisors of eections to support their continued efforts to enhance election security. This is in addition to the $2.8 million appropriated by the Florida Legislature for the upcoming fiscal year.
The announcement follow DeSantis’ May 22nd directive to initiate a review of elections systems security and cybersecurity throughout the state in order to ensure Florida’s elections infrastructure at the state and local level is protected.
“I am pleased to announce that the Secretary of State and all 67 supervisors of elections will engage in a cooperative, joint cybersecurity initiative ahead of the 2020 elections that will identify and address any vulnerabilities in our elections infrastructure,” said DeSantis. “Additionally, the Department of State will redistribute $2.3 million in funding to supervisors of elections so they can continue to make any necessary election security upgrades, in addition to the $2.8 million already appropriated for the fiscal year. In total, the state is giving $5.1 million for elections cybersecurity as we head into 2020.”
DOS and the supervisors of eElections will conduct a thorough elections-specific assessment and evaluate weaknesses in Florida’s elections systems as well as identify the potential for human vulnerabilities. Any weaknesses or vulnerabilities that are identified at the state or county level will be addressed or mitigated prior to the 2020 Presidential Preference Primary in March 2020.
DOS will establish regular monitoring of supervisors of elections’ networks in order to look for potential vulnerabilities on an on-going basis. DOS Cyber Navigators will provide cybersecurity trainings for DOS, supervisors of elections and staff as well as work with the DOS Information Technology team to provide IT support to small counties with limited resources.
Fire Damages Molino Mobile Home
June 17, 2019
Fire heavily damaged a Molino mobile home late Monday afternoon.
Heavy smoke was showing when firefighters arrived on scene. The fire on Dave Floyd Road off of Highway 95A was reported just before 6 p.m.
There were no injuries reported. The fire marshal is investigating the cause of the blaze.
The Molino, McDavid, Walnut Hill, and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded.
Northescambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour. Click to enlarge.
Fire Destroys Truck On Highway 95A
June 17, 2019
Firefighters responded to a vehicle fire in the 3000 block of Highway 95A adjacent to Highway 29 shortly after 2 p.m. Monday. A truck was destroyed by fire.
There were no injuries reported and no immediate word on the cause.. The Ensley Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded.
Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Inmate Fatally Stabbed At Fountain Prison In Atmore
June 17, 2019
An inmate was fatally stabbed at Fountain Correctional Facility in Atmore on Saturday.
At approximately 5:15 p.m., correctional officers found Jeremy Reshad Bailey, 29, inside a facility housing area suffering from a stab wound. Bailey was taken to an area hospital but later succumbed to his injury.
Officials identified 31-year-old Jarvis Terrell Taylor as a suspect in the stabbing. Taylor, who is serving a 30-year sentence on a 2007 first-degree robbery conviction in Montgomery County, faces a murder charge.
Bailey was serving a 7-year-sentence on a 2017 distribution of a controlled substance conviction in Jefferson County.
The incident remains under investigation.
Seat Belt Violation Traffic Stop Leads To Drug Arrest
June 17, 2019
A traffic stop for a seat belt violation ended with a Cantonment man behind bars on drug charges.
Benjamin Wayne Ritz, 24, was charged with possession of a crack cocaine, possession of a synthetic cannabinoid (spice), possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while license revoked.
A deputy observed Ritz driving without wearing his seat belt on Virecent Road near Cottage Hill Road, and he conducted a traffic stop.
The deputy discovered Ritz’s drivers license was revoked in 2014. During a search of the vehicle, deputies discovered crack cocaine in small container in the vehicle’s center console, spice, a homemade smoking glass pipe and a Smith & Wesson .38 special revolver, according to an arrest report. A computer check showed the firearm was not stolen.
Ritz was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $6,000 bond. He also received a citation for not wearing a seat belt.
Got Moo? Check On The Moogician This Week At The Library
June 17, 2019
The Moogician will do everything dairy with magic and songs this week during the Summer Reading program at the library.
The schedule is as follows:
Tuesday, June 18, 11 a.m. – Southwest Branch (held at Big Lagoon State Park)
Tuesday, June 18, 3 p.m. Tryon Branch Library
Wednesday, June 19, 11 a.m. – Century Branch Library
Wednesday, June 19, 3 p.m. – Pensacola Library
Thursday, June 20, 11 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
Friday, June 21, 11 a.m. – Tryon Branch Library
Weekly Traffic Alerts – Where To Expect Delays
June 17, 2019
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions this week on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities
Escambia County:
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to U.S. 90A (Nine Mile Road) – The following traffic impacts will occur from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 16 through Saturday, June 22.
- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass: Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue removing the old southbound bridge. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Friday.
- U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drainage and paving operations continue. Drivers can expect alternating lane closures Monday through Saturday.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement Bridge- Drivers may encounter traffic and noise disruptions near the Gulf Breeze bridge approach from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, June 18 and Wednesday, June 19 as crews place asphalt for the new eastbound U.S. 98 travel lanes from the bridge to Hampton Inn. Flaggers will be on site to direct vehicles in and out of the three impacted driveways. Bridge construction will require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, June 16 through Sunday, June 23:
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- U.S. 98 east and westbound from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to just east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- State Road (S.R.) 727 (Fairfield Drive) from South of Usher Circle to North of Hestia Place- Traffic on Fairfield Drive from south of Usher Circle to north of Hestia Place will be shifted from its current alignment to the west Tuesday, June 18 as crews complete the installation of the box culvert under the roadway. Motorists can expect intermittent lane restrictions to occur from 8:30 p.m. Monday, June 17 to 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 18 as crews prepare to transition traffic. The north entrance to Usher Circle will also be temporarily closed to traffic during the drainage operation. Residents will utilize the south entrance of Usher Circle. The temporary lane shift and road closure is anticipated to take place for approximately three weeks.
- County Road (C.R.) 168 Bridge Replacement over Unnamed Branch- Activities associated with the bridge replacement project on C.R. 168 over Unnamed Branch, Northwest of Century, continue. The project is anticipated to be complete late 2019.
- Crary Road Bridge Replacement over Pritchett Mill Creek- Crary Road is closed between Tedder Road and Byrneville Road as crews continue to construct a bridge culvert. Motorists will be detoured via C.R. 4 and Byrneville Road. The project is anticipated to be complete summer 2019.
- Bratt Road Bridge Replacement over Canoe Creek - Bratt Road will continue to be closed near Canoe Creek. Drivers on Bratt Road, west of the bridge, will be detoured to Pine Barren Road and C.R. 4. Drivers east of the bridge will be detoured east on Bratt Road. The project is anticipated to be complete summer 2019.
- Hanks Road Bridge Replacement over Breastworks Creek - Construction activities continue. The roadway will be temporarily closed during construction. Drivers on Hanks Road, west of the bridge, will be detoured to C.R. 99 and C.R. 4. Drivers east of the bridge will utilize Pine Barren Road.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement Bridge- Drivers may encounter traffic and noise disruptions near the Gulf Breeze bridge approach from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, June 18 and Wednesday, June 19 as crews place asphalt for the new eastbound U.S. 98 travel lanes from the bridge to Hampton Inn. Flaggers will be on site to direct vehicles in and out of the three impacted driveways. Bridge construction will require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, June 16 through Sunday, June 23:
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- U.S. 98 east and westbound from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to just east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the CSX Railroad overpass (Graffiti Bridge).
- I-10 Widening from the Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) –The following construction related traffic impacts are planned for I-10 and Avalon Boulevard between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. the week of Sunday, June 16:
- Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard, near the I-10 interchange, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday as crews perform construction activities.
- Alternating lane closures on I-10, from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of Avalon Boulevard (Exit 22), from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday as crews work to place final striping, rumble strips, and to finish work list items.
- U.S. 98 (Gulf Breeze Parkway) Utility Work- Motorists will encounter westbound lane restrictions just west of Gulf Islands National Seashore from 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 18 to 5 a.m. Wednesday, June 19 as crews replace a broken power pole.
- I-10 over Blackwater Bay Routine Bridge Maintenance- Drivers will encounter alternating east and westbound lane restrictions on I-10 over Blackwater Bay from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Wednesday, June 19 and Thursday, June 20 as crews perform routine maintenance.
- U. S. 98 Utility Operations between Pala Alto Avenue in Santa Rosa County and Woodland Avenue in Okaloosa County – Drivers will encounter intermittent and alternating lane restrictions on U.S. 98 between Pala Alto Avenue in Santa Rosa County and Woodland Avenue in Okaloosa County from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Thursday, June 20 as Pike Electric completes routine maintenance on power lines. In addition, there will be intermittent daytime shoulder closures.
- S.R. 87 Pavement Markings Replacement- Traffic will encounter alternating and intermittent minor delays at the following locations from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Friday, to Thursday, July 30 as crews remove and replace pavement markings in the roadway. Law enforcement will be on site to direct traffic:
- U.S. 90 to Nicholas Lake Road
- U.S. 98 to Vonnie Tolbert Road
- S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to Hickory Hammock Road– All north and southbound travel lanes, between Hickory Hammock Road and two miles south of the Yellow River are now open and the speed limit is now 65 mph. Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures as crews complete construction activities and the speed limit is reduced to 45 mph through the active work zones.
- U.S. 98 Safety Improvements at Constitution Drive and Navarre School Road- Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures as crews complete striping operations. Work will take place at night during off peak hours.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.