Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Delay Spots
March 16, 2026
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:
- Beulah Road (State Road (S.R.) 99) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (S.R. 10A) to Isaacs Road – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Beulah Road, from Nine Mile Road to Mobile Highway, Sunday, March 15 through Thursday, March 19, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., for paving operations and placement of thermoplastic striping.
- Brent Lane/Bayou Boulevard (S.R. 296) Resurfacing, from Davis Highway (S.R. 291) to Baisden Road – Drivers may encounter the following traffic disruptions, Sunday, March 15 through Thursday, March 19, between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., for paving operations and placement of thermoplastic striping:
- Intermittent lane closures on Brent Lane/Bayou Boulevard, from Davis Highway to Baisden Road.
- On-street parking closures on Bayou Boulevard, between 12th Avenue and Baisden Road.
- S.R. 296 (Michigan Avenue) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) to North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) – The week of Sunday, March 15, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Michigan Avenue, from Mobile Highway to North Palafox Street, between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., for paving operations and placement of thermoplastic striping.
- Business U.S. 98 (Garden Street) Construction from Pace Boulevard to the Interstate 110 (I- 110) ramp – The week of Sunday, March 15, drivers may encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions:
- Garden Street, between Pace Boulevard and N. Donelson Street, is reduced to two travel lanes (one in each direction) as crews perform construction activities on the north side of the street. This temporary traffic configuration will be in place through late 2026.
- On-street parking is closed on Garden Street, between B Street and L Street.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) Construction – Drivers will encounter the following construction-related traffic disruptions the week of Sunday, March 15:
- I-10 is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction between U.S. 29 and I-110.
- I-10 travel lanes are shifted away from the median area of the roadway, near the U.S. 29 interchange.
- The U.S. 29 southbound access to the I-10 eastbound on-ramp has been reduced.
- 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.
Santa Rosa County:
- 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 15, through Friday, March 20, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Back-to-Back: Tate Track Takes Top Spot At Battle By The Beach
March 16, 2026
For the second straight week, the Tate High School Girls’ Track and Field Team earned a first-place win.
The Aggies took the top spot in the Second Annual Battle by the Beach Spring Break Invitational hosted by Pine Forest High School on Saturday. A week ago, the Aggies won first place in the Wildcat Invitational.
For more photos from the meet, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
UWF Men’s Basketball Falls In NCAA Tournament First Round
March 16, 2026
West Florida (25-9, 15-7 Gulf South) fell to West Alabama (27-5, 19-3 Gulf South) with a final score of 53–58 on Saturday at Rick Case Arena in the NCAA South Regional Tournament. This game marked the fourth time the two teams have faced each other this season.
Despite the loss, this season concluded as one of the most successful in program history, with the Argonauts achieving the second most wins in a season at 25-9. The season also featured one of the biggest turnarounds in school history, as the team had won only 16 total games in the last two seasons. Additionally, UWF claimed their second Gulf South Conference championship this season.
West Florida’s defense recorded eight steals, contributing to a tense game with 12 ties throughout the contest. The first half began with West Alabama taking an early lead, thanks to free throws by Elliot Tulip, putting the score at 3-0. West Florida quickly responded with a jumper from Aric Demings and a 3-pointer by Elijah Wyche, assisted by Demings, to edge ahead 5-3 at the 16:26 mark. The game remained closely contested with both teams exchanging leads, highlighted by a 3-pointer from the Argonauts’ Christian Monroe at 9:51, bringing the score to 14-11. As the half drew to a close, both teams were tied 29–29 after a late driving layup by Christian Valarezo with 36 seconds remaining.
West Alabama pulled away in the second half to secure the five-point victory over the Argonauts. Rasean Frederick scored the opening points with a jumper, giving the Tigers an early momentum. West Florida tied the game at 33 with Wyche’s tip-in at the 16:54 mark. However, Jakobe Singleton’s consistent scoring, including a layup with 1:35 remaining, helped the Tigers maintain their lead. Although West Florida’s Colby McAllister hit a late 3-pointer with five seconds left to cut the deficit, West Alabama sealed the win with two free throws by Singleton.
McAllister led the scoring for the Argonauts with 12 points, including two 3-pointers, and added four rebounds. Demings contributed nine points, converting all five of his free throws, and recorded three assists. Tim Hall Jr. was active defensively, finishing with two steals and five rebounds. Wyche scored seven points and blocked a shot, making three of his four field goal attempts.
Water Safety Takes Center Stage as Cantonment Rotary Club Visits Bratt Elementary
March 16, 2026
The Cantonment Rotary Club brought its “Josh the Baby Otter” book project to Bratt Elementary School recently.
Club members have read the book to over 1,000 students at North Escambia area elementary schools.
The book Josh the Baby Otter teaches kids about water safety and learning how to float.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Community Honors Cantonment Veteran Critically Wounded In Operation Epic Fury (With Gallery)
March 15, 2026
Hundreds of people came together Saturday to honor retired former serviceman Hunter Girdner of Cantonment, who was critically wounded while saving a member of his military contract crew in support of Operation Epic Fury.
“I appreciate everyone for coming,” Girdner (pictured left) told the crowd gathered at the University of West Florida Conference Center. “It really means a lot to me, to have the support of the community.”
After being injured while serving, Girdner joined a contract crew at a top secret location in the Middle East, his way of continuing to serve.
“I had something to give, and I found a way to do it,” he said. “I used my body to ease my mind.”
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
During this deployment, his team was located in a targeted area and was attacked. While relocating, the Cantonment veteran noticed one of his squad members, John Gabrysiak, was left behind. While running back to rescue his teammate, he was hit by shrapnel and critically wounded, undergoing several operations including the removal of a kidney, spleen repair, and more at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Gabrysiak (pictured left) also addressed the crowd, expressing his thankfulness to Girdner.
“He is a son of this community; he is someone who grew up among us, learned the same values that many of us were raised with, and when the moment came to act, he lived those values out in the most profound way possible during Operation Epic Fury,” Rep. Michelle Salzman said about Girdner, a 2016 graduate of Tate High School. “This is not just bravery, it’s character; it’s loyalty. And it’s simply America… It comes from something deeper, values that are forged in family and community and country and in faith.”
“Hunter, it takes a pretty special person to run back into the war zone,” Florida Lt. Governor Jay Collins told Girdner during Saturday evening’s event. “Thank you for living up to your heritage of your time in the military, and thanks for standing up for John.”
“Hunter, the power of your moment, you didn’t wait,” Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said. “Your moment is going to define your life, and very much your legacy. We appreciate you.”
Simmons presented a Sheriff’s Award for performing an outstanding service to the community.
Prior to the event at UWF, a convoy honoring Girdner traveled from the former Denny’s on Nine Mile Road to UWF, with dozens of motorcycles, including the Patriot Guard, law enforcement and dozens of other vehicles. People lined up along Nine Mile Road to honor Girdner, including several people with a large American flag draped over a pickup truck at the John R. Jones Ballpark.
For a photo gallery from the convoy, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Ruritan Holds 51st Annual Farm Auction (With Photo Gallery)
March 15, 2026
The Walnut Hill Ruritan Club held its 51st annual auction Saturday in Walnut Hill with crowds bidding on farm equipment and hundreds of other items.
All proceeds from the auction benefit the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club’s community service projects in the Walnut Hill area. The auction is held each year in the spring.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The auction included not only farm equipment, but also household items like tools and small equipment, lawn and garden items, antiques, and more.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
New Escambia County Extension Council Members Appointed
March 15, 2026
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners recently appointed several North Escambia residents to the Escambia County Extension Council. The following individuals will serve a two-year term, ending on February 29, 2029:
- Zone 2 — Vicki Mizrahi, Wilma Road, McDavid (Zone 2 is south of the intersection at Highway 164 and Highway 97 to the north side of Tungoil Road)
- Zone 5 — Kristal Hayes, Mathison Road, Cantonment (Zone 5 is north side of Quintette Road to the south side of Molino Road)
- Zone 6 — Lauren Mate, Goldenrod Road, Cantonment (Zone 6 is south side of Quintette Road to the north side of Kingsfield Road)
- Zone 12 — Kellie Graham, Eclipse Lane, Pensacola (At-large)
An Escambia County Extension Council member serves as a volunteer advocate and liaison between the community and the Extension Service. Responsibilities include attending quarterly meetings, identifying local needs in areas like agriculture and youth development, and collaborating with extension agents to shape regional educational programs. Members must reside in the specific zone they represent.
State Arrests Man In Escambia County For ‘Sophisticated Fuel Theft Operation’
March 15, 2026
A 26-year-old man was arrested in Escambia County in what state authorities described as a sophisticated fuel theft operation spanning multiple counties.
Alain De Jesus Aguila-Martinez, 26, was charged with larceny — tampering with or removing a retail fuel dispenser by the Florida Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE). He also had active warrants for multiple felony charges, including organized fraud, retail fuel theft tampering, and petit theft.
Officers at the Florida Agricultural Inspection Station on I-10 identified a blue semi-truck pulling a refrigerated trailer that matched the description of a vehicle linked to a sophisticated fuel theft operation spanning Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties.
During the inspection, an OALE K-9 unit conducted a free-air sniff around Aguila-Martinez’s 2002 Freightliner semi-truck and alerted officers to the presence of narcotics. A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered a large magnet concealed under the driver’s steering wheel, authorities said. The magnet was identified as “a device commonly used to manipulate fuel pump solenoids, enabling the unauthorized theft of diesel fuel”.
Pineview Church Road South Of Jay To Close On Monday
March 15, 2026
Pineview Church Road south fo Jay will be closed beginning Monday.
The bridge over Mare Branch Creek will be closed for repairs with with between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day.
Weather permitting, this project is expected to be completed by Friday, March 20.
Drivers in the area can detour from Pineview Church Road south to Highway 89 and north to Hollandtown Church Road.
Ice Flyers Bounce Back With Win Over Macon Mayhem (Gallery)
March 15, 2026
The Pensacola Ice Flyers bounced back on Small Dog Race Night defeating the Macon Mayhem 4–2 on Saturday night at the Hangar to close out the weekend series.
Macon struck first midway through the opening period, capitalizing on a power play opportunity to take the early lead. The Mayhem carried the 1–0 advantage into the first intermission despite several strong pushes from Pensacola.
The Ice Flyers responded in the second period as Jack Suchy continued his hot weekend, scoring his fourth goal of the series to even the game at 1–1. Less than 30 seconds later, the Hangar erupted when Porter Schachle netted his first professional goal, giving Pensacola its first lead of the night. Macon answered with a goal from Khaden Henry to tie the game, but the Ice Flyers regained momentum before the break when Andrew Poulias found the back of the net to send Pensacola into the second intermission with a 3–2 lead.
Pensacola extended its advantage early in the third period when Zack Bross buried a goal to make it 4–2. The intensity ramped up later in the frame as a series of roughing penalties got the home crowd on its feet, but the Ice Flyers held strong defensively down the stretch to secure the victory.
With the win, Pensacola earns two valuable points in the standings.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
