Thunderbirds, Blue Angels To Perform Joint ‘Super Delta” Flyover Wednesday
October 29, 2024
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will team up for a rare joint flyover of Pensacola on Wednesday.
The “Super Delta” formation will take place beginning at 11:30 a.m. and should be visible along the Gulf Coast from as far west a Perdido Key through Oriole Beach, Florida.
Pensacola areas at which the Super Delta formation can be seen during the flyover include Johnson Beach, Pensacola Beach, Oriole Beach and Palafox Street in downtown Pensacola.
The Navy and Air Force flight demonstration squadrons, the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds, debut the original Super Delta formation at Naval Air Facility El Centro, Calif., March 2, 2021. Air Force Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Update: Hobby Lobby, Books-A-Million Space Sold; But Real Estate Firm Says They Are Staying
October 29, 2024
A shopping center building with Hobby Lobby and Books-A-Million has been sold to a church, but now the church’s real estate firm says the business are not going anywhere soon.
Rob Bell of the Pensacola commercial real estate firm Bellcore Commercial represented Destiny Worship Center in their purchase. He told NorthEscambia.com Tuesday morning that both Hobby Lobby and Books-A-Million have leases in place with options to extend. He said the church plans to honor those leases.
Previously, commercial real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield said they arranged the $7 million sad of the shopping center at 6253 North Davis Highway in Pensacola and that it would be converted into a church. The building was constructed by a subsidiary of Walmart in 1987 and later sold for $3.75 million in February 2002.
The Escambia County Property Appraiser’s website confirms the sale, and the deed (pictured below) also confirms the transaction.
Hobby Lobby and Books-A-Million are tenants at the property, which was built in 1987 and comprises 103,485 square feet across two tenant spaces. Hobby Lobby and Books-A-Million occupy 70,100 and 33,385 square feet at the center, respectively.
NorthEscambia.com reached out to Hobby Lobby Monday to find out if the store might be relocated, or if it will close. We had not received a response from Hobby Lobby by midday Tuesday.
The property was last valued at $6,965,998 by the property appraiser.
Destiny Worship Center, based in Destin, has a top priority of building families, according to their website.
The church has current locations in Destin, Freeport, Crestview, Panama City Beach, Fort Walton Beach, FL, Kenya, and Nicaragua. The church has not directly commented on the sale.
Courtesy photo, click to enlarge.
Firefighters Respond To Possible Attic Fire In Cantonment
October 29, 2024
Firefighters responded to a reported structure fire Monday in Cantonment.
There was reportedly some light smoke seen coming from the home on Isabella Road near Rittenberry Road. Evidence of an attic fire was found.
There were no injuries reported.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Gulf Shores Man Charged With Attempted Murder For Cantonment Shooting
October 28, 2024
A Gulf Shores mn has been charged with attempted murder following a shooting in Cantonment early Monday morning.
Grant Bieber, 43, is being held without bond on charges of attempted murder and a felony weapons offense for shooting into a home.
The incident happened during a disturbance in the 200 block of River Annex Road.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Bieber and a female friend were outside a residence and tried to get inside. Bieber became angry and tried unsuccessfully to bust in a door, according to investigators.
He then retrieved a firearm from a vehicle and fired into the residence, deputies said.
No one was injured by the gunfire.
“He was charged with attempted murder because of the intent to harm or kill,” ECSO spokesperson Morgan Lewis said.
Lewis said the incident was a not a random act of violence; she said Bieber knew the person inside the residence.
Construction Underway At New ‘Paper Park’ At Former IP Golf Course (With Photo Gallery)
October 28, 2024
Construction is underway at a new park to be known as “Paper Park” on the 68-acre former International Paper golf course in Cantonment
In April, Escambia County leased the property at Highway 29 and Muscogee Road to develop it into a park.
Walking trails have been constructed around the park, playground installation started late last week, and construction has started on a disc golf course.
The Escambia County Commission approved the purchase of a play structure and 704 square feet recreational shelter with tables for the property. The total was $369,775.76 for purchase and installation of the GameTime equipment. The recreational area will be open to the public free of charge during daylight hours once completed and opened.
The purchase is being funded from the Cantonment Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).
Under the lease agreement for, Escambia County will pay a $5,000 lease fee the first year with an annual increase of 5% with the lease reading $6,077.53 by year five.
The Champion Golf Club course has been closed since 2017.
Pictured: Progress on the new Paper Park in Cantonment as worked continued late Saturday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Renderings of what the completed playground will look like (just the equipment; it’s a stock background):
I-10 Crash Claims One Life In Escambia County
October 28, 2024
One person was killed in a crash Saturday afternoon on I-10 in Escambia County.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a silver Audi SUV driven by a 62-year old Pensacola man was traveling east on I-10 near scenic highway and failed to negotiate a curve and left the roadway. The Audi struck a large concrete wall, causing the vehicle to spin in the ditch ejecting the passenger.
The passenger, a 68-year-old woman from Pensacola, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition. According to the Florida Highway Patrol report, neither occupant was wearing a seatbelt.
The FHP investigation is ongoing.
File photo.
Donation Brings Pumpkin Patch Fun to Century Camp Fire Students (With Gallery)
October 28, 2024
The children at the Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center enjoyed a trip to the pumpkin patch Friday.
Camp Fire was unable to transport the children to a pumpkin patch, so the pumpkin patch came to them.
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority District 5 board member Kevin Stephens made personal donation for the pumpkins, which were purchased from the Allen Memorial Methodist Men Pumpkin Patch in Cantonment in order to benefit that group as well.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle School Names Students Of The Month
October 28, 2024
Ransom Middle School has named their September Students of the Month. They are seventh graders Madison McCrary and Josh Samayoa. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Traffic Alerts: What To Expect This Week
October 28, 2024
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:
- U.S. 98 Road Closure for Pensacola Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk – Motorists will encounter a temporary road closure on Bayfront Parkway from 9th Avenue to Jefferson Street Saturday, Oct. 26 from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. for the Pensacola making strides against breast cancer walk.
- State Road (S.R.) 296 (Michigan Avenue) Construction from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) – The week of Sunday, Oct. 27, drivers may encounter outside lane closures on Michigan Avenue, from Mobile Highway to North Palafox Street, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., while crews perform concrete work.
- U.S. 90 (Scenic Highway) Resurfacing from south of Interstate 10 (I-10) to south of Hyde Park Road – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Scenic Highway, between south of I-10 and south of Hyde Park Road, Sunday, Oct. 27 through Thursday, Oct. 31, between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. as crews perform drainage improvements. During the closures, traffic will be reduced to one lane with traffic flaggers directing drivers through the work zone.
- U.S. 98 (Gregory Street) Resurfacing from North Palafox Street to east of 14th Avenue – Drivers may encounter traffic disruptions, Monday, Oct. 28 through Thursday, Oct. 31, between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., while crews perform concrete work at the following locations:
- U.S. 98 (Gregory Street) westbound outside lane closures near North Tarragona Street.
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- Gregory Square westbound outside lane closures near North Tarragona Street.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (S.R. 296) – The week of Sunday, Oct. 27, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on North Palafox Street, between Cervantes Street and Brent Lane, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for milling and paving operations.
- 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. Signage is in place to detour drivers around the work zone using Pine Forest Road, Longleaf Drive and Wymart Road.
- I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) Construction – Drivers may encounter inside lane closures on I-10 near Exit 5, Monday, Oct. 28, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. These closures are required as crews construct a temporary traffic shift.
- I-10 at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions the week of Sunday, Oct. 27:
- 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.
- Traffic on North Palafox Street may be slowed near Hope Drive, Monday Oct. 28 and Tuesday, Oct. 29 at approximately 10 p.m. as crews relocate large construction equipment.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Drivers will encounter a lane shift to the southbound travel lanes, between Rudolph Street and Green Street. One travel lane in each direction remains open as crews reconstruct the adjacent northbound lanes. The traffic shift is expected to remain in place through late 2024. The speed limit is reduced to 25 mph, and signs are in place to safely direct drivers 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, Oct. 27 through Thursday, Oct. 31, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for milling and paving operations.
- 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.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
NAS Pensacola Closed To Public October 31
October 28, 2024
Pensacola Naval Air Station is closed to the public October 31 as the installation prepares for the 2024 Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow.
Department of Defense (DoD) identification holders may enter through both the Main Gate and the West Gate.
The 2024 NAS Pensacola Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show with the Air Force Thunderbirds will be November 1-2. Later this week, NorthEscambia.com will have complete coverage, previews and all the information you need to know.