Century To Reschedule Workshop, Will Discuss Regulating Food Trucks

March 11, 2019

The Town of Century has canceled a public workshop that was set for March 18 to discuss food trucks. The meeting will be rescheduled.

Workshop topics will include permit requirements, restrictions and the use of water and sewer. Town Planner Debbie Nickles said the Century Land Development Code (LDC) needs to be amended to allow food truck operation, and fees should be discussed.

When a “permanent food truck” was installed late last year behind Odom’s Bar in Century, town official discovered that food trucks were not directly addressed in the LDC. Odom’s agreed to comply with town direction and obtain separate water and sewer taps for the food business.

While there are no traditional mobile food trucks currently operating in Century, Nickles and town council members noted that food trucks often set up at special events in town, such as the Fourth of July fireworks show.

Pictured: A “permanent food truck” behind Odom’s Bar in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

FDOT Weekly Traffic Alerts – This Week’s State Road Project Slowdowns

March 11, 2019

Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads 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- The northbound lane on Fairfield Drive from South of Usher Circle to North of Hestia Place will be closed from 8:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. until Sunday, March 10 as crews remove the existing asphalt to prepare for roadway widening.
  • 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 10 until Saturday, March 16.
    • 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 10 until Sunday, March 17:
    • 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. 90 (Mobile Highway) and County Road (C.R.) 99 (Beulah Road) Intersection – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane restrictions near the intersection the week of Sunday, March 10 as paving operations continue. There will be no lane closures allowed from 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
  • U.S. 98 (Garden Street) Temporary Closure between Palafox Street and N. Baylen Street- Garden Street will be closed to all traffic from 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, March 11 as crews stage equipment onsite for the federal courthouse renovations. A detour route will be in place.
  • S.R. 291 (Davis Highway) Underground Utility Work- The northbound right lane on Davis Highway will be closed at various locations between Fairfield Drive and Selina Street from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. from Monday, March 11 until Thursday, March 14 as crews perform underground utility work.
  • S.R. 289 (Ninth Avenue) between Fairfield Drive and Bayou Boulevard- Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures on Ninth Avenue in Pensacola at the following locations and times as crews perform utility operations.
    • Northbound lane on Ninth Avenue at Springhill Drive from 8 p.m. Monday, March 11 until 5 a.m. Tuesday, March 12.
    • Southbound outside lane at Royce Street from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. from Tuesday, March 12 until Thursday, March 14.
  • U.S. 98 (Lillian Highway) Resurfacing from the Perdido Bay Bridge to Dog Track Road– Drivers may encounter lane restrictions from the Perdido Bay Bridge to Dog Track Road as crews complete paving operations. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Monday, March 11 until Sunday, March 17.
  • U.S. 98 East Chase Street Resurfacing from North Palafox Street to Bayfront Parkway- Intermittent lane restrictions may take place from 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 12 to 6 a.m. Wednesday, March 13 as crews pave and adjust manholes.
  • 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 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:

  • U.S. 90 Driveway Construction- The eastbound lane and sidewalk of U.S. 90 in Pace will be closed just east of Chumuckla Highway from 8 p.m. Monday, March 11 until 5 a.m. Tuesday, March 12 as crews construct a driveway.
  • I-10 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 10 until Sunday, March 17:
    • 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 10:
    • I-10 westbound, between the Escambia Bay Bridge and Avalon Boulevard (State Road 281/Exit 22), will open to three travel lanes the week of Sunday, March 10. Crews anticipate opening the new eastbound travel lane later this month.
    • Drivers will encounter new traffic pattern(s) on I-10 east and westbound as crews reconstruct the inside and outside shoulders. This work will continue through spring 2019.
    • I-10 alternating lane closures from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of S.R. 281, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, March 10 through Friday, March 15 as crews work to widen the roadway.
    • 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.

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.

Portion Of East Hecker Road To Be Closed Tuesday In Century

March 11, 2019

East Hecker Road just east of Mayo Street in Century will be closed Tuesday due to road work, according to the Town of Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo.

Century Correctional Officer Assaulted By Inmate

March 11, 2019

A correctional officer was recently assaulted at Century Correctional Institution, according to information released by the Florida Department of Corrections.

Last week, inmate Alexis Vargas assaulted an officer. According to the FDC. Vargas punched the officer in the face

Staff responded, and the inmate was subdued..

Medical staff examined the officer and noted injuries. Vargas, 35, will receive a disciplinary report for the assault.

Vargas remains at Century CI serving a 15 year sentence for numerous burglary and grand theft convictions from Miami-Dade.

Photos: Canada Geese At Lake Stone

March 11, 2019

A group of Canada geese are often spotted this time of year at Lake Stone on West Highway 4 in Century. The park contains the only freshwater lake maintained by Escambia County. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Beulah Academy of Science Bobcats Win District Volleyball Championship

March 11, 2019

The Beulah Academy of Science Bobcats volleyball team won the district championship and finished their season with a perfect 15-0 record.

Team captains are Cadence Peacock and Cassandra Jackson. Other team members are eighth graders Abigail McGlamery, Alyse Hayes, Alahna Erd, Avery Wilson, Jennifer Maher and Shiya Bhagat; and seventh graders Autumn Jenks and Hayley Holland.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Gas Prices Hold Steady, But Set To Rise

March 11, 2019

Gas prices have held relatively steady during the past week, but drivers may soon see another round of rising prices at the gas pump.

Gasoline supplies are beginning to tighten as refineries conduct seasonal maintenance and switch to summer-blend gasoline,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Wholesale gasoline prices rose 10 cents late last week. The state average will likely rise 5-10 cents this week, as a result.”

Drivers in Florida are paying an average price of $2.47 per gallon for regular unleaded. Sunday’s state average is 1-cent less than a week ago, yet 22 cents more than last month. Gas prices in Florida remain 3 cents less than the state average this time last year ($2.50).

Escambia County has the lowest metro market gas prices in Florida with a $2.41 a gallon average, while drivers in West Palm Beach are paying an average of $2.58.

NorthEscambia.com file photo.

Firefighters Battle Vehicle Fire In Cantonment

March 10, 2019

Cantonment firefighters responded to a vehicle fire Sunday morning at the Shell gas station in the 700 block of North Highway 29. They quickly extinguished the fire, which originated in the engine compartment.

There were no injuries reported.

Pictured top: A vehicle fire Sunday morning at a Highway 29 gas station in Cantonment (photo by Cynthia Bowers). Pictured below: Firefighters were able to put out of the fire quickly. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.

Tate High Graduate Martin Completes Basic Training

March 10, 2019

U.S. Air Force Airman Joshua L. Marlin graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Marlin is the son of Kenneth Marlin of Pensacola.

He is a 2013 graduate of Tate High School.

Contract Worker Killed In Bulldozer Accident During ECUA Controlled Burn

March 10, 2019

A worker was killed when he was struck by a bulldozer Saturday during a controlled burn in Cantonment.

The accident was reported about 5:20 p.m. deep in a wooded area south of Becks Lake Road. The adult male was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Investigators believe the man was the operator of the bulldozer, but the exact cause of the accident was still under investigation Saturday night, according to Maj. Andrew Hobbs of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.

According to an Emerald Coast Utilities Authority spokesperson, the man was a contractor working on a prescribed burn on ECUA property. Approximately 900 acres were set to be burned during a three day period ending Saturday.

The victim’s identity has not been released pending notification of next of kin.

Pictured: LifeFlight on standby at a bulldozer accident Saturday in Cantonment. The accident occurred deep in the woods, south of the pictured location. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

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