Who? Who? Ollie The Owl Stops By Byrneville Elementary
March 26, 2019
Students at Byrneville Elementary School were excited to see who was spotted at the school Monday with a few important lessons.
Who? Who? Who you say? It was none other than Ollie The Owl. He found a perch on a campus utility pole, and that’s “owl” the school needed to get students outside and giving a “hoot” about science and nature.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Data: Magnitude 2.7 Earthquake Was In Century; Fifth Area Quake Of The Month
March 25, 2019
The fifth earthquake in the area this month occurred Sunday morning in Century.
The USGS says the magnitude 2.7 quake occurred at 6:40 a.m. near Century. The first epicenter was first reported by the USGS to be in Alabama, but further analysis of the data Monday determined the center to be near the end of Old Ferry Road off Campbell Road.
Earlier this month earthquakes were reported as follows:
- March 13- Magnitude 2.2 earthquake occurred about 1.1 miles south of Pollard, or about 5 miles northeast of Century, at 1:50 a.m.
- March 12- Magnitude 2.3 earthquake was centered near Highway 31 and Hillview Drive in Flomaton about 8:26 p.m.
- March 11 -Magnitude 3.1 earthquake was reported just outside Flomaton near Old Fannie Road and Welka Road at 1:36 p.m.
- March 6 -Magnitude 2.7 earthquake was reported near the intersection of Nelsontown Road and Shell Road between Century and Jay.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the North Escambia area sits on the Bahamas Fracture Seismic Zone (the BSZ). Several earthquakes have occurred along this zone in recent years, but most are too weak to be felt by residents. A significant earthquake is not considered likely in the area.
Florida Special Olympics Torch Run Begins In Century
March 25, 2019
The 2018 Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Florida Special Olympics began in Century Monday morning and continued in Pensacola.
The torch run started at the Florida/Alabama state line Monday morning. Runners from Century Correctional Institution with an escort from Escambia County Sheriff’s Office carried the torch down Highway 29 to the Century Chamber of Commerce. An addition leg of the torch run Monday was set from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to Bartram Park.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Statewide, the participating chiefs, officers, sheriffs, deputies, agents and cadets from virtually every branch of federal, state, county and municipal law enforcement, represent a total of over 300 different agencies. Funds are generated through the sale of the popular Torch Run T-shirts and hats, and through various local fundraising events.
The Florida Special Olympics State Summer Games begin May 17 in Lake Buena Vista, FL.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Accused Of Firing Gun Into Vehicle, Missing Victim By Inches
March 25, 2019
A Cantonment man has been accused firing a gun into the vehicle, missing a retired postal worker by just inches.
Joseph Craig Kittrell, 25, was charged with attempted aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, discharging a firearm in public and criminal mischief.
The victim told deputies he was visiting Kittrell at a shop at the end of a driveway in the 1200 block of Muscogee Road. As the victim was leaving, he said Kittrell suddenly backed a pickup truck into his path, blocking him from leaving. Kittrell then exited the truck, screaming at the victim for driving too fast and making physical threats, according to arrest report.
The victim, a retired 67-year old postal worker, believed his life was being threatened, picked up his revolver and placed it on the dashboard of his vehicle, drove around the pickup and up the driveway toward Muscogee Road. Kittrell began to shooting at the vehicle, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said.
Four 45-caliber handgun rounds hit the vehicle, with one round entering the rear passenger window, traveling through the vehicle and exiting the center of the windshield, just missing the victim by inches, the arrest report states. Three rounds hit the right rear passenger side of the vehicle.
The victim told deputies he never aimed his firearm at Kittrell.
Multiple members of Kittrell’s family told deputies they witnessed the incident and believed the victim was going to shoot Kittrell before he fired into the truck.
Kittrell’s statements to law enforcement were redacted from the arrest report. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $41,000 bond.
Atmore Police Consider Body Cameras
March 25, 2019
The Atmore Police Department is considering body cameras for officers.
Police Chief Chuck Brooks says the cameras will make investigations easier and provide conclusive evidence.
One plan under consideration would provide free body cameras for officers but storage space for the video would cost a total of $100,000 over a five-year contract.
Before body cameras are used in Atmore, the city council must approve the expenditure and there will be policies in place.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Northview Names 2019-2020 Cheerleaders
March 25, 2019
Northview High School has named their 2019-2020 cheerleaders.
They are:
VARSITY -
Briana White, Cloe Smith, Bailey VanPelt, Madicyn Bell, Jayla Barron, Nadia Carach, Abigail Nelson, Sophie Cotita, Hannah Hughes, Emily Stabler, Anna Adams, Taylor McMinn, Madison Peterson, Franki Daw, Sarah Hetrick
JV
Ragan Lassiter, Anna Lee, Jessica Stabler, Kaia Montgomery, Nakya Brown, Megan McGhee, Paige Lassiter, Leah Anderson, Leila Sanders, Caitlyn Gibson, Anna Spence, Presley Dortch, Emma Gilmore
Mascot – Shelby Cotita
Now Steady Gas Prices Expected To Rise
March 25, 2019
Florida gas prices have held steady for the past week, but prices at the pump may increase this week. Crude oil and wholesale gasoline prices rose last week, following another round of declining fuel supplies.
“Florida drivers may see gas prices rise another 10 cents this week,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Both planned and unplanned refinery maintenance, rising demand, and the switch to summer gasoline continue to contribute to the seasonal springtime jump at the pump. Based on current conditions, gas prices will likely peak sometime between Cinco de Mayo and Memorial Day weekend.”
Florida motorists are currently paying an average price of $2.62 per gallon for regular unleaded. The state average is nearly 30 cents more than a month ago, and 7 cents more than this time last year.
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $2.77, up from $2.31 a month ago.
Chance Of Showers To Start The Week
March 25, 2019
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north after midnight.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 70. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 42. East wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 72. East wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 76.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 65.
Lake Stone Campground RV Spaces Upgraded With Concrete Pads
March 25, 2019
Escambia County Parks and Recreation is upgrading many of the RV spaces with concrete pads at the Lake Stone Campground in Century. Many of the spaces were also upgraded to accommodate larger RV’s.
There are 77 total campsites for RV’s and tents at Lake Stone.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
This Week’s Traffic Delays
March 25, 2019
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities. There will be no highway construction on major roadways along spring break routes across Northwest Florida. There will be no work on state roads requiring lane closures from Friday, March 8 until Sunday, March 24.
Escambia county:
- State Road (S.R.) 727 (Fairfield Drive) from South of Usher Circle to North of Hestia Place- Drivers can expect intermittent lane closures on Fairfield Drive from South of Usher Circle to north of Hestia Place from 8:30 p.m. Sunday, March 24 to 6:30 a.m. Monday, March 25 as crews construct a temporary lane shift to begin construction of a box culvert on the west side of Fairfield Drive.
- · 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, March 24 until Saturday, March 30.
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- Temporary Closure of W. Hood Drive at U.S. 29: W. Hood Drive at U.S. 29 will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday, Mar. 22 through 6 a.m. Monday, Mar. 25 as workers widen the intersection. Motorists may use W. Hannah Street or Nine Mile Road to Palafox Street as an alternate route. Detour signs and Variable Message Boards are in place to alert drivers about the upcoming work and detour.
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- 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 construction of the new northbound bridge deck. 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- Bridge construction will require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, March 24 until Sunday, March 31:
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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).
- U.S. 90A (Nine Mile Road) Widening from Beulah to Pine Forest Road- The westernmost Nine Mile Road eastbound ramp to Interstate 10 (I-10) eastbound will be temporarily closed beginning the week of Monday, March 25. During the closure, Nine Mile Road eastbound drivers will access I-10 eastbound via the second, or easternmost on-ramp at this location. The temporary closure is expected to be in place for several weeks as the westernmost on-ramp is reconstructed.
- S.R. 292 (Gulf Beach Highway) Intersection Improvements at Fairfield Drive-Westbound Gulf Beach Highway and southbound Fairfield Drive traffic will encounter intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. Monday, March 25 to 6 a.m. Tuesday, March 26 as crews remove a concrete traffic separator. Gulf Beach Highway traffic near Fairfield Drive will encounter a lane shift beginning Tuesday, March 26 as crews begin widening efforts at the intersection.
- U.S. 90 (North Davis Highway) and S.R. 10A (Scenic Highway) Utility Work- Drivers will encounter intermittent lane restrictions from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Monday, March 25 through Saturday, April 6 on North Davis Highway and Scenic Highway in Pensacola at the following locations as crew’s trim trees around utility lines:
- North Davis Highway: Northbound from south of Scenic Highway to Airport Boulevard
- Scenic Highway: Westbound from I-10 to North Davis Highway
- Crary Road Bridge Replacement over Pritchett Mill Creek- Crary Road is closed between Tedder Road and Byrneville Road as crews construct a bridge culvert. Motorists will be detoured via County Road (C.R.) 4 and Byrneville Road. The project is anticipated to be complete spring 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 have begun. 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:
- I-10 Pavement Markings Replacement from Blackwater Bay to East of S.R. 87 (Exit 31)-Traffic may encounter alternating and intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, until Thursday, March 28 as crews remove and replace pavement markings. Law enforcement will be on site to assist with traffic control.
- S.R. 87 Pavement Markings Replacement- Traffic will encounter minor delays at the following locations Monday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. until Thursday, April 25 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
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Bridge construction will require the following lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, March 24 until Sunday, March 31:
- 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 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 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the week of Sunday, March 24:
- The new eastbound travel lane on I-10, between the Escambia Bay Bridge and Avalon Boulevard, will open the week of Sunday, March 24.
- Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard, near the I-10 interchange, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Thursday evenings as crews perform construction activities.
- Alternating lane closures on I-10, from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of S.R. 281, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, March 24 through Friday, March 29 as crews work to widen the roadway.
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.