Walnut Hill Woman Arrested On Drug Charges After Traffic Stop
August 20, 2024
An early morning traffic stop on North Main Street led to the arrest of a Walnut Hill Woman on drug charges early Sunday Morning.
According to the Atmore Police Department, an officer pulled over a vehicle with a malfunctioning headlight around 1:15 a.m. on August 18th. The driver, identified as 36-year-old Victoria Lynn Burkett, was subsequently detained for further investigation.
Police said a search of the vehicle uncovered a syringe containing methamphetamine and other drug paraphernalia. Burkett was taken into custody and charged with possession of a Controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. She is currently being held at the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center.
Florida Demands Answers From Temu
August 20, 2024
Both U.S. Sen. Rick Scott and Attorney General Ashley Moody are raising concerns about Temu, including their allegedly nefarious production practices.
“A congressional investigation uncovered that Temu may be illegally selling products made with forced labor in an area of China in which the Chinese Communist Party is committing genocide,” Moody said.
“Additionally, there are reports that Temu is gathering U.S. consumer information and passing it along to the CCP. These reports are alarming — not only on a consumer protection front but in regards to national security as well.”+
In a letter sent recently to the president of Temu and the CEO of PPD Holdings Inc., Temu’s parent company, the attorneys general outline concerns with the company’s business practices following reports that the company may not be following federal law or the states’ consumer protection laws.
“The rapid rise of Temu represents a new challenge in our ongoing efforts to ensure fair trade and protect American consumers and businesses,” Scott contended, asking for a meeting with the Joe Biden Cabinet official to discuss these and related issues further.
Last year, the United States House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party revealed disturbing information about Temu’s failure to comply with American laws prohibiting the use of forced labor by Uyghurs. The company admitted that “it does not have a policy in place to prohibit the sale of goods from Xinjiang – the location of the CCP’s ongoing genocide against the Uyghurs.” Temu took it a step further and claimed it is not subject to the UFLPA.
The same house select committee also found that Temu does not apply a real compliance system and concluded “that shipments from Temu containing products made with forced labor are entering the United States on a regular basis, in violation of the UFLPA.”
Moody is joined by the attorneys general of the following states in demanding answers from Temu: Alabama, Alaska, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
Pictured: Photograph of the Temu homepage on August 20, 2024. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Area’s Jobless Rate Increases Slightly
August 20, 2024
The Escambia County unemployment rate fell last month, according to newly released data from FloridaCommerce.
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 3.9% in July, up from 3.7% in June. That represented 5,999 people out of work out of a county workforce of 155,201. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was 3.5%, or 5,057 people.
The Pensacola metro area private sector employment increased by 1.7% (+3,000 jobs) over the year in July 2024. The industry sector gaining the most jobs over the year was education and health services, increasing by 1,100 jobs.
Florida’s unemployment rate continues to remain lower than the nation, with a rate of 3.3% in July 2024, a full percentage point lower than the national rate of 4.3%. Florida’s private sector employment has grown by 201,500 jobs (+2.3%) over the year since July 2023, faster than the national rate of 1.5 percent over the same time period.
New LED Northview High Sign Replaces Original Model Toppled By High Winds
August 20, 2024
Just over three months after the original was destroyed by high winds, Northview High School has a news sign.
Winds hit 89 mph during the early morning hours of May 10 at the weather station on the Northview campus. The wind toppled the sign that had stood since the school opened 20 years ago, downed trees and caused other mostly minor damage around the campus.
Monday, a news digital sign was installed by Plastic Arts Signs.
Picture above: Northview High’s new digital sign was installed Monday. Pictured below: The original sign was toppled during high winds on May 10 that also caused other damage around the campus. Courtesy photos (NHS) above, NorthEscambia.com photos below, click to enlarge.
Here Are The Road Construction Delay Spots For The Remainder Of The Week
August 20, 2024
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and project in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities this week.
Escambia County:
- Interstate Circle Bridge Over Eight Mile Creek – 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.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) at U.S. 29 Interchange (Exit 10) – I-10, between U.S. 29 and I-110, is reduced to two travel lanes in each direction. Beginning Sunday, Aug. 18 through Thursday, Aug. 22, drivers will also encounter intermittent lane closures on I-10 near U.S. 29 between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. The U.S. 29 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound is also 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. These closures allow crews to perform shoulder and bridge work to widen the interstate.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street to Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) 296) – Drivers may encounter daytime outside lane closures on North Palafox Street at the intersection of Leonard Street/Cross Street and at the intersection of Fairfield Drive, Monday, Aug. 19 through Friday, Aug. 23. Crews will be working on traffic signals. Law enforcement personnel will be available to safely direct traffic through the work zone.
- I-10 at Nine Mile Road Interchange (Exit 5) – Drivers will encounter inside lane closures on I-10 near Exit 5, Sunday, Aug. 18 through Thursday, Aug. 22, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. These closures are required as crews construct a temporary detour.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Traffic on U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) is shifted 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 fall 2024. Signage is in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- County Road (C.R.) 4 over Canoe Creek Bridge – C.R. 4, between Byrneville and Bratt, will be reopened to traffic this week as the Canoe Creek bridge replacement is now complete.
Santa Rosa County:
- S.R. 89 Resurfacing, from north of S.R. 87 to C.R. 178 – Drivers will encounter intermittent daytime lane closures, between S.R .87 and C.R. 178, Monday, Aug. 19 through Friday, Aug. 23 as crews install signage and place thermoplastic striping.
- U.S. 90 Resurfacing from west of Avalon Boulevard to east of Stewart Street – Drivers may encounter intermittent U.S. 90 lane closures, between Glover Street and Stewart Street, Sunday, Aug. 18 through Thursday, Aug. 22, from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for 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.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Bayshore Road and Tiger Lake Drive Sunday, Aug. 18, through Friday, Aug. 23, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- U.S. 98 Turn Lane Operations from Village Parkway to Bergren Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent eastbound outside lane closure from Sunday, Aug. 18 through Thursday, Aug. 22 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for turn lane construction.
- U.S. 90 (Gulf Breeze Parkway) Routine Underground Utility Maintenance near Daniel Street and Shoreline Drive – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Aug.19, and Thursday, Aug. 22 through Monday Aug. 26 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for routine underground utility maintenance.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
7-Year Old Dies Following Friday Wreck In Santa Rosa County
August 19, 2024
A 7-year-old has passed away from injuries received in a traffic crash Friday in northern Santa Rosa County.
The Florida Highway Patrol occurred about 5 p.m. at the intersection of Sandy Forest Road and Bryant Bridge Road, south of Holt in the Blackwater State Forest.
FHP said a 73-year-old Holt woman was driving an SUV west on Bryant Bridge Road as a 59-year-old Ponce De Leon man was driving a pickup truck south on Sandy Forest Road. Trooper said the pickup ran a stop sign and collided with the right side of the SUV. The SUV, which had boys ages seven and eight as passengers, overturned its side.
The 7-year-old boy was flown to an area hospital with critical injuries. He later passed away from his injuries Saturday afternoon, troopers said Monday.
The 73-year-old woman suffered serious injuries, while the 8-year-old boy was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. The driver of the pickup truck received minor injuries.
The FHP traffic homicide investigation is continuing.
Most Of Century Without Water For Most Of Sunday Due To Water Main Break
August 19, 2024
A significant portion of the town of Century was without water for most of Sunday.
A water main break was reported Sunday morning in front of Bondurant Ace Hardware at 8511 North Century Boulevard.
For more photos, click to enlarge.
The town notified NorthEscambia.com about a boil water notice for the entire town about 11 a.m., but providing no other information or updates . That boil water notice remains in effect.
Due to the water main break, the Whataburger restaurant on North Century Boulevard closed for the day.
Sunday night, residents began to report the return of water service. Work at the leak site had ceased by about 9 p.m. The Town of Century did not provide any updates.
Escambia County Fire Rescue put plans in place for a second alarm for any fire call in Century in order to automatically send water tankers form neighboring fire stations, accordioning to Escambia County Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore. However , there were no fires reported during the water outage.
Pictured: Repair to a broken water main Sunday afternoon on North Century Boulevard. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Project Begins Today To Widen Portions Of Dangerously Narrow Highway 164
August 19, 2024
A project to widen portions of Highway 164 will begin today, August 19. Work will take place in three phases and is expected to be completed by Friday, September 20.
The $1.25 million project funded by Local Option Sales Tax funds will widen a total of 2.16 total miles of dangerously narrow Highway 164.
Highway 164 has been the scene of several near head-on crashes and sideswipes attributed to the narrow roadway. Some of the roadway has approximately 8-foot travel lanes — not wide enough for large vehicles like a fire engine from the nearby McDavid Fire Station (pictured top).
“I’m excited about the first phase of widening improvements for the most narrow part of Hwy 164,” Commissioner Steven Barry said when funding was approved earlier this year. “I promise it’s not the completion of the project, only the first phase including the worst area, and I will keep working diligently to secure the funds needed for additional widening of Highway 164 and for other roads which need these type improvements as well.”
The Escambia County Commission awarded the $1,254,955.88 project to Panhandle Grading and Paving, which was deemed the lowest, most responsive, and responsible bidder.
According to Escambia County Engineering, the two areas had seven sideswipes and other accidents between May 2018 and May 2023– the highest concentration areas on Highway 164. NorthEscambia.com has covered several other crashes on Highway 164 outside the proposed widening zone — including a fiery two pickup crash last April, and a pickup truck and school bus last year (detailed in photo descriptions below).
Phase A:
Crews will begin widening Highway 164 between Highway 97 and Green Village Road Monday, August 19. This portion of road will be closed to through traffic, but local motorists and school bus traffic will have access to Highway 164. All through traffic will detour from Highway 97, east on Gobbler Road to Green Village Road, then south to Highway 164. Phase A is expected to be completed by Saturday, Aug. 24.
Phase B:
Crews will begin widening Highway 164 from Green Village Road toward North Highway 99 on Monday August 26. This portion of road will be open to local traffic only. Through traffic will be detoured north on Green Village Road, east on Gobbler Road, then south on Highway 99 to Highway 164. Phase B is expected to be completed by Friday, August 30
Phase C:
Crews will begin widening Highway 164 near North Pine Barren Road Tuesday, September 3. Traffic will be reduced to a single lane controlled by a flagging operation. Phase C is expected to be completed by Friday, September 20.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Career Fire Crews Now Staffing The Molino Fire Station 24/7
August 19, 2024
Career fighters are now staffing the Molino Fire Station 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The full staffing went into effect at 8 a.m. on Saturday, August 17.
The four-member crews are a special operations team, providing light technical and special rescue services in addition to responding to fire and medical calls across North Escambia. The station will respond in the Molino fire district, and provide assistance in the McDavid, Walnut Hill, Century and Cantonment fire districts, along with assistance in other local areas.
“This will really bolster our response in the north end,” Escambia County Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore said recently. “This will benefit the entire area.”
The current “Squad 9″ truck (pictured below) that was assigned to the McDavid Fire Station in September 2023 was transferred to the Molino Fire Station, becoming known as “Squad 18″ for the new crews. “Engine 9″ and other apparatuses will remain in McDavid.
Work was done at the Molino Fire Station to remodel the bunk rooms, living quarters and the kitchen to better support occupation by 24/7 crews.
Molino is now what is known as combination department –volunteers would still respond to calls alongside the paid crews.
“I’m pleased to know that my friends and neighbors in the Molino area will have coverage 24/7 out of the Molino Fire Station, and I certainly appreciate the brave men and women who will be providing the service, be they volunteer or career,” District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said recently.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Two Injured In Century Motorcycle Crash
August 19, 2024
Two people were injured in a motorcycle accident Sunday evening near Century.
The crash occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Old Flomaton Road, close to Campbell Road. The motorcycle veered off the road and into a ditch.
One rider was critically injured and transported to a Pensacola hospital by Escambia County EMS. The other rider sustained less severe injuries and was taken to Jay Hospital by ambulance.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash.