Traffic Back To All Four Lanes In $4.7 Million Highway 29 Reconstruction In Century
November 12, 2024
All four lanes of Highway 29 in Century are open for the first time since January 2023.
The Florida Department of Transportation last week shifted traffic back to four lanes between Rudolph Street and Green Streets. However, the project is not complete. FDOT said rivers on North Century Boulevard, between Highway 4 and the Alabama state line, may still encounter intermittent lane closures for paving operations.
This project is estimated for completion in late 2024.
The $4.7 million safety project began in January 2023 to reconstruct, resurface, and realign Highway 29. The project includes reconstructing a 700-foot curved segment of Highway 29 from north of Henry Street to Cottage Street; the curve has been the site of several truck accidents in recent years.
FDOT will also upgrade traffic signals, drainage structures, pavement markings, and driveways, while also improving curb ramps and sidewalks to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.
Pictured: All four lanes of North Century Boulevard (Highway 29) were open on a rainy Monday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man Charged With DUI Manslaughter After Cantonment Boy Dies
November 11, 2024
The Florida Highway Patrol has arrested an Alabama man for DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide in connection with an I-10 crash November 6 that injured six Cantonment residents, including a 14-year-old boy that suffered critical injuries and has now passed away.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the 14-year-old was the passenger in a van along with five other Cantonment residents ranging in age from 12 to 50 that suffered minor injuries.
FHP said the van and a pickup truck were involved in the crash, and at least one vehicle rolled over.
Troopers originally charged the driver of the pickup, 49-year-old Shawn Reynolds Wilber of Daphne, Alabama, with DUI with serious bodily injury. He was later released from the Escambia County Jail on bond. He was arrested again Sunday and charged with both DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide.
The crash happened just before 10 p.m. on I-10 westbound, just west of the Highway 29 exit.
Texas Longhorns Take SEC Soccer Title; Officials Say Escambia County Wins Big
November 11, 2024
The Texas Longhorns won the SEC Womens Soccer Championship Sunday at Escambia County Ashton Brosnaham Park, and officials say the tournament was a big win for Escambia County.
Mia Justus made seven saves and Carly Montgomery scored the game-deciding goal in the 80th minute to secure a 1-0 victory over South Carolina for the Texas Longhorns’ first-ever SEC title.
Thousands of fans attended the tournament at the park off 10-Mile Road, including a huge crowd that filled the stands for Sunday’s final, despite rain.
The even was preceded by a free Fan Fest with games, music and other activities for soccer fans before the championship game.
This marked the third consecutive year that Ashton Brosnaham Athletic Park has served as the location for the tournament, generating millions of dollars in local economic impact, according to local officials.
For soccer championship action photos, click here.
For Fan Fest photos, click here.
“We are incredibly proud to once again host the SEC tournament, and we hope the teams and fans enjoy their time in Escambia County,” Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said. “This is an exciting event not only for District 5 and Escambia County, but for all of Northwest Florida. I appreciate the continued partnership with Pensacola Sports and the SEC, along with the countless staff members and volunteers who work behind the scenes to make an event like this possible.”
Escambia County Parks and Recreation has completed significant improvements to continue to make the Ashton Brosnaham Athletic Park a first-rate sports complex, including a new multi-use facility that opened just in time for the 2023 SEC Tournament. The new facility serves as additional locker room space for the SEC Soccer Tournament, along with other sporting events including local youth, high school and college soccer. Parks and Recreation staff also repaved the parking lot and completed significant upgrades to the field turf at Ashton Brosnaham.
Pensacola Sports President and CEO Ray Palmer lauded the strong partnership between Pensacola Sports, Escambia County Parks and Recreation, and the SEC, also highlighting the positive impact that a tournament like this creates for Escambia County and the greater Pensacola area.
“Every year, we get a little better at it,” Palmer said. “We just keep raising the bar, because we want to show the SEC that we want them here. And for these players, they’re going to be deciding where they live after they graduate, where they may start their families, where they’ll come and go to work or start their own businesses, or where they’ll vacation for years and years. It gives our community a chance to show up and show off. It’s just such a golden opportunity, and the economic impact just the week they’re here is significant.”
For soccer championship action photos, click here.
For Fan Fest photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview High School JROTC Honors Veterans
November 11, 2024
The Northview High School NJROTC held a special program for Veterans Day last week. The program included a special flag folding ceremony. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Deputies Involved in Shooting After Armed Suspect Opens Fire
November 11, 2024
Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies were involved in an officer-involved shooting late Saturday night after responding to reports of gunfire in a residential neighborhood. The incident unfolded around 10:37 p.m. on the 800 block of Amberway Drive, where multiple callers reported a man firing a gun in his front yard.
When deputies arrived, the suspect, armed with an AR-15 rifle, fired at the officers, ECSO said. None of the deputies were struck by the gunfire. Deputies ordered the man to drop his weapon several times. When he refused to comply, deputies were forced to fire, injuring the suspect. The man was transported to a local hospital for treatment, and both an AR-15 rifle and a pistol were recovered from the scene.
As per Escambia County Sheriff’s Office protocol, the deputies involved have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has been notified and will conduct a thorough review of the shooting.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Pine Meadow Elementary Honors Veterans (With Gallery)
November 11, 2024
Pine Meadow Elementary School held a special program to honor local veterans.
The veterans also participated in a parade through the school as students cheered to show their appreciation for the veterans’ service and sacrifices.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lipscomb Elementary School Honors Local Veterans (With Gallery)
November 11, 2024
Lipscomb Elementary School honored local veterans last week.
The veterans also participated in a parade through the school as students cheered to show their appreciation for the veterans’ service and sacrifices.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Elementary School Honors Local Veterans (With Gallery)
November 11, 2024
Bratt Elementary School held a special program to honor local veterans. They shared heartwarming patriotic songs and information about why it is important to honor veterans.
The veterans also participated in a parade through the school as students cheered to show their appreciation for the veterans’ service and sacrifices.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NO. 17 UWF Earns Sixth Straight Win
November 11, 2024
The way September ended placed UWF’s football team in a precarious position.
Ever since, however, the Argos have earned their way into a welcome opportunity.
With their defense as the main force, the No. 17-ranked Argos won their sixth consecutive game in a resounding 35-14 victory against North Greenville in the season’s final home game on Senior Day at PenAir Field.
It puts UWF (7-2) into a defining moment when facing unbeaten, No. 1 ranked Valdosta State (9-0) next Saturday in a game at Valdosta, Ga. that will determine a league champion and shape the NCAA Division II playoff picture for teams in the South region.
“As a coach, when you grow up around football like I have since I was born, this is what you coach for,” said UWF coach Kaleb Nobles, who played his final season in 2016 at UWF after transferring from Valdosta State. These are the games you coach for. We are going to put everything in front of us and try to play our best football. We know a victory against a really good Valdosta team would be sweet as sugar, so we are excited to have an opportunity.”
The Argos seized on opportunities Saturday for a fast start against North Greenville (4-5), which has often played UWF tough. The Argos have twice won games decided by just three points against the Trailblazers in the past four seasons.
On the game’s second play Saturday, UWF junior defensive lineman Collin Shaw knocked the ball free from North Greenville quarterback Dylan Ramirez. The Argos Donovan Barnes scooped up the fumble and raced 25 yards for a touchdown just 49 seconds into the game.
Just a minute later, on a 3rd-and-1 play, the Argos defense again forced a fumble, this time recovered by sophomore linebacker Kode Lowe at the North Greenville 35. An excessive celebration penalty pushed the ball back to midfield.
But no matter, the Argos went up 14-0 on a 10-play, 50 yard drive that T.J. Lane finished with 2-yard run for the first of his two rushing touchdowns.
“It’s really big (to get that kind of start), because it shifts the momentum of the game and once that happens, then anything can happen at any time. And we’re on top of the game.”
The momentum shifted midway through the second quarter when UWF quarterback Marcus Stokes was intercepted by North Greenville’s R.J. Glasgow, who returned it 40 yards for a touchdown to halve the deficit.
It began a stretch of four touchdowns in the final seven minutes of the half.
The Argos opened a 21-7 lead following a 69-yard kickoff return by Jay Sharp to the Trailblazers 31. Four plays later, Stokes made a nice underneath pass to Da’Mani Brown for a 28-yard score.
On that ensuing kickoff, the Trailblazers Jerrick Foster returned the kick 99 yards for a score to again cut the deficit to seven points.
Another strong kickoff return, this one by Anthony Ballard put UWF in business again at the Trailblazers 29.
The game’s biggest play then ensued. On a third-and-16, Stokes found Corey Scott slashing across the end zone for a touchdown with 17 seconds left in the half.
It was easily Stokes’ biggest play on a day where he had some struggles with completions, going just 10 of 23 for 125 yards.
From that 28-14 halftime lead, the UWF defense was suffocating in the second half, barely allowing North Greenville a first down.
The Argos yielded just 74 yards of total offense on 47 plays and just six first downs against the Trailblazers in the entire game.
They limited North Greenville’s ultra-talented wide receiver, Dre Williams, one of the nation’s best D-2 receivers, to just three catches for 22 yards.
“Number one for them (Williams) is one of the best players in the country and so we were trying to keep him in check… and they’ve got a lot of really good players so we did a good job limiting them,” Nobles said.
“Our defense rose to the challenge again,” he said. “They are doing a great job of chasing the football. What I am excited about is that there’s a lot of depth… guys that didn’t get as much playing time earlier in the year and now they are getting a lot of playing time.”
Lane gained 71 yards as UWF’s top rusher and Sharp had 69 yards plus the kickoff return. Collin Shaw led UWF’s defense with six tackles.
After a 1-2 start that included an overtime home loss to West Alabama and a road loss at Grand Valley State in Michigan, the Argos have rallied back.
“Since we got off the plane from Michigan, I told them that every game is a playoff game,” Nobles said. “We have no choice. Our backs are against the wall. We knew this game coming up against Valdosta would be a big one all season, so in order to make this a big game, make it a playoff game, then every other game was a playoff game. We came back from Michigan. Revaluated a lot of things. I’m proud of the coaches for coming up with a lot of good ideas, changing practice, changing things. Our players have done a phenomenal job of buying in.”
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: UWF Argos vs. Valdosta State Blazers
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 16, 6 p.m. (Central Time)
WHERE: Bazemore-Hyder Stadium, Valdosta, Ga.
Photo: Emily Miller/UWF for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill VFD Honors Firefighters, Community Members During 55th Annual Fish Fry (With Photo Gallery)
November 10, 2024
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department honored members of the community and the department during their 55th annual fish fry Saturday.
Andrew Peters (pictured above with Chief Kein Mininger) was named Officer of the Year and recognized for his service to the department. Susie Davis (pictured first below) was named Firefighter of the Year, an award chosen by her fellow firefighters.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Walnut Hill Ruritan Club received the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department’s Community Service Award for outstanding and dedicated service to the community. The Ruritan Club has supported the fire department with donations including a much-needed pressure washer and community service projects such as wheelchair ramps for local residents and clearing paths to allow fire department access to area homes
There were hundreds of $12 catfish and grilled chicken plates sold. Plates included a choice of grilled catfish, fried catfish or grilled chicken, plus baked beans, coleslaw, homemade bread and homemade desserts. There were also drawings for door prizes throughout the event.
The Big Red Bus was also on hand for blood donations.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
