Heads Up! Here Are This Weeks Road Construction Slow Spots
March 2, 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:
- Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Resurfacing from Creighton Road (S.R. 274) to Olive Road – The week of Sunday, March 2, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Ninth Avenue, from Creighton Road to Olive Road, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for milling and paving operations.
- U.S. 98 (Gregory Street) Resurfacing from North Palafox Street to east of 14th Avenue – Drivers on Gregory Street, from North Palafox Street to 17th Avenue, will encounter alternating, intermittent lane closures Sunday, March 2 through Thursday, March 6, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for milling and paving operations.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (S.R. 296) – The week of Sunday, March 2, drivers may encounter intermittent daytime lane closures on North Palafox Street, from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane, as crews place thermoplastic striping and perform traffic signalization work.
- 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 Sunday, March 2 through Thursday, March 6, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Intermittent I-10 inside lane closures near the Nine Mile Road interchange.
- Nine Mile Road will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction between the I-10 ramps. 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 – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- 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.
- A new temporary on-ramp for U.S. 29 southbound drivers accessing I-10 eastbound is now open. Detouring traffic to the temporary ramp will allow crews to continue work to reconstruct the I-10/U.S. 29 interchange.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between S.R. 4 and the Alabama State Line – Drivers on North Century Boulevard, between S.R. 4 and the Alabama State Line, may encounter intermittent lane closures for paving operations. Signage will be in place to direct drivers safely through the work zone.
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, March 2 through Thursday, March 6, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for milling and paving operations.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – Drivers on U.S. 90 westbound may encounter intermittent lane closures over the Simpson River Bridge, Sunday, March 2 through Thursday, March 6 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, March 2, through Friday, March 7, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
- Beginning Sunday, March 2, motorists will encounter a new traffic configuration as U.S. 98 eastbound lanes from Oriole Beach Rd and College Parkway will be shifted south. This is necessary for crews to complete median construction operations.
- S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) Bridge Rehabilitation over Garcon Point Bridge – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Saturday, March 1 through Tuesday, March 4 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for construction activities.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Two Staying In Showalter Park Dugout Arrested With Drugs, ECSO Says
March 1, 2025
Two people allegedly staying in the dugouts at Century’s Showalter Park are facing drug charges.
Brian Adrian Qualls, 44, and Lindsey Marie Hanks, 43, were both charged with felony possession of a controlled substance by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
After receiving a tip from the Flomaton Police Department, ECSO deputies responded to the park where they located Qualls and Hanks in a dugout in the northernmost part of the park. Deputies located a bag next to Qualls that contained synthetic cannabinoids (spice), according to an arrest report, and small bag in Hanks’ wallet that containing methamphetamine.
Qualls was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $2,500 bond, while Hanks remained in jail with bond set at $2,500.
Ransom Middle School Names Students Of The Month
March 1, 2025
Ransom Middle School has announced their January Students of the Month. They are eighth graders Rylie Gibbs and James “Aiden” Jacobi. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
211 Northwest Florida Recognizes the Vital Community Hotline
March 1, 2025
211 Northwest Florida recently celebrated 211 Day as part of a month-long awareness campaign. National 211 Day is an annual observance celebrating the three-digit informational and referral hotline that has helped millions of people in the U.S. and Canada over the past 40 years. 211 Northwest Florida is our area’s iteration of the program that connects individuals to information about resources and services available in their community.
211 Northwest Florida is a resource for residents who need assistance with disaster, food, health care, mental health, insurance, stable housing, utility payment, veteran services, childcare, and other related needs. It operates in 10 Northwest Florida counties, including Escambia and Santa Rosa.
211 is 24/7, free, confidential, and is offered in over 180 languages. 211 specialists offer empathetic, non-judgmental care while connecting individuals and families to a range of available resources to meet their underlying needs, not just the one that prompted the call, text, or email.
“Our specialists work to understand root causes of issues, often providing additional life-changing resources to callers,” said Laura Gilliam, CEO/President of United Way West Florida. “211 is an unmatched, critical, go-to service providing connection and support to those who need help.”
211 Northwest Florida made over 130,000 connections to essential resources in our community in 2024. 211 is especially helpful during times of disaster, such as hurricanes, flooding, and wildfires, by spreading accurate and vetted information—while ensuring 911 calls are reserved for physical emergencies. If you are someone you know needs help, Call 211 or text your zip code to 898211.
Pictured: The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners recognized 211 Month. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Washington High To Host Free Swim and Dive Program For Elementary Students
March 1, 2025
The Aquatic Center at Booker T. Washington High School will host a free Elementary Swim and Dive Program this spring.
Included will be a free orientation to basic water safety, an introduction to competitive swimming, with focus on improvement on freestyle and backstroke techniques, an introduction to freestyle and backstroke starts and flip turns, and an introduction to 1-meter springboard safety skills.
Interested students must have all paperwork (registration and consent/authorization form) completed prior to the pre-class swim test at registration. All applicants must be able to jump in deep water and swim 40 feet unassisted on the surface of the water, without stopping, prior to acceptance in the program.
Additionally, all participants must be registered students in Escambia County, (public, private or homeschool) and must be in grades K-5. Transportation must be provided by a parent/legal guardian. The parent/legal guardian should also remain on campus during the child’s session.
Registration will be open on March 10 and 11 from 3:30-7:00 pm at the Washington High School Aquatic Center. The program runs from March 12-18 with a second session to be schedule later.
Contact Megan Oberholtzer, M.Ed., Aquatics Director, Washington High School, at (850) 494-5681 for more information.
Booker T. Washington High School is located at 6000 College Parkway in Pensacola.
King Aero Donates Demo Jet Engine to George Stone Aviation Program
March 1, 2025
Students at George Stone Technical College’s aviation program will now get a hands-on look at how jet engines operate, thanks to a specially-designed demo engine donated by Pensacola company King Aero,
King Aero and GSTC have been working together for years to strengthen the pipeline of aviation mechanics in the area. The aviation maintenance program, which began development in 2014 and held its first class in 2017, continues to grow under the leadership of instructor Bill Davis.
Davis, an Air Force veteran with 35 years of experience in engine maintenance for the Hurricane Hunters, said the partnership with King Aero provides valuable real-world learning opportunities for his students.
“In class, when you start talking about how air moves or the physics of air movement, and talking about how it moves through each stage of this engine, it’s hard to for students to visualize what I’m describing,” Davis said. “I can explain it to them on the board all day long, but they can’t really grasp it until they can physically put their hands on it. With this demo engine, I’ll be able to show them a real example that they get their hands on — it gives them a whole different perspective.”
The demo engine was the brainchild of GSTC Aviation Program graduates and current King Aero employees Sean Rader and Will Keethler.
“It was a lot of work but feels good to give back to the school that got me to where I’m at in the first place,” said Rader. “Just being able to be a part of helping their program grow is very fulfilling.”
Scores: Wins For Northview Baseball; Tate Baseball And Softball Fall
March 1, 2025
Here are North Escambia Friday night scores:
BASEBALL
Northview 10, Pensacola Christian 0
The Northview Chiefs shut out Pensacola Christian 10-0 Friday night in Pensacola.
Jayden White earned the win on the mound for the Chiefs, allowing one hit and no runs in five innings, walking three and striking out eight. Grayden Sheffield thew one scoreless inning in relief, walking one and striking out two.
Brady Smith went 2-2 at bat. Cole Davis, Kelen Jury, and Braynt Mason each had two RBIs.
Up next, Northview will be at Flomaton on Tuesday ahead of a Thursday game at Jay.
Northview 13, Pensacola Christian 0
The junior varsity Northview Chiefs easily shut out Pensacola Christian 13-0 Friday night.
The Northview win was earned by Christian Roberts who gave p no hits and no runs in three innings while recording seven strikeouts and walking one. Taylor Curtis pitched two no-run innings in relief while getting five strikeouts and walking one.
Kobi Fiorenti, Sawyer Gilmore, and Christian Roberts each had two hits. Kobi Fiorenti, Will Gilmore, Esten Odom, and Christian Roberts hand one RBI each. The JV chiefs stole 15 bases during the game against PCA.
Fort Walton Beach 11, Tate 8
Friday night, the Tates Aggies fell 11-8 on the road to Fort Walton Beach.
Kaleb Posta and Evan Taylor had two RBIs for Tate., and Nathan Ozuna was 2-4.
Tate will be at home Tuesday night against Milton.
SOFTBALL
West Florida 8, Tate 7
The Tate Lady Aggies slipped 8-7 to the West Florida Jags Friday night.
Kinzlee Biggs led at bat for the Lady Aggies with two RBIs as she went 1-2. Peyton Womack went 3-5, and Jordyn Banks were 2-4.
Tate will host Escambia on Tuesday.
Learn To Play The Dulcimer At The Molino Library
March 1, 2025
You can learn to play the dulcimer at the Molino Library.
The “Fundamentals of Dulcimer” class will be held from 1-2 p.m. on March 3, 17, and 31. The class is free, and no experience or materials are required. Dulcimers are provided for the class.
Pictured: A 2019 dulcimer class at the Molino Library. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Salzman Files Bill To Enhance Online Safety For Minors
February 28, 2025
Rep Michelle Salzman has filed a bill she says will strengthen protections for children and teenagers on social media platforms.
House Bill 743, titled “Social Media Use by Minors,” would require social media platforms to disable end-to-end encryption or other data encryption features that restrict the accessibility of messages for accounts held by minors under 16-years-old.
Salzman’s bill would also enable parents or legal guardians to view all messages sent and received by their minor children on these platforms and allow law enforcement to access messages relevant to felony criminal investigations involving minors.
The Escambia County Republican’s social media bill would also maintain existing requirements for social media platforms to terminate accounts of users under 14-years-old and to obtain parental consent for users aged 14 and 15.
“This legislation is a crucial step in our ongoing efforts to protect Florida’s youth from the potential dangers lurking in the digital world,” Salzman said. “By addressing message encryption, we’re empowering parents and law enforcement with the tools they need to ensure our children’s safety online.”
She said her bill builds upon an existing law that went in effect January 1 that bans social media accounts for Florida Children under 14 and requires parental permission for minors aged 14 or15.
Salzman said the proposed bill addressing growing concerns include Mental health issues linked to social media use, especially among young girls; the threat of online predators exploiting these platforms to communicate with minors; the need for increased parental oversight of children’s online activities; and concerns about harmful content hosted on social media platforms.
“As legislators, it’s our responsibility to adapt our laws to the rapidly changing digital landscape,” Salzman added. “HB 743 is part of a national trend to address the perceived harms to minors on social media services, and Florida continues to lead the way in protecting our youth.”
If the bill is passed and signed by the governor, it will take effect on July 1.
Escambia Schools Plan To ‘Unplug’ Next Friday
February 28, 2025
Escambia County Public Schools will observe ‘National Day of Unplugging’ across all campuses on next Friday, March 7.
In order to draw attention to the serious mental and social harm addiction to technology causes for our youth in the United States, ECPS will take a day to ‘unplug’ and focus on intentional personal interaction. Schools are encouraged to promote activities which bring students together, without technology.
“It’s a small step, but an important one,” said ECPS Superintendent of Schools Keith Leonard. “Actually, this idea came from our Student Advisory Council, who collectively saw reliance on technology as a real problem at their schools. We are proud they recognized this and wanted to do something about it.”