FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts – Where To Expect Delays
September 17, 2018
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads 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. 90 (Nine Mile Road) – The following traffic impacts will take place from Friday, Sept. 14 through Saturday, Sept. 22. Work requiring lane restrictions will take place from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Broad Street will be closed on the east side of the U.S. 29 intersection in Escambia County from 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14 through 6 a.m. Monday, Sept. 17 as workers widen the intersection. Motorists may use Pittman Avenue and Detroit Boulevard as an alternate route. Detour signs and Variable Message Boards are in place to alert drivers about the temporary road closure and detour route.
- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass: North and southbound traffic is reduced to one lane in each direction. Alternating traffic shifts will direct all traffic onto the westbound or eastbound lanes as crews continue construction of the new center bridge deck. Nine Mile Road lane restrictions are Sunday through Thursday.
- 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 Routine Bridge Maintenance- Crews will repair overhead lighting on the bridge Sunday, Sept. 16 through Thursday, Sept. 20. East and westbound lane closures will take place from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Construction activities continue. Drivers will encounteralternating lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 16 through Sunday, Sept. 23.
- State Road (S.R.) 750 (Airport Boulevard) from S.R. 291 (Davis Highway) to S.R. 289 (9th Avenue) – Paving operations continue between Davis Highway and 9th Avenue. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 16 through Thursday, Sept. 20.
- U.S. 98 (Lillian Highway) Resurfacing from the Perdido Bay Bridge to Dog Track Road– Paving operations continue from the Perdido Bay Bridge to Dog Track Road. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 16 through Sunday, Sept. 20.
- S.R.10/U.S. 90A (Nine Mile Road) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road – The Nine Mile Road westbound short on-ramp to I-10 eastbound will be shifted to the shoulder from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 17 and Tuesday, Sept. 18. as crews install underdrain beneath the ramp. Traffic flaggers will be on site.
- S.R. 10A (Cervantes Street) Driveway Work east of 12th Avenue- The eastbound outside, right lane east of 12th Avenue will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 17 and Tuesday, Sept. 18 as crews remove the existing driveway connection and restore the right of way with curb and gutter and sidewalk.
- S.R. 727 (Fairfield Drive) Safety and Drainage Improvements between Usher Circle and Hestia Place- Construction activities on Fairfield Drive from south of Usher Circle to north of Hestia Place in the Myrtle Grove area are anticipated to begin the week of Monday, Sept. 17. Lane closures will be in effect from 8:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. The project will be complete spring 2019.
- S.R. 291 (Davis Highway) Routine Maintenance south of Northcross Lane- Southbound drivers will encounter intermittent lane restriction from 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20 to 5 a.m. Friday, Sept. 21 as crews install lighting to an overhead sign.
Santa Rosa County:
- I-10 Widening from the Escambia Bay Bridge to S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22) – Drivers traveling I-10 and Avalon Boulevard will encounter the following traffic impacts from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 16 through Thursday, Sept. 20:
- Northbound traffic on Avalon Boulevard will be shifted to the east near I-10 Sunday, Sept. 16 as crews begin constructing new median traffic separators. The shift is expected to be in place into the month of October.
- Alternating lane closures on I-10 from the Escambia Bay Bridge to east of Avalon Boulevard as crews widen the roadway.
- Drivers will encounter new traffic patterns on I-10 east and westbound as crews reconstruct the inside and outside shoulders. This work will continue throughout the fall.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Construction activities continue. Drivers will encounteralternating lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 16 through Sunday, Sept. 23.
- S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to C.R 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) – Traffic between Hickory Hammock Road and the Eglin AFB boundary will continue to be restricted to loads less than 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place until the project is completed.
Escambia BOCC Weekly Meeting Schedule
September 17, 2018
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings for the week of September 17-21:
Monday, Sept. 17
Benefits Committee Meeting – 10:30 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, HR Training Room
Second Budget Public Hearing - 5:31 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
Tuesday, Sept. 18
Board of Electrical Examiners – 9 a.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Benefits Committee Meeting – 10:30 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, HR Training Room
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place, Room 104
Wednesday, Sept. 19
Escambia Soil & Water Conservation – 8 a.m., 151 Highway 97, Molino
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Small Business and Veterans Expo – 6-8:30 p.m., Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. De Soto St.
Thursday, Sept. 20
Community Redevelopment Agency – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
Board of County Commissioners Agenda Review – 9:15 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
BCC Public Forum – 4:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
BCC Regular Meeting – 4:30 p.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, Board Chambers
FWC Law Enforcement Report
September 17, 2018
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending August 23 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Allgood made several saltwater fisheries cases. He issued notice to appear citations for undersized triggerfish and spotted sea trout. He also cited a different subject for possession of red snapper during a closed season.
Officers Allgood and Long were on a vessel stop when they noticed a vessel dock at a residence. Officer Allgood knew who lived at the residence and did not recognize the vessel or individuals as the owner of the property. As they approached the vessel, two of the occupants got out of the vessel and quickly walked away. After confirming with the residents that the individuals were trespassing, Officer Allgood exited the vessel and confronted the individuals. One of the individuals was compliant but the other refused to identify himself and walked away. Officer Allgood gave loud verbal commands to stop and the subject refused. The officer then attempted to place the subject in handcuffs. The subject resisted and both Officer Allgood and the subject ended up on the ground. Officer Allgood gained control of the subject after a short struggle. Officer Allgood arrested the subject and charged him with resisting an officer with violence, possession of a concealed weapon, armed trespass, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Officer Long arrested the second subject on an active warrant out of Arkansas.
As Officer Allgood was driving to a commercial fisheries offload inspection, he noticed a vehicle swerving out of its lane and off the road. He stopped the vehicle and spoke to the driver. The driver showed several signs of impairment and was asked to perform several field sobriety exercises. He did poorly on the exercises and was arrested for DUI. A breath sample was given, and the results were .175 blood alcohol content. The driver was booked into the Escambia County Jail.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Wilkenson was on vessel patrol in Santa Rosa Sound near the Navarre Beach Boat Ramp. The officer saw a PWC being operated in Santa Rosa Sound by an individual that appeared to under the age of 14 years old with a passenger onboard. A vessel stop was conducted to determine the age of the operator. Officer Wilkenson saw the PWC kill-switch attached to the operator and he was the only person whose hands were on the handle/steering column. The officer determined the operator was 12 years old. The minimum age to operate a PWC is 14 years old. Further, the operator did not have a boater safety card. The PWC was a private vessel and owned by the parents of the operator. It was determined the mother allowed her underage son to operate the PWC. The parent was issued a notice to appear citation.
Officer Hutchinson was patrolling in the Escambia River Wildlife Management Area when he saw a vessel from his position at Keyser Landing. As he watched, the two men worked bush hooks and a trotline, and while doing so, they baited the lines with live bream. When they returned to the ramp, Officer Hutchison contacted them and they admitted to using bream for bait on the lines. Both men were cited for using bream for bait
This report represents some events the FWC handled; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Annie Jones UMC Donates School Supplies To Ernest Ward Middle
September 17, 2018
Annie Jones United Methodist Church in Walnut Hill recently presented a wagon full of school supplies to Ernest Ward Middle School. Pictured: Ernest Ward Dean Byran Hicks, Principal Nancy Perry and Annie Jones UMC Pastor Lee Bateman. Photos of NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Sentenced To Three Years For Drug Trafficking
September 16, 2018
A Cantonment man was recently sentenced to three years in prison on drug trafficking charges. He was also fined $50,000.
Jeffrey Scott Walker, 36, was charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and loitering and prowling
Escambia County deputies reported finding Walker in a Nissan Altima parked next to a privacy fence on private property off Wasatch Range Loop, east of the Mobile Highway intersection.
After deputies observed the ripped-off corner of a plastic baggie next to the driver’s door of Walker’s car, a K-9 was called and alerted on the vehicle.
Deputies found multiple baggies of crystal methamphetamine with a combined weight of 18.4 grams, multiple baggies of powder cocaine with a total weight of 2.2 grams, 30 amphetamine tables, a digital scale and two burnt glass pipes with residue. Walker was also in possession of a “daily log” notebook which is often used to record drug transactions, according to an arrest report.
Deputies reported finding multiple baggies of crystal methamphetamine with a combined weight of 18.4 grams, multiple baggies of powder cocaine with a total weight of 2.2 grams, 30 amphetamine tables, a digital scale and two burnt glass pipes with residue. Walker was also in possession of a “daily log” notebook which is often used to record drug transactions, according to an arrest report.
Olive Baptist To Celebrate Opening Of Ministry Village Early Learning Center
September 16, 2018
Olive Baptist Church will hold a dedication service next weekend for their new $1.6 million Ministry Village Early Learning Center, followed by an open house.
The Ministry Village ELC will provide Christ-centered, high-quality care year-round to infants and children ages 3 months to 5 years, and will participate in the Florida Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program.
“Ministry Village at Olive is devoted to meeting the needs of our community members and helping them pursue and achieve their most excellent futures,” said Stan Lollar, executive director of Ministry Village at Olive. “Our work with people who are struggling with addiction or financial difficulties continues to be fundamental to our organization.
“But with the emerging research on early learning in Escambia County, and the struggles that our youngest community members are having in preschool, grade school and beyond, we felt a call to be involved in meeting the educational needs of young children and families. Through the Ministry Village ELC, we have the opportunity to reach local families and help lay a solid early learning foundation that will better serve our children and our entire community far into the future of Northwest Florida.”
The dedication service will begin at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, September 23.
EREC Crews Return From Trip To Help With Florence Power Restoration
September 16, 2018
Update: The EREC crews are back home.Brunswick EMC was unable to accommodate any more workers due to flooding issues, and the Florida crews coming in to help were released. EREC crews are on standby to assist if they are needed
Previous story:
Escambia River Electric Cooperative lineworkers helping restore power in North Carolina following Hurricane Florence.
EREC is helping Brunswick Electric Membership Cooperative in Whiteville, NC, the second largest electric cooperative in North Carolina with nearly 97,000 members. About 84,000 of those members lost power.
“EREC was fortunate to receive help from other cooperatives during our time of need,” says Clay Campbell, CEO of Escambia River EC. “Co-ops are family. When someone needs help, we go.”
EREC sent line crew workers; bucket, digger, mechanic and fuel trucks; and additional equipment and supplies to assist Brunswick EMC in restoration efforts.
Pictured top: EREC line crew heads to Brunswick Electric Membership Cooperative to assist with Hurricane Florence power restoration. Pictured back row are Mark LeFlore, David Deese and Ken Blair. Kneeling in front are Matthew Reynolds, Doug Stewart and Kevin Macht. Pictured below: EC trucks head north to assist with power restoration efforts in Whiteville, NC. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Driver Shears Off Power Pole
September 16, 2018
A driver sheared off a power pole on Pine Forest just south of Highway 297A, near Publix, Saturday afternoon. There was no immediate word on injuries. The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Smith Graduates From Coast Guard Training
September 16, 2018
FA Landon Reese Smith recently graduated from boot camp for the United States Coast Guard at Training Center Cape May, NJ. He is a 2018 graduate of Jay High School.
Smith is currently stationed in Portsmouth, VA. and assigned to the USCG cutter Tampa. He will be working in electrical engineering.
Smith is the son of Rex Jr. and Theresa Smith of Jay, and the grandson of Wayne and Brenda Cook of Berrydale, Ruby and Archie Phillips of Crossville,TN, and Rex Smith, Sr. of Jay.
One Injured In Pine Forest, West Roberts Wreck
September 16, 2018
One person was injured in a two vehicle accident Saturday afternoon at Pine Forest Road and West Roberts Road. Two other people involved in the crash were not injured. Further details were not released by the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
