FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
May 7, 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:
· State Road (S.R.) 742 (Creighton Road) Construction Improvement Project from east of Davis Highway (S.R. 291) to Scenic Highway (U.S. 90)- Alternating and intermittent lane closures on Creighton Road between Davis Highway and 9th Avenue and on 9th Avenue at the intersection of Creighton Road from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, May 6 through Saturday, May 12 as crews perform milling, paving, sidewalk and curb replacement.
- U.S. 29 Widening from I-10 to Nine Mile Road- Drivers traveling U.S. 29 and Nine Mile Road will encounter traffic pattern changes from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, May 6 through Saturday, May 12 as follows:
- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 overpass: North and southbound traffic will be 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 Friday.
- U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road: Drivers may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations. U.S. 29 lane restrictions are Monday through Saturday.
- U.S. 29 Resurfacing between U.S. 90 and Muscogee Road - Alternating lane closures on U.S. 29 north and southbound, from Muscogee Road to West 9 ½ Mile Road, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, May 6 through Thursday, May 10 as crews pave the roadway.
· I-10 / U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I- The following traffic impacts are planned on I-10 and U.S. 29 near the interchange (Exits 10) from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, May 6 through Thursday, May 10:
-
- Alternating lane closures on I-10 east and westbound and U.S. 29 north and southbound.
- The U.S. 29 on-ramps to I-10 eastbound will be intermittently closed. Traffic will be detoured on U.S. 29 to access I-10 eastbound.
- Alternating lane closures on the I-10 westbound exit ramp to U.S. 29 north and south (Exit 10).
- U.S. 98 (S.R. 30) Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement - Alternating east and westbound, lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, May 6 through Thursday, May 10 as crews perform construction activities.
· Mobile Highway at Beulah Road Intersection Project- Work to improve the intersection of State Road 10A (Mobile Highway) at Beulah Road in Escambia County is scheduled to begin the week of Monday, May 21. To help minimize traffic impacts, much of the construction work will take place behind a low-profile concrete barrier wall. No lane closures will be allowed Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. In addition, no lane closures will be scheduled during special school events.
· Lillian Highway (U.S. 98) Resurfacing Project- Construction activities on U.S. 98 (Lillian Highway) in Escambia County are scheduled to begin the week of Monday, May 7. Lane restrictions are 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, May 6 through Thursday, May 10.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Alternating east and westbound lane closures between 14th Avenue in Pensacola and Bay Bridge Drive in Gulf Breeze, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, May 6 through Thursday, May 10 as crews perform construction activities.
- I-10 Widening from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) – 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, May 6 through Friday, May 11 as crews work to widen the roadway. In addition, alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard, near the I-10 interchange, will also be encountered as crews reconstruct the travel lanes.
· S.R. 87 Multilane from Eglin AFB boundary to Hickory Hammock Road – Traffic between County Road 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) and the Eglin AFB boundary is restricted to loads less than 11-feet wide. The restriction will be in place until the project is complete.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled 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.
Northview Football Garnet And Gold Game This Afternoon, QB Club Meet And Greet Tuesday
May 7, 2018
Monday at 5 p.m. , the Northview Chiefs football team will hold their spring Garnet and Gold game. This game is an intrasquad game. The football team is asking for liquid laundry detergent or donations as an entry fee.
The Northview High School Quarterback Club will have a “Meet & Greet” Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the gym meeting room (right of the main gym, coming from the student parking lot). Refreshments will be served. Attendees will learn where they can fit in and make a difference in the football program. The meeting begins at 6:30, following the Meet & Greet program.
Rare 4.5 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes In The Gulf of Mexico
May 7, 2018
A rare earthquake in the Gulf of Mexico registered 4.5 on the Richter Scale. The epicenter of the quake was about 160 miles southeast of New Orleans just before noon Sunday, according to the United State Geological Survey. That’s about 200 miles from Cantonment, 230 miles from Century.
A a quake of the magnitude between 4.0 and 4.9 is considered ‘light’ and can cause “Noticeable shaking of indoor objects and rattling noises. Felt by most people in the affected area. Slightly felt outside,” according to the Geological Survey.
There was no threat of a tsunami.
Escambia County Public Meeting Schedule
May 7, 2018
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings for the week of May 7-11:
Tuesday, May 8
Florida West Economic Development Alliance – Co: Lab Policy Board, Pensacola Chamber of Commerce, 3rd Floor Conference Room, 418 W. Garden Street, 11 a.m.
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate, Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place, 1:30 p.m.
Florida West Economic Development Alliance Board of Directors, Pensacola Chamber of Commerce, 3rd Floor Conference Room, 418 W. Garden Street, 2 p.m.
Escambia County Housing Finance Authority, 700 S. Palafox St., 5 p.m.
Wednesday, May 9
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Olive Road East Phase 2 Ribbon Cutting – 2 p.m. 2603 E. Olive Road
Santa Rosa Island Authority Board Meeting, 1 Via de Luna Drive, 5 p.m.
Thursday, May 10
Committee of the Whole – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, Board Chambers, 221 Palafox Place
Science Hour: Backyard Wildlife/Butterflies – 6 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Saturday, May 12
Regional Round-up – 8 a.m. to noon, Pensacola High School. 500 W. Maxwell St. north parking lot, dispose of electronics, household hazardous waste and up to four tires per vehicle, free of charge. Proof of Escambia County residency is required.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Barrineau Park Historical Society Awards Four Scholarships
May 7, 2018
The Barreineau Park Historical Society presented four deserving this school seniors with college scholarships.
Aliya Kaufman, a senior at West Florida High School, received the $1,000 Stephen Jogan Memorial Scholarship from the Barrineau Park Historical Society. She plans to attend the University of West Florida in the fall and pursue a degree in animal science.
Madelyn Lathan, a West Florida High School senior, received the $500 Louis Crabtree Sr.Scholarship administered by the Barrineau Park Historical Society. She plans to attend Pensacola State College in the fall and major in nursing.
Kylee Jackson, a Tate High School, received a $500 Lynda Minchew Scholarship awarded by the Barrineau Park Historical Society. She plans to attend Troy University in fall and major in business.
Trae Melton, a senior at Tate High School, received a $1,000 academic scholarship from the Barrineau Park Historical Society. He plans to attend University of West Florida and major in sports medicine.
Each submitted an extensive application and an essay on why a historical society is important to a community.
Pictured above: Aliya Kaufman, Madelyn Lathan, Kylee Jackson and Trae Melton. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NWE 12U Diamond Divas Win Hub City Spring Bash Championship
May 7, 2018
The Northwest Escambia Diamond Divas are the Hub City Spring Bash 12U champions. The Diamond Divas are Emily Cody, Jamison Gilman, Berklee Hall, Aubrey Stuckey, Emma Gilmore, Ryley Dawson, Jaci Jackson, Sarah Bailey and Mayson Edwards. The team is coached by Eric Gilmore and James Gilman. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Sawmill Day Car Show
May 7, 2018
Large crowds attended the annual Sawmill Day Car Show in Century on Saturday.
For previous Sawmill Day coverage and photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
.
Florida To Beef Up Elections Cybersecurity
May 7, 2018
Florida is hiring five cybersecurity specialists in advance of the 2018 elections, though the legislature didn’t include the positions when setting the state budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday announced the move to hire consultants who will work with elections officials. The consultants will be paid based on contract rates established by the Department of Management Services.
“We must be proactive in our efforts to preserve the security and integrity of our elections, which is why I directed the Department of State to invest in a team of cybersecurity specialists that will serve as a resource to all of our election officials,” Scott said in a prepared statement. Sarah Revell, spokeswoman for Secretary of State Ken Detzner, said the money will come from the agency’s federal trust fund for the current and upcoming fiscal years. The Department of State received $1.9 million in the state’s new $88.7 billion budget to establish a network-monitoring security program that will provide automated alerts about threats, allowing county election officials to respond when data may be at risk. The budget, which takes effect July 1, did not include funding to meet the Department of State’s request for five additional full-time employees to serve in cybersecurity positions.
In March, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio warned of a “level of overconfidence” about the security of the nation’s election system heading into the 2018 elections. The Miami-Dade County Republican, who sits on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said he wasn’t satisfied enough safeguards are in place — from the federal, state and local levels — to ensure the accuracy of the elections.
Florida is one of several states where voter rolls were believed to have been targeted by Russian hackers before the 2016 presidential election. Florida officials have not disclosed what exactly transpired during the election.
Molino 14 Team Wins NWE Tourney
May 7, 2018
The Molino 14 baseball team won the interleague baseball tournament Saturday at Northwest Escambia in Walnut Hill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Blue Wahoos Stumble Against The M-Braves
May 7, 2018
The Blue Wahoos used six extra-base hits to slug out a 9-7 win in front of a sellout crowd in Sunday’s finale at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Both teams brought the offense early and often throughout Sunday’s matinee. Gabriel Guerrero gave the Wahoos a quick lead with a two-run home run in the bottom of the first off M-Braves starter Enderson Franco. The lead was short-lived after Mississippi scored five runs in the top of the second inning. Daniel Lockhart tallied a two-run double before Michael Reed’s three-run homer off Wyatt Strahan gave the M-Braves a 5-2 advantage.
But the Wahoos would not be denied in a game that featured five lead changes. In the bottom of the second inning with the bases loaded, Josh VanMeter hit a shallow fly ball that fell between three M-Braves to clear the bases. Pensacola scored four times in the second inning to take a 6-5 lead. The back-and-forth affair continued when Mississippi scored two more runs in the third inning to regain a 7-6 lead.
The game took an interesting twist in the top of the fourth inning when both Strahan and manager Jody Davis were ejected from the game after arguing with the first-base umpire on a play where Brian O’Grady was deemed to have taken his foot off the bag. That again forced the Wahoos to use their bullpen for the majority of the game. Carlos Navas (W, 1-0) held the M-Braves off the board over his 2.2 innings en route to his first win of the year.
Pensacola took the lead for the third and final time in the fifth inning when O’Grady walked, stole a base, and advanced to third on a flyout by Aristides Aquino. He then scored on a wild pitch from Adam McCreery (L, 0-2), which made the score 8-7. Pensacola tacked on an insurance run in the seventh inning when Guerrero tripled and scored on O’Grady’s flare to right.
Alex Powers closed out the game with two scoreless innings as the right-hander grabbed his third save in as many opportunities this season.
The Wahoos hit the road for their first 10-game road trip of the season. They will begin in Birmingham for a five-game series against the Barons before heading south towards Biloxi to fend off the Shuckers.