Two Injured In Highway 29, West Roberts Wreck
July 4, 2018
Two people were injured in a two vehicle accident Wednesday afternoon at Highway 29 at West Roberts Road.
The accident happened shortly before 1 p.m. Two other people involved in the accident refused medical transport.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
4th Of July: Where To Celebrate With Fireworks Shows, Other Fun Events
July 4, 2018
Here’s a guide to public, non-profit Fourth of July Fireworks shows and events cross the North Escambia area:
Pensacola – Sertoma’s Fourth of July Celebration 2018 - For the 29th year, area Sertoma organizations are hosting the largest fireworks display on the Gulf Coast over Pensacola Bay on Wednesday, July 4 at 9 p.m. There will beactivities throughout the day in Seville Square, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., including arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, live entertainment and a free children’s area. Free Sparks & Stars performance from the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra at the Hunter Amphitheater in Vince Whibbs Community Maritime Park is at 7:30 p.m.
Pensacola Beach Fourth of July Fireworks - 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 4. Celebrate your independence with fireworks on the sound side of the island.The best viewing spots would be from the Portofino Boardwalk or Quietwater Beach.
Jay Celebration – July 4 - The day begins with the annual Celebration Freedom 5K Run at Bray-Hendricks Park. Registration begins at 6:30 a.m., $25. Live music, food, facing painting, bouncy houses and more fun for the family begins at 6 p.m. Fireworks at dark.
Milton Riverfest – Downtown Milton. Car show 9 am. to noon Elmira Street, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. children’s activity area at north gazebo, wet slides 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. South Willing Street, duck race 5 p.m., live entertainment north gazebo 6:30 until 8:30 p.m., fireworks at dark over Blackwater River launced from south of the railroad trestle.
East Brewton July 4 – Live music begins at 5 p.m., duck race and more. Fireworks at dark.
Farm Hill Methodist Church – On July 4, Farm Hill Methodist Church will have an old fashioned Independence Day celebration fundraiser from 3-9 p.m. with food, games, a huge water slide and bounce house, and fireworks at dark. Donations will be accepted to help church youth with the cost of an Appalachian mission trip.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Milestone Reached In Rebuilding Of Tornado Ravaged 114 Year Old Century Church
July 4, 2018
A milestone was reached Tuesday in the rebuilding of a church damaged beyond repair in a February 15, 2016, EF-3 tornado in Century when the cupola with a cross on placed on top.
Pensacola architect Carter Quina designed the new church to look much like the old building. It will include windows, pews, light fixtures, woodwork and more salvaged from the old church.
The Century United Methodist Church was built in 1902, just after Century was established by The Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company. It was constructed of virgin long leaf pine, with interior detail and finish that created a reverent place for worship.
For over 114 years, the sanctuary helped to provide comfort and inspiration to Century residents with weekly services, as well as special occasions such as baptisms, weddings, and funerals.
Time took its toll on the familiar old building, along with a fire and hurricanes. The February 15, 2016, EF-3 tornado that struck Century dealt a blow from which the building could not be recovered. Many architectural details were salvaged before the structure had to be dismantled.
A groundbreaking was held in late January; church members hope to be in the new church building by Christmas. Meanwhile, they are continuing to meet in their Annex Building across the street.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pensacola’s White Drops $2.77 Million On Attorney General Race
July 4, 2018
Former Hillsborough County Circuit Judge Ashley Moody continues to post six-figure contribution totals, while her opponent in the Republican primary for attorney general, state Rep. Frank White, has started to dig into his campaign treasury to pay for ads, new finance reports show.
On the Democratic side of the race to replace term-limited Attorney General Pam Bondi, Rep. Sean Shaw of Tampa maintains a big lead in the fundraising contest over Ryan Torrens, a lawyer from Hillsborough County.
White, a Pensacola Republican, spent more than $1 million, mostly on advertising, from June 1 to June 22, while raising $84,200, according to campaign finance reports posted on the state Division of Elections website.
White released a pair of commercials last month that are part of a statewide TV ad buy that is expected to run up to the Aug. 28 primary. The first criticizes politicians, liberal judges and elites that “threaten the Constitution and mock our values.” The second ad highlights White’s pro-life stance and support for the National Rifle Association and President Donald Trump.
White, who serves as general counsel and chief financial officer for the chain of Sandy Sansing auto dealerships, has put $2.77 million of his own money into the race.
White had about $2.4 million on hand as of June 22.
Of the $84,200 raised between June 1 and June 22, $39,000 came from other auto dealerships and real estate companies tied to those dealerships.
Braman auto dealerships and real estate companies in South Florida accounted for $24,000.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Wahoos Walk Off In Stunning Fashion
July 4, 2018
The Wahoos mounted a late-game comeback in the bottom of the ninth inning as they defeated the Mississippi Braves 4-3 in Tuesday night’s ballgame at Blue Wahoos Stadium in front of a sellout crowd.
Pensacola entered the ninth inning trailing Mississippi 3-0. The Braves looked to Adam McCreery to secure the win for them in the inning. McCreery issued a leadoff walk to Gavin LaValley to start the inning. With one out from a Chris Okey fly out to center field, McCreery then threw a wild pitch to Taylor Sparks that put LaValley on second base. Sparks reached on a throwing error by McCreery that moved LaValley to third. McCreery was relieved by Chad Sobotka after he hit TJ Friedl with a pitch, to have the bases loaded for the Wahoos. Jose Siri got the Wahoos on the board with a sac fly to left field that scored LaValley to cut the lead to 3-1. Shed Long came to the plate and smashed a line drive RBI single that plated Taylor Sparks to make it a one-run game. With Mitch Nay batting, Sobotka threw a wild pitch that scored Friedl from third. M-Braves catcher Carlos Martinez tried to throw Friedl out at the plate, but his errant throw went up the first base line and Long scrambled around all the way from first to score the winning run.
Despite not factoring in the decision, Mississippi starter Bryse Wilson had a solid outing for the M-Braves. The Braves prospect pitched seven shutout innings allowing one walk, five hits, and a season-high nine strikeouts.
The Wahoos head to Montgomery Wednesday to battle the Biscuits in a four-game road trip. Daniel Wright (3-5, 4.23) will open the series for Pensacola, and RHP Benton Moss (1-2, 3.42) will take the hill for Montgomery
Unclaimed Lottery Ticket Sold On Chemstrand Road Set To Expire
July 4, 2018
The Florida Lottery today announced that a Fantasy 5 top prize-winning ticket worth $68,629.86 sold on Chemstand Road remains unclaimed. The 180-day deadline to claim the top prize is Tuesday, July 10 at 11 p.m.
The winning Fantasy 5 numbers for the January 11, 2018, drawing were: 02 – 13 – 19 – 27 – 28
The winning Quick Pick ticket was sold at 6 Brothers, located at 8702 Chemstrand Road. Players who may have purchased a Fantasy 5 ticket at this retail location are encouraged to check their tickets from the January 11 drawing.
While any Florida Lottery retailer can validate the winning ticket, the Fantasy 5 top prize must be claimed at a Florida Lottery District Office or at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee.
Man Charged With Impersonating A Police Officer
July 3, 2018
The Pensacola Police Department has arrested a man for impersonating a police officer.
Stephen Williams, 39, was charged for the incident after he contacted people in the area of the Pensacola Village apartments in recent days indicating that he was a detective with the Pensacola Police Department, the agency said. He told the residents that he was investigating a missing persons case.
Pensacola Police said he has never been an employee of the department.
Williams was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $1,000 bond.
Overnight Drive-by Shooting In Molino Under Investigation
July 3, 2018
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a suspect after a drive-by shooting early Tuesday morning in Molino.
At 1:23 a.m., a resident of Cedartown Road near Allen Circle reported that someone in an unknown type vehicle opened fire at a residential trailer and an unoccupied vehicle, according to Amber Southard, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
She said responding deputies did locate shell casings in the roadway.
There were no injuries reported.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620, Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Two Injured In 297A Crash
July 3, 2018
Two people were injured in a two vehicle crash Tuesday morning on Highway 297A and Ashbury Lane, just south of County Road 97.. Both were transported to area hospitals by Escambia County EMS.
A third person was not injured in the 8:15 a.m. accident. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Collapse At Molino Bridge Project, Work Halted For FDOT Review; Second Similar Failure Weeks Ago
July 3, 2018
[EXCLUSIVE] There was a collapse at a bridge under construction in Molino on Saturday, the second failure incident in less than a month, and construction has been halted while the bridge’s engineering is reassessed, NorthEscambia.com has learned.
Saturday at the Barrineau Park Road (Hwy. 196) bridge over Jacks Branch, concrete for a bridge deck span was being poured into temporary forms when a rod and temporary truss failed, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. That caused two deck spans of concrete that had not hardened to fall into water below.
“Workers in the area noticed a ‘dip’ as they were pouring the concrete and attempted a repair, but the form system collapsed,” FDOT District 3 Public Information Director Ian Satter told NorthEscambia.com. There were no injuries, and the concrete does not pose an environmental hazard.
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About three weeks ago, crews were attempting to place concrete in another deck form that failed, causing the deck and truss under the form to sag, he said. That section of bridge deck was removed by the contractor (photos at page bottom).
Monday, Satter said construction on the $1.97 million FDOT-funded project was halted after Saturday’s collapse while the entire engineering plan for the bridge is evaluated.
“We are assessing everything out there, and we (FDOT) are doing everything to assure this will not happen again,” Satter said. “There are no construction related activities on the bridge right now. They are cleaning up the site and reassessed engineering plans will be submitted to FDOT.”
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He stressed that an independent team monitors the construction of each bridge for FDOT, and each bridge must pass multiple inspections before being opened to the public. “We will have a safe bridge in place,” he said.
GDB-US Constructors, Inc. of Parish, FL, is the contractor on the project, the lowest of four bidders. Satter said to his knowledge, this is their first bridge project in FDOT District 3, which includes the area from Pensacola to Tallahassee.
The original bridge contract specified a fall completion for the project. So far there is no indication that the two incidents will prevent the bridge from being completed on time, according to FDOT.
Barrineau Park Road at Jacks Branch has been closed since January with traffic detoured via Highway 29, Molino Road (Hwy. 182), and Highway 95A.
Photos obtained by NorthEscambia.com and NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pictured below: Sections of concrete bridge deck removed from the bridge after it began to sag three weeks ago can be seen to the right of the bridge.
